In a distant land, far away from the capital, a secluded village nestled at the foot of a cliff mountain - the Komorebi village. It was a place where the Bakeneko lives. A place that was full of memories for Chiyo. It was her second home.
As they ventured deeper into the east, the forest enveloped them, its silence broken by the occasional hoot of an owl. And then they emerged into an enchanting stream, its ripples shimmer with diamonds - like a night full of stars. Then a stone bridge arches over the stream. Its moss-covered stones adorned the pathway beautifully.
Chiyo dismounted the horse, and helped Kazuki slid down as well. "We'll walk from here." She said.
They pass through the bridge where a hawk-like gazes followed their every movements. Two black cats, the gate keepers, stood sentinel on the other end. Standing on their hind legs, the silver plates clung to their lithe bodies — a protection and declaration of their duty.
"The village elder is waiting for you." One of the cats said as soon as they neared them.
Chiyo nodded silently and the gate was opened for them, revealing a scene of enchantment. The village was cocooned by towering pine trees, their needles brushing against the night sky. The houses, tall and ancient, their walls hewn from time-worn wood — each dwelling bears the weight of centuries, and lanterns, they hung from eaves, illuminating the narrow pathways, swaying gently in the night breeze.
"Chiyo, you're back!" An old woman cat yelled, waving her pinkish paw at her.
Chiyo turned sideways where the old woman was slumped on her rocking chair, a yarn and needle sitting on her lap.
"Nice to see you, Mrs. Hako." She greeted politely. "You shouldn't be knitting outside. The snow will fall again soon. It will be too cold for you."
Mrs. Hako only gently shook her head. "Is that your child?! He looks so cute, but why is he a tanuki? Did you change your husband?"
Chiyo almost choked from her saliva from her barrages of questions, if Kaito was here, it would be really, really bad when he heard her.
"No. He's like a little brother. I'm here to see if the village elder could take him for a while."
"I'm sure she will. We miss having children here! All the kids have grown up, and they are all too busy with their own lives. I will not take too much of your time. Go and see the elder."
She bowed again and bid her goodbye, they then continued their way through the biggest and brightest house at the center of the village. It was easy to tell where the house is, because it is surrounded by red trees, its crimson leaves blazing like embers.
"How did they know you were coming?" Kazuki finally asked, the question was gnawing at him since they entered. It was like she is expected today.
"You're curious about that?" She pointed at the cliff-mountain beyond the village, there were houses clinging to the sheer rock faces like barnacles on a ship's hull. "The sentries watched from there. Their vision reaches far. I bet they already saw us the moment we set foot to the clearing."
"Oh." Was the only reply she got.
"This remote village has been here for centuries." She continued. "It also a place where some of the legends were raised with care. The village elder took all of the kids chosen by fate and then they raised them. My mother was raised here when she became an orphan."
"Well... That's news." Kazuki looked wide-eyed.
Everything amazes him. Even the air seems like it whispers ancient secrets to him. The place is so magical and old, like the village has been standing there before the royalty.
Following the illuminated pathway, they reached the center of the village where the elder stood waiting, her luminous, turquoise eyes staring intently at them — piercing, probing. She was also wearing a deep purple kimono that makes her snow white fur stand out even more — an ethereal beauty, graceful and poise. The most majestic bakeneko in their realm.
Chiyo bowed politely to the village elder, Miyu. She was the one who took care of her twenty years ago. Found in the snow-barren land, bathing in her own blood, chased by their enemies. The cats had helped her escape, and the remote village became her sanctuary.
"Come on in, Chiyo." The village elder said, her voice deep and ancient. Her gaze had swept briefly to the tanuki boy before she entered her abode.
The two immediately followed suit. Inside, the house was simple yet elegant, and on the wooden table, a steaming tea was placed for them to drink.
"It's cold and dangerous to venture around these days. What brought you here?"
Looking up from her cup, She met those calm and knowing eyes of Elder Miyu. She already has a hunched of what will be the request but wanted to confirm it anyway.
"This child. He has no family left. His sister —" Chiyo stopped to see his reaction, but Kazuki seems nonchalant so she continued. "She was found dead a few day ago. Attacked by a vicious creature. Kazuki has no one left and I am not able to take him as well."
The village elder nodded in understanding. "I'll take him then. Teach him how to survive this land. What do you say child? Are you fine staying in this village?"
"Yes." The boy agreed without a moment of hesitation. "I want to stay here."
"He's a peculiar child. It's interesting. How about you, Chiyo? What will you do?"
"Then I'm relieved if he will stay with you. I know he will be taken care off properly, aside from that, I won't be staying the night. I need to get back as soon as possible."
"Alright." Elder Miyu patted her hand. "You take care of yourself. I don't have eyes in the capital, but I can sense danger looming on you. Be careful on your way."
"Thank you so much, Elder Miyu. I'll be on my way."
"Bring some food for your journey back."
After taking some goods to bring, and warning Kazuki to behave, she bade them goodbye. Just like the wind — she come and goes as she wished. Elder Miyu watched her figure leave the village, once she reached the gate, that's when she decided to turn around, facing the tanuki boy with certainty.
"Now, introduce yourself." She said, her eyes piercing through him.
"I'm Kazuki." The boy answered confidently, but the village elder was no fool. Her luminous eyes can see through everything.
"No. I want to know the name of the soul residing in this child's body."
Kazuki's eyes widened — shocked. His heart almost jumped out to his throat.
"H-how?" He asked, his mouth gaping.
"Child, my eyes can see through someone's soul. It can see through secrets and lies. Yours, the soul is too different from your body. So who are you?"
An old soul in an immature body. A reincarnator. It was the first time she saw one.
"Ryota. That's my name." The tanuki answered truthfully, afraid that he cannot hide anything from the elder.
"Ryota? That's the name of the king."
"I know, but whoever is sitting on the throne right now is fake. My soul is here, and I don't know who is trying to pose as me inside the castle."
"Does your sister know?" She asked.
Kazuki drifted his head down. He didn't get the chance to tell her, and he seems hesitant to do so as well.
"No." He quietly answered.
The village elder walked around the boy. Her keen gaze is trying to probe further.
"So... What's your goal? Do you want to continue living as this child, or do you want to live as Prince Ryota. Choose. The way I raised you, it will depend on your decision today.
Kazuki balled his fist. He was torn between the two — to be an innocent child — unburdened, or to be the rightful heir to the throne. He wanted to have things stay as it is, but the ghost of his former self, clung to purpose — persistent and haunting.
He shut his eyes, thinking — to wield a power or innocence. His decision could only be either his downfall or salvation. Still, he remembered the weight of his duty and the sacrifices made years ago, it was a memory etched onto his soul.
Opening his eyes again, gaze gleaming with newfound determination, Kazuki answered, his voice unwavering.
"I choose both."