After his conversation with Kuro, Ao dedicated most of his time to making sure Koi was comfortable. Shiro had taken over cooking duties, allowing Koi to remain bedridden and rest properly. He didn't say much while he worked, and Ao didn't pry. He could sense the weight of whatever was on Shiro's mind, but it wasn't his place to dig into it—at least, not right now.
Once the meal was ready, Ao carefully carried a plate to his mother, making sure not to spill anything. He placed it gently on the stand beside her bed, along with a drink. Before heading out, he checked on both Koi and Murasaki with Respira, allowing his energy to flow over them like a gentle current. Their conditions hadn't worsened, which was reassuring.
He decided to spend the next hour treating Koi, focusing on filtering out any lingering negative energy. Only after ensuring that she was stable did he prepare to leave for the village, mounting Kuro's back for the journey. He wasn't too worried about leaving—Shiro was still home, and no matter what internal conflict he was dealing with, he would always prioritize Koi's well-being. That much was certain.
As they moved down the dirt path, Ao found himself lost in thought.
I wonder what's on Shiro's mind…
Ever since Kori spoke with him, something had changed. He wasn't his usual self—he had become distant, quieter. Was it really that serious? Ao understood that the conversation had been about him attending school and whatever issues that brought up, but… he couldn't quite grasp why it weighed on Shiro this much.
It's not like it's some unsolvable problem, he thought. It doesn't add up…
His thoughts were interrupted as Kuro spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
"You alright, manling? You've been lost in your own head since we left your home. Something bothering you?"
Ao hesitated before answering. He hadn't known Kuro for that long—barely a year—but the beast had a sharp mind, one that often saw through things others didn't. Maybe his perspective would help.
"Hey… have you noticed that Shiro's been acting strange lately?" Ao asked.
Kuro tilted his head slightly, his large paws moving steadily along the dirt path. The warm sunlight shimmered against his sleek black fur and red, and he let out a satisfied sigh, clearly enjoying the sensation.
"You mean the White Flame's sudden silence?" he mused. "Yeah, I noticed. But I didn't bother asking him about it. Seems only fair, given what they talked about."
That was exactly what irritated Ao. Everyone kept acting like the conversation was some huge deal, but why?
"Okay… but what was so bad about that conversation?" he asked, his frustration bleeding into his voice. "I don't get it. All they really talked about was me joining 'school' and the problems that come with it. Then there was something about Shiro not taking me seriously, or something along those lines."
Ao tried to recall the conversation, though admittedly, he hadn't been paying full attention. He had been too focused on the rabbit, outside of the moments when he was absolutely terrified every time they brought up his intelligence.
Still, whatever was bothering Shiro… Ao just couldn't wrap his head around it.
Kuro blinked, momentarily taken aback by Ao's ignorance. Then again, it wasn't all that surprising. No matter how cunning the kid was, he was still just that—a child. Two years of life wasn't much to go off of, not when it came to understanding how the world truly worked.
He let out a slow breath through his nose before speaking. "Manling… do you really not get it?" Kuro adjusted his pace slightly, to not startle Ao with his speed or let the ride stupor his thoughts. "They weren't just talking about some school. They were talking about your future. About survival."
Ao furrowed his brows but didn't say anything, letting Kuro continue.
"Kori wasn't just arguing about whether you should go to an academy or not. From what I gathered, she thinks Shiro is too cautious, maybe even too soft when it comes to raising you. And, well… she might have a point." Kuro flicked his tail, his tone casual but his words carrying weight. "This world isn't kind. If you don't develop strength—real strength—you'll be crushed. That's just how it is, especially for the lower class. You have no spiritual bloodline, no royal name to shield you. The only thing that matters is power and merit, and without those, you're vulnerable."
Ao sat up slightly, he didn't agree with everything that Kuro was saying. "But Shiro is helping me get stronger," he argued. "Just because he won't let me swing a sword yet doesn't mean he's holding me back. I have my techniques, and I still have time. I don't even have to worry about the academy until I'm six, so why is she acting like I'm already falling behind?"
Kuro let out a small sigh. "It's not about whether you're strong or not, it's about when you'll need that strength. If you wait too long to develop the right skills, it won't matter how talented you are—you'll be easy prey. And, if I had to guess, Kori sees Shiro's hesitation as dangerous. It's one thing to be cautious, but being too cautious? That can get someone killed."
Ao opened his mouth to argue, but he hesitated.
Was Shiro really too lenient? He refused to teach Ao swordsmanship, but that wasn't unreasonable—he was still young. And Shiro's reluctance to send him to the academy wasn't just paranoia; he had valid concerns. There was still plenty of time to train, plenty of time to grow stronger. So why was Kori acting like his entire future was already at risk?
"…Huh," Ao muttered, his thoughts growing heavy.
Without another word, he rested his head against Kuro's fur, letting the warmth and steady rhythm of the beast's steps distract him. He didn't want to think about it anymore. Not now.
Kuro, sensing Ao's shift in mood, huffed a small chuckle. "I get it, manling. It's a lot to take in." His tone was unusually gentle, almost comforting. "But listen—what happens with all that? That's not up to you. Not yet, anyway. So don't waste your energy worrying about things outside your control." Kuro said, though he was simply quoting what his father had told him.
Ao sighed, his fingers curling into Kuro's thick fur. That's easier said than done.
But for now… he'd let it go
As they reached the outer rim of the village, Ao's eyes widened in astonishment. It wasn't what he had expected at all. There were no towering walls, no wooden gates, no defensive barricades of any kind. Instead, the land itself seemed to be alive. Small mounds of earth shifted slightly beneath the grass, as if something unseen was burrowing just beneath the surface, moving in a quick but unpredictable pattern.
Yet, despite this strange phenomenon, the village was breathtaking. The grass was a rich, healthy green, almost unnaturally pristine, as if someone—or something—constantly maintained it. In the distance, a massive mountain loomed over the landscape, draped in thick forests with shimmering waterfalls spilling down its slopes, sending mist into the air. The sunlight caught the water just right, creating a faint rainbow that arched over the trees.
To the right of the village, a spring curved around the settlement like a natural moat, its crystal-clear waters teeming with fish. A small wooden bridge stretched over the stream, allowing travelers to cross with ease. Along its banks, simple wooden boats floated gently, occupied by villagers using little more than a sturdy stick and a string to fish, their movements slow and patient. The entire scene was mesmerizing in its tranquility.
"Woah…" Ao breathed, his eyes wide with awe.
Kuro let out a low growl of agreement, his deep voice carrying a sense of appreciation. "Yeah, it's a sight, alright." His gaze swept across the village as he padded forward, crossing the small bridge with small steps to avoid messing up the grass.
The moment they entered, the air buzzed with life. On either side of the main path, makeshift market stands lined the streets, bustling with activity. Merchants loudly advertised their wares—handcrafted weapons, fresh produce, exotic herbs, and bottles of mysterious liquids that Ao couldn't even begin to identify. The scent of grilled meat mixed with the sweet aroma of baked goods, making his stomach twist in unexpected hunger.
Children ran freely through the village, their laughter blending with the lively chatter of the townspeople. Tiny pups, belonging to unfamiliar yet oddly familiar-looking creatures, bounded playfully beside them, yipping with excitement. Larger beasts—ones that bore a resemblance to Kuro but lacked his sheer size and presence—pulled massive wooden wagons stacked with stone and lumber, aiding the villagers in their daily work.
Above, the sky was alive with movement. Majestic winged creatures, their forms sleek and agile, soared effortlessly through the open air. Ao recognized them instantly—Typerons, the evolved form of hawks, their wings carrying faint traces of spiritual energy. They weren't just flying for the sake of it. They were working—delivering packages, dropping off food, and swooping down playfully to let the children feed them by hand.
Ao took it all in, the overwhelming sense of harmony between humans and spirit beasts unlike anything he had ever imagined.
"Are any of these your family?" he asked, his gaze lingering on a particularly large beast harnessed to a merchant's cart. It wasn't quite as big as Kuro, but it shared a similar dark fur and piercing crimson eyes.
Kuro's ears twitched at the question. "If you mean blood relatives, not necessarily," he admitted. "But my father considers any spirit beast that resides within his territory as kin. That's how he operates. That's why he rarely fights other beasts—unless they're kings like himself." There was a certain pride in Kuro's tone, though it was subtle.
Before Ao could respond, an excited squeal pierced through the market noise.
"Puppyyyyyy!!!"
A small figure came barreling toward them, moving with the reckless speed of a child who knew no fear.
Before Kuro could react, tiny arms wrapped tightly around his massive front leg.
Ao blinked in shock, barely registering what had just happened. The girl—who looked to be no older than five—clung to Kuro's thick fur, her beaming face half-buried in his coat. She had short, messy black hair, small deer-like ears and her dark eyes shining with pure, unfiltered joy.
"I missed you so much!!" she declared, nuzzling into his fur without a hint of hesitation.
Kuro, for his part, stiffened at first, clearly caught off guard. But after a moment, he let out a deep exhale, his muscles relaxing slightly.
"…Oh. It's you, Nanari." His voice, usually brimming with sharp wit or dry amusement.
The little girl tilted her head back to look up at him, grinning so wide it nearly split her face.
"Where have you been?! It's been sooo long! Mommy said you were on an adventure, but you never came to visit, you were outside the village at least!"
Kuro huffed. "I've been busy helping my own family, as you manlings call it." he said simply, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness. He nudged her lightly with his snout, careful not to push too hard. "How's your mother? She doing alright?"
Nanari nodded enthusiastically, still clinging to his leg as if she'd never let go. "Yup! She's been working a lot, but she says I'm her biggest helper!" She puffed out her chest proudly. "I help her pick the best veggies and I make sure she doesn't work too hard!"
Kuro let out an amused snort. "That so? Sounds like a tough job."
"It is!" she agreed with a dramatic sigh.
Ao, still processing the sight of a five-year-old girl hugging the spirit beast that had once threatened to eat him, just stood there, mouth slightly open.
"…Puppy?" he muttered under his breath, staring at the girl before him.
Kuro shot him a glare. "Don't."
Ao smirked, he was definitely using this against him later. "Oh no, I wouldn't dare."
Nanari's gaze drifted to Ao, her bright eyes locking onto him with excitement. Compared to her, he was noticeably smaller, his delicate features and slight frame making him stand out even more among the taller, sturdier children of the village. Her mouth dropped open in sheer delight, her face lighting up like a festival lantern.
"WOAHHH!" she gasped, bouncing on the balls of her feet as if she could barely contain herself. "Who is that?! He's so cuuuuute!"
Before Ao could react, she lunged forward, arms outstretched like she intended to scoop him up in a bear hug.
Instinct took over.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Ao pointed a hand at her forehead, spiritual energy flaring to life in his palm—only for Kuro to flick his tail, dispelling the energy before it could even form.
"Don't you even think about it," Kuro warned, smirking at Ao's panicked expression. Oh.. so this is how you planned to get back at me for the puppy thing..
Seeing his best method of escape shut down, Ao went for the next best option—dodging.
Twisting his body, he narrowly evaded Nanari's grab, his movements sharp and agile. Hemoved his leg, trying not to fall off of Kuro's back, slipping back slightly at every attempt she made at reaching up and grabbing him, or so he though .
"Stop trying to touch me—I'm not a doll!" Ao barked, scrambling to keep his distance. "Kuro—help! HELP ME!"
But his cries for assistance were met with nothing more than a deep, rumbling chuckle from the spirit beast.
And then—disaster.
Nanari finally managed to snag his ankle with surprising strength for a five year old, yanking him clean off Kuro's back. Ao let out a startled yelp as he tumbled toward the ground, but before he could brace for impact, he was caught mid-air and pulled into an unreasonably tight embrace. His small feet barely scraped the dirt as Nanari squeezed him against her chest, swaying side to side with pure, unfiltered glee.
"Danger…" Ao wheezed, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm in danger…"
Kuro snorted at the sheer absurdity of the situation, clearly entertained by the little girl's instant fondness for Ao. Still, he knew this probably wasn't the best way for the boy to get adjusted to the village—being kidnapped within seconds of arriving wasn't exactly a great first impression.
"Nanari, let him go," Kuro said, amused but firm. "That's Ao. He's a bit younger than you, so you shouldn't be squeezing him so—"
But Nanari wasn't listening.
Barely registering Kuro's words, she suddenly grabbed Ao's face between her hands, squishing his cheeks together; his face was like holding a small ball of dough. She gasped in awe, tilting his head from side to side as if studying him like a rare treasure.
"You've never been here before, have you?!" she exclaimed, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "You do look new! I know everyone in the village, and you don't look like any of us!"
Ao groaned internally. He barely had the energy to protest, his senses spinning from how overwhelming she was. Her excitement was like a whirlwind, impossible to resist, impossible to keep up with.
Then, her gaze flicked upward.
The moment she noticed the small, pointed coyote ears twitching atop Ao's head, her entire body went stiff.
And then, just as quickly—
"EEEEEEEEEHHHH?!?"
Her squeal nearly deafened him.
"You're from the Coyote Branch?!?" she shrieked, her voice rising with uncontainable joy. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gooooosh—"
Ao's stomach dropped, he used his tail to try and signal to Kuro for any kind of help.
Before he could even think of escaping, she reached up and rubbed his ears.
A shudder jolted through Ao's entire body, his breath hitching sharply. His ears twitched violently under her touch, unable to resist their natural reaction. Heat flooded his face instantly, the tips of his ears turning an embarrassing shade of pink.
"Awwww, they're so soft!" Nanari gushed, practically melting in delight. "And they twitch when I touch them! This is the cutest thing ever—"
"Kuro," Ao wheezed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Help."
Kuro, grinning widely, did absolutely nothing.