While the mortals were taking a break from digging traps for the Hill Cat, Tento sequestered, himself, from them. It's not like he didn't want to talk, but he didn't fit in. Growing up, Ten has always been an outcast; human interactions do seem like a non-profit making job in his mind.
With him being gullible and pliant, he finds making friends unsatisfying, because that's the only way to save himself from being used by backstabbing bastards. Rather, as a fun of the First Tama-Artist, he prefers a best friend — someone devoted to friendship; willing to do the same.
'Considering how that (crazy) scholar was laughing, while everyone dug trenches, I doubt we've to kill the stage 3 profound beast.'
—Those Bushi combined won't be able to kill one.
The young man thought, his gaze settled on the Madoshi in the sky. As someone who got robbed of his chance of being a Tama-Artist, Ten doesn't know much about the world of beasts, besides that stage 3 are princes; stage 4 are kings of the beasts.
Hungry, Tento decided to get some fruits. Afraid to get lost, he places his sack of loot around the path he was on, before looking around the surrounding area, when...
"I didn't see that tree before."
Ten muttered to himself. He is not someone who remembers everything like Lucien, but he is positive, he didn't see a tree with ginger leaves that sky scrapping tall!
'Considering how it's shaped, it's a gum tree.'
—Then, why are there branches on the lower part of its trunk.
'Maybe, it has another name I don't know of.'
—Anyway, that's a good place to scout!
Not only will the tree help him in finding fruits, but he'ld also, use it as a place mark, so that, he won't get lost if he travels far! —he had forgotten that he didn't see it before.
Flexing his joints, he heads to the mysterious gum tree. The first stretch is the difficult stage thanks to having nothing to hold on to besides the slippery, peach bark; however Ten had his loot. Swinging a rope, he holds onto a steady brunch —after a few tries—, and climbed the tree.
Getting an equable footing, he ties the rope to his waist, connecting it to a big brunch on top —with his luck, he has to get extra cautious: he might fell; break his sticks, leaving him crying for the demon of murder to kill him.
Ascending, Ten could strangely pick on the aroma of cinnamon wafting from the leaves; then again, he is not rich enough to know such a smell, maybe, it's something else.
From a high vantage point, the forest finally unfolded it's beauty to him: a picture landscape of jagged terrain and rainbow colored leaves.
'According to my brother, only Kokoro Island is like this.'
—The First Tama-Artist said that a dust particle from heaven fell here.
To Ten's folly, he found himself high enough, that it was now difficult to spot fruit trees —what do you know, rock-like-tree climbing could be fun.
'Why does it feel like I am forgetting something?'
Ten halts his moves.
He looks at the sky; the sun was right on top of him. Looking at the ground, that's when he noticed it...
"This tree has no shadow; my shadow is gone too!"
He yelped in amazement. He didn't notice it when climbing, because it was still cloudy, but..
'Why did I climb this tree?'
He scratched the back of his head, trying to remember, but he was at an impasse.
'To find fruits, right?'
—Why would I look for fruits in a gum tree?
Shrugging his shoulders, he decides to go to the ground; however, he noticed a nest made from maple leaves that he would fit in when sitting cross-legged.
Pressing his lips tightly, his pink eyes scrutinize.
'How come I didn't see something a brunch away from me?'
The canopy might be full of brunches, but he is not that blind, right?
"Many weird things have been happening since I found this tree; suddenly, I'm talking to myself too."
He is crazy, but not to that crazy.
At that moment, however, something clicked in his mind.
'Could this be one of those primordial monster fruit trees in the Journey of the First Tama-Artist?'
-But shouldn't that exist only in the primordial space; why are there no fruits?
'Let's take a look, maybe I'll get something.'
Although flustered about the sudden twitch in his mind, Ten had a curious apprehension on his face.
...without his knowledge, ten upward, curved, sharp horns grew around his head; his canine increased in size slightly.
Reaching the nest, Tento's pupils' reamed. Inside, a bright, blue —golden stripped— wolf with 6 swallowtail butterfly wings growled at him. On its forehead lay 9 eye sockets in a circle, yet only the one on top was open with a small rosy pink eye similar to his. On its belly, a deep stab produced white milky blood.
'Could this be a stage 2 profound beast?'
That would be the case... something as fuzzy, cute and harmless as this can't possibly be a stage 3 profound beast, worse stage 4.
Looking at the creature stepping away from him with raised fur, Ten sways his head to the side.
"Why are you afraid of me little guy?"
"Why wouldn't I be afraid of you?"
Ten flinched, losing his balance, but his rope saved him. Taking deep breaths, he goes back to the branch, gazing at the mysterious wolf.
"You speak my language?"
"You're the one speaking my language!" The wolf hissed, stepping to the edge of its nest.
—It has a point.
As someone with no desires and limited emotions, Tento was the furthest thing from frightened. Then again, if you fear something you making it your god, and it will shine ahead of you.
His curiosity deepening, Ten shows an amiable smile, but to the wolf, it looked like the devil was grinning.
"Do you want to be my pet?"
—I can use this thing to beat those Tama-Artists.
The wolf continued to growl, it's skepticism palpable. Why would such a 'thing' need its help? Flapping its wings, it rose from the nest.
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
After that, Ten's world went black, undoing his transformation.
***
"... I woke up to the loud sounds you were making."
"Mmm..."
Shinji took hold of his chin, recalling Ten's story.
"Maybe, you were seeing things."
Tento nods, looking at the youth sitting on the same rock as him.
"You're right, after I woke, I didn't see the tree."
Shinji turns his head to look at Tento, his expression austere.
"Maybe, you crossed into the spirit realm by chance."
"Huh?"
Ten raised a brow. Wasn't this the reason he decided to share his story? —To get answers! However, Shinji shrugged, going to the reason of their little rendezvous.
"Let's share the loot."
"I'll take 80%."
Shinji smiles mischievously.
"That's very generous of you. I initially wanted 10% since I did nothing but play music, while you risked your life to steal, and carry the items here."
Ten scowled, clenching his fist.
"No wonder why you can't be honest about your romantic feelings to that girl."
Shinji stood up, frowning.
"I don't have romantic feelings for Tsukino!"
A cheeky smile grew on Ten.
"So, her name is Tsukino. If so, why was she the only person you saved with your arrows while the others were being killed by the giraffe cats?"
"Fuck you!"
"Tell her how you feel, I need some drama."
***
From the insufficient bonfire the mortals had gathered around, Tsukino slipped away, heading toward the only person who decided to prepare a fire far from the group like he is special. Pulling out her kitana, she didn't hesitate to point at the young man prudently gazing at the stars.
"How do you know my name?"
Her voice was that of authority and control, hiding a lot of fury. Knowing her name wasn't a problem, but the way she was called —Tsuki (Moon)— didn't bring good memories, as of, recently.
Lucien continued star gazing for a minute without replying.
"It's only natural that I know those who have a similar birthmark with me."
Tsukino's scowl deepened, her sword inclining closer to Lucy's neck.
"Are you him."
"He is 181cm; 205cm."
"Tch."
Tsukino turned around.
Her gaze looked at the bad moon in the horizon.
"He told me that some people need to die. Although I hate him for what he made me do, I'm starting to agree with him."
"If you continue treating human life as nothing, I'll end you, myself."
Apathetic, Lucien stood up, going to the opposite direction, not bothering to reply.
'What did Shinji-kun do to her?'
—Isn't today, her birthday?