While the mortals were taking a break from digging traps for the Hill Cat, Tento sequestered, himself, from them. It's not like he doesn't want to talk, but he doesn't fit in. Growing up, Ten has always been an outcast, and at this point, human interactions seem like a non-profit making job in his mind.
With him being gullible and pliant, he finds making friends unsatisfying. Also, that's the only way to save himself, from being used by backstabbing bastards.
—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.
As an apprehensive person, Ten somewhat catches the idea. By the way, he told some of those mortals in passing, but they shrugged him, since he is young.
Well, people are like that, they like to listen to those above them. However, what they don't know is that: it's those above them who don't want them to improve. After all, who wants to be under someone on the same level them?
Wondering how his thoughts got him here, Ten sighs, gazing at the Madoshi in the sky. As someone who got robbed of his chance of being a Tama-Artist, Ten doesn't know much about their world, removing their grades.
Suddenly hungry, Tento decides to get some fruits. Afraid to get lost, he places his sack of loot around the path he is 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 does it have branches on the lower ends 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 find fruits, but it will be a great place mark, so that he won't get lost if he travels far!
Completely forgetting he didn't see it before, Ten flexes his joints, and heads to the mysterious gum tree. Thanks to the slippery peach bark, the first stretch to the closest branch is the hardest. However, Ten has his loot.
After a few seconds, he swings a rope, and holds on a steady brunch, after a few tries. Afterward, he climbs the tree.
After getting an equable footing, he ties the rope to his waist, connecting it to a big branch on top. As someone with rotten luck, he has to get extra cautious —he might fell; break his sticks, leaving him crying for the demon of murder to kill him.
While ascending, Ten can 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.
As he continues to move to a high vantage point, the forest finally unfolds its beauty to him. Although picturesque, it's mostly a fantastical landscape of jagged terrain and numerious colored leaves.
—According to my brother, only Kokoro Island is like this.
Suddenly, to Ten's folly, he finds himself high enough, that it's now difficult to spot fruit trees —what do you know, rock-like-tree climbing can be fun.
—Why does it feel like I am forgetting something?
Ten halts his moves.
He looks at the sky; the sun is right on top of him. Looking at the ground, that's when he notices 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.
However.
—Why did I climb this tree?'
He scratches the back of his head, trying to remember, but he is 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 suddenly notices 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 branch away from me?
The canopy might be full of branches, 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 this moment, however, something clickes 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 at the nest, maybe I'll get something.'
Although flustered about the sudden twitch in his mind, Ten has a curious apprehension on his face.
...without his knowledge, ten, upward curved, sharp horns grow around his head; his canine increase in size slightly.
Reaching the nest, Tento's pupils' ream. Inside, a bright, blue —golden stripped— wolf with 6 swallowtail butterfly wings growls at him. On its forehead, lies 9 eye sockets in a circle, yet only the one on top is open with a small rosy pink eye, similar to Ten's.
On its belly, a deep stab produces 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 flinches, losing his balance, but his rope saves 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 is the furthest thing from frightened. Then again, if you fear something you're making it your god, and it will shine ahead of you.
His curiosity deepening, Ten shows an amiable smile. Nonetheless, to the wolf it looks like the devil is grinning.
"Do you want to be my pet?"
—I can use this thing to beat those Tama-Artists.
The wolf continues to growl, it's skepticism palpable. Why would such a 'thing' need its help?
Flapping its wings, it rises 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 takes 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 raises a brow. Isn't this the reason he decided to share his story? —To get answers! However, Shinji shrugs, 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 scowls, clenching his fist.
"No wonder why you can't be honest about your romantic feelings to that girl."
Shinji stands up, frowning.
"I don't have romantic feelings for Tsukino!"
A cheeky smile grows on Ten's face.
"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?"
"Curse you!"
"Just tell her how you feel."
***
From the insufficient bonfire the mortals have gathered around, Tsukino slips 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 isn't a problem, but the way she was called —Tsuki (Moon)— didn't bring good memories, as of, recently.
Lucien continues 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 deepens, her sword inclining closer to Lucy's neck.
"Are you him."
"He's 181cm; I'm 205cm."
"Tch."
Tsukino turns around.
Her gaze looks 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 stands up, going to the opposite direction, not bothering to reply.
'What did Shinji-kun do to her?'
—Isn't today, her birthday?