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  Tsukinoko, at the tender age of five, spent her days helping the children of neighboring farmers to guide their flocks to pasture.

  Overflowing with energy, her mother trusted her, alone in the mountains for days on end when it was her turn to guide the herd.

  Like friends to Tsukinoko, even though they were older, the children often played together. Tsukinoko adored the animals on the farm, and they loved her for it. Dogs, cats, ducks, ducklings, chickens, horses, pigs and others, even a little calf just a few days old, who must have mistaken her for one of her colleagues, given their complicity.

  But in recent days, the farmers had asked their children to watch the herds together, as some of the cows were being attacked by wild beasts at night, and they were worried about leaving the children alone in the mountains.

  One day, as Tsukinoko was returning the herd with her two sons at sunset, the little calf managed to escape just before the boy closed the fence. Tsukinoko set off in pursuit, making her way up the slope without running out of breath. Despite their calls, she persevered, but ended up getting lost in the darkness, even though the boys were hot on her heels.

  In the dark night, terrifying screams rang out. The little calf howled in agony, and its cry for help echoed in the hollows of the valleys. Tsukinoko rushed towards it, worried sick. But when she reached the end of the plateau, close to a deep crack in the mountain, she was paralyzed with fear, unable to cry out for help.

  Only able to weep silently.

  The little calf was being eaten alive by some kind of wild beast, its gray coat shining in the dim moonlight, revealing its movements as it tore at the poor animal.

  Fangs tearing and digging into flesh turned Tsukinoko's stomach. The little calf continued to howl, before meeting Tsukinoko's gaze. Beside him, the two boys were bathing in their own blood. Their lifeless bodies lay on the ground, their entrails scattered in a viscous mass.

  Tears flooded her cheeks, but Tsukinoko made no sound, watching the monster feast on the warm flesh. His muzzle full of blood, he looked up as he caught the scent of Tsukinoko's flowers on the breeze.

  His eyes shone with a menacing gleam as he curled his lips and snarled at her. Tsukinoko wanted to scream with all her might to scare him away.

  The blood rushed through her body at breakneck speed, piercing her temples and pushing against her skull, making her eyes feel like they were going to burst. The black night turned red, as red as the blood at her feet, and the darkness no longer bothered her.

  As if she could see clearly behind that scarlet filter. At the last moment, her body finally came to life, and she leapt to the side to avoid the beast, whose sharp fangs snapped into the void.

  As quick as a bat of an eyelash, she threw herself at the animal and slammed into it with all her might, screaming her hatred to the heavens. A purplish aura formed around her, before she knew it.

  Finally, the beast sent her waltzing with a swipe of its paw and she rolled onto her side. Petrified with pain, wounded for the first time in her life, Tsukinoko held her shoulder in tatters. Full of courage, her reflexes had improved, and she threw herself back at the beast.

  But this time, Tsukinoko was no longer attacking and was content to dodge her blows with gusto, as if it were a game. Tsukinoko's head spun as she launched her attacks into the void, tiring more quickly than usual. All around her, the calf's agony had given way to a mournful silence.

  The wild animal now appeared clearly before his eyes. A fawn with white fur, dotted with grey spots.

  A snow leopard.

  But Tsukinoko suddenly stopped, thinking she was dreaming when she heard him speak. The panther was quietly licking its lips and muzzle.

  - Just for your courage, I won't eat you," she says in an amused tone. I'll keep him, though," she huffs, looking at the calf.

  Tsukinoko fell to her knees in pain. The panther approached her, but she screamed in fear for her life.

  - Oh shut up, I said I wouldn't do anything to you," she growled.

  Tsukinoko immediately fell silent, then stammered in incomprehension. Perhaps it was a nightmare, after her mother had told her so many times to be careful at night.

  - But... Why?! Are you the one who eats the farmers' animals?!

  - Probably," she says nonchalantly. It's true that the ones behind the fences are guys.

  - But... They were my friends," she sobbed, tears welling up in her eyes.

  - I must eat well.

  - You killed them! They hadn't done anything to you...

  Tsukinoko returned in immense grief, which was reflected in the aura around her, enveloping her in a strange atmosphere. She lunged at the panther, which swatted her away again, but she persevered and climbed onto its back, tugging at its ears. A rodeo ensued, but Tsukinoko gained the upper hand by staying out of the panther's reach.

  - If you want me to stop, then promise to stop eating animals!

  The panther feuled before sliding down the sloping plateau. She managed to slow her fall with her claws planted in the ground, but Tsukinoko rolled all the way to the precipice.

  She reopened her eyes, hanging over the void. The panther had barely caught her by the tunic, the fabric between its fangs, before pulling her up onto solid ground. The poor little girl began to cry again, all the more so as her eyes hurt so much, as if someone were hammering her skull with a stake to get them out.

  - Did you hurt yourself?" sneered the panther. Or is it your eyes?

  - Huh?" she sniffs confusedly. Why did you save me?

  - I've got nothing against you," she growled. I mean, you almost tore my ears off, but I understand you're angry about your friends.

  The panther got up to leave with her bloody trophy before the humans in pursuit arrived, leaving Tsukinoko behind to groan in pain as the pieces of skin torn from her shoulder exposed the dusty flesh.

  - I should have let you down," she growled, turning on her heel.

  Tsukinoko reopened her eyes to grab hold of his long, bushy tail and prevent him from leaving, before the sound of barking and voices echoed below. The voice of Nukade, her mother, pierced the hills, and Tsukinoko tightened her grip. Tsukinoko stared at her, agreeing to let her escape on one condition, to thank her for saving her.

  - Let me go!

  - Never hurt my friends again!" she repeated angrily.

  As the voices and lights drew closer, the panther gave in to her determination. She leapt over the crevasse without her booty, before disappearing into the night, and Tsukinoko fainted, exhausted.

  Her mother found her at last and took her in her arms, hugging her with all her might. She tore off her own skirt to bandage her shoulder, while behind them, the children's mother couldn't hold back a cry of horror at the sight of her disembowelled sons.

  Her howls of pain froze the mountain, and Nukade clutched Tsukinoko helplessly to her. Silence finally fell, but Nukade raised her head to hear Orie stammering a farewell

  With knife in hand, the poor widow, whose hopes had all been dashed in an instant and who was unable to overcome such an ordeal, stabbed herself in the heart with a clean stroke. Nukade hid Tsukinoko in her arms, frightened.

  She collapsed between her children, gently caressed the youngest's face, then squeezed the eldest's hand with her last breath, before giving way to a silence filled with sadness that mourned the mountain

  Everything happened so quickly after she thought she'd lost her own daughter, that Nukade froze, trembling with fear. A hand came to rest on her shoulder and she finally came to her senses, breathing in a breath so intense it made her skin tingle.

  Tsukinoko regained consciousness and watched Jinmuya's silhouette standing behind, unperturbed by events. His long, thick black hair fell over his shoulders, and he was dressed in a loose burgundy tunic.

  - I take care of them. This woman couldn't have survived here on her own without children to help her. You'll take care of the animals with Tsukinoko every day, and we'll be able to sell some and eat the rest.

  Nukade nodded without flinching. Jinmuya stroked Tsukinoko's head and disappeared for a few minutes in the direction of the crevasse. Nukade held Tsukinoko, sobbing, in front of him, to hide the spectacle from him. He returned at last, the bodies cleared, and took his daughter in his arms.

  - Where are the boys?" she sobbed to her father. Mommy must be giving them magic kisses! she panicked.

  - They're dead.

  These words, whose full meaning Tsukinoko could not yet grasp, hit her hard and she began to cry again, her face pressed against her father's tunic.

  - Don't cry, it's useless.

  She raised her head, not daring to continue, but emotions overwhelmed her, and she ended up burying her face in his neck to hide. Nukade tried to comfort her, but he stopped her and set off for home.

  - Weakness disgusts me. She must learn to overcome these futile and embarrassing emotions on her own.

  - But at last... Don't be so hard on yourself!

  - I'm not weak," sniffed Tsukinoko. And I don't cry!

  - You have the right to cry and be sad, my daughter," says Nukade gently.

  Tsukinoko hesitated, but the model imposed by her father got the better of her in the face of his serious, eloquent stature. She rubbed her face in her tunic to wipe her tears and her nose, then raised her head towards him, rubbing her eyes frantically.

  - Can I have a magic kiss, Daddy? I don't want to die...

  - What's wrong with it? Does your shoulder hurt?

  - Obviously, the beast tore his skin off!" Nukade snapped.

  - My eyes hurt," she said in a small voice.

  Tsukinoko opened her teary eyes. Jinmuya held back her astonishment. Nukade covered her mouth trembling, tears welling up in her eyes.

  Tsukinoko was not reassured by her parents' worried reaction. Jinmuya pulled herself together and replied by pulling down one of her eyelids with the tip of her thumb, to analyze her eyes at length.

  - You're not going to die, Hōseki," he said calmly. You've awakened your Ne-

  - No!" cut in a terrified Nukade.

  - They're here," he whispered dryly, "whether you like it or not.

  - Who's there?" sniffed Tsukinoko.

  - You have great power in your eyes now," he says softly.

  He buried his little head against the ground while Nukade stared in awe.

  - Why...?" she trembled after a moment. She's only five. Why did she have to be, too? It's a nightmare... That poor family... If you'd gone with her today, as she asked, none of this would have happened!

  - Exactly, none of this would have happened," he repeated menacingly. That wild beast did all the work by himself, so I wouldn't have had to intervene after all. It saved me time.

  Nukade was horrified to hear this. Tsukinoko felt she had to confess her wrongdoing, not understanding much of what they were implying.

  - You fought back," he replied proudly, cuddling her. The beast fled, you're much stronger than it.

  Traumatized, Tsukinoko clutched her father tightly. Jinmuya gazed longingly into her eyes, while Nukade stared blankly at the ground, concentrating on aligning his steps without flinching. Tsukinoko didn't know what to think. She continued to rub her eyes in exhaustion and irritation at the incident, but Jinmuya caught her small hands. His deep, serious voice took hold of her.

  - Stop rubbing your eyes like that.

  - Bobo... she sobbed in exhaustion as she collapsed on top of him.

  - I know, Hōseki. I'll take care of you as soon as we get home.

  - What's in my eyes?" she straightened. I see weird.

  - This.

  Jinmuya in turn awakened his pupils, which displayed Negin, piercing his daughter's gaze. Tsukinoko had already observed Jinmuya with his Negin when he was working or training. The Karumin clan possessed this unique and formidable power.

  Finally, it was Tsukinoko's turn to inherit it, so proud to be like her role model, unaware of the curses that would follow her for the rest of her life.

  She jiggled in his arms with excitement, boasting that she was as strong as he was. She laughed harder and her eyes went back to sleep, recovered from her emotions.

  Arriving on the porch of their home, Nukade stretched out his arms to retrieve his daughter and put her to bed, as he did every night. Jinmuya, however, blatantly ignored her and walked down the hallway, keeping his treasure with him.

  His simple presence and decisive step made Nukade realize that their daily lives would never be the same again.

  As he led her to the back of the house without saying a word, apprehension calmed her, despite her innocence, which made every day a magical new adventure. Never before had she been able to access the cellar. Yet Jinmuya was heading there with her. The sealed door opened with the sign of the goat signed by one hand.

  A long spiral staircase led down, lit by oil lamps. At the bottom, another sealed door led to the cellar. Jinmuya laid Tsukinoko on her bed, directly to the left in a corner.

  The place, as big as the house, was fitted out with a water corner on the right with a cedar bathtub, a washbasin and a shelf full of used medical equipment. On the left, past the bed, an armory with red samurai armor.

  The rest of the room was filled with bookcases crammed with books and parchments against the walls, tables full of bazaar, lanterns, candlesticks and notes.

  At the far end, behind a half-open curtain, an earthy corridor merged into the darkness, with no end in sight. Next to it, a huge wooden door, curiously engraved and covered with sealed parchments, seemed to contain terrible secrets.

  The energy emanating from it terrified Tsukinoko, who curled up at the bottom of the bathtub filled with warm, foamy water.

  Jinmuya rinsed her hair, and she opened her eyes again, her gaze locked on that door. He guessed his daughter's feelings and sat back on his heels, before exclaiming as he grabbed a clean towel from the shelf behind him.

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  - Behind that door is the wild beast I've been chasing for years. The reason I couldn't see you grow up. But O how necessary it was, Hōseki," he says with a determined look. This beast is nothing like the one you faced last night. You'll have to become much stronger to stand up to it. In the meantime, it's useful for my research. That five-eyed demon, locked behind that door, will be useful to us one day," he replied, wrapping her tenderly in the towel. Don't worry, he can't get out, although I'm sure he's watching us every minute.

  Tsukinoko didn't know what to think, what to answer, what to feel, except for the evil immensity lurking behind that door.

  Without understanding the significance of Jinmuya's words, she let fatigue get the better of her and snuggled into the towel, which reddened with blood on her shoulder. He stitched up her wound, checked her eyes, then put on one of his sweaters as a nightdress and went off to sit in front of a desk to commit the night's events to paper.

  Tsukinoko climbed onto his lap and watched curiously as the words formed on the paper under his pen, unable to decipher them, then grabbed a pencil in turn. Jinmuya gave her a sheet of paper to draw on, wedged between him and the desk. She proudly showed him her rather successful drawings. In his memories, his daughter had barely scribbled, only able to pronounce a few words at the age of two.

  - And since when?" he asked curiously as she bragged.

  - Long time, no see," she sulked. I'm not a baby anymore!

  - You're growing up too fast, I don't have time to see it," he says gently.

  He looked at her tenderly and tried to tickle her belly to bring back her smile, but she wouldn't let him and ran into the room howling with laughter. He managed to catch her and pin her against him, drowning her in pampering.

  Contaminated by each other's laughter, they had fun and bickered. Tsukinoko jumped into bed, giggling, and ran down the stairs like a thief to say good night to her mother. He had no time to react when she disappeared, so he sat down on the bed to wait for her, a serious look on his face all of a sudden.

  Tsukinoko gently opened the door to her mother's room and Nukade sat up abruptly as she felt her daughter climb onto her bed. She held out her arms with a look of terrible concern on her face. Tsukinoko ran in and let herself be rocked, then tried to reassure her mother, who could no longer hide her grief.

  - You mustn't be sad, Mum, the panther won't be coming back.

  - Panther?" she wondered.

  - Well... The beast is a panther," she whispered mysteriously. But it's afraid of me and it's promised not to eat animals at all," she said proudly. But it's a secret.

  - I see. I see. You were brave, my girl.

  - Really? So tomorrow I can go back to the farmers and-

  Her mother embraced her tenderly, holding her close, and Tsukinoko innocently took advantage of her comfort.

  - My daughter..." she breathed worriedly. I love you, very, very, very much. How about a promise?

  - A promise?" she wondered.

  - Yes. We're going to promise each other that we'll never grow apart, that no matter what happens, we'll always be together. Mom will do everything to protect you, I promise. One day we'll be free, just you and me.

  - Free? What's that supposed to mean? And I love you, Mom! she smiles. I want you to be with me all the time, forever! I promise it'll always be just the two of us, eh? I want Mommy to kiss me forever," she giggled.

  - I promise... Thank you, my love," she murmured with tears in her eyes.

  Nukade held her in his arms with all his might, sobbing, though she tried to hold back. Tsukinoko climbed on top of her, giving her a thousand kisses.

  In the kitchen, starving to death, Tsukinoko knelt on the worktop to reach the cupboards. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her, and her eyes darted back to her. She turned abruptly, pushing away the hand that was about to rest on her shoulder.

  Jinmuya looked at her with big eyes, standing behind her, and she was surprised to have felt him coming for once. She winked at him so he wouldn't scold her, before the reddish glow disappeared

  He hurriedly prepared a snack for her before going to sleep, but Tsukinoko had a lot of questions on her mind after that dreadful evening. Sitting at the table, her father watched her like a test subject, taking copious notes.

  - Hey, Dad. How do you hear Mom calling you and you're in your office downstairs? It's far away!" she exclaimed.

  - Good question," he laughed. His voice carries, let's say.

  - Ch'est vrai qu'elle crie fort Maman," she exclaimed, her mouth full. Hey, how do you open doors without a handle?

  - These are seals.

  - What's this? And what are you doing in your office? Why are there guns? For hunting? And you read a lot of books, don't you? Will you be able to read to me, Daddy? Before bedtime! And I can come and play with you in your study-

  - Hōseki... he sighed puzzled.

  Without forgetting to grumble, she silently finished her meal, then he put her back to bed under the house. Jinmuya remained most of the night, sitting on the bed and meditating on the awakening of his pupils with a determined air.

  During the night, Tsukinoko had several nightmares about horrifying visions of the little calf, the boys and the panther, but he was there to comfort her and put her back to sleep every time.

  In the kitchen, Nukade and Jinmuya's heated discussion was heard throughout the house and had finally awakened Tsukinoko, who was discreetly spying on them from the corridor.

  Nukade was cooking, while Jinmuya was seated in front of the low table, whose cutlery had been set aside to make room for his weapons, which needed sharpening.

  He hurried to polish and take inventory of a few shurikens, kunais, smoke bombs and other explosives, which would be used the following day for Tsukinoko's training. Concocted especially for her, the list of tasks and exercises was long.

  She needed to start learning the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic without delay, as well as the sciences, the theoretical and practical foundations of military training, and a little meditation. Nukade turned to him for the umpteenth time, eyebrows arched and lips trembling, imploring him not to embroil their daughter in his vengeful ideologies.

  He stopped suddenly and turned his head towards the door. Tsukinoko gasped and hid behind the wall, uncovered. With a start, she emerged from her hiding place and ran to see her mother, who greeted her cheerfully. She stood up on tiptoe to try and see the contents of the pots on the stove, which smelled divine. In a low voice, Nukade kept telling her that she had a choice, that she didn't have to start training with her father.

  But he appeared behind her, his hand on her shoulder. Tsukinoko watched them with wide eyes, surprised, and wondered if he was going to hug her, but neither of them moved. Nukade frowned, petrified, as something glinted in Jinmuya's hand slipped over her neck, before he returned to the living room, concealing one of his weapons in his sleeve.

  Washed and in her pyjamas after spending the day drawing in the garden, Tsukinoko went to the living room for dinner, only to find her parents sitting at the empty table, as if waiting for her. Their closed faces and her father's piercing Negin left her speechless.

  - Tsukinoko, from now on you'll stay at home," he announced firmly. You're not to leave these walls unsupervised - that means with me, and only if necessary. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to train you to defend yourself and to fight. You are not to leave the house or seek out the farmers at the bottom of the valley, is that understood?

  Deeming her old enough to understand, Jinmuya explained to her all the wars and hatred ravaging the world. That from an early age, children were sent to fight, and that she too should learn to fight from now on. He briefly explained to her the origins of the Negin and the clan's specialties, which made it a clan hated by all because it was overpowered and abused. She listened attentively, taking fright at the situation and not understanding everything with his formal and direct elocution.

  - You're not a child anymore, you don't have time to have fun. It's like that for everyone," he feigned. With the threats outside the valley, we need to be able to defend ourselves...

  - Do it then! Why do I have to do it?" she snapped.

  - Enough," he growled. Tu-

  - Nan!" she shouted. Shut up, you!

  - Tsukinoko!" offended Nukade.

  - Why can't I see anyone?! I don't want this! It's not fair! I want to go outside!

  - It's over, Tsukinoko," he said harshly.

  - Nan!" she shouted, stamping her foot.

  At the same time as her foot hit the ground, a purplish aura surged strangely around her, releasing energy into the air that she didn't seem to notice in her crisis. Nukade clutched Jinmuya's sleeve, stunned.

  - I want to go outside! I don't care! Daddy with his shitty eyes doesn't decide!" she cried in tears.

  - You no longer have a choice," he hesitated firmly.

  - Shut up, shut up, shut up!

  She tapped her foot and her aura fluttered with every movement, blowing the room away. Her parents stared at her whim. Tears overflowed from her eyes.

  - You piece of shit!" she screamed in his face. I didn't do anything wrong!

  - Hōseki," he said softly, "you have to understand that-

  - Nan!" she pushed him away. You said I was going to be strong like you, not this! I don't want power anymore! You told a lie, it's not because of the beast! I don't love you anymore! she screamed, looking him in the eyes.

  The seat cushion waltzed across the room, the coffee table began to shake and Tsukinoko clenched her fists before running off to her room. Nukade caught her breath, rather reassured by Tsukinoko's refusal.

  Jinmuya just stood there, a look of disappointment on his face at this unmanageable whim. They both guessed that Tsukinoko's aura was in fact her chakra, overflowing with emotions similar to those of Hashirama Anba, her mother's cousin.

  - I told you you shouldn't tell her everything like that, because she wouldn't understand," adds Nukade. You're talking to her like a soldier, when all she's ever known is her dolls and the farmers' cats. But I'm not getting involved, as you asked," she said insolently. You're on your own, I'm going to take care of my daughter by cooking for her, like a maid.

  - Don't mess with me, Nukade," he threatened, eyebrows furrowed.

  - You want to take care of her every day now, so you're going to have to learn to manage her whims. She's only six years old, and still a child who enjoys drawing. She's still traumatized after last night , and given the outburst she's just given us, you're in for a real treat. Let her be a kid for a few more years.

  Without waiting for an answer, Nukade locked himself in the kitchen, slamming the partition so hard that the dial staggered.

  Jinmuya knocked on Tsukinoko's bedroom door a few minutes later, then slowly poked his head through

  A shower of lint squeaked as it bounced off his head, thrown at full speed. He reopened his eyes after the assault and explored the darkened room. Suspecting that Tsukinoko was hiding under his comforter, he sat down on the futon, but a small voice shouted from the other side of the room and he retorted.

  - Stop your whims," he said curtly. I thought you weren't a baby anymore?

  Her father had shut her up. Her face frowned and her eyes filled with tears again, frustrated. Since his return ten days ago, after being away for so many years, Jinmuya had only taken care of his daughter to play or have fun with her. His lack of experience made him awkward, as he was still getting to know her. With his arms folded, he sat on the futon and waited for her to calm down on her own. But she threw yet another stuffed toy at his face, which he dodged without flinching.

  - Listen, Hōseki. I know it scares you and you don't understand everything, but that's the way it is. In time, it will become bearable, and-

  Another stuffed toy. He sighed and invited her to join him. He resumed his explanations. In simplified terms, he explained the wars, the Karumin's fear and why his family lived here in hiding, embellishing reality.

  Jinmuya told her about his own childhood in the face of war, the death of his loved ones, one by one. His words and reasoning turned Tsukinoko upside down, scrambling her brain with hard truths.

  - But... Why is there a war?" she asked suddenly.

  - Because it's inevitable to fight for peace, and to protect those you love. That's the only valid reason, the others are just pure rancor, pride, lust and stupidity. It's to protect you that I want you to learn to defend yourself," he asserted in a powerful voice. If one day I'm no longer here, you'll-

  - Huh?! she exclaimed, climbing onto his lap. Why won't Daddy be here?

  Tsukinoko's little hands pawed her face in anguish, and he gently sat her back down against him. Touched by her reaction, he spoke in a determined, wise voice.

  - The future is uncertain, Hōseki. For that, you must learn to defend yourself alone from now on.

  His violet eyes filled with tears again, his lips pursed. He picked himself up immediately, searching for words, awkward in the face of her reactions, which filled his heart with love.

  - I'll protect you no matter what. Nothing and no one comes before you. Dad loves you, Hōseki," he declared embarrassed. Even when you call him a... piece of shit.

  Tsukinoko pouted, then lowered her head to hide her na?ve smile. Reassured but still vexed that he'd lied to her, she uncrossed her arms with a haughty look, then replied with detachment in her little voice.

  - Okay, Father.

  - Father?" he almost took offense. What about Father? Don't you love him anymore?

  - Daddy doesn't tell lies," she said, looking at him sideways.

  Tsukinoko hesitated for a moment at his sad expression, then cogitated for a few seconds, which made him question himself, then his smile finally returned.

  - I want to love you as much as I did before. Anyway, I already love you more than infinity," she smiles with her big eyes. Daddy's the strongest and I love him the most! The whole Universe!" she shouted with joy.

  He said nothing, but couldn't resist giving her a hug either. Calmed, she played with her hair on his lap for a moment. He watched her, admiring her face as if he were discovering it again and again, and lost himself in thought.

  Predicting her future, like no other. He gently placed two fingers on her forehead to analyze her chakra flow, making sure it was no longer disturbed after her crisis, but she pushed him away to make him promise never to lie again, to which he then replied that it would be a long and painful road to reach her goals, before she became stronger.

  Worried, she hid her torments behind her long black hair, to make lots of little braids. Nukade called her to dinner, and she extricated herself from her hiding place to join her in a run. Jinmuya rose slowly to her feet, amused by the little braids, then her eyes fell on one of her drawings hanging on the wall.

  Tsukinoko had painted her father holding her hand in the garden. He sighed deeply as he contemplated the drawing, then whispered to himself with his glowing eyes, like a solemn promise.

  - I'll wage war on the whole world so that you'll be safe there, so that you'll finally have the world you deserve, whatever the cost.

  Jinmuya was harsh and authoritarian, but the time they spent together brought them closer together. Tsukinoko was never left unattended, and never left her home. Despite her training, loneliness and boredom gnawed at her spirit, and her frustration turned to sadness and spite.

  One by one, her toys were abandoned, her drawings less and less colorful and elaborate. Nukade watched helplessly as her daughter's joie de vivre declined. Neither her bedtime stories of the wonders of the world nor Jinmuya's encouragement were enough.

  Nukade consoled her as best he could, cursing Jinmuya and his abrupt teachings that were supposed to forge their child's untouched mind.

  Yet her fears were well-founded, knowing that they would never be welcome in Hanamaru after fleeing, that her notoriety would be her daughter's undoing.

  That his hatred was growing by the day, breaking his heart and that of the innocent women sharing his roof.

  Jinmuya had gone down to his apartments one day, and hadn't come back up since. Tsukinoko had abandoned her training and exercises, preferring to draw or play on her own. The high mountains had donned a white coat as winter approached.

  One evening after dinner, Nukade handed him a tray of food with an air of exasperation. Jinmuya was failing in his duties. His wife sent him leftovers for dinner, and his daughter, in the last hope of getting him out of his burrow to replenish their stocks and last through the winter.

  Without flinching, Tsukinoko descended the long spiral staircase. At the bottom, the door opened of its own accord and she timidly stepped inside.

  Jinmuya was concentrating, illuminated by numerous candles. Tsukinoko slalomed across the documents spread out on the floor to him. He had tied his long hair back in a ponytail and was wearing a black tunic, huddled in front of a desk that was messier than ever.

  With his cold dinner placed on the next table, the seconds ticked by but he didn't move. Tsukinoko's little voice startled him, and she took a step back, surprised by his sudden gesture.

  His face was dulled by fatigue. Tsukinoko climbed onto his lap to pat his cheeks.

  - You're tired... she worried. Mom said you have to fill the pantry, she said she's tired of repeating it.

  - Certainly," he sighed. I'll go before winter comes.

  - The snow's already on the mountain, Dad. Mom had to chop wood for the fire last week, and she was swearing at you with the ax," she grinned.

  Jinmuya's face mimicked the grimace she'd inherited. He turned to check the date on the calendar behind him, but Tsukinoko went to peel back page after page to update it.

  Two months had passed. She returned to sit on his lap and leaned over his desk to decipher the crumpled old paper he was reading. With the help of her finger, she followed the lines, mumbling slowly as she skimmed syllable after syllable, despite his assistance.

  - Reread the sentence.

  - He divided a very' large quantity of energy to awaken all' the Guardians.

  She turned to him for an explanation, but he had his arms crossed, looking at her with furrowed brows.

  - You haven't done your reading exercises," he said disappointedly. Don't be a failure, try to do your best.

  - Pff... she sulked, leaning against him. But I can't.

  - Ask your mother for help. And the rest? Calligraphy, and-

  - Lame, lame and lame again... What's a Guardian?" she asked, looking at the illustrations in the books.

  - You must work Hōseki, and continue to train. Kindness spares no one, this weakness will be your undoing.

  - Blah blah blah," she sighed, turning the pages curiously.

  He grimaced but didn't insist, understanding that she was still depressed. The smell of dinner had invaded the cellar, reminding him of his duties. Without forgetting to grumble, he put Tsukinoko down and went into his armory, ignoring her unappetizing dinner. He looked into her eyes, then pointed to an elm-wood bow with its set of arrows, before informing her that she would be coming with him, as part of the training he had abandoned. His daughter's blissful smile reassured him, after having disappeared for months.

  The next morning, they were all ready and dressed in warm furs. Jinmuya with his giant crossbow, Tsukinoko with her bow slung over her back.

  She was reluctant to leave her mother alone, sad to be parted from her, so she gave her favorite stuffed toy to watch over her in her absence. A stuffed toy in the shape of a maki, renamed Sushi

  That evening, the two of them crossed the valley and headed down into the forest, which was already covered in snow. On the way, Jinmuya explained to her the principles of hunting, how to hunt while respecting the essence of nature, how to use the bow, and took charge of her education by making her practice every evening. They stopped in the middle of the forest at nightfall to make camp.

  Sitting cross-legged against a tree after dinner, he opened his heavy cloak for Tsukinoko to snuggle into. After a couple of minutes, she drew her head out of the cloth, catching her breath and choking on the heat. Resting her head against her father, she watched the fire crackle. Stories of war, conflict and hatred invaded her mind, and even though she'd left home, she didn't feel free.

  - When does the war end?" she asked suddenly.

  Jinmuya sighed softly before lowering his head towards her and answering in a calm, wise voice.

  - Never, Hōseki. In this world, wherever there is light, there are also shadows. As long as the concept of winners exists, there must also be losers. And the losers are consumed by hatred, vengeance, while even if the winners consider themselves at peace, they only sleep with one eye open. Knowing that at any moment, revenge could erupt and lead to a new war. At some point, the truce will inevitably be broken, whether by the vanquished or the victors.

  - Hein..." she exclaimed. Where did the war come from?

  - The selfish desire to keep the peace causes wars, and hatred is born to protect love. Men are driven by only one thing: hatred provoked by love. It fuels all willpower, and we in particular were born with this curse.

  - But!" she saddened.

  - To protect something... Another must be sacrificed.

  - I don't want there to be any more wars, Daddy... she lamented. What would Dad do?

  - I don't know yet. Someday... he sighed.

  - If you know, you'll tell me, right? I don't want war anymore! I don't like it! Promise?" she asked, her eyes wide.

  - I promise. Daddy will do everything he can to make sure there's peace for you," he affirmed, looking into her eyes.

  He raised his head to watch the full moon, and his long hair covered Tsukinoko. She giggled and played with it, before falling asleep warmly in his arms.

  Nukade welcomed him back, but was puzzled by the calm of her daughter in his arms, and before she could retrieve her, he explained the unfortunate accident. Half-admitting that he had ended up leaving her to fend for herself against passing brigands, the better to toughen her up. Horrified, Nukade rushed to take Tsukinoko from his arms, willingly or not.

  - You're unconscious!" she screamed, tears welling up in her eyes. Stop using her, she's our daughter for God's sake!

  - My daughter," he replied curtly. You have no rights over her. I only tolerate your presence so that you can take care of her.

  Nukade was stunned, but held her head high in the face of a man she hadn't recognized for a long time.

  - Enough, I'm going back to Hanamaru with her, whether you like it or not-

  She immediately fell silent as Jinmuya's Negin threatened her, but didn't lower her eyes and stood her ground, furious as she protected Tsukinoko in her arms.

  - If you take one step out of this house with her, Tsukinoko will see her mother die before her eyes, and that will be entirely your fault," he said harshly. If you try to contact your cousins, or anyone else, I'll be gone with her before the message reaches them. Forever.

  Nukade was enraged by his threats, so serious and dangerous. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to stay here and take care of her daughter as best she could, praying that their ordeal would one day end.

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