Darkness.
There was no sky.
No ground.
Only endless silence.
I slowly opened my eyes.
“…Where am I?” A cold wind brushed past me.
Then…
A pair of glowing blue eyes appeared in the darkness.
ROOOOAAARRR!!
A deafening howl shook the empty space.
I froze.
From the darkness, the enormous white wolf slowly walked toward me.
Its long white fur shimmered like moonlight.
Soft blue markings glowed across its body.
It was beautiful…
Yet terrifying.
The wolf stopped only a few steps away.
Its deep blue eyes stared directly into mine.
I couldn’t move.
“W-Who are you…?” The wolf’s voice echoed through the darkness.
“You already know.” My heart pounded.
“…The Twenty-Tails…” The wolf lowered its head slightly.
“From this day onward…” “You are my Vessel.” I stepped back.
“N-No…” “I don’t even know what that means!” The wolf’s eyes narrowed.
“Whether you accept it or not…” “…our lives are now one.” The darkness around us began to shake.
I looked around in panic.
“What is this place?!” “Why am I here?!” The wolf took one slow step closer.
Its voice became colder.
“Run if you wish.” “Hide if you wish.” “You can never escape me.” The blue light in its eyes suddenly brightened.
“Because…” “…I am inside you.” Everything shattered.
— Outside…
Morning had arrived.
The warm sunlight entered Niku’s bedroom.
Kakashi sat quietly on the roof outside her window.
He hadn’t slept the entire night.
His black eyes remained fixed on the room.
“…” Just then…
The bedroom door opened.
“Niku?” Her mother walked inside with a gentle smile.
“It’s morning.” “You’ll be late.” There was no answer.
She smiled again.
“Niku…” Still nothing.
Her smile slowly faded.
She walked closer and gently touched Niku’s forehead.
A look of worry appeared on her face.
“…She’s burning up.” She quickly turned toward the door.
“Listen!” “Can you come here for a second?” A few moments later…
Niku’s father hurried into the room.
“What happened?” “She has a very high fever.” He immediately called the family doctor.
After listening carefully, the doctor spoke calmly.
“It sounds like a high fever.” “She may sleep longer because of it.” “Don’t worry.” “I’ll prescribe some medicine.” “If she doesn’t wake up later, let me know.” Niku’s parents thanked the doctor.
Neither of them noticed…
Kakashi was silently watching everything from outside the window.
He slowly lowered his eyes.
“…The seal…” “…It’s already affecting her.” — Darkness surrounded me .
The white wolf was still there.
Watching me.
Waiting.
I tried to speak.
But no words came out.
The wolf slowly closed its eyes.
“This is only the beginning…” Its voice echoed endlessly.
“Soon…” “…you will hear my voice even when you are awake.” The darkness swallowed everything.
— I suddenly opened my eyes.
“Hah!” My breathing was fast.
Cold sweat covered my forehead.
For several seconds…
I couldn’t understand where I was.
“…My room?” The nightmare.
The wolf.
Its words.
Everything felt real.
I looked around.
No one was there.
The room was completely quiet.
Just then…
The door opened.
“Niku?” Her mother smiled with relief.
“Oh, thank goodness.” “You’re finally awake.” She walked over and gently placed her hand on my forehead.
“Hmm…” “The fever is gone.” I blinked in confusion.
“Fever?” “You had a very high fever this morning.” I slowly sat up.
Then I looked at the clock.
“…Ten o’clock?” “I slept this late?” Her mother laughed softly.
“Your brother and sister left for school hours ago.” “They were worried about you.” I scratched my head awkwardly.
“…Really?” Then…
My stomach growled loudly.
I immediately looked at my mother.
“…Mom.” “I’m hungry.” She couldn’t help laughing.
“I knew you’d say that.” “Come downstairs.” “I’ll make something delicious for you.” My eyes sparkled.
“Really?” She smiled.
“Of course.” “Come fast.” She quietly left the room.
The door closed.
The smile slowly disappeared from my face.
I turned toward the window.
“…Kakashi.” Outside…
Kakashi quickly stepped to one side, hiding himself.
I folded my arms.
“I know you’re there.” A few seconds passed.
Then…
Kakashi slowly stepped back into view.
For the first time that morning…
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“…Good.” “You’re finally awake.” End of Chapter 23