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An elderly man with his hair in a topknot and strong limbs, seemingly untouched by age, stepped forward to meet them.

He bowed, slow and formal, arms held straight at his sides, his back unbent by age. His hair was silver, bound neatly, his clothing simple but immaculate.

"Welcome," he said softly. "You must be tired."

He took the bags with practiced ease and gestured for them to follow.

As they walked, Fae took everything in—the quiet sounds, the crunch of footsteps muted on packed earth, and the faint clack of wooden shutters opening somewhere nearby.

They passed the bathhouse first.

Steam curled lazily from the roof vents, carrying the clean, mineral scent of hot water and herbs. The elder inclined his head toward it. "You are welcome there at any hour. The waters are good for weary bones."

A little farther, the scent of food drifted toward them—savory and warm. A small restaurant sat open to the street, lanterns swaying gently beneath the eaves. A cook glanced up, caught sight of them, and called out a greeting in a cheerful voice.

"Eat there," the elder said, a faint smile touching his lips. "You won't regret it."

A shopkeeper sweeping her threshold paused and nodded politely as they passed, her eyes lingering, curious but not unkind.

At last, they stopped before an old-fashioned house set slightly back from the path.

Fae's tired eyes barely took in the details of sliding doors of wood and paper, a narrow veranda. She had a vague impression of a small garden carefully tended—stones raked smooth, moss bright in the shade. A slender red fox crossed the garden and watched her with dark, curious eyes.

"This will be your lodging," the elder said, setting down her bags. "If you need anything, you need only ask. There is food on the table, but I guess you must be tired."

He bowed again, deeper this time.

As he turned to leave, the elder paused, as though remembering something important. "One more thing…"

Fae looked up.

"If your wolf needs to run," he continued, voice calm and matter of fact, "the forest is yours." He gestured toward the darkened trees encircling the village. "The paths are known. The ground is safe."

Her wolf lifted its head with interest while wagging her tail for the first time in days.

"But do not go beyond the high wall," he added, fixing her with sharp eyes.

Fae nodded slowly, understanding without needing explanation.

"The wall is old," the elder said. "It protects us, and it keeps the others out."

He bowed once more and stepped away, leaving the warning behind him—a boundary already drawn. As he walked away, his footsteps faded into the quiet. It was only then that Fae realized she had not greeted him or asked him his name.

Fae watched the trees sway gently through the paper walls in the fading light.

Freedom for a time.

Fae stood for a moment before stretching and rotating her shoulders while listening to the sounds outside.

No engines, no shouting. Just the soft sounds of a village not very different from her home across the sea.

Her wolf stirred, ready to sleep.

Fukamori did not feel like a place that welcomed visitors lightly, but it had opened to her. There was magic here and perhaps, creatures like her.

*Jaa mata ne- Well then, see you again.

**Konnichiwa, Hajimemashite!-Hello, nice to meet you.