The house grew quiet as everyone found places to rest, the weight of the journey settling into their bones. A sliver of moonlight spilled through the small window, casting soft shadows across the room. While the others settled in, Buddha found his way out to the narrow balcony overlooking the village. His gaze was far-off, focused beyond the misty glow of Kinokata, as if seeing something only he understood.
Rei, unable to sleep, slipped outside as well, joining him in the calm night air. The mist softened the edges of everything, and in the silence, they stood side by side, looking out at the world they had just reentered. Buddha turned slightly, his sharp profile illuminated by the faint light, and looked at her thoughtfully.
"I've lived a long time feeling hatred for the Shiyume and Kurozai," he began, his voice a low murmur. "Even now, those old grudges sit heavy in my heart. But there's something different about you and Yami." He paused, his eyes softening for a brief moment. "The way he risked everything just for you… that's not something I've ever seen in those clans."
Rei looked down, her thoughts a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. The world they were in demanded loyalty to clan and bloodline above all else, and yet she and Yami had chosen each other, crossing the deep divides forged by generations of enmity. Hearing Buddha's words felt like a strange kind of acceptance, and she found herself touched by it.
Buddha leaned against the balcony rail, glancing at Rei. "When we take on this battle, when we finally face Horiba and all that the Moukoku has become, I intend to challenge him directly. I will face him for the position of Moukage. If I win, the Naguyoto will have their place in this world restored, and the village will know that the time of keeping my clan in the shadows is over."
Rei's eyes widened. For a moment, the weight of Buddha's statement filled her mind with questions. This was more than just a mission for her now—there was a seismic shift being prepared that went beyond rescuing Yami. It meant reshaping the village and power structures around them, changing the very core of their world.
But instead of feeling overwhelmed, she found herself responding calmly, her voice steady. "You want to change everything, don't you? Bring the Naguyoto to the surface… show the world you're here to stay."
Buddha nodded slowly, his eyes dark with determination. "This is my clan's legacy," he said, almost to himself. "It's what we've waited for, what we've sacrificed generations for. This is my chance to bring the truth to light, to let the world see our strength. And with Horiba gone, there can finally be real peace… even between the Shiyume and Naguyoto."
Rei took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She felt no resentment or desire to oppose Buddha's claim to the title. Instead, she focused on the one person whose fate mattered most to her. "If you do this, if you take Horiba down and become the Moukage… all I ask is that you make peace with Yami. Let him be free."
Buddha looked at her, his face unreadable for a moment. Then, he gave her a slow, deliberate nod, a spark of understanding passing between them. "For the things he has done, the ways he has shown his loyalty to those he loves… yes, Rei. I can promise that."
She felt a wave of relief at his words, her body finally relaxing from the tension she'd been carrying for weeks. Buddha's nod felt like a bridge of understanding between them, a subtle promise that transcended the history of their clans. Yami's imprisonment was no longer just a battle for his freedom; it was becoming a shift in the world around them, a chance for something new.
As the silence settled between them once more, they both turned to the view, looking over the stillness of Kinokata. In the distance, the faintest glimmer of dawn touched the horizon, signaling the beginning of a new day—and perhaps the start of something else entirely.