The soft rustle of moss was the only sound as the two kitsune stared down at Moonlight. She looked up at them from the ground, her two purple-tipped tails trembling as she waited for them to say it was all a mistake.But their faces remained completely cold."We have to take her back," the taller one said, his voice cutting through the quiet forest. "Transformation magic is forbidden for a reason. It's dangerous, Moonlight.""Please, no!" Moonlight cried out, her voice cracking. Her deepest, most painful fear was coming true right before her eyes. They weren't going to understand. They were judging her, looking at her like she was a monster just because she had used her magic to hide.She tried to summon a rush of water from the river to block their path, but she was too panicked. Her magic fizzled out into a harmless spray of mist.Before she could try an air gust, the two older kitsune stepped forward, firmly gripping her paws. They escorted her out of the beautiful, quiet forest and marched her straight toward the kitsune village. Every step felt like a mile. Moonlight kept her head lowered, the dark flower under her ear drooping sadly. She was absolutely terrified of the village laughing at her or whispering behind her back as they passed.They reached the center of the village, stopping right before the massive, ancient shrine where the High Elders sat."Elders," the taller kitsune announced, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "We caught Moonlight practicing the forbidden arts down by the river. She used transformation magic."Gasps erupted from the surrounding bushes as other villagers stepped out to look. Moonlight squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could turn into a stone right now and disappear forever. She was completely caught, and the entire village was watching. A heavy silence fell over the entire courtyard. The villagers stopped whispering, and the two kitsune holding Moonlight's paws instantly let go, bowing their heads in deep respect.The Head Elder slowly stood up from his stone throne. Moonlight didn't dare look up, but she knew that face perfectly—he wasn't just the leader of the entire kitsune clan. He was her father.Moonlight squeezed her eyes shut as tears finally spilled down her black cheeks, soaking into her dark purple fur. Her fear of being judged was a million times worse now. She had disappointed her own father in front of everyone.The Head Elder looked down at his young, two-tailed kit. His eyes filled with deep, heartbreaking sorrow. He loved Moonlight more than anything, and he knew how shy and fragile she was. But as the leader, he had a sacred duty. The law of the forbidden arts was absolute. If he let his own daughter off easy, the clan would lose all faith in the rules. He had to judge her fairly, no matter how much it broke his heart."Moonlight," her father’s powerful voice boomed across the shrine, though it trembled slightly. "You know the ancient laws of our ancestors. Transformation magic distorts the spirit. It is forbidden to all kitsune, without exception."He stepped down from the platform, his long robes sweeping the stone floor, until he stood right in front of her."As the Head Elder, I must uphold the law," he said softly, looking at the dark flower tucked under her ear. "But as your father... I know you did not do this out of malice or evil."He turned to face the entire village, raising his hands. "The law demands banishment. However, because Moonlight is still a young kit with only two tails, and because she used her magic only to hide, her judgment will be balanced with mercy."
