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Kenji’s aunt adjusted her seating, her voice calm but tinged with a seriousness that made him sit upright. "The life of the clans," she began, "is not what many would expect. We blend in, living among the people, even sending our children to public schools to integrate. That’s probably why you never realized, many of your schoolmates might have been from one of the five clans."
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Kenji raised an eyebrow. "You’re telling me... I might’ve had classmates who were clan members and didn’t know it?"
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She nodded. "Exactly. After high school, however, things change. Clan children are sent to a special academy, exclusive to members. There, they’re trained, taught about their heritage, and prepared for the roles they’re destined to play. It’s likely where your father trained before his... choices took him elsewhere."
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Her words carried a quiet sadness, but she quickly shifted gears. "But first, we need to address what happened in that hospital."
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Kenji’s hands tightened around his cup of tea. The memory felt like a blur, but the more his aunt spoke, the clearer it became. "Two people... they came to me," he said slowly, as if piecing it together. "Before the attack. One of them told me that if I survived, I should meet them at the docks."
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His aunt’s expression darkened. "The docks? Those were ShadowClan scouts."
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"ShadowClan?" Kenji repeated, frowning.
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"Your father’s people," she confirmed. "They’re powerful, cunning, and ruthless. Everything they do is a test. Survival is their currency; strength is their law. By telling you to meet them, they wanted to see if you had it in you to even begin being acknowledged by them. And if you don’t meet their standards..."
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She paused for effect, looking him squarely in the eye. "They’ll discard you without a second thought."
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Kenji felt a chill run down his spine. "So they were testing me? They didn’t even care if I died in that attack?"
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"They wouldn’t," she replied bluntly. "But it’s not about care with the ShadowClan. It’s about validation. To them, every moment is a proving ground. But you need to be cautious, Kenji. Their ways are not like the MoonClan’s. Their tests don’t end until you’re either broken or stronger than anyone imagined."
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Kenji stared at the floor, the weight of her words sinking in. "So... what do I do now?"
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She let out a small sigh. "That’s your choice to make. You could stay with us, in the MoonClan, where you’re already finding a place. Or, you could go to the ShadowClan and try to claim your father’s legacy."
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"Stay or leave?" he murmured.
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His aunt nodded, but her tone softened as she added, "It’s not a decision to make lightly. The clans live in harmony now, but that balance is delicate. Whatever choice you make, you’ll be aligning yourself with a path that can’t easily be undone."
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Kenji’s mind whirled with questions, but one lingered: "Why are you telling me this now?"
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She smiled faintly, her silver-white hair catching the sunlight. "Because you deserve to know. And because your path will affect more than just you. Choose wisely, Kenji."
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