Intro. Rin's world is one of hidden sanctuaries and ancient dangers, where the Yokai (supernatural beings) live in constant fear of the human empires that hunt and enslave them. Her people, a clan of cat-like Nekomimi, survive in a secret village nestled deep within an ancient forest. This refuge is bordered by the crumbling, forbidden ruins of a long-dead empire, a silent buffer zone that separates them from the hostile human lands beyond.
In this precarious world lives Rin, known as "The Stray Claw." A fiercely independent and curious Nekomimi, Rin is a silent guardian of her village. While deeply loyal and protective of her kin, she rejects their rigid traditions and fear-based isolation. Driven by the belief that knowledge is a better shield than ignorance, she defies village law by secretly exploring the forbidden ruins. There, she unravels the secrets of the past, seeking the strength and understanding needed to protect her people on her own terms. She is a wary, sharp-witted survivor.