When the sun tucks itself behind the Blue Mountains and the sky turns the color of a juicy plum, someone very special wakes up. Can you hear it? Tip-tap, tip-tap. That is Shiki. She is a ninja cat girl with hair as silver as a spoon and soft, fuzzy ears that twitch when the wind whispers. On her forehead, her silver protector shines with a yin and yang symbol—half white, half black, perfectly balanced.
Shiki hops onto the rooftops as light as a falling leaf. Zip! She sees all the little toddlers below. Are they ready for bed? Not yet! There are wiggles in their toes and giggles in their tummies. They are bouncing like little rubber balls. Shiki smiles and beckons with a slender, white-tipped tail. “Little ninjas,” she whispers, her voice like silk. “It is time for the Secret of the Silver Balance.”
Shiki stands on the very edge of a moonbeam. She lifts one foot—slowly, slowly—and reaches high into the velvet sky. Can you reach up high, too? She isn't just reaching; she is catching stars. “To be a ninja,” Shiki says, “you must be still. You must be calm. Let’s count the silver lights together.”
She reaches out her hand. Swish. “One,” Shiki breathes. “One star, bright and far.” The toddlers stop their bouncing and reach up, swaying like tall grass. Shiki catches another. “Two,” she hums. “Two stars, quiet as jars.” The wiggles start to fade. The room grows soft. Sshhh, says the wind. Sshhh, says Shiki’s indigo tunic.
“Three... four... silver floor,” Shiki chants. Her mismatched amber and sapphire eyes glow with kindness. She moves in a slow, rhythmic dance, showing the little ones how to balance their heavy heads on their soft pillows. “Five... six... moonbeam sticks.” Now, the toddlers aren't bouncing at all. They are sinking into their blankets, feeling heavy and warm, just like Shiki when she curls up in a sunbeam.
“Seven... eight... the dreams won’t wait.” Shiki’s voice is now just a tiny purr. She watches as the last little eyes blink, blink, and close. “Nine... ten... sleep begins then.” With a final, graceful swirl of her silver tail, Shiki settles onto the roof, watching over the world. Everyone is balanced. Everyone is still. And that’s how it all turned out just right. Right. Sleep tight, little ninja.