The Twelve Kingdoms (9 books edition) - 03 - The Twelve Kingdoms Book 3 - Sea of Wind, Shore of the Labyrinth (Novel) (The Twelve Kingdoms Book 1 - Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea: Part 1
Description:
Born in Japan and raised as a human, Taiki is overwhelmed when he's brought back to the kingdom of Tai, where he's told he's a kirin. With little knowledge or guidance, he must trust his latent instincts to choose a king for the Kingdom of Tai from among dozens of men and women who seek the position. Will the frustrated Taiki, who can't even figure out how to transform into animal form, make the right choice? And more important, will he discover the kirin that lives within?