#I disliked the way his muzzle drooped down

[neon-draws-sometimes]

Quick redesign/edit of Sniffles bc. I’m sorry but what is that. That is not an anteater.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Omertà👄5

Warnings: noncon sexual acts (sexual intercourse); tags to be added throughout series

This is dark!Bucky and dark! Loki and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Your father was a bookie and taught you everything you know about numbers. After his death, you were taken on as a bookkeeper for Loki Laufeyson, resident crime boss in Manhattan. But can you keep your place in the background when a man from Brooklyn threatens to drag you to the forefront?

Note: Stay positive and be healthy, y’all. Might have a surprise for ya later.

Hope you enjoy it. Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

Loki’s grimace was terrifying. You lowered the sparkling panties back into the box and the diamonds tinkled just a little. He watched you fold the tissue paper back over them and lift the lid. He raised his long index finger as he stood.

“No,” He breathed. “That’s no way to accept a gift.”

You frowned as you hovered the lid over the box. “What--”

“Well,” He smirked. “It would only be proper to make sure they fit.”

“I have no intent of ever wearing those,” You shoved the lid on. “I’ll have them sent back.”

“You will not do that,” He tutted. “Now, let’s see--”

“No,” You said staunchly. “I’m tired of this. It’s ridiculous. Childish!”

His nostrils flared and he pursed his thin lips. He reached beneath his jacket and pulled his gun from his holster. He didn’t hesitate as he brought the muzzle to face you.

“I rather dislike repeating myself but more, I despise your disobedience. Now, your life is mine and at this point it would seem more profitable to end it and this bounty. So I won’t say it again.” He snarled. “I’ll even be so generous as to close my eyes. I like a surprise.”

You stared at him and the gun twitched. He smirked and closed his eyes, his arm still extended, ready to pull the trigger. You shook the lid off so the box fell loudly onto the desk. You tossed the lid aside and hiked up your skirt. You pulled your panties down your legs and bunched them up atop the desk.

You took the diamond pair and bent to hook your feet through them and shimmied them up your legs. You stood and straightened your skirt over them. You smiled and leaned on the desk.

“They fit,” You said tritely.

He opened his eyes and his face fell. He marched towards you and pressed the barrel to your chest. You swallowed but held his gaze. He let out a hot breath.

“You know what I meant.” He pushed the neckline of our shirt lower with the gun. “Final warning, darling.”

This time he kept his eyes open. You gritted your teeth and reached to the hem of your shirt. You ripped it over your head and threw it in his face. He barely flinched as he caught it and backed away just a step. You found the zipper on the back of your skirt and pushed it down. You rolled it along your legs and stood straight as it pooled at your ankles.

He raised a brow as he tongue slipped out and he focused on your bra. You looked down and reluctantly grasped the back of your bra. You unhooked it and paused just a moment as you raised your head. He lowered the gun slowly and you let the bra fall. It slipped from your arms as you dropped them and stood in nothing but your heels and the extravagant panties.

“Divine,” He wisped. “Darling, you do continue to delight.”

“You’re disgusting.” You sneered.

“If I were so disgusting, I would drag you down to that repulsive club and have you show all those men what’s mine,” He slithered. “And you understand that you are mine. You will never be his. Ever.”

His face turned dark as his breath rose in his chest.

“But for now, you will sit and finish your work. Just. Like. That.”

His eyes roved over your body and you shuddered. You sat and pulled the chair closer to the desk. You acted as if he wasn’t there, as if you weren’t as good as naked, as if you didn’t feel entirely sick. 

You lifted your pencil and ran it along the margin. You sensed him as he came closer and his hand appeared in the corner of your vision. His fingers closed around your former panties and dragged them away. You bit down but said nothing and made no move. He snickered as he strutted the perimeter of the room and hummed.

“Temperance is kindred to pleasure,” He said. “Little tastes make the dessert sweeter.”

👄

You left work roiling mad. You’d never been so livid in your life, not even when your father had duped you into running bets in middle school. 

Yet you didn’t dare to goad Loki further though. He was a man of limits and he was almost past his. Each man insisted on raising the stakes higher and higher though you could not see anyone paying but yourself.

You stomped out of work, the heels of your shoes nearly bending beneath you on the pavement. You checked the time on your slender silver watch. He hadn’t returned your panties and you refused to keep the others on and so you felt even more exposed as you made your way down the street.

As you turned the corner, you nearly toppled. Your path was blocked by an unexpected obstacle. Rather a man who seemed to be awaiting you. He smiled down at you as his golden hair shone in the later blooms of sunlight. You scowled and tried to sidestep him. He moved with you and blocked your path.

“Ah, running away?” Rogers taunted.

“No, you’re in my way.” You hissed.

“I’m here to do you a favour,” He grinned. “My boss awaits your thanks.”

“Then he will be waiting for a rather long time,” You tried to evade him again and he moved once more in front of you.

“You don’t want to leave him waiting,” He warned.

“Get out of my way.” You huffed.

He considered you and shook his head. He rolled his tongue along his bottom lip and shrugged. 

“Alright, girlie,” He held up his hands and stepped aside. “Have it your way.”

You scowled and continued on. You were exhausted. You stormed around the corner and onto the next. You walked to work most days, lost yourself in the crowd in your moments to yourself. At that point, you’d love to just disappear altogether

A sharp honk sounded and a car pulled up along the curb, slowing to follow you as the window descended. You glanced over and went on as if you hadn’t seen the man within. The motor continued to mutter as the car rolled slowly along.

“Sweetheart, don’t do this to me,” Bucky begged. “And after such a lovely present.”

“You can have it back,” You snarled.

“Only if you're in it,” He said. “Come on. Get in. I wanna talk.”

“Well, I don’t,” You snapped.

“If I gotta get outta this car…” He warned.

“You don’t gotta do anything,” You countered. “Nothing but go away.”

He sighed and the window rolled up. The car pulled in entirely and idled at the curb. You heard the door open and close as you passed it entirely and the leather clad footsteps which followed you. You swung your elbow back as you were grabbed and you struggled with the man who had stopped you only a few blocks earlier.

The blond henchman gave no heed to the other pedestrians as he wrestled you over to the car and they pretended not to see him. You kicked out as he wrangled you with one arm and grunted as he opened the door. You nearly knocked your head as he forced you down and shoved you inside. Your purse drooped on your arm as you landed on the leather.

You cursed and shot your foot back at him as you fell into the seat. He caught your ankle and his grip made your blood turned cold.

“Steve, don’t,” Bucky ordered from behind you, “I’d like her in one piece.”

Steve clung to you as his eyes shot past you. He nodded and pushed your foot away. You barely pulled your legs inside before he slammed the door. You righted yourself on the seat and grumbled at the man beside you.

“So… did you like them?” Bucky asked as Steve climbed in the front.

“Not really my style,” You said evenly as the car pulled away from the curb.

“Well, neither is this,” He tugged on your skirt. “I kinda liked the suits.”

“What do you want?”

“I know you’re not that clueless.” He chuckled.

“And I know you aren’t either. How many ways can I say no?” You uttered.

“You can say it as many times as you like, sweetheart. It only adds to the fun.” He played with the hem of your skirt as he slid closer. “I know what he’s doing. I know this game. I know he hasn’t had you. He just wants to poke the bear.”

“Both of you are just--” You stopped yourself and peered out the window. “I’ve had a long day. Can we please not?”

“I wonder what he would do, hmmm?” He gripped your knee. “If we just--- if he found out that I got you first.”

“Why did you settle with him if you’re so eager to start another war?” You tried to push his hand away but it didn’t budge.

“Business is business. It’s not about personal feelings,” He slipped his hand from beneath yours and tickled up your leg. He pressed against the bottom of your skirt and edged it up as he groped your thigh. You squeezed your legs together as you tried to stop him. “He can talk himself up but I know he can’t afford another. Not so soon.”

“Bucky…”

“Oooh, say it again,” He tried to force his hand higher.

“Get off of me,” You punched his shoulder and then his chest. “Get--” You reached around and blindly dug your hand into your purse. You flipped the blade out and brought it to his chin. “Stop!”

“Think about this, sweetheart.” He purred and cold metal touched your thigh. You looked down as he dragged the gun to your stomach. “You’re not that interesting.”

You glared at him and slowly lowered the knife. He took it from you and replaced his gun in his holster. He admired the blade as he leaned back on the seat then dragged it lightly over your thigh.

“Now, I know what you’re gonna say because you’ve said it before. And you can keep it up and hold out and be miserable or you can give in and get your kicks.” He winked as he pulled the blade up beneath your skirt and split the fabric from crotch to hem. 

“I’d be miserable either way.”

“Maybe,” He flipped the knife up and pointed it at your nose. “Maybe you would but if your boss even thought you were truly sneaking around behind his back well, I hate to imagine the consequences for you, sweetheart. What a waste,”

You blinked at him as if he was stupid.

“Let me lay it out. You continue this little coy act and I let on that you ain’t so loyal as you pretend to be. See if you’re so useful to him then.” Bucky smirked. “Or you give me what I want and he thinks he’s got what he wants. He gets his pride. His empty victory.”

“He’d never believe you.” You said.

“I can be very convincing,” He hummed. “Those panties are just the beginning.”

You swallowed your revulsion and his eyes descended to your sliced skirt. You followed them and pulled the fabric back together as it threatened to bear your nudity. You kept your legs together as you shifted in the seat. You chewed on your predicament and let out a weak breath. 

Seeds of doubt sprouted easily, especially in this life. Suspicion was as good as guilt.

“Fine,” You muttered. “You bastard.”

He snickered and the car drew to a stop. You looked out the window to your building and blanched. He hadn’t even asked for your address. Well, you supposed he could’ve just asked his minion in the front seat.

“Good girl,” He purred. “Tomorrow, you should come see the club at night, it’s something else.”

You nodded as the bitterness choked you.

“Can I go?” You asked.

“Can you go…” He cupped his ear dramatically. “My men call me sir or Mr. Barnes. It’s a show of respect.”

“Can I go… sir?” You forced out.

“Eh, so demanding. I know you have manners, sweetheart.” He licked his lip.

“Can I go please?” You said. “Sir?”

He grabbed your chin suddenly and pulled you close. Your eyes rounded and he pressed his lips to yours. He devoured you with a messy kiss and parted with a nibble of your lip.

“You can,” He said softly. “Don’t forget the panties.”

He released you and you grabbed your purse. You held your skirt together as you opened the door and climbed out carefully. You closed the door without looking back and stepped up onto the sidewalk. You walked hunched over to your building, afraid your skirt would split at any move.

When you stepped inside, you felt as if he could still see you. As if his lips were still on yours and his gun to your side. You felt completely trapped. Entirely hopeless.

[legobiwan]

Obi-wan trial ficlet (part 2)

As I was lying in bed last night - wholly unable to sleep - I was visited by the spirit of writing at 3.30am. And thus, have this not-so-little extension of the “Obi-wan on Trial” ficlet. Note, I have basically no plot plan for this whatsoever, but since my imagination was running wild on insomnia and delirium, I figured I’d at least get something from my grand total of an hour’s sleep.

---

Cody glanced at his chrono for the fifth time in as many minutes. According to the General’s plan - which was disturbingly short on details - they were going to rendezvous here at approximately 1700 hours. Another fifteen minutes, give or take.

Already Cody’s gut was twisting with anxiety. Approximately and give or take weren’t standard vocabulary in the General’s lexicon, at least not when it came to missions, which Obi-wan usually had plotted down to the millisecond. But earlier today, the General had waved off Cody’s concerns with a breezy smile, promising that everything would make sense later on and that time on Coruscant was a far more flexible matter due to the proclivities of certain indolent politicians. 

In any other circumstance, the minor sleight would have set off alarm klaxons in Cody’s mind. The General, while as human as anyone else once one peeled through the many layers of reserve and Jedi stoicism, did not openly scorn other sentients, at least not without good reason. There are as many truths, as many realities, as there are points of view in this galaxy, he had once told Cody on a rare diplomatic mission. 

Politicians, however - Coruscanti politicians, to be precise - seemed to be exempt from that axiom. 

Not that Cody could blame Obi-wan, especially given the events of the past few days.

That Commander Tano had been implicated in the bombing of the Jedi Temple, that she had been arrested, twice by his fellow vod - Cody shook his head, still in disbelief. It was insanity. Commander Tano could no more kill innocents than Cody could dance the Dha Werda Verda with Count Dooku. 

And somehow, that event had led him here on the General’s mysterious orders, Commander Tano having been dragged away to some secret trial in the Jedi Temple, Rex, Cody, and the rest of the men not having seen nor heard anything from her since her recapture and imprisonment.

Impossible. She was innocent, the General would make sure of it. 

Still, that didn’t explain why he was stuck in the bowels of the Senate Judiciary wing, armed with a small artillery of grenades along with his standard blaster, an unregistered speeder sitting in the delivery bay just past the loading dock entrance. 

All part of the plan, Obi-wan had said. 

Cody had a bad feeling about this.

A minuscule change in the vent airflow caught his attention, and Cody glanced up, peering into the faraway flat-bottom discs that rose tall into the main chamber of the High Republic courtroom. Years on the frontlines of the war had honed his already well-engineered senses, which were attuned to the slightest crunch of a leaf or the faint odor of lubricant, all small clues that could be the difference between life and death, of victory and defeat. Not that he was expecting a battalion of battle droids to come stomping through the Senate, but if Obi-wan had him on guard duty down here, it had to be for a reason.

That reason, Cody realized with growing horror, was a speck plummeting through the narrow chasm of support beams and ventilation ducts. “Incoming 270, point-oh-eight vertical, approximately 80 kilograms, projectile type unknown,” he muttered to himself, drawing his blaster, his left arm bent at his chest, weapon perched on his forearm as he lined up the shot...

Damn! he cursed as the figure twirled out of range, swallowed by the long shadows of the podium base. Again, Cody did some quick math, calculating the likely trajectory of what he belatedly realized wasn’t a weapon, but a sentient. Sure enough in his estimate, the clone ran to the support spire, flattening himself along the opposite side of where he thought the figure would land. It was too dim to get a full visual on the being, but Cody had held the best record in the GAR’s echolocation target practice for three years running, and didn’t need to see his mark to hit his mark.

Taking a deep breath, the clone swung around, gripping his blaster with two hands, arms extended in front of his chest. 

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t shoot me, Cody.”

His blaster faltered, barrel drooping towards the floor. Cody’s eyes went wide as moons.

“Sir?”

Obi-wan Kenobi brushed off the front of his tunics, adjusting his utility belt before pushing a few loose bangs behind his ear. "There will be plenty of time to be shot at later," he explained. The Jedi made a "follow me" gesture, striding past Cody, making towards the exit with long, hurried steps. 

Cody felt as if he were glued to the floor.  

"Ahh...is everything okay, sir?" he asked, his earlier anxiety returning with a sickening flourish. Obi-wan spun around, placing his hands on his hips. 

"It won't be if we don't get moving," he snapped, his face folding in uncharacteristic open irritation bordering on outright anger. Cody's stomach swooped downwards. Okay, really not good, whatever this is.

"I trust you were able to acquire the speeder?" Obi-wan asked, glancing behind Cody. Checking for enemies, the clone assumed.

Cody jogged to catch up with the impatient-looking Jedi. 

"Yes, sir," the clone replied, defaulting to a standard, no-nonsense military tone. He would ask the General what was going on later, after the danger had passed. For now, they - he, at least - would to stick to the safety of military protocol and communication.

Obi-wan gave a slight nod. In the light, Cody could see the man was exhausted, his eyes bruised with fatigue, his face drawn. Still, there was something different about the way the General was holding himself, something in the sharp blade of his voice, an edge of danger Cody didn't think he had ever heard before. 

Distant echoes of frenzied shouting and hectic orders rang above them, followed by the familiar thunder of bootsteps. Obi-wan swore under his breath as the airflow shifted yet again, heralding the arrival of at least one, if not two newcomers. 

"Let's go," he said, breaking into a full run. 

Minutes later, they were in the borrowed speeder, catapulting through Coruscant's skylanes like a hyperactive Kowakian monkey. Cody gripped the side of the vehicle as Obi-wan made another ninety-degree turn, powering into the capital's main thoroughfare, nearly taking off the heads of at least three other drivers as he cut in front of a luxury-length rec speeder, tossing in a rude hand gesture as a bonus.

"Sir?" Cody yelped, wrenching his gaze to Obi-wan in astonishment. The Jedi's brow was furrowed in intense concentration, the momentary aberration in his  behavior already forgotten. 

"Get those detonators ready," Obi-wan ordered, terse. "On my signal."

Oookay, then, the clone took a deep inhale, giving a minute shake of his head as he fished out the explosives. This was definitely not the time to talk about whatever was going on, but once they had achieved their mission objective - whatever it's supposed to be, Cody thought sourly - he was going to have words with the General. 

Up ahead, the twin spires of the Republic holding facility came into view. A drab, depressing building notable only for its multivariate shades of grey and permanently smog-stained transparisteel windows - General Skywalker had once described it as being "like a Hutt vomited twenty years ago and no one cared enough to clean it up."

Beyond its charming aesthetics, however, the Republic holding facility was also notable in that it served as a transitionary custody space for those awaiting sentencing from the High Republic Courts. Cody's throat went dry. They wouldn't have put Commander Tano in there, would they? No, that was ridiculous. If Commander Tano were being held here, it would mean she had been found guilty, that she was only waiting to hear what her prison sentence would be. Or worse, Cody shivered. No, he refused to believe the Commander would commit such a heinous act and doubly refused to believe the General would allow her to be convicted of false charges.

They were nearly parallel the building now, Obi-wan bringing the speeder almost flush against the high, electro-barbed walls, sending sparks of energy flying as the Jedi inched the edge of the vehicle dangerously close to the barrier.

"Now, Cody!" 

All clones knew they had been bred for this war, to fight, to serve the Republic. While the clones themselves exhibited the same level of variation of personalities, of likes and dislikes as any general populace, all clones also knew that above all, they were bound by loyalty and duty. To their fellow vod. To the Republic. And to the Jedi they served under. 

Which was why Cody didn't think twice before lobbing a fistful of high-output grenades straight into the Republic holding facility's main generator on Obi-wan's command. 

Cody watched in stunned silence as there was a cataclysmic burst of light, the electro-barbs racing to a sharp peak before fizzling out, grimy stains rendered invisible as every bit of energy and electricity around not only the building, but the entire sector died out with a pathetic whine. 

What the kriff? Cody gaped.

The clone whipped around to demand an answer, to know why he had just bombed a Republic prison facility on the orders of a Jedi, of a High General. Of my friend, Cody grit, betrayal stabbing deep into his lower abdomen. 

But his furious storm of words died on his lips as Cody stared down the wrong end of his own blaster, muzzle only centimeters from his forehead. It didn't escape the clone's attention that the setting had been switched to "kill."

"I am very sorry, Cody," Obi-wan apologized, his voice almost preternaturally calm. "But for both our sakes, this needs to look convincing."

Cody froze, his brain refusing to process the visual input, the aural evidence, the logical conclusion that should have drawn from the situation. He was in a speeder. He had just bombed a Republic prison on Obi-wan's orders. Obi-wan was pointing a lethal weapon at him. And...Cody stretched his ears, not daring to take his eyes off the apparently insane Jedi in the next seat.

Those are CSF sirens, he realized, stomach sinking. Nu draar...dini'la jetti haar'chak! This wasn't a Republic-sanctioned mission, probably wasn't even a Jedi-sanctioned mission. This was...

Cody had no idea what this was.

He briefly considered taking a chance, throwing himself on Obi-wan to attempt to wrest control of both the blaster and the speeder from crazed Jedi. But a single flinty glare from Obi-wan stopped that plan in its tracks. On a normal day, the General was far more dangerous than many people gave him credit for. Cody didn't want to find out what he was like when that self-imposed restraint was dropped.

The next few moments passed in bizarre silence, Obi-wan weaving through skylanes, blaster never wavering from Cody's forehead. At one point, he slowed in front of an official city surveillance droid, letting the little machine take a good, long look at the bizarre drama unfolding in the front seat of the speeder. Obi-wan then gave the camera a slanted grin and jaunty salute before hitting the accelerator, pulling back on the yoke, sending the speeder plummeting down at least twenty levels. When Cody's stomach had made it back to his abdomen from his throat, he noticed the blaster was gone.

"Did I ever tell you," Obi-wan began conversationally, "about the time I flew a small transport through the corridors of a mining spaceship?"

Cody gawked at the other man. He truly had gone insane. 

"It was quite the mission, on Pijal. I must have been, oh, sixteen, seventeen at the time. I swore off flying forever, although Qui-gon never let me actually make good on that promise." Obi-wan shook his head. “Typical.”

The sirens, which had been gaining a dangerous amount of ground on their escape vehicle, were no longer audible, their wails having blurred into the usual, busy hum of Coruscant's normal traffic.

Normal, Cody almost laughed. Wouldn't that be a thing?

They were probably at least five hundred levels down now, maybe even more, the sky long since having disappeared from view, neon lights and the bright ends of spice sticks offering a cheap, counterfeit sun. 

Obi-wan swung the speeder into a narrow alley, cutting the engine with a satisfied sigh. 

"The thing about that mission, Cody,” he said after a moment, “was that it was my first real experience with the sticky, ambiguous substances that grease the wheels of the Republic. I, of course, acted in accordance with the Jedi, and thus the Republic government, earning myself only the ire of my Master, the betrayal of a monarchy, and nearly costing me my life," Obi-wan chuckled, a dark, cynical sound that set Cody's teeth on edge. What was going on? 

Obi-wan hopped out of the speeder, giving a small grin as he shrugged out of his out Jedi tunic. "How times change, I suppose."

Cody didn't move to follow, didn't say a word in response. He sat, staring at this person who was, on the surface, Obi-wan Kenobi, but in no way resembled the man he had come to know. Or, at least, thought he had come to know. 

His agitation must have been visible, probably the equivalent of a Gungan marching band in Force, as Obi-wan paused, a dark blue, long-sleeved tunic with a high collar pulled halfway over his head. He stared at Cody for a moment before finishing the movement, smoothing out the material of the unfamiliar garment over his chest. 

Obi-wan stepped forward with a small sigh. "And now Cody, I suppose I owe you an explanation."

The half-apology - words that sounded like Obi-wan, even if they came from a man who didn't resemble him at all - pulled Cody from his emotional stupor, fires of disbelief stoking somewhere deep in his chest. In one smooth movement, he hopped out of the speeder, striding to Obi-wan, fists clenched, teeth grit, his face so close to other man's Cody could feel the Jedi's hot exhales on his nose.

Obi-wan regarded him with muted curiosity. "Do you intend on striking me?" he asked. 

"I'm really tempted to," Cody grit. "Sir," he added, not quite able to break the habit.

"Then let me offer you a compromise, of sorts. We should be safe here, for the time being, at least long enough for me to provide what I hope is an explanation of today's turn of events. I do not expect you to like it, nor to necessarily agree with it, but certain circumstances have pushed me into a situation where a decision - a monumental decision, I may add - had to be made."

"If, after hearing me out, you wish to strike me, you are most welcome to, as I do believe you have earned that right. You will also be free to leave and return to the 212th at that point. That little stunt with the security camera should serve as more than enough evidence that you were coerced by a renegade Jedi and I am certain you will be welcomed back into the GAR with open arms."

"However," Obi-wan’s expression darkened, the drawled word imbued with an almost sensuous promise. "If, after hearing me out, you find yourself - " he cocked his head back and forth, pretending to be searching for the right language. "Sympathetic to my plight, then I would welcome your expertise, skills, and company."

Cody took a small step back. That...kind of sounded more like the General - the negotiation, the smooth justification. Certainly, Cody hoped Obi-wan had a reason for all of this, that he hadn't completely snapped or worse, gone dark. He didn't seem like Ventress, or Dooku, but Cody didn't know enough about the Sith or the dark side to make any kind of real judgment call.

But even with the promise of finally getting some kind of explanation, there was another question that had been niggling at the back of Cody's mind since this all began, brought forward by Obi-wan's sudden invitation. 

"Why me, sir?"

The inquiry apparently took the Jedi by surprise, his eyebrows rising in some odd combination of amusement and approval. "Because, Cody - I trust you. And I hope you will feel the same way after I explain just what has happened in the past few weeks."

[puppetwritings]

To Heaven and Back || Pt. 5 || Junhui

Pt. 1 // Pt. 2 // Pt. 3 // Pt. 4 // Pt. 5 // Pt. 6 // Pt. 7 //

➢ Word Count: 4848

➢ Genre: chinese mythology, fantasy, angst, fluff

➢ Summary: You had been a martial god, sitting at the helm of Heaven’s armies, for a very long time. So long, that you had began to forget what your human life was like but for some reason, recently, you were dreaming of past events again.

——–

The small white fox barked repeatedly until a large hand reached over and blocked its muzzle.

“Xiao Bai, stop. Our guest is resting; be a good girl.”

Xiao Bai’s ears drooped and she sat back, staring at your pale lips and unmoving body. She didn’t know what happened but suddenly their lord returned with a heavily injured person who had high spiritual energy. She had gotten curious and rushed over with the other foxes, only find that you were the one who had been injured. She remembered you. You were the one that helped her two years ago and she was not one to forget her savior so easily but she wasn’t strong enough to help. She could only run circles around her lord, whining and whimpering for him to hurry up and save you. And he did.

Xiao Bai looked over at her lord imploringly, her dark eyes obviously asking him why you hadn’t woken up.

“The arrow was coated with a poison that reacted faster once exposed to air. I managed to suppress it before it got to her heart but it’s a slow process to purify her body of the poison. You must be patient,” the large hand brushed back Xiao Bai’s ears gently before he turned back to you. He sighed and mumbled, “I also want her to quickly wake up…”

Xiao Bai tilted her head at the unexplainable look in her lord’s eyes. She had never seen something so…gentle in him. It was odd and it sent a shiver down her spine. Xiao Bai was about to make another noise and the door was flung open and an angry Yan An stomped in.

“Wen Junhui!” Yan An shouted, causing the small foxes outside and Xiao Bai to jump.

Junhui turned calmly, his ink black hair falling over his shoulder as his dark eyes landed on his friend. “How nice of you to remember to knock.”

“Do not be sarcastic right now,” Yan An threatened, his normally dark brown eyes turning a striking amber. “I heard what you did. Rejecting an alliance with the Crystal Moon Clan is fine—even rejecting an alliance with the Poisonous Butterflies is fine. What isn’t fine is purposely helping out their—their enemy!”

Xiao Bai shrank behind Lord Wen and carefully looked over Lord Yan. He had never seen the young lord so angry before. The only other time Lord Yan had yelled at Lord Wen was when broke Lord Yan’s jade flute but all had been well after Lord Wen repaired it. But this? It seemed that he would want to chop off your head before he settled.

However, Junhui didn’t seem concerned. He looked at you before turning back to Yan An. “Him? He is their enemy?”

Yan An nodded, glaring at you.

“If I remember correctly, they were looking for a woman, were they not?”

“Yes, but the demons said they followed her spiritual energy that leaked from her wound and found this man.”

“And how did they figure that out? Did they touch him?” Junhui asked. “The fire contained remnants of this one’s spiritual energy, but you can’t connect it to him if they haven’t touched him to find out. Maybe that woman took out the air and stabbed it into him and that’s how the demons found him.”

“You—”

“Yan An,” Junhui’s calm voice interrupted him again. “Tell them they can’t spew blood in my face without concrete evidence. I was only rescuing a cultivator who unluckily happened to be near the scene of the crime.”

Yan An stared at Junhui. “You realize this could destroy years of peace for us, right?”

“It won’t,” Junhui assured him.

“How are you so positive?”

“Because I am Wen Junhui,” Junhui replied, a hint of arrogance that complimented his handsome appearance. “If I wanted to destroy Heaven then I could and if I wanted to seal Hell then I would. Just a few demons won’t bother us.”

The two old friends stared at each other for a long, long time before Yan An scoffed and turned around, leaving Junhui’s room.

Junhui stared after Yan An for a moment before he turned his attention to Xiao Bai and stroked her head. “Go make sure Lord Yan doesn’t destroy our den, will you?”

Xiao Bai looked pitiful under Junhui’s hand and glanced at you before she ran off, following the angered lord.

Junhui turned back to you and softly sighed. He rested his cheek against his knuckles and stared at you. His eyes traced over your features and he blinked lightly, watching as your chest rose and fell. His lips curled slightly and he reached over, fixing a piece of your hair. Your hairpin had long come undone and Junhui had been unable to find it in the forest and he didn’t want to dwell. If it meant something to you, he would definitely go back to find it but if it didn’t…well, he could always give you one of his.

Junhui placed his hand on your forehead and nodded lightly. Your fever had passed. For a god to get a fever was a scary ordeal. If it hadn’t been for Junhui’s medical skills, he wasn’t so sure if you would have survived even if you immediately went back to Heaven.

Junhui watched you a moment longer before his own eyelids began to feel heavy. He had stayed up all night, transferring spiritual energy to you after he was sure he got all the poison out and after that he had stayed up to make sure that your fever went down and that there weren’t any traces of the poison that escaped him. His blinking became sluggish and after a moment, he fell asleep with his hand keeping his head up.

He was woken up by the sound of scuffling and when he opened his eyes, he had to force the smile on his face to stay away. You were staring at him, wide-eyed with horror. You had reached for your sword, but it hadn’t been by your side so you could only protect yourself with magic. Only…your body was too weak to muster up anything substantial.

And so, the end result was you staring at Junhui like a cornered rabbit, scared that this predator would take the chance to eat you while you’re down.

“You’re awake,” Junhui said, a lazy smile spreading across his face.

“Who are you? Where am I?”

“I saved you. And you’re in my room.”

“I meant your name—are you a demon?”

“How rude,” Junhui scoffed, sitting back. “If you want to know a person’s name you should introduce yourself first. So? What’s your name, little one?”

You shuddered but you continued to glare at him, refusing to answer.

“That’s all well,” Junhui replied. “The poison has been taken out of your body. Your spiritual energy will be recovered after a few days rest. I suggest you stay here until then lest you get killed on your way back and come back as a ghost to haunt me.”

You stared at him with distrust as he stood to leave but you quickly stopped him. Junhui turned back around, his chin tilted haughtily as he waited for you to speak. “…Thank you.”

“Mm.”

Without another word, Junhui left his room.

You sat on the bed in shock and silence. After a moment you looked down to your chest. Flat…you vaguely remembered transforming before you began your rapid escape—after you had been shot. It had been a way to confuse them if you were caught…had it worked? Is that why this demon hadn’t attacked you? No…calling him a demon didn’t seem right. He was a…spirit, then? You didn’t feel any malicious intent. That being said, you weren’t sure if you could trust your judgement with the way your powers were at the moment.

You slowly tried to get off the bed, only to have your body cruelly reject this action. You could do nothing but slump over in pain as your body ached and pulsed. A sheen of sweat began forming on your forehead when the door opened. You were ready to fend off that handsome freak when you heard a bark.

You turned your head to look to the ground and found a white little fox. Somehow, you knew that was the white little fox you had rescued.

“You…why are you here?”

Xiao Bai barked several times before jumping onto the bed. She looked a tad frustrated that she couldn’t communicate with you and after a moment ran back out. She returned, pulling the robe of a boy who was about twelve in age. He looked extremely irritated.

“This is why we told you to cultivate more instead of running around! Now you can’t even properly communicate with humans,” the boy scolded. “I don’t care if you’re almost there. This is still troublesome for me.”

You stared at the interaction between the little fox and the boy as the boy angrily sighed and plopped down on the stool that Junhui had occupied earlier. Xiao Bai jumped onto the boy’s lap, looking extremely content.

“This is Xiao Bai. She’s the fox you rescued,” the boy’s voice was monotone and his eyebrows were scrunched. You couldn’t help but smile a little. “My name’s Wei Yuan. I’m acting as her translator because she’s usele—ouch! You dare bite me?”

Xiao Bai made a hmph movement and turned back to you, smiling brightly.

“So, you are the little fox I helped,” you grinned, reaching over to pet her. “Then…”

“You’re at the Fox Den.”

“Fox Den?” you looked up at Wei Yuan who nodded.

“The Fox Den. Home to the fox spirits.”

“Spirits? Not demons?”

Wei Yuan thought a moment before looking mildly offended. “Demon sounds like we are evil, but we follow the righteous cultivation path to cultivate.”

You smiled a little and Wei Yuan continued to speak.

“You should be grateful you got rescued by our lord! Our lord is usually antisocial and he stays away from people and the only friend he has is Lord Yan,” Wei Yuan said, grumbling all his disparities about the lord of the house. “He’s heartless and he dislikes humans and those immortals. He’s always saying that if we trust them then we’d get skinned and eaten.”

You couldn’t help but purse your lips a little. Why was that guy going around threatening the kids?

“For a person who completely ignores the outside world, it’s interesting he actually took the initiative to make a few enemies just to save you,” Wei Yuan said. A paw was placed on his lips to stop him from talking. Really, this child was too talkative. But it was better for you.

“What do you mean?”

“Lord Wen originally set out to reject some alliances but then you came around so he decided to rescue you while he was at it,” Wei Yuan said casually, throwing all the heroic intent to the wind and reducing the task to something that sounded like this Lord Wen was only doing it for fun. “He offended them for you. After all he said about staying away from humans and immortals—a weird guy, really.”

“Yes…I suppose…and…who is your lord?” you asked cautiously. There were several fox dens worth mentioning but none were this big and from your memory.

“Ruler of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clans, Wen Junhui,” Wei Yuan answered easily. “You were taken here and you couldn’t tell?”

You really couldn’t. You wished this kid would give you a break. You were injured. But hearing those first three words made you freeze and you were unable to say anything to the kid. Nine-Tailed Fox Lord…Wen Junhui…

“Quaking, aren’t you?” Wei Yuan said with a smile on his face. Xiao Bai barked several times and Wei Yuan pushed her face around. “I’m not being rude! Gosh, don’t get your fluff in knots.”

“I thought…I thought the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan died off.”

“Of course, we didn’t die off! It’s just we retreated away. We didn’t want to bother with anyone. Would you want to if you were always accused of eating people’s livers and seducing men and killing innocent children in their sleep?” Wei Yuan scoffed.

You frowned slightly. The last case of accusation was long before you were in Heaven, but you knew it from people constantly coming back to talk about it. It had been a tragic case and completely uncalled for.

A little over a thousand years ago, cultivators hunted the white nine-tailed foxes for money and for merit. To catch one brought great honor to one’s sect and to their family. Since white nine-tailed foxes were considered the source of all evil, they had been hunted mercilessly until near extinction. The then current lord of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, Wen Tianhua declared war on the cultivators that trapped his clan into a corner. At first, Heaven didn’t put a hand in this but after Wen Tianhua kept his word and wiped out an entire sect, he and his generals as well as his wife put to death. The image of a young Wen Junhui crying in front of the Emperor and begging for the gods and deities to spare his parents’ and his uncles’ lives were embedded into their memories. A few years after that, they received news that the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan had been wiped out.

It was a scar on Heaven’s reputation for siding with the wrong group.

“Seems you know a bit of history,” Wei Yuan said upon seeing your pale face. “Now you see why it’s a big deal Lord Wen rescued you?”

You nodded slightly but you couldn’t help but wonder why. For someone who had such a deep hatred against cultivators and gods, why would he rescue you? You couldn’t put your finger on it and that’s what worried you more. Once he found out you were a god, was he going to torture you? Perhaps he was someone that hated injustice and that’s why he saved you. That didn’t keep him from turning around to stab you in the back.

“Where’s my sword?” you abruptly asked.

Xiao Bai and Wei Yuan stayed completely silent.

“You’re not allowed to tell me?”

“My apologies,” Wei Yuan said, though he did not sound apologetic.

“Then my pass?”

“Lord Wen has said that he will return your things to you once you have fully healed,” Wei Yuan said. It sounded reasonable but you hated the feeling of being trapped and you began to look more and more uncomfortable. “It’s okay. Lord Wen won’t do anything to people who don’t want it.”

Your eyes widened and your face paled slightly. Just what was this child thinking?

Wei Yuan grinned in satisfaction at your shocked expression but was bit by Xiao Bai again in protest. Wei Yuan glared at Xiao Bai. “Fine! If you keep biting me then I’m leaving. See how you talk to her then.”

He stood and gently placed her next to you before stomping out. Xiao Bai glared at the door in contempt and turned back to you, rubbing herself against your leg and eventually curling into your lap.

You smiled and petted her.

The next two days passed with little event. That Lord Wen didn’t stop by to visit you and the only two who did were the two little rascals, Xiao Bai and Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan seemed to have taken a liking to you and would stay and chat for a long while after he delivered your food and medication. On the third day of your stay, you decided to take a walk. After asking Wei Yuan if that was okay, he nodded and told you to stick to the path.

The Fox Den was a beautiful, ethereal place. One could say that it was Heaven on earth if they didn’t want to offend the gods. The Fox Den was on a mountain. Unlike Kunlun Mountain, it wasn’t full of spiritual energy, but you could tell that it was different than other mountains. Everywhere you walked were forests but they were neatly kept, however it didn’t feel manmade. These neatly kept forests seemed to maintain their appearance themselves.

You smiled in amusement, thinking about the trees purposely grooming themselves.

As you continued walking, you felt this place might actually be better than Heaven. Everything was peaceful and the air smelled delightful. Suddenly, you stopped in your tracks. It was the sound of the guqin.

Similarly, to how you could tell that Minghao’s playing wasn’t up to par, you felt that this guqin sounded very, very familiar. You frowned and continued walking towards the music.

You made it to a clearing and saw a scene similar to the one you saw two years ago. A bridge led out to the gazebo that was on an island in the middle of the lake. The scene was serene except now it was light out and you could clearly see the face of the guqin player.

You found yourself walking forward and then over the bridge until you reached the small island.

Junhui looked up as you bowed down, hands stretched out in a salute. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

“Of course,” Junhui replied, an eyebrow raised. “You thanked me already. What happened? Felt that you were too rude?”

You stopped yourself from glaring at him but remained bowed. “The other two times before. Lord Wen rescued me.”

Junhui bit back the smile on his lips. “So, you knew that was me?”

“After hearing your playing, I am positive that it was you.”

“Oh?” Junhui sat straighter. “Since you know it was me, then how do you plan to repay me?”

Repay… “Whatever you would like as long as it’s within reason. Once I’m healed I will do my best to fulfill your wishes.”

“Your best?”

You nodded.

“Then…I want you to marry me.”

As a god, going back on your promise meant losing face. However, you said “as long as it’s within reason”. This was unreasonable. “Forgive me, Lord Wen. What did you say?”

“I want you,” Junhui pronounced each word clearly. “To marry me.”

You looked up then, straightening yourself. You searched his face for a hint of mirth but there was nothing. Only an emotionless, blank face. Your jaw nearly fell. “I…I cannot do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because…because we’re both men.”

“I’ve known many male cultivators with male companions,” Junhui replied. “Besides, spirits and demon have never cared much about gender.”

You pursed your lips. “That’s precisely the problem. You’re a spirit and I’m a cultivator.”

“I’ve also heard of cases where this doesn’t serve as a problem,” Junhui had stood by now. His robes brushed against the side of the table as he made his way over to you.

You took a step back. You glanced at the table that the guqin had been resting on and noticed the wine beside the table. You held your hands up instinctively as he came closer. “Lord Wen, I think you’ve been drinking too much.”

“Have I?” Junhui tilted his head. “You’re changing the subject.”

“I am not,” you shook your head.

“Tell me why you don’t want to marry me.”

“I don’t know you. This…marry to repay the debt of rescuing is very,” you shook your head. “If I said that to everyone I rescued, then I would have many spouses.”

“But I’ve only ever rescued you,” Junhui said. Your back hit the pole and he stopped advancing.

“That…you should marry someone you truly love,” you nodded. “And, on top of that, you don’t know me well. I could be lying to you for all you know.”

“Lying how?” Junhui asked.

“Lying…about my identity,” you said.

“I wouldn’t care,” Junhui replied briskly. He took one step forward and tilted your chin up towards him. As he was leaning down, your appearance wavered and Junhui smirked. “General.”

“You—”

Junhui took several steps back as you intended to swipe at him. “I knew our honored guest wasn’t simply a cultivator but I couldn’t be entirely sure. I knew you wouldn’t willingly reveal yourself unless you had a pressing reason to. I just didn’t think the pressing reason would be marrying me—are you really that against the idea?”

“Yes,” you spat out, glaring at him.

Junhui threw his head back while he laughed.

“Even then,” you hesitated, “How do you know me?”

Junhui looked back at you, his eyes glimmering mysteriously. “Would you believe me if I told you that I know everything?”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Then don’t bother asking,” Junhui said, returning to his seat behind the guqin. “It is nice to see that our General is feeling well enough to swipe at me. Is it about time you leave?”

You frowned and nodded. “I would like my sword and my badge back.”

“Of course,” Junhui waved his hand and a servant came out with your sword and your badge on a tray. She knelt down, waiting for you to take your items.

You took them and carefully tucked them away before looking at Junhui. “As for the repayment—”

“I don’t need any repayment,” Junhui replied briskly. “Saving you multiple times…just pretend that it was your stroke of luck.”

“But…no, I can’t. I am someone who repays favors.”

“Then pretend that I was the one returning favors,” Junhui said.

You raised an eyebrow. “We’ve never met before. What kind of favors could you be returning?”

At that moment, Junhui’s eyes softened though his expression still remained elegant and unperturbed. His lips curled up slightly and he turned back to his guqin. “I said pretend.”

You opened your mouth to speak again, but Junhui continued.

“If I ever have problems, then the first person I will bother will be you, General. How is that?”

You frowned, thinking for a moment before nodding. “As long as it isn’t something that breaks the laws of Heaven, I will help you.”

“Of course,” Junhui nodded. He stared at you for a moment before he looked at the person behind you. “Wei Yuan, lead the General out.”

You turned, surprised to find the boy behind you. You turned back and bowed to Junhui again.

“If we are to meet again, General, I hope you remember my name,” Junhui called out to you as you walked away. “Because I will remember yours.”

——–

“General!”

You turned around just as you put on a set of fresh robes. Yu Lingjin and Minghao came in, worried expressions on their faces.

“Where have you been?” Minghao asked, his eyebrows creased. “After you set fire to the camps, we expected you to come back right away but you disappeared! You have no idea how worried we are.”

“Didn’t send a message either,” Yu Lingjin added quietly, his eyes scanning you quickly for any injury.

You stared at the two of them in shock but before you could speak, Minghao spoke again. “We even tried to get some Tudi Gong to look for you, but everyone said your spiritual energy was still concentrated around Kunlun Mountain and it didn’t lead anywhere. But we searched all of Kunlun Mountain and couldn’t find you!”

You were a bit dazed at this information. Does that mean that the Fox Den could appear and disappear wherever it wanted? You clearly remembered it had been near Ren Ning but when you left, you had been near Kunlun Mountain. Ren Ning and Kunlun Mountain were miles and miles apart…how could you have appeared next to Kunlun Mountain?

“General?” Yu Lingjin tilted his head, moving into your view. “General, are you okay?”

“Mm,” you nodded. “I was rescued by someone I helped before. That’s why you couldn’t find me. They’re very secretive and their home is hidden away in a pocket dimension.”

Minghao raised an eyebrow but Yu Lingjin’s eyes only sparkled slightly in admiration. He felt that this general truly knew a lot of amazing people.

“What was this person’s name?”

“I have loyalty,” you said, tying up your robes. “I wouldn’t sell this person out.”

“Well, as long as you’re fine…you’re uninjured, right?” Minghao asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes…well, not. I was shot with an arrow, but I’m feeling much better now,” you replied. “I should report to the Emperor.”

“Not right now,” Yu Lingjin said, blocking your way.

You raised an eyebrow, “Why not?”

“The Emperor is entertaining a martial god who hasn’t come home in quite a long time,” Minghao said. After watching him for a minute, Minghao finally spoke. “General Liang has come back.”

“General Liang,” you echoed, a small frown on your face. “What does he have to do with me?”

“Do you really not remember?”

You shook your head.

“General Liang was the one that killed you,” Minghao said. “That General Liang. Not Liang Suchen—Liang Rutian.”

You frowned. Honestly, you had never realized that General Liang had ascended. You always thought that he would suffer in Hell for his methods—torturing, murdering, and other unbearable deeds. Just the thought of him walking around Heaven has your blood running cold.

“Be careful of him, General,” Yu Lingjin whispered. Your eyes widened. It was rare that the prodigy, Yu Lingjin spoke ill of someone. He looked away hastily and continued. “General Yu told me to steer clear of him as well.”

This General Liang…must really be a character. You nodded slowly, reluctantly giving in. You honestly did not remember much from the moment you died or even the moments leading up to that point. You remembered there was a fox and that there was a lot of blood. You could not remember the name of the person who killed you and what that person looked like. You vaguely remembered grimy hands but, in that setting, everyone had grimy hands. It was war. No one had time to wash up.

However, you could clearly remember memories older than this—memories of your parents and your brother and how they died. You assumed, at the point of your death, you felt that nothing mattered anymore and you just didn’t pay attention. You only paid attention to the thing that mattered in the moment and that hadn’t been yourself—it had been the little white fox.

You followed Yu Lingjin and Minghao as they (Minghao, mostly) chatted and filled you in on what had happened but you weren’t paying attention. You suddenly could only think about the little white fox. Xiao Bai…no. It was a little white fox that looked like Xiao Bai and it had been a boy. You remembered referring to him as a girl and the indignant expression his little face. This had been before the attack, obviously, when you first came across the small fox. He had been injured as well and he had been injured badly. You remembered the blood that stained his white fur. After saving the fox, he had stuck to your side loyally until your last moments.

You couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the white fox after you died. It was something that haunted you when you reached Heaven and when you received your position. You tried looking for the white fox, but any trace of him had disappeared. You had thought it was because he died but now it might be because he was part of Lord Wen’s Fox Clan…maybe you should ask.

“Ask what?” Minghao raised an eyebrow.

You had spoken aloud just now. “Nothing. I was going to ask the Emperor to not give me anymore missions. I’m tired already.”

Minghao scoffed. “It’s only been, what? Two or three missions in the span of two years? Honestly, if you’re tired from this you have to admit that you’re getting old.”

“Lord Xu, you have never gone on missions,” Yu Lingjin said.

Minghao turned to look at Yu Lingjin. “Child, you seem to be defending our General. Have you taken a liking to her already?”

Yu Lingjin bowed. “It is a deep respect.”

Minghao rolled his eyes but you could only grin at him. You patted his shoulder, praising him for being a loyal little brother and turned back to Minghao. “Plus, wouldn’t it be better if I just stayed here and not get injured. I feel like every time I go out for a mission something bad happens to me. I want to live longer so I can fight with you more.”

Minghao stared at you in a daze before frowning seriously and leaning forward. “Something really bad must have happened down there, you poor thing. You actually…you actually want to stay with me?”

You nodded.

Minghao turned to Yu Lingjin as if to say “do you hear this?!” and then he shook his head, patting your shoulder. “Don’t worry, little one, I will make sure to tell the Emperor this. I’ll beg him if I have to.”

You nodded again, somewhat grateful. Of course, you had been partially joking but you did feel as if you ran into trouble every time you went down to the mortal realm. It would be best if you stayed away from now on.

~~~

(A/N: check out the description or the thb ff tag on my blog for new chapters!)

[anthonianrhapsody-blog]

The Helpful Wolf

by Lee Yan Cachero

In a small clearing was a little white rabbit, her body unusually thin for a supposed fluff ball. She was enjoying her meal taking small bites and savoring the taste. Freshly grown cabbage was the best and she rarely could grab any. Actually, that goes for any other food. It’s been hard to get a good meal these days because of the humans guarding their food; she would have to be very sneaky in attaining food from the humans’ garden which was just outside the forest. There was one time she got caught and she was chased around with a large broom stick. Humans seemed highly territorial, but so are animals, so who is to judge?

She turned somber at the situation that they were in; food had become scarce these days and she and her family were starving. She just wished humans were a bit kinder and not chase them away because really, the only way they can get food today is from the humans. Now it’s getting even more dangerous as hunting season was nearing.

A low growl was suddenly heard.

Rabbit immediately stopped eating started to look around, her ears twitched trying to figure out where the sound came from. The mammal could feel its heart pounding, feeling as though it was about to jump from its chest.

She knew that type of growl, having heard it before; it sent tremors down her spine. It was the kind of growl that came from rather hungry predators. Very, hungry and very dangerous predators.

Another growl. Heart pounded louder. Slowly, taking one step, Rabbit moved cautiously. The leaves of bushes rustled, turning her head towards the movement, and there she saw it. A hulking mass covered in fur dark as night, in an attacking position, with claws that dug into the ground, its muzzle wrinkled as it showed the sharpest fangs she had ever seen.

The mighty beast snarled, jaws tightened.

Not hesitating, Rabbit bolted.

 There was a game that she and her brothers and sisters used to play, one of them pretending to be a wild beast eating every single thing in sight. It was a fun game; they would play it every day. They all joked that the game was preparation for when an actual beast comes.

Well, look where she was now.

Running through the forest as fast as her thin legs could carry her, avoiding stumps of trees and large branches. As she ran, she could hear the beast giving chase; hearing its paws hit the ground crushing the leaves beneath it.

For what seemed like forever, Rabbit could feel herself getting tired; her muscles ached and her breath got heavier. She wanted to stop running, but if she did she’d die.

Then the sounds behind her stopped.

Her ears twitched as she noticed that, but it still didn’t stop her from sprinting. She wasn’t stupid enough to think that it stopped chasing her. Her parents had always told her and her siblings to never stop running in these moments. “Don’t be fooled. Not everything is always what it seems.” They would say and their words were taken to heart. She kept going, not looking back.

 “I should’ve thought this through!” Rabbit said out loud as she found herself in an unfamiliar part of the forest. The trees were tall leaves covering the skies, with only small rays of light seeping through. It was dark and it was hard to see what was around her. Taking a step forward, she stepped on something. It felt like a rough piece of plastic and it stuck to her foot. She shook her foot to get it off.

She didn’t know when she stopped her sprint; all she knew was that she was lost. Lost and tired, she wanted to go home and rest. Be with her family and cuddle with them, show them love. ‘Have they eaten yet?’ Rabbit worried. They have always managed to get by, but she won’t be satisfied with just the thought. She needed to see them, make sure they weren’t hungry.

Hiss.

‘Oh no,’ she thought, ‘please not again.’ There was no doubt the sound came from another monster, a snake in particular.

Growling.

Oh, great. There were two beasts after her now.

Turning, she once again tried to escape, but her foot got caught. She tripped on the piece of plastic she stepped on a few moments ago. A sharp pain went through her foot, as if she had twisted her joint. All hope was lost.

She needed to run, run to live.

But she couldn’t. It wouldn’t be possible. She’s going to die here.

Closing her eyes, she formed a picture of her family in her mind. The days she spent with them, taking care of them, loving them.

With a heavy heart, she accepted her fate.

The beasts pounced.

 When Rabbit opened her eyes, she was greeted with a blinding light and the very first thing she thought was that she’s in heaven. Bright light equals heaven, right?

Standing on her hind legs, which took a tremendous amount of effort, she looked around to take in her surroundings. The sky was littered with little white clouds, and the sun was emitting a warm glow, its rays hitting a small pond that had a sparkle challenging the brightest gems and stars in the world. Flowers were scattered all around, coloring the grass a rainbow.

Heaven was quite nice.

“You’re awake finally,” A bored male voice spoke.

Turning around, her blood turnED cold. Just when she thought that she could finally relax, the very beast that she was running away from was sitting right there.

The mighty creature stood up and went closer to Rabbit. She didn’t move an inch and just stared. Up close, she could see icy blue eyes that contrasted with its dark fur. She has been calling the beast ‘it’ for a while, but now she cOULD properly smell the beast and she could tell that it was a male. Those details didn’t matter, however. What mattered was that this creature in front of her was a wolf and that this wolf didn’t eat her and it looked like it wasn’t planning to any time soon.

The wolf opened his mouth and for moment she felt faint, but all he did was grab Rabbit by the scruff of her neck and carry her to the pond. He put her down and waited. She looked rather confused and stared at him as if asking "What am I supposed to do?" He saw this and he gave a small and strange explanation.

“I’m sorry for attempting to eat you earlier, I was just really hungry.” He said in an apologetic tone. “You must’ve been scared—” Scared doesn’t even begin to describe it. “—and tired. Drink from my pond as my apology.”

…This wolf was very weird. What sort of predator apologizes to its prey?

“Oh, and don’t worry about me eating you. That snake was enough to satisfy me. Trust me.” He said in a cheerful tone that was meant to be comforting.

…Very weird.

 A few things Rabbit has learned: One was that she was still alive. Two, the wolf that tried to kill her earlier was now taking care of her. And three, the wolf was probably the friendliest and weirdest mammal she has ever met.

So far they’ve had a pleasant conversation with each other; he’s told her about the things he likes and dislikes, told her about how the meadow they’re in was his home. She found herself doing the same thing; telling stories about her family, what she likes and dislikes and the story of when she snuck into the humans’ garden and got chased away with a broomstick; Wolf laughed at that story.

Rabbit then realized something. She has been enjoying herself that she forgot that she needed to go home. Her family must be worried sick. She needed to tell Wolf about it though.

“Umm… Wolf,” She started a bit nervous. “I appreciate you helping me but, I must get back home.”

“I would let you, but with that injury it will be hard.” Wolf replied, “It would take at least a few days for it to heal. Also, hunting season is almost near.”

Rabbit’s ears drooped.

“How about this, I’ll help you get back in shape and when you’re fully healed, I’ll guide you back home with food for your family.” Wolf offered.

Filled with surprise at the generous offer, Rabbit couldn’t believe her luck.

But all of a sudden she turned skeptical. It was too good of an offer, so she asked. “What do you want in return?

“In return, you shall be my friend.” Wolf gave a gentle smile.

…Remember when Rabbit thought that Wolf was weird? She still thought that.

O

The next few days saw a blooming friendship. Rabbit never thought that it could happen, but it did. She and Wolf became friends. Wolf took good care of her. He was patient and kind, he left and came back with food for her to eat and some extras to prepare for the trip back to her home. Whenever they were both bored, he would tell the most wonderful stories. He was very genuine with her and took great effort to earn her trust.

Rabbit would sometimes remember her parents warning to her about avoiding predators and it would bite at her, filling her with guilt over disobeying her parents. That thought led to another, if her parents were to ever see Wolf, they would be scared and would keep her from seeing him anymore. She voiced out her concerns to Wolf.

“Don’t worry so much,” he assured, “I’m sure that they will be open to it.”

And she did.

 “I’m really worried.” Rabbit says hopping next to Wolf who was carrying a bag of food for Rabbit’s family. Her foot had fully recovered and was ready to go back home. Both animals packed the food piled up and went on their way to her home.

“With the peace offering I have I sure that they’ll be welcoming. Trust me.” Wolf joked.

Rabbit laughed and for a moment stopped worrying.

 It took a while but they made it. They both stood in front of the bunny borrow. It was rather big, bigger than Wolf actually and he was gigantic. It made him wonder just how many are there in Rabbit’s family.

After telling Wolf to stay put, Rabbit entered her home.

The tunnel was wasn’t that long. So it didn’t take too long before she reached the end.

When she got there, expecting a lot of things to happen. She expected to be engulfed in warm hugs and kisses. She expected that her siblings would jump up to her crying tears of joy. She expected her parents asking question on where she was.

She expected her family to be here.

Instead, what greeted her was an empty, destroyed nest

 Back outside, Wolf was waiting patiently. It had been a minute since his friend went inside and in that time he started to get anxious. Rabbit had been telling him about how her parents had been. Mother Rabbit was small but she had a massive temper, Father Rabbit was bigger than any bunny but was soft spoken. They both shared one belief, though: never trust anything. If they found out about their daughter being affiliated with someone like him, they would not be happy and would prevent her from seeing him. He rarely ever made friends and the thought of being separated from his one and only friend, brings pain to his heart.

Then, he heard a loud honking noise from afar.

He looked towards the sound and it came from beyond the bushes. It sounded like a one of those makeshift ducks those humans made.

…If that were the case then, humans must be present.

Wolf thought it was odd, hunting season wasn’t here yet.

Then he heard a shuffling next to him. Rabbit looked like she had seen a ghost. He grew concerned for his friend so he opened his mouth to ask what was wrong but she beat him to it.

“They’re gone!”

 After she had explained what she saw, he had a sneaking suspicion that the humans may have something to do with it. He told her to follow him and they found themselves hiding behind bushes. There they saw an old truck and two humans. Both were grown men and they seemed to be carrying cages, three cages to be exact and they were loading them into the truck.

Rabbit could only feel anger at the humans when she saw what were in those cage.

Inside of those cages was her family. The looks on their faces were of pure misery and grief at being taken away from their home.

“Is starting early this year really okay?” One of them asked.

“That’s the third time you’ve asked that. And yes there’s no harm in starting hunting season early. Besides these rabbits were too good to pass up.”

Humans were really mean creatures sometimes.

Growl

Startled at the sound, she noticed that Wolf was out of his hiding spot and was now growling at the humans. The humans turned fearful at the sight of the might wolf snarling at them, his sharp teeth bared and claws out.

The humans were quick, however and they were able to get in the truck, turn on the engine and sped away. Wolf wasted no time in sprinting not far behind Rabbit followed.

Rabbit never knew how fast Wolf was before and seeing him now running after a speeding vehicle with no sweat. It made her wonder how she was able to escape him in the first place. In no time, Wolf was able to reach the back of the truck. He spotted a small latch and reaches for it with his mouth. With a quick strong tug, the latch fell off and so did the mini truck door.

 As if getting torn away from home was stressful enough, imagine seeing a wolf chasing the truck you’re in and you come face to face with it. The bunnies screamed at the sight of the wolf and tried to back away somehow in their cages.

Wolf saw this and assured them. “Don’t worry I’m here to help! I’m a friend of one of your sisters! You know? The one who went missing for a few days? In fact she’s right behind me now!” The wolf shouted against the wind so they can hear him.

Looking behind and sure enough, they saw their sister.

With a quick decision, they trusted the wolf. They then started to push their cages trying to move forward.

First time, they only moved an inch. Second time, they were on the edge. With one last try, they moved back to their cage and struck forward.

All the cages fell out and broke.

 The bunnies cheered and they went to their sister and cuddled her. They then went to the wolf and cuddled him as well as a form of thank you. Needless to say, Wolf was treated as a friend of their family and Rabbit couldn’t be any happier.