Fox's Glade 囲む

@Naoki

Days went by and Hono was still confined to this small glade. How he yearned to return to the open road once more. There was a whole world just waiting to be discovered and in its corners hid greener pastures. This place he was stuck in balanced on a thread. It was only a matter of time before it fell. But what was he to do? Head deeper into the unknown with an injured body? Such an attempt would be foolish.

Hono rested beside a stream that ran through this place and listened to the water bubble. His mind began to wander and he soon began thinking about the ivory doctor. Such a kind soul. He had no need to even waste a breath on the firey male, and still he offered his assistance without hesitation. Why? Hono continued to silently ponder this.

Pologies on the wait! Tryin to figure this lil beast out LOL

The quakes remind him of a home he’d forgotten about.

Visions of towering trees—titans, in their own right—across a mountain range. The forest teeming with life, around every corner. Each a greater opponent than the next; Naoki unable to best a tree, or a boulder in his younger months despite his best efforts to thwart every opponent, living or otherwise.

Nature, however, tends to always win against itself. Where the trees and boulders might have been impossible to him, they weren’t to tremors. They came, and they conquered. Mountainside retreat destroyed in one sunny afternoon like it was a walk in the park.

Maybe that’s why he’s here; the memories.

Naoki vibrates with energy. It is as if sparks are igniting his feet where they touch the ground beneath him, coursing upwards and leaving a tingling sensation in his spine. Fur standing on end, muscles bunched ready to spring—an arrow ready to launch.

He kicks up, eyes narrowing on the only scraps of food that he’s seen for miles and miles—a distressed, skinny little hare that looks sick. His stomach growls in appreciation, but the hunt is far from over. Chasing it from the thicket and out towards a stream, he brandishes his fangs, ready to catch at a moment’s notice.

The hare, however, ends up heading straight towards what Nao sees as a fox at first glance.

As he sat in silence something unusual occurred. It began with a rabbit. Its tiny footsteps and rapidly beating heart made Hono's mouth water, as any predator's would. Hunger had been the least of his concerns, but now that prey was practically running into his paws he felt as if he had been starving for days.

Without much thought, he springs into action. This should be quick, he thought to himself. Not only was the rabbit running straight at him, it seemed to be weak as well. It was no match for a swift hunter like him. But that rush of adrenaline made him forget about his ankle and he would soon regret his hastiness.

When the rabbit got close it took a hard right. Normally, Hono would be able to mimic the maneuver and continue the hunt. He tried, but pain shot through his whole body and he tripped over his foot. Hono groaned and tightly shut his eyes. He only noticed the stranger when he opened them again.

Down his spine, his fur bristles—awaiting him a rival, one who seeks the same food as he does. The fox’s movements are sharp, springing forth akin to the rabbit he chases, but Naoki is determined. A grin curves broad across his lips, the boy refuses to halt—he’d show them just who’s stronger.

Alas, both of them were in for a surprise, when the fox suddenly trips over his own foot—Naoki ought to have been paying attention to how he favored that paw—one moment they are both on their feet, the next Nao finds himself tripping over the other canine.

He manages to stick a decent landing, putting less pressure on the fox, more on trying to keep to his feet—the attempt fails, but he somersaults with a grunt and strangled 「Oi!」

Rabbit long gone, and certainly smug defeating two wolves.

It is not a full body he sees, rather a set of legs charging towards him at full speed. Hono didn't even have the time to gasp. The  stranger had collided into his frame in a blink of an eye and they were both left in the dust.

Warm embarrassment washed over him. How did he not think about his injury? Not only was he left crumpled in the dirt, he was weak in front of a stranger; one that had undoubtedly been chasing after the rabbit. Hono has ruined this man's chances at getting a meal. Stupid, stupid.

Please forgive me. He tried to sound as put together as possible but his words rushed out in an apologetic frenzy. The firebrand lifted himself from the ground and winced as pain shot through his leg. If I had known you were pursuing it, I wouldn't have gotten in your way.