As he bowed his head, he knew she would be in shock, unable to believe that she had become a slave once more, this time at the cost of her own survival. He had wanted her to live, but in doing so, he had taken away her choice.
He remained still as she pointed her sharp nails at his chest, dangerously close to his heart. He knew she would lash out, and he accepted it. She had spent her life lost in a world that had never shown her freedom. And now, she found herself in the hands of a stranger.
When she called him a selfish asshole, he did not protest. She was right.
He had been selfish in keeping her alive. But he believed his actions were justified.
Their kind was thought to be extinct, and the thought of having another fox in the world was something he couldn't ignore. It was a connection to his past, to his parents, and to the teachings they had passed down.
He wanted to remind her, and himself, that they were not savage beasts. He wanted to show her that their kind was more than what the world had made them believe. Most of all, he wanted to free her from the pain that had followed her since childhood.
The door was unlocked, and he did nothing to stop her as she bolted outside. He sighed, knowing she would show herself again eventually. As she ran through the streets, Yuri and several others saw her.
"They are innocent. Do not harm them," Laverna reminded herself, slipping through the crowd and stepping into the night.
The air was crisp and cool, the moonlight bathing her in its soft glow. A breath of relief escaped her lips as she let the sensation wash over her.
She scanned the treetops ahead, hesitation gripping her limbs, but she forced herself to move forward. Her fingers brushed against the rough bark of the trees, grounding her in the moment.
Shin shifted back into his human form before he stepped out of the room, watching as she disappeared into the distance. The onlookers whispered among themselves, struck by the sight of the beautiful girl running past. Yuri moved to follow, but Shin stopped her with a firm yet gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Shin, what happened?" Yuri asked, her voice filled with concern. "I've been taking care of her for the past seven days. She wakes up, sees you, and bolts like that? I need to know what you told her."
Shin exhaled, glancing in the direction Laverna had fled. "She needs time to process everything. She just learned the truth about her situation, and it's a lot to take in."
Yuri folded her arms, her expression skeptical. "Time for what, Shin? She looked terrified."
He met her gaze, his tone steady. "To understand what this means for her. She won't hurt anyone, and she won't go far. She's just overwhelmed."
Yuri hesitated, her brows furrowing. "And what exactly did you tell her?"
Shin sighed but offered a reassuring smile. "The same thing I told you before. She just needs time to understand it. I know where she is, and I'll make sure she's okay."
Yuri studied him closely, searching his face for any hesitation. "Fine. But she's scared, Shin. She trusts no one. If this goes wrong, it's on you."
Shin nodded. "Understood. I'll handle it."
He followed her at a steady pace, walking into the woods as the buildings of the village faded into the distance. The deeper he ventured, the wilder the landscape became.
Danger Beasts roamed in the shadows, their presence familiar yet ever-threatening. He kept his senses sharp, ensuring none were drawn to her.
She wandered deeper, her breath hitching as the forest seemed to call to her. The earth hummed beneath her feet, and the wind carried a siren-like melody that pulled her forward.
She moved with an effortless grace, mirroring the way he had moved before. Her instincts guided her now, lulling her into a state of tranquility.
The trees, the rocks, the creatures of the night, all seemed to welcome her.
Then, she found it. A small creek, its waters shimmering under the moonlight.
At a distance, Shin watched as she frolicked in the grass, leaping between the trees, lost in a fleeting moment of freedom. But then, she stilled. Kneeling beside the creek, she curled into herself, silent tears slipping down her cheeks as she saw her reflection.
"I... I don't want to be a slave," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. She crumpled at the water's edge, her reflection distorted by the gentle ripples. "I was for so long..."
She tilted her head back, gazing up at the moon. "I was happy," she murmured, her fingers curling as she stared at hands that had once clung to death. "I should be angrier... but I'm not."
She leaned back, letting the moonlight touch her face. The soft song of the forest wrapped around her, the familiar sense of calm settling into her chest.
Even without looking, she could feel his presence nearby. A deep breath steadied her. He felt what she felt. And somehow, he understood.
Shin listened, his expression unreadable, before nodding.
"What I propose is something that benefits us both," he said, leaning against a tree.
She turned her head slightly, watching him from the corner of her eye.
"You want vengeance against those who wronged you, don't you?" His voice was low, steady. "I seek the same."
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before shaking his head. "I won't ask for much. All I need from you is to listen when I speak and follow my instructions when it matters. I won't force you into anything you don't want to do, but if I tell you something is for your own good, I expect you to trust me. Do you understand?"
He stepped toward her, his movements slow and deliberate. Pulling a handkerchief from his sleeve, he held it out to her. It carried his scent, the soft fragrance of moonflowers in bloom.
Foxes cherished the scent of moonflowers. They were rare now, nearly impossible to find in this world.
"What are your demands?" she asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes.