Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Your eyes shoot open— A flock of birds take flight.

Your stare is blank...sightless.

Your mind is a murky soup of nothingness.

Taking in a deep breath, the smell of the cool morning air— wet grass and cold dirt— clears your mind.

The song of birds catches your attention.

The world is in order.

You blink and take in the tall forest that surrounds you.

Cool grass presses against your fur and—

...Fur?

You look down and examine your leg. A paw? Claws?

Your brows furrow and confusion comes up in puffs of white. It provides no answers. Though...this doesn’t feel right. Like, this whole situation ‘isn’t right.’

You sneeze and come back to yourself.

You’re in a small clearing, surrounded by trees and purple wildflowers. It’s beautiful. But it’s also freezing. The cold saps away your sleep and you force yourself up on shaky legs.

You can’t… remember what had led to this moment. How consciousness had enraptured your mind and wiped away your thoughts.

You take one last look around... before speeding off into the underbrush.

“Good, seems they have no complications…”

A huff, “We’ll see about that, it’s only been a few moments.”

“Welp, we’ve failed.”

“Hey! Nothing’s even happened yet, calm down!”

“Shush! Something’s happening!”

Staring into a still pool of water, your reflection gazes up at you with a pair of fiery golden eyes.

You don’t recognize them.

“...Who…” You squint, “... what ...am I?”

“Oh SHI—!”

Chapter Text

Three days.

It’s been three days since you’ve woken up. Three days of keeping to yourself.

It’s three days later that, for the first time—

“...P-PLEASE HAVE MERCY!”

—another creature speaks to you.

Your mouth is open and you gape at the small prey— yes prey , your mind remembers that word— you’ve caught. It squirms under your paw, sobbing and begging for its little life.

Your stomach snarls— and the little thing screams, “PLEASE! PLEASE! I H-HAVE A FAMILY! YOU-YOU DON’T NEED TO DO THI—!”

“—You can talk?! ”

The little rodent freezes, still as stone.

You still feel it’s frantic heartbeat beneath your paw.

Large black eyes peek past it’s raised paws, “Y-you...speak Common Hedgerow? A fox?”

You pause and tilt your head “I’m...a fox?”

The being’s face is blank, and you growl at the lack of response.

The thing cries out, curling up fright, “W-wait!”

You quiet and narrow your eyes.

“Ah...aha...ha…” It coughs, “I must be going insane...oh Frith, please guide me back to my sanity because I’ve lost it…”

You bare your teeth, “Whose Frith?”

The prey ignores you, still muttering to itself.

You snarl, “Hey! Whose Frith?!”

“Gah!” They cover their head, “S- STOP!”

You do.

The creature turns back to you, “I’m s-sorry but! Frith is…!... T'k-chi-rii— ” They close their eyes, “Frith is… That!”

You follow their finger up, “...You mean the sun?”

“No!”

Another growl slips through your sharp teeth, “You’re not making sense!”

“It’s—! The one who created this world! The one who made you and me...!”

You sit, your black paw still holding on the other down, “You mean like...a god?”

“S-sure!”

“Oh...okay.” You nod your head... and lean down.

“H-hey! WAIT! DON’T EAT—!”

“What are you?”

“...” Your giant face is right in front of theirs. Nose nearly pressed to its neck. The prey swallows, fighting to find words, “I-I’m a... Rikk-chiki-ki!”

Your ears fold back from the harsh noise. You try and fail at pronouncing such a word. The way they said it sounded like a garbled chirp of some kind.

He sees this and clears his throat, “B-but! In common tongue i-it means Squirrel !”

“...S..quirrrrrrel.”

“Squirrel!”

Your nose crinkles with thought, “S...quirrel, Squirrel.”

“Y-yeah!” The squirrel’s happiness is false, but it still forces a smile.

“Hm...thank you.”

They gulp, your teeth still near their face, “Y-you’re W-welcome…!”

“I…” You cough and look away, “I don’t think I can eat you now…”

You feel their weighted stare and look back.

Surprise blossoms from your chest. “You’re…!?” Golden eyes widen, “You’re crying?!”

He blinks and the tears stream down his little furry face.

You whine, “Do...you want to be eat—?!”

“No!” The squirrel sniffs, “Th-thank you! For sparing me, thank you!”

You shift, uncomfortable with his emotions, “Ah...It’s…” You’re awkward, “It’s...okay...just…” You look up, away from his face, “...don’t get caught next time...?”

Something dawns on you.

“Wait.”

He does, quieting down.

You look back down, feeling cold, “Do...do all creatures...speak like you?”

“WHY DO THEY HAVE AMNESIA?!”

“BECAUSE WE’VE FAILED!”

“No! Guys, this...this can still work! They still have the voice and hearing! They can still understand others! All is not lost!”

A groan escapes your mouth as you lay against the ground. The cool dirt does little in distracting you from the pain in your gut. It’s been five days and the river does little in quelling your ravenous state. In the end you're left with a stomach that swishes with water...So empty...

Something touches your nose and you open your eyes to a familiar furry face.

“Hey… uh…I brought you something.”

The... Squirrel looks freaked out. But you don’t blame him. It was just two days ago you had tried to hunt the guy.

He brings a hand up to your snout and sets something on the ground before taking a step away.

You blink and go cross eyed at the strange...orb.

You sniff it. It smells sweet like...flowers.

Looking back to the Squirrel you cock your head.

He looks away, “I..asked around, but no one really knows much about your kind… besides... ” He fidgets and you already know what he’s thinking. No one seems to know much about foxes except they eat other creatures and are hard to find— Sneaky.

There’s not much you want to say in response, “Ah.”

The creature looks back at you lightning-fast, “But! I- I asked my R’amikchi ...grandma...and she said something about, well, berries.” His smile is hesitant, light and barely there. But you appreciate it nonetheless. He’s...the only friend you have around these parts…

Huh...friend? Is he…?

You look down to the berry, “Hey...squirrel…”

His tail flickers, “Yeah?”

“Are we...friends?”

“...”

A small burst of pain comes from your chest and you wince, “Oh…uh...okay.”

“W-wait…!”

You glance over, head on the ground.

He’s rubbing his paws together, “I- I mean…” He bends forward, “I’m... Treering !”

“...”

He can feel your stare.

“You have...another name?”

“Huh?”

The squirrel straightens, “No! I...all of my kind are called Rikk-chiki-ki!— Or... Squirrels.”

He points to himself, “But I’m...my own name…”

Two front teeth poke out as he grins, “I’m called Treering.”

...Treering?

“So...Fox ISN’T my name? It’s just what I am?”

“Well, yes.” He nods.

But that’s…! Does that mean…?

“I have a name? But...” You squint, “...what is it?”

Treering stills, “...Wait…” The little squirrel's head tilts. “You don’t know your own name?”

A growl slips through your throat— your teeth shine.

 Treering flinches, “Ah-ha..Yeah, s-stupid question…”

He rubs at the back of his head, and backs up.

Ah, wait. You push yourself up, “Sorry—”

 “—You could try coming up with one…” He rubs at his twitching nose, “Or… I could give you one?”

“I…” Your ears flatten and you look down and eye the berry on the ground, “...I don’t know…” There’s movement and you look back up to see Treering lean against the burrows' dirt wall. His voice is quiet, a whisper.

“I could just...come up with a nickname?...Until you remember your real one?”

You huff and lean down and nose the berry.  “...okay.”

The squirrel’s voice raises, his ears pointed straight at you, “... Really ?” He blinks...and his face brightens like the sun, “G-great! I’ll come up with the best name!”

You chomp the little berry. Juice burst in your mouth and down your white-furred face. It’s...so sweet! You swallow and lick your chops, “Sure...”

“So they finally figured it out.”

“But that’s not going to last them forever…”

“I hope they figure that out sooner rather than later…”

“—Redwood?” Treering’s light voice calls from the tree branches above.

An easy smile graces your face as you walk along the forest path. The only indication you’re even listening are the pointed ears on top of your head. They move like the flick of a bird's head, following  your new friend's chattering voice.

“—Autumn!...Dawn? Oh! HoneyBee?”

Your grin widens and a sharp snort escapes you before you can bite the noise down.

Treering stills, “Oh?” You hear him leap and his voice is closer, right above you, “Did you like that one?”

You stop walking and roll your eyes. “Well…” Looking up, he’s staring down at you, so close so suddenly. A pair of wide brown eyes watch you, like a kit waiting for it’s parents approval.

Your heart stutters and you have to look away, “W-well, some more than others...but,” 

Closing your eyes, brows furrow, “I just don’t... click with any of them...they just don’t feel like me, ya’know?”

“...You talk weird.” He chirps.

You glare back and growl, “I know! ”

Treering stills and for a moment fear takes place and—

You look away and run forward.

“W- wait!

You run and leap over roots. Plants swat at you as you rush by. It’s a warm day, but the tall trees cast a shadow over the forest floor, letting in only scattered beams of light. 

The roar of rushing water gets louder and as you jump over a large fern and time slows.

Your path is bare and the right slopes down to a lively river. Mist sprays up from it’s reflective surface, brushing up against your red fur.

Time comes back to you as you land on wet dirt. The air is crisp and you push forward, running alongside the body of thrashing water.

A new voice cuts through the constant cry of the river.

“HAWK!”

Your body tenses and looks to your right, searching for the speaker. Common Hedgerow. Someone had cried out in Common Hedgerow. A word, a warning to others.

Breathing heavy eyes still scanning the now still forest. Just then it’s dead state hit’s you with how lively it had been before. Not even the distance song of birds can be heard.

“...What was...?” You look down to the embankment. Only the roar of the river is consistent.

“Buttercup! Pondstone! FOX!”

You turn back to see Treering leaping through the trees. He sees you and jumps to the forest floor beside you. Breathing heavily he looks up at you, that same fear still on his face causes you to flatten your ears. He’s scared, why is he…?

“There’s a Hawk! I—” He pauses, before shaking his head, “You should be safe. But I need to hide.”

You blink. So ‘Hawk’ is the name of a predatory animal?

Treering sits up, “I’ll be right back!”

You tense.

Before he can shoot off, you yip, “Me!”

The small squirrel looks back to you, alarmed.

“Y-you can hide on me, use me as a cover.” You step towards him, and this time..for the first time...he doesn’t jerk away, “Cling to my neck. I can protect you!”

Raising your head, you look up and bare your furry, white throat, “Hurry!”

You hear him give a chirp before little hands grip onto your fur. Treering grabs onto you and it’s strange. In a way, you thought it would feel uncomfortable to have the little guy hang onto you. But it doesn’t hurt. Instead, it’s like a little warm weight pressed to your neck.

You lower your head and he’s hidden from any watchful eye. Your thick fur helps cover his small form, and the shadows help him blend in.

— Hidden from danger.  and feel him move around, getting comfortable.

“...Better?”

“Yes.” His voice tickles, breath warm. His body is pressed so close, you can feel his heartbeat. The fast pace reminds you of your first encounter with him. When you had caught him… This time though...he’s scared for another reason. The fact that the reason isn’t you...feels amazing.

“...I…thanks for letting me help.” You’re sure he hears you, but Treering doesn’t comment.

“I’m sure this comes from Human Empathy.”

“You don’t think it could happen in real life? Between a fox and a squirrel?”

“If they grew up around their kind...maybe...But these are two animals that haven’t interacted like this before. And not because they are in a codependent relationship. Well, for him anyway, he could’ve left the fox on the first day.”

“I...guess you’re right...humans, I’ve heard, are very social creatures.”

 One week, you’ve been here for one week and you still have no memory of ever existing before. You remember words. Words for things you haven’t seen, like...bear, and ice cream.

You know ice cream is cold and sweet. But you don’t remember if you’ve ever eaten it. You know bears are huge predatory animals, but you don't think you’ve ever actually seen one.

It’s...frustrating.

Little things like that, come to you.

But something as important as your name? Gone. Treering said he would give you a nickname...you're grateful, really, but you wish it wasn’t necessary.

Being called Fox, just sounded so...impersonal. Like if you called Treering Squirrel.

You chew on another blackberry, thankful Treering’s... R’amiki-chi..grandma knew foxes could eat such things.

Do you have a family? Are they looking for you? Or are you alone?

You snap down the last berry and curl up tighter, your fluffy tail’s used as a pillow.

It’s night time and you're safe in your burrow. You’ve been working on it since the third night you’ve woken up in this forest. It rests underneath a large tree, carved deep underground.

The tree had grown uphill, leaving you safe from the rain.

Deeper into your burrow, a tunnel leads down toward the direction of the river. Fresh drinkable water.

The floor is covered in various soft debris: Feathers, fur, dry grass, and chewed up bark— Thank you Treering!

It’s warm. It's home.

You close your eyes and let sleep take you.

Screaming.

There’s panic all around you.

You don’t see anyone though, animals bare from the landscape.

A fence is in front of you. You’ve never seen one, but you know that’s what it’s called.

The sky is red.

You peek through and see a large field. It’s being torn apart. Clumps of earth and root bare to the elements. Like a storm has come and ripped the world apart in a destructive path.

But it’s too mechanical. Too...HUMAN—

A man steps into your view and you step back. Your black ears press close to your skull.

The man doesn’t see you. Instead, he speaks loudly, “Yeah should get things done by tonight, working overtime gonna cost—”

He steps away and his words are lost.

He moves down the fence.

Your heart is loud in your ears. Being so close to the ground, the guys look like a giant.

Your limbs feel weak.

Past the fence, the man moves away to the wrecked field.

His boots press onto bare dirt, leaving footprints.

There's a large... structure a little ways away and the man gets into it.

You understand...and don’t at the same time.

You’ve never seen a human before but, like the fence, you just KNOW what he is.

The earth is weeping... like a distant wail.

He’s going to continue the carnage. He's going to use that... Machine to stab the earth and wound it. Scar it up. Tear everything down.

The MACHINE being’s to move.

The earth screams.

It’s hurting.

Stop.

Please.

When the machine lifts a pile of dirt...it’s covered in blood.

“STOP—!”

“—FOX!”

You spring up, panting. Darkness embraces you and it’s not letting go. Stop stop stopstopstop— You need to stop it— You need to stop the construction—

“—HEY! FOX! YOU’RE AWAKE!”

You look down.

Treering stares up at you, little furry hands raised, and face full of worry. “F-fox!” He’s scared.... “Are you okay?”...for you.

Your vision blurs and you crouch back down, face pressing to his small chest. “T-treering!” You sniffle, “Treering!”

Small arms grip onto  your muzzle, “Shush, I’m here! I’m here..It was only a dream...” 

You turn your body and curl around him.

If it bothers him, he doesn’t show it, instead he scoots in closer, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“H-humans! They! They’re going to destroy the earth! Tear it apart with the power of a storm!”

“H-...humans?” He pulls back and looks at your frantic gaze, “But...why? And...a storm? I don’t think anything can control those…”

You squeeze your eyes shut, “No! They...they used these... machines !”

Opening your eyes, you’re met with his confused face, little nose twitching. “It’s these...structures they’ve built. They can pull the earth apart with them!”

You hear him swallow and he resumes to rub your snout, “I...it’s just a dream fox.” 

“Treering! I…” It can’t be, but…! “I think it’s real!” You need him to believe you. “P-please, it was too real to be a dream!”

“...I” He looks away, ears down, “Oh Frith...Okay.” He looks back to you, “But...even if it’s real...there’s nothing we can do to stop it. We don’t have the power of a storm as Man does.”

You whine and remember the field, the way it screamed, “I...I want to find that place.”

His head snaps in your direction, “Why?! You-...if your dream is true...then we should be staying far from there!”

“I want to see if the place is real first...it’ll comfort me if it isn’t. If it is real...I could warn any other creatures that live there.” You pull back, “Will-…”

“Of course I’ll go with you.”

Huh?

Treerings grins up at you. He laughs, “Don’t look so surprised Fox!” He pauses, “Amber? Maple? Eh…whatever.”

“Why? It could be dangerous!”

He crosses his arms and leans against your fluffy tail that’s come up behind him, “I...you're my friend, and I’m worried about you.” His gaze is unwavering, “Isn’t that reason enough?”

Your throat feels tight, “T-treering!”

“Woah!” He falls over as you nuzzle his face. Your warm wet tears fall onto his chest. “How about the day after tomorrow? I gotta tell the Minichkk-kik where I’m going.”

A breathy laugh escapes you, “A what?”

He grins, “My family.”

“Oh.” You pull back and rest your head beside him.

Treering watches your change in attitude and stands up, ”Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s nothing, don’t worry.” You plaster on a smile, “I just realized how tired I am.”

“Oh, okay...if you’re sure.” He sits down, and looks over your form to the exit.

You...don’t want him to leave.

“I think I should go back home, Gram’s probably worried about me…”

“Okay…”

You both stay in silence.

He jumps over you and you turn your head to watch him leave, He stops by the exit, “Bye Red.” His grin was wobbly. You know he knows something is wrong. But, you don’t want to unload your problems with your only friend. What if...he’ll start to think you're annoying?

“Bye Treering…” 

He waves and is off in the next second. 

Left alone in your burrow. You wonder why he came over in the first place.

Chapter Text

You’re awake, aware of your warm body, from your core to your limbs. Your lazy, sluggish mind expands and for the moment, you simply lay there. All is good, all is normal.

Until you breath in the thick scent of biting, bitter smoke.

Glowing orange eyes snap open, and you take in the now suffocating darkness of your burrow. Your purple enlarges before they turn to slits, adjusting to light that seeps into your home.

You get up, ears forward and alert.

The light that comes from your main entrance is deadly. The heat it brings with it is a warning of something far greater.

Something familiar.

Once again, thoughts race through your head. You don’t remember ever smelling burning wood, but that too trickles into your nose and you quickly recognize its origin. The smell is so wrong and out of place in your— my— forest.

You swallow, the longer you stand down here...the hotter it gets. The cool earth beneath your rough paws, slowly heats up. Your little heart is picking up speed— Run. Flee! The muscle in your legs tense, and your hackles raise and fear urges you to move.

You listen and dart forward, scrambling up and out of your home. Darkness fades into shades of orange. Like the world had been tinted under a rising sunset. Shadows are black at night and the bright blinding lights that glimpse through the thick overhang point to something terrible and all consuming. A beast of burning, uncontrollable pain and destruction.

The world is a mess of noise and fire. You pause, while your animal mind screams, and look back. The large familiar tree that looms protectively over your home is untouched by the glowing flames. Though, you’re not sure how long that will last.

The sight causes your chest to ache. Though you haven’t lived there long, and in normal circumstances you would be able to leave without a second glance, here, surrounded by a growing fire, you feel helpless. Despair spins to life as you are unable to protect the old tree.

You turn away— The air is alive, like it’s full of billions of buzzing insects, static and full of energy— and run.

Instinct guides you through unknown paths like a close friend— a human hand holds another, pulling while the other follows.

You run, relying completely on the feeling that takes hold of your tensing and springing muscles, slipping between spaces scattered throughout the never ending burning woodland.

A nightmare.

A loud snap of wood shatters through your panic-led mind and you leap without thinking, over sunset flames.

The world slows and a large burning branch grazes the end of your tail before it lands right where you had been.

You land on the trunk of a fallen tree, and duck down as a cloud of embers disperse into the air like deadly fireflies.

You breathe and it burns.

Thick bumpy bark crackles under the weight of your sleek body. Your shiny black claws scrape against it’s charcoal surface and it coats them in a soft powdery mixture of ash.

A dream..?

It’s so hot— unbearably so.

Your tongue is heavy and dry, the moisture in your mouth nonexistent.

This must be…!

The fear leaves you.

You sigh and slowly raise your head. Muzzle pointing up to the smokey sky.

You’re dreaming.

The smell of smoke leaves you and the world shifts— dulls.

Better.

You don’t understand this dream and the fact that none of this is real...calms you.

Taking another deep breath, you look forward, scanning your surroundings. Orange slit eyes flicker about, searching for... something...Anything that will tell you why this dream feels so important.

It's real, to present to be meaningless. Like the one you had yesterday, the one with the machine. The one with the Human. Dreams...nightmares...you keep having them. You had asked Treering about it, but he informed you that he doesn’t dream often. When he does, he says they aren’t really memorable, subtle things like running up and down branches.

It’s been ten days since you’ve woken up to this world and you still know nothing of your life before waking up. Is it normal for foxes to dream so vividly?

You shake your head.

Tomorrows the day your journey starts, and if your last dream is correct, that means your dreams aren’t simply that. You might as well figure out what this one is trying to tell you.

From what you can see ...you're somewhere new. Nowhere near your burrow by the cool stream. The forest around you is tall and thin, so different from the thick winding trees you’ve grown used to… And it’s on fire. You hope that doesn’t mean it will be one in the future.

“!”

You still. An alien, creeping sensation bounces against your thoughts. Your black ears turn to the left and your head follows.

What was...?

The rustle of plants causes you to look down to the sloping earth. You’re at the top of a hill. Further down, the ground smooths out. Plants grow like a nest of green. Close, thin branches intertwine and entangle. Soon, the growing fires will reach this abundance of plant life and eat it up in seconds.

A distant shift, you hear the flutter of leaves. At once, your legs turn to steel and your stiffens— Held in place and slightly raised.

You wait…

Wood crackles like teeth grind and chew...

...And a small creature shoots out of the thicket. It lands and stumbles, breathing heavily. Black eyes shine like jewels unaware, yet alert. It pauses, free from the mass of plant-life, frozen, tall ears raised like yours.

If you had simply walked past it, missed it’s early entrance, you wouldn’t have noticed the small creature. Against the tinted orange, it’s fur blends in with the surrounding plant-life.

You don’t move, becoming a foxes silhouette surrounded by glowing orange. If you move, the thing will see you and run. You can’t have that. You want to observe.

It’s quiet, both of you are left with the roar of flames and crumbling wood.

Then, it turns it’s head back and a noise comes from it’s mouth and you don’t understand. A language that makes little sense to your mind, words and sounds you're sure your own mouth cannot replicate.

In the next second the thing is joined by several others of the same kind and your brain drags out another forgotten word.

Rabbit. These little furry things...they’re called rabbits.

A new feeling...like the rake of metal against stone...invades your mind.

Stop, please.

You blink.

Curiosity, the need to know , bubbles forth. You’re hungry for knowledge...but that hunger grows.

The gnawing sensation of your empty stomach churns and growls like a waking beast.

The rabbits are moving again, but more continue to show up. Like a gentle stream, there’s so many.

Drool pools into your mouth. Your vision sharpens. The dullness fades.

No.

You know this isn’t okay... right?

If you don’t do something...you’re going to mess up!

...mess up?

Your vision doubles, the scene blurs into splotches of color. You’re... starving...

Tall black ears stand erect and your eyes refocus on the river of fleeing prey.

...Prey?

No...that’s—!

—Voices come from them. Far and dull, traces left behind by their scampering and frantic selves. It’s all meaningless noise. But you understand their intent. The way the word is spoken. Hushed, and rushed. Some even tremble like waving petals. The small furry creatures are frightened. Panic bleeds into their strange speech...panic of the roaring forest fire...

It’s hard to think. To form words. You can only react. Like your head is underwater. All you can think of is your need to breathe. Instinct fights to take control. It’s terrifying...and in the same breath, it’s freeing.

If you could think rationally, you know once you go down there and garner their attention, the rabbit’s fear of the flames will turn to fear of you.

If you could think, you would try to figure out the importance of finding these creatures.

But your body isn’t running on a clear mind, it simply moves.

You stumble forward and the tree beneath you groans. You jump— and land in the center of flowing rabbits. Like water splashes, the rabbits also react. Caught off guard, screams and exclamations of fright meet you. Wide eyes lock on your large ash-covered form, and you're distantly surprised to see they do have whites instead of the pure blackness. You inhale and the smoke in the air doesn’t burn… in fact you can’t even smell it.

Instead, you smell something different. Flowers, warmth...not burning heat...but the warmth of comfort...Sweet, like flowers in the springtime...blood like copper...and earth, not dirt, but like a fresh morning grass and cold air.

It wakes up your mind, brings you back to yourself. You blink and time comes back to you. The frightened rabbits scramble around you and words are shouted.

“ —Homba... !”

You tilt your head and stay standing in place. A Homba ? Is that what this species calls your kind?

You don’t feel the need to chase and the rabbits flee, disappearing into the underbrush.

This dream...though you are searching, you see nothing different...feel nothing amiss—

Crack .

You snap to attention. If Treering were here, he’d tell you about the way your golden eyes lit up with the surrounding fire. Those same— almost glowing— eyes, stop on a small gnarly bush.

A quick intake of breath— nearly silent— comes from within, before the world mutes.

You lean down. Slow and cautious. You’re sure now, that this is what you need to find. A rabbit... this rabbit . Something about the hidden creature calls to you.

You stalk forward.

That same flowering, lively scent fills your snout. But now it bitters into something more savory, Fear. Your nose may not smell the roaring flames and black choking smoke… but it does smell the fearful rabbit trying desperately to hide from you. Even it’s heartbeat penetrates your ears with the melody of despair. The song grows louder the closer you get.

You’re muzzle brushes against dry leaves— and the song stops.

Even the thundering heartbeat is quiet.

You left with your own breathing and sight.

Past thin black branches and in between gaps of foliage… you catch a slight movement… Breathing.

The small animal jerks and you finally meet a pair of wide eyes.

The sky bleeds red.

A new— blue— fire enters your veins.

White teeth glint— yours.

You have a second of clear thought— before you lunge forward. Red splatters against ash earth— 

—and you wake up.

Like fading mist, your mind clears. Your heart is racing, but you don’t snap awake, instead, the thick weight of sleep keeps you from even moving. Only the feel of your racing heart beat, gleams to the dark turn of your dream. You breath out and breath in the scent of your home— plant-life and your own foxy musk.

The aching pit that is your stomach makes itself known with a loud bubbly growl. A groan slips past your teeth and out of your muzzle. You’re so freaking hungry.

You force your eyes open, they’re heavy from the sleep that begs you to fall back into it.

The dirt and foliage underneath your body is warm and the fur on your body helps hold in your own heat, it’s so comfortable. But, you know as soon as you slink out of the earthy darkness, the cold morning air saps away any heat you’ve managed to retain through the night. So, with that thought in mind, you wait and let yourself doze off a few moments longer. The nightmare is still present, but now that you're awake, you simply hold onto it while your body relaxes.

Feathers, fur and dry plantlife shift with each breath.

‘That dream…’

Whatever the fire meant— it could mean nothing— you choose to push the thought away. Right now, you barely have anything to work off of. You only know as much as your mind can remember. Which isn’t a lot.

Still, there are two things you’re sure of… One, you have to find that small rabbit... And two, wherever he’ll be, there will be chaos. You’re also sure that the small rabbit won’t be alone.

That grassy hill... the human ...now the rabbits...Everything… it’s connected somehow...isn't it?

Your stomach growls and with it the empty feeling grows.

Your ears fall flat and you squeeze your eyes shut. You need to eat something... more. But— Treering’s frightened face from that first day, flashes through your head— you can’t! The berries...they aren’t enough. Deep down, you know they will only take you so far.

A whine slips up and out your throat. Your eyes water.

A harsh rumble cries out from your stomach. With it, the empty feeling grows.

This isn’t fair!

Y-you…! You don’t want to—…!

“—Hello? Apple?”

Your mind blanks.

A shadow cast over your form. You look up and you see the silhouette of your only friend surrounded by the morning sun’s ghostly illumination. His head is cocked to the side, redish-brown fur a mess.

You blink.

He smiles, calling out again, “Fire?”

—Fire...crackles and your eyes burn—

Shock runs down your spine and your hackles raise with tension. The dream is still fresh and vivid.

Your motions don't go unnoticed. The small squirrel stills, straightening. He’s watching you carefully.

When did you get up?

No ...wait.

I’m sorry, you think, but don’t say it as guilt fills you. Instead, you force a foxy grin.

You won't mess this friendship up with a simple misunderstanding. It’s just a dream and his words are just another nickname. You shake your head and relax. “Ah, Good morning, Treering.” You bow your head, the action coming to you like an afterthought. Something about the action is familiar and you feel as if it’s the right thing to do.

Treering takes a moment… and then a grin spreads across his face. The room brightens with it. “Today’s the day, Red!” He steps closer, and you try not to move closer. “Ready to go on a little Dream Journey~?”

“A what...?” You grin back, amusement bouncing from your voice, “A Dream...Journey?”

Treering chirps, “Yeah! I’m calling it that cause we’re doing this because of the dream you had~” He pauses and looks away, “I actually wonder….” He rubs at his twitching nose, “...if Frith—” He coughs “— or T'k-chi-rii has anything to do with this…”

His tail jerks once and his eyes land on you once again, “I spoke with my R’amiki-chi yesterday…! Ah, not about you though, told her it was my dream.”

“Oh?”

He nods, “She said it might be a sign...that there may be some truth to it. That T'k-chi-rii works in mysterious ways...”

You...think you understand.

But Treering takes notice of your confused expression. He sighs and you feel guilty.

“Frith is...well as I've told you before, the once who made—” He waves his arms around, “—all of this! Eh, But T’k-chi-rii has other names...as other species have different languages.” He straightens, “Huh… I wonder what your kind call ‘im.” He meets your gaze and the way he looks at you...like he expects you to suddenly know.

You roll your eyes, “I wouldn’t know, Treering.”

You walk past him and hear him sigh, “...Yeah, I should’ve known…”

You climb up and out of your burrow, aware of the little squirrel that hops up after you.

A rush of bright light hits your face and you duck your head squinting. You blink and look back up to see your forest tinted in soft blues and greens. The grass is overgrown and thriving while speckles of wildflowers decorate the land. The flat surface in front of you doesn’t last, and stretches out only a few feet before meeting a dip and curve of the roaming slopes that make up the ground around your home. Past that, more trees stand tall, creating shadows that spread wide over the landscape. Only bits of the rising sun manage to break their way past the root of the forest.

“It’s just…”

You can see the little guy at the corner of your vision. You sit and he stays standing, hands rubbing together.

“...I...never thought I’d ever be... this close to…one of your kind before.”

“Oh.” You wince, but nod in understanding, once again reminded of your fist meeting...You can’t help but wilt. But... “Yeah…” Your voice comes out quite, sincere, “I’m curious too ...about my kind.” You look up and eye the sun hidden behind a white sky, “If I knew more, I would tell you... everything. ”

warm fur brushes against your own, and you turn to stone. You don’t even look down, because you don’t want to disturb the moment with your shock. It’s been… a strange beginning. Ever since waking up in this world… with no memories and no one to turn to. You had at first thought of yourself to be some sorta loner.

Now? You have a friend. Your eyes glint as a fire ignites within you. You won’t mess this friendship up!

You look down, and give a light laugh. “Let’s get going Treering! Our Dream Journey starts today~” It sounds silly coming from your muzzle. But you don’t regret it when Treering’s eyes light up.

“Alright!”

~Elsewhere~

“Fivver?”

The world is dark in his shared burrow, the dirt beneath him, warm from his own body heat.

“Fivver!” His eyes flicker and the world comes into focus. Another rabbit (Hazel, yes, this is Hazel. See? You’re not asleep anymore.) stares down at him, face full of concern. When he speaks, it is nearly a whisper, like he didn’t want to startle his brother further. “You alright?”

The smaller rabbit breathes, his body drops as tension is released. He doesn’t speak, simply letting his mind and body adjust from the terrible, burning blue—

“—fire…”

The word slips free from his mind and out of his mouth with little thought.

Hazel tilts his head, ever attentive of his smaller brother. “A fire Fivver? That was your dream?” He’s pushing it, unsure if he should. But…

Fivver looks up at his, as if just now catching his own wandering mind. He blinks slowly and sluggishly gets up. The dream...urgency flooded it. Yet...it didn’t feel...directed at him. No, the fear he felt before...it came from the fox. A fear far greater than the instinctual need to run from the other.

Is was because of that, that Fivver decides to keep this dream to himself. If his dream wasn’t really directed at him...wasn’t warning him...then it was telling him something else. Other than the fear that told him to run from the predator...to hide...he felt the need to stay and wait.

He didn’t like it. He didn’t really know what to make of it.

Like the sun rises as the moon falls, the twist of this dream felt...opposite...unnatural.

He opens his mouth and finds his brother still staring at him. Oh. How long had he stood here?

“A fire...the forest was on fire Hazel…” Even with a clearer mind, the words come out frail. “And…” a fox… he pauses, eyes narrow, “I felt...the need to wait.”

Hazel leans back, “Well, were not going anywhere.”

Fivver looks down, back to the floor of their home. “Right.”

Chapter Text

The world is calm.

A field of overgrown plant life meets the edge of the shadowy wood and stretches far beyond that.

A nameless fox and a small squirrel move side by side into and through the meadow. The foxes black legs move at a light trot and the squirrel moves with small bursts of energy— leaping forward, tail twitching.

A strange pair, but one that brings a sight of companionship, friendship.

Still, there is an air of something...grey about them.

As if the warm sun that falls upon them is an illusion that hides some internal storm.

Ever since the two have left the forest, Treering’s been quiet.

You hear the song of small birds, their names escape you just as other things do and you're left tilting your head, ears erect, listening.

You cannot see past the tall grass, but when you look up, you can still see the blue sky above.

A light breeze causes leaves to shift and glimmer...like— ‘...Ocean waves.’

You...yes you remember that.

A large pool...no a never ending expanse of water. Larger than any acre of land you have ever seen. Deeper than any hole that has ever been dug.

You inhale and the smell of sea air brushes against your nose. You can almost taste the salty beaches.

Your steps falter and you pause.

Your head raises up and you pay the action no mind, staring up at nothing.

The world leaves you and your mind drifts as the image in your mind sharpens, colors saturate and the sandy beaches become real . Your front paw shifts in the fine rocky grains of sand.

You hear it.

You—

“Red?” Sharp, sudden, a pebble thrown into a still body of water. It shatters the images in your mind and brings you back to the surface.

You gasp, pupils blown wide.

“Re-?”

Your head snaps down, Treering looks up at you, small hands reaching out to your fluffy chest.

You stand there and breath.

“....Red? You…” It’s— Treering’s ears flatten, “You're doing it again.”

Your mind is awake, aware, but slow. Your heart is loud in your ears, it isn’t racing.

You blink, and smile, look away, “Ah...sorry...this is the third time already…”

Treering sighs and you feel bad. This journey is supposed to be fun but...these memories...they keep popping up with each flowing thought. On one hand, you're glad to remember...on the other, your daydreaming leaves you acting like some...mindless thing. You’re luck Treering's here to ‘wake’ you up each time this happens.

“S-sorry—”

“Hey.”

You look back down and Treering is smiling. One of his paws rests on your own.

“It’s okay, Sunset~” His nickname calms you and you lean closer, taking a seat. “It’s a great thing you’re remembering things~!” His energy is picking back up. The way he talks...it’s like he’s generating happiness itself.

Treering nods to himself, stepping back to really look at you with shining black eyes. He stands straight, with strength, with confidence. As if to assure you he doesn’t regret this journey.

“You’re still trying to figure things out and...and I’m here to help. But !” He rubs at his face, and looks away. Voice turning low, “Don’t think I’m doing this just to help...”

You look down and get caught in Treering's serious gaze.

He rubs at his nose, “Despite our small stature,” His voice softens, “The Rikk-chiki-kii are very brave…”

A breath of wind dances by and your small friend looks up to watch slow moving clouds, “I...I’m smaller, slower than my siblings.” His back faces you, but you still catch the jerk of his frame. A humorless chirp escapes him. “The day I met you, I thought my weakness had led to my death.”

A painful whine slips from your throat.

Treering looks back at you, and blinks as if surprised by your presence, “It’s true! A lone squirrel...a weak Rikk-chiki-kii is no match to one of the Kade-raket-chii ..er-” one of his ears pull back and he wilts, “One of the enemies to the Drey.”

You lean forward, “Drey? Enemies?” ‘I’m…?’

Treering’s back leg rises and he scratches the side of his head. When he stops, his voice is nonchalant. “The Drey...it’s the name of our home. A Thrii-chii .. kingdom(? ) of living spaces all….clustered together.” He sighs, “this is harder to explain in Common Hedgerow…”

“Sorr-”

“It’s okay!” He waves you off, “Just gotta remember some sounds…”

You nod like you understand, “Right.”

“Okay, so the Drey is where we Rikk-chiki-kii live. And...” His tail twitches, “...in the Old Tales...the Kade-raket-chii are the enemies that prey and eat lone Rikk-chiki-kii .” Small black eyes meet yours. “In the very beginning, the Rikk-chiki-kii had nothing to fear except the age of leaving this world. Because during that time where frith still spoke to its people as easy as speaking face to face, all creatures lived in harmony. All creatures lived the same way, ate the same food, and greeted each other as equals.”

He coughs, “Now the story changed from...animal to animal...but one thing is known. One day, Frith decided to change things to gift each kind of creature something that would make them different from one another.” 

You...don’t get it…”Why though?” You don’t feel...it’s…”Why make others so different?” Why am I so different from you? “Why some prey on others?” Why did I…?

“Heh,” Treering shifts, rubbing the back of his head, “I...I’ll tell you what my R’amikchi told me. My grandmother…said... Frith wanted to keep one kind of creature from overtaking the land gifted to all of us. Other than the time when the cold visits and the land gets covered by cold wet fluff...plant eaters don’t really struggle with getting what they need to eat.”

Cold...wet… “...Snow?” Treering look up at you, and you elaborate, “I mean...the cold fluff, I think it’s called...snow.”

“Is it? I just call it I-st-rii. ”

Oh. Yeah his own language…

“Anyway, plant eaters only really struggle when food becomes scarce, when the time of cold gives the earth time to rest.”

“Rest?”

“Well, plants take a lot from the earth they grow from, so when the cold comes and takes them away, this gives the earth time to replenish itself.”

“Woah!” You step closer, eyes glimmering, “Treering! You’re so smart!”

“Gh-!” He stumbles back, giving a weak smile, “ah, no no no, I just, learned from my Grandmother...she’s very wise!”

You push your point further, “Still! You remember all that, you're awesome!”

Treering chirps out a few bursts of laughter, and you swear you could feel the heat of his body rise. “Th-thanks!”

Your eyes curve and a bubbly feeling fills your chest. You sit back on your haunches, decided to let up. You look up, “I...think I get it.”

“Good.” You hear. “Now then, the enemies, Kade-raket-chii, were given their gift to help...prevent one species from taking too much from the land.” He pauses, as if he’s...unsure to share his next words, “There’s...another reason I learned from the strongest Cher-rah in our Drey.” His ears flatten.

‘Cher-rah?’ You want to but you don’t ask what it means. You don’t want to interrupt while your friend still chatters on.

His eyes no longer focus, lost as he speaks his thoughts. “The enemies, they also kill...the weak.”

Weak…?

“So only the strong survive.” You look at you and still his eyes don't exactly meet yours, “Only the strong are allowed to help make the next generation stronger. I-” He pauses, blinking and looks down.

Worry eats at you, “...Hey.”

“I’ve... you’ve given me another chance. I’ve never been the strongest…”

“Hey.”

“The bravest…”

“Treering.”

“But now I can learn to be.” He finally looks at you, eyes clear. But his voice comes out...almost pleading, “Right?”

“TREERING!”

A flock of birds take flight, fleeing the grass that surrounds you, their flapping wings fill the clearing, accompanying the echo of your yelping bark.

Your friend stares up at you in shock, his eyes are wide, and he’s frozen.

You push past the pain and guilt that hits you at seeing his fear.

Instead, you move forward, quick and low to the ground.

“...It’s okay, Treering.” You stop for a moment, before brushing your muzzle against his side. His heart can be felt even now. You close your eyes, “Calm down friend.”

He’s...trembling.

You close your eyes and rub lay down, “Treering...you…” You turn your whiskered face and rub it against him, “You are brave !”

“Wha...what?”

A frustrated growl fills your chest, “Treering...even before my weird dream...before we decided to go on this journey….On the day we first met and I let you go…” You pull back and look at your small friend that lay between your limbs, “You could’ve left me. You could’ve ran and never turned back.” You need him to believe this, to know what you think. “Instead, you...helped me.”

Your little friend looks up at you, lost, mouth open and teeth showing. He shakes his head, “I..No, I-”

You snort, “ Treering, I doubt another squirrel, a Grrr-ra?”

“Cher-rah?”

“ One of those ones! I doubt any of them would come back and help me. You’re brave!”

The squirrel looks away, “Or foolish…”

You can’t help it.

You lick his face.

“Gah!” He jerks back, and you follow him, laughing . “Hey! S-stop!”

You do and find him between your paws, having effectively trapped him beneath your face. Like your first meeting.

You grin, things are so...different…

“R ed!” Treering laughs.

You stare down at him, “Treering.”

The little squirrel quiets, taking in your serious, but warm tone. He looks up at you, a ball of fluff. His head tilts, “Yeah, Red?”

“You did it. Even though you were scared you came back to help  me...A fox, a natural...enemy.” You ignore the flash of guilt on his face, and give a foxy grin, “You’re brave Treering!”

A pause...then...A sniff.

You stiffen and stare in shock as Treering’s eyes glimmer, a small squeak escapes him and, “Woah, wait, ah!” You jerk up, stepping from your weeping friend. “I-! I’m sorry!”

Treering sits up, still looking over to you, “I-” Sniff, squeak, “I-”

You wait. Shock keeps you still.

“I’m just…”

Treering get’s up and hops over to you, “...You’re my friend and…”

You lean down the closer he gets. “...you’re so nice…and I-”

You manage to hold still when his small paws come to rest on your snout.

“I don’t even…” your small friend is looking down straight at you, eyes swirling with glimmering emotion.

“I want to know your name.” He sniffs again, “Not some...made up one...not one of my nicknames…” He looks away, " Your name.”

Oh.

Why does that...make you both happy...and sad? You blink. “Treering…”

He looks back and coughs, calming down.

“I love your Nicknames. Please…” You close your eyes, “Don’t...stop with the nicknames...they’re…” you huff, “...cute…”

“…”

“Pft—!”

Your eyes snap open and black slits land on the squirrel, he’s grinning, both paws pressed against his mouth.

His eyes are still glassy, but now he’s...smiling. “You’re...you’re so cute…”

A bubbly feeling fills your chest, “Treering…”

His high pitched chittering laugh is his only response.

Chapter Text

The forest thins and you feel a now-familiar weight as your friend leaps onto your back. His voice yells out, “Look, Red! The forest’s edge!”

You laugh, easy, and free. Slim black legs pick up into a jog, “I think we’re almost there, Treering!”

“Ah! Slow down, F-flame!” All four of his limbs grip your red fur tightly.

Your eyes twinkle with amusement, “Hang on!” and you leap over a stretch of gnarled roots.

He squeaks and you grin, “We’re almost—!”

A man’s voice fills your head:

“The primroses were over…”

Your animal eyes blink.

You come to a stop, and the wind rustles the trees above.

“…Toward the edge of the wood, where the ground became open—”

You shake your head and your fur fluffs out.

Words fall on blank sheets of aged paper.

You...read them and u n d e r s t a n d—

“—and sloped down—”

“Red...?” 

“—On the other side of the fence—”

“—...again? Hey—”

“—the upper part of the field was—”

You’re looking ahead as the writing in your mind begins to blur. You take a step forward and it's like you're falling out of your BODY —

“—full of rabbit holes.”

“RED—!”

Treering. The fox’s head snaps in his direction, but it’s unseeing. Ears pointed forward. You open its mouth and you speak, “Words! Telling me something! Treering! Something is—!”

“—A hundred yards away, at the bottom of the slope—”

You turn away, back to the open space in front of you. “A place! This place—it’s-” Your voice is rushed, a whisper— as if you should keep them secret. Like you’re worried something else is listening.

Your heart quakes.

Color fills the fog in front of you and your vision is bathed in a Sun's rise.

“—...red in clouds, and there was still half an hour to twilight.”

If you were to see yourself, your mouth would be open in awe. Teeth glinting and furry face slack.

You’re stepping on wet grass. The voice doesn’t fade, the strange words stay. But you take another step as if getting closer will make things easier to understand what is happening now.

If Treering is talking, trying to break through your now heavy mind, you don’t hear him

“My dreams, Treering! This is the place—!”

The words bleed through paper and they swirl into colors. Simple drawings. A slop dotted with rabbits.

Like pages in a s t o r y b o—

A bird's song echoes from somewhere far off.

“This place is—!”

Treering doesn’t run. He doesn’t understand and he hasn’t this whole trip. But he wants to. They’re standing at the forest’s edge. Nearly close to stepping free from the tree line.

They’re close, this must be the place...so close and...and... Leaping off his friend’s back, he runs ahead, only to turn back and watch as his friend moves slowly as if stuck in some trance. How a curious young kit sees the sun for the first time.

Then his friend’s eyes turn blue and his fur stands on end.

The air feels cold. Colder than this morning. A winter's breath.

You walk ahead and break through the treeline.

“—The warren was at peace.”

You speak and it’s airless. Words with no force, “ Hlien ...The Sandleford Warren.”

A soft breeze brushes against your face and the world comes back to you. Crisp air fills your lungs and you taste wet earth. You look down, the ground inclines to a stretch of a beautiful meadow.

Rabbits...so many of them scattered about.

This place…You swallow and step back.  hidden under the forest's arching shadows, “...It’s real.”

“Red?”

You look to your right and Treering is looking up at you.

A soft smile spreads across his face, “...what now?”

“I…” You sigh, remembering your dream, that you haven’t told him everything. “I have to find someone.”

Treering blinks and looks over the warren, “A rabbit?” He glances back to you, “Is this another feeling?”

You shake your heads and...why do you feel a knot forming in your gut? “I...I had another dream, in it, I was looking for this...small rabbit? He’s not a Kit. I think it’s important.”

He’s quiet...and when he speaks the knot tightens, “What are you going to do once you find him?”

It’s like ice water falls on you. You spin and face him completely, “I-! I’m not gonna—!”

“Red!”

Your jaw snaps shut and he looks at you with a serious face. Your emotions slow.

“I know you’re not gonna eat them.” Treering rolls his eyes, tail whipping back and forth. A few short chirps escape him. The small rodent rubs the font of his face, “I mean if you feel like you have to find them. What do you think will happen once you do?”

“I…for now?” You just tell him the truth. “I just want to talk to him.”

Again he’s silent...before nodding his head, “Okay… Okay…” His face blossoms with burning confidence. Eyes Glinting, “How are we gonna do this, Sunset?”

The knot in your chest loosens until it’s gone. You lower your head and close your eyes, “Thank you, Treering~”

--------------------------------

A make-shift bridge, a square tunnel carved from the earth allows a small stream to run through it. Two furry creatures, smaller than a fox, and larger than a Squirrel, run over it.

The pair of rabbits run over it and up a hill. They’re in shadow, and Hazel, the older brother, moves into the sun. Close to a gate.

“Fivver, what's that? Look!”

-------------------------------------------------

“You’re eyes. You can still see when night falls.”

You tilt your head, “Huh?”

The two of you are back in the forest, hidden away from the warren. You lay against a tree as the sun sets. You don’t want to cause panic before getting the chance at meeting this rabbit.

Treering curls into your tail, soaking up its warmth.

His small voice answers your unasked question, “If you're gonna get close to the warren, you should try to do it at night.” He lays down, “ R’amikchi... always warned us against going out at night. Most Kade-raket-chii are gifted with Moon’s Sight.”

“Moon’s... sight ?” You narrow your eyes in question.

You feel him move, giving a little chitter, “Tsu-nah-Ru-st-ii..er- Moon’s sight is what gives you the ability to see in the dark.”

You lay on your side and huff, “You really can’t see in the dark? Huh.” You don’t look at him, thinking, “I thought all creatures could. I can.”

A pause...then a hiccup of surprised laughter, “I know! Ah-ha~ Sorry Autumn~ You still don’t remember much.”

‘Remember’ not ‘Know’ he’s not calling you stupid and it’s a small thing you appreciate.

Another airy laugh, “...during the night, we Rikk-chiki-ki sleep. Not just because we like to be up when the sun is, but because it’s safest when Kade-raket-chii are out hunting.”

You think about it…Moon’s sight, an obvious name, but to have something reminiscent of the Moon...You smile, “It’s pretty.”

Treering looks over and sees your eyes closed, “Yeah, it is.”

He rubs at his face and lays down, taking heat from your tail, “I’ll look for and keep track of any rabbit that matches your description.” Treering twitches his nose, “Small but not a kit, right?”

“Yeah…”

Soon then, you could have him by tonight if things go quickly.

You swallow, unease comes off you in waves and Treering leans in close. His voice is a comfort, light with a new serious undertone.

“Once night hits, I’ll give you directions on which burrow he went into, and tonight, you’re going to have to sneak over to try to…I guess...”

You hear him wince and fight the urge to look over.

He clears his throat, “C-catch that rabbit.”

A wine builds up in your throat, ‘W-what if I hurt them?”

Tiny ears swivel and Treering follows them to look at you. You’re not looking back, but your eyes are open as you stare at nothing. He doesn’t know what you're thinking, but he has some ideas.

What he offers next is something he thought would never come from his mouth in his entire lifetime.

“Want to practice picking me up?” The words come out so smoothly, full of confidence...as if he 100% trusts you.

Your heart stills and you get up, eyes widen. “T-Treering!” You spring from your place on the forest floor and spin around to see his blank face and messy fur as he rights himself,  “Y-you don’t have—!”

“—It’s ok-kay!” He still stutters and you know his blank mask of confidence is weak. You don’t want to scare him.

You shake your head and stomp your front paw, “No—”

“I’m serious, Red!” His tail lashes about, “Chi- I’m serious!” The mask falls away and a fierce flame takes its place. He stands to his full height, and any outsider would be baffled by the scene. A small squirrel shouting at the face of a stunned fox. “You’re scared! And! That means you care. You’re worried...I...you don’t want to hurt anyone and...I trust you. If it helps...I trust you.”

You don’t know what to say. But...You sit back down...his words...your ears fall, “Treering…”

He rubs at his head and looks away, “if there is a chance...and you're worried...I’ll help” He looks back and his cute black eyes shine, “You’re good Red.”

The fear that nibbles at the edges of your mind...lessen. His burst of energy felt like a slap to the face...a welcome one. You take a deep breath and sigh. “O-okay...I..just…” Another whine falls from your maw, “...tell me if I’m hurting you, okay...?”

“Of…” His tail jerks, “Of course!”

You stand back up and you see a flash of some emotion flicker over your friend’s face. Another wine leaves you, “Really, you don’t have to do-”

“No! I-!” He waves you off, “M-maybe...Should I be facing away from you?”

You tilt your head and his laugh is shaky and he continues talking, “Cause... I truly doubt the rabbit will just be standing still...most run from their enemies—” He looks up at you, an apology at the edge of his tongue, “Sor—!”

“It’s okay! It...makes sense.” You take a deep breath, “To them, I am an Enemy…”  You still feel bad, but you don’t want to show it. You smile, teeth bare and uncomfortable. It’s so fake. You force a laugh, “Maybe after this one...you could try running?”

Treering gulps and you can hear his heartbeat pick up. “S-sure!”

Ah...this is hard. “I’m just joking—”

“No! You’re right! Let’s just…!” He sniffs and turns away from you, “Get this over with…”

You nod, more for yourself and you brace your emotions. Muscles tense...as if you're expecting your own body to move on its own. Betray you.

But nothing happens. You’re still you.

You walk up to your small friend and...you're struck once again by his size. He’s so small looking, such a difference from his loud personality.

Your mind races back to your first meeting. When you had tried to…You stiffen, having stopped right behind him. He had been pretty easy to catch...your head tilts. Will the rabbit be just as easy? Or are they quicker? More agile?

Your maw parts and your teeth glisten.

Strong enough to pierce through flesh.

Your limbs weaken and you can’t will yourself to move. The position you’re in is so precarious, the feeling of power over the trusting prey-

You shut your eyes. Your heart is racing through your body.

It’s then...you're reminded of your hunger. That same clawing feeling in your gut that you have tried to shove away. Berries did little and they’re never enough of them to satiate your hunger.

Every day since being here, you are reminded of what you are. Reminded of what your body craves.

NO.

Your eyes slide open and you see Treering hasn’t moved. Even with his back to your, his racing heart matches your own.

Despite your struggle...he still trusts you. Should he?

The next thing Treering feels is strange, warmth as a sharp-toothed mouth nears. He stares ahead, instincts screaming at him to bolt up the nearest tree. But he stays rooted to the ground. He’s a fool. His R’amiki-chi , if she could see him now, she’d have a heart attack.

When jaws close over the scruff of fur between his shoulder blades, his eyes widen. A soft squeak is breathed out of him and his body sags. It reminds him of being carried like a tiny kit.

You still when your friend goes limp, “-!”

NO!

You drop him and he falls flat as you leap back, “TREERING?!”

“Ow…”

You shake “I’M SORRY!!!” and lower your face to the ground, “DID I HURT YOU?!’ Your words warble with a whine.

You! You had tried to be gentle! You shutter and watch your little friend push himself back up. He’s glaring at you and you cower. “I’M SO SORRY-!”

“Can you not drop me next time?!”

“... what...?”

He stares back, unimpressed.

You blink, “You…You’re not hurt...?”

“Not when you handled me like I was your own kit!” His angry expression...crumbles and he laughs high-pitched chitters.

“I...What?” You blank. You don’t move, “Then…What happened?” You sniff, ears still back.

His laughter wanes and, on his back, you watch his chest slow as he swallows in another lungful of air. He chuckles. “Well…” Treering sits up and looks at you, “You were so careful and...I don’t know, I guess…” He  scratches at the side of his face, “I had nothing to worry about.” He grins, “I really shouldn’t be so surprised but…” He giggles, “You’re so gentle!”

You feel your face rush with heat. But..you don’t understand. “So I didn’t...hurt you?”

He stops and stares, nose twitching, “If you don’t count dropping me like a bad nut…?”

You feel more heat hit you and you look away.

“...Then no.”

You stare at the ground and hear your little friend as he hops over.

“Hey.”

You hesitate before looking up to him, head still low.

He smiles as he reaches out and touches your nose, “Want to try again?”

Do you? You think on it and find, despite the self-doubt from before...you feel more sure of yourself now. And you are curious to see if he’ll react the same way, all limp and kinda cute. You sniff and stand to your full height, “Okay.”

Treering doesn’t make a show of it. He merely turns away and waves back to you, “Okay I’m ready any moment~”

You find yourself smiling.

--------------

You get the hang of holding him and carrying him around very quickly after that. He’s so light, and you like when he becomes so loose in your hold. Will the rabbit be like this, or will they be able to fight?

You pause in your walk and set your friend down.

“Hey, Treering—”

“—We’re going to take a break, your drool is starting to coat my back and it’s…” He shutters, “... gross. ”

You sit down and nod, large black ears forward, “Sorry.” Your tail settles at your side and Treering looks at it.

You roll your eyes and lay down against the side of a tree.

No sooner does the Squirrel jump onto your fluffy tail like it’s a warm nest, “You were saying~?”

You yawn, “Just...I don’t think the rabbit will fall limp as you do. It’ll be harder, right?”

Treering sits up and twists to scratch at his back. His words are plain, “If they do fight, just shake them. Should stun them long enough to…” He pauses. “I guess until we can get somewhere we can talk to them.”

“Back here then?”

“No. Somewhere more…wait.” He straightens and his tail wags, “Maybe our own burrow?”

He points to the tree you’re leaning against. “Yeah! We could even dig one under this tree! That way the rabbit won’t have a way out unless it digs one!”

“That’s perfect, Treering~” Then the image of you dragging a poor rabbit down a hole in the ground flashes through your head. You feel knots in your stomach, “Wait...Won’t...that scare them?””

Your friend stares up at you, “...Red.”

“Hm?”

He sighs, and falls back onto your tail, “You’re a fox... anything you do will scare them.”

“Oh.”

-----------------------------

They sleep until the sun begins to set and the moon starts to rise. Soon the forest will be shrouded by darkness and the stars above glimmer like twinkling eyes. Gods watching the world below.

But now nature is bathed in red.

A ways away from the meadow, past the treeline and deep within the wood and under a large tree, a fox sleeps in a sloppy burrow. Roots are torn and it’s fur is messy and slightly muddy. The creature is tired, worn out and in a heavy sleep. Dreams are non-existent and they simply lay there and rest.

Treering watches their friend sleep and he feels a wave of warmth. He’ll let them sleep a bit longer. He speaks and puffs of white follow his voice, “I’ll be right back, Red.”

With that, he turns and climbs out of the burrow.

His run through the woods is something he’s rarely done. With darkness creeping in, he’s nearly blind. Still, Treering focuses on his hearing and sense of smell. He ducks when the sound of wings whip by, and he stills when heavy footprints grow close.

Relief floods him when he enters the stretch of meadow. But a new stress hits...he only has tall grass to cover him, and he needs to draw closer to the warren. He holds still, tail up and nose twitching. He’s nearly blind, but it was worse in the forest. Here, the sun can reach the land, lighting his path down the gentle slope.

He just needs to find that rabbit.

-------------

Night comes and forces Treering to hunker down in the tall grass. It’s hard to see, but he’s sure he’s found their target.

A burrow that two rabbits had hopped into.

Treering smiles, now he just needs to go back and-

He stills and eyes widen when one of the rabbits peers out of that burrow. It’s the larger one, and...he’s frozen. His ears turn...and he ducks down, his voice is barely there, but Treering knows if he could make out the rabbits words, he wouldn’t understand them. He doesn’t speak lapin.

When the larger rabbit hops out of the hole, he’s followed by the smaller one. Treering squints through the dark and decides to follow them as they hop away.

----------------------

Something’s wrong.

The sound of flapping wings and snapping foliage pulls you back to the waking world.

You raise your head and stare with dilated pupils. Darkness is all around you. It’s night. You breathe in and the icy chill that greets you is refreshing, aiding you in getting you up and moving.

“Treering?”

Your ears are up and you wait just outside the burrow. The dirt beneath your paws is wet with dew. The forest in front of you is cool, colors of misty blue echo the chill of the night.

Voices. Yelling. A language you don’t understand.

You lean forward, wanting to investigate the blooming of panic that draws close.

A war cry sends you back and something crashes over the roots beside your temporary home.

Before you can get a good look it’s back on its feet and off like a sparrow.

More shouting and more creatures run just as quickly past your hiding place.

What’s going on?! Where’s Treering?!  Your mind is racing, questions popping up as more and more come. Something’s wrong? You still need to-!

Rabbits.

Your world comes to a stop.

You creep forward. Could he be in this crowd? 

You catch sight of blue and your eyes widen as a new, strange voice, cries out from deep within your mind.

“ Go! ”

You shoot out and new, horrified screams fill the air.

“-Homba!”

Out in the open, the flow of rabbits scatter. Amber eyes searching. Where are they? Where is my rabbit?

A shout catches your attention and you snap to your right.

There!

Chapter Text

Fivver is split from his brother in the chaos.

He’s running, leaping over roots and small plants like a fish fighting upstream.

His brother’s voice calls out, frantic.

Fivver runs away, as the other rabbits single him out. A distraction, that’s what he’ll be. Anything to help the others escape. Fivver cries out, hoping his brother’s large ears will hear, “The river! You need to cross the river! I’ll find you!”

He hope’s fate won’t make him a liar. 

The yelling from behind him turns into a higher pitch. Fear rises and he pushes himself harder and words reach him.

“Homba-!”

The fox locks on Fivver once they hear the other rabbits calling his name.

The fox dashes through the group of chasing rabbits and they scream and scramble out of the way.

Fivver’s instincts flare as the fox leaps up to him and chases him down, unintentionally freeing him from the ‘bad’ rabbit's pursuit. However, one of the rabbits runs with Fivver. It’s mind caught up in mindless panic.

The fox chases them both.

Hazel’s heart stops when he sees his little brother gets chased by the predator and taken away, “FIVVER!” It’s the last thing he see’s of them as he’s pushed onto some floating driftwood.

“FIVVER!”

Hunger pulls you forward, closer to your target. You're falling into darkness as your vision tunnels on the small creature running from you. It’s so soft looking. You need to catch it. It’s floof of a tail flashes white and your teeth ache with the urge to bite down.

The need to hunt and threatens to drown you.

Fivver nearly trips as he runs further into the woods. He bumps into the bad rabbit and winces.

He gets cursed at. Fivver doesn’t even have the energy to apologize.

He glances over, Fivver doesn’t even have the energy to apologize.

But the other rabbit gaze sharpens into something wicked and desperate. The larger rabbit huffs a laugh...and uses its larger body to knock Fivver over.

Fivver crashes into dirt. His heart in his throat as his mind jerks to a halt. He’s going to die.

Hazel-!

Your mind is screaming. The ache in your jaw grows as you watch the world in slow motion. The small rabbit is falling, legs tangled and helpless. You need him. Deep inside you know you need him!

You swallow and with the last of your will, you leap over the fallen rabbit.

Fangs dig into fur, flesh and bone. Warm salty blood spurts forth and flows into your mouth, coating your tongue and down your maw. You fall forward and feel your prey’s cry brust from it’s throat. Small claws scratch at your furry face and strong legs kick out.

STOP.

It’s the only coherent  thought that echoes in your head. 

Your much larger paws stomp down on the squirming prey. In one swift, robotic, motion, you dart forward and jerk the little guy's neck.

SNAP

The sound fills your head and your prey stills. You drop the limp body, panting. You stare down at the creature's face, wide eyes stare back like sightless buttons.

There's movement, the shuffle of dead fern. 

You snap to attention and turn back.

Through the fog that clouds your mind...you recognize the hutched down ball of fluff.

Your dream rabbit.

You watch the way it sucks in each breath. Frantic, like a drowning man.

You feel something wet drip down your chin.

The rabbit’s ear flicks back, tensing.

“No!” A growl rolls out in deadly warning, “Don’t. Run. ”

The rabbit stiffens further, but he does not flee. You’re sure it’s more out of fear than courage.

Your body shutters. So hungry. Narrowing your eyes, you give a final huff before looking back to your meal.

Biting and tearing flesh. Salty Blood pools into your mouth and meat settles on your tongue.

You sniffle and your vision blurs.

‘It’s…’

You feel a familiar sting before big fat tears fall, rolling down your face as the aching in your chest worsens.

‘... Good.’

The black cloud around you begins to lift.

“You’re going to eat me.”

Your ears swivel to the rabbit's voice. You swallow, the shaking in your limbs lessen. What? You don’t… You shake your head, “No...not…not you .”

Orange slit eyes glance over to the tiny rabbit. You wait, but the little thing doesn’t respond.

Another rumble comes from your gut and you whine before you continue to stuff your face. Desperate to fill your stomach. With each passing moment, your head clears.

You can taste it. Meat...it’s so good. Drool builds up. Salty, chewy...meaty. You wide, feral eyes lower. Tense muscles relax and soon- too soon- all that’s left is blood, fur, and bones.

Wait.

You blink.

You look to the side and the rabbit is still staring at you. Eyes so wide they reflect your own bloodied muzzle back at you.

You lift a paw and Fivver jerks, and you can’t stop the small growl that slips from your throat. The..urge to run...chase...it buzzes at the back of your mind. You need to be careful...he can’t run, not now. Not when you can still taste blood.

He stills.

You lick your chops, ears pressed back. “S-sorry.”

He just stares at you.

“Y-you s-speak common…” His voice trails off. He’s trembling.

You step closer, a foot away, “Yeah...I know.” You can see his breathing pick up, and he’s huddled down so small. He’s so small…

“I...must leave...please I-”

“No.” Not when you just found him.

You both stare at each other.

The trees above you shake and a few leaves fall around you. Sunbeams shine through and hit the world around you in bright streams of warmth.

He throws himself away from you and you strike. Mouth open.

“Fivver! My brother! I need to go back!” Hazel’s voice is sharp and panicked.

A gruff voice cuts through the mess of Hazel’s emotions, “Get it together Hazel.” The voice is commanding and Hazel snaps to attention, eyes meeting the large form of the ex-Owsla officer, Bigwig. His voice was cold, “He’s as good as gone.”

Pain.

Hazel snapped boiling with defiance, “No!” He stared back, nearly stomping his foot but having enough will to stop and remain standing tall, “My brother will meet with us.”

The group was quiet. Bigwig scrutinizing the other.

He huffed and looked away, toward the field, “That Hoomba’s got him in it’s jaws. That fates something even the fastest rabbit can’t shake, let alone someone so small and weak.”

Hazel's hackles rise and a few of the rabbits lower themselves.

“Bigwig you-!”

The large rabbit looks back, ears raised, “You believe he’ll follow us? He’ll find his way back to us?” He looks forward and takes a hop forward, “Then he’ll have to find us on our journey. It’s dangerous to stay in one spot for so long, we cannot wait for him.”

He narrows his eyes and glances back, “Are you willing to risk our safety so freely?”

Hazel stills, a cold calmness taking hold of him. The weight of his decisions are crushing and he feels the group's collective stares on his back. He fights not to buckle and his words turn defeated.

“No...I…” He thinks of Fivver, Fivver running away from a mad fox. And his eyes shut, “My brother will find us.”

You feel drool pooling and dripping from between your sharp canines, dampening the stuff of fur in your mouth.

The rabbit in your jaws is limp, eyes closed.

It’s heart is slow, steady, like waves on a serene beach.

You walk forward, blood still coats your muzzle, no longer warm. You need to clean up.

A few plants snap and break as you pass. You’re not careful, too focused on getting to your burrow.

If your mouth was free, you are not sure you would be able to even speak. Even after all this time, with your own goal of talking with this small rabbit. Words would fail you. You’re moving on auto pilot, a creature that’s numb to the world.

You take a turn and your burrow should just be up the hill-

You pause.

The ground beneath you is soft and the world is quiet. Not even the sound of songbirds fill the ambience of the still forest.

You blink and your slit pupils zero in on the tree above your burrow.

A familiar figure stands before it. Hutch forward and stare at you from a distance.

You can't see their face, but they twitch and lower themselves further.

Taking in a shaky breath, you step back, ears flat.

Treering takes a single hop closer, still a ways away, “Red..?”

You turn and run.

A Monster.

You’re a monster!

The weight in your jaws feels like the swaying thread of your humanity.

The thread tightens, a second from snapping.

You run, as fast as you can.

You feel full, and that only makes you feel worse. Like the meat inside your stomach is a heavy stone of guilt. You feel sick, yet you remember. With each savory bite, you had never felt so good.

The taste, the smell, the feeling.

A true predator.

Your vision blurs and you trip over a gnarled root.

A yelp escapes you and the small, limp rabbit goes flying as you skirt and tumble forward.

“Gah!” You groan and lay on your back, squinting up. You’re heaving. Your lungs shutter.

“I’m…” Your bloody muzzle is pointed to the sky. Red pointing towards an expanse of blue. Beautiful, if you weren’t so horrendously ugly . Your voice is cracked and hoarse,“I’m... Sorry! ”  

You try to breathe but it comes out like wheezing breaths from a beached fish. You’re downing and the world wavers. You cough and gasp, rolling away from the blue above and onto your stomach.

“Please…” You beg, a stream of tears fall and mix with the blood on your face. Pink tears fall. “...I’m so-sorry!”

Your throat tightens and you inhale, “I’m—!”

The sound that leaves you is harsh and high pitched. A cry from a wounded animal. A cry from a wounded you. It cuts through the forest and alerts any other being near. A warning, a plea.

A crying….met with silence.

You’re trembling, breathing heavy as you stare at nothing but the forest floor.

“.... Please …”

The skittering of claws and high pitched chittering.

You snap your head up and freeze at the sight of Treering’s gaze. He’s grasping the side of a tree, claws digging into the bark.

He’s panting whole body moving with each breath.

No. 

The blood on your face feels like Sin. Caught red handed. 

You scramble to your paws and—

“—Wait!”

You turn to stone, mouth open with empty words as you stay and stare back.

Treering looks back, the fear on his face as plain as the blood on your face.

Oh how you must look.

The being he had encountered the first time, the being he had feared. Now something much worse. A true monster. A creature that took lives. That’s you, an enemy to his drey.

This friendship…

More tears fall and your ears fall back.

...Was never meant to be.

“R-Red.”

Treering leaps down and stands up, reaching out to you. His tail flickers. His voice comes out quiet. A whisper, like only you’re meant to hear.

“Red, please…”

You shut your eyes and hear him suck in a deep breath.

“Please…”

Leave me?

Don’t hurt anyone else?

Calm down?

“...Don’t leave me.”

Your eyes snap open and you look up to Treering’s teary face.

Pain blossoms from your chest and a whistle like whine escapes you, “W-what…?”

Treering raises both his paws and takes another step closer, “I- I saw everything—”

“THEN YOU SHOULD BE TERRIFIED OF ME!” You snarl, baring your teeth.

Treering jerks back.

You crumble and more tears fall, “I-...I am…!” You cry and whimper, wilting and closed off to the world. The tightness in your chest worsens.

“Red..”

Your ears lift but you can’t look at him.

You hear him take another breath and it still wavers.

“I...I saw you, choose to...attack the other Rabbit...I—”

A bark of painful laughter falls from your mouth, “Choose?!” You look up and glare at Treering.

His tail is raised but he doesn’t move.

You sneer, and blink back more tears, “I still...I still killed him—!”

“—A- and!?”

You startle. Eyes wide. “What do you—?”

Treering glare back, bringing a hand to his chest, “Y-you think...You think you’re like me?” His body is taught with energy, but he stays standing still. “Y-you think...that you could fight who you are? I saw you starve Red! I saw you fight!”

He shudders and he hutches forward, eyes glossy, “And it was wrong! ” He shakes his head, “Chi-chk, If...if I had helped you earlier, kii-chikk, tried to convince you—!” He sniffs and your heart aches as he rubs at his face. “Maybe none of that, chii, would've happened the way it did!”

Your jaw drops and you gape at him.

He curls into himself, shoulders shaking, tears falling like raindrops, “I-I’m sorry!”

No, this is your fault. This-!

“—Don’t leave…Don’t leave, Red…”

You…

You press your nose to the top of his head.

Treering gasps and looks up to you.

Both your eyes are wet and pain sparks from both of them. Raw emotion has worn you down and you lay down in front of Treering. 

Your voice is scratchy, “I’ll...I’ll try…” You sniff, “I’ll try...for you, I’ll try.”

You can barely see past your tears.

But you feel Treering as he hugs your bloodied snout, “Thank you…!”

Chapter Text

The earth was cool and the few dried leaves crunched beneath every hop he took. Darkness swallowed the world around him, leaving him with limited vision— only able to see a few feet in front of him.

Breathing out, a puff of white could be seen. Cold, nearly icy. Winter?

Fivver stood up straight, ears erect as he listened out to the unfamiliar wood.

Voices. Nearly silent, but there, far further than he would like to go. But— He tilted his head and  hopped forward— he recognized that voice. He continued forward, and so the closer he got, even the words were once things he had heard before…

“Long ago, Frith made the world…”

Dandelion.

Courage found him and Fivver’s own gait gained a new, surer step.

“He made all the stars too, and the world is one of those stars. He made them by scattering his droppings  over the sky, and this is why the grass and the trees grow so thick on the world.”

Fivver felt strange. Like each step grew more and more weightless. Effortless. The  trees around him began to blur and soon the small rabbit was soaring through the wood.

“Frith makes the brooks flow. They follow him as he goes through the sky and when he leaves the sky, they look for him all night.”

Dandelion’s voice shifted, his words gaining an echo to them, as if the storyteller was speaking from the inside of a large cave.

“Frith made all the animals and birds, but when he first made them, they were all the same.”

The moon's glow bled into a deep red. Sunset bursting through the roof of leaves above. Night became morning in the blink of an eye, and the freezing kiss of winter became an embrace of summer.

Fivver continued to fly, but now, something followed him. His speed turned to instinctual fear. Run Fivver, Run!

“The Sparrow and the Kestrel were friends, and they both ate seeds and flies.”

A shadow as large as the biggest ferns leaped right over his head and he tried to stop, tripping and tumbling. He landed ungraceful, but felt no pain as he scrambled back to his feet, ready to flee from the unknown—

A deep snarl followed by the rumble of a heavy growl.

He stilled, turning to stone as he looked up to the creature that towered over him.

His breath caught in his throat.

“And the fox and rabbit were friends and they both ate grass.”

The creature grinned, Their red face glowing from the sun's orange rays. They closed their eyes and bowed their head towards him. 

Fivver’s claws pressed into the dirt floor. He needs to run—

It’s black, wet nose pressed the top of Fivver’s head and he flinched back, “S-stay bac—!”

“Wake up.”

Treering stare was heavy, but everytime you would look to meet his gaze, he would be looking away… Well, not away, but at the unconscious rabbit that lay on it’s side. The small being, even knocked out, lay restless. Body twitching and breathing uneven.

You worried, a creature so small, should not be feeling this amount of stress and fear. You’re sure, nightmares of you flooded his head.

“T...Treering—”

A sharp gasp cut you off, and both fox and squirrel looked at the waking Rabbit.

You watched as the creator’s eyes snapped open, unseeing as they jerked to its feet, unsteady as words spilled from their mouth, breathing heavily, “Stop—!”

Eyes widened as their surroundings cleared and a second later, you were met with that same terrified stare.

Dreams and reality crash—

Something wasn’t right, wrong, alien.

—and both the rabbit and you leapt!

“Stop!”

You have the rabbit pinned on it’s side as it squeals and kicks. Your pulse is racing and Treering’s voice is the only thing keeping you in the present. He’s speaking from somewhere beside you, but you can look away from the small rabbit you had worked so hard to find.

“Red! It’s okay, you’re here, you’re not going to hurt him. Please—”

The smaller rabbit is speaking too, fast and airy, you can see the white of his eyes, “Letmegoplease, ineedtohelpmybrother, pleaseIneedtogetbacktohim, d-don’t eat—!”

You swallow, feeling sick. You don’t get up, but you’re focused. You sure now. You weren’t going to kill him. No, you just feared losing him, having to find him again despite everything you’ve already done. You can’ let your actions, you’re terrible terrible actions go to waste. You can’t have him running off, you can’t lose this rabbit.

Your voice is calm, a mask that hides your breaking composure, “Don’t run.” It’s a command  you’re aren’t sure the rabbit will even follow. He hadn’t before.

The rabbit shuts up and squeezes their eyes shut. Shuttering breaths cause their whole body to tremble beneath your weight.

The burrow is once again, quiet. When had Treering stopped talking? But this time, there's a heavy blanket over everyone as they wait to see who will act first.

Treering steps closer, “Red.”

You don’t want to look at him, you feel like a monster already. You’re life shifted today, ever since—

A whine slips out.

A small weight touches your side and your friend's voice is so soft, “Go sit in front of the entrance, we can talk then okay?”

...you nod but don’t move just yet.

Treering shifts closer, this time addressing the Rabbit, “H-hey, sorry for the scare, but please, Red’s not gonna hurt you, we just want to talk.”

The rabbit speaks, he sounds defeated, “But you won’t let me go?”

And uncomfortable silence follows.

Your friends chitters something you don’t bother trying to understand. He sighs, “Let’s talk first.”

You clench your jaw and get up slowly,  speaking to the rabbit, “Don’t move...” Not waiting for a response you act fast, leaping to the entrance and sitting right in front of the only exit.

The rabbit doesn’t move and you watch Treering lean down and speak with the same softness he had spoken to you with, “It’s going to be okay, We just…” He glances over to you before looking back. Treering clears his throat, “M-my names Treering. Chi-kittcher-rii. I wish we had met in lighter circumstances.”

The rabbit’s breathing has slowed, but he looks weary, eyes flickering over to you.

You stiffen and your eyes fall flat.

Treering catches this and let’s out a broken laugh, “Ah, you’re can get up, Red isn’t going to—”

The rabbit is already getting up, but he doesn’t move to run. Insead he huddled close to himself, looking even smaller. Back pressed to the dirt wall. He looks at Treering, but his ears are still locked onto you. His voice is hoarse, “I-I’m Fivver.” He coughs, “W...what is it you need to talk about..?”

There's a tremble to his form, yet his voice is calm. You want to answer him, but the words are stuck. Your mouth is dry and stones fill your stomach.

Treering rubbs the back of his head, “My friend...”

Fivver sneaks a glance at you and you look away.

“...they...had a dream-”

Fivver jerks and his ears turn to your small friend.

Treering notices but continues speaking, watching the other carefully, “In that dream…Your warren was being...destroyed.”

The rabbit is unnaturally still.

“I...we didn’t know if it was real, but...I’ve never had or met someone with such vivid dreams. We…” Treering nods his head, “We should at least check if things were okay, right?” His tail flickers, “And your warren was the closest one.”

Fivver doesn’t say anything and it’s quiet again. He’s thinking, eyes wandering to the floor, “But…” His words are slow, careful, “Why must you speak with me?”

It’s strange. His emotions are closed off now. Cautious, but...as if he’s holding himself back. You hutch forward, “I had another dream, Fivver.”

He flinches and snaps to look at you, mouth open. It must feel weird to hear a Predator speak his name.

“In it...I was…” You wince, “ Hunting you. But-!” You shout before he can react, “-I feel like you're important, like you are someone that can lead me to my next goal.” It sounds delusional. It doesn’t make sense. “I feel so deeply, that you are someone…” You look at him, face so open and serious. Large ears forward and eyes full with the need for understanding, “...someone, I should help.”

“...Help?”

There’s laughter.

“So they’ve figured it out then? Already?”

“It’s not enough, but I'm glad they're following the right trail.”

A scoff, “But will that rabbit let them? I doubt it.”

“Shut it!”

Chapter Text

“Help?”

The word rang in Treering’s mind. Honestly, everything that has led up to now…it’s all so new. Ever since you fell into his life, spared him, you’ve shown him new things. New ways to think about things. Taken him further than he’s ever traveled.

Staring at the small rabbit, Treering is sure he’ll continue to follow you. This whole journey, you make it seem so very important.

Fivver bends low to the ground, staring back at you, “You want to help me?”

“I…” You’re tail thumps beside you. “My dream of your Warren being destroyed. I can’t be false. I saw you running, being chased by other Rabbits.” You also lower your head, “Tell me…why? Why were you running?”

 “A…vision.”

Both you and Treering freeze.

“I had a vision. Blood, the field was c-covered in blood.” Fivver’s eye shut, physically cringing away from the memory. He rubs at his face with his two paws, voice coming out horse, “Like you, I saw something.”

When he opens his eyes, they’re clear.

“We needed to flee, far away…and find a new home.”

“Th-That’s it then!”

Fivver’s head snaps over to Treering as the squirrel stands up, tail flickering wildly.

You watch your friend and he chirps.

“Fivver? Was it?” He looks at the rabbit, smiling, eyes twinkling.

Said rabbit nods once.

Treering grins, “We’re going to help you, Fivver. Me and Red—” Both of them look at you and you fight the urge to flinch. “—We’re going to help you find a new Warren.”

The way he speaks…Fivver wilts, it’s not a request. These two, they’re going to help him whether he wants them to or not.

You would feel bad…if you didn’t whole heartedly agree with Treering.

“I need to get back to my brother.” Fivver looks up, and your heart clenches. He looks awful, eyes troubled. “...Please.”

It’s quiet.

If you help him find his brother. Well, I would fit for you when you help them find a new home. But… “What would stop you from running off with him if we do find him?”

You hate the gaze Treering cast on you.

You know it’s unkind. You know how you sound. But…you’re just trying to be realistic. Things have changed for you. Know that you know your dream was shared. That you both saw the end of the Rabbit Warren…You felt more confident? The fear and uncertainty…yeah they haven’t left, but you’re ready now.

You’ve already done the worst, and taken a chance.

You’re ready to go on this new journey, and if this Rabbit tries to run— “I’ll catch you. If you run I’ll catch you again and again Fivver.”

Fivver, despite the knowledge to never trust a fox…believes you. It’s a promise, a wicken promise.