Snap.
A twig broke.
Axel spun so fast the stack of firewood flew into the air. His hand went straight for the Gishiki, instinct crackling through him, then he froze.
A pair of glowing eyes blinked at him from the bush.
He tensed, then exhaled when the creature hopped out, the familiar purple fur and distinct horn.
"A horned rabbit… of course." He rubbed the bridge of his nose as the bunny stared back, then bolted off. "You guys are everywhere."
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he crouched to pick up the scattered wood. His heart was still thudding, the ghost of panic crawling down his neck. "I'm so not ready for a jungle adventure."
Even with the thread of continuity, he still needed rest.
But readiness wasn't really an option, he had enough food, but he ran into a small hitch.
The cave was freezing, cold enough to make his breath mist, and if he didn't want to die of pneumonia, he needed firewood.
That was how he ended up out of the cave.
