Hikaru trudged aimlessly through the deserted streets, his sneakers crunching against broken glass and gravel. His dog ears drooped as his tail swayed limply behind him, a testament to his exhaustion and confusion. The gray sky above cast an eerie glow over the abandoned buildings, making him feel like he'd wandered into the set of a dystopian movie.
"Of all the places to end up," Hikaru muttered to himself. "Couldn't it have been, I don't know, somewhere with snacks?"
He shivered as a cold wind whipped past him. His stomach growled loudly, and he groaned. "Great. I'm starving, lost, and probably wanted for assaulting, like, twenty kidnappers."
He stumbled past the remnants of an old billboard when a sharp growl made him freeze in his tracks. His ears perked up, swiveling toward the noise. Was it one of the kidnappers? Or worse, some kind of wild animal?
Before he could even think of running, a tall figure emerged from the shadows. The man was dressed in sleek black clothing, his broad shoulders and confident stride making him look like he owned the entire wasteland. His piercing blue eyes glowed faintly, matching the deep azure of his tousled hair. But what stood out most were the lion ears perched atop his head and the swishing tail trailing behind him.
"Higan?" Hikaru blinked, stunned.
Higan stopped a few feet away, his intense gaze scanning Hikaru from head to toe. "You're alive." His voice was smooth and calm, but there was an edge to it- like he'd been holding back a whirlwind of emotions.
"Uh, yeah? Barely," Hikaru replied, scratching the back of his head. "Wait… What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
Higan's expression didn't waver. He folded his arms, his tail flicking lazily behind him. "Does it matter? I'm here now."
"That's not an answer!" Hikaru protested. "Did you follow me? Track my scent or something? Oh no, did you use some weird lion sense to sniff me out?"
Higan raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, Hikaru thought he caught the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You could say that," Higan replied cryptically.
In truth, Higan had been tracking Hikaru since the moment he realized he was missing. A small, discreet device hidden under Hikaru's collarbone had been his secret weapon. It wasn't something he planned to share- Hikaru didn't need to know that Higan had taken... preventative measures to ensure his safety.
"What happened to you?" Higan asked, his voice softening ever so slightly as he took a step closer.
Hikaru fumbled for words. "I, uh, got kidnapped during the school trip. They tied me up, and then I broke free, and-" He hesitated, glancing away. "And I might've accidentally taken down all the kidnappers. But I didn't mean to! It just… happened!"
Higan's eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze locking onto Hikaru's trembling hands. "You fought them?"
"I mean, I guess? More like I flailed around and hoped for the best, but somehow it worked!" Hikaru said, his voice pitching higher. "I don't get it. I'm not strong, Higan. I'm not!"
Higan's jaw tightened as he processed the information. Inside, his chest swelled with a mix of relief and pride. Hikaru might not have realized it, but Higan always knew there was more to him than his naivety and self-doubt. Still, he wasn't about to say that out loud.
"You're stronger than you think," Higan said simply, brushing past him. "Come on. We need to get you out of here."
"Wait, what? That's it? You're not going to question how I fought off a bunch of grown men?" Hikaru asked, jogging to keep up with Higan's long strides.
"No," Higan replied flatly.
"But—"
"I said no."
Hikaru huffed, crossing his arms as they walked. "You're so weird. You always act like you don't care, but then you show up out of nowhere and save me. It's like you've got some kind of sixth sense or something!"
Higan glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Something like that"
The two walked in silence for a while, the only sounds coming from their footsteps and the distant creak of an old sign swaying in the wind. Hikaru's mind raced as he tried to make sense of everything. How did Higan always know where to find him? And why was he so calm all the time?
Eventually, they reached a more intact building- a small warehouse that looked slightly less abandoned than the rest of the area. Higan pushed open the heavy door with ease, ushering Hikaru inside.
"Stay here," Higan ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Wait, where are you going?" Hikaru asked, his ears perking up in alarm.
"To make sure the area's clear"
Hikaru's tail drooped as he watched Higan disappear into the shadows. "Great. Now I'm alone again."
He wandered around the warehouse, his gaze falling on the various crates and tools scattered about. The place looked like it had been used recently, which didn't do much to calm his nerves.
Minutes later, Higan returned, his expression unreadable. "It's safe"
Hikaru sighed in relief, slumping onto a nearby crate. "Thanks, I guess. For finding me and all"
Higan leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "You shouldn't have been in that situation to begin with."
"Wow, way to make me feel better," Hikaru muttered. "You could at least say, 'Good job surviving' or something!"
Higan's lips twitched, but he quickly masked it. "Good job surviving," he said dryly.
"See? Was that so hard?" Hikaru shot back.
Despite the teasing, there was an unspoken tension between them. Higan's gaze lingered on Hikaru a moment too long, and Hikaru, oblivious as ever, didn't notice the way Higan's tail swished slightly faster whenever he looked at him.
As Hikaru settled into the warehouse, exhaustion finally caught up with him. He yawned, his ears drooping. "So, what's the plan now, Mr. Lion King?"
"We rest," Higan replied. "And tomorrow, we figure out who's behind this..."
Hikaru nodded, his eyelids growing heavy. "Okay… But, seriously, how did you find me?"
Higan hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, "Instinct."
"Instinct, huh? Weird." Hikaru's voice trailed off as he curled up on the crate, his tail wrapping around him like a blanket. Within minutes, he was fast asleep, his soft snores filling the quiet space.
Higan watched him for a moment, his expression softening. He walked over, carefully draping his jacket over Hikaru's shoulders.
"Sleep well," he murmured, more to himself than to Hikaru. His sharp blue eyes glinted with determination as he looked out into the darkness.
No one would harm Hikaru again- not as long as he was around.
.
.
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_To_Be_Continue_