A/N: What's this? Chapter 3 already? Wow, I didn't know we would already have a third chapter up so soon for this story. I know the story is a little slow (I'm not sure if anyone is thinking this way) but I will pick up the pace in the next chapter. Some of you might notice that I changed the rating from K+ to T. The story might be a little violent so I didn't want to get in trouble. I'm very thankful for those who are still following this story, reviewing it, and giving me so much support. I love you all.
To LittleKing9512 (since there was no reply option): I am really confuse about the first reveiw you posted. Please don't feel offended, I'm just not sure if it's just a comment or something I need to improve on but don't worry the story is not exactly like "The Princess and the Frog". I actually plan it to be very different and make it more original. I thank you for encouraging me to continue the story in your second review and I am very glad you like it so far. What is this challenge you speak of? If you elaborate it more then I would have a better understanding of this challenge and have an answer for you.
To Misty Dream, Hikarusky, Hikaru-Sapphire, Lightning-Clouds , and RainShine: Sorry for putting you guys in the spotlight right now. There was no reply option for you guys so I had to improvise. I am not sure if you guys are still reading this story but I hope you are. Without you guys I wouldn't even have thought about extending this one-shot into a real story. Your reviews have made me feel confident. Thank you so much!
I have rambled enough now so lets go straight to the story shall we?! :)
Saix moved around the bushes with his gun to see if the lion was hiding in them. With nothing in them, he moved to the next bush. Suddenly something rustled in the bush behind him and immediately turned his gun near the bush. But sadly it was not the vermin he was looking for. It was a white rabbit that jumped out in front of him. He lowered his rifle and sighed. He looked in front of him and behind him; to the left and to the right. It was the same thing no matter where he turned, just trees and more trees. "There are so many damn trees around here." thought Saix with frustration.
"Sir!" yelled Saix, "Sir! Xenmas sir, where are you?"
"Silence soldier, you'll scare the lion away." said the gray haired man who came out from some trees. Like always, Xenmas had the same emotionless face.
"Sir, the lion is nowhere to be found. There is no way to track it down."
"Giving up already? I thought you were better than this Saix. That's why I picked you for this mission."
"I didn't say I was giving up. I'm just saying that it seems impossible to find the animal. I mean, we are in a forest. The lion could be anywhere; maybe even gone."
"Not likely. The lion doesn't even know where to go. It could be going in circles for all we know. You just need to find the right clues to lead you to what you desire. Besides, we can't go back to the organization until we find the lion."
Xenmas and Saix stopped talking when they surprisingly heard a huge splash somewhere nearby. Minutes later they could hear screaming and yelling further away from where the splash came from. Xenmas grinned and loaded his rifle, "Looks like we found our clue Saix."
~X~
Sora's body was shaking after he heard the two hunters coming closer and closer to him. Many bad thoughts went through his brain until he felt two small hands tugging on his hand. He looked over his arm and saw Xion trying to pull his hand off her mouth.
"Oh, sorry Xion." Sora said as he took his hand off of Xion's face.
"Sora," Xion said with a worried voice, "those voices… they belong to those men that chased you right?"
"Yeah. C'mon lets go." Sora got up and pulled the girl up too. Then he dragged her along with his hand holding her hand as he ran from the open area into the deep forest. The two ran straight ahead without looking behind them.
"Sora, why are those two trying to catch you?" asked Xion.
"Now is not a good time to ask." answered Sora, "Once we get out of here I can explain everything to you. We just need to… ugh!" Sora stopped running and made Xion bump into him. Xion saw Sora wince in pain as he held her hand tightly. He then turned his head to her with a scared face before his whole body glowed again. Xion let go of Sora to cover her eyes until the blinding light was gone. The raven haired girl uncovered her eyes to find a brown lion in front of her.
"No, no, no this can't be right! This is not supposed to happen. Why did I turn back into a lion?" exclaimed Sora.
"Did you hear that sir? I think the lion is over there." Xenmas and Saix broke into a run as they head toward the source of the noise.
"Oh no, Sora we have to go now! The hunters are coming!" yelled Xion. The shocked lion woke up from his stunned state and followed Xion's lead.
As they ran, the girl and the lion heard multiple "bangs" from a distance. Suddenly they found many bullets whizzing by them. The duo picked up the pace and tried to zigzag around the trees to make it difficult to get shot.
Xion was starting to feel fatigue in her legs but pushed herself to run forward. Every now and then, the ebony haired girl would wipe the sweat out of her eyes with her hands. Sora hadn't even thought about feeling tired. All he kept thinking about was getting away from the hunters as far as possible.
The forest was an endless maze in the eyes of Xion. It was as if the whole place was on loop. Her mind came back to the current situation when she heard a "thud" behind her. She looked back and saw Sora lying on his side instead of running. She stopped running and saw something sticking out of the side of Sora's torso. Fearing for the worse, Xion ran over to Sora's side.
"Sora, are you okay? We have to keep running, the hunters are coming!"
"Xion, is that you?" languidly said Sora with his eyes half closed, "My body… it can't move. I think I was hit."