Chapter One: Pilot
The town of Rusutsu in Hokkaido, Japan was considered a fairly large village. It was home to over a thousand people and plenty of activities year-round. At the west entrance, smaller buildings lined the streets. These were mostly houses and family-run businesses, such as woodcrafts, bakeries, and small produce shops. Although it was cold in this part of the world, the farmers had plenty of goods to sell, and fresh produce from warmer regions were always shipped in weekly.
Further into town was the mayor's office, the theatre, dance hall, onsens, the library and various transportation services, among other things. In the middle of town was a large water fountain that never seemed to stop flowing, despite the icy weather. On the eastern side of the village were the bars and red alleys. Most respectable men and women avoided the eastern part of town unless they were just traveling through.
A few miles north of Rusutsu were the infamous Three Peaks. Mount Isola stood the tallest, between East Mountain and West Mountain. You could see each mountain from either side of the village, respectively, and Isola stood tall enough to see from every angle. The mountains used to be home to a large resort, bringing in tourists from all over the world. But the business ended over a decade ago. Ever since the attacks…
The last Hybrid attack happened over two years ago on the Three Peaks, and the only mention of the wild creatures now were unconfirmed sightings over the past couple years—whispers and shadows of bright red eyes and sharp claws. Some of the townsfolk swear on their children's graves that rabid Hybrids still roamed the mountains, and the gossip it brought to town still prevented people from going up the snowy peaks, even to this day. And to add to the notoriety, the resorts never reopened.
Yui Nagamori lived alone in a small cottage at the base of West Mountain, about a mile uphill from Rusutsu's western entrance. Weather permitting, you could almost see the village gate from her home, and the trail down was always visible between a thick line of trees on either side. When the snowstorms would hit, the trail was hard to pass through, but the way was always clear.
She lived surrounded by the forests, with thick green pines and auburn branches visible under layers of powdery snow. Yui grew up here, so the weather and the ecosystem were natural to her. She'd lived in a warmer region for a small part of her life, but the warmth and the bushy fauna only brought back terrible memories for her. Being one of the only humans in a world full of Hybrids wasn't always accompanied by hospitality, but she always found the people of Rusutsu to be warmer and more inviting than any weather she'd ever experienced.
Both of her parents were gone. Her father was alive somewhere… or dead, for all she knew. And after he abandoned his family, Yui's mother became so wrapped up in her own grief that it consumed her, and she passed only a short two years ago, leaving Yui alone. She missed them both, but she was no longer crippled by their loss. She learned how to come to terms with her own life and how to enjoy it at her own pace.
Yui worked at her favorite place in the whole world—Rusutsu's public library. The villagers often commented that they never saw her without a book in her hand. As a child, she would read wonderful stories of Hybrid adventures throughout the world. Now, she read everything she could get her hands on. She learned more about the world through reading than through talking with others.
"Almost ready to go home for the night, Yui? I heard the ice is thick this evening, so be careful on your walk home. I need you here bright and early to set up for the publishers' event tomorrow."
Yesssss, I'm so excited! she thought to herself. The publisher's event came around only once every three years, after all.
Yui nodded at Midnight, the head librarian, and cat Hybrid. Midnight was a beautiful, elegant woman with long black hair—perfectly matching with her black ears and thin black tail. She owned the library. In fact, she even owned the building. She lived one house down and rented the two bedrooms above the library out to two Hybrids that were around Yui's age.
"Don't worry, Miss Midnight. I'll be careful."
The librarian looked down at the book in Yui's hand. "You're taking that one home again? How many times have you read that?"
Yui smiled and hugged the paperback to her chest. The Adventures of the Winged Hybrid. "I love Hawks' stories. How he describes flying around the world is just… it feels like I'm right there with him. Honestly, I wish I could meet him in real life and ask him about his adventures. I wonder if he exaggerates, or if they're all really true."
"Like he'd even tell you if they were all made up," Midnight rolled her eyes and then shooed Yui out the door. "Get a move on, little one. I need you to get some rest tonight. Don't stay up all night reading that book. We've got some serious work to do tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am."
Yui started her walk home, still clutching her favorite novel to her chest. The wind was a bit chilly, but it wasn't as biting as her boss made it seem. The sun was going down, but it wouldn't get too dark before she made it home, safe and sound.
She always had time to think on her walks to and from work, and this time—and for the first time in a long while—Yui's thoughts drifted to her mother. She had been a badger Hybrid, with the looks and personality to match the bold and fierce animal. Yui remembered being a child, wondering what it would've been like to be a Hybrid like her parents.
Most Hybrids took on basic appearances of their animal halves, such as ears, tails, fangs, or paws. Some even took on skin types, like scales, fur or feathers, although those attributes were less common. And reptile Hybrids were less often seen than mammals.
I wonder if I would've looked any different. Maybe I would've had fuzzy ears… or really sharp teeth.
Yui was about 162 centimeters tall, with big brown eyes and straight brown hair. Her skin was pale, and she considered her looks quite average for a human. There was nothing about her that stood out, and even more-so in a world full of Hybrids. Her usual clothes consisted of warm, winter pants and a large sweater and coat. And of course, tall snow boots for her walks to and from the village. She swung a light brown schoolbag over her shoulder to carry her books and any necessities. She'd gotten the bag when she was younger, and it was as reliable as a bag could be.
Yui paused as she stood outside her home and unlocked the door. She stomped off her boots before stepping under the threshold and letting out a sigh. Tomorrow was a big day for the library. A publishing company scheduled to host a special event in the afternoon, so they would have to prepare all morning to make sure everything was perfect. The company planned to release information on some very popular sequels coming out soon, and even sell some limited-edition copies of new releases. Yui even heard that they would bring authors in to sign front covers and speak about the futures of their novels and series. It wasn't as flashy as a party or one-dollar drinks at the bar, but Yui knew a few of the townsfolk who waited months for this event. She knew she had to get a good night's rest so she could help prepare early in the morning… or Miss Midnight would hiss at her for the rest of the month.
Yui stood in place, knowing she should eat quickly, shower, and head to bed. But she found herself staring past the small kitchen, down the hall to the locked door on the righthand side. The door was locked, and she hadn't been in there since… the first and last time.
Her mother had gone insane, for lack of a better explanation. Yui didn't know if there was anything she could've done to help, but she didn't dwell on those thoughts as much as she used to anymore. She only knew that her mother turned into a different person after her father's betrayal, and it drove her to her death. She'd always go out into the snow, and she would come home late and lock herself away, day after day. It never ended, until the day she died.
Yui always wondered what her mother found, out in the snowy mountains. Maybe it was comforting to her. Maybe it held some sort of memories. Maybe it reminded her of a past she wished she could go back to. Maybe… there was just something about the mountains that drew her in… Something about the pure white snow and a crisp breeze drifting down from the peak.
Yui found herself grabbing a few granola bars and dropping her bag on the kitchen table. She pocketed her house key, slipped her boots back on, and stepped outside into the chilly evening air. The sun wasn't fully set, and there was at least twenty minutes left of sunlight in the day, so she decided on a quick walk. The last thing she wanted to do was sit in that melancholy house alone, with her brain going in circles around those kinds of thoughts. She was proud of herself for being able to continue with her life after her parents had gone. It had taken her no less than all her effort to bring herself out of her depression, and she knew it was a constant battle. Never a war won.
So, a walk it would be. Anything to keep those gloomy thoughts out of her head. And especially the day before the publishers' event. She would make a quick round, and then shower and sleep.
Yui walked to the base of West Mountain and decided to head uphill. It'd been a while since she went for a walk in the area—usually she went downhill, or out the east end of Rusutsu if she was feeling extra energetic on a particular day. She sometimes forgot how fresh the air tasted up here, but it was a lovely reminder tonight. The snow was untouched, save for the footprints behind her. It was like a scene out of an adventure novel.
Although there was one unusual pile of snow up ahead, beside an evergreen shrub. She crouched down beside the shrub and waved her hand through the snow. It fell from the shrub, revealing light greens in the endless white. And then she hit something.
"What the…" she suddenly mouthed to herself. Something was hard and cold beneath the snow. She moved the powder with her hands to find an icy piece of metal, buried in the snow and dirt beneath the shrub. It looked old, like it'd been there for a few years. She reached in with both hands and grabbed it, wishing she'd brought gloves with her as the cold started biting her fingertips. As she pulled, it only came out a few inches, and Yui suddenly stopped pulling and froze.
The metal piece was much larger than it seemed. And it had large teeth… and a flat, round disk lay just under her left hand.
Yui gulped. It was some kind of an animal trap. And it was still set to go off by the looks of the exposed metal plate and upward-facing teeth.
She slowly brought her hands back to her coat and shoved them in her pockets for warmth. She looked around slowly before standing up and checking behind her. Her footsteps were still clear in the snow, so she knew she would be safe walking back the way she'd come…
But just how many of these traps are there? Is this why people think that rabid Hybrids are up here? Because they got caught in hidden traps like these? Who would even set them up? No one goes into these mountains anymore—
A sudden growl made Yui's thoughts silence, and she jumped back to stare into the thick, snowy woods to her left. With the sun setting, it was hard to see clearly anymore much past thirty yards, and even harder through the forest and the dusty snow in the breeze.
Another growl reminded Yui that it wasn't just her imagination, and she took a few hasty steps backwards, away from her old footprints and the metal trap. The threatening sound seemed to be a little closer now, so she turned and continued walking up the mountain, careful to step where the snow looked untouched. Hopefully whatever animal was making that noise would just leave her alone and let her go home—
But another growl, closer this time, made her heart beat hard and fast, and her legs started moving faster as she trudged through the snow.
Why the fuck would you even come up here? she suddenly thought to herself, feeling stupid as all hell. After all this time, what the hell were you thinking?
She turned around to check her surroundings when she didn't hear anything anymore. She was too far up the mountain now—much farther than she was comfortable with. She would have to retrace her steps and head back down to the base so she could go home and end this little adventure of hers. God, sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm not writing a book. I'm just living my life, and I'll save the adventures for the professionals.
Tall trees and thick shrubbery surrounded her, and it was getting dark. She paused and squinted, making sure she couldn't see anything big and menacing ahead of her. Maybe it had just been a black bear, guarding its territory. Still, trekking up the West Mountain was going to have to go into a list of awful ideas to never try again.
She stepped back in her footprints, still watching out for big metal traps with sharp teeth. All she had to do was retrace her steps and she would make it back home in one piece—
"Where do you think you're going?"
Yui froze mid-step for a half second before her flight instincts kicked in. Ignoring the footprints, her legs immediately darted out in front of her as she sprinted down the hill, snow-dust kicking up everywhere. She suddenly slipped and landed on her butt. She was quick to flip onto her hands and knees and crawl a few steps before climbing back to her feet. She took a quick look behind her and screamed.
"I was just thinking about how hungry I was," that low, growling voice sneered.
A pair of bright red eyes on a head of spikey blonde hair and pointed ears stalked her in the snow. Yui gasped and started running again. He could talk. He was walking on two legs. He was part human…
There really are rabid Hybrids living up here… So all those Hybrid attacks… All those years ago…
"You think you can escape from me?"
His voice sounded like malice. She didn't know how she knew but she knew if she was caught, she was as good as dead.
Where is it?
"Well think again, prey."
Where is it?!
Images of her mother's body being found by the villagers flashed in her mind. All that blood…
No!
"Running is useless. Just give up already."
There!
Yui ran as fast as she could and slowed down as she neared the familiar evergreen shrub. She passed it by a few yards and, against all her flight instincts, she turned towards the blonde Hybrid and paused. Her eyes widened as she took him in. He wasn't even running at her. He was walking at a leisurely pace, as if he knew she couldn't escape from him, no matter how hard she tried. Her heart beat like a hammer against the inside of her chest, shaking her body in fear.
His ears stuck straight into the air, and he wore a dreadful smirk that revealed long, sharp teeth. His hands were decorated with long claws and his blonde tail was large and swayed from side to side as he neared. He was a wolf Hybrid… She'd never seen one before. No one had seen them before, unless they ended up mangled or in the hospital.
"That's a good little prey," he cooed, only a few yards away now. "Stay right there for me."
Wait. That blonde fur… He looks a lot like…
Something about him seemed familiar to her for a split second before the sound of snapping metal hit her ears. And then a loud, howling scream broke through everything else. She watched as he stepped on the metal disk, and a set of metal jaws clamped down on the wolf's right leg. He howled in obvious pain and dropped to his one knee, his long claws scratching at the metal, trying to tear it open as he cried out. Yui noted how the pure white snow beneath him soaked up red just before she sprinted down the hill, doing her best to retrace her footprints, but skipping over them two at a time in her panic.
She listened to wolf cries as the sound slowly became farther and farther away, until she knew that she wasn't being chased anymore. She still ran until she reached her small cottage and fumbled with the key for a few seconds before letting herself in and slamming it behind her. She paused, staring wide-eyed at her kitchen table before sinking to the floor.
Holy… fuck!
She held her head in her hands as she brought her knees up to her chest and started bawling like a baby. She'd almost died… There were real, rabid Hybrids up on that mountain. There were real cases of Hybrid attacks and all the rumors about the mountains and the village… They weren't rumors at all.
Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god… Mom… What in the world…
Yui wiped her eyes as she heaved, wondering if she was shaking from the cold, or out of fright. Or the sobs were racking her body. Or maybe it was everything combined. There was an imprint in her mind of those two red eyes. As crimson as the blood that stained the snow.
Her head bolted up and her back straightened as she heard another crying howl in the distance outside. The wolf must still be stuck in the trap. And good riddance. She hoped he stayed there, so no more people would have to die. Maybe he was the only one, and now the rumors would slowly die over the years. Or maybe there were more of them up there, just waiting for someone—someone as stupid as me—to go walking up there just before sunset.
Another piercing howl hit her ears, low in the wind outside the door. Yui slowly stood and made her shaky legs take her to the bathroom. She leaned down and twisted the faucet, letting the water shoot out above her. She sat back on her butt again and hugged her knees on the cold tile floor, letting the sound of running water fill her ears. She didn't want to hear the howls. She didn't want to think of those bright, red eyes.
What's wrong with me… she thought slowly. I could've died…
She sat and listened to the shower water for twenty minutes before standing, stripping her clothes, and stepping inside. But as soon as the hot water hit her skin, she crumpled to the bottom of the tub and closed her eyes. She barely had time to think before the fright and exhaustion hit her again, making her eyes heavy. She drifted off, to what she thought was yet another howl coming down from the mountain.
Mom… I'm so sorry.
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It was warm. Like sitting around a small fire, surrounded by loved ones. Like nothing else in the world can make you feel cold again. Until the people smiling at you slowly fade into shadows and the fire goes out and a breeze swims through the air, bringing rain and clouds. And before you know it, the water at your feet is rising, and you wonder how long until you drown.
They say that life is filled with highs and lows, but no low is as bad as the ride down from the greatest high of your life. When everything will only ever be worse than that one moment, but you don't know that. You haven't lived enough of your life to know anything about that.
Yui coughed up water, opening her eyes to the rush of the shower pelting in her face. She coughed and stood, turning it off and rubbing her eyes. She stretched her numb muscles, feeling the ceramic bathtub still on her skin.
And then she panicked.
Rays of sunlight shined through the lines between the window shades. Yui scrambled for the door, grabbing a towel off the hanger and quickly wrapping it around her shoulders. The sun was way too high.
Fuck! The book show! It must be noon already! She ran upstairs and snagged the first clean pair of underwear, pants and shirt she could find, throwing them on. She grabbed socks and a warm hat and raced back down the stairs. Her pack was still on the floor beside the door, so she swung it over her shoulder, and hopped on one foot as she pulled on her boots.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! Miss Midnight is gonna be pissed!
As soon as she took a step out into the snowy trail, a low, quiet howl hit her ears and she paused, listening for it again. But she didn't hear it a second time. It sounded weak… and full of pain.
It took quite a bit, but she forced herself to ignore the sound and quickly head down the trail to Rusutsu.
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Izuku and Ochako were standing outside the library when she arrived. They looked to be having an awkward conversation, until Yui saw Ochako blush and quickly turn her eyes to the ground. Izuku smiled and rubbed the back of his head with one hand before he saw her approaching. His hand immediately dropped to his side.
"Yui! How's it going? We were all worried when you didn't show up for work this morning. Everything okay?"
Ochako jumped then, too, waving at her. "Hey! Yea, we were worried about you."
Izuku Midoriya was a long-eared bunny Hybrid, and Ochako Uraraka was a mouse Hybrid, and they were the tenants who rented the two bedrooms above the library. Yui always thought they would make a great couple, but the natural shyness from their Hybrid sides seemed to always get in the way.
"I… just had a really weird night," she said. If I start telling people there is a rabid Hybrid in the mountains, it could cause panic… Plus, I don't know who to tell. The wolf is easy to find, considering that he's stuck in that trap, but…
They would send someone to kill the wolf Hybrid for sure. It must've killed countless people over the years, and it almost killed her, last night. And they killed mom… Those creatures needed to be stopped…
"Yui! Where have you been?!"
"Miss Midnight, I—" Yui paused, thinking that her cat-boss would be angry with her, but instead her eyes were almost overflowing. "I'm really sorry…"
"Are you all right?! And don't be sorry, we got everything set up just in time," she waved to the open door behind her, and Yui saw a happy crowd of people meandering around inside. "But what happened? You've never been late before."
"I just… my night was… really rough. I don't even remember falling asleep." She noticed there was a pause between the four of them. She knew it wasn't much of an answer, and she could tell that they were all thinking the same thing. She wondered what they were assuming about her in that moment. Whatever they were thinking, though, she bet it was far from the truth.
"Well…" Midnight said slowly, a gentle purr in her words, "At least you're safe and we don't have to worry anymore. But dear, you look pale. Are you sure you're feeling all right?"
"I'm fine. I'm just… stressed."
Yui paused and she felt like she was going into a daze. A daytime dream of red eyes in the snow, and piercing howls through the night.
"Yui?" Ochaco said slowly, and she realized she'd been zoning out for quite a few awkward seconds again.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly.
"Sweetheart, why don't you go home and rest today? Whatever happened yesterday, I think you need a day to relax. The library will survive without you."
"But it's my favorite event of the year…"
"Well, you can stay to look around, but when you're finished, go home. I don't want you working today when you're like this. You should rest and put your mind at ease."
"But, I—"
"No buts, Yui. Look around a little. Enjoy today and then go get some rest. You really do look like you've seen a ghost or something. You do so much for the library. One day off won't kill you. And I know how to run an event on my own. I was doing it before you were born." Midnight's whiskers twitched a little at her own compliment. "Now, run along."
"We were actually going to check it out together if you wanted to join us," Ochaco piped in happily. But Yui paused. She started zoning out again at what she thought was another quiet howl in the distance. That creature is going to die out there, isn't he? she thought. Those kinds of traps aren't the type that even a larger, stronger animal can get out of. She'd once spotted a few more inventions like those traps in her mother's old room, but it was nothing she'd seen recently. That thing can't hurt anyone else… It'll just die there… And that will be it… "Yui? … Yui, are you okay?"
"I think I'm gonna go," she said quickly, turning on her heel.
"Oh…" Ochaco blinked a few times in confusion, "Are you sure? I thought—"
"Yea, sorry. I think you guys are right. I feel really out of it today and I need to rest. I'm really sorry, Miss Midnight," she added, starting to hurry back down the road. "I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early, I promise!"
"Make sure you feel better!" she called back, worry in her tone. But Yui was already walking quickly down the road back to her small home in the mountains. She didn't know why, but something felt wrong about all this…
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It was an easy thing to find. A small, silver key. And it was a longshot, to be honest. Of all the keys in the world, why would this one work? But Yui had a funny feeling that it would, as she quickly closed the door behind her and locked her mother's old room. She was careful not to look at the mechanisms around the floor, or the pelts on the walls. She didn't want anything to imprint on her mind. She hated that room.
She pocketed the gold key to the old bedroom and stared at the silver one in her hand. It was her mother's… it unlocked most of the traps her mother used to use. She didn't know if it would work, but for some reason, she felt she had to try. And as she trudged out into the snow, her freshly-stocked backpack swung over her shoulder, she realized it had been almost twenty-four hours since the creature was caught in the metal-teeth contraption.
It had been almost twenty-four hours since it tried to kill her, too…
It was easy for her to backtrack. It was the only straight path up through the snow that she knew of, and she knew the bottom parts of the mountain as well as anyone.
She rolled the key over and over again through her fingers. Why am I even here again? I didn't learn my lesson yesterday? she thought. But it was a strange thought, as if she was trying to convince herself of something… And why would my mom's traps still be out here? That's impossible. It's been years since anyone has hunted out here, and her old ones would have closed shut by now.
Up ahead through the snow-fog, she could see the familiar bush. She paused and listened to her pounding heartbeat. It's trapped. It can't hurt me. It's trapped. It can't hurt me. She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing, but it wasn't helping much. What if it's not there? What if it escaped? What if the trap wasn't strong enough to hold it and it's coming back to kill me? What if—
A slight moment beneath the bush in the snow made everything halt—her thoughts, her breathing, and she swore, even her heart. Her eyes were frozen to the snow just up ahead as it moved another time. And then she heard a whimper… It's… still there…
She felt under the snow around her for a rock or something to throw, but she grabbed a thin stick instead. She didn't take her eyes off the lump of slowly moving snow as she held the stick out. She nudged it forward until she felt it hit something solid.
"Ow!" a growl came, and the snow-lump jerked back, some white dusting falling from the blonde fur beneath. She froze again as its head slowly lifted and she saw those bright red eyes turn to face her again. She gulped. "You?" it said, and there was hatred in its voice. But also a great deal of pain.
"I…" Yui started slowly, but then her eyes drifted to the other end of the creature's body, and a large circle of red sat in the snow, like a melted puddle by its right leg. It was definitely still in the trap, and it looked like it had done a lot of pulling, considering the amount of blood. She wondered how bad the injury was at this point.
"Well?" the rabid Hybrid spat. "You going to come a little closer?" It bared sharp fangs and let out a violent growl again.
"I… don't think so…" she replied slowly, still terrified, but believing that the trap would hold. But then, he just stared at her. And he stayed that way for what seemed like a few minutes. Every thirty seconds or so, the Hybrid would growl or bare its fangs, but… He can't do anything. "I'm sorry," she suddenly said, and she didn't know why that was what came out of her mouth. After all, she wasn't the one who tried to kill the other. And the Hybrid seemed just as confused at the words as she was.
"Huhhh?" he spat, and then tsk'd at her. "You're strange for a Hunter."
Yui gripped the silver key in her pocket so hard she could feel the indent in her skin. "I'm not a Hunter."
"That makes sense, considering how you got so scared when you saw me."
"You did say you were going to kill me and eat me…" Am I really conversing with a rabid Hybrid right now?
"Did I?" he replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes and falling back into the snow. "What are you back here for, prey?"
"I… heard you." What am I here for… really?
"Speak up! You sound like a mouse!"
"I said I heard you!"
"What are you going on about?!"
"Why are you yelling at me?!"
They both paused. This was not… what she was expecting.
The Hybrid suddenly lurched forward with it's fangs out, looking to reach her with a snarl. Yui screamed and fell backwards into the snow, barely escaping. "What was that?!" she shouted, but her eyes widened. The Hybrid curled back up into a dusty snowball as the red puddle grew larger at the sudden movement. "You… shouldn't move around."
"What do you care?!" it snapped at her, pain back in its voice. It wasn't looking at her anymore, either. Yui moved the stick around in her hand and poked the creature's back with it again. He whipped around and snarled, red eyes on her again. "Cut that out!"
"Look," she said, slowly bringing out the key. The Hybrid eyed it carefully.
"So, you are a Hunter," he said, and his voice almost sounded sad. He flipped back over, putting his back to her once again.
"What are you doing?" Yui asked, moving the stick around again.
"Just try and kill me then. As soon as you unlock this damn thing, I'm going for your throat."
"You don't sound very convincing."
He flipped back over. "You're here to talk me to death, then?!"
"Actually, I was worried… I came to let you out."
He eyed her up and down once. "Same deal. You let me out, I'm going for your throat, prey."
"Why would you say that to someone trying to help you?"
"You're not here to help me. All you people want is for me to die." He growled again.
"What people?" Yui tilted her head. She was still wary, but the fact that they were communicating was so much different than what she imagined. She always thought when people mentioned "rabid" Hybrids, that it meant they were nothing more than vicious animals who couldn't be reasoned with, but… He's just like any other Hybrid… Well, angrier and much more threatening, but still…
He scoffed and Yui pressed, "I don't know what you mean." She flipped her shoulder strap over and set her backpack down in the snow in front of her. She unzipped the front and pulled out some of the things she'd packed back at home. "Here," she said, tossing a water bottle into the snow near him. He looked at it but didn't reach for it. Yui frowned. "You need to get that looked at." She pointed to his leg, but he laughed through a snarl.
"Go ahead and look."
"…I meant a doctor."
"Sorry, prey. We don't have the privilege of doctors," he scoffed. "Your kind saw to that a long time ago."
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me, prey," he growled, louder this time. "I'm bored with your little games. If you're not here to kill me, just leave me alone."
"You'll die if I don't try to unlock that thing… You know that, right?"
"Again, why do you care? I tried to kill you. I still want to kill you."
"Could we… maybe… come to some kind of agreement, then?"
The Hybrid's ears twitched in annoyance and Yui took her first long glance at them. They were very blonde, furry and pointy, and stuck out of a spiky head of blonde hair. It looked thick and warm, which was probably how he survived out here in the snow all year long. In fact, most of his body was layered with a thin, almost invisible lining of blonde fur. She didn't see it at first, but it was a little more obvious with the light dusting of white snow all over the top of him. She'd seen dog Hybrids before, but they were more domesticated. This wolf Hybrid was more or less the same when it came to the basics—ears, tail, fur, sharp teeth. He just seemed more built to be out here in the snow and the wild. And his upper body was quite defined…
"I think it would be a good idea for you to say yes," she continued, before her thoughts led her astray. "If you keep saying you'll just kill me, then I won't be able to let you out. But if we can agree on something, then maybe—"
"I'm not making any deals with the likes of you!"
Is he for real?
"Do you have a name?"
"Huhhh?!"
"A name. Something I can call you by?"
"I don't play with my food," he spat, baring his fangs again as if to prove a point.
Yui scratched her head. "You'd really kill me if I let you out?"
"Why shouldn't I?! You're the one who trapped me here to begin with!"
"Because you were chasing me to kill me!"
"Then you're a dumbass for coming back!—" Suddenly the Hybrid's ears jolted straight up and his red eyes widened, and his gaze stared straight over Yui's shoulder. "Don't move," he growled lowly.
"What—"
"Shut up!" he whispered. "Get down. Slowly. Into the snow."
Yui slowly flattened herself down into the freezing snow, gritting her teeth as it hit the parts of her neck that weren't covered by her scarf. She kept her eyes on the Hybrid as he remained frozen, and flattened out as best as he was able. She was only a few feet away from him, and wondered if he would lunge at her again, but he seemed fixed on whatever was behind her.
"What is it?" she whispered, after a few moments of silence. She could almost hear her heart pounding against her ribs.
"I said, shut up!" he snapped again, his voice muffled against the snow. "Fuck! They smelled the blood!" His red eyes turned on her and Yui froze. She was within attacking distance… but he didn't attack her. "Give me that key!"
"I have to do it. It's a little tricky."
"Give me the goddamn key, prey!"
She thought for only a moment, but held it out to him anyway. He snatched it away from her, twisting so he could reach his leg. Yui took a moment to look up and her eyes widened in terror. Three large arctic foxes were circling them. Or more particularly, they were circling the injured Hybrid. They had their lips pulled back, teeth showing and they moved slowly, in sync with one another. They were getting closer, positioning to attack all at once.
I need to run. If I get away, they'll stay here because of the blood. They're here for him, not me… I can get away… I just have to run...
He was fumbling with the key. Yui knew she could roll a few times and be away from him and back down the trail to her safe home. Of course I didn't learn my lesson the first time. I keep making the same stupid mistakes—
The Hybrid yelped out in pain as he pulled on the trap, his leg tearing further. More blood spilled onto the snow as he cried out.
"Stop!" Yui screeched, just as one of the foxes snarled and took a leap towards them. She tore the key out of his hand, noticing how sharp his nails were and pushed it into the small hole on the underside of the trap. She'd only watched her mother do this once, and, praying it was one of her old traps, she gripped one end of the metal teeth and pulled with all her strength.
The Hybrid was barely able to pull his leg through when he tore his own skin to be free of the metal clutches. And with a violent howl, he ran at one of the foxes, ears flat against his blonde head of hair. Yui heard the smaller animal screech, but the other two dove on top of him and she could only watch as their teeth ripped open the Hybrid's back. She felt around for her stick, but she knew it was too thin to do any harm to any of them.
This is my chance. I have to run. I have to get out of here. Whoever wins this fight… is coming for me next. But for some reason, she had trouble believing her own thoughts.
She picked up the plastic water bottle she'd tossed to the wolf before, and chucked it as hard as she could at the tussle of sharp teeth, claws, blood and fur. It knocked into the side of the head of one of the foxes, who fell off the Hybrid's back. The wolf took the opportunity to elongate his claws and scratch it from its shoulder blade, up the side of its neck and across its face to the tip of its nose. Two of the foxes howled out in pain and backed off. Once the third backed off, they all suddenly turned and ran, and Yui felt relief wash over her… for only a second.
The Hybrid whipped around and turned it's bright, red eyes on her as it snarled. The claws on his hands were stretched out and sharp and dripping with the foxes' blood. There were teeth marks and blood on his back and shoulders, and his right leg looked mangled. And the snarl that erupted from his throat as he neared her was terrifying.
Not terrifying… she suddenly thought, seeing a strange look in those red eyes. He was getting closer and closer to her, and her heart was racing faster than she'd ever felt it before. Terrified.
"It's okay," she whispered. Then she forced herself to stand and she held her hands up for him to see. "It's okay. They're gone… It's okay. You're okay." Although he looked far from okay, the Hybrid dropped to his knees just before he reached her and she knelt down.
"I don't need your help," he snarled through heavy pants.
"Thank you."
"Shut up, prey," he muffled.
"If you didn't fight them, I'd probably be dead now."
"If you didn't run from me, you would've been dead yesterday," he growled, and for some reason, Yui laughed. The wolf's ears shot up and he showed his fangs at her.
"I'm sorry," she quickly said, pursing her lips. "We should go, before they come back. Or something worse comes."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Then how about you go back down this trail on your own, and I'll just follow."
"Don't treat me like a pup."
"You've lost too much blood." Yui looked him up and down and realized his body was shaking. He's freezing… "I can make a fire—"
"I said I don't need your help!"
"Please," she said, and his red eyes met hers, but they were a bit softer now, probably from how weak he was. "Please," she repeated. "If you fall unconscious here, I won't be able to carry you back. Just come with me, please."
"Why do you care—"
"I just do."
He looked down at the red-splotched snow between his knees and Yui was glad when he looked defeated. He has to know now that he'll die if he stays here… "Come on, can you stand?"
"Of course, I can!" he snarled, struggling to get up on one knee. And she watched as he slowly stood. If I try to help him, it will probably make things worse, she thought. But she stood nearby just in case he fell again. He glared at her every time he flinched and she raised a hand, about to steady him before taking it back. "How far away is this place, anyway?" he asked, nearly stumbling for the tenth time.
"Not much farther. You can see it up ahead through the snow."
"There's snow everywhere, you dumbass," he growled.
"Just keep walking straight and—"
"I don't take orders from weaklings like you!"
As he bleeds out into the snow, Yui thought, mentally rolling her eyes. Although she knew he was strong. He'd just fought off a trio of foxes after being stuck in a trap for a day. She figured his leg wasn't broken, or he wouldn't be able to stand on it, but there had to be some serious muscle damage, especially when he tore himself free as she was unlocking the metal teeth. She turned to see how bad the blood trail was behind them, and thought it was best to have him keep looking forward.
"Right here," she said, as they approached her home. It seemed like the Hybrid barely noticed where he was until he looked up and saw the front door. Yui unlocked it and opened it, thankful that her fire from earlier had kept it somewhat warm inside, although she would have to make a new one now.
It took her a moment to realize that he wasn't moving, and she looked up at him. He was wide-eyeing her home from outside the doorway, as if looking for any threats or traps. And she supposed she couldn't blame him. She'd led him into a Hunter's trap and she even turned up with the key to said trap, so she gave him his moment or wariness before he felt safe enough to step under the doorway.
"Most of the blood is dried, so I'll grab some warm cloths. You can lay down over there," she said, pointing to her couch in front of the stone fireplace. "I'll get you some food and water after if you're hungry."
"Or I could just eat you instead," he snarled. But at this point, Yui just rolled her eyes and stepped down the hallway.
"I'll call for a doctor once you're cleaned—"
"The hell you will!" he growled. "I don't need your stupid doctors!"
"You need a doctor," she replied sternly, "You could be permanently injured in your leg or—"
"I heal fine on my own! I'm not some weak Hybrid like you!"
Yui paused for a moment. "I'm… not a Hybrid." She looked at the floor when his ears twitched.
"What do you mean? You're… a human?" She could feel his red eyes on her.
"Fine, no doctors. I'll go grab the wet cloths. Just sit down so you don't bleed all over my floor."