134340 |JJK FF|

Chapter 11

"This's the storage you were talking about, Rabbit?"

"Thissss isss unprotected issss... "

"You left them just like that?"

"Of course, I did not! I left one of my trusted friends here-but where is he?" The old rabbit darted around, obviously looking for the guy who was currently crouched close next to Yumi in the bushes.

Jeongguk muttered, "Moron."

"Let him beeeeee. He probably went away for a pissssss..." the reptilian voice hissed.

"I don't hear anything, though. You sure they're there?"

"Of course, they will be here! Here..." The door was opened with a sharp click that made Jeongguk shudder next to the humans.

There was a long, long silence, that stretched on for what seemed forever. It was broken by one of the voices, "Well? Where are they?"

"T-they should be h-here, but-but-"

"Should? Should? You, Rabbit, tell me where they are! Now!"

"They should have been here! Where are they?!" the humans heard the rabbit Chief dash out of the cabin, his ears straining to hear any signs of movement.

Jeongguk's hand found itself against Yumi's startled mouth as he pressed himself closer to her, holding his breath as he stared at the older with big eyes. A bead of sweat appeared above his eyebrow as the Head turned in their direction.

Yumi did not dare to move as her twanging heart lodged itself into her throat as the Head took a step in their direction. A pool of saliva collected at her mouth which she did not have the guts to swallow, terrified of making any noise. Jeongguk pressed his palm against her lips again. He was perfectly still, not one muscle making a sound, even his breathing didn't make a sound.

Yumi felt dizzy as the Head took one more step in their direction.

She pressed her lips together, where a smear of sweat had already appeared. Wisps of hair flew into her eyes as Jeongguk's hot breath blew at them, but she did not notice. She did not notice anything till the Head turned away desperately to face the raging Chiefs from the other species of animals, who also joined him out of the cabin.

"Dear Pluto!" a female voice yelled loudly, "Where are they?! They are nowhere to be found!"

"Look around, they can't be far!"

"Stay here," Jeongguk breathed almost inaudibly into Yumi's ear, "I'll show them away. Don't move,"

Yumi would argue, she really would. But her breathing was promptly shortened when one chief took a step too close in their direction. So she had nothing to do but watch as he transformed into a little brown rabbit and took off to the other side.

Seconds passed.

Then minutes.

The Heads were still prowling for their sight. Another minute of breathing in silence and Yumi was suddenly struck with a horrible suspicion. Did Jeongguk betray them? Was this all a trick played by him to break what little hope they had? Was this all planned by him?

One chief strayed too close for her liking. She held her breath as best as she could. One movement, one tiny flex of her muscles, and she'd give the entirety of her team off.

The chief sniffed at the air and reached out in their direction, so close that, had she not been so panicky that her vision was blurred, Yumi would have been able to tell what species he belonged to. He was close now, so close that Yumi was sorely tempted to just give herself up and be done with it. Be done with that feeling of panic. Just as her loose grip on her composure was leaving her, there was a shout from the other side of the road.