Alone

Danger

A/N: The beginning of the music video thing is pretty quiet so don't turn the volume up super loud if you don't hear it at first, cause it's louder after a few seconds.
**************************

-Third P.O.V.-

Tanoki raced through the forest, desperate to find the blue tiger she calls her friend. If she didn't find him quick, he could run into him. She couldn't loose a friend, not another one. Even if they had only known each other for a few hours, she had grown fairly attached to the big cat.

Her heart pounded as she continued to look for something, anything, that could lead her to him. Her prayers were answered as she came across a set of tiger tracks, but that also meant he could see them... That thought alone made her legs pump harder and faster, even though they were screaming in pain. Dodging trees, shrubs, and rocks, she neared a fallen log. She vaulted over it and taking off after the tracks again. She was beginning to slow down, due to stamina loss, when she heard heavy footsteps in front of her. Relief washed over her as she saw blue tail disappear into the bushes just ahead of her.

She gave one last burst of speed and exploded out of the greenery, almost tripping on a very startled Tonoko.

"Tonoko! Thank God you're okay!"
He looked at her, confused.
"Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Listen to me," she panted, "We have to get out of this area. You're in serious danger!"
The flabbergasted tiger blinked at the urgency in her tone, "Why? What's wrong Tanoki?"

"I'll explain later but for now we just have to-"

An arrow sticking the ground in front of her feet cut her off. She snapped her head up, glaring at the direction it came; Tonoko just started dumbfounded by what the odd looking object was, and how it got there so fast. The girl reached behind her and gripped what looked to the tiger standing after her like a short, very sharp and shiny stick.
'What's that thing for..?' He wondered.

Tanoki narrowed her eyes as a figure stepped out of the bushes, followed by a dozen more. She moved to stand in front of Tonoko, taking a protective stance.

"Well well well, Tanoki! What a pleasant surprise! Got another friend for me I see," The figure whom turned out to be a man said, glee and a slight hint of hate filling his voice.

The strange man looked about six feet tall, or possibly taller. He had a long scar running from his left temple down to the right corner of his upper lip, and his dark brown eyes held intense ambition. His back and scalp was covered by a black bear pelt, draping over his well-built form while the skull and top jaw lined with yellow teeth hung over his forehead. Ebony colored leather gloves covered his large hands, which one rested on the hilt of an iron sword; his feet were wrapped in the same leather for boots that went up to his mid-shin.

Tanoki gave an almost inhuman growl at the man, "What do you want," she hissed coldly. The man faked hurt and clutched his chest as he pretended to recoil at her harsh tone.
"Well Tanoki! Aren't you happy to see me? I thought we were friends..."

Tonoko blinked.
'If they're friends, then why is Tanoki being so aggressive towards him? Although I can't blame her... This guy makes me uneasy.'

The fake pain sewed into his previous expression faded almost instantly when he began to speak.
"You know what I want, Tanoki. I want the skin of that beast behind you."
The tiger's stomach lurched at his words. He was shocked that this human wanted his hide.

"Never! I won't let you lay a finger on Tonoko!" The now furious girl snarled, her eyes cold yet boiling with rage.

She ripped the dagger strapped to her backside out of its sheathe with a powerful grip and flipped it so it was facing away from her. Her menacing gaze trained on the tall Hunter, daring him to make a move. He narrowed his eyes at her strong denial and lifted his head so it was slightly tilted up.
"I see how it's going to be... So be it! FIRE!" His deep voice ran through the hollow they were in, signaling his henchmen hunters to release their arrows and bolts.