He had no idea how long he'd been walking but he didn't care anymore. He had one goal and one goal only. Get his boyfriend back home safe and sound. He had no clue as to where that witch had taken him but he would find Jay if it was the last thing he did. He glanced around when he heard a stick snap. Cole noticed a small lake and realised how tired and thirsty he actually was. He needed to take a break, if only for a few minutes. How could he save Jay if he had no strength? He sat down beside the water and drank from it. After he'd had enough he jumped in and had a quick wash. Thankfully it was hot outside so he could dry off as he continued searching. He stayed in for a few minutes and swam around, then climbed out and carried on. His feet were still stinging from walking for so long but no amount of rest would heal them. He walked for a few more hours when he came across something he didn't expect. A leopard. It was glancing around and caught sight of Cole. It lowered it's body to the ground, ready to pounce. Cole stood on his hind legs, making himself bigger. The leopard stood up straight and watched the bigger animals with curious eyes. "Who are you?" "I could ask you the same thing. And why are you here, leopards don't live around these parts." "I am here on business, my friend wants help with something. She's a wolf and she said something about a rabbit? I think." "Oh really? I have business with a wolf too. Maybe she's the same one. Would you mind if I join you?" "No, of course not. The name's Nadakhan." "Cole."
Jay woke up with a start, he glanced around and realised he was alone in the cave. He got up slowly in case it was a trap and approached the entrance. And there she sat. Turning her head one way and then the other as if she was looking out for something. He was contemplating running for it, but he had no idea where he was and she was sure to catch him, especially with him in this state. If she did catch him, which she most likely would, she would kill him on the spot. He wasn't one to take chances and he most definitely wasn't taking this one. He stayed there though, curious about what she was watching for. Possibly Cole? He wished, but it probably wouldn't happen. His boyfriend didn't even know where he was, they had no chance of finding him. His ears drooped as he watched his captor. Suddenly she turned around and glared at him, "What are you doing? Go back to sleep." "But it's morning." "I said-" "Ok, Ok, I'm going." She seemed surprised by his reply. He sounded exactly like a moody teenager as he stalked off back into the cave. He plonked himself down on the floor and glared at the entrance.
The pair walked for what seemed like 5 minutes when Nadakhan said, "We are nearly there, you see that clearing up ahead? That's where she said she was." Cole realised that if they were this close, that he needed to think up an actual plan other than charging in there and getting Jay out. "I need to do something quickly, you can go on ahead. I'll catch up." Nadakhan let him go off and carried on after explaining that she lives inside a cave. Cole hid in the darkness of the trees and followed after Nadakhan. He watched as he approached the female wolf waiting outside of a cave. He held back a growl when he saw her smile. The pair chatted for a few minutes. He could sneak in and sneak back out but if he was spotted then he wouldn't be able to hold his own against a leopard. Besides doing that would more than likely put Jay in even more danger. He watched as they entered the cave. And his panic rose. What 'business' could they be doing together? With him? He forgot about any danger and rushed in. When he entered, he saw the leopard on top of his boyfriend, ready to end him. Jay's eyes moved in his direction, and Cole could see the tears. The wolf growled, "Do it! Now!" The leopard looked between Cole and the wolf. "I said do it now!!!" She was furious. The leopard looked down towards the bunny and hit. Jay cried out in pain, as the leopard hit him repeatedly. Cole tackled the wolf, and pinned her down. "I promised myself that I would never kill anyone in front of him. But I think I can let myself get away with it, just this once." He bite down on her neck. Hard. He heard a crack and dropped her, she was barely breathing. Nadakhan watched on with shock. "You...killed her... You killed her." He glared at the bear as he opened his mouth, his teeth sharp enough to break any bone. He went to pick up Jay, who was barely holding on as it was. Cole felt the fear and panic arise again and acted before he could think. Nadakhan had Jay's neck between his jaws, ready to break him, when Cole tackled him to the ground. Jay flew away from them and landed on the floor with a whimper of pain. Cole once again pinned him down. "I may have killed her, but you have bigger problems. Like me!" "C-Cole! Stop! Please..." He looked at his boyfriend, his fur was mainly red with his own blood. Then he glanced down at Nadakhan. "Fine! I'll let you go. But if you come anywhere near my boyfriend ever again. You'll be dead where you stand." He got off of Nadakhan who fled as soon as he had enough space to get up. Jay suddenly collapsed onto the floor. Cole rushed forward and caught him, ignoring the blood that was now staining his fur. He needed to find someway to get him home, but he wasn't going to make it. He couldn't even stand on his own feet. Jay snuggled into his fur and Cole held him close. He had to try. He might make it. He just might. "Jay, hold onto me Ok?" The bunny gave a sort of nod and Cole placed him on his back. He felt Jay's little paws cling to his soft fur and he took off sprinting. He had to be fast, he wasn't letting him leave him. Not like this. After 10 full minutes of sprinting, Cole ran out of energy. He knew he was about halfway there. But if he ran now, he wouldn't have any sprint left in him for the last few minutes. He picked Jay up off his back and walked holding him. He was just happy to see his electric blue eyes, even in a situation of death. He snuggled him and smiled. He could see the tree house in the distance. He grinned but noticed that Jay's eyes were closed. "Jay? Jay wake up, we're nearly there. Jay? Jay!" He wasn't responding, he felt a pit in his stomach forming. He clung to Jay and ran as fast as he could. Once there he called up to them. "Guys?!? Please! I need help!" They all came running out and glanced over the edge. "Cole! Hold on, I'll pull you up." Zane grabbed a hold of the rope and pulled. Once up there he jumped off and ran past all of them and set Jay down. He checked his heartbeat. There was none.
