Ronin POV

It was later in the day, after the whole morning incident. I was embarrassed by the whole thing and it was annoying to have to keep covering my neck whenever they mentioned it. Luckily, Takeshi had volunteered to take everyone else to the town to get them swimsuits.

An hour ago

Takeshi: You want me to get them out of here?

He yelled from the ground outside while I was on the roof, trying to stay out of sight from everyone else. He knew this was the type of place I went to get away from everything. I peeked my head over the edge and replied by throwing him my credit card, which he caught.

Me: Yeah, that would be great.

He smiled at me.

Takeshi: What friends are for.

I grinned at him.

Me: Yeah, thanks man.

Takeshi: No problem. Just, try to get your mind on something else. We'll see you in about an hour or two.

He said before walking inside and gathering everyone to the car. They sped off and I jumped off the roof, landing on the floor and rolling.

Present

It had been sometime, I didnt know exactly how much but it had certainly been long. It was only know that I realized that I had run out of logs to split.

Me: Welp, time to down another.

I chose the fire axe over the chainsaw since I didnt feel like smelling like car exhaust for he rest of the day. I walked to the edge of the forest and saw a dying tree. It seemed to be sick so I chose to cut it down. I began to swing, and swing, and swing. I swung the axe into the trunk of the tree and it slowly made the cut deeper and deeper. Before I made the final swing I put a rope around the upper part of it and left it a good distance away from the tree itself.

Me: Let's see if I remember this correctly.

I made the final swing, dropped the axe, and sprinted for the rope. I grabbed it and tugged on it with my full force and, fortunately, it panned out the way I expected it. It leaned heavily in the way I was and fell down to the snowy forest floor with a loud thud. I stood there prideful of what I had just done. If I hadn't done that, it probably would've hit a part of the cabin, so I was risking a lot.

???: No need to show off my guy!

I whipped around and saw them all, standing there, 4 were slackjawed, and the other was amused by their reactions.

Me: Kesh, why didnt you call in advance?!

Takeshi: Your phone is always on vibrate. Not my fault.

I quickly took my phone out of my pocket and saw 3 different calls and 2 messages from him. I sighed in frustration.

Me: God damn it!

I huffed and walked into the forest. Unknowingly, still carrying the axe.

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Kassandra POV

He did that all by himself. We saw everything. How he cut the tree down in only 30 or so swings and pulled it down himself. But, I was confused at why he was mad.

Rene: Why is he ticked?

Is what Rene asked in confusion. Takeshi smiled grimly and shook his head.

Takeshi: He doesnt like it when people know different things he can do.

Azula: Why?

He stared off for a moment.

Takeshi: Others used it against him in the past, and he doesnt want it to happen again. But, that's not my story to tell.

He turned around and walked back into the house, leaving us there, in confusion and wondering what had happened to Ronin.

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Ronin Pov

I walked through the forest, hoping the cold temperatures would cool my anger. I would sometimes take swings at the trees I past. Most, I missed and only spun myself in a circle. Others, I hit, leaving large gashes and cuts on them.

*yelp*

I looked to the ground to see a familiar creature. It was a white fox, but not only that, it was the same one I met last night. It came up to me and rubbed its body against my leg again, looking up st me with glinting eyes. I squated down and scratched it beneath its chin. I could see now that the possible scar I had seen the night before was a new gash that it had been given.

Me: What happened?

I lowered its head as in shame.

Me: Did you fight someone?

It lowered its head again.

Me: Was it for someone?

It hung its hung far down, its ears flattening to the side of its head.

Me: Did you lose?

It whimpered softly. I sat down on the cold, icy floor, and the fox soon curled up into my lap, whimpering softly. I stroked it, from the tip of its forehead to the base of its tail. It slowly stopped whimpering and now I only heard it softly purr.

Me: Do you wanna come with me?

It raised it head and ears at the same time and licked my hand in response.

Me: Alright then. Follow me.

I started to stand up as the fox walked off my lap, and began walking home. Following my own tracks the fox would occasionally pass through my legs or rub against them. Which led to me nearly stepping on him multiple times and almost falling over. After some time, we got back to the cabin, but I dont think it would be a good thing to bring him inside. Maybe the shed?

Me: Ok, we're here. But, I dont want the others to get scared because of you so you can live in here.

I opened the large shack and moved all the things to make a orderly living space.

Me: It may not be the best for now. But, tomorrow I will work on it and make it better for you, ok?

He yelped again and rubbed himself against me whilst purring.

Me: Rest now little one. I can see that you're still injured from that fight. I'll be bringing some water and food in a little.

He seemed to nod and went over to the corner, patted the ground a bit, before lowering himself to the floor and sleeping.

Me: Guess I gotta skin those rabbits now.

I went to the garage and the others seemed to ignore the noise I made. At least, all except Takeshi.

Takeshi: What are you gonna do?

Me: Skin the game I caught last night. Wanna help?

Takeshi: You know how I am about blood.

I chuckled.

Me: Yeah, yeah, I know you baby.

Takeshi: Be quiet.

We both laughed and I brought 3 rabbits outside along with my skinning knife. Slowly and methodically I sliced and cut through their, surprisingly, thick fur. It would sell for a decent amount at the city.

???: What are you doing?

I heard Rene's voice behind me.

Me: Skinning. Why?

Rene: Could I help?

I turned to him and raised an eyebrow to him.

Me: Do you know how?

Hw sheepishly smiled and turned away.

Rene: No, but I thought you could teach me.

Me: *sigh* Alright, sit down and grab a rabbit. And here.

I tossed him the knife and he caught it, before sitting down and grabbing the last rabbit. I slowly showed him how he had to cut the fur around the neck and pull it down from there all the way to the feet. Barehanded. After he did that he pumped his fists in the air.

Rene: Thanks man, that was a good pass time.

Me: You're welcome. Maybe you could hunt as a job later.

Rene: Yeah, sure. Oh, Kesh wanted me to tell you that everyone is gonna be in the pool later.

I narrowed my eyes.

Me: Alright, thanks for telling me.

He left inside and I would've followed him had I not remember about my friend in the shed.

Me: Alright, let's get you one of these.

I choose the second largest or second smallest, whichever, and went into the shack. The fox immediately perked his head up and trotted over to me, limping a little.

Me: Hey bud. Here's the food I promised, wait here for a little more and I'll bring you some water.

He licked my hand as I gave him the skinned rabbit. I walked out of the shack and into the cabin. Once in the kitchen I grabbed a decently large bowl and filled it with water. Fridge water mind you, not tap water since that stuff is nasty. I returned to the shack and gave it to the fox, he had already eaten one of the legs clean.

Me: Should I give you a name?

His ears spiked at this and he hopped around a little. I laughed.

Me: Alright, how about Polar?

His ears flattened.

Me: That's a no. Ummm, how about-

And it went on for a pretty long amount of time, each name was rejected in some way. Others a lot more dramatic than the other, before I said a name he seemed to like.

Me: Uhhhhh, Hunter?

He pranced around the shack before licking my hand.

Me: Alright Hunter it is.

I petted him before leaving the shack, leaving the door open if he needed to leave to hunt, or other things.

???: Ronin.

I turned and saw Kass, standing there and looking cute as ever.

Me: Yeah?

I responded in a monotone.

Kass: Can you follow me?

I raised my eyebrow in suspicion.

Me: Ok.

I said, dragging it out. She nodded and we went upstairs and into the bedroom. I was getting a bit nervous.

Kass: Can you wait here for a little?

Me: Um, what are you gonna do?

Kass: Can you just wait here?

Me: Sure?

I said, not all too confident in my answer. What made me a bit more nervous was the fact that she then went into the bathroom.

I didnt like where this was headed.