Oikawa opened his eyes with a soft sigh. Sleeping on forest ground, even with a futon, was not exactly comfortable. But with the first sunrays flashing through the leaves around him, Oikawa knew he had just survived his first night in this forest.

The ash in his small campfire was still warm, the fire must have burnt out not too long ago- good for him, means he calculated the fuel intake just right.
Crawling out of his spot, Oikawa took a good look around. He knew he had come from that direction over there, but he didn't exactly remember which turns he had made.

Did he mark the trees?

"Of course I didn't, I'm such a fucking idiot...!"
Oikawa let out an exasperated sigh and crossed his arms. He could figure out his way to the village later- for now he had his eyes set on his goal.
The boy grabbed his bag and shouldered it, before stomping out the rest of the glimming ash and spreading it across the ground to destroy any possibility of it igniting again, then grabbed his trusty weapon.

Only when he started walking he noticed the animal tracks on the ground, all around his camp.

"Oh my..." he mumbled, taking a short glance around before crouching down. They were similar to the ones he had been following, but a little bit smaller.

So there is more than one of them, that's for sure.

Oikawa swallowed. There had always been just a single set of prints roughly the same size around the village, everyone had always assumed it was just a single animal. But multiple?

Was he even able to take down multiple of those creatures at once?

Oikawa had to overthink his strategy. And they did know he was here now, hunting them. They were intelligent, that far Oikawa could tell. Adapting their preying behavior around traps and guards within the village, and keenly hiding themselves within the underroot.

A little unsure, the boy stood up straight and looked around once more. Those prints were fresh- obviously they had been circling his camp throughout the night.
But that told him they were almost exclusively nocturnal. If he could find their den during the day and slay them... he would be victorious.

Oikawa straightened his back. He wasn't going to fail, he was the best of the up and coming hunters of his village. This was his test, he would finally become a man.

He took another deep breath.

Calm down. You're fine.

The surroundings smelled of wet leaves and moss, and he could see a bird nesting on one if the trees above. It was so peaceful in here- Oikawa would come here more often if this forest wouldn't hold such beasts.
Were they preying on humans, too? Oikawa wasn't exactly keen on finding this out.

On went his journey.

Climbing onto a thick root, he leaned against the tree next to him. Where did the prints continue? They had to lead him somewhere.

Step after step, hour after hour, Oikawa continued his pursuit.

He was almost aimlessly trailing along the path those beasts had made for him, carefully examining each and every print that would lead him further towards his goal.

Oikawa could feel himself getting closer and yet, as he took another look around, he could feel the forest growing darker. Should he take cover again?
There wasn't any holes nor caves nearby which he could use; and the roots were too wide spread to be able to shield him from wide animals.

Sighing, Oikawa looked up at a tree. This would be a very uncomfortable night for him.
Grabbing his spear, he rammed it into the trunk of the tree, before climbing onto it, using its leverage to hoist himself up to the nearest branch. Leaning down again, Oikawa pulled his spear from the trunk, before using it again to climb further.

Were those things able to climb? Oikawa wasn't keen on finding out about that, either. And yet, he couldn't exactly ignite a fire to keep wild animals away without setting the entire tree and himself on fire.

Goddammit.

Rapidly, Oikawa could watch darkness falling over the formerly idyllic piece of land, not even sure if he had climbed high enough.
"If necessary I might have to stay awake..."
Oikawa was almost positive he had to. Imagine risking falling off that branch in midst of sleeping, and ending up breaking his bones.

A found meal for any beast coming near him.

***

Oikawa snapped awake, immediately tensing. Pure darkness all around him, he couldn't see anything beyond the tree he was sitting on.

Did I fall asleep...?

Obviously. But then, what exactly woke him up? Oikawa slowly sat up, easily holding his balance on his branch.

Sharpening his senses.

Listening.

And then there it was-

Rustling. Fur brushing against the tree below.

Oikawa's heartrate picked up. Was that what he thought it was? He listened, closer.

Crunching leaves, steps, something was circling the tree.

Trying to remain calm, Oikawa slowly pressed against the trunk, praying to every god he knew to not lose his balance.
It knew he was here.

It knew exactly he was here.

For a moment, he contemplated. Should he attack? He had the advantage, the high ground. He could fall down, from the top rows, and just pierce that beast's skull with his spear.
Oikawa knew he had to.

It was his duty to do so.

Why wasn't he moving?

Rustling, again. It was brushing against the tree, almost inviting him down.
Oikawa took another look around. Were there any more? Just one trying to coax him down, while others would wait for his stupid mistake and pounce the moment he came into reach?
Trying to swallow the lump inside his throat, Oikawa's grip on his weapon became almost painful.

Paralyzed in fear.

Did that thing know how to climb?

Oikawa squeezed his eyes shut. He trapped himself like a rat. Seconds felt like hours, and he could feel the persistant steps around his tree, circling, preying, and Oikawa leaned forward.

Plunging down the tree with a scream of rage, spear aimed downwards.

A howl of pain split apart the night.