Jimin feels the shifting of the body beside him and opens his eyes, only to see Taehee sitting up, rubbing her tired eyes as she yawns.

"What time is it?" She mumbles to herself and turns to take a look at the grandfather's clock near the stairs.

10:47

"Oh, it's late. Come on, Jiminie, we should get ready for bed." The fox nods at her and jumps off the couch for her to stand. He silently follows her up the stairs, into her room and her bathroom. He sits and watches her as she brushes her teeth and washes her face. 

Many thoughts ran through his mind. How will it be like without her? No more Taehee's warmth. No more Taehee's love. No more the feeling of home.

Honestly, he doesn't think he can survive.

He is so used to the warm feeling of this house now. Out there in the forest, it was nothing but cold and loneliness.

He doesn't like it. He doesn't like it at all.

Once Taehee is happy with her oral cleanliness, she exits the bathroom with Jimin trailing behind her. When she opens her closet, Jimin automatically turns around, knowing that she would feel uncomfortable with him staring.

To her 'okay, done', he turns back around and jumps into bed, burying himself under the warm blanket. He knows damn well that he's gonna miss this bed too.

Taehee slips in beside him after she's done applying moisturizer on her face. And out of habit, she opens her arms and lets Jimin climb into the comfort of her embrace.

"Jimin-ah... About today... I just wanna let you know that you shouldn't feel guilty. I thought about it, and I think if your family wants you back, I have to let you go. I-I mean, I don't want to. But family always comes first. You can go back if you want to, Jiminie. I won't stop you." She mumbles against his head as she hugs him close. The pain is there again, in Jimin's chest. This time, it's unbearable.

He wants to be able to talk, so he could tell her many things he'll never able to say.

No. I don't want to leave.

I don't want to go.

My own blood only hurts me.

She's not my family.

You are.

Only you and the boys.

I love this place.

This house.

This family.

You.

Everything about you.

Your warmth, scent, the feelings you give me.

Your smile, hugs, pats, and words.

But he can't. He'll never be able to tell her those and get a response like those on the television.

Because I'm a god damn fox.

Then, he decides to shut all the thoughts out and just enjoy her company for the last time.

Just one last time.

__

It was in the middle of the night when Jimin climbs out of her bed. He presses his forehead against hers affectionately before he leaves the house through the window.

Goodbye, Taehee.

He walks through the way to the forest as slowly as possible.

Don't look back. Don't look back.

He chants in his head. Because he knows that if he does so, it'll only be harder for him to leave than it already is. His heart hurts, and his cheeks are wet with warm tears in the cold night. He misses the warmth of the house. He misses her already.

He enters the forest, the cold breeze hits him in his face like needles, piercing through his skin into his bones, sending chills up his spine. He hates this place. It reminds him of things he doesn't want to remember. He definitely doesn't want to be the leader that 'owns' this place either.

He knows well that his mother wouldn't just give him the position. To be the leader, you need to be strong, both physically and mentally. You have to be merciless, cold, ruthless, and heartless.

No emotions. Show no emotions. Have no emotions. Because emotions only make you weak. Vulnerable. It does you no good. Keep that in mind. Is what his mother had been telling him almost every time she sees him. He had never listened to her. All her spits of poison, her dissing of humans, it only irritated him.

He was so into thinking things, he didn't realize that he had already arrived at his mother's den. His mother comes out almost immediately. Her five senses are twice more sensitive than Jimin's since she hunts a lot. 

You came. She speaks, her voice cold in his ears. He stands up straighter before his mother, ears raised.

Yes. You better keep your promise and leave them alone. I'll do whatever you want now.

His mother licks her paws in approval. She takes a good look at the fox; his petite, skinny figure doesn't please her at all.

Get some rest tonight. We start training tomorrow. She turns and walks back into her den.

Jimin stands still outside, debating on whether to follow her or not until another strong wind blows, making him shiver.

Hell, begins now.