The rabbit-woman moved like a blur, dashing forward and launching a straight kick at Rikuya's neck with blinding speed. Rikuya reacted instinctively, swaying his neck just enough for the kick to miss, the air whistling as it passed inches from his skin.
In a split second, Rikuya threw a fast jab toward her, but the rabbit-woman was just as quick, dodging to the side with ease, her body twisting out of reach.
Without hesitation, she countered with a rapid hook kick, her leg slicing through the air. Rikuya swayed back to avoid the kick, the force of it barely grazing his chest. But the rabbit-woman was relentless. She followed up with a series of three lightning-fast kicks, each one coming from a different angle.
Rikuya dodged left, narrowly avoiding the first, then quickly swerved right to escape the second, feeling the rush of air from her foot as it passed. With the final kick aimed for his side, Rikuya executed a smooth sidestep to the right, his body moving with precise fluidity.
He didn't waste time. As soon as he found his position, he unleashed a barrage of rush right punches, aimed directly at her torso. But the rabbit-woman was ready. Her legs moved in a graceful, defensive arc, blocking each punch effortlessly with the strength of her limbs, her body agile and unyielding as she absorbed every strike.
As Rikuya's barrage of rush punches continued, the rabbit-woman effortlessly blocked each strike with her legs, her muscular thighs flexing with power as each punch collided with them. Rikuya couldn't help but notice the sheer strength in those legs—thick, toned, and impossibly powerful. He found himself momentarily distracted by how fluidly her thighs moved, blocking his attacks with ease.
"Damn…" he muttered under his breath, his eyes lingering for just a moment longer than he intended. Those thighs… they were something else.
The rabbit-woman's legs, seemingly sculpted from pure muscle, raised slightly as they absorbed his blows, her body still poised and unyielding. The sight was captivating—she was every bit the formidable opponent, yet Rikuya couldn't deny the appeal of her strength.
Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, Rikuya snapped back into focus, realizing that his respect for her physical prowess wasn't going to win him this fight. He needed to stay sharp—if only his mind could catch up with the sight before him.
Before Rikuya could fully snap out of his distracted thoughts, the rabbit-woman moved with surprising speed, locking her thighs around his neck in a vice-like grip. Her powerful legs constricted, and Rikuya found himself momentarily immobilized, his head trapped between her muscled thighs.
Rikuya's eyes widened as he struggled to breathe, the strength in her legs almost overwhelming. For a brief moment, he was caught off guard by the sheer power and control she had over him.
Despite the pressure, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he glanced up at her with a mix of amusement and admiration. "Well, I gotta admit... I like it," he said, his tone teasing as he glanced at her powerful thighs that were holding him firmly in place.
The rabbit-woman's expression didn't change, though she seemed to acknowledge his comment with a small, knowing glint in her eye.
Rikuya, now fully aware of the danger, shifted his weight and prepared to break free, but not before appreciating the sheer physicality she brought to the fight.
Rikuya's hands locked tightly around the rabbit-woman's thick, sculpted thighs, still squeezing his neck like a living vice. Gritting his teeth, he planted his feet firmly into the dirt. His calves flexed, legs tensed, and his abs rippled with strain as he slowly began to rise, lifting her with raw strength.
Muscle fibers bulged as he stood tall, then with a roar of effort, he brought her crashing down—BAM!—her back slamming into the ground with a solid impact. She let out a sharp grunt, her grip loosening just slightly.
But Rikuya wasn't done.
Still holding her thighs, he gave a cocky grin, exhaled, and muttered, "Wood."
In a blur, he dashed backward, dragging her mid-air before swinging her hard—WHAM!—into the trunk of a tree. The impact made the bark splinter and the rabbit-woman release a cute, breathy moan that echoed into the forest.
Rikuya's smirk grew. "Didn't know monsters came with sound effects," he joked, eyes gleaming as the tension between them thickened.
But the rabbit-woman wasn't down for long.
The moment her back hit the tree, her strong legs coiled like springs. Without warning, she twisted her body and spun, one leg slicing through the air like a blade. The motion was fast—graceful, yet brutal.
Whssh! The edge of her kick grazed Rikuya's chest, cutting through the air just inches from his skin.
"Tch—fast," he muttered, taking a swift backstep to avoid the full force of the follow-up.
But she didn't stop.
She spun again, faster this time, using the momentum of her powerful thighs and hips. Her movements were a blur, legs whipping with the precision of a martial artist and the raw power of a beast.
Rikuya's stance lowered, eyes sharp, every sense dialed in. "Alright, round two," he said under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The rabbit dashed in, her knee driving forward like a spear. Rikuya reacted instantly—he launched a jab straight at her face.
But it was a trap.
She twisted mid-charge, using the knee as a feint. In a blink, she pivoted to his side—thud!—one solid kick slammed into his ribs. The pain rippled through his side, but he gritted his teeth and turned just in time to block the second kick with his elbow.
"Tch… sneaky," he growled.
He snapped his fist forward—a Shadow Jab. It wasn't meant to hit. It blurred in front of her eyes, a flicker of movement that threw off her rhythm.
Then came the real strike.
Rikuya dipped his shoulder, his step deliberately slow and casual—drawing her guard. Then in a flash—CRACK!—he exploded upward with a Cobra Feint uppercut, aimed straight for her exposed ribs.
The speed and timing—devastating.
But the rabbit wasn't done.
As Rikuya's uppercut came in, she spun—her body rotating with a sudden burst of torque. Whoom! A wide, hooking kick tore through the air. He ducked just in time—the force of her strike slammed into the ground beside him, CRACK!—earth fractured beneath the blow.
She spun again, fluid as wind, launching a brutal straight back kick mid-air, her foot rocketing toward his chest like a hammer.
But Rikuya's eyes locked in.
His body shifted—barely. He absorbed the motion of the attack, the heel of the rabbit's foot grazing past his side with the faintest pressure.
And in that heartbeat—
Phantom Counter.
He slipped in, his body weaving inside her range with precision, and THUD!—unleashed a vicious counter straight into her core, the kind of strike that twisted momentum into power.
The counter landed solid, making the rabbit grunt as air escaped her lungs—but Rikuya wasn't finished.
His stance shifted in a blink. Shoulders rolled forward, arms tucked close, fists tucked just below his cheeks—Hitman style. Eyes sharp under his brow, legs loose but grounded.
He surged forward.
Bam! Bam! Two rapid jabs snapped out, testing her guard.
Then came the barrage—tight, brutal, efficient.
Crack! A right cross to the cheek. Thud! A hook to the ribs. Wham! An uppercut screamed up the middle, followed by another body hook and a snapping jab that pushed her back, step by step.
Each punch flowed like water—no wasted movement, only precise violence. Rikuya's rhythm was a storm. Controlled chaos. A machine in motion.
Just when Rikuya had her reeling, the rabbit slammed her foot into the ground with a powerful stomp.
The earth shuddered beneath him—dust and rocks flew everywhere, and his footing slipped for a split second. "Damn, girl," he muttered, catching himself. "You really know how to shake the ground." He grinned, rubbing his jaw as he steadied himself. "That's some serious leg power."
Before he could recover fully, she spun, her legs moving with a speed that was almost impossible to track. Her kick landed with devastating force. Rikuya blocked it, but the impact still sent a shockwave through his guard, forcing him to step back.
He took a breath, his grin widening as he flexed his arms, feeling the sting in his shoulders. "You've got more power in those legs than some boxers have in their entire punch," he said, clearly impressed. "But you know, it's not about the hits you take. It's about getting back up after the knockdowns."
He cracked his neck, taking a steadying breath. "That's why I'll keep going. Boxing's not about avoiding the punches, it's about making sure you stay on your feet when it's all over."
Rikuya's fists moved quickly, a sharp jab with his left, then another quick left jab, followed by a straight punch. The rabbit dodged with ease, her body slipping out of the way with almost supernatural grace.
Without missing a beat, she retaliated, firing off a straight kick aimed right at his midsection. Rikuya swayed back, narrowly avoiding the strike, but she didn't stop there. As soon as he moved in, she launched herself into a flurry of counterattacks.
Rikuya closed the gap, rushing in with a series of rapid punches aimed at her side, but the rabbit blocked each strike with a sharp flex of her powerful thighs. Her legs absorbed the blows like solid steel.
Then, she spun—fast, like a whirlwind. Her leg whipped around in a back hook kick, coming straight for his head.
Rikuya ducked just in time, the kick missing by inches. He moved quickly, countering with a sudden uppercut aimed right at her torso. But the rabbit was too quick.
In a smooth, fluid motion, she rolled mid-air, dodging the blow as if she had predicted it from the start.
The tension was palpable as they both took a moment, sizing each other up.
The rabbit dashed toward him, her body moving with an incredible burst of speed. Rikuya watched, his eyes narrowing as her muscles tensed in preparation for her next move. With a swift leap, her two feet launched toward him, aiming to strike.
But Rikuya's instincts kicked in. He swayed back, his body bending just enough to avoid the incoming attack. As he leaned backward, time seemed to slow, and his gaze naturally followed the rabbit's powerful legs.
Her thighs flexed, muscles rippling beneath her skin as she launched the kick with precision and grace. There was something almost mesmerizing about the way her legs moved—each muscle tight and defined, working in perfect harmony with the rest of her body.
Rikuya, momentarily caught in awe of the sheer power and beauty of her legs, couldn't help but appreciate the strength behind them.
He shook his head, snapping out of it, and smirked. "Hah, didn't think a monster could be this... impressive. But I'm not done yet." He refocused, prepared for her next move.
The rabbit swiftly lunged forward, attempting to trip him with a well-timed undersweep. Rikuya's reflexes kicked in just in time, and he jumped, avoiding the ground swipe with ease.
Before he could land, the rabbit spun mid-air, her body twisting with fluid grace. She charged toward him with a spinning dash, her legs extended in a powerful downward side kick aimed at his head.
But Rikuya wasn't caught off guard. As the kick descended toward him, he grabbed her ankle with precise timing, his grip tight and unyielding.
With a grunt, he slammed her down to the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. She hit the earth with a thud, but Rikuya didn't let go, keeping a firm hold on her leg.
"Guess you've got some moves," he said, looking down at her with a grin. "But I'm not finished yet."
The rabbit launched into a flurry of rapid kicks, even while Rikuya held onto her leg. He leaned back, twisted, and dipped under every strike, narrowly avoiding them with precise footwork. With a sharp breath, he finally released her leg.
She hit the ground, dashed again—this time feinting left, then sliding to his side with surprising speed.
But Rikuya was already moving.
He drove a brutal punch just under her ribs, slipping past her guard and making her jolt with a gasp. Without giving her a second to recover, he dashed to her blind side in a blur. From a low stance, he threw a hook so heavy it twisted her whole upper body.
And he didn't stop.
One more punch slammed into her ribs, followed by a sharp hook to her neck, and then an uppercut that connected with clean, devastating force under her jaw.
The rabbit's legs gave out.
She dropped to the ground, seated, breathing hard. Her chest rose and fell with exhaustion. Then she looked up at him—eyes wide, a tired but strangely soft expression on her face. The wild ferocity faded for just a moment, replaced by something vulnerable.
Rikuya exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Damn," he muttered, staring down at her. "You're one hell of a fighter."
The rabbit looked up at him, trembling slightly—her chest still heaving from the brutal combo. Her eyes widened, alert with fear, her ears flattened against her head.
Rikuya saw it.
He raised both hands slowly, his expression softening. "Hey, hey… I'm not gonna eat you."
Her ears perked straight up.
Her eyes widened even more—not in fear, but in surprise. A second passed… and then she lowered her head shyly, cheeks warming under her fur. She raised her hands, and with her index fingers, she pressed them together timidly—like some awkward anime girl unsure what to say.
Rikuya blinked.
"…Seriously?" he mumbled, a half-smile creeping across his face. "Now you wanna act cute?"
The rabbit let out a quiet, high-pitched whimper and avoided his gaze.
He sighed, hands on hips. "You tried to break my ribs five times. Now you wanna play the shy card."
She just blinked at him again… and tilted her head.
Tsuki barked from the branch above, tail wagging like this was the most wholesome thing he'd seen all day.
With the rabbit clinging softly to his back, arms wrapped around his neck and her cheek pressed lightly to his shoulder, Rikuya carried her through the trees. Her breath was warm on his skin, her nose twitching now and then as she sniffed curiously at his scent—like she was memorizing it. Tsuki, perched proudly on his head, looked down occasionally like a tiny general surveying his squad.
They found a small clearing, moonlight slicing through the trees like silver ribbons. Rikuya set her down gently against a tree trunk, where she watched him with wide, unreadable eyes. Her fur glowed under the moonlight, and the way her chest rose and fell, still catching her breath from the fight, made his throat dry.
He set to work quickly—building a modest shelter out of branches and leaves. With Tsuki watching the fire, Rikuya went hunting, coming back later dragging a massive boar over his shoulder. The meat sizzled over the fire, the savory scent filling the forest as Tsuki snored nearby, belly full.
Later, under the glow of the fire, the rabbit crept closer. Her steps were slow, cautious, like a feline hunting something—but her wide, glimmering eyes said something else. Her ears flicked with every crackle of flame, her expression curious… playful… mischievous.
Rikuya glanced at her, raising a brow. "What's up? Still trying to break my ribs?"
Instead of answering, she knelt beside him, her nose twitching again. She reached out slowly, poking his chest with a finger—then immediately pulled back like she was testing something fragile.
"You're really… not like the others, huh?" he murmured, even though he knew she couldn't speak. Her body language was enough.
She inched closer, resting her head lightly on his shoulder this time, the way her breath tickled his collarbone sending shivers down his spine. Her thighs shifted as she settled beside him, soft and muscular from battle, brushing against him just enough to make him aware she was there.
He didn't move. Just stared at the fire and whispered with a smirk, "I guess even bunny warriors need warmth, huh?"
Her ears flicked at the word "warmth"—and she snuggled a little closer.
The fire crackled.
Steam rose from the last of the meat.
And under the stars, a warrior, a beast, and a strange, silent rabbit shared something more than just warmth.