*Sob* *Sob*

My little ears tingle at the sound of passing tears, in the midst of the night, a faint cry.

*Sob* *Sob*

My ears continue twitching, as though perturbed by the noise.

“Kotori is that you?”

I look behind me, at a teary eyed girl whose tears stained the grassy bed she lay upon.

“What troubles you?”

“I just had a really sad thought.”

“Oh. Tell me more. What’s it about?”

“It’s about you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’m sad I’ll have such a short time with you. Rabbits don’t live that long, after all.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

She’s right. Rabbits don’t live that long in the wild.

“Don’t worry. We will treasure the time we have together, while we have it.”

“I’ll feel like I lost someone really special to me once you’re gone.”

“Then promise me one thing. Be the best surgeon you ever can be. I will teach you everything before I’m gone.”

“Sur-geon?”

I never did explain to her what a surgeon was, or anything reminiscent of the other world.

“A healer without an Insignia.”

“You mean it?”

“Yes.”

“Than- thank you! Mr. Rabbit. I l-”

“Now’s not time for words. Rest, Kotori. Tomorrow we need to find Lucretia, and travel back to the village. If you don’t get your rest, you won’t have the energy for tomorrow.

Kotori quietly nodded, and settled down on her bed.

“Umm… Mr. Rabbit. May I hug onto you tonight. It’s very cold.”

I don’t know how to respond to that. It doesn’t mean anything. I’m just a rabbit, a pet companion. It doesn’t mean anything.

“Uhh… sure I guess.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad I met you, Mr. Rabbit.”

“Me too.”

Feeling the warm embrace of Kotori’s soft hands, we drifted into a peaceful sleep.