"Ah, this is the life!"
Su Yun sprawled on a sunlit slope in The Demons Forest, basking in the warmth. A snow-white rabbit the size of a toddler hopped onto his back.
"Whee! So comfy!" A girlish voice chirped.
*Female?* Su Yun tilted his head slightly before flopping back down. Suddenly, he jolted upright and craned his neck to inspect his underbelly.
*Phew. Still intact.*
"Little cow~" The rabbit materialized atop his head, patting his horns. "Can I borrow these pretty things?"
"Hey, lady!" Su Yun barked. "Ever heard of personal space?"
The rabbit froze. "Y-You understand me?!"
"Trade secret."
"But only Spirit Beasts can cross-talk species! Are you...?"
"Spirit Beast?" Su Yun perked up. "What's that?"
"You don't know?" The rabbit tilted her head. "Oh! You're one of those plow-pulling bulls from the human villages! Run away! This forest eats dumb cows like you!"
Su Yun's muzzle twitched. *Plow-pulling bull?!* "Why's it called The Demons Forest anyway?"
"I'm Bai Xiaoyue! Call me Xiaoyue!" The rabbit stamped her paw.
"Sure thing, *Little Rabbit*."
"Mean cow!"
"Wait—Xiaoyue! Explain the forest!"
Pacified, she resumed her perch. "Humans named it. They're scary! Avoid them!"
*Humans...* The word stabbed Su Yun's heart. *Could I ever return? Even if I did, I'd just be steak.*