[Uke]

--

The sun rose slowly the next morning, just as it always did. The hunting party scattered out, looking for both food and for more lost little siblings.

Rathi continued along with the party but hung back a little when he spotted something moving. When he reached for one of the others, they had already gone.

A pout on his face, the boy moved toward the form and slowly approached, careful to have his tail at the ready. He had no wings - the effect of being a hybrid - but he was just as good with his tail as any of the other children his age.

He wasn't, however, anticipating the razor-thin string that snapped as he moved through it, sending a heavy net crashing down onto his form.

--

It was sunrise by the time they reached the city, or at least it might have been. The air was bright, but Shotaro couldn't be sure if it was from the sun rising, or the huge fire that was engulfing the town in flames.