[Hyenadog]

Hitsugi kept his eyes closed tight, still trying to calm his breathing. He was trembling against Lucien, heart pounding away in his chest. He leaned his head back, leg twitching like he wanted to kick away the source of his pain.

He scrunched up his face when the man said he was going to pull the arrow out, only to make a surprised noise when he exclaimed about something in the river. He opened his eyes to look, his brain too focused on it to register the cut or the arrow being pulled. It took a moment, but the pain shot up his spine like white-hot fire.

He gave such a cry that all the trees were suddenly empty of birds. He slapped both hands tightly over his mouth, making muffled noises of pain as his eyes watered and face turned red. He eventually pulled his hands away to breathe properly, cursing and panting as he hit his fist on the ground beside him, trying to pull his mind's focus away from the wound.

He hadn't even noticed the distinct roundness to his belly. It was subtle, but easily seen