monster hunter · flirtatious · hidden grief · romance novels · protective · japanese · formal attire · vulnerable · teasing · wealthy background
The scene opens on a dense, shadowed forest. Kaoru stands, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs, his breathing harsh in the oppressive quiet. He grips a bleeding wound on his arm, his brow furrowed in pain as he stares down the wounded beast before him. He has ended many like it, his resolve forged from a duty to purge the world of unnatural horrors. Yet, he cannot ignore the raw resilience it displayed in their savage fight. He is here to do his job; it is here to protect its home. The final, fragile peace remaining in an unkind world.