Anna no longer had anything she could use as a weapon.
She couldn't even get up off the ground.
All she could do was watch helplessly as the Raccoon Dog's hand drew closer and closer.
A furry hand unlike a human's.
It really wasn't a Raccoon Dog.
How could a Raccoon Dog be this hard to deal with?
Or this... terrifying?
"You scared her."
The sudden voice made both the girl and the Raccoon Dog freeze.
"Lei."
Xiao Xiao grabbed Lei's hand.
Lei instinctively tried to fight back.
But it found that its strength was no match for his.
Lei's expression turned grave.
Who... was this human?
Anna's eyes widened.
"...It's you."
"Master Xiao..."
"We meet again."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Seems like every time I see you, you're in a bit of trouble."
The corners of Anna's eyes reddened at once.
The burning sensation made her flinch.
"It's all right now."
Seeing the girl on the verge of crying, yet trying to hold it in, Xiao Xiao gently reassured her.
"Let's get you up off the ground first."
"Can you get up by yourself?"
Anna pressed her lips tightly together.
She nodded.
A scorching drop fell onto the back of her hand.
She lowered her head in alarm.
"I'll help you up."
Xiao Xiao moved Lei's hand slightly.
Lei couldn't help but stumble back a few steps.
It rubbed its wrist.
A faint, sharp pain spread through it.
Xiao Xiao reached out to the girl.
Anna kept her head lowered.
Her tears were falling, one after another, beyond her control.
She didn't want anyone to know she was crying.
She didn't know why... lately, she'd been especially prone to tears... crying over the smallest things...
She'd already cried several times.
She