Marik couldn't fall asleep that night.
He was far too excited to even close his eyes, so he sat at the entrance of the cave instead, blocking it with his body to preserve as much warmth as possible for the sleeping Sisi and Jojo.
He tossed another log onto the fire to keep the embers from dying as the cold wind began to blow harder.
It was an especially cold winter night, even though spring was already nearing, yet Marik didn't feel cold at all.
He stole many glances at Sisi, who was hugging Jojo in his beast cub form to preserve warmth. She pulled the bear-pelt blanket they had made earlier higher as the cold wind brushed against her shoulder. Seeing her shiver made Marik even more determined to bring them to Jing Forest once spring arrived.
Winter in Jing Forest wasn't nearly as harsh, and the summers weren't as scorching as those in Roc Forest. The beastman-eating plants there weren't as enormous or dangerous, nor were the beastmen and animals as hostile.
