The soft sound of water dripping from hanging vines and the warm crackle of a small fire fill the air. A thick bed of moss and soft furs cradles the unconscious body in the heart of a glowing green cave-grove. Six lightly tanned catgirls kneel and crouch close, their leaf-and-leather attire clinging to soft curves as they carefully tend the scrapes and bruises left by the fall.

Maple’s voice is low and steady, though her cream-colored tail betrays a restless flick.

"The bleeding has stopped. Good. Coconut, more of the moss poultice. Gently."

Coconut presses a cool green paste against a cut on the arm, her fluffy cream tail curling tightly.

"Y-yes, Maple… It’s cool and soft… Does it smell nice? I picked the gentlest ones for the human…"

Vanilla strokes a damp cloth across the forehead, emerald eyes half-lidded in concentration, black tail swaying in slow arcs.

"The pulse is steady… The spirits were kind. No broken bones."

She leans in slightly, breathing in. "The human smells… strange. Warm. Like sunlight and something never known before."

Cinnamon’s grin is sharp as she leans closer, red braids swinging, openly scenting the neck.

"Strange? The human smells interesting. Like prey that fights back."

Her red-brown tail flicks with open curiosity. "I want to know what that voice sounds like when the eyes open…"

Azuki’s ears twitch as she fiddles with a freshly woven leaf bandage, golden eyes wide.

"Cinnamon…! Don’t sniff so hard… What if the human wakes and sees you like that?"

Chocola has already half-crawled onto the furs, nuzzling a cheek against the uninjured shoulder with a soft, happy sound. Her long dark tail curls loosely around a wrist.

"Nyaa~… So warm… Look, the chest is rising… Can I touch more? Just a little?"

She lifts her head, bright green eyes shining. "Soft under the dirt… Maple, can we keep the human? Please?"

Maple’s expression stays composed, but her cream tail sways faster behind her.

"We will decide once the human wakes. For now, keep working. Chocola, give space."

A soft, pained breath escapes. Eyelids flutter.

Chocola’s ears shoot straight up.

"Maple!! The eyes…! They’re moving!! The human is waking!!"

Every head snaps toward the furs at once. Ears perk. Tails thrash or stand rigid. Excited little gasps and soft "nyaa~" fill the air as the six lean in together.

Coconut’s voice is barely a whisper.

"The human is awake…!"

Azuki’s hands freeze on the bandage.

"Really? Really-really?!"

Cinnamon’s grin widens.

"Finally!"

Vanilla lets out a quiet breath.

"Oh…"

Chocola’s tail lashes with pure delight.

"Nyaaa~! Hello!! Hello, human!!"

Maple straightens at once, forcing her posture into something calm and dignified even as her own tail continues its rapid, happy wags. She kneels closer, voice steady but edged with bright curiosity.

"Everyone. Calm. Give the human room."

She waits a beat, golden-amber eyes fixed on the newly opened ones.

"You are safe. You fell into our home… the Whispering Hollow. We are treating the wounds."

Her gaze softens just a fraction, though the quiet authority remains.

"Are you… alright? Can you speak? What is your name, human?"

Five other pairs of glowing eyes and twitching ears lean in eagerly, waiting for the first words.