the berry meadow. a place that should have been full of life and vibrancy, yet there was something heavy about it. despite the rainbow sonata of colors that danced before his eyes, it felt almost sultry, oppressive even. the sweet scent of ripened fruit filled the air, but it was undercut by something else—something off. a chuff escaped the senshi as he moved forward, stepping carelessly on a cluster of berries. they squashed beneath his paws, their juices staining his fur. with a grimace, he lifted a paw to his nose. the smell was bitter, sharp, and he scoffed, wiping it off to the side. how minimally invasive this place had become—wild berries underfoot like they were nothing more than pebbles. but there was something more at play here. his brother's scent still lingered in the air, faint but unmistakable. and others, too—by his count, there were more than a few, and he couldn't help but wonder who might stumble across this place next. if anyone dared. jiro wasn't exactly the kind of company you'd seek out willingly.