Whitebark Stream I clearly looked happy

@Salvatore

Gone from the lair once more, home to her back. She was still adjusting; Kaori left her mother and family behind in order to return to the lair, to seek out the one place that always called to her. But a beast landed on their doorstep, a visitor she refused any meetings with, for a fighter, she was not—and a fighter she would not be, nor would the others fall to injury, the decision to move on made instead. She found herself wondering if the right decision was made: should she have followed them? It was far too late to turn back now, however, as they had all since arrived and been welcomed in. But still, she couldn’t help but wonder…

Kaori quieted her wandering thoughts and stole away to the stream; a distraction might prove beneficial to her mental health, she decided. And so she found herself weaving through the wintry trees, following the sound of tails as they beat the water’s surface; a warning to those that invaded the waters, predators introduced to prey.