Porcupine Ridge Oreos and milk

After being healed up (details vague as Takeshi's writer needs to make the thread), Shi had begun his journey homeward. He hadn't meant for the excursion to last so long... and Reiko's pups were likely due any day now. The blooming father did not want to miss their birth, and so his stormy eyes set themselves on the Vale, pace somewhat heightened. 

He scaled the ridge with practiced ease, having had experience climbing up and down the thing many times in hunting trips. But now his worry made him reckless, and often stones would clatter down from high distances as he shakily made his way upwards. A grove of trees caught his attention then, and he collapsed beside one, worn and still nursing his fresh wounds. Only after curling up at the base of one did he notice the stranger rather nearby, and he offered a quiet chuff, a friendly hello to distract himself.