The Heartwood Everything, everything, everything.

the native continues to travel, not intending to stay in place for long. her intent was to find her way back to the sunbeam lair, and then to lost creek hollow as well. but shikoba knows that oftentimes, plans will not always go as they should. rather than force a concrete idea, she allows herself to follow where the wind blows her. eventually, she knows she will end up where she is needed to be at the time.

for now, she leaves behind the summit and the raven-haired girl who teaches about stars. it was a lovely time with her. agouti paws stretch across the terrain as she enters a new piece of land that she hasn't explored before. she takes notice of the many burnt trees, only a few remain tall. 

she looks around in a concerned manner, wondering how many animals were forced to become spirits due to this carnage. a saddned breath escapes her lips as she touches her nose to a blackened tree stump. the life spirit is gone, she feels no heartbeat within this tree that once stood proudly. she takes caution to step lighter as she travels, not wanting to disturb any places where animals may have been laid to rest after the disaster.

though, before her, she sees something that catches her eye. the scarred female has to rub her eyes against her leg, ensuring that she is seeing something correctly. at first, she thought she was seeing the spirit of a wolf walking towards her, one that is young and killed off too quickly. yet, with a quick recheck, this one is very much so alive, and seemingly troubled. shikoba is no counselor, and is even worse at comforting because she struggles to find her words. yet, she takes a tentative approach to the girl, chuffing as an alert that she is present.