The Heartwood I know that I ended it,

Katmai flashed Leonore a bright smile, his tail wheeling in happiness.

"Look at it this way," he suggested, being perhaps just a little cheeky: "I've only just met her, too. Perhaps she'll like you even better than she likes me."

In fact — Katmai was just a little bit afraid that this might be the case. That made finding an actual gift for Kinusi even more important. He sniffed a little more deeply, redoubling his efforts.

"This way!" he said, picking up the pace. The scent of decay was old, but that was likely for the best. He picked his way through the thin little trees and soon came upon the bones of a long-dead raccoon. He cast his gaze around, and then began to dig through the leaflitter.

"Do you see a skull?" he asked, still feeling chirpy despite this somewhat disappointing find.