Emberwood You left behind more than memories

please let Himori post first :)

It had been a few days since their sparing session, and their decision to head inland. It had also been a few days since his encounter with that rouge. He could still feel the bruises. And it took everything he had not to limp, his back-left hip still bothering him. Yuudai had so far hid his discomfort from @Himori, but he could only guess how much longer he could get away with it.

The sun was barely clearing the horizon when the scent drifted toward him. Yuudai halted suddenly, his nose tipped toward the sky, a familiar scent on the wind. @Reiko? He thought to himself. “Do you smell that? Yuu whispered over his shoulder. “Come on.” He headed off in search of the scent’s origin.

Reaching the top of a small embankment, Yuudai’s nose hovered over the ground. His tail wagging behind him, and his ears pulled forward searching for the sound of someone walking nearby. The scent was getting better as he followed it, more distinct. Until he was running through the trees, confident that he was right on top of her.

And suddenly.

She was there. A pale creature of ivory, her regal gaunt carrying her through the towering trees. “Reiko…” The name slipped off his tongue, a sigh morphed into a whisper.