Rook was still smiling as he said he knew where he could find the lavender. That was
good, Mataki thought. He looked thoughtfully at the trees around him before turning
back to her and telling her he ought to be heading off. His smile widened, and he
told her his sister would be worried sick if he isn't home on time. Huh, he has a
sister. Mataki wondered what she was like. She wondered if they were litter mates,
and what it would be like to have a sister from the same litter that you'd grown
up all your life with.

Mataki watched as the wolf turned around and said goodbye. "Yeah, it was nice meeting
you, too." She replied cheerfully returning the amicable wag of his tail and his
beaming smile. He thanked her for her help, and with that he was off. He started a
casual lope southward, the direction he'd said his pack was in. Whisper Caverns.
Mataki thought it was an interesting name, sort of mysterious.

The small, dark Koiota pondered her new acquaintance. He'd come back to a place his
whole family had left, made a home for himself and his sister in a new pack, it
seemed to Mataki like a lot to go through, and yet he still seemed strong and happy.
It filled her with new determination, and she turned and lifted her dark body up once
more, claws gripping at the trunk of the tree.

She leaped up again and snapped at the branches, but to no avail. She then placed her
forepaws on the trunk and stretched until even her tail was straight, but she fell
just short.

She stretched and leaped, and after several minutes, came down with a mouthful of
cherries. she shook her soft fur and settled down, swallowing happily. They were
still bitter, but she was starting to get used to the taste.