Blackberries, the sweet smell tickled his nostrils. He saw the look on her face and the way she stared at her paws. He looked around. Was there a river nearby. He could help her clean her paws with sand if he could find one. But he didn't know this valley well enough.

The look upon her face said much. And he realized fairly swiftly that she was not a wolf used to hard work as he was. A wolf that would fall apart out here. He frowned in thought. Knowing this made things a little bit clearer. And based by the fact that her language was fairly accented. He'd be willing to bet she had been someone important at some point. What that was even he didn't know. Everyone was someone once for something or for someone.

He tilted his head and pulled the nearest hare closer. Splitting along the seams with dew claws and teeth, he had it quickly degloved so to speak for her to sink her teeth into. Blue eyes watchful. Ears erect. He knew no one here.

[this man, he is more observant than the others. she misses Shinjou all the same, but she has not tolerated his regard of yotsuba. clover is all she has. he is the only one who has remained at her side in such a way. blood-scent fills the air, rich and sticky. her stomach clenches. "thank you." slowly. savoring. if kaede repeats it enough times, he will come to learn it. she wonders if he is the sort of man who wants to be repaid. she wonders if she is the sort of woman who can repay. the lady bows her head over the meal, forcing herself to eat slowly. she saves a portion for yotsuba.]

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this man, he is more observant than the others.

she misses Shinjou all the same, but she has not tolerated his regard of yotsuba.

clover is all she has. he is the only one who has remained at her side in such a way.

blood-scent fills the air, rich and sticky.

her stomach clenches.

"thank you." slowly. savoring. if kaede repeats it enough times, he will come to learn it.

she wonders if he is the sort of man who wants to be repaid.

she wonders if she is the sort of woman who can repay.

the lady bows her head over the meal, forcing herself to eat slowly.

she saves a portion for yotsuba.

Layre made a living out of being observant. How else was he to get his men and women beneath his command out of all their skirmishes alive. Except that last one. That last one coming from those they trusted most. That had been one he had not seen coming. It was disheartening and painful to reflect on.

He gave a soft nod. You're Welcome

He wasn't sure if their language barrier could be passed. Or if he even wanted to try. He had fed her. HE didn't need to keep her safe or drag her along in whatever adventure he might get into in this new land. But yet he also felt guilty in leaving her to her own devices. But who was to say she even wanted his help.

There was not a thought of repayment in his mind. That was a cruelty even he as a career soldier would not expect.

He thought of his daughter then, and his lover and his stomach tightened.

[the time comes for them to part. kaede is lost again. this man can offer food, but by his scent he is unattached and she is in dire need of more. her time traipsing after skilled wolves must end. and yet, she is reluctant. both to leave and to expose yotsuba to any potential danger — not after all he has been through. she does not know what to do; kaede hangs her head and draws a breath. a small paw covers one hare. she takes the other. he may leave. he may walk away. she will not insist on one action or another.]

the time comes for them to part.

kaede is lost again. this man can offer food, but by his scent he is unattached and she is in dire need of more.

her time traipsing after skilled wolves must end.

and yet, she is reluctant. both to leave and to expose yotsuba to any potential danger — not after all he has been through.

she does not know what to do; kaede hangs her head and draws a breath.

a small paw covers one hare. she takes the other.

he may leave. he may walk away. she will not insist on one action or another.