Submission (#391) Approved

505 words

Normal shards:
+8 (prompt)
+5 (500+ words)
+1 (Small companion)

= 14 shards

-------

Sheng wasn't entirely sure why out of everyone that had been present, Titan had turned to him and asked him to investigate the sound he'd heard. Kiru and Xiaovi had been present and they were surely both more approachable than he was, but alas, the lop eared wool had pointed at him specifically, arched a brow, and left with no other instruction other than to go figure out what was up. Both other males had given him a side eye, as if asking if he needed help or wanted company, but the dark furred wool had rolled his eyes and been on his way.

It was true both his friends were much larger and more imposing than he was, but Weisheng was quite sure he could take care of himself. And... well, on the off chance he couldn't his Lumiar was with him; the small bird rarely left his side, and was currently perched on his shoulder, preening away at his feathers like there was nothing going on around him, which... to be fair to it, there really wasn't.

In fact, Sheng had started to think this whole thing was a fool's errand and that there was nothing to really do around this neck of the wood; that Titan had been entirely mistaken about a sound at all. He'd been about ready to give up, turn around and leave when a very distinct sound caught his attention, just up ahead somewhere to his left in some bushes.

Luci, who'd been preening, paused and turned it's head to look in that direction too, turning all its attention to the bush as its master walked over.

The sound indicated something... small, and thus, Sheng crouched and began to move the foliage away, attempting to keep it from obscuring his vision; what he found was a small creature. He recognized it from drawings in books, for he'd never seen one up close; a very young kiritsune. Which was... odd. As far as he knew, these creatures were more often than not in herds, and one so young would never have been left on its own like this. Something must have happened to separate it from its mother and/or its herd like this.

Rather than reach out towards it, Sheng leaned away, and the small creature peered up at him warily, "Lost, are you?" here the creature tilted its head first to the left, and then to the right, clearly not understanding much, but something of the intent of the voice must have shone through, for it pushed forward and rubbed its head against his knee.

Looking up, Sheng listened closely, attempting to locate the herd, but when it was clear that was not going to be possible from this position, he let out a soft sigh. It took him a couple of tried, but he eventually managed to pick up the young kiritsune and left with it; if anything, he should figure out if it had an owner, was poached, or had legitimately gotten separated from its herd.