An Unexpected Reflection

His pelt was soaking by the time he reached a small island--one of many that scattered across the waters here. Shiki pulled himself on shore, panting with the effort. It was the first time he had really been away from his mother, having gone out to adventure on his own for once. Staying around the den had gotten boring, the same old sights and always waiting...hoping that his father would show up. Day in and day out, he'd wait. His mother always saying the same thing whenever Shiki asked about where he was. I don't know, son. Didn't Kau care? His throat grew tight and his eyes would begin to sting as he shoved that thought back. Maybe his father was simply too busy...yeah, maybe that was it.

Shaking off his pelt to distract himself, the tiny twenty-three inch wolf looked around. His pelt stuck out at odd angles, his thick fur having kept most of the water sliding off his pelt. His paws itched to explore, and already he could smell many different things and hear the sounds and cries of birds he had never heard on the mainland. Almost as soon as he had gotten here, he saw a flash of pink move behind a large rock a little further down the beach, and immediately his interest was caught. The yearling loped over, tongue hanging out as the noon day sun beat down on him, though it was welcoming after the cool swim. With Fall around, the waters were cooler but the swim so far, had been worth it. Turning towards the other side of the boulder, a large shallow pool sat in a marsh-like ground before him, a sight he had never seen before!

"They're pink!" His surprise was evident in his voice. The boy had come across brightly colored birds, their legs as long as sticks. Puzzled, he drew closer but remained hidden in the shadows of the boulder. He wasn't sure if these strange birds were friendly or not, but the way their bills looked--hooked and blunt--he was sure they could easily beat him or step on him with their stilts. He pressed himself close to the ground, tail wagging madly as his bright golden eyes glittered with fascination. If only his mother were here to see this! He couldn't wait to go back and tell her!