“Because…” Bitterroot motioned Catskill closer and leaned in, lowering her voice. Their muzzles were almost touching. “What if keeping you alive like… like… that-” (She unconsciously flicked her ear.) “-was the best she could do? I saw the rock you fell on, and I’d’ve thought it’d make a larger hole than that. But look. You’ve got a place where your coat hasn’t grown in yet. What if she couldn’t save you normally and-” Bitterroot suddenly bit her tongue and looked away.