Shinkuko let her arms fall to her side, her head cocked as she considered Caitlyn's words.  Finally she nodded and gave an inscrutable smile.  Moving with surprising speed, she walked over to Caitlyn, grabbed her hand, and led her - gently but firmly - over to where Deandra waited.  Releasing her hand, she started away... then seemed to think better of it.  Walking back to the weapon, she picked it up and slung it over her shoulder; it looked almost humorously anachronistic in contrast to her garb.<br/><br/>Returning to the other two women, she gave each a small smile, then pointed in the direction she and Deandra had been heading before.  Without waiting to see if she was being followed, she set out again.<br/><br/>-------------------------<br/><br/><em>The Hunter was becoming frustrated.  It had been so sure it had found the prey's trail, but twice now the trail had been lost, only to be found in a different direction.  Now it circled an updraft warily, not trusting the scent anymore.  Once, twice, three times it circled, each time climbing higher.  Finally, when it could no longer smell the prey's scent, it reached out with its other senses.  Perceptions beyond mortal comprehension searched the shifting lands around it, seeking... seeking... <strong>there.</strong>  Something akin to joy surged through it, and it swept into a powerful dive to build up speed.  The prey had eluded it for a brief moment, but it was the Hunter.<br/><br/>The Hunter never failed.</em>