Tahira awoke with a start, having heard something loud not too far away. Sitting up, she began to look around for the source. As her eyes scanned the circle of firelight, she noticed something was missing. She sat up, looking around once more. “Kaze?” She called out. “Where did you go?”<br/><br/>She knew he was a wild animal, and not a pet…but she cared for him. She was sure he’d be fine off by himself in the woods, so she shouldn’t be concerned for him. She shook her head slightly. That noise hadn’t sounded like him though. “Is someone there?” She asked. She pulled herself to her feet, and began to walk toward the source of the sound. “Please...if someone’s there…show yourself. I mean you no harm…”<br/><br/>Even as she said this, she hoped it was Kaze.  She couldn’t imagine who could be out in the woods in the middle of the night. Unless…a sudden thought came to her. What if it was bandits? Her blue eyes widened. “If you mean me harm, I can assure you I am able to defend myself…” She stopped near the small fire, and listened closely for any sort of noise. ‘Oh, Kaze…where have you gone?’ She thought silently.