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The water in the stream was refreshing, the movement of the clear liquid brushing gently over Kailani's skin as she swam further upstream. If her mother knew where and what she was doing, she knew she'd get an earful. Well, at least one of her mothers. Unfortunately for the mother she was closest too, she took after the mother that had an adventurous streak in her soul. Kailani always marveled at the stories Rispah would spin for her on the few occasions she saw her. Kailani loved bother her parents deeply but knew Fleurette worried when Kailani felt the need to go on her own little adventures. Luckily she was kind about how much she worried. Letting Kailani explore as long as she promised to stay in an area Fleurette could easily reach her if Kailani got into any trouble.

Which is why Kailani knew she shouldn't be swimming up river right now. She just couldn't help it when she got an itch under her skin like she did today. She had been exploring the bottom of the lake they all lived in when she overheard a school of passing fish mention the river that opened up to join the East of the lake. She had never seen a river herself, and wondered how it might differ. And finally the perfect moment appeared when Fleurette and her sisters decided to find some food off by themselves. They had invited Kailani, but she politely declined, saying she had an ache in one of her fins and she was going to take it easy for today. The second she saw her mothers face she innerly winced, worried her mother would baby her and stay behind. Kailani quickly tried to ease her worries by telling Fleurette she was fine, she just needed to rest a bit.

As soon as they were out of site Kailani had jetted her way in the direction she hoped to find the river. And she had! She hadn't expected to be able to feel a current like this. Usually the currents swirled around them as they swam, but this, this was more streamlined and swept over her head-on as she swam further into the river. She was marveling at all the new experiences she actually almost missed the rabbit flopped by the shore, its chest heaving heavily. Kailani's eyes narrowed in speculation as she watched it. It looked harmed.... and yet the stories her mother told her of the warm blooded creatures that populated the land echoed inside her head. Ones that would draw you in then change right before your eyes and the last thing you saw was the glint of their teeth as they feasted on you.

Of course, with the stories, Fleurette had never actually explained to them how to tell the difference, just to be weary of them. Kailani's mowhawk popped out of the water, her ears back in trepidation as she slowly swam closer. It was a good thing the rabbit was unable to pay much attention to its surroundings or it might have taken a fright that a shark was apparently getting closer. Kailani paused a few feet from the shore. Not far enough that she had to raise her voice to be heard, but far enough that her quickness had the upper hand if it turned out the rabbit was indeed an enemy to be feared. Kailani poked the rest of her head out and cleared her throat. "Are... are you okay?" Her eyes traveled over the small thing in front of her as they said 'you don't look it.'

The bunny lifted its head, body going stiff as its eyes bulged out of it's eye sockets looking around for what had caused the sound. It's body going limp again when it saw Kailani. "I...had to..." it's words broken up by the deep breathes it had to take. Finally it seemed as though it's lungs were finally able to absorb the air it was pulling in as it continued. "Run from a... hawk" He took a deep breath and his chest finally seemed to even out again. "When I was trying to escape I had to run through a briar bush and injured my paw." kailani watched as he turned the pad of his paw to her to show a large thorn piercing the sensitive flesh. She winced as he continued in a softer voice. "I escaped, but if they see me again, there's no way I can run now..."

Kailani frowned as he hung his head dejected. She still heard her mother's words flowing in and out in her mind, but she was starting to feel that familiar itch under her skin again, the one that told her to listen to her heart. Kailaini swam up to the small rabbit, a warm smile on her face as she soothingly said "I can help get it out if you'd like. My teeth should be able to grip it instead of breaking it like yours might." Kailani dug her front feet into the silt beneath her so she could get close. Luckily she was strong enough that she wouldn't beach herself if the rabbit was able to limp his way into the water an inch or so. Kailani's smile was reinforced when he nodded and stood, holding his paw gingerly.

He hobbled his way to Kailani, wobbling slightly as his good front paw sunk in slightly. Finally he steadied himself and held his wounded paw out to her, head turned so he didn't have to watch. Kailani quickly gripped the thorn and pulled the beastly thing out. Making sure to gauge any tension it held so she wasn't ripping any of the flesh. It came out easily with her teeth, spitting it into the water so that it may float away with the current and never bother anyone again. She smiled gently as the rabbit stood frozen once more, head still turned with squeezed shut eyes. "It is out." her words came out gently. The rabbit gasped and he looked at the paw and flexed it. He beamed at her now and her cheeks warmed, but not from the sun. "Thank you" his voice steady now. "I wont forget this. If there is anything I can ever do for you when we meet again, just ask." They nodded a farewell to each other and he hopped away. A little unsteady, kailani guessed from the soreness of the tender paw still, but at least he would have a chance to get away the next time he was in danger. Kailani smiled and wiggled her way back into the water, humming to herself as she explored the rest of the river mouth.