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As the nights grew longer and the days cooler, a sure indication that shorter days were upon them and that Jahaur and Tales version of Winter. Though in short they never received snow but short bursts of much needed rains in the plains of Tale and the jungle always felt more humid during this time.

Stories had been circulating that creatures not native to the area were appearing, ghostly apparitions in the middle of the night or the break of dawn or fall of dusk. Strange times though there were plenty of creatures who were only active during those time it was odd people were only seeing them in brief moments. It was enough to question wither they had actually seen something or perhaps their eyes were playing tricks on them. But enough people had claimed to see these 'ghosts' and Takoda felt he should go investigate. What if it was those bug people again?

The last time he had heard of people 'seeing ghosts' it was the dretch trying to lure people away pretending to be loved ones. It was up to Takoda to go an investigate even if he was nervous about it.

It was dusk the time when the creatures were said to come out and waiting just outside of a small village he waited in a tree. Peering down at the ground wondering if he'd even be able to spot the creature as night fell upon them. Minutes ticked past, several creatures moved along the forest floor but they were all ones that the shifter knew. A cry from a kifna sounded, perhaps it had made a kill and the howls of radaku packs echo'd in the forest.

Shivering Takoda was starting to think he was being silly staying out here, everything seemed to be normal and perhaps people were just letting themselves get scared by stories. Standing the shifter dusted the leaf debris off of his clothing. A small noise came to his left and he glanced towards it as it wasn't a sound he was too familar with. Tense as he was expecting an insect instead there was a feline like creature, its eyes closed as it looked in his general direction. It had large ears, a long neck and seemed to lack any fur.

It was looking at him...he thought he wasn't sure, but it ears were swiveled in his direction. It was certianly listening for him. It had jaggad crystals along its spine and on its tail. It wasn't a particular scary creature but it certainly wasn't a pretty one. Staring at it, somehow he was surprised that it was surviving there. The jungle was humid but with it being so wet wouldn't the creature catch a chill and die? It had no fur and means of keeping itself warm.

The creature opened its mouth and let out a sound that did cause the shifter to shiver. It was a yeowling sort of sound, like it was dying and yet he knew it was just fine. Alright so perhaps it was the sound that was creeping everyone out..not necessarily the creature. It turned looking up and lept onto a branch. It was quite agile and seemed at home in the trees. Perhaps it would do well here. Watching it it dawned on Takoda that perhaps he should of tried to catch it, it didn't belong here and its presence could upset the natural balance of the forest. But as he went to move, the creature acted as if it sensed his presence and quickly ran off.

Like a ghost is disappeared back into the forest and Takoda was left there to wonder if he would see it again.

Word Count: 649 FINISHED