A Shirshu

Feng made it a tradition. Whenever it was possible, he would visit the people whose contracts he had completed. The old woman who had been looking for the earth bender was very happy to hear that he had taken her job and completed it.

"So where is he now?"

"In custody, at Gaoling."

"Is there any chance of him being transferred here."

"I don't think that will be possible. With the war going on, am sure he will be sent to the army."

"But, how do i get my money back? He owes me a great amount of it."

"You would have to talk to the town clerk about that."

The conversation went on for a while before he found a chance to leave, but she didn't want him to go without showing some form of appreciation.

"You don't have to give me anything. I already received the bounty reward," he tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry dear, its no problem at all. Please follow me."She led to a barn behind the house. "My son left her with me but am unable to make use of the lovely animal. Perhaps you can." She walked to the end of the barn and there in a small corner, a Shirshu was sound asleep.

I feel she is just using me an excuse to get rid of this animal.

"That's so kind of you but I..."

"Nonsense, dear. Of course you can. If it won't be of any use to you then you are free to sell her."

Maybe Taru and Zoraya can help me find a buyer.

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As the afternoon went on, June helped Ling clean up her weapons. The girls were engaged in a conversation as Feng came up the recently made path.

June was surprised to see another four legged creature walking beside her father's mount. When they came into the camp she noticed that it had no eyes and had a muzzle attached to it. Its big tail was always kept off the ground and its claws looked menacing.

She approached it and brgun to stroke its side. It turned its head and begun to sniff her from her head to her feet and back again. "What is it?"

"Its a Shirshu."

"Where did you get it?" asked Ling.

"I paid a visit to our previous client and she gave it to me as a gift."

"Dad how could you! We already got paid for the job."

"I didn't ask for any gift, she just gave it to me. She said we could sell it. Maybe Taru can find a buyer. I have no interest in keeping it."

"Can I keep it?"

"And how will YOU keep it? You've never had a pet before."

"I can learn."

"And who will teach you?"

"I could do that," said Taru as he walked into the clearing within the campsite. "Beautiful creature and very helpful for tracking."

Ling looked very thoughtful. "I have never heard of a Shirshu being used by bounty hunters before."

"That's because they are not easy to ride," Taru replied. "Also they eat meat, a lot of it."

"Are Zoraya and Shen still out hunting?"

"Yes they are. They should be back any minute now."

Everyone was focused on Taru, except June. She was so enthralled with the creature. "Why is it muzzled," she asked as she removed the contraption from the animals mouth.

"Don't....." Her father begun to say but it was too late. June saw the animal open its mouth and shoot out its tongue. She felt a gentle sting on her neck and immediately after, the hard impact of her body on the ground. She was paralyzed and unable to speak but she could still feel, hear and see.

What's going on?

She watched as the Shirshu turned to Ling. Taru and her dad had already moved away but Ling didn't move. She saw no danger. It sniffed and licked her. She too came crushing down on the ground.

During that time, Taru had come over to where June lay. He retrieved the muzzle and tossed it over to her dad. After Ling had been paralyzed, Taru drew the Shirshu's attention.

June watched in wonder and amazement as Taru ducked and dodged every time the creature shot its tongue at him. He kept a safe distance from it. Feng crept behind it and eventually came alongside the Shirshu and put it in some kind of a choke hold as he struggled to put the muzzle back on. Taru rushed over to help and after a little while they succeeded.

"I forgot to mention," said Taru, "their tongues can paralyze any person or animal. Don't worry, it should wear off in a few seconds. This one needs a lot of training."

Feng looked at his daughter and asked, "still want to keep it?" He meant to tease her but June took it seriously. Even before he had asked she was already thinking of keeping the creature and making it her mount. She had even thought of a name for it, Mira.