But.

Heiji's not alone out there, although his companion doesn't realize it yet. Malia's crouched down low in the bushes, watching the henhouse with rapt attention. She doesn't normally go for animals in someone's backyard, but the idea of a fresh chicken is too much to let go. She'd managed to worm her way into the yard through a hole in the fence, flattening herself as much as possible.

No noise from the house itself. Maybe they weren't home.