There was no reason for the Shogun to question his wife's fighting skills. He'd seen first hand how she'd managed to put an end to Toxicity's rebellion, disarming and forcing her into submission with all the grace and poise of a Kami on earth. Even beyond that he'd seen her fight against the Fireside invaders, going toe to toe against wolves that easily outweighed her petite and delicate frame. There was a sense of strength in her, unyielding and focused, unlike anything Hattori had ever seen before. Their fighting styles were vastly different and so Hattori enjoyed the challenges sparring with his wife presented;her gaze was sharp and her mind even sharper, predicting her next move was half of the battle and she never made it easy. Even for him.

Stepping into the clearing of the Shrine, Hattori eyed his surroundings and noted the very faint outline of the fighting ring. Right here on this spot the tournament had taken place seasons ago, there was no better place to spar within Ashen's borders. Hattori was quick to tip his head back and call for the Empress, the deep timbre of his voice echoing against the hallowed white trees. No doubt she'd be able to infer what he wanted from the tone of his howl, he very rarely requested her presence as he did not wish to be a bother. But knowing her as well as he did he knew she would appreciate the challenge and likely turn it into a wager of sorts, anything to up the ante.

"Speech"

Like the approach they had taken to training their own children Venom had been learning how to fight since before she could remember. Her mother had been a warrioress, and she followed in her mother’s pawsteps in that regard. She was so much more than just a princess in her mother’s shadow. Ashen changed considerably since being in her paws. Especially today as she stood before a fundamentally different pack. Chimera taking his leave and beginning an offshoot of the Empire, and forcing Toxicity and those loyal to her from their family and the pack. Without anymore distraction Venom and Hattori had much more room to build and create a pack after their combined image. As they did with the children she bore him.

He was often in her thoughts so hearing his call as she thought about him was no huge surprise. A Klein smirk snuck to her features as she turned from her patrol and loped towards the shrine where her husband awaited her. Venom’s slim frame slipped through the white woods, appeared before the dire Shogun. Her sunset gaze glittered with mirth while her expression remained serious as her husband’s.

"You called for me, my love?" She teased him lightly as her body settled into a defensive pose. She was not under any illusion for the reason he sought her out. After he had his spar there was plenty she could seek out from him. The corners of her lips pulled into an amused grin as her forked tongue slid temptingly from her pale lips.

"Speech"

Venom was punctual as always. Slipping through the pale of the trees, she lopped into view and stood before him. Hattori dipped his head in a show of reverence but was quick to push matters along, right to business. He knew she would not hold it against him, that she was just as eager to rise to the challenge as he was. Empress vs Shogun in a test of strength, even if only a casual one. For old times sake. Her tongue flicked out, as though gesturing for him to close the distance between them and get things moving. If she wanted him to make the first move he was more than happy to oblige, anything for her.

Hattori paced to the side, shoulders hunched and head dipped low. He observed her for a moment, breathing calm and focused as he wondered what the best approach to take was. How best to take her by surprise. Instead of a head on approach as he so often tended to resort to, Hattori dove in to the right, aiming to slip around to her side and grab a-gentle-mouthful of the side of her neck fur. Deftly avoiding where he knew her quills were hidden beneath the silk of her coat.

Hattori vs Venom for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tanto
Defensive Battle Accessory: Shinobi cuirass
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Akita, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

"Speech"

Her words were met with a quick nod of the Shogun’s head as he offered his respects. He hadn’t called her here to flirt though, and business would be swiftly seen to. It was good to keep sharp with the one she loved, sparring with Hattori was quite a pleasure. He was a wolf of incredible strength and skill, she had yet to win against him yet. He was her perfect mate in that regard, someone to keep her in check and keep her sharp in moments like these. Hattori took the first move as she desired, and there was no warning before the fight began.

She waited with bated breath, much like when Toxicity attacked her. She took in a deep breath, allowing Hattori to make his move. He dove to his right, there was enough room between them Venom acted accordingly, she aimed to step forward and shove her chest into his hips while retreating with her own so his bite proved fruitless. Like a dog chasing its tail.

Venom vs Hattori for spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Knife bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor Helmet
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Akita Dog, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
"Speech"

As expected, his wife was quick on her paws and deftly bounced out of the way. Hattori had suspected as much and glanced up to see the smug look adorning her beautiful features, just before she dipped in close and pushed her shoulders into his back thigh to doubly insure his hit didn't land. By now he had a good grasp on her fighting style, basic training aside, she used her razor sharp intellect to out think her opponent. To watch with those knowing eyes and pick them apart till an opening showed itself.

Naturally, Hattori wished to pass on the shinobi ways of fighting, but if any of his children favoured Venom's methods he wouldn't entirely loathe it.

Instead of whipping around to meet her head on, Hattori took advantage of the reinforced nature of his bones and snapped his hips to check her back. Only when he felt as though he had reasonable space to move did he face her once more, turning whip quick as he ducked his head to shoulder barge her in the chest. The last thing he wanted was to do any, even minor, harm, so he tucked his head as low as he could manage, meaning even if his hit landed his horns would whiff harmlessly by.

As always, his goal was to disarm her and knock her off her paws at worse.

Hattori vs Venom for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tanto
Defensive Battle Accessory: Shinobi cuirass
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Akita, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

"Speech"

Venom was no fool, she had been fighting since she could walk. Years of effort and training ahd created the elegant and strong warrioress she was today. Hattori knew she would be no pushover, that she would use every advantage she had against him. Not to hurt or maim of course, but this was a good natured competition. Husband did not want to hurt wife and vice versa.

Their collision was one that she should have been expecting but faltered as his heavy hips slammed into her chest. He drove the air from her lungs, but she was light on her toes and recovered swiftly. Swiftly because she had to as Hattori lowered his horns towards her. Venom was not a she wolf that was easily kept on the ground. More than once she took to the sky to keep out of harm's way in a fight, but she wasn’t sure her husband had ever experienced the habit personally.

Venom jumped with all of her might, aiming to gain purchase on her husband’s broad back. She knew he could take her weight, but if she could find her balance without using her claws she could more easily claim her victory over him. Of course, if she missed she would surely lose.

Venom vs Hattori for spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Knife bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor Helmet
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Akita Dog, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
"Speech"

And the winner is...

VENOM

HATTORI must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: HATTORI Attack Roll: 9 Defense Roll: 38 Agility Roll: 49 Perception Roll: 4 Total: 100 Attack[9] + 95% Bonus[8.55]: 17.55 Defense[38] + 20% Bonus[7.60]: 45.60 Agility[49] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 49.00 Perception[4] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 4.00 Total[116.15] + 25% Bonus[29.04]: 145.19 VENOM Attack Roll: 15 Defense Roll: 5 Agility Roll: 83 Perception Roll: 37 Total: 140 Attack[15] + 50% Bonus[7.50]: 22.50 Defense[5] + 25% Bonus[1.25]: 6.25 Agility[83] + 5% Bonus[4.15]: 87.15 Perception[37] + 25% Bonus[9.25]: 46.25 Total[162.15] + 25% Bonus[40.54]: 202.69

Hattori knew when he was beaten. Though undeniably talented in battle, he was not a sore loser, nor would he resent his wife from using his weaknesses to her advantage. He felt her claws purchase against his back and he made a soft noise in the back of his throat, noting he yielded. Sinking down to his stomach, he allowed Venom to step off of him before rising back onto his feet. Instead of sating his appetite for her, she'd only made it all the more pressing. Something he cared not to ignore.

"Again?" He asked, his head tilting to the side a little. An open invitation.

Moving in swift, Hattori set the match in motion once more. Sweeping in from the right this time, Hattori aimed to truly test how light and agile Venom was on her paws. A direct hit mid-centre would be far harder to dodge than a grazing blow to the shoulder or haunches and so Hattori aimed for the smooth line of her side. Or at least that was what he made himself out to be doing, battles between them were as much of a test of wit as of brawn. Mind games and ploys swirling around one another as they danced, knowing they could fill in the gaps the other had.

Instead, he made to grab for her muzzle, neck extending as he reached.  

Hattori vs Venom for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tanto
Defensive Battle Accessory: Shinobi cuirass
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Akita, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

"Speech"

Her unorthodox attack was much more effective than she had even imagined and Hattori was swift in his concession. Venom did not often get to enjoy a victory over her husband. Actually this was very likely the first time she could boast her power over his, and even so as she allowed him to stand he was ready to go for another round. Now if she could convince him to be as eager in their bedroom.

Hattori swiftly got their little battle underway after a quick nod from the Empress. He was always quite the challenging opponent. They knew each other too well for their own good. She never knew what to expect from him, but she liked that he kept her on her toes. He acted as though he was heading forward to slam his horns into her side but he hadn’t quite committee enough. She knew he had something else up his sleeve as he always did.

She steeled herself for the potential hit bit it never came, and as he extended his neck Venom realized he was coming for a muzzle hold. Only just barely did she open her impressive jaws to use her own teeth to parry his grab. Venom aimed to swing around, wrap one white gloved paw around his massive arm as she went to press her side along his. With impressive dexterity her hind paw aimed to trip up his rear leg. Pulling at his front leg and kicking at his back she aimed to take his footing out from under him as she too aimed to wrap her teeth around his jaws.

Venom vs Hattori for Spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Knife bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor Helmet
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Akita Dog, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bulwark

"Speech"

Teeth clicked together as Venom met his bite in the middle, causing a brief tangle of fangs before they pulled apart. Hattori was a hard man to read, but it made sense that Venom was capable of it. Knowing and familiar in her gaze, if anyone deserved to be aware of his weaknesses it was her.

Opting to use Hattori's size and weight against him, the Empress began to grapple with his form. Paws kicking and pushing, hoping to topple his weight out from under him, it was a clever tactic and not one he'd faced before. But the Shogun was eager to see how his brute strength methods would fare against it and so responded accordingly. Making a grab for her, Hattori raised over limb over her shoulders and the other between her front legs. His talons carded through the softness of her fur as he shoved, hard, hoping to pin her own whilst maintaining his own sense of balance. Either one could fall, the next few passing seconds would reveal all.

Hattori vs Venom for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tanto
Defensive Battle Accessory: Shinobi cuirass
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Akita, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

"Speech"

The two of them were a good match for one another, but even still Venom was certain of Hattori’s superior strength over her own. That was why she had to be more clever, to think and move faster than him, and that was the difficult task.

Hattori seemed unaccustomed with her attack, and Venom couldn’t help the smirk that played over her features as he showed the woman could still take him off guard. Hattori truly was a master of his body and emotions but if there was any one that could read him it was his wife.

Still, the massive man had his brute strength behind him and while he tried to shove her away and down into the ground. He was risking his balance further and while she tried to struggle out of the way, most of her effort was in kicking his legs from beneath him so that he fell along with her. At the same time she’d aimed to wrap her arms around his neck and further help the pull of gravity on his body.

Venom vs Hattori for Spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Knife bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor Helmet
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Akita Dog, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bulwark
"Speech"

And the winner is...

Venom

Hattori must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Hattori Attack Roll: 65 Defense Roll: 39 Agility Roll: 4 Perception Roll: 22 Total: 130 Attack[65] + 95% Bonus[61.75]: 126.75 Defense[39] + 20% Bonus[7.80]: 46.80 Agility[4] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 4.00 Perception[22] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 22.00 Total[199.55] + 25% Bonus[49.89]: 249.44 Venom Attack Roll: 28 Defense Roll: 49 Agility Roll: 89 Perception Roll: 83 Total: 249 Attack[28] + 50% Bonus[14.00]: 42.00 Defense[49] + 45% Bonus[22.05]: 71.05 Agility[89] + 5% Bonus[4.45]: 93.45 Perception[83] + 25% Bonus[20.75]: 103.75 Total[310.25] + 25% Bonus[77.56]: 387.81