Since finding out officially that Kuroo and Usagi were his children, Raijin had steeled himself to try his best to form a relationship with them. He’d missed their most important milestones in life, but he didn’t want to miss any more. He wanted to learn about each man, what their likes and dislikes were, what they wanted to do with their lives, and most importantly he wanted to be a part of that life. His decisions in his youth had brought about unfortunate circumstances, but it was his responsibility as a man of honor and as a father to try and right them.

So, he went in search of Usagi. He found him sweating under the sun on the tatami mats, Raijin’s golden gaze going to the wrap that steadied his son’s back ankle. He’d heard about his injury from Sedna, but he knew there was unfortunately nothing he could do to help. So he let his partner handle it. But it did deserve a check up as well. “How’s the leg?” he asked as he approached.

"Genji Raijin"

Since that heavy conversation between him, Kuroo, and their father, the Hohei hadn’t really wanted to talk to the man. It was a lot of information to take in, much less the atmosphere being so heavy. Not to mention that he let his stoic demeanor crumble - hell, he shed tears - and it felt rather embarrassing. Never did he think he’d do that in front of a man he was so desperate to make hurt, feel pain for abandoning him and his brother. They had no family but each other these years, especially after leaving their mother behind in Iga. It was a painful, sorrowful memory. The conversation they’d had that night, every time he was forced to confront it in his head, soured him. It left s bitter taste on his tongue and a tightness in his throat and a lump that was impossible to swallow. And thought it was meant to clear the air, and though Usagi had pleaded Raijin to stay, he thought upon the idea. Why did he, in that moment, care so much for a man who left them to stay? He had his own litter now with Sedna, and a part of him had always felt the sloghtest bit..jealous. Was that even the word? It seemed so trivial. So childish. To be envious of young pups having a constant father figure. Well, that part had merit, he supposed. He was allowed to feel bitter for that, but he still loved and protected his half-siblings like the world depended on it. This pack, his brother, Kunai..they were his whole world. It was all he ever needed.

He sat on the tatami mat, bright sun seeping into the dark fur of his coat. He was boiling. He was doing some stretches Sedna recommended to make sure scar tissue didn’t overgrow on his injury, considering the break had been so bad he needed to keep weight off it for almost a whole season. Nevertheless, though, it healed to the point where it was stiff, but nowhere near as painful. He’d had a wrap on it as he quietly spread and bent his toes on that leg, trying to strengthen the ligaments and tendons that had been damaged as well. The wrap helped with stabilizing the ankle, too, and made it that much easier to spar and kick. How he had missed kicking.

Raijin approached, asking about his leg. It took him out of his trance, and the male flinched, his netural expression remaining as if unsurprised - and also not particularly excited - to see his father standing there. Still, he remained civil. He didn’t really show excitement or happiness of any kind on his face, anyways. Blunt and stoic was his default. "It’s fine," He said simply, continuing another stretch of slowly bending the ankle inward towards his body, then extending it as far as he could without pain. He felt he should’ve said something more, but the flame of his temper was beginning to light embers in his chest. And he didn’t want to spew anything he regretted later on. The conversation they had was supposed to being everything to light, so why did he still feel so angry towards the man?

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Usagi was a man of few words. Especially, he suspected, when it came to Raijin. Not that he could blame him, of course, but it still stung a bit when he was confronted by it. A simple ”It’s fine,” was all the man was given in reply, though he could tell it was still a bit stiff from how gentle he was being with it. Not one to be deterred, Raijin pressed on, “How long did Sedna give you until you’re fully back on your paws?” he asked. He wanted to show the black and red Shima man that he was taking an interest in him, that he was making an effort for all the time that they’d lost.

"Genji Raijin"

Usagi glanced at Raijin’s expression after his two word reply, not feeling an ounce of guilt or pity over his curtness. He was a man of few words, and he followed that well. Particularly of even fewer for a man he felt he still hadn’t fully reconciled with. He didn’t know how the tusked man could make up for his mistakes, his abndonment. It didn’t feel like Usagi’s responsibility to suggest anything, anyways. Or so he believed. With a soft sigh, he turned to adjust the wraps that were set on his hind ankles - both of them. For balance and for stability. Kicking was substantially more comfortable with them on, even when he did take it easy. When Raijin broke the heavy silence by asking hiw long Sedna gave him until he was back in action, Usagi replied,"She said I could begin sparring and kicking exercises again, as long as I don’t push it or it becomes painful." The recovery for his ankle was a frustratingly long one. He’d never broken a bone before, but if this was how long it took just to be in combat fit condition again, he would protect his limbs better next time. And certainly keep them out of the mouths of cocky pirates. ‘

Still, though his reply was flat, he felt something about Raijin was genuine. He was genuinly attempting to reconnect with him, trying to make up for everything. Perhaps Kuroo had, in his way, forgiven him. Maybe they’d already gotten chummy, did some father-son bonding together. But Usagi was a fickle thing, a stubborn, short-tempered thing. It took more than just nice words to garner some forgiveness. He needed to see Raijin was sorry. And let loose his frustration in the only way he really knew how. Suddenly standing on all fours, he shook off his pelt briefly before looking to his father and asking, "Are you up for a spar?" He didn’t think Raijin would refuse. After all, he wanted to soend time with him - and this was the best way to go about the reparations sorely needed.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

His son told him that Sedna had given him permission to spar and do more exercises. He nodded, “Good. Follow what Sedna says and she’ll make you right as rain. She has an annoying tendency to be right all the time,” the man said with a smirk. He trusted his partner fully. She was probably the best healer he’d ever met, and that was saying something considering he’d grown up watching Hattori’s mother, Kiyo, heal the sick and hurt of Iga.

A look came over Usagi’s face, then suddenly he was on his paws asking Raijin for a spar. The Genji man’s brows rose, but his grin widened. “Of course, give me your best shot. If your leg starts to hurt, though, let me know right away,” he replied, adding the stipulation because already he could tell how competitive and stubborn his son was. Crossing the tatami mat, he placed himself a few feet across from the black and red Shima, tucking his chin to protect his throat and widening his stance, his golden gaze connecting to the other man’s green to show him he was ready whenever he was.
"Genji Raijin"

Though his father’s words were irritating to him - like wasps buzzing around a picnic - he was right about Sedna. She knew the healing process better than he did, and had a better idea of how long it took for fractures to mend. In this case, because not only was his ankle fractured, but his toe bones smashes as well, the recovery was much more drawn out. Painful. Or so Sedna and Tenshī had explained over the course of his treatment. But, Raijin did agree to the spar, so long as he didn’t push it with his leg. Usagi padded off the tatami mat and into the dirt clearing, briefly taking the chance to stretch his hind legs. They were well-wrapped, he couldn’t feel sny pain save for some discomfort. He/d have to get used to that sensation. But the strength brimming in his greatest assets remained, like flames rising from the pits of a once-dying fire. His temper flared in the flash of his mossy eyes, and if they weren’t green, they’d be a bright ember red. He watched as the tusked koi stepped back, bracing himself and tucking in his chin. Smart move, protecting his throat. Too bad that wasn’t Usagi’s prime target.

With a roll of his shoulders, a sharp inhale summoning power from deep within his diaphragm, the bunny-like warrior flung into action. In the span it might’ve taken someone to blink, he bounded with the speed of a rabbit giving way to chase, and two strides from the dire wolf he rapidly pivoted his body. In one fell swoop, Usagi aimed to fling out his hind left leg - the leg directly facing Raijin’s body - aiming to swipe firmly at the space between his neck and his shoulder, but with restrained power so as not to deeply hurt him. It was clearly spurred with the temper licking at his feet, his goal to provide a deep enough wallop as to tilt the even larger wolf on his steady feet. He wasn’t going to be underestimated, and the danger in his eyes was something he was struggling to contain. Don’t get too emotional, damnit, he told himself mentally, aiming to pivot back to face Raijin should his move be followed through. It was only over the span of a few seconds, and he was breathing heavily, nostrils flaring.

Usagi vs Raijin for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Double-bladed Sword
Companion 1: Maine Coon, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Akita Inu, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter


Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—