Winter would prove its worth as she trekked away from the bamboo. Now hung in limbo as she awaited the discussion between Hattori and Vidarr, Tenshi could feel the emotions broil within her. She had yet to see the sun that day as storm clouds rolled in off the horizon. The clouds hung low in the sky and brought with them a blustery wind that ruffled her coat until it was an unruly mess. It was unlike her to appear so unkempt but she couldn't deny the frustration that slowly built within her. As the rain threatened to fall, a few droplets here and there, she made her way toward the Runestones. Her paws would slide across the grass with silent steps as she prowled. Keeping her head lowered and her brow furrowed, it was obvious she wasn't in the mood for any sort of polite conversation. From the way her tail stayed even with her spine and the hair along her back raised, she was anything but welcoming. Her steely gaze glowered at the towering stones as they glowed softly in what pale moonlight filtered down from the sky. The wind continued to swirl and blow over the grassy fields as she finally stopped in the middle of the ritualistic circle. Raising her lips to the sky she released a howl that was full of sorrow and contempt. How could all of this have happened to her? All she had wanted was happiness and yet... She stood there feeling sorry for the bastard. Tenshi wasn't stupid. She knew the kindness that Hattori had extended when he took her in. Little did he know that her original plan was to take him back - dead or alive - to the place he called home so she could enact revenge. That had been what she had come here for. Because it was his lineage that had raided, destroyed, and burnt her entire clan to the ground. They had ruthlessly invaded her territory. Taking her lover, her family, and her offspring with them until their blood ran in rivers down the mountainside. She had fought valiantly. Only barely escaping death herself as they left her there assuming the worst. It was a near miracle that she survived. Laying there in not only her blood but that of her children as she grasped every breath hoping that she would join them as well. Unfortunately, she would not be joining them then or now. Instead, she stood there with her howl echoing over Auster telling the story of her agony and loss. Even still, she could not be angry with Hattori. It wasn't his fault. He had not been there. His own family had thought he was dead. They had no idea he was truly alive and she had come here on rumor alone that he was hiding away. Would it not make her just as bad as them if she had attempted her plan? Would it not be better for her to take the high road and leave to spend her life with Vidarr? Or whoever would suit her fancy? Did Vidarr even truly have feelings for her or would he string her along too? Men. As her head lowered and her lips raised into a sneer as she released a guttural growl. Her body would tremble as her toes flexed into the soft dirt beneath her. Animals would scurry back into their dens as they scented the fury radiating from her body. In an instant, though her body was bulky, she lunged forward toward one of the stones. Tilting her chin toward her chest, she struck out at the runes with her antlers. Though she wished for the heavy stone to fall, it held firm. Almost taunting her with the way the carvings glowed before her, she struck out again. This time her shoulder leaned in and shoved with all of her might. Breaths grunted from between gritted teeth as she bruised and battered her thickened skin. Chips flew from her golden antlers as she took out all of her energy on the mysterious pillars. If someone were to cross her path... There was no telling what she would do...

Time had passed. Too much time. Had she changed her mind? Had Hattori said no? Typically one to leave things in the hands of the gods, in the hands of the fates, it was unusual for him to go chasing after anyone. Still, Tenshi was... she was different. Things were different. That, and he had a reason to seek out the koi pack anyway. There were children, his children to be born among the bamboo. With his stride long, gaze keen, he made his way south. At least it was winter in Auster. Víðarr wouldn't melt clear through the ground, a puddle of dark fur and sour attitude. The attitude... well, the attitude came with the humidity. Like breathing soup down here, typically. As he crossed past the Runestones he noticed... he heard something. A grunt, and the scraping of antlers. Víðarr's forehead creased. That sound was a strange one, at least for his current locale. Were there elk or moose this far south? A shift of the breeze, and Víðarr's heart dropped through his chest. He knows who that is. "Jävlar--" he curses, voice a rough-hewn growl. "Tenshi, what-- why?" She's knocking her antlers against the runestones, and he doesn't have the faintest idea why. Víðarr crosses to her, makes to reach out for her. To reach for her, to stop her from doing... whatever it was she was doing. What had possessed her to? Concern, tenderness, as the shadow reaches for her. Why?

Tenshi was persistent in attempting to knock the stone over. No matter how large, how big, how dense the stone pillar was, she would see it crumble before her. Chip of her antler would go flying as she continued to smash into it. Blood trickled from her forehead, paws, and lips as she bashed a bruised shoulder against the stone. Pain was dulled beneath the adrenaline as she grunted out of frustration. She would keep going as her body tired until an all too familiar scent caught her attention. Vidarr. Why was he here? Her brow furrows and she clamps her teeth together as she hears his voice. Why him? Of all wolves. Why him? Why was he here now? Right. Hattori had requested to speak with him. About her departure. And perhaps why he was potentially the father of Sedna’s next litter. His sleeping with other females didn’t bother her so much as the fact that she wouldn’t be the mother of his offspring. Fuck. The mountainous woman slowly melted into his embrace. Her eyes close and she lets out an exhausted exhale of breath. “Vidarr Trygg,” her voice is hoarse as she leans her cheek against his chest. “Why am I not allowed to be happy?” There is sorrow again as she feels the tears bubble up. Emotions swell in her as she leans back to look him in the face. “You better convince him that I can leave or we will have problems,” Tenshi is basically seething as she lifts a paw, trembling and threatening to either beat the shit out of him or sleep with him. Not that he would deserve either option but it was the type of mood she was in.

Víðarr can smell blood now, given how close he stood. A knot in his stomach, he pulls Tenshi to his chest, to his shoulder. Holding her as tightly as he can manage in the moment before moving to wipe the trickle of blood from her forehead. There was damage, but he couldn't sort out the source. He didn't need to, though. Víðarr didn't need answers, he just needs her. "Not allowed... who says?" He speaks softly, words rumbled for only Tenshi to hear. As gentle as the shadow is capable of being, given his clumsy nature. Tender, in all the ways he can be. Hattori said no, that's why she's out here. That's why she's set about smashing her antlers against the rocks, that's why she's out here like she is. It only leads Víðarr to squeeze her tighter, until she leans back to look at him. To look at him and to-- that paw was a threat, enough to make him feel a bit better given her current state. "I promise, käraste. I promise." He leans to lick the space between her eyes. Granted, if she was going to fight him... that was okay, too. Fight him or whatever else she had in mind. From Tenshi? Víðarr could take it. He would take it. Anything for her.

As furious as she is, she welcomes his embrace. The way he holds her tight as if he can’t bear to lose her. So maybe he really did have feelings for her. Maybe she wasn’t being foolish following him after all. Maybe her life would mean something again. She struggling to draw in a breath as the tears blur her vision. Her paw trembles a few more seconds until his tongue licks the space between her eyes. It is then that she breaks down. Tears now flow down her dirtied cheeks as she falls back against his shoulder. Tenshi allows herself to be vulnerable with Vidarr. His warmth is pleasant against her fur as she lets her weight slump against him. “Everything was taken from me,” she hiccups as she hoarsely whispers, “by his clan and now,” Tenshi pauses, her chest tightening as memories threaten to torment her, “now his decision holds me back,” the sob that wracks her body would be embarrassing if she were around anyone else. She also would not admit that Hattori had already agreed that she could go. But with this conversation he wished to have with Vidarr… Tenshi wasn’t so sure the Kaicho would be good on his word if their meeting went south. While Hattori also hadn’t even been in Iga during the downfall of her mountainous clan, it was still his blood that sought their demise. It would be an unwarranted grudge she would forever hold against him. “Do you really wish to have me go with you?” She knows it is silly of her to question the Viking. It may even piss him off, but she is hurt and vulnerable and perhaps feeling rather stupid. Even so, the woman continues to lean into him as she reaches up to return the lick by running her tongue across his muzzle.

She seems to crumble in his hands. Víðarr holds to the woman as best he can, squeezing tightly. Trying to hold her together as she crumbles, as she comes apart at the seams. It's okay. He will simply hold all of those pieces, let her feel. The clan that had taken so much from her, and he was holding her back... keeping her away. Though Víðarr had been worried that she'd second guessed coming along, it makes sense now. It makes more sense than he cares to admit. Hattori was holding Tenshi back, and he'd move hell and earth for her. That much was certain, at least in Víðarr's mind. He'll move hell and earth to make sure that she's by his side. "I will not leave without you." The words are murmured, they are soft. Víðarr holds fiercely to the woman by his side, tightly, reverently. Possessively, though he wouldn't give that voice heed at the moment. Instead he offers her a promise, and his word. It's all he can do. "Of course. I have seen it, here and in my dreams. The gods will it, and so do I." The signs, they'd all pointed to this. Everything that Víðarr had seen, had experienced firsthand. He'd seen it all and he'd felt it all. Their fates were woven together, a red string that wrapped both of them up together. There was nothing left that would keep them apart, in this world or the next. The shadow is reverent as he holds to Tenshi.

She huffs as her ears flick back. “My gods are not as kind as yours,” there is agitation in her tone as she lets out a small growl. Deep down, she believes him though. Tenshi knows how devoted Vidarr is to his faith and it is one of the many pieces of him that she adores. Now that some moments have passed and he has given her time to crumble, she builds herself back up. Straightening slightly in his hold, she tilts her chin just enough so that he can see the gleam in her steely gaze. “I should thank you for allowing me to be weak, but you need no reminder how good of a man you are,” her voice too is a soft and tender murmur as she nuzzles into his neck. Breathing his scent in deeply, she smiles before letting out a small laugh. “As much as I would like you to take me right here and now beneath the stars, there is one more issue we must address,” Tenshi’s gaze hardens slightly but there is humor in it as well. “Do I beat the shit out of you now or later for giving Sedna offspring before me?” She quirks a brow as she purses her lips and leans back slightly to look at him better. Putting him on the spot was making her feel slightly better.

She speaks of her faith, maybe for the first time that Víðarr has heard. It's a soft sound he makes, an mmm of sorts. "They give and they take." And they had taken much. Still, he'd been rewarded too. The trials, all of them, it had all been worth it. It would all be worth it. Víðarr would continue to trust them, to show his faith. He had to. "You are many things, käraste. Weak is not one of them." She straightens up, and Víðarr lets his grip loosen. Still reluctant to let her go all the way, and yet... ah shit. Tenshi does find a way to put him on the spot, in all of this. It was something he'd need to answer to Hattori for as well. "Now, later, for the rest of our days-- what do you think?" Víðarr offers a grin, a tilt of his head as he leans to place a kiss on her forehead... if Tenshi will let him. "I'll make it up to you." He lifts an eyebrow, he winks. He can't help himself, not with Tenshi in question. Certainly cannot help himself.

She feels his grip loosen but does not stray farther yet. Her eyes linger on him as she wonders what crosses his mind. Tenshi is also letting the tension build as her gaze stays on him. Now, later… the question is in her mind. Unfortunately for Vidarr, the woman did still have some rage harboring in her belly. Not because of him or because of Hattori or anything that had to do that had happened in these lands. No… She was still full of sorrow and anger for her lost family. If only she could see them one more time… Suddenly she lurches away and out of his grasp. Rolling her shoulders and spacing out her stance, she lowers her head. A smirk flickers on her grey lips as she watches him. “Now appears to be the right time,” her lowered voice is husky with temptation and lust. Behind her, her tail twitches and her hair raises along her spine. Without warning or giving him time to ready himself, Tenshi lunges forward. Dipping to the side as quickly as her bulky body would allow, she leans forward to aim a little nip to the soft spot in front of his thigh.

Tenshi vs Vidarr for Dominancce
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Shuriken
Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded sholder pads
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: White Egret, Male - Flying
*Companion 3: Snow leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thick skin - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Fitness Coach

There are plenty of feelings hanging between them, plenty of strong ones. Víðarr could only hope to help quell the rage. The viking would hold her, she'd be his and he'd be hers. He's decided it, though he needed to find the right moment to ask in so many words. For now, they will be locked in their back and forth, in their dance, together. Always together. Never one without the other. She lurches from his grip. At once, Víðarr feels a pang in his chest. Longing. Though she is just out of reach, he longs for her. Her head drops. Víðarr stands tall, proud, posting up before her. Tail high, head high, on high alert. The woman's words bring a playful grin across his rough features. Eyes dancing, taking in Tenshi and all of her glory. By the gods, this woman-- she'd drive him mad. The woman doesn't telegraph her movements. She manages to take the shadow by surprise, a low growl finding its way to his throat. It's not a menacing sound, no. Víðarr was showing off. He feels Tenshi's teeth at his thigh, though he's quick to move in return. Turning quickly, pouncing in her direction, commanding. Reaching out for her hip in turn, wanting to keep his hulking figure close to hers.

Víðarr vs Tenshi for dominance
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Lamellar Shirt
Companion 1: Karelian bear dog, male - Battle
Companion 2: Tawny owl, Female - Battle
*Companion 3: Karelian bear dog, female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

A trill of electricity zings through her as she hears his growl. Oh, so he wanted to show off? The smirk on her lips is permanent as she feels her teeth pinch his skin. She can't help but giggle a little. That giggle turned into her own sort of growl as he pounces in her direction. Though they are both large, they are quick, agile, and on their toes as their bodies dance together. Their emotions are heightened, a tension drawing between them as she allows his teeth to sink into her thigh. The burning sensation from skin tearing is almost delightful. He, too, would drive her just as mad as she hoped to drive him. They were perfect for each other and by gods, she was thankful that she had crossed his path that day. With their bodies so close, Tenshi aims to slide her body close to the ground, nearly flattened before trying to go beneath him. If she is successful, she will try to use all of her might to lift up and lean back so he might topple over.

Tenshi vs Vidarr for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Shuriken
Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded shoulder pads
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: White Egret, Male - Flying
*Companion 3: Snow leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thick skin - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Fitness Coach

She giggled. Something in Víðarr's chest swelled. It's a feeling he doesn't know how to put into words, a rush that he cannot explain or anticipate. All of her, all of Tenshi, a rush to his head. A giggle, a growl. They move quickly, dancing, remaining in time with each other. A delicate dance, and something that brings them close together. She is gravity. Tenshi has a way of drawing him in, the center of his world. He wouldn't have it any other way. Heightened emotion, heightened everything. Tangled together with the red string of fate, the pair moves in perfect time. It's dizzying. Víðarr can taste her blood on his tongue, and this only drives him more. Excites him further. She was flattened to the ground beneath her, and the viking takes the bait. He postured over her, leaning down to place his teeth at the back of her neck, and then again behind her ears. None of it is hard, no, but it's possessive. Tenshi was his. Víðarr was nearly mad with it, and he loved every minute. She takes him by surprise, going from laying to standing in a fluid movement. While the viking begins to topple, he reaches out in an effort to grasp Tenshi. Grab and hold. If Víðarr was going down, then he would do what he could to take her with him. He cannot help the brassy chuckle that lives in his chest, in his throat. He is reveling in it, feeling the glory wash over his body and through his head. Yes, this is exactly what Víðarr needs. Her.

Víðarr vs Tenshi for dominance
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Lamellar Shirt
Companion 1: Karelian bear dog, male - Battle
Companion 2: Tawny owl, Female - Battle
*Companion 3: Karelian bear dog, female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

And the winner is...

TENSHI

VIDARR must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: TENSHI: Attack Roll: 57 Defense Roll: 86 Agility Roll: 5 Perception Roll: 88 Total: 236 Attack[57] + 50% Bonus[28.50]: 85.50 Defense[86] + 50% Bonus[43.00]: 129.00 Agility[5] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 5.00 Perception[88] + 10% Bonus[8.80]: 96.80 Total[316.30] + 25% Bonus[79.08]: 395.38 VIDARR: Attack Roll: 6 Defense Roll: 13 Agility Roll: 7 Perception Roll: 13 Total: 39 Attack[6] + 75% Bonus[4.50]: 10.50 Defense[13] + 15% Bonus[1.95]: 14.95 Agility[7] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 7.00 Perception[13] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 13.00 Total[45.45] + 25% Bonus[11.36]: 56.81