The dust was starting to settle and for a man with such an intense sense of purpose Hattori felt rather directionless. It was to be expected given the circumstances but he was uncomfortable nonetheless, like a sword left too long in its sheath. More than that within the past few days in the pains in his sides had intensified, no doubt due to the fact he refused to remain idle and rest. Sheer stubbornness pushed him forward but Hattori knew he was nearing his limit and that one wrong move could ruin his form forever. After all, what good was a weapon if it was damaged beyond repair? Something had to give, it was only a matter of time.

The shinobi limped along, brushing through the overhanging branches as he eyed the willows with a critical gaze. Despite the sureness in his steps he wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for, or whether he'd even know if he passed it by. Would any old tree do or was he looking for one in particular? He'd heard once in passing that willow bark served as a decent pain killer and whilst he was very against the notion of showing or admitting weakness he wouldn't complain if it let up a little. Even if only for a little while. Coming to a stop, Hattori stared up at the largest willow that stood in roughly the centre of the woods, he caught the scent of a couple of packs on the wind- one of them being Hanako's- but this place seemed sheltered enough that he would be left to his own devices. Digging his talons into the trunk he dragged his paw down and watched the bark crumble beneath his touch. He then bowed down to sniff it, his dark nose wrinkling at the earthy smell.

Had he truly stooped so low? Seasons of hardships and training had toughened him, left him razor sharp around the edges, this was the closest he'd got to submission and he well and truly loathed it.

Now that Venom was Empress she made sure to make herself much more familiar with the lands surrounding the Empire. The woods on the other side of the Armada weren’t unknown to her, but she hadn’t spent huge amounts of time here. Her lithe form slipped through the trees quietly, Poison made his way through the canopy ahead of her, and their pace was slow enough his movements wouldn’t be taken too heavily into consideration.

The sound of claws on bark caught Venom’s attention and the girl paused mid step. Dark ears swiveled towards the noise her tongue flicked as lavender eyes sought out the source. The foliage was too thick, but her silent steps continued. Eventually she would catch a glimpse of his huge form. Between the willow leaves she was almost sure that she saw a horned mountain of a man. His fur was dark, but she could much more easily see the bright orange swathes across him. He smelled injured.

She too knew that the bark of a willow was good for pain, and coupled with her observations she deemed it more than safe to reveal herself. Venom pushed past the curtain of willow branches with slow deliberate steps. Her bright eyes flashed and her tongue flicked curiously as she was awarded with a better look at him. Immediately she was reminded of Hanko, but he didn’t smell of the Armada. Her dark lips pulled back into an amused grin, ”Self-medicating, Stranger?” Venom’s voice was deceivingly innocent as she looked him over a second time, admiring his physique along with his adornments of horn and claw.

Hattori learned from his mistakes, even when seemingly distracted his senses were on high alert and thus he was not taken by surprise by the approaching stranger. He flicked his ears in acknowledgement as he turned, angling his form so that his favoured right side was on display and the left cast in shadows. He watched- or rather stared- as they approached, his silvery gaze roving over her form from snout to toes. She was slightly shorter than him, with long and lithesome legs and a monochrome coat that looked remarkably soft. Hattori knew pampered nobility when he saw it but there was something different about this woman, snake tongue aside. As a shinobi he knew all about the dangers of a pretty face, that there was often a dagger hiding behind a smile, but despite her sharp and watchful gaze he felt as though she posed no real danger to him. For now. Not because he deemed her incapable, rather he'd left himself wide open and she hadn't seized the chance. Even an amateur would have lunged for it, gone right in for the kill when he was at his most vulnerable, but there she was watching and appraising, taking in all he had to offer and seemingly left wanting more. Well then, if she just wanted to talk then he would indulge her, for now.

"I am considering it, yes." He admitted, his voice rough and low from lack of use.

There was an odd thrill at watching his eyes look her over as she came to a halt nearby. Magenta gaze was curious, even as they stood for a moment in silence taking each other in. Venom was certain that he was unaffiliated, and wondered to herself what the likelihood of folding him into the Empire might be. He was wounded, caring for himself. He hadn’t lost much weight yet, perhaps she had a better chance than she originally thought.

His answer wasn’t exactly what she expected, but perhaps she should have. Willow bark was unpleasant at best. Her dark brows lifted, obviously intrigued. Her bright eyes narrowed as her thought process was narly projected onto her features. ”I might be convinced to part with some much more pleasant pain relief, and maybe more professional attention.” She alluded at what she could offer. Surely he realized she was a pack wolf, and if her high status wasn’t just as clear it would be in the way she held herself. ”Perhaps even more than that.” Venom added, obviously beating around the bush. She wanted more of his attention, what better way to gain it than being vague and mysterious?

In most situations the more a person spoke the easier it was for Hattori to get a feel for them, but despite all that was being said she still remained a pretty little mystery. Her offer seemed simple enough at face value, but Hattori knew better than to just brush it off as a simple act of kindness. Everyone wanted something. He respected her candour though, another wolf might have beaten around the bush and made themselves out to be someone they were not, dressed the offer up all neat and proper with a bow on top. But not her, she'd simply tested the waters with an offer just to see what he'd make of it. This was an interesting encounter to say the least and in response Hattori's eyes narrowed just a hint, barely noticeable beneath the shade of the tree.

On principle alone he was far too proud to accept handouts, wounded as he may be he'd never stoop so low. But the tone of her voice and the weight of her words pushed past all of that,  somehow managing to be crystal clear yet frustratingly vague at the same time. He remained silent, focused, as he stood his ground and took it all in. This meeting was starting to feel awfully familiar and despite himself Hattori found himself wondering whether she somehow knew of his true nature or if she was make a very clever but educated guess. He had served lords and ladies like her before and whilst he had no quarrels in doing again so the terms had always been laid out bare for him to see. No mystery or intrigue, just cold hard facts and a price to be paid. It was the shinobi way and he clung tight to it, just as he did with his last name.

Whilst she meandered and weaved her words Hattori cut right to the chase, firm and direct but fair.

"What are your terms?"

He was definitely a dark and silent type, but is the situation was reversed she would have displayed much of the same behaviors. He was wounded, likely he would only just be able to defend himself should something happen. He didn’t know it, but could potentially guess, her affiliation with the pack next door. Reinforcements could arrive within minutes. Could he defeat her in that amount of time?

Venom offered up a white flag for him, a potential for peace as well as gain. She didn’t pressure him, the white gloved Empress remained half engulfed in willow branches as they spoke. Well, she spoke, he was quick and concise with his choice of words. Venom couldn’t blame him. She had his attention though, and all the permission in the world to continue.

”A bit of help perhaps. Once you’ve healed. She wasn’t blind, she could see his history of a warrior. ”Only if you enjoy a good raid.” Venom added innocently. ”My pack and Empire are newly reborn, I seek wolves I can learn to trust to replace those with traitorous intentions.” She revealed to him much more seriously, her rose and lilac eyes aiming to find his bright gaze once more.

What sort of help could a woman like her need? It was true that she was a little younger than him, just on the cusp of adulthood, but it seemed as though she already had her affairs in order. Or at the very least she certainty acted as though she did. It was a convincing show nonetheless and Hattori found himself somewhat impressed by her decisiveness and her ability to think fast on her paws. By then he'd already assumed that she was of noble birth but it was quickly becoming apparent that she wasn't just a pretty face content to hide in another's shadow. She belonged on centre stage and she wanted his help to stay there. It was a story he'd heard before, a tale as old as time, since empires and kingdoms very rarely underwent change without a bit of turmoil. She needed all the strength and muscle she could muster, to smooth things over and remind her underlings and rivals of their place. It wasn't a job typically suited for a shinobi but that wasn't enough of a reason for him to turn her down.

He was quiet for a long moment, considering his next words as his ears tipped forward to listen to the breeze rustling the willow branches. This seemed as secluded as a spot as any, if they were to come to an arrangement he would need to be forthcoming with her as well. Upon realising that she was seeking out his gaze he looked to her once more, the cold intensity cutting through the shade like daggers. To serve or not to serve? It wasn't a hard question to answer,

"I am Hattori, shinboi of the Iga clan." Regardless of his injuries he bowed then, low and polite since he now knew he was in the presence of an Empress. Even then he never broke eye contact, holding her gaze without blinking. "If you require my services to strengthen the foundations of your Empire then consider it yours. But know this, I serve you and only you till the terms of our contract are fulfilled. If you require anything of me you need only ask."

He seemed to know how to act around a wolf of her stature, not that she demanded it. His behavior seemed natural however and Venom couldn’t help as her Klein smirk played over her young features as she watched him with obvious interest. She didn’t interrupt him, and allowed however much time he needed to answer, her patience endless in that moment. His dual toned gaze was brought to hers as he gave his name, title, and gave her the respect she deserved with adeep bow. Venom appreciated his eye contact and returned a respectful nod as he went on.

Hattori the shinobi, would pledge his loyalty to her alone. She could accept these terms. ”The honor is mine, Hattori of the Iga clan.” Dual toned tail flicked at her hips as her tongue flicked with interest. ”I am Empress of the Ashen Empire Venom Abraxas.” She left out her Klein middle name.

”What do you seek from me, besides shelter and care for your wounds?” If they were going to be direct with each other she needed to know what he would seek from her, if he had more to give than just a favor for seeing to his wounds. If their relationship developed positively would he be willing to pledge more than one single contract?

Hattori made it his business to know things, to keep his ears open for whispers and rumours carried on the wind. Talk of expansive empires and kingdoms tended to travel far, so he wasn't all that surprised when he felt a twinge of recognition at the mention of the Ashen Empire. The same couldn't be said of her last name though, he knew all about the great families and clans of his homeland but beyond the borders of Nippon his knowledge was fairly limited. Practically nonexistent. Not that it really mattered, regardless of how he wore his surname like a badge of honour it was, in the end, just a name. And without firm and decisive action it would fade into obscurity like the rest. There was a lot he needed to do to leave his mark on the world and perhaps serving the Ashen Empire- or rather Venom- would be a wise place to start. If nothing else it would give him the time and reason to recuperate without having to defile his sense of honour and dignity, it was true he'd stumbled a little but he was far from falling from grace just yet.

Her next question was a reasonable one, necessary even. It ruined the whole cloak and dagger nature of their conversation a little but Hattori had never been a theatrical sort, getting right down to the nitty-gritty details had always served him well and if nothing it just went to prove how serious he was. That despite the fact his loyalty had to be bought he was still a man to be trusted and valued, that each and every word he uttered was the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

"Not working...is a poor reflection of me." He wasn't sure whether he'd worded that right. The saying he was referring to didn't translate very well into the common tongue, it seemed. Any frustration he felt was held down beneath the surface, his grip unwavering, as his expression remained as neutral as ever. He shifted his weight, had he been a more casual and laid back man he would have sat. If only to take the weight off his throbbing leg. "The only time a shinobi does not work is when they are dead, serving you suits my interests just as well as yours. However, I would request that my subordinates receive the same courtesy you have offered me. I am not sure of their current whereabouts but it is possible they will join me soon."

He was rather in the dark about this matter and it frustrated him, more than anything else did. For all he knew they could have forsaken him or died trying to uphold his honour. More than that he didn't even know where his companions were or if they'd managed to keep his belongings safe. It was all a bit of a mess, if he was being frank.

Their conversation progressed well. Venom felt like they were being honest to each other, and his actions were quickly garnering her early trust in him. She was only just coming into her newly acquired position, but she spent her whole life training for this. Her support system was convinced she was ready, and the girl took action when it presented itself. Her tongue flicked in interest as the Iga born spoke to her. The way his eyes met hers and the confident way his words left his lips led her to believe he spoke the truth. He gave her honesty. Though the phrase wasn’t what it could be Venom knew what he meant. He was injured, but that couldn’t be allowed to stop him. She was much the same way.

Venom hoped that his interests were simply his need for a purpose. He very well could have been an infiltrator. He looked enough like Hana and she was Seer’s spy. Sirius had good judgement, if they were anywhere near similar in character perhaps she’d stumbled upon her next greatest ally. Then again, she hadn’t been impressed with the pale girl. Best to reserve judgement perhaps.

”I think that could be arranged.” Venom easily agreed to his terms. ”Do you need assistance on the journey?” One pale brow lifted curiously, half testing him as her magenta rose gaze lingered on his form. It was no secret he was injured, and the better condition she was able to present him to a healer the better off he would be. Venom could feel herself softening to him already and she was yet to decide if that was a good or bad thing.

Despite the fact she so readily agreed to his terms Hattori knew he hadn't earned her trust just yet. He didn't take it personally or view it as an affront to his honour it was simply a matter of fact, the way things ought to be. Just like respect, trust had to be earned and not freely given. He'd had a few clients who still didn't quite trust him even after the terms of their contract had been fulfilled, some still clearly wary that he'd turn around and stab them in the back as soon as he was given the chance. As if he needed to be given anything.

Hattori shook his head. Given that she was an Empress it would have been awfully inappropriate for him to accept her offer, but more than that it was a matter of pride  He'd made it this far on his own, the thought of submitting to weakness now-even if only for a moment- was unthinkable. But still, he appreciated the sentiment even if he wasn't very good at showing it. He stepped forward, moving out from beneath the shadow of the willow tree as he tested the strength of his legs. He was fairly certain he wouldn't collapse but moving any faster than a slow walk was out of the question for now. Each stride required a strong degree of self control to hide the discomfort but Hattori managed as he always did, his expression still and cold like the calm surface of a lake.

"I can manage." He rumbled.

Someday she could be looking at one of her greatest allies. A bought one, but ally all the same. As long as their interests aligned. She wondered if she could ever be fully confident in him, but for now she couldn’t know. All Venom could do now was to hold up her end of the bargain and see where things went after using her best judgement at the time.

The Empress lifted her brow as the dark coated man shook his head, causing his set of horns to glimmer in the low light. Venom lifted her brow curiously as she watched him slowly but with steady movements, begin to follow her. She smirked lightly with his confident but stiff movement. His words were stoic, but she could guess at how much he was hiding from her. ”You needn’t hide anything from me.” Venom told him absently as she turned to lead him towards the border. Like her words hadn’t even mattered, but in reality they did. If he wanted her to trust him, she needed to know all of him.

Hattori limped along, content to keep the silence as he remained in Venom's shadow, close but not imposing on her personal space. It was a habit he'd gotten into during his service, no one wanted a shinobi breathing down their necks but at the same time he needed to be close enough to defend his master or mistress if it came to that. He doubted it was necessary right now, given the close proximity of the Empire,  but he was wordlessly setting a precedent and in turn showing Venom a brief glimpse of what she ought to expect from him. Her words brought a hint of a frown to his face, was there something in his demeanour that suggested he was hiding something? He was quiet for a long moment as he considered this, the wind rustling the branches hiding the sound of their footsteps.

Thus far he'd told her all she needed to know but if well and truly pressed he supposed, or imagined rather, that his short and curt responses might seem cagey, as though he was unwilling to talk. No one had ever pointed that out before, or if they had then he hadn't cared to listen. Seeing as she was an Empress and his employer he was hardly in a position to deny her, not that he really wanted to.  He exhaled sharply through his nose, the closest he'd gotten to a sigh in a while.

"I know. Nor would I ever." If this was what she required of him so be it, but he'd need some direction. "If there is something you wish to know, you need only ask."

He didn’t hide his limp, so perhaps he was being truthful with his injuries. She would have felt she’d done him a disservice if she didn’t offer her shoulder on the way back. He’d managed this well so far maybe he wasn’t exaggerating his abilities. His demeanor was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. Sirius and the Armada… she was raised to see them as equals, as her mentor. Anyone close to what Hattori was did not treat her with this level of reverence. It was odd, but she didn’t quite hide the smirk that played on her lips. He was already working for her trust and respect.

”Good.” She replied simply and shortly. Did she carry too much of Deathbelle in her desire to show her support for her underlings? If he wouldn’t accept her help while injured would he when he was well? Should she even worry about something like that? He pledged to be his support, but she offered the same in turn.

He told her that he’d answer anything she asked. ”Will you.. play a little game with me then?” She asked him, her tone again almost offhand. ”Twenty questions, if we can get through that many before reaching Ashen. First I ask a question, and then you answer and follow up with your own.” If he agreed the newly crowned Empress would start. ”What is your favorite flower?” This unassuming question would be much more telling than it seemed. Venom’s tail swayed softly at her hips as she continued to lead their procession of two.

Hattori's eyed widened. It hardly seemed like the time or a place for a game but as Venom ventured on and explained her intentions he supposed it made a little more sense. From the start she'd made it clear she wanted to know more about him, to push through the barriers that surrounded him. It was a little strange, given that none of his former employers had cared to know him at a personal level, they'd only been interested in what he could do for them, but if this was simply a matter of trust then he would play along. For her. It wasn't a game he was familiar with but it sounded simple enough, even if the purpose behind it was a little more complex.

"Cherry blossoms." He said without hesitation, only to pause when he realised it was his turn to ask a question.

He'd never been the prying type and it felt odd to have to start now. Hattori watched the shift of her shoulder muscles as she walked ahead, wondering what trivial fact he wanted to know about her. In all honesty there was quiet a bit he wanted to know, whether she was well put together as she made herself out to be, or if this was all just a front to maintain her grip on the Empire. Being as serious and gruff as he was it was somewhat tempting to jump right into the deep end and ask something a bit more profound, but he knew better than that. Following her lead he kept it simple and clean, at surface level it seemed straightforward enough but her response would be telling.

"Do you prefer the night or day?"

Cherry Blossoms one of the most beautiful displays but also one of the quickest. Venom was unsurprised by his choice, and slightly impressed. It was not an herb often found in the quick healing most warriors had knowledge of. It’s delicate pink coloring was regal and elegant, something to say about the man perhaps? She thought silently about his answer as he hesitated slightly to decide on his own question. Surely he had many deeper in his mind, but when his lips moved the question was a simple one that Venom could easily answer.

”The night.” She answered simply, wondering if she should explain her answer more fully, the night was when her family flourished. Or the Klein part of it. Even if she was disappointed in those of her lineage she still clung to the habit of protecting the sensitive skin beneath her white fur. Her magenta lavender gaze flicked to his features, his limp was obvious but he moved with relative fluidity.

”How many did you serve before me?” She asked softly, easing into the more serious questions with relative ease, this wasn’t the deepest but they would get there.

The fact she favoured the night over day wasn't all that surprising,  he'd already come to the conclusion she was a woman of mystery and intrigue but it was quickly becoming apparent that there was more to her than what simply met the eye. The night was dark and full of terrors, could the same be said of Venom? Hattori dwelled on this line of thought for a long moment as they pushed through the willows and the trees began to thin, streaks of sunlight squeezed through the branches and bathed their forms in light. As though revealing all, their secrets laid bare.

Her question quickly changed the tone of the game, far more probing than the one that came before. But again, he could not fault her for this nor would he deflect or deny her. He exhaled, less of a sigh and more of a thoughtful sound as he tried to recall the numbers. He wasn't the forgetful sort and he wasn't careless but after some time the names and faces tended to blend together, only focusing when under scrutiny. He'd been working for the Iga clan since the day he'd turned a year old and it was bittersweet that he'd stopped-even if only temporarily- around about the time he'd turned two. It was ironic, almost, but Hattori didn't see the humour in it.

"Twelve. You are thirteen."

Which wasn't to say he'd served them for equal amounts of time. Some had only hired him to work for a day and others months, it all very much depended on what they required of him. Following her lead in more ways than one he amped up his line of questioning as well.

"Is the Empire's throne yours by birthright?"

His stiff tone paired with the implication of the question might have seemed a little probing, perhaps insulting even, but that was not his intention. Nor did he really care if she deserved the throne or not. It was hers now and thus it was his job to help ensure things stayed that way, regardless of what anyone else thought. If nothing else it would help give him a bit more context as to the threats and troubles he might have to deal with.

”Lucky number thirteen.” She mumbled quietly as he answered, giving him another glance as the light bathed their forms. Obviously each one had a varied amount of time with him at their call. How many more might he have after her? How many might even work against her? Venom banished the thought, already wondering for how long she might keep him ‘employed.’

His question delved deeper as well, but it was more complicated than he might have expected. This would be the first question with a potential for further conversation. She continued along silently for a moment, dual toned tail swaying at her hips as white gloved paws pulled her forward. ”For the most part.” She told him, but this time her gaze continued straight ahead instead of looking back at him. ”I was my mother’s heir, when she became unable to rule I took the throne myself. The transition was a bit of a surprise to her.” There had been no fighting or great argument like she had been expecting. Perhaps Sirius really had taken the fight right out of her. At their meeting and when he’d caused her to run away from Ashen.

”How did you sustain your injuries?” She asked, sure that he would answer her just as honestly as he had up to this point. Venom was beginning to truly feel him out now, but he was welcome to do the same with her. That was the game after all.

For the most part? Hattori's eyes narrowed a little at that, as though he wanted to blink but thought better of it. She could have simply left it at that and moved on and Hattori wouldn't have pushed the issue, but she continued and went onto explain that whilst the throne was indeed hers she'd claimed it a little before her time. It was an assumption, perhaps even unfounded, but he sensed that she wouldn't have done so without good reason. Paired with the fact her Empire was undergoing some changes it seemed fair to assume the former Empress' rule was lacking, that Venom had been forced into taking the reins before it became a lost cause. He had yet to meet the former Empress  so it was unfair to judge her just yet but if nothing Venom's words made her seem a little out of touch, blissfully ignorant perhaps.

As always Venom got right to the point, asking a question he should have seen coming. It was the elephant in the room and she'd shown him a great deal of courtesy by not bringing it up till now.

"I arranged a meeting between myself and my subordinates, under the strict condition they were to tell no one. I was attacked on route, I could hear fighting in the distance thus I assumed they met the same fate. As for my injuries... it was either be torn to shreds or jump down a ravine. I knew a safe landing was impossible but I considered it a risk worth taking. " And here he stood, or limped rather. He remembered the crack of his bones as his side collided with the rivers surface, he'd nearly drowned but he was far too stubborn to die. Or so it seemed.

As for his next question...

"What threats does your Empire currently face?"

Thus far they hadn’t questioned each other further in their game, but that was alright. Venom would give him a somewhat shortened version of events, and he said nothing. Maybe she should have, but Venom didn’t observe his reaction either. Maybe she painted Deathbelle in a less than stellar light, she had ruled to the best of her ability. She’d founded the Empire again, and Venom owed her much. That didn’t mean she still deserved her throne.

She had waited until they had gotten a few rounds in to really get to the meat of their conversation. Where had he gotten himself so beat up? He answered what seemed to be truthfully, and though she couldn’t help but think there was so much more to the story. Venom wouldn’t stray from their theme, and didn’t press him further as he went on to ask his next question. Threat to the Empire.

”The only real threat right now is sloth.” She told him somewhat quietly. She had been disappointed in the turnout for the raid. The Klein’s were getting old and fat under Deathbelle’s rule. Venom was determined to fix that. ”My brother someday. He turned on me, and I put him in his place. If he ever returns it will be for blood.” Her voice was stoic as she spoke of her kin, he was young and inexperienced now but he had the whole world at his toe tips. He was a cursed Klein, and could command more power than he realized. She mentally shook off her regret, there would have been no reconciling the boy.

”Where is your last contract holder now?” Bolder and bolder she grew with her questions, pity that they were getting so close. Now she was going to have to decide where to put him. The Palace would feel less lonely with a presence that wasn’t one of the slaves within its walls. Venom startled herself with the thought and quickly put it to rest.