Under The Moonlight: fighting seasonal
word count: 138

The night was dark, the moon was nowhere to be seen and even the stars seemed to be in hiding. Moving around at night had never been an issue before but given the lack of light and the craggy terrain Hattori's footsteps were slow and measured as he picked his way across the hills. Once again he was reminded of the fact he probably ought to have not been up and about on his paws, least of all scrambling around on such rough terrain. But it was a nonissue or at least he wanted to pretend as much, for the time being. Besides his muscles and form would only wilt and wither away if he didn't use them. Despite the tricky terrain he found himself entertaining the thought of having a quick training session, just like old times.

Stjarna was feeling good despite the ruggedness of the hills they were navigating over. The night sky was gorgeous, electric! It filled Star with energy. A crisp, cloak of black studded with shimmering diamonds. The energy spurred Stjarna on to find something to do to release said energy whether it would be a fight or a hunt. They hadn't run into any of their siblings yet and it was still a ways before they could get back to one of the home bases, so to speak. Granted, the Aracari siblings didn't exactly have one official home base but there were so many of them Star was sure they'd run into one of their siblings eventually.

A familiar silhouette ghosted across the territory. Well, well, well, it was the horned man. Star let out a call and padded toward the stranger. "Hey there, I don't believe I ever got your name. This is some night we're having isn't it? Just gorgeous!" Star wondered if the other might be interested in a hunt or spar but they weren't sure about the best way to ask. The other man was clearly a good hunter but how was he in battle? One way to know.

WC: 200
Total: 338

word count: 305
total word count: 643

Hattori turned, hearing the starlight stranger long before he caught sight of them. His ears tipped a little, adjusting now that they were within conversational distance. Calling the night beautiful seemed a little strange since Hattori he could barely see a thing but to each their own, he supposed. That was a valid point though, throughout their encounters there hadn't been much time to talk and he hadn't gone out of his way to offer his own name. Time to amend that.

"Hattori of Ashen." He hit two birds with one stone, now they'd know his name and where he was from. Lest they came seeking him out for yet another hunt or fight. Speaking of. He'd seen Stjarna's skills against other creatures but how would he fare against a shinobi and in such poor lighting too. "Would you care for a spar?" He waved his front paw in an inviting manner, silently offering them the first move. It seemed only fair given that he was picking the fight, so to speak.

He shifted, his posture changing seamlessly in the darkness of the night. His poise was firm but relaxed, ready to spring into action despite the rocky- likely unstable- terrain beneath his paws. Hattori rolled his shoulders then, warding off any stiffness as he watched and waited with a intense but patient glint in his eyes. He'd fought all sorts of opponents but none of them had been quiet so casual, laid back as though fighting was just a means of passing time. To Hattori it was a way of life, how he went about earning his keep but he found himself wondering what motivated Stjarna to take up arms. Not that it was of any importance nor was it his place to pry, but he liked to read people, to know and learn.

Stjarna grinned as the other introduced himself as Hattori of a pack called Ashen. Star didn't know about the packs that lay in the regions of Boreas but the starlight wolf put the name to his memory in case they were to come upon the pack in the future. Star hadn't entertained the thought of joining a pack. They'd go wherever their siblings went and the odds of a pack were some what unlikely though if Star talked with their siblings they could be tempted to try joining a pack and see what it was like. Really, their family was basically a pack unto itself with how large it was becoming.

Ears flicked forward at the mention of a spar. "You read my mind." Stjarna grinned, pleased that Hattori was interested in a spar. It would be good to release some of the energy that was building up in the clear, summer night. Star prepared for the fight to come, weight settled evenly on all four of their limbs, stance widening slightly for balance, knees bending for better shock absorbency. Star's toes spread, thick nails digging into the earth for a better grip. They lowered their head to the level of their shoulders, tail raising to an equal levels. Shoulders rolled forward and bunched their scruff in a protective roll over their neck, chin tucking toward their throat to protect the delicate area beneath their jaw. Jagged black hackles rose in a spiked ridge down his back and neck, their ears pinning gracefully back against their head. Mismatched eyes narrowed and they readied himself for the fight to come.

Star's muscles bunched and released launching the wolf forward like a coiled spring as the Aracari attempted to hurtle themselves forward toward Hattori. Shifting their weight to their hindquarters, Star attempted to slam their right shoulder forward into Hattori where the horned man's left shoulder met the left side of his chest, seeking to strain the tendons that held the shoulder in place.

At the same time Star's jaws flew open as they tried to bite the left side of the other man's face. Seeking for their upper fangs to land above the man's left eye and the lower fangs at the edge of the man's left jaw, hoping for a solid grip.


Stjarna Aracari vs Hattori) for (Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Novice Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

WC: 382
Total: 1025

word count: 249
total word count: 1274

Glad that Stjarna was open to the suggestion, the spar was on. Hattori shifted his weight, anticipating a frontal assault as his opponent tucked their head down and hunched their shoulders up. It was a tactic he'd seen before and was familiar with; an initial battering ram manoeuvre before sweeping in with another swift attack before Hattori could regain his footing or senses. Hattori tsked and surged forward to meet Stjarna in the middle, also hoping to barge into him with the strength and might of his wide set shoulders. The earth was dry and crusty beneath his paws, they were standing on a very slight incline and visibility was poor. It took a deal of focus and concentration to not lose his opponent in the dark. Regardless of whether he won this halfhearted spar, Hattori took this as a moment to learn and improvise. He imagined that his spar partner felt the same way, more or less.

Not intending to do any lasting harm, he avoided reaching out with his talons and instead favoured keeping all four of his paws firmly on the ground. If nothing else it would give him a better sense of balance, a factor he took into consideration given the terrain. Dipping his head down, Hattori's horns jabbed at the at air. If Stjarna intended to grab a hold of the shinobi they'd have to be very precise in their aim, an inch off the mark and they'd receive a sharp poke for sure.

Hattori Hanzō vs Stjarna for spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Eagle Talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Novice Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Stjarna tried to focus on the red of Hattori's coat as the rest of the mans pelt seemed to blend into the night. The starlight wolf collided into the other, shoulder striking where originally intended as the man jutted his horns forward. Star tilted their head, shifting their attack from the counter as he sought to bite instead at the left side of the man's neck, just behind the corner of the jaw. He hoped to get a solid grip from which to control the other man's head. Hattori was proving a difficult opponent for the young Aracari but Star relished the challenge. There were only a few of the Aracari wolves that opted to study the arts of battle so it was a real treat to fight against a practiced opponent and Star didn't want to let the other man down.

Star focused on keeping their defenses set. Seeking to make sure ears were pinned and tail tucked. Star also sought to make sure their weight was evenly balanced across their paws so as to help maintain their balance against the larger, heavier wolf. Star hoped to claim a victory to share with their siblings but even if they lost it would be a good learning experience. As long as Star was learning it wasn’t wasted effort.

Stjarna Aracari vs Hattori) for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Novice Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

WC: 218
Total: 1492

word count: 254
total word count: 1746

They clashed and the force of the impact rattled around in Hattori's chest, forcing a hiss of breath out from between his teeth. His shoulder had mended well, perhaps a little tender from time to time, but collision reminded him of old pains. Pain wasn't something he disliked, per se, it reminded him that he was alive but it also reminded him of his weaknesses and mistakes he'd made. He was an experienced shinobi and no slouch but like all men he still had a lot to learn. Stjarna twisted, adeptly dodging the jab of his horns and pressed the attack, remaining close and hounding Hattori's defences. Another wolf might have felt a touch overwhelmed, backed into a corner, but despite the fact they were locked in halfhearted battle his breathing remained smooth and sure. In and out, over and over,

Not wanting to give his opponent a chance to get a good hold he used his height and build to his advantage, he was taller and thus found it easier to reach for the back of Star's neck, namely the loose scruff of fur. As though he was an elder, scolding a misbehaving pup. At worst, if he managed to grab a hold, it would sting a little but the skin there was loose for a reason. Had it been a serious fight, to the death, either of them would no doubt have aimed for the throat, that soft and vulnerable spot that could snuff out a life in a handful of seconds.

Hattori Hanzō vs Stjarna for spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Asian Golden Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Mountain hawk-eagle, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Eagle Talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Novice Hunter
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

Hattori

Stjarna must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Stjarna: Adjusted: 48.75    56.7    22    64 Total Score:    191.45 Hattori: Adjusted: 37.8    37    12    102.3 Total Score:    226.92