As evening claws its way forward, his patrol took him across the land bridge, and back towards Inu Island. Leaving behind the Shrine, and the quiet territory there. Especially considering its position as the packs footing in the mainland, it was a rather quiet territory. It had a somber feel to the land that he could not place, and the positioning of the Shrine itself set his fur up. He kept his patrols to its borderlands, and then made his way back to the islands again.

Ashen was perfect for the Ademe wolf, he liked to swim, and he enjoyed the strategic positioning of islands. Harder to sneak up on. You couldn’t send an army against them without them seeing it, and most predators didn’t bother with the swim, or the well guarded land bridges.

It was a strange hand of luck that brought him onto Inu just as the shape of something moving in the ocean caught his attention. It wasn’t far out from shore, and he stepped closer to the lapping wages, pairing out at the… was that a jaguar? Heading to the islands?

He growled softly, his face impassive but for the bared fangs, and he spaced his paws, waiting for it to land. It would easier to take it on steady ground.

"Speech"

Patrolling the islands wasn't as straightforward as it was on the mainland, but despite it all Hattori appreciated the change of scenery. That each island was vastly different from the last. He had intended to remain close to the palace for now but a distant yellow blur in the water was more than enough to draw him out of the jungles shadows. By the time his paws hit the sand Lament was already facing off the cat, teeth bared as he posed to defend his home. Whilst Lament had not joined the raid-Hattori was told he'd been defending Ashen's more vulnerable members- it was clear that he wasn't here for a quiet and lazy life in paradise. And the fact that he'd noticed the jaguar first further proved that notion.

Stepping up alongside the Ademre, Hattori simply nodded. They both knew what to do, no words needed to be uttered.

Rushing forth, Hattori skirted to the side, forcing the cat to turn to meet his advance. The jaguar lashed out with a swipe of it's claws, on the defensive as it's ears lay flat against it's skull, giving Hattori the opening he needed as he made a grab for the scruff of it's neck.

He had every intention of taking on the creature alone, but back up was always appreciated. The quiet footfalls of company alerted him, and he twitched an ear in the direction of his leader. The rest of his attention remained on the threat before them.

The cat reached shallow water, and perhaps it would have tried to change its course to skirt around the wolves, but it was tired. Perhaps it had thought it would get a quiet entrance, a chance to find some trees to crawl into, and wait for prey or pups to fall into its reach.

Hattori wasn’t giving it any chances, rushing forward, and skirting to the side. Snapping at its neck. Lament himself was already moving a beat after, giving Hattori a chance to distract it, and then moving to its other side. As it swiped as Hattori, he kicked out, hooking a paw around its forepaw, and dragging forward. Hoping to make it hit the water hard, and put it in Hattori’s power.

"Speech"

Already exhausted and panting from it's long swim from Auster, the jaguar was quick to lose it's footing. But rather than landing hard as Hattori had anticipated, it rolled with it, curling onto it's side into a defensive position with it's claws and jaws at the ready. Hattori was quick to go down with it, extending his forelegs over it's side as he attempted to pin it down with the added weight of his reinforced bones. He clenched his jaw hard, blood pooled around his tongue as he held onto the loose skin of it's neck, steering it's teeth away from Lament as it wriggled and splashed in the shallows, it's head barely above water.

If they couldn't land a killing blow Hattori wasn't against the prospect of drowning it.

The creature was nifty in the water, and it rolled to avoid the impact of Hattori’s attack. Its quick movement pulled its paw from Lament’s grasp before he could get a good footing. Hattori held close to the cat, and went under with it. The Ademe watched the water like a hawk, waiting for his chance.

Bubbles of blood bled into the foaming sea, evidence of Hattori’s grip on the creature. When its back legs kicked out, Lament locked onto them, throwing his weight onto them and pushing its feet down. Holding it beneath the waves, and managing to keep his own chin above the surface. He watched Hattori carefully, to ensure his leader did not get trapped by the beast beneath the waves as well.

"Speech"

Lament was quick to catch onto his line of thought and threw his body weight atop the cat's hind quarters. Effectively stopping it from wriggling up onto it hind paws. Being sufficient swimmers and good in the water, the jaguar twisted and writhed as it held it's breath, attempting to headbutt Hattori loose. It managed to land a good hit and the impact of it sent a throb of pain through Hattori's system, causing him to loosen his grip a touch before he gritted his teeth and shooed the pain away.

Doubling down, Hattori was barely able to angle his snout above the water as he drew in a long and well needed breath. He dipped back beneath the surface and forced the cat back down with an almighty shove, denying it the right of surfacing as it's eyes began to bulge in panic. It needed air and it needed it right now. It was gradual but the jaguar's thrashing slowed as it feebly paddled at the water and eventually, with one last bubbled wheeze it passed out. But he didn't let up, he raised his head above the water and delved down again, waiting for it to well and truly drown. Only when the muted racing of it's heart could be heard no more did he let go, the beast was dead. And good riddance.

Lament held on with sheer tenacity, determined not to let the creature slip his grasp. The cool embrace of the ocean sloshing against his shoulders. Born from the thrashing motions of the creature they held beneath the waves.

He watched as Hattori stole a kiss of air from the surface, and was prepared to intervene if necessary, at the cost of the kill. Hattori went down again, shoving the creature further to its watery grave, as Lament rode out the thrashing of its back. When it almost slipped free of him, Lament dove his head under the waves, gripping a paw in his elongated fangs, and snapping his head to the side. The crack of bone told the fate of its leg as the Ademre resurfaced for a breath.

Some of the strength went out of the Jaguar’s thrashing, and then more as its lack of air weakened its movements. Hattori took another breath under Lament’s watchful gaze, and the creature went limp. They hung there together for a time, Lament and Hattori, until they were certain the beast was dead. “It’s an honour to fight at your side, Shogun” was all he said.

The fire marked wolf dove beneath the surface, gripped the cat by its neck, and pulled the sodden dead weight to the surface, and began to move back to shore. He would dry the coat and separate it. It could be added to the packs winter stores.

"Speech"

Surfacing, Hattori allowed fresh air to fill his lungs once more. Lament was quick to offer his gratitude as the Shogun hauled himself to his paws and stepped up the beach onto dry land, though unnecessary Hattori nodded to him. He understood and would be there if Lament ever needed his assistance in the future. He need only call. But none of that needed to be said aloud, in Hattori's mind their actions had spoken clear enough, they knew where the other stood. More than that Hattori had a better gauge of the mans fighting prowess, ashigaru he was not.

Shaking water droplets from his coat, he caught the Admere's eye. As ever he was quick to the point.

"Lament. I give you the rank of samurai. It shall be made official at the next meeting. Any questions? "

The Ademre forced himself to meet the gaze of his leader. Holding it steadily, unwavering, to fifull the customs of this land. The surprise was kept from his face only by the ingrained nature of his people. It displayed itself instead in the quick motion of his paw as it whispered startled gratitude! before him.

He bowed his head low to his leader. “You honour me, Shogun Hattori. I will see that I am worthy of it.” He promised. He had no intention to be rank and file any longer than he had to. The quick promotion startled him, but he would grasp it, and use it to lever himself ever higher. He would not stop until he was the right paw of the leaders of Ashen.

"Speech"

It was done without fanfare or drama, just as Hattori liked it. He accepted Lament's show of gratitude with a simple nod, before looking to the jaguar once more. They ought to do something with it's remains but he wasn't exactly sure yet. Leaving it at the border would serve as a good reminder to those who wanted to try their luck and trespass but on the other paw he didn't want to leave carrion laying around. Who knows what sorts of creatures it would attract. If anything someone would surely be able to make use of its parts, its coat could be made into bedding and its claws and teeth into makeshift weapons.

His mind made he shifted down and grunted for Lament to help him haul it away. They'd take it to the store and someone could get to work on it as soon as they were able.