Hattori strode across the mud and muck with practised ease, his paws barely even sinking into the mud despite the bulk of his frame and heavy bones. His pace was slow and considered, with his toes splayed wide as he remained on the move, leading by example. He knew this place was not befitting of a princess, that no doubt there were a myriad of other ways Kiyohime would like to spend her afternoon, but this was an important lesson for her to learn. For all her enthusiasm and natural talent, her lack of coordination was truly holding her back. The sooner she got to grasp with her own body and learned how to best utilise it the better.

It was not her fault, Hattori did not blame her for this, but she would learn today.

And what better place than swamp where each stumble and fall would leave smeared reminders on her coat, amping up the challenge to where even Hattori might misstep if he did not take care. He had found the closest thing to an opening that one could find within these parts, it had enough room to move about without getting caught in the foliage but like everywhere else the ground was slippy and uneven.

"Here will do." Hattori concluded, rumbling in his native tongue, as he drew to a stop and cast a look over his shoulder to see how his youngest was faring.

Ike was never as graceful as her sister, Iki no matter how hard she tried throughout her childhood. She never seemed to get any better at it either, the older she got the more clumsy she was with her huge paws and incredible talons. She didn’t want to be, she never liked when she tripped at the exact wrong moment, and she felt like it was her greatest flaw. Her father agreed whole heartedly. Enough that he took her out for training because of that reason, because she couldn’t get full control of her limbs.

Her father led her into the swamp. She did her best to walk like him, and focused heavily on keeping her feet underneath her. Hattori knew what he was doing, she did not want to fall. She would be covered with mud in an instant, which was both uncomfortable and unappealing. As well as inevitable. Her heart sunk the further they traveled, the ground became more wet and more treacherous with every step. It didn’t take long for her to begin to fall behind lest she take a tumble as her paws began to sink into the muck. They made sucking sounds every few steps as she had to pull herself out of a particularly soggy place.

More than once the added momentum had her suddenly teetering on the brink of failure and they hadn’t even really started training yet. Mismatched paws were already stained with the mud but she had done well to keep it from above her wrists and ankles. Her dual toned gaze looked up just in time to meet her father’s gaze yards ahead of where she still was. Her little heart sank as she hurried to catch up and at the same time keep her paws tame enough she didn’t trip over them as she navigated both swamp and foliage to return to his side. “Yes, Otōsan.” Ike lifted her head and balanced herself with poise in front of him, her dual toned eyes fell to his paws as she realized how much less wet and muddy they were compared to hers.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

It was clear to see Kiyohime was struggling, but the fact that she hadn't yet fallen was a testament to her efforts. Hattori whilst talented in some regards was not born perfect, to get to where he was today had taken years of gruelling labour, a harsh reality he intended to shield his children from if possible. He would not force them to train till they collapsed from exhaustion, he would not beat them with bamboo rods if they did not succeed, his paw was firm but not unfair. And if some called him harsh Hattori would insist they did not know the true meaning of the word, that no child should flinch at the sight of their sires shadow. Till all but the strongest of emotions seemed to drain away, like a dream long forgotten.

"Show me your fighting stance." He began, stepping close as he reached out to test the strength of her poise.

Laying a paw against her shoulder he gave her a testing push, toes curled back so that his talons did not touch her. He was gentle at first, closer to a tap as he tested the feel of her coiled muscles, before pushing a little harder to see if she could maintain her balance.

"Do not overthink this." He wondered if that was the root of her problem, if she was simply trying too hard and fumbling in the process.

Shuriken knew nothing else but the early training her parents put her through, that she learned from Plague or gleaned from Sirius. She always felt challenged but never overburdened. This lesson would be the hardest of all. She already had trouble in the mud, as her sire so plainly could see. That was the whole reason he had led her out here. He intended on challenging her to her limits. Hattori requested her fighting stance, but she had a feeling that she would do better to not refuse. She tried to use her talons to dig into the harder clay mud as her joints bent and she tucked her chin. Kiyohime looked up to her father, falling into her stance like an old pro. Staying in her fighting stance was the test.

Her father stepped closer, still somehow impervious to the mud, and lifted his massive paw to her shoulder. By now Ike was challenging his height but he was still far bigger. She withstood the first test with ease, her smaller frame holding up and bouncing back against the little tap. Of course Hattori was not finished yet, and again his paw was a bit harder. Ike was much better at staying upright while she was stationary, it was moving that really got her paws caught underneath her and she lost her balance.

Kiyohime stood steadfast against her father’s touch so far, impressing even herself. The girl grinned up at her father, finding more confidence in herself instead of less as he went on and warned her not to overthink this task.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Hattori nodded, pleased with her efforts. It soothed something deep within him to see the spark in her eyes, to know with a bit of instruction she would continue to grow and improve. Ashen was a place of betterment, not of stagnation, under the Empress all the children would rise to the occasion and be worthy of their birthright. It was all a matter of time, even Kuroki would fall in to line, or so Hattori presumed.  

He stepped back then, moving far enough away that he had to raise his voice a little to be heard properly. Standing still was easy enough and he'd seen her walk, but how would Kiyohime manage running on such terrain? He set his paws in the mud, spreading his gait as he rolled his shoulders to loosen them up. It had been some time since he'd personally spared with his children, but he knew all their styles well enough, had watched from the sidelines to see what made them tick.

"Charge me. Do not hold back, I can take the impact. Focus on holding your form, do not let it slip. "  

He gave her a pleased nod at her performance and the young dragon felt pride fill her belly. Yes she struggled with her grace, but Hattori could see the efforts she made. Ike didn’t want to be constantly tripping over her paws, she wanted to have the grace her father possessed. So she put all of her effort and concentration into this lesson with him.

Of course they were not quite finished yet and her father stepped back and put a considerable distance between them. She perked her mismatched ears as he gave her the next instruction. He set himself into a defensive position. Planting himself against her as he asked that she charge. Kiyohime nodded shortly, building herself and taking in a deep breath. Steeling herself for what would happen in the next few moments.

The girl lowered her head, tiny antlers pointed at her father’s chest as she raced forward. Her strides were nearly perfect, but mud flared up behind her as her paws landed against the wet earth. Ike only slipped once, and recovered before she hit the dirt. The tiny princess shot forward, aiming at the massive Shogun.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Hattori waited, his steely gaze lingering on her as he took in her form. He saw her hesitation, the worry shining in her eyes but he said nothing, knowing full well she could work through her concerns alone. He was not the smothering sort of Father and he certainly wasn't going to change now. The Princess kicked off into a dash and her mismatched paws were quick to cover the distance. He quirked a pale brow as she slipped, wondering if she'd manage to recover only to be pleased with her efforts as she righted her stride.

She collided into the front of his form, causing Hattori to spread the gait of his hind limbs to right himself as the impact resounded in his chest. Enough to make him grunt beneath his breath, but ultimately remain upright in position. He'd never say as much and Kiyohime didn't need to know but he sensed he'd have a bruise there come  the following morning.

"Good." He complimented her with a nod, convinced she would only get better from here on out. "Is your head all right?" His bones were stronger than most, the last thing he wanted was for her to get a headache.

She might not have fallen face first into the wet mud, but her paws were anything but clean. She was going to need Tanto’s help keeping her white fur from staining after all of this training. Keeping herself on her paws was the most important, and she succeeded in that as her little antlers collided with her father’s chest. He was forced to take a step back, and she forced a low groan from from but he remained on his feet. Ike did as well, and as soon as she knocked into him the girl was making her retreat. Using her head with such force did daze her slightly, but she was quick to recover.

Hattori praised her, and not in some long winded victory speech. One simple word that meant the world to Ike. "Yes, father.” She returned with a slight nod of her antlered crown. She stood tall again, quiet as she awaited his next command. Did he have more obstacles? Would they have a real spar out here?


"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Glad that she was alright, Hattori pushed forth the second part of his intended training. Her skills were progressing nicely in theory, but what of practice? Naturally Hattori was unarmed and did not intend to hurt his daughter, a fact that would not always apply to her battles, but this would further drive home the importance of bettering herself. He did not doubt Ashen would be raided again one day and he expected his children to rise to the occasion in due time.

"Spar with me then." Was all the warning he offered her as he set things into motion.

Not as aggressive or on the offence as he tended to be, Hattori instead closed the distance and reached for the scruff of his daughter's neck. Just as her Mother, there were quills laying in wait, but Hattori was curious to see whether she would make the best of this hidden mutation. Or if she'd get overwhelmed and forget actions that ought to be muscle memory by now.

Hattori vs Shuriken for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

Hattori had the girl’s complete attention. The little princess Kiyohime treasured this alone time training with her father. The girl knew she had a long way to go to be any kind of proper warrior like her mother and father. That was why her father brought her out here today, to help better herself. To become the talented fighter that she was bred to be, but sometimes it felt like she would never get there. Hattori instilled a sense of confidence in her with his praise though, and the pup could imagine someday she would have the grace of her mother and the power of her father.

”Spar with me then.” He told her quietly before he began the spar. That was all the warning she was allowed before he sprung towards her. Defenses were the very first lesson that she learned, bending her joints, lifting herself to her toes, and raising the ridge of quills along her scruff. It was almost instinctual at this point. That was something the girl was grateful for as her father’s open jaws reached for that exact spot to gain control over her smaller frame.

Ike did indeed work from muscle memory, using her quills almost offensively as she bunny hopped in hopes of showing her father just how well she used her assets.

Shuriken vs Hattori for Spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: under 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive
Mutation 2: Talons - Offensive
Mutation 3: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter
"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Sure enough, Hattori felt the brittle spikes of her quills against the edge of his snout. He pulled away before any damage could be done and instead titled his neck to reach for the unprotected section of her neck, there was a lot she could do to defend herself here and Hattori knew she'd been taught as much. The Shogun was eager to see how she would now react to consistent attacks, to her opponent not pulling away when their first attempt did not go to plan. Being a capable fighter meant she'd need to be able to think quick on her paws, to make the best of a bad situation. To double down on his efforts, and just to make it even harder for her, Hattori, raided a taloned-paw. He telegraphed his attack well, so it would not be something that blindsided her.

With a swipe of his paw, he aimed to swat at her muzzle, to prevent any bites she might snap his way.


Hattori vs Shuriken for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Eagle talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Cooperative

The little princess only barely managed to knick her father’s snout with her sharp quills. He shifted to grab at her neck but she was a quick little wiggle worm and dodged out of his grasp. She didn’t take her eyes off her father, but she had to keep herself fully focused. Keeping her balance, staying out of his grasp, returning fire and taking the offensive, she had a lot going on and she didn’t even have a year of fighting experience. She was doing much better than she had ever anticipated.

She clearly saw him lift his paw to swipe towards her face and Ike had to think quickly, and instead of thinking about it she just lowered her head and aimed to use her little tiny antlers to parry his swipe. She also grimaced in sudden disappointment as her white back leg was plunged into a hefty puddle as she redistributed her weight.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Shuriken vs Hattori for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive
Mutation 2: Talons - Offensive
Mutation 3: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter

And the winner is...

HATTORI

SHURIKEN must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: HATTORI Attack Roll: 60 Defense Roll: 59 Agility Roll: 38 Perception Roll: 34 Total: 191 Attack[60] + 55% Bonus[33.00]: 93.00 Defense[59] + 10% Bonus[5.90]: 64.90 Agility[38] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 38.00 Perception[34] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 34.00 Total[229.90] + 25% Bonus[57.48]: 287.38 SHURIKEN Attack Roll: 22 Defense Roll: 38 Agility Roll: 17 Perception Roll: 40 Total: 117 Attack[22] + 40% Bonus[8.80]: 30.80 Defense[38] + 10% Bonus[3.80]: 41.80 Agility[17] + 5% Bonus[0.85]: 17.85 Perception[40] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 40.00 Total[130.45] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 130.45

His daughter did well and put on a good show, but he did not want to push her any more than need be. His point had been made and he knew she would learn from both this lesson and spar. Swatting her antlers aside, Hattori stood to his full height and placed his paw back down onto the muddy ground. Little flecks of dirt now stained his coat, though hard to see against the black backdrop of his fur. Perhaps he would take a brief dip in the ocean to rinse off the worse offenders, or have one of his companions organise a warm bath. Honestly, the latter was a more tempting option.

"Well done." Hattori told her, his approval palatable in the monotone of his voice. "Keep training and sparing, and one day you will be as talented as your Mother."