It’d been a while - a long while, really - since the brothers collaborated on a hunt together. Moreover, it had been ages since they’d hunted in Usagi’s turf; on flat earth, not a single body of water to be found. Though the bunny-tailed man was warming up slightly to the bay and its bountiful waters, he was never going to be a fishing guru like his brother. Let Kuroo cast the nets and bring in the fish - Usagi was more than content to hunt terrestrial creatures instead. He had to admit, the arrival of the new pups and their parents had made the pack significantly bigger overnight, and it had certainly led to the two siblings having been busy away from each other. Mouths had to be fed, and the children had to be looked after here and there while they explored the expanse of the bamboo maze. He was no babysitter, nor did he hold any fondness in particular to the pups, but he did his duty to protect him. Such was the job of a Hohei, after all.

Still, he felt the two of them could do with a nice hunt. Besides sleeping in their den together, they rarely got the chance to interact in the waking hours of the day. Tracking through the old foundations of a land once claimed, Usagi already inhaled the scent of several possible prey they could hunt. Feeling the larger male’s presence not far behind him, Usagi turned around, already feeling the heat of Auster, even in its fall season, leeching into his dark pelt. There was no escape from the heat, really, was there? "You ready, Roo? I think I scented out a boar over there." He nodded towards the direction of some thick brush, ready to creep towards it if his sibling was.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

The suggestion from Usagi for them to go on a hunt delighted Kuroo on the inside. With how busy the both of them had been since the arrival of Sedna's pups, they barely had any time for brotherly adventures. While they still shared the same sleeping quarters, it made him happy on the inside that they were making time to venture out past the borders of Tojo for some bonding.

Approaching the outskirts of the garden, Kuroo's pale gaze looked upon the crumbled foundation scattered throughout the field. Unlike the northern region of Boreas, it was summer here in Auster and life was exploding all over the place. A myriad of scents infiltrated his nostrils as he inhaled a deep breath. He couldn't hide the gleeful smile on his lips that he was happy to be out here with his brother. It didn't matter if they were hunting on land or water this time, Kuroo would do whatever Usagi asked.

Letting his tongue out to pant away the summer's heat, Kuroo's ears turned toward the quiet rustling of the nearby brush. Glancing over to his brother who had already noticed the movement, his body stilled. Now was the time to get ready for the chase. Pulling his tongue back into his mouth, he felt his muscles tighten and prepare for the next moments. "Ready whenever you are," he whispered as quietly as he could while he started to creep behind his brother toward the boar's scent.

"Speech"

Usagi wouldn’t admit aloud that Kuroo’s presence by his side was a comfort he had been missing for some time. Though the brothers slept together still, in the same den, he often didn’t see the other koi for hours in the day - the pups certainly made pack life a bit more hectic and more busy. It was a rare moment, as strange as that felt, for them to be united in an activity they both enjoyed. Mossy gaze trained on the brush still, Usagi felt the continuous prickle of the sun’s heat on his back as he heard his brother whisper, acknowledging his comment with a flick of his flopped ear. As if on cue, a fat boar galloped out of the brush, and then another, and another - a whole heard racing into the open like a hunting field day. Usagi wasted no time - he knew Kuroo would help in any way he asked.

Focusing on the slower boars in the back, he singled out a particularly bulky, lazy, and slow male that struggled to keep up with the rest - but it was neither old nor ill. A perfect piece of prey, if you will. "Be careful of the other boars, keep them at bay while I try to single this one out," He called out to Kuroo, springing forward at a pace that envied that of a chased rabbit. Racing in complete focus, Usagi’s strides lengthened as he gave chase to his target boar, who immediately squealed in alarm. The other boars squealed as well, beginning to scatter if not attempt to drive themselves into Usagi as well. He didn’t care - he had faith that Kuroo would help reign them in so they could get a good catch. The others were too springy and light, anyways, whereas the one he targeted could feed a whole litter of pups, and then some.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

It was easy for them to be in perfect sync with each other. They didn't need much but their own body movements to communicate together. Even as Kuroo began to skirt behind his brother through the brush, he could sense what Usagi sensed. Each muscle stretched and contracted as they followed the strong scent of boar. Anticipation began to build up as his mouth began to water. Both eyes trained on the shadows around them when the pack of boars burst from the brush. A loud yip escaped his jaws as he rushed forward.

Usagi's direction rang in his ears as they folded back, determination lighting in his eyes. Letting his brother take the lead on the fat, slow one, Kuroo began snapping at the rest of the herd. His teeth clacked loudly together at their heels as he chased them through the field. As the animals tried darting back toward Usagi, Kuroo would dive in and lure them away. The adrenaline rush of cutting and weaving felt almost as good as catching a big fish!

"Speech"

Usagi expected nothing less of his brother as he heard the piebald snap his jaws at the scattering boars, keeping them away from him and his catch. It allowed the rabbit-like wolf to hone in on the kill, to focus on it and nothing else. Perfectly in sync, the two brothers were - knowing their ins and outs to such a degree it rivalled that of only twins. They might as well have been twins, except in appearances, and he dutifully charged ahead, allowing Kuroo a few strides to catch up after the other boars were scared away. It didn't take long at all for the slow boar to lose its speed, or what little of it it had to begin with. It didn't stand a chance as Usagi coiled his hind limbs mid-stride, launching himself with calculated precision into the boar's side. His jaws opened and then connected with the boar's tough hide, hearing it squeal and blood fill his maw as he and the herbivore skidded to a stop. The boar still cried out, legs thrashing as he gripped its neck and shook it firmly. If Kuroo came over, the two of them could finish it off together.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Having a good time chasing off the rest of the herd, Kuroo continued to snap his jaws at their heels. Almost giddy with laughter, he kept one ear tuned in toward Usagi's advancements. Sooner than he had liked, because what's a good chase if it doesn't last long, Usagi was slowing the target boar down. Quick to turn on his heels, not a word needed between the two brothers, Kuroo made his way toward his brother. Pale eyes locked on the slow boar as Usagi lunged forward. Blood squirted from the puncture wounds that he barely avoided.

Once his near-twin had a good hold, Kuroo moved in toward the boar's soft spot - the neck. Lashing out to grab ahold of the tender neck meat, Kuroo bit down and finished off the boar. Its squeals finally died as its breathing came to a halt. Letting go with blood covering his mouth, he stepped back and grinned at Usagi. "Fantastic job as always, brother," he chirped happily before moving in to begin the skinning process.

"Speech"