Now that they had returned from the tragic affairs of Menagerie's fall, Kuroo was ready to get back into the swing of things. He needed something to do to keep his mind off of the pang that he still felt in his chest every time he thought of Sayuri. When his Kaicho offered that he led the hunting trip into the Ancient Oaks for their pack expansion, he leaped at the chance. Their goal was to see what they could find that was new, different, and useful for the pack to use as sustenance and resources. While Kuroo would always be more of a fisher, he was still proficient in other ways of hunting and welcomed the challenge.

Leading the small group into the shady expanse of the Ancient Oaks, he would slow his steps to a near silent step. Flaring his nostrils to soak in the scents and both ears swiveling to tune in to the finest of sounds, he perked as they rounded a corner. Not far off, a creek babbled away before flowing into a small shallow pond. There, he could smell the scent of a bird that he wasn't too familiar with. Now, this would be different prey than their normal deer or fish! Eager to get a good look at the feathered soon-to-be meal, Kuroo led the group into the shadows of the brush.

"I say we take it down quick," he whispered to his fellow packmates as he spied the large swans floating along the surface of the pond. There were four in total which would give them options in case the one they targeted ended up getting away. "We will go after the biggest one first. One each grab a wing, the third grab at its legs, and I'll go for its neck," Kuroo turned his pale gaze toward his group to see if they understood before starting their mission.

Tojo Pack Hunt Expansion / Hunt Large Prey (Trumpeter Swan)

Fuji wasn’t much of a hunter, but she was always up for a fight! and hunting couldn’t be much more different than that really could it? Small as she was, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the others missed her amongst the hunting party, but she was determined to do her part.

Honey eyes widened as they fell on the bird, gosh it was big enough that she could jump on it’s back and fly away! She didn’t have a hope in the world of impeding one of those wings, but weighing down its feet? well with her grippy fingers and sheer stubborness, it might just be the perfect job for her! “I’ll get them feet!” She whispered with determination, giving Kuroo and her other packmates a determined nod. As soon as those whompers were secure, she’d be there!

“Speech”

Just move those left feet, go ahead, get crazy

Usagi had lurked protectively over his brother since they returned to Tojo-kai. Sayuri’s disappearance and assumed loss had shaken the piebald man deeply, and the Hohei had vowed to keep watch, just in case whoever committed the crime decided to resurface. It wasn’t something he let go so easily, and the concern over Roo’s safety lingered. But when their Kaicho had offered the chance for Kuroo to lead a hunting expedition to the Ancient Oaks, Usagi felt it was a good way for the two of them to hunt together again. To participate in normal activities again. To just be together, like they always had been. He didn’t hesitate to accompany his brother to the clearing surrounded by mountanous trees, their roots gnarled and warped across the hard earth. They’d tracked a scent together - little Fuji tagged along, which he had to worry about too - fiery she was, and he didn’t need her to jump in and do anything too reckless. It was almost as if she mirrored some aspect of his own personality - which he’d deny, of course.

When they approached the trickling creek, its shallow stream bubbling gently, Kuroo paused, having them convene in a shadowy set of bushes lining tue creek’s edge. Kuroo mentioned the large swans and how they could each grab a part of one to take it down more easily. Usagi’s chartruse gaze flickered intently at the four plump creatures, their bellowing song and massive wings giving them quite a formidable air compared to smaller fowl. He glanced briefly to Fuji as she proudly exclaimed she’d tackle its feet, which really left Usagi with one choice - but he was going to step in for the tiny child if she was at risk of getting scratched. Gods only knew what trouble he’d get into if Sedna saw her injured.

”I’ll take the wings, then,” Usagi said, voice low. He crouched down on his haunches, waiting for Kuroo to give some sort of signal to strike.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Swans were not an easy prey, certainly when they could take flight at any moment. And though Kuroo was a fisher-wolf at heart, Hattori knew he was capable of leading this hunt, that if they all worked together and played their part just so they would succeed. They had to, if the Oaks were to be their own. Kuroo decided they ought to go for the largest bird, set their standards high and work down if things did not go to plan. Hattori grunted in approval, it seemed like a sound idea to him, one he had no quarrel with.

And thus the group decided what their approach would be. It seemed Usagi would grab one wing, leaving the other for himself.

"Then I shall claim the other."

Kuroo was not surprised that Usagi had tagged along with him. His brother's company was the best sort during his darkest days. Even when his brother was at his most sour, there was no failing at getting him to smile. The other two in their group did surprise him slightly. Unlike his brother, Kuroo had not spent a lot of time harnessing skills with Fuji and had not realized the girl was so eager to beat the crap out of foes. Ultimately, Kuroo smiled with pride and excitement when the miniature girl stated she would go for the feet. He was interested to see how she would do. Their last partner was none other than the Kaicho himself, Hattori. While Kuroo had thought that he would've requested someone else's efforts during this hunt, Kuroo was thankful they would have Hattori's expertise in taking down the large white birds.

The Trumpeter Swans glided over the pond's water, beady eyes wandering over the water's edge as they readied themselves. Once everyone had claimed their piece of the swan, Kuroo nodded his head to begin their takedown. Dashing forth from the brush they'd hidden in, he splashed quickly through the shallow depths. His jaws opened wide as his ears fell back and muscles moved fluidly. Darting around the swan as it flayed its wings open in an attempt to beat him with those feathered weapons, he aimed straight for the neck right in the middle.

Tojo Pack Hunt Expansion / Hunt Large Prey (Trumpeter Swan) 2/3

Fuji wasn't one for openly admitting favourites but in this case, she was quietly grinning, surrounded by some of the best wolves she knew that weren't her litter mates. At least nobody here told her she was too small or gave her those worried looks like she might break.

At Kuroo's nod, the girl moved forwards with the group, maybe needing to jump a little higher to get through the chest deep water, but there were enough bodies around that she half got carried along with the current of their passing. The frantic honking and flapping of wings exposed a black ankle and the girl lunged for it, not minding if her horns served to wind the bird in the process. Water went up her nose and got in her eyes but now that she had a scaled black foot, she wasn't going to let go, her plush roundness doing well to protect her from the frenzied scratching of the other limb passing over her crystal shard covered neck and sliding off her shoulder.

“Speech”

Just move those left feet, go ahead, get crazy

The group rushed into the fray, teeth at the ready as they dodged feathers and nips alike. The swan did well not to panic, even though it knew it was surrounded and quickly went on the defensive, flapping and hissing as it did its best to buy itself some space. Hattori was whacked in the face during his first attempt to grab a hold, the beating of wings clearly not an exaggeration as it forced a grimace from him. But his second attempt to grab a hold of the bird worked a little better, feathers met teeth as he snapped forward, attempting to get a better hold of the bird as it flapped and flailed. Attacked from all sides and unable to take flight as it clearly wanted to.

"Speech"

The apprehension of the hunt was building. Silence befell the group as they bode their time, Kuroo taking the lead by offering to grab the neck of the swan. He’d already claimed a wing himself, little Fuji taking a foot and Hattori taking the opposite wing. They all had a part in the takedown - there wasn’t much of a chance anything could go wrong, not with some experienced hunters and fighters in their midst.

As they crouched by the waters’ edge, Usagi held his breath, his body dead still - chartruese gaze sharply focused on the prize swan in front of them. As Kuroo sprang into action, lunging for the bird’s neck, Usagi wasted no time spurring into a controlled sprint. The water frothed and splashed around his pelt, soaking him as Hattori and Fuji also ran froward. Each wolf took their piece, and the Hohei snapped his jaws at the flailing feathered wing that was still outstretched. He grimaced as the animal cried out - they were truly living up to their name, those birds - and after snapping his jaws multiple times to thin air he finally found purchase, sinking his teeth into the fleshy segment of the wing in an attempt to totally immobilize it. It appeared to work, as he forced the wing to stay still so the kill could be done.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Water splashed and chaos ensued. As soon as the four of them rushed from the brush, the swan noticed them. The other birds rushed off and left their friend open to attack. Kuroo zoned in on the bird as its wings splayed out from its sides. Feathers filled the air as water flung itself into his mouth. With how loud they were, he was surprised they didn't attract more attention. And for how aggressive he had heard these large birds were, they sure appeared scared now.

As he hopped around the other and circled back to face the swan, his pale gaze fell on its neck. At the corners, he saw Usagi and their Kaicho each latch onto a wing. Poor Fuji was completely waterlogged and was able to snag an ankle. Locked into place and struggling with all of its might, the swan still lunged for his face. A black beak with tiny razor teeth scratched at his muzzle as he tried to grab the neck. One more go at it as he struck with his mouth open and was finally able to grab ahold. Quickly before the others could tire, Kuroo turned his own head quickly. The clicks of the neck bones snapping and the light leaving the swan's eyes told him they were good to let go.

Stepping back, Kuroo smiled triumphantly at the group. "Now that we know they like this pond, we can have swans more often!" He said cheerfully as his tail wagged excitedly behind him. "Usagi, would you care to help me carry it back?" Kuroo requested since Fuji was too small and he wasn't dumb enough to ask Hattori.

Hunt large prey (Trumpeter Swan) & Hunt expansion 3/3

It wasn't the cleanest of hunts, as in effortless and swift, but the bird was felled soon enough. No one looked worse for wear, aside from little Fuji who was sodden as could be. But this was a good thing all in all, proved there was prey to hunt here, that it would further add to Tojo's bounty. A place certainly well worth of adding to their territories. Usagi and Kuroo had this well in paw, more than able to carry their quarry back home, it seemed. Though after a few more ventures in this place the Oaks would be home too. In time.

"Well fought." He told them all with a pleased nod.

In amongst the chaos of the hunt Fuji's face began to burn as the free foot mercilessly beat at her face. It wasn't until the body went limp and the chaos had subsided that she realised blood was staining her white fur and dripping into the water below them. At first, it didn't make sense because she hadn't been able to taste any blood in her mouth, but as the adrenalin subsided and the burning ignited into a blistering sting, she realised one of the birds sharp claws had managed to open two parallel wounds from just below the corner of her left eye, diagonally across the bridge of her muzzle. She was lucky she hadn't completely lost an eye.

Beyond an initial hiss, she ground her back molars together and managed a smile. “Well ma' always said chicks dig scars, but why should I care where baby birds are digging?” Although her injury had come about from a bird making a kicking motion, maybe that was what her mother had meant? Her head canted for a moment before she gave herself a shake (for all the good it would do still halfway up her chest in water). “So whats'this taste like anyway?”

“Speech”

Just move those left feet, go ahead, get crazy

Regardless of the fight it had put up, the swan was eventually no more of a troublesome match for the several wolves that were now ready to tear it apart. Through the chaos, Usagi gripped the wing so hard he felt the bird’s blood well up in his maw, rivets of the fluid pattering into the turbulent water like raindrops. He was careful throughout it for poor Fuji, the young girl who had jumped in and ran the risk of being pummeled if they didn’t kill the damn bird soon. And soon they did, because as soon as Kuroo snapped down on the animal’s neck, everything went limp, and the threashing and splashing ceased entirely.

Usagi nodded in agreement to Hattori’s comment, letting go of the wing. It was a good hunt, indeed. He the glanced down to Fuji, his eyes widened in alarm as he saw the girl’s scar down her face - what would Sedna say about their half-sister coming back wounded? - but decided against scolding the girl. Swans were aggressive, moreso than their graceful forms revealed, and a hunt had its risks. Better the tiny girl learned that sooner than later. He had his own scars, too, but that didn’t erase the ‘be careful’ look he gave each of them. He shook off his pelt from the water that had soaked him in the fray, and as Kuroo asked him to carry the swan back, he nodded. ”More than happy to, Kuroo,” He said plainly. The hohei grabbed the bird mid-neck, just enough to barely keep it off the ground. His small form was stronger than it appeared, his neck firm with well-trained muscle as he barely struggled at all to carry it back to their home.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—