The first matter on paw was ensuring the Oaks would be safe to reside in. The clan's youngest members were just barely children and could look after themselves for the most part, but Hattori still considered this as an imperative first step. One that had to be done before all else. He had visited this place before so he was not expecting overly dangerous, but of course the world was intent on contradicting his assumptions, as a new scent soon wafted into the dark of his nose. A roving band of feral hounds seemed to have settled in this place between now and his last visit, at least a dozen strong-most likely more-from the smell of it. And from the way they'd scratched up the place, left chewed remains of meals it seemed as though had little interest in leaving anytime soon.

Well, Hattori was intent on making them change their minds. It would not be easy considering how out numbered his group was, but he trusted in their skills, their ability to work as a unit as all good wolves did. That and all they all had their weapons and companions in tow.

"Stick together. Cover each other's backs." He uttered as the hounds emerged from the shadows, teeth bared and snarls rippling from their lips.

At this point in time, Usagi would follow his leader to the very depths of hell and back. If it meant creating a safer and better expansion for their pack - a much needed step in ensuring their survival - then so be it. He was ready for every order, every command, always on guard for whatever stood in their way. So when his Kaicho mentioned he and his packmates would follow him to the Ancient Oaks not far off from the maze to ensure it was safe to claim for their own, Usagi wasted no time trailing the man. His sword was sheathed and slung over his shoulder, companions in tow.

The oak trees seemed to dwarf even the tallest of bamboo in comparison, their roots gnarled and tangled leading up to trees the size of small mountains. The frost that seemed to avoid the maze had settled here, coating the still and bare woodland with its empty chill. Something wasn't right - a strange scent had filled his nostrils too, just as Hattori paused and braced himself for what they'd encounter.

The hohei's hackles rose as the pack of feral hounds appeared in the vicinity, snarling and snapping their jaws at the wolves that had approached. Didn't matter if this was the home the hounds wished to keep for themselves - it was Tojo's. They'd take it no matter what - and they'd spill blood if it meant making it a safe place for the koi pack to reside. His ear flicked to his leader's words - to cover each other, stick together. They were outnumbered by the feral dogs, but far more skilled in combat by comparison. These dogs didn't look like they could manipulate a sword or any weapon, really. All the more easier for him. Slowly unsheathing his sword, his own Akita bared his teeth at the crazed hounds as Usagi grabbed the leather hilt in his jaws, swiftly swinging his blades at the more bold of the hounds that tried to launch themselves at him.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

It was no surprise that Tenshi would volunteer to come along to scout out the oaks for their expansion. The prospect of having more territory for the pack to live within was promising as soon as they ensure it was safe. Trailing toward the back end of the group as they made their way northeast from the bamboo's boundaries, she kept herself on edge. Not in an overtly anxious way, but more weary and aware of their surroundings. Something about how the shadows lingered and the sense someone was watching them as they entered the forest made her nerves light with electricity. Moving at a steady pace as similar appearing males trekked ahead of her, she was ready the moment she heard a snarl. The feral hounds' scent was pungent. Seeping into every crevice they could as the decay of their meals littered the ground around them. Readying herself with the unlatching of her shoulder patch in case she should need to utilize her throwing stars, she stayed behind Usagi and Hanzo as the feral pack launched from the front. Above them in the trees, her two snow leopards and egret waited patiently for her call. There was no sense in risking the companion's safety until necessary. As she readied herself for an onslaught of attacks, she saw a rather brave hound dodge a sweeping attack of Usagi's blade and go straight for the smaller man's side. Darting forward, she lunged and lowered her head toward the feral dog. Scooping her head down and up so that her antlers would gouge its shoulder, she nearly lifted the beast up into the air. Pushing forward so it would get knocked out of the way, Tenshi pulled away and circled around to make sure Hanzo and Usagi's other side were still clear and free of wild hounds.

Áskell sauntered along after his alpha. He'd opted not to bother himself with trying to remember memories that clearly did not wish to be remembered if they even existed in his head at all. He knew his name, a rough story of his lineage, and his duties. Truly, did he need much more than that?

Word had arrived that Hattori had wished to expand the pack and had found a forest of oak trees that might prove a suitable occasion if they could clear it of rival predators. Áskell had donned his armor and weaponry and now joined the group with his companions following close behind. Ari was swift to scramble up the nearest tree while his magpie took to the skies to scout out for potential danger.

They didn't have to wait long to find it for a group of hounds emerged to meet the wolves. Áskell swiftly set his defenses and barely had them in place before a large irish wolfhound charged for him. He held his ground, waiting for the hound to get closer.

There was so much going on all at once Hattori's companions had a hard time focusing, working out which target to separate from the rest. Though fighting such great numbers wasn't an easy task in the least, Hattori had some experience in combat situations like this, kept his mind razor sharp and focused as he sought to bring down the wolfhound that was charging right for Áskell.With a rumble deep in his throat the Kaicho moved into the fray, shoulder checking the large hound aside as he set up a clear angle for Áskell to launch an attack of his own. Sure enough, the dog stumbled, a threatening growl ripping from its drooling jaws- only for its gaze to snap away when it realised this was a two verses one. A fight it would have a very hard time winning.

Hattori couldn't help but note how the hounds fought, every dog for themselves with no rhyme, reason or strategy to be seen. When one dog was attacked no other even seemed to contemplate leaping to their aid. If he had to guess, their alliance and gathering was one of convenience and nothing else. Yet another thing that set the wolves of Tojo apart from this disorganised rabble.

Behind him his cat let out a spitting hiss, fur raised as a malinois, all muscle and brawn, made to lunge for it. Before Hattori could even intervene his akita was quick to cover the companion, a flash of white as his teeth grabbed onto the strays loose neck fur and began to shake and tug violently.

These filthy mutts had no semblance of unity - Usagi's thought echoed that of Hattori's as he narrowly missed a hound's ravenous, and he offered a grateful glance to Tenshi as she tossed it with a sweep of her antlers. Askell was on his other side, facing off with a large Irish Wolfhound that was approaching him. Usagi's eyes flashed as the wolfhound suddenly charged, teeth flashing in an uncontrollable fury. The hohei would quickly dash in front of the Taicho, using his sword to block the hound's bloodthirsty pursuit. It worked - the wiry creature snarled as blood beaded its pelt from the blade's impact, shaking it off and retreating. Usagi scoffed at it through the hilt of his sword, the snarl on his snout wrinkling intensely. These feral dogs..they were all cowards. Only attacking if it seemed an easy fight, only to scamper away when the koi wolves actually coordinated their attacks. He suspected it wouldn't take much longer for them to establish a claim on this land.

Still, the fight wasn't over yet. A pointer-looking hound snapped its jaws at Usagi's companions, his Akita snarling and holding its ground, his antlered cat spitting and hissing. Usagi wasted no time in deftly swiping his sword at the offender, but before he could aim for a more definitive swipe, another mutt tried to sink its jaws into his hind leg. Unable to whip around with the pointer still attempting to dodge his blade, the hohei jabbed out a furious donkey kick at the mutt, hearing it yelp and whimper as he ran off, tail between its legs.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Dogs came from all sides of them. Snarling, snapping, frothing at the mouth without a single care in the world. Their only goal was to take down the wolves; whether they were killed in the process or not didn't matter to them. She could see it in their eyes as Hanzo, Askell, and Usagi fought off the wolfhound and then a malinois and even a smaller pointer going for Usagi's legs. Who she would help became muddled as they all leaped to each other's aid. As she continued to press closer, her companions holding their own ground, a large mastiff came barreling from the shadows. By the crazed look in its eyes, Tenshi could tell this wouldn't be an easy opponent. Bracing herself for impact, she felt the rip of the feral dog's teeth against her shoulder. A loud grunt left her as she shoulder-checked it back. Reaching around to grab the other side of the dog's face, Tenshi shook as wildly as she could manage. With her companions distracted with fending off smaller dogs that crooned and snapped at their legs, Tenshi continued to grapple with the mastiff.

Áskell tensed, keeping his defenses set but as he prepared to spring Hattori dove into the fray, knocking the hound aside. Áskell quickly adjusted his line of attack then sprang for the wolf hound before it could fully get to its feet. His fangs found purchase just above the hock and with a powerful bite his saber fangs lanced through the tendons there, effectively crippling the other animal. The wolf hound yelped and snarled, twisting around to bite at the wolf. Áskell lurched back violently while keeping hold of the wolfhounds leg. The motion of the Taicho pulling back as the hound attempted to turn caused it to lose its balance and go crashing to the earth. Now it was open for someone else to dispatch or else Áskell would leap to do it himself.

It was rough and savage, blood and spittle lingering on Tojo's tongues as they tore through the opposition. Would all of this be enough? Hattori had no doubt there were more hounds living amongst the trees, that they would soon catch wind of this and decide to fight or flee. It was all about driving the message home, ensuring that those who weren't present heard about what happened here and knew better than to test their luck. As such they would need to leave some witnesses, but not all. Some would die at their paws, more out of necessity than any real sense of bloodthirstiness of Hattori's end.

The wolf hound was down, and its throat exposed, Hattori would have to compliment Áskell's form later, but for now his mouth was about to be very busy. His jaws clamped down against the line of the dog's throat and he clamped down tight, ignoring the kicks against his chest and paws swiping at his face in an attempt to force him to let go.It wouldn't work and the frenzied look in the dogs eyes made it clear it had realised as much too.

Hattori dove for the wolf hounds throat and when his fangs made contact Áskell released his hold on the leg, knowing it would not be long before the hound met his end. The sounds of battle had drawn out more dogs. Some fled at the sight of the wolves but others dove into the fray. A particularly large pitbull dove for him and he scrambled out of the way of its powerful jaws just in time. The dog was muscle upon muscle but not as agile as Áskell and he quickly twisted about, his saber fangs digging into the dogs back, just behind its shoulder blades as he wrapped his arms around its side. The dog howled and twisted its neck to try and get back at him but he could feel its hind limbs and back shuddering beneath him.

The metallich tang of blood hung in the air as the crazed dogs that had so brazenly attacked their group were either stumbling away, mortally wounded or practically lifeless. The sheer madness of the rouge canines was enough to keep Usagi enraged, adrenaline coarsing in his veins as his grip on his double-bladed sword tightened. His Akita was tiring now, its energy spent from snapping and fending off the dogs that tried to attack the hohei from his blind spots. His antlered cat was at risk of being swept up by larger dogs that tried to rush through their makeshift body barrier, pressed against each other yet simultaneously shifting and lunging in tandem to ward off the spittle-mouthed creatures. His eyes briefly flickered to Áskell and Hattori, both respectable and strong warriors he looked up to. Both mercilessly clamped down on the dogs that dared to launch themselves at them - one mutt bearing the fate of being in Hattori’s jaws and the other beneath Áskell’s saber fangs.

They were all coordinated, fearless, and above all, stronger and mightier than any dog in this forest. His nose scrunched up in the essence of a snarl through the hilt of his sword as he deflt swung his blade at a lunging hound, hearing it utter a garbled cry as his crimson-stained weapon collided with its flesh. The mutt crumpled to the earth in mere seconds. His chest heaved with effort as he swung his blade with precision - and care to avoid hitting his packmates - at the enroaching pair of Dalmation-looking dogs that tried to double-team on him, but proved themselves no match for his speed. He was smaller, yet with the sword was comparable to anyone else pressed next to him from his pack. And so the crazed animals fell, leaving the Tojo warriors all the more victorious.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

The accomplishment of driving away the hounds, death or not, would be of no surprise to Tenshi. While her comrades fought valiantly by her side, she watched carefully. How Hanzo tore into a hound's throat while Askell's fangs dove into its leg. Meanwhile, Usagi swung his blade around as if it were weightless. Her own companions would begin to tire. Her egret's wings flapped maddeningly in the air until it rose up into the branches, too worn to continue. Even her snow leopards began to draw back into the shadows as their soft coats tore from snapping jaws. It was now or never to send the message home. Clamping down on the dog's face that she was grappling with, she let the blood fill her jaws. Its struggling weakened as she let go and faced the oncoming dogs. Their own mouths filled with foam, she could see the fear and wildness in their eyes. Lifting her lips in a menacing snarl, Tenshi drew closer, a threatening growl lifting from her chest into the air. Thrusting her antlers forward in a jabbing motion to drive some of the hounds away, she would lash out at the ones brave enough to try and attack her. More blood covered her ashy grey coat as she fell some and chased others off. Time passed slowly as they rose to victory. Soon the Ancient Oaks would be nearly free of the crazed animals and available for them to expand into.