Bamboo was a peculiar thing. At this young of age, the pup could not do much to get it to bend or break. No matter how hard he try to batter the green stalks, they stood firm and tall. As he looked up to those leafy branches with a slight scowl, his attention was quickly drawn elsewhere. Down in the shadows, scurrying along the forest floor was a weasel. It’s long and furry body twisted and turned between the bamboo as it took off with a fish in its mouth.

Akito was unsure what compelled him to go after the varmint but he did. His too large paws stumbled across the dirt as he managed to snake his gangly pup limbs through the bamboo. Keeping his head lowered to the ground and ears flattened against his skull, he sought out the intruder with determination settling across his expression. Thankfully, as his body began to exhaust, the weasel appeared to grow confused and lost. Did it not know its way through the bamboo?

A snort releases from his nostrils as he pounces forward and attempts to corner the weasel. It quickly turns on him, dropping the fish and flashing its teeth in his direction. The hissing growl that is directed at the pup does little to deter him from the oncoming fight.

Fight a small predator (Weasel) 1/3

Little predators were not wholly uncommon here. For the most part Hattori tolerated them, unless they made a nuisance of themselves or took what wasn't theirs. Of course there was plenty of fish in the Bay, all due to Kuroos hard work and dedication, but even then Hattori did not appreciate those who took advantage of him turning a blind eye. That eventually competitors would be ousted or killed all outright. It seemed as though one of Sedna's youngest was already on the trail and had cornered the weasel, enough to make it feel pressured to drop its fish and flash its teeth at him in retaliation. The young boy didn't seem outright bothered by this and Hattori approached from the side, pushing his way through the stalks to act as back up to the little one, if need be.

Akito was quick to sense the oncoming approach of the Kaicho. His features did little aside from a small twitch of his ear in Hattori’s direction. Instead, he honed his focus in on the weasel who had backed itself up against a stalk of bamboo. It’s beady eyes darted left and right to try and find an escape. Yet, with the arrival of the towering Hanzo, there was little in the way for that.

The midnight boy would seize this opportunity and lunge forward. Sharp puppy teeth appeared as his lips pulled back and his jaw opened wide. Moving as quickly as he could, Akito aimed to grab ahold of the weasel’s neck. In turn, the weasel lashed out and swiped sharp claws along his cheek. A yowl releases from the pup but he persists anyway. Not backing down, Akito uses the closeness of the weasel’s strike to grab on to the creature’s paw.

Fight a small predator (Weasel) 2/3

Hattori watched, curious to how the pup would deal with this. If it were a bigger or more pressing threat he would doubtless step in to assist, but the Kaicho considered this a good learning moment for the young boy, a strong start when it came to learning about how to hold his own. The dark pup let out a pained cry, aside from puppy tussles with his siblings this was likely the first time he'd experienced pain, real pain that made his nerves light up. But it was a feeling all wolves needed to get used to, for life was full of pain and suffering, how one coped was the most important part. The boy had a natural talent though, pressed through it all and kept up the attack, perhaps he would keep its skin as a trophy, proof of a battle fought and won.

"Speech"

The wind shifts and carries Hattori’s scent closer to them. Even though the older male lingers and does not intervene, his scent alone is enough to terrify the animal. It screeches as it begins to thread around in Akito’s grasp. The pup clamps down on its paw as tight as he can, digging in his own paws and leaning his weight back to help his leverage. Though it would be easier when he is bigger to be able to pick up small animals and kill them near instantly, that is not something he can do now.

Both weasel and pup begin to tire. Their grips on each other strong but slowly beginning to tremble. Akito lets out persistent grunts and growls to let the weasel know he won’t give up. Blood is dripping from his cheek and from the weasel’s leg as it also stains the dirt beneath them. Soon, his determination would win and with the thread of Hattori’s capability to step in, the weasel gives up.

Akito takes his opportunity when he sees the window opening. Releasing his hold from the weasel’s leg, even though he is exhausted and in pain, he steps closer and grabs on to the weasel’s neck. Clamping down as hard as he can, he thrashes back and forth until the weasel grows limp in his jaws. Breathing heavy, Akito drops the furry creature to the ground and turns to look up at the Kaicho. Words do not leave him as his questioning gaze says it all. Did he do well?

Fight a small predator (Weasel) 3/3

The boys first kill is hard fought and well-earned. The scent of blood filled the air, making Hattori's nose twitch on instinct as he took it in, breathed it deep and knew the little warrior was savouring the taste and smell too. Hattori is still for a moment, glowing silver gaze watchful and knowing, not judgemental merely appraising the boy, wondering who he will become in time. Like his sisters, hopefully.

"Well fought." He then tells him, native tongue rumbling quietly. "Do you need your mother?" After all Sedna has a skilled healer, would know how to patch this one up if need be.

A small semblance of a smile flickers across his ashen lips before it disappears. He had done well. Letting the warm feeling of pride bubble in his belly, he glances down at the weasel. The rodent had deserved it and so he does not feel sorry for the cretin. Indeed, he would save the fur and possibly have its meat as a snack later. One day, when he stands as tall as the Kaicho, he will look back on his trophy with happiness. When Hattori inquires if he needs his mother, Akito lifts a paw to his cheek. He can feel the blood pooling on the open wound. Indeed, his body is sore, but he does not feel completely done. “Only if you believe I need stitches,” he responds as he places his paw back upon the dirt ground of the forest. Already Akito has been working hard to learn his uncle’s and father’s language. While he adores his mother, he prefers the way that Nihongo feels on his tongue.

Hattori was unsure whether he needed them or not, he had an eye for causing injuries and the skills to do it, but the other end of the scale is still somewhat unknown to him. The Kaicho was well aware of the fact Sedna was not the overly doting, overly attached mothering type, but she would undoubtably treat one of her children-or anyone for that matter- if they fell ill. She would also likely make some sort of quip that would make Hattori frown, but that was neither here nor there, he supposed.

"I cannot say I know for certain, but I imagine your mother would want to see your first kill, no?"

He does not mind the way the Kaicho assesses his appearance. The slice on his cheek will be one of many wounds to come. Already, the flow of blood as slowed as the skin begins its natural healing process. When he places his paw back upon the ground, he looks up at the dire man with his slightly glowing silvery gaze. Akito is curious but when the Kaicho questions if he wanted his mother to see his first kill, he cannot help but wag his tail a few times.

”I do. I think she will be proud,” Akito states as a whisper of a smile graces his monochrome lips. ”Do you remember your first kill?” the pup asks since he is not quite ready to leave the Kaicho’s presence. He is always inquisitive, thirsty for knowledge, and wanting to know more. His mind wandered constantly, but in a good way. While he stood there with the dead weasel at his paws, he wondered. Was his own first kill as good as the Kaicho’s?

"speech"

Hattori rumbled deeply, he remembered it well. All of it. Not just the scent of blood in the air, but the watchful eyes that stared down at him, judging and intense. Worst of all the wolf he had been pushed to kill, ordered to really, not given a chance beneath the clan's leader and his own Father and Lord. It was not a fond memory, not a moment of victory like Akito with his prize laying at his paws. Rather a moment of duty, a reminder of the order of things, proof of what he was capable of even at such a young age, where all he'd really wanted to do was remain by his Mother's side and listen to her sing. He did not think of it much, he gained nothing from wondering if the man he'd killed deserved to die that day or not, for if he hadn't done it someone else would have.

Hattori was firm but fair, words his sire had never lived by.

"It was long ago, I was about your age. How does it make you feel?" He asked then as they began to move, pushing through the thin stalks with ease.

Akito wasn’t necessarily satisfied with the answer, but he also wouldn’t push the Kaicho. Instead, as he walked beside Hattori, he thought about how it made him feel. If he were being honest with himself, it made him feel good. Not in a sadistic or cruel way. He did not want to take a life unless it was necessary. Yet, the feeling of being useful, of helping protect Tojo-Kai, his family, his pack mates, that had been what made it exhilarating. To know that he could earn his keep made him hopeful for the future.

”The pain made me scared at first,” he could not not be honest with his Kaicho. It had been his first fight inflicted wound and he had not been expecting it. ”Once I realized the pain passed quickly, it did not bother me. I enjoyed fighting, but killing the weasel had not been my favorite experience,” there had been a twinge in his heart as he had watched the life drain from the weasel’s eyes. ”I think I would like to try and take on something bigger next time,” it was then that Akito looked up to Hattori with a timid but playful smile.

"speech"

If that was what the boy wished, he saw no reason to deny him. He would need guidance and assistance till he grew large and strong enough, but Hattori imagined Akito would get there in time. Hattori nodded in understanding, it was wise not to seek out pain, but wiser still to not let it hold him back. Not let fear and apprehension take over. This one was not much like his sire, surely the Hattori genes were more present in him that the Genji ones, or so it seemed to the Kaicho anyway.

"You will have more chances, rest and heal first."