The boy was more than eager to listen to his older sister. As Fuji ushered them out into the world, he leaped on the opportunity. The bamboo hut was a stifling place, and their mother always seemed tired. He wanted a chance to lay and run, and let loose some of the energy that was bursting inside of him!

He had heard of the maze, but hadn’t experienced it for himself. So, being the pup he was, he dived into it head first. Racing out the front door, and past the sturdy Kiln that sat on their front porch. He moved alongside the willowy bamboo at a trott, letting out an excited yelp. Naturally, he was immediately lost and had no which way he had gone, or which way he was going. But to him, time didn’t mean all that much. He was just excited to explore it all! He had heard that there was an exciting beach, and despite having no knowledge on how to swim, he wanted to find his way there!


"Speech"

Uncharacteristically to the young pup, he had slept in that day. Soundly asleep in a pile of furs so that his mother could do what she needed to do, he was nearly snoring. If it had not been for Fuji pestering him by poking his ribs, he would have continued to sleep. Training and exploring and sometimes playing was a lot of hard work! So when he finally opened one of is grey eyes to peer at his tiny sister, he scowled as he always did - even if there was a hint of a smile for the pink girl.

With her insistence that he should go out with his siblings, he lifted his head to see Alvar race out of the front door. Past the kiln and into the maze, Akito gave his head a soft shake. Now that was a sure fire way of getting lost. Letting out a sigh, he quickly got to his paws and picked up a hurried pace to catch up with his brother. “Wait up Al,” Akito called out to him as he moved into a loping run.

Breathing slightly hard, he finally made it to Alvar. His too-large paws skidded to a halt in the dirt as he glanced around. Well damn, they really were kind of lost. “Where are you planning on going?” He asks, his tone edging on confused and accusatory. “It’s easy to get lost in here,” the pup warns his brother as his brow furrows and he continues to glance around.

"speech"

At the sound of a voice, he slowed his neck-break pace, slowing, slowing, and finally came to a stop. Letting Akito catch up to him. But it was clear it came with great effort. He was almost dancing on the spot. There was so much to explore! To see, and sniff. He wanted to touch everything, and stick his face in even more. “Kiiit” he complained before the silver wolf finally reached him. With Akito at his side, Alvar started up again. Albeit at a slower pace this time.

“ Everywhere. Anywhere. I don’t know, do I need a destination?” He asked in response to his brother's question. “It’s fine, I'm sure we’ll find out way out again” He said without much fear at the unknown.

"Speech"

He notices his brother’s impatience and almost lets out a laugh. There is only a beat of waiting before paws start back up again. Moving, moving, always on the move. Being the largest pup, Akito has no trouble keeping up with his brother, but hates moving so quickly. How could one take in everything if they were always running? Still, he listens to his brothers words.

Akito pays no mind to the direction they are going because he trusts Alvar. “You are not wrong, I suppose,” he replies as a tickle of a grin greets his lips. “The bamboo will lead us back in,” the pup mentions as his monochrome eyes wander to look up at the leafy canopy. “Take the lead, I will follow,” he adds with a playful nip at his brother’s shoulder.

"speech"

The bamboo will lead us back in He wasn’t sure why, but the phrasing tickled his fancy, and he grinned at his brother. “The bamboo knows the way...” He agreed, voice light and teasing. His brother was happy to follow, and Alvar returned the friendly nip with a playful swipe at Akito’s tail.

“Alright… leading...” He said, as if he had any idea where he was going. He weaved through the bamboo. It was shocking how tall it was, and sometimes clustered so closely together that he had to wiggle his way through stalks of it. “Do you think anything else lives in the bamboo?” He asked his brother.


"Speech"

A puppy-like giggle leaves his lips as his brother swipes at his tail. Skipping out of the way and nipping at the air, he giggles again as he picks up his pace and follows Alvar into the bamboo. Even though it was tall, as tall as the sky, he was not intimidated by it. He enjoyed the safety that it brought. Happy to wiggle through the too close stalks and occasionally knock on a few to hear how hollow they were, his ears perked when his brother asked if anything else lived here.

”I know weasels do, at least. Uncle Tori helped me kill one!” Akito’s voice is excited as he weaved through the bamboo. Squeezing through another bunch, he glanced over to Alvar. ”Do you think something big lives here?” He questions curiously as his eyes stray from his brother to look around the forest.

"speech"

As Akito knocked on a bamboo, Alvar paused, listening with interest to that strange hollow sound. They looked so tall, almost intimidating. But they clearly bowed easily at a touch, and it sounded like there was nothing inside of them? He chewed over that mystery as he walked. Leading them deeper into the maze, and likely somewhere where they would be utterly lost. “Ohh, what’s a weasel?” He asked in curiosity. Had he seen a weasel, had it been a part of their meals?

“I bet something big does. It would be so easy for it to hide in the maze. I bet it could push aside the bamboo real easy, too” he suggested, eyes shining as he conjured up a great beast.


"Speech"

Akito tilts his head after his brother asks what a weasel is. There is a pause as he considers how to answer the question. What exactly was a weasel? He knew it was an animal, but if Alvar hadn't seen one before... His lips are pressed gently as he waits a few moments, really considering his words. Meanwhile, he keeps in step with his brother, occasionally reaching out to rub his budding horns along the bamboo.

"Weasels are small and furry long animals. Rather annoying and fast," Akito answers calmly, and his words end right as Alvar suggests that something big does live here in the bamboo. Big enough to push it aside. Turning his grey eyes toward the bamboo, his brow scrunches, and his ears flicker backward. Something big enough to move the bamboo? That sounded silly. Yet, he had heard his uncle Hattori speak about an animal that could do that before. Akito had been listening in on an early morning patrol with Askell and Usagi.

"How does something big hide in a maze?" Akito questions instead as he looks back at his brother. "You would think we would see it," he mentions as he turns back to glance through the bamboo. As the shadows move and waver with the breeze coming in off the ocean, he thinks he might see something. Unsure as he is, he doesn't think to take it lightly.

"speech"