It was about high time that he and Akito had another sparring session. His half-brother had a wealth of talent, skill, and wit. It was something he hoped he’d honed in some manner, though Usagi also believed that Akito was a naturally gifted individual. It was more than a fun time to spar with him — it was a welcomed challenge, a privilege in and of itself. Though he never gave Akito an easy time in spars, he’d be lying if he didn’t let Akito win multiple times. Not just given to him, those victories — the boy had heard-earned them through a skilled flurry of strikes and blows. Usagi was grateful and blessed to work with him.

After stretching his legs, particularly his wrapped ankles, the well-equipped man approached one of their training clearings within the shrouded overhangs of tall bamboo. Blade trails across the earth and claw marks gave way to the fact that many spars had occurred on this ground, many fights won and fights lost. Nostalgia flooded the man as he unsheathed his double-bladed sword, placing it upon the earth only to tilt his head back and summon Akito again. The boy knew his call, and he waited, prepared for anything as his hind legs coiled with tensile strength built over the years, reaching down to clasp the sword’s handle into his jaws. As if it belonged there.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

The call came from his brother and he would not ignore it. There is a respect there that he holds for Usagi. A silent respect that they both know Akito has. Time would not be wasted, he would not allow Usagi to wait. Quickly gathering his bamboo staff and slipping on his mask over his head, he hurries off through the maze. Winding down the familiar corridors, he reaches the training area in record time. Slightly out of breath, he hides it well minus the labored movement of his sides. Approaching the midnight-cloaked man, Akito bows his head. "Usagi," Akito says with staff between his teeth and he takes a step back to glance around. It was clear what the intention would be here, but he would make no assumptions.

It was an honor to spend time with his brother, no doubt about it. As the young boy approached, kitsune mask adorned and bamboo staff in tow, Usagi dipped his head to greet him as well. "Akito," He said. He held nothing but respect for his own sibling, his own kin rergardless of blood relations. His family here in the bamboo were very near and dear to him, indeed. "Let's begin." They both knew Usagi's direct nature, his no-nonsense methods. When he called Akito over, he was asking to spar and there was no need to make an announcement. It was good practice for him, too. Picking up his sword, he aimed to perform a direct attack; obvious, straightforward, but hard hitting. He wanted Akito to figure out what to do in a split second, how to dodge and how to attack in perfect tandem. He barely coiled his hind legs before charging head-on towards the much larger male, aiming to swipe both side of his sword in perfect sync as a double swipe attack. The blade was not close enough to cause harm, but just enough so that if Akito didn't do something, he might lose a tuft of fur in the process. Usagi vs Akito for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Double-bladed Sword Defensive Battle Accessory: Shoulder armor plates Companion 1: Maine Coon, Male - Battle Companion 2: Akita Inu, Male - Battle Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter Specialty: N/A ”Speech”  ’Thought’

A curt nod in Usagi's direction to indicate he is ready. They are both no nonsense, quiet, and straight forward. It is how Akito prefers it. He enjoys the silence, the lack of words. It makes it easier for him to understand, to formulate, to prepare. And prepared he is. Bamboo staff clutched firmly between his teeth, he watches Usagi. Notices how his muscles begin to coil in those back legs. One of his own rear paws slides backward slightly, front paws bracing. Slowing his breath down, concentrating on the task ahead of him. Unlike his staff, his brother's double sided sword would slice him if he left himself open. There it is. Usagi surges toward him, leaving him no room for guessing. A twist of the body, sending that shining blade soaring toward him. Akito responds promptly. Hopping backward, he makes space, but still meets his brother's weapon with his own. Curling his head toward one side, his staff meets the blade, blocking sufficiently until he feels Usagi pull away and twist to the other side. Instead of pulling back again, Akito steps back forward, turning to have his staff meet the other blade. No tufts of fur would be lost this time. Pushing forward, using his strength against his smaller brother, he braces his staff against the sword. Digging his paws into the dirt for better grip, he aims to try and shove down on Usagi's grip and hopefully get him to relinquish the blade.

Akito vs Usagi for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bamboo Staff
Defensive Battle Accessory: Kitsune Mask
Companion 1: Male Raven, 50” - Battle
Companion 2: Female Akita 22” - Battle
Mutation 1: Serow Horns (Offensive)
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

Excellent. The blade clashed against the thick staff of Akito's, effectively halting his attack. Akito was quick, sharp, his instincts were strong. Not a single hair was disturbed in his attack, and Usagi was thoroughly impressed. He remained stern and steady as the staff met with his blade with a loud THWACK as they crossed. He then felt Akito brace, pressing back, back, back. He was trying to force him to give up his blade. And would he? Yes, with a twist. After all, victory was not as easy as pushing back against a sword. Usagi would aim to suddenly raise his head, forcing the blade off of the staff. It would possibly cause Akito to stumble forward, if he wasn't careful to anticipate a recovery. He then aimed to quickly shift back, no longer brandishing his sword towards Akito but still holding it tight in his jaws as he now aimed to make his hind end face the boy in one swift motion, right hind leg jutted out and aiming to meet the staff with a swift kick. He then aimed to hop back to face him with another swift swipe of his sword. Two different parts of his body in a few short seconds - he wanted Akito to react quick, or he would risk losing his balance in the midst of the sudden movements. Usagi vs Akito for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Double-bladed Sword Defensive Battle Accessory: Shoulder armor plates Companion 1: Maine Coon, Male - Battle Companion 2: Akita Inu, Male - Battle Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter Specialty: N/A ”Speech”  ’Thought’

Bracing against the pressure of Usagi's blade, Akito continued to hold his ground. Pressing back against Usagi's pressure, he almost expected his brother to relent. For a split moment, he believed he had the upper paw. Unfortunately for the yearling, he believed wrong. A split second later, he watches as Usagi's head twists upward. The blade is striking the air and his staff is free. The sudden removal of weight sends him stumbling forward. A mistake that he could have avoided if he hadn't gotten a little cocky. He lets out a disappointed noise as he catches his footing, about to turn back to his brother when he saw from the corner of his eye Usagi switching around. Where he thought a head should be, Usagi's bunny-like tail is now. Reacting as quickly as he can, Akito moves his own hind paws to shift and meet Usagi's rear kick with his staff. Sweeping to the side to block the attack, he is surprised at how fast Usagi actually is. With hardly any time to react to the sudden shifting and twirling of motions, he barely has time to meet the soft swipe of the blade. Turning his head back to the side, he catches the sword against his shoulder and ends up taking a jarring step to the side. He wouldn't give up so easily though. As he catches his footing, his head tilts up with staff still in his jaws. In the next movement, he brings it back down in an attempt to knock the Usagi's blade from his mouth.

Akito vs Usagi for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bamboo Staff
Defensive Battle Accessory: Kitsune Mask
Companion 1: Male Raven, 50” - Battle
Companion 2: Female Akita 22” - Battle
Mutation 1: Serow Horns (Offensive)
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

And the winner is...

AKITO

USAGI must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: AKITO: Attack Roll: 10 Defense Roll: 43 Agility Roll: 23 Perception Roll: 49 Total: 125 Attack[10] + 75% Bonus[7.50]: 17.50 Defense[43] + 10% Bonus[4.30]: 47.30 Agility[23] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 23.00 Perception[49] + 15% Bonus[7.35]: 56.35 Total[144.15] + 25% Bonus[36.04]: 180.19 USAGI Attack Roll: 14 Defense Roll: 9 Agility Roll: 22 Perception Roll: 83 Total: 128 Attack[14] + 50% Bonus[7.00]: 21.00 Defense[9] + 10% Bonus[0.90]: 9.90 Agility[22] + 5% Bonus[1.10]: 23.10 Perception[83] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 83.00 Total[137.00] + 20% Bonus[27.40]: 164.40