Hattori had been tracking this beast for quite some time, not in any particular, rush but intent on hunting it all the same. It left odd prints in its wake, several toe like hoof markings, fourteen in total and spread fairly far apart. Judging from the spacing and overall size, he knew it wasn't a small creature and surmised it would be about medium at best. Not something he ought to try and take down on his own, but with any luck others would have caught wind of its scent, and would join him shortly. At least he presumed they would, the scent wasn't exactly a subtle one.

Kaizen had indeed noticed the strange smell. By then he was fairly used to the natural scents of Auster's flora and fauna, but this was something new and as a keen hunter he intended to find out what it was. If nothing else to just make sure Tojo's land was secure, kittens were one thing, but this was another beast entirely. Perhaps something he ought to hunt and kill, its meat would surely fill the pantry well. It smelled...like it ate plants, was the easiest way for him to describe it. There were no lingering traces of blood, if anything it smelled sort of muddy? Aquatic, or at the very least semi-aquatic.

Drawing to a stop, it seemed as though Hattori had noticed the creature long before he had, a frown settling on his features. Kaizen knew he had a lot to learn still, that it shouldn't be surprising the Kaicho had beaten him to it, but still... His tail tucked between his legs, his sense of disappointment stronger than he would have liked.

table coding by bunni ♥

One thing about Jiro is that... he could care less if he came in first. He just so happened to be following his brother that day. Why? No reason in particular. Perhaps because the other boy was out wandering toward the bay, away from the bamboo. Why would Kaizen go out there alone? Of course, Jiro had noticed the other musk that trailed ahead of his brother, but aside from that, he couldn't quite place a paw on it.

Lackadaisical as he is, Jiro nearly bumps into Kaizen as their father appears in the shadows. Oi, old man, Jiro thinks to himself as he looks up with furrowed brow to Hattori, coming to stand beside Kaizen. His eyes flick to his brother who appears downtrodden. But again, why? Not like their father wouldn't be out and about doing important things such as keeping the territory safe? Weird, but more power to him, right? Ignoring the weird dynamic, Jiro looks back up at Hattori, his cheeky grin showing to his father before he speaks. "We gonna hunt it?" Where he'd learn to speak so informally so quickly was perhaps from Fuji or someone else, but Jiro wasn't a snitch so Hattori would never find out.

Hattori turned to address his sons, they both had much to learn, but at least they were making an effort. He could respect that, it often felt like his first litter just coasted through life, comfy with their position as royalty thanks to their Mother's rank. At least this lot were different, he saw their efforts and the fruit of their labour. Tracking was half of the work and he knew by now his sons were at least somewhat capable of it, they had gotten to this point after all.

"Yes. How do you think we should go about it?" He asked, setting this as a test, because of course he did.

Kaizen frowned, thinking hard about what they ought to do. He supposed the Kaicho wanted them to collaborate, put their minds together to come up with a solution. Kaizen turned to Jiro, brows furrowed as he continued to stalk, knowing if they stood around for too long the creature would gain distance and possibly escape all together.

"I could run ahead and try to herd it back to you? From the prints I do not think it moves very fast."

He suggested, already rushing ahead to catch up with the creature. He came across the beast near the Bay, plodding slowly as it approached the water, he had to cut it off before it started to swim. Not that the...elephant-esque beast looked like it would swim very fast or far, but they would likely have a hard time getting out. With a snarl, he dashed to cut it off, circling around as he tried to herd it back towards his brother and sire.

table coding by bunni ♥

When Hattori turns to them and asks how they should go about it, Jiro nearly grumbles. A lesson? Of course the old man would turn this into a lesson. When would the fun ever begin?

Quickly replacing his cheeky smile with an expression of thought, he slowly moves along Kaizen's side, taking his brother's lead. The suggestion that comes from Kaizen does leave Jiro thinking. At first, it's a good idea, but would it not be better to utilize their father for the heavy lifting that herding would take? If the creature truly was slow, it would be easy for them to jump at it and take it down.

But before he had a chance to respond, Kaizen is already rushing ahead to cut off the Tapir before it heads into the water. Leaning his back and rolling his eyes, Jiro shakes his head before following along. Keeping a bit of a distance, he watches as Kaizen works the Tapir from the water, zooming around to cut it off and force it to head back his way.

"Otōsan, head in the water to keep it from getting away," Jiro directs his father. Just because it was to be a lesson didn't mean they couldn't make the Kaicho moves those creaky bones of his. And once Hattori is securely keeping the Tapir from swimming away, Jiro starts to prowl forward, snapping and barking at the Tapir's toed feet so that he and Kaizen can take it down together.

Hattori rumbled in ascent, veering to the side to cut off the open access to the bay. He waded through the water, the soft lapping waves measuring up to his elbows. He did not enjoy swimming, ironically, but could do so and was willing to venture deeper if need be. With the pressure of all three koi wolves, the tapir seemed a bit alarmed as to what to do. Its usual method of escaping to the water didn't seem like an option now that Hattori was in the way. It took to running instead, splashing in the shallows, moving faster than it had any right to.

The white of the tapir’s eyes are clear from Jiro’s position along its side. Surprisingly, it picks up its pace and darts faster through the shallows. Water sprays into his face forcing him to stumble a few steps back. A growl emanates from his chest as he gives his head a shake and reorients himself. The tapir isn’t far ahead, feet kicking up water and sand as it went along.

Were they about to fail this hunt? Jiro wasn’t sure as he picked his pack back up and moved back toward the tapir’s side. It bellows in a frightened manner, kicking out at him, but the movement costs the animal some time. Giving Jiro the opening he needed, the young wolf leaps forward and grabs onto the tapir’s side, just in front of the thigh. Not exactly the most ideal place, but what he could manage for now. He hoped dearly that his brother would finish the job.

Kaizen had that moment of concern too- and the thought of mucking this up in front of Hattori alarmed him more than he would have liked. Picking up the pace, Kaizen hurried to his brother's aid as he watched Jiro latch onto the beast's thigh. He knew he had to act quickly, that he wouldn't be able to hold onto a spot like that for long. Rushing forward, he skidded in the sand, claws raking jagged lines as he lunged forward and grabbed a hold of the tapirs snoot. He couldn't hold it down alone, it was a heavy thing and put up a strong fight, but with Jiro's and even Hattori's help- who stepped in to help weigh it down- the two pups managed to bring an end to the creature's life.

table coding by bunni ♥

It was hardly a clean kill, or even very efficient, but all things considered it wasn't terrible. There was a lot of room for improvement, their inexperience plain to see, but with more lessons and practice they would learn in time- he saw nothing here today that made him feel overly concerned. His sons had done as they were told and tried, even Hattori was not so demanding to expect more.

With his weight still baring down on the tapir's side, Hattori regarded his two sons. They were winded, flecks of sand were spread amongst their coat and all the effort had made them rather dishevelled, not quite as prim and proper as the Kaicho would like.

"Well done."