He wasn't quite ready to return home. Something about this eerie landscape made him afraid to return. What if he brought the disease back to the bamboo? His father would never forgive him. Would his father even notice him gone? Feelings rising in him that he had no idea how to deal with. Frustrated, Jiro kicks out at a wall with a forceful backward motion. His face scrunches as pain radiates up his leg. Cursing under his breath, he attempts to place weight upon the paw and instantly brings it back up to his stomach. Nope, it was sprained.

Glancing about the gloomy cavern with dust swirling down from the ceiling, he searches for something to use as a brace. He hoped he wouldn't need to try and pull a piece off of the wall. A collapse in the tunnel would not be ideal. Hobbling further into the mines, Jiro peeks around a corner and spies a small room off the main tunnel that is piled with old supplies that appear promising.

Settling himself down with his injured rear paw sticking outward, he begins sifting through the piles until a decently straight and not rotted piece of wood catches his attention. Picking it up with his teeth, he sets it to the side and continues to look. If he could find some okay pieces of cloth to use, he'd be able to make a splint in no time.

Where was her damn sister slipping off to?? Seri had become an expert shadow even better than Xina had become. Losing Xina every time she tried to track her. Xina's curiosity was furiously frustrated at trying to parse out her sibling's actions. She had to understand what her sister was up to. It annoyed her to no end.

Frustrated at being foiled again she stormed through the caverns, her paws hammered against the earth. Stones and debris skittered all around her, she didn't care if she made noise while on her rampage. She leaped against the side of the cavern just because she could!

She stopped as a new scent drifted over her nose. A stranger! Who might this be? Xina assumed they were probably alerted to her presence, she lowered her head and stalked forward. The shadows were deep and at first, she didn't see much as she peered around the corner of the small room.

"Who's there?" She growled, she didn't like being snuck up on, but her nose was telling her someone was in there and she couldn't make out the different shadows and tiny gleams of the weird old tools and supplies.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Jiro can see just enough through the shadows thanks to the small shafts of light that carry from the tunnel entrance. What the shadows also provide is ample enough cover for his dire-sized body. His starry night coat blends perfectly with that of his surroundings. Even his hazy gray gaze appears as a mere refraction of the light or simply a trick on one's mind. Was he truly there or just a figment of one's imagination attempting to scare them in the dark?

He focuses on his task. Soon, he is able to find a large tattered cloth that has not yet been eaten by moths. Sitting back, he begins to shred the cloth into wide strips that are long enough to fit around his thick leg. Unlike most of his siblings, Jiro had always been bulkier than the rest. Not quite built for stealth or agility, but more for power and brute force. Setting the strips of cloth out on the ground so he can begin to set up his splint-brace-type thing, a sound of tromping paws over packed dirt alerts his attention. His ears perk, fur bristles instinctually, and his breath catches in his throat as he awaits the threat to approach. There's hardly a breeze in the mine to help bring the scent to him, but from the sounds of it, it's a canine.

When the sharp voice breaks the silence he's shrouded in, Jiro almost chuckles. "Jiro, and who's over there?" He calls out, his voice was still a bit between teenage and adulthood, unsure if it wants to be deep or pitched.

A voice calls out to her, she narrows her eyes into the gloom just making out his massive outline. Some subtle movements they were doing with their paws caught her eye but she couldn't figure it out. Was that a cloth? Her curiosity urged her to push forward but she still hadn't made them out properly yet. Her education pulled her back to wait, to see, to survive.

She tilted her head, they didn't sound abrasive, they sounded almost like a kid and an adult...

"I'm Xina. What the fuck are you doing in the dark?" She asked brusquely. She took a step to the side to let more fragile light filter in from behind her. The light illuminated her lanky form, on the cusp of a year old, but already shapely with a power to her muscles. The soft light behind her might catch on the flecks of gold in her firey pelt.

Her golden gilded eyes found the subtle gleam of silver horns on his head, his pelt an array of silver stars. He smelled like a pack of strangers, as well as a heady musk of something more alluring. She tilted her head the other way as she saw his silver eyes.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Jiro makes quick work of the cloths. Holding an edge between his teeth, he grasps the piece between his paws and rips it quickly. Shredding the tattered material into three decent lengths that would fit around his leg. While it wasn't the best split he'd ever prepared, it would be good enough for now. Thankfully, his leg wasn't broken, but did need some support while the strain healed. Laying out the cloths in straight lines, he places the piece of supporting wood over them. Once they're in neat order, he gently places his injured leg atop it. He pays the girl little mind as she looks into the dark cavern he lingers in. Making quick work once more to tightly tie the clothes around his leg, he lets out a grunt once the job is done.

When her brusque words disturb the dusty air, they elicit a quiet chuckle from him. Peering at her fiery form through the shadowed light, he agrees silently that the name is befitting of such a girl. "Pretending to be your worst nightmare," Jiro retorts, that chuckle still lining the notes of his accented words. Holding his silvery gaze upon her, he watches, waiting to see how she'll react.

He seemed done with whatever project he had and his quick retort had her head up and laughing. How outrageous that someone would "pretend" to be a nightmare. Either be one or be food for the worms.

"That's a good one! Pretending is all you'll do in that case." She rolled her shoulders, "Come out! Show me what you were actually doing - Coward hiding in the dark. We'll see who's the nightmare!" She teased with a hint of dangerous command in her voice. Xina held her tail out straight behind her. She wasn't afraid of any overgrown oaf who couldn't face her in the dark. She had four brothers about his size. She backed up into the cavern proper, allowing him some room to fully emerge into the paltry light of the mine.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Her peel of laughter that echoed through the cavern was cute. A feminine cackle that begged attention. Jiro growls in response, a low rumble that vibrates in his chest. Even her words, that so begged to be listened to, were practically music to his ears. She made it very obvious that however she was being raised was to be fearless and bold, a trick to keep others at bay. Unfortunately for her, Jiro didn't care for that much. He made his own space in life, whether others liked it or not.

Coming to stand, weight pressed upon his three good paws, he limps forward into the shafts of light. Keeping his head aligned with his shoulders and body in a relaxed position, Jiro gives her a raised brow expression as if to say 'is this better?' The smirk that lingers on his obsidian lips isn't trying to hide either as he walks closer to her, encroaching on her space. Let her snap, see what happens.

"I was merely making a splint for my leg," he murmurs, lifting up his injured leg to show her proof. "Is that alright by you, Inferno Princess?" Jiro dons the nickname as he gets a better look at her appearance. His smoky silver gaze sliding over her smaller figure as he lifts his head up as if he were looking condescendingly down his nose at her.

The shuffling movements had her golden eyes narrow. Was he lame? The growl was hardly aggressive enough to make her think twice, it was more of a rumble in a deep chest that she might have sworn she could feel in her own. It really didn't seem like he cared all that much that she called him a coward. Usually, if someone threw that word around back home furs would be bristling and teeth would be bared.

She pulled her head back and up with a sneer on her lips as she watched him limp toward her but it faded as she observed the mechanization that held fast to his leg. Her ears perk forward and she tilts her head. That is until he crosses the typical barrier of a personal bubble. She lets him encroach in her space as she brings her gaze up to that easy smirk. He certainly wasn't as ugly as some of her brothers... Her cheeks grew warm.

He murmured about what he was doing, lifting it up to show her the splint. He was a healer? Her lips broke into a sly grin as he regarded her with deference. "Inferno Princess?" She almost purred, not quite as well as her mother could, but she liked that. Yes, she was an inferno, she'll take princess, though she wouldn't want to let the Saxe's hear anyone call her that. "You're a healer then, Freckles?" She mused with a nickname of her own, with a voice a little too loud, perhaps betraying the pressure in her chest at having him so close. Her tail lashed like a spiteful cat, he was trying to intimidate her.

In a flash, she attempted to reach out and snap her teeth onto a lock of his chest fur. Just enough to test his reflexes.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

The girl's reaction is different than he is used to. She's bold, audacious, nearly reckless. He can tell that she's assessing, calculating, being careful, just enough that it won't get her killed, but definitely toeing a line. Being so close to her, their breaths intermingling, her campfire and sage scent invading his nostrils, he has to hold back the rumble in his chest. She too is prettier than the girls back home, he can't deny that.

His smirk lingers, enjoying the way she nearly purrs the donned nickname. Jiro can tell she's younger by her shape and behavior, but it won't be long before she comes into her own, he can tell she'll wear it proudly. Her own bestowed nickname, Freckles, elicits a hearty chuckle from him. "Yes, I am quite adept at the healing arts," Jiro replies, gaze still lingering on her fiery pools, unmoving as they stare each other down.

Before he can make anther move or speak another word, she's lashing out at his chest. Bright, white teeth gleam in the dim light, barely giving him time to register. Fortunately for her, his body is bulky and being fast is not his forte. Her teeth grasp around a clump of fur and tug hard before being released. This time, he does unleash the rumbling growl from his throat as he steps closer, fully invading her space, chin tilted downward to look directly at her.

"Did you enjoy that?" Jiro's heady voice is low and dark, a hidden meaning behind what he says as he lowers his face closer. Taking another step forward, his knee brushing against her chest, firmly pushing her backward until she's backed against the nearest rocky wall. Though he limps, the splint limiting his movements, it won't deter him enough to allow her to try and push him around. Lifting his paw to press it against her shoulder, pinning her to the wall, he slides his lips and nose along her cheek until it rests beneath her ear.

"They may allow you to do that wherever you come from, Inferno Princess, but it will be the last time you try anything stupid with me," he pushes danger into his tones, nearly hissing as his warm breath spreads across her ear and cheek. A smirk curls the edges of his lips before he pulls away suddenly, lowering his paw back to the stone floor and moving a few inches out of her personal bubble.

She scores, revealing to her that he doesn't move very fast. Her gleaming eyes darken with a wicked grin as he growls and presses more into her space. She subtly presses her tongue across the inside of her teeth, her paws begin to itch for movement.

She did enjoy that, she enjoyed knowing. That mischievous sly smile broadens as he brings his face even closer to hers. Her brows lift and her lips part as she allows him to press her back, her skin begins to burn at the point where his knee presses into the shattered white heart marking on her chest. Her breath suddenly catches in her throat as she feels the rock wall against her heel. Her heart thrums with electric energy as he presses a paw to her shoulder, effectively pining her. A calculated dance she wanted to test. She liked it. She flared her lips to show her teeth as he slid his lips and nose along her cheek. A shiver runs down her spine.

Her breath comes in short silent giggles as he dares to threaten her complacency. He has no idea. He was hardly anywhere close to the very short list of people she deemed worthy of her respect and five minutes of compliance.

Her giggles grow into a languid high sigh and toothy grin while he retreats from pinning her. Weak... He had her there and barely challenged for dominance. Wouldn't it be a treat to parade her new sidi in front of all her siblings!

"Not if you're mine, Freckles!" She lunges up at the space under his right ear, ready to grasp and pull it down. At the same time, she wrapped her forelegs around his neck and one trained back leg attempted to wrap around his stronger leg and pull it toward her. She wanted to make him put pressure on that injured paw and have him bow to her.



Araxina vs Jiro for Dominance (you're my bitch)
Round 1/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Haladie Knife
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Navigator
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Jiro is aware of her reactions to his movements. How her breath hitches, her heart thundering in her chest, as he invades her space. He could even imagine how warm her cheeks must be with his lips so dangerously close to her skin. Something inside of him stirs, a pleased rumble deep in his chest in response to her reaction. She was dangerous, evil, vile, no good for him at all, and it made him want more.

In a sense, Jiro isn’t surprised that she goes for him. The little spitfire poured devilish energy and the way her giggle morphs into a breathy sigh has one of his brows raising in question. Before he has time to really register what she’s said, she’s lashing forward, jumping up to grab ahold of him. A growl of surprise rips from him as she entangles her limbs around his neck and leg, pulling and jerking him toward the ground. Unfortunately for her, his heavyset body would not kneel so easily.

”If you wished to be wrapped around me, you had only to ask,” Jiro purred deeply, his own chuckle riding its coattails before he retaliates. Instead of moving down as she so desperately wished, he pivots toward the nearest stack of wooden crates. Pinning her beneath them once more, pressing his bulk into her until her breath would hopefully be cut off just enough to make her gasp.

Jiro vs Araxina for Dominance (not your bitch)
Round 1/1
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Antelope horns - Offensive
Skills: Master Hunter & Expert Healer

And the winner is...

ARAXINA!

JIRO must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: ARAXINA: Attack Roll: 34 Defense Roll: 56 Agility Roll: 12 Perception Roll: 85 Total: 187 Attack[34] + 35% Bonus[11.90]: 45.90 Defense[56] + 5% Bonus[2.80]: 58.80 Agility[12] + 20% Bonus[2.40]: 14.40 Perception[85] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 85.00 Total[204.10] + 10% Bonus[20.41]: 224.51 JIRO: Attack Roll: 5 Defense Roll: 88 Agility Roll: 59 Perception Roll: 1 Critical fail! Total: 153 Attack[5] + 45% Bonus[2.25]: 7.25 Defense[88] + 25% Bonus[22.00]: 110.00 Agility[59] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 59.00 Perception[1] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 1.00 Total[177.25] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 177.25

It was the way her eyes widened that made his heart quicken in a very bad way. After a tense moment of watching her struggle, body squirming beneath his hold, his brain snapped on. His insides screamed to let go, to let her breathe, she didn't deserve this pain. A disappointed and surprised sharp inhale through his nose and he's suddenly releasing and stepping backward. Bowing his head, averting his gaze, he stares at the rocky wall to her right.

"You win," he murmurs, his lip crinkling ever so slightly. Why did his brain have to betray him like that? She did deserve a little telling off for being so big for her damn britches. Resolving to a frustrated growl, Jiro has a sudden realization that she had mentioned that he would be hers. Slightly widened eyes flick back toward her as his breath catches in his throat. Fuck, what was going to happen next?

Hattori Jiro

table coding by bunni ♥

The spitfire is outraged as he pivots and pins her down. Under him, she lashes out and struggles against his girth! He'll pay for this! Why was everyone constantly trying to keep her from breathing?! Her eyes went wide as she continued to struggle. Her back legs tried to kick as she gasped for air. Suddenly he relented and she scrambled to her feet coughing and growling. Gasping for the air he had cut off. One paw swiped at the space had had just occupied, barely missing him as he murmured defeat. Her nose is high in triumph, a snarl still plastered there as he bows his head. He had made a grievous error in shaming her, pittying her. This was no proper win. But he said the words, and she wouldn't give him a chance to take them back.

A smirk lit her features as she caught the sudden realization in his gaze of what his defeat truly meant.

"I. win." She sneered, attempting a dangerous look in her puppy eyes. One day those eyes would be far more formidable. "Now, you're mine and I get to take you home! Come!" She bobbed her head back and forth with barely contained glee and began leading him out of the cave. She imagined the looks on her sibling's faces when she would parade her very own sidi before them.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Her sneering expression would only earn a roll of his eyes in response. While she may have bested him now, that didn't mean he couldn't try to defeat her later. After all, he was more healer and hunter than a fighter. That sort of thing didn't come to him naturally like it did his siblings.

When she says home, Jiro tilts his head with a single raised brow. He was tempted to ask where home was, but he supposed he was about to find out. Unsure how to feel about the situation, Jiro keeps his mouth shut and follows the fiery-coated girl out of the cave and north. Away from home, awar from everything he knew.

-exit-

Hattori Jiro

table coding by bunni ♥