death is like a one way ticket to a distant star

Though they shared flesh and blood Kuroki couldn't help but sometimes get a sense of otherness about his Father, as though no matter how hard the little prince tried they would never ever be the same. Having been the one to trail after the Shogun he really ought to have thought to call out for him sooner, to home he was near by to save them from the mess they'd both dived headfirst into. But...in a sense he almost didn't want help to arrive. What would he think? Would he be furious, silver eyes glazed over and cold in that way that made a shiver run down Kuroki's side. That was worse than being outright shouted at, knowing he had disappointed his Father yet again.

But as Kit was snatched up by the scruff of her neck Kuroki found himself mindlessly rushing forward, eyes wide with panic as he narrowed in on the cat that held his little sister in it's clutches. He could not let the past repeat itself, he would not see his sister in the same bloodied, torn mess the stranger was. And yet it would not come to that, not when a orange blur barrelled onto the scene with all the fury of a crash of lightening. Almost heaven sent but not quite, vilified and vindictive.

Kuroki could barely make out the shape of the Shogun as he rushed and blurred, a glint of metal caught his eye and the squish of rending flesh managed to reach his eyes despite the howling winds. There was no snarling or snapping from his sire's lips, just silent and focused actions, all streamlined purpose with no bluster. He did what he needed to do, that was all. Nothing more and nothing less. And then Kit was tossed down beside him, none too gently, and Kuroki was quick to offer her a reassuring nudge with his bloodied snout. His Father's companions were quick to usher them back, rumbling in their native tongue as paws and wings sheltered them from the cold.

Despite that Kuroki found himself trying to peek around the companion's protective forms. He expected to see rage smeared across his Father's features, perhaps even horror of what could have happened to his children, but there was nothing. Nothing at all. Not even the strain of effort. He slit and cut, slipping his tanto into one of the cats throats with almost bored ease. If killing had ever bothered him once it certainly didn't now and that...frightened Kuroki. To see his old man look so empty and soulless, a husk of a man. Silver eyes glazed over as though he too was dead.

And then it was done. Either the rest of the cats were dead or had fled, Kuroki didn't think to check as he stared up at the looming figure of his Father. The Shogun said nothing as he regarded his children, the look in his eyes offered no reassurance or relief. He was mad to be sure, they would both get a tongue lashing whenever he saw fit. But for now he simply looked to the brown wolf and clicked his tongue, again he would do what he must. Make the call that neither of the pups were capable of.

It took all of Kuroki's power to not burst into tears, lest they freeze on his cheeks.