note to self: some time has passed, he'd been tended to ect ect.

The sky was dark, still littered with stars as Hattori stood out on the beach, a gentle breeze tousling his fur as he watched the waves roll up the sand. Only to retreat once the water neared his paws.The sun would rise within the next few hours and the shinobi found himself wondering what the new day would bring. Despite not being the sort who appreciated the luxury and splendour of palace life, Ashen's healers had done well by him. The aches and pains that riddled his form had started to subside, but a frustrating stiffness was eager to fill the void that had been left behind. It was nothing he couldn't handle but a bit of a nuisance nonetheless.

As per his usual morning routine, Hattori began his stretches. He rolled his shoulders, ignoring the slight twinge of discomfort and then stood straight and tall as he arched his spine, forming an n shape. He focused on his legs next, tensing his muscles as he shifted his weight to his front and tilted forward a little, as though he was standing on slanted ground. His talons dug into the sand as he focused on his breathing, keeping it slow and steady as he maintained his focus. It might have looked like wasted effort to an onlooker but Hattori was a creature of habit, wounded or not he wouldn't let his muscles and form waste away from misuse.

White gloved paws carried the newly crowned Empress over the sands of the archipelago’s big island. Where her mother encouraged those of Klein name to stake their claim on their dens. Venom hadn’t decided if she wished to keep the palace as her den or not. It was a lot of room for one wolf, lacking in those she was close enough to to invite them. Perhaps Toxicity would make a room suitable for herself. Maybe it was a good idea to move Hattori within its threshold. The closer they were the easier trust could be formed or broken.


First she needed to test him, to see if bringing him in had truly been in both parties best interests. From first impressions Venom was hopeful she made the correct decision. Odd that he was lingering in her thoughts when she caught sight of his dark silhouette against the reflective white sands. She walked slow, careful not to be observed too early so she missed the show. Venom didn’t quite understand his motions, but she could guess that he was stretching.

”Hattori.” She greeted softly as her delicate paws left tiny prints in the sand at her approach. ”You look much more comfortable than the last time we met.” Venom’s words were said much more sweetly in this encounter, but she had much more excitement than seeing a healer on the agenda tonight.

Hattori turned, unflinching, as he set his gaze on the Empress. He'd mostly skipped the formalities last time since bowing had been far more painful than he cared to admit, but in hindsight he felt as though he'd acted out of turn. As if he should've just pushed through the pain and given her all due respect. It irked him somewhat but there was nothing he could do about it now, except  strive to be better. His movements were sharp and fluid as he dropped his front legs and shifted his weight to his forelimbs, lowering his stature so that Venom towered over him. As a native of Boreas this display likely seemed a little odd, perhaps even uncalled for, but his intent was clear and that's what counted in the end.

"Empress." He rumbled in greeting, holding the position till a suitable amount of time passed. Once standing he looked her in the eye once more, holding her gaze as was his habit. "I am. How may I serve you?"

It only seemed natural to assume she had sought him out for a reason, perhaps in order to test his mettle or put him to use. Either option was fine with him, preferable really, given that lounging around on a sun kissed beach wasn't really his idea of time well spent. Unlike some.

She was met swiftly with silver eyes as her newest soldier turned swiftly to greet her. Though she was pleasantly surprised by his shows of respect he offered her a much more humble pose with his strength returning. Her own lilac rose eyes widened slightly, but smirked with satisfaction all the same. every encounter had her more convinced of her decision. He lowered himself swiftly, and with more grace than someone who just recovered from an injury should. Still, she was slightly taken aback, and quietly reveled in his humble position.

He didn’t hesitate to ask what she sought him out for, as it was not likely an Empress would approach without reason. She hadn’t been looking for him, but now that they were in such close proximity… ”Fight me.” She told him as she lifted her head a little higher, Venom knew her strength and skill, but she didn’t know his. She was not without her losses, especially when it really counted, but she could hold her own. Someday she’d prove herself fully against her Warlord too, but that was a goal for another day.

The Empress took up a defensive stance, obviously meaning for him to take the first move. ”You have a servant’s attitude but I want to see your strength.” She expected him to go full out. Poison was nearby, ready to join in, but she was without her armor or weapon.

Her request was a bit of an odd one but Hattori flawlessly hid any and all surprise that he felt. He knew she wasn't just some pampered waif like many ladies of high society were, but the fact she was intent on testing his mettle herself impressed the shinobi. He regarded her for a long and lingering moment, the white of his brows shifting a touch as the waves rolled further up the beach and submerged their paws. He was in no position to deny her nor did he intend to, he dipped his head in assent and with seamless grace his posture shifted, gone was the air of respectful subservience. Before Venom stood a warrior with much blood on his paws.

"Very well." Was all he said.

Hattori was impressively swift on his paws. One moment he stood there, calm and focused and the next he was on the move, sweeping in close for a full frontal attack. He dipped low, aiming to ram into her with all of the brute force his wide set shoulders could muster. Her defensive form was good and thus he didn't expect to bowl her off her paws but he expected it would be a worthy show of his strength regardless, to know that all of his force and might was at her disposal. All she needed to do was point him in the right direction and he would heed her command.

Hattori Hanzō vs Venom for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Eagle Talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Hattori stood and watched her for a long moment, and Venom couldn’t help but smirk in amusement as she watched his body shift. From one who served to one who would fight to his last breath. She could see him tense, which made her tongue flick with anticipation as his words fell from his lips. The man was faster than his huge form would let on, but Venom was still more nimble. She’d been faced with huge opponents before, and when he went low she reverted to one of her favorite tricks.

Venom aimed to vault up his back, using her sharp cat claws to help keep her grin as she attempted to gain footing on his broad back. She held a wicked grin on her face as she attempted to bite at the base of his tail before dismounting behind him.

Venom Klein Abraxas vs Hattori for Dominance
Round 1 of 2?
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual

Hattori felt the pressure of her weight upon his back, as well as the stinging prick of claws digging into his skin. The snake tongue had already proved she was not just an average wolf but the claws cemented it as fact in his mind and made him wonder what other, if any, mutations were hiding in her dainty form. Regardless, he did not make it easy for her. Another wolf might have aimlessly tried to shake her off, but Hattori's fighting style- the same could be said of most Iga wolves- was sharp and concise, aiming to finish the fight in the least amount of moves possible. He reared his head back, aiming to give her butt a sharp poke and then another, harder, jab just to get his point across. As for the nip to his tail, Hattori simply endured it without batting an eye as he turned and rolled his shoulders, once again free from the burden of her weight.

Going on the offensive, Hattori's talons dug into the sand and he threw a pawful at her face, most notably her eyes. Hattori, like all shinobi, didn't fight fair. He would do whatever was in his power to gain the advantage, and whilst this spar was nothing personal it was his intention to get this point across. As soon as the sand was sent flying Hattori took full advantage of the distraction and dove in low again, aiming to knock her off her paws.

Hattori Hanzō vs Venom for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Eagle Talons - Offensive
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Venom vaulted up his back without any problem, her balance nearly perfect as he refrained from shaking her from him. She smirked lightly but she wasn’t one to be taken unawares. Hattori threw his head back to encourage her down. She was on her way so she didn’t get any punctures but she had no doubt that she might be dealing with a couple of bruises for a while. Venom didn’t have time to be surprised at the location his attack was aimed at, but she would make it off his back before the second jab landed. Her buns would thank her later when she tried to sit down.

Venom took a few strides before she turned back around to face Hattori, keeping him in the corner of her eye as he rounded on her. She didn’t expect the cloud of dust at her face, thankfully she was far enough away that he wouldn’t disrupt her vision incredibly but the irritation distracted her as he raced forward. She could hardly react as he aimed to bowl her over. The Empress wouldn’t have any room to react but by instinct and as he reached her the lithe woman threw herself to her back feet and aimed to wrap her arms around his neck so she wouldn’t hit the ground. Venom would use her claws to hold herself to him as her jaws unhinged and she went for his throat.

Venom Klein Abraxas vs Hattori for Dominance
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Companion 1: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual

And the winner is...

HATTORI

VENOM must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Adjusted rolls: 36.45 100 73 49 HATTORI'S total is.. 297.22 **Hattori rolled a critical hit, you can claim an award in the awards board Adjusted rolls: 6.5 81.65 29.4 21.25 VENOM'S total is.. 173.5

As soon as Hattori saw Venom raise herself up onto her hind paws he knew it was over. Readying himself for the impact-they were both going to feel this in the morning-he charged into her, easily knocking her off her paws and sending her hurtling down onto the sand. Judging from the sharp exhale of breath that rushed from her lips the Empress landed hard, enough to knock the air from her lungs. For a brief moment he towered over her as the sun was beginning to rise in the east, casting his face and form in shadows. And then he swept in close, teeth bared as he dove for her throat and with perfect precision he stopped a hairsbreadth from making contact. For as long as their contract was in place he would never truly harm her, not even if she demanded it of him.

Instead he pulled back, giving her due space and respect. His shoulder throbbed as he stood there and wondered if he should try and help her to her paws, it was the polite thing to do but he sensed it would come across as a touch demeaning. As though he no longer thought she was capable of holding her own. Which was entirely untrue, the fact she'd lost to him was by no means a poor reflection of her skills. They were simply cut from different cloth.

Venom was forced to the ground, her back and head landed heavily against the ground and she lost her breath and saw stars. As she attempted to catch her breath her glazed eyes caught sight of Hattori. He stood above her, his features cast in shadow before he lunged at her neck. The feeling of his fangs a hair's breadth away, his body towering above her as she lay prone beneath him, invoked an unattainable sense of vulnerability. The Empress lost control, and for that split moment the shinobi invoked complete power.

He took her breath away in a completely different manner.

Hattori stepped away from her, leaving her belly exposed to the sky as she remained motionless as she gasped for breath. Venom blinked back her sunset gaze, finally able to take in a deep enough breath that her wits returned. The feeling of helplessness did not relinquish, but her trust and respect for Hattori had increased tenfold. Releasing her breath as a huff the Empress finally found her paws.

Defeat didn’t look good on the young leader, but Hattori aided in keeping her humble. Resolved to fight harder for her people, the young woman’s serious gaze returned to the victor. ”Your skills feel unhindered by your injury. I am bested.”

It was difficult to admit defeat, to know you'd been bested. However, much to Venom's credit-empress or not- she was humble and took it in her stride. Regardless of what she thought it was a good look on her, the fact she didn't throw a tantrum or get all pouty was very becoming, marking her as far more mature than many wolves Hattori had served during his time as a shinobi. But not being one for offering compliments Hattori simply kept this to himself, as always. But that left a gap, a space in the air between them that ought to be filled. He didn't know what to say so he simply settled for a decent, respectable dip of his head. Acknowledgement that her words rang true but he served her nonetheless. It was all he could offer but it was enough, it had to be.

Hattori didn’t gloat over his win and Venom internally thanked him for it. Swallowing her pride was difficult enough without it getting thrown in her face. He nodded silently as she offered her concession. Venom took in another deep breath and looked the shinobi over. He was quite the valuable find, hopefully this might be the beginning of a long and prosperous…. Business relationship. She would make a full recovery she was sure, but for now she’d hide her shame and lick her wounds away from his sight.

”If you were hurt see the healer, otherwise you’re dismissed.” She smiled as she hid her reaction to the pain when she moved her body. She was going to be feeling this battle for a few days.