Onyx had asked her parents to come out on their scoutings for herbs or prey outside of the northern lands. She had naturally grown more curious after her trip for the tournament, and she was getting older anyway therefore stronger and more capable for herself. She had always thought she was bigger and better than everyone else, even if she wasn't either. Her sense of superiority threw her into battles for training and the sort. Losing only made her realize she had to try and train more.

With Song nearby in case there was any danger, she ventured out on her own. Only in the closest lands to him of course. She had never seen a beach quite like this before. She was used to the icy sands where the ship was in her pack and she had to admit, this was a pretty cool place. She never really saw or admired her surroundings, but maybe that was because she knew the pines so well. She was too focused on fighting after all.

She walked the shores, worried to get her paws wet in the ocean at first, but once the waters washed under her pads, she was pleased with how warm the water was, at least compared to up north. She just looked down at the coming and going to the broken ocean waves under her, lost in no real thought other than the moment.

"Onyx"

Mature! For foul language. Can be prone to violence.

Kuroki had a fondness for Obsidian Beach. It wasn't yet within Ashen's territory so the chances of running into his Father were slim, but it was close enough that the lay of the land still felt familiar. His yearning for something else still roiled beneath his skin, but the relief that his brother Take was out and about again had gotten him all pensive, that and the pre-teeny hormones that flowed through his veins. It felt as though he clashed with his sire every day now, he'd shoot snippy little comments his way in an attempt to get something, anything from him, and he'd only get a cold stare of disapproval in return. He loved his family but there was just something about Hattori that rubbed him the wrong way, all of his expectations were like dull blades, cutting and slicing away. Nothing like the soft black grains that covered white of his paws.

Kuroki did not like Hattori, they were just too different, their personalities clashed like roaring thunder and yet despite it all. Despite how often he went out of his way to spite the Shogun he still wanted something from him. Recognition, approval? Something that made him feel like he was fulfilling his duties as the firstborn son and heir. None of this was what Kuroki wanted, or even needed, but what else was he supposed to do? Roll over and be someone he just wasn't? Nope. That wasn't the life Kuroki wanted to live, no siree. Or in other words: screw you dad.

He pushed further down the beach to the water's edge and was quick to spot a familiar blue form lingering in the waves. Her name did not spring to mind, but Kuroki knew her, or at least as much as he knew anyone outside Ashen. They'd sparred at the festival and that's all Kuroki needed to acknowledge as he approached her from behind, moving quiet, his footsteps covered by the lull of the waves.

"Yo." He greeted with a casual flick of his tail, manners tossed to the southerly winds.

She didn't feel threatened by the approaching footsteps of another, she hadn't acknowledged them until they spoke out to her at least. A vaguely familiar scent but more familiar voice, it wasn't like she had been day dreaming about the young brute at all so she wasn't leaping for joy at the thought of him. In regards to their tournament battle she was quite the sore loser but didn't have to see him everyday and dwell on the next time they sparred.

"Yo..." She mimicked back, her brows furrowed to the greeting maybe almost offensively but it didn't really bother her. Wasn't he royalty or something? Was "yo" appropriate? She could really give two shits, she didn't care. She wasn't royalty herself, only believed that she was superior to others. That had little to do with her ancestors though. More to do with the red kids who were "royalty" back at home. But it seemed the two heiring families had one thing in common; desire to defend or show strength. She could relate to that.

"Guess I didn't think I'd see you again." She stated, looking out and down at the water on her paws, still unbothered by the young brute's presence. "We live in two different worlds it seems." It was true in a way. Onyx lived in the harsh northern terrain, and even coming down south out of it bothered her thick built coat. Maybe if she spent less time away from the north, at least a year or so, it would be more bearable. Of course she hated the rain more than anything, she could suffer the not so deathly heat at least.

"Onyx"

Mature! For foul language. Can be prone to violence.

She seemed a little put off  by his offhand greeting, but Kuroki pretended not to notice. He had enough of his parents telling him how to speak, if he didn't let their words sway him then a stranger-ish- wasn't gonna have much effect on him either. Being stubborn for the sake of it was what he was good at, that and getting on the Shoguns nerves, but that was neither here nor there. The girl had been pretty aloof when they'd met but it seemed as though she was doubling down, holding him back at arms length in such a way it only made him want to shove his way closer. Just cause he could. It was a challenge if he'd ever seen one and Kuroki was like a dog on a bone, intent on gnawing it down to the marrow.

"Yeah? Well, hate to disappoint ya." He announced as he stood beside her, closer than common curtsey would dictate. He knew of the manners and habits his sire's people carried, but cared little to go through the polite motions. Better to let his siblings handle that burden, thank you very much. "If you hate it so much then why bother?" He asked with a curious tip of his head, dark eyes gleaming like the obsidian sand.

Onyx didn't move away from him as he moved closer. She did feel a bit of uncomfortability, but she was probably just as stubborn as he was. And she wasn't going to let him make her skin crawl. She wasn't necessarily happy to never see the young brute again, but he wasn't on her mind every second of the day since their tournament battle. She did take the effort to start training back at home since she lost against him, but other than that he was just a distant memory.

He had mentioned her hating her...life? And that was far from true. Or maybe. Her young days were filled with the same old things. She was too young to really go and travel on her own, but she also had the restrictions of her pack life too. The Alpha hadn't been around lately, so maybe the pack was more relaxed now a days. She was too young to understand really what Ignis had done to his pack members. She was still in her mother's womb when he had taken over.

"I don't... hate my world." She stated back, a little squint in her eye. She did keep more eye contact with him now, rather than a wandering gaze. She felt far from awkward around others, so staring them down or making them feel uncomfortable wasn't a problem for her, not that she was making him uncomfortable. "The north hosts the strength for survival." She stated again, like it was a routine worship almost. Though she didn't seem to be jumping up and down with joy. It was what her parents had taught her and she couldn't really disagree. But she did want to travel and explore and know what the rest of the world was like. To have options where to live and settle down. Not be chained down in Incendium. "You got something to prove you're strong?" It was almost a joke but joking wasn't really one of her strong suits. She was well sarcastic but she was cold and stale. And her attitude made her seem a little more serious than a joke.

"Onyx"

Mature! For foul language. Can be prone to violence.

Kuroki snorted, loud and indignant. Now that wasn't what he'd heard through the grapevine. And even if that wasn't the case, he didn't think hanging out in the cold wasn't a sign of strength, if anything it was a show of stupidity and stubbornness. Why make life harder than it needed to be? She was quick to try and turn the table on him, prodding at him as though to imply he wasn't strong, like he hadn't whooped her booty last time they'd met. It took a lot to ruffle his hackles and Onyx would need to do a whole lot better than that. There was no playful gleam in her eyes, Kuroki didn't reckon she was that kind of girl,  no doubt too serious for her own good.

He shifted his weight for a moment, as though deep in thought before he used his talons to hook up a pawful of sand and threw it in her direction. There was no use in fighting fire with fire, he'd soon douse it then bitch at who'd'ever started it in the first place.

"You looking for round two? I'm game." His grin was wide and beaming, like the reflection of the sun against the darkness of the sea.

She's Sweet Like Candy In My Veins I'm Dying For Another Taste ________________________________________ Just like him, there was little that really got under her skin. She didn't really need a reason to pick a fight, to test her skills or learn from the loses. She wasn't much a sore loser, well she was in her own way. She wasn't outward about her loss, but it did bruise her ego and make her strive to do better. She had lost to Kuroki in the tournament, and she saw that as an opportunity to do better. But it wasn't her life goal to come back here and beat him up and show who was better. Of course if he gave that opportunity, she wouldn't turn him down. But there was no ill intent in her actions to fight him. "Don't think I have to ask you to enjoy the time together then." She spoke with a small smile, turning her face towards him. She wouldn't let each of them prepare, that wasn't really how battles worked in her mind. If someone wanted to hurt her, they would just attack. Not let them get all nice and ready for an impact. So she quickly lashed out, an open jaw attempting to grab hold of the front of his left shoulder blade while she tried to lift up her front paws, hoping to get a hug-type hold around his forelegs or maybe at least one of them. They weren't too much different in height, he was a little bigger but they were the about the same age. But her aimed bite attack was what kept her from trying to hug higher around his shoulders. She wasn't one to think far ahead at least, and it always gave her a huge disadvantage. Onyx vs Kuroki for Spar Round 1/? Age: Over 6 Months Size: Extra Large Build: Medium Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Intellectual Specialty: N/A Walk "Talk" Think

Kuroki shifted, sensing her change in mood. So she really was game, huh? She offered him little warning as she lashed out, teeth snapping as she went for his shoulder and reared up. No doubt trying out some new wrestling move of some sort, maybe a northerner thing? Clucking his tongue, Kuroki raised a paw and swatted her muzzle aside, almost playfully in the way he pushed his younger siblings about. He took care to angle his toes up a little, lest he take a chunk out of her. They didn't use to be much of a problem, but his talons were sharp as all hell, even an accidental swipe could do a lot of damage if he hit the wrong place.

With a shit eating grin, Kuroki surged forward to meet her grab attack, shoving himself into her hold to see if she could really handle what he had to offer. In the meanwhile he arched his neck up, making a sneaky grab for her right ear. They were always fun to try and take a chomp at and were a good method of controlling someone's head.


Kuroki vs Onyx for spar
Round 1/2
Age: under a year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Antelope horns - Defensive
Mutation 2: Sabre teeth - Offensive
Mutation 3: Eagle talons - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

She's Sweet Like Candy In My Veins I'm Dying For Another Taste ________________________________________ The dark boy pushed forward on her, which she couldn't say she was expecting. She seemed to just keep putting herself into bad positions and not expecting the consequences. Loosing battles, not really learning when she did something wrong. Well, maybe that wasn't it. She just never thought before she did anything. She just did. Maybe one day she would be better. Of course, she thought she was better now but she was way far off of what she was actually capable of with her age and experience. Kuroki pushed her with enough force to flip her over onto her back so he was ontop of her, grabbing her ear which may have been a sensitive and controlling area, but Onyx didn't let it feel that way to her. With Kuroki still on hold with her ear, she pulled her head forward and attempted to grab another bite where his right shoulder and chest met, her paws moving up to try and push from under his chest. Onyx vs Kuroki for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 6 Months Size: Extra Large Build: Medium Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Intellectual Specialty: N/A Walk "Talk" Think

His opponent toppled over onto the sand with Kuroki's manoeuvre, making the Ashen Prince bark out a laugh, the sound smothered by a mouthful of blue ear. He hadn't expected that to work so well, but just cause she was down it didn't mean she was out. She yanked him forward, ignoring the pain and using his own leverage against him. He winced a little as her paw thudded against his chest, shoving him back with all of her might. He was almost tempted to let go of her ear lest he do any lasting damage, but he sensed that if he gave her an inch she'd snatch a mile. Besides, he wanted her to tap out, he wasn't going to throw away his ace just cause he felt a little bad.

Her teeth contacted with the loose skin of his shoulder and the fight quickly devolved into more of a rough and tumble than what a spar probably ought to be. Neither of them were fighting fair or with honour, but who cared? Not Kuroki. He tensed his shoulders, hunkering down as he fought against the strength of her limbs. He'd crush her into submission, using his slight advantage in size to seal his victory. Or that was the plan at least.


Kuroki vs Onyx for spar
Round 2/2
Age: under a year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Antelope horns - Defensive
Mutation 2: Sabre teeth - Offensive
Mutation 3: Eagle talons - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

KUROKI

ONYX must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Onyx: Attack Roll: 56 Defense Roll: 9 Agility Roll: 38 Perception Roll: 74 Total: 177 Attack[56] + 5% Bonus[2.80]: 58.80 Defense[9] + 5% Bonus[0.45]: 9.45 Agility[38] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 38.00 Perception[74] + 5% Bonus[3.70]: 77.70 Total[183.95] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 183.95 Kuroki: Attack Roll: 45 Defense Roll: 33 Agility Roll: 90 Perception Roll: 33 Total: 201 Attack[45] + 50% Bonus[22.50]: 67.50 Defense[33] + 10% Bonus[3.30]: 36.30 Agility[90] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 90.00 Perception[33] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 33.00 Total[226.80] + 5.% Bonus[11.34]: 238.14

Bigger didn't mean badder to Onyx, neither did the young brute's horns or his claws, or whatever else he may have had that looked better than her. It was pure skill and luck of the draw only, and it seemed she was down on the unlucky side with Kuroki again.

That didn't mean she was beaten into submission though. With Kuroki's weight over top of her, she didn't just throw the flag or go limp or whatever any weak wolf would do. Her paws still pushed up at his chest and even while his weight was nearly crushing her, she was still trying to throw a bite after she wasn't able to move her limbs or her neck. The winner of the battle was obvious, but she didn't want to see it. She didn't want to think she lost again to the same boy, or wolf in general. But that just meant she would need to train harder. She was stubborn as hell, that was sure. But at least the boy wasn't trying to really hurt her because he would have her.

"Onyx"

Mature! For foul language. Can be prone to violence.

It was obvious she'd lost, but the snowcone kept fighting him all the same, biting and pushing when there was simply no chance of getting purchase. Kuroki grinned, all cocky and wide with far too much tooth and doubled down, shoving her back down against the sand. The black grains smeared into her coat, turning it darker as though his bad influence was catching, like a cold he'd once given his siblings. Maybe he was playing too rough, shoving a girl around when he ought to be treating her a little more gently, but why should he? She'd started this whole thing and beyond the smugness of beating her again there was a point to prove. It would always end this way, they were just built different.

Except that line of thought didn't settle well in his head, it felt like he was toeing the line, doubling down whereas he'd usually take a hint and back off. This was something Hattori would do, just to show how unshakeable his authority was. That he could kill whoever he pleased, if the mood took him.

Kuroki didn't like that one bit.

With an overly dramatic sigh, Kuroki leaned back and flopped onto his haunches.

"What does this make us? Two zero?" Kami alive, even Kuroki thought he sounded insufferable, his voice dripping with self-satisfaction.