The journey to this strange land was a shitshow to say the least. His brother might’ve approached their mission with a jovial attitude, but Usagi couldn’t shake of the anger that brimmed beneath his bones. Deciding he would go and hunt something for the both of them - they had to eat at some point, right? -  the koi-patterened wolf huffed crossly as he glanced about his surroundings. He stalked through the murky, tree-infested region he’d stumbled into, his chartreuse gaze sharp with irritation and an expression on his face showing he was less than impressed. This place was so..muddy compared to Iga’s calm woodlands and neat rows of trees. Not that he wasn’t afraid to get down in the dirt if he needed to, and had to at times, but if he could avoid it he would. The earth squelched beneath his paws as he skirted the banks of the swamp-like land, watching for any sign of prey. Sure enough, a few ducks flew into the water not far from him, flapping their wings as they swam about. Usagi scowled, crouching down low to the wet ground. One duck was right within biting reach, and as he sprang and leapt for it, the duck flew from his grasp, landing further out into the boggy waters. Usagi fell into the muck, springing up with a shake of his pelt and a rather pissed-off expression. Hopefully, nobody saw his falter. He’d been a decent hunter back on Iga, but perhaps these creatures were different. But he was also hot-headed and impulsive, and that could make for a difficult hunt, indeed. He sighed, sopping wet and rather humiliated. "Speech"

Kotori hadn’t attempted too much hunting in the mangroves but that was about to change.  Water and marshes meant mushrooms and mushrooms meant pigs.  The wolf was just about positive he could find wild boar here and he had a mission to hunt in all manner of terrain so that he never made himself look a fool regardless of where he might be hunting.  Also of course to be able to catch food no matter where he found himself, admittedly for the young wolf pride was a large part of his priorities.

Entering the marsh he took his time slowly scenting the air and the trees.  It wasn’t the scent that caught his senses first but their feces mixed into the mud in a spot.  It wasn’t overly old which meant there had to be boars nearby.  It wasn’t easy to see but from one spot he was able to find hints further on of more.  He doubted one was alone which should make it easier to find.  He finally decided some of the spots in the mud weren’t just depressions but prints left behind from their hooves.

While he was following the small hints of his trail he spied another wolf, a rather wet wolf in fact.  Boars were aggressive things so might as well offer to work with a partner.  “Hey,”  Kotori wasn’t one to mince words.  “I’m tracking some boar.  If you want to help you can have a portion of the meat.” There was the offer he could take it or leave it.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Usagi wasn’t one to pout, but the failure of his hunt soured the already bitter mood he’d found was his constant. Even his neutral stance and expression was a permanent scowl etched into his features, always angry about something or other. He’d been that way since he was young, and it was a trait his brother, Kuroo, pointed out quite often. His brother was always so optimistic, but to him it sometimes appeared to be idealistic. Their mission to find their father - why did his grey brother care so much to find the bastard that abandoned them after his boozey fling? What a disgusting man. He didn’t realized he’d stewed in his own mire of internal rage on top of the failed hunt as well, and began to stand up from the marsh water when a voice spoke to him. The koi-spotted wolf turned his heard, ears perked, the floppy one awkwardly bent outwards from his slip-up. He looked comical even when he tried to be dignified in his position, shaking his head with an irritated huff as he finally got the ear to flop forward. The male spoke the language that he assumed to be native to this land, and fortunately, he and his brother learned enough of it to get by. Surely, they’d pick up more as they continued further inland. Furthermore, the offer of tracking a boar and receiving meat in return was something he couldn’t refuse. Mostly, he thought of his brother. He was a fine hunter, but meat for the both of them would be nice. "Sure, I can help," He said, his Japanese accent thick and hard to miss. His words were a bit clumsy, but his intent was there. Shaking off his pelt, the male stepped out of the water, glancing over the strange-looking horned male near him. He carried about him an air of caution, not knowing this man, but he couldn’t pass down a hunt. "Where shall we begin tracking this boar?" "Speech"

The wolf had a funny accent but was still understandable which was the only important detail.  Kotori didn’t waste time wondering where he came from or what he’d been doing to get all wet, his interest was in getting the meat.

“This way,” Kotori nodded his head and when the wolf was following Kotori went back to where he’d left his trail, tapping the mud where half-submerged was feces, almost totally covered in mud so that it was quite easy to miss.  “They’ve been here recently.”  With that Kotori moved forward, tail down low, a relaxed small sway of it.

His ears tilted forward after just a few minutes.  Earlier he’d been fine letting his paws slip into the water at points but now he intentionally skipped across a bit of water to a patch of solid ground, avoiding making any noise the best he could.  “Up ahead,” the voice soft as a heads up to the other wolf.  Maybe he had already noticed or perhaps not, Kotori’s main attention was to the prey and not to his temporary ally.

Kotori crept between the trees until a cluster of boars came into sight.  His eyes skimmed the cluster and then nodded to a boar that had clearly seen better days.  It was large, with plenty of old faded scars to prove it had won a number of battles.  One of its tusks was broken from potentially some great battle.  Kotori saw two great reasons for that one, it appeared old and likely slower for that reason but, even better one of its eyes had a glazed over quality.  Kotori wouldn’t be surprised if the blindness was from the sickness a short while back.  Food would soon be served.

He glanced to the other wolf, “I’m going around.  Wait two minutes then attack it.”  Kotori jogged off expecting the wolf would go along with his plan.  Lately, Kotori didn’t ask for opinions that often, nor was he overly chatty.  He had decided what they would do, it had been his idea and the stranger would get his portion of the meat.  What more needed to be said?

"Kotori Fatalis"

Usagi followed behind the wolf, careful of his surroundings. He didn’t know the male in front on him, nor did he have a mind to get to know him. They were allied only on the hunt, and after that they’d likely part ways after receiving their share of the kill. The koi wolf’s nose twitched, letting the air of their surroundings fill his nasal cavity. Picking out the various scents, Usagi used what training he’d had to hone in on only one scent; the boar’s. Though they didn’t really have boars on Iga, they had similar creatures, and from what little he’d picked up from this place, they were foul, aggressive creatures. But they were solid with meat and fat, and Usagi needed a decent meal. Finding some semblance of a trail, good enough for him, he followed after the other male, his paws barely uttering a sound despite the mud that oozed between his white toes. After a few minutes, the horned wolf paused, noting the presence of the boar itself. Glancing in the same direction, he saw the tusked creature, scarred and heavy. Perfect. His hunting partner told him to wait two minutes as he padded around the other side, presumably to get into position should the animal try to flee. Usagi crouched, chest barely touching the muddy earth. He was far from squeamish, even among the muck and considering his sour attitude about everything. Chartreuse eyes focused, unfeeling, on the creature ahead. His hunt training taught him just well enough to scent, track, and go for the kill. He needed no more than that. Counting the two minutes dutifully, his hind legs spurred his entire body into movement, finding the precise moment of attack. Perfect timing, the poor boar couldn’t even let out its ear-piercing squeal as Usagi’s strong hind legs propelled his entire body into motion, legs churning with equal amounts grace and well-built strength. He leapt onto the bristle-haired boar, jaws clamped about its neck in an effort to tear its artery. If he did that, it would bleed out faster and thus, die faster. The animal struggled under his grip, releasing its slowly weakening cries as he clamoed down, eyes glancing at his temporary partner as an invitation to help finish it off. He could have easily killed it by himself, but he supposed teamwork wouldn’t hurt in this moment. The boar’s strength faded, its clouded eyes already beginning to glaze over with its imminent death in the koi wolf’s jaws. "Speech"

Kotori had found a position to attack the boar from another angle.  Once Usagi had started his run Kotori came after at the same time.  Usagi was first to latch on, going straight for its neck.  Kotori ran in fast and hard to make sure the boar had no chance of getting away.

Had Kotori waited to see how easily the other wolf was taking it down then maybe he wouldn’t have felt the need.  Kotori didn’t take chances though.  He ran into the boar, head lowered so that his horns jabbed into its shoulder, jerking his head up to slash the muscles in it.

Stepping back Kotori smirked seeing the creature was already on its way to death.  “Well, that was relatively easy.”  Kotori let out a slow breath followed by a huff.  “You did most of the work.  You eat first.”  Kotori was mostly doing all this for improving his skulls at the hunt anyway.  He would be more likely to take most of his share of the meat back to the pack and only eat a bit of it here.

Kotori Fatalis

 

Usagi braced himself, jaws tight around the thick hide of the boar as the brown-ticked wolf plunged his horns into the animal’s shoulder. It squealed its last cry of life, and promptly went still. Finally releasing his grip, the koi-spotted wolf glanced up at his partner as he mentioned how relatively easy it appeared that he’d taken it down. He offered a brief shrug in reply. Easy? Not really. Hunting didn’t quite come naturally to him as sparring an opponent, but he did admit he got a similar rush when hunting prey or animals that fought back. It was a rush that throoughly channeled his naturally impulsive, short-tempered rage. This male was seeing an entirely different Usagi - a poised, direct, and disciplined creature that didn’t seek to burst into a bout of anger as he did often on Iga. He was know for his quick tempered and hotheaded actions, none of which were flaring up here. He knew better than to release the natural anger within on a wolf offering him a mutual benefit. Thus, this male got a glimpse at the calmer side of Usagi. What were the odds. The horned wolf allowed him to eat first, to which he offered a polite dip of his head. He remembered his manners at least. "Thank you. I would also like to take some of my share back for my brother, if I may." He knew full well Kuroo was a superb hunter - this guy would probably be more impressed with his grey-furred brother’s abilities - but being the good sibling he was to support him in this still-strange land, he’d take some back. Splitting the boar between the two of them would be an easy task, and when all was said and done, they’d go their opposite ways. "Speech"