Auster was no longer such an unknown. The ground was starting to feel familiar beneath Hattori's paws as he approached the overflowing creek, water rushing by as though it couldn't reach the sea fast enough. It spilled over its banks, flattening the cattails and forcing them to lay flat as though waving along with the flow of water. Beyond the sound of flowing water and the ever falling rain, it was quiet here. Arguably too quiet for such a dependable source of water, like something had scared everything away. A dire wolf was a worrying sight for most herbivores, so it made sense they'd all made themselves scarce, but the feline paw print smushed into the mud on the other side of the bank told Hattori all he needed to know.

There was a tiger about, somewhere, and just out of reach of sight and smell. But where?

Tensing slightly, Hattori strained his senses, ears flicking forward as his perceptive gaze roved over the rain tapped foliage. He would not be taken unawares and perhaps that would be enough to put the tiger off, force it to find another target.

"Speech"

Usagi had been tracing the waters of the creek as well, halfheartedly attempting to track some prey. The koi wolf hadn’t meant to follow the dire wolf here - or should he say, his leader now - but that’s where some scents led him. Alas, they weren’t of much help. Usagi sighed as he reached the muddy shores of the overflowing creek banks, toes splaying into the thick mud as the prey scents disappeared. Upon seeing the Shogun a few paces away, he noticed the male was quietly observing the eerie silence, and Usagi did the same, his body stiffening as he noticed some large feline pawprints embbeded in the earth. Shit. They had tigers hereabouts, too? He’d fought a lion, a bear, and a cougar already, but he much preferred not to risk getting maimed if he could help it. He stood still as Hattori did, not wanting to barge on him and alert the striped beast that was undoubtedly nearby.

His and Hattori’s efforts to remain vigilant were not unseen. Unfortunately for them, the tiger was enraged. Perhaps it believed the wolves to be intruders, and this meant it would very likely end up in a fight. The striped beast lurched from the rain-pelted foliage, mud spraying about as it charged towards Usagi with a bone-chilling roar. Unafraid, but yet surprised this beast was so bold, the male quickly managed to sidestep the animal’s charge, and as it whipped towards him, he braced his himd legs and whipped one around to give the beast a firm, angry jab directly into its nose. Hitting animals on the nose was a sensitive spot, and it was his hope that the attack would force the animal to consider something less aggressive for a snack. Usagi growled, his temper flaring as his lips peeled back in a guttural snarl. Damn beasts. He didn’t want to fight this animal on his own - it’d be a foolhardy move - but if it meant preserving his life and his limbs as well as keeping it away from the Shogun’s reach, he’d do it.

Speech

Auster was not really a location Tsunami was familiar or really comfortable with all things considered. She was trying to get herself situation, get her paws under her as it were. With few enough borders to protect it did give her the freedom to really explore, she wasn't really following Hattori, though his scent did help to make her feel a little at ease in not wandering too far if the man's scent was recent but she did make a conscious effort to veer away from it somewhat. Kimuy wandered idly behind her and the woman bore her usual spiked harness, it was easier to wear it when out and about than try and stash and store it in a less permanent location and then having to move it when they would inevitably move on. And frankly, after having been on the run for as long as she had been it felt more comfortable to have it on, a layer of protection against her cousin or anyone else who would try to steal her freedom from her. These thoughts rolled through her mind as a loud roar pierced through the peace of the day. Tsunami perked for a moment, stopping and her whole body stiff and then paws rushed over the wet muddy ground, noting the scent of her shogun and another band member growing stronger and her dander was up, the protective instinct still alive inside her despite her otherwise battered loyalty flaring and the woman found herself launching herself at the tiger, jaws slavering as she hurled herself through the rain, teeth clamping onto it's upper right foreleg, just below the shoulder. A growl escaped her mouth full of fur and flesh as the cat roared in pain, easily swatting her off with its other paw, Tsunami skid in the mud, shaking her head to clear the ringing in her ears and observing the cat now, flashing a grin to her shogun as she called out over the rain: "We have to stop meeting like this." A fight was the one time the now much more muted woman truly felt alive. The tiger eyed the trio of wolves, tail lashing, ear back and a hiss pulling from it's parted jaw, it didn't quite seem to grasp yet just how outmatched it probably was. "Speech"

Art by Zinderell

Hattori tensed as the tiger exploded out of the undergrowth, and made to slash at Usagi who had only just arrived on scene. He was somewhat taken aback at how aggressive the feline was acting, as though wolf visitors were so few and far between in these parts it was only natural to go on the offensive. To protect the few slices of land that hadn't yet been claimed by what they no doubt perceived as outsiders. He was unsure if this was going to develop into an issue or not, but he had better things to do rather than stand around thinking about the what ifs. Launching into action, Hattori spared Tsunami a look as she joined the fold, a witty comment rolling off her tongue as she reminded him of their first meeting. A lot had changed since then, but was it for the better?

Knowing they had more than enough muscle present to chase the tiger off, if not bring it down, Hattori was swift to leap into the fray and pull his weight. Making a grab for the soft, exposed inner front left leg, Hattori yanked back with all his might with the intention of destabilising the beast. If they managed to pin it down it would be a battle win and maybe they'd get a nice tiger coat out of it.


"Speech"

Usagi’s thoughts were similar to Hattori’s in that moment - why the hell was this tiger so invested in attacking the wolves unprovoked? It sas abnormal indeed, but Usagi wouldn’t stand there and let the foolish beast strike them all down. Thohgh they clearly outnumbered the tiger, its dagger-like claws, bulk, and massive fangs gave it a decent run in this impromptu match. Usagi braced himself as another member of the band, though a stranger to him still, grabbed the animal’s shoulder in her teeth, though the male was careful as the tiger swatted her off, eyeing the trio until the Shogun made his own move, grabbing the beast’s inner left leg to destabilize it. Usagi eyed the weak spots on the animal, spots that were considered a weakness in any beast, really - its angles and joints. A firm kick aith his powerful legs, along with the other wolves’ combined efforts, could surely help being it to its weakest - on its side. Exposing the animal’s belly or side would perhaps be the best way of ultimately taking it down, but whether it could happen was still unknown.

Usagi crouched, building up power in his hind legs. He sprang forward, quick and focused, leaping towards the tiger’s right hand leg. Before the beast could react, having been occupied at the front with the Shogun and the band member, he swiftly jutted out a hind leg in his jumping momentum and firmly jabbed it into the animal’s ankle joint. He didn’t think it would actually work, seeing as the beast had a much thicker skeleton, but he saw the leg buckle ever so slightly as the tiger yowled, now trying to whip back towards Usagi. The koi wolf skidded to a stop behind the tiger, glaring at it as it inviting it to try him even mire than it already had. His lips peeled back in a snarl, hackles raised as he anticipated the tigers’ - or his band members next moves. He knew he wouldn’t have much hope if the tiger so much as leaped onto him, but he waited for it to try and attack, noticing its back leg was sore where he’d managed to kick it.

Speech

wishing there was something left to lose

this could be the day i die for you—

Blood pounded in Tsunami's ears as she watched the big cat, she was quick on Hattori's tail racing along behind him to grab hold of the tiger's other foreleg, digging in. She wasn't nearly as big as the other two men so she had to rely a little less on pure strength but in a small group? Well, she could easily slip in and out of the fight, or following up on openings. Tsunami considered herself a proficient solo fighter but it was easier to cover for her own shortcomings with others, and that feeling was exhilarating and something she hoped she could really tap into here, with these wolves. The tiger thrashed, twisting and straining and she noticed the big cat was straining to turn around, she had just barely caught the movement of the wolf whom she had not yet properly met and could only guess he'd done something big enough to pull the cat's attention away from the two wolves in front of it. Tsunami released her hold, not wanting to risk taking another smack on the head, letting go and back-peddling quickly as she watched the big cat try to spin around, it seemed to be favoring one of it back paws over the other? Oh. Tsunami flashed Hattori a quick look and she started to slink around to that side of the tiger, looking for a chance to exacerbate the wounded limb. "Speech"

Art by Zinderell