Wc: 213

Though the days were blisteringly hot, the temperature plummeted as night fell. With the moon high in the sky, the wind rattled the bamboo, knocking and thunking it together so loud Hattori could barely catch his thoughts. It was hard to focus, like the gusts of wind kept blowing his thoughts out of reach. Forcing him to chase after them if he hoped to link them together, to add reason to his late night musings. Tojo hadn't had a night like this before, it'd be a wonder if anyone had managed to fall asleep, but rather than waste his time standing about Hattori figured he ought to try and train. To make his way to where he was pretty sure the training area was located.

Easier said than done.

With his ears pinned against his skull he pushed against the wind, somewhat impressed that it was this strong inside the bamboo. How bad was it out on the Bay? He would probably need to survey the damage tomorrow, to make sure nothing irreparable was done.

By the time he emerged on the scene a figure was already in place, her thick fur tussled and messy. She seemed restless and a question pushed itself past Hattori's lips. Or a request, really.

"Spar with me."

Restless was an understatement for the mountainous woman. Typically, with the sudden drop in temperature after a long, sweltering day of summer heat, Tenshi would have appreciated and welcomed the chilly air. Yet, just as she was about to fall asleep, her lids heavy with sleep, a gust of wind brushing against her side caused her to startle. Lifting her chin from her paws, she listened to the howling barrage sweeping through the bamboo. It was almost the sound the wind made up in the mountains of her home. The constant sound that whipped between snow-capped peaks and battered the entrance to dens had been something she once used to settle pups to sleep. Now, with her eyes wide and heart racing, she wished it would stop. Anything that reminded her of home forced the sense of dread and resentment back into her heart. Attempting to lull herself back, it was no use. Even as she tried to shove leaves into her ears, nothing worked. After minutes of tossing and turning, the marbled fae rose to her paws and forged ahead toward the training circle. If she could tire herself out until she couldn't stand anymore, possibly she would be able to sleep. Her paws danced across the floor as dust swirled up around her in mini cyclones. The wind shoved against her, threatening to toss her off balance as her limbs held her steady. With the slapping of bamboo stalks against each other, she had missed the approach of the Kaicho. Upon his entrance, she felt the stare of his glowing silver gaze before the words left his lips. Pausing her movements to face him with chin high, she assessed him first. There was his own sense of restlessness about him that made her wonder why he couldn't drift off to the realm of sleep. Possibly it was the qualms of whether or not the maze and the bay would survive the storm. Not much either of them could do now so his request to spar seemed as good of an offer as any. "Would you like the honors?" She left herself open to his decision of whether he'd like to move first or not. WC 579/1500

word count: 245
total: 824

Tenshi seemed agreeable enough, though if she'd declined he wouldn't have forced her. Not with word or iron paw. Taking a moment to roll out his shoulders, he flexed his toes against the leaf littered ground and breathed deep. There was no time like the present and if Tenshi was willing to let him go first then he saw no reason to deny her. Deciding against using his teeth, Hattori was direct in his attack. Swift and certain, not a modicum of hesitation as he charged in and lashed out with a hindlimb, kicking out at her front left paw. Not quite as dramatic or fanciful as Usagi's kicks, but a good warrior was constantly learning, adapting as he went.

But it was easier said than done to ignore the howling wind, distracting like something poking his ears, demanding they flick forward and pay attention. Was the rustling of the trees a result of something or someone intruding? Or just the wind alone. The uncertainty of it was like a thorn in his side, something he truly had to push to ignore, to shove it aside when his focus should be on Tenshi and how she was going to react. He knew mountain wolves were better fighters than most, had made Iga work for their conquest but fallen all the same in the end. Would she continue their legacy, or would it fall flat at her paws? The sad end to an even sadder story.

Her eyes never left Hanzo as the wind continued to whip at her face. While Hanzo was normally a silent man, his steps were muffled more now that the raucous noises around them caused her ears to turn in different directions. Forcing herself to brace for whatever he would do first, she slid into defense mode. Stance slightly widened, chin tucked, and tail leveled for balance. Fighting would always come easy to her and she never got tired of practicing. As he rushed forward, she watched him spin around. His frame was slimmer than her's and his movements a half breath quicker. Nonetheless, she was given time. They were both slightly distracted by their surroundings. Sliding a step back as he aimed to kick out at her, she lowered her jaws and reached out. Aiming to land a hearty but nonlethal grasp on his outstretched leg, she kept her gaze on him to see what he would do next. Tenshi vs Hanzo for Spar Round 1/1 Age: Over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Shuriken Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded sholder pads Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle Companion 2: White Egret, Male - Flying *Companion 3: Snow leopard, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive Mutation 2: Thick skin - Defensive Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Healer

Hattori saw a flash of her teeth as she aimed to grab a hold onto his extended limb. He changed course a little aiming instead to whack her nose in an attempt to avoid the clutches of her teeth. Either way he was more curious to take in her fighting style, to see how she adapted to the unknown and whether she was capable of standing amongst the warriors of Tojo. He was fairly certain she was, since she was having no trouble focusing in these awful conditions. Either way, win or lose there was no reason to turn her down. Not really.

Hanzō vs Tenshi for spar
Round 1/1
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision - Perception
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter

And the winner is...

HANZO

TENSHI must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Tneshi: Attack Roll: 8 Defense Roll: 48 Agility Roll: 14 Perception Roll: 77 Total: 147 Attack[8] + 50% Bonus[4.00]: 12.00 Defense[48] + 45% Bonus[21.60]: 69.60 Agility[14] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 14.00 Perception[77] + 10% Bonus[7.70]: 84.70 Total[180.30] + 15% Bonus[27.05]: 207.35 Hanzo: Attack Roll: 97 Defense Roll: 70 Agility Roll: 38 Perception Roll: 2 Total: 207 Attack[97] + 50% Bonus[48.50]: 145.50 Defense[70] + 10% Bonus[7.00]: 77.00 Agility[38] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 38.00 Perception[2] + 10% Bonus[0.20]: 2.20 Total[262.70] + 25% Bonus[65.67]: 328.38