Kina

As she crossed back and forth between the Maze and the Ancient Oaks, Kina grew more comfortable with the route. Even though it still unnerved her crossing unclaimed territory, and a particularly creepy one at that. Kina was returning from a sparring session in the oaks and just as she was about to the border of Tojo Kai she had a sudden sense that she wasn't alone. The pup slowed, her ears twitching as she tried to pick up the sounds of a potential threat. She needn't have bothered for the threat made itself readily known. Two coyotes burst out from behind a large tree, bearing down on her. She screamed and scrambled out of the way of one's jaws. The other might have had her if not for Yuki. The macaque swung a broken branch down on top of the other coyote's head, breaking the stick over its skull.

Kina dove for the safety of the maze only to find her way blocked by another coyote. She backed up back to back with Yuki. How many were there? More and more arrived. It was a whole pack!

Usagi was fortunately close to Kina’s proximity that day. He’d spent most of his days examining the edges of the Maze, ensuring that nothing that wasn’t supposed to be there was away from their borders. He was watchful, tactful — alert at anything out of place. Even a pebble overturned that wasn’t before garnered investigation. The days were often rainy but today the rain seemed to let up — only clouds marred the sky above him. Patrolling as usual, his fur suddenly bristled at the scent of intrudig creatures. Then, the scent of one of Tojo-Kai’s own. Instincts alarmed him to a possible threat, and as Usagi sprinted towards the source, his eyes widened at the sight of Hattori’s young daughter surrounded by two coyotes. ”Kina!” He called out, hoping to capture the coyotes’ attention. He pulled out his sword, shoving himself between the girl and the coyotes. A growl bubbled from his throat as he swiped his sharp blade at the wayward canines, as they snarled and snapped at his sword. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

Kina

Kina set her defenses, making sure to fluff her fur and raise her hackles to try and make herself look bigger but unfortunately she was too young for it to have any effect. At least she was close to the pack for at that moment Usagi raced in and put himself between the coyotes and herself. The pair of coyotes focused on Usagi and Kina tried to use that moment to sneak back into the bamboo maze but suddenly another pair appeared, diving toward her. Kina rolled out of the way of one's fangs while her macaque, Yuki, leapt on the back of the other, strong fingers gripping the canines ears and pulling back sharply as it shrieked and flailed. Her legs wrapped around its torso. Kina turned and focused on the one that was after her. It dove again but she slipped between its legs, her fangs digging into the inside of its left hind leg.

Usagi didn't like that the child was getting involved in the fight - if she got so much as a scratch on her, he'd have Hattori to answer to. Not only that, but these foul coyotes could have any manner of disease in their yellowed fangs and slimey mouths. He bristled as his sword swiped back two coyotes, yet another pair managed to slink out of the maze; just where the hell were they coming from? From his grip on the sword, his lips peeled back into a snarl, and though muffled, he yelled, "Kina, run! Let your companion cover your back!" He was angry, furious, seeing red as he deftly swung his sword at the one that was getting bitten by Kina, managing to slice open a deep laceration on its neck. It cried out, stumbling backwards as blood pooled from its throat. The other coyote was getting an earful (literally) by her macaque companion. As the other coyotes that originally came around aimed to sneak around his backside, he kicked up his hind leg and thrustly kicked one in the jaw, hearing a sharp pop as the coyote's jaw was most likely broken from the impact. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

Kina

Kina held on tight to the coyote's leg as it flailed and tried to get at her. Her tiny frame aided her in this as she was difficult to reach. Unfortunately she didn't know what to do now. She couldn't hold on forever and now that she was in the coyote's range of attack she was afraid to let go. Suddenly the coyote shrieked and stumbled back. At the same time it moved back she let go and raced out of the way, nodding to Usagi's words as she bolted for the maze. One of the coyotes started to make a run for her but her swift macaque companion, Yuki, was already on its tail, soon literally. Her strong hands grabbed the coyote by the tail and as it turned to bite at her she slapped it right across the face, nails catching its right eye and sending it yowling away. The macaque swiftly caught up with her and together the two raced into the safety of the maze.

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