Hattori was disquieted. Those who had also been around back then would know how he felt, the stirrings of not quite anxiety, but concern nonetheless. Seasons had passed, and yet the stars would always remain. He looked down at his paw, the toe he'd ripped off with his own teeth, he didn't even notice it most of the time. No pain or discomfort, but perhaps because the thought was fresh in his mind he felt a hollow ache. A reminder that more than just memories were missing.

The rains had stopped and the sky was clear, shooting stars whizzed across the horizon, visible even beneath the canopy of the maze. He continued on, his patrol slow and measured, had little interest in trying to sleep now. The leaf litter had dried under paw, a crisp carpet as he turned a corner of the corridor, finding himself standing beneath a vivid red torii gate. The lanterns thrumming a soft, almost comforting orange glow.

The feeling of uneasy that seemed to radiate off some of the older pack members was not something lost on Seiko, though she didn't know the source of it. She figured if it was something she ought to be concerned about, someone would let Tojo-Kai's youngest know when they thought it best. Though Seiko was no less headstrong than the rest of her litter, she knew better than to meddle in affairs that didn't concern her. Her parents had more than enough to worry about with children stirring things up... at least not any more than they already had lately. Alongside Kaizen, Seiko too had been grounded, confined to the bamboo maze. Unlike her brother she wasn't terribly frustrated with being kept here. They had done something they knew they weren't supposed to and she was taking the punishment as well as she could. Not that she liked their father's decision, but she respected him and trusted he knew best. Still, that didn't stop her from being a bit wary to approach him so soon after they'd been scolded. Her father's wrath was a cool, quiet one, and not one she was particularly fond of. She moved quietly through the maze, noting the way the stars streaked across the sky but paying little attention to it. Hoping she wouldn't be questioned for being up so late, she caught Hanzo's scent and followed it. Her eyes were low as she approached, head bowed respectfully. "I was hoping maybe to request a fighting lesson from you soon," Seiko admitted, sounding certain of herself. "Now, or whenever," she added lamely. It wasn't like she was in a position to be demanding, after all.

Hattori was not pleased with his children but he thought himself above giving them the cold shoulder in punishment. If Seiko wished to train, he saw no reason to deny her, least of all when betterment of themselves was something he had always pushed them to strive for. His gaze flitted to her form, the grey of her coat all that stood out amongst the darkness. The strange lights reflected in the pitch black of her eyes, like oily water and it almost made his expression pinch into a grimace. Almost.

"Very well." He turned, eying the corridor surrounding them. Dark and narrow, confined where enemies could approach from either side. Pin them in. An important lesson could be learned her, one he intended to teach.

His eyes glowed in the dark, making his location easier to pinpoint, but his movements still shrouded in shadow as he stood back slightly, some distance between them.

"Attack me."

Though her father's expression was hard to read, Seiko knew better than to hyper-analyze him; she wouldn't find answers that way, nor forgiveness. Instead of repenting she wanted to move past what had happened, to continue to work on bettering herself. It seemed the only suitable thing to do. He accepted her request and she nodded, in acknowledgment as well as gratitude, knowing fully well she could've been told off in turn. Clenching her jaw, watching the way her father examined their surroundings, she settled into what she felt was a fighting stand. She made sure her weight was spread evenly, balanced across all four limbs, her head low as she studied her father and searched for a weakness. She found none. Facing him was different than brawling with her siblings, who were inexperienced and distractable, clumsy even. She already knew this would be much different. Still, she'd try her best, rearing back slightly before springing forward. Her movements were uncertain but forceful, aiming to head straight for her father and aim a bite at his front right forelimb. Though she doubted her attack would hold, if it even landed, she'd give it her all. Seiko vs Hanzō for Spar Round 1 / 2 Age: Under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Balanced Mutation 1: Antelope Horns - Offensive

Seiko was like Hattori in many ways, she did not speak without cause or reason and instead readied herself, her stance shifting as he observed her with glowing silver eyes. She had Kuroki's eyes- he often wondered where they came from, perhaps an ancestor he hadn't ever had the chance to meet, their legacy living on in his own children. And her gaze was sharp, all of his children had their own strengths and weaknesses, but Seiko's mind would be her best asset, Hattori was sure of that, but like any weapon it needed to be sharpened and honed.

She rushed in close, moving in to grab at his front limb. A smart choice, since she was at a good level for it. Instead of drawing his leg away, he lifted his paw and surged it forward, would she dodge in time or get whacked on the snout?


Hanzō vs seiko for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision - Perception
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Not using one

With blinders on, focused entirely on the spar between herself and her father, all of her anxious thoughts seemed to fade into the background. Surely she'd circle back around and dwell on how it felt to know her father was disappointed in her later, but for now she just wanted to demonstrate what she knew and hopefully impress him in the process. He was the sort of wolf though that she wasn't sure she'd get that satisfaction from, but even critique was better than nothing, all fuel for her to grow stronger and more capable. The pup committed to the attack fully, leaning in once she struck with her weight. Maybe she'd over-committed though, because she didn't have a chance to reel back before her father's paw came down hard on her snout. Not enough to completely topple her over, but it took the wind out of her for a moment and she released her gold instinctively. It was no surprise he knew just how to best her, but the way it made her confidence waver was surprising. Aiming to pull away from him for a moment, she regained her composure before moving forward to swiftly strike again. This time she tried to ever around to strike his opposite forelimb, now doubting she could even find hold again, let alone maintain it. Seiko vs Hanzō for Spar Round 2 / 2 Age: Under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Balanced Mutation 1: Antelope Horns - Offensive

She didn't let it deter her, that was a good thing, Hattori noticed. She was resolute and determined, as any Hattori should be. He adjusted his stance, eyes narrowing slightly as he followed her movements once more, quicker than before as she launched to grab at his limb, too close for him to be able to draw away in time. He gritted his teeth in discomfort, but knew better than to try and yank his leg away when she'd latched on, would only cause her teeth to drag along his skin. So instead he reached down, aiming to bite back at her, to grab at her scruff to force the pup to yeild.

Hanzō vs seiko for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision - Perception
Mutation 2: Antelope horns - Offensive
Mutation 3: Reinforced bones - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Not using one

And the winner is...

HANZO

SEIKO must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: HANZO: Attack Roll: 90 Defense Roll: 58 Agility Roll: 87 Perception Roll: 39 Total: 274 Attack[90] + 50% Bonus[45.00]: 135.00 Defense[58] + 10% Bonus[5.80]: 63.80 Agility[87] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 87.00 Perception[39] + 10% Bonus[3.90]: 42.90 Total[328.70] + 25% Bonus[82.17]: 410.88 SEIKO: Attack Roll: 52 Defense Roll: 79 Agility Roll: 90 Perception Roll: 5 Total: 226 Attack[52] + 25% Bonus[13.00]: 65.00 Defense[79] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 79.00 Agility[90] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 90.00 Perception[5] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 5.00 Total[239.00] + -30% Bonus[-71.70]: 167.30