Takeji wasn't sad to see the cold, dreary season go. Strange happenings and unsettling nights along with a lean winter had made the already wary young male even more on edge than usual. At night he'd struggled to sleep soundly and during the day he'd struggled to work effectively, which turned those one-off problems into an ouroboros of misery. But now, laying in a patch of faintly warm sunlight beneath the budding oak branches with spring wildflowers in bloom between his paws he could almost believe things were turning around again. In fact, he could almost lay down for a nap... Instead he surged to his feet. This was no time to be slacking, for all he knew this was just a lull and he'd wake up to a foot of snow tomorrow. He had to make the most of this while it was there to be taken advantage of. Perhaps he could go through some of the storage caches and check for mold and rot, inventory what was in good condition and what ought to be used sooner than later. Perhaps he could check in with Fuji and see if any herbs needed gathering now that there were finally signs of new growth. Whatever he ended up doing, napping in the sun like a pile of stones was not on the agenda, no matter how nice it would be. Keji allowed himself one over the shoulder look at the sunny spot of earth before turning back to the task at hand, whatever it ended up being. "Talk" "Listen" Think

There was a time and a place for everything. His loyalty to the bamboo lured him from the northern reaches of Boreas back home. While he wished to stay, mingle with the others, learn and absorb all that he could, there was that incessant feeling beneath his skin that he needed to return. Check on the pack, check in with Hattori, be informed. For safety and ease of transport, he moved through the Oaks to avoid the barren wasteland of the Dragon's Blood trees.

The familiarity of the trees was comforting. Soft, spongy moss beneath his paws. Rotting logs easily leapt over. A quiet burble of a nearby stream as young gooselings squawked and honked as they learned to swim. Rodents, big and small, scurried along the shadows, beady eyes peering at him. At his side, his Akita kept paced and in the sky, his raven soared ahead. More eyes meant more visibility. Nothing got passed him. Not even the movement of his adopted brother, Takeji. The boy was young, inexperienced. Perhaps he would want a lesson?

Changing his path without a second thought, Akito approached on swift, agile paws. Slowing as he neared, maintaining his clouded grey gaze upon the koi-patterned wolf. "Takeji," he rumbled in greeting, allowing his expression to speak for itself. The question that lay beneath the name.

"speech"

As it happened, Takeji didn't need to wander and wonder for very long. Foliage crunching under paw alerted him in time to see his elder brother emerge from the nearby brush. Keji dipped his head, nodding a greeting as well as a show of respect. Adopted or not he was younger than Akito and, whether he would admit it out loud or even to himself, a tad overeager to please. It was clear that Akito had something on his mind and it just so happened that Takeji's schedule was open. "Hello, brother." He scrambled. Should he mention how pleasant this turn in the season was? Ask how his day had been? No stupid, just get to the point. He cleared his throat. "Is there anything I can assist you with? I was just on my way to sort out something productive to do with the day." His words died out. Between being stumbled upon by Akito or ambushed by Hattori, he'd gladly pick the sibling but it still didn't stop him from beginning a bit of a spiral. He was on his way to do something useful, he just didn't know what it was yet. He worried he would have appeared lazy or at loose ends, and perhaps the latter bit was true but not by choice. With half-held breath Takeji waited to hear whatever had come to Akito's mind, eager for the guidance even if it was only so he'd have a task to complete. Preferably something to wear him out, so he could sleep more soundly tonight than he'd managed last. "Talk" "Listen" Think

Akito is perceptive. He is also one of the few older Hattoris to have stuck around. Aside from Fuji, were there even any left? Maybe that was why he felt it his duty to care for the younger koi. There were many of them, Kiriko surprisingly giving Hattori a rather abundant litter size. Training all of them was a difficult task and Akito didn't mind helping.

His paws slow to a walk, keeping pace with his brother as he notes the hesitancy. Was the look in young Takeji's eyes one of wishing to please him? To not disappoint him? While Akito was more similar to Hattori than even his own father, he did not scrutinize the way Hattori did. He made his mistakes growing up, was still young enough to remember them, and would not fault the yearlings for doing the same.

"I was headed back to the bamboo, but perhaps you have time for a lesson?" His eyes watch Takeji from their peripheral as he maintains focus on the path ahead of them. It would always be necessary to ensure that he could multitask. Otherwise, he would risk being ambushed. "We could do some fighting training in this terrain." Akito motions with his muzzle to the forest around them. With the unlevel ground and fallen logs and large boulders, it was a far different fighting arena than that of the flat bamboo forest.

"speech"

All of Takeji's worry seemed to be for naught, as was often the case. Akito offered him a lesson and the younger male's eyes lit, his posture stiffening to stand at attention. This was better than he could have hoped for, and as Takeji was already eager to please the motivation to excel was strong. He would sleep easier tonight knowing he was better off than when he had awoken. "Of course. I would be happy to learn anything you had to share." He followed Akito's glance around the clearing to the varied terrain, and nodded along. His brother was a very capable fighter, and especially after Takeji's disastrous performance in the recent mock raid he knew he had a lot to learn. Akito was generous in offering to assist him, and being mindful of the opportunity their chance meeting provided. "I can see how it would be useful to practice in these conditions. I will accept your aid gladly, thank you." Takeji nodded his head, once again in respect but also acknowledgment of the kindness Akito was showing him. The younger male made sure he was facing his brother fully, paws squared and stance steady. He wasn't sure what Akito might have in mind, but he would not be caught unawares and wanted to show he was ready for whatever came his way. "Talk" "Listen" Think

Akito takes in Takeji’s posture and reaction, but does not pay it more mind than that. He slows to a stop, thoughts quickly hurdling through what exactly he wanted to help teach the younger boy. A surprise attack to throw Takeji off guard was always a good choice, but his brother might expect that.

Facing Takeji, Akito looks him over, assessing and contemplating. He respectfully nods in return, accepting the thanks and other words spoken to him. While he had not had older siblings to help him much, he would not do his own an injustice. If they required help, he would be there.

”One must always be aware of their surroundings,” Akito speaks monotonously, eyes never leaving Takeji as he begins to pace left and then right. ”Just because you see me standing before you as an opponent does not mean that there are not other threats hidden around.” Before the last syllable dropped from his lips, he lunged forward. Teeth clacking in the air toward Takeji’s face. In the same moment, his Akita dog leaped from a bush it had been hiding in, knowing exactly when it needed to emerge. The dog aimed for Takeji’s heels, snapping and barking to startle and throw the boy off balance.

"speech"