Hunting Grounds

[Apollymi]

A forest surrounding the mountain outcropping of the Howling Wolf Village. It is a densely forested area full of herbivorous animals with only a few predators to balance out the eco-system. It is ultimately kept in balance by predation of the villagers themselves who go out routinely to hunt animals and gather medicinal plants. There is a large river which seems to have wound its way through the area and is often used as a camping spot for those who find themselves outside the village for the night.

[Bloodedge]

As the sun set, and the light over the mountains was shone only by the full moon, the tall male called Lo'lo' from the Howling Wolf Village wandered into the hunting grounds for his second round of the day. There were only five hours until the moon shone directly overhead, which left him plenty of time to gather food for the village before the promised hour.

[Apollymi]

As this man from the village in the mountain set out to hunt his prey, he was himself being hunted. A young girl who was a bit taller than average and dressed in almost all white was prowling a great distance away. She'd taken the high ground and was perched in the branch of a tree down wind. Her eyes activated at the full moon state so that they were pupil-less and white as she traced this man's chakra around the area. She'd been watching his activities in the village and for it, for about two weeks and she knew for a fact that if she had to hunt one of them, he was her best option. Even so, she hadn't quite decided the best time to strike. She seemed constantly at the ready, her hand hovering over one of her blades as if waiting for the perfect time to strike.

[Bloodedge]

A few minutes passed, and Lo'lo' would be found by the riverside, crouched at the shore. He had made quick work of a few deer by simply chasing them down and snapping their necks, and currently had them rope-tied to drag behind himself. Now, it was time for him to rest for only a moment. As he leaned over the river, his bare right arm reached out, and he used his hand to bring water to his mouth for a drink.

[Apollymi]

Aiko continued to watch as this man she was stalking hunted and killed for his family. Still she knew he had to die here, and as such she exhaled. In this moment she watched him drink from the stream she knew his guard was at least somewhat down. With this in mind, she figured a quick and easy strike would be enough to take down this man as he was, and push her a step closer to her own goal. Given the limitations placed on this particular trial, she would rather avoid close combat, if at all avoidable. As such she soon launched herself forward from the tree, drawing her blade in a single deft motion she aimed to behead this man in a single swirling strike of the katana, in order to give him a quick and painless death.

[Bloodedge]

As he drank, Lo'lo' heard something abrupt occurring in the distance. A special trait of the Kouga clan which allowed them to rival the Oborozuki, was their heightened natural senses. Lo'lo' could not only hear the shifting of Aiko in the distance when her movements began, but also the drawing of a sword. The sounds reaching his ear gave him enough information that he could even tell the size, weight, and velocity of his attacker. "Muda muda!" he yelled while turning toward Aiko and, with seemingly flawless timing, opening his mouth with the intention of snapping through the girl's blade when he closed it again.