Bonds as strong as Time [[For LoneDigger and Myself]]

[Full_Moon_Rising]

There was no power in the realm that could have stopped the soft laughter that trickled out past his lips at Dakari's comment about Kisame needing a leash. While the cub wasn't exactly wrong....to tie down the shark would be a task close to impossible. Not to mention Kisame would probably chomp through any bindings put on him. The shark was a feral entity for the most part and while the thought of leashing Kisame was hilarious, it was less than probable.

 

"Maybe he does, but there's nothing that would ever be able to hold him off for too long. If Kisame is anything, it would be that he's stubborn to a fault....Besides, he grows on you after a bit. You just need to get used to it" the snow leopard grinned around his words, head shaking in fond exasperation.

 

Smiling slightly wider after he had set the cub down on the bed and Dakari had spoken, Katsu tilted his head at the shy display in the little one. Curiosity sparked through him and by the Gods, he couldn't help but want to tease the young Prince a little more.

 

"Hmm, I know there was no need....but how could I resist? Now that I managed to get that tearful expression off your face, I couldn't help but cuddle you a bit longer. You're too adorable to resist spoiling at times" Katsu purred playfully at the young male in response to his words.

 

Truly, Katsu didn't think Dakari was aware of the effect he had on people at times. The cub was adorable when he wanted to be, no matter his feisty temper. Even when he managed to get under Katsu's skin, there was an endearing quality about the young hyena. And it was something Katsu didn't want to see fade away yet.

 

Letting the cub take hold of his arm once more, mild unease flickering through even as he shoved it down, the feline blinked at the little one for a moment before he was smiling again and handing Dakari the roll of gauze to use. "Try and make it tight enough to discourage too much movement without stopping the blood flow, I'll let you know if you should loosen it if anything....And as for food, we should have some arriving soon enough. Tsubaki and Himora are probably already preparing a meal as we speak" the snow leopard commented.

[LoneDigger]

"Ugh...! I knew it...!"

 

The prince groaned, covering his face with the back of his arm as he flopped down dramatically against the bed with a little huff.

 

"I'm just too cute for my own good!"

 

He growled, but the sound was soon replaced by a soft laughter. Even Dakari couldn't pretend to be serious about that.

 

"And by the way, I'm NEVER going to get used to Kisame. He's weird!"

 

Again, that statement was followed by a childish giggle. He was just so happy he got to stay a bit longer, and see what even it was Sentinel's got up to. Watching them interact together and play off each other was pretty entertaining.

But once he had gotten all that laughter out of his system he sat back up and looked serious again when it was time to bandage Katsu's arm.

He took the gauze and tried to make it tight enough like the other had said, but was it too tight now?

He bit down on his lower lip and looked up to the elder for approval before continuing. Once they both seemed satisfied with the job done, the hyena sat back with a sigh, smiling.

 

"I bet you must be hungry as well..."

 

He murmured, laying back down.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"I don't deny that...we'll just see if your cuteness can carry into adulthood as you get older" Katsu laughed in response, a good natured grin lifting the corners of his lips slowly.

 

It would be interesting to see Dakari grow from boy to man under the watchful eyes of the Kingdom. If the child was this energetic at his age, he was bound to push the kingdom into a new era by the time he was a man. However, Katsu felt it would be a good change for their people. He doubted Dakari would lead them into troubled waters...but he would probably just spice things up a bit. Hell, it would more than likely be more entertaining than anything else and Katsu was eager to watch the boy's rise to power. It would be quite the sight to be seen for sure.

 

Snorting out a amused noise at the little one's statement on Kisame, Katsu eyed Dakari with laughter in his vibrant blue eyes before saying "If you think he's weird, I'm afraid to ask what you think of the rest of us. Kisame might by one of the more vocal of our members but he isn't as weird as some of the others can be".

 

Sitting calmly as the young Prince wrapped his arm, Katsu made sure to give him subtle reassurances while the process was happening. He knew this was more than likely the first time the cub had ever had to do this, but he was doing fine. Perhaps he was a bit nervous, but it was nothing that a little instruction couldn't help. By the time they were done and Dakari had laid back down on the bed, Katsu sighed softly in response to the boy's words.

 

"I could eat, getting hurt usually does wonders in sparking an appetite" he murmured softly, hints of amusement in his voice.

 

Hearing the sounds of movement further in his Tower, it wasn't surprising when Kisame's voice called out from what sounded like a decent distance away.

 

"Katsu, you want a drink!?"

 

"Sure!" The snow leopard called back loud enough for his voice to be heard before he was slowly rising from the bed once more.

 

Logically, he knew he should lay down and rest for at least a little while but he had never been one to stick to the rules. At least not when it came to his personal self. Besides, it would probably bore the cub to be locked in a room until the little hyena grew tired enough to sleep. While the boy still had energy to burn, it wouldn't be bad to bring him out and properly introduce him to his other Followers.

 

"Come on, let's go spend time with the others in the common room" he invited the boy even while walking towards the door.

[LoneDigger]

"Never! I'm going to be big, strong, and scary! You'll see."

 

Dakari nodded firmly, no way was he going to stay cute and small forever. He had to grow up into a King. And Kings can't be cute under any circumstances that he was aware of.

But for now he guessed being adorable was only to his advantage, so he smiled and let it go.

 

"As long as none of the others kiss you then I don't think I will have any problems with them."

 

The prince grinned sheepishly, feeling hot just thinking about it. Stupid Kisame... made him feel so angry, and just... strange when he did that to Katsu.

And speak of the devil... He could hear the shark's voice shouting up for the snow leopard's attention, and it made him bristle just slightly but he forced himself to calm back down.

Dakari nodded, jumping from the bed and following Katsu closely behind since he didn't know where they were going, but he seemed eager to meet everyone properly.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"I suppose I will" Katsu murmured playfully.

 

Dakari had a long way to go yet before he was big or strong, but the snow leopard had faith in the cub. After all, he was meant to serve him, so how could he do so if he didn't believe in the little one's ability to grow into someone awe worthy.

 

"Princeling, I assure you that there is only a select few I allow that close to my face and none of the other Sentinels will be doing anything such as kissing me" the snow leopard barked out a brief laugh in response to the words spoken to him.

 

Kisame had always been a special case, after they had gotten mostly over their rivalry phase, he and the shark had become impossibly close. Though again, they were not mates nor would they ever be, they shared a special bond that was deeper than most his bonds to other Sentinels. Katsu had promised that he wouldn't allow Kisame to kiss him or touch him whilst Dakari was around and he meant every word of that despite the incident in the room moment ago. However, that would not stop the bond the pair shared.

 

Sweeping out of the room, Katsu lead the young Prince down hallway after hallway. They passed his office space and one of the staircases that numbered in the dozens within the Tower before they were finally walking down a particularly long corridor. The scent of others quickly alerted Katsu that his friends and his sister were waiting for them in the common room and he wasted no time in walking into the open doorway at the left of the hall and into a massive, open space.

 

Like in his office, big floor to ceiling length windows covered the space of the far wall of the common room and around a beautiful glass table, long comfy couches and armchairs were arranged neatly. Despite his general dislike for heat, there was a fireplace set up and lit in front of where the chairs were located, its warmth tolerable and almost relaxing for the feline. Potted and hanging plants decorated areas around the common room, courtesy of Hiyori and her need to be near her own element. The green and vibrant colors of their flowers breathing a more homey feel into the room. Another long, this time wooden, table was placed a few feet away from the sitting area in the form of what appeared to be a proper dining space though it was rarely used. And once you left the common room, walked a little further down the hall and to the right, a massive kitchen space was often brimming with life.

 

Stepping towards the sitting area where Katsu saw Kisame helping arrange drinks and dishes of food with Akira's help, Katsu cast a glance at Hiyori as his sister hummed peacefully from where she stood fusing over one of her plants. In the kitchen, he could hear Himora, Tsubaki and Natsume's voices ringing out as the last of the food was prepared. All in all, the atmosphere of the room was downright peaceful and calm no matter the chaos that had happened earlier in the day and a few moments ago.

 

"Make yourself at home, Princeling" Katsu spoke towards the young male gently while walking towards Kisame who was grinning and holding out a glass of reddish liquid for him to drink.

 

"Did you get your wound looked at?" The feline didn't hesitate from asking the moment he had taken the glass and thankfully sank down into one of the couches.

 

"Had no choice, I would have gotten beaten to a pulp if I didn't let them close it up and clean it" the shark replied, wisely sitting in the couch opposite to the snow leopard.

 

"You should have seen his face while it was getting cleaned though, Katsu. He looked like he was about to cry" a new voice chimed in from the doorway as a massive, muscular white haired man stepped in. Large grin tilting the corners of his lips up and pale blue eyes sparkling with mirth. Behind him, a smaller yet equally muscled woman followed him in. Her long straight hair holding an ash blonde hue to it and her amber eyes containing amusement in them.

 

Chuckling and shaking his head at the man, Katsu tuned Kisame's grumbling out as he turned to Dakari and said "Princeling, these are my other two Followers. The large male is Tsubaki, his spirit is that of a Polar bear. And the female is Himora, her soul is claimed by the spirit of a Mountain lion".

 

Bowing deeply towards the young Prince, the pair of Followers curiously eyed the youngest in the room even as Himora stepped forward to ask kindly "Is there anything in particular you'd like to drink, Prince Dakari? Your request is our command".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari quickly took the spot next to Katsu on the sofa before anyone else, especially Kisame, thought of sitting there first.

But the cub burst into another fit of giggles and snickers at the story of the shark putting up a fuss about getting his wounds cleaned. So even Kisame wasn't as tough as he acted most of the time? Then again Katsu hadn't been too cooperative either when it came to tending his wounds... Maybe it was just a sentinel thing.

 

The prince smiled at the new faces in the room and gave a friendly wave, when asked what he'd like to drink the answer was so quick it seemed that maybe the thought had been lingering on his mind for awhile now.

 

"Do you have hot coco?"

 

After having drank that here last time it was easily the best thing he had ever tasted in his life. Whoever made the stuff knew what they were doing, and now the boy had a craving for the chocolate beverage. He certainly wasn't interested in what the elders were drinking appeared to be wine... Boring!

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Yes, of course, my Lord. I will go ask Natsume to make some for you right away. Out of all of us, I'm afraid he's probably the best one in making that particular drink" Himora grinned as she turned on her heel and headed back out of the room.

 

Settling comfortably back against the cushions of the couch, Katsu watched Kisame mirror his movement of taking a sip of his wine while Tsubaki observed Hiyori dote on her plants and Akira run fingers through her long black and white hair. The feeling was undeniably peaceful and Katsu couldn't help but love these moments of calm, especially when he could already feel a storm brewing on the horizon after today's events.

 

"Have you gotten in contact with your father recently?" Kisame's voice was breaking the comfortable silence, tone thoughtful and curious as he eyed the siblings.

 

Casting a glance over his shoulder at his younger sister as she paused in her actions to look towards them with a pensive frown on her features, Hiyori shrugged while Katsu shook his head slowly and turned his attention back to Kisame even as his long tail squeezed between Dakari's back and the cushions to somewhat wrap around the young Prince beside him.

 

"No, not in a few days but I'll probably have word sent to him later tonight about what happened today. He's our current leader, we need to alert him of the intruders that broke through the barrier" the snow leopard commented even as Hiyori padded over to lean against the back of their chosen sofa and reached out a hand to pass it through Dakari's hair.

 

"Not only that, but mother and father will probably be growing worried about not having heard from us in more than a week. While a gathering of the Sentinels would probably be a good idea to discuss things face to face, I don't want them wasting their time coming all the way out here just to check up on us" the lioness put in, her green eyes showing infinite love and affection in them at the thought of the pair her brother and she called "Father and mother".

 

While the siblings had lost their birth parents in the war, they hadn't been left on their own. They had been raised within the safety of the Sentinel members and two particular individuals that had taken personal interest in helping them become they two felines they were now. The Sentinel of the Southeastern Tower and his mate had filled in the hole left behind by the deaths of Katsu and Hiyori's actual parents the best they could. It had been a difficult first couple of months, but the siblings had learned to accept and love them almost as if they were blood related, even though they would always miss and long for their biological parents. Throughout the years, the two felines had gained an unbreakable bond with their new parents and even when they had left to watch over the North Tower years ago, that bond had not faded. If anything, the distance between them had made it increase and strengthen all the more.

 

The same story could be said of Kisame, though the shark had been raised by another Sentinel and his mate.

 

"I'll probably give my old man a heads up too....I don't want to admit it but I feel like things are gonna get a bit more rockier as the days go on. Especially if the creatures we killed were just a scouting group" Kisame murmured with a soft sigh.

 

"If they are just a scouting group, we might have to start preparing for a much more serious threat sooner rather than later. The last thing anyone needs is to be caught off guard" Himora added quietly the moment she had walked back into the room and headed towards Dakari to hand him a steaming cup of hot coco while smiling kindly towards the child.

 

Nodding to her words, Katsu flickered his gaze down to Dakari before saying "Princeling, remind me to give a full report to your Father when I take you back tomorrow. He'll need to start making preparations soon as well. Hell, if anything, your training proceedings might just be pushed to higher importance if this really turns into an actual threat".

[LoneDigger]

Katsu didn't even realize how right his own suspicions were of an upcoming war, it was only the beginning. In the following years it gripped the kingdom and Dakari seemed to grow up just as fast, as if the change forced him to. But now that he wasn't just a little cub, but nearly an adult. He may have just been a cute, chubby kid, but now he had grown into himself. He was muscular, and maybe even a couple heads taller than most adults, including Katsu. Yet he still always looked up to the Elder. Even now, he was one of his most admired and trusted of the Sentinels. Not much had changed... yet everything had.

The prince now had near full control of his elemental powers, but he was still receiving training due to the unpredictability of fire.

If there was any doubt, that despite the fact there were in the middle of turbulent war, Dakari still had his mischievous streak. Not as bad when he was a cub, in fact a lot what he was being taught that as future king it was hardly about always getting his way. That it took more than charm alone to rule a kingdom.

 

The prince still had Katsu to help mentor him in controlling his elemental abilities, but things had grown more difficult now that the boy was well, no longer a boy, he was more aware of himself and his feelings towards the Sentinel.

Sometimes he wished for the same ignorance is bliss principle that he got to live by as a cub. But now he knew that he couldn't deny the truth. Even if he never told anyone, he could sense that silently Katsu knew, and perhaps even felt the same way. It was confusing, but war was in any case, a good distraction against such matters.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

A lot had happened in the years that had passed, there was no way to deny that. Where that had once been peace and happiness, turmoil and disorder had risen from a place that harbored the cruelest of souls. The barriers between their realm and that of the Dark Realm had begun to falter and while the Sentinels had done their best to contain the number of entities pushing their way into their home, not all could be salvaged. War had lifted its ugly face once more and as he had feared, bloodshed began to taint the land once again. It was inevitable but he somehow wished it hadn't come to this. Not during the years of Dakari's youth.

 

Sighing and leaning against the stone pillar that supported his weight just inside the Royal Palace walls, Katsu gazed thoughtfully up towards the ceiling as he waited for Dakari to appear for their daily training session. The boy had grown well throughout these less than pleasant times. While the knowledge of war had weighed heavily in the mind of the many, Dakari had somehow managed to retain the brightness that made him who he was. It was that charismatic light and his still somewhat mischievous actions that had kept the chins of their people raised proudly, had kept them from given into the clutches of fear of what might become of them should the war go badly.

 

To speak honestly, Katsu was rather proud of the Prince. No longer was he a cub nor a child, Dakari had grown into a Prince his people had begun to admire and love all the more. While the boy was still young, far younger than the snow leopard at least, Dakari was proving himself to be a worthy future leader. One, Katsu assumed, would easily carry the weight of Kinghood when the time was right without even batting an eyelash or providing the merest of complaints about it.

 

However, that time was not yet and the snow leopard was in a bit of a predicament at the moment. Not only had he been surprised to find that he had begun to develop feelings other than friendship for the boy....but he had to somehow break the news of his departure to war to the young Prince. Due to his training sessions that involved Dakari learned to fully grasp his element more and more, the Sentinel of the North Tower had not been sent with his troopers to battle....at least not yet. He had helped the other Sentinels by providing crucial information about enemy locations and information alongside Hiyori, but his tasks with Dakari had outweighed the need for him to join the frontlines.

 

However, that had changed.

 

The Sentinel vanguard had hit an impasse a few days ago and had requested either Katsu or Hiyori to be sent to assist them. While Hiyori was comfortable enough on the battlefield, the snow leopard knew she'd be of more help in the Southern Tower, where he had sent her to dig for information. As such, Katsu had given his word that he would go to them but he still had a week or so to prepare before joining them. Which meant he had a week or so to make sure Dakari kept up with his training and did nothing exceedingly foolish while he was away. That in itself was a high order, but hopefully it wouldn't be an impossible task for the teenager.

 

Closing his eyes slowly as he waited for Dakari to arrive so that they may go, Katsu let his thoughts wonder off to strategies and methods of attack he could possibly use once he joined the others. It kept his kind occupied in useful things aside from the annoyingly tall Prince for whom he was waiting for.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari hadn't taken the news that Katsu would be gone in about a week's time to assist the troops so well. It had never bothered him so much before when the snow leopard had to fight, he'd seen just how the Sentinel was one of their best soldiers, but now the thought filled him with dread. If he had been little, he may have cried about it. But now that he was older there were no such tears, but an even worse temper. In fact he could be heard yelling at someone before heavy footsteps were sounded in the floor above where Katsu was standing. Moments later the prince appeared, he seemed a bit less angry then even a minute ago, but it was clear that he was still in a bad mood over the decision made.

 

This wasn't good for the moment either, because before training Dakari was supposed to meditate and practice deep breathing, it made it easier to control the flames. But now that he was all worked up would make this training session all the more difficult and even dangerous. If there was any good news, was that whatever particular emotion the prince was feeling at any given time did not seem to last very long. Perhaps he was just a bit bipolar.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Opening one eye in order to lift it towards the ceiling at the sounds of a familiar voice shouting, the snow leopard could do little else but release a deep profound sigh. There was many things Katsu found that he cherished about the Prince of their Kingdom, however, his temper was not one of them. Even as a small child, when Dakari had thrown temper tantrums, Katsu had prayed for patience to learn to tolerate it and sooth the child. Now that Dakari was older, though he didn't cry much at all anymore, his occasional fusses of anger had not dimmed. No, they had turned explosive and since Katsu had been his mentor throughout the years, he had been the one to have to learn to cool the teenager's head during these events. At the moment though, he really wished Dakari would just accept facts as they were and continue on with his studies even while he was away.

 

Looking Dakari up and down the moment he appeared within sight, Katsu straightened from the pillar he had been leaning on and he uncrossed his arms.

 

"I thought I've told you time and time again that it is impolite to raise your voice and disrespect those around you. It is unbecoming of one of your stature, Princeling" the snow leopard murmured calmly, a serene sort of calm that rarely left him if ever.

 

"I take it you've heard the news...." Katsu stated before continuing on after just the heartbeat of a pause "Come, there is still much we need to train you in. I won't be comfortable leaving you in someone else hands if you haven't mastered the simple act of calming your mind yet".

 

Turning on his heel, the Sentinel calmly began to make his way towards the outer rooms within the palace grounds that had been set aside for their training sessions. He could feel it in his bones that it would be a long day, especially if Dakari couldn't keep his temper in check....however, there was nothing to be done for it aside from giving the teenager a healthy way of releasing that aggression.

[LoneDigger]

The prince gritted his teeth but nodded. Katsu was not wrong after all, but it was just so hard to be as calm as the snow leopard was, sometimes he didn't understand why the elder never seemed to break. It was almost unreal. But it was just another thing he admired of the other. Being around Katsu often worked in calming him down, as if his cool aura rubbed off on the more heated one of the hyena.

 

"That's exactly why it's completely idiotic to send you away!"

 

Dakari snapped, making his acknowledgement from before seem a bit pointless, but he tried to lower his voice for his next reply.

 

"... I don't know who else is going to train me if you're not around..."

 

He muttered, but followed the elder quietly outside. Normally he looked forward to training, but right now it just felt like this was going to be one of the last times, he didn't know why, but he just dreaded the thought of Katsu never returning.

The fists that were clenched at his sides flicked, and small sparks of heat left his fingers. He was ready, this was his only proper way of releasing his own aggression, and he had Katsu to guide him which somehow in the end always seemed to work in controlling the prince and his fire.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Dakari.....Princeling, I know I've informed you of my duties many times throughout our years together. Have you so little faith in me that you think I won't be returning from the war? Do you doubt my ability as Sentinel that you assume I am that easy to kill?" The Sentinel asked as he lead the way into the outer space reserved for their training.

 

Weaving his way through the greenery and plants surrounding them in this private space, Katsu reached the open plain they usually trained in and headed towards the middle so he could sink down calmly onto the grass and wait for Dakari to join him.

 

"My duty has and will always be to my people. I have given my soul to protect this realm and the Royal family from everything and anything that might try to harm them. I am a soldier before I am anything else, a guardian and protector before a coward. It is my responsibility to join your father's army if there is need of me. The Sentinels currently assisting requested my help and I can not turn them down....Besides, I will not be gone for long. You need not worry needlessly, there are other things that still require your concentration....and if you're lucky, perhaps your father will deem you worthy to join us near the frontlines. It would do the soldiers good to see not only Sentinels amongst them but also members of the Royal family" the snow leopard continued, turning his eyes on the adolescent hyena.

 

"Regardless if that happens or not, your training will still take principle. Tsubaki and Himora will be remaining in the North Tower, they will be helping you continue your training lessons. Hiyori is currently in the South Tower but she can come to you if you have need of her help. I am also aware that your father has plenty of tutors willing to help you in any way so I'm sure you can tell that you will not be without assistance. You need only to learn to let them in, you mustn't remain closed off to letting them help you. I am not the only one worthy of such a position" Katsu breathed out, the firmness in his voice was gentle and not as stern as one would think. More so there was more patience in the way he spoke than anything else.

 

"Now sit and calm your mind. You must learn to perfect your control no matter the situation you find yourself in. A clouded judgement will lead to a downfall in battle. You will meditate and then we will spar, I will not do it any other way" Katsu finished, gesturing to the area right in front of him for the Prince to sit.

[LoneDigger]

"I understand..."

 

Dakari mumbled as he sat with a sigh in front of the spot Katsu had gestured, folding his legs and trying to loosen up, but he still seemed on edge, tensed.

 

"I want to go with you now... I know you don't think I'm ready, but I can protect you... and everyone else!"

 

He added in quickly.

 

"The kingdom needs to see that their prince doesn't just sit around at home when times are hard, but is there to defend his people."

 

After getting that off his chest he closed his eyes and tried to calm down, he knew that the elder was serious when he said they would not continue any further until he had properly meditated. Dakari sat in silence for a long time, and then he opened his eyes and held out his palm, a small flame formed there and he began to breath deeply, and in turn the flame seemed to also rise and shrink in the same sync as the hyena's breathing.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

It was a a somewhat difficult fact to admit but Katsu had to concede that the teenager wasn't wrong. It would do their army plenty of good to know their Prince was amongst them, fighting by their side. And while the snow leopard was hard pressed in stating that he needed no one to protect him, Katsu didn't want to start an argument over a petty little topic. Dakari was strong enough to hold his own now, and yes perhaps Katsu didn't think the boy quite ready to taste his first war...but the Prince couldn't be hidden away forever. He had his responsibilities as well and one was to join in the war. Naturally, the King would usually attend to such actions but Katsu knew that the King had been itching to give his son some real life experiences. It was only hesitation to the outcome that had him holding the boy back from the darker side of their world.

 

Opening his eyes from where they had fallen closed the moment Dakari had taken his place in front of him, Katsu watched the young man calm his mind long enough to grasp good enough control over his element. Watching the flame expand and grow smaller to match the hyena's breathing, the snow leopard shifted his gaze to Dakari's rather handsome face as he dipped his head in satisfaction to the teen's actions.

 

"I agree, the soldiers would be reassured to have you there with them and the Kingdom would further acknowledge your position as Prince. However, you have yet to show me that you are in the slighest bit ready" the snow leopard commented before closing his eyes once more.

 

Perhaps his words were far from praising, but he had meant them to be that way. If the Prince wanted to come with him, well then he'd just have to prove himself and then Katsu would see if he could possibly pull some strings.

 

"If you feel that you can handle the taint that war stains the soul with, then I will allow you to come. Nevertheless, there will be conditions. One is that you must prove to me your combat readiness by the end of our session today. Land a hit on me no matter how small or provide me with the need to yield, even if it's only for a second and I will consider talking to your father. The second condition is that you will do as you are told when we reach the camp. No matter if it is I or another Sentinel giving you instructions, you will abide by them" Katsu stated, replacing his muscles yet at the same time preparing himself to react in a moments time.

 

"When you are ready, you may attack and we will begin".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had changed some, his face was now a bit more tanned, and he had even more freckles on his cheeks, and somehow he was also a bit cut up or bruised, charging head first into any challenge tended to do that, but he wore them well.

His eyes which had once been a warm honey brown, were now somehow... Hazel, the same brown, but also very clearly flecked with a striking blue. His sandy blond hair was also worn a bit longer, still layered in soft waves.

It was like how he was before... yet so different.

 

"You say this as if my soul is already so pure... Which I doubt it is. War is Hell, but isn't there also some kind of beauty to it? I'll never forget how everyone fought that day... It was like you were dancing with the enemy, but then... The snow turned red, but you were still standing there. Elegant as ever. That is not something you just forget, and it only makes me hunger for when my time comes to be in that same position."

 

Dakari answered, but he knew that being so graceful would hardly ever be his style. No...He wanted to rip them apart while they were still alive. Ironically it was more a similar style to a certain shark who's the prince's despise only grew over the years.

 

"... What? I thought you were going to say if I landed a hit you were going to put me in charge~"

 

The prince teased, a grin tugging up his lips and showing off his teeth. He was already getting way too excited, but he forced himself to stop smiling and just breath. This wasn't time for jokes. He had to control his fire.

 

"I promise if you bring me along I will abide you and the other Sentinels."

 

He spoke this time seriously, no longer beaming as he stood up. If Katsu was ready then he was going to give this his very best try. His chance to actually help in the war and protect his kingdom depended on it.

But Dakari knew he had to be careful, the thing was... he was dealing with fire. Literally, one wrong move and it wouldn't just be some little scorch marks on Katsu's robe, he could seriously burn or even kill the snow leopard. That's why the prince's training was such an important, yet dangerous job. Once he released his fire there was little he could do to call it back, unlike the Sentinel's ice ability.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

The changes in the boy had been of a gratifying kind. Dakari was no longer a cub and everything he portrayed, both physically and emotionally, showed proof of that. He might have still been young in most perspectives, especially those of the Sentinels, but he had learned well throughout his years of life. Katsu doubted anyone would get away with kidnapping the boy again without regretting their decisions. And yet, there was one thing that unnerved the snow leopard and that was the flecks of blue his eyes held now. Katsu supposed it wasn't uncommon for eye colors to change as the years passed but he had never quite seen eyes of Dakari's coloring before. Rumor had it that mated pairs would sometimes share aspects of one another eye color...but those were mostly just rumors and Dakari was not yet mated.

 

"The simple battle you watched in your youth, Princeling, is little in comparison to what war truly looks like. Especially on the front lines, you might be eager now...but prepare yourself for what will be waiting for you when we engage the enemy in full. There is a possibility that you will lose friends and good men and women..... no matter how eager and ready you might think you are, nothing will prepare you to handle such loses" Katsu advised gently, years of experience and wisdom easily showing through his tone.

 

Scoffing playfully at the boy's next words, Katsu rolled his eyes as he looked the teenager over once more.

 

"I'm afraid you are hundreds of years to young to even consider being in charge of your own battalion, let alone the entirety of our soldiers. There is still much you must perfect before that days comes, young one"

 

Dakari had potential to succeed in anything he set his mind to, but he needed to learn patience and expand his knowledge in certain fields. Katsu might have been gaining his own Followers by Dakari's age, but the Prince was no Sentinel...nor had he yet seen everything that the snow leopard had. He was still innocent to many things in their world and while Katsu had strived to keep him away from the ugliness death could be, it was time for the Prince to take the next step.

 

Rising to his feet with the ever present fluidity that only a feline could truly have, Katsu released a soft breath as his sword materialized in his grasp, the white of the blade shining in the sunlight and the snow colored hilt seeming to form a fine layer of ice around the feline's grip.

 

"Very well. If you are ready, then attack. And remember, the result of this battle will weigh on whether I take you with me or whether you remain here" the Sentinel breathed, calm eyes locked on his opponent.

 

Despite the danger he knew Dakari's flames could cause him, Katsu still appeared perfectly relaxed and at ease. The boy might have his elemental weakness at his grasp, but that wasn't the only thing that could determine the outcome of a battle. Katsu had faced down foe after foe, ones stronger and far more terrifying than the teenager in front of him. He knew how to control himself and the rythem of the battle. While he would have to keep an eye out for Dakari's flames, the boy wouldn't win a battle against him as easily as he thought.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari took in another deep breath, and then he let the heat he felt from inside radiate through him to the very tips of his fingers. Soon his whole hands were covered in the flames, they licked up his arms, but he kept them just below his wrist. He had once set his entire body on fire in a fit of rage many years ago, and well no one wasn't impressed or scared out of their mind over the sudden power, Dakari had made himself ill. It had been days that he was out cold in bed. By using up all the ignition inside him in one swift blaze proved to be a poor tactic for any long term fight, and seemed instead to be designed as some last resort, or even a kamikaze.

 

The prince knew better than to just charge at Katsu, the elder was too skilled. He always dodged before he could land anything. He'd have to think more like how the snow leopard would. Be tactful and swift... His own biggest weakness, but he had a good example to learn by. He circled the other from a slight distance, trying to find an opening to strike.

He then suddenly swung his fist near the other's face, he missed, but he was so close that Katsu would have felt heat on his cheeks.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Keeping his eyes on the younger male, Katsu shifted his weight from one leg to the other. He knew right off the bat that he wouldn't be going all out on Dakari, that would lead to him possibly killing the Prince and that was not what he wanted. But he would give the boy a tough lesson in physical combat readiness and strategy. If Dakari was to go with him, there was no room on the battlefield for the boy to be floundering around and doing what he thought fit. Dakari would have to prove to him that he was ready to join the soldiers of the Kingdom and provide them the reassurance and protection they would crave.

 

Shifting his weight back sharply, taking a small step along with that motion, Katsu quickly avoided the fist Dakari had aimed at him. While the heat of the inflamed fist was enough to make the skin on his cheek crawl uncomfortably, the snow leopard showed no signs of his mild discomfort aside from slightly narrowing his eyes. Bringing his blade up sharply, Katsu flipped it quickly in his hand so the blunt side would be facing Dakari and smacked him lightly on the abdomen with it.

 

"Your form is good but you lack speed and conviction. Do you really wish to remain here in the palace, young one? If you're not serious about going, then we can call this off" the snow leopard remarked even as he leapt off a good distance.

 

Landing at the edge of the opening where the trees began to circle their training space, Katsu kept his blade lowered at his side yet flickered his free hand towards the ground. Ice sprang to life in his silent command, coating the ground with a fine layer of unforgiving cold. It took just a moment for his typical spikes of ice to rise sharply from the ground within seconds of each other. Though they sprang up all around Dakari, most aimed at him yet bearing a rather blunt tip as to not hurt him too gravely should they make contact, some sprang to life in the open ground around him. Making the terrain harder to find footing or balance in for one not accustomed to it.

 

"Remember your training. Use more than just your element and strength to fight. Use your head" Katsu called back to him calmly, taking another leap back to brought him into the cover of the surrounding trees.

 

He wasn't going to make this easy, not in the least. Dakari would just have to use the best of his training lessons to try and gain a upper hand on him.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari growled softly, he was completely serious about this. It wasn't his fault that Katsu was impossible to touch most days. The only times he ever managed to land a hit was when he got really creative or a lucky mistake. Even the prince knew that and it made him feel a hint of discouragement. At this rate he would never get to join the others or be useful to his kingdom.

A bit angrily, he aimed a blast of flame at the ice to melt it and create a path, the ground steaming from where the ice had melted so fast it evaporated, creating a mist. It gave him an idea, if he could use that to create a sort of smoke screen he could hit the other without him seeing where he was coming from. He aimed more fire at the surrounding ice and frozen ground.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Feeling a smirk climb onto his face when Dakari started to unfold a strategy it seemed, Katsu kept to the trees, watching from a distance before the mist made it near impossibly to tell what was human and what was plant life. Keeping his senses alert and spread, the snow leopard's eyes never quit flickering from any and every sign of movement. His nose twitched ever so slightly, taking in every scent available to him and quickly analyzing it for what it was and his ears picked up any and every sound coming from around him.

 

Even though he had lost most use of one of his primary senses, he wasn't about to stumble around like a lost kit.

 

Moving swiftly, silently through the trees that surrounded where the clearing had once been visible, the Sentinel kept an eye out for any signs of the Prince. Dakari had used the elements around him to his favor, that was good thinking but it would only bare fruit if the teenager managed to follow through with the plan he had come up with. For now, it was a waiting game to see what the boy would do next.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari had never been particularly stealthy, but having a snow leopard as a mentor forced the stubborn nature of his spirit animal to learn a thing or two about being more light on his feet, or paws depending on the moment.

He tried to image that his body was lighter than what it truly was, he stilled his breathing to almost nothing, every step had to be calculated and deliberate. Katsu wasn't the only one who couldn't see in all this mist, he had to concentrate on his other senses. His ears told him there was movement in the clearing. So that's where he crept, then stopped. Suddenly striking his hand into the mist in front of him--

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Frowning at the stillness of the mist around him, Katsu wonder if the boy had left the area completely. Perhaps growing bored or too frustrated to continue. However what happened next had him reacting with the speed and grace of the legendary Sentinel that he was.

 

And perhaps he used a bit more force than he truly had needed.....nevertheless, it couldn't have been helped. Let this be another good lesson to the boy. Just because you have the advantage doesn't mean you'll win each time.

 

Stepping sharply back in the spand of less than a second the moment that hand snapped out of the mist in front of him, Katsu's reflexes and instincts were too fast for even he to stop himself. Clamping the hand not holding his blade around the wrist of the attacking hand, the snow leopard made the pulling of a rather heavy body forward, look easy by all comparisons. He might be somewhat leaner in muscle than Dakari and shorter in height now, annoyingly so, but that meant nothing in a battle.

 

Flipping the boy over his back and through the air, the Sentinel wasted no time in catapulting Dakari sharply into the ground in front of him before aiming the blade down at the Prince's direction, its tip just hovering inches above the hyena's throat.

 

"You're dead....again" the snow leopard murmured, having counted his earlier breach of Dakari's defense as the first time he had killed the boy. "Shall I kill you a third time, Princeling, because honestly....I can do this all day".

[LoneDigger]

Dakari didn't even have time to blink before he was suddenly air born, and then his back hit the ground with a loud thud. It knocked the wind out of him more than it hurt, not that it didn't, his own muscle weight was his own down fall when it came to gravity. The hyena pulled back his lips in a snarl, he was truly frustrated. Thinking that it would have worked, but nothing ever did! Katsu was impossible to touch.

 

"The only reason you aren't is because you're not the enemy... If you were then you'd already be a smoldering pile of ashes."

 

The prince huffed out as soon as he got his breath back, but he didn't move otherwise since the blade was making him nervous. The Sentinel wouldn't use it on him, but he still didn't appreciate how close it got.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"Would I be?" He asked, though his tone was far from convinced.

 

Taking a few moments to silently appreciate how good he could admit that Dakari looked laying on his back, blue eyes quietly drinking in the sight of the teen, Katsu breathed out a soft puff of amused air before he was drawing his blade away. With an elegant sweeping motion, the Sentinel smoothly placed the blade back into its sheath and allowed both items to disappear from him. Taking just one more long look down at Dakari, Katsu shook his head with mild amusement before turning his back on the teenager and beginning to walk away without another glance back.

 

"Perhaps you should think of me as an enemy then? Shall I make an aggressive move towards the castle and the inhabitants inside it? Or shall I threaten the people of the Kingdom adamantly enough.....Maybe I should even call for Kisame, he certainly knows how to get under your skin like nothing else" the snow leopard tossed over his shoulder, pace calm and lacking any sign of hurry.

 

"When you think yourself ready to face me again, have someone sent for me. I'll try and take it easier on you next time. For now, I suppose you should continue practicing for the day you will truly be allowed to join battle. At the moment though, I have a certain shark waiting for me and I shouldn't keep him waiting too long. It will lead to exasperating outcomes" Katsu added after a short moment's pause when his form was starting to grow undistinguishable in the mist once more.

 

He didn't want to be too hard on Dakari, but he had meant what he said. He wasn't comfortable with the boy joining them in battle if he couldn't even get one up on the Sentinel. No matter how impossible the task might have seemed, Katsu had assumed he had taught Dakari well enough to have the boy at least be able to catch him off guard successfully. Clearly the teenager needed more lessons. Besides, Kisame was truly waiting for him. They were meant to travel to meet the others together and there was still some things that needed to be discussed about their journey. And despite the shark and he having truly not bed each other in some months, Kisame was still prone to his usual antics and Katsu would much prefer to avoid them.