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

[LoneDigger]

Once he was tucked comfortingly between both his mother and father in the bed he took turns giving them both some cuddles, but he settled on pressing closer against his father so he could watch his mother as she spoke, though it was harder to listen and even understand while in this animal form so he willed himself to shift back into a human. So where there was once a hyena cub was left a boy with only traces of hyena features left. The ears and tail remained, his teeth were impossibly large. And his hair was even the same color. And other little details like the freckles that may have been reminiscent of spots. And his more muscular build.

 

The prince felt even more sleepy now that that they were settled in, but his face lit up with a new energy when his mother spoke of a certain Sentinel who he may or may not just spent his whole day chasing after. Though he did not wish to betray that fact so he tried to look as confused as possible, as if he had only known bits and pieces of the guardian of the North Tower. But it was clear from how his expression would change and even how his ears would move that the cub was riveted by his mother's words. He didn't even doze off once like he did sometimes with other bedtime stories.

 

He whined softly, excited for tomorrow. Now he would understand Katsu better now that he knew his full history. Hopefully that would translate to him being able to act more mature and keep up with the snow leopard without just seeming like some pestering child. He wanted to show the elder that he could keep up, that he wasn't a baby anymore.

That was if the snow leopard even returned tomorrow, which logically even as young as he was he had his doubts. Mother made it sound like Sentinels had a lot of work and responsibility, but Dakari knew from the way that Katsu had gazed down at him that he would keep his promises.

 

With that last thought in mind the prince was finally able to fall asleep peacefully, and he stayed that way until a few minutes after dawn. It was a combination that woke him this early, habit, anticipation for seeing the Sentinel, and of course most importantly his own hunger.

 

Careful not to wake his parents the cub crawled out of bed, but being delicate about anything was never something the clumsy Dakari was especially good at. He probably accidentally bumped against his father and not very skillfully crawled over his mother to get to the edge of the bed where he could jump off and his feet hit the floor with a soft 'thud' followed by even more pattering as he went down the hallway and some stairs before finding himself in the kitchen already whining happily at the scent of breakfast being made.

 

After pestering the cooks a bit he was given his first meal of the day which he downed even faster than usual because there was no time to waste if he were going to be meeting with Katsu.

The prince ran down some more hallways before reaching the doors to the garden which he pulled open and stopped only briefly to let the morning sunshine tickle his face and breath in the scents of the flowers before he was already running out.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Watching their little one drop off to sleep after seeming enthralled by the story of the frost covered mountains that was home to their rarest of Sentinels, both the King and Queen couldn't help but shake their heads in exasperation at their cub. He was their treasure, one who never let their lives grow dull or boring. While they had worried when no one could find him, something had told them that he was safe. And when the Queen had cradled her little cub in her arms, the scent of feline hadn't escaped her notice. However, she hadn't mentioned a thing...nor had her husband. If Katsu had been the one to return their cub in one piece to them, then they were all the more indebted to their elusive Sentinel.

 

With that thought in mind, the older pair settled more comfortably at either side of their cub and also dropped off to sleep. When morning came and their cub clamored over them with his typical clumsiness...his parents did little more than release soft grumbles of annoyance before sleep dragged them under for once more.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

When early morning came and with it duties swiftly came as well, Katsu managed to disengage himself from his followers as the feline found himself once more leaving his cold home behind to cover the distance it took him to reach the palace and the home of the Princeling once more. The cold night and relaxing sleep had cooled his mind and soothed his soul so despite rumbling in irritation at the heat that swept over him the moment he reached the gardens, the feline didn't feel the need to bolt as badly as he had yesterday.

 

Shifting to his human state with a small roll of the shoulders, the dark haired male wandered briefly around the gardens before settling at the base of one of the larger trees there. With one gently touch to the base of the tree, ice encased the thing, freezing it solid in only short moments....but only this tree. The rest of the garden remained warm and alive as he assumed the Princeling preferred it. Eyeing the frozen branches above him, Katsu shrugged to himself in defeat. They weren't the overcrops or cliff faces he preferred but it would do for now. Bending his knees just so, the man effortlessly leapt the distance from the ground to one of the lower branches of his tree.

 

Settling his back comfortably against the soothing cold of the ice covering the bark, Katsu let one leg dangle lazily off the branch while he laid the other on it while pulling out a thick rolled scroll from the the width of his robe's wide sleeves. Katsu figured he might as well get some work done while he waited for the little one to make his appearance. He could already catch the scent of the young one somewhere in the gardens, more than likely searching for him already. It was an amusing thought, that the Prince would awaken so early to come out here and try to find him....however, it was rather endearing as well. Now as long as the little one didn't plan on trying to wreck chaos throughout their little interaction, Katsu knew the day would go well.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari chuckled softly to himself, before stopping to check the air again for new scents. In the warmth and sweetness of the ever present summer climate, his nose caught something strange. The scent was almost not a scent at all, it was just... he couldn't even describe it. Slight, but crisp? It stood out from the earthy and leafy smells, it was almost not there at all. But invisible. There was no life to it, but it did not reek of death. Like a moment of life captured in time and sealed away forever...

 

That was how Dakari's mind processed the scent of ice. Something he had never seen before and only smelled hints of on the snow leopard, but when his warm eyes landed on the sight of one of the trees covered in what he thought to be glass he let out a shrill cry and retreated behind another tree.

What kind of strange magic was this?! And why was his tree turned to glass?!

 

Whining out in worry he cautiously peaked his head around his hiding spot and decided he should investigate. Any sound even if it was just the familiar cry of a bird would cause the prince to flinch or retreat, ears and tail pressed tightly against his body. But remembering that glass couldn't move he became bolder and eventually went over to sniff closer, but he didn't dare touch it.

Looking up he let out a soft gasp when he seen Katsu up lounging around in the upper branches of the frozen tree. Had he been the one to done this? It must have been.

 

"What are you doing up there!"

 

The prince chirped out, he sounded a mixture of both worried and excited. He wanted him to come down since hyenas couldn't climb up trees and he didn't want to shatter the glass, which was of course ice. But he still didn't know that.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Ears twitching ever so slightly at the sound of a voice coming from the base of the tree, Katsu turned slightly amused eyes down at the young one peering up at him. A twitch of a smile flickered briefly onto his features even while he eyed the younger male as only a cat could from a perch above its target. The Prince seemed almost concerned from the angle Katsu was looking at him from but the male had no idea as to why. Until it dawned on him that the younger male must have never seen ice before or ever felt the cold of his mountains. He was a hyena cub and as thus, the cold would never pertain to him. It was an understandable fact, but it fail to make it any less amusing to see the Prince seeming weary of the ice.

 

"I am working. Seeing as a certain Princeling made me promise to come today, I had to bring some of my work with me" Katsu called down calmly to the younger male even as he stretched contentedly on his frozen branch.

 

He knew even without having to ask that Dakari would want him to come down to ground level. It was common knowledge that hyena's didn't climb trees and yet Katsu didn't feel the immediate urge to comply. Maybe it was because he was a cat that he often did what he wanted no matter who had ordered him to do otherwise. Despite that, looking at those large warm eyes looking up at him, Katsu felt his resistance to being on the ground fade by the seconds and with a long sigh he slipped his scroll back into his sleeve and straightened a bit. He had promised the cub the day and keeping himself in a tree while the little one was unable to reach him seemed a bit unfair.

 

Calmly slipping off the tree branch he had been lounging on, the snow leopard didn't seem at all bothered even as he plummeted down several feet to the ground below. Instead, he seemed more to be having fun than anything else. After all, leopards, no matter the kind, enjoyed being in heights and dropping back down to the earth did not scare them much at all. Landing a few inches from Dakari in a crouch, long dark hair cascading down around his head and shoulders like a waterfall, Katsu wasted no time in straightening to his full height while he eyed the Prince with a heavy dosage of amusement in his blue gaze.

 

"What's wrong, Princeling? Don't tell me you are frightened by my ice? You seemed much bolder to me yesterday when you appeared to fear nothing" Katsu commented playfully, head tilting just slightly to one side even as he comfortably leaned back against the frozen base of the tree.

[LoneDigger]

"Well then stop working and come down to play with me!"

 

Demanded the bossy little cub, pacing impatiently, yet still a bit warily around the frozen tree. But he didn't stay grumpy for long and soon the prince was giggling as he made a game out of circling the tree as if he were a shark. Soon he had to stop when he felt the world beginning to spin slightly which forced him to tumble over his own feet and land on the ground where he just lay there for a moment staring up at the snow leopard as if he meant to do that.

 

Dakari then rolled over so he could pull himself back up seeing as Katsu was standing up straight and even then he was still so much shorter, hyenas took longer than most mammals to grow to full size. But once they did they were large and powerful.

But for now he'd just have to deal with being shorter, but it wasn't all bad. It made it easier for the prince to discretely catch the scents he needed to know from a certain place.

But instead of that when the Sentinel dared to suggest he was afraid even if it were true caused the cub to a bit rudely butt his head against the elder's stomach followed by a loud protest of,

 

"I was not scared!"

 

Dakari then grumbled some more before tilting his own gaze up so he could look at the snow leopard while slightly leaning against him still so there was a barrier between him and the so called 'glass'. Which he now knew was called ice because Katsu said so, and he believed any word he said.

 

"I'm not scared of anything! But... why did you do that?"

 

He sniffed, and since the other was touching it he decided maybe it would okay to... He yelped when his fingertips were met with a sensation they had never experienced before... true icy cold.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Grunting lightly when the cub butted his head into his stomach, Katsu grumbled softly in mild annoyance even as he lowered his gaze to look at the little one. Lifting a hand, he momentarily combed it through the lighter shade of the cub's hair even as the little one reached around him to touch the ice on the tree. Humming for a moment at the question asked of him, Katsu tilted his head back to rest it just a bit on the tree while he gazed up at the frozen branches and exhaled a soft content sigh.

 

"Because I hate the heat. My kind is not meant to live in warmth, we thrive in the cold. Where snow falls and the land is frozen all around us. If I am forced to stay too long in heated weather, my body begins to grow ill and weak.....However, since I promised to come see you today...I've made the exception of tolerating your climate as best as I can. I just need a bit of cold around me to keep from having the heat affect me too badly" Katsu replied calmly, dropping his gaze once more to the cub that was resting some of his weight on him.

 

Lowering the hand that had been absentmindedly passing feather-like touches through the cub's hair, Katsu leveled it just a few inches from Dakari's face and closed his fist. When he opened it again, a perfectly shaped sphere of ice had formed in the palm of his hand. Little snow flakes causing unique little designs to mark the wall of the icy sphere. The ice didn't rest on his calm, it simply floated just inches above his skin, never moving away but staying perfectly still, as he wished it.

 

"The ice won't hurt you. It is as part of me as my spirit animal is. We are sworn to protect you and this realm....so you never have to worry about being in danger when you see my ice near you" Katsu assured Dakari gently, keeping his tone mild and kind knowing full well that he had to measure his words least the little one thought he was saying he was afraid again.

 

"Now....you asked for me to come today. What is it that you wished for us to do while I remain here? Surely you don't intend of chasing me today as well?" He asked after a moment's pause.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari seemed to respond well to the snow leopard's touch, even if the coolness to it was not something he was used to it seemed to actually help calm him down as he quieted and closed his eyes for a moment, just letting the elder play with his golden blond hair. The only sound that broke the silence was the occasional 'chirp' from the cub that signaled his contentment.

The fact he was even able to stand completely still was a miracle, he never seemed to settle down otherwise.

It was as if through his touch alone that the elder was sharing his energy with him, and it had a soothing effect on the prince.

 

It was hard for the prince to understand or even imagine that creatures who couldn't thrive in the sun even existed, but he knew that all animals had to be different to maintain balance in the world. But Katsu almost seemed the opposite from him in so many ways. He loved snow and climbing, and he gravitated towards the desserts and flat land. Snow leopards lived alone a vast majority of their lives and spotted hyena were never without their clan.

 

But before he could even open his mouth again, Dakari was already memorized by the spectacle in the palm of the Sentinel's hand. He had never seen snow before, it was so pretty... yet it seemed delicate so he didn't even dare to breath on it in fear that it would disappear from him, he nudged his face against the other again to exhale softly against his stomach before turning back towards his hand, uttering out a soft whisper.

 

"...Amazing..."

 

He tore his eyes away only briefly to meet the snow leopard's blueish gaze. His expression had been calm, but now that his mind was on having fun again the mischievousness seeped right back onto his features.

 

"No! I don't want to chase you away! We will play a better game."

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Seeing Dakari so calm when he had previously always seemed so full of energy was a bit odd, to say the least. It wasn't a bad change in the boy, it just felt different than how he usually was. For a moment, Katsu wondered if this would be how calm the boy could be capable of becoming when he grew older and matured. The snow leopard could already see the potential for greatness in the cub, there was no denying that despite the love he had for mischief, he had a good heart. It would just take some molding and life lessons for the cub to truly be able to stand on his own. Nevertheless, Katsu couldn't help but be drawn to the young one already. A bit of a child he might be in the eyes of the feline...but he was proving to be special.

 

When the cub exhaled against his stomach, Katsu couldn't stop the barely noticeable shiver that swept through him. The breath was warm and though his skin was protected by his robes, it almost felt as if he had been able to feel that breath against his bare abdomen. It wasn't something he had ever felt anything similar to and it had his curiosity of the little one growing by the second. For some reason, this cub had him responding in a way he rarely did towards outsiders and Katsu feared that that knowledge would lead to a manifesting obsession with the Prince. An obsession he couldn't afford to have with the duties he was obligated to fulfill.

 

Blinking down at the cub, gathering his thoughts once more, Katsu raised a brow at the little one and allowed a corner of his mouth to turn up into a half smile. Warmth briefly touched his eyes as he ran his finger's through the boy's hair once more and breathed out a heavy breath.

 

"Well then? What game is it that you wish to play today? Do try to make it entertaining. Should I grow bored, I fear I'm more than likely to return to my branches and get some sleep while you run yourself to the ground down here" Katsu teased.

 

He knew he was probably going to end up more ruffled and exasperated by whatever game the young cub wanted to play, yet he couldn't help but feel excited as well. It had been too long since he had allowed himself to have fun for just the simple purpose of having fun. Dakari was like a breeze of fresh air to him and Katsu didn't want to let him go just yet.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari despite his cocky attitude truly did look up towards the elder as a sort of idol. Just standing this closely to him and being pressed up against him again, but this time in their human forms, he could feel how leanly powerful the Sentinel was and coolness to him was both calming but also held a silently deadliness to it.

But he was not afraid of being frozen, it suddenly occurred to him that perhaps that would be the most peaceful way to disappear would be underneath a blanket of white and surrounded in silence.

 

The prince softly pressed his head further against Katsu's stomach, inhaling in his scent and chuckling softly as he closed his eyes. There was so much being carried in every single breath he took he felt like he was being emerged in the elder's essence. He could briefly feel himself becoming like a snow leopard, craving for the cold and solitude. Leaping from cliff walls with nothing but sky and mountain as his world.

 

His eyes briefly flickered with blue before his day dreams were shattered by the Sentinel's cool, but slightly teasing voice.

Dakari also had to let out a shaky breath that had been holding in the other's scent as he pulled back and the warm summery smells filled his head again and his old spirits returned with the familiarity.

 

"I'm going to teach you how to play like a hyena... My game, my rules!"

 

The prince bossed as he stood up extra tall in front of the Katsu to show that he felt like he was the alpha, or well, at least pretending to be.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Raising a brow at the boy's words and the fact that he tried to stand up straighter than his previous stance, Katsu tilted his head sharply to the side and this time there was no hiding the confusion in his eyes. Confusion and curiosity that was. The boy was going to teach him how to play like a hyena? How exactly were they going to do that? Hyenas and snow leopards were as different as one could be and as far as Katsu knew, they didn't even move relatively the same. Whatever game the Prince had in store for them, Katsu supposed be had better prepare himself for it to possibly border on ridiculous.

 

However, just as he was about to ask the Princeling to explain exactly what game they would be playing, Katsu found a yawn slipping out of him. Truly, as much as he loved being a snow leopard and wouldn't trade who he was for the world, there were times when being relatively sleepy most of the time got a touch irritating. He couldn't help it though, dawn had come and gone and his body had gradually lost the adrenaline it had gotten on the trip here. Sleepiness was starting to grow heavy on his mind and his usual laziness started to kick in. Eyes lowering half way, the feline ran a hand through his hair as another yawn slipped past him and flashed sharp canines to the outside world.

 

"How to play like a hyena? I don't know how you suppose that will work...but very well, it won't hurt to give it a try. But only for a few hours, I can't stay too late" Katsu shrugged as he conceded to the game the little one had wanted to pursue. He had no idea what the Prince had in mind but he wouldn't say no without even knowing what was about to happen.

 

"Should I stay like this or would you wish for me to change to my other state of being?" He asked after a moment, looking down still at the puffed up little one. For one his size, despite his determination, he looked rather adorable than he did an Alpha.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari let out a little growl as he tugged on the elder's robes and butted his head gently against his stomach to keep the other awake.

 

"No sleeping! It's not nap time yet!"

 

The young prince scolded as he backed off so he could puff up again while explaining the rules of his game.

 

"First off stop looking so tired and serious! You have to look carefree and don't forget to smile."

 

The hyena cub always seemed to have a permanent grin plastered over his face, and at worst he always looked curious even when not beaming.

 

"You're only responsibilities now are playing with me so forget about that for now."

 

Dakari giggled softly and then began to walk around the Sentinel, seeing what needed to be fixed about the snow leopard to make him more like he was.

 

"Your tail is too long..."

 

He muttered, before debating whether this would be easier if they were to change. But he then shook his head.

 

"Stay like this and follow my lead~"

 

The prince bossed as he started to a new part of the garden that was more open and better suited for playing. Without worry of them accidentally damaging the flowers or trees landscaping.

 

"Hyenas play rough, can you handle that?"

 

The cub almost seemed to be mocking the elder as he showed his teeth in a smile that looked more like a sneer. He couldn't start the game and have the other begging him to stop midway, right?

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Feeling his brow twitch when Dakari demanded he stopped looking so serious and instead to look "carefree".....the snow leopard could only stare at the cub for a few seconds of stoic silence before lowering his head in defeat and exhaling a heavy sigh. How in the hell was he going to look carefree....more so, how did Dakari expect him to smile on command. The cub could be mischievous and cheerful all the time but Katsu just wasn't like that. He liked the cub well enough, yes, but to grin like the little one did all the time....that was nearly as impossibly as it was for him to be carefree. He was a Sentinel and Sentinels didn't do "carefree"....even if most of them acted stranger and more full of personality than people would guess.

 

Still, Dakari had asked him to play his game...or demanded him to do so, so Katsu might as well try. With that thought in mind, the snow leopard made an effort to relax his facial expression. It was hard doing something he was so unaccustomed to do and he didn't know if his expression changed in the least...but he hoped it was somewhat better than how it had been previously. Least he wanted the cub to bite his head off for not cooperating. The demand to smile though was completely off the table. Katsu didn't smile. Sure, he was friendly and occassionally smirks or brief ghosts of smiles flickered across his features but the man had never been known for sporting full on grins. Besides, when he did smile it tended to creep people out. Most claimed his smile sent chills down their spine...something that couldn't be helped because he only tended to smile when he found something morbidly amusing.

 

"Demanding little brat" Katsu couldn't help but murmur teasingly towards the young one even as Dakari circled him before he answered the feline's question. "As you wish, Your Majesty. You're every word is my command" the snow leopard breathed out after the cub began to march off. Rolling his eyes in fond exasperation, the leopard followed after him at a much more relaxed and at ease pace.

 

Looking around when they arrived at a different section of the garden, Katsu looked down at the sneer like smile the younger male shot him before simply closing his eyes and letting out a playfully haughty huff.

 

"I assure you, Princeling, snow leopards are no light weights. You don't have to worry about me in whatever game we are about to begin. Besides, taking on someone as small as you will be a stroll through the woods. I shouldn't even break a sweat" Katsu answered in a rather mischief touched challenging tone. "Bring it on" he added a second later.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari was having way too much fun, having the elder wrapped around his finger was in a way something he was somewhat already accustomed to since most adults wouldn't dare displease him. But he had never had a Sentinel following his every whim and command. Even if Katsu was only playing along it was enough to make the cub feel more than important enough.

He liked being in charge, even if it went against his rank it didn't feel strange to him. But then again no one had ever really challenged his defiance... He was still so young. But more and more often he would here murmurs around the palace that he needed to learn his place sooner than later or face disaster.

 

Right now none of that was on the prince's mind however, his world was still so small and his only job most of the time was to simply keep himself entertained while his parents went about their duties. More and more he was being involved with that, but sometimes his 'helping' turned out to be more of a headache so he was often told to just go off and play. Which was by no means any problem with Dakari. Especially now that he had the snow leopard trotting after him.

 

"Fine then. I won't go easy on you~"

 

The cub chuckled as he moved around the elder, trying to find a vulnerable spot to attack. There was none, he could tell from the Sentinel's posture that he had everything covered and he was too fast, but the only thing that stuck out away from the claws directly was his tail so he made a grab for it but then retreated back with a giggle, testing the other's reaction first.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Keeping his eyes on the Prince as Dakari began to circle him, Katsu kept his posture relaxed without even the slightest of stiffness in it. He knew he was faster than the young Prince and he knew that he was stronger as well. Dakari had the heart and the determination to act as more than what his status as Omega might have given those in his situation, but he wasn't as strong as an Alpha. Even if he pretended to be. And he was also still quite young, prone to making mistakes that one Katsu's age had done numerous times already and had learned from them. Be that as it was, no matter how eager the cub was to prove himself, Katsu had the advantage and he wasn't going to make it easy for the little one. Dakari had pinned him once due to Katsu allowing him to do so, however this time, he'd give the boy a glimpse of why Sentinels were as revered as they were.

 

The hair on his neck stood on end when Dakari made a grab for his tail and despite himself, Kagsu felt an irritating little shiver crawl up his spine. Moving his tail as far from the boy as possible, the snow leopard curled it around his waist with a small glare at the hyena cub. It was unintentionally, he was sure the cub didn't know it but his tail was one of his most sensitive regions and even the lightest of touches could sweep past his walls. That was why he would keep his tail well beyond Dakari's reach. Least he wanted the young one to know he had even the smallest of weaknesses.

 

Hissing softly at the Prince even as a very small smile flickered onto his features, Katsu narrowed his eyes playfully before he moved. And my did he move. His speed was rather impressive to say the least because one moment he was standing where Dakari could see him and the next he was standing behind the boy. Eyes sparkling in laughter even as he bent down to whisper against the kid's ear, his long hair brushing against the boy's shoulder.

 

"You're going to have to try harder than that if you want to get anywhere with me, Princeling. I'm sure you don't want to make this to easy for me" he spoke silently, tone tainted with that hidden laughter that had a small yet deep rumble of amusement swell out of his chest.

 

Taking a small step back, Katsu leapt a good distance backwards away from Dakari where he tilted his head once more and called "Come now, Princeling, I thought this was supposed to be fun! Show me how strong you can be!"

[LoneDigger]

Dakari may have been reckless, but he was very observant, and he noticed the flicker in the other's eyes and the way he stiffened up when his tail had been grabbed at. So his instincts were right all along, the tail was the weakest part. But that only meant Katsu would do everything in his power to protect it from his grasp.

 

The snow leopard's hiss was only met by another giggle from the prince, but the hyena was not laughing when the Sentinel suddenly seemed to blur before his eyes and then was gone, only to feel a cold presence pressed up behind him.

He couldn't react fast enough and it was his turn to shudder when he felt the cool breath brushing against his ear.

He had been bested at his own game and hated that so much!

Once he came to his senses the cub spun around and made a bit of ruckus. Snapping at the air and whining as he tried to figure out where the other had gone.

Spotting Katsu behind him, some distance away. He knew they could jump, but he had no idea it was that far!

 

"I would if you'd just surrender now!"

 

The prince threatened, trying to sound as if he were the one with the upper hand and that Katsu was at his mercy, even if were actually the complete opposite

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Chuckling at the reaction he saw from the cub from the distance he was standing in now, Katsu rested a hand against his hip and smirked at the younger male. Honestly, the cub needed to be taught that battles weren't won when the opponent simply rolled over and showed his stomach. Nor were they won when a certain Prince demanded his opponent to surrender. While this may very well be a game, Katsu intended to use it to teach the little Prince a bit of manners when it came to bossing others around. After all, not everyone was going to be as tolerant as he was with the boy.

 

"You can't very well assume that your opponent will surrender just because you demand him to do so? Truly, someone needs to start to educate you with how battles are. Never have they been won that easily....nor have spars" Katsu remarked calmly even as he tossed his hair over his shoulder and crouched just a bit.

 

Cobalt eyes examined the male several feet in front of him as his smirk grew all the more. The little Prince would definitely walk away from this game with a whole new understanding of just why he shouldn't try to be dominant towards others if he didn't have the means to back such actions. Katsu wouldn't hurt him, he had sworn to protect the Kingdom and Royal family and that's what he would do, but he would teach him a few lessons while he was here.

 

Surging forward just as quickly as he had moved moments ago, the snow leopard was in front of the Prince in a heartbeats time. Reaching out smoothly, silently, and almost with a lethal grace, the feline quickly grabbed the young Prince's shoulder as gently as he could before sweeping out one leg to knock the kid's feet out from under him. The grip the feline had on Dakari's shoulder would slow the Prince's fall and keep it from being a too hard impact with the ground, however, Dakari would find himself on his back regardless with the cat staring down at him amused.

 

"You lack speed and awareness of your surroundings, little one. Game or no, those could lead to rather deadly consequences. You need to learn to never drop your guard, no matter who you're with" Katsu stated, hand still firmly pressed against the boy's shoulder to keep him down.

[LoneDigger]

The other was finally starting to smile more like a hyena, but there was something a bit chilling about seeing the other's lips curled up and revealing the sharp canines underneath. It wasn't a carefree grin, but something more sinister.

Even Dakari knew all too well that smiles often were more like snarls, even when in human form showing teeth meant the other knew something that he did not.

 

"Well I... I'm going to make you surrender!"

 

The cub warned with a growl as he braced himself for another attack, even if this was just a game he was starting to feel the edge more and his instincts to fight and survive were kicking in just a little.

Truly he did not know that Katsu would not harm him, logically perhaps he knew he was safe, but instictually? Never.

 

"Don't make me chase you back up a tree again, cat!"

 

He warned again, puffing up tall and trying to act tougher than he actually felt. Which would prove to be a mistake.

The cub was so preoccupied trying to figure out which spot to charge at first he wasn't paying attention to the elder's movements, and even the stubborn little prince knew he couldn't out speed a leopard.

Dakari shrieked as he went to sink his own teeth into the arm that had suddenly grabbed him but instead of meeting flesh his teeth clashed against the air as he felt himself going down. Or rather he didn't feel it since it happened so fast, but he was already trying to roll himself back up but Katsu had him down firmly.

The hyena did not appreciate this and began to whine and chuckle nervously, squirming against the ground and sending the elder a guilty look, but his expression also held a deadly resentment.

 

"Get off!"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"You're not even going to say please? Why, I think I'm offended, Princeling" Katsu teasingly purred down to the cub who didn't look at all pleased with the situation at hand.

 

Waiting a few more seconds, the leopard calmly took his hand off the young Prince and moved a few paces back where he simply sank down to the ground and rested his weight the hands placed just a bit behind his back. He wasn't a fool, he had seen the nervousness in the little one....nervousness that was perhaps fueled by fear. And while he didn't necessarily want Dakari to fear him, it would do to help the Prince understand that he was playing with a force much more powerful than he himself was. A being that tolerated his rudeness and mischievous nature but could still very much outmatched him at any level should he so choose to do so.

 

"Have I upset you, Princeling? Surely you didn't think I'd simply allow you to pin me a second time. I'm a Sentinel, Dakari and Sentinels submit themselves to no one....however, I do find you rather entertaining to be around. So I apologize if I've managed to hurt your pride" Katsu sighed, lifting his gaze to the skies for a moment just to simply enjoy the view.

 

"Do you wish to continue?" He asked a moment later, raising a brow at the younger male as he waited for an answer.

 

Dakari didn't seem the type to just give up because he had been outmatched the first time. Then again, perhaps by outmatching the boy, Katsu had managed to unbalance his supply of what appeared to be never shrinking ego. It was unlikely but yet possible....nevertheless, whether he had or had not, that didn't matter much. What mattered was what Dakari wanted to do next.

[LoneDigger]

The other was finally starting to smile more like a hyena, but there was something a bit chilling about seeing the other's lips curled up and revealing the sharp canines underneath. It wasn't a carefree grin, but something more sinister.

Even Dakari knew all too well that smiles often were more like snarls, even when in human form showing teeth meant the other knew something that he did not.

 

"Well I... I'm going to make you surrender!"

 

The cub warned with a growl as he braced himself for another attack, even if this was just a game he was starting to feel the edge more and his instincts to fight and survive were kicking in just a little.

Truly he did not know that Katsu would not harm him, logically perhaps he knew he was safe, but instictually? Never.

 

"Don't make me chase you back up a tree again, cat!"

 

He warned again, puffing up tall and trying to act tougher than he actually felt. Which would prove to be a mistake.

The cub was so preoccupied trying to figure out which spot to charge at first he wasn't paying attention to the elder's movements, and even the stubborn little prince knew he couldn't out speed a leopard.

Dakari shrieked as he went to sink his own teeth into the arm that had suddenly grabbed him but instead of meeting flesh his teeth clashed against the air as he felt himself going down. Or rather he didn't feel it since it happened so fast, but he was already trying to roll himself back up but Katsu had him down firmly.

The hyena did not appreciate this and began to whine and chuckle nervously, squirming against the ground and sending the elder a guilty look, but his expression also held a deadly resentment.

 

"Get off!"

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"You're not even going to say please? Why, I think I'm offended, Princeling" Katsu teasingly purred down to the cub who didn't look at all pleased with the situation at hand.

 

Waiting a few more seconds, the leopard calmly took his hand off the young Prince and moved a few paces back where he simply sank down to the ground and rested his weight the hands placed just a bit behind his back. He wasn't a fool, he had seen the nervousness in the little one....nervousness that was perhaps fueled by fear. And while he didn't necessarily want Dakari to fear him, it would do to help the Prince understand that he was playing with a force much more powerful than he himself was. A being that tolerated his rudeness and mischievous nature but could still very much outmatched him at any level should he so choose to do so.

 

"Have I upset you, Princeling? Surely you didn't think I'd simply allow you to pin me a second time. I'm a Sentinel, Dakari and Sentinels submit themselves to no one....however, I do find you rather entertaining to be around. So I apologize if I've managed to hurt your pride" Katsu sighed, lifting his gaze to the skies for a moment just to simply enjoy the view.

 

"Do you wish to continue?" He asked a moment later, raising a brow at the younger male as he waited for an answer.

 

Dakari didn't seem the type to just give up because he had been outmatched the first time. Then again, perhaps by outmatching the boy, Katsu had managed to unbalance his supply of what appeared to be never shrinking ego. It was unlikely but yet possible....nevertheless, whether he had or had not, that didn't matter much. What mattered was what Dakari wanted to do next.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari grumbled and gently mouthed at the elder's wrist in an act of defiance or false self defense, his teeth only barely grazing against the skin since if he truly bit down with all his power would have broken it easily. Hyenas weren't nicknamed bone crushers for nothing. For what he lacked in speed or grace, and even he had no claws. The cub made up for in cunning -though his was still developing clearly from his immaturity- and bite force. A hyena's jaw had a locking mechanism that allows them to hold on without being shaken off, though that was largely thanks to the well muscled neck and shoulders.

But truly a hyena was nothing without their tribe. They were also sometimes called the wolves of the Savannah, though not even remotely related to canines, their style of hunting in groups to bring down much larger prey filled a similar niche of apex predator.

 

"Never!"

 

The cub answered stubbornly, letting out another laugh that wasn't as much nervous as it was childish. He was feeling more giddy again now that he realized that the snow leopard wasn't going to truly hurt him because if Katsu wanted to kill him he would have done so by now. This was just another game again. Even if the grumpy old cat kept telling him to watch his back and leopards were faster, and Sentinels never would blah blah blah.

 

"I'm not finished with you yet!"

 

Was Dakari's feisty response to that last statement as he sprung back up, ready to try again. This time he would be the one on top, just wait and see!

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Lowering his eyes from where they had wandered up to the heavens once more, Katsu sighed even as he calmly pushed himself back to his feet. Dakari wasn't a quitter, that was for sure. At least the boy had motivation to hold his ground, it would do great things for him in the future when he was older. Even if at the moment it was just a tad irritating. An intelligent individual would know to back down from a fight he couldn't win, an experienced fighter would more than likely find ways to win the fight without giving voice to the fact that he wasn't going to just run off....but Dakari...well he was loud with just about everything he did. Courageous or just not the brightest creature here, the cub did not know when to submit. It was cute, to be honest, even if Katsu didn't give voice to that thought.

 

"Well then, come at me. And please, try to make this more entertaining than you're last attempt for an attack" Katsu yawned out, tucking his hands into his wide sleeves and relaxing his stance as he bide his time for a second time.

 

Gaze momentarily flickering off the cub to a tree he had spotted a fair distance away from where they currently were, the snow leopard pondered if he could climb up those limbs after he knocked the cub back down. As fun as it might be for the little one to continue to charge at him with a head full of fire, Katsu didn't know how many times Dakari intended to get beaten before he learned that he couldn't beat him. Perhaps after this round, while the cub was gathering himself once more, Katsu could simply leave him down here in favor of the height of those branches. Besides, he was starting to get sleepy again and his laziness was beginning to peek forward.

 

Shrugging almost to himself, the snow leopard quirked an eyebrow at the Prince as the tip of his tail flickered momentarily from where it still was wrapped around his waist. It was clear that the snow leopard didn't plan on moving just yet, he was giving the younger male free leyway to attack him once more. However, that didn't mean that he'd allow Dakari to gain the upper hand in this round either. He's wait for the cub to make his move then react accordingly.

[LoneDigger]

Dakari bowed his head, trying a different approach as he lowered his ears and tail and seemed to be slinking around now. Determined, but more cautious in his movements. Maybe if he made himself seem smaller it would give him a new angle.

Katsu could then be the one to underestimate him, the cub had already decided.

He tried to stop the grin that was tugging up his lips but he just couldn't contain his own excitement as he let out another whine followed by a short burst of giggles.

 

He moved around the Sentinel, trying to pinpoint exactly where he wanted to attack. From behind would be no good, he was too fast. The front was more vulnerable anyway, right? So he made a quick charge his eyes locked on the tail as the first thing to hold onto. This time he really threw himself against the elder, hoping that his weight impacting his hip would be enough to throw him off balance.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Frowning a him when he noticed the change in Dakari, Katsu felt some tension gather in his body once more. The cub was trying a different approach, that he could see very clearly...but it was confusing. Dakari, since he had met him yesterday, always seemed to try and make himself appear larger than life. He didn't act in the least like an Omega should. He postured much and he carried his head higher than even a Prince should. It was a side of the cub that Katsu had gradually begun to get used to. However, the change in Dakari now was somewhat unsettling. Katsu didn't know what to make of it.

 

Dakari appeared to be trying to make himself seem small, perhaps almost nonthreatening. And yet the giggles and whines spilling out of him told a different story. Taking a small step back in an almost unconscious manner, Katsu narrowed those eyes on the younger male and sniffed the breeze lightly. Almost as the air could give him any traces of what idea Dakari had begun to scheme in his mind. Katsu didn't trust the look on the cub's face, his instincts were starting to awaken in a sharper manner now. Something was off about this new approach....but he couldn't place his finger on what.

 

Not having had the time to brace himself properly when the cub charged at him this time, Katsu exhaled a startled growl as he stumbled back a few steps at the weight of the cub crashing into him. While he was still taller and bigger than the cub, Dakari was heavy despite his size and Katsu had not been expecting the cub to ram his weight the way he had done so. It wasn't a surprise that without the use of his tail, the snow leopard found himself toppling over onto his back, this time a frustrated yet quiet snarl leaving his lips as the wind crashed put of him.

 

"Little brat..." the feline couldn't help but mumble the moment he managed to get a successful breath in even as he began to sit up and considered throwing Dakari off of himself. "Not bad...that was actually rather smart" he grumbled quietly, posture rather a touch more weary than before.

[LoneDigger]

Maybe even Dakari himself was a bit startled when he actually managed to overthrow the elder. Even as cocky as the cub was, after Katsu's lecture despite having a bad attitude he had deep down taken the other's words to heart and considered that his plan could indeed fail him, but not this time~

He was so thrilled by his own new sense of strength that he perhaps got a bit carried away. He didn't consciously wish to hurt the snow leopard, but the hyena in him wanted to humiliate the other, just a little.

 

So when Katsu attempted to sit back up although calmly the cub was still high from his sense of victory and he harshly pressed his weight against the leaner feline and he was not playing fair, his hands held down the Sentinel's wrist and his teeth gently yet sharply rested above the elder's neck while his knee rested in a place that was a bit too close to a certain area for comfort, yet his only intentions were so that the other couldn't just simply throw him over without hurting himself in the process.

 

Instead of being able to respond with words despite being human Dakari was acting more like a wild animal, even his warm eyes had a bit of feral expression to them as he gazed up at Katsu, letting out a wicked chuckle as his teeth brushed against the flesh, it was taking his last ounce of self control not to let them pierce into the other's neck... Had he really gone too far this time?