One Sixth of the Zodiac [Closed]
May 6, 2016 16:33:40 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2016 16:33:40 GMT -7
▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼
The resounding thud of something heavy striking the trunk of an ancient tree rang out in the forests of Kaminari no Kuni. That something heavy was actually just Katsu's empowered fist, pure concussive force channeled through his body to put a gaping dent into the side of the old Oak tree he had struck. His face was contorted into an ugly mask of rage, and he growled under his breath, cursing the Kumogakure Council. Seemingly taking offense at the tree for not breaking under the impact of his initial punch Katsu snarled in frustration and anger, slamming his fist into the tree a second time, and then a third, and more! The sound of a thunderclap accompanied every rage fueled blow, Katsu howling in rage as his fists tore into the aged oak tree, shattering the mossy wood bit by bit, the crater sinking deeper and deeper into its surface.
Groaning from the shock the old Oak swayed against the onslaught, the deep sound of its core snapping echoing through the area before it leaned to one side, roots tearing free of the ground as it began to slow descent towards the ground. It soon crashed against the nearby trees, all of which were too small to completely stop its momentum, and two more youngling trees were crushed to the ground beneath the ancient Oak. Katsu stood at the base of the down goliath, breathing heavily as he tried to get his unending rage under control. Resting his head against the base of the demolished tree Katsu slowly managed to even out his breathing, the release of anger channeled into destruction had let him get a grip on himself, and eventually he was completely under control once more.
Katsu hated himself for these outbreaks of his. Ever since he had become this half-Dragon monstrosity that he was Katsu had more and more trouble both with nightmares and his temper. He'd had to move from out from his parents home just because he couldn't bear to see the pity in the eyes of his parents, the concealed disgust in the eyes of his elder sister, and every night he woke up screaming in terror and despair as his nightmares tormented his mind. As if that wasn't enough his body created far more testosterone than it was supposed to, and his temper was held in only by Katsu's willpower. Normally he could keep it locked down, but in situations of high stress he couldn't help but want to crush the life out of something. This whole situation with the Council was driving Katsu to new heights of anger, their rampant disregard for the laws of the land and the abuse they heaped upon its people by wearing down the resources of Kumogakure made Katsu want to rip their hearts out while they were still beating! Those thoughts also filled Katsu with shame and anger at himself, his self-loathing steadily compounding. It was no wonder that Katsu was always so wound up lately, breaking people's tables and knocking over trees.
Sighing from the deepest part of his soul Katsu was about ready to just sit down and try to meditate, when the sound of something approaching through the forest reached his ears. One of the good things about Katsu's new form was his enhanced senses, and with training he had learned to pick up details the average human had no chance of detecting at all. So while the man who had been approaching him almost silently with a crossbow drawn and ready could have been said to be a master of stalking, Katsu was aware of him. If only just in time to let the crossbow bolt slip past him, thudding into the downed Oak's bark rather than his heart. He heard the huntsman curse under his breath and start to load another bolt, but Katsu was far faster than him, and in a moment had arrived directly in front of the man, bearing down on him.
Growling in annoyance at the man's audacity to attack him Katsu reached down and snatched the crossbow out of his hand, his face lowering to be just an inch from the other man's, ”I don't suggest trying that again.”
To the man's credit he didn't scream or shout or wet himself, only giving an incredulous, ”Holy Shit it talks!” before taking several steps backwards, his hand on a belt knife, ready to draw it if Katsu chased after.
Katsu however just rolled his eyes at the man, tossing him back his crossbow after ensuring the trigger mechanism was loosed so it couldn't accidentally shoot someone. Addressing the man Katsu folded his arms over his broad chest, “Why'd you shoot at me in the first place? You reek of animal blood and furs, you a poacher or something?”
The man grabbed his crossbow as it flew at him and his eyes filled with fury at the mention of poachers, “Absolutely NOT! I'm the leader of a registered band of hunters sanctioned by the Daimyo....and I shot at YOU because you crushed a tree down and look like a...a..”
“A big scary lizard thing, yeah I get that sometimes.” Katsu growled, unfolding his arms and sticking them in his pants pockets instead, walking over to the man casually. “You got any animals in stock? Anything especially tasty or rare perhaps?”
The look of fury died away as the man realized he might have an actual customer on his hands, and he put the crossbow on his shoulder as he looked Katsu over, trying to decide if something that looked like him would have money or not. Eventually deciding he would, the man motioned for Katsu to follow and headed off. It'd be perhaps a half hour trek through the woods before they'd reach a large camp filled with cages of all sizes, some of them incredibly large. Being taken around the various cages Katsu saw a couple creatures that might be of interest to him. He sort of liked this place. It was obvious these hunters were a legal operation, the way they treated the animals was with a certain sort of respect you normally didn't get from a hunter. The cages were clean and had comfortable mats placed down, clean water was given to them, they were taken out to be exercised daily, and Katsu even spotted a veterinarian working his trade amongst the cages and stalls, ensuring that each creature was healthy and fit to be sold.
Yet despite the enjoyable atmosphere in the area there was one creature that drew Katsu's attention. An absolutely massive Tiger laid out in the open near the center of the camp, a beautiful white coat with black stripes covering their body. Katsu stopped and stared, admiring the sleek yet muscular form of the tiger as they just seemed to calmly observe everyone in the camp going about their business, just swishing their tail in amusement. ”Wow...she's a beauty. What's the price for the Tigress?” Katsu said askance to the hunter that had led him here.
However the man shook his head, ”She's not for sale....because we don't own her. She just walked into camp one day, sat down next to the fire, and just...watched. Been here ever since. She goes off from time to time, probably to hunt since she never attacks anything in the camp, but she comes back every time...” The hunter seemed nonplussed about the entire situation. After all the Tigress, while apparently docile, was a massive example of her species, standing over seven foot and easily reaching twenty feet in length excluding her tail.
Katsu couldn't help himself, and he found himself sitting in front of the Tiger as she sat near the campfire, staring at her big blue eyes, intelligence shining within those orbs. The Tiger stared back at him, curiosity welling up at his rather unique appearance. They were two predators, powerful and majestic in their own manner, and Katsu felt a kinship with this beast that he hadn't felt since he had been with Seishin the Owl. Moving slowly he took out his Shinobi headband, tying it around his forehead. He watched closely, seeing if there was any reaction from the Tigress, and to his pleasant surprise he detected recognition in the creature's eyes, the curiosity growing stronger.
“You know what this means, don't you? ...You're much more intelligent than a normal Tiger. You're curious of humans though...let me make you an offer... follow me, and I can guarantee safety while within my village...” Katsu sat back on his heels, waiting to see if he got a favorable reaction from the Tiger.
The Tiger seemed to enjoy that concept, because her tail began to sweep side to side more rapidly, and the distinct sound of purring could be heard quite clearly. A moment later and the Tigress stood up, looking to Katsu, her eyes practically shining with excitement. Grinning in response Katsu also stood, and began to walk out of the camp. The Tiger following along at a sedate pace...
Groaning from the shock the old Oak swayed against the onslaught, the deep sound of its core snapping echoing through the area before it leaned to one side, roots tearing free of the ground as it began to slow descent towards the ground. It soon crashed against the nearby trees, all of which were too small to completely stop its momentum, and two more youngling trees were crushed to the ground beneath the ancient Oak. Katsu stood at the base of the down goliath, breathing heavily as he tried to get his unending rage under control. Resting his head against the base of the demolished tree Katsu slowly managed to even out his breathing, the release of anger channeled into destruction had let him get a grip on himself, and eventually he was completely under control once more.
Katsu hated himself for these outbreaks of his. Ever since he had become this half-Dragon monstrosity that he was Katsu had more and more trouble both with nightmares and his temper. He'd had to move from out from his parents home just because he couldn't bear to see the pity in the eyes of his parents, the concealed disgust in the eyes of his elder sister, and every night he woke up screaming in terror and despair as his nightmares tormented his mind. As if that wasn't enough his body created far more testosterone than it was supposed to, and his temper was held in only by Katsu's willpower. Normally he could keep it locked down, but in situations of high stress he couldn't help but want to crush the life out of something. This whole situation with the Council was driving Katsu to new heights of anger, their rampant disregard for the laws of the land and the abuse they heaped upon its people by wearing down the resources of Kumogakure made Katsu want to rip their hearts out while they were still beating! Those thoughts also filled Katsu with shame and anger at himself, his self-loathing steadily compounding. It was no wonder that Katsu was always so wound up lately, breaking people's tables and knocking over trees.
Sighing from the deepest part of his soul Katsu was about ready to just sit down and try to meditate, when the sound of something approaching through the forest reached his ears. One of the good things about Katsu's new form was his enhanced senses, and with training he had learned to pick up details the average human had no chance of detecting at all. So while the man who had been approaching him almost silently with a crossbow drawn and ready could have been said to be a master of stalking, Katsu was aware of him. If only just in time to let the crossbow bolt slip past him, thudding into the downed Oak's bark rather than his heart. He heard the huntsman curse under his breath and start to load another bolt, but Katsu was far faster than him, and in a moment had arrived directly in front of the man, bearing down on him.
Growling in annoyance at the man's audacity to attack him Katsu reached down and snatched the crossbow out of his hand, his face lowering to be just an inch from the other man's, ”I don't suggest trying that again.”
To the man's credit he didn't scream or shout or wet himself, only giving an incredulous, ”Holy Shit it talks!” before taking several steps backwards, his hand on a belt knife, ready to draw it if Katsu chased after.
Katsu however just rolled his eyes at the man, tossing him back his crossbow after ensuring the trigger mechanism was loosed so it couldn't accidentally shoot someone. Addressing the man Katsu folded his arms over his broad chest, “Why'd you shoot at me in the first place? You reek of animal blood and furs, you a poacher or something?”
The man grabbed his crossbow as it flew at him and his eyes filled with fury at the mention of poachers, “Absolutely NOT! I'm the leader of a registered band of hunters sanctioned by the Daimyo....and I shot at YOU because you crushed a tree down and look like a...a..”
“A big scary lizard thing, yeah I get that sometimes.” Katsu growled, unfolding his arms and sticking them in his pants pockets instead, walking over to the man casually. “You got any animals in stock? Anything especially tasty or rare perhaps?”
The look of fury died away as the man realized he might have an actual customer on his hands, and he put the crossbow on his shoulder as he looked Katsu over, trying to decide if something that looked like him would have money or not. Eventually deciding he would, the man motioned for Katsu to follow and headed off. It'd be perhaps a half hour trek through the woods before they'd reach a large camp filled with cages of all sizes, some of them incredibly large. Being taken around the various cages Katsu saw a couple creatures that might be of interest to him. He sort of liked this place. It was obvious these hunters were a legal operation, the way they treated the animals was with a certain sort of respect you normally didn't get from a hunter. The cages were clean and had comfortable mats placed down, clean water was given to them, they were taken out to be exercised daily, and Katsu even spotted a veterinarian working his trade amongst the cages and stalls, ensuring that each creature was healthy and fit to be sold.
Yet despite the enjoyable atmosphere in the area there was one creature that drew Katsu's attention. An absolutely massive Tiger laid out in the open near the center of the camp, a beautiful white coat with black stripes covering their body. Katsu stopped and stared, admiring the sleek yet muscular form of the tiger as they just seemed to calmly observe everyone in the camp going about their business, just swishing their tail in amusement. ”Wow...she's a beauty. What's the price for the Tigress?” Katsu said askance to the hunter that had led him here.
However the man shook his head, ”She's not for sale....because we don't own her. She just walked into camp one day, sat down next to the fire, and just...watched. Been here ever since. She goes off from time to time, probably to hunt since she never attacks anything in the camp, but she comes back every time...” The hunter seemed nonplussed about the entire situation. After all the Tigress, while apparently docile, was a massive example of her species, standing over seven foot and easily reaching twenty feet in length excluding her tail.
Katsu couldn't help himself, and he found himself sitting in front of the Tiger as she sat near the campfire, staring at her big blue eyes, intelligence shining within those orbs. The Tiger stared back at him, curiosity welling up at his rather unique appearance. They were two predators, powerful and majestic in their own manner, and Katsu felt a kinship with this beast that he hadn't felt since he had been with Seishin the Owl. Moving slowly he took out his Shinobi headband, tying it around his forehead. He watched closely, seeing if there was any reaction from the Tigress, and to his pleasant surprise he detected recognition in the creature's eyes, the curiosity growing stronger.
“You know what this means, don't you? ...You're much more intelligent than a normal Tiger. You're curious of humans though...let me make you an offer... follow me, and I can guarantee safety while within my village...” Katsu sat back on his heels, waiting to see if he got a favorable reaction from the Tiger.
The Tiger seemed to enjoy that concept, because her tail began to sweep side to side more rapidly, and the distinct sound of purring could be heard quite clearly. A moment later and the Tigress stood up, looking to Katsu, her eyes practically shining with excitement. Grinning in response Katsu also stood, and began to walk out of the camp. The Tiger following along at a sedate pace...