An End to the search, tag-Ryo Aruna

[Kha'Ri]

His paws fell heavy against the concrete as he walked slowly through the broken city. Dozens of smells tempted him away from the path he'd chosen, as was the usual way of things for Kha'Ri. He hadn't come to the East Residential without purpose. Rumors and smells had lead him here. East Residential had been claimed, and the word was it was home to a Klan, specifically Aruna. Kha'Ri had fought for the Aruna Klan more than others, they didn't necessarily offer him more, but he was drawn to them, though he wasn't around when things fell apart. The War Hound's curiosity brought him to investigate, since both klans were broken, there was no doubt they'd be looking to recruit.

Kha'Ri took a moment to sniff at a white flower that had grown in the cracks of the concrete, he marveled at nature's resilience. Human's had paved what seemed like the whole world, but with their extinction, their cities were reconciled to the earth, it was a fitting end. He glanced up, catching a scent on the breeze, he was coming close to the end of this particular journey. This wolf knew the quickest way to get the attention of a wolf, especially when you're in their territory. Kha'Ri trotted towards the nearest wall and hiked his leg up, leaving his 'signature' on it. When he was finished he contented himself with laying on a flat piece of cement, what used to be sidewalk.

[Ryo Aruna]

The midnight-colored lupe moved effortlessly down the street, silver-blue eyes moving around the buildings and fallen rubble. Even if his klan was small, it still felt necessary to move throughout the area, patrolling it. At least it made it seem a little more like home.

A distinct scent came to him then, along with the scent of a wolf. He shook his head slightly, moving toward the source. "Who would be so stupid," he thought, going around the corner. It was then that he saw the other male, lying on the sidewalk remains.

He eyed him, giving the other time to see him as wel, then turned his nose to inspect the other's marking. He moved over, lifting his black-furred leg and covering the scent with his own. Looking back to the male, he immediately questioned him. "Who are you?" he asked. "And what business do you have here?"

[Kha'Ri]

Kha'Ri slowly rose to his feet. An inward smile ran through his mind as the other wolf covered his mark. He pushed his front legs forward, the rest of his body shifting back, his rearend in the air as he stretched. Rolling his head in circles, he stood to his full height. Ryo was younger and smaller, no doubt about that.

"You are Aruna?" The War Hound circled Ryo, inspecting him, "The heir to the proverbial throne." He recognized Ryo's scent, not that he ever knew him, but he recognized the smell nonetheless, he was the one Kha'Ri had came to see. "I am Kha'Ri The War Hound." He stood in front of Ryo and bowed his head. "I have come a fair distance to seek out the remenance of the Aruna Klan, and now I have found you."

[Ryo Aruna]

Ryo watched, his fur bristling slightly as the other began to circle him. He let out a slight, low growl when the other spoke. He was larger than Ryo, true, but that was not what put him on edge. It was the very nature about Kha’Ri. “My name is Ryo, but yes,” he said. “And heir no longer,” he let out a soft growl to the male. “My father is dead… I am Lord now.”

He backed to the side, putting an end to the circling, and looked over the male. “Why do you seek me out?” he demanded, though the harshness in his voice somewhat lessened. The wolf was true enough in blood, as far as Ryo could tell. But still, he wasn’t one to blindly trust a stranger that called himself ‘the War Hound’ and had been seeking him out.

[Kha'Ri]

A laugh left Kha'Ri's throat, as much of a laugh as an animal could give, "You have no reason to worry about my intentions." He resumed laying in the spot he had perviously been in. Taking a moment to consider Ryo and his position in the Klan, "My mistake. Lord of what, though?" The War Hound surveyed the area, "Maybe my senses are failing me. Lords have vassals, I see none. However, that will change."

The large wolf stood once again, "I offer the Aruna Klan the loyalty and service of The War Hound. Every Lord needs a right hand, an iron fist to control his domain, I am willing to serve as such, if you'll have me." He bowed to Ryo, his eyes averted to the ground, humbling himself before the Lord of the Aruna Klan.

[Ryo Aruna]

Ryo watched him for a moment, his bristled fur relaxing slightly. A slight snarl came to his mouth as the other laughed at him. 'Lord of what...' What right did this stranger have to judge him? Yet he was offering his services. In some way, Ryo almost felt guilty for it all. His father had always handled everything...

Now, without his Klan, the young master seemed little better than a common loner. "A right hand... perhaps," Ryo said, more relaxed now. "Time will tell your place."

He turned his head, looking back towards the manor. "There is no reason for me to be ruthless," he continued. "But respect is not earned through an easy heart and a kind hand... You may join me then, if you'd accompany me back." So what if it was a mistake? Ryo was all there was. One mistake, and their lineage would vanish forever, with only the Kato to remember them.

He let out a disgusted snort, thinking of the twisted stories they'd tell their pups of the 'evil, weak Aruna Klan'. Looking back to Kha'Ri, he turned slightly, motioning for the male to move along with him.

[Kha'Ri]

Kha'Ri smiled. He knew that Ryo was in no position to decline his offer, as he had said, a Lord has vassals, Ryo had none, until now. "No it isn't." He replied to Ryo's comment about respect, "There are many compassionate leaders who were well respected, but they also weren't afraid to strike with a fist of iron."

The War Hound followed his new Lord, a few paces behind him and to the left, "So, tell me Lord Aruna." His eyes took in the rubble that was the city, fallen buildings, cracked pavement, tilting streetlights rusted with age, "Are you content with this?"