Nomi's friendly growl earned a humored glance from Kyuu, the crooked tilt of her smile easing a bit as she watch the beast from the corner of her eyes. There was subtle tension hidden in the curl of her smile, a sense of regret surfacing in the resigned distance to dampen the twinkle in her eyes. At the same time, her shoulders eased, and the breath to escape her nostrils sound of nothing but relief as the Mist shinobi shower the fuzzy mountain of muscle with affection.[break][break]
Her eyes showed hopeful as she met Korogaru's gaze, the corners of her lips hinting a bit higher as she saw to reignite the usual light to brighten her stare. The warm smile she offered was one of encouragement, her basket shown forward in offer so her sister could hand off her lumpy fold of a blouse.[break][break]
❝ Floor's yours, Koro. ❞[break][break]
The chipper ring of her voice had reigned itself in a bit, and after holding her focus toward her sister a moment - her attention shift, a discreet means of stepping herself out of the conversation as her focus lift for the house.[break][break]
❝ I'm gonna see 'bout getting these to the old lady. ❞[break][break]
Hoisting the basket a little ways higher on her hip, her steps fell lazy and slow as she make her way for the door. Ginmaru, who seemed to have glared the whole exchange down, turned his face away and lift himself to his feet, padding gently after his partner.[break][break]
An aggressive fit of BARKS and SNARLS sound from the north. Having broken off from the team in the midst of their flight, Nikukyuu's loyal ninken had carved a path to poise himself between the edge of the front lines and Onomichi, to where the shinobi would be called to retreat. As the dog sound off, Kyuu continued in bounding forward, leaping from one branch to another as she lead Daichi and Ryuunosuke toward the battle ahead.[break][break]
AWOOOO!
[break]
The howl rang clear over the repetitive patter of raining arrows. To Korogaru, the call would be a familiar one. The commanding howl that echoed from Ginmaru's position was a summons, a battlecry to rally the group to his location. Despite the call, Nikukyuu was pressing forward, eyes toward the arrows soaring for the team they had been sent to inform. It took little more than a cursory glance to see that things were looking grim, and as she spy a genin dropped to rest dead against the open grass of the clearing, Nikukyuu's lips peel back with derision.[break][break]
❝ COVER OUR ALLIES! ❞
[break]
The words tore off from her tongue, hot with aggression as she threw herself down from the canopy. Her fingers flashed swift to join themselves together in a quick string of signs, and as her palm hit the earth the ground rumbled, numerous featureless, human-shaped statues shot up from the earth to serve as protective decoys within the wooded maze of the forest's growth.[break][break]
❝ RESCUE! Orders from the Hokage. Ginmaru'll show you to your new position! ❞ [break][break]
YIP!
[break]
The ninken's bark sound eagerly ahead of the group, the hound's restless paws tearing at the ground as he prance energetically in his place. The dog was eager to shoot off in lead toward Onomichi.
Earth Release [Apprentice] While her mastery of the element is still lacking, the shinobi shows promise, and has managed a few tricks utilizing the art. While earth techniques are most often valued for their defensive capabilities, Kyuu focuses instead on techniques geared toward mobility and spacing. She's capable of running along walls for short periods of time and travelling a limited distance by means of churning the earth or stone quickly beneath her feet, zipping herself - or sometimes nearby ally or opponent - in whichever direction she choses.
Earth Release [Journeyman] Earth techniques have become one of the kunoichi's specialties. Utilizing the element with a view to mobility and spacing, while capable of creating walls and pillars of hearty stone, most often she uses the art to zip things from one location to another by churning the earth beneath their weight, or abruptly morph the ground to swallow herself or attempt to entrap her opponent under the surface of the earth. While unable to breathe while underground, she can move swiftly through stone or soil to pop up in unexpected locations. Her consistent practice has broadened her range of control, extending her reach to contend with the span of a shuriken's flight.
Hooves thundering against the earth at a steady gallop, the impending arrival of the shinobi under Makoto's command was announced only moments before the shinobi and their commandeered horses burst into the tight-woven trees of the forest. Nikukyuu ride as an unseat passenger on the horse being driven by the Daichi, her ninken partner having leapt to claim passage atop the haunches of the steed in Ryuunosuke's care. With the woman's fingers anchored at the saddle, her body weighed to one side of the horse, a knee rest against its side as she kept her feet up from the ground, pupils narrowed to feral slits as her lips press to a bitter line. Ferocity roll off from her figure in waves, and the pale of her eyes showed narrow with focus.[break][break]
The sounds of nearby battle, the cry of a wounded soldier - while the battle raged on between the pillar-like trunks dotting the woodland, Kyuu's focus was toward Makoto's demands.[break][break]
❝ Good luck. ❞[break][break]
The words offered toward Makoto low and dark, voice tense as she held her gaze southward.[break][break]
❝ AME -- ❞[break][break]
She'd lost track of Sayuri in the skirmish, but with time against them and a direct command from their leading officer, there was no chance of doubling back. Her voice rang harsh with the bite of her demand.[break][break]
❝ We're going up. Send the horses into the fray to mow down the opposition. ❞[break][break]
It was all the instruction they were getting. Near as soon as the words were spoken, she and her hound were gone in a flash, both vaulting up for the boughs of the trees in order to make use of the camouflage of their foliage.
An ugly snort sound from the woman's nostrils, a crooked smirk hanging in a playful slant at her lips. If anyone was sending "back-up" it was likely her fellow chunin to flicker off only a moment ago, and the thought that the woman might think to send her sister to assist was her charitable act of laundry folding was honestly? Pretty funny.[break][break]
Kyuu's humor glistened in her eyes, a hand reaching blind for the garment to be lift toward her fingers by her canine companion.[break][break]
In a blink, it seemed Makoto was gone, though her sudden launch for the forbidden bear proved less than enough to startled the humored little sister. Kyuu simply watched on, gaze lingering toward her sister as the Mist kunoichi throw herself in the path of the humorless beast.[break][break]
❝ 'Course I do! Laundry's always been my hidden talent! ❞[break][break]
Because every mundane task just happened to be the woman's "hidden talent."[break][break]
The threat of a scrap between Nomi and Miyako seemed of little concern for the laid back Kumo shinobi. Rather than worry over potential damages, the silver-haired do-gooder turned her eyes for the freshly dried garment in her grasp, fingers working delicately to see it folded atop the pile. With the line nearly bare for their efforts, the savory scent of sweet dough and savory stewed pork drift from the humble of the elder's home, smoke wafting up from the building's chimney.[break][break]
If the pair wanted to start a scrap, Kyuu was keeping out of it, business well enough kept as she reached for the last of the sheets to flutter from the line. It was only her faithful hound, Ginmaru, that thought to keep an eye on things. Lips weighed in a grouchy frown, whiskered brows heavy over his eyes, the storm-pelted mutt held his gaze steeled toward Makoto and Nomi, jaw setting subtle with irritation.
Kyuu grinned crooked at the apology, a humored breath forced up from her chest at the mention of hunger. She was feeling it too, to be honest. The siren song of freshly cooked noodles and rich miso was a definite temptation, and after the lengthy trip there, there was no denying that her stomach was begging for the woman to slow down long enough to stuff her face and refuel. Even so, there was no way she could accept his invitation. Not when she'd given her words to the little ones![break][break]
❝ I'll tell you what, Netto. ❞[break][break]
The more comfortable she got, the further she seemed to deviate from his name. Kyuu roll her hip to rest her weight heavy on a lone heel, hand settled at its corner as the edges of her lips hint further upward. The lazy weigh of her lashes read smug.[break][break]
❝ The next time we cross paths at a ramen shop, I'll let you buy me dinner. ❞[break][break]
Her words flow in a friendly drawl from her lips, amusement glimmering in her eyes as her gaze crackled warm with humor. [break][break]
❝ Tonight though? I've got certain responsibilities, right? ❞[break][break]
A hand rest alongside her lips as she leaned in toward the man. She looked about to offer him a whisper, and though she spoke in a hush, her volume was far too loud to allow for any true measure of secret.[break][break]
❝ Kids to find? A promise to keep? ❞[break][break]
The Inuzuka was all too pleased with her own integrity, smile bright with pride as she withdraw. Another chuckle and her arm was reaching to loop itself casual at Sayuri's shoulders, seeking to give her arm a pat as she move to try and drag her in against her side. Friendly like![break][break]
❝ But maybe Gorgeous here would like a little dinner date! ❞[break][break]
Her grin showed innocent despite the mischief in her complimentary suggestion, a friendly smile offered toward Sayuri as she tilt her head toward the woman in consideration.
Soil turned underclaw, Nikukyuu and Ginmaru pressed further for speed, an irritable chuff rumbling under the dog's breath for the genin's pat to the bristling fur of his mane. With Daichi's cloud of smoke serving as brief cover, they pierced through its fog to burst from its disguise on the other side, though they could only manage so much distance between themselves and the riders closing in from behind. The hound's ears fold back with determination, lips peeled back from the daggers of his teeth as he raced after Makoto's path, Nikukyuu keeping in step with her partnered beast as their muscles strained in a bid to accelerate further. Jetting after the woman could pose a risk given the potential inexperience of the genin at their backs, but with the familiar groan of a taut bowstring sounding against the steady gallop of the riders being coaxed within striking range, there was hardly time to second guess.[break][break]
In the same blink, Nikukyuu and her canid partner swivel on the heel of their forepaws, swinging to loop back around in a swift motion to confront the horesmen rushing toward them. With any luck, the abrupt sweep of the woman's figure would see the arrow aimed toward Daichi biting the dirt rather than the young shinobi it had been intended for. Now facing their opponents, Ginmaru and Nikukyuu shot forward, ready to confront the samurai head on.[break][break]
❝ THINK FAST! ❞[break][break]
Daichi would have only a fraction of a second to get his bearings. The warning came near in the very instant he was thrown, the woman leaping herself into the air to whip her body sharp and grapple to Daichi's clothes with a clawed fist - seeking to pitch him into the rider drawn in at their flank.[break][break]
While Nikukyuu threw Daichi in hopes of toppling one samurai, Ginmaru put his efforts into felling the other.[break][break]
With a whistle of steel, the hound anchor his teeth around the grip of his tanto and drew it from his sheath. A feral leap shot the ninken up from the ground, blade leveled toward the throat of the rider being herded nearer to him. Should Ryuunosuke still be along for the ride, it might allow an adequate chance to try and steal the horse for himself.
Nothing. She went at it full force, the combined strength of her whole family, and all the monster could do was laugh. The thread of irritation that ran itself under her skin cinched itself to bind up her muscles, a nimble hop back greeted with a soft clap of dust from underfoot. The woman was haggard, breaths coming heavy from her continued exertion, and her ninken too looked winded from the prolonged fight. Both were ready to launch themselves right back into the fray, but as he spoke, Nikukyuu held her position, ears straining to cling greedily to his words.[break][break]
It was the last drop of intel they'd been sent to find.[break][break]
Slowly, the shinobi, crouched on all fours, rose to stand upright on her feet. Her eyes held sharp, nails tapered to claws as she maintain her hijutsu. The silver of her hair shade her eyes with its rumpled appearance, and with the battle called to a close, she turned her eyes for the corpse of their genin left to stain their battleground.[break][break]
Already, it seemed, her brother was on his way to recover the body. It helped her to relax, weight shifting as her shoulders dropped. She met her Kegawa's eyes with ease as he cast his focus back toward her, head lifting faintly to assure him of her attention.[break][break]
❝ You've got it. ❞[break][break]
The gravel of her assurance held some softness for her sympathy, a hand lift to drag her wrist across a cut left to bleed at her cheek. Hound sheathing his blade to the scabbard fastened at his shoulder, he moved with slow, steady steps to circle himself around to his partner's side, a brief glance thrown toward Korogaru in quiet consideration.[break][break]
❝ Gawa's right, yanno. ❞[break][break]
That the woman still hadn't come down from her battle high was clear. Though the slits of her pupils round out, the blades of her claws ebbing to the blunt rounds of her nails, her stare showed distant and intensely focused, no hint of cheer in the growl of her voice.[break][break]
❝ Not good to dawdle. ❞[break][break]
With her face turned toward the east, Nikukyuu start forward, easy steps followed by the light padding of her four-legged companion.[break][break]
❝ Good fight, out there. I'll see you guys at home. ❞[break][break]
In the blink of an eye, she and her hound had flickered from sight, on their way back to Kumogakure.
She had to laugh at the compliment. The genin was proving himself to be an awfully good sport, and the fact that he wasn't beat up over his loss just brightened the woman's cheer further.[break][break]
❝ Hopefully! Put the two of us on a team?! ❞[break][break]
Teeth bare in a wide, ivory grin, the woman lift her hand to jab a thumb toward herself, fist rocking itself forward to flick out a digit in a pistoled gesture toward Daichi.[break][break]
❝ I betcha we could shake the heavens themselves! ❞[break][break]
Her confidence was near blinding with how bright she grinned, though the innocence of her childish beaming was soon lost as its corners twist into a scheming curl. With a narrow of her eyes, she set her gaze toward one of the figures trying to blend into a nearby corner, the stranger doing his best to lay low. The press of her lips saw her blunt teeth tucked away, body lift us smoothly from its place crate, her taunting gaze narrowed to a glare before drifting back to center toward Daichi.[break][break]
❝ Honor doing battle, Daichi. ❞[break][break]
The woman dipped herself forward in a bow, a mischievous gleam glinting in her eyes as she rose back to her full height.[break][break]
❝ Try and keep that handsome little head on your shoulders. I got business. ❞[break][break]
On cue, the bristle-furred mass of canid muscle Ginmaru stalked his way to emerge from the crowd. The hound kept silent as he moved at his partner's flank, ears set forward toward his target as Kyuu stepped to lead the way.[break][break]
❝ Ya know... I think YOU owe me some MONEY! ❞[break][break]
Friendly as her voice rang, there was a threat in the stiff nature of her grin. The contest was over, and it was time to collect her winnings.
Nikukyuu land with a clap of dust, lips drawn thin and taut in a vicious snarl as she twist nimbly on her palm to face her opponent. Both she and her ninken had managed to escape from their attack unharmed, but as the pair lift their eyes to lock toward their opponent, it seemed their target, too, had means to slip away unscathed. The beast's true form had emerged from its crumbling shell, and as it trot merrily in invitation, Nikukyuu's muscles coil with intent.[break][break]
She was nearly set to launch when another rumble shook the earth under her fingers' touch. Suddenly, shards of rock were sent flying in every direction, fueled by a burst of chakra to see them cutting through the air. Despite the assault, it seemed the woman was still intent on charging in.[break][break]
❝ What do you say we make this c̶͔̭̈́͝o̶̯̞̊̎u̴͚̬̕n̷̘͎̂t̵͕̿? ❞[break][break]
Fingers dipped into the fabric of her sleeve, she drew an array of shuriken into her fingers, throwing their iron sharply to carve through the shards of earth flying her way. Ginmaru, of a similar mindset, duck his head as he launched himself forward, the tanto caught between the dog's fangs guide to cut through the incoming stone as he quickened his pace to loop around to his partner's side. With he pair reunited, bodies littered with cuts for what stones they hadn't managed to intercept, they shot forward at a blinding speed, a subtle nod grant toward Korogaru for her silent glance. The two were of the same mind on how to handle the matter.[break][break]
Weaving in alongside Kegawa, the woman and her hound matched their pace with the man's with ease, finding a natural rhythm as they carve a straight line for the rhinoceros prancing proudly ahead. With their speed building, the wind shift, and soon they were lost in a rotating gale of fang and claw.[break][break]
❝ HEAVEN PACK FANG! ❞
[break]
With Kegawa and Kakimaru working with Ginmaru and herself, Nikukyuu and the pack of Inuzuka work as a single unit to leap up from the ground, the cutting vortex of their attack aimed for the rhinoceros' gut.
The woman's aura was severe. Oppressive. Brows bent sharp over her eyes, lips pressed firm, though her posture remained at ease rather than see her shoulders square and rigid, self-control seemed to be the only thing keeping the simmer of her blood from bursting out in a fit of rage. The focus that sharpened her glare was mirrored by the large hound that trot beside her, the beast's head low as his ears perk forward to detect any unusual movement in the forests to surround them.[break][break]
It seemed the Inuzuka's air of cheerful mischief had been stolen away, and in its place, the murderous intent of an animal just itching for a fight.[break][break]
She'd been decidedly quiet during their trip, offering neither praise no irritation for the Mist shinobi assigned as her commander. Aside from a brief smirk to the familiar Daichi and an approving nod to the decision to maintain cover in the thick shadow provided by the wood, it seemed she had no opinion at all on the hand gradually being dealt to their team. Things seemed calm enough - until the sound of hoofbeats against the soil brought the silver fur of the ninken Ginmaru to bristle, lips peeling back from his fangs in an unsound threat.[break][break]
"Close formation!"[break][break]
Nikukyuu dropped herself low at the order, One hand pressed to the soil as its opposite rose to line its fingers in an even point toward the dense leaves of the canopy overhead, focus bidding her chakra to rush through her body with purpose. The round shadows of her pupils narrowed themselves sharp, lips drawn back from her teeth in a snarl as their blunt, ivory points extend to dangerous fangs. With her nails grown to the tapered points of a beast's claws, she activated her four legs technique. With the help of her newfound agility, she bolt in a sudden burst of speed to leap herself to the center of the group, her hound following suit in perfect tandem to close ranks.[break][break]
"I'll make a path! Don't stop for anythin'!"[break][break]
It was Ginmaru to sound off their agreement, Nikukyuu keeping silent as her companion sound out with an affirming BARK to match the Mist's volume.[break][break]
In the instant Makoto shot forward, Ginmaru and Nikukyuu tore wild at the earth, blistering forward to keep pace. In the midst of their feral rush, the pair's eyes turned - stares locking distinct toward the eyes of Daichi and Ryuunosuke. Their steps bowed them around to pass swift at the genins' sides, offering only a split second to grab hold and be whisked along at their breakneck speed. With Ginmaru drawn in beside Ryuunosuke, and Nikukyuu at a four-legged sprint just beside Daichi, they were set to take full advantage of what opening their leader had cleaved with her assault.
Had he run out of words? Kyuu had expected at least a little bit of smack talk. Encouragement? Maybe some preparatory gloating. The genin had gone silent, and it only excite the chunin further. She was ready for tricks, chakra molding, any borderline cheating the stranger might throw at her to secure a victory. But nothing came. Daichi pinch shut his eyes, set his jaw, and pushed with all his might.[break][break]
And Kyuu pushed back.[break][break]
A low, challenging growl graveled out from her chest as she met the weight of his force with equal pressure, claws forcing themselves sharp into the meat of his hand to root her grip. The rumble of her growl was joined by another as the hound standing guard at the doorway fed off of her aggression, lips twitching before peeling themselves from his fangs as the silvery fur of his neck bristled to stand on end. His ears pressed back as his eyes narrowed, glare piercing through the crowd to lock distinctly toward the genin to challenge his partner. Kyuu's smile was gone, and in the five seconds she'd granted him to show his ability, her own lips showed to twist to a wolfish snarl, fangs part subtle in thirst.[break][break]
His time was up.[break][break]
❝ GrrrrAH! ❞
[break]
With a roar, the woman lunged herself in over the crate, a foot bracing itself to the ground as she threw the full of her might behind a single, heavy push of her hand. Claws buried to rest against his bones, muscles tense and chakra raging through her system, the madness of her slitted stare redirect to hone in toward his hand as she move to forcefully SLAM it to meet with the table. It would land with a resounding thud, and she'd grind it down against the grain of the timber below, punishing the genin for his loss.[break][break]
The room erupt in whistles and cheers, a round of laughter echoing over the gathering as the victors take measure of their earnings for the night. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful, and while the majority of the shinobi showed gazes bright with humor, there were of course those sulking over having their hands crushed only a few turns prior.[break][break]
"Did that kid really think he could win?" "She had bloodline on her side." "They get younger and younger, don't they?" "Great match!" "Is it just me or was his confidence really adorable?"[break][break]
There was commentary on all sides regarding the outcome of the match, and with the victory decided, Nikukyuu was slowly cooling down - the narrow of her pupils evening out to more welcoming spheres as her fangs ebbed into blunt teeth. She was ignoring it all, and as her eyes rest soft toward Daichi, she offered him a crooked smile, assuring.[break][break]
❝ You really dug in your heels, ❞ she commend him warmly, a hint of a chirp to her gentle tone.[break][break]
❝ You were copying Hikari's technique, right? ❞[break][break]
Her gaze flicked up and down his figure as she loosed the grip of her hand, the points of her claws having dulled away as she withdraw her touch - though not without a pat to his arm.[break][break]
❝ Pretty damn cool, Daichi. It's the ones that learn that survive, right? Looking forward to fighting side by side with a guy like you. ❞[break][break]
The woman's lashes fluttered in a quick wink toward the younger ninja, a confident twist rendering her smile to a proud smirk.
[attr="class","encounteredkyuu"]
Daichi Konishi / winner agreed ahead of time. thanks for the fun!
The smoke churned and shift, pouring from around the rhinoceros' horn as it carved through the blind to stamp its feet into the clear of the open air.[break][break]
The thin pupils of the woman's stare constrict further, jaws part feral and eager, and in the very breath that the beast was in her line of sight, she was launching for it - and her ninken with her. Earth carved under claw and finger, the woman shot herself off at full speed - the hound positioned across from her bolting to offer his assistance in a joint attack.[break][break]
❝ You are NOT leaving us out of this! ❞
[break]
Lips curled in a snarl, eyes wild and silvery mane lashed by the gale of her blistering pace, the chunin's call sound out in a vicious roar of her own, stare made with bloodthirst. She and her hound were coming in hot to converge on the beast, their advance staggered in only the mildest sense as they wove their trajectory to avoid any surprise pillars that might rise to greet them.[break][break]
It was just before they'd be near enough to land their blows that the pair shift. In the midst of her sprint, Nikukyuu curl her fingers - a pair of digits lift heavensward as her gaze held steeled toward those of the monster so near to her reach. Her chakra rushed through her form to coalesce at her fingertips, and as her claws met the earth once more - the ground beneath the rhinoceros would set to turn. Her goal was use her chakra to twist the earth supporting the monster's weight, and in the process, force it to face a direction more accommodating for her attack.[break][break]
The smack of her palm to the earth resound softly, its clap seeing a circle of dust to disperse from its force. She was launching herself into the air, twisting as swift and sharp as a snake to try and weave her leap between the rhinoceros' horn and the sensitive meat of its eyes. Hound turned his head subtle for the handle of the tanto sheathed at his shoulder, and as his fangs root firm to its grip, and as Kyuu struck out her claws and carve out one of the monster's eyes, the grey-furred Ginmaru drew his blade to slice its way through the rhinoceros' throat as he dart across, leaping to prevent getting his paws trapped under its heel.[break][break]
With the twist of soil below, the angle of his sweep would hopefully be enough to avoid getting caught underfoot.[break][break]
❝ FALL! ❞
[break]
The crowing Stone and synchronized flock of Rain shinobi hadn't earned so much as a shred of the woman's attention. Her eyes were toward her the beast before her, claws hungry for its blood.
There was no shaming Nikukyuu for her efforts, smile bold and bright across her expression as she puffed up her chest in a show of self-confidence. Was it over the top? Yes. Was it silly? You bet. But there were kids watching, and she was inclined to put on the whole song and dance for the little rugrats. At the sound of another voice, her gaze shift, and for the words offered, she only seemed to brighten further.[break][break]
❝ RIGHT?! ❞[break][break]
Cheery grin worked bright across her lips, Sayuri's introduction was welcomed with bubbly enthusiasm. The frosty hue of her stare shone distinctly warm as it dart curious over the little lady, a curious tilt of her head seeing the wild white locks of her fluffy hair tumbling down over one of her shoulders. She made no effort to hide her eager acceptance of a fresh face to the conversation, a humored, if threatening cackle rolling fiendishly from her lips at the stranger's praise of the local sprouts.[break][break]
❝ Always enjoy a challenge. ❞[break][break]
Her eyes narrowed at the claim, a spark of challenge flickering brief in her eyes before her gaze was quickly overwhelmed with her blindingly sunny optimism.[break][break]
There was a jovial ring to her playful boasting, the upward tilt of her chin suggestion some mock pride in her self-imposed title. Where Chinetsu refrained from meeting the woman's hand with his own, the Inuzuka was quick to jump at the chance to join in the shake. Her palm came sweeping in to meet Sayuri's own with a hearty ' SLAP! ', fingers seeking to lock themselves about her grip for a firm-gripped shake. 'Course, she took care not to crumple her bones in the process.[break][break]
❝ Whole-heartedly agreed, Little Lady~ ❞[break][break]
The cooed chirped from her lips with a flutter of her lashes, the woman fully on board at the prospect of learning more about her future teammates. The corner of her toothy grin edged toward a confident smirk, though it was soon to break with how Chinetsu approached the topic so seriously.[break][break]
❝ Man! Right to business, huh?! Ain't there gonna be plenty of time for that, later? ❞[break][break]
Silver brows furrowing over her eyes, her lips held themselves at a humored curl, hand lifting to bury its fingers in her mane and ruffle harshly at her scalp.
