It had been a quiet and peaceful stay here in the Fujiwara Dynasty. A strange feeling to be had after running for so long. Gekirin had finally made a den within the inner most parts of the territory. The giant had been sleeping soundly for the first time in many moons, gently waking to the sound of a storm coming to an end. He hoped that it would be the last of this frigid weather, hoping to see the beauty of this place that Izumi had talked so much about.

Yellow eyes peered out from his den, noticing the fresh snow that now blanketed the world outside. Yet despite the cold and thick snow, he found it to be a good idea to get out and stretch his legs. Perhaps he would try to find some food for the pack in return for their hospitality. It's what mother would have wanted him to do any way. Thoughts of Toorima came back to him in little bits and pieces. She had been equally a thorn in his side, but also a happy memory. A thorn in the sense that her legacy would always shadow down on him, pushing him to thrive and live by her example.

But she was never a terrible mother, only distant and filled to the brim with her own troubles. He wondered if that was why she had a hard time keeping tabs on the kids she had before he was reunited with her. If that was the case, no wonder the others turned out the way they did. Still though, it was hard to get her attention and to prove to her that he had what it took to lead, to survive. Now he was here trying to move on without her and without his old pack.

A legacy now forgotten by all but him, fading to the winds as easy as he drew breath. Gekirin took to the outside, placing each large paw into the snow with a soft crunch. The air was cold and had a snap to it. It filled his lungs as he took in a deep breath, a yawn escaping his lips as he stretched then shook out his coat. The black behemoth then went about his day, ready to explore the surrounding areas and search for food for his temporary kingdom. Then again, maybe he would stay here after all.

---

Fresh snowfall: she was helpless to her lupine instincts, and so, zoomies were in order.

Choumi wasn't fond of winter, exactly. In her old life, the chill came with many an unpleasant memory, hardship clinging like the mud to her skin. But here, the winter had been easier. Easier than her captivity in this world, even, with her freedom by her side and a pack surrounding her. Choumi wasn't terribly sociable with the newcomers to the Dynasty; they were a rare enough occurrence and she didn't quite feel like imposing upon them with her language barrier.

But she wasn't quite paying attention today. Instead, the lithe huntress zipped through the thick, powdery layer of snow with bounding, energetic leaps that sent snow spraying around her. The chilly air heaved through her chest, refreshing instead of tiring. It was exhilarating, reflected in the she-wolf's tail waving high over her hips as she landed in snow up to her chest, only to stare at the wall of black fur just a few feet in front of her.

A questioning, confident yip escaped her jaws before she could think, snow dusting Choumi's rich mahogany coat at she stood tall and stared at the newcomer. He was a new face, but not a new scent - a guest, perhaps? She gave a stiff sway of her tail, not unfriendly but clearly intent upon getting answers from the man.

Being as big and burly as he was, it was taking some time for him to traverse the winter wonderland. The snow was thick and very fluffy, making him almost wish that he had stuck back in his den. But before he could make the decision to turn back, the sound of someone crashing through the nearby forest came washing over him and into his ears. At first it was hard to see her, but sure enough, a figure of mahogany came into view. She was leaping and running straight through the terrain, snow crashing everywhere she ran and frolicked.

It made even the most gruff of men crack a smile. Hey, he was a sucker for a good time. Sue him. Gekirin kept on walking in her direction, trying to pick up the pace until he was finally close enough to attempt a call. Though when he tried to open his maw, she beat him to the punch. You're pretty quick on your feet there. Nice moves. Please don't sound like an idiot. He gave an awkward smile, trying to make himself as approachable as he could.

---

You're pretty quick, the dark wolf offered. Choumi gave a prideful lift of her chin, wholeheartedly agreeing with his praise with a boisterous sway of her tail. The hulking man seemed a little awkward, perhaps a little nervous.

Choumi shook out her coat to shed her tension, a nonverbal invitation for the stranger to do the same. Then, she dipped into a playbow and bounced back up with a huff. If my moves are so nice, let's see yours!

She was a doll though rather odd in her ways. But hey, he would bite. She gave a smile and had a prideful glimmer in her eyes. So she was a playful thing, wasn't she? With a quick shake of her pelt, she gave him another look of mischief before bounding off again. Gekirin did the same, giving himself a chance to loosen up and relax a bit more. Then like a crack of a whip, he took off after her as fast as he could. It was probably funny as hell to see a huge wolf like him attempting to catch her. But attempt he surely did. The black beast swerved and ran past the thick trees, doing his best to keep up with the lightning fast woman. A bigger smile soon appeared on his lips, finding himself having more fun on this bright morning then he had anticipated. Guess it was a good idea to stick around here after all. Were all women on this island like this? Sign him the fuck up.

---

The man took up her offer, taking off like a shot to try to catch the athletic young Ite. She ran from the larger wolf in as much of a flat-out gallop as she could in the deep snow, trees and dormant wisteria zipping past her vision.

She might've looked like a doe, zig-zagging through the snow with the looming shadow on her heels. But Choumi was never prey.

She was always the hunter.

The Ite bounded a little further forward, before skidding to a halt and whirling on her pursuant. With a playful growl, she made to lunge toward the stranger.

How much fuel did this woman have? The chocolate streak shot through the snow like a bat out of hell, only to surprise him by turning around and heading back straight for him. Gekirin did his best to bring himself to a sudden stop, digging in his feet and skidding across the slippery wet forest floor. Eyes grew wide with worry as she came right after him, hitting him like a blazing bullet as he came crashing to the ground. It felt as if the wind had quite literally been knocked out of him, his chest now hurting from her sudden collision. But he tried not to get defensive or take it personally. Only laying there stunned and baffled as she remained on her target. Gekirin continued to stay down, trying to catch his breath and wait for what ever she had in store for him next.

---

Snow flurried around the pair as Choumi made contact with her newfound friend. He went tumbling into the soft powder without much resistance, leaving Choumi to stand over him triumphantly. The returning sunshine warmed her back, citrine gaze glinting with expressive mirth as she looked down at the newcomer. Puffs of fog floated from her parted jaws as she panted.

He seemed a bit breathless, too. Choumi realized she might have offered a little too much enthusiasm, in her effort to pull the somewhat shy seeming man into her orbit and encourage him to seize the day. Oops.

She gave an apologetic whine, sinking onto her belly into the snow across from the dark wolf. She hadn't meant to startle him - playwrestling seemed to be off the table, but a good chase was a good start to making him feel welcome. The woman reached out, setting a light and placating paw on the man's shoulder. Her expression was still entertaining a wry smile and a joyful gleam in her eye, but accompanying it was a calmer demeanor.

Both went tumbling into the snow with the chocolate woman now on top of him. She had a bright and cheerful smile on her face, a twinkle of mischief to them that was hard not to notice. He did his best to slow down his breathing, panting a little hard as she remained in her position. It didn't take long though for her to move, her body now in a play bow and still quite ready for some fun. She was a strange wolf, but one that clearly meant no harm. A yellow gaze watched as she placed a paw on his shoulder, bringing a softness out of him that wasn't aware still resided.

Gekirin felt himself smile back at her, tail now wagging a bit as she remained cheerful but with a more calm energy. It was a change of pace for him, his mind reeling from the interaction. The black beast got to his feet, offering a play bow back. A huge show of happiness that he wasn't used to offering, and one that might have been odd for his own family to see. But they were not here now, and the moment was his only for the taking. He gave her a toothy grin, then gave her a playful nip on the ear before bolting away. This time it was his turn to offer up the game.

---

The dark wolf smiled back at Choumi, and she positively beamed in response. Her mutism and her limitation to this form, locked away from familiar lands or her human shape, was a lonely affair. This brief moment of connection, of joy, was a much-needed reprieve from living across an invisible chasm from everyone.

The large wolf rolled to his paws, dipping into a playbow. Choumi held her own for a moment, before rising to her full height and lightly shaking her pelt. It meant she was distracted, enough for the shadow to reach close and brush his teeth against her ear in a playful nip. Choumi rumbled in her chest, all playful gruffness, before the man darted away from her.

From the chased to the hunter - a role reversal she took to with enthusiasm. The small sable woman leapt into action, her paws crunching against the snow as she sought to keep up with the dark shape that wove through the frosted wisteria branches.