Some prey were easier to track than others, especially if that prey had quite a mean streak.
Kuba Tano was a werebear, known by all accounts as a terror who lived a life in seclusion somewhere within the western territories of the Fire Nation. He was also a nomad. Thanks to a poor temper mixed with a “takes what he wants” personality, Kuba was an local scourge, known for invading secluded mountain homes in the winter, slaughtering the inhabitants, and taking their residences for his own. He would hunker down there, and usually left his victims in pits, unless their home lacked enough food stores. In the event he ran out of food, Kuba found the taste of human flesh tolerable if he tried eating them in his bear form. As a lazy and gluttonous one, Kuba generally remained cooped up in his victim’s homes until either he ran out of resources, or failed to keep villagers quiet using intimidation and more murder. He may flee, but he could not be forcibly removed.
As of late, Kuba must have come across a proverbial gold-mine. For months on end, there was a loose trail to follow on the path to the Werebear. A few shinobi from the Hidden Leaf have come this far, out to the Western mountains trying to pursue a bounty ticket that stood outstanding for two-years running. And all of those shinobi returned empty-handed, with the last one boasting that he found a boot Kuba ripped through while transforming. In the game of bounty-hunting, there was little difference between finding more evidence, and nothing at all if the target was still at large. But now, that loose trail finally became a firm lead; at least it did once Kaji made the journey west, in search of the infamous Kuba Tano.
The setting was a brisk morning, somewhere along a robust and expansive mountainside. The elevation was high with a steep drop, and an inspiring view that ran far along the lowlands to the east and north. A thick blanket of snow covered the ground for as far as the eye could see, and thin, gray trees reached into the sky. Many of them were lacking in much amber-hued foliage, or were entirely bare. There were sounds of singing birds, wrestling bucks, and more untamed wildlife. And then there was the rhythmic crunch of a tall mare’s hooves dashing through the snow. The beautiful beast was a chocolate sunan mare named Kukki, and her rider was mounted upon her saddle. Kaji was cozily dressed with his usual garb of a buttoned collared shirt in white, with earth-toned slacks and leather boots. However for this adventure, the winter weather required him to forgo his Anbu cloak for a heavy leather coat, gloves, and a long green scarf that waved with the wind. Prepared for the battle to come, Kaji had his favorite weapon: the saber Eelskin, holstered against his belt on the left side. The emerald in the blade’s pommel had a faint glow reflecting the ground’s bright snow. Kaji had come upon a patch where the snow was nearly melted and the grass was hearty and high, presenting an opportunity for Kukki to feed. Kaji climbed off of her saddle and gave her a soft pet before leaving the horse to eat and rest.
The lone adventurer strayed away from the horse, and followed the first visible indicators of the cabin he was searching for. His search brought him to these coordinates; a seemingly deserted family farm caked in snow. There was a rustic home at the center of the property, and Kaji made a cautious approach. Taught ropes ran along the ground, hidden by snow, but uncovered by Kaji as he noticed the a collection of cans hung to make chimes in the trees. It was made from thick maple logs, and a mortar base, and must have been a beautiful home before the Werebear came to visit.
Rather than the front door, Kaji made a stealthy approach around the side of the residence. He sought any available point of entry, and was weary of more traps and warning devices. There was a pit dug behind the house covered with a tarp, but the thick snow had already caused the trap to cave in. Chances are the pits were abundant around the property, and meant to ensnare more food in an instant storage. His prey was certain to prolong spoilage in a cool pit underground.
Kaji lurked on the back porch of the cabin now, and hid beneath an open window sill. The sound of consumption came from within, and Kaji raised his head enough to witness his target, Kuba Tano, tilting a can of peas into his mouth at the dining room table. He was still in his human form, and dressed in nothing but fur skivvies, a pair of thick hide boots, and a battered steel pauldron held onto him by a leather bandolier. He was a giant among men; so large that the dining chair was trembling beneath his weight, and the three other chairs were already smashed to pieces on the dining room floor. Contemplating his chances against the werebear in each form, Kaji knew the fight would be easier if he could strike before Kuba began his lycanthropic transformation. Similar to their Werewolf kin, Werebears are capable of maintaining three forms: their natural human form, mighty bear form, and a diverse hybrid form which bridged the latter.
Kuba Tano was a werebear, known by all accounts as a terror who lived a life in seclusion somewhere within the western territories of the Fire Nation. He was also a nomad. Thanks to a poor temper mixed with a “takes what he wants” personality, Kuba was an local scourge, known for invading secluded mountain homes in the winter, slaughtering the inhabitants, and taking their residences for his own. He would hunker down there, and usually left his victims in pits, unless their home lacked enough food stores. In the event he ran out of food, Kuba found the taste of human flesh tolerable if he tried eating them in his bear form. As a lazy and gluttonous one, Kuba generally remained cooped up in his victim’s homes until either he ran out of resources, or failed to keep villagers quiet using intimidation and more murder. He may flee, but he could not be forcibly removed.
As of late, Kuba must have come across a proverbial gold-mine. For months on end, there was a loose trail to follow on the path to the Werebear. A few shinobi from the Hidden Leaf have come this far, out to the Western mountains trying to pursue a bounty ticket that stood outstanding for two-years running. And all of those shinobi returned empty-handed, with the last one boasting that he found a boot Kuba ripped through while transforming. In the game of bounty-hunting, there was little difference between finding more evidence, and nothing at all if the target was still at large. But now, that loose trail finally became a firm lead; at least it did once Kaji made the journey west, in search of the infamous Kuba Tano.
The setting was a brisk morning, somewhere along a robust and expansive mountainside. The elevation was high with a steep drop, and an inspiring view that ran far along the lowlands to the east and north. A thick blanket of snow covered the ground for as far as the eye could see, and thin, gray trees reached into the sky. Many of them were lacking in much amber-hued foliage, or were entirely bare. There were sounds of singing birds, wrestling bucks, and more untamed wildlife. And then there was the rhythmic crunch of a tall mare’s hooves dashing through the snow. The beautiful beast was a chocolate sunan mare named Kukki, and her rider was mounted upon her saddle. Kaji was cozily dressed with his usual garb of a buttoned collared shirt in white, with earth-toned slacks and leather boots. However for this adventure, the winter weather required him to forgo his Anbu cloak for a heavy leather coat, gloves, and a long green scarf that waved with the wind. Prepared for the battle to come, Kaji had his favorite weapon: the saber Eelskin, holstered against his belt on the left side. The emerald in the blade’s pommel had a faint glow reflecting the ground’s bright snow. Kaji had come upon a patch where the snow was nearly melted and the grass was hearty and high, presenting an opportunity for Kukki to feed. Kaji climbed off of her saddle and gave her a soft pet before leaving the horse to eat and rest.
The lone adventurer strayed away from the horse, and followed the first visible indicators of the cabin he was searching for. His search brought him to these coordinates; a seemingly deserted family farm caked in snow. There was a rustic home at the center of the property, and Kaji made a cautious approach. Taught ropes ran along the ground, hidden by snow, but uncovered by Kaji as he noticed the a collection of cans hung to make chimes in the trees. It was made from thick maple logs, and a mortar base, and must have been a beautiful home before the Werebear came to visit.
Rather than the front door, Kaji made a stealthy approach around the side of the residence. He sought any available point of entry, and was weary of more traps and warning devices. There was a pit dug behind the house covered with a tarp, but the thick snow had already caused the trap to cave in. Chances are the pits were abundant around the property, and meant to ensnare more food in an instant storage. His prey was certain to prolong spoilage in a cool pit underground.
Kaji lurked on the back porch of the cabin now, and hid beneath an open window sill. The sound of consumption came from within, and Kaji raised his head enough to witness his target, Kuba Tano, tilting a can of peas into his mouth at the dining room table. He was still in his human form, and dressed in nothing but fur skivvies, a pair of thick hide boots, and a battered steel pauldron held onto him by a leather bandolier. He was a giant among men; so large that the dining chair was trembling beneath his weight, and the three other chairs were already smashed to pieces on the dining room floor. Contemplating his chances against the werebear in each form, Kaji knew the fight would be easier if he could strike before Kuba began his lycanthropic transformation. Similar to their Werewolf kin, Werebears are capable of maintaining three forms: their natural human form, mighty bear form, and a diverse hybrid form which bridged the latter.
WC: 914 / 3397
- Kaji has entered the thread.
- This story is already complete, but I will be posting it to the mission in weekly increments.