Stench of the Dead ((open))

[Nao]

Blood. It was faint but it was scented in every direction the further you walked into this strange land. It was all but alive and squirming.
It was old, dead, faint.. lost spirits who would never be able to find a way to redeem themselves. It was beyond hopeless for one to redeem themselves in the afterlife or even in a new life after being reborn. The same mistakes are made, the same punishment is recieved and the cycle will always continue.
"It stinks here... I'm surprised that the game is still lingering here like this.."
A strange looking canine spoke quietly to himself as he was walking carelessly through the forest, not caring whether he stepped on a dead, rotting caracass that stunk to high heaven. And everytime he stepped on one, the flies that were feeding off the dying maggots and body alike, buzzed up and flew into his nostrils, making him go into a sneezing fit.
Those things were always so annoying.
Relax... the sooner we pass through this region the quicker you will be able to swim the ocean and get back home.
"That is true... its' too hot here for comfort, I don't see why the dogs here don't overheat.. I hate it here.."
Those red eyes were scanning his surroundings as he stopped on top of a decaying carcass. He was hungry, but these bodies were much too old for him to get a real meal out of them. He preferred the blood to be still flowing, not clumped and jelly like.

Musou's ears perked foreward as he listened, above the buzzing of the flies was the sound of something else coming close. He jumped down from where he was and crouched in the tall undergrowth. Waiting, waiting... waiting. Mew just hated waiting for everything. His blue hackles rose up and he began to ready himself. Gathering his legs, he jumped up and out of his cover, unsure of what he would find, but there he was. In mid-possible-attack.

[Mugen]

The stench in this area's enough to make ghosts die again. It was looking more and more like a big mistake to ever want to cross this place. But she didn't really have a choice in the matter. Or at least that's the excuse she gave herself for going through this stinking graveyard. What is it exactly I'm hoping to find? The answer to that question probably. It was all that kept her going for this long. Mugen didn't mind stepping on any of the decaying bodies but tried to avoid the messier ones. Not because she was finicky about her cleanliness but she'd rather not get any illnesses from it, especially in a place like this. Get sick and these damn birds will start following in no time.

The damn scavenging bird brains were hunched in their trees, watching the female walk through their territory. It was as if they were waiting for her to show just one tiny sign of death. The ones that were braver refused to leave any of the good kills, even if a dog like her walked past them. It was an annoying thing. So many eyes watching her. It was getting on her last nerves.

The flap of wings and beak peeked out from her blind side. Suddenly she turned her head and snapped at it, the dumb creature managed to avoid her jaws, losing only a couple feathers. The snap of her jaws got the others to take flight. Great. Let the rest of the dead in this area know I'm here. The sooner she got out of this place the better. Paws dug into the ground and started running, her body veering towards groups of these birds. As much as she didn't want to risk getting severely sick she couldn't hide her hunger anymore. This place was larger then she anticipated.

Damn! These birds were either smart or just damn lucky to keep avoiding her jaws. Her fangs only grazed glossed feathers. But she was determined to keep giving chase until she got herself a small meal. Turning around she charged for another bird filled carcass but this time, jumped. In mid air she managed to clip one of the birds on the wings, ruining his flight for good. You're mine! The bird was still able to maintain flight but was clearly struggling to try to go higher, of which it will no longer be able to do with the damage to his wing. Mugen gave chase after the bird, completely focused on the black thing, until something caught her eye a little too late. Something big popped out of nowhere, causing her to instinctively jump to avoid it. Her jump, however, was too low or perhaps too late for she ended up just about nearly tripping over him. With her jaws wide open she landed on her side and rolled a few inches before regaining her footing. It wasn't a perfect landing but she achieved what she was after, the black bird lifeless in her hungry jaws.

Mugen stood on her feet, one good eye glaring at the the thing that nearly ruined her hunt and possibly more. It was another dog. Didn't expect to find another one in this dump. "Watch where the hell you're going" she rudely commented with a mouthful of bird. Whether or not it was an accident or not she was going to assume it was the acts of a clumsy dog. Who cared whether it was true or not? He didn't look intimidating at all. Turning around she started to walk off to find a quiet and private spot to eat.

[Nao]

Musou caught wind of the death bird and spat out the feathers as it tasted absolutely horrible. How could anyone possibly want to eat those things he did not know.
However, his thoughts immediately went to savagery as he heard this new female talk to him.
Letting out a snort like snarl, he brushed her off.
"Perhaps the she dog would prefer I just rip her throat yes?"
It would be quite amusing and filling to know the taste of blood again, but she did nothing wrong towards us.. leave her be..
"This she-dog is lucky... Her throat is yet to be ripped if she sneaks up again.."
When he had collided with her, he merely stumbled when he landed. Surprisingly he hadn't broken any bones considering he was getting on in his age.

Nothing was beginning to matter on how fresh these corpses were now. He remembered that scar on his face discontinued to have that pissed off look on his features. Last thing he wanted was to start bleeding all over the place. He looked at the female one last time and snorted again before continuing on his way. She was no use to him. Evidentally she only wanted to feed on these annoying death birds.
A bird drew close to him, he jumped into the air and snatched it from its path. He threw it on the ground and slammed his huge paw upon the creatures head, immediately making the avian go limp.
Nothing was more annoying than something getting in his vision. He looked to the north and began to head in that general direction. His stomach growled loudly at the scent of fresh blood, but he wasn't interested in bird meat now. Something else was lurking further up and he was going to catch it.

[Mugen]

Paws stopped in mid walk and head turned, good eye looking at the male. Her body tensed as if ready for him to attack. With her eye she dared him to try, she wasn't going to go down easy. I'd like to see you try and rip my throat you crazy head. When it seemed he wussed out of living up to his threat she huffed. There wasn't anything else to say or do except find that nice quiet spot to dine. Mugen went on her way again, trying to find just one spot without a rotting body near it. Just one small spot, maybe even by a tree. The sound of jaws snapping together made her head snap in the sounds direction. She managed to catch sight of the male landing with a kill. Unimpressed and uninterested she continued to a spot near a tree.

It was a dead and leafless tree but it would do for now. Dropping her kill down next to it she plopped herself down and was about to bite, when she noticed something. A small lump buried halfway in the dirt under the tree. Curious about it she stood back up to dig the surface of it up. Something small and furry was revealed, with tiny paws and tail. Ears and tail went down at the body she uncovered. Geeze...he's so...young. Indeed the small creature couldn't have been older then a couple months. Yet here he was, the pup's corpse lying here as if all he did was lay down for a nap under the tree and never woke up. Suddenly Mugen lost her appetite. She left her meal there, intent on finding one outside this graveyard.

A horrible thing to do. Taking the life of a pup that young. She shook her head in the hopes that she'll shake the memory as well. It wasn't going to go away that easy. It will stick with her until she finally set foot out of this place. Her pace quickened, stomach feeling both queasy and hungry at the same time, but mind set on her goal. But there was also something else here. She stopped to scan the area, ears perked, but couldn't pin point just where this other creature is. It wasn't the other male though he seemed to know where it was coming. Just was it you think you're after heh? Perhaps he knew where he was going. Or he could be just as lost in this place as I am. Of course she'd never admit to it that she was. That was a sign of weakness of which she wasn't. She'd rather wander around her until eventually escaping this place by accident, but something made her follow this other male. Though she followed at a great distance and at a slow and quiet pace, unsure of this male. Unsure of his intentions since he seemd a bit...strange earlier. Crazy heads. Always do crazy things when you least expect them. Can't ever be too careful around them. So she followed, careful, cautious, yet determined.

[Nao]

Walking with ears perked foreward in alert notion, he paid little as to what was going on around him. This strange male could hear most anything, however, he was not intent in listening for the she-dog that seemed eager to follow him. Last thing he would have ever wanted was to have a follower who would just slow him down. If she strayed, she would never get out. If he failed to keep track of the sound of this strange feeling was coming from, he would have to either eat a rotten corpse to fill himself or take a nice juicy bite from the female.
Either way he did not intend to do either anytime soon.
"What is it that makes this place so different?"
He whispered quietly to himself. His inner voice didn't answer back as an annoysome thing went into the back of his mind in alertness.

His hackles rose as those wolfish paws stopped and turned to face the fae. His red eyes were unamused by the fact she was there and following him. Should he find something bigger to prey on, he would most likely have to share it if she tried to help him. He would not allow this and would refuse show her the way to it.
"What are you doing? Get away from here."
His voice was almost like a growl, yet it was firm and unmoving. He hated surprises, this was especially no exception.
Without waiting for an answer, the hybrid turned on haunches and cleared a huge log that had fallen long ago. With a swish of his bushy tail, he let his tongue loll from his mouth as he continued at an even faster pace to get where he needed to be. This thing that was making the air about this place seem so different, it was taunting him. There was no need to have it out there, bothing everyone like this. And for some reason, he had a hunch that it was beginngin to bother the fae as well.
His nose went to the ground and began looking for clues as to what may be possibly out there before he reaches it. He wanted nothing gone unchecked as long as he was still breathing.

Suddenly, a flurry of feathers sent his entire body to the ground as some of the death birds seemed to be flustered by something big enought o scare them. Dogs? No. Wolves maybe? The scent wasn't right. A deep threatening growl erupted from his throat as he took off in the direction of the ruckus. Normally you were supposed to turn tail and run, but he was no coward. He was insane enough to go in with his life prepared to do his worst and come out with a meal. The tracks he left in the soft dirt were those of a wolf, a part of his heritage that allowed him not to give in to the flaws that of a dog.

[Mugen]

It seemed that she wasn't being as quiet as she thought she was. No doubt it was because there was hardly any cover around this barren place. When addressed she stood up and tilted her head slightly, as if confused by his question. "It's obvious isn't it, what I'm doing. I'll do as I please." She straightened her head and continued to follow him, uncaring of his tone or what he wanted. So when he started to walk again she started to follow all over again. Now that he wanted her to not follow she was even more curious as to know why. What was it that he knew was out here, that he didn't want her to see? Well she was going to find out.

When his pace quickened so did hers, small paws having to take more steps to keep up with his larger stride. Wherever it was he was leading her she hoped it would be better then this place. No, it had to be better then this place. Surely no place existed that was worse then this right? Blue eye watched him start sniffing the ground which perked her curiosity even more. For a moment she stopped to sniff as well but could only smell death. Old blood and more death. It made her want to sneeze but she held back and continued following.

The sudden flush of bird wings startled her to grip the ground and bare fangs at them, a low growl emitting from her maw as they flew past. What was up with them? Find a new kill they haven't tarnished yet? Before she can think more on the subject she focused her attention to the male who let out a growl of his own. At first she thought it was because of her but it wasn't. He wasn't looking at her. She was about to ask what was his problem before he bolted away. Immediately she followed, running as fast as she could to keep up with the larger male. She didn't make it far before one of her paws got caught in something that nearly made her trip. Managing to regain her balance she gave a quick glance at what ruined her stride before running off after the male. Paw prints...they weren't normal. They weren't normal dog prints at all. They were too big, too different, and they pressed deep into the soft blood soaked ground. Perhaps he has wolf in him. That seemed like the only logical answer but whether or not that was true she wouldn't ask.

Catching up to the males rear she wondered again what had gotten into him. "Where are you going?" she managed to ask while trying to keep up with him still. It was times like this she wished she were a bigger dog with a longer stride. For every one of his she had to take three.

[Nao]

As those feet rose and fell and repeated it over and over again, his breathing sounded aerobic and centrated as he was beginning to pick up speed even more so. Blood red pupils began to watch straight ahead as the movement became clear. It was big. It was quite meaty.
Is that Kaibutsu? No.. He's been dead for a long time now.. It must be a huge bear or something.. Company coming up from behind.. better speed it up Musou..
Musou's nostrils began to flare a bit more as his legs slowly began to work faster.

Her words were getting no where inside his head. He had not realized hse was speaking to him until she was practically beside him. He let out a growl and looked sideways at her.
"To bathe in the sun.. where does it look like I'm going?"
A bit rude, but he wanted whatever it was that was making the birds go a-wire.
It was apparent though that if it was a bear that was up here, Mew would need Mugen's help. However, he would most likely not like it at all. Catching him before a meal usually left him with the option of not wanting to be friendly at all and rather deliberately dangerous for he was most anxious for blood. It was why he was known to kill other dogs for blood to fill his need. It bothered most who knew of him because of the fact he was indeed dog appearance. However, his spiritual being carried wolven to the core and had him eat most anything he pleased, even other dogs. It never bothered him really, aside from indigestion.

A roar echoed from up ahead, louder than what Mew was used to hearing. He slowed his pace instinctively and slinked low to the ground as he circled the area nearby. Definately a bear. It would do plenty for a new meal. He gave off an eerie chuckle as he continued to lurk forward, however, getting closer than the female probably wanted.
"I suggest you turn back if you don't want to have extreme pain from this. Hehe, that is if you don't mind eating death birds for a couple of days."
Without, he turned again without waiting for a reply and continued forward. That would probably only provoke her to continue to move on. The only thing he really cared about was the fact he was going to get an excellent meal and continue on his way. If however, she wanted to join him, she would have to stay out of his way and keep up.
Musou waited for no one.

[Mugen]

She let out a low growl at his reply. This didn't seem like a good time to be making crappy jokes to her. Keeping up with him she turned her attention ahead of her. She kept wondering what was up ahead until finally, it seemed to answer her. A loud uncanine roar that made every hair on her body stand on end. She hasn't heard that kind of roar before since she was used as a hunting dog by her deceased owner. Her mind was so frozen with that thought she kept on running even when the male stopped. Only when finally realizing that she could be running head on into a bear that she finally stopped.

Figures a bear would be here. With so much dead meat around here it can get an easy meal. Mugen was not a fan of the large creatures. It would be wise to avoid it but both her pride and her stomach refused such a thing. Bear meat...well it smelled bad but certainly was better then the bird she was going to eat earlier. With nothing else around and refusing to just run away, killing the bear was the next best option.

Carefully padding her way around she tried to make herself as small as possible, considering she was already small it was easy. Mugen forgot about the male until she heard him speak, maw open as if about to attack from the surprise. She let out another low growl at his words. "I've already experienced extreme pain and I'm not afraid of it. If you think I'm going to run away and let you enjoy the bears flesh all to yourself you're a fool." Moving away in the opposite direction she focused her mind on the hunt. Everything that her master taught her went through her mind. Already she can picture just what to do when close enough to this bear. Hopefully the old crazy head male wouldn't do anything to hinder her in this hunt. Normally she had nothing but the utmost respect for an older dog like him, even now she felt bad for thinking the crazy head comments, and shrugged it off. She'll deal with that later, right now there was a meal to beat.

[Nao]

The bear let out another loud roar as it apparently had been fighting with something, another dog that was more or less just a rag doll. Musou could easily just steal that and have his meal, but his intentions were for the bear not the dead runt in its claws and massive jaws.
Before the dangerous beast took tending to its kill, he stood on his back legs and sniffed the air, those beady blackish brown eyes searched for any possible dangers lurking. it was visibly antsy and thus it had to take cautions.

However, Musou was deliberately up wind from the creature, locking eyes with it on purpose. All he needed to do now was wait for that she-dog to attack and then he would give the final blow. Distractions were so much more easy in killing things like this. The bear landed on all fours, on top of the freshly killed mutt and splattering some of its blood on the ground. Giving a decieving grin, Musou dashed out of the undergrowth and the bear tried bracing to strike, swiped at Musou and missed by a foot.

With a laughing growl, he dashed back at the bear and launched himself into the air and grabbed an ear and was flung off, taking the entire ear with him. The wolfdog ate the ear and began to circle the bear as both kept eyes locked on one another.

[Mugen]

Wait...Wait... Mugen waited for the right moment to strike. Right now it would be stupid to do so while the creature stood on its hind legs. So she waited...waited...until it finally landed on all fours. Her waiting finally paid off. She charged with a loud snarl and jumped, clamping her jaws on his muzzle and clawing its face as well. At the same time she saw the male taking off the beasts ear, hot blood hitting her face. When the beast flung its head away she released before a big clawed paw could hit her.

Growling she glared at the beast, fur bristling. It seemed focused on the male which was good. This was giving her a chance to strike again. Not wanting to lose it she rushed in again and this time, went for its legs. She really didn't have a choice since now the beast was alert to them and refusing to be on all fours. Unlike before she couldn't hold on and instead ended up biting one leg then other, in order to avoid getting hit. When it took another swing at her she jumped out of the way and jumped, aiming for it's upper arm. Sharp teeth sank into the beasts thick skin and harsh fur, tasting its hot blood. It tasted good. Shaking her head she tried to tear a chunk out of it but a dark shadow casted itself over her. Releasing her hold on it she almost avoided getting hit, the beasts claws grazing her back a little.

Landing hard on the ground she growled, waiting for another opportunity like that to get a killing move. It won't be easy since normally it was her master that did the killing move by shooting it in the head while she distracted it. But it wasn't impossible either.

[Nao]

While the bear's gaze stayed connected with his, a snarl began to appear on his muzzle that stretched his scar tissue too much and cracked it, blood bleeding openly down his face. The snarl on his face looked sadistic, demonic, unearthly. His fangs glistened in the slowly dying light. Those orbs of his seemed to become sinister as he dashed at the bear once more, ripping skin off its back legs and biting heavily onto its stomach. He ripped and ripped until he felt blood falling onto his muzzle.
The bear let out a loud screeching roar as Musou began to dig his muzzle into the creature's belly, eating it alive practically. Having buried his head completely in the enormous belly, Musou felt his body being ripped away from the creature's body. He let out a loud yelp that also sounded like snarling. The beast had him in his mouth by his tail.

Musou grabbed a hold of the bear's other ear and pulled hard, ripping that one off as well. It was slowing greatly, but not enough for a chance to get at the throat. However, the bear nearly dropped the halfbreed as he roared and flung his head around, trying to get Musou off.
The dog snarled savagely and bit down onto the bear's eye, kicking it in the mouth to get his tail back once more as the bear's muzzle found its way around it once again. The hybrid let go of the ruined eye and snarled again.
"Let go! I said let go!!"
His jaws snapped violently around the enormous things nose and bone was heard being crushed under the pressure Mu was applying.
If Mugen wanted to do the finally kill, it would have to be now.

[Mugen]

Mugen growled, watching the males attacks, slightly impressed by the maneuvers. Up until he got himself caught in the beasts jaws, despite having done decent damage to the creature. The beast wouldn't release its hold on the males tail, not even after the crack of bone snapped through the air. Ears perked at the noise as it was like a cue to strike again. The beast was completely focused on the male and the pain it was feeling. From the eye to the nose and bone. It was now or never for Mugen to strike and bring this beast down.

"You're mine!" Snarling she leaped, strong legs pumping her as high as she can. Jaws clamped down on the beasts throat where she shook her head violently to tear into it. The feel of hot blood poured into her mouth and on her muzzle. It encouraged her to keep biting and shaking, feeling more of it pouring. If the beast roared in pain she couldn't hear for her mind was shunning all sounds and focusing on the blood. Digging deep into the wound she created she bit down on what could only be the wind pipe. Immediately she bit down hard, knowing the beast was finished after this. No creature survived once this vital part of the body was ruined.

Assured of her victory over the beast she tore a chunk and released, running a few feet away as soon as she landed to avoid getting crushed under the defeated beasts body. As she waited for it to fall she devoured her chunk of bear, wiping her maw as she did so to clean it of the staining blood. It would dry and itch later she knew. Much better then tainted bird meat. Finished with her chunk she padded over and helped herself to more, uncaring if the male minded at all since in her mind, it was her kill. She just happened to be in a good mood in sharing it with him even though he didn't do the killing blow.

[Nao]

Jumping away from the falling creature as it let out its final dying growl, it choked on its own blood and finally, after several minutes, died. Musoulicked his chops of bear blood, and his own from his bleeding scar. Now he wouldn't be able to see for a bit out of that eye since his blood got in it.
Now you've done it you twit. You may as well be blind in the eye if you are going to be picking fights every week. No matter, eat and get away. NO need to stay here longer than needed.
Without responding to the voice in his head, Musou went over to the bear and began to ravenously eat the back and shoulders. He had never really cared for eating the innards of these kinds of meals, except on the occasion of killing a dog. Only then would he eat the entire thing.

Ripping and tearing the skin off, he ate at everything. He had no care of what the she-dog wanted, he was going to eat, afterall he had used almost his entire body as bait and did most of the work. He would have been able to take down the bear without her help. No matter however, he had food now and eating at a rather unhealthily fast rate. His teeth snapped around a large chunk of the bear's muscle on the shoulder and ripped it out after a couple of tugs. He used his feet to shred the muscle and devour it almost entirely whole.

After several long minutes later he let out a rather uncomfortable burp, swallowed a chunk of meat whole and moved away from the corpse. Now that his stomach was full, he was happy for now and actually had a smile on his aged face. The half breed was only nine, but with as long as he had travelled around his appearance looked to be about twelve or thirteen. He felt that old at times when he first woke up, but he gradually feels his age after having a good stretch and ice cold water from the springs.
"Hehe, that was lovely. Next time I might have to live off deer and rabbits."
Mostly talking to himself, he had said it loud enough the she-dog might even hear him as well. After cleaning the blood from his chest fur and legs, he stood and stretched and began to sniff the ground again. The scent of death was buried in the dirt, however, not all scents were drowned out.
He began to follow the scent of water, needing it deliberately so he wouldn't over heat in this weather. Russia was so much more relaxing. And he never had to pant like this to save his life.

[Mugen]

Mugen went for more, tearing into the more tender areas since she liked her meat more juicy. Better then tough and dry any day to her. So she never had to get into what the male was eating nor cared about him right now. She ate her fill and licked her mouth with a content sigh. That is until the male spoke. Looking at him she wondered if he was ok. He did look like a very old male and she didn't know if he might've needed help. The bleeding scar looked a bit painful..."Deer and rabbit aren't so bad" she said as she watched him sniff around. Getting up she shook herself, checked her back for the small wounds which were fine, and started following him. Now normally she'd be done following from her and wouldn't care a damn still about this male. But to her eyes he was an elder and elders were to be respected and helped if possible. That she was taught by her master as well as he was an old man too.

Following close to the side with his good eye right now she said, "Can I be of assistance to you?" Her tone seemed to have changed to one, one would give someone of either a higher rank or deserving of some respect. It wasn't its demanding or angry tone anymore. "I can find you some water or shade if you want." He was panting awfully hard which concerned her a bit. Was he overheating? It wasn't that hot, at least not to her. But his coat was much thicker then hers. She perked her ears and sniffed the air, trying to find him some source of water. Mugen was a trained hunting dog but it was still hard for her to find even the tiniest bit of water. But she felt that she might've heard a bird splashing in a pool of some to their right. "This way" she said, leading the way to where she hoped was enough water for the both of them. If not she'd let him have first drink.

She kept walking, passing more dead trees, until spotting the bird that was sipping some water from a small pool that formed within a hold in the ground. A dog digging for something perhaps made it? Didn't matter as she sat by it. "There, water" she said, looking back in hopes the male followed her. She expected no thank you if he did.

[Nao]

Musou did not say anything at first, wanting to go to a mud pit and roll in it. It would be the only way he would be able to clog the bleeding in that scar. When he noticed that the she-dog's tone had changed, he looked at her through a good red eye and one that was nearly blind with blood in it.
"Why are you trying to help me?"
He asked her as he followed slowly behind. His long legs could easily keep up with her. It was no competition to see who would get there faster, hell he was so hot he really couldn't think straight at the moment.

At the sight of water in a small hole, he looked at Mugen and tilted his head to the side in a wolfish fashion. He walked towards the water and stopped slightly short of it.
"What's your name?"
He asked, voice quiet as he bent his head down and lapped slowly at the water. a couple of drops of his own blood dripped into the water, the scar would not cease to bleed until he found some way to stop it. His bloody tail swished lazily back and forth. When he had enough water, he moved back for the other to get some as well. Now that he had a decent meal, he was willing to talk more civilized instead of trying to ward away everything that got near him. Looking over Mugen a bit more closely, he noticed she shared a few scars that seemed to be results of fights. Musou had one too many fight scars, one in particular that he couldn't hide.