You've Entered My Domain

[Rain21199]

Perched high on a sturdy tree branch, Resu embraced the wintry night with practiced composure. The crisp air nipped at her exposed flesh, a familiar sensation that failed to affect her anymore. Pale skin dotted with goosebumps, she gazed out into the moonlit forest, its depths shrouded in a tapestry of darkness. Above, the towering trees formed a canopy that filtered the moon's radiant slivers, casting an ethereal glow upon the woodland floor.

Being nocturnal by nature, Resu found solace in slumbering amidst the treetops during the day, her senses attuned to the nocturnal symphony that played beneath the moon's watchful gaze. It was under the cloak of night that she ventured forth, a huntress in her element, seeking signs of unsuspecting prey. While she yearned to enter human settlements, speak with people, make friends, the fear of the unknown overtook her curiosity and desires. Thus, she chose the familiar embrace of the forest, a sanctuary where she stalked her sustenance and traversed with the utmost familiarity.

Amidst her silent pursuit, Resu's keen senses detected an interloper. A rustle of leaves, a subtle snap of a twig—though the intruder moved with purpose and discretion, Resu's attuned ears detected a foreign song in the forest's symphony. Curiosity ignited within her as she silently observed the approaching figure, her lithe form concealed amidst the shadows. Each movement of the stranger was scrutinized, her azure blue eyes tracking his every step with unyielding focus.

The figure materialized through the gloom, a behemoth of a man whose imposing presence commanded attention. Resu remained motionless, her body melding seamlessly with the natural contours of her surroundings. She watched his every move, her vibrant gaze unflinching and unwavering. If his eyes were to graze her form, she hoped that her stillness would render her indistinguishable from the scenery itself.

As the man drew nearer, Resu's senses were alight with a cacophony of stimuli. Her nimble fingers gripped tight the rough bark beneath her, feeling its age-old texture, while the whispers of wind gently ruffled her tattered brown cloak. The distant hoot of an owl, her brethren, permeated the night, underscoring the symphony of nature that enveloped them.

Silently, her heart pounding within her chest, Resu peered through her thick lashes, her eyes tracing the man's broad frame. A flicker of anticipation danced in her irises, mingling with the caution that defined her every move. Her hands, concealed beneath the fabric of her worn cloak, trembled slightly, a testament to the myriad of emotions swirling within her. Would this encounter be friendly or would it lead to peril? Only time would tell.

With bated breath, Resu remained perched on her protective vantage point, her curiosity piqued and her senses attuned. The moonlight bathed her porcelain features, highlighting her delicate frame. Unbeknownst to the man below, he had stumbled upon an elusive huntress of the night.

[Ace Trainer]

Pebble had been the furthest from home Kozan had ever traveled, and now he'd gone even further, practically to the west coast of the continent, in search of Hyuuga, Hi. His village had tasked him with another hunt, this time for a prized Byakugan from the famed Hyuuga clan. The missing ninja had somehow evaded Konoha to this point, and Kiri saw it as much an opportunity as a testament to Konoha's weakness. Tracking Hi had not been easy, he was covert and stealthy, and left little marking or information as to where he had been or was going. Which had resulted in Kozan having to travel a fair bit and latch onto whatever small amounts of information he'd gathered. His next stop was a small village someone with milky eyes had allegedly been spotted at, and getting there meant traveling through this thick forest.

At this point, this was not quite a hunt, so Kozan did little to mask his presence or stay on alert for others. He found it unlikely he'd stumble upon Hi in this large forest purely by accident, so he would put little effort in it beyond the occasional scan. So, he leapt through the trees, launching his body from branch to branch to get to the village as quickly as possible. Every couple hundred meters he would stop and flash killer intent in all directions, checking to see if it would pick up on anyone before proceeding. He'd found nothing so far, and expected no one. But then, he stopped once more to do it and the scent of fear activated in his brain, his thalamus lighting up in excitement.

Someone was watching him.

The truthseeker on his chest and arms would wriggle to life, excitement filling Kozan's chest as his heartbeat increased. Whether this was Hi or not didn't matter, someone was watchign him and Kozan was ready for a fight already.

"Do you feel that?", is all he would call out.

SpoilerShow

[Predatory Instinct: Murderous Intent]
B-rank Taijutsu Discipline
A natural born killer, Kozan is able to radiate out his killer intent, triggering natural fear responses in anyone in 60m of him, so long as their [Willpower] is lower than his own. Even if a target is not aware that Kozan is in the vicinity, his killer intent still radiates and affects them so long as they are within range.

[Rain21199]

As the towering figure streaked through the forest with astonishing swiftness, the air crackled with an electric intensity. Resu's breath hitched, caught in her throat, and she instinctively clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling any inadvertent sound that could betray her presence. Her fingers, trembling with a potent mixture of fear and anticipation, dug into the moist, weathered bark of the branch beneath her. The rapid thump of her heart reverberated within her chest, a primal rhythm echoing the dread that coursed through her veins. It was a paralyzing realization—this colossal man was aware of her existence, a chilling thought that sent shivers cascading down her spine.

Struggling against the urge to flee, every fiber of Resu's being screamed at her to run, to seek refuge amidst the protective embrace of the forest. Yet, a steadfast determination anchored her to her precarious perch, the hope flickering within her that perhaps, just perhaps, she could remain inconspicuous. Her vibrant blue eyes darted frantically, scanning his face and body language for any signs that the stranger knew her location. The moonlight's gentle caress illuminated his form, revealing his imposing figure. Resu's heart sank, realizing that with his speed and size, she stood no chance.

A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind, each one urging her to flee or hide, to do anything but stay exposed in the face of danger. The forest, once a sanctuary, now seemed to close in around her, its hushed whispers amplified by her escalating panic. The earthy scent of damp soil mingled with the heady fragrance of wildflowers, assaulted her senses. Yet, despite the overwhelming stimuli, Resu's focus remained fixed on the colossal figure before her.

Time seemed to slow as the forest held its breath, waiting for the inevitable confrontation to unfold. Resu's muscles tensed, coiled like a tightly wound spring, primed to unleash her hidden reserves of speed and agility at the first sign of danger. The silence between them hung heavy, punctuated only by the whispering leaves that rustled in the wake of their anticipation.

A single sentence pierced the air, its weight carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of threat. "Do you feel that?" The stranger's voice, tinged with a potent blend of confidence and aggression, reverberated through the night, reaching Resu's ears with chilling clarity. Her heart skipped a beat, and an icy shiver danced down her spine, rendering her limbs momentarily numb.

Silently, Resu fervently hoped that this nightmarish encounter would dissolve into a mere memory, lost amidst the vast tapestry of the moonlit forest, but the climax was upon them. Either he would notice her amongst the trees, or he would simply walk away. Her lungs struggled for air as she awaited the man’s choice, but she dared not take a breath.

[Ace Trainer]

Nothing.

Not even a rustle.

Kozan turned to face where the fear was coming from, allowing it the killer intent to continue radiating out from him as he zeroed in on where the target was. He couldn't see her, but she was there. Somewhere. He took a few steps toward her before jumping from the branch he was on to another one. The slow, insidious movement of a stalker closing in on it's prey. Her fear was thick, viscous almost, it stained the air and made it feel heavy like humidity. What was someone so easily frightened doing out here in the dark forest?

He'd move slowly and with purpose until he was even with her in height and about 15 meters away from her, only a few trees separating them. He'd attach his body to the tree with chakra, leaning forward to her and taking a large, audible inhalation of air followed by a heavy exhale. Anyone would be silly to think Kozan wasn't enjoying this, but the look on his face was neutral. There was no animosity, no excitement in his eys, no cruel smile across his face. No, Kozan wasn't doing this because he was some maniac driven by his psychosis, his behavior was driven by nothing but instinct. This was just a predator playing with it's prey, a meal too small to actual satiate the hunger that he'd be feeling in a few hours when he was closing in on Hi. For Kozan, this was a game he'd play for practice.

He'd stay like this, suspended in the air for a short bit of time, his eyes locked forward staring at exactly where his target was, still unable to see her but more than aware that she could see, and feel, him. And then, finally, a small breeze would push through the dark forest and Kozan's body would lurch forward, leaping another 5m onto another branch. He'd land on all fours and lock his eyes forward once more and whisper

"Run."

[Rain21199]

Inch by inch, the colossal figure moved through the dense canopy, his eyes betraying no emotion, their gaze darting relentlessly ahead, searching for the elusive prey that lingered in the shadows. Resu's heart thumped relentlessly, echoing loudly in her ears, as her trembling fingers clenched tightly around the three sharpened feathers she had at the ready. Her entire body felt frozen in place, fear anchoring her to the branch like a statue. The world around her seemed to blur as her focus zeroed in on the looming threat that approached with calculated precision.

Only mere feet away now, he leaned forward in a seemingly unnatural pose, his body defying gravity. The atmosphere seemed to thicken, the very air infused with an aura of danger that emanated from the imposing figure. Resu could practically taste the tension, a bitter flavor that coated her senses, making her heart race even faster. It was clear that he couldn't see her precisely, yet his predatory instincts honed in on her presence like a scent carried on the wind.

"Run."

The single word hung in the air, a potent command that resonated deep within her being. The decision before her was as stark as the moon's cold light. Fight or flight. It was now or never.

Resu's body responded with instinctual speed, her lithe form twisting to propel the sharpened feathers toward the branch on which the man stood. The air hummed with anticipation as the projectiles sliced through the wood with a satisfying "SNAP." Without looking back, she took flight, her bare feet nimbly navigating the slippery branches as she raced away from the looming danger. Each footfall propelled her further into the inky darkness of the forest, where the rain's relentless patter mingled with the sound of her rapidly beating heart.

The hood of her cloak provided little respite from downpour, and the rainwater splashed against her face and eyes, obscuring her vision. She wiped it away hastily, unwilling to lose a moment's focus in this life-and-death dash. Her senses heightened. The symphony of the forest was blocked out by the steady pulse of her own breathing as she listened carefully for pursuing footsteps.

As she ran, Resu dared not glance back, the fear of being ensnared in the hunter's terrifying gaze propelling her forward. The adrenaline surged through her veins, urging her to push beyond her limits. Each stride took her deeper into the mysterious heart of the forest, where the very trees themselves seemed to conspire against her. They loomed overhead, their gnarled branches reaching out like sinister claws, their shadows twisting and contorting into grotesque forms.

Resu's senses remained alert, every rustle or snap of a twig sending her heart into overdrive. She knew the colossal man could be close behind, relentless in his pursuit. Her mind raced with questions and fears, but she stifled them, focusing solely on the rhythm of her breath and the rapid thump of her footfalls.

[Ace Trainer]

His warning was received, he felt the sudden uptick of fear jolt from his prey. She launched an attack in response to his warning, the feathers she threw streaking through the air. They would strike into the branch he was standing on, practically three bull’s-eyes, and with a sharp crack it would collapse and he’d fall to the ground. Landing in a crouch on all fours, his eyes would tilt upwards and lock onto the fleeing girl. For a moment, he considered whether he was going to run after her or not, his more human-minded half considering how this might slow down his mission. But the moment passed, the more animalistic drive deep in his brain taking over. This was prey, he was on a hunt. His slow heart beat pumped heavy loud drum like thumps driving him to conquer this new target.

In an instant he went from completely stationary to rushing under the canopy after the girl. He closed in on her quick, his bright yellow eyes penetrating the darkness and attempting to lock onto her. Launching himself upwards he’d grab onto the branches and flip himself into the air so that he’d be back above her. He had moved at his top speed for very little time before he caught up to her, keeping himself only a few meters behind her as he ran. He made effort to stay silent, giving her no indication of where he was at. Except on occasion he’d rip a branch as he passed it and throw it off to the left or right, the sound of the wood striking puddles in the ground. His foot would hit a large branch he was jumping off of and with no discernable pattern he’d put all his weight into the, the entire arm of the tree snapping off with the force of his strength and dropping through the canopy with a loud crash.

He could catch her at any time, she was comparably slow, and as he watched her shadowy figure panic through the darkness, he knew this was not a true hunt. This was psychological warfare.

He’d allow her to run, using the sounds of his chase to keep her on edge and ensure she continued to flee. Eventually, he’d pick up his pace, closing in closer and closer on her until he was practically directly above her. He pushed forward just a bit more and dropped himself directly in front of her, landing with his arms to his side, slightly hunched over in front of her. The rain had soaked his body, his wet hair stuck to his face. He locked his eyes onto her, his heavy breathing audible as his shoulder and chest moved up and down.

”Boo.”

[Rain21199]

Each thud of wood smacking wood, each broken branch, or splashing puddle made her heart leap from her chest. With every movement, she evaded these noises, darting left and right as if the sounds were arrows she had to dodge.

Then, like a ghost emerging from the misty rain, the man materialized before her. His movements, swift and deliberate, sent a shiver down her spine, her breath catching in her throat as she struggled to keep pace with his pursuit. While he was breathing heavily, each of her breaths felt labored. He could push himself even harder while the weight of exhaustion bore down on her.

His bright yellow eyes pierced through the darkness, hunger etched into every line of his face.

“Boo”

In that chilling moment, Resu's heart seized within her chest, pounding like the frantic beat of a hunted creature.

For an instant, the thought of surrender flickered through her mind, but deep within her, she knew she couldn’t give up. Not yet.

With a surge of determination, Resu launched herself backward from the branch, her slender form plummeting toward the muddy earth below. As she landed with a splash, mud and rainwater exploded around her, and a jolt of pain shot up through her legs. She braced herself for the confrontation that awaited.

If this monster followed her descent, she would kick up a spray of muddy water to blind him before dashing to her right into a far thicker group of trees and thorny brush. If not, she would still move to her right, but keep low and try to avoid the man’s sight.