Yuuzai

## Application Sheet

Yuuzai was a dark gray male wolf with bright yellow eyes. He served in Tentaka as a Theta Kage, one of the highest-ranking members of the pack behind Akuto. When the pack was destroyed by the eruption of Ascension Peak, he chose to leave the pack - and the Domain - behind, and hasn't been seen since. He was created and RP'd by toboe5tails.

## Personality

* ***Stoic and Straightforward.*** Yuuzai is a wolf that can be hard to read on the best of days. He's a stoic sort, generally keeping somewhat-of a straight face. He's also not much of a talker, but when he does speak up he generally gets straight to the point, not afraid of asking for something or saying what needs to be said. He knows how to keep himself in check and be respectful, but it certainly doesn't stop him from occasionally saying rude things in private conversation.
* ***Seemingly Gruff, but Able to Let Loose.*** Though Yuuzai seems rather gruff and unfriendly, he can get along with most just fine. He enjoys a good joke, and may even play along if he's in a good mood. In friendships, he prefers to take a more passive role, letting the more energetic one drag him around wherever they wish, or if they're more relaxed just sitting back and talking for a while. He has a secret soft spot for wolves that are more energetic and talkative, and he especially appreciates spending time with them, even if he doesn't show it much.
* ***Stubborn and Confident.*** One of Yuuzai's most notable traits is his stubbornness. He's very confident in himself, and when he's sure that he's right it's hard to get him to back down. While he's willing to be cooperative when absolutely necessary, deep down he's probably holding the same views as ever while just putting up with doing things a different way.
* ***Pack-Oriented.*** He can be nurturing and protective in his own sort of quiet way given a wolf of his own pack, but he generally could care less about outsiders. Abandoned pups and the mortally injured are one thing, and random trespassers are another. Overall he's a wolf with a hard outer shell, but that exterior can be melted a bit if you put in the effort.

## Pre-Group History

Hidden away deep in Tentaka's former territory, a lone she-wolf gave birth to a litter of two. The larger brother was named Kagerou, and the smaller Koishi. Alongside his brother, Kagerou spent his puphood surviving the harsh, cold mountain conditions. His brother Koishi was a bit weaker due to his size, and Kagerou took it upon himself to help, keeping him on the paths and assisting him when he'd slip. The two were nigh inseperable, and enjoyed exploring the territory together. They would often run and leap over rocks, and explore hidden caves, their favorite spot being one they found entirely on accident; a large cavern full of shining crystals and glowing fauna. One day, when the two were about 5 months old, the brothers snuck off on an adventure as was their usual. However, their recklessness led them to ignore the condition of the weather, and a storm rolled in while they were on the mountain path. Between the wind, rain, and lightning, the stones and mud above them came loose and bore down upon the pair. Kagerou escaped injury, but he witnessed Koishi being swept away by the torrent of mud and stone. This time he couldn't pull his brother back to safety. Too terrified to stay on the scene, Kagerou fled back to their den, crying to their mother that Koishi had been lost. When they returned to the mudslide, they found Koishi's paw sticking out of the pile of mountain rocks, cold and unmoving. It was clear the young wolf had suffocated under the rocks.

Kagerou's mother turned on him, demanding to know why he didn't run to dig his brother out before he died. Kagerou had no answer. Declaring that she hadn't raised him to be such a coward, Shizune denounced her own son. She revoked his name and dubbed him *Yuuzai*, a word meaning guilty, out of spite. The last words Yuuzai heard from his mother were "Never forget you could've saved him." After days of grief and introspection, Yuuzai found that his mother had been right. He had been cowardly, and if he'd acted sooner his brother may have survived. His name suited him, he felt deeply guilty and alone. Despite the pain of passing the collapsed cliffside where his brother was buried, Yuuzai began visiting the Crystal Cavern more often, spending more and more of his spare time there to feel closer to what little he had left of his littermate. It wasn't his den per-se, but he was attached to the pretty cave that he and his brother loved so much, and it made a good spot to rest and relax

As the years passed, Yuuzai started to notice other wolves in the valley. It was odd, he rarely saw loners sniffing around the mountains, and certainly not traveling together. However it soon became clear to him what was happening, one wolf was leading the push into new territory, this was a pack just on the verge of forming. Annoyed by the invasion of his homeland, one day Yuuzai emerged from the Crystal Cavern, confronting the wolves and making it clear he had no intention of leaving his home. The wolves seemed stunned by his very being there, but to his surprise, hesitated to chase him away. The pack found great meaning in the cavern as well, and this link to the place seemed to earn him a level of respect among them. When the leader wolf, Akuto, offered to let him join the pack, Yuuzai saw opportunity. He could continue to live in his home, to stay close to the place where his brother passed, and he would have so much more purpose. After weighing his options for a day or two, Yuuzai agreed, and his life within Tentaka began.

## Group History

Yuuzai was a steady presence in the pack as it growed around him. He interacted with several packmates throughout his time there, like Flama and Moriko. He joined Akuto exploring the lands, traveling with her, Reahla, and Hylia to the Great Lake. He grew acquainted with new packmates, like Kleio.

He was near the southern borders when he crossed paths with an injured she-wolf, trapped on a ledge. The she-wolf, who introduced herself as Ava of Highvalley, told him what had happened, and that she was far from home. She wasn't sure what to do, and as night fell, she admitted that she didn't know what to do. Yuuzai offered to stand watch and let her rest overnight, and Ava appreciated it.

He started to escort her back to Highvalley, when they discovered that the lands had been swallowed by a massive flood! Ava asked one last big favor of Yuuzai - to help her get back to her family. She assured him that he would be well-rewarded for his efforts. The pair of them worked their way through the flooded territory until they crossed paths with Vladimir, Ava's brother.

Vladimir was *not* happy to see Yuuzai, and sent him away without giving Ava a proper goodbye. However, both were interested in seeing the other again, and so Yuuzai and Ava met in secret a couple of times after that. Perhaps they were developing feelings for one another...he wasn't quite sure what it was, but he cared about Ava.

Events transpired in Tentaka. A minor quake opened some underground caverns, and several wolves were chosen by Akuto to patrol these newly revealed caverns. Yuuzai was among the patrol, along with Reahla, Hayes, and Chandra. They discovered, preserved in ash, the ancestral Tentakans - or, what remained of them. Akuto immediately declared the place a sacred space, and took her packmates to report the finding back home.

Several weeks passed, and Yuuzai didn't see Ava. He felt concerned about her missing their meetings, and decided to investigate. He traveled to Highvalley's territory, and was stunned to discover that the whole of Highvalley was simply *gone.* He felt the bitter sting of loss, and resigned himself to knowing he'd have to report the finding to the Heika.

He went about his business for several moons after that. Life found a rhythm for the dark-furred male.

Then, Ascension Peak erupted.

Yuuzai didn't know where he was going to go, but he couldn't stay here. He fled the volcanic eruption, his paws carrying him far from the Domain, and he has not returned since.

## Trivia

* Yuuzai was the wolf who reported the disappearance of Highvalley to Akuto.

## Quotes

* "Well, what kind of wolf would I be if I left you there at the mountain's mercy? I'm not so heartess that I'd let a wolf suffer needlessly just because of the scent on their pelt." (rescuing Ava, *The Princess and the Frog*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* toboe5tails's deviantART Gallery