Here it is Chapter 2! I'm so excited about this one. I was writing and all these new ideas kept coming to me and I just kept typing, it was great. I hope you like this story as much as I do! Please feel free to review, you can say anything really! I just like to hear that my story was liked by somebody. Next chapter will be up soon hopefully!
Kay
The brothers were once again inside their tight and cramped cage in the back of the truck. The circus usually traveled by train or large caravans of trucks and the two hated it when they traveled by trucks.
They were always stuffed inside a cage and stacked like a box of sardines into the truck with tons of other animals until it was full. Ryoma would try his best to sleep through it but it would fail every time because holes and bumps in the road would end up throwing them around in the cage.
Since Ryoma was still just a cub and probably no bigger than a house cat he would cuddle his way under his brother's head, begging for some warmth. The cage offered nothing but cold and darkness from its steel body.
The bars only covered the front and the lighting in the back of the truck wasn't exactly great either. Noises ranged from the snores of other animals to the roaring of the engine and none of it was soothing.
Ryoga could officially say he didn't like being apart of the circus anymore. It brought no happiness to him or his brother, on and off stage. This was the last straw for Ryoga, he was going to find a way out and it was going to happen at their next stop.
He was currently planning how this was going to happen while trying to keep his brother warm. His face contorted into that of sadness when his brothers little body shivered underneath him. He nestled his head over him and shifted his body closer to hopefully warm him up.
"Any better?" He whispered to Ryoma. All that came in reply was a short squeak of a yes. 'Those bastards, it's winter, the least they could do is give us some straw for the bottom of the cage.' He thought.
Ryoma tried his best to lay still and not shiver to worry his brother. Ryoga tried so hard and did his best for him and Ryoma wanted to return the favor but was never able to give back. He felt completley useless and it made him sad. It was always the older brother looking out for the younger.
"Oni-san...thank you." A shiver ran up Ryomas' spine again but he could feel his brother gather him closer to protect him from the cold.
"Are we there yet Oni-san?" He asked looking up at his brother. Ryoga gave a weak smile and said, "Almost Ryo...almost. Go back to sleep okay?" "I can't Oni-san" Ryoma said weakly. "Try...for me?" Ryoga gave Ryoma pleading eyes that he knew would work and of course they did.
Ryoga looked down at his tiny brother beneath him. Ryoma had been starved for too long. It wasn't his fault though, the policy their new ring master had installed was 'No Act, No Food'.
Ryoma had been unable to do his routine for a while now and Ryoga has been splitting off some of his meal and giving it to him but that's not enough for the little cub. Ryoga could see his cheeks and stomach start to sink in from malnutrition.
His fur was coming out in patches and he already had a couple of spots covered with bruises and cuts from the whip. "We're almost there...Don't worry...I'll get you out." he whispered. However Ryoga neglected to look at himself.
He was exhausted and had the same patches of fur missing like his brothers had. With bags under his eyes and his black fur loosing its shine, his care taker should be worried but no, he wasn't, not when he was employed by Kline.
Kline knew full well about the condition of the animals, overworked and exhausted. It was so plainly obvious that the people working in the circus before Kline came would try to sneak them help. All the help was for not, however, because they would just end up in the same condition as before.
It was sad to come to a Circus and see the animals half dead, in fact no one wanted to see that so they would leave. Kline paid no attention to them and just kept going like nothing was wrong thinking the customers left because it was boring.
Therefore making them work harder until they couldn't physically work anymore and get kicked out of the show.
SKRRREEEEEEECCHHH! The brothers hit the side of the cage from the force of the truck they were in stopping. A whimper of pain could be heard not just from the panther brothers but all the other animals caged in the back of the truck.
"Oni-san...what's happening?" "Don't worry I've got you, I've got you." The back door of the truck opened with a slam as the door hit the top of the truck.
A man who Kline had hired recently was standing in the doorway. He had become known as the keeper to everyone as of late and took charge of the animals. To be frank he wasn't the least bit caring and Ryoga hated every bit of him.
The keeper took ahold of the cage closest to the door and starting setting them on the ground outside. Throwing a few swears and grumbling under his breath he closed the back of the truck up again. Ryoga sighed in a moment of relief but also felt guilty for feeling so.
He knew why they were taken out and it wasn't good. Every once in a while when the circus would be traveling animals would "disappear". Ryoga couldn't do anything about it, just watch as old friends were left out in the cold, stuck in their cages.
It scared him to think the same thing could happen to him and Ryoma but Kline wouldn't just let them get away so easily. They were his new toys and he would never take the collar off, not ever.
The truck carried on but with the missing cages there was room for the others to move around. Ryoga was just about to roar out of frustration. Why couldn't anything go right for once.
Just a little bit of luck was all he wanted! Putting his head back down he fell asleep with Ryoma curled under him as close as he could get.
Outside as the caravan of trucks and cars passed a group of teens were watching from the sidewalk. A bouncy red-head was in front of the group admiring the posters on the side of the trucks with curiosity.
A giant poster on the side of the last truck showed a panther barring its large fangs in a roar. Blue eyes flashed open, a stoic head watched intently, a curious snake hissed, caring eyes watched with awe, spiky black hair turned,and a shy murmur of amazement and a small "Ie data" could be heard.
"Nyaaa, that looks really fun! We should go see! I've never seen a panther in a circus before." "There's a 90 percent chance it would be interesting and good data on our new competitors." A stoic head pondered his options while a sadistic smile showed with blue eyes next to him.
"Saaa...Maybe it would be fun to watch for once, ne Tezuka?" A tired sigh escaped the man named Tezukas' lips. "Fine" came his short reply and the group became excited at the thought of going to see another circus perform.
"Yosh! I can't wait! When do we go?" "The poster said tomorrow at 5. Nya I can't wait!" The guy with a black bowl haircut put a hand on the red heads shoulder "But Eiji doesn't our show start at 5:30? I don't think we can go and be back in time to perform."
"Can we go another time then Oishi?" Oishi turned to Tezuka and he replied saying, " I don't see why not."
After all the group of teens did belong to the Circus that was famous around the area known as Seigaku Circus. Seigaku Circus has been known as the best in the area for a long time since it never traveled.
They each specialized in their own skill and performed at the shows that happened making popularity rise like crazy. Even though the group of teens didn't perform full-time they each took their acts seriously and worked hard to polish their techniques every chance they got.
Seeing another Circus arrive in town made the group anxious to see other talents and skills. It's not everyday that they get to see a panther in the circus also because having a panther in the act is quite rare.
With all of them excited about having competition and seeing the other circus the quickly made their way home. Walking around the corner you could see a tall but colorfully displayed sign out of iron with letters at the top that spelled out 'Seigaku Circus'.
This was it, this was their home and although they may not be blood related, the strength of the bond they share could fool anyone. They were going to be the best that Seigaku Circus ever had...
Thanks so much guys for reading and I really hope you liked it! If you did like it feel free to read my other story 'Youngest Brother'. I'm kinda obsessed with the tiny version of Ryoma, I mean come on don't you think he would be super cute as a kid? Anyways... See you guys next time!
Kay