24 Another Crush?

…

Arriving home, Sarah and Rose are chatting away like normal teenaged sisters while setting up their computers in the loft above the main part of the shop while Nick unloads the ATV and other stuff.

Meanwhile, Judy is helping Aja set up the voice recognition program on his new notebook.

As all gather in the kitchen, Rose asks why an early supper is ready.

"Because we all have karate practice tonight!" answers an excited Sarah.

"Really?"

"Yea, me and mom and dad. Mom just started, I'm a senpai, that's a senior member and an assistant instructor or mentor. Dad is a sensei or instructor, a sandan or third-degree black belt … we practice every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Are you gonna try?"

"I guess … I dunno…"

"Don't worry about it, ok?" says Judy "If you don't want to it's not a big deal."

"That's right" says Nick "it ain't for everyone. If you don't want to join us, you can watch Aja since he's too young to work out."

"So, it's ok if I just watch, at least for a while?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Let's get loaded up, it's time to go" prompts Judy, looking at her watch "and we don't wanna be late."

…

Arriving at the dojo, Sarah notices that Nick's bag looks a bit fuller than usual, but says nothing not being totally sure.

After dressing out in their gi's Judy and Sarah begin their individual warm-ups as Rose and Aja watch … Rose with casual indifference while Aja is keenly aware of the goings-on.

When Nick and Sensei Brown emerge from the office, everyone begins to line up.

"Senpai Wilde" announces sensei Brown "please call the class to order!"

Stunned for a moment that she is asked to begin class, having just been promoted and recognized as senpai less than a week ago, Sarah quickly recovers.

"Hai sensei!"

"Seiretsu!" Sarah commands in her best voice. (Normally the most senior student will set the line, and everyone else will line up to their left, by rank order. Since Sarah had just been just promoted, sensei Brown wanted to see how she reacts when presented with the sudden challenge.

With Nick and sensei Brown kneeling at the front of the class, and the entire class called to order successfully, sensei Brown makes the following announcement:

"Everyone please listen carefully! Senpai, please warm up the white and green belts while I warm up the purple belts. Sensei Wilde will change out of his gi and return shortly to give a kata demonstration.'
'Is everyone clear?"

"HAI!" is the only answer he expects and the only one he hears.

After about ten minutes, Nick exits the office wearing his traditional gi top but is wearing a hakama bottom. The more experienced karateka (karate practitioners) including Judy, realize that this will be a serious demonstration!

"Introductions!" begins sensei Brown. "Sensei Wilde, please perform Bassai Dai!"

As Nick powers his way through Bassai, his gi snapping with each sharp movement, Sarah realizes how much work she needs to do to begin to learn, let alone begin to master her next chosen kata!

At the first kiai (yell), everyone jumps at the absolute power behind the vocalization.

As Nick finishes the kata, and before anyone can offer congratulations, sensei Brown intervenes.

"Sensei Wild, please perform Jion."

Again, Nick blasts through the kata chosen by sensei Brown.

"Sensei Wilde, please perform Hangetsu."

Everyone in the class (except Judy and Sarah of course) is amazed at the stamina that Nick is showing, performing multiple difficult kata back to back to back, especially Hangetsu which varies speeds from extremely slow and internally powerful to extremely quick.

"Sensei Wilde, please perform Unsu."

As Nick finishes the most difficult kata that the style offers, sensei Brown utters "Yame!" (stop)

Before Nick gets a chance to rest, Sensei Brown continues: "All black belts, line up for kumite with sensei Wilde, two-minute rounds."

As Sarah looks towards Judy to say something, Judy simply shakes her head NO.

As the five black belts take their turns sparring with Nick, the tod's reaction time begins to slow noticeably.

After sensei Brown calls a halt when the last black belt takes his turn, one more karateka is asked to spar with Nick …

"Senpai Wilde, please take your place in the kumite ring" which even astonishes Judy.

"Sensei?"

"Do you refuse to participate?"

"No sensei…"

Knowing that there must be a method to sensei's madness, again Judy doesn't interfere.

Bowing into the sparing area, Sarah is quietly greeted with the following request by Nick "Give me your best Punkin, don't disgrace either of us by holding anything back, understand?"

"Y-yes dad, I will, I promise! But be warned, most of the black belts don't like to spar with me…"

"Hajimeru!" (Begin)

After a grueling two minutes with Sarah scoring quite a few good hard strikes, and with Nick scoring his fair share of strikes (barely touching, but strikes nonetheless), sensei calls a halt to the match.

"Yame!"

As Nick and Sarah stop and bow to each other, sensei Brown takes the center of the floor.

"There are two major lessons to be learned here! First, a true karateka never quits, no matter how tired. Secondly, and most importantly, know the abilities of your opponents and use the only the appropriate amount of force in return. Sensei Wilde could have easily bested any of the black belts at any time, but he understood the purpose of the exercise without being told.'
'As for asking Sarah to participate, the entire idea was to be sure that sensei Wilde still had the control to not damage his opponent. I would not have asked her to participate if there had been any doubt in my mind whatsoever that that might happen. Sarah was never in any danger.'
'Senpai, have everyone work on kata for the remainder of class."

"Dad" asks Sarah "are you ok?"

Giving a concerned daughter a wane smile "Sure am Punkin. And thanks for giving me your best. I can see why the black belts are afraid of you, you're really good!"

Trying unsuccessfully to hide a blush Sarah can only murmur "Thanks …"

As Nick and Sarah join the rest of the class, Nick guides Sarah through the completion of Bassai, explaining that first she needs to learn the techniques, then the bunkai (Bunkai, literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly", is a term used in Japanese martial arts referring to process of analyzing kata and extracting fighting techniques from the movements of a "form" or kata) and then where the power is to be used.

…

On the ride home after class, Nick spies a somewhat concerned look on Rose's face.

"What's worrying my favorite Flower?" asks Nick.

First looking at Nick, then quickly from Judy to Sarah, Rose manages to stammer "Well … umm … I …"

"Really don't want to do karate?" Nick finishes for her.

"No … I mean … Yeeesss-?"

"It's ok sweetie" says Judy "I don't think that it's necessarily for me either."

"Really?"

Looking at Nick, Judy notes that there is no surprise on his face "You already knew I didn't want to continue, didn't you?"

"I used to be a con-mammal remember? Then when I was in the military, I had to notice small things to survive. So, yea I knew your heart wasn't in it."

"And you're ok with it?"

"Of course, Fluff. You and Flower can do whatever while Sarah, AJ and I work out. No big deal."

"Flower?" asks Sarah.

"Yup" answers Nick. A Rose is a Flower right?"

"And I take it that AJ is Aja, right?" asks Rose.

"Got it in one" replies a smirking Nick.

"And Fluff is mom, right?" asks Sarah, already knowing the answer, but hoping for a clarification for Rose and Aja's sakes.

"Yup."

"About Aja…." begins Judy.

"Al, that is Sensei Brown, was suitably impressed with AJ's positive attitude and attention to detail so he waved the rule about needing to be at least six to begin, so he'll be going with Sarah and I if he really wants to.'
'Wadda say sport, you wanna go to karate with me and Sarah?"

"Can I really?"

I just said so, didn't I?"

"Yippieeeeeeee!"

"I'll take that as a yes!"

Arriving home, everyone gets a quick shower and heads to bed, with an early start to the coming day anticipated.

…

Up at the break of dawn, the Wildes power up for the day on a healthy breakfast of waffles topped with fresh fruit, juice and turkey sausage for Nick and Aja. Of course, Sarah nabbed a small piece of Nicks sausage just to get a rise out of Rose, who simply rolled her eyes at her sister's antics.

"Next time, I'll grab some of Aja's, just to see how he handles it." Sarah thinks to herself.

Heading outside, Nick shows the does (mainly Judy) how to start, stop and drive the new ATV so there are no accidents.

While Judy gets the hang of driving before heading out, Nick improvises a seat in the small utility trailer since the ATV only has room to seat two mammals, even if they are bunnies.

With Judy, Sarah and Rose headed towards the berry fields, with Rose behind Judy on the ATV and Sarah gets comfortable while snuggled in the trailer holding several of Rose's testing kits, Nick takes his pickup and he and Aja head into Aurora to pick up the remaining parts to fix Judy's little jalopy.

At almost precisely eleven o'clock, everyone meets back up at the house to grab a quick light lunch before heading into town to meet up with Cotton and her parents.

…

Arriving early, as is their habit, the Wildes are about to enter Jumbeaux's when "Judy? Judy Hopps?"

Looking around, Judy quickly finds the owner of the voice "Bobby? Bobby Catmull?"

Gathering her old friend into a hug, Judy has to ask "How ya been? It's been so long…"

"Been ok … and you … ummm, did you finally hook up with Gideon or what?"

"Gods no, why do you … ohhh, I smell like fox huh?"

"Only just a lot!"

"No silly, that would be my husband Nick. NICK!"

"Yeees?"

"Nick don't act like that! This is an old grade school and high school friend of mine, Bobby Catmull. Nick - Bobby, Bobby - Nick Wilde.'
'Nick, Bobby was the sound effects mammal for my little Carrot Days skit I told you about."

Extending a paw, Nick wasn't the least bit worried about competition "Glad to meet ya Bobby."

"Likewise."

"And Bobby, this is my … our daughter Sarah … SARAH!"

Startled out of her light trance, Sarah answers "Huh?"

Suddenly noticing the object of Sarah's distraction, Nick can only groan "Oh, no, not again!"

As Judy follows Nick's line of sight, she notices a young cougar cub, about Sarah's age who seems to be shaken out of a trance as well.

"Your cub?" Judy asks Bobby.

"Yea, he'll be a freshman here this year."

"Same as Sarah." mumbles Judy, suddenly realizing Nicks concern.

Seeing Bobby's questioning gaze, Judy explains "We already have a bit of a situation, and it looks like it just doubled…"

"Our four-year-old adopted son has taken a liking to one of Judy's nieces." explains Nick.

"It seems like our little Aja and one of Georgette's kits have marked each other."

"Really? And now what? That's some serious stuff, even at that age!"

"We know. We're sure Cotton knew better, but when she marked Aja, he wasn't sure what to do and marked her back so as not to offend her. We're supposed to meet Georgette and Cotton in a short bit to figure out what to do with those two."

"And if you don't mind my saying so," adds Nick "we really don't need a set of marked teenagers on our paws right now, no disrespect intended."

"Oh, I totally agree" returns Bobby.

"If it's not too much trouble, would you mind giving Nick your phone number?" asks Judy "Since they'll be in the same high school together, these two decide they like each other and date, so we might want to get ahead of the game and set some ground rules."

"Now that sounds like a plan" remarks Bobby.

After exchanging phone numbers and biding each other goodbye Nick and Judy usher a reluctant Sarah inside the ice cream shop where Rose and Aja are already sitting in a booth, waiting for their parents.

"We'll talk when we get home" begins Judy addressing Sarah.

"But mom-"

"Don't 'but mom' me young lady, I know that look. You heard what your dad and I said. Ground rules and expectations … that doesn't mean no and it doesn't mean yes. it means we'll see. Is that clear?"

Looking at Nick and seeing only concern, Sarah agrees "Yes ma'am."

…

Problems?" asks Rose.

"Hopefully no, but it seems that Sarah may have an admirer-"

"MOM!"

"Well? it's true isn't it?"

"You didn't have to broadcast it…"

"Broadcast what?" comes the voice of Judy's sister Georgette.

"It looks like another of our kits may have a love interest!" says Nick.

"DAD! Not you too!"

"Sorry Punkin' can't let your mom have all the fun" he says with a sly wink.

"Please, just kill me now!" moans Sarah, ears flat on her back and forehead pressed against the table.

"And now we need to figure out what to do with those two" says Georgette, indicating Aja and Cotton, who are in the midst of a welcoming hug.

"I guess the best place to start is to ask if anyone has any objections to them seeing more of each other" begins Nick.

"Obviously we have no problem with it" says Judy "especially seeing as how interspecies this family is!" indicating the entire Wilde clan.

"As long as they stay well behaved, I can't see that Stan and I would have any issues with it." adds Georgette. "Stan an I can go back over marking rules with Cotton-"

"And Judy and I can go over them with Aja." finishes Nick "I'm reasonably sure that he was never introduced to them, being such a young fox kit. We're generally not given 'the talk' until around age ten or so. Poor Aja had no idea what he was doing, not that I'm making excuses. What's done is done and we fully intend to uphold any ideas you all may have considering the situation."

"I see no reason to be hard on the kits, either of them." insists Georgette. "We can set up play dates every now and then, and since you'll no doubt need someone to kitsit Aja from time to time it just might be the thing to see how far this little 'relationship' of theirs lasts."

"That sounds fair" says Judy.

"If it's not too much trouble, we have one more thing to discuss with you if you don't mind" says Nick.

"And what might that be?" asks Georgette.

"Well" continues Nick "we know that you and Stan sit on the Board of Directors for Hopps Family Farms®, and we're sure that you know what poor shape the berry patches are in."

"That's one of the main reasons that we sold them to you, so yes, we're aware."

"I've done a bit of research, and have discovered that several other crops of yours are in kinda bad shape as well."

"Are you looking to buy more of the farm mister Wilde?" asks a suddenly suspicious Georgette.

"Absolutely not! In fact, we may have as solution that could mutually benefit not only Hopps Family Farms® but 'Wilde Berries®' as well."

"And what might that be?"

"After discussing things with Judy and our daughter Rose, who is majoring in plant husbandry in high school by the way, Rose has tentatively agreed to test and diagnose the issues that the Hopps fields are currently experiencing."

"And in turn?"

"In turn, members of the Hopps fluffle would aid in harvesting our berry crops when the time comes. Tit for tat as it were." adds Judy.

"There would be no outlay of cash for either party, simply a sharing of knowledge and labor. It would be a win-win for everyone!" concludes Nick.

"That does sound like a good deal on the surface, but I'll need to talk to Stan and the rest of the board before I could commit to anything. I'm sure you understand."

"Of course. We fully expected you to take the matter before the full board, and there's plenty of time on our part so the onus is on y'all." agrees Nick.

"Well, now that that's all settled, take a look at the reason that we're here in the first place." says a smiling Judy, nodding towards two small kits in a separate booth.

"Oh how precious" agrees Georgette.

Just as Nick looks over, Cotton who is sharing an ice cream cone with Aja, manages to get a small dab of ice cream on her nose.

Without thinking, Aja leans over and gently licks the ice cream from her nose and earns a quick peck on the cheek for his troubles.

Suddenly realizing that they're being watched, the two kits quickly scoot apart trying to act like nothing happened.

"I sorta hate to say it" says Nick, smirk in full view "but those two are gonna be a pawfull. I'm guessing that it's gonna be impossible to keep 'em apart, and that they're gonna be together for a loooong time."

"It wouldn't surprise me if we ended up with them marking each other again, more than once regardless of our little talks." admits Judy.

"Which brings us back to Sarah and Bobby junior…"

Seeing Georgette's questioning look, Judy explains "On our way in here, we met up with one of my old classmates by the name of Bobby Catmull and Sarah got an eyeful of one of his cubs."

"Excuse me" interrupts Nick "But didn't Debra tell me that Bobby senior was an old flame of yours?"

"Nick … that was over thirty years ago…!"

"It hurt your widdle feewings when he turned you down if I remember correctly…" he smirks, harkening back to when they first met and she initially blackmailed him into helping her.

"Do you want to sleep in the shop tonight?"

"Not particularly …"

"Then zip it!" says an only half joking Judy.

"Yes ma'am." Making a zipping motion around his muzzle while retaining an ear to ear smirk.

"Anyway…." prompts Georgette, busily trying to hide a smile at the couple's antics.

"Anyway" restarts Judy, shooting Nick a 'shut the hell up' look "while I was talking to Bobby, his cub and Sarah were exchanging 'looks'." as she made finger quotations in the air.

"Interesting."

"Like we need a pair of love-struck teenagers right now." moans Judy.

"If you don't mind me saying, it was a bit more than looks." interrupts Nick.

"W-what?" asks a stunned Judy.

Pointing to his nose, Nick continues "There was a certain odor that I detected that I've only smelled from one other doe."

"Shit!"

"Exactly! And I'm sure that Bobby senior, and most likely Bobby junior, got a good whiff as well." says Nick.

"Well crap, what are we gonna do now?"

"I think a good talk with Sarah and probably Rose would be needed a bit more right now before one with Aja don't you think?"

"And a get together with Bobby and his family?"

"That would be best I'm sure."

"We can call them later … unless we get a call first… again!" sighs Judy.

"Or, we could send Bobby a text suggesting a meet." suggests Nick, already working on doing just that.

As few minutes later, Nick receives a return text.

Reading the intent of the text aloud, Nick informs Judy and others "Bobby, his wife and junior are still in town. They're willing to meet and talk to us at a restaurant called Zee's at around three if it's convenient with us."

As Judy opens her mouth to answer, Georgette intercedes. "We can watch Rose and Aja for you if you want. We just need to get a few things at Piggy Wiggy and can meet you back here, just call or text us when you're finished."

"You're sure it won't be and inconvenience?" asks Judy.

Not a problem" says Georgette "it'll give Aja and Cotton a little longer to get to know each other."

"I was really hoping to get home so I could start working on cataloging my soil sample results" says a mildly disappointed Rose.

"Your phone and your science laptop are synched, right?" asks Nick.

"Yea … and?"

"Then you can go over the results on your phone while you're waiting for us, ok?"

Slightly embarrassed that she hadn't thought of that, "Umm, yea, I guess. thanks dad."

Ruffling the fur between the young does ears Nick simply smiles "You're welcome Flower, that's what dads are for, right?"

"Dad, stop …" she answers, playfully swatting his paw away.

…

After waiting an appropriate amount of time, Nick, Judy and an apprehensive Sarah head down the street a bit to Zee's Café, a well-appointed family diner, comfortable enough for predator and prey alike.

Entering the diner, the Wildes see that Bobby and family are already seated at a table, which just happens to be large enough for the six of them.

Noting the seating arrangement, Nick already has a vague idea what's going to go down.

The entire family (of 3) is sitting on one side of the table, with Bobby sitting on one end, his wife on the other, with Bobby junior in the middle.

Nick politely pulls out a chair for Judy directly across from Mrs. Catmull and seats her, then does the same for Sarah, directly across from Bobby junior, and then seats himself across from Bobby senior.

This arrangement places each adult in front of their opposite, and the young across from each other as well, much to the discomfort of Sarah and junior.

"Nick, Judy," begins Bobby senior "I'd like to introduce my wife Kiera (a lioness), you already know Junior here. Kiera, this is Nick Wilde, his wife and old school mate of mine Judy, and their kit Sarah.'
'Let's get right to it shall we? I know you have other young waiting."

"Good idea" says Nick "So I guess the first issue would be this: would you have a problem if our two wanna be love birds would get together?"

"DAD!"

Looking at his daughter "Sarah, are you gonna try to tell me you aren't interested? Because I know better, and I'm sure the Catmull's do as well."

"It-it's just …"

"Embarrassing? Yes, I know sweetheart, but you will get over it in time, trust me" finishes a gently smiling Judy.

"Actually, Bobby and I are fine with it. The question is, is Junior interested." interjects Kiera.

As all eyes except Sarah's (who has amazingly found her napkin very interesting) suddenly focus on junior, the young hybrid cub's ears begin to slowly turn a bright red, and mumbles something so softly that even Judy can't make out what was said.

"A little louder please" quietly prompts Kiera.

"… Y-yes."

"Ok. Now the question is how to handle this. With one kit already marked" says Nick sternly "I would really like to NOT have a second one marked as well, especially at this age."

"What do you suggest?" asks Bobby.

"Chaperoned dates, at least for the time being" begins Judy "holding paws is allowed, perhaps a kiss on the cheek at some point as well."

"Mom, chaperoned? Really? Don't you trust me?"

"Of course we do … under normal circumstances. But firstly, do you have a way to get around on a date? No, no you don't because you don't have a driver's license and I'm sure Bobby doesn't either. Most importantly, sometimes biology will win out over caution and common sense … no offense Nick." (referring to the infamous press conference).

"In this case, none taken."

"And don't forget, just because you have some money in an account, I'm the one who controls the account until you're eighteen."

"If anything past pawholding and a few kisses happens, we'll all know it pretty much immediately." adds Nick.

"And you will behave at school, or all bets are off" says Bobby senior forcefully.

"Is everything understood?" asks Judy, looking directly at Sarah then to Junior.

"Yes ma'am." comes from both young mammals.

After a moment's thought, Nick has to ask "Umm, does Junior have a middle name? calling him Bobby would just create confusion, and Junior doesn't give the young cub his own identity…"

"James" says Kiera "it's James."

Seeing the slightly confused looks on all three Wildes faces, Kiera continues: "His full name is Robert James Catmull Junior."

Looking at Bobby, Judy attempts to give her former crush the third degree "Robert? All this time I thought that your first name was actually Bobby. Why…?"

"Why didn't I tell you that it was Robert? Would it have made a difference? You never did tell me that your first name wasn't Judy … Judith!"

"… Ok, point taken. I guess it makes sense, sorry."

Seeing the two young ones actually smiling at the exchange between their parents, Nick interjects himself into the conversation "If you two (indicating Judy and Bobby senior) will stop flirting for a moment maybe Sarah and James - Jim – Jimmy would like to get a word in edgewise?"

"Umm" begins junior "firstly, the kits at school call me Tanner … because of the color of my fur. So if you want to call me something else, Tanner will do … please."

"Works for me. And what else Tanner?"

"I really would like to date Sarah, with your permission of course. Chaperoned is fine, as long as I get to see her. And I promise to be a prefect gentlemammal at all times."

Just then "Disgusting, absolutely disgusting!" comes from directly behind Nick.

"Excuse me?" asks Nick, standing to come face to face with a coyote just a bit taller than himself.

"Preds and prey, socializing, dating. It's unnatural and disgusting."

"And you are?"

"Wylie Cooyotee if it's any of your business."

"Since you seem to want to denigrate my family and friends, I'd say it's very much my business!"

…

AN: Anyone wishing to see the complexity and power in these kata (forms) please look them up on YouTube.