CHAPTER 15: MASK OF A WOLF
BRICK: What's with the chapter title?
ME: It means that a wolf hides secrets. Duh.
BRICK: Oh yes. Because that is so obvious. *rolls eyes*
ME: Anyway, I am indeed back with a new chapter! How are all of you?
BUTCH: Good, fine, whatever. Now move on with the chapter!
ME: Okay, okay; fine.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing besides my own OC and the story!
Chapter 15: Mask of a Wolf
"Hey, Ross," Brick greeted the boy walking with Butch toward the cafeteria table.
"Hey!" Butch shouted, looking annoyed as he bounced into his seat. "What about good, li'l ol' me?"
"...And hello to you too, Butch," Brick added, rolling his eyes. He picked up a fry.
"Oh! Fries," Butch said, leaning over and snatching three. That's for forgetting to day hi to me, jerk.
"BUTCH!" Brick shouted in frustration, whacking his brother's arm.
"Ouch!" Butch cried, dropping a few fries. He shot his brother a look on the verge of being an exaggerated glare. "Now look what you did!"
Ross couldn't help it—he laughed.
"Come sit with me, the bell!" called a voice.
Ross laughed, and turned to see the boy he'd bumped into earlier; Boomer. He smiled. "Thanks, Boomer."
"No problemo!" Boomer responded, grinning.
"You two have met?" Brick said, both him and Butch pausing from their "little" wrestling match to stare at the two boys.
"...Yeah, he bumped into me and I asked him his name. The bell rang and he said that his name was 'the bell'!"
Ross laughed nervously. "Sorry..."
"He called himself 'the second bell' with us when the second bell rang!" a voice giggled.
Ross turned to see Bubbles, the friendly blue Powerpuff Girl he'd met earlier. Buttercup was nodding beside her.
"...We're the Powerpuff Girls and Rowdyruff Boys," a redheaded girl remarked. "We're some of Townsville's superheroes. I'm the girls' sister and leader, Blossom. Let's continue introductions...:"
After a few minutes of introductions and talking, Ross introduced himself formally.
After introductions were over, they ate and chatted about all kinds of things.
...Including Math.
"And so the answer to this equation is 67 because x and y can't become anything less."
Butch tuned out pretty early and noticed a heavy smell on the table. Could it be...? It can't be... Butch leaned forward and sniffed. Worry pricked Butch like a jolt of electricity crackling on his skin.
"What's the matter, Butch?" Ross asked. It looked like he had also been turned off by the new conversation on Math.
Butch shook his head, waving his new friend off. "Wait..." he murmured "...Ah-ha! I knew it!"
"Knew what?" Ross asked.
Butch grinned sheepishly. "Oh, sorry. I barely even noticed you there. Anyway, I thought there might be traces of...err, fish, and there are. It's actually pretty strong. Can you smell it?"
Ross leaned in and took a whiff. "I don't—oh wait..." His eyes widened when he caught the scent. "It's really faint; how'd you tell?"
Butch grinned sheepishly again. "Well...I have this thing called superpowers which heighten my senses..." That's half the truths anyway.
"...Oh, okay." Ross narrowed his eyes. He looked suspicious, making Butch swallow hard. But then the boy called, "Hey look! It's a...cute girl!"
"Where?" asked Butch, spinning around.
Ross leaned forward and snatched a fry.
"I don't see any—" Butch turned back around, just catching Ross in the act red-handed. "—Hey!"
Ross laughed, sticking the fry into his mouth.
"Get back here, you little—!" Despite Butch's choice of words, he felt amused enough to grin.
Ross laughed again before leaping up and racing off.
Blossom frowned from her seat, clearly unamused. "Excuse me boys, but could you please...keep. It. Down!?"
Brick grabbed her shoulder. When she turned to look at him, he shook his head, grinning in amusement.
Blossom sighed and nodded: he was right; it was pointless to try and stop the two.
"You're pretty fast for a human," Butch commented, his forest-green streak behind him as he flew to catch up. He didn't go to his full speed because he knew it wouldn't be much fun if he did.
Ross smirked back. "I guess I'm special," he remarked.
"...I guess you are," Butch agreed, grinning after a little while of consideration. I wonder what he's hinting at? He raised an eyebrow.
"STOP!"
They halted and crashed into one another as someone shoved their hand in front of Ross' face.
It was a PE teacher! "Well, if it isn't the new kid, Ross!"
"Hey, Mr. J," Ross greeted sheepishly. "Are we in trouble for running in the—?"
"Nah," Mr. J responded. "Shamus told me you were fast, and while I didn't doubt him, I wanted to see for myself what you could do." He chuckled and slapped Ross on the back...hard. Ross bent forward from surprise and smiled awkwardly. "You take into consideration joining things like the track team, okay, boy?"
"...Uh...yeah, okay..."
"Good!" Then Mr. J was off.
Butch turned to his newfound friend. "You already know him?"
"Shamus introduced me to the teachers earlier today," Ross explained, just as another interruption occurred.
"ROSS, WHERE ARE YOU!?"
Butch turned to see a guy with shaggy blond hair, freckles, and blue-green eyes. He was frowning. The sight of the familiar newcomer made Butch bristle.
"Ah! It's Michael," Ross remarked. "Mikey! I'm over here!" He waved his arm to get his friend's attention.
Michael walked over, crossing his arms. "Where have you been this past week?" he demanded, fixing his vest.
"...Umm, here and there," Ross managed to say before Michael started talking again.
"Danes has been pissing. Me. Off. AGAIN," Michael said, growling. "I swear, if the guy—"
"Michael... Michael... MICHAAAAAEEELLL!"
"What!?" the other teen shouted back.
Butch winced in irritation.
Ross pointed at a staring Butch. "I have a friend with me. Butch, Michael; Michael, Butch."
"Good to see you again," Michael grumbled, sticking out his hand toward Butch. He raised a challenging eyebrow.
"Hello to you too," Butch replied through gritted teeth, silently accepting the challenge. He took Michael's hand and shook it roughly.
Michael made a face at Butch's rough shake.
They both sent an "are you serious face?" to Ross.
They turned back and a spark passed between the two.
Then they realized they were still shaking hands and yanked their hands free while glaring at one another.
Ross watched with growing worry and even curiosity. Michael was a cool, usually calm guy. But his arrogance and pride meant he also had a temper.
Butch was the exact same.
They were not a safe mix.
Ross laughed nervously. "Come sit with us, Michael," he offered.
Michael frowned and shook his head before making a face. "Danes wants me to study today. I have to go to the library. Sid and Darkai are already there."
Butch knew he was talking about his lackeys. Sidney, the shy and always scared one, as well as Darkai, the tough and silent one. Both of them irritated Butch in their own special ways.
"What about DJ?" Ross asked.
"Oh, DJ. He's off doing one of his 'experiments' or something." When he said "experiments", he did air quotations.
"Ahh, I see," Ross murmured, nodding as he stroked his chin.
"Invisible beard, much?" Michael commented, raising an eyebrow.
Ross flushed in embarrassment. "Oh, sorry." He stopped rubbing his chin.
"Anyway, I gotta go," Michael continued. "See ya later, Rossi-gator!"
"Bye," Ross called back.
Michael paused before making a face. "And...ugh, bye...Butch."
"Good. Bye," Butch grumbled back. And good riddance.
Michael made another face before vanishing.
As soon as he was gone, Butch couldn't hold his disbelief in any longer. He spun around to face Ross and proceeded to bombard the boy with questions:
"Why are you friends with that guy!?"
"He's so arrogant!"
"And ugly!"
"God, he pisses me off so bad!"
"Does he not piss you off?"
"I mean, just look at his temper and arrogance and pride!"
"And don't get me started on his need to flirt!"
"How long have you been friends? How'd you even survive for so long!?"
Okay, so most of the questions were actually ranting, but still...
"...Doesn't he remind you of someone?" Ross teased, poking Butch. "And at least let me answer one of those one million and one questions before you ask any more!"
Butch rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. He knew Ross was saying that he and Michael were alike. Frankly, I only half see the resemblance. I'm way better than that guy. "Shut up and don't comment about that; and okay, fine."
"Well, I've known him since I was small, and the others slowly joined us as well. We've become rather...inseparable, these past 'few' days." Ross grinned. When he said "few", he did air quotations.
Flashback
"Michael...?"
No reply.
"Michael!"
Still nothing.
"MICHAEL!"
"What!?"The blond boy leapt up with wide eyes and quickly looked around. "What is it? Where's the fire!?"
"IN MY HEAD!" a young Ross shouted in a fit of fiery anger. "You're so slow at waking up!"
"That didn't even make any sense," remarked Michael, flopping down and blowing golden bangs out of his blue-green eyes.
Ross growled, feeling a storm cloud appear over his head. "I MEANT, I'M MAD!"
"Ohhh," Michael said. "Well then...why didn't you just say so?"
"I—ARGHH!"
"Relax, I'm just pulling your leg, Rossi," Michael chuckled.
"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Ross shouted, huffing.
"G-Guys..." a voice stammered.
They all turned to see a wide-eyed Sidney, standing with his knees together but legs apart. He looked around nervously. "C-Could we s-stop fighting...?" he squeaked weakly.
"Aww, Sid," Michael began, but was interrupted.
"This is too entertaining," DJ objected, hanging from a rail on the ceiling. They all looked up to see him grinning.
The newest addition to their "little" group: DJ.
"I can't see what's so entertaining about watching Ross yell at me," Michael huffed, crossing his arms.
"That's just it," DJ chuckled, swinging from the rail.
"Hey."
They all turned to see blue-black hair and dark-blue eyes, and a pale face with barely any emotion on it.
"Hey, Darkai!" Michael greeted, jumping up. "What'd you...'catch' today?"
Darkai shrugged, peeling leaves off of his dark-blue-and-black leather jacket. "I caught a swimmer."
The three exchanged looks.
Michael turned back to the gothic boy. "...Pardon...?"
"A swimmer," Darkai repeated, peeling off seaweed from his black beanie. "I caught a swimmer. It didn't go so well for either of us, and I was glad to finally catch that swimmer."
Michael blinked. "...Okaaaay then. You sure don't seem that glad..."
Darkai stared at him and didn't say anything.
Michael smiled sheepishly and moved aside.
End Flashback
"Those were good days," Ross sighed happily. He then seemed to drift off into his own world after he told Butch that tale; probably reliving past memories.
Butch had to admit he was slightly curious about Ross' past—but there was no point on letting Ross reminisce if he wasn't saying anything out loud. The green Ruff smacked his friend on the back so hard Ross bent forward and wheezed. "Earth to Ross! Get in the now!"
"O-Oh, right; sorry," Ross mumbled through gritted teeth. He wanted to hit back thanks to irritation, so it took some willpower not to. But of course, even if he did, it'd still be all in good fun.
...That is, until something serious happens...
Ross shook his head to clear it. He shouldn't be thinking those thoughts. He shoved them to the back of his mind.
Butch frowned, unsure why Ross was suddenly acting so strangely. But before he could ask, the new kid simply turned around and walked back to the cafeteria. Butch followed, and soon they finally got back to their table.
Butch immediately made his way to Brick when the red Ruff motioned him to come over.
"What was that all about?" Brick asked lowly, leaning in.
"...Michael. Turns out Ross knows him," Butch replied briefly, shoving fries into his mouth.
"...Oh, okay." Brick stopped leaning in and nodded. He understood what Butch was implying.
Meanwhile, Ross blinked, confused. Why did the both of them seem to dislike Michael so much?
Ross' phone made a DING! noise. Quickly, he whipped it out and stared at the text he'd received:
"'When are you free?'"
It was from Michael.
Ross blinked, confused. What's all THIS about...?
He typed back:
"'Umm...idk. Why?"
DING!
"'I need to talk to you.'"
Ross stared at it. ...What?
"'...What? Why?'"
DING!
"'...I just need to talk to you, that's all.'"
Ross blinked.
"'...Okay...I'll contact you whenever I'm free then, I guess...'"
DING!
"'...Thanks.'"
"'...No problem.'"
No reply.
Ross frowned before shutting off his phone and slipping it into his pocket.
"I take it that everything is going according to plan?"
"...Yes." The man bowed his head before pausing. "He seems to be fitting in quite well."
The man who was staring out the window turned just slightly to reveal steely gray eyes. "I see. That hardly comes as a surprise, seeing his caliber."
"I agree." The first man lifted his head, red hair flowing out behind him. "It's unusual for you to visit the school."
His companion raised a cup of coffee and took a sip. "I need to check on the boy's progress. Michael could learn a thing or two from him. You see the boy's talent, don't you, Jamel?"
"I don't exactly see anything," Jamel muttered.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Uh, not really. Only that he is indeed talented," Jamel said sheepishly, drinking from his own cup of coffee.
Before the man could press further, the door creaked open and someone walked in. A rectangle of light pooled out onto the greenish carpet in the dark room.
Jamel looked up. "How nice of you to join us, Shamus. It's been awhile, has it not?"
"I suppose it has." The newcomer, whom was confirmed as Shamus, walked over and pulled up a chair. He sat down with the other two.
"You look healthy," Jamel remarked. "Travelling seems to have done you good. Just look at your complexion!"
Shamus let out an "humph". "Don't flatter me, Jamel." He ran a hand through his long, slightly curly black hair. "I have something I need to talk to you about."
The first man leaned forward. "Speak."
"Here goes," sighed Jamel.
"It's about Vix."
Jamel shrugged. "Of course it is."
"Why are you trusting the kid? He's one of—"
"As a human being, he isn't. He's sworn his loyalty, as demonstrated by his fight with Butch," the first man stated. "Besides, I'm keeping a close eye on him. If he gets out of line, he'll be eliminated. He is not a threat."
Shamus paused before nodding. "Very well."
"Good." The first man drank from his coffee again.
Shamus glanced at his friend. "There's more."
"What else is up?" asked Jamel.
"It's Ross. Is he doing okay?"
Jamel laughed. "Are you kidding? This guy has nothing but good words to say about that kid."
"That is simply because he has earned my praise." The other man shot Jamel a look.
Jamel snorted, shrugging again. "I guess so."
"That's good. I believe that he can finally start doing something useful by going to this school. What about Michael? How has he been?" Shamus commented.
The man paused in his drinking. He set down his cup as his gaze hardened. "Michael is doing fine. He hasn't done anything extraordinary, but he's not disappointing me either. With practice, he'll get better."
"Maybe he just needs someone to be there for him," Shamus remarked quietly.
Jamel blinked, glancing at the other man and awaiting his reaction.
The first man closed his eyes. "He's fine. He has his friends, does he not? I am proud of him. I'll just grow more proud of him as time passes."
Shamus frowned. "How long have you been telling him that, Danes?"
The silence that followed seemed to darken the already dark room even more.
ME: So you guys got to see some of Ross' past! And look! Jamel, Shamus, and Danes have a little talk.
BRICK: How interesting.
BUTCH: I don't like these guys.
ME: Too bad. They're part of the story.
BUBBLES: They're not so bad... We just need to get to know them more.
BOOMER: Danes is scary.
ME: *sweat-drop* Well then.
BLOSSOM: What does Michael want to talk to Ross about?
ME: You'll see~ In the meanwhile, leave a review! Bye, guys.
BLASTER: Revieeeeew~!