Chapter 4: Rumors

It had been three days since their latest incidents and Legosi and Jack had been missing their classes. Given the circumstances, Principal Gon was understanding and allowed them to be excused until they felt well enough to return.

It also helped that the rest of 701 volunteered to bring them their work and shared notes so they could make up for the days they were out.

It was during this time of mental recovery that Legosi and Jack talked more and discussed what had happened.

Jack explained what happened with Arthur and how he felt good after telling him off like he did, but how he couldn't stop the tears from falling afterwards. He also told his boyfriend about the frustration he'd felt for not asking Detective Doyle why Arthur was allowed to see the labrador in the first place.

Legosi, as expected, didn't have the answer to that, but expressed his pride towards Jack about confronting the animal that hurt him. It was also here that the wolf told Jack about Pina and how scared he was. After all, he had never met an animal that joked about being devoured like it was no big deal. Even the crocodile that the wolf encountered a few months ago wasn't as bad as Pina.

Jack was stunned by this and didn't know how to handle someone like that either. It didn't make sense to any of them how a person could talk about something like that and act like it's normal. It also didn't help that Pina was the instigator type and that Legosi was now on his radar.

With all this in mind, they decided to talk to their packmates about all this, something that neither of them were eager to do.

The next day, the two canines resumed their classes. They were happy to reunite with their friends and to get back to a, hopefully, normal life again. It was around the fourth period however that things seemed… different, and not just because they had separate classes.

Legosi sat down at his desk next and readied his English books when he heard whispering all around him. He looked at the other students and noticed that they were sneaking glances at him while they talked to each other. This put him on edge and caused the gray wolf to jerk his face back to the front of the class.

"What are they talking about?" Legosi thought to himself. "Is it because I was out of class for three days?"

Legosi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he was suddenly staring into someone's eyes.

"Ahh," the wolf yelled as he sat back. He shook his head and saw that it was Kai who had gotten in his face. "Kai, what are you doing?"

Kai didn't answer, he just continued staring at his friend. He squinted as he moved his head closer to Legosi as if to examine the wolf.

"Kai, what the heck are you doing?" Legosi repeated as his ears folded back.

"Hmm… nah, no way it's you," the mongoose decided as he backed away and waved his hand dismissively. "There's now way you'd be bold enough for that."

"B-Bold enough for what? What are you talking about?" the wolf asked.

"Oh right, you were out so you wouldn't know," Kai replied. "Get this, there's this rumor about a wolf and a dog dating!"

Legosi's eyes widened. "R-Really? Well… there's nothing strange about that. I mean, wolves and dogs are in the same family and there are plenty of foxes that date bigger canines."

Kai grinned. "Oh, if that were all then it obviously wouldn't be a big deal. But there's more!."

"More?" the larger carnivore asked.

"Get this, the wolf and dog who are supposedly dating are both males," the mongoose said with a big smile.

Legosi's ears and tail jumped. He had to use all this strength to keep himself from standing up in shock.

"W-Where did you hear that?" he asked.

"Here and there, mostly in hallways really," Kai answered as he shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly didn't care at first, but with everyone talking about it, I couldn't help but get curious."

Kai put his hands behind his head. "Anyway, what about you, think there's any truth to it?"

The wolf looked to the side before taking a deep breath and looking back at his friend.

"I can't say for sure. I try not to listen to rumors since they tend to be trouble and because of how outlandish they can be. Like, maybe there is a wolf and dog couple here, but someone just added that part about them both being male in order to get people talking. Just look at all the rumors people made about me," Legosi explained.

Kai shook his head. "Yea, you're not wrong about that. I mean,the rumor is pretty sketchy when you think about it. Not to mention how it started seems way too romanticized"

"How did it start?" the large canine asked.

"Well, I don't know all the details, but apparently some girl saw the two of them kissing on the roof of the school," Kai answered. "They must have thought they were alone and wanted to have a kiss at sunset, that's when she saw them."

Legosi began to sweat. He couldn't believe someone actually saw him and Jack sharing their tender moment.

Kai however didn't notice and just continued. "Of course, don't bother asking who this girl was because no one knows for sure and that's what makes it sketchy."

The wolf didn't know how to feel about this. On one hand, since no one knew who this girl was, it was possible more people would think the rumor was fake. On the other hand, if he didn't find out who it was that saw them, they might try to spread even more rumors or try something worse.

"Anyway, that's all I know. Sorry if it seemed like I was accusing you of something," Kai said, snapping Legosi out of his thoughts.

"Oh, uh… it's alright," Legosi said awkwardly. "Um… if you don't mind me asking. Let's say for a minute that this rumor was real. How would you feel about a couple like that?"

Kai gave the wolf a surprised look. He hadn't expected Legosi of all animals to ask him that.

"Well to be honest, I really wouldn't care. I mean, it's not like it's any of my business who people date and if they like each other, then who cares?" he answered.

"I see," Legosi responded, a small sense of relief in his voice. "What about you though? Would you consider something like that?"

Kai was at a loss for words. He could only stare at his friend whom he never thought would ask something like that.

"Um… well I guess it depends," Kai said awkwardly, his face becoming visibly red.

"Depends on what?" Legosi asked, sounding genuinely intrigued by this answer.

"It depends on if I actually liked the guy or not," the mongoose answered as he turned his head. He looked at Legosi from the corner of his eye and blushed.

"What I mean is, if I had actual feelings for him, then maybe I'd be willing to give it a try. But, it would have to be real genuine feelings and not some spur of the moment thing or trying it as an experiment!"

"Really?" Legosi said with a bit of a mischievous grin, clearly wanting to tease his friend a bit. "So what you're saying is, if you met someone you really liked, then you'd be ok with them being a male like you?"

Kai clenched his teeth before turning his head towards Legosi, his face completely red. "Look jackass, this isn't about me! I just came to tell you about the rumor, I'm going back to my seat now."

"You mean the one next to me?" the wolf said as he motioned to it. "Come on then!"

Kai sat down, his face still red with embarrassment and now a bit of anger. It was here that Legosi surprised him with a lick to his cheek.

"What the hell?!" Kai snapped.

"Come on, I've licked you before, it's what us canines do," Legosi answered as he started to wag his tail.

"Yea, but you can't just go licking me after asking me something like that, especially in the middle of class," the mongoose growled.

"The class hasn't started yet," the wolf retorted.

"You know what I mean!"

Legosi chuckled a bit before moving his head closer to Kai's. "What's wrong? Afraid of a little puppy love?"

The smaller carnivore blushed even more. "Screw off!" he said as he pushed Legosi back. "What's up with you? Are you hanging out with Bill or something?"

"Hehe, no, but I have been hanging out with my hyena roommate Miguno a lot. I probably get it from him," the large canine replied. "I am sorry though. It's just that you looked kind of cute when your face got red… I just couldn't resist."

"Yea well… try it again and I'll bite your face off!" the smaller carnivore said in embarrassment.

"Wow, already? Shouldn't we go on a date first?" Legosi joked, his tail wagging even more joyfully.

"You're really looking to piss me off today, aren't you?" Kai asked in a threatening manner.

"Sounds like someone's too wound up again," the wolf said as he stuck two fingers out.

"Don't you freaken dare," the mongoose growled.

Just then, they heard the professor let out a cough, grabbing their attention.

"Kai, Legosi, I'm not sure what you two are talking about, but I AM sure that it can wait until after class," he said in annoyance.

The two apologized to the professor and opened their books to the assigned page.

"I'll get you after class," Legosi whispered in his friend's ear before sneaking in another lick.

Kai wanted to say something, but before he could, Legosi patted his head, calming him down. He looked up at the wolf who gave him a gentle smile.

This made Kai feel a little more frustrated, but it also helped him realize something. This was yet another side of Legosi that the mongoose hadn't seen before or at least not in a while.

He had seen the wolf's excited side, enthusiastic side, and even his playful side. Yet this was the first time Legosi joked with him in this particular way. It somehow made the mongoose happy because it meant Legosi felt comfortable enough around him to be able to make jokes like this.

"We are going to have a serious talk later," Kai said, keeping up his tough guy persona.

"Looking forward to it," the gentle giant responded.

Elsewhere, Jack was finishing up his classwork. Despite his absence due to his injury and the break he took with Legosi, the labrador had little trouble catching up on what he had missed.

It made him happy getting back to his classes and once again being the one other students would ask for help with on their assignments. Unlike before however, Jack was a bit more selective about who he helped since he no longer wanted anything to do with the classmates who had turned on him after the cafeteria incident.

Needless to say, Jack was much happier now that he was around classmates who were genuine and appreciative of his help. He didn't consider them friends or anything, but was glad to have their company.

As the bell rang and Jack collected his things, he heard some of the other animals whispering and talking to each other. The labrador could also feel their gazes on him, but chose to ignore them since he's had more than enough with rumors and was tired of being the source for everyone's drama.

"Finally it's lunch time," Jack thought to himself, his tail wagging happily. "Should I eat with Legosi or should I sit with the guys? I've been spending so much time with Legosi that maybe I should eat with Collot and the others. After all, I'm sure Legosi wants to catch up with his clubmates and I don't want the guys to think I've forgotten about them."

As the yellow furred carnivore continued walking, he suddenly felt something run into his leg.

"Ow," Jack said as he rubbed the impact spot. He looked down and saw a small rabbit girl with white fur on the floor.

"Oh geez," the dog said in surprise. "I am so sorry. Here, let me help you up."

"I don't need your help!" the small herbivore snapped.

She picked up her dropped books and stood up with a huff. "Why don't you watch where you're going!"

"I'm sorry, really," Jack said as his ears folded back and his tail drooped. "I-I just didn't see you because-"

"Because I'm small right! Because I'm just a small dwarf rabbit who can't do anything on her own!" she hissed. "Just because you're a bigger animal, doesn't mean that you can look past me!"

"N-No, that's not it. I just wasn't paying attention." Jack put a hand behind his head before letting out a sigh. "I have lunch next and I was excited to see my friends."

"Well that's still no excuse! You could have really hurt someone!" she said with a huff.

"Hey! I said I was sorry ok?" Jack barked, an angry look now covering his face and his tail frizzling up. "You're right, I should have been paying attention, but that doesn't mean you gotta yell at me or be mean about it!"

The rabbit girl, surprised by the outburst, took a step back. "Um… I uh…"

Jack, seeing how nervous she was becoming, took a deep breath in order to calm himself down. "I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap like that. I just didn't like how you yelled at me after I apologized."

The girl blinked, surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor. She shook her head and tried to speak but noticed there was something familiar about the dog. It was then that she realized where she had seen him before.

"It's you!" the female herbivore said in surprise as she pointed at Jack. "You're the one from the roof!"

"The… roof?" Jack asked with raised brow as he tilted his head.

"Yea, the roof!" the dwarf rabbit said as if she was accusing him of a crime. "You're the male labrador who was making out with that male wolf!"

Jack's eyes widened. "N-No way, someone… actually saw us?"

Seeing this reaction, the rabbit girl smirked. "Heh, so I was right," she said proudly as she stared down the frightened carnivore.

Her eyes widened with excitement when she realized who it was she was talking to. "You're Jack aren't you? The honor student whose grades are better than Louis', am I right?"

Jack's blood went cold. He felt his heart race as the world went dark.

"Looks like I was right again!" the small herbivore said with a look of determination. "Wait till I tell everyone that the carnivore who gave Louis a run for his money is a homosexual FREAK!"

Jack began to hyperventilate as tears started to form under his eyes.

"You know, you already have quite the reputation. What, with getting tangled up with that dog gang and getting shot... Now on top of all that, I find out that you're gay," she said with a look of supperiority. "Seems like you can't catch a break huh? I can only imagine what everyone will do to you once they find out."

The labrador could no longer hold back his tears. They started running down either side of his face as he fell to his knees and grabbed his shoulders. He desperately wanted to say something, anything to try and defend himself. However, no matter how hard he tried, no words could escape him.

"Please… please don't say anything," he begged in his head. "We've already gone through so much. We don't even know you. So why, why are you-"

"You're really one to talk!"

"Huh?" Jack jumped, the new voice snapping him out of it.

He and the girl turned their heads towards the voice and their eyes widened as a fox student came between them.

"Wait a minute, you're-"

"Good to see you again, goldilocks," the fox said, cutting Jack off.

"M-Manny!" Jack exclaimed.

Manny nodded to him before turning and pointing at the girl. "Hey you, rabbit! You know, you have a lot of nerve spreading rumors like that, especially with your reputation! You're Haru, right?"

The rabbit took a step back as she sneered.

The fox smirked. "Heh, thought so."

Manny turned to Jack. "Hey Jack, don't listen to anything this girl says. After all, I doubt anyone would listen to the school whore."

Jack's eyes widened as his ears and tail jumped in surprise. "The school… what?"

"She's a total slut man," the smaller carnivore answered. "This rabbit's been with just about every guy in this school, herbivore AND carnivore!"

Jack blushed from the new information. He turned to Haru and saw that she was even redder than he was. Whether the redness came from embarrassment or frustration, he couldn't tell.

Manny walked up to her with his hands in his pockets. "Now you listen here, I don't know what your problem is and I don't really care, but if you say anything to anybody, I'll make sure you live to regret it."

Haru grit her teeth. "You think I'm afraid? Well I'm not. I already have a bad reputation so it's not like you can ruin it!"

"That may be, but we both know that no one would truly believe you if you decided to start something," Manny argued. "Meanwhile, I can spread my own rumors around and make your pathetic life even worse."

He smirked. "Maybe I can tell everyone something big, like you have herpes. After all, with all the guys who've fucked you, I'm sure the whole school would believe it in an instant. Then again, for all I know it might actually be true."

The female herbivore clenched her fists, unable to respond.

Manny glared at her. "Now that you understand what you're up against, I suggest you back off and leave my friend alone."

"FINE!" Haru shouted.

"Just stay out of my way," she said before turning the corner.

Manny let out a sigh of relief and walked over to Jack. He extended his hand to the labrador and helped him up off the floor.

"Sorry you had to see that. You alright?" the fox asked.

"Yea, I am. Thank you," Jack said with a gentle voice after wiping his face.

Manny smiled. "Hey, you wanna get lunch? I'd really like to talk, if you're up for it."

Jack's eyes widened. He was surprised that the fox who picked a fight with him was now inviting him to eat with him, even if he was friends with Voss.

"Um… sure, why not?" the yellow dog said in an awkward and hesitant tone.

"Great, let's get going before they run out of the good food." Manny said as he grabbed the labrador's arm.

The fox dragged Jack down the hall, his tail wagging with joy.

Meanwhile, Jack was mentally preparing himself for whatever it was this fox had on his mind.

Here's this chapter's secret.

"Did you know that Haru sleeps with others because it's how she feels vindicated? This is because in her mind, sex is the only time when she feels truly equal to her partner, regardless of species. For her, it feels like it's the only way for two people to understand each other since it's just them with nothing holding them back."