Knuckle Down

Chapter 3

            Cast, Conte and Jason made their way through the forest.

            "Well, Looks like the big tree is just up ahead, I think I see the clearing your mom was talking about Cast." Jason noted. Cast had other things on his mind at the moment, and was only brought back to reality by a large piece of underbrush hitting him in the face.

            "Cast watch where your going." Cast decided that a quick retort was the best way to deal with Conte's over-protectiveness.

            "Yes Mother." Yeah, that was a good one. He wished he hadn't said it after that, Conte had a rather hurt look on her face.

            "Aw, Conte Im sorry. It's just that Im 17 now, I don't need anyone looking after. Me right… YOWR!" While he was talking he had somehow strayed a little bit from the path and had gotten himself stuck in some pricker bushes.

            " Stupid razzin frazzin pricker bushes….." 

            "Don't need anyone looking after you huh?" Cast would have been blushing had his fur not been so dark.

            "Shut it Jason." Conte giggled slightly at this. They made the correct western turn at the tree, and struck the path at the correct place. Cast had a great idea, and voiced his opinion.

            "Hey guy's, lets sing a song. We have a ton we can sing now, cause we just got those new tapes." Conte and Jason gave each other sidelong looks, then smiled and agreed.

"Alright, here, what song should we sing?" Cast asked.

"How about 'Bring me to life?'" Conte asked.

"Nah that's too girly, How about Backstreet Fur's, Larger than life?" Cast looked at Jason for a few seconds, Then Slapped him.

            "How about that Song 'Hero'? That's a good one."

            "Nah," Said Conte. "Ooh, Lets sing this one, it's called "Harder to Breath", I have the cassette on me." Cast decided what the hell and agreed. Jason was a little more adamant about not singing it, but gave in anyway. They listened to the song  on the cassette to learn the lyrics.

            "Here, you guys start singing in a second. I have something I wanna show you." Cast was dumbfounded. What could he wanna show us? His question was answered quickly by Jason bringing out a harmonica. He then launched into perfectly imitating the melody of the song, tapping his side's for the bass line. Cast not one to miss his cue, started in on the song immediately.

            "How dare you say my behavior is unacceptable, so condenscending unnecessarily critical, I have the tendency of getting very physical, so watch your step cause If I do you'll need a miracle," Cast sung with more than a hint of enthusiasm, Conte shifted and started singing the second verse

            "You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here, This Double Vision I was seeing is finally clear, You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
Not fit to friggin' tread the ground I'm walking on," She sung perfectly in tune, and they both started singing the chorus together,

"When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love,
You'll understand what I mean when I say,
There's no way we're gonna give up,
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams,
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe." They finished the chorus and immediately broke out laughing. Jason had actually did a very commendable job with his harmonica. How he had managed to memorize the song was beyond him whatever. The song had served it's purpose though, and they could see the smoke coming from smokestacks in what could only be Corneria.

            "Cool we're almost there!" Jason was thinking about the Peppy's food. Word had it that he made the best Cream-Puffs in all the realm of the Great Fox. He couldn't wait!

            "Yeah, I want to see the Lake, I heard it was beautiful, with lots of flower's and the clear lake water…" Cast wanted to see that himself…. Yeah, It would be awesome. They were coming up on the town now. He could see it clearly. There were some kits playing on a little play fort a while into the city, in sort of like a recreation area. There were houses and buildings around scattered around the area. It was truly a quaint beautiful, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Zoness. They walked around for a little while, said Hi to some of the people. They met a Avian with that looked into each one of their eyes as they walked around the center area, where they were joking around with some of the kits. He didn't say anything, but looked into Cast's eyes a little longer than Conte and Jason.

            "Weird…" Cast muttered. Eventually they made there way to Peppy's front door. Cast hadn't seen Peppy in over 10 years, and he hadn't ever met Conte or Jason. Ah well. It was now or never! There isn't an inbetween! Just knock on the…. This mental pep talk ended with Peppy opening up the door and bounding out, giving Cast a great big hare hug.

            "Cast meh boy! I haven't seen you in ages! Come in Come in! Bring your friends!" Cast didn't quite walk into the house, Peppy sort of dragged him in. Conte and Jason entered after him, bemused looks on their faces. They sat down in some comfortable chairs, leaving Peppy to bound off to get some refreshments.

            "Wow Cast, he still remembers you after all these years. That's pretty awesome." Jason remarked. Conte was busy looking around the house, noting all the neat things she would have to ask him about. Peppy came back, much to the delight of Jason, carrying his cream-puffs. He set the tray down, and started talking.

            "Cast, how have you been! I haven't seen you or your mother in so long. And look! This time you've brought along friends! Tell me who is this strapping young man?" Jason was caught off guard, having stuffed 3 of the 5 cream-puffs in his mouth at the same time. Cast grinned.

            "That's Jason Peppy." Jason managed a muffled 'Hi'.

            "And who is this beautiful young woman? Do my old eye's deceive me, or is that Torry sitting there? No it can't be." Peppy must have noticed her becoming a little uncomfortable. "Im just joking around my dear! How are you today madmoiselle?" Peppy held her hand and kissed it. She was taken aback by his chivalry, and blushed a little, you couldn't see it very well though, her dark fur obscuring it.

            "So how are you all today? Your mom sent word that you kits were coming through post. I guess you guys are staying all summer?" Cast nodded.

            "Well that's great, I'll be sure to show you guys around. Buuuut, after all these festivities I need to retire for a little while. Why don't you go explore for a little while. There are some other people around here about your age. They should be hanging around the lake around this time. Why don't you go hook up with them, they should provide some entertainment for you." Peppy said.

            "Thanks Peppy," Said Cast. Peppy got up and walked to his room. Slowly, odd for a hare, but not for his age.

            "Well guys, lets head out to the lake." Jason said after Peppy had left. They left the house and started out for the lake. Conte apparently had something on her mind, and was deep in thought. Jason was following them absentmindedly, munching on another creampuff. Conte had given hers up. She was on a diet or something. They walked along for a while, before Cast decided to ask what was up.

            "Hey Conte, something on your mind?" Conte looked up at him, (Cast had a good 3 inches over her height.)

            "Cast, Does your mom know Peppy? I mean KNOW?" Cast had to think about it for a little while, then gave his response.

            "Yeah I think so, I think they dated in the past. Before she and dad were a couple." Conte almost wished she hadn't said that. Cast had lost his father a little while earlier in life. He still didn't like talking about it.

            "Well, whatever they had is over I guess. But you know, when he looked at me, it was like he was looking at your mother. Cast, Do I look a lot like your mom?" Cast looked very hard at her. The resembelance was striking. He hadn't really noticed it before. The only difference was that Conte was a little bit shorter than his mom.

            "Yeah I guess so. Your still the most beautiful Panther I've ever seen." She gave him a sidelong look.

            "Haha, If only you looked as good as you flirted." Cast knew that she was just joking. She had to be. After all, Cast was of the opinion that he was the hottest thing on the planet. He wouldn't tell anybody that though. He really wasn't all that big, and kinda not that built, but doesn't every guy think that at one time or another?

            "Sigh, You cant blame me for trying." They noticed the lake coming up. They saw some other furs playing volleyball on a net they had set up. It looked to be 3 on 2, with a Fox and an Avian on one team, and a Hound, A vixen, and a toad on the other. They were having a great ole time. As they saw them approach the Fox held up his hand, motioning for the game to take a time out. He walked over to where Cast, Conte, and Jason were standing.          

            "Hey everyone, Are you the Furs Peppy was talking about so much? Nah, course you are, Two Panthers and a Hound, Couldn't be anyone else." Cast and Conte smiled, and Jason was still wolfing on his cream-puff.

            "Heh, Let me introduce myself. My name is Fox McCloud, this Beautiful Vixen over here is Krystal," The Vixen waved. "These are my Close friends, Slippy, Falco, and the ever mischevious Bill." They all waved.

            "Hi, Nice to meet you all. My name is Cast, and these are my Friends, Jason and Conte." Conte waved to everyone. Jason just finished his cream puff, and started waving franticly, trying to recover some shred of dignity. This game everyone a laugh.

            "Hey guys, we need some more people to play volleyball with us, if you guys join you can even out the teams." Announced Falco.

            "Sure!" Said Cast. Conte smiled and went over to the other court, with Krystal and the others, Jason joined Cast with Fox and Falco on the other team. They started a very enjoyable game, which ended with a tie. They started another set. They played for a while then took a break. Krystal, anticipating everyones arrival had created a huge picnic lunch, which everyone partook of. While Cast was eating he noticed a figure on the other bank of the lake.

            "Hey who's that?" Cast asked Fox.

            "Hmmm, That's a human that's been hanging around here for a while. He stays on the other bank practicing some form of human fighting. I personally don't like him that much, but Falco did his little trick, so we're sure he wont hurt anyone." Cast didn't feel like asking what Falco's trick was, so he left it alone. He had more on his mind right now. He wanted to make sure of something.

            "Guys Ill be right back." Fox had an idea of what he was doing, and asked if he wanted anyone to go along with him to make sure nothing happened.

            "Nah," Cast answered. "I'll be alright." Fox didn't push it, and let Cast go. Cast walked over to the other side of the lake, easing slowly up on the position of the man. As he got closer he noticed that the man was moving around what looked to be a large upright log. He got closer, and the man didn't break his stride. He was using some odd fighting position, and was hitting the log. He didn't even flinch as he hit the log as hard as he could. The log was not of the same constitution though, and was slowly being withered into nothing by the volley of blows the man was giving it. Cast sat down mesmerized by the dance the man was doing. Cast knew who the man was though. The man who had saved him that night. The man stopped hitting the log. He looked over to the Cast, sitting on the ground.

            "Hey kid, how's it going?" Cast stood up and looked at Yun. Then he jumped up and gave him a huge hug,

            "What the, heh." Yun smiled.

            "Yun, I have a question." Yun looked down at the kid. Apparently, his mom had told him his name.

            "Sure kid, whats up?"

            "Yun, will you teach me how to fight like that?" Yun was shocked. Could it be done? Could he actually get a fur to box? It would be monumental. But He didn't think it could be done.

            "Cast, Boxing is a human sport. I don't think that a fur would do very well in the human world of Boxing." Cast gave him a steely gaze.

            "I can do it, just teach me." Yun continued,

            "Cast, you don't know what your getting into. A fur has NEVER boxed. Ever. I don't think that even if you could, that the league would allow it. I really don't want you to have to deal with how some humans are. So the answer to your question is no." Cast wouldn't give up now. He wanted to Box, he could finally show everyone that he wasn't a wuss, he could do something, it would make Conte finally like him!

            "Sir, with all due respect, I think you should teach me. It doesn't matter that Im a fur! I'm just as capable as any human! Just give me a chance!" Yun looked pitifully at the young fur.      

            "Im sorry, I just don't think I can do that. It would hurt both of us to much If all the work you put in was for naught."      

            "Yun, don't let me go down. I need someone to help me with this. I really want to learn to box. I wont give in! Im strong, they'll have to deal with me. I can prove that Im just as viable a um, Boxer, as anyone else! I can do it! Don't deny me this. I'll do whatever it takes, flat out." Yun looked at the distraught fur. He reminded him of himself. Well, I guess my protégé can be a fur. Maybe we can do this.

            "Sigh, you broke me down. Cast, Ill teach you how to Box."