The Show Arena - A Week Later
The arena was in an uproar tonight as all the beasts in attendance went wild in the stands as a battle raged down below in the caged octagon. A short vixen clad in a green sports bra and gear duked it out with a slender spotted mink in black and blue attire. The vixen, scuffed up with scratches and bruises, had a scowl of determination on her weary face as she nailed her just as haggard-looking opponent, right in the eye with a hard cross that made a loud whack while she simultaneously took a bad hit to the side of her jaw.
Both staggered away from each other. The mink rallied first, but her attack's trajectory was off, the overreaching right claw just barely grazed the fox's abnormally large ears as she bounced on the balls of her feet. The vixen countered and went low, swinging a hard hook right into the mink's side and then a fast punch that flattened her snout. Frustrated, the female mink attempted to launch a counter of her own but was caught in the clutches of the fox, who held her in place as she repeatedly rammed her knee into the base of the mustelid's solar plexus. The slender mink wheezed heavily, sucking air as she clinched with her foe and tried to catch her breath, desperately laying in quick ineffectual body shots to the ribs. However, the more dominant fox frenetically hammered her right back, over and over until the battered mink accidentally slipped free from her grasp and nearly fell to her knees.
The mink clumsily tried to find her footing, staggering back, seeing double, but the green gloved fist of the fox smashed right into the side of her face. The following right hook to her jaw hard sent the mustelid's blood-covered mouthpiece sailing clean from her mouth. And that was just about it for the dazed carnivore who was primed for a final and decisive right-handed uppercut just under her stocky jaw. The tremendous blow was like an off switch for the battered mink who fell over with the grace of a tree in the forest. Landing on the mat, spread eagle, nearly lifeless with her piercing pupils glazed over; it was clear she was done. The vixen nonetheless made sure, pouncing and mercilessly pounding her opponent until there was nothing there but a beaten and broken beast writhing under her red-stained gloves. As if on cue, the mink's corner mercifully threw in the towel.
*Bwooong!* The arena's attendants rang the massive brass gong situated at the top of the makeshift stadium chamber and the high-octane narration of Baraki the Raccoon brought the contest to a swift close. The mink was fortunate, her cornermen had pretty much saved her life, the fox had not been in the mood for mercy. A few more seconds and the over-eager fox would have secured another body for the market trade.
The fox, or "Lùn the Lunatic" as she was announced by the hyperactive raccoon, rose up off of her latest victim. Her large sensitive ears twitched and recoiled, still ringing. Lùn's sore and battered chest heaved back and forth as her heartbeat pulsed a mile a minute, almost to the rhythm of her shallow breathing. Her savage green eyes quaked as she rapidly drew breath, finally pacifying as everything began to sink in. She wiped away red off the light fur of her jaw, staining her green gloves. She wasn't even sure whose blood it was anymore, hers or the mink's. Her bruised snout, abs, and legs really had quite the sting to them, but she was sure it was going to feel worse by tomorrow, but that was expected at this point. No worse than her opponent though, she mused looking down and inspecting the damage she had inflicted. The writhing mink's light-colored face was rendered a mess, all puffed-up, discolored, swollen, and bloody. She felt no remorse though, the mouthy bitch had talked so much trash earlier on top of having the gall to challenge her to a fight without her trusty kukris.
"Couldn't beat you without 'em. Huh, bitch?" Lùn snarled the mink's own boast down at her as she stepped atop her heaving chest like a triumphant climber reaching the top of a peak. The mink weakly coughed up red and pathetically groaned as the fox's foot smashed down on her sore tit.
There was a loud roar all of a sudden, the fox's ears quivered at the noise. It almost startled her; the clamoring of at least a hundred beasts. It was only now that she gave the mob around them any attention. She had put the crowd to the back of her mind for so long that it was kind of jarring to remember they were being watched. Her tall ears took a while to adjust as she listened in, but she began to make out what they were saying. They were chanting her name. Or rather they were screaming that damn 'Lunatic' moniker she detested so much. God that name was not flattering , she thought, but neither was the nickname, Psycho Rabbit .
"Lunatic! Lunatic! Lunatic! Lunatic! Lunatic!" They shouted and stomped their feet in cadence. They were cheering her on. They liked the disrespect she showed. The ruthlessness.
Between the cheers and jeers of the bloodthirsty audience and the booming mic narrations of the shrill raccoon promoter, she thought she was going to go deaf. Baraki the Raccoon was doing his usual schtick, yammering away and proclaiming the fight to have been a spectacular match of the ages. Lùn agreed that it was spectacular alright, spectacularly grueling. They had both beaten the tar out of each other. Nonetheless, she'd won. Not only the match but the respect of the crowd. An amused smirk overtook her bruised and bloody visage as she raised her fists high into the air, continuing to pose as she basked in the crowd's adulation of her victory. Her cornermen, Fa and Loba soon joined her, both of them overjoyed and proud. The wox, Loba, even lifted the miniature vixen up and paraded her around the ring on her broad shoulders, leaving the mink's corner to finally enter and collect their fallen fighter, who hung her head in disgrace as she was carried limply from the cage.
It certainly wasn't a slow night at the Show Arena. That was for sure. The card had been packed with back-to-back action. The arena's top favorite, the infamous lioness "Kusa the Huntress", had opened up the show against a tough and cocky female wildebeest named Mudie for an epic heavyweight deathmatch. Surprisingly the herbivore gave the lion a real match for once. Jumping into the ring with a tough hide and a stubborn grit, the bovine scored some major damage with some brutal dirty fighting, headbutting the lioness repeatedly in the corner almost goring her to death with her horns and opening up a few cuts over her eye. However, the carnivore fighter soon lived up to her murderous reputation and eventually fell back on her more feral tendencies, ripping the bovine fighter apart with a bite to the jugular during a clinch. The more bloodthirsty audience really got their bloodbath for the evening as Mudie spent her final seconds bleeding from her neck while being pummeled into unconsciousness by an unhinged and vengeful cat. It was the only fatality of the night so far, but Kusa almost never failed to guarantee Baraki a profit in her matches. And tonight, he had a big tender plus-size carcass to fence on the marketplace.
The following bouts on the card were much tamer by comparison though no less entertaining. The immediate fight was a billed grudge match between a maned wolf named Edison and an Arctic wolf named Shin. The two apparently had some public history that Baraki had spun up into an exaggerated tale of young rivals clashing over a lover and the crowd ate it up. Was a fierce fight for sure, narrative or not.
A known knockout artist, Edison had Shin down on his knees a few times and his dominance was clear early on, proving that Shin had a task ahead of him if he wanted to make it out of the cage with his teeth intact. However, the Arctic wolf quickly figured out a strategy and kept his distance, baiting out the heavier hits and retaliating with counter punches when Edison was open. Eventually, Shin gained the upper hand and humbled the maned wolf with a terrible liver shot that had him on the floor writhing in pain, unable to continue, seemingly putting a bookend on their so-called rivalry. Made for good entertainment.
And of course, the second-to-last bout on the card had just wrapped up, the Inarigumi's own pygmy fox Lùn who had gone toe to toe with a vicious street thug named Nikita for one of the lightweight match-ups for the night. Though they were smaller animals, the two females still put on a fast-paced fight that was right up there with their bigger counterparts, beating each other bloody until in the end, it was Lùn that claimed the victory. For the fox, she was now just a step closer to being in the top contender slot within the lightweight rankings and a step closer to Kyuu's title. Which brought them to the last fight left on the card; the anticipated "Psycho Rabbit" vs "The Cyclone''.
Baraki continued to play the mob up for more of the upcoming action as the arena itself took a short break, arena crew began hosing down the octagon and the gambling beasts all migrated to the betting parlor to place their wagers on the final bout. As usual, a lot of big money was thrown around. It'd be the reigning champion vs the #1 contender. Both fighters were well-known talents and it was expected to be a real spectacle.
The rabbit's official win record and infamous reputation spoke for itself along with her light-footed speed, agility, combined with the vicious style that had earned her the moniker of Psycho Rabbit; while the spider-monkey was really the big favorite to win, with his flashy acrobatic style and size advantage. The bets were still 4 to 1 in the Cyclone's favor despite the rabbit's seemingly unshakable placement. A lot of the denizens of the market felt the rabbit had laid claim to her champion title for long enough. They all hoped the more popular monkey would do her in.
The Lounge Upstairs
"What did I tell ya, Pris?! Little Loony was gonna come around!" A female silver fox proclaimed for all the wealthy beasts present in the lounge to hear, bouncing up and down on the overlook's couch. The grey-and-black-furred vixen was a strange sight, on one hand, dressed fashionably in turquoise blue qipao clothing while also looking like an escaped hospital patient with the numerous bandages that adorned her scarred body. Nevertheless, she was laughing like a hyena as she cheered on the pygmy fox. "Hehehehe! Fucking starched that little weasel bitch! Woooo! TNT Energy! I told you, Pris! I told ya! We just needed something for her to channel all that hyperactivity into." She said, looking to her brown-furred counterpart sitting cross-legged in a white gown adjacent to her on the comfy red loveseat.
"Well, I had faith…" Priscilla said, swirling around her half-empty glass of Chardonnay as she watched the pygmy and her sisters continue their celebration outside the cage. "I do have to give credit where it's due, Raira. She is proving her worth down there."
"I told you, she's a scrapper like me." Raira lightly chuckled, rather deflated, as her gaze drifted over towards her crutches resting against the couch next to her. "Or… well like I used to. Shit… Hehehe. Just wish she was taller. You'd have a replacement for me right there."
"Replace you? Don't make me laugh, Ash ," Priscilla remarked as she sipped, skeptically looking at the wounded silver fox. "Besides, the doctor said you'll probably recover in no time at all. I don't need to replace you."
Raira scoffed. "Yeah, a hyperdrugs doctor said that Pris, and you actually believed that quack?!"
"He was the best I could afford, Raira." Priscilla insisted. "Secrecy isn't cheap, especially after that job went so loud. He at least had experience in surgery. I'd like to think we can trust his opinion."
"Whatever… glad I didn't wake up with a few of my parts missing …" The silver fox grumbled.
"Look, you just need to just take some time out to relax." Priscilla reasoned. "Settling down for a bit will help the recovery, so just consider this as like a little paid vacation ."
A vacation? That was one way of putting it. The silver fox had been cleared off bedrest after a few weeks, but between Deshi's claw mark dug into her right eye and the residual shrapnel from the Dokugumi's tail bomb explosion; she still was required to take a daily dose of pain medicine and as she called it a 'fuckton' of booze just to keep the discomfort at bay. She could barely walk anymore, much less stand without a limp and she knew she was never going to be going on heists ever again. It felt like a cruel joke to her, she had managed to avoid the plague lizard's poison that night, but Deshi still had found some way to leave some lasting damage.
"Oh yeah, sure Pris." The silver fox bemoaned out loud. "I'll recover... just to be some fucking cripple. What does the Inarigumi need with a cripple like me, huh? Too broken to fight, too crippled to even be a decent fuck or find work as a dancer. No one wants a scarred-up bitch like me. Fucking useless. To you and the organization." She said, sighing.
"Alright, who the fuck are you? Can I have my buddy Raira back?" Priscilla asked, growing tired of her self-depreciation. "Because right now, you're not the Ashhead I grew up with, that's for damn sure."
The silver fox wheezed a small snicker. "Face it, Pris, all I'm good for now is drinking up your booze and getting bloated and fat like yer aunt. Only difference is she actually made something of herself before she got clipped so she gets to sit her fat butt up at some fancy whorehouse with all her money, telling people like me what to do!" She slurred.
"Is that the pain meds talking or are you really just drunk?" Priscilla asked, studying her friend.
"What do you think Pris?" Raira retorted, rolling her eyes as she threw back her drink and took the unpleasant sting washing down her throat. "Maybe Deshi should have killed me back there…"
Priscilla tilted her head at the silver fox at the sound of that. She just looked at the silver fox utterly perplexed. "Did I just hear you right?"
"I know you heard what I said. We canids can hear damn near everything. I don't care." The silver fox slurred, flicking at her vulpine ears. "Deshi shoulda killed me. I shoulda bought it there… better than being some burden for you."
"Seriously that dosage has to be a real biitch if it's got you talking so loopy."
The silver fox lightly snickered. But her smile quickly faded as she stared at the remaining liquor in her glass. "C'mon Pris… look at me! I'm thinking about you here. I'm a vacant spot! Your group's already small. You don't need someone like useless old me. Face it."
" First San, now her…" Pris grumbled. "Oh, you're thinking about me? No, how about you think about yourself!" She pointed. "Raira, listen to me. Cripple or no, I'm just thankful you're still breathing."
The silver fox just blew her off as she turned away on the couch. Priscilla however had had enough, she slammed her glass down and rushed over to slap her right there.
"Ow, Pris! What the fuck?! I'm already fucking hurting over here! Shit!" Raira cried, wincing as she rubbed her jaw.
"Raira if you don't cut this woe-is-me shit out right now..." Priscilla growled at her, jabbing her finger in the darker vixen's snout. "I'm really going to slap the shit out of you!"
The silver fox just pouted but still gave the brown vixen her attention as she rubbed her tender cheek.
"What kind of friend would I be to just discard the girl that's been there for me since we were young? Who the fuck are you to ask me that?"
The silver fox rolled her eyes and just mouthed, "Oh here we go…"
"Huh?" The Arctic vixen continued to rant. "The girl that took up for me in front of the other foxes? The girl that treated me like a sister? The girl that joined me when no one else wanted to join some hybrid's start-up crew? Huh?"
The silver fox frowned as she basically tuned Pris out, looking down into her drink just staring at her distorted brown reflection. The lasting ugly gash dug in deep over her right eye made her think of little Loony and her scars, more so though on how she had felt unwanted that night. Rex, what a hypocrite she was, telling that poor girl that she belongs then while here she was getting her own friend worked up like this. Maybe it was the medicine or the booze. Made her stomach turn either way. Pris had a point to be bitching at her if she was acting this pathetic.
"Alright, Pris. The little guilt trip worked. I get it. You'd be a bad friend. Blah blah blah," She reluctantly replied.
"You're damn right I'd be a bad friend!" Priscilla snapped at her. "You honestly think I would drop you like a cold slab of meat just because you're cripple? Fuck that!"
"Geez Louise, Pris… I get it! Ugh..." The silver fox groaned.
"Seriously, you could be in a wheelchair or just limping about with some cane and I'd still keep you on because you mean that much to me." Tears started to build up in the snow fox's eyes as continued to go on and on to the drunk vixen's visible annoyance. She had already come to the conclusion of not beating herself up anymore, but Pris just had to bluster.
"As long as you can still talk shit with me then that's good enough . You hear me?" Priscilla finally finished, not yet crying, but her mascara was in danger of running.
"Yeah… I hear you, I'm pretty sure everyone else in the lounge heard you" Raira muttered, taking one last gulp of brandy and rattling the melting ice cubes. "How bout you keep these coming then, huh friend ? I might get a bit more bubbly and chatty with a few more of these." She said, clinking the ice.
The Arctic fox just felt drained as she hunched over with an enormous sigh and just shook her head at the silver fox as she turned around and sank back into her seat. "Kanako-chan! More brandy." She ordered.
The silver fox slammed back the shot as soon as the eastern coyote poured it, almost startling the server. Just then a very wicked grin spread across Pris' lips.
"You know what, Ashhead?" The Arctic fox announced, getting the silver fox's attention. "Who the hell are you kidding? Crutches or not, I'd still fuck your brains out, no problem."
"Pffffft!" Raira's eyes went wide as she suddenly spat and snorted burning hot liquid from her nose, nearly getting some on Kanako's outfit before she reflexively lept back. "REALLY?!" Raira spouted at Pris in utter disbelief, coughing and laughing. "*cough* *cough* Fuck! *cough*"
" Really, babe, " Pris said, giggling at the wheezing fox. "And watch the carpet. It wasn't cheap, you know!"
"Fucking hell, *cough* *cough* Pris you fucking planned that! *cough* Fuck your carpet!" The Silver fox snapped at her.
"Well, it made you feel better right? Hehehe!" Priscilla said, giving an impish smile as she chuckled at the coughing silver fox.
"Oh yes, Pris… reminding me that you are such a fucking nympho, Pris! Really lifted my spirits! Rex! Hehehe!" The silver fox snickered. "Hey Wait…" She said, shaking her cup at Pris. "You think you and your llama boy would be down for a threesome, huh?" There was an almost eager giddiness in her voice that warmed Priscilla's heart.
"Oh, who is the nymphomaniac now?" Pris asked with a smug demeanor, "Now you want in on my man ? I see. Greedy as ever. I would have thought you had a man of your own now, given he never left your bedside."
"Well… It's been so long since we did anything, Snow. Maybe... I don't know… he can watch?" The grey and black fox said, biting her lip. "Wait…man? What ma- You don't- Ooh no! You mean the boy scout?! Ugh…" she stammered and cringed realizing who she was referring to. "No way!"
"Oh, but he looked so cute though resting his head on your bed while you were under. I think you two would make a great couple." The Arctic fox teased in a cutesy voice, giving her the puppy dog eyes.
"Fuck off, Pris!" The silver fox growled, jabbing her finger at Pris. "By the by, thanks soooo much for hiring him on . Now he can really follow me around like a lost puppy." She said with such a sarcastic tone as she gestured to the very same silver-furred Akita Inu who now stood guard at the perimeter of their private area.
He had traded his old security guard getup for a black oriental tang suit and now worked for Priscilla, floating between here and her casino. Ferro the Tibetan fox, who wore a similar dark-colored cheongsam number along with some dark shades, was his supervisor.
"Speaking of hiring him…" Raira grumbled. " I never heard you thank my friend for giving you a job, Boy scout! " She shouted at him. The Akita Inu sighed at the mention of the moniker and tried not to make eye contact as he lowered his head down feeling embarrassed.
"Rai… leave him alone," Priscilla whispered lightly. 'He doesn't have to."
"You hear me doggo?! Where is my friend's thanks?! Huh?!" The silver fox continued to heckle. "How 'bout it Boy Scout?"
"You know my name is Gin." The stern-voiced silver-furred dog growled, annoyed. "And I know that you know that's what it is… seriously it's one syllable!" The dog just sighed.
"You're boy scout cuz you always run off to save other people when you should be worrying about your fucking self! Like that little sheep girl! Fucking Boy Scout..." She slurred.
"I'd be happy if you called me by my name, please." He said, lowering his head in shame.
"How about I start after I hear you thank my friend? " The silver fox continued to mock, much to his dismay. "You like this job, dontcha? Gotta be better than that hole-in-the-wall jewelry store or standing around my bed like some creep, right?!"
"You really shouldn't knock it, Raira. Dogs are very loyal creatures by nature. He can't help it." Priscilla pointed out. "Besides, that's a nice trait to have in a man. Wouldn't you like a dependable and devoted lover?"
"Give it a rest, Pris," Raira angrily scoffed. "It's creepy and I don't need some clingy mutt like him cramping my style!"
"Is it too hard to believe that I just wanted to make sure that another person didn't lose their life because of my actions?!" Gin growled under his breath, he still felt that unshakeable guilt from the fiasco. Even though only his former employer's blood was on his hands, it still didn't make him feel better about the loss of life that night. They had been innocent people that he knew; people that he felt he could have saved had he not agreed to rob his boss. Just the fact that he was able to save her life after escaping that mess felt like a consolation prize. "Least you're safe…"
"Oi, stop mumbling over there, Boy Scout." The grey and black fox obnoxiously yelled, her voice slurring. "Answer the question! This is better than your old job, right? Where's my girl's thanks?"
The Akita's pointed face soured. "Yeah… it's a lot better. I am very thankful. Thank you, Priscilla-sama," He formally admitted out loud to Priscilla.
The Arctic fox just nodded with a slight smile, obviously not too invested in what the silver fox was yammering on about.
"That's more like it!" Raira slurred, slumping into her seat with her drink.
"Don't mind her so much… she's drunk." The stoic-faced Tibetan fox next to the dog said. "She's usually a mouthful."
"It's fine." He said, straightening up and resuming his vigilant stance. "I should be thankful."
Despite being coerced to confess, Gin truly was thankful for his new role. While being a glorified bouncer was not exactly his dream job, the gig was definitely better than working security at the boring old jewelry store. Even on busy days, it had been a total drag. The only things keeping him sane were his eccentric co-workers and the small talk. He certainly didn't miss that boring lobby or the even duller breakroom that always smelled like someone overcooked their soy burrito lunch in the microwave for the thousandth time.
This place on the other hand was very lively. There was nice bouncing music. A stocked and crowded bar, catering, and even some nice-looking waitresses caught the eye. And the pay was better. The Inarigumi didn't skimp on his last paycheck either the same way Genkou-sama did. Damn skinflint ape, he softly cursed, thinking about his old boss. Rest his soul. He only wished this job existed before he went and got involved in a jewelry heist, he'd have quit and joined up ages ago.
There was suddenly a commotion from the room's entrance and soon the Akita sighted a group of tall and lanky spotted cats in traditional robes beginning to part the mingled crowd. Flashy patterned silk yukata with geta sandals, and carrying swords on their waists inside ceremonial-looking scabbards. Their fashion made them stick out like a sore thumb and the swords made them look like something straight out of the feudal period. They reeked of silvervine as well, the scent hit the dog's nose right away.
"Madaragumi…," Ferro verified, recognizing two of the big wigs at the front. "You can always spot them a mile off with those polka dots they love to show off."
One was hatted with a white brimmed hat and robes and had an arrogant surly look on his mug. The other, sporting a very off-putting smile, wore a contrasting darker robe and had a checkered undergarment. The rest of their cadre were younger males wearing plainer and more shabbier clothing.
The Madaragumi huh? Gin thought. From all his experience visiting the market after hours, he could say he was familiar with the local wildlife but he had never ever encountered the leopards in person before. They didn't exactly paint a favorable picture. They all looked like a bunch of scumbags. As the pack of spotted cats attempted to enter Priscilla's private section the Akita stepped into their path. The Akita looked comically squat compared to the much taller felines, who easily stood a foot and a half taller than him and his Tibetan vixen partner. Nevertheless, he wasn't intimidated. He hadn't backed down in front of the Dokugumi and he sure as hell wasn't about to cower for these so-called Madaragumi characters.
"Hold it." Gin ordered. "This area is supposed to be appointment only."
"How cute, they have a literal guard dog now." The smiling leopard cheekily remarked somewhat amused. "Seems you really caused a stir last time, Ponzu-san."
"Out of my way, lapdog!" The surlier of the two snarled down at the Inu, his tone drenched with the typical canine/feline resentment.
"No appointment. No entry." Gin growled right back, unflinchingly.
"Move or I'll skin you right here!" The leopard said, hand reaching for the handle of his sword. "That silver pelt of yours is nice enough to go for a good price, pooch."
"Back up." Gin ordered again, with even more base in his voice.
The Madaragumi's young muscle all stepped up to make him move aside, but the dog just lifted up his lips and his snout's tablecloth wrinkled as he growled ferociously at them. They may have outnumbered him, but he had a job to do. "You want trouble, you'll get trouble." He growled at them.
"Well good thing we don't want trouble," The 'nicer' one responded with a bit of smarm. "We have an appointment. You can drop the guard dog act, kid. We have business."
"I'll have to verify that." Gin conceded, scowling at him. "And you'll have to leave those here with us." He said, referring to their swords. "Guests aren't authorized to carry weapons up here. Club rules." He said reaching out to confiscate.
"Drool on someone else's stuff you stupid mutt!" The sullen-looking one responded, violently pushing the dog back.
"Be that way then!" the Inu snarled, baring his fangs as he immediately drew his old service pistol in quick action. As did his partner, Ferro, who produced a Bambu Model 40 revolver. The leopard gangsters likewise drew on the canines, some pulling swords, claws, and others revolvers.
A few of the nearby guests gasped at the sight of the weapons and gave them a wide berth.
"You got some fucking nerve, punk!" One of the underlings shouted.
"Don't shoot!" Another said.
It was a stand-off, both canines had the drop on both leaders, Gin on the asshole in the hat, and Ferro on the smiling cat who looked more amused than threatened as he raised his hands in surrender. They had them by the balls, though so did the Madaragumi.
"Let 'em through, Boy Scout !" Priscilla suddenly yelled from her couch, piercing the tense atmosphere.
"Ma'am?" The dog asked his superior confused, eyes staying fixed on the spotted cats. The leopards likewise gave the pooch a serious glare.
"They have an appointment." The arctic fox confirmed. "However, just the bosses, though! The goons aren't invited! Tell 'em to orbit the bar!"
"You heard, Oneesan, new guy. Let 'em through." The tan-furred Tibetan mix said, lowering her gun. "Just the bosses, other guys can shed."
"You sure?" He asked.
"She says they're cool then they're cool." Ferro's hand quickly grabbed the muzzle of the pistol and made him lower his gun.
Gin gave the felines a stern look then just gestured for them to enter. "No funny business." He warned, armed only with a glare as he holstered his gun. 'Smiles' gave the dog a curt nod while still sporting that devilish fang-filled grin before entering, while 'Fedora' just scowled at him further and accidentally slapped him with his tail as he passed. The canine growled in response, but the stone-faced vulpes reigned him in by gripping his shoulder.
"Let it go," Ferro ordered while closing the perimeter behind her to bar their soldiers.
The other Madaragumi promptly backed away and disappeared into the thick crowd, some heading for the bar and two others heading downstairs.
"Not bad." The Tibetan mix complimented, looking his way with the most neutral of faces, her delivery however sounded as if he had been being graded for a test.
"So… was I being graded or something?" He asked.
"Sharp as a tack, you." The fox remarked with some semblance of snark. "Yeah, that was a little trial run for you. I knew they were coming tonight, however, I didn't tell you because I generally wanted to see how one like you would genuinely respond to such an issue."
"Oh boy," He groaned, lowering his head. "That could have gone better, right?"
"Not to worry. You didn't disappoint." She said, "You showed just the qualities I expected from someone of your background. Loyal and brave. You're a credit to your breed." She patted the back of his head and ran her fingers through the soft fur on the back of his neck. "You're a good boy. Raira made a good catch."
Gin's ears stood up and his normally curled-up tail unfurled just a bit and started wagging.
As the two leopard gang heads entered, Priscilla put on her best face as a host and gave a look to Raira to do the same. The intoxicated silver fox sighed and rolled her eyes, but she complied. She might have been drunk, but she knew what was what. She got to her feet and straightened her posture and tried to look somewhat sober as she stood up. Her footing was a little wobbly and she nearly tipped over but she still managed to give a full respectful bow alongside Pris.
They only bowed out of formality as it was expected of the beasts their age. Their guest made them want to vomit, both from the stench of their silvervine habit and just their utter dislike of the two cats. Besides the courtesy, what really had them playing nice tonight was the financial gain that had been promised. The Madaragumi were once again seeking Priscilla out for a mutually beneficial alliance between them for the Show Arena. One without the need of bloodshed, ironically enough. 30 million yen was the offer that opened Pris's ears. 30 mil plus some property they put up as a reward if she won the wager. Money like that, Pris couldn't just say no.
The smiling cat, Miso, gave them the courtesy of a bow before taking his seat. He had a sly and jovial demeanor tonight, but it didn't fool either fox. Miso had an ugly reputation of being a slimy womanizer and he was often very rough with the women he managed to get his claws on. A very prolific name on the 'Banned for Life' list at almost every other Inarigumi establishment after a slew of incidents. In fact, Raira recalled Priscilla's aunt Toni being the one who banned him years ago when they were little. Raira suspected a good chunk of that money was a bribe on their part to get him in the door tonight. Still, he was the most pleasant of the two big cats.
His counterpart, Ponzu, the one with the fedora and attitude, didn't even deign to give Priscilla or Raira a proper bow rather giving a half-ass one before sitting with his partner on the opposite couch. The stink-eye attitude must have meant he was still pissed off about the last meeting they had had. Raira had heard all about it from Pris.
On the pussycats' last attempt, they blew it spectacularly and it was all on Ponzu's head. Priscilla had given them a chance, a damn good one at that, to prove themselves as partners. They threw one of their lot into the ring to make a name for themselves. Pris had even been generous enough to sweet-talk Baraki into giving the unknown prospect a shot against one of his champions. Of course, their plot failed. The guy they backed barely lasted much time before getting his block knocked off. Pris practically laughed them out of the building. And then on top of that, the cocky little kitties had gotten themselves drunk in anticipation and nearly caused an incident after Pris' boyfriend, San, accidentally bumped into them. A bar fight broke out and Raira had even heard 'Llama Boy' had somehow managed to kick a few of their butts in the process. Not the best showing for a potential business partner, the silver fox mused as her eyes tracked them, studying them. Not at all. They were lucky enough not to be banned after that, but money as they say is usually the best apology.
"Please have a seat," Priscilla invited, extending a clawed hand to offer them a seat on the couch opposite hers; putting an intentional divide between them and keeping the felines' drug habit's stench as far from them as possible. She kept a foldable fan raised just to conceal the lingering contempt on her face. "I trust you've enjoyed the festivities so far?"
"Oh yes, great matches." The one called Miso commented, kicking up his feet on a footstool. "The Huntress put on a great show. Best fight of the night by far."
Ponzu just grunted, still refusing to open his mouth.
"Can I offer you two something? We have some grilled and roasted wagyu sirloin beef and some kabobs and how about some drinks to whet your palate? Name your poison."
Miso laughed at the phrase. "I think I will take you on that offer, Mistress Fox, and uh… some sake, please, I'm quite parched," He requested, very cordially. Ponzu, still the sourpuss, just huffed at the fox, only tugging at Miso's sleeve to indicate he wished for the same. "Um, the both of us will. By the way, please give Ten my absolute best…"
"I'm sure she'd love to hear that, but you can tell her that yourself at the next Meat Loving Day meeting, Miso-sama. Hopefully, you can do so with the news of a beneficial partnership between the Inarigumi and the Madaragumi. Or maybe you can do so when I present her with the property you put up for your wager. She'll likely be very pleased in both cases, though I imagine those bathhouses and massage parlors you wagered are a more impressive catch." She said, lowering her fan to reveal the smug smile on her visage.
The feline frowned if only slightly before nodding.
Priscilla clapped her hands together to call over the Eastern coyote waitress, Kanako for the order. Kanako soon returned with another waitress, a slender-built Saluki, carrying a large coffee table and set it down for Priscilla, Raira, and the leopards to dine and watch the action down below. They then laid three plates on the table. The first tray was filled with dozens of kabobs and the second was pieces of thinly sliced beef as well as a portable hotpot plate with water for them to boil the meat in. The third contained traditional Inarigumi cuisine; tofu and rice for the vixens. Both of the felines almost immediately tore into the plate of kabobs and began boiling the meat in the pot, their faces lit up with satisfaction as soon the beef hit their taste buds.
"This is exquisite. Mistress Fox." Miso complimented as he chewed and admired the texture and flavor and washed it down with the sake. Ponzu likewise seemed to enjoy it. The leopard loudly chewed his meat savagely, even though he still refused to say a word so far.
"Thank you," Priscilla replied, slightly smiling as she took the compliment. "I was told by my club overseer, Baraki, that it's from a late bovine contender from a month ago. A good fighter and now an even greater meal."
"Ah, yes. See I like that." Miso commented as he began picking his teeth. "You found a way to provide entertainment and meat at the same time with little cost. Clever."
"Well, sometimes we are very fortunate when they don't have any contacts. Even more so when they are in great condition." She said, trying to hide the drool forming at the corner of her mouth. Though Priscilla and Raira partook in their own strict rice tofu-based cuisine, even the aroma of the excellently broiled meat had a tempting smell to it.
"I'll hope that your rabbit will make an even tastier dish once she is beaten." The raspy voice of Ponzu finally spoke. "I look forward to the soft and succulent meal she'll make as part of our victory course once you validate our new partnership."
Priscilla arched her brow at the leopard's boastful statement toward's San's friend. She certainly hadn't agreed to anything of the sort. "Oh? So you do speak. Thought you had gone mute since our last encounter," The fox snarkily replied, wagging her closed fan at him. "Now, in regards to that. I think you are unfairly leading your stomach with aspirations not set in stone. Not something I recommend Ponzu-sama. We're not partners just yet." She explained, much to the cat's growing annoyance, who quaked with rage. "I would have thought you learned that after little Susan 's defeat."
"STOP MAKING LIGHT OF THE HONORIFICS, YOU IGNORANT MIXED-BLOOD BITCH!" Ponzu shouted, finally blowing up, slamming his fist down on the table, causing the plates to rattle, and splashing a bit of the boiling water onto Priscilla's expensive couch. Everyone sitting nearby quickly affixed their attention to them. Gin and Ferro both got a draw on him as did Raira, who quickly drew a snub-nosed hold out from her purse. Pris just frowned at him for the stain on her furniture.
"You listen to me, you smart alec bitch! I'm only here because Miso still sees value in this venture! If I had my way, a vile snake like you would be plucked forthwith!" The leopard huffed and puffed, fuming at the Arctic vixen but his contemporary once again proved to be the cooler head, pulling him back down into his seat.
"Forgive my brother. He is still sour about our last failure to negotiate." Miso explained. "I apologize on his behalf."
"I shall offer apologies myself in exchange, that was too far on my part, ridiculing your man's name," Priscilla said, feeling a bit uneasy. "All the same though, he pulls a stunt like that again and he's gone ." She said giving her people the go-ahead to lower their weapons. "I also would advise you not to be so... overconfident. The fight hasn't even begun, yet you act as if you've already won our wager. Dictating victory meal selections and such. That type of arrogance is not an attractive trait for any business partner of mine."
"What about…cunning?" Miso asked, in a flirty tone much to Priscilla's visible disgust. "Besides, we may be overstepping our bounds, however, I have to admit we have such a very good feeling about our chances. And after all, our fighter has beaten the champion before ."
"What?" She asked, eyes widened with shock as the feline's statement completely caught her off guard.
"Not here, not officially." He quickly explained. "But abroad. We have a reliable source that gave us all we needed to hedge our bets on the Cyclone."
A reliable source, she thought. Reliable source? The only ones that should have known about the rabbit's little incident were her boyfriend, herself, and her inner circle. None of which she would ever have expected to blab about it, least of all to the Madragumi. Then it dawned on her, she was forgetting a crucial factor. It was obvious. The monkey himself. Miso had probably overheard that crazy chimp bragging about it and jumped at the opportunity. After all, he had been brazen enough to barge into the office that night, looking for the rabbit.
"So… you really did your homework this time, huh Miso-sama?" She commented, complimenting the leopard while still throwing out a scrutinizing glare.
"Indeed." He said, chewing the beef with a smug shit-eating grin on his face.
"I want to say I'm impressed." She said, "Vexed, very much but impressed."
"Hahaha." The leopard chuckled as he finished off his skewer and made a delighted moan as he savor the meat's taste. "Foxes aren't the only beasts known for their cunning."
"No. We aren't, it seems." She begrudgingly admitted. "Well, don't think you've won this wager just yet Miso-sama. You know what they say about a rematch, the comeback always tastes sweet after a setback. The rabbit is going to want that and she has always secured her victories here without fail and I don't think she will disappoint now especially with a score to settle. So I guess I'll answer your arrogant confidence with my own."
"As you say, Mistress Fox." The leopard said, picking his teeth clean with one of the skewers. "To the spirit of competition then, hmm?" He raised his glass of sake for a toast. Priscilla did the same reluctantly. "May the best beast win." He said with a sinister grin as their glasses clinked.
A Few Minutes Prior in the Dressing Rooms Downstairs
The distant crowd could be heard even from their dressing room down the hall. From the sounds of the things, the roof had just come unhinged. The Lunática's fight had to have just finished, the spider-monkey thought as he wrapped his hands in yellow tape, his trainer Gustavo continuing to massage his neck and shoulders, muttering their usual pre-fight prayers. "I wonder if that little fox girl won." He mused out loud. "She's a wild one."
"What now, Paulo? You swooning over another one of these crazy girls?" The bonobo remarked, eying him incredulously. "You're going to get hurt thinking about these females. Think about the fight."
"Oh c'mon Gus…" The monkey complained. "I'm supposed to have a little fun, huh?"
"Nao, not when it's competition. Especially here. You need to focus on one thing at a time, and right now… that thing is winning. You beat this rabbit tonight, and you'll be in the big time, boy. You'll be champion!" The ape said, slapping his pupil on the back.
The big time. Ha. The cheers of the crowd almost made it feel like Pao was finally in the Big Time. That was the dream. Gustavo, when he had taken him under his wing, had sold him on a dream. He promised that if he followed his teachings he'd be more than just some urchin on the favela streets scrapping with the other kids for food, that he could be a professional. Fortune and fame and all that came with being an esteemed fighter could be his. He'd have him fighting in places like stadiums, before captivated crowds. He would sell out seats. His name would be up in big letters on the marquee. He'd have riches beyond his wildest dream. Rex, he was such a dumb little fool back then.
That was just a fantasy. That wasn't where he was now. No. This dingy old looking dressing room was reality. This old building was reality. That bloodthirsty crowd out there was reality. A fighter in some illegal bloodsport arena was reality. He was famous… just famous here in some old foreign slum. That was reality. At the very least though, he was out of the favela as promised. There was that.
*tap* *tap* *tap*
There was a sudden knocking on their dressing room door.
"Hey in there. Ten minutes before you're up." A shrill voice announced. It sounded familiar to the simian, who quickly hopped off the bench and ripped open the door like a crazy beast. The startled mongoose attendant, wearing a tight black crew shirt and jeans, nearly died of a heart attack when Pao launched himself right on top of him.
It was the same one that Gus had decked the other week for his rude and specist primate slurs. The browned-furred herpestidae screamed and began offering fervent and sob-soaked apologies as Pao picked him back up and dusted him off.
"Relax, amigo. Relax." The simian said, trying to sound as friendly as possible. "I just want to know… if the Psicopata Coelha is here huh, sim? You know… the one I'm supposed to fight? You know… the uh rabbit? Crazy girl? She here?" He asked, "Sem substituições?" No substitutes?
The mongoose stuttered, his flowing out of his mouth drenched in fear as he squirmed his way out the primate's grasp, sort of understanding the foreign dialect spoken. "Y-yeah… s-she's here! She and her buddy are getting ready in the other dressing room on the other side of the building!"
"You sure?" Pao asked.
"P-positive!" The mongoose stammered.
"Bem!" Pao exclaimed, clasping his hands together, pleased. "Muito bem, amigo!" He gave the mongoose a big hug and thanked him. "Obrigado." Thank you Desculpe por isso. Sorry about that" He said patting the traumatized kid on the head.
"That means you're not gonna beat me up, right?" The young mongoose asked, frightened and not really sure what was going on.
Pao just chuckled. "I mean… you haven't called us estupido smelly monkeys yet so I guess yer okay. Heh heh." Pao joked, lightly slapping the shaking attendant's shoulder.
"Maybe…" Gus's rough voice spoke up behind the spider monkey and the sound of cracking knuckles could be heard. "We should ask if he can tell da difference between an ape and a monkey?" Just the sight of the bonobo filled the mongoose's heart with so much fear that he was halfway down the hall by the time Gus made it to the doorway.
Pao humorously just gave the ape a look of 'really? ' "C'mon, Gustavo…did you have to do that?" he said, communicating in his native tongue. "Now you got the poor kid scared."
"Yeah well, he'll think twice before calling us both stupid monkeys again won't he, huh?" The grizzled gray-faced bonobo smirked revealing his gold canines and missing teeth.
Pao was just about to head back in for a last-minute prep, when he saw two carnivores, a leopard and a jaguar in some sort of robes, heading down their way. The fashion seemed peculiar to Pao. Like they looked like they hung out around a bathhouse with those bathrobes. They looked like mobster types… the dumb muscle kind. Broad shoulders were a big giveaway. The leopard had a constant scowl and a half-spent cigarette clenched between his teeth and he wore a pair of shades and some sorta light-colored fedora.
The leopard was a young guy, easily in the middle of his twenties, no older than him. Looked and acted like a big shot with the dark shades on inside the building at night, though upon closer inspection Pao could tell the shades were really clandestinely hiding a barely-healed black eye and an assortment of discolored bruises on his spotted face. The guy was in a fight or something, no bones about it. One could also really tell from his build and the way he carried himself, he was a tough customer.
The jaguar was much larger, bulkier, and definitely looked older, maybe forties like Gus. Had the build of a heavyweight and had a much softer face. He too reminded Pao of a fighter, but one of those sleeping giant types. He wore almost identical fashion to the smaller leopard, sans the hat and glasses.
Then it dawned on the monkey that he recognized the leopard at least. Not personally, no, but from recent memory. Very recent. He had seen him before at the last fight! He was that one guy who had gone in the cage before him. That one chump that got knocked out cold by Omar the Hyena. His name started with an S, he was sure of it.
The hell did they want with me though? That was anyone's guess. Something was up. Did they want him to throw the match or something? That's usually what thugs in seedy places like this were after. Hedge their bets on the other guy and tell the other fighter to lie down.
"Who you supposed ta be, huh?" Pao asked in his best dialect, studying the two with scrutiny. " Autógrafo huh?" He joked, giving his winning smile. "Didn't know I was dat famous."
"We're the Madaragumi," Shades answered in a presumptuous tone in his husky voice like it was supposed to mean something. Like he was big news. Now that they were right in front of him, Pao was quick to notice an odd scent to them. Silvervine. A feline's best friend as they say. Gus had had that scent all over him the other week after he met at the bottom of the stairs.
"So… what do you want with me, huh?" the monkey asked, folding his arms just waiting for it to drop out of the leopard's mouth. Throw the match. Go on… fucking say it, he guessed, expecting the typical bullshit that came with fights like these. They were going to offer him some cash or worse, threaten him to take a dive most likely. Of course, it would be now of all times when he was just about to be champion. After all his hard work. That's how things worked in places like this.
Pao soon found the bonobo's big leathery hand suddenly latching tightly around his mouth as the black-furred ape pulled him aside so he could talk to the felines directly. Gus… just what the hell are you doing? He thought. The young monkey struggled but the ape, even at his age, was still physically stronger.
"Desculpe." The bonobo quickly apologized before swapping to his best local dialect. "Uh… sorry, about that. Meu Protegido is still not as uh... familiar with the powers that be around here. Forgive his ...uh lack of decoro? Boca grande Big mouth, yea." He joked gesturing at his mouth. "Boa noite, uh… Senhor Su is it?" He greeted, bowing before the leopard and jaguar much to Pao's dismay.
"Marcos, you understand what the heck this guy is saying right?" The leopard growled at his partner, forgoing any pleasantry. "Make sure the old-timer remembers our deal."
Gus lifted his head at the sound of the name and the jaguar grew a fang-filled grin as soon as their eyes met. He threw open his arms wide and rushed over to scoop up the stunned bonobo, crying his name like a reuniting friend. "Gustavo!" He strangely had an accent like theirs.
"...Marcos?!" The ape exclaimed in the larger feline's embrace. " Meu Deus! Marcos! You still with them?!"
Pao was taken aback by this apparent reunion, utterly confused.
"It's been what? 13 years? Has to be." The jaguar stated as he hugged the ape hard. "Caramba, ainda me lembro do dia em que você nocauteou o Lucas em São Paulo no verão de 2002!" Hell, I still remember the day you knocked out Lucas back in São Paulo, the summer of 2002! Pao knew exactly what fight he was referring to. That was the fight that had made Gus a legend in their favela. It made him want to train under him.
" Ah, eu lembro. Eu também me lembro de como ficamos bêbados na semana seguinte. Hehehe. " Oh, I remember. I also remember how drunk we got da following week. The ape said, nudging the cat in the ribs.
"Yeah, I remember da hangover the following morning even more." Marcos chuckled. "Couldn't walk straight for a few days! Hahaha"
"Yeah, dat was a wild night." The ape lightly chuckled, almost seeming to get a bit of nostalgia. "Our treinador rode our tails all year for dat when he found out."
"I see you are da treinador now, huh?" Marcos pointed out.
" Sim, I'm tryna to get dis knucklehead a shot at sum fame. Figure he could make a bigger splash in this cidade City than back home." He said, pulling Pao under his arm.
"You know dis guy, Gus?" The monkey asked, with a confused expression imprinted on his face.
"Paulo, dis my old gym buddy from back in Brazil, he helped me train for da Lucas fight!"
"That's little Paulo? Esse é o garoto que você trouxe com você? That's the kid you brought with you?" The Jaguar said, amazed as he gave Pao a good look-over. "Shit he's come a long way since last I saw him. Not as big as you were back den, but I hear he's faster."
"Very," Gus quickly added.
"Eu pensei que você faria dele o Borrão Preto dois." The leopard joked. I'd have thought you'd have made him the Black Blur II.
" Nao, he's da Cyclone now." The ape said with a proud grin as he scratched the fuzz at the back of his head. "You know Marcos, after da fight we should catch up, get some drinks, huh? Seja como nos velhos tempos. " Be like old times.
The cat chuckled, amused at the offer. "Yeah… we should." Marcos stammered. "I know just da place-"
The younger leopard seemingly had enough and rudely interjected. "Cut it out already! We don't have time for you to catch up with your ex, Marcos, remember we're here on the Boss's orders!"
"Right right…um," Marcos said, clearing his throat. "Sorry. I had heard you were dealing with Gustavo-san, and I just had ta see my old gym buddy."
"Whatever! Tell the foreigners," Shades said, waving him off to get down to business. "Uphold your end of the deal, we'll uphold ours."
The jaguar promptly translated, but Gus and Pao understood what was being said all the same.
Deal? What deal? Pao wondered, he had to say something. "What deal?!" He finally spoke up. "I ain't throwing this match if that's what you're asking!"
"What?! Who wants you to throw the match?" The leopard asked, puzzled, looking at Gus confused. "The hell? The hell is he talking about? You didn't tell him?!"
"Nao." Gus awkwardly began scratching behind the scruff of his chin.
"Are you fucking serious?! We got a lot riding on this fucking match!" The leopard spouted.
"I was confiante dat I wouldn't have to." The ape said, patting his fighter on the shoulders. "Pao é um bom lutador." Pao is a good fighter. "Very good, sim?"
"Oh well then let me clear it up for him then!" The brash leopard growled impatiently as he stomped over and snatched Pao up by his chest fur. "A lot of things are riding on this match, knuckle-dragger, for some very important beasts! So you go out there and you stomp that rabbit bitch into red paste, you hear?! Do that and you get paid extra by us."
Pao just glared back at the feline. His canines poked out from his lips as he found himself contemplating finishing what Omar the hyena had started on this punk's face.
Thankfully, Gus's associate was there to play mediator. "Su… put him down…" Marcos said, forcing the leopard to drop the monkey. "You are being too harsh, amigo. "
"I don't give a shit! About him or your little boyfriend! Ponzu-sama is already pissed off and he doesn't need anymore fuck ups! Which means we don't! " The young bruised leopard snapped very animatedly. "So this palooka better do his job and destroy that little herbivore."
Pao was surprised there wasn't an "Or else" in there. There usually was a threat there. He breathed hard and shook his head as he gave his compliance. "Sure, I'll win, louco puta. I'll just knock her out cold, sem problemas. I won't have ta be so brutal." He was looking forward to this rematch already, but he wasn't that eager to beat her that way. He'd just humble her again like in the park.
The leopard however didn't seem to like that. He adjusted his shades and frowned. "No no, I don't think you understand. Our leaders specifically want you to kill her. We got a point to prove and on top of that the boss is eying the rabbit's meat for a victory meal. So be as brutal as you have to. By all means, crush her, cripple her, stomp her, tenderize her, snap her neck, we don't care! Just give us a corpse!" He spouted, grinning devilishly as he blew smoke in Pao's face as he slapped his large claws down on his shoulder.
"Do I look like a hitman to you, amigo ?" Pao snarled, scowling up at the gangster.
"Why don't you just do what you primate freaks do best and go ape shit. Hahaha!" The punk said, snickering wickedly.
The next few seconds were a blur. Pao and the leopard became a wild mess of spots and black fur as they fell to the floor, as Pao latched himself on the leopard's and began viciously stomping Su in the face, breaking his sunglasses. Uncharacteristic rage had overtaken the simian and Pao was going to show him just how 'ape shit' he could get. The larger leopard eventually pulled him loose but was stopped from maiming the simian by the timely intervention of both Marcos and Gustavo who separated their respective parties.
"Su… don't! The boss's wager!" The jaguar cried as he wrestled the incensed leopard back, trying to be a voice of reason.
"Fuck that, he's fucking dead!" The leopard roared as he clawed and jerked at the monkey, fruitlessly trying to escape the jaguar's hold. "You're dead you hear me! You tree climbing piece of shit! You're fucking dead! You're fucking meat!"
" Vá-se foder filho da puta! Vamos! C'mon ! " The raging simian snarled right back, likewise being held back by his trainer, practically ready to go toe to toe with the bigger cat. "You see I don't need you ta tell me how ta fight! I take you down again! No matta how grande! " He barked at him, gnashing his simian canines in a fierce display. "Dat ruufless enuff?! Come get sum more! Sim ?"
The jaguar eventually was able to forcibly throw his partner out of the room and lock the door right behind him. The incensed feline continued to beat on the door outside like a mad beast, roaring all sorts of muffled obscene curses and threats. Marcos just sighed and massaged the bridge of his snout as he turned to face them.
"Look Gus… uh… Pao, I know Su was out of line there, but dat is what the boss wants. He wants a meal. And the rabbit is the meat he wants for it" He explained. "Dat's da business, I'm sorry. Veja, matar o coelha, and I promise we'll make it worth your while. I got connections with some of da professional fighting circuit committees. I can get you a contract em um mês in a month's time. Just keep dat in mind."
Pao said nothing as he glared at the jaguar, instead, Gus answered for him. " Sim, eu entendo, " Yes, I understand The bonobo replied, calm and compliant. A stark contrast to his seething student.
"I… uh…" The cat looked real conflicted as he could read the reluctance on the monkey's face for the task at hand. " Boa sorte, Pao. You know… you remind me a lot of Gus when he was younger. He was an explosive fighter back then too." It was a compliment, but the still fuming monkey just gave the jaguar a fierce stare. Turning to the bonobo, the cat just nodded at his old acquaintance. "Uh, Gus… don't be a stranger, huh?" He said, weakly smiling.
"I definitely won't be, Marcos." The ape replied, giving a sly grin. "Ainda tem uma bela bunda lá. Still got a nice ass there. Hehehe." The cat somewhat blushed as he erupted with a wheezing laugh, while Pao suddenly adopted an utterly baffled look at the implication from the ape uttering such words. He literally had no idea.
"Hahaha Adeus, Gustavo ." The jaguar said, winking at the ape as he exited the dressing room.
As soon as the door slammed shut, and Gus turned to address him, Pao's rage just erupted once more, slugging the bonobo and sending him crashing face-first into the nearby lockers.
"Gustavo, just what the hell have you gotten us into?!" He screeched. "Who the hell are they? Dictating how I fight?!"
"Paulo, listen to me," Gus said wearily as he rose back up and wiped fresh blood from his lip. "This is my fault. I should have told you. But you need to look at the opportunity put in front of you, rapaz ." He reached in his back pocket producing a small blade and handed it to the monkey. "Take this."
Pao had a look of utter disgust upon his face at the very notion Gus was suggesting. " De jeito nenhum! Hell no!" He flat-out refused.
"Paulo, it's the smart thing to do. It's a no-brainer. Waste the menina out there." The bonobo pleaded. "Just take her out, legal e rápido and you'll really be the big time, sim? Just like I promised." He desperately tried to sell him.
"Gus…" Pao barked back at him, pushing the weapon back at his trainer. "I'm not going to… I'm not going to kill her!" He shouted. "Not for you or your… fucking boyfriend! By the way, I didn't even know you were gay! Anything else you been keeping from me?!"
"We uh… that's a long time ago." The ape awkwardly explained.
"I bet. Você parecia tão ansioso para reacender as coisas!" You seemed so eager to reignite things! The monkey screeched, his nostrils flaring.
"Anyway, forget about me!" Gus barked at him. "Focus on winning." He took the knife and slapped it into his hand. "Here. Use this and you're dreams will come true! Think of where you can go! This is your big break. They can make you a real star. Not just some lenda do bairro! barrio legend"
"This isn't right!" Pao snarled at him.
"This place is viper pit, little idiota !" The bonobo snapped. "There is no right or wrong! There's no rules against blades. There's no rules against killing! Hell, she uses blades! How do you know she won't use them against you?!"
"No, I mean… I ain't going to kill her!" Pao insisted. "Look I don't have a problem knocking her out to win, I can do that! But I can't… kill her. She's just a girl." The ape's face softened as he reached over to console his pupil. Pao, still upset, shrugged his hand off of him. "You know I'm not the kind to kill!"
"Oh, você não tem isso em você? Sim?" The ape mocked as he pressed his head against Pao's. The old primate wearily stared into his young pupil's eyes. "Paulo… this isn't the time for moral e valores. " The ape stated. "This isn't the time to be cavalheiro! This is your destino on the line. Forget that gurl, forget how you feel, and just make it quick. That's compaixão right dere. That's the best she deserves I say." His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Merda, Gus!" Pao swore. "I can't be that cruel. I don't want to do this. This is too much." He said, reaching for his wraps intending to pull them loose. "I'm not going out there…"
"You don't have choice." The ape said, grabbing his arm to stop him. "Marcos's people are just as powerful as they are influential. You can't just walk away now! Dis is happening. You do it or we all in trouble."
"Damn you for getting me involved in this!" The monkey screeched at him.
There was a loud beating on the door. It was one of the arena attendants. A deeper voiced animal. "Time to go. Boss is about to announce ya in a few seconds. Good luck. We got money riding on you, Cyclone!"
"Take it," Gus said, shoving the blade into his hands for the last time and folding it closed. "Take it!" The ape barked at him, presenting a fierce face.
Pao stared at the weapon with a grave expression for what felt like an eternity before he slipped the blade into his back pocket with his tail.
"Now let's go win dis luta , Paulo, Vamos reivindicar seu destino." Gus said as he opened the door. Pao said not a word to the ape as he brushed past him and headed towards the arena.
A Few Minutes Earlier on the Other Side of the Building.
"Remember. Speed is key. Stay mobile." San chanted over and over like a mantra, trying to drill Kyuu as she threw mock combos with her newly acquired red padded shin and wrist guards, a gift from her new so-called sensei, Loba, courtesy of Priscilla strangely taking an even bigger interest than usual a few days ago.
"Hit and run and target the areas that got damaged, they're probably still healing." San continued to instruct.
"Got it." She said in response, hopping back and forth in the new gear, getting a feel for the additional weight of the foam padding.
"Don't let this fancy new gear go to your head either." He lectured as he saw her starting to get a bit too aggressive with her kicking. "I don't want to see you going blow for blow with this guy. It's not going to help you win a slugfest, no matter how much you train. He's not Lùn."
"I ain't stupid, San. I know that." The lop-eared rabbit glowered annoyed at him as she attempted a jumping high kick.
"Could've fooled me," the llama sassily remarked. He joked, but he had a good feeling. Her kicks and footwork were considerably slower than usual, he noticed, but she still was in good enough form for this fight in his eyes. "Just watch your spacing with this guy and try not to get locked down in there. Stay slippery."
"I got it, I got it, San," Kyuu shooing off his lecturing, more focused on shadow boxing; kicking and ducking under imaginary attacks from a larger opponent style off of the monkey. They had practiced a few days ago, alongside the drills the wox Loba had started putting her through down at the Scoundrel's Den, San had still done his best trying to spar with her and provide a partner to best replicate the monkey's height and peculiar dancey fighting style. The replication was super rough and basic, but Kyuu at the very least had an expectation for someone with limbs longer than hers.
"Try to go for his limbs too," He added as the thought hit him. "Go for his legs specifically. His spindly-like limbs might not be as reinforced as most beasts his size, so try to get a sprain or fracture. Pour on some pain. And most importantly watch his tail. He was strangling that Rashid guy with it, so you best believe it's strong and will be a problem if he gets you with it."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm well aware of the tail, San!" She snapped, rubbing her healed eye to indicate. "And I remember Gouhin-sama's little nursery rhyme too. Please don't recite it. I don't need to die of cringe before the match, alright"
"Long as it's in there, that's good enough. Ahaha" The llama laughed. "How is your eye doing by the way?"
"It's fine just like the last time you asked a few hours ago." The rabbit muttered annoyed.
Then at that moment, there was a loud banging on the door of Kyuu's dressing room, causing San to reluctantly reach for his gun sticking out of his duffle bag. He gave Kyuu a quick nod before pressing himself up against the door. "Who is it?" He asked.
"It's me, Lùn! Let me in!" A familiar high-pitched voice shouted, muffled through the door. "I want to see her before she goes in."
Kyuu twisted her mouth into the semblance of a smile and gave the camelid the go-ahead. He unlocked it and standing in the doorway was Lùn, the scarred hybrid fox looked as if she had gone through the wringer. Her green sports top and her black bottoms were dingy, torn, and stained with blood. She had a few bandages, scrapes, and bruises as well and her scuffed up snout was leaking red too and had begun to swell up. Despite her haggard appearance, the vixen still had a proud look about her as her tail wagged excitedly to see the rabbit.
"Well, well, well. Look who's still alive." Kyuu snarkily remarked, putting on a smug face as she gave the vixen a good look-over. "So Loony… did you win or did you just get your ass kicked?" She asked with her usual tactless demeanor.
"Both!" The fox somewhat proudly admitted, cracking her neck. "Mink was a tough little bitch." The fox's injuries seemed to have taken their toll as she limped into the room. "She gave me a good fight, but I flattened her."
"That Chiikita girl? Didn't look so tough to me," The rabbit commented, folding her arms with a smug smirk on her face. Lùn just tilted her head at her.
The pygmy vixen's whole body fidgeted as she suppressed her instinctual urge to slug the rabbit. "Bitch, don't you even start," Lùn growled at her, "Her name was Nikita and I probably beat her a lot faster than you would have rabbit! "
"Yeah cuz you did it the hard way. I would have taken her out with those curvy swords you got. I heard the loudmouth raccoon yammer on about how you tossed them to get down and dirty with her." The rabbit said. "Crowd went nuts for it."
"Look who's talking, Mudface! Seriously, do you not hear the words that come out of your mouth?" The fox snapped back. "You're talking about me, but ain't you the idiot bout to fight the same guy who knocked you out before, without your knives… again ? Huh bitch?"
"Yeah, but I'm going to at least have them on me in there. Just in case." Kyuu said, tugging at her slightly hefty ears which carried her tantos. "You just threw away your advantage… What did you say about that last time?"
"Fuck you." Lùn simply said, glowering at the bunny as she flipped the bird.
"Your place or mine?" The lop cheekily rebounded, with a smug look.
"Fuck. You." The fox viciously growled, turning a redder shade of orange.
"Heeeeey now!" The larger llama shouted nervously, stepping between the two trying to keep the next main event fight from happening in the locker room. "Uh…how about both of you take a deep breath like not kill each other in here? Please…ahaha." San pleaded, with a light chuckle. "Seriously we're all here to make money from fighting out there… in front of the crowd."
"Relax you mop head… I'm not going to beat her up before the fight." The fox said, waving him off. "I'll beat her up after. No sweat. Hehehe." She joked, pounding her fist into her palm.
"You'll try." Kyuu corrected, confidently folding her arms, which just got an amused snicker out of the fox. "Remember, I currently got the lead tally from our spars, Lùn."
"Don't get too comfortable, bunny." The fox said, raising her brow. "I'm only off by like two!"
San just groaned. "That's not exactly better… you know what? Never mind," The llama muttered as they continued to have their pissing contest, mussing up his hair. "Uh… thanks for coming by Loony. To see her, that is. It's nice for Kyuu to actually have some encouragement for once. Usually, it's just me. Ahaha…. yeah." His head drooped as soon as he realized how pathetic that was. It really was. Kyuu almost never got any cheers out there, besides him. Not that it seemed to bother her in any way though.
Lùn smiled at him. "Course I came by. I just wanted to remind her that I'm still here. And that I'm still coming for her. And that she better watch her ass." Lùn growled menacingly, much to San's visible dismay.
The rabbit smirked. "I like the confidence, Loony. Keep it up. It'll make it feel great when I embarrass you again in front of the whole back alley myself." Kyuu rebounded. "Besides, I don't mind you looking at my ass. I know how much you like grabbing it."
"Fuck off…" The fox snarled, rolling her eyes.
"You know sometimes I wonder if you're both really girls," San commented with a tired look, much to both of their chagrin.
"What?" They both said in unison as they stared at him, looking offended.
"Uh, I mean that in the way that you aren't like mos-" He tried to backtrack, however, the stares persisted. "Yeah, I'm just going to shut up now." He said, just giving up. "Forget I said anything." They certainly weren't like Priscilla and Kyuu felt like a completely different animal with someone else to fence barbs with.
"You know what?" The fox growled at the rabbit, her eyes shrinking to pupils. "Come here!" She shouted suddenly lurching forward and snatching the rabbit up by her waist. The fox squeezed tightly while the rabbit's arms just fell to the sides. San almost immediately reached down to separate them thinking Lùn was attacking, but soon realized it was just a… hug. The camelid just craned his head, puzzled at the two as they rocked back and forth, the fox nuzzled her head on the rabbit's shoulder longingly. Kyuu hesitated but eventually reciprocated, looping her arms around and resting her head against Lùn's. He heard a soft vibrating purring coming from the vixen, that almost reminded him of his time with Pris and it really warmed his heart to see Kyuu have something like that. "You better fucking win… you hear?" He heard the fox lightly snarl into his friend's ear. "I upheld my end, time to uphold yours."
"Ugh, do you know how much you really stink right now?" Kyuu muttered after taking a few sniffs of the fox's sweaty clothes. "Seriously… you smell." The rabbit said, pushing her away.
"Are you kidding?" The fox asked, pulling off from her embrace and glaring at the lop. "You really got to ruin the moment?"
"Well, you should have thought about using your swords. You probably wouldn't have worked up such a sweat." The rabbit pointed out.
"Grr! They're kukri… not swords!" The vixen snapped at her.
"You know I'm not going to remember how to pronounce that." The rabbit said, with a slight smirk that she knew pissed off the fox even more.
"Well…you're probably going to work up a worse sweat than me by the end of your match! Talking about me smelling musty…" She grumbled.
"Yeah and I plan to take a shower after," Kyuu said, fanning her away. " Seriously you're so musty and you probably got sweat and blood all over my new outfit." She complained, inspecting her gear.
"Your outfit?!" The fox just snapped back at her with an annoyed glance, "Loba-senpai can get you a new outfit!" To the fox, it wasn't much different from the rabbit's typical look of a white tank top and the red windbreaker combo. No instead she wore a black and red sports top, blacks shorts with red lines going down the thigh, and the red arm and shin protectors they had bought. Plus the red gloves. "You look like a big walking rotten tomato!" She joked. "I bet you'll get busted up like one too."
"Whatever you say…" The rabbit said, as she backed up and went back to resuming her shadowboxing. "Thanks for coming by Loony. Appreciate the words of support. Now go take a shower." She said dismissively, getting back into the flow of her drill.
"Alright. I will take a damn shower!" The fox snapped, annoyed. "But you better win." She repeated as she opened the door, "We'll celebrate afterwards."
"Your place again?" The rabbit asked, pausing only to catch a confirmation.
The fox wheezed with a fit of laughter. "Of course, my place! You think I gonna sleep with you in that old dingy germ center you call a home again?"
"Didn't stop you the first time…"
"Uggh! Shut up!" Lùn snapped. "Anyway. My place. And we going to stay in the bed this time." She said, rubbing her battered side, obviously still hurting. "And I want you to be gentle." She dictated.
"Yeah. Yeah. We'll see," The rabbit said nonchalantly as she threw hard straight and followed with a high kick.
"I'll be watching!" The fox said as she slinked out the doorway. "Don't fuck up! I mean it." She said poking her head back in.
"You still here?" Kyuu asked. "Rex, you really know how to wear out your welcome."
"Fine! I'm going!" The fox shouted at her just before slamming the door shut.
"Bye…" The lop said, not even looking at the door as she continued her drill. She then paused just to look over San who still had a bewildered look on his long face. "I really like doing that." She said, grinning.
"Never thought I'd see the day…Kyuu with a girlfriend. A carnivore one at that." San said as he continued working on processing what just went down. "And you guys are…"
"Yeeeepp." The rabbit replied, hurling a hard hook and jab before finishing with a crane kick.
"Wow. I must have something contagious. Ahaha!" San joked with a dry chuckle. "I want to say you two worked fast, but I can't really talk myself, aha! Maybe foxes are just really horny."
"Yeah, well… uh, thanks San." The rabbit said trying her damndest to sound sincere for once. After all, he had come through for her, time and time again. Then it just snowballed. He had come through for her time and time again and yet… she took that for granted. She had to really thank him. "Like… San I'll feel rotten if I don't do this. *sigh* But thank you. Really. Because you looked out for me even when I'm real shitty to you and…ugh. You could have left me years ago, but you stuck by me and… uh… I'm sorry. I'm sorry I yelled at you and I kicked you out the other week… 'was a real bitch." Her gaze drifted away from him and he could tell this felt more like a task for her. "Ugh…fucking stupid…look you get what I'm saying right?"
"Thank God, you fight better than you make apologies." The llama joked, chuckled to himself. "Don't sweat it Kyuu. I know how you get sometimes. You're just stubborn is all. Frustratingly so." He said, slightly smiling. "But I forgive you. Just make it up to me by not getting hurt out there, huh?"
She scoffed and smirked. "You got it."
Suddenly their door opened again. "Psycho! You're on." A loud husky voice announced. It was a stoic-looking barrel-chested lynx in a black tight-fitting crew t-shirt and jeans holding a clipboard. One of the arena attendants. "Time to go. The market's waiting for ya." He said thumbing down the hall towards the arena.
"Welp, the moment of truth," San said with a sigh as he got up and opened the door for her. "Time to see if you're really ready."
"Course, I'm ready." The rabbit said exiting into the hall, throwing a few more punches for the road as she began pumping herself up. "I waited far too long, San. I'm just dying to smack the smirk right off that smug bastard's face!"
San just groaned as she stepped through the doorway. "Dying? C'mon. Do really you have to say such stuff like that now of all times, Kyuu?" He anxiously asked as the voices of the waiting crowd grew louder.
"Ugh…San, you still worry too much." She groaned. "It's just a phrase."
Trivia
Gin is pretty much based on the character Gin from Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin or Silver Fang: the Shooting Star Gin. It's kinda funny. Like before I even got into Beastars I was watching the old series, cuz like the theme song had me hooked even with the dated animation, and another series and I really got into the series even with its weird storytelling so much that eventually YouTube decided to put clips of a Furry Anime about a rabbit stripping down and pulling at a wolf boy's pants into my video feed, and lo and behold, Beastars was introduced to me. lol
Gin here is kinda pretty much Gin from the show if he were a Beastars anthro although he currently doesn't have the same backstory obviously. He is however a Silver Furred Japanese Akita Inu and he has the claw marks given to him by a bear though his marks were given to him in my story are from Gar the Dokugumi member from a few chapters ago.