Chapter Two
17 years prior to Zasshu and Meinai's conversation, one Albino Dwarf Rabbit lightly walked among the darkened streets.
Her head darted back and forth, looking around for any animal, anyone that could see her. Thankfully, she saw none.She took just a moment to look down at the small bundle in her arms. She studied the signs of various run down shops, admittedly, this wasn't the best part of town. At least it wasn't in the Back Alley.
She finally found the building she was looking for. 'Open Arms Orphanage'. With a heavy heart, she slowly approached the doorway. She placed the bundle down, guilt slowing her every movement.
The bundle looked up to her, eyes only slightly similar to her own, with long ears splayed back.
She almost didn't go through with it.
She rang the doorbell, and with one final look down to the baby, she ran off into the night.
Of course, the baby did not understand. As his only thoughts were; 'Why am I alone?', 'I am hungry', and 'Why am I cold?'. And as any baby would in that situation, he cried out for a mother who did not want him.
Five years later, and the child had grown, though just barely. He was about a quarter of the size of the fridge, give or take an inch.
He had also gained a name, "Oi, Zasshu!" A Puma of age 8 called from the other end of the communal sleeping area.
Zasshu. Mongrel. Of course, Zasshu knew of it as his name before he knew of it as an insult.
Zasshu, who was just playing with some small, beaten up action figures, didn't even look up. They would go away sometime, right?
Zasshu was wrong, and the Puma and his friend group had moved closer to Zasshu.
"Hey, Mix-N-Match, what're you sitting alone for? Don't you wanna go play with your friends?" The Puma mocked, as his friends jeered and laughed at the 'Mix-N-Match'.
Zasshu ignored him.
"Oi, look at me you mutt!" The puma yelled at Zasshu, who preferred to pay attention to the toys than to the Puma.
Of course, Zasshu felt scared, but showing it would make any teasing or punches he would get worse.
Zasshu expected them to go away after ignoring them. That's what those videos always say. Ignore bullies.
So when a hand collided with the back of his head, he was dazed.
He fell forwards using his hands to stop his face from slamming into the ground.
He looked back in time to see another punch fly to him, and reacted as any cornered animal would.
With a loud crunch, Zasshu instinctually bit down as hard as he could onto the fist, letting go a second later. Of course, the damage had already been done.
He ran, crawling and jumping over beds to make it to his own: the farthest from the others, shoved precariously into the corner. He slid under his bed, shaking, eyes watering at the prospect of being punished.
As any other child, Zasshu had learned life lessons throughout his childhood, though they only applied those unlucky enough to be born a hybrid.
Do not draw attention to yourselfDo not attempt to socializeMany people have more authority than youDo not make them angry
These four rules were ingrained within Zasshu's mind. Once the boy reached the age of 11,as his only present, he was allowed to move beyond the confines of the orphanage, though he soon found out that these rules still applied.
Of course, Zasshu found someone he considered very strange.
Zasshu had turned 11 exactly one month ago, and was taking his newfound freedom by the horns. He kept to himself, as always, until…
"Hey, you! Kid! Hey! Come 'ere." An old mole called, just a few feet from him.
Zasshu asked a simple question, "Me?"
"Yes, you! You…" He smelt the air. Zasshu would later learn that he was attempting to smell what kind of species Zasshu was.
"Kid, just get over here. I've dropped all my damn money!" The mole called again, and that much was true. Zasshu saw many yen coins scattered among the sidewalk.
Zasshu helped him silently, hoping to not offend the Mole by speaking.
Once the coins were back in the mole's pockets, the Mole explained his situation.
"Thanks, Kid. I'm blind, y'see? Heh..see. Anyway, I couldn't really see the damn coins, so, y'know, thanks." The mole explained while thanking Zasshu for his hard work.
"You're welcome…" Zasshu kept his replies short and respectful, trying to keep to his rules.
The old mole got a small glint in his eye.
"Hey...Kid."
"Yes, sir?"
"How long do you have free time for?"
"Till sundown, sir."
The old mole gave a smile, "Well, I need someone to help with my groceries. Wouldn't you like to do your good act for the day and help an old blind person?" The mole asked, adding in, "I can pay you a bit, too. I mean, what's the value of someone's work if he doesn't get paid for it?"
"Okay, sir."
And the two walked off, to the nearest grocery store, of course.
Five years later,with Zasshu at age 16, they took another trip to the Supermarket. As they shopped around, they chatted.
Zasshu would say something like; "Did you hear about what happened on TV?"
Meinai would respond, "Well kid, that's really all I can do. But sure, tell me."
"A Tiger tried to rob a gas station, last night."
"Really?"
"Yeah, no one got hurt though."
And that meaningless conversation would continue as they shopped, Mothers guiding their children away from the aisle, but Zasshu and Meinai enjoyed the silence. It let them hear each other better.
Of course, the Usual problems that Zasshu faced as a child still arose, but the rules always apply.
Zasshu had grown used to life like that anyhow.