Chapter 12

It had been three months after the... well, you know, and Zasshu had moderately cheered up.

Or kept that pain hidden. Who knows?

He kept up with his shipping job at the Back Alley, earning his regular pay. With nothing else to put it into, Zasshu and Ikari spent it fixing up their abandoned restaurant home.

Of course, Zasshu no longer had to sleep on the floor there, as sleeping bags were a first purchase, and then a small battery operated space heater was bought also.

Beats the cold.

Of course, other than food, most monthly expenses were low, so they managed to save a little.

And that little grew and grew until it managed to become enough...

...for the pair to visit a mall.

"So...what's it like, y'know, inside?" Zasshu asked, as they walked to a more central part of town, the more populous area leading to more people noticing Zasshu, and giving them a wide berth.

"What, you're telling me you've never been?" Ikari scoffed, looking up at Zasshu, noticing his clueless look.

"Oh, you're uh, serious. There's uh... a big fuckin' fountain, with a bunch of like, little stores and food places n' shit. You'd probably like it." Ikari implored.

Zasshu gave a small nod. "It sounds cool. I've always heard about it on TV."

Ikari gave a nod back, and added, with a coy grin, "'Course, that ain't even the best part..."

Zasshu looked back down with interest, "Hm?"

"A shit ton of women!" Ikari said, waving his hands to signify the utter quantity of women.

"As far as the eye can see! We'll probably find one that won't care how ugly you look, too, so it'll be great!"

"Wow, thank you." Zasshu muttered dryly.

"No problem, just looking out for you."

"Ikari, hey, Ikari! Look at what that store's selling!" Zasshu whispered, shaking Ikari's shoulder slightly, like an excited child.

"Yeah. Headphones; fucking radical." Ikari said, the poor badger having to deal with this the whole time.

He of course, didn't tell Zasshu to fuck off, as he would any other. Really, dealing with the other friend's annoying moods was part of friendship, really...

Probably.

Okay, maybe he was selling Zasshu a bit short. Over the past few months, the hybrid had been pretty sad, and who the hell could blame him? Dude obviously loved that Menai-guy, and dying in a fire is one of the worst ways to go.

So Ikari was at least happy that Zasshu seemed to finally be happy 'bout something.

Zasshu took a small bite of his salad, having mixed in some tofu with it. Of course, he had to shop at two different food stalls, but hey, it was worth it, having mixed the tofu in. It was honestly pretty good.

He and Ikari had gotten a two-person table, a rather secluded one at that.

Ikari leaned back in his seat, having finished his lunch.

"So, time to scope someone out..." the badger said, picking his teeth.

Zasshu cocked his head. "For what?"

Ikari rolled his eyes, "Gettin' laid, man."

A small cherry tomato peice lodged in Zasshu's throat for a moment, causing him to go into a short coughing fit until it finally free'd itself and was swallowed.

"What?" He asked, voice scratchy.

Ikari snickered. "What, do I need to explain the birds and bees?"

The genetic three-way covered his face with his hands, and muttered, "No, obviously I know that."

Ikari raised an eyebrow, "So whats the prob-" his face gained a look of understanding.

"Oh. Oh. I mean, I don't mind if, you, y'know swing the other way. I mean, its okay, no worries, society's a lot better in that as-"

Zasshu, lowered his hands from his face, and flustered-ly said, "Ikari, n- er I don't know, but it's not because of that!" He said quickly.

"So...whats the problem man?" Ikari questioned.

"It's just, y'know, sex can make a baby..." he explained.

"No fucking way." Ikari said sarcastically.

"And that baby's gonna, y'know, be a mix too." Zasshu explained, "I don't really want to, y'know, spread this." He said, waving to himself.

Ikari gave a small "Oh." and a nod of understanding. "Makes sense, I guess..."

"Y'know what if you had like, three cond-"

"Ikari."

"Right, sorry."