Chapter 13

Mutterings and chatter filled cherrytons auditorium walls as students of all species conversed in hushed whispers. A sudden abrupt clearing of a mammals throat caught the gathered students attention as all eyes fell upon the form of the smiling headmaster, his gaze focused at the gathered students as he approached a stand. "Hello and good morning students of cherryton academy I hope you all find yourselves well this morning" Headmaster Gon spoke out as he began to talk to the students about recent club activities and general school information...

(Legoshis pov)

"Ok everyone lets get ready" Shelia spoke up as she clapped her hands together as the members of the drama club awaited their cue to walk onto the stage. Legoshi looked around at his fellow members as his tail stood still his hands clenched over his muzzle as the lupine tried to block the scent that his strong lupine nose had caught hold of. (Gahh...why can't….why can't I stop) Legoshi whimpered quietly as drool began to form in his muzzle as the lupine struggled to suppress his instincts. "LEGOSHI!" The stern voice of Louis snapped the wolf from his stupor as he gazed into the brown eyes of the popular Deer. "L...Louis…what is it?" The lupines ears pinned against his head as the mentioned buck scoffed his eyes narrowing.

"You carnivores are something alright hmm" Louis leaned in as he leant his muzzle into the wolfs twitching ear. "I'm watching you closely pup" with that said Louis turned swiftly as he straightened his jacket, walking to the front of the formed club members. Legoshi quickly let out a breath of air as he calmed down his rapidly beating heart. (W...….what's going on with me i...I cant h...h..help it I can't help but). Legoshi raised his muzzle again as the same scent wafted into his nose...as he then swiftly placed a hand over his sensitive nose cutting off the scent.

"Ok everyone lets make this clean and simple, remember we are all members of the drama club so show them what that means". With the rest of the club members now ready, the club awaited the call from the Headmaster...

"Now then...as many of you now know one of our students was devoured" Headmaster Gon spoke out receiving mutterings of worry from the gathered students. "Ok quieten down, please everyone...I'm here to assure every student that we will not stand for another incident of this like again". The Headmasters gaze surveyed his student's faces as he looked up to the top of the gathered students as he smiled towards Forrest. "As at Cherryton academy, we wish for every student to feel safe and comfortable in their classes and this Academy".

"This now brings me to why we are gathered here today" The headmaster turned as he clasped what appeared to be an award. "Would the Drama club members please come up onto the stage" At this call the students from the club began to walk onto the stage led by there most prominent figure Louis as the club members filed out into an orderly line. Gon looked at the club's students with a proud smile as he nodded at the Red deer.

"All of you on this stage overcame the differences and challenges among species, and therefore have earned a prestigious prize" Gon spoke warmly as he looked over at the club with kind eyes. "Your contributions help our Academy to thrive and to prosper bringing pride to the name Cherryton, which is why we are gathered here so that I may present the Cherryton honour award to you all". Cheering and applauding filled the stage as Louis stepped up to the headmaster as he handed the award over to the Deer cheering and words of praise echoed from the gathered students.

"I expect another successful year ahead from the drama club Louis" Gon spoke to the Red deer with a smile as Louis stood straight and respectively nodded his head. "Of course sir you can count on it". As the applause continued the gaze of a certain wolf found its way to the top of the gathered students, his sharp eyes catching sight of the creature...yet he was garbed in the Academy's uniform...as Louis walked to the front of the stage as he grasped a microphone in his hands his steely brown eyes surveying the audience.

"Coexistence and co-prosperity, our drama club will continue to demonstrate its glory on this stage" Louis strong and proud tone reached the hearts of the students as he received more applauding and cheering. The deer smiled warmly as he basked in the applause yet as he looked on at the audience his gaze caught the form of...something that he had never seen something...that...

(Forrests pov)

The teen's eyes looked on with amazement at the deer's powerful speech as he turned to the white-furred tiger beside him. That Louis sure seems to be liked around here right Kryat!" The teen asked as he chuckled slightly at the felines relaxed and calm demeanour as said feline had his legs crossed. "Sure Kid...that seems to be the Gist of it" The feline's tail twitches as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded up sheet of paper. "Hehe yeah" Forrest turned back to the stage as he suddenly shrank back slightly...the Deer know as Louis was...was staring at him from the stage..." H...hey K..Kryat t..that deers looking at me" Forrest muttered as the feline's ears twitched. "Hmm is that so kid at least it's not the entire school yet...I think that it'll be best for you to be integrated slowly...considering that your one of a kind ey".

Forrest chuckled as he sighed his gaze once again fixed on the stage. "Heh yeah, I guess so Kryat...I mean I just how would they react to something like...like me..." Forrest sighed as he slumped slightly in his seat his gaze still transfixed on the stage and students. "It's not about them Kid, it's about you just...be yourself ey" The white-furred feline smirked as he nudged the teen receiving a faint smile from the slouched human. "Thank you, Louis, that was quite the speech" The headmaster spoke out as the red deer nodded curtly as he returned to the rest of the formed drama club members. The headmaster cleared his throat as he once again turned to the gathered students.

"Finally there is one more piece of news I wish to share with you all" Gon spoke out as Forrest suddenly felt nervous. "We have a new student attending our academy starting from today" Gon smiled as whispers and murmurs erupted from the students. "Grrrr what does he think he's doing" Kryat snarled his ears flicking in anger as he leaned forward. "Hmm...what...what do you mean Kryat" Forrest asked as he glanced at the snarling feline. "Grrr he means you, Kid, he's... mentioning you, damn that striped furball" Forrest slightly shrank back from the felines bared fangs as he nervously fiddled with his thumbs.

"W...well a...at least I'm n...not going on st..." Forrest's words were lost on his tongue as the headmaster's gaze fell onto him. "Young Forrest...if you wouldn't mind coming down here..". The sudden call of his name made the young human flinch as the students all turned to the back of the auditorium there gazes now fixed on the human's form. "Come now young Forrest" Headmaster Gon chuckled as the teen gulped standing up from his seat with a nervous shiver. "K...Kryat i...I'm s..so nervous" the teen whispered as he stayed upright shivering. "Its ok kid I'm coming with ya, don't worry" The feline spoke as he placed a reassuring hand on the human's shoulder.

(O...ok i...i can do this...its not that bad their j...j...just all staring...) Forrest gulped as he slowly made his way down the steps the mutterings of students filling his ears as he neared the stage. (T..that deer's still...still looking at me...why...why is he so...focused on..m...me) Forrest gulped as he ascended the stage as silence befell the auditorium, the gazes of the students and drama club members alike focused solely on the young teen. "There we are young Forrest" Gon chuckled as he placed a hand on the teen's shoulder the feline gently turning the teen to face the gathered students. "Now everyone, as I stated young Forrest here, will be starting classes here and I hope that we can all show him what Cherryton Academy is all about".

The headmaster smiled as he looked down at Forrest with a proud grin etched onto his muzzle. "That will be all, for now, students, please give our new student a warm greeting if you see him about" Gon smiled as he began to lead Forrest off the stage. The teen followed the striped feline as he glanced to the side catching the intense gaze of the red deer as he passed the drama club members. Forrest shivered slightly at the herbivores almost predatory like gaze as he left the stage. The young human failing to notice the tall wolfs perked ears and raised hackles as the lupine tried to suppress a predatory growl escaping his muzzle.

"What the hell was that you pompous furball" Kryat growled as he turned teeth bared at the headmaster as Gon chuckled standing sternly facing the angered white feline with a smile. "Now now Mr Kryat, we don't want to frighten young Forrest now do we, especially with those glinting k9s of yours hmm". Gon addressed the feline as Kryats ears twitched in annoyance, the felines bared fangs disappearing as he straightened himself. "Talking about being frightened" Kryat turned as he gestured to Forrest, the human teen nervously shaking as he tried to calm himself. "That was uncalled for, what you did to the kid...he wasn't ready and you know that" Kryats gaze sharp and brow furrowed in anger as he awaited a response from the fellow tiger.

"It was inevitable, it was better to introduce young Forrest today than slowly, this way the students will know who he is and not be fearful of him". Gon spoke as he leant down slightly towards the mentioned teen. "I'm..I'm sorry if that was hard for you Forrest, it was not my intention to cause you such distress" Gon spoke softly as he gently rested a hand on the teen's shoulder. Forrest sighed as he lifted his head a small smile gracing the teen's lips as he chuckled. "Hehe...d...don't worry about it Mr Gon sir as you said t...this way was better" Forrest nodded to the feline as the headmaster smiled. "You are a very brave individual young Forrest, you are exactly the kind of student I know will succeed here".

Gon stood up as he straightened his suit, the feline extending his hand to the teen as Forrest gently grasped the extended palm. "I hope to see you grow and flourish young Forrest if there is anything that you need, don't hesitate to come and ask me" With a firm shake Gon released the teen's hand as he nodded to Kryat. "Now, if you would excuse me I have some work that needs addressing" Gon bowed as he began to walk down the hall waving as he disappeared around a corner as his steps faded. "Grrr that Gon sure is a piece of work" Kryat grumbled as he leaned against the wall, the feline's tail swishing in disarray as he sighed turning his head slightly towards Forrest.

"You feeling better now Kid!" Forrest turned as he nodded slightly his fists clenched tightly in his palms. "Y...yeah I think so...hehe its gotta take a lot more than that to faze me..." The teen pulled back his sleeve to reveal the still healing wound on his arm. Kryats gaze settled on the bandaged wound as he placed his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "Hmm yeah I can see that kid, hey...you still got that knife?" Kryat questioned as Forrest nodded nervously his hand resting on his uniform pocket. "I hope you never have to use that Kid" Kryat chuckled as he smirked. "You won't have the chance to, you got me haha".

As the feline laughed Forrest looked back down at the bandage wrapped around his arm as he turned back to face the laughing feline. "Hey...Kryat" the mentioned feline turned as he looked at the teen. "T...thanks for being here...it means a lot" Forrest smiled as the feline rubbed the back of his furred head with a bashful expression. "Knock it off Kid or you'll make my head big heh"...

(Jacks POV)

"That was some award ceremony, right guys" Durham nudged Jack as the Labrador smiled slightly. "Yeah and the new student I've never seen an animal like that before I mean like never" Collot spoke as he brushed some long strands of fur from out of his eyes. (I...I can't believe that Forrest was on stage...he seemed so...out of place I hope I hope he's doing..) Jack shook his head as his tail drooped slightly. (If...if he cared he would have waited for me) Jack continued to ponder his thoughts as he and the rest of there small group made their way to the cafeteria kiosk.

"This way guys, I know a shortcut" Migunos voice snapped Jack out of his stupor as the group rounded a secluded corridor. As the group wondered the empty corridor they soon became lost as Miguno shyly chuckled to himself. "were lost...aren't we Miggy" Durham sighed as the rest of the k9s groaned leaving the embarrassed spotted hyena to rub the back of his head in embarrassment. "You seriously need those Glasses Miguno" Voss called out from the top of Collot's head as the mentioned canid slumped. As the group chided their friend Collots ears perked slightly. The large sheepdog walked towards one of the other corridors as he peered round as the K9 gasped pulling his head back.

"Hey...Guys i...just saw the..new pupil" Collot whispered as jacks ears perked up. The rest of the group approached the corner as they too peered down the Corridor the Labradors eyes settling on the form of the human. "Yeah, your right Collot that's him alright no mistaking that". As the group conversed Jacks tail began to lower as it ended up tucked between his trousers. (Maybe...he doesn't want to see me again...maybe it's best I just don't.. ).

"Hey, Jack whats up you scared or something !" Durham spoke as Jacks ears perked back up suddenly as he yelped. "Wha...no no no ..I'm fine don't worry guys" Jack waved his hands in front of his friends as the group failed to notice the looming figure of a large feline behind them. "What are you lot doing" the low and authoritative voice of said feline broke the group out of there conversation. "Oh..uhh we were just talking..about...uhh" Durham's voice became lost in his throat as his gaze met the felines...