Chapter 99 - Lions on the Sidelines

Once it was time to leave, Legosi said goodbye to Bill and texted Louis to let him know he was leaving. On the way out he kept an eye out for Sebun, but she was likely at work. Oh well. At the end of the day, it was none of her business, but Legosi preferred to avoid misunderstandings whenever possible.

He left the condo, trying to work out his limp as he headed to the park, reminding him just how much had changed in the past week. He sniffed himself, making sure he washed off all the smell of last night but found it was still there faintly. He sighed and marched on. Nothing he could do.

Today, Melon was already parked in his car, so Legosi approached it carefully, not wanting to enter without him noticing. So Legosi stood there, waiting for the hybrid to see him.

Without turning, Melon opened the window a crack. "What are you doing?"

Legosi jumped a bit. "Oh, I was waiting for you to invite me in..."

"Why? Just get in."

"Okay, Melon-san."

The wolf walked around the car and sat inside, noticing Melon's nose wrinkle as soon as he did, but he said nothing. The car backed out and they were off.

"So..." Legosi clasped his hands together between his knees. "How was your week, Melon-san?"

Melon kept his eyes on the road. "Weird thing to ask a mob boss."

"Just making conversation...you didn't turn your music on."

One of the hybrid's ears flicked rapidly. "We're carrying out our regular operations while also keeping tabs on the Okamigumi. They're mobilizing, so we're going to let them go after the Branded. Perhaps after they clash your deer can give us more information. If he survives."

Legosi swallowed. "Of course...he will."

"Those mutts are dragging their feet. Clearly, they're more afraid of the Branded than they should be."

"Oh!" Legosi turned to Melon. "Louis...He was able to summon his Chimera thing...not sure what it means but hopefully it can help us..."

"I still want to see that thing for myself." Melon made a turn a bit aggressively. "You reek of cat."

"Oh!" Legosi blushed and wrapped his chest with his arms as if that'd do anything. "My friend stayed over last night. He's a tiger..."

"You're more of a pervert than I thought," Melon laughed.

"What?"

"You spend one day with a bunch of lions and then you go home and get your feline friend to fuck you! I already knew you were weird for being with a buck, but I had no idea you were turned on by my men! Not sure how they're going to react when they get a whiff of you."

Legosi's fur bristled. "Th-this had nothing to do with them! I've known Bill for a while and we sort of experimented and it turns out we like each other so-"

"So what about Louis? Are you going to abandon him now? Cut loose with your new man?"

"No! He knows, and he's also romantically involved with the other herbivore we have in the Branded! And that herbivore is dating Bill! It's like, we're all dating in a block or something."

Melon's face scrunched up again, but he said nothing.

Legosi sighed and looked out the window. It was impossible to gain any footing with this animal.

"You remember what I said last time, right dog?"

Legosi looked over again. "You said a lot of things..."

"Haha. You're such a comedian." Melon held his arm out to him, revealing some recently made scars. "You're making me bleed today or else I'm not bringing you back."

Legosi swallowed hard. "Understood..."

Just like last week, Melon drove into the black market and took the hidden path into the base. He gasped dramatically after leaving the car, causing Legosi to sniff at himself again. It really wasn't that apparent, right?

Melon led the way, obviously headed toward that training room again.

"Where is everyone?" Legosi asked, noting how empty and quiet the rooms they traversed were compared to the first day he was here.

"They're around. Calm your dick." Melon stretched his arms up, popping his shoulder. "I hope you're ready today. I took you a bit by surprise last week, but now you know what to expect."

"Uh, yeah. Yes."

Melon stopped and turned to face him. "And I am not fragile. And neither are any of the herbivores that are going to want you dead. Get that through your thick skull." He turned back around but kept talking. "Maybe now that you're banging a carnivore too it'll balance things out. Either that or it'll make you not want to fight carnivores either, in which case you're fucked."

Legosi sighed. "Don't worry about it, Melon-san."

Melon opened the door to the training room and both animals were greeted by the collective roar of every lion of the Shishigumi.

"BOSS!"

"DOGGY!"

"Haha! Yes!"

Both Melon and Legosi stood there, dumbfounded. Free quickly hopped over and placed his hands on Melon's shoulders. "Finally!"

The gazeopard grunted and shrugged his shoulders, but Free's hands stayed. "What's this all about? You lot have just been in here with your thumbs up your asses?"

"Hardly! We were waiting for you to bring the puppy back so we could have a show!"

"Show?" Legosi stepped forward.

"Your fight, of course!"

Melon sighed and rubbed his temples. "You guys really need shit to do, huh?"

"Aw, don't be like that, Boss!" Free backed off and went back to the group. "Alright, men! Make your final bets!"

Melon walked forward, taking his shirt off and revealing his tattoos once more. Unlike last week, he didn't have any other accessories on that he had to remove. Legosi followed him slowly, taking off his tracksuit jacket.

"So, what are you all betting on?"

"Who will win, Boss," Miguel informed.

"Uh-huh. And what does 'winning' entail?"

"Winning is winning, Boss."

Legosi shook his head. "Actually, Melon-san said I only have to make him bleed."

Melon snapped back. "That is the least required of you. You'll make me bleed, but I'm sure to win the fight."

Legosi dipped his head. "You have more experience, so that's likely..."

"Aww, c'mon! Don't say that out loud! You're making me regret my bet!" Free cried, and this caught the hybrid's attention.

"Oh, what? You think Legosi is going to win?"

Free shrugged. "That's my betting style! Plus there's a larger pool of money for the less popular choice."

"Who else bet on him?"

The hands of Ibuki and Hino went up, and Melon scoffed.

"Really? My right-hand man has betrayed me!"

Ibuki smirked. "Just wanted to shake things up a bit. Fight your hardest, Boss."

"And what about you, Hino?"

The pretty lion smiled. "I have to show solidarity, of course."

Melon rolled his eyes. "Right, right. Hey Legosi, if you win maybe you can get another cat to fuck you."

Legosi froze up. "I...No, I don't want that."

Before Melon's words could sink into any of the group, Free clapped his hands together. "Alright, alright, enough talk! Let's get on with it already!"

At that, Melon faced Legosi, widened his stance, but otherwise didn't adopt a fighting posture. Legosi raised his big hands up, ready to block. They stared at each other.

"...Aaaaand go!"

At Free's command, Legosi started slowly circling Melon, but the hybrid remained still.

"Ooo, Boss is up to somethin'!" Dope observed quietly.

"Or he's letting Legosi get a free hit," Agata predicted.

Legosi stopped and paced back, slowly moving forward. Melon simply kept eye contact, expressionless.

"H-hey, Melon-san. Is this some sort of fighting strategy?"

Melon didn't answer.

Legosi advanced closer, standing in front of Melon, pose tense. Melon just looked up at him.

"I can't attack you if you don't attack first, Melon-san," Legosi informed.

"Then we wait..." Melon said, coolly.

And wait they did. Their audience was quiet at first but then started grumbling and growling.

"Oh, get on with it!" Dolph eventually bellowed, followed by hoots and hollers from everyone else. This caused Legosi to flinch, and that's when Melon struck.

Holding his fingers together so his claws were almost like a knife, he thrust his right arm forward. Legosi's reflexes kicked in, causing him to grab the arm and use Melon's momentum to throw him onto the ground, where he rolled and got back up on his feet. "Ha! Good start, dog! Now let's get this party started!"

Legosi took a deep breath, focusing. The animal in front of him wasn't an herbivore. Not entirely. And if it came to it, actual herbivores that could kill him would show no mercy toward him. Plus, he was pretty sure Melon wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't going to make it back home if he didn't make him bleed today. He needed to fight. Fight, or he was going to die.

Melon rushed forward, only for Legosi to punch forward. Melon leaned back and slid on the ground to dodge, but in doing so missed his chance at a blow on the wolf.

Legosi's mind repeated: Fight or die.

As was expected from his fighting style, Melon recovered quickly and was upon Legosi again, forcing the carnivore on the defense. The audience roared with excitement. Finally, the fight was happening.

Legosi managed to catch Melon's fist at one point, and with an unintended snarl, his first connected with his gut, knocking the wind out of him as his eyes bugged out. A chorus of 'ooh's resounded among the lions. Surely Legosi was done for after that.

"Mmgh! Still not bleeding!" Melon's body snapped up and he swiped at the wolf's face, but Legosi let go of the hybrid and jumped back, his glasses almost coming loose.

The carnivore's heart began to pound, and his mind grew hazy. And yet, he could almost feel a laser focus forming. His attention was drawn to those scars on Melon's arms he had seen previously and continued to search for other possible weaknesses. As he did this, Melon jumped forward, leading with his arms but then switching to a kick to throw Legosi off, which it did. He took the blow quite well due to their size difference, but it still hurt.

Legosi felt the sharpness of the claws of his right hand with his thumb. It wouldn't take much to get Melon to bleed, and that's all he really had to do. Best to focus on that. He allowed himself to brandish them, something he had rarely ever done before. These claws that Louis loved so much and had given so much tender affection to were weapons, after all.

Melon noticed this and smiled. "There you go. Now use them! They're begging to be unleashed!" He struck out with his own claws, but Legosi caught the hand and twisted his arm back. In turn, Melon twisted his body around the carnivore's and managed to leap away.

Legosi lowered his head and charged. Just one hit. That's all he needed.

He splayed his fingers out and lunged. Again and again. Melon managed to dodge each one, but his stamina had to have a limit, right? Legosi got on all fours and leaped, catching the hybrid by the shoulder with his palm as he tried to jump away. It was a hit, but no blood.

The lions were really into it now, quieting down and concentrating on the combatant's movements.

Melon switched to attacking with his feet, kicking at Legosi's thighs and midsection. The wolf grunted at each impact before jumping backward out of reach. He then doubled back and lunged forward, just like his previous method. However, this time he dipped low and to the side, catching Melon off guard for once and slashing out with his claws.

Two crimson lines were drawn on the side of Melon's torso, the sight of which relieved and invigorated Legosi. Melon seemingly didn't react, simply sidestepping away and raising his arms up, defensively. He didn't even notice he was bleeding until a few of the lions gasped and he heard the drips upon the matted floor.

Melon looked down and then up at the wolf, smiling wider than Legosi had ever seen. "Oh, yesss~ Now I can go all out!"

A bolt of adrenaline shot through Legosi, and instead of retreating from Melon as he shot forward, he moved forward to meet him, using his large shoulder to try and knock him over. Melon spun out of the way and swung his hand to the back of Legosi's neck, drawing some blood.

"Oh, now the real battle begins!" someone shouted out. Legosi didn't know or care who. Now that his own blood was drawn, his body was in full battle mode. He lashed out to where Melon was, now empty air. Melon slid in front of him and delivered two swift punches to the gut, causing him to almost double over. Instead, Legosi wrapped his arms around Melon and squeezed.

"Nnghk! Didn't say you could hug me, pup!" Melon's legs wrapped around one of the wolf's, manipulating them to trip him up and they both fell to the ground.

Legosi tried to get a grip on Melon, but the hybrid proved slippery. His hands shot to Legosi's neck, squeezing. "You got that hit on me, but that doesn't mean you were going to win!"

Legosi struggled underneath the lighter animal. When he tried to move his arms Melon brought his knees into them, stopping his progress.

"Now is when your training begins! And first, you need to give up."

"Aww, seriously? Don't do it, Legosi!" Free shouted, but Legosi could barely hear him, as all sounds had been replaced by the pounding of his heart in his ears. His legs kicked at the ground uselessly while Melon pressed down onto him.

The mob boss spoke slowly and methodically. "I'd rather you not die, Legosi-kun. So, I'll loosen my grip a little so you can nod. I'll take that as your surrender."

Thoughts of all the animals he loved and who loved him flashed in Legosi's mind. As soon as he felt those fingers loosen, he nodded, and Melon was off of him in an instant, brushing his hands together.

"Well, alright! That's that! Hope you cats found it interesting! Ibuki, Free, and Hino deserve to get their money taken. Poor investors."

Those three grumbled as they paid up to the rest of the group while Legosi sat up slowly, rubbing his neck. "Melon-san..."

Melon looked down at him. "What, did I hurt you too much? You're a big wolf, you can get up."

Legosi looked down to where he had scratched him. "Shouldn't we get that taken care of?"

Melon looked down, looking a bit perplexed before he shrugged. "Eh, I'll be fine. What about the back of your neck?"

Legosi brought his hand back there and sure enough, a sizable amount of blood was soaked into his fur. "O-oh, I can barely feel it..."

"That's the adrenaline from battle. A blessing and a curse all in one. Don't worry, Dope will come and patch you up."

"Thanks..." Legosi started to get up, but was surprised to feel Melon's hand wrap around his bicep and assist.

"You made me bleed. Part of me actually thought you wouldn't do it, but you really pulled through, Legosi-kun!" Melon grinned, eyes squinting. "After a break, I'll begin training you properly. Maybe I'll have one of the boys join us."

"Okay. That sounds...good." Legosi rubbed at his arms as the previous rush he felt faded from his body.

Legosi sat down and let out a breath. The lions were filtering out now, Dope assuring he would come right back with the first aid kit. Melon stuck around, prancing around the room like a kid with too much energy. Legosi cocked his head and smiled. What a wild animal. He turned his attention downward and reached for his phone, noticing a message.

Bill: hey lego hope u made that watermelon guy bleed so u can come home

Legosi chuckled at the name.

Legosi: yeah I did. He's very happy about it. Such a weirdo

Bill: told u he would be

Legosi: he says we'll train for real now. where are you now?

Bill: back at gramps

Legosi: Gonna make him those breakfast pancakes?

Bill: u disgust me

Legosi: Hahaha

Bill: gonna try tho

Legosi: If he has strawberries you should put them on top!

Bill: and if i put them inside -w-

Legosi: But then there's no strawberry juice to go over it!

Bill: juiece?

Legosi: Yes when you cut them up and stuff you get like a juice from them that soaks into the pancake it's good

Bill: i dont think we know how to cook so we should drop it

Legosi: I just know what I've eaten before. And I can cook! Some things

Bill: eggs

Legosi: I've made other things too

Dope came in with the first aid kit, then. "Hold still for me, alright, kid?"

"Okay."

Bill: im just teasing you, baby

Legosi felt a sting on his neck, but he didn't move.

Legosi: Of course. I guess you've always teased me huh? Like all those times in club

Bill: not bcuz i liked you tho

Legosi: Yeah I think that's just how you are. Still can't believe we ended up together

Bill: never will but u better! so you can come home now?

Legosi: No I'm going to train more. After that I don't now. I have to see if Louis is coming back or not too to see where I go tonight

Bill: ooh get ur deer

Legosi: Yeah, too much felines lately :P

Bill: hes prbly happy hes with pina tho

Legosi: Yeah but they're in that crappy tower. I guess that means he wouldn't want to leave him there though. I do miss Louis a bit, but it's good for my separation anxiety I suppose. How are you feeling about not seeing Pina?

Bill: sux we always go too long without seeing one another

Dope finished up cleaning the wound and placing a bandage on it. "Alright, you're all done. Good luck training with the boss." He ruffled his head a bit before standing and leaving, Legosi watching him. Did he do anything, in particular, to get everyone to like him? Except for Melon, of course. The hybrid still seemed occupied so he turned back to his phone.

Legosi: Can't be too much longer. I think I'd go crazy

Bill: i dunno how we even handle it

Legosi: We do it to survive

Bill: wish we were like other animals

Legosi: And have mental collapses from this?

Bill: and have a normal life without all this. i wonder if i would have finished school

Legosi: I feel like it would have been a waste of time for me. Like I have a job and a place to live and I didn't graduate

Bill: i guess ur right

Legosi: I never had many aspirations so it makes sense that I'm fulfilled so easy

Bill: i guess that makes sense. i still want to be an actor

Legosi: Guess we're going to Hollywood when we're in America then

Bill: whats that?

Legosi: Like the only place in america that makes movies? You don't know?

Bill: oh yeah duh i do

Legosi: What kind of actor do you want to be?

Bill: i want to play heroes who save animals

Legosi: Bill...that's really cute

Bill: shut up dumb dog

Legosi: Okay

He glanced up and saw Melon lying on his back facing up. "Melon-san?"

The hybrid looked up. "Just resting up before the training."

"...Okay." So weird.

Bill: i want people to look up at me. i don't want to be seen as a villain like when we were on stage

Bill: or be a villain

Legosi: I'm a little bit taller so I look down at you

Bill: swear to god lego ill kick ur ass

Bill: u kno what i meant

Legosi: Sorry! I just feel relieved right now and it's making me say things like that. You've changed a lot and it's nice to see

Bill: fite me

Legosi: Later. Also, I felt something take over during that fight. Like my instincts or something. Like with Riz

Bill: rly?

Legosi: Yeah...not sure if that's a good or bad thing

Bill: just b careful plz…

Legosi: I will. I am

Bill: good luck

After that message, the hybrid approached Legosi and looked down at him. "Alright, break time is over." He reached his hand down for Legosi to take, which he did. Melon didn't look it, but he was certainly not weak.

"Let's start with the basics."

"Whew! What a workout, huh?" Melon wiped at his brow and grinned. Legosi stood not far away, panting and shirtless. Melon's training had been rigorous despite being the first day, as he rightly assumed Legosi's experience warranted it. The wolf had small bruises all over his body, none bad enough to be visible but he could certainly feel them.

"Haah, I-I'm beat, but I feel confident. Thank you, Melon-san."

"That's from nearly twenty years of getting into scraps and fights!" the hybrid stated, somewhat proud.

"I see." Legosi looked over at him, noting his positive attitude. He wanted to preserve it however he could.

"I'll make a fierce fighter out of you yet, you whore wolf! I saw a glimpse of it during our fight, and I can't wait to fight with you once you reach your full potential!"

"Uh, yeah." Legosi rubbed the back of his neck.

Melon pat his shoulder as he walked past him. "C'mon, I'll show you where you can get washed up, then you can join us for dinner like last time."

Legosi turned and followed, scooping up his shirt and jacket. "So, am I a member of the Shishigumi?"

Melon couldn't even turn around before he burst into laughter. "What!? You, a member of the Shishigumi? Even if you wanted to be a member, you wouldn't be!" He wiped a tear from his eye as he recovered.

"Ah, okay. Just wondering."

Melon showed him to a shower and then presumably went to take one himself. After that workout and this shower, Legosi supposed that none of Bill's scent would be on him anymore if it even mattered.

Stepping out of the shower, Legosi was glad he took his tops off early on, saving them from the smell of his sweat. He felt refreshed as he got dressed. Optimistic. Even the smell of meat wafting down the halls didn't sour his mood. He entered the dining area to find the whole group there.

"Hey, mutt!"

"Doggo!"

"Awoooooo!"

Legosi couldn't keep the smile from his face as the cats greeted him. He wasn't sure how he got them all to take a liking to him so fast, but he wasn't going to question it. He found his spot between Melon and Ibuki empty, and in front of it was a plate full of non-meat food. His tail started to wag as he walked over.

"Hope you like it," Jinma said. "Should give you enough protein after a workout."

Legosi sat down and nodded to him. "Oh, thanks! It smells good."

"Are you sure you're not just smelling the meat?" Agata asked, to which Legosi shook his head.

"No, I can differentiate pretty well." Legosi took a chunk out of the faux-burger and brought it to his mouth, voicing how delicious it was through a soft moan. Everyone else started to eat as well.

"Oi!" Free suddenly pointed to the wolf. "You look like a dog version of Ibuki!"

Both Legosi and Ibuki looked up and stared at each other, then looked out to the group. "Really?" They both asked.

"It's the glasses," Miguel stated, simply.

"You weren't wearing those last time. Were we so ugly your eyesight went to shit?" Free laughed and punched Dolph's shoulder, lightly.

"Oh, no. I needed them for a bit now, and I finally got them." He looked back at Ibuki. "The glasses are the only thing we have in common."

"Ehh, I see it in the eyes, too," Agata pointed out.

The lions took turns trying to compare parts of the two animals, all the while Ibuki just smiled warmly and Legosi tried to eat in peace. He stole glances at Melon, who scowled a bit as he ate from his plate.

Legosi lowered his head to the hybrid and spoke quietly. "I'm sorry, Melon-san. Not being able to taste must be awful."

Melon grunted. "I'm used to it."

The lions' conversation soon turned to more mundane things, like drugs and women, two things the wolf could not relate to.

"So, how 'bout that fight!" Free nearly shouted during a lull in the conversation.

"You sound excited for someone who lost," Miguel jabbed.

"What can I say? It was a damn good fight! And we usually don't get to see the Boss in a fight where he doesn't kill the other animal!"

Legosi swallowed hard as Melon chuckled next to him. "It was a novel experience. Good thing I was able to hold back."

"Did you learn anything from the training, Legosi?" Agata asked.

The wolf nodded. "Yeah, mostly how to defend myself better."

"Judging by all your scars, it's what you need to learn the most," Melon said nonchalantly.

"That's...true." Legosi hung his head down. "I need to protect myself more. Not just for me, but for the animals that care about me."

Melon said nothing, simply watching the wolf as he ate.

It took around an hour for everyone to finish, and once they did Ibuki pulled Legosi along to help him clean up everything. Or at least, he was until he pulled the wolf aside, hands on his shoulders.

"Hey, keep doing what you're doing, kid."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Ibuki motioned with his head down to where Melon had went after he was done eating. "Talking with the Boss. With Melon."

Legosi cocked his head. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't I talk to him?"

Ibuki pushed his glasses up to his face. "Well, try as us lions might, Melon puts a wall up. We know he's troubled, and we learned what boundaries we can't cross without repercussion. We're his subordinates, after all. You, on the other hand, are an outside party, and he seems to treat you as such. I don't know what you're doing, but he's seemed happier since he started bringing you around. Maybe just having someone else around his age or another hybrid, I don't know."

Legosi's ears flicked. "Oh, so he's told you everything?"

"Of course. He says you're a stupid mutt for trying to get closer to him, but I don't think he entirely thinks that."

"Okay." Legosi adjusted himself under the lion's firm grip. "So...do you think he should be leading the Shishigumi?"

Ibuki smiled warmly before shaking his head. "No...not at all. That boy needs help. We all know he's been through hell for being a hybrid, among other things, and we all know he's way too entrenched in the crime world to get away scot-free. But...well I don't want to put any pressure on you, but it seems like you have the same idea."

Legosi nodded. "Yes, sir. I want to help him."

Ibuki patted Legosi's shoulder and let go. "We're trying our best with him, but it's difficult. Don't tell him I talked to you about this."

"No, of course not."

"Thanks, Legosi." The lion turned around and waved as he walked off. "See you next week."

"Yeah, see you..." Legosi turned around as well and headed off to find Melon. He also texted Louis to find out if he was coming home or not. Louis quickly replied that he was, and Legosi's tail wagged at the thought of spending the night with Louis again, finally.