Was it a snarl? Or was it a growl? Whatever the beast made, it didn't matter anyway. The black wolf tackled him hard enough to have the wind blown out of him. Like Liuxang's tackled, it knocked him off a few metres but even more since the wild canine had tackled him with all his strength.
Franziska tried to scream but Qilin had duct taped her mouth because they could not untie the knot Liuxang had made and she wouldn't shut up while Miles was beside her still unconscious. Her eyes began to tear in fear as the wolf was biting his face off with those razor-sharp teeth. She closed her eyes and planned to write-up her witness testimony.
"Likui!" Shi Long exclaimed joyously. The shaggy black wolf lapped his face.
Franziska opened her eyes, panic had made her see the wolf ripping his face but in reality, this "Likui" was actually licking his face with that long pink tongue.
Liuxang was standing suddenly next to Shi Long before anyone knew it. The wolf stopped licking Shi Long and looked at Liuxang. Liuxang smiled at him and patted. And Likui bit his hand.
"What the –?" Liuxang raised his hand to interrupt Shi Long and Likui let go and wagged his tail, there were no holes on his gloves.
"I let him bite me, it's just a game anyway," Liuxang replied to Shi Long's interrupted question.
"How did you know about Likui?" Shi Long asked.
"I bought this place while you were gone, I invest on natural reserves. And I talk to animals."
"Yeah," Qilin sneered as she limped to them," but what about the people?"
"They can kiss my butt, so what if I care more about the fauna and flora in Zhengfa? It's my choice, not yours so suck it up."
Qilin glared at Liuxang. "You're a doctor."
"A vet actually, but also a general practitioner, a highly skilled one." Qilin's eyes narrowed at the proud statement.
"Yet you couldn't save your brother."
"It's sad really that the technology I have is not as up to date as Pailong's."
"I have the power to authorize people to help you or not."
"Oh, but I have in Shi Long's hands a piece of paper."
Qilin angrily turned to Shi Long. "He gave you a slip of paper and you didn't let me see it?"
"Stupid woman, you should keep your mouth closed and ears open instead of vice-versa, serves you right."
Shi Long gave Likui an affectionate pat and took the paper from his pocket.
"This is to permit Liuxang to enter any district and have the brother to be medically examined," Shi Long read aloud. "By Granduncle Nian."
"Please keep that for me, Shi Long, the holder of that trusts that he will keep guard on me twenty-four seven," Liuxang said with a smirk to Qilin.
"What?"
"This is your chance Shi Long, to bring down the master planner, don't you think? I might just let down my guard and you can have me in chains, besides I am going to be there for some time."
"No Shi Long, it's probably a trap –"
"All right White guy, you've a bet with me."
"SHI LONG!"
"It's alright Qilin, this will be interesting."
"I'll assist you anyway I can." Liuxang extended his hand and smiled, Shi Long couldn't shake out the image of Qilin that formed.
What did he mean, Shi Long thought at that cryptic clue. He shook hands with Liuxang.
"How about we race to the nearest district?" Shi Long asked with a challenging smile.
"Wait." Liuxang whistled yet again, and a flutter of wings was heard. A white owl descended on Liuxang's shoulder and ruffled her feathers. "This, Shi Long, is our flag and my pet owl, Huang Gan." The owl blinked her yellow eyes and twisted her head at a disturbing angle to look at Liuxang when she heard her name.
"Suits her, yellow eyes."
Liuxang shrugged his shoulder and Huang Gan flew to a visible branch.
"Shi Long, we are not having a damn race!"
"We are and you can just walk if you want," Shi Long calmly replied but his eyes had that hungry look as he anticipated the race.
"We're going to have a race?" Fiona asked.
"Yes, and this time, I'm going to be serious." Liuxang peeled off the bandage. There were no signs of the wound.
"Good as new even if it required two stitches."
"I'm a fast healer, comes with the genes anyway 'sides I tore away those stitches as soon as Hua Tuo put them there ."
"I thought you hated the genes."
"There's up and there's down."
"Everyone put on your seat belts and Ralos, there are some helmets in the back can you go get those?" Luna asked as she put on her seatbelt.
Ralos obliged and gave everyone a helmet. Liuxang declined. "I need one hundred percent vision for these races."
"Wear one, Whitey!" Kay nagged. Liuxang made a mock pout and put on his.
The grin Liuxang had was both scary and a delight to see. His eyes glinted with competitiveness and anticipation. He clenched his hands to wear off the jittery feeling he had. He had been waiting for this, to beat Shi Long. No one knew Shi Long's past no one, and Liuxang wouldn't reveal it but he would challenge him what Shi Long love most. A drift challenge.
"I am not having a dog in the car," Qilin screamed.
"Likui's my wolf, if you have problems I suggest you deal with it."
Likui snarled at Qilin but licked Franziska helplessly. He pounced on her and put slobber all of her face. "Well what do you know Sis, I think he likes you," Shi Long smirked.
"Meff moff meee!" Franziska mumbled. Likui made a love growl. Franziska stiffened.
"Sorry Sis, Likui doesn't know how to bark, all he does is growl, and watch out for his fangs, he bites even though he thinks it's just play, they're sharp as knives."
Likui stared at Franziska's whip. He looked at it thoughtfully and bit it, trying to help Franziska out of it. Unfortunately, it frightened Franziska more. She screamed.
Miles woke up. "Huh?"
He saw a black yellow-eyed wolf chewing on Franziska. "What the –!"
In one devastatingly quick snap, the whip was unfortunately chewed into tiny pieces but Franziska was free. Likui barked and nuzzled Franziska. "Well Miles Edgeworth, this dog seems better than you," she said smugly.
Likui barked annoyed, he had after all, a name.
"All right everyone, we are going to have what I call a drift, so strap your seatbelts ladies and gentleman, this will be one hell of a ride."
Huang Gan's head turned at one hundred eighty degrees to look at the cars revving up behind her. "To whoo, too whit to woo," it cried and looked back at the front. It readied itself and flew.
The cars sped along, trying to outrun each other.
I really really hate to ask this question but it's been nagging at me a hell lot. I will not take it as an offense, really, but am I dragging? Please answer honestly. Thank you Indochine Ramera and MattsyKunTehZebra for your continued support. I appreciate it.