They headed back into the gym.
"What are you going to teach me?" Gypsy asked.
Kiki exhaled. "Well, since you don't know much, we'll start with the basics."
Gypsy nodded nervously. "I'll try my best."
"Great," Kiki smiled.
Gypsy inhaled deeply. "I'm ready. What's first?"
As Kiki instructed her, Gypsy began to lose track of time. When they finally took a break, she realized with a start that it was afternoon. She was sweating as she sat down on the edge of the gym. At least she was learning things. Perry would be impressed when he saw her on a mission again! If she trained for the rest of the afternoon, tomorrow, she'd really impress Perry.
That would be awesome.
She knew she had a long way to go before she would even be half as good as Perry, but at least she was making progress. Kiki was a good teacher, although she was a bit intimidating at times. But at least she wasn't full-on scary anymore. Gypsy was glad she had managed to open up to the fox; otherwise, she WOULD still be. And somehow, even KIKI hadn't thought she was a freak. Maybe Perry wouldn't either…?
She'd have to talk to Kiki and find out how well she knew the platypus. Although, judging from yesterday, they didn't exactly like each other much.
I wonder why... Maybe I should ask Perry.
Or Kiki...?
Gypsy hesitated. She didn't know how the fox would react if she tried to talk about Perry with her.
She decided to keep the question to herself for now. At least until she saw Perry again.
"Hey." Kiki came over to her. "Ready to keep training?"
Gypsy nodded. "I'm ready."
"Great."
…
By the end of the day, Gypsy was exhausted. She was glad that training was over for the day. She HAD improved, so that was something. Who knew? Maybe in a week, she'd be pretty good at fighting. Maybe she'd even rival Perry in skills. Gypsy chuckled. Then again… In only a week? That probably wouldn't happen.
But she could dream.
Gypsy exhaled and stood up. It was probably time to head home. Perry might be wondering where she was. She remembered that she hadn't actually told him she would be staying at O.W.C.A. for so long. She decided to pull out her phone and call.
He picked it up quickly. "Gypsy?"
"Hey, Perry."
"What happened? You were gone longer than I thought you'd be."
"Yeah, sorry. It's...been a crazy day. I'm coming home now, though."
"Okay. Great!"
Gypsy sucked in air as she ended the call. She had a LOT to tell him...
"I'm heading home now," she said to Kiki. "Is that okay?"
Kiki nodded. "Sure thing."
Gypsy smiled. "Thank you, Kiki. For helping me train."
"Yeah," Kiki sighed, "no problem."
Gypsy frowned. "Is everything okay?"
The fox nodded. "Yeah."
Gypsy smiled briefly. "Okay. See you tomorrow, then."
"Okay." Kiki gave her a brief smile back.
…
Gypsy hopped through the pet flap and shook her fur, clearing the rainwater from it.
Perry greeted her. "Hey!"
Gypsy grinned and continued shaking herself, splashing Perry with rainwater.
"Jerk," Perry grinned back.
"You love me really," laughed Gypsy.
"Maybe," Perry teased.
Gypsy smirked. "I can kick your butt now."
Perry raised an eyebrow. "I see there's a story to tell."
"Yep." Gypsy smirked. "I was training today. Training to fight like you."
"That's awesome, Gyp!"
"With...with Kiki."
Perry froze. "Kiki...?"
"Y-Yeah..." Gypsy waited nervously. "Major Monogram's assigned us to be partners."
"Oh... Poor you."
"Actually, she's really nice." Gypsy smiled timidly. "She's a really good teacher."
Perry raised an eyebrow. "Kiki got along with you?"
Gypsy nodded. "Yeah. She's actually quite nice."
Perry scoffed and said nothing.
Gypsy hesitated. "Perry...what happened between you two?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean: why do you dislike each other so much?" Gypsy looked her best friend in the eyes. "It can't be just because you're the top agent and she isn't."
Perry shook his head. "It's not. And I don't know the full story: all I know is she's bullied me since I first joined O.W.C.A. I gave up trying to befriend her after about three years."
Gypsy glanced down at the ground. So Perry didn't know the full story. All he knew was that Kiki bullied Perry. Exactly WHY she bullied Perry, he didn't seem to know. So Gypsy knew she would have to as Kiki eventually.
She wasn't excited to. But at the same time, she desperately wanted to know. However, she didn't know how Kiki would reply. Just because the fox was currently being friendly with her, that didn't mean they were actually FRIENDS. Kiki just...didn't glower at her any more. That was it.
Gypsy exhaled. "Sorry..."
"For what?" Perry asked.
"That you went through that."
"Oh, it's fine." Perry waved his paw. "I'm used to it."
"Yeah, but you shouldn't have to be..."
Perry sighed. "Well, I am."
Gypsy hung her head. "Okay."
Perry hugged her. "Thanks."
Gypsy smiled. "For what?"
"For being concerned."
"I will always be concerned about you." Gypsy hugged him tighter. "You're like a brother to me."
Perry smiled. "And you're like a sister to me."
Gypsy beamed. "Thanks." She yawned widely and pulled away, feeling her muscles aching. "I need to go to bed..."
Perry chuckled. "Alright."
"Kiki really worked me hard..."
"Sounds accurate enough."
Gypsy snorted. "You've known her for six years, then?"
"Oh, more than that. We trained together for years beforehand."
"Oh, wow..." Gypsy hesitated. "So you've been disliking each other for a long time, then?"
Perry sighed. "Yeah."
Gypsy interlocked her fingers. "So what did you do today?"
Perry shrugged. "I didn't get called in today, so I spent most of the day with the boys."
Gypsy smiled. "That sounds nice."
"It was," he chuckled.
Gypsy sighed. "I really wish I could spend some time with Candace. She's my owner, and yet I never get to spend any time with her."
Perry hesitated. "Just... Give it time."
"Alright..." Gypsy yawned. "I'm tired."
Perry nudged her towards the stairs. "Night."
Gypsy giggled. "By the way, you might want to look out on the front lawn."
Perry raised an eyebrow. "Why..?"
"Just do it." Gypsy disappeared upstairs.
"Okay..." Perry blinked before heading outside.
He stared at the lawn. Somehow, the grass was covered with small red roses. "Whoa..." he breathed.
How had THAT happened?! The yard was noticeably rose free only an hour ago. Had Gypsy done this somehow? Perry smiled. That would have been impressive. But she had somehow done it in an hour…? He made a mental note to ask her.
But no matter what had happened, it was still a very beautiful thing for Gypsy to do.
Perry grinned and padded back inside.
"Thanks, Gypsy," he whispered.