Chapter 13

The young lion took his time going down the stairs, admiring the large bouquet of flowers given to him by the dwarf rabbit. As he reached the bottom step, another animal crossed Rob's path and had almost knocked them over.

"Oop—S-sorry! A-are you alri—? Oh." Rob paused to find he had bumped into a familiar—and slightly rattled—red deer on a single crutch.

"L-Louis, it's you...Um, sorry about th-that. Did I…h-hurt you?"

Louis said nothing—giving the large carnivore a perplexed look instead. His eyes then fell upon the flowers in Rob's arms.

"That's quite a lovely bouquet you've got there," he said.

"Hmm? Oh, Y-yes, thanks. H-Haru picked these out f-for me," the young lion replied with a shy smile.

The red deer's eyes twitched. "She did, did she?"

"Y-yeah. Do you… kn-know her already?"

"...Yes. We've met." Louis averted his gaze as he spoke, which made Rob a bit curious.

"Ah—A-are you the f-friend Haru was e-expecting?"

Flinching, the herbivore ears shot straight up as his amber eyes grew wide.

"She…spoke of me?" he said in a slightly unsteady tone.

"Mmm…N-no, not really. Haru…m-mistook me as s-someone else when I c-cam—I came to s-see her, is all."

Louis then turned his face back towards the young lion, his gaze becoming somewhat more scrutinizing. "So, you've been visiting her often?"

"Umm…" Rob started feeling a little nervous from the antlered student's sharp stare. "Y-yes, sometimes. I-I-I usually come to get f-flowers from her. Not f-for free, of course. W-We made a d-deal a f-few year—few years ago when we first met…th-that I can keep s-some of them if I w-work for her in her g-garden a little f-first."

"Huh… Fascinating. A deal, eh?" Louis remarked as he held his chin with his free hand.

"So…A-anyway, I-I'll get out your w-way now. I-I think Haru's waiting f-for you."

The young lion stepped to the side of the stair, giving the red deer room to reach them. Louis blinked for a few moments, and then finally began carefully climbing the first step on his stilt—all while glancing sideways.

The large hybrid was just about to turn and leave when he suddenly remembered. "Oh! L-Louis?"

"...Yes? What is it?"

"S-sorry, I…I-I just never got the ch-chance to… t-thank you for y-yesterday."

The red deer paused his ascent and looked back. "You mean when you were about to go into a fit of anxiety? Hmph. I didn't stop you out of concern for you, if that's what you are thinking."

"H-huh?"

"I just didn't want to have you screaming and panicking while the play was still on. It'd be too much of a nuisance for everyone—including the audience."

"Oh…w-well...even so…I-I'm still grateful you s-snapped me out of i-it, so… Th-thank you."

Louis sighed and responded with a nod.

"Still…it was quite surprising to see you react so violently to what transpired between those two. Heh, I had even almost thought you being someone that was raised by herbivores all their life—with how ignorant you seemed about normal carnivore behavior…"

"W-well, actually…I w-was raised by bighorn sheep, so…"

Louis nearly slipped on his stilt as his body suddenly swerved in Rob's direction. "E-excuse me!?"

"U—I-I, um—! W-well, see—!" the young lion began to sputter. "I-I-I was…adopted a-after my birth p-parents died…wh-when I—when I was little, s-so…I-I never really s-spent a lot of time a-around other… c-carnivores. E-even now, I d-don't really talk with them—e-except maybe, like… t-two or three?"

"Hrm, Of course," the deer grumbled, rolling his eyes.

This was probably the first time Rob felt so embarrassed after sharing his upbringing with someone. He knew his case was extremely rare, but to have two animals react in such great astonishment made him realize how much an anomaly it really was.

"...In any case, I recommend that you strive to form lasting friendships with actual predators—especially those of your own species." Louis finally advised.

"...'F-Friendships?'"

"Unlike most felines, lions tend to thrive best within tight-knit groups. You can learn a thing or two in such a setting, and about what it means to act like a proper carnivore."

The young lion tilted his head, unsure of what to make of the red deer's statement: 'Act like a proper carnivore?' It wasn't like Rob had ever denied that he ever was one, since he has large fangs and claws like the rest. Or was Louis implying that he was missing something important?

"O-okay. I'll k-keep that in mind, th-think you."

"Hmm…" The young herbivore turned himself back around, preparing to resume his ascent. "So, is there someone in particular you mean to give those flowers to?"

"Oh, Th-that's right!" the young lion suddenly realized. "I-I need to get g-going. W-well, then…"

Rob bowed his head and then briskly strode down the hallway. Louis watched as him for a bit and then began climbing the stairs.

"*sigh* I swear, if it's not one idiot, it's the other that I must deal with. At least the dog understands what he's truly capable of…"

…

Getting off the last stop on the subway, Rob immediately checked the location on his phone. He breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that he made it to the correct station this time.

Even though the young lion could easily name and locate almost every blood vessel and vein in most animals—including which path leads to which organ—his general sense of direction was still subpar. Without anyone's guidance or Zoozle maps, Rob would easily find himself on the other side of the city. Thankfully, he didn't have to go through that a fourth time.

After crossing the correct streets and frequently checking the GPS, he was successful in reaching one of the city's cemeteries.

Compared to the hustle and bustle outside its perimeter, it was quite tranquil inside of it. The few animals that were there sat or stood in reverence and silence while visiting their departed friends and loved ones.

Rob then spied one familiar animal with a strong build, gray polo shirt, and large curled horns sitting half cross-legged with one knee up in front of a large marble gravestone. As the young lion approached, the bighorn's ears twitched in response to his steps.

"Ah. You're here," Dean said without turning. "I figured you'd still be held up by club activities."

"W-we were g-given…a short break t-today, Uncle. S-so…"

"I see."

The young lion slowly made his way past Dean and stood in front of the tombstone—which bore the names "Kim" and "Jasmine," as well their birthdays and deaths.

"H-hi, Mommy. D-Dad. I'm…here," he greeted with a soft smile.

Rob laid the large bouquet next to an unopened green beer can in front of his parents' names and then slowly clapped his hands together in a manner of prayer and closed his eyes.

I hope you like the flowers I picked for you today, Mommy, the lion said in his mind. Haru was really nice in making it extra-large for you.

Rob's thoughts then turned towards his other parent. Dad… I'm doing well. I still have a ways to go before I'm strong like you… and my classmate, but I'm still doing my best. The young carnivore opened his eyes as he continued. I hope…you and Mommy are still happy together, wherever you are.

After a minute or two of silent prayer, he walked back slowly and sat himself down next to his uncle. Glancing sideways, he eyed the ram holding a beer can that was identical to the one sitting in front of his father's name.

"I-I think…this is th-the first time I've s-seen you drink, U-Uncle."

"Probably because I hardly do," Dean replied. He then tipped the can up as he took a sip. "*sigh* In all honesty, I'd rather be drinking a good cup of green tea, instead. This shwill's nowhere near as refreshing or delicious—though your father would strongly disagree, being a self-proclaimed 'connoisseur of all things beer.'"

He smirked as he swished the beverage lightly in the container. "Heh, Kim would always drag me to the nearest bar so I can try different brands whenever we both happen to get off work at the same time. He claimed the flavor always enhances in the company of great friends…but, it's obvious he just wanted a drinking buddy—and somehow got it into his head I was the perfect candidate."

"Hmm. S-so…why d-didn't you refuse?" Rob asked, becoming rather curious.

"I did, but that bonehead wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. He just kept wearing me down, pushing every button I had, until I gave up."

The bighorn grumbled as he closed his eyes. "And there I thought he'd have completely changed after what he had gone through in his life. But, nope. He's still the same grinning idiot I met in junior high that wouldn't stop talking."

The young lion couldn't help but feel he was getting mixed messages. One minute the ram was speaking fondly of his father, and now he was annoyed thinking about him?

"Umm, h-how did you become f-friends again?"

Dean was silent for a moment, and then chuckled—something he rarely did. "He…didn't really give me much of an option."

Okay, now Rob was completely baffled. Just what kind of relationship did they have?

"I suppose I better start at the beginning," Dean said after seeing the young carnivore's cocked head. "It was our first year of junior high school, and your father just so happened to be sitting behind me. We had never spoken to each other before, but he seemed to have taken a very keen interest in me and just stared at me for a couple of days. I ignored at first, but his constant gaze made me more uncomfortable than I'd have liked to admit."

Dean took another drink before going on. "Irritated, I finally asked if he had some kind of problem with me. That was my first mistake. After a few seconds, Kim opened his mouth and said something I couldn't believe…"

"...W-What did he say?" the young lion asked nervously.

The ram paused. "...He blurted out, 'I've never seen a goat like you before. How'd you get your horns to be that huge?'"

Rob's eyes grew wide as he raised an eyebrow. One thing he's learned while living with bighorns is that they absolutely despised being confused with goats.

"Needless to say, I was more than a little pissed and just stormed off. My second mistake. After that first meeting, all I kept hearing day after day was 'Hey, Goat Boy!'"

Woah, seriously? Rob thought.

"*Snort!* And, like a true predator, he never let me out of his sights: following me between classes, sitting next to me uninvited during lunch, coaxing me into talking with him… A few weeks later, I finally reached my limit, and literally yelled in his face that I was a sheep, not a d*mn goat. I then angrily asked your father why he wouldn't leave me alone."

"...W-What happened after th-that?"

"...He simply grinned as he answered, 'Because I like ya. So, wanna hang out?'"

After recounting those words, the bighorn sheep gave a small chuckled, which slowly built up into a fit of bellowing laughter, making the young lion flinch. Was his Uncle getting drunk, or something?

"Hahaha…haaah. I knew right then and there that this lion was going to be a giant headache. But, before I could get away from him, we had already become the best of friends: Studying together, eating together, karaoke, him helping me with my B.M.A training…"

This was the first time he's heard a bond of friendship forming in such a manner. That was definitely not how it happened with him and Baako.

"Perhaps there was a little Stokholm syndrome involved," the ram quipped. "But back then, I couldn't imagine life without that goofball. The way he just…lights up whatever room he enters was a natural gift for him. And when he spoke, you just knew it came from the heart. I was proud to call him my friend and figured things will always work out with him…Then, high school rolled around."

Dean set the beer can beside him and began gazing at the tombstone as he frowned.

"D-Did something b-bad happen?" the young lion questioned tentatively.

"Well… he was going through some things at home. You know the age-old trope—mother dying at a young age, abusive father, getting angry at the world, all that jazz. Your father was able to put on a brave face in the beginning, but things just kept getting worse by the time our first year ended. He kept getting into fights, got suspended by teachers… and worst of all…" The middle-aged ram's fist tightened. "That infectious grin he was always known for became hollow and more cynical. He was no longer the man I knew and respected…We soon drifted apart and he suddenly dropped out of school one day. I never saw him again after that—that is, until he appeared again much later as a client looking for a new apartment with a very tall ligress bride."

"Oh. W-what did y-you two…d-do?" Rob said, turning his body more towards Dean.

"Nothing, at first. It had been over a decade since we'd lost contact with one another, so we could only stare at each other. That didn't last long, though," he chuckled. "Your father suddenly raised both arms into the air, gave me a tight bear hug while lifting me from off the ground while shouting, 'GOAT BOY!'"

Rob blinked for a bit, and then snickered. That most certainly sounded like something his dad would do.

"That was certainly one h*ll of a reunion. I managed to get them into a good place with decent rent and then Kim picked up where we left off all those years ago: bugging me until I hung out with him—even though we were now working adults expecting children. It was a miracle…" Dean said wistfully. "The obnoxious bonehead I knew and loved returned to his old self."

"W-Woah…" Rob sat there completely amazed by his father's history. "So, what b-brought Dad b-back t—back to normal…y-you think?"

The bighorn ram smiled as he closed his eyes. "Your mother, of course. After meeting her, I knew. It was that remarkable woman who saved him from the brink, and taught him how to be happy again."

Dean then turned towards the young carnivore. "And it seems…you've inherited that same kind spirit from Jasmine—as well as those gentle eyes of hers."

Rob quickly averted his gaze, turning red as he twiddled his fingers. "Th-that's…nice of you s-say."

The ram continued to smile gently, until his expression immediately became more deadpan. "And good thing, too. I don't think the world would be ready for a second 'Kim' prowling the streets."

"Urk—U-Uncle! That's m-mean!"

The young lion and sheep continued speaking and reminiscing about the two big cats. It actually felt pretty nice to be able time alone with his adoptive father like this—a rare occurrence as of late…

…

Rob walked briskly across the street as soon as the pedestrian signal changed to green, taking care not to bump into anyone. He was supposed to meet with Maria at the library today to do their classes' civics and literature papers, and he only had about an hour before the appointed time. It already takes about forty-five minutes to get from here to the station nearest the campus, so the young lion knew he would be cutting a bit close.

After reaching the square where the subway station building resided, Rob began slowing his steps as his eyes fell upon a crowd of what appeared to be made up of mostly herbivore surrounding what looks like a raised platform. Upon it were several animals: a large, blonde-colored male rabbit speaking passionately in front of the audience, a female goat and male ibex on either side of him, and two large herbivores toting signs—namely, a male gorilla and elephant.

The animals on the platform all wore white dress shirts, slacks, and shoes—with the exception of the female goat who wore a simple white dress and high heels—which made them almost glow in contrast with the crowd that wore various darker shades of clothing.

The only thing they donned that was not white were what appeared to be large crimson pins in the shape of a palm branch on each of their chests. One of the signs even had a picture of one nestled under the acronym, "P.V.N." On the other sign, the young lion read, "THE SUPERIOR SPECIES." Rob didn't quite understand, but his stomach lurched after seeing those words.

"—and what of our illustrious mayor?" said the large rabbit. "Though he has made many fair promises to the citizens of this city, exactly how many has he fulfilled—and who were the main beneficiaries?"

The blonde-colored animal paused, which allowed the crowd to ponder and quietly murmur amongst themselves.

"It is most certainly not us herbivores—that much is clear. You need only turn on your television to see how much we are made to suffer—whether it be by predation or crime, in general—all thanks to his fellow carnivores!"

The majority of the audience let out a collective gasp, and began to mutter much more loudly from the speaker's declaration.

"Even now, many evil predators continue their reign of terror from the shadows: the Inarigumi, Madaragumi, Dokugumi, Shishigumi…!"

Rob flinched as his limbs started to seize up. He then began to very slowly back away. That name…why did that rabbit have to start talking about them?

"For far too long, we have quivered in fear of these base 'creatures'. But, why should we? Fangs, claws, and boundless strength they may have, but that is all. Without these traits, they are nothing."

The long-eared herbivore then slowly lifted his hand and quickly placed it over his chest." If not for the wisdom and benevolence of our herbivore ancestors in sharing in the bounty of nature, they—as history would dictate—would have remained carnal and voracious savages, forever enslaved by their base desires and instinct!"

Savages…?

"Indeed, it was only by the fruits of our labors that society has grown to what we know today!" He exclaimed as his associates firmly nodded in agreement. "My brothers and sisters—for I truly see you as such—deep down, we all know what is true. It is we who are the true masters of the animal world! And it is only by working together as one that we may show these carnivores our true strength as herbivores—no, as animals of nature!"

The tall rabbit paused once more, his arms outstretched, as he firmly affixed his gaze over the crowd. It was then that several hands began to clap, slowly crescendoing as others joined in. Several animals even began cheering and hollering for him, adding to the applause.

The charismatic herbivore soon continued his address, but the young lion was already sprinting towards the station, away from the gathering crowd. He bumped several animals along his path, but didn't bother excusing himself or apologizing. He had to get away, no matter what.

Rob leapt down multiple steps and sped through the fare gate as soon as it opened for him. The subway doors were about to close, but the large carnivore bounded into the car before they were even halfway shut.

The other passengers looked on in astonishment as Rob panted heavily while bending forward—his hands on his knees.

After steadying his breathing, the young lion plopped himself into an empty seat. The surrounding animals continued to stare, and some even sidled away from Rob—though he didn't really care at the moment.

His hands were still trembling from that rabbit's speech. Why would he say such horrible things—calling all carnivores "savages" and even comparing them to those…criminals?

He covered his face as he slowly shook his head. The young carnivore should feel insulted and indignant from the herbivore's words. It was wrong, all wrong. He was just spouting nonsense and being discriminatory—nothing more.

So why…why did he find himself almost agreeing with that guy? Why did he suddenly feel ashamed of his own claws and teeth…?

Author's Note

Finally! It felt like it took forever before I could talk about the dads' relationship. Though, I can't help but feel I've seen this kind of character foil before…Cheerful individual, serious friend constantly being annoyed, the former just wanting to hang out…hmm. :/

Anyway, another chapter later in the night since works picking up again.