I cut a Legoshi/Juno interaction from this chapter that I'll prolly end up using at some other point down the road. I thought it was pretty cute but I want to take their relationship slow y'know? Please Enjoy!

-MalMetal

CHAPTER 38: Things Are Pretty Messed Up

"So how is it?" Juno asked Bill who sipped on some sweet tea.

"Better than the bamboo juice I've drunk before."

"Hm?"

"It's good," Bill said, taking another swig. "So did you and Legoshi get a note too?"

"A note?"

"Yeah, when I got those photos of Louis, it came with a note to meet at the drama club this morning at 7:00. I assume Louis got the same or he was just losing his mind and didn't know where to go."

"Me and Legoshi were going to meet there to open up early like we always do before class so it's set up a little before the meeting in the afternoon. We've been doing it for the past half week or so."

"Well, my guess is that whoever invited me, and maybe Louis, figured you and Legoshi out too. Drawing us all to the same spot." Bill looked completely serious when he explained it all. Juno studied his face closely for a second to make sure and giggled to herself for a little bit.

"Are you sure for a fact detective?"

"I know it's out there, but with the pictures and all of us meeting there at the same– you can see it as a coincidence or believe it was a setup. Either way whoever wrote that note is someone who wants to do something regarding me. Needless to say, I ain't a fan." Bill took another sip. "Is this tea spiked? Usually after getting hit in the face I'm fired up for a while."

"I wouldn't say spiked more like catnip, I think, for all species, of course, mainly carnivores. It's a tea that calms animals' nerves so no one gets too wild and ends up hurting anyone. We need it most of all right now."

"Yeah, thought you'd be pretty messed up after hearing that Louis was tied up with Shishigumi."

"I'm just trying to work it all out. He's been a handful since I met him. I never thought he'd ever run off with carnivores like that."

"The Shishigumi are selfish lions who think they're above everyone else, he should've been right at home. I guess there is a question about why he'd do it."

"I'll talk to him about it later. Looking at all of this, whoever got us together, if there is anyone, why would they?" Juno questioned, circling her finger around the lip of her cup.

"I was thinking police but if they had pictures of Louis that wouldn't make much sense. They'd arrest him already unless his daddy has them on payroll or something." Juno raised an eyebrow. "His dad's rich right?"

"I don't know Louis' father, but I doubt any parent of any successful business would want their child to be messing with gang members. For me, I was thinking it could be the killer. I mean Louis and Legoshi were close to Tem right?"

"I was never close to Tem in the first place. Only had one or two talks with 'em outside of saying hey from time to time. Still, he was a pretty upbeat guy whenever we talked. We were leaning towards acquaintances more than friends but he always treated me with kindness. I'll never forget that." Bill drank his tea which had cooled a decent bit.

"Back to square one then," Juno sighed, trying to think about how to move forward. Bill searched his mind to change the topic to lighten the load on both their minds. He found an answer after roughly thirty seconds and chuckled in his head.

"Hey, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Depends on how personal."

"Never mind, I'll just ask Legoshi later." Juno got to her feet, slamming her hands on the table in embarrassment. Her tail shot straight up.

"Why would you need to ask him something about me?!"

"Thanks for answering." Bill looked her up and down while drinking ever so carelessly. He stood to his feet and moved past Juno. "Have a good day and thanks for the talk, I'll see you at the club later. You spilled your tea too." Juno calmed herself to see the mess she made on the table, each drip made her more and more frustrated. Males seemed to have a weird way of getting to her and always when she least expected it.

Louis finally understood Legoshi, regardless of whether he knew it himself, Louis knew him. His dream was something born of the trauma he endured from losing Tem as well. The rebellious soul in his body is the same as Louis', they just used it to different ends. The deer was beside himself, utterly dumbfounded. Holding onto his ignorance was never the answer; it was the venom of a beast corroding his mind, so he could be feasted upon by society and the herds of herbivores that stood by his fears and reinforced them.

"What are you, Legoshi? Why do you even care about a deer like me?"

"I'm a carnivore in an ever-changing world like you are an herbivore in an ever-changing world. I'm not a hero, I don'twant to be that or seen like one. I want to do what's right and live my life the best I can. That all starts by taking responsibility for my strength and protecting those I care about. You'll pay for your mistakes one day, like I will."

"For eating meat?"

"Not just that." Legoshi's eyes were clear and direct.

"It's those eyes that I've hated for so long. I can see you for what you are and what I've become. Like you said my day will eventually come. However, I will see my punishment my way before I'll be reborn to see what you do."

"You don't have to see what I do because it's not who you are. I don't want you to-" Louis put his hand in Legoshi'sface and gave him a small side-eye.

"I said I'd be reborn to see what you see, not embody it like you do. Until then I will continue to move forward." Louis tapped Legoshi on his shoulder, leaving the wolf with an air of relief and ease he hadn't felt in a long time. "Goodbye."

Upon exiting the school building, Louis checked his phone. The crack was still there staring back at him, moving past ithe saw his schedule that had a dinner taking place at his house. Azuki would be in attendance and he'd have to see his father after so much time passed. He sighed aloud leaving nothing to chance when it came to experiencing his mood in solitude. Of the ripples disturbing the surface of his mind was a single splash that moved his body to call someone to meet Friday night.

"So how are we gonna do this?" Free asked, wiping blood from his cheek. Dolph cracked his neck rolling his sleeves up again.

"Agata, Sabu, and Ibuki are our best. Using each of their strengths we should separate them evenly. We'll take the Inari members." Dolph threw a knife at Free who dodged and parried the second smaller one thrown a moment later. He also kicked away a small pellet made to act as a smoke pellet.

"Sabu will handle the Madara then? He is the most adept at Aikido." Free replied.

"Agata and Ibuki will go against the Doku. Their bombs would cause us problems." Dolph responded, clashing with Free's held knife. The two danced around one another a mix of hastened breaths, light steps, whistling weapons missing their marks, and brief yells when they met. They were careful to avoid vitals, arteries, and joints. A minute or two passed before finishing the session, and both had light injuries that would heal without scarring. The two took a breath with Free smirking, Dolph and Free gripped the deepest wound they had and, using those bloodied hands, shook hands.

"Much better than yesterday," Dolph said.

"You're not gonna get when I'm better than you right?"

"No, I'll have a good training partner." The two turned their attention towards Agata who swung a wooden sword at Sabu who easily caught it and took it for his own. The young lion fell to the side, hitting his back on the loose rocks. Sabu pointed the tip of the sword in his face as he opened his eyes.

"That one was better, Agata. But you need to attack with your full strength! The Madaragumi aren't gonna hold back, now show me the difference between those street cats and a real lion!"

"Yessir!" Agata grabbed his weapon as he stood back up and went at it again.

On the other side of the courtyard, Ibuki handled a group of six members. Half newer and half older members, he started by throwing his blazer at two old members and jumped into the formation the three new members had. He slapped one on the muzzle and dodged an oncoming kick. Before he could swing a strike landed on his back then a few more landed, bringing him to a knee. Suddenly a whistle sounded in everyone's ears.

"Damn, that looks like it hurt Ibuki!" Melon stated, smirking. He walked through the gate with a member of the gang."Things aren't looking good for you if it's a few blows that'll take you out."

"We'll see when the day comes, in the meantime, I've got a job for you."

"I only came out of hiding to tell you that I can't take jobs on the heads of the four involved in this little conflict of yours. Hate to kill any plans you have. I'll take anything else you'll offer me though."

"It's about a member of the Madaragumi, not Miso."

"That won't work either. You guys swore an oath, I might take some crazy jobs but that isn't something I'm willing to mess with." Ibuki sighed in response, he pulled a strand from his mane.

"Melon, can I tell you a secret?"

"Don't do that." The other members of the gang turned their eyes on the hybrid. Keeping their weapons concealed but bodies facing him and Ibuki.

"Well, can I?" Melon let out a sigh, pulling a strand from his body. Both dropped the strand to the ground and stomped it into the dirt.

"Our previous Boss has been pulled from his position and is no longer associated with us."

"So the contract between you all is void."

"They don't know that so we have a surprise on our behalf without violating the oath."

"If you're doing this you'll have to pay extra for putting me in more danger than normal."

"Of course name the price."

"I'll have to think about it depending on the member's level in the gang." Ibuki promptly pulled out his phone and sent a picture of a cheetah to Melon.

"I want Leon gone."

"The fourth closest to Miso? He's got some good swordplay. That'll be fun."

"Good to know you're interested. I want him gone by December 2nd."

"Alright, but it's a one-shot thing, more than once and the cats'll be too scared of you. Sure you wanna take that risk?" Ibuki raised an eyebrow.

"Just trying to keep it professional. I'll call you soon." Melon took his leave as Dolph walked up to his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Melon entered an alleyway where he dialed Fayth's number.

"Did it go well?" Fayth asked.

"Yeah, they found a nice way to circumvent the restrictions though in an iffy kind of way."

"You didn't make it our problem did you?"

"Hell yeah, I did! Sounded fun." Fayth sighed loudly.

"What the fuck, man. I was trying to play the new game in peace this Friday."

"Peace was never an option when you decided to work with me and you knew that because I gave you like seven warnings. Blame yourself."

"I was young and stupid."

"You were nineteen."

"Not the point, you took advantage of my childlike ignorance. Once you were talking about making good money I couldn't help my greed. I'm a victim." Melon laughed.

"Listen, it's the 19th. We have to handle him by the 2nd, we've relaxed a lot lately. Gotta get back to work before we lose all feeling in our limbs."

"Quit with the philosophical crap. I'll work! Just SHUT UP!"

"That wasn't even philosophical, it was something my teacher used t-" Fayth hung up the phone. Melon chuckled to himself again, looking up at the blue sky overhead. White clouds pass by innocently, preparing to dissipate or head to the city over.

"Even the clouds are going my way. Soon enough I think I'll take this place into my mind too and see what I can create." Melon's face frowned, let out a yawn, and looked at his watch. It read 2:34, his afternoon nap was in 11 minutes, so he scurried home.