The cold morning air smelt crisp as the sun was just barely starting to peak over the horizon. Most students were probably still asleep in their dorms, but me, I hardly slept the last few hours; today was the day I would be journeying to the city for my first check in with this world's government. My heart thudded in my chest as I passed through the trail of cherry blossom trees that lined the school's entrance, small petals landing in front of me as if they were showing me the way towards the unknown world that was waiting for me.
I stepped away from the safety of the school walls, my breath fogging in the chilly spring air. The quiet sidewalk that was unfolded before me, a cream-colored brick path leading to a world I have only heard of through distance conversations and from seeing it from up above in the air. I had dreamed of this moment, but now that it was here, it only adds to my eagerness to explore. I took a deep breath tasting a new sense of freedom along my tongue. Even though I have seen the city from my dorm room window and flying over it with Legoshi, I had no idea what the city would hold. With a look back towards Cherryton, I started down the sidewalk, my footsteps quietly clicking against the brick. Each step beneath my shoes was a promise of what adventure was to come.
As I walked further away from school, the sounds of civilization were growing louder. The distant clicking of crosswalk lights changing, the clank of metal from a construction crew working on a new building along the street, and the sound of shops opening up getting for the day grew from whispers to a crescendo that made my heart race even faster. The vibrant colors of the city that were starting to come to life underneath the rising morning sun, it was all so alive, so vivid. My eyes taking in every detail, feeling a tug of nostalgia of my early exploration days as a child. The life I had only lived in for a short moment before being trapped in darkness.
But amidst the excitement as I sat quietly during my train ride, my mind began to think of how this first check in was going to play out. Although I tried to remain calm, I still could feel the rupture of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. As we all know, I have no idea of how I came to be in this world, all I remember was being shot through my chest and waking up here. Sometimes I still think that this is a dream I am not waking up from. When I was brought forth to this world's government, of course they were naturally curious of what species that stood before them, but there would be no warnings about the tales of horror that would be spilled of what has been the majority of my existence.
Sympathetic to my predicament seeing how I am the only one of my species seen and labeled as critically endangered, the government had offered me a deal, as long as I would come in monthly to do follow ups with the leaders to check with my progress of living in the outside world and answering questions in regards about my species until I reached the age of 25; I would be given a lump sum at the beginning of each month for me to use towards necessities I needed. At first, I was a bit hesitant thinking I would be used for experimentation again like my previous world had used me for. But to my relief, it would be mainly answering questions and doing a few health checks, but of course nothing would be done without my consent first. I still remember how horrified they looked when they saw how emaciated and injured I was. Sometimes it made me wonder if anyone from my previous world would react the same way if they had seen the evil that was taking place behind the closed doors.
But either way I was grateful for the lifeline, at least this would help me out for the time being and it gives me plenty of time for me to figure out my place in this world and what I am destined to do.
When I reached up to the very last step at the top of the staircase of the train station, I became awestruck of what was laid out before me. The gentle breeze that blew against my face, left a peculiar warmth inside of me despite the cool rush that sent goosebumps to erupt along my skin. Even from seeing the city above during my first flight exploration with Legoshi, it looked so different from seeing it down on ground level. It was a stark contrast to my tranquil forest home that I spent the first few years of my life in before my life was nothing of just being chained in a dark, cold prison cell for thirteen years.
Clutching my purse strap around my shoulder, I made my first real steps out into the outside world, taking in the beauty of the city, a place I never imagined I would find myself in. As much as I was in awe of my surroundings, I did feel a slight tremor of fear. I had no idea what the city would hold, but I knew I just had to find out. After all, if I am going to be living out here when I graduate school soon it would be best for me to get to know my potential new home now. Walking down the slightly crowded sidewalk, I took in the sheer size of the city. The buildings looking taller than the trees that were huddled together in my forest and the cobblestone streets were a maze of shadows of light. Many herbivores and carnivores were bustling past me in a flurry of activity. The smell of cooking food wafted through the air coming from the small restaurants that adorned the streets. Walking past young children who were playing hopscotch outside of an apartment building, they stopped and stared, their eyes curious and innocent. I felt a sudden pang of self-consciousness, even though I was used to having others staring at me due to my differences, I really was an outsider, like a wildflower in a garden of cultivated roses. But seeing their looks of curiosity reminds me of my own founded child-like ways of whenever I discovered something new or like when I met Okami and his family for the first time.
Giving them a gentle smile and wave, the kids smile before continuing on with their game. My heart fluttered at that, taking it as a good omen. Walking further along the sidewalk to continue in my exploration, I felt a rush of excitement, my mind eagerly wondering of where my place in the tapestry of life was after losing my previous one.
Venturing further down the sidewalk, the city was becoming more alive with the sound of merchants shouting, the revving of cars going past me down the street, and people carrying on their conversations. The buildings were growing taller, casting the streets in a perpetual light from the sun now shining high and hot above. Even though my senses were overwhelmed and for being in uncharted territory, after most of life being kept in the dark, I was ready to bask in the glow of this outside world.
Getting closer towards the government building, my steps were tentative as if I might break the fragile illusion of a newly discovered freedom. But I felt like with each step I took, it only adds to my confidence. More so than when I took my first steps starting at Cherryton. If I am somehow able to survive my imprisonment, Cherryton, and now the city, maybe I could survive anything that came my way.
Once I made it up the stairs towards the office of the government building, I let out a deep breath, my ever-growing confidence now feeling shaken of what was to come.
Be strong Aayame...be brave, don't let fear conquer you like it has. This is the start of your newfound freedom, your new life.
Tightening my purse strap in my grasp, I grabbed a hold of the door handle and made my way inside in the building.
Now that I think about it...
The grey wolf is at the city center standing behind Bill, Aoba and Tao out on their city expedition. His favorite red sweaters hugs around his tall and chiseled frame along with his dark blue jeans that were cuffed around his ankles, and his backpack that hung on his back.
It's been a year since I last saw the outside world
"Would you look at that" Aoba says, with awe "All the birds are flying! I'm so jealous!"
"That's right, you can only get a flyer's license after graduation" Tao spoke, as he glances up towards the sky as they watched an adult brown eagle soar above their heads
The wolf's gaze then turns to look at his surroundings around him.
Look at that. It seems like...the adults are actually living together quite peacefully.
With a teasing look running over the eagle's features, he turns towards the wolf. "Yeah, going out isn't fun at all, huh?"
"Huh?"
"Your tail's wagging!"
"Hey let's get moving!" Bill called out prompting the others to follow him, except for Legoshi who lingered back, a sulked expression comes over his face as his ears dropped a little against his head, lost in his own thoughts.
Maybe I should buy pants that can hide my tail
Reluctantly he trudges on following the others as they made their way towards City Hall. After their meeting, the four of them end up at a nearby restaurant, the flier of the details of the festival of the meteor laid out in the center of the table. Music played in the background as they enjoyed meals of french fries and drinks on their trays.
"It's the same details as last year" Legoshi states
"I don't mind; we got to go out" Aoba spoke
The wolf's mind was wondering on what the young mutant was up to. He knows she spoke to him how she had to do a check in with the local government this morning before she could meet up with him and the others, but so far, he hasn't heard from her. He texted her that their meeting was done at city hall and where they were eating lunch at. Secretly he wished that she was with him now for them to go out and enjoy their outing together. Ever since they took their first flight over the city he was now in, he wanted to explore as much as he could of the outside world with her, just thinking of all the places they could go to. If only he and her could escape reality all together and run away from the judgement and the struggles of life forever.
"Hey, wasn't Aayame supposed to meet up with us already?" Aoba asked
As if the eagle was reading the wolf's mind, he pulled out his phone and saw there was no new notifications on his phone in regard to her. "I haven't received anything from her yet, I hope she is okay"
"Oh, hey you guys!"
But when the wolf heard that sweet sounding voice, he looked up and the sight that was laid before him, it felt as if the air from his lungs was taken away. His mouth slightly hung agape viewing the young girl who came into the restaurant, the strong breeze from her opening the door blowing at her luscious red hair against her face. The awe in his eyes was unmistakable seeing how she looked. The blue floral print shirt that stood out from underneath her dark green unzipped hoodie that hung around her petite form, the way her dark blue jeans like his own is a stark comparison to her lightly pale skin, making her stand out even more. Her white purse hung across from her frame as she held two shopping bags in her hand. But what stood out to him is that when she moved some of her hair out from her face is when he noticed that her nails were painted in a pretty fuchsia pink with a little sparkle to them and that she was wearing makeup. A warm pink blush giving her cheeks a rosy look, along with gold eyeshadow that was on her eyelids with mascara, and her plush lips were laid with gloss that matched her nails.
Even though he too has seen her in casual clothing, the way she looked how she did now, it amazes him with even just her just having a causal outfit on and a little makeup, he has never seen anything more beautiful. His true feelings were clearly obvious as he felt his tail was wagging eagerly side to side behind him quietly, much to his relief that no one else at the table had noticed.
"Sorry I am late; the train was running behind schedule and there was no reception"
The presence of the girl seemed to have caught the attention of the other three males as they stared at her with wide eyed expressions as she made her way over towards the group of carnivores, sitting beside the flushed wolf, setting her bags down underneath the table. "Woah Aayame! You look...you look so...different" Aoba spoke with a stunned tone to his voice
"Oh...uh, I might have spoiled myself just a little bit with my shopping spree" I feel my cheeks were now naturally matching to the blush that was on my face from embarrassment
"Trying to catch someone's attention?" Bill smirks with a teasing laugh, as he leaned over with his head resting on his hand
Damn it! He figured that out quick, I guess the free makeover that came with my clothing purchases was a clear giveaway, but it's not like I was trying to flaunt myself in front of Legoshi or was I really? Alright Bill two can play at that game... "Oh sorry Bill, but you are not really my type, keep dreaming"
I boast giving him a giving him a smirk in return, pushing some of my hair back behind my shoulder which caused a sudden outburst of laughter to come from Aoba and Tao. The rising embarrassment on the feline's face quickly replaced the insolent behavior he displayed moments before. I heard a muffled chuckle, and looked to see Legoshi's attentive gaze on me, trying to hide his amused growing smile on his mouth behind his hand.
Oh, so what if I am flaunting? I wasn't going to let my confidence be shaken up this cocky feline, not in front of him that is
The laughter began to die down, as I slid my purse off my shoulder and rested it on the back of my chair. "So...um how was your check in with the government? Was everything alright?" Legoshi asks, turning his upper half towards me
"O-Oh it was okay, they just wanted me to check in to make sure everything was going alright for me at school and to answer a few personal questions is all, nothing too strenuous but thank you for asking"
Out of nowhere my stomach began to growl and that's when I realized that I hadn't eaten anything since I had left this morning to go to my check in. I guess I was so excited about my first trip to the city I forgot to eat anything, which made me blush in embarrassment. "Oh...um sorry about that"
"Here, you want some of mine?" Legoshi spoke shyly, as he pushed his tray closer to me
"Legoshi no, I don't want to take any of your food, I can go get my own"
He pushed the tray further towards me, his tone sounding reassuring. "No really it's okay, I am not that hungry anyways, go ahead"
You know this wolf really amazes me, every time I am with him, he always puts my wellbeing first. I feel as though we really have grown exceptionally close over this last month, and even as simple as his kind gesture was giving me his meal of french fries...I never felt so cared for.
"W-Why thank you, I appreciate that"
The girl shyly takes a fry and began to eat as he took one for himself, unintentionally bringing the gaze of all the male carnivores at table around them. "Mmmmm this is really good, thank you again"
It earned her a soft smile from the wolf. The atmosphere was turning casual as I continued on to eat and that's when Tao began to engage in small talk.
"Bill finish the story!"
"Yeah, so then the girl started to cry and said, "You're only focused on pleasing yourself when we were having sex and that makes me feel empty inside!""
The tiger and black panther share a laugh, whilst the wolf was hunched over slurping his drink through a straw, clearly uncomfortable about the topic being discussed with no hint of decency of how he can talk that low of a female, especially in front of her. But his troubled thoughts are interrupted when he felt a small hand gently shook his leg. The sudden touch causes his ears to perk up along with his tail, that's when he saw her leaning in closer towards him, his cheeks feeling suddenly warm by her closeness.
"Hey while he is yammering away, I got you a little something" She whispers softly
The wolf's eyes widen with surprise. "Wait, for me?"
"Yeah, you know over the last few days I told you that I was creating some new songs...well they are all done!"
She pulled out something from her purse and in her hand was a clear square case and inside was a small disc, handing it to him. "Woah! You made a CD?"
"Yeah! I used my laptop the government gave me before I started school, and I was able to record them from using some of the equipment I found in the music room. I finished the editing late last night"
"Wow that's incredible! Thank you! Oh...uh but I don't...I don't have a music player"
"I thought you might say that, so I got you something else"
With that she reaches behind her and takes out something from one of her shopping bags that was by her leg and pulls out a small box and on the cover was a picture of a portable black CD player as she hands it to him. "They were having a two for one sale at the music shop, and it comes with headphones"
A happy smile grew on the wolf's face as he looks at the gifts he has received before looking up at her. The fact that she made and bought something for him with her own money, he has received gifts from others before, he doesn't know why but this gift in particular appears to be tugging on his heartstrings. The cream color fur on his cheeks was blossoming a light pink. "I really...I really appreciate this Aayame, thank you"
"Of course I am just glad you like it"
She gives him a sweet smile before she takes another bite of a french fry on the tray.
"Crazy!"
"But the striped pattern on her butt is so hot, I don't want to break up with her"
"Wait, patterns make a difference?" Aoba asks
"Of course" The tiger responds, before he turns his gaze to view the mutant that was hiding behind the height of the grey wolf, as she chewed on a fry "Hey is it true Mei that all girls are this needy when it comes to sex?"
As if my body just stopped functioning while I was eating, my breath became trapped in my throat, as my spine went stiff as a stick. That tone that the tiger spoke, I knew it well. It was how the many of my tormentors spoke to me whenever they wanted to take advantage of a restrained child, to take her innocence. I remembered everything when they did it the first time, I thought there I was dying. Another sickening flashback comes over my eyes. How they were mocking me for being in pain and being afraid. And how they would continue to speak to me in that tone while they did their deed and even boasting afterwards once the torture finally released me temporarily from its clutches. Little did I know that it wouldn't be the last time someone would something that heinous to me. And from there up until the day I finally made my escape, so much time had passed, pain was a daily occurrence. It was like a routine I had gotten used to. And that tone brought all that back for me. My terror filled child screams and the mocking tone of a tormentor echoes loudly in my ears, not even realizing my body was starting to tremble. But before I could feel the growing effects of a breakdown take its searing grip a hold of me, I felt warm fur brush over my hand, almost as if immediately the sensation of it relieves me of the tension. That's when my flashback clears and I can see the hand of Legoshi was holding mine, his fingers intertwining mine with care. A low growl catches my attention and that's when I saw Legoshi eyeing Bill in a threatening way, his ears folded back and his upper lip barely showing his sharp teeth making the tiger flinch at his response. "Enough Bill, leave her alone"
His tone was deep yet firm. My hand squeezes his tightly hoping he would get the innuendo, luckily the wolf slowly started to back off, I didn't want a repeat like what happened on stage. It was bad enough it happened on school grounds, but for it to happen for the public eye to view I couldn't let that happen again. Keeping his look on the tiger for another moment Legoshi turns his attention to me, the threatening look he had moments before was replaced by attentiveness. Finally, I felt my lungs be able to relax, my eyes silently speaking my thankfulness towards him before I eyed the tiger. "I wouldn't know Bill, and you shouldn't be speaking something like that so freely, after all you don't know what someone else has been through in their past. You seem to have no understanding about when it comes to empathy, maybe you ought to learn something about that"
Bill scowls with defeat as I looked away with a sigh shaking my head, Legoshi's hand gripped mine tighter in his as my thumb mindlessly strokes over his, accepting his offer of comfort before we slowly released each other.
Now after being humiliated twice by the mutant, Bill turns his attention towards Legoshi.
"So Legoshi, when are you going to lose your virginity?" The tiger tries to lighten the mood by putting his arm around the wolf's shoulder
How the heck does he know?!
"Hey, I could smell that virgin stench on you from miles away dude!"
"Do you know about that cute new grey wolf in drama club?" Tao asks
"You mean Juno?" The wolf responds, sounding disinterested
"Hey Legoshi already knows her name!" Aoba plaudits
"Ohhh sounds promising!"
I couldn't help but feel my stomach drop instantly, reminding me about the interaction we had with the she wolf and that she was joining drama club for her first day starting Monday. I don't know why I was feeling like this, but it felt my heart was becoming heavier putting an uncomfortable pressure in my chest. But it's not like Legoshi was mine anyways, I still don't even have the courage to tell him how I am really feeling. But I have no right to stop him, especially if he knew who I really was, I just wanted him to be happy with whoever he wanted to be with. But the thought of him with someone else, it leaves an unsettling pit inside me.
Meanwhile Legoshi stares at the tiger, whose claws has permanently scarred his back.
Just the other day, he and I were in a bloody brawl. Maybe if I graduate school and become an adult. Maybe things will get easier.
He then glances towards the girl as his hand subconsciously squeezes her own that was resting on her leg, as her surprised gaze shifts over to him.
At least, easier than they are now
"Let's go back" Legoshi says
After spending a few more hours sightseeing, the sun began to set over the tall buildings of the city, casting a warm soft orange glow over the horizon, I was exhausted after a long day from going to the meeting, multiple shopping trips to and from school and back, and all the sightseeing. I could have just used my vectors to fly me back to school to give my legs a much-needed break, but I didn't want to leave Legoshi's side, especially after how he held on to my hand and giving me that comforting look after experiencing that horrid flashback of my traumatic past triggered by Bill's forwardness. It's like somehow, he sensed I was troubled and helped me to avoid having another serious breakdown in front of the others, to which I was truly grateful for.
"Our dorm mother's pretty strict" Tao spoke
"Which way is the station?" Bill asks
"Uhhh" Aoba states, sounding a bit hesitant in his tone, with his eyes focused on his phone "I think we're lost"
"What?!" The boys say simultaneously as we walked up a flight of stairs
If it wasn't for the fear of showing my vectors to others, I could have easily flown up in the sky to see where we are and how far we were from the train station. When I first discovered my vectors when I was three, I had no idea of what they were truly capable of and how useful that they would be for me. It wasn't until I went playing outside with my ball when I bounced it too high that it got away from me and got stuck in a tree. I tried to climb up it, but I remember I kept sliding down the base of the tree trunk unable to and I couldn't jump high enough to reach it. But then that's when I saw it. A vector. It's long, clear ethereal form floating beside me as it flew up and got my stuck ball down from the branch before handing it to me. If I only knew back then that gaining this newly discovered ability would lead me to my downfall, maybe I could have done things differently. At least then I wouldn't be labeled as a killer.
I yawned softly; I could already feel sleep was starting to take over me as my eyes began to droop slightly. Not even realizing my fatigue was causing me to unintentionally lean against Legoshi, I startled myself to try and stay awake, gaining back energy for a moment before exhaustion had settled in again. Without warning, I felt the comforting arm of Legoshi slowly move around my shoulder as he rested his hand there, bringing me closer to him as my head came to lean against his side. Gasping internally, I glanced up towards him as he looked down at me with caring gleam in his grey eyes, making me smile widely as I leaned further into him, humming softly with content. The warmth and scent that his body was giving off was already making me forget about how tired I was as we continued to walk on.
"Uhm it's this way according to zoozle maps"
"You're a bird!" Tao states "Use your, I don't know, magnetic sense?"
"Yeah, I'm not a migratory bird!"
"I don't think we're too far" Legoshi says
But soon we come to find ourselves in the back of a blocked alleyway by a large truck, the low rumbling of the engine echoing throughout the air. The atmosphere was thick with a nauseating smell that I wasn't too familiar with, but something about this place left a nervous feeling to pit in my belly. I will be honest from seeing how closed off and dark this place was, it reminds me of my prison cell. The only time I would ever see light in there would be when the doors of my cell were opened or if I was very unfortunate, the extra bright lights that were aimed at my restrained form above me were turned on and that meant that experiments were about to be performed on me. Whether it was metal balls being shot towards me to test my vector strength, shock torture, or sensory deprivation from a metal helmet being fastened on my head and high pitch agonizing sounds echoed throughout the room and not being able to cover your ears. And that was every day of my life for thirteen years...
What is this place?
I heard low groaning sound in my ear and that's when my eyes came upon an elder looking antelope huddled up in a corner of the alley. Gulping softly, I shifted closer towards Legoshi, troubling thoughts began to flood my mind. How the sight of that was sickeningly familiar, reflecting of my own restrained form during my imprisonment.
The wolf holding the girl by his side had other things running through his mind, as his gaze followed hers looking at the huddled herbivore.
"Hey Legoshi! What's going on?" Bill questions, trying to get the wolf's attention
But he doesn't receive a response. Legoshi released his hold around me as he approached the antelope crouching down, trying to look as friendly as he could. "Excuse me? Mind if I ask you something?"
Now feeling less protected than before, I feel a nervous chill run down my spine as my body started to shiver uncontrollably. My senses were becoming overwhelmed, even the pupils of my eyes were dilated becoming hyperaware of everything that was surrounding me. "Guys I am scared; can we please leave?"
The antelope reveals the mangled stumps of his own fingers on his hands with price tags hanging from strands of string. Okay I was really starting to get afraid, what was going on here?
"Come on" The antelope speaking, in a hoarse tone "Choose your favorite finger"
Oh my god what the hell?!
I wanted to just run and grab Legoshi and get out of this dreadful alley. I didn't even care at this point if I had to use my vectors to escape, this was starting to mimic my story of unimaginable horror. But I was too frozen to move, thinking that one wrong step would be my last. Shit, this really starting to feel like deja vu.
Legoshi was becoming entranced by the antelope's fingers, his feral instincts were battling inside of him, begging to take control over him.
This smell...the sweat and saliva of carnivores
"Sure, they're the leftovers" The antelope tries coaxing the wolf, knowing exactly what kind of effect that the appendages have on him "But they still taste great"
With his mangled hands, he reaches out and grabs a hold of Legoshi's stunned face. "Your canine tooth is three centimeters, you're young and healthy. It'll sell at a slightly higher price. Finish it in one bite, alright?"
The aroma from the antelope hands sweeps over the wolf's face overwhelming him with his overly yearning scent.
I could hear the sounds of chains rattling in my ears, followed by the muffled child-like screams from being tortured. The evil laughter that mingled in with the high-pitched sounds from my sensory deprivation torture pierce through me, causing my body to scrunch up as I held on to my horns with my hands tightly, desperate for the noises to stop. Terrified whimpers escape from my mouth, the adrenaline running through my body was urging me to run and fly. But I felt too powerless to do anything.
That's when I heard the truck began to drive off snapping me out of my trance, revealing what was on the other side of the blocked alleyway and presenting with a sight that seemed that only added to my horror. Brightly lit stands with meats of all kinds, with carnivores mingling and walking through it enjoying life just like the ones I had seen today in the city. A frightened gasp emits from me, as I stumbled backwards nearly falling back on the stone path of the alley.
"This is the black market!" Aoba said
As if this moment couldn't get any worse, seeing the stands of meat, my stomach dropped from just from the sight of it. I felt like I was going to throw up not out of only stress and anxiety but seeing what the black market truly was. And if I thought my imprisonment was evil, this place was just as equally maybe even more ignoble. My mind thinking of what innocent lives were lost in this market, the many men, women and children were murdered to satisfy a sinful need. If eating meat was strictly forbidden, this place must be this world's ultimate taboo. Even just from a glance, I had a gut wrenching feeling that there was more to this place than just seeing the stands of meat, who knows what other kinds of horror went on through this treacherous place.
The antelope stares right through the inside of Legoshi, begging for his instincts to come forth like they had for the first time as he forcefully holds his face in his hands.
"Finish it in one bite, that's all I ask"
Just as he was fighting with his own instincts, his mind is clouded with a flashback. It was on the night after he and Aayame had dinner together and had their first proper introductions with each other. The wolf and girl were still face to face as they stood alone on the quiet, calm night.
"Now that we know each other properly Legoshi, I have something to ask you, if you don't mind answering"
He leans down further till he was down towards the girl's level as he rests his hands on his knees. He still can't get over how small she was compared to him and how he couldn't stop looking at her sparkling blue eyes after their first real eye contact. Something about them was just so alluring to him. "What is it?"
"I've been wondering about something"
He couldn't help but admire how sweet and soothing her voice sounded, it sounded so innocent just as she looked compared to him. "How exactly do you see me?"
"How do I...see you?"
The girl blushes with embarrassment before her face looks away letting out a nervous giggle. "O-Oh sorry I hope that wasn't too weird or too forward"
But when their gazes meet again, he could have sworn it's like he was watching her in slow motion, how the reflection of the night sky above their heads came to life in her eyes, her skin glowing like the moon under the lamppost they stood beneath. As if he had lost touch with the world around him, the pupils of his grey eyes widen slightly, his focus solely resting on her.
"W-What I mean is, I am just wondering how you as a wolf see me? I know I am very strange looking to most and maybe not pleasant to some at that..." An uncomfortable looking cringe forms on her face as Legoshi watches with concern, there were so many things that he has seen about her unique looking species that he just couldn't see why anyone would look at her with such contempt. It's not like she did anything wrong. "Like how do you perceive me as? I know you don't know much about me seeing how as I am unknown species who doesn't really know much about myself either, but I just wanted to know how you see me through your own eyes"
"I..."
Legoshi is unsure on how to respond to her question. He has so many thoughts and feelings running through his mind, but yet he is just speechless. He wants to tell her so much; of all the wonderful things he thinks about her. "Aayame..."
Choking on his own words, that's when he saw the hint of worry laced in her eyes. And by seeing that, that is when he found his strength to break free from that tightening grip of his bashfulness and his courage to finally answer her.
"Aayame, I...honestly, I just see you. Even though I have never been around your species before. It's a different experience for me, but even so, that doesn't change anything. You are not like an herbivore or even a carnivore, you are just you. I don't know how else to describe it"
A happy smile begins to grow along her face as she steps closer towards him. "That...That makes me really happy that you see me like that, thank you. Legoshi, will you give me your hand?"
He hesitantly raises his hand up towards her, as her two smaller hands cup his larger one. The warmth and fragile feeling of them causes the fur along his spine to bristle under his uniform shirt. He has never felt anything so small and gentle against his hand before, it brought such a strange feeling to the wolf. But what was the feeling?
"You know Legoshi? I think...I think you and I are going to become really close"
"Sir...Sir...Snap out of it, sir!"
Suddenly the wolf snaps back into reality, the sweet smiling girl was gone to realize he was still in front of the old, mangled antelope in front of him, causing him to flinch back in surprise. But then he was roughly pushed away by an overeager tiger who takes his original place in front of the herbivore. "Move!" Bill puts his lawed hand onto the weak, crippled shoulder of the blind antelope "Hey old man! It's seventy thousand for that finger, right? If I pay for it, that means it's mine to eat?!"
Was he really serious right now?! He was really wanting to eat this person's finger?! What the hell is he thinking?! Devouring any kind of meat is illegal! That was one of the first things I learned after I came into this world, that naturally eating meat of any kind was a serious crime and it can lead to harsh consequences.
"What do you say?! Let's all have a bite! That way, we can all split the cost!"
Without warning, Legoshi slaps the tiger across the face making me run up towards him grabbing on to his forearm, I was not about to let another brawl to happen again especially not in front of a hidden dangerous setting over a small body part. "Legoshi!"
"What was that for idiot?!" The tiger snaps, facing the canine baring his sharp teeth
"You're the idiot!" Legoshi yelled back in anger "Do you hear yourself right now?!"
"We're already here at the black market! I am not about to let your ego get in my way!"
"This is wrong Bill and you know it! We can't be doing this!" I spoke up, moving up beside Legoshi with a glare
Legoshi growls a dangerously low growl, his fangs bared, and the hackles of his fur now raised, his aggression was in full swing. "Aayame! Legoshi! Calm down!"
Aoba steps in between the three of us, a stern gaze was focused on Legoshi and I. The eagle's head then drops slightly. "Sorry, I'd be on your side if we were at school, but it's different here"
My eyes widen with shock at his words. "Aoba, you can't be serious?!"
"Look around you, this is the black market and we're carnivores"
"You...You're really going to...eat it then?" The wolf sounding just as stunned at the eagle's words just as much as me
"Of course we are!" Bill states "Didn't you see the main street? Everyone was having fun! Peacefully! That's because the black market exists for us. Don't you get it? Grow up a little, will ya?"
Carnivores were walking around so calmly. The reason behind their composed faces...
"An adult?" He spoke lowly as he clenched his fists tightly
"Legoshi let's just go, we don't need to be here!" I try tugging him by his forearm, but his feet were planted firmly in place
"Huh?"
"Is that what it means to become an adult?" Legoshi shouted, his voice filled with rage and anger displayed across his features. Even though I have seen and heard Legoshi angry before, still the sight made me flinch in fear. I guess from seeing such rage from my captors and from others, it was just a natural reaction for me cause every time I am faced with rage, it always led to pain.
Without any warning Legoshi slips out from my grasp as he took off running into the black market, leaving me behind with the others. "Legoshi! Legoshi wait!" I yelled
"Hey Legoshi!" Aoba calls out
Oh god! He is in there! Of all the places for anyone to run into! I have to get him out of there! But I can't go in there! Sure, I may be an omnivore, but I had no idea about this place, whether if it was safe enough for me to pass through without the potential of myself becoming a meal for a carnivore whose instincts are pretty much predominant here. Sure, I can just fly over it all, but I can't risk showing my vectors in front of the others, I know they can't see them but still! God what do I do?! What do I do?!
"What the hell is his problem?!"
As if by a chain reaction when those words entered my ears, my troubling mindset was interrupted as I looked over slowly towards the side of me to see Bill, grunting with annoyance along with Tao and Aoba looking concerned about the whole scenario that just happened. That's when something inside of me just snapped.
Is he fucking serious right now?!
"What the hell is wrong with him?! It should be what the hell is wrong with you?!" I yelled with a glare quickly stomping my way up towards the tiger
"Aayame-" Aoba tries to intervene but I shot him with a cold glare, and that was enough for him to take a few steps back with a small gasp
"Me?! What the hell did I do?" The tiger retorts back
"Question is, how do you manage in that mindset of yours to think for a moment that a place like this is anything but justifiable?!"
"Don't act like you actually understand freak! You are not a carnivore! You're just a damn-"
"Oh fuck you Bill!" I yelled
With that outburst, it was enough to startle Tao and Aoba keeping a safe distance away from the young mutant in her clearly exasperated state. "You are right I am not a carnivore! I know I am just a damn freak to most! An unknown mutant who doesn't even what the fuck she is?! But let me tell you something I have walked through the fires of hell to get where I am now and trust me if I wasn't in control of my own instincts, you would really know how dangerous I can be! Even more so than you!"
The two smaller carnivores flinched at her dark tone and that's when her eyes come to rest on all of them. The dangerous glint behind the widen pupils of her blue eyes made them think twice of saying anything. "You all should be ashamed of yourselves, willing to devour someone's finger like that with no sense of conscience! Someone who clearly doesn't deserve such treatment and worthy of so much more to lose a body part to satisfy your selfish greed! It's clear to me my words didn't seem to have any effect on any of you when I first joined your club, about respect of all species. I guess I overestimated that you would be better than the typical stereotype and this is not coming from an omnivore standpoint, but from my own perspective. Because I know all of you know way better than this"
The eagle and black panther stayed silent, disbelief and hurt flashing over their features, but my words seemed to have no effect on the tiger who kept his annoyed expression.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I turned to face the entrance towards the market. Looking down at my shopping bags on the ground I began to push my hair back behind my ears then pulled the hood from my jacket up over my head before zipping it up. I know this is insane, that there might be a chance I won't get out of this place alive, but it was something I had to do. "Now I am going after him, you can do whatever the hell you want, but don't say I didn't believe in you"
I take off running, my heart thumping loudly through my chest, knowing I was probably doing the riskiest thing I could be doing right now. Running blindly through a crowd of blood thirsty carnivores surrounded by sources of food and me, I might as well be running through this place with a target on my back to see who would eat me first. My life was being put at stake yet again. But at least this time, it was worth it. It had a purpose. It was for him. My wolf.
Hang on Legoshi! I am coming to find you; I may not have a strong sense of smell or any way to track you...but I will find you somehow! Just please be alright...
Legoshi is engulfed by the many scents of flesh, taunting him, enticing him to lose control and tempting him with their flavor. Panting heavily, sprinting at full speed past carnivores of all kinds, he finds himself losing his own sense within the smells, drowning him with their sinful deceit. As he races past the stands full of meat, a vision of her begins to emerge in front of him. He hears her sweet voice, how her arms surround him, her delicate hands brushing across his fur, and her overwhelming scent fills his nostrils.
Legoshi?
What is it?
I'm curious how exactly do you see me?
That's a strange question
He runs until he can't bring himself to run any further and comes to a stop leaning against a brick wall in another dark alleyway. Breathing heavily, his jaws hung wide open, displaying his razor sharp teeth.
I don't have the courage to tell you this...but you're an attractive girl. I am always thinking about you. But...why? Why can't I...stop salivating?!
Long strands of saliva fall from his gaping jaws; his eyes widen with terror that was aimed directly towards himself.
It's a hideous desire. I can't win at anything. Everything I said to Bill...
Exhausted from the running, the panic and the adrenaline that was now diminishing from his body, Legoshi collapses to the ground. His back faces the entrance to the black market as he curls himself up into a fetal position.
I had no right to tell him anything. Because...I was about to devour-
Something hard touches against his back, tapping against him. He can tell that someone was standing behind him, looking down at his guilty curled up self.
"Hey" The voice sounds deep and ragged "You poor wolf. I'm glad you collapsed in the alley"
When the wolf comes to his senses, he hears rustling, then he is able to finally open his eyes. Though a bit blurred at first, his vision clears to see he found himself in a dimly lit, small room with concrete walls. A barred door and window on either side of him made him think he was in some kind of prison cell. That's when he realizes, his wrists were cuffed and chained, a heavy metal collar was around his neck connected to the cuffs on his wrists, and a muzzle was secured around his face as he viewed a person that was standing with their back facing towards him.
So...it appears I'm in an unusual situation. Am I...Am I going to die here?!
"Morning kid" He hears the same voice from earlier when he collapsed in that alley. That's when the person turned to reveal himself, a panda, who looked more muscular than those he has seen of that species. Scars littered across his face along with a cigarette hung from the side of his mouth, filling the air with smoke "How are you feeling?"
When he approaches, the wolf quickly scoots back in fear, pushing himself as far away as he could before a tall cluster of bamboo behind him stops him in his tracks "I bet you feel like crap"
The panda grabs a hold of his sweater and leans in, examining his muzzled face. He lifts the material of his sweater up and uses a stethoscope to listen to his heartbeat. "Interesting, you're awfully calm right now. You're chained up, yet you have got a normal heartrate"
The wolf was left confused and frightened. What was going on? With a chuckle the panda pulls away. "Take it easy now"
He then unfastened the muzzle around his face, finally giving Legoshi a chance to talk. "What is all this?! Where am I?!" He yells in fear
But the only response to his questions was receiving a hard punch to the face from the panda, knocking him to the side.
"Let's make one thing clear from the start. You will never be hostile or bear your fangs at me. Do we understand each other?"
Soon after, Legoshi was forced to sit in front of a camera to have a picture taken as the panda sits in front of him on an armchair. "I'm the guard here at the black market. I've got questions. Start with your name"
The flash from the camera temporarily blinds him for a moment but is able to answer the question. "Legoshi"
"Legoshi, when did you last devour an herbivore?"
"I never did!" He shouts, defending himself from the accusation, but was blinded yet again by the flash of the camera
"A carnivore who faints or had a panic attack at the black market has likely devoured an herbivore recently. Odds are close to a hundred precent"
Shamefully the wolf lowered his head as the image of the beautiful young girl begins to flood his mind "I...I almost did. But I snapped out of it"
"More like...you put your mask back on?"
The tone of the panda didn't seem to sound convinced by his answer.
"Look, I know that I need to confess to her someday and I swear I will-"
"Wait you will?! You almost devoured her and you're still in touch with this girl?! I can't imagine how you feel while you communicate with her, do you fantasize about her flavor while you talk to her? You're trying to plan the best time to devour her?!"
"I'm offended!" But the guiltiness of the question floods throughout him though he has already tasted the sweetness of her lips twice already, he wasn't about to spill that information towards a person he doesn't even know
"Sure you are. But carnivores are all the same in nature, that shouldn't be news to you. That's why the black market exists" The panda stands as he walked back towards a strong attached to a blue curtain covering a wall "Black market meat is secretly provided by hospitals, some funeral homes. So, it may not be legal but at least you're not killing the animal yourself. Look, you see..."
He pulls at the string and the curtain pulls wide open to reveal multiple photographs of mangled and psychotic carnivores. "This is the fate of carnivores, who surrender to their instincts and kill the herbivores themselves. Some can't forget the flavor of meat and end up chewing off their limb. Some lost their fur because of stress. Others loathe themselves and resort to self-destructive behavior"
He pins Legoshi's picture to the wall along with the others. "One carnivore ate the herbivore because they loved her so much"
With that statement it made the wolf grow quiet, his mind troubled by the thought. "Okay, so...who are you exactly?"
The panda takes a blow from his cigarette. "Me? I practice psycho-sematic medicine, just outside the black market. One of those respectable doctors here to keep those cases from happening again"
His gaze then turns towards the wolf. "Whether I'm your foe or your ally, that's for you to decide"
The scent of blood and death was thick in the air, a grim reminder of my heinous slayings. A past that I wish that was as easy for me to run away from, but I knew no matter how fast I'd run, I can never truly escape from it. The quickened footsteps of my boots barely made a sound on the damp pavement as I pushed myself deeper into the market desperate to find Legoshi. My eyes darting from shadow to shadow, ducking past carnivores standing in my way continuing to run, in hopes he was somewhere near or hiding in the darkness. My adrenaline was the only thing that was keeping me going, trying my best to avoid the sights of the horror that was surrounding me from all angles. The memories of my captors end at the mercy of my vectors splayed out in front of me, the walls, floor and ceiling were splattered with warm blood with my deranged state slowly walking past. Their cries of terror and the metallic smell of their blood haunting my senses.
My fists clenched at the sight, I could feel my nails digging into my palms, why must these memories torment me? I never asked for any of this! But it's my own undoing. I had no right to judge them, after all...I have got blood on my hands. A monster that broke her promise of using her special gift to commit the ultimate act of revenge. I am no better than anyone else here. This place wasn't for the innocent.
By the time I had gotten through the maze of meat stalls and carnivore patrons making my way towards the end of the market, there was no sign of Legoshi anywhere. I find myself in a darker, trash strewn alleyway coming to a stop, panting heavily. "Legoshi! Legoshi! Legoshi where are you?!"
He's gone; it's like he has disappeared! Where can he be? I have to find him! There has got to be a way for me to track him! But how?
But it's not like I can just sniff him out and follow his trail, the animals of this world had clear advantages that surpasses even my own. I wasn't about to ask anyone here for help, might as well be offering myself up on a platter. Great! What am I supposed to do?! I have no idea where Legoshi is and I am lost in this hellish pit of a nightmare!
Just then I felt two of my vectors emerge out from my back as they floated out front of me. I became confused; they both were facing me as if they were waiting for me to do something, like to give them a command. They have never done anything like this before. Wait! Maybe my vectors can help me find where Legoshi is! "Please you have to help me find him!"
I watched as my vectors slithered down across the ground as they roamed the area. It was as if my vectors were trying to pick up his scent somehow.
Come on give me a sign, something! Anything! Oh Legoshi please be okay!
That's when something strange began to happen, my vectors floated towards the front of a brick wall and began hoovering over a small area on the ground as they felt around it before they faced me. Pulling my hood back, I rushed over and, in my discovery, the area was warm even though the rest of the ground was damp. Like someone was laying here for quite some time...could it be?
That's when my vectors rested over the palms of my hands that were touching the warm patch, but then a sudden burst of light flashed before my eyes and a vision was taking place right before me. Legoshi was being carried off by some unknown figure, he was chained and muzzled in some unknown location and a huge fist was punching him across the face. When the vision ended, I find myself back in the alley. Someone has Legoshi!
I felt my body become heavier, my breathing more labored, the world around me grew sharper, more vivid. It was as if I could see the very thread of the shadows and taste the very fear that Legoshi had emitted into the air. When my eyes looked down to see my vectors over my hands, that's when I realized I did have an ability to track him down, my vectors were the answer. "Find him, track him down!"
My vectors slithered away following the ground before they reached the corner of the alley, rising up. "That way? Alright then, let's go!"
The alleyway was growing narrower, the air thick with the stench of decay and stagnant water, but that didn't stop my vectors as they rushed ahead as I flew behind them, pushing me along the trail of Legoshi. My vectors were taking over, guiding me through the maze like a homing device. I didn't know what I was going to find or come face to face with when I find where Legoshi was being held, but I knew it couldn't be good, he was in trouble. But I had to save him, no matter what it took.
I'm coming Legoshi! Please hang on...I will be with you again soon! I promise!
"So, you're a student at Cherryton High"
The wolf and panda were no longer in the cell, much to the relief of Legoshi. Now they were sitting in the panda's living room around a small coffee table drinking bamboo tea. "Alright, what's with the I'm so miserable look? You're a pain in the ass"
He was really strong. A mammal and an Ursidae. His size and personality aren't too different from brown bears but...there is one huge distinction. While a carnivore, they're able to survive on just eating grass"
"I was wondering" Legoshi timidly spoke "When you're practicing, what do you consider yourself to be? Do you consider yourself to be a panda with a strong body or a panda who never eats meat?"
With that the panda laughed in response to the wolf's question, sounding amused. "Now that question deserves an A. I put my beast self to rest. I realized this town needed a doctor and focused all my energy into that for over ten years. I've been nearly killed several times and could only save a handful of carnivores. In order to break this cycle, I continue to eat only bamboo grass and workout a lot"
To prove his point, the panda flexes his strong arm as his bicep bulges out. And with that it caused the wolf to flinch, feeling slightly intimidated. "I'm just a doctor who's a little bit strong. Nothing more than that"
Sounds like this man is telling the truth
Legoshi takes a sip of his tea from the small cup, but the taste of it causes him to cringe. It tasted bitter along his tongue, which made the panda laugh yet again at the wolf's discomfort. "Ha, good huh? Its tea made from bamboo grass. So, tell me I'm curious to know, who is this girl you are on about?"
"Well..." The wolf begins "The thing is, I don't know what species she is..."
"The hell does that mean?"
"Her species is unknown; they claim her to be a mutant of some sort, one that doesn't display any animal features and doesn't have any connections of origin to what she is. She doesn't even know what species she is"
"Interesting...a species without a clue as to what she is, the poor girl, she must be a lost soul"
The wolf began to think back on the mutant's words, how she was the only one left of her species in the entire world due to hate and discrimination. Compared to how lonely his life was before she came into it, he couldn't even begin to imagine how lonely that must feel to be the last of a species with no one to relate to. And here he thought his own struggles were hard, but he didn't think of just how much harder her struggles must be.
"So then, how do you usually treat those carnivores? The ones you consider to be at risk?"
"Treat? What exactly do you think I'm doing now? Carrot sticks and counselling"
"I'm not a patient!" Legoshi retorts
"That's the first thing they all say"
"I'm different, I'm trying to overcome it myself"
"And that's the second thing"
"What do you know about it anyway?! Listen, I have a plan! I'm already friends with her-"
"Enough! Shut up you bastard!" Enraged the panda grabs Legoshi by his sweater and pulls him up close to his scarred face whilst the wolf's eyes widen in fear "Screeching at me like you're some chihuahua! I'll teach you! I'm sure deep down you genuinely care about her but that's in your head"
The wolf's mind to envision her when he saw her for the first time at drama club
"Your voice of reason. You're just concealing your instinctual urge to devour every part of her"
His mind then moves to when their hands were embraced after their first flight exploration together
His tone takes on a gentler approach as he sees the wolf's face fallen in dismay "Listen you think that you're in love with her. It's just your convoluted hunting instincts. It's the worst possible case. If you can stop it, do so. Sever all ties with her"
That's when his mind sees their affectionate kiss underneath the glow of the moonlight, entangled in each other's embrace sharing that beautiful, intimate moment.
Now filled with nothing but disappointment and sadness, the wolf's ears had dropped down on to his head, the bruise from the panda's earlier punch was slightly more swollen and blacker than earlier as it pulsed painfully against his face. He grabs his backpack and stands up to leave as he wonders the possibility of where she was now, how he had left her in a panic. He can still picture and hear her calling out to him in worry, her sparkling blue eyes filled with fear. Even more guilt than before washes over him, how he has put her through so much pain and worry since he has come to know her and yet she still stayed by his side. What did he do to deserve someone like her? She deserved better than a monster like himself who not only was close to devouring her but keeps allowing himself to put her in danger every time she was with him...maybe the panda was right...maybe he should just let her go if it means to keep her safe
"That's great, the young generation is just asking for trouble. They get all worked up, then label everything as love" The panda states with a complaining tone
"Well..." The wolf spoke, with his low depressed tone "I don't really understand it myself. I've never been in a relationship so I can't say anything"
The panda looked towards the wolf with shock. "Never?!"
"May I please go back to school now? I need to find someone, I'm sure I have already made her worry enough. Thanks for helping"
Even though he didn't
But just as he was about to open the door, the metal door is forced open as two clear silhouettes flew past him as the force of it shoved him back against the wall. Before he could realize what happened, a force sent the panda back against the wall on the opposite side and took a hold of him by the throat as more silhouettes followed taking a hold of his wrists pinning him tightly against the wall. Wait he recognized those silhouettes, its vectors! She was here!
I finally reached where my vectors lead me to, to the location of Legoshi. The fingertips of my vectors traced the metal door, feeling the faint vibration of Legoshi's presence on the other side. My hands began to tremble, my body responding to the memories it tried to bury. My vectors stirred desperate to break through. With a sharp intake of breath, I embraced the power within me, the power I still fear and with a surge of strength and clarity it broke through the door, the sound echoing through the hallway and my vectors aimed right for their target. His captor.
My eyes narrowed with determination as I made my way inside the room.
The panda then realized he wasn't the only one who had found the young wolf as he stood face to face with the girl who stood before him. The unseen force that held him in a vice like grip as she stomped her way past the dazed wolf. "Who the hell are you?!"
"Should be asking you the same thing! Who the hell are you?!"
He felt a sudden tightened squeeze around his throat, his struggle was more persistent as she made her way closer towards him, her stance rigid with the unmistakable sign of threat written across her face. This unknown grip on him was unyielding, like a living steel that held him fast. This was something new even for him, he was in the presence of something much more dangerous than he had ever encountered before.
"Legoshi! Are you alright?" She spoke, her voice surprisingly calm, despite the threatening appearance she posed
The wolf was too much in shock as he eyed the mutant that stood over the panda. His eyes darting between her and Gohin, confusion warring in his gaze. He had seen something in her, something he has never seen before, a deep-seated anger that seemed to burn through her, as if the gentle mutant he knows had become as strong and predatory as a carnivore. He managed to snap out of his trance as he found his voice again. "Aayame! Wait!"
He saw the panda growled with rage, trying to break free but the strength of her vectors held firm, her body a statue of fury. "The hell you doing come bursting through here and attacking me you little-?!"
The force of my vectors shoved him harshly further against the wall as I towered over the large bear. "I believe I asked first! Who are you?! And what did you do to him?!"
He remained silent, but that's when the panda's eyes widen as he got a better look at the girl in front of him. The narrowed glint behind her blue eyes, her dark red flowing hair, but what stood out to him the most was the unmistakable white triangular horns that were protruding out from her head. That's when he realized on what exactly stood before him.
"Well, I never thought I would see one with my own damn eyes...a diclonius"
A...what?!