We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 45 - The Call

Legosi and Louis were sleeping in late Monday morning after a long, fun night spent with Pina. The past few days had definitely worn out the pair, but not in a bad way of course.
Louis' phone went off, disrupting the false sense of security they tentatively were drawn into.
He groaned, rubbing his eyes and looking at it. Unknown number. The phone went up to his ear. "Hello?" Then his mind realized. Oh shit.
The voice on the other side was eerily chipper. "Hello, Louis! I'm just following up on that interview we had on Wednesday!"
Legosi, who lay half on top of Louis, still remained asleep.
"Oh, right. And?"
"And I think you'd make a perfect fit for our team! Now, if you could be so kind as to step outside so we can discuss details. Don't want you getting distracted."
"Oh, alright." He pat Legosi's head. "Hey, hon, I'm gonna step out for a moment."
Legosi just mumbled in his sleep, and Louis had a hard time slipping out from under him.
Eventually, he was free and he put light clothes on, walking out of the apartment and looking around. "Okay, I'm out."
Ichi's voice returned to normal. "So I'm told. Now, do you know how to get to the black market?"
"I think so. Maybe."
"Do you, or don't you, Shi?"
"It's Louis. Yes, I do."
There was a pause. "Then get ready and head there. Tell the wolf you're following up on that job offer. Kyuu and San will meet you and escort you to our home."
"Home? You live there?"
"Of course. We all do. Before you say anything, no, I won't make you live here, too."
"I already knew that. I wouldn't cooperate otherwise."
Ichi kept speaking as if Louis hadn't said anything. "Remember to bring your gun. You know how dangerous the market is."
"Oh, right. I will. I won't...be having to use it, yes?"
"Today? Probably not."
"I'll be there soon."
"I look forward to it."
"...Yeah." The buck hung up and went back inside, preparing for his second meeting with his former cellmate.
Legosi was still asleep when Louis came back in, seemingly confused in his sleep that he had nothing to grab onto anymore.
The deer got everything ready—making sure to put his gun in his satchel—before coming back to him and getting on his knees. He wiggled him. "Legosi...Hey, Legosi."
The wolf stirred and his eyes peeled open. He smiled and yawned.
Louis couldn't help but do the same. He rubbed up and down his arm. "Hey, I have to go, okay?"
Legosi's face immediately turned serious. "Oh. Is it..."
"It is."
The canine let out a slow, staggered breath and nodded. He reached up and held Louis by the arm gently. "Lou...be careful."
"I know. I will. I already miss you," he grinned, stroking his fuzzy face with his small hand.
"I guess I'll...keep myself busy today. I love you." The wolf leaned up and kissed him.
Louis gave him a nice and long one. "I guess...it's time."
"Yeah. I know you'll be okay." Legosi found his smile again.
"I'll be okay because I have a wolf to take care of."
The dog nodded. "See you tonight..."
And with that, Louis got up and left.

=^.^=

The deer journeyed to the meeting place the other buck had told him. He looked around when he got there.
At the entrance of the mostly blocked hidden alley that led to the black market, leaned two herbivores wearing red tracksuits.
Louis' brows raised and he walked over, taking a breath. "Kyuu and San, I presume?"
They both turned their heads. The taller of the two, an alpaca, immediately beamed while the smaller, a lop-eared rabbit, continued to smoke on her cigarette without reaction.
"Hey, long time no see, eh?" San walked over to him with his hand extended.
The deer shook it. "It really has been. I...never thought I'd see you again, if I'm being honest."
San pulled the handshake into a half-hug before stepping back. "Wow, without the antlers you actually look a lot like how I remember you!" The alpaca turned back to the smoking rabbit. "Right Kyuu? Don't he look the same?"
Kyuu simply shrugged in response.
Louis turned his head this way and that. "We should get going. I want to get this over with so I can get back to my husband."
San cocked his head. "Oh? Ichi didn't mention anything about that."
The deer raised his hand to show the ring. "Proof. Now let's get this over with."
They started down the alley. "Aw, don't sound so upset! I'm sure you'll get along well with us all!" San continued to speak with his high-pitched voice.
"Mm. Not if I'm being forced to do this."
"Well, I think once you see what we're doing back here, you'll be on board!" San clapped Louis on the back.
"Oh? Really? If threatening my husband is any preview, then I'm not sure I will."
The alpaca laughed. "Oh, that sounds like Ichi! Dude can be intense, but he's got a good vision!"
"Just...take me to him," Louis demanded, once again.
"That's what we're doing," Kyuu stated, monotone.
"By the way, marketplace or no? It's faster if we cut through but it's more likely we may run into trouble," the alpaca informed.
"Let's not risk anything," Louis said.
"The scenic route it is, then! Well, that depends on how you look at it. For some, seeing dismembered bodies would be scenic!" San burst out laughing, while Kyuu just glared at him and punched him in the leg.
The rabbit then turned her attention to Louis. "Shi. What happened to your eye?"
"It's Louis, and don't worry about it," the buck said, looking to the side.
San laughed again. "Oh right, I forgot you were named! Well, as a team we use our number names, even the ones that joined without brands."
"Team..." was all Louis responded with.
"Team!" the alpaca said back.
The trio continued on their way, keeping to alleyways and shaded areas. One might not even know they were in the black market unless they were told.
Louis sighed after a bit. "Why does San seem so excited about this?"
Kyuu looked back to him. "It's been a while since we've gotten a new member. Plus, you're one of the original."
San craned his long neck back to them. "I wonder what your chimera will be! I can't wait!"
"I'm guessing I won't be able to see it. Does that mean someone tells me what it is?"
"It appears in your mind as well," Kyuu informed, taking her cigarette and extinguishing it with her heel.
"And you know yours?"
They both nodded.
"Huh. So, how did you guys even take over this tower, anyway? Don't they still sell animals as livestock?"
San gawked at him. "Woah, Ichi didn't tell you anything, did he? No, man, they up and abandoned that place, like, a bit after you got bought! We found our way out, eventually, and lived off the stockpiled food until a panda found us and put us in a foster home."
"Panda...?"
"Yeah! Uncle Gouhin! He took the three of us in until he could find a good foster home for us. Nobody ever did adopt us and we were turned out once we hit 18."
"Gouhin really did that? Wow."
"You know him?" Kyuu's voice managed to sound surprised.
"He saved my husband." The cervid didn't want to explain further. Something told him not to.
"No shit! So, you've been back to the BAM since you got adopted?" San asked.
"I have...but not by choice. If I could, I'd still be home right now."
"Yeah, yeah, quit yer bellyachin'," Kyuu mumbled under her breath.
San did his best to damage control. "Ah, what she means is it's really not that bad! Besides, Ichi said you won't be living at the tower like the rest of us, anyway! You'll be going back home before you know it!"
"Good. Are we almost there?" Louis asked.
"Just about," the alpaca said chipperly.
Kyuu's voice came in low. "San."
San's voice suddenly dipped as low as hers. "I know. Five minutes now, right?"
"Yeah. A coyote and a tabby. Must think we're easy prey."
"What? What's going on?" Louis looked around, moving his satchel in case he needed to take his gun out.
"We're being followed," Kyuu whispered, still facing forward while walking. "Me and San will handle it. Just stay out of the way."
"O-oh, okay." Louis moved to the side, observing the two.
"Here we go. Corner up ahead." San indicated this with a subtle head movement. "We'll ambush them there."
"Ambush them? No, no, no. Let's just move faster. We don't need to start anything," Louis said, waving his hands.
"If we move faster, they move faster," Kyuu pointed out.
San put a hand on Louis' shoulder. "It's alright! We can definitely take them on. We're good at this sort of thing."
"No! I don't want to take them on. I want to go. Please." He began moving on his own.
Kyuu sighed and looked at the alpaca. "I knew this wouldn't work. He didn't grow up like the rest of us."
The deer was already speed walking in the direction they were previously going.
"One split off to cut him off. Bastard better not get himself killed or Ichi will have our hides," the bunny grumbled.
"I'll go help him. You deal with the straggler." San sped up to meet Louis.
The stag heard him coming. "Good. San, where is it from here?"
When Louis turned around to talk to him, he walked straight into the grasp of the coyote that was following them earlier.
He made a noise and looked up at the canine. Instead of being afraid, he gave him a smile. "Excuse me."
The coyote gripped him tighter, but his face showed confusion. "Wha? You lost?"
"Lost? No, sir. I was just going home." He kept that grin, eyes looking at the canine's skinny, but broad form and the fangs when he spoke, sharp but not as sharp as Legosi's.
"I think you are lost. Home should be that way." He pointed past Louis. "No matter, though. A deer as stupid as you ain't gonna be missed."
Louis raised a hand and put it on the dog's cheek. "You don't want to do this."
"Alright psychiatrist." The coyote laughed and rolled his eyes before lunging for Louis' throat.
The herbivore  jumped back, just barely missing getting bit, his eye wide. "You don't have to do this! What do you gain from killing an innocent deer?"
"A meal! Food! The fuck you on about?" The coyote lurched forward, body low to the ground as he started to drool. Louis became vaguely aware of San standing there, watching.
"Hey, Louis? You, uh, handling this?"
"You seriously want to eat me?" Louis asked, staying calm.
The dog laughed. "Where do you think this is? You're an herbivore so you don't u-understa-aand!" The canine's body started to bulk up and his fur rose. His eyes started to become glazed over.
"Careful, Lou. Soon, he won't be able to understand a word you say. Although, I gotta say,interesting strategy here!" San said in a complimenting tone.
"Actually, I completely understand," Louis said, unzipping his satchel. "Have you ever eaten a herbivore before?"
The predator's lips pulled back, exposing his fangs. He growled and advanced.
"Oooh, there's the tablecloth! That's when canines lift their lips and the skin on their snouts wrinkles." San continued his commentary.
The deer's hand entered the bag. "That's a lovely set of fangs you got there, but you still didn't answer my question. Have you ever eaten a herbivore before?"
The coyote's growling grew louder. He crouched down, ready to pounce.
"He's not gonna answer you. My money on the answer to your question is 'yes', though," San spoke.
Louis sighed, pulling out his gun quickly, and pointing it at the carnivore. "Calm down, boy. You don't have to do this. I don't want to hurt you and you don't want to hurt me." He kept the aim steady.
Unfazed by the weapon, the coyote leapt.
Louis scrambled back, almost slipping, but he recovered quickly, removing his bag and tossing it on the ground so it couldn't be used against him.
San leapt forward, using his body to slam against the coyote and keep him from landing on Louis. "Yeah, probably not a good idea to fire that thing in broad daylight! Want me to handle this, or nah?"
"What do you mean by 'handle'?!" Louis called, keeping the gun trained—or trying to—on the canine.
"Get him incapacitated so Kyuu can tie him up and we can be on our way!" San dodged a claw swipe, as the coyote seemed to now focus on him. The alpaca flowed like water dodging the attacks, still managing to talk at the same time.
As if summoned, Kyuu appeared next to Louis. "Wow, you guys are still struggling with this one?"
"I didn't want to have to do anything!" Louis shouted. "Why couldn't we just go!"
"You tried and you got cut off," Kyuu pointed out, plainly.
"He's just confused!" Louis called. "H-he can be convinced not to—"
Kyuu rolled her eyes. "You should work for Gouhin."
Meanwhile, San dodged the coyote's attacks while also landing blows to the back of his ankles, causing him to slowly become immobilized.
"Don't hurt him too much!" Louis spouted, watching with a pain in his chest.
San slid beneath the canine's legs and brought them together, twisting them and bringing the animal to the ground. That's when Kyuu sprung forward with a rope Louis hadn't seen her carrying. She quickly got it around the growling, howling coyote. The alpaca stepped back to allow her to do her work, which resulted in one tied up and thrashing carnivore on the ground.
San stepped toward Louis. "We usually leave small fry out like this until someone reports them to Gouhin."
"You...leave them out?" Louis blinked.
"What else are we gonna do with them?" San asked.
"...I don't know. Can we get going now?" His eyes were trained on the struggling carnivore, a tightness in his chest. If that were Legosi...
Said carnivore had now stopped growling and yelling, the glaze from his eyes receding. He just panted in exhaustion, looking up at the three herbivores.
Louis met his eyes. "..."
"Wh-who the fuck are you guys?" the coyote asked, confusion clear in his voice.
Louis knelt down. "I'm just an innocent deer. The gun was only for protection." He put it away now, then slowly reached out and pet the coyote's head, instinctually. "You'll be okay."
The canine flinched with a sharp intake of breath, but he soon relaxed at the touch. "Wh-who's gonna come untie me...?"
San walked over. "You'll be picked up by the black market's psychiatrist in due time, just like the friend you were with. He'll help rehabilitate you two so you won't go attacking herbivores for your meat craving."
Louis kept stroking, feeling relaxed himself, from the familiar motion. "It's up to you to decide if you really want to go down that road. And for what? A good meal? You would become a murderer for that? You would kill someone with a life? You said I wouldn't be missed, but I have a husband waiting for me at home. And I guarantee you, if he found out you killed me, you would wish I had shot you."
The coyote said nothing, simply staring straight ahead.
San whistled. "Wow, did Gouhin teach you how to pacify carnivores? I mean it didn't really work at first, but..."
"No. My husband is a wolf." Louis stood up and grabbed his satchel from the ground, slipping it over his shoulders. "Now, shall we?"
San and Kyuu stared at him, wide-eyed, before showing the way, once more.
It was silent for a bit until San broke the calm. It seemed he was good at that. "So, a wolf husband, huh? Ichi said you hung around a male wolf, but I didn't know it was...that."
"Yes. A gorgeous one, too. That's why I find it so ridiculous that he had to be threatened for me to come here."
Kyuu took out another cigarette. "Ichi doesn't trust any carnivores."
"It's true, and really it is safest if no carnivores whatsoever find out about our group," San followed up. He then bent his long neck down to look at Louis more directly. "So...how does that work? Being with a carnivore?"
"The same as any other relationship. I don't see why it's so astonishing to you. And don't worry, he thinks I'm following up on a job interview."
"Well, we lived most of our life back here in the BAM where most carnivores eat meat, and there are whole crime syndicates who view us as food. Can't blame me for being a little bit surprised," San pouted.
Louis sighed. "Mm."
They navigated a few more alleyways before an old, dilapidated tower came into view, surrounded by a few equally falling apart buildings.
The buck looked up, looking up at his former prison for the first time in many years. He had left this place, but he had never forgotten it. How could he?
San put an arm around him. "Hey, you okay?"
"I don't understand what forces of nature led me back to this place. I should be home with my wolf right now..."
"I know it hurts to be back here, but we reclaimed it. Those animals that destroyed our childhoods are gone and we control our own fates now. Just try to breathe and stay with us." San lead him forward, Kyuu marching on ahead.
"Whatever gets this over with faster."
Kyuu slipped around the side and San led Louis there, too. They went around the corner and the rabbit was gone.
"So, where is Ichi?" Louis asked, tilting his head.
"He'll be at the top of the tower." San walked forward, reaching down at a latch to some basement doors. "We could take the elevator, but I think we should take the stairs so you can meet the team."
"Team," Louis repeated. "I think I'd like to speak with him first, if you don't mind."
The alpaca opened the door with a groan. "Alright, I'll call him then."
"Good." The deer crossed his arms, sighing.
San hopped down, waiting for Louis to follow.
The buck went along, looking around at the faded bricks. He got the same feeling he did back at the Horns Conglomerate.
The other herbivore reached into his pocket and pulled out a flashlight as he closed the door above them. "Wonder who's on sentry duty right now..."
"Sentry duty? You really need to keep watch?"
"Just in case." San pulled out a flip phone and started a call as they continued to walk. "Yeah. Yeah, he's here. Bye." Clack.
"Do you all use flip phones?" Louis blinked.
"They're burners. Ichi got them all for us to maintain some secrecy."
"Ah, alright. So, how long will it take him to get down here?"
"He'll probably be in the main room when we get there."
They turned a corner and met some concrete steps going upward. They trudged along them and ended up on a small landing. Behind the table sat a white horse wearing a black hoodie and jeans. His feet were propped up, revealing a '6' drawn onto the sole of his right shoe. He gave a small wave. "Yo. Kyuu said you guys were coming up."
The horse laughed out loud. "Where'd you find this guy?"
San laughed with him. "This is Shi!"
The large herbivore snorted. "Then you know more than anyone why I have a goddamned 6 on my shoe!"
"Well, maybe not." San turned to Louis. "See, it was only us four that survived, so other members are assigned numbers."
"...That's right," Louis nodded. "I guess they don't have them actually on their feet like we do. How are the numbers decided? By order?"
"By order," San explained. "'7' is left empty, though. You'll have to ask Ichi about that." The alpaca turned to the horse. "So, Roku, gonna let us in?"
"I suppose neither of you look like carnivores in disguise, so..." Roku stood up and took his key out, unlocking the door and opening it.
Louis looked at the horse. "I'm Louis. Nice to meet you."
He smiled and shook his hand. "Hello! Call me Roku here."
"Okay." The stag gave a little wave as he went through the door.
Through the door was the main lobby. Natural light shown through multiple holes in the structure, illuminating the large space. Plants grew here and there and a lone buck stood in the center, illuminated by sunlight. He looked over at Louis and smiled.
"Shi! Welcome!" Ichi shot his hands out in a spectacular fashion.
Louis rolled his eye. "Yo."
San bowed and walked away, whispering something about finding him later.
"I see you came by punctually. Good." Ichi folded his arms behind his back and walked forward. He wasn't wearing his trench coat anymore, only a black turtleneck sweater along with his black jeans and combat boots. The vial of blood remained around his neck.
"I guess so. Though, we did run into some trouble on the way here. Thank god nothing happened..."
Ichi smirked and raised his chin. "Trouble, hm? Did you get to see how adept Kyuu and San are?"
"Sure. I was thankful I didn't have to shoot him...That poor carnivore..."
"Yes, yes." Ichi waved his hand in the air, dismissively. "I'm sure you saw Kyuu and San's strategy. Leaving them out for the market's doctor to pick up."
"I'm glad. Even if he did attack me...I'm sure he could have been convinced if I just had more time..."
"Yes, well, I hope you don't believe talking is going to do anything when we face crime lords selling herbivore children," Ichi sighed, his face scrunched up.
"...Perhaps."
"I'll harden you up yet, Shi," Ichi said with a hand on his shoulder. "Now, let's meet the rest of the Branded."
"Branded? Is that what you call yourselves?"
"Why, yes! Seemed only fitting, even if only four of us are truly branded..."
"I...see."
"How do you feel being back here after so long? I can't imagine it's pleasant."
"None of this is fucking pleasant, Ichi."
The other buck smiled. "Well, not everything worth doing is pleasant. We are going to round up everyone and bring them to the top of the tower for your commencement. I'll go get Roku."
"...So what do you want me to do?"
"Follow me, meet the others." Ichi walked over to the door they entered from and knocked on it. It creaked open.
The horse on the other side nodded. "Ichi."
"Come with us. None of the members are out right now so we don't need you to let anyone in."
Roku nodded, stood up, and joined them after locking the door behind him.
Louis stayed quiet, following them.
Ichi took the two and headed toward some metal stairs. Roku leaned down to Louis. "So, it's really true that you and Ichi were cellmates here as kids?"
"Yes, it is." They began to ascend the steps. "I guess he's thankful that I protected him back then," Louis shrugged.
"I'm right here, you know," Ichi commented. "It was an immutable sign of our bond and friendship, even before I could understand language."
"...Or maybe it was just doing the right thing."
"Wow, so noble!" Roku exclaimed. "And here you are, back together to take down the filth of the black market!"
"Apparently." They reached the top of the stairs in a matter of time and there was another door.
Ichi pushed it open and they were immediately greeted by a red panda wearing a white tee shirt and grey shorts. "Heeey, Ichi. Welcome back. I see you brought fresh meat."
Louis raised a brow. "Weh?"
Roku scoffed. "Don't worry about Go, here. Dark sense of humor in that cute little body."
Ichi raised his voice over the horse's. "Good morning, Go. Yes, at long last Shi has joined us."
The red panda put his hands on his hips. "Looks pretty gay for a guy you talk so highly about. It's weird seeing a deer without antlers."
"We all shed them, Go. It's normal. He's cut from the same cloth as Kyuu, San, and I, just not as weathered. Show him respect."
Louis chuckled. "Actually they were removed. I mean, I had basically just gotten them back before then...I'm getting used to it."
"Oh shit, do they not grow back if they're removed?" Roku asked.
"No, they do, they do. It'll just take a while."
Go tapped his chin. "Did they let ya keep them? Can I have them?"
Louis raised a brow. "What? No, I don't know what they did with them."
"But I wanna impersonate Ichi!" He put some fingers over his head, then spoke in a deep voice. "Look, I'm Ichi. Shi is so cool and awesome and you guys should give him your full respect even though he's literally done nothing to prove anything I say. Bleh!" He stuck his tongue out.
Roku smacked the smaller animal on the head. "Shut it!"
"Bleh bleh bleh!"
Louis blinked, looking toward the slightly older deer with the tangled antlers.
Ichi sighed. "Don't mind him. His skills are extraordinary but his...personality is one you must learn to tolerate."
Go walked up to him and poked his legs. "Aw, c'mon master, you tolerate me! Without me, we'd have no fucking fun here!"
Ichi smiled and looked down. "What about San? He's a jolly one."
"But his combat skills aren't as cool as mine. Get this, Shi! I use claws when I fight."
Louis raised a brow.
"It's like these gloves with metal claws on the end that can slice and dice anything in their way. Pretty cool, huh?"
The deer pursed his lips. "Are they like canine claws?"
Go shrugged. "I dunno, man, they're just claws. Why?"
"Ah, well my husband has claws and I really admire them. I'm not sure why I asked, really."
Go blinked. "Husband? Claws? What, is he a carnivore or something?" A small laugh with a snort came out.
"Yes."
"Ahahaha!"
"Oh, you're serious? Uh...wow. Okay, then."
Roku gawked at him and Ichi just groaned and covered his face. "Shi, please refrain from talking about this here."
Louis blinked. "Don't look so uncomfortable..."
Go cleared his throat. "I, um...I'm going to go...elsewhere. Nice to meet you, Shi. Uh...yeah..." He walked away, quickly.
The deer turned to Ichi. "What's wrong with him?"
The buck ignored him and called out. "Go, you need to be present for the commencement! You'd better get your ass to the top floor when I call you!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Louis asked again. "No seriously, what's wrong with him?"
A goat got up from a couch in the room, Louis not even noticing that he was there due to how still he was being. "He's upset because his sister was eaten by her carnivore mate after being introduced to their family."
"...Oh," the antlerless deer got out.
"Yes, so ease up on the carnivore husband talk around him. It's insensitive, Shi."
"Uh...okay..." He had a thought. "But just so you know, mine isn't like that! He's come so far and he's really amazing and—"
"Shi! This is Ni," Ichi gestured toward the squinting animal.
The goat crossed his arms. "Pleasure. We've all heard about you. Of course, you don't look like much to me."
Louis shook his head. "That's because I'm not. I'm just a simple deer with a—"
"A carnivore husband. Shut up, Shi, will you?"
Louis swallowed. "...Apologies."
"Uh, I'll be up ahead." Roku, who had looked increasingly uncomfortable since Legosi was brought up, slinked off.
Ichi rubbed his temples. "Alright, let's go on, then."
They moved to a room, finding an elk meditating on a mat surrounded by candles, the room bathed in a dim orange light. They walked in further and the cervid opened their eyes, looking at Louis, then at Ichi.
"This is Hachi. Hachi, this is Shi."
The elk nodded, face remaining blank.
Louis waved. "Nice to meet you. I like your horns."
The other animal just stared.
"Uh..."
Ichi placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. They can't talk."
"Are they okay?"
"Yes," was all Ichi could offer. He turned back to Hachi. "We're having a commencement for Shi soon. I'll summon you when the time comes."
The elk nodded, closing their eyes and returning to meditating.
Ichi led Louis along, once again. "We're going to pass by where the cells are. Just thought I should let you know so you can prepare yourself."
"...Oh. Alright. I'll try and get ready."
As the buck said, the walls around them were replaced by rusted bars. Each of the rooms were now filled with proper furniture, though. Some even had punching bags.
Louis blinked. "What is all this?"
"Our living space." The two passed by a cell where San and Kyuu were doing stretches.
"...You escaped your cell and then...came back?"
"Yes. It's the perfect base. Nobody wants to touch this place."
"I told him we reclaimed it!" San shouted out. "Can't let this place have its shadow over you if you reclaim it!"
"That too," Ichi agreed. "And by doing this, we insure it is never used to harm anyone else again."
"I guess that makes sense. So...why did you bring me here? Just to show me where you live?"
Ichi stared at him, deadpan. "Have you not heard we are performing your commencement?"
"What? No, of course I did. Many times. I just didn't know where we were doing it..."
"Top of the tower. To get there, we have to go through all the rooms. I figured I might as well introduce you to everyone and everything."
"It's all...different, I guess. I'd still rather be home with Legosi, though."
Ichi looked away. "You'll go home after the commencement and after we go over a few things. I'll give you a schedule that will convince him you have a job. And I will compensate you, as I promised before."
"Thank you. Let's hurry along with it, then."
They walked by the rabbit and alpaca, heading toward some more stairs.
"So, how was your reunion with San and Kyuu? Besides the...excitement," Ichi asked.
"It wasn't really anything. They're not the same animals they used to be. Like distant memories," Louis sighed.
Ichi nodded, sadly. "Yes, we were all scared kids back then. You didn't grow up with us, either. It only makes sense we're all strangers to you now."
"Don't look so sad. It's been interesting seeing you, but I don't even want to do this and yet...you're making me."
"You'll understand soon enough, Shi. I know you probably hate me, but in the end you'll be thankful that I brought you here."
Louis stepped in front of him, looking in his eyes. "Legosi is the only thing that matters to me. I don't care about being a vigilante or...taking down crime gangs. I just want a quiet life under a sky full of stars. So, no, I don't think I'll be thankful, Ichi. But...I don't hate you, either, for whatever reason."
Ichi's emerald eyes bore into his single amber one. "Because...we are cut from the same cloth."
"Well, I'm not letting anything get in my way." The same fire he usually got in his eye was there.
Ichi simply nodded and they made their way upstairs.
"Ichi-san!" A feminine voice called from behind them. "Wait for me!"
The two turned around to see a sparrow flying up after them.
Ichi greeted her. "Ah, Juu. Good timing."
Louis squinted. "You're the spy, I assume?"
Juu landed on the step behind him and ascended with them. "I am. You have a very interesting life with that...carnivore."
"How does it feel invading our privacy?"
She shrugged. "It's my job, so it feels like work. You guys are so boring. You just walk around and play and cuddle. Eugh. How has he not eaten you by now?"
Louis sighed. "Because...he's good. He never will."
"Pfft. Alright, Shi. Well, enough about that mess! Are you excited for your commencement?"
"Considering I have no idea what it is. No."
"You won't be entirely enthused, I know that for sure," Ichi commented. "But it's one step closer to getting you back home with the wolf."
"Then for the millionth time, let's get it over with," Louis demanded.
Ichi reached into his back pocket and precured a butterfly knife. He flipped it around his hand and grinned. "Yes. Let's."