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

Chapter 54 - Sink Into

Louis returned to where San and Kyuu were. "Hey, I'm back."

San looked over at him, beaming. "Oh, hey! Welcome back!"

Kyuu took the cigarette out of her mouth and let some smoke out. "How was Go?"

"Go was...Go. He was acting kind of strange. I don't really know."

"Then Go was Go." Kyuu put the object back in her mouth.

"So, Shi, have you ever fought before?" San asked.

"Not truly, no."

"Have you used that gun, then?"

"A few times."

"Well, do you wanna learn some fighting or self-defense?" San started hopping from one foot to the other. "When you have your chimera it will probably help."

"You keep talking about it. Why?"

"About what?" The alpaca cocked his head at the buck, his long neck bending.

"The Chimera."

"Well, yeah! If Ichi's theory is correct and us branded animals are the only ones that can form one, you should be able to as well!"

"I know, I know. I don't think we'll get into it quite yet," Louis shook his head. "Plus, I use a gun with a silencer it looks like."

San shrugged. "Alright, then. Just come to hang out?"

"We can hang out. Or whatever you want. I'm not really sure how to fit in here."

"Well, you don't live here, so I think you might always feel that way," San admitted.

"Ah...I guess so," Louis frowned. He walked closer. "I still would like to have friends here...maybe."

San chuckled. "I'm your friend, aren't I? How about you, Kyuu?"

The rabbit delivered a roundhouse kick to the dummy before turning to them and staring with her large eyes.

The deer shook his head. "I guess not. Maybe one day."

"Ah, don't worry about it. Kyuu seems cold but she's got a warm, beating heart underneath that ice cube. Right, Kyuu?"

The rabbit said nothing, instead going back to her training.

Louis chuckled. "I get that."

"Hey Kyuu! How about you show Shi your chimera!"

Kyuu stopped again, turning around and looking annoyed. "Why?"

"Well, he's only seen Ichi's, and Ichi's is the only one like it. He should see what his is probably gonna look like."

"Is yours frightening like his?" Louis queried.

Kyuu shrugged while San answered. "Well, you probably noticed how we call them chimeras, but Ichi's isn't exactly...well...a mix of animals. Plus the way he projects it is so effortless. I honestly don't understand it. But Kyuu, show him how you do yours."

The rabbit sighed and turned around. "Okay, fine. Shi? Keep your eyes on me. Also stand back."

The buck moved and turned his head, looking at the bunny.

Kyuu walked over to some rope on the ground and picked it up. There appeared to be a metal, clawed appendage at the one end. She moved to the center of the room again and started swinging the rope. Louis flinched and moved back, still observing. The rope moved faster and faster, moving like liquid above her. Then, in the space above the small herbivore, the apparition of a large, black and white furred animal appeared. It appeared bear-like with long ears. Soon, Kyuu and the ropes disappeared, replaced only by the strange hybrid.