2. H O L Y W A R : Peacekeepers

CHAPTER III

The sun poked its way through the window as D'kala's alarm went off. He half-snored, half-snorted and lifted his head, blinking at his clock through crusty eyes. It flashed the numbers "7:15" in his face, reminding him that he only had 45 minutes before his first class.

Art, D'kala thought sleepily, rolling out of his bed onto the wooden floor. Like all cats, of course, he landed on his feet, making it easier for him to immediately make his way into the bathroom.

After brushing his teeth and hair and getting dressed, D'kala wandered into his kitchen—and stared at Kia, who was sitting at the table, eating the cereal he'd bought the day before. "...Kia?" D'kala said, confused. "What are you doing in my apartment?"

"Hm?" Kia looked over her shoulder and replied with a full mouth, "M'kn' shrr yrrup."

"Pardon?"

Kia swallowed and repeated, "Making sure you're up." She jumped to her feet and added, "Congratulations—you are! So let's get going!"

"Wait, but I need to eat—"

"There's time for eating later!" Kia interrupted, bouncing on her toes. "C'mon, DK, let's gooooo!"

D'kala didn't budge. "I'm eating," he insisted.

Kia pouted and sat back down. "You're killin' my vibe here, man," she grumbled.

"My sincerest apologies," D'kala replied sarcastically.

-

After both of them ate, D'kala and Kia headed out to Z.P.A., which was only about five minutes from their apartment complex. "I can't wait for my first class!" Kia exulted. "Advanced Chemistry is gonna be lit!"

"I have art, so I suppose we won't meet until math," D'kala said. "But I think—"

He paused as both of their ears pricked up. They could hear yells coming from the distance, and both of them instantly knew exactly where they were coming from. The Felinians shared a look—and then sprinted toward Z.P.A.

In front of the school, a large crowd of students had gathered and formed a ring. In the middle of it, D'kala and Kia saw Ruben leering down at Addison, who was struggling to get to his feet. "C'mon, ya lil' queer!" Ruben was saying. "Up n' at 'em!"

"Leave him alone!" Damian shouted, fighting against the grip of two of Ruben's friends while the third kept Sahara at bay with a vicious chokehold.

"Oh, no," Kia muttered. "That doesn't look good."

D'kala narrowed his eyes and removed his backpack, shoving it into Kia's arms. "Hold this, please," he growled, slipping into the crowd.

"What the—DK?!" Kia cried. "Where are you going?"

D'kala ignored her, easily sliding past the cluster of students and emerging in the ring just as Ruben was about to land another punch on Addison's already-blackened eye.

However, D'kala's appearance surprised the dog, and he barked, "Hey! Get outta the ring, idiot!"

Addison took advantage of the distraction and lunged forward with a grunt, tackling Ruben to the ground. Ruben let out an angry yell as the two began to wrestle.

"ENOUGH!" D'kala thundered.

At the sheer volume of his voice, everyone cheering on the combatants fell silent.

Ruben and Addison stopped fighting, with Ruben holding Addison's face against the ground.

Zechariah, who had just appeared at the school's doors, lifted his chin, observing in silence.