Music of the Night

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The door bursted open and the Inarigumi saw four males in their way: a giant panda, a bald eagle, a grey wolf and finally another Honduran white bat but with spectacles that enhanced those amber eyes.

Ten has never seen such eyes that reminded her of the sun.

"Alright," the panda growled. "Where is-Oh, you have got to be kidding me! Please tell me that I'm not seeing a lion and a young bat dressed up in drag!"

"I-it's not what you think!" Arthur raised his his wings in protest. "We were told to wear dresses."

Arthur opened his mouth and nothing came out. His cloudy blue eyes widened and he had a sharp tooth smile that revealed his fangs. The older bat, Ten assumed to be the father, smiled before he hugs his son.

"That was a bit loud, Arthur," he told him. "But don't worry. We're here now and do you mind telling me why did they dress you up like a baby in the 19th century? More importantly, what are you doing here, getting involved with organisations?"

Ten and even the other animals were confused at why the middle-aged bat has not lash out over the fact that his own son was in a dress or getting involved with the most dangerous organisations in the Black Market. The grey wolf's fur bristled with anticipation, crouching close to the little bats. The bald eagle glared at the vixens, not caring if the younger members had seductive expressions. But the giant panda, he was the most intimidating!

"It's a long story, dad," Arthur had his ears down in embarrassment. "Aoba...Legosi...you're here too? And am I detecting a bear with you?"

"Damn right you are! Geez, Kirk! He's got a few things from you except his eyes."

"Arthur actually looks like a doll in that dress," commented the grey wolf. The bald eagle who kneeled down to Arthur's level was assuring him something. The little bat's fur was not fluffing up.

"A friend-colleague of mine," his father chuckled. "Dr Gouhin, the giant panda that runs the clinic here. Now...what have you foxes done to my son? And what is this lion doing here?"

Ten's fur bristled in frustration. How dare this male assumed that they would do something deviant to the young bat! She was starting to warm up to the little pup. This old bat thinks that he could stare her down with those amber eyes?

He's shorter than her!

"Listen, Kike-"

"Kirk!" the middle-aged bat interrupted her. "Dr Kirk if you please. I don't know why my son is here but we will be taking him from here. It's getting rather late, isn't it?"

There was a disgruntled growl from the panda. "Kirk, these are the Inarigumi. Do you really think they are going to give him back so easily? Especially him and a member of the Shishigumi are dressing up for their gala?"

"Wait!" Arthur raised both of his wings, the expression he had was a mixture of worry and fear. "Agata, this member of the Shishigumi has been protecting me the entire time. It's my fault, really..."

"What?" the bald eagle clicked his beak, trying to understand the whole situation. "You were involved in a carnivorous gang?"

"Hold on!" Agata roared, making the grey wolf bare his teeth to defend his friends. "I'm the one who dragged Arthur into all of this. You see, it's our boss' orders to dissipate the war that's been going on here in this Black Market. Since this little bat's been giving us an alternative, we thought he could so the same for the others."

"Not like a pawn," Arthur assured all of them, the nervousness in his voice was creeping in. "It was also a benefit for me to understand a different side of life."