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."

"Chose the wrong place, kid," Gouhin huffed. "Well then, aren't you going to change out of that doll dress?"

"Is it time yet, Ms Ten?" asked Arthur, turning his head to the direction of the red vixen. Ten was impressed at how Arthur's hearing is making up for his blindness. "What is the time now?"

"12.30 A.M," Ten answered. "Another thirty minutes and he will be done. If you males are going to stick around, you better wear a dress. Or we could settle this in a duel."

"Absolutely not," Dr Kirk told her firmly. "There's been enough excitement for tonight. Arthur, you told me about your experience with the Shishigumi with one of your friend and now you are doing it again. You feeling alright after all of this?"

Arthur shrugged. "It's fine with me, dad. But yeah, I learnt a lot from spending time with all of the gang. Don't worry, I did not bang the gong or cause a ruckus."

...

So, it was agreed that Arthur and Agata will get changed while Legosi was sitting out with Dr Kirk and Gouhin among the Inarigumi. Aoba has gone to check on his best friend.

"To be honest," Ten grumbled while adjusting her eyepatch. "I don't really care about these pointless wars. I just want to make things better for us vixens."

Dr Kirk, who was offered a cup of Jasmine tea sipped while listening to her carefully. "To prevent mistreatment and abuse? I'm asking because I noticed your eye."

Before Ten could answer, the giant panda gestured the grey wolf to get up. Dr Kirk turned around to watch them. "Where are you going?"

"There's something I need to discuss with Legosi here. Don't worry about us, Kirk. Just get your son back home."

With that, both wolf and panda exited the compound, leaving Dr Kirk alone in the living room with the leader of the Inarigumi along with her followers.

"To answer your question," Ten interrupted the Honduran white bat. "Yes, it's to change how males view us female foxes. Every animal, whether herbivore or carnivore would view us as temptresses that seduced any male and only exist to look pretty."

"I see," Dr Kirk nodded, his amber eyes pitied her for having a single eye. "But you managed to build a reputation for yourself and the other females here. That's quite an accomplishment even if it's not a civil one. Civil is a very broad term if you ask me since for us in the field of science, it's not about questioning things but trying out the questionable things."

The red vixen's ears lowered and her fur fluffed up. The other members noticed this but a raised paw from Ten prevented them from stepping any further.

"Your wife must be very lucky to have you for a husband and a talented musician as a son," Ten geckered. "You have an interesting way of seeing things."

But Dr Kirk's expression changed and his amber eyes lowered. He took off his glasses to wipe them as he talked. "Ah...that. She and I never met ever since Arthur's eyes opened..."

Now all the foxes stared at him, clearly wanting to know why his wife left him just because their son was blind.

"I'd probably bore you if I tell you," Dr Kirk's voice was distant as he got up, dusting himself. "Well, there's my son and his two friends. Thank you for not eating any one of us or turning us into what we would call a 'giggolo'."

Ten was trying to stifled a laugh but composed herself. Both Arthur and Agata were dressed back in their former attire and needless to say she would want the little bat to stay longer.

Arthur smiled as he was holding Aoba's wing and bids goodbye to Agata. Dr Kirk hugged his son and then looked at the gang.

"Well, thank you again," said Arthur who bowed his head.

"Shall we leave, son?" asked Dr Kirk, watching his son and his eagle friend getting ready. Nodding, the three of them left with Dr Kirk flying to lead them out.

Ten let out a sigh of relief before leaning back into the chair. She has never met such bats such as Arthur or his father.

...

"We moved here and now you had a lot of adventures," Dr Kirk chuckled as they entered Cherryton Academy. No one stopped them because Dr Kirk is a parental guardian and also a respected astronomer from a prestigious university.

Not even the scary dorm mother Doriru, who is a mandrill.

"As crazy as it might sound," began Aoba, patting a tired Arthur on the back. "You were very brave to handle all of those gangs without fighting."

"Well, I did fought once," Arthur laughed nervously. "It was something similar to boxing but they called it something else."

"Ah..."

The three of them entered the Chiroptera dorm and Arthur was glad to be able to shower and change into his pyjamas. When he opened his mouth to detect the presence in the room, he realised Aoba was still here.

"Aren't you going back to your dorm, Aoba?" enquired Arthur. "It's getting late."

"You're not going to believe this," the bald eagle smiled, a hint of excitement in his tone. "I'm sleeping over here with you! I've been granted permission before Legosi and I went out to find you."

Arthur has the biggest smile his father has ever seen. He was happy that his own son is adjust well to Cherryton. And having Aoba as a friend was something special. He watched as the both of them hugged before discussing about where to sleep.

It was time for Dr Kirk to leave but he wants to talk to his son about something. The both of them hanged upside down on a nearby tree branch that's a wing away from Arthur's window.

"Whatever happens, Arthur," Dr Kirk began. "I support you as a father and as an explorer. I may not be able to explore the galaxies but I still cling onto hope one day. I heard about your Gryphon Cross friends coming here."

Arthur tilted his head, was feeling the warmth of his father's earlier comment. "How did you know about that?"

"Judge Nadir told me."

"Ah, Sameer's dad still keeps in touch with you?"

"Of course! He and I are friends outside of work despite the number of cases the Supreme Court's been giving him. No matter what, you are you. Gryphon Cross, Cherryton, you are the one to decide where your heart belongs to."

"I understand," Arthur nodded. "Dad....can I ask you something?"

"Of course, son. What is it?"

"Would you ever remarry again?"

This unexpected bombshell of a question almost made Dr Kirk fall from the branch. "Son....I'm a very old bat with an unhinged schedule. I won't have time to start another relationship. Also, if I have free time such as now, I'd rather attend to my hobbies."

"Oh....just curious, that's all...."

With that being said both father and son bid each other goodnight. Arthur climbed back into his dorm through the window. He felt something beneath his feet that was crumpled. Picking it up, he traced the paper and his eyes widened in shock.

"Aoba?"

"Hmmm?" his friend's muffled voice answered.

"Is this morse code from you?"

"Yeah, it was. Technically it's from Mizuchi but she wanted me to give it to you. What does it say, Arthur?"

"I-it says," Arthur stuttered. "It says 'I love you'."