Chapter 75

Beep...Beep...Beep...

The sounds of the heart monitor echoed the hospital wing. Several animals gathered, worried about the scrap of white fluff that was laying in the hospital bed. An oxygen mask had covered his face while a few wounds were sewn, especially at the throat.

Dr Kirk had dropped everything from work since he knows when to prioritise family over his gruesome work hours. He was thankful to have Dr Connor submit some of his files and papers to Manticore University's science department since he trusted the Nile crocodile with the spare keys. He wanted Ten to stay at home because of her condition but despite feeling lethargic, she insisted on coming with him to the hospital.

He was hanging upside down on the hospital ceiling, observing his son and the monitor next to him. The old Honduran white bat received the news from his fiancée's right hand vixen, who was at the Black Market. Of course Ten still gives orders despite her condition. She was sitting on a chair on the opposite side, holding Arthur's wing while a tear slides down her face.

She really loved Arthur like a son.

Besides the two of them, Dr Kirk's visitors were a leopard in a casual t-shirt and slacks, a Komodo dragon donning a face mask that covered most of his snout while in a tank top and shorts; and finally, Agata the Congo lion in a rather loose plain shirt and pants.

'These must be each member of the gang at the Black Market,' Dr Kirk thought to himself, recognising the lion with a nod. These large carnivores had to crouch to take a look at the poor state of his son. Arthur must've impacted them somehow because he could sense anger, pain and disbelief in the room's atmosphere.

"I will hunt that rabbit down," the leopard growled, his hand was tightened into a fist. "That idiot didn't even bother to brush his fur off. I'd say it's an expensive type of species."

Dr Kirk pinched the bridge of his leaf-shaped nose. "It's that harlequin buck, isn't it? I never knew someone would go great lengths just because Mizuchi rejected him for cheating on her. I don't blame her for leaving him."

"Males are so dense that they threw a tantrum when things don't get in their way," Ten huffed, her tail swishing irritably. She looked at the other males in the room, noting their expressions. "No offence, though."

"None taken," said Agata, raising both of his paws. "So should we do something about that rabbit? His scent is very strong, surprised that he decided to put cologne when he assaulted Arthur."

"For once, I agree with the hairball," the leopard nodded. "We should hunt him down and kill him when we get that long-eared Lagomorph. I heard a harlequin rabbit's foot is almost as lucky as a bat's presence."

"I hope you are not referring to us," Dr Kirk twitched his ears, a small smile formed on his face. "You know that his family would be after you and the police as well?"

The four gang members that were present became silent. They were unsure how to tell Dr Kirk that the police tend to stay away from gang wars. Some of them even had the police on their side for a few reasons.

The heart monitor was still beeping slowly.

The Komodo dragon, still leaning his back against the wall decided to stand straight. "I think the first thing we should do is capture that harlequin rabbit and send a message to his family. If he goes on to pursue the little lady and Arthur, his foot is coming off. After all, I heard that he used a carnivore-induced drug to enhance his body to give the bat that kind of damage. I think one of the members had the video captured on his phone."

Everyone in the room stared at him, especially Dr Kirk in disbelief. "You sound young. Well, I might not like the techniques but I agree he can't get away scot-free. Those are some vital information, er..."

"Isaiah," the Komodo dragon bowed, his eyes crinkled. "Arthur's a good bat. He's nice to me even though the Dokugumi gave him hell that night."

The other gang members murmured in agreement. Dr Kirk was touched by how his son has been a good influence on them. And this Komodo dragon might as well be the same age despite the size. Then again, he shouldn't criticise how these animals do in life.

"I think," sighed Dr Kirk, removing his glasses to clean the fog before placing them back on. "We should capture and apprehend the young harlequin buck. Since you have the evidence, it is important to show it to the police and let the law decide."

Agata stepped forward and gazed up at the old bat. "I think you should be the one to talk to the police. Because you know..."

"Ah, I forgot about how you lot are from gangs. It's odd actually but then again, so is life! If it's alright, Ten and I would like to spend some time with our son."

The other members blinked until Agata noticed a slight change in the Inarigumi leader's body. He bowed politely, gesturing the others to leave. Dr Kirk even requested the nurse to not have anyone visiting for now.

"Oh, Arthur," Ten nuzzled the poor bat whose shallow breathing reflected the heart monitor. "Please wake up...Please, my son..."

Dr Kirk had tears welled up in his eyes since Arthur is his precious boy. He joined his fiancée, gently holding onto Arthur's other wing. He watched Ten traced his two fingers close to her belly.

"Hey, can you feel that?" she asked, voice quivering. "Arthur, you're going to be a big brother. Your siblings want to meet you. Please, Arthur...Arthur wake up..."

The only sounds that they heard right now were the beeping of the heart monitor and the wrecked sobs of a vixen. Dr Kirk had to be strong in this moment. He grieved not only for his injured son but the fate that fell upon him.

He will ensure that no matter what happens, he will be there to help.

'Nocturna,' he thought to himself, silently praying. 'Please wake him up...I can't lose my son...I can't...'

...

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Mizuchi demanded, shaking Genji by the shoulder. That buck HAD the audacity to show up in front of the house just to get back together with her. Of course her parents let him in since he is from another well-to-do family.

"Mizuchi, give up on him," Genji insisted, his ears drooped down to make himself vulnerable. "A blind animal's not the kind of life you want. He's going to ruin you in the future!"

With that, Genji's face was met with a tight slap.

"Get out," Mizuchi told him firmly, her voice was barely audible. "If I ever see you ever again, I will call the police. If you try to harm Arthur or any one close to him, I will sell you to one of the gangs."

Genji's eyes widened. "No...Mizuchi, you wouldn't-"

"I will and make sure you don't bother me again," the moonlight behind her while they were outside made Genji stepped back. It was like half of her face was covered by the darkness while the other was glaring at him with those dark green eyes.

"Open your eyes, Genji. I love Arthur because he's kind, funny and respects me as who I am. I don't care that he's a bat or the fact that he's blind. He...He opened my eyes to understand there's more than what I have been taught. Carnivore, herbivore, Arthur showed not just me that we all have our limits but we make the best of it. In a sense, his blindness may be his limit but he has touched upon so many including mine. Something you would never think of if it's right in front of you!"

She stepped forward and grabbed Genji by his ears, not caring that he was wincing in pain. She threw him out of the gate, her foot stamped the ground. It wasn't the first time she has had that habit to which her parents disapprove of.

"Leave me alone and never come back."

When Genji eventually left, Mizuchi began crying. First the dinner with her family has caused some rifts, giving her determination to leave for desired university, Genji's appearance at her doorstep and finally the news about Arthur.

The harlequin rabbit damn well knew that her family was trying to protect her but she has to take a bit of risks. After all, she has been observing both carnivores and herbivores from afar to sketch their bodies so that she has a rough idea on what style they could wear.

Risking life is what herbivores do since they are minutes away from death, intentionally and unintentionally.

She took out her phone, still teary-eyed to search for the animals that could help her. Her mind was already running and sleep was not going to help. Mizuchi hoped that her plan would be complete before tomorrow's graduation ceremony.