Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Hybrids.

The culmination of love between two different species. Against all odds, love had taken form into an awkward being and lived past conception.

No longer a concept.

A true, living being.

Legoshi's concept of what his child with Haru would be was a little off the mark. He was certain they were going to have a boy. So much so, that Haru got annoyed with him every time he insisted.

Her temper was shorter than usual during gestation.

She refused to let Legoshi pick out anything meant for a male pup. The color blue was banned from the nursery. She was sure they were going to have a girl.

"What makes you say that?" Legoshi had asked her one day. They were fighting over what color to paint the nursery again. For months, the walls were bare. They didn't have to paint it, but Haru wanted to. Of course, they couldn't agree so it felt counter intuitive.

A wall of swatches stood before them at the craft store. Hues upon hues of colors to choose from. It was dizzying. The repetitive patterns of squares were setting off his canine brain.

Haru straighted out, erecting her ears so that she would appear taller than she was. "Mothers intuition," she replied. "That's how I know."

"Really?" Legoshi scratched the side of his face. "That it?"

Haru puffed out her cheeks indignantly. "Well it's better than your explanation. What the hell is an Imaginary Chimera anyway?"

"Uhm..."

He hadn't told her about Kyuu or his training and thought it best to leave it at that. That was a couple years ago, their lives have moved on from the Black Market and Legoshi wanted it to stay that way— for the baby's sake.

They settled on painting the room a navy blue. Legoshi would've pointed out that navy blue was still, technically blue, but he wouldn't hear the end of it if he did. She only compromised by letting the nursery be themed after the night sky.

"We can paint the moon and stars," she said. "Ooh! Maybe we could get some of that glow in the dark paint! Wouldn't that be cute?"

Now that they weren't going back and forth anymore, Legoshi could truly stand back and admire her. Actually, he never stopped. Even when she was cross with him, he knew she didn't mean it. That was just the hormones speaking.

Part of him really liked it when she talked to him like that.

But now, she was practically lit up at the prospect of finally painting the nursery. He could feel the excitement wafting off of her.

"Yeah," he smiled. "Very cute."

Each time a box was opened, love permeated the room.

"No," Legoshi sniffed.

"Don't even lie!" Haru pulled on his cheeks affectionately. "I can see your eyes watering!"

"Er—"

"And if you cry, I'm going to cry and you know it's going to be worse because it's harder to control my emotions like this and it's all your fault."

Legoshi flattened one of his ears. "My fault that you're pregnant or my fault that you're crying?"

Just about everything out of her mouth was a contrivance these days. Then again, Haru was always like this. He couldn't so easily forget how she insisted that they'd get a divorce once they're married, right after proposing to him.

Always keeping him on his toes, his wife.

"Mm..." Haru draped herself over Legoshi.

"It's just that... The loveys your mother made for the baby. They're cute."

"That made you cry?"

"Oh, c'mon!"

"Blehh."

"Just last week you cried because we ran out of strawberry yogurt!"

Haru crinkled her nose at the memory. "Because you ate the last one!"

"I said I was sorry!"

Legoshi was prepared to apologize all over again when Haru started giggling. "I'm just messing with ya," she said. "Always so serious."

He sighed with relief and closed the decoupage box. "I'm going to kiss you."

Haru drew back. "Wha...?"

Legoshi's tail thumped across the floor. "Who's serious now?" He'd pin her down if she wasn't pregnant, but for now, she was at perfect kissing height from how he was sitting.

As their lips met, all fears of the future melted away in favor of indulging in the moment.

Maybe they could be like those loveys, Legoshi thought— eternally happy, smiling all the worries away.

Chapter Text

The place of the baby's birth was also a source of contention for Legoshi and Haru.

Haru wanted to give birth at home, surrounded by loved ones. The last thing she wanted was for the hospital room to be turned into some kind of circus because a hybrid baby was being born. They were going to crowd around and take the baby for extended periods of time to run tests.

She heard it all from Gosha and she had enough of it whenever she went for appointments.

Legoshi was only worried about the wellbeing of his wife and child. If something were to go wrong, the hospital would have the right equipment to make sure that things go right.

He did all his research while he was still in school and then some. Admittedly, his seventeen year old self was a little too enthusiastic about the prospect of marrying her.

It paid off though.

"Okay fine," Haru had said. She had been watching Legoshi page the living room for far too long and was growing increasingly irritated. "How about we have the at home birth-"

"But-"

Haru held up her hand, causing Legoshi to snap his jaw shut. "If needed," she continued, "we'll go to the hospital, okay?"

"Okay..."

A midwife and a doula were hired and they decided that it was best to choose one carnivore and one herbivore. They came from two different companies and when they arrived to the apartment to get a scope of the couple, they were puzzled at the presence of the other.

The midwife, a giraffe, craned her long neck to get a good look at the lioness doula at the door. She took note of her scrubs. "You're not a friend of the family, are you?"

The lioness smiled, hiding her teeth as it was customary for carnivores. "I'm not," she confirmed calmly. "You must be from the other company."

As tensions rose between the two females, the door opened to welcome them inside a world they have not yet known.

"Ah, Suyin-sama and Faang-sama. Welcome," Legoshi greeted.

Suyin, the giraffe, bristled. She couldn't believe her eyes, a wolf standing at the door! Her company strickly aided herbivores.

Although... It wasn't said directly on their site and marketing, but it was without needing to be said. Herbivores were always at risk of being eaten and in a heightened scenario where one gave birth, a carnivore was liable to lose control.

Haru joined Legoshi at the door, fueling the females' confusion. "Hello!"

Faang's jaw dropped, no longer concealing her teeth. "You're... You're a..."

"A rabbit, I know." Haru smiled. "I'm Haru, this is my husband, Legoshi."

Faang had spoken to a wolf on the phone, so she had been expecting a wolf couple.

Suyin and Faang felt duped. This couple purposely concealed their status!

"Please," Legoshi moved out of the way, "come inside."

Faang awardly sidestepped to allow Suyin to enter first, but the midwife was adamant that the lioness go first. Herbivores were uncomfortable to walk ahead in most situations. One never knows when they're going to be attacked. Faang was crestfallen as she passed the threshold.

The air inside the apartment was warm, the sickly kind of warmth that made skin scrawl. Uncertainty and discomfort wafted off of the females.

Legoshi bowed his head as a show of good faith. "Could I get you ladies anything?"

Neither one wanted to stay longer than they had to and politely refused.

"I'm just going to say it," Suyin said abruptly. She had to stoop her head or else it was going to touch the ceiling. "This is absurd. How could you trust a carnivore to aide a rabbit mother?"

Faang scoffed. "If you ask me, a giraffe for a midwife sounds counterintuitive. Your neck is too long and this rabbit is hardly taller than your knee."

Suyin was miffed. "I'll have you know that giraffes make the best midwives!" She upturned her chin with pride. "We giraffes give birth standing up."

"Well isn't that rich."

"Why, I-"

Legoshi held up his hands, suppressing his fur from bristling. "Ladies, please! You're distressing my wife. Do you want something bad to happen to the baby? In your field of work, that would leave a pretty nasty scar."

They looked down at Haru whose blood was rushing to her ears, making them appear bigger. She was trying not to show it, but she was fuming. "As you can obviously see," she said, straining her voice into a docile cadence, "we're an interspecies couple. So it's very important that we hear from both a carnivore and an herbivore."

Looking at the strange couple... If those two could make it work from a day to day life, there was no reason why two professionals couldn't.

Suyin and Faang exchanged glances- at least, the best they could considering the height difference. Suyin conceded first. "Okay. I can work with this. Delivering a hybrid baby would be good for my career." She held out her hand for Faang to shake. "Let's do business together."

Faang hesitated before she extended her own hand. "Let's."

On the day of the baby's arrival, Suyin and Faang put their differences aside for the child. Regardless if he or she was a hybrid born to a wolf side and a rabbit dam, they were going to make sure that this baby was delivered.

While their intentions were pure, the prospect of fame dangled over their heads like a carrot (or faux meat.) They could see it now, Hybrid Home Birth would be on the cover of every magazine, the header of every newspaper on the block.

Business would skyrocket.

They were intent on making Haru's experience as smooth as possible to an extent that they were doing too much. Every few seconds, Faang would ask if Haru was comfortable and if she needed anything. The lioness would hide her claws to Haru's discontempt. It made her slower and clumsier. She was so used to carnivorous patients that dealing with Haru made her realize how gentle she had to be.

Three years ago, Legoshi stopped hiding his claws from Haru. It took time and effort to be mindful of his sharp appendages. Even then, Haru wished that Faang would stop being so self conscious.

The constant doting and fretting made her anxious.

Suyin wasn't any better either. Haru and Legoshi initially planned to have Haru's parents and Gosha present, but Suyin kicked them out.

It was like they were more nervous than the would-be parents.

Suyin and Faang refused to let Legoshi help at any capacity, forcing him to pace the length of the living room.

From front door to the kitchen.

Step, step, step.

"Is there anything I could get you Haru-san?"

"How are the contractions coming along?"

"Maybe you ought to sit up."

Step, step, step.

Haru balled her hands up into fists. "I can't take it anymore! Take me to the hospital! I can't even think, let alone give birth in these conditions!"

The noises, the pain, it was sending her into a spiral. For a moment, Haru wished that she was a larger mammal. She didn't even have to be a carnivore. For just one moment, she wanted to be capable. More than anything, she hated being doted on.

Then again, even a large breed would be treated like this.

Somehow, that thought gave her comfort.

Everything else was a blur.

She could vaguely recall being picked up by Legoshi and strapped into a vehicle from the midwifery meant to transport her to the hospital. Legoshi stuck by her side, holding her hand in his much larger one.

"You were right," Haru grumbled, averting her eyes from having to look at him. "I should've listened to you."

Legoshi's tail thumped between his legs in a half-hearted wag. "If you always listen to me, we wouldn't be where we are now. It was a nice thought, I would've liked to be home. The hospital... It scares me too.

"Didn't you say you died or something?"

"I saw my mom."

"Legoshi..."

There were many things that Legoshi experienced a handful of years ago that he hadn't fully told Haru. It was just so much and so much time had passed where it didn't make sense to bring it up now.

Melon was like a distant memory. One that they both would rather bury deep inside the recesses of their minds.

"Haru—?"

Haru gripped his hand with all the strength she could muster. It hurt a great deal, to Legoshi's surprise. He was more than happy to act as her stress toy if it meant that she could have a release for the contractions.

Panic scratched its way into his heart.

What if something went wrong?

What if the size difference did matter?

Legoshi shook himself. Haru's baby bump wasn't that much larger than normal for a rabbit. He's overthinking.

Haru was going to be fine.

The baby was going to be fine.

Everyone was going to be fine.

But just in case, Legoshi was going to pray.

Chapter Text

"Is it just me or is she kind of bald? Is that normal?"

"Legoshi, rabbits are born hairless."

"Oh."

After many hours of blood, sweat, and tears, their baby girl was finally brought into the world. She had patches of a short grey coat, but for the most part she was balding. It was a sort of compromise where wolf pups were born with fur and rabbit kits were born without.

There was however, a peculiar patch of fur in the shape of the moon on her forehead. Thus, they decided to name her Crescent.

Cress for short.

Mostly importantly, Haru had been right. She was basking in the glow of correctness, despite being the most tired she had ever been in her entire life. "I told you," she said, "it's a girl. You're not disappointed are you?"

"What?" Legoshi had been crouching at her bedside. "Of course not!"

"Hm."

"... The next one is going to be a boy for sure."

"You keep saying that but I don't really understand why."

"It's um, well..."

Memories of Kyuu flashed before him. How was he supposed to tell her that he met another female rabbit? Let alone at the Black Market.

Legoshi changed the subject. "Hey! Didn't Cress-tan sound like she was howling when she was crying? She must of a lot of canine in her!" He punctuated his statement by sweeping his tail across the floor.

"Huh, I guess you're right." Haru peered down at Cress. Her ears were longish, though, time would tell how long they would grow. Her snout was flattened, ending in split lips like a rabbit. The rest of her was more wolf-like.

She was completely without teeth like a wolf pup ought to, so it was more than likely that her teeth would grow to be sharp. The doctor did say that it was possible for her front teeth to be blunt.

There was never a hybrid between a rabbit and a wolf before.

Hybrids typically occured between mammals of the same genus.

Ligers, mules, pizzlies.

And even though it was rare, wolves occasionally breeded with dogs.

Heck, even plants can become hybrids. Haru studied it back at college. Sweetcorn, tomatoes, and...

Melons.

Haru flattened her ears. The last thing she wanted was for Cress to feel inferior, like... What was it that Melon had described himself?

A love failure?

Melon's mother ate his father, it was the catalyst for his actions. So it was impossible for Cress tpo feel that way, right? There was no threat of Legoshi eating Haru, he wouldn't dream of it. They've been together for so long and Legoshi's appetite for meat was next to none.

Haru's gaze drifted from the innocent face of Cress to look at Legoshi. Concern etched itself onto his features.

"She'll have a good childhood," he assured her. He extended his hand towards Cress, bending his fingers inwards as to not mar her face. She would respond by curling her little hard around one of his fingers.

Her hand was so much smaller than Haru's. It made Legoshi feel much more like a giant. Her whole hand was hardly the length of his index. I'm fact— a single one of her fingers was the length of a mere claw.

He wondered how much longer he would have to hide them for. It was hard to say how fragile Cress was going to turn out. With Haru, he didn't have to worry as much. Perhaps Cress would turn out like him. He would have to teach her proper carnivore etiquette.

For some reason, the thought made him very happy.

Teaching Cress and watching her grow up... Ugh, he was going to start crying.

The door knob would rustle and a nurse beagle would poke her head in. "Ah, the couple of the hour! You have friends and family that would like to see the baby and er, you as well of course. There are a couple of rabbits and a uh, komodo dragon."

Haru perked up a little. "They can come in."

The nurse nodded and stepped to the wayside to allow the family entry. Before Gosha could enter further, she spoke in a hushed tone towards him before leaving him be.

"Oh Haru, how is my baby girl?"

"Honey, you promised you wouldn't cry."

"I can't help it!"

Haru's parents were fretting over her, touching her face and smoothing out her fur. They didn't even acknowledge the baby until they were sure that they daughter was okay.

"My my my," her mother gasped. "She has some fur! Is that normal?"

Haru's father adjusted his glasses, peering down at Cress. "I believe that it's normal for wolves, dear."

"Oh, I see. May I hold her?"

Haru was reluctant to let go. Legoshi didn't even get his turn. Cress was so calm in her arms, she didn't want to disturb her.

Legoshi interjected so Haru didn't have to answer. He was also thinking of his grandfather. Gosha was probably forbidden from touching the baby as to not poison her. "Cress just went back to sleep and there's too many strangers," said Legoshi. "How about we get a picture instead? Don't they look so cute?"

"Legoshi..." Haru felt like a mess.

"Gather around everyone! Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa!"

"You make me sound so old, Legoshi."

Haru's parents gathered on one side of the bed while Legoshi and Gosha took up the other. It was safer that way. Even though Haru's parents warmed up to Legoshi and to an extent, Gosha himself, Gosha was reluctant to get too close to them.

Legoshi held up his phone, since he was the tallest and snapped a picture.

Their smiling faces would be captured in this moment forever.

Totally fridge worthy.

Louis stopped by the apartment with his son a couple weeks after Haru and Cress were released from the hospital. After all this time, he tried to maintain friendship with his high school friends in spite of his busy schedule.

It was his only reprieve from work and his wife.

Louis II, his son, was only two years old and he was already walking at the age of one. Ungulates like deer learn to walk much faster than other mammals. It was once said that they were born able to walk.

The fawn toddled by Louis' side, sucking on his thumb with one hand and holding onto Louis' hand with his other. He and Azuki had tried their best to get Little Louis to stop sucking, worried that he was going to mess up his teeth. Getting rid of the pacifier was a headache and a half.

When they reached the stairs, Louis lifted his son up onto each step, causing the little fawn to giggle.

"Upsie Daisy, here we go... Upsie Daisy."

God it was so embarrassing to speak this way. It made Little Louis happy, at least.

As soon as they reached the top, Legoshi opened the door. His tail was wagging wildly. "Louis!"

"I didn't even knock—"

"I know the sound of your footsteps anywhere!"

Louis' gait was rather distinct on the account of his prosthetic leg. Even an animal that was hard of hearing would be able to tell that he was coming.

"Uncka Le'oshi!"

"Hey, LJ!"

"His name is Louis II," the elder Louis corrected, "not Louis Junior."

Legoshi pointedly ignored him. "Hey LJ, do you wanna meet someone? Come on, let's go say hi to Auntie Haru first." He swept up Little Louis into a gentle hug and was off in an instant.

"It's like I don't even exist," Louis sighed.

No one expected Legoshi to be so good with kids. Though, no one could say it was very surprising. Louis' son gave the wolf practice for his own child. Instead of speaking to the fawn like he was a child, Legoshi spoke to him as a miniature adult.

He didn't dumb down his speech and would go on and on about bug facts.

Louis followed them inside, making sure to close the door behind him.

Everyone had gathered in the nursery and Louis was pleased with how they utilized his gifts.

Cress was swaddled inside a bassinet against the wall, a mobile of planets hanging overhead. Legoshi was holding LJ up to be able to see the baby. For once, LJ took his thumb out of his mouth and was dangling is fingers into the bassinet.

Cress' nose wiggled, sniffing the air in curiosity. She yawned, revealing a gaping maw of baby teeth. As the doctors suspected, her front teeth were blunt while the others were sharp like Legoshi's.

She bit down on LJ's wiggling fingers, making the poor fawn burst into tears. Legoshi wrenched him away at once and placed him into his father's awaiting arms.

Louis checked his hand immediately. Thankfully, her bite force wasn't strong enough to tear them off or draw blood. He sighed in relief. "You might want to do something about that," he said calmly. There was no use causing a fuss. Cress was just a baby and thus, didn't know any better.

It was impossible for her to start craving meat either.

"I'm so sorry!" Legoshi bowed all the way to the ground in sorrow. "I shouldn't have let him put his hand in..."

"Hey. Get up, Legoshi. None of that." Legoshi rubbed his son's hand between his fingers to dull the pain. "It was an accident."

A grown male on the floor like this, it was unnatural.

"But..." Legoshi had hoped that LJ and Cress would grow up to be good friends and hoped that this introduction wouldn't sully that.

"He's going to forget about this in an hour," Louis informed him. "Stop apologizing."

It didn't help that LJ hadn't stopped crying. At this rate, Legoshi was going to continue apologizing until sundown.

Haru stepped in, offering to take LJ off of Louis' hands. "Hey, why don't we get a cookie. Would you like that?"

LJ's cries ceased at once. Tears still flowed but he was listening. His thumb was right back into his mouth. To Louis' dismay, it was the same one just in Cress' mouth. "Coobie?"

Haru giggled. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen."

Louis was left alone, looking at Legoshi peel himself off of the ground. "You're worried that she's going to have a bloodlust," he remarked cooly. Legoshi didn't even need to say it.

"Of course I am." Legoshi kept his head lowered. He saw evil and looked him in the eyes. Any talk he had with Melon felt like he was confronting his future child. In the recesses of his mind, Legoshi was afraid for Cress.

Afraid of her.

He hates himself for feeling this way. Cress was incapable of wrongdoing at this stage. A part of him was concerned that Cress would grow to resent her existence and in turn, resent her own parents.

"Stop thinking like that," Louis spat. "She's here now, isn't she? You wanted a family for yourself and Haru. You can't show that you're scared in front of her, a father is supposed to be strong."

"Louis..." Legoshi flattened his ears. "Is everything alright at home?"

Shame flared up in Louis' chest. "Everything is fine. Don't change the subject. We're talking about you."

"You're right," Legoshi sighed.

"You worry an awful lot. Let Melon be one of the last things. It's quite speciest to think that all hybrids are the same."

Legoshi scoffed out a laugh. "You're talking to me about specism now?"

"Did it work?"

He knew that Louis was right, as he so often was. It was silly to think that an infant had bloodlust. Melon must've messed with his head more than he thought.

"Come on, before Haru fattens up LJ with cookies."

Chapter Text

Cress' teeth continued to grow at an alarming rate in the ensuing months. Haru was advised not to breastfeed or she could be facing an extreme injury if Cress bit her by mistake. Unfortunately, this meant that Cress was destroying bottles and pacifiers left and right. Even the ones specifically made for carnivores were torn to shreds. The teething toys weren't all that successful either.

After having to throw out the fifth binkie that week, Legoshi conceded. "Maybe she's just teething," he said, holding Cress in the crook of his arm. "All pups go through it."

Haru was sprawled out on the couch, scrolling through Zoozle search results on her phone. "Isn't it a bit early though? Teething doesn't start until the adult teeth are ready to grow." She rolled onto her back when a particular result caused her to drop her phone flat on her face. "Oh no!"

Legoshi was at her side in an instant, checking her for injuries. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He lifted her phone to peer at her.

"It's not that—" Haru sat up. "You don't think that our genetics combined to make Cress' teething even worse?"

Rabbit teeth grow indefinitely, they often eat hard foods to keep them filed down. If they grew too long, they would be stabbing themselves and were liable for infections.

Legoshi's tail drooped. Looking at Cress now, it was hard to tell but she could be going through the worst pain imaginable. She looked back at Legoshi with her dark, wet eyes. Her whole world was reflected in those eyes.

And he had to do something to help her with her teething problem.

"Haru, let's go on an outing with the baby."

"What? Are you sure?" Haru raised her brows at him. "People are going to talk."

"Let them talk, I'm not going to let some gossip stop me from spending time with my family." He leaned in and rubbed his snout all over her face. "Please, please, please? Let's go outside?"

Tickled pink by the interaction, Cress giggled infectiously.

"Crescent agrees, let's go out on a walk with Mama.

Haru sighed. "Okay, okay. Let's go on a walk. You're lucky you're so cute."

Geared up with the stroller, the wolf-rabbit fluffle-pack was off. Haru insisted on pushing the stroller, even if she could hardly see past it. They compromised on buying a stroller tall enough for Legoshi to use, but the smallest for large breed mammals.

If passerbys weren't glaring at him for being married to a rabbit, they were most certainly judging Legoshi for letting his little wife push the stroller.

He had to wait about five seconds before he thought about taking another step. He bent downwards in shame. "Haru... Are you sure you don't want me to push it? Looks too hard for you."

"Hmph!" Haru's ears were erected on high. "Then let it be hard. I'm pushing my baby's stroller and that's that."

"Okay..."

In the duration of their relationship, Haru refused to be catered to. The difficulties that arose in their relationship was proof of existence. Proof that Haru's life as an herbivore meant something. The world wasn't going to conform to her, so Legoshi shouldn't have to either.

He could understand it to an extent. It took him a while to come to terms with his existence.

Coexistence was on ongoing journey.

Upon arriving to the park, Legoshi set about searching for sticks on the ground.

"She's not old enough to play fetch, Legoshi."

"It's not to play fetch, though that would be very fun, I'm looking for sticks for her to teeth on."

Legoshi stooped close to the ground, scouring the grass for anything that might be strong enough to withstand the bite force of their baby. The other park goers were looking at him strangely, hurrying their children along to keep them away from the strange wolf. He picked up a few sticks, tossing the thinnest ones aside.

"Maybe these will do." Legoshi uprighted himself and presented Cress with her options. He wiggled the first stick in front of her, incentivising her to bite down on it.

Cress opened her maw of jagged teeth and snapped the first stick in half.

"Legoshi! She's going to get splinters!"

"Ah! I'm sorry!"

Legoshi was so sure was his idea was going to work. Cress wasn't old enough— conscious enough to understand her bite force. He held her mouth open and cleaned her tongue of stick pieces in a panic.

Haru sighed. "It's a nice thought but I don't think this is going to work."

"There's gotta be something we could do. She can't keep suffering like this."

As parents, they felt like they were failing Cress. She depended on them to do right by her and they were at an impass.

"Never thought I'd see you three here, at least not so soon."

Louis had arrived, holding LJ's hand to prevent the boy from wandering off. As usual, LJ was sucking his thumb.

"Louis!" Legoshi greeted, wagging his tail. "What're you doing here?"

"This is my day to take Little Louis to the park," he responded.

Azuki typically took LJ to events to show him off, as if to say 'Horns Conglomerate is doing well and thriving.' But the boy was being deprived of an actual childhood, one that Louis hoped to give him as he never had one himself.

"I didn't think you'd be so bold to take Cress out in public," Louis continued. "Then again, it is you two. I'm hardly surprised."

Haru tilted her head. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's exactly what it means." Louis looked at Legoshi, noting the sticks in his hand and the splints all over his other hand. He almost didn't want to ask.

"Hey, Louis— can I have your antlers?" Legoshi asked suddenly.

"What?"

Haru started to see Legoshi's vision. Louis' antlers were branch like in appearance and were made of a tough material. "It's for the baby," she supplied, "her teething has gotten out of control and she keeps breaking things."

Louis scoffed. At first he thought they were joking, but based off of their pleading expressions, they were dead serious. "No," he said, "no way. It's almost like you're asking her to turn out carnivorous."

"To be fair, if she had developed a taste for deer, it would've started with LJ," Haru pointed out.

"I'm not giving you my antlers."

"I'll beg for them, Louis."

"Please don't do that."

Before Legoshi did anything drastic, Haru stepped in. "You shed them anyway, right? Can't we just have a pair? It might be the only thing to sooth Cress' gums."

Louis looked down into the stroller. Cress' teeth hardly fit into her mouth. Her canines were protruding from the corners of her mouth in an ugly-cute sort of way. Though, Louis was reluctant to call the offspring of his closest friends ugly in any capacity.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do."

Home life was very remiscent of Louis' childhood. Quiet, cold, and distant. Louis didn't grow up with a mother figure and his adoptive father was from from dad of the year. Louis hoped that he and Azuki were enough for Little Louis.

He and Azuki were never intimate with one another. They married for politics and that was that. Little Louis was born from insemination. Louis couldn't stomach the thought of being intimate with an herbivore after realizing his particular attraction to carnivores.

It was a frustrating existence, but his son made life worth living.

"Ah, there's my little one." Azuki greeted them with open arms, taking Little Louis from his father. "I take it that your day at the park went well?"

"Weeb sawb Uncka Le'oshi and Aunt Halu."

"Take your thumb out your mouth, dear. How many times do we have to tell you?" Azuki eyed Louis, silently reprimanding him for letting the son continue this bad habit.

Little Louis removed his thumb and repeated himself more clearly. "We saw Uncle Le'oshi and Auntie Haru."

"Oh really?" Azuki was putting up a front but she wasn't pleased by this news. "Did you see the baby?"

"Uh-huh!"

"She didn't bite you again, did she?"

"Nuh-uh!"

"You know that it was an accident, right Louis?" Louis had asked him. Azuki was simply acting overprotective. He didn't want their son to be fearful of Cress. A healthy amount of fear for carnivores was fine, but...

"It okay," said Little Louis. "It was an affident."

"Accident, sweetheart," Azuki corrected, "an accident. Let's go practice your sounds."

She whisked him away for lessons, adamant that he was going to be the smartest child in kindergarten when he started. She was also worried that he was going to form a speech impediment from his thumb sucking and wanted to rectify it right away.

Sighing, Louis went off to go find a pair of antlers he had shed previously. He didn't keep them, typically. They would've just created clutter. Ones from his childhood on the other hand, Louis knew that his father kept them somewhere.

The old buck was more sentimental than he thought.

He could've waited to lend Legoshi his current antlers when they fell off. But the matter seemed rather urgent. The baby was hardly a year old and yet there was already so much trouble.

Louis thought back to when the couple first found out that Haru was pregnant. Legoshi had come to him for advice, seeing as he had become a father before him.

"I hope I'm able to do the right thing," Legoshi remarked. The looked out the window from Horns Conglomerate. The city was so pretty at night.

"I'm sure you will," Louis assured him. "If I can manage it, you most certainly will."

"My grandfather did everything he could for me. I never knew my father. I don't even think my mom remembered him. What if... What if I fail?"

"Legoshi, there's no failing at parenthood. You just make do. The only thing you can do, is your best."

"I guess you're right."

A comfortable silence passed between them before Legoshi spoke up again. "Hey, Louis?"

"What is it?"

"I'm going to make you the baby's godfather."

Legoshi was looking at him with such an intensity that Louis couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You... You're serious?"

"Yes!" Legoshi's ears drooped. "What's so funny?"

"It's just so out of the blue."

Legoshi turned and faced the window. "You're family to me, Louis. I ate a part of you. You became a part of me. Now, it'll be official."

"That's so sappy."

"You'll be there for my child, right?"

Louis stared at the first pair of shed antlers in his hands. He had to search through a trunk in his father's old office.

"Of course I will," he said as the memory dissipated.

Chapter Text

Louis' antlers would keep Cress sated, so long as they had her gnawing on them. She'd still mess up bottles occasionally, but since her teeth were being filed down, they threw away a lot less.

Haru's restaurant reopened and on most days, she had her parents or Legoshi's grandfather babysit Cress while she went to work. Unfortunately, they weren't always able to watch her. Legoshi was able to step in on his days off from the insectorium, but on such days where he couldn't, Haru had no choice but to have Cress present at work with her.

Closing the restaurant for the day was simply not an option. It was struggling enough. Every cent counted.

The chimes would ring, signifying the arrival of a customer.

A white tailed deer couple entered, first time customers from what Haru could tell. She tried her best to remember her regulars. "Hey, hello! Welcome to Furtastic Feasts!" she called out from behind the counter.

Haru hated that name. It was corny and rolled off the tongue in a way that made her inwardly cringe. She chose the name, of course. She wanted it to sound peppy and draw in customers and it had done the job fairly well. So if she had to put up the trendy, bubblegummy front, then so be it.

"Oh my God... Is that baby eating an antler?"

Haru's hear dropped. She didn't occur to her that it might freak out the customers. She felt stupid for not realizing it sooner. They were probably assuming the worse.

Fido, the one and only beast under Haru's employment swooped in and took the antler away from Cress. "Oh, this thing? It's one of those synthetic chew toys, not to worry," he said, a smile on his face.

Fido was a young bloodhound in the middle grade and he was all Haru could afford at the current moment.

He came to her desperate for work with a sob story about how his father died and he and his mother were up to their ears in medical bills. Fido had the bad habit of oversharing, but he was a good kid.

Having a dog serve people at the restaurant was good for business. Dogs were a friendly sort of carnivore and he didn't put off the herbivore customers. He couldn't cook to save his life though. His long ears got in the way. Too many times they dipped into the food.

Not to mention the drooling.

He reminded Haru a bit of Legoshi with his tired eyes and large stature. Everything else about him was like Jack, Legoshi's Labrador friend.

Fido tossed the antlers away, careful to wipe his hands of slobber. "Please," he said, "have a seat. What could I get for you today?"

Haru was grateful to have such a loyal part timer. Hiring him was a good choice. Even though it was just the two of them— and Legoshi on occasion— they managed to keep the restaurant running.

"Here you are Miss Haru-san." Fido ripped the order from his notepad and handed it off to Haru. "Two orders of spring rolls."

"Just Haru is fine, thank you."

"That's okay, Miss Haru-san." He tended to go overboard with the polite speak. He stood at the counter, waiting for the order. To occupy his time, he moved Cress' stroller back and forth to lull her to sleep.

Haru got to washing the vegetable right away. "Oh and thank you for taking the antler away, you're a life saver Fido-kun."

"No worries." He wagged his tail eagerly. Praise was one of his favorite forms of tip. "Cress-chan looked really happy to chew on that, I'm kinda jealous."

"Yeah, well, it's the only thing she won't destroy."

Fido laughed. "My Mama said that about me when I was a pup. I would play tug-o-war with my blankets and rip them to shreds. One day, she got so fed up, she sent me to bed wrapped in aluminum foil. I tried to bite it and got shocked."

"Fido-kun, that's..."

Fido looked at her with his big, adorable puppy dog eyes.

"Nevermind, here's the order." Haru plated them up and passed it over the counter. "Carefully now, don't drop it."

The bell would ring again and more customers would file inside. Fido would go around and take their orders, but without him rocking the stroller, Cress slipped out of sleep.

With no antler to put her at ease, she started sniffling.

"Oh no..."

"Not to worry Miss Haru-san!" Fido made his rounds to bring back the orders and rocked the stroller for a few seconds. "It's okay, Cress-chan. Big Bro Fido is here," he cooed.

He would do this a few times, going back and forth. Cress was like a jack-in-the-box, needing to be wound up or else she was going to pop.

It got harder for Fido to multitask and her time limit got shorter and shorter.

Cress burst out into tears and started wailing. Fido was busy serving the customers, leaving Haru to abandon the stove to go tend to her baby. "Shh, settle down." She unstrapped Cress and held her in her arms. The fussy baby grabbed at Haru's ears and pulled on them. "Ow..."

"Miss Haru-san! The stove!"

Left unattended, the burner caught up in flames.

"Don't worry Miss Haru-san, I got it!"

Fido dove for the fire extinguisher and fiddled with it, figuring out how to use it. The propulsion scared him at first but he was able to douse the flames before the kitchen caught on fire.

The commotion caused all the customers to leave.

Great.

On his way home from work, Legoshi took the train. He was so used to riding in the mixed car whenever he was with Haru, that it became a habit. Even though the car was for species of any kind, he still gained same strange looks on the account of his large stature and scar.

At least his ear grew back.

His phone buzzed from within his pocket and he picked it up right away. He assumed it was from Haru. He wanted to know how she and the baby were doing in his absence.

"Heyyy, Legoshi!"

The voice on the other end was decidedly not, Haru. Instead, it was his long time friend, Jack. Legoshi tried not to feel disappointed.

"Oh hey, Jack. What's up?"

"I'm finally free of work this weekend, wanna hang out with me and the guys? We could go to B-Strike!"

"Sorry Jack, but I can't. Wife and kid and all." He didn't want to leave Haru to deal with Cress by herself more than she needed to.

Jack groaned on the other end. "You're so lucky..."

Another call came in, this time it was definitely from Haru.

"I gotta let you go, call you back later?"

"You always say that but you never do."

Legoshi flinched. These days, it was hard to keep up his friendships. Juggling work and home life was hard as it was. He hated to make Jack feel this way. He and the others from Room 701, they were practically his packmates. Despite growing up and branching off to do their own things, they stayed in contact.

Jack became a researcher with his own lab to boot. He dedicated himself to the study of faux meat. So when he said he was free, he really meant it.

"Hey, Jack. I'll go."

"Really? Awesome! See ya then!"

As soon as Jack hung up, Legoshi picked up with Haru. "Hey, Haru—"

"It's awful Legoshi, the kitchen almost burned down and all the customers walked out— I can't work while Cress is here. I can't pay attention to her and work at the same time."

Fear bubbled up in his chest. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Did you say that there was a fire?"

"Yes!"

Legoshi gripped his phone close to his ear. "Is Cress okay? A-Are you okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine."

"I'm also fine Mister Legoshi-san!"

Legoshi let out a breath. "Hello Fido-kun."

"I put out the fire, Mister Legoshi-san!"

"That's... Great, Fido-kun. Could you let me speak with Haru?"

"I'm here, Legoshi."

"What are the damages?"

"It doesn't look that bad."

Legoshi sighed in relief. "Good. We can't afford to buy another stove."

"I'm not good at this, Legoshi." Her voice sounded like it was on the verge of tears. "Being a mother, owning a restaurant. I'm the worst."

"Hey, hey, hey. Don't say that. You're doing the best you can. You're a great mom."

"Right, I'm just a terrible restaurant owner."

"No! I didn't mean that, Haru."

"Maybe I should just quit."

"But it's your dream, Haru. Don't give that up. You studied botany for this. Your home grown vegetables can't be beat. You're the smartest rabbit I know, you're going to make this work. I know it."

"You know other rabbits?"

"Er—"

"I'm joking, you're always so serious. Thank you Legoshi. That... Makes me feel a bit better."

"Just wait until I get back home. I'm going to make you feel ever better."

"L... Legoshi?"

"N-Not like that! I mean... Unless you want me to. I meant that I was going to make you a tea and... You know what, I'll see you soon. I'm about to get off the train."

He could hear Haru giggling on the other end. It warmed his heart. "Okay, Legoshi. See you soon."

Chapter Text

That weekend after the debacle at the restaurant was smoothed over, Legoshi suggested that Haru take a day for herself. That he'd watch over Cress while she had a good time.

He didn't tell the guys that he was bringing his kid along to the hangout, but it was the best that he could manage. In a sense, everyone would win.

Haru gets a relaxing day.

He gets to repair his friendships.

Cress gets to go on an outing.

Babies like B-Strike, right?

Haru was reluctant to leave Cress with Legoshi. Not because she couldn't trust Legoshi to watch her, he did so plenty of times. It was because, for the first time in a while, Haru would not be working towards something. She had kept busy with Cress, the restaurant, and making ends meet that she had almost forgotten what it was like to simply be Haru.

Her own identity was lost in being a worker wife.

"You could spend time with friends," Legoshi suggested with a wag of his tail. Haru had been stalling at the door for the longest. Her hand was glued to the knob.

"... Friends?" Haru had college friends but they had all gone their separate ways to live their own lives. They occasionally updated each other on socials but that was about it. At any rate, Legoshi was the only friend she had. She shivered at the thought. She loved Legoshi, but she had to get a life.

There was Louis too, she supposed. Legoshi kinda stole him from her though.

"What about Juno?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's busy."

"Juno would drop whatever she's doing to come see you, I'm sure if it. Give her a call. I better get going too, or I'm going to be late." He stopped down to give Haru a quick kiss on the cheek. "Have fun, okay? Get a massage, get your nails done... Whatever it is that you do."

Even he didn't know what Haru was into these days.

Had she really fallen from grace?

Haru opened the door and turned to leave, stopping completely. "Did you remember to pack the diapers and the wipes?"

Legoshi nodded. "Yes."

"The bottle and the formula?"

"Yes, Haru."

"What about—"

"Go have fun, Haru, I love you!"

Legoshi practically has to usher her out of the door. Any second longer, she would have changed her mind and stayed home. He loved Haru, dearly, and would love to spend every waking moment with her. But that wasn't healthy. They both needed to spend time apart as their own people just as much. That and taking a break from being a parent for a little while.

The past few months had been rather hectic for the first time parents.

Haru pulled out her phone and stared at Juno's caller ID. "I guess it can't hurt to try..." She pressed to call and within two rings, Juno picked up immediately.

"Haru!? It's been so long!"

Haru jumped. That female was something else. "I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out today, maybe do some catching up. I understand if you're busy—"

"For you? I'll stop the whole world of I had to." Juno must've held the phone away from her because Haru couldn't make out what she said next. It appeared that she was having an aside with her assistant, telling them to reschedule her meetings. "So! Where are we going?"

Legoshi didn't inform the guys that he was bringing his baby with him. He expected them to be a little upset, that he was 'killing the vibe' or whatever. To his surprise, it was quite the opposite.

With Cress strapped to his chest in a baby sling and all her things in a backpack, it was like Legoshi didn't exist. His friends crowded around to see the baby, barely acknowledging him at all. Cress was very amused by the wiggling, wet noses sniffing at her.

"You know... She kinda looks like a dog!"

"That new baby smell is so good!"

"She's so soft!"

"And hairy, just like her dad!"

"What's up with her teeth?"

"Nice to see you guys too," Legoshi deadpanned.

"Dude, you didn't say you were bringing your kid," said Jack. Despite his words, he wasn't displeased about it in the slightest. He couldn't stand still from all the tail wagging he was doing. Canines loved meeting new people and babies were no different.

Legoshi scratched the back of his head. "I just wanted to give Haru a bit of a break."

"Ah, married life. Must be nice," Jack sighed.

Out of all the guys, only Legoshi and Voss were married. Voss found himself a fennec fox like himself for a wife and were doing quite well for themselves. Durham and Miguno were living the life of bachelors, dating around but never settling. Jack had his eyes on one of his coworkers, a chocolate lab that caught his fancy.

Which left Collot, who was in a committed relationship with Legoshi's neighbor from the Beast Apartments, Sebun.

"Isn't she like, forty?" Jack had asked Collot when the whole gang learned who his sweetheart was.

"I know, right? It's great!"

"Sebun is thirty-six, so at least she's not old enough to be your mom..." Legoshi tried to reason. He personally met Sebun while he was still freshly eighteen, but Collot was completely grown. It was still a shock, but if Collot was happy...

"I hope you guys are okay with me bringing Crescent along—"

"You should bring her all the time, then when she's old enough to talk, she'll be able to tell us who her favorite uncle is. It's me by the way, Uncle Durham."

"Your broke ass couldn't even bring a gift to the baby shower!"

"S-Shut the hell up Voss!"

Legoshi covered Cress' ears. "Please don't swear around the baby. You never know what she's going to pick up."

"Shit—" Voss' hand flew up to his mouth. He was perched on top of Collot's head like old times. "My bad."

Collot laughed. "Good fucking shit, dude."

"Oh my God you guys, Legoshi is never going to hang out with us again," Miguno remarked, tilting his head back in defeat.

Jack held up his hands to silence everyone. "Oookay, how about we all go inside?" Standing around and yapping like Chihuahuas was fun and all, but they were going to waste the day away if they kept it up.

"I'm surprised you came to see me," Haru admitted. Her eyes softened. "I thought you would be too busy."

"Are you kidding? I'm always busy, but... It's all I ever do." Juno faceplanted onto the table. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to go out and just be Juno again, not Juno the Beastar."

Haru frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that." She got caught up with her own life that she failed to realize that Juno might've been suffering. She touched Juno's arm gingerly. "Let's hang out more often, okay?"

Juno bolted up in excitement. Her eccentric behavior was something that never changed over the years. "Really?"

"Of course."

"Okay okay—" Juno snatched up Haru's smoothie and drank from it. "Tell me everything. How are you and Legoshi? I feel like I haven't seen you since the baby shower."

Haru tried not to let her transgression bother her. I guess there's nothing wrong with sharing. "Legoshi and I are... Fine."

Juno scrunched her nose. "Fine? What's fine? That doesn't sound very good."

"It's a very good fine!"

"I feel a 'but' coming on."

Haru shook her head. "Nothing to complain about. We're still learning how to be parents."

Juno leaned forward to soak up all the details. "And the baby, how is she?"

"She's with Legoshi right now. He took her to B-Strike." Haru laughed to herself. "He's probably so bored having to sit and watch her while all his friends have fun."

"It's not fair! How does Legoshi keep getting the ball? He's literally handicapped by holding the baby!"

"C'mon Legoshi, put the ball back!"

"It's Cress' turn."

"Well hurry it up!"

The ball was in Cress' little hands, provided by Legoshi to see what she would do with it. Of course, she dropped it onto the ground and the guys had to restrain themselves from picking it back up. Legoshi bent down and handed it back to her. "Here you go, Cress-tan," he said. He walked her over to the goal to which she dropped it again and scored a point.

"Good girl, you did it!" the machine chimed.

Cress wasn't quite sure what she did correctly but she was clapping and giggling all the same.

Spending time with the guys had gone pretty swell. They all loved spending time with Cress and getting to see Legoshi again. They made him promise that whenever he saw them, he'd bring the baby.

And if he didn't, he was getting dog piled.

Chapter Text

Cress was completely beat after her day out. Her head lulled from side to side, occasionally bobbing Everytime Legoshi took a step. She'll be sleeping all through the night, he thought. Which meant that he and Haru would too.

It was good to catch up with all the guys again. They were doing well on whatever path they were on and he couldn't be more happier for them. Legoshi wasn't one for comparison, but he was the happiest of them all.

He had his wife and his kid and he was a winner.

As he approached his apartment he noticed that someone was waiting in front of the restaurant. His nose didn't deceive him, but Legoshi didn't want to believe it. "I'm sorry," he said, "but we're closed... Yahya-san."

In the years that Legoshi had known him, Yahya changed a lot. For one thing, he was in a wheelchair now. The old horse worked himself to the bone until he couldn't anymore. Even after retiring as the Beastar, he still worked in the shadows to squash out evil from beneath his hoof.

Yahya wheeled himself out to meet Legoshi halfway.

"Nice to see you too, Legoshi."

Ashamed, Legoshi bowed his headm "Sorry, I just... I just I have a feeling you're not here to see me just to catch up."

He invited Yahya to the baby shower as well as his wedding but Yahya showed up to neither of those. The last time he saw Yahya was he begged him not to retire. Of course, Yayha would never use such choice words to describe his actions. A black stallion doesn't beg. That stuff's for canines.

Yahya scoffed. "And you would be right."

Legoshi walked around him, fiddling with his keys. "I'm not interested.

Yahya followed him, silently gliding over the pavement in his wheelchair. "You didn't even hear me out. You never were this rude before."

"I'm not a kid anymore."

"You'll be rewarded handsomly."

"Don't care."

"Well you might want to hear me out once you see what I've got here in the case files." A manilla folder sat in Yahya's lap. It was thick, barely able to hold its contents save for a few paperclips. A thick case file usually meant that the situation was bad.

Real bad.

Legoshi felt a sinking feeling in his chest. "Come inside."

Mindful that Yahya couldn't use the stairs to get up to the apartment, Legoshi took him inside the restaurant and led him to a handicap friendly table. Yahya stayed in his wheelchair and Legoshi took up the seat across from him.

"I can't take you seriously with that thing strapped to your chest."

"This thing is my baby."

"Can't you put it to bed or something?"

"She is sleeping. She won't hear anything. Can't we get this over with Yahya-san? I don't want my wife to come home and see you."

"Fine." Yahya slapped the case file down on the table. "Take a look."

Legoshi hand was frozen, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to see. He saw a lot of horrible things in his teenage years, he told himself. Whatever it was, he could handle it. Legoshi willed himself to flip open the folder and his eyes settled onto a gruesome sight.

On top was a photo and file on a victim couple— a canary and a cougar. Their necks were cut open. Both were marked as diseased.

"They're... An interspecies couple." Legoshi swallowed hard. "Melon is still in prison, so it has to be a copycat killer."

Pride glinted in Yahya's eyes. As much as the young male gave him problems in the past, he still looked at him as the perfect successor. "You're right," Yahya said.

Legoshi sat back. "I'm not involving myself. Let the police handle it."

"Legoshi—"

"No, Yahya-san. I can't."

Yahya slammed his fist into the table, causing Cress to stir. She blinked twice before falling back to sleep. "Flip the damn page," said Yahya, under his breath.

Legoshi flipped the page. On this one, there was a picture of a hybrid. A cross between a feline and a bird. They shouldn't exist. Mammalians and egg laying beasts weren't compatible, at least that's what Legoshi would have thought if it weren't for his grandparents.

"That's the child of the couple on the first page."

Legoshi swallowed hard.

"He was kidnapped. The police was unable to find him at the scene of the crime nor anywhere nearby. We can only assume that the killer and the kidnapper are one in the same. Keep looking through it."

Unwittingly, Legoshi skimmed through the case file.

Time and time again, there would be an interspecies couple who was murdered with the same claw marks on their necks. Sometimes, they would be on other parts of their bodies, marring their skin. On a few pages, there would only be one victim. In those cases, they were either the only survivor either due to unforseen circumstances or the unfortunate case of devouring when carnivores and herbivores were involved.

But they all had the same thing in common: a hybrid child that was declared missing.

Legoshi's blood turned to ice.

"The city needs you, Legoshi."

Legoshi shook his head, shutting the case file. "Get Juno to help. She's the Beastar now. I'm not one of them anymore. I have a family now."

Yahya rolled his eyes. "You sound just like your grandfather."

"And if it wasn't for him, you wouldn't have me here to ask this favor."

"You got a lot wordier, kid. Tch. Juno is more like a politician. She uses her words, she's not going to be any help here. I need you, Legoshi. You're my true successor. I'll speak to Louis but I need you to be on board, the two of you—"

Legoshi cut him off. "I never wanted to be involved with your schemes, Yahya." He dropped the polite speech as he stated the horse down. "I only did so to start this family. Now that I have it, it's the only thing I care about. Find someone else."

"You won't have a family to speak of if that killer is still out there."

Legoshi stood. "Out."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"You're important to me, Yahya. But I need you to leave."

"Fine." Yahya held his hands up in defeat before wheeling himself off. He paused right at the door. "Don't say I didn't warn you. You'll be back. You'll come crawling back to me to see how you can help."

"Goodbye, Yahya."

Juno drove Haru home so she didn't have to take public transport. It was safer that way as it got darker out. She pulled up in front of the apartment, keeping her foot on the break.

"Thanks again, Juno."

"Of course!" Juno smiled. "Pleeeaaase make sure to call me more often. I love my job, but I miss my friend most of all."

Haru laughed. "Sounds like you need a boyfriend. I'm super boring."

Juno groaned playfully. "Don't even talk to me about the B word."

"What, boring?" Haru teased. Obviously she had meant 'boyfriend' but it was simply too easy.

"Girl, get out of my car." Juno rolled her eyes playfully. "Seriously though. Let's hang out. I wanna see Legoshi and the baby too."

"We should all get together one day," Haru agreed, "we could even invite Louis. Have you seen LJ? He's grown quite big now. Hard to believe he's two."

Juno tried to hide it, but her ears drooped. Quickly, she erected them. "I've seen pictures on magazines. Little Louis looks so much like his father! So cute! I'm jealous."

Haru arched a brow.

"I mean... You, Louis, and Legoshi. You guys have kids and you're married. Being the Beastar, I can hardly find time to settle down. Anyways, let me not bore you with that so you could get back inside to your husband." Juno wiggled her brows. "Bye Haru!"

"Goodbye, Juno."

Haru trudged upstairs, laughing to herself. Seeing Juno was exactly what she needed to forget all of her woes. Hard to believe that the stove caught on fire a few days ago. When she entered the apartment, she found Legoshi sitting slouched on the couch. He was watching the 24/7 weather channel on the TV.

If he had been anyone else, it would have been strange.

But watching weather channel happened to be one of his favorite pastimes.

Haru joined him, molding to his side with ease.

"How was your day?" she asked him.

She felt his body stiffen beneath her before he forced himself to relax.

"It was great," he said. "Cress was a good girl today. The guys loved her."

Haru looked up at him. "That all? You seem uneasy."

"Oh, it's just that I sorta feel bad for the guys. I'm the only one who got everything he wanted. They also miss me a lot... I should spend more time with them."

Legoshi hoped that answer would be enough for her.

"I feel that," Haru sighed. "I never suspected that Juno would be so lonely. I thought that she would still be in contact with everyone from Cherryton. She was popular."

"Yeah," was all Legoshi could say.

"I really needed that day off because it made me realize something." Haru waited for Legoshi to look at her before she continued. "Maybe we do suck at parents and maybe the restaurant is tanking, but I think everything is going to be okay. I want another kid."

Legoshi felt his heart flutter. "Oh?"

"Not anytime soon, we're not ready for that— it's just... I don't want Cress to grow up lonely. I want her to have a friend who knows exactly what it's like to grow up as a wolf-rabbit."

"That is true." Legoshi grew up an only child and if it weren't for Jack, he would have been extremely lonely.

Haru rested her head in his armpit. "We just don't have the money."

"Hm."

Haru flapped her hand and waved the thought away. "No rush to have another kid though! Haha—"

Legoshi bent his head downwards to make eye contact with her. His intense eyes made her heart jump.

"I would love to have another kid with you."

Haru swallowed hard. "Not yet though, right?"

"Of course."

"Oh, right. Good."

Chapter Text

Security was tight around Horns Conglomerate, not a single herbivore or carnivore could make it close to the head family. For many years, the family was guarded by bucks arms to the teeth with guns, aided by the danger of their horns. There was no one alive that was going to date try.

Except for maybe a mouse.

After his morning meetings, Louis retreated to his office with the intent on calling Little Louis' nanny to see how he was holding up. He didn't doing that his son was doing okay, he just liked to hear his voice. It helped him get through the day. Louis hoped that his son would grow up and recall how much he truly cared about him.

That way, he wouldn't be left guessing like Louis was about his own father.

Before Louis could pick up the telephone, a mouse scurried across his desk.

"What the—"

"A telegram for Louis-sama!" The mouse presented him with a folded piece of paper. There was only one person on the planet that would contact him like this. Yahya wasn't going to step foot— or wheel rather— onto his property. There were too many eyes.

"He should've just sent an email," Louis remarked with a roll of his eyes. He took the piece of paper and inspected it closely.

The city needs its shining stars.

"Well that's awfully cryptic. He didn't send anything else?"

"There was uh, a case file. But it's so thick, we're having trouble fitting it through the vent grate." The mouse pointed to the other side of the room where papers were being fed through the slits of Louis' vent.

Louis sighed. "This would have never happened with the old 500 Cornered Mice."

"Our lifespans are very short, sir."

"Indeed they are."

Louis searched through his desk to find a screwdriver and took it over to the vent so he could open it. He was met with several pairs of glowing eyes squeaking in shock. His larger hand took the case file off of their tiny ones. Immediately, Louis felt the weightiness in his hand. It didn't bode well whatsoever. He swept up the papers that were on the floor, on top of it was a sticky note in Yahya's handwriting.

Legoshi isn't helping. Do what you can. I will convince him.

If you must involve the Beastar, so be it. I will not be speaking to her personally.

Louis wondered why that might be the case. It wasn't because Yahya was afraid of carnivores, far from it. Juno was probably the meekest carnivore Louis knew. She had her edges and she could be frightening in her own right, but she wouldn't even hurt a horsefly, let alone a horse.

No, Yahya was probably still miffed that he and Legoshi completely bailed on him. They were supposed to be the Beastars. Not Juno as the Beastar.

The horse only got more stubborn with age.

Well, if Yahya wasn't going to deal with Juno, then Louis will.

He refrained from opening the case file so he could review it with her. He wasn't the Beastar anymore and it was best to not sit on information. Since retiring as the Beastar and the shutdown of the Shishigumi, Louis was trying to play it as straight as possible.

Legoshi was attempting to do the same, as evident by his refusal to help. Sometimes, Legoshi could be as stubborn as Yahya.

Louis shook his head to himself. Instead of calling home, he dialed in Juno's number.

ــــــــــﮩ٨ـ

The day after Legoshi met up with Yahya, he received a letter with his name on it. Immediately, Legoshi threw it away without looking at what was inside. It was just an attempt to convince him to return to his vigilante status.

With how fast it got to him, Legoshi could only assume that it was sent by one (or many) of his mouse cohorts. The scent of rodent was fairly strong on the envelope.

Oh well, in the trash.

Cress gnawed on Louis' antler from inside her baby chair. The large thing sat on her little table as she chewed on it, hands free. Her hands were too small to wrap around the branches and she figured that if she turned her head, she could get good leverage.

It was a comical sight, really.

That's all she really did all day.

Drink formula, sleep, poop, and chew.

Legoshi couldn't ignore what was happening to those hybrid kids. But it wasn't his place anymore. More than anything, he just wanted to hold his kid closer.

ــــــــــﮩ٨ـ

Never in a million years did Juno expect to be face to face with Louis over some dinner. He invited her to one of his properties and they were out on his rooftop terrace. The stars shone overhead. It would have been romantic if Louis was not married with a kid.

Why did he choose this setting?

Juno never pretended to understand Louis. She stopped trying to when he broke off their developing relationship to pursue his arranged marriage instead.

"You said that it was urgent?" Juno asked. She could only pick out so many olives from her salad while they sat in silence.

"I suppose I can't stall for much longer," Louis admitted. "It seems that I've been given a mission from the ex Sublime Beastar himself.

"Yahya, right?" Juno never met him personally and had only heard of his deeds. When she visited the black market in search of Louis, she saw his name written all over the walls in graffiti. "The black devil."

He was more a myth than a beast.

"What did he give to you?" asked Juno.

"Don't know. Didn't look at it." Louis rummaged through his belongings and took out the file.

"You... Waited to see it with me?" Her tail wagged, thwacking against the legs of her chair. Juno had to grab it with her hand to make it stop.

"You're the Beastar after all," Louis reasoned. "Nowadays I'm just a humble CEO."

"Not so much on the humble part, I see."

Louis glossed over her statement and continued. "Yahya-sama has a hard time trusting people, so he entrusted me with this. Now, I am entrusting it to you."

Juno blinked. "Are you sure?"

"I'm not your senpai anymore, Juno. You don't have to act like it." Louis extended his hand further. Their fingers brushed against each other as Juno took it from him.

She stared at the manilla folder, unable to will herself to look at its contents.

Sensing her discomfort, Louis offered her reprieve. "Would you like to look at it at the same time?" He motioned next to him, urging her to pull up her chair.

Wordlessly, Juno took up the free space. Her broad shoulders nudged him as they both looked over the file.

"Oh my God... This is sick."

Louis was rather desensitized to the sight of death but it still sparked his ire for the maniac who would do such a thing— to involve children at that.

It was selfish of him, but he was glad that Little Louis was pure blooded and safe at their heavily guarded home.

"What am I supposed to do about this?" Juno screwed her eyes shut. "Write a speech about it? I'm not a cop, Louis."

"You're the Beastar," he said simply. "You'll think of something." He wasn't good at this 'comfort' thing. He patted her back two times before retracting his hand awkwardly.

"I'm not like Legoshi, I don't fight killers."

"Yahya-sama is doing what he can to get Legoshi on board. But right now, you have me and right now, you have yourself. Do what you do best Juno, and talk. I trust that you'll make the right decision."

Juno's eyes flashed open. "You're right! I know exactly what I'm going to do." Without warning, she threw her arms around Louis for an embrace. "You're the best!"

"I, um... Thanks?"

Chapter Text

Louis returned home to his estate, finding that Azuki was not there. He hated that he felt relieved, but her presence was a real hindrance on his mood. Before he turned in for the night, he stopped by his son's room. He was sleeping of course, but after seeing what was in the case file, Louis needed to comfort himself.

He entered Little Louis' room and carefully sat on the bed. His son was tucked into a tight ball, sucking his thumb, even in his sleep. Louis reached over to amend this, gently removing his thumb out of his mouth. This action made LJ wake up, blinking his tired eyes at his father.

"Daddy?"

"I'm sorry I woke you, go back to sleep." Louis rubbed his back soothingly. For some reason, he thought back to when he tried to comfort Juno by patting hers. In hindsight, it was the lamest thing he could've done. But she didn't seem to mind.

"Where Mommy?"

I don't know. "Mommy is sleeping."

LJ yawned, turning on his other side. "Mister Reindeer came back again," he murmured. "I don't like him."

"... Who?"

Louis would never get his answer as LJ drifted back off into slumber. LJ wasn't one for making up fantasies, he typically called it as he saw it. It was highly likely he was talking about a male that Azuki was seeing on the side. Louis was hardly surprised. He couldn't gratify Azuki sexually, so she sought out other means.

It's not like he had forbidden her to do so, either.

She must've been getting sloppy by allowing their son to see this other male. Louis' blood boiled. It wasn't just the fact that both of their reputations got ruined if this scandalous behavior got out, it was because their son was catching on.

What was he to think if he noticed that his parents were bringing other partners around?

Louis had never once sought out a mistress, but if he did he would certainly be more careful about it. He put up with neglecting his needs and desires for the sake of his child. He was only ever attracted to carnivores since...

Juno.

Seeing her again stirred up old feelings that he never quite got over. Sure it had been six years, but physical attraction doesn't go away that easily. If anything, she was even more beautiful than before

Her fangs and her claws had grown along with her. Even though Juno took care to keep her sharp features hidden for etiquette, he still noticed them.

Louis sighed. His mind was getting off track. He was going to have to speak to Azuki about this situation later.

In the meantime, he was going to keep pure thoughts of Juno in his head. He hoped that whatever she planned on doing, she was going to stay out of danger.

The sound of Juno's heels clacking on the floor echoed in her ears. She focus on the repetitive noise rather than the sound of inmates rattling the bars of their cages at the sight of her.

Because of her policies, some of them were out there because of her.

After the black market had been destroyed, Juno staunchly stomped out any upstarts that tried to recreate it. Instead, she used her publicity and her funds to donate to the production of fake meat.

Unfortunately, the average carnivore wouldn't be able to afford it as the faux meat was expensive. Devouring cases were still reoccurring.

Fish meat was also put on the market, but as it turns out, many carnivores were either allergic or had a distaste for it. It seemed with every step forward, progress had to take a step back.

But no, she wasn't here for any of them.

A rhinoceros led her to the cell of the most notorious inmate of them all.

Melon.

She had expected him to be in solitary confinement, concrete walls with no windows. Perhaps even a straitjacket. Instead, she was met with a glass pane that severated Melon from the rest of the world. He had his own television and study.

Melon himself was sprawled on his bed, his nose in a book. He had been still enough that it looked like she was watching him through a painting, as if he were some mythical creature.

"You don't mean to tell me he got all this this on good behavior," Juno remarked.

"This glass isn't soundproof, Miss Beastar," Melon said from the other side. "Just letting you know."

Her fur stood on end. Juno had only seen pictures of Melon on the news, hearing him talk unsettled her to no end. His voice had the gruffness of a carnivore and the soft tenure of an herbivore.

"I see," was all she could muster.

"I'm taking it that Miss Beastar isn't a fan of mine," he continued, his tone a sickly sweet sacarine. "Why else would she visit me, I wonder?"

"I'm not a fan of yours, but someone out there is." Juno took out one of the photos of the victims and pressed it against the glass, prompting Melon to come closer.

"How... Original." Melon smiled sardonically. It was strange to see sharp teeth on a delicate face.

Juno dashed the thought away immediately. She wanted to be tolerant of all species, including hybrids. Even if the one before her was a demented serial killer.

Haru had showed her a photo of Cress when they hung out a few days ago. Juno couldn't allow her harsh feelings for Melon get in the way of innocent hybrids such as her. Cress had sharp teeth too.

"Aside from that." Melon tilted his head. "What does this have to do with me?"

"I hear that you get fanmail."

"I read them, but I never write back. I don't suppose you've come for an autograph, Miss Beastar? Although, maybe it is me who should be asking you for one?" Melon eyed her once over, studying her for a moment. "For a carnivore, you are pretty."

Juno forced her fur flat. He's just trying to get a rise out of you. "Receive anything interesting in particular?"

"Depends on what you consider interesting. They're all interesting in a sense. I've got sent undergarments once before."

Juno remained cold. "Have you received letters from those who share your sentiments on interspecies relations?"

"All the time."

She looked to the rhinoceros guard. "Is he allowed to keep them? In that case, I should like to have them confiscated. I would like to go through them myself."

Melon was taken aback. "Wait, what? You can't do that, that's my property."

Juno placed her hands on her hips. "I'm the Beastar. I'm above the law."

Once a week, Legoshi would receive another letter from Yahya and once a week, Legoshi would throw it away. He had sense to throw it in the garbage outside the restaurant so Haru would never find them. She didn't want her asking questions.

He was glad that the horse didn't show up in person, at least.

Today he was taking his family where he worked. He was still on the clock but it would have been a nice outing for the baby and Haru as well. The Chestnut Tiger butterflies were returning for the summer and he wanted his favorite girls to see them.

"See Cress, this is where Papa works. I don't really see the appeal of working with bugs all day but it's what he likes." Haru was pushing the stroller along a path. This particular section of the insectorium had butterflies flying around freely. A step up from the previous section Legoshi tried to take them to. No way did Haru want to see beetles and centipedes.

If it creeps and it crawls, she wants nothing to do with it.

Legoshi was giving them the tour. Everyone knew that he was showing his family around, but they were still paying customers. His boss insisted that they come more often with his employee discount.

Legoshi held out his finger, allowing a butterfly to land on it. Its wings were translucent like stained glass, catching the light brilliantly. He brought it over to Cress so she could get a good look at it. The butterfly crawled onto her snout, making her crinkle her nose.

"Quick, Haru. Take a picture!"

Haru pulled out her phone and snapped a photo, by the time she lowered it, Cress had opened her mouth and took a bite. The butterfly was gone.

Her parents stood slack jawed.

"Did she..." Legoshi trailer off.

"Totally eat that butterfly?" Haru supplied. "Yep."

Legoshi said nothing. It wasn't like he hadn't eaten an insect before. The first time he ate something living had been a moth larvae. He did so consciously. But this? This was a bit of a shock. Cress was a Venus flytrap in the making.

"I wouldn't worry about it," Haru decided. "You know she likes to chew on literally anything. People eat dead bugs all the time."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

Cress was spitting up bubbles to get the pieces of dead butterfly out of her mouth. It was a little morbid, but it was kinda cute.

Sweet, sweet little Cress.

"How about we look at some bugs behind glass?" Legoshi suggested optimistically.

Chapter Text

The letters would become more frequent. They went from arriving each week to nearly every day. Legoshi had to make it a habit to check the mailbox multiple times a day as to ensure that there would not be a pileup. This went on for a month and a half and Legoshi was up to his ears in annoyance.

The last thing he needed on his mind was Yahya's incessant pleas and bribes. He had more important things to worry about such as the pressing concern that his daughter's teeth were growing out of hand. Her canines were more prominent than ever, inhibiting Cress from being able to close her mouth properly. Her front teeth were turning into an overbite.

They knew it got particularly bad when she refused to chew on Louis' antler.

For hours throughout the night she would cry and there was scant a thing they could do to make her stop.

"So you see what our problem is, Gohin-san?"

The panda stared at Legoshi from across his office where the odd little family were perched in his guest seats. Haru's feet couldn't even touch the ground and Legoshi's legs were far too long for him to sit properly. The baby was having tummy time on a sprawled out blanket on the floor.

"This is a psychiatric hospital, Legoshi-san. Not a pediatric hospital. You even checked in under yourself. Why the hell did you come to see me and not some other doctor?"

Haru spoke for him. "That's what I told him. Apparently Legoshi doesn't trust any doctors right now."

If hybrid children weren't getting kidnapped, we wouldn't be here, Legoshi thought. "I trust you, Gohin-san. I can't take my child just anywhere."

Gohin crossed his arms. "And just what do you hope to accomplish here?"

"Her teeth, they're—"

"I'm not a dentist," Gohin deadpanned. "I specialize with carnivores, not hybrids."

"It's her carnivorous teeth that are the problem." Legoshi sighed. "Please, Gohin-san. I wouldn't come to you if it wasn't important."

Legoshi had laid himself out bare, he was begging at this point. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, hands clasped together. He had invited Gohin to his wedding and baby shower and he failed to show up to either. He didn't hold it against the male, Gohin probably had plenty of other things to do. Still, it had stung a little.

For a moment, Gohin saw Legoshi as the hapless seventeen year old virgin looking for his guidance. He never thought the boy would make it this far. Now he was twenty-four, married to his high school sweetheart with an ankle biter. Legoshi got stronger for Haru.

That softhearted part of him still made him weak.

Gohin looked to Haru.

Apparently she was against coming here. Although, a certain look in her eye told Gohin she was ready to back up her husband if need be.

Gohin sighed and shook his head. "These are the things that happen when you decide to make a hybrid. Poor thing's teeth can't fit in her mouth. Not with a short snout like that."

Legoshi pinned his ears back. "So what do you suggest?"

"For one thing, she's gonna have to get her teeth filed."

"What?"

"It's a fairly common procedure for rodents," Haru commented, placing a comforting hand on Legoshi's thigh. "I wouldn't worry too much."

"Then she'll probably have to get braces," Gohin continued.

Legoshi and Haru exchanged glances.

"But she's only a baby," said Legoshi. "Isn't that a bit drastic?"

"What's drastic are those chompers that she inherited from the both of you. Those things are lethal— to her and whatever she decides to bite." Gohin kneeled down on the floor to get a better look at her. "She's got a sever overbite. Given that this is a very unusual situation and well, that she's only a baby, she's going to have to get a custom made headset. That's going to cost."

Haru frowned. "Looks like we're going to have to take out a loan."

Legoshi panicked. "Gohin-san, you can't cut us a deal or something? We can't afford anything like that!"

Gohin huffed. "I'm already doing you a huge favor by getting this done. I don't have the funds I used to get back in the black market."

Haru shot her husband a look. "Legoshi! You didn't tell me that's where you knew him from! The black market? He could do something shady and you want to entrust our daughter's health to him?"

"I would take offense but the little lady is right to feel that way."

"Not helping, Gohin-san." Legoshi sighed and turned towards Haru, taking her hands in his. "Look... I meant it when I said I trusted Gohin. He saved my life. He looked after me for a while."

At the time, Legoshi looked to him as a mentor, a father figure of sorts to teach him about the world. Sure, the panda was gruff. But he had good intentions. Gohin helped a lot of people and Legoshi trusted him to help Cress.

Haru's eyes flickered between Legoshi and their hands. His sudden distrust of other doctors wasn't unwarranted. Even if she didn't know the real reason, she assumed it was because of how unique their situation was. A regular dentist or pediatrician wouldn't know what to do. There were no books written on hybrids, let alone one specific enough to be about wolf-rabbits.

"Okay, Legoshi," she said. "I'm going to trust him because I trust you."

Gohin cleared his throat. "While you were over there gabbing and holding hands, I'd like to point out that your progeny started to crawl."

Both Haru and Legoshi's attention snapped to the floor where Cress was crawling towards Gohin. She was interested in the tie hanging around his neck and was reaching for it.

Legoshi's tail swished from side to side. "She must think you're a stuffed animal or something!"

Gohin took offense. "What?! Are you dense? Clearly she—" He grabbed his nose bridge and sighed. "Nevermind. Are you going to get the procedure done? How long until her first birthday?"

"Two months," Haru said.

Gohin looked pointedly at Legoshi. "That gives you about two months to get the cash. Bring her in for checkups, we'll get a mold of her teeth now, file 'em down, mold 'em again, and start constructing the braces. How does that sound?"

"Sounds great, Gohin-san."

Before the fluffle-pack could file out, Gohin took Legoshi aside. "I don't know if you've heard, but there have been murders for interspecies relationships happening lately."

As far as Legoshi knew, they haven't been reported. "How did y—"

"I have my connections. This is me we're talking about." Gohin shook his head to himself. "Look. Just be careful out there, alright? I know you're strong but those girls of yours, they make you weak."

"No. That's where you're wrong." Legoshi clenched his fist slightly. "They make me stronger."

Gohin pat his back and ushered him out. "I hope you're right."

After he took Haru and Cress home, Legoshi insisted that he'd go to the bank himself to take out a loan for Cress' operation and that he'd be back with dinner. At the prospect of not having to cook, Haru was pleased.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go?" Haru asked. "We could've gone straight to the bank first."

"It's okay. I noticed that Cress was getting fussy, so it's best that she stays home. I'll be back soon, okay?" He leaned down to kiss her cheek before departing. "I love you."

"I love you too, and oh! Legoshi?"

Legoshi paused at the door. His heart rate increased.

"Pick up some formula too, we're running low."

He smiled. "I'm on it."

He left without so much as another word and exhaled softly. On the doorstep was another letter from Yahya. The former Beastar was doubling his efforts now. Legoshi groaned inwardly and snatched it up off of the ground.

It was finally time to heed his call.

Yahya had written down his new address onto all of the letters so that Legoshi would be able to find him. He didn't live on top of the police department anymore as he was no longer the official Beastar. Of course, Yahya could never truly retire.

He lived in a penthouse decked to the nines with wheelchair accessibility.

Legoshi felt a twinge of sadness. Yahya had been so active, even in his old age. He dedicated himself to the cause and it tore his body apart. Hopefully, the same fate wouldn't await Legoshi as well.

He rang up the doorbell, hearing a buzzer indicating that he should identify himself to be let in. "Er, it's Legoshi—"

The door swung open and a large mass of mice greeted him.

"Oh, hey..." Legoshi wasn't quite sure where to look. Together they had many eyes, making eye contact near impossible. "Is Yahya-san home?"

The mass motioned for him to follow, leading Legoshi down a winding hall.

The space was sparsely decorated with sleek, modern styled furniture. Very few pictures were up on the walls. The few that were up were tasteful nudes of mares of all different subspecies. Legoshi didn't understand why someone as old as Yahya would ever want to decorate his home this way, but he wasn't one to judge.

At the end of the hall, the mice took Legoshi to what he presumed was Yahya's study. They knocked on the door and dispersed, leaving Legoshi to open it.

Legoshi could hear his heart in his ears.

Why was he so nervous? This was Yahya, he's met with him plenty of times before. He's not a young male anymore. He was a fully grown adult. A disabled horse shouldn't scare him.

But that wasn't it, was it. Legoshi hadn't felt genuine fear towards Yahya in years. Instead, he was fearing the situation he was putting himself in.

Legoshi turned the knob. The lights were dim inside Yahya's study. It was due to his 350° vision, it helped soothe his eyes. There was just enough light for Yahya to not be rendered blind.

Legoshi on the other hand could see perfectly clear with his night vision.

The walls were covered with news articles— old and new— about devourings and killings, herbivore farms, and beast trafficking. At the far end was Yahya's desk where he was hunched over. Legoshi may have been standing in his blindspot, but there was no mistaking the stench of dog.

Yahya wheeled himself around and smirked. "Well well, look who finally decided to join me. Atta boy, Legoshi."

Legoshi grit his teeth together. "Don't patronize me, Yahya. Just tell me what I have to do."

Chapter Text

Legoshi didn't expect to be working so soon. Merely a day had passed before Yahya had sent him to inspect the location of the last killing. The sky was downcast, pelting droplets of rain onto Legoshi's back.

A white tiger and a zebra couple were tracked down near their home and murdered in an alleyway. The downtrodden neighborhood houses a lot of residents who were less than fortunate. Legoshi could parse that these two lived here because the government only gave grants to pure blooded family.

His heart twinged for them.

The money he made after the scene he caused on the Day of Depravity all those years ago helped him immensely. These people... They didn't have that same luxury.

Legoshi thought back to a couple nights ago in Yahya's study.

"Have you taken a look through the letters I sent you?" Yahya had asked of him.

"I threw them away."

Yahya bristled. "You what? If I had put money in there, you would've been throwing away cash!"

Legoshi's soul left his body momentarily. "You... Didn't actually put money in them, did you?"

"No, you idiot."

"Oh good, because you know I would really like to get paid from this."

"You're incorrigible."

As it turns out, there was no money inside those envelopes, but case file notes. Yahya had described how he placed several photos of the victims in their children to get a rise out of him. It made him mad in the moment to learn of this, alas, there was simply no time to dwell on Yahya's many transgressions against him.

The rain had washed away many of the scents. The murder couldn't have occured more than a few hours ago. The bodies were moved to a morgue for inspection. If Legoshi indulged in his killer instinct like Riz or Melon, he would have chosen a rainy day where all the evidence would come and go with the rain.

Legoshi could still faintly smell the metallic aroma of blood mixed in with the rain puddles.

Like the other murders, they were slashed on the throat and either died of blood loss or asphyxiation due to choking on their own blood.

The location of their child was unknown. The kid was a female, a little older than LJ. Yahya had showed him her picture, though it wouldn't be enough to go off of. Legoshi needed something that belonged to the girl to attempt to track her down.

Although, the rain wasn't going to be much help.

Not that it was easy to parse the scent of a hybrid. Whenever he smelled Cress, his senses were confused. He smelled the familiar scent of wolf musk on her, but hidden beneath it all was the sweet scent of rabbit.

Cress had a unique smell that couldn't be categorized in the filing cabinet of Legoshi's olfactory.

It would be even harder to do so for a child that was not his.

Suddenly, Legoshi no longer felt raindrops hitting him. He turned to see Louis joining him with an umbrella.

"Gonna keep standing there in the rain like some sort of creep?"

"Nice to see you too, Louis."

"I brought you this." Louis held out a ziplock bag of the victim hybrid's clothes. "It was retrieved from their apartment."

Legoshi frowned deeply. "I wouldn't be able to track anything in this rain."

Louis shook his head. "No, but you'll have another one for your scent bank. This way, if you're near where the victim is, you'll be able to smell her. Yahya-sama told me to keep collecting objects belonging to the children. You're going to have to sniff them all."

Legoshi felt a lump form in his throat. "How many?" he asked. "How many children were lost?"

"Excluding today, twelve children went missing. Today makes thirteen."

Legoshi fell silent. He was itching to get home to be with Cress and Haru. Every second he's not with them, the killer could strike. On the other hand, every second he's not catching this killer gives them ample time to strike again.

Louis spoke again to fill the silence. "Juno has been reading Melon's fan letters and going to visit the senders."

Legoshi's fur bristled. "That's too dangerous."

"She's a Beastar, Legoshi. It comes with the job. If you would like to help, you're more than welcome to accompany me to go see her."

I want to go home. "Okay," Legoshi said. "Let's go."

Legoshi couldn't recall the last time he had seen Juno in person. He had seen her all over TV and magazine covers that it was easy to forget that he knew her personally. Juno kept up a façade that made her seem put together. For all the world knew, she was a glamorous she-wolf that fought for what was right, believing in the good of others.

And while she was a far cry from the bullied she-wolf Legoshi met at Cherryton, Legoshi could tell she was losing her faith in beastkind.

"This is disgusting," Juno declared. Louis and Legoshi met her at her apartment— just the living room was bigger than the floorplan of Legoshi's whole apartment— and she was divulging the contents of Melon's fan letters. Many of them were laid out on her coffee table while her guests sat on the couch."All of them. I just don't get it." She threw her hands up into the air, pacing the length of the living room.

Out of curiosity, Legoshi picked up one and read the first line out loud. "'Dear Melon-san, I wonder if you have leopard spots all down your'— I'm just going to skim over that... 'I think you're just misunderstood...'" Legoshi skimmed over the rest of the letter. "'Won't you please come and devour me, daddy.'"

Oh.

Legoshi felt that he was going to be sick.

"The worst part is, that it was written by an herbivore!" Juno cried out. "What is wrong with the world? I go through more of those than I see ones that actually agree with what he has done."

Wanting to be devoured was one thing. At first, Legoshi would have felt the same way as Juno. After eating Louis' leg and pursuing a relationship with Haru, Legoshi knew that if God made him an herbivore, he would've been the same way. Only... He doesn't understand why people had such an infatuation with Melon.

"This happens all to often with serial killers," Louis remarked cooly. "Male or female, they all have their fans. Some of them think they could fix them."

Legoshi sighed. "Maybe I should've killed Melon when I had the chance."

Louis raised his brow at him. "And throw all your moral convictions away?"

"I did that when I ate your leg," Legoshi remarked.

"If you killed Melon, he would have been made into a martyr," Louis countered. "All this—" he motioned to the letters and case files, "— would have happened way earlier. He would have been dead but he would have been immortalized."

Juno sunk into a seat next to the coffee table across from the males. "The ones that share his anti interspecial rhetoric tend to have more bark than bite. I've been to some of their homes. A lot of them are young, sadly. Some still live with their parents."

"And the others?" Legoshi asked.

"Worst case scenario, I come across a carnivore or herbivore supremacist. They get real quiet once they realize I'm the Beastar, though. I've had the police confiscate many phones and computers just in case."

"How long until we get through all the letters?"

Juno didn't have a straight answer. "Could be weeks, months. Not to mention the fan letters he's still receiving right now. The police is searching the web for any other Melon sympathizers."

"That's going to take too long. They could attack a dozen more times before we find a decent lead," Legoshi retorted. "More children could be taken—"

Juno growled at him. "I'm doing the best I can!" she snapped before retreating into herself. Usually she was even tempered and kept her growling in check. "I'm sorry..."

"You're doing great, Juno," Louis assured her. "You're only but one person. Legoshi is just impatient because he's worried about his daughter."

Juno rubbed her temples. "I have to be better than this."

"I apologize, Juno." The last thing Legoshi wanted was there to be high tensions between them. "Would you... Like to hold my hands or touch my tail?"

When two beasts of the same species touched, it was said to have calming effects. Perhaps it would work now like it had the first time they touched. It stopped working once Legoshi fully realized his feelings for Haru and Juno became more vindictive. But now that they were adults and fully moved on with their lives, there was a different bond there.

As if Juno really was his little sister that he had to protect from bullies.

Even if that bully was himself.

Juno's ears were drooped. "I don't know..."

Legoshi held out his hands, palm side up. "Try it."

Juno placed her hands on top of his. The feeling they once shared was no longer there. One of them was being apprehensive. Legoshi wondered if it had been him.

Juno retracted. "I'm sorry."

Legoshi bowed his head. "No, I'm sorry. I should get going before Haru realizes that I'm gone. Call me before you visit one of Melon's fanbeasts, I don't like the idea of you doing it alone."

With that, Legoshi swept away, leaving Louis alone with Juno. The silence was droning.

Finally, Louis turned to Juno and offered his hands up to her. "What about me?" he asked.

Juno blinked in confusion. "You?"

"Come on," Louis insisted. "Try it."

"But that only works between members of the same species—"

"I find that I'm more comfortable around carnivores. I just want you to try it, I'm not going to bite. Unless of course... You're the one who is going to bite me."

His tone carried the same flatness he always spoke with, but there was a hint of humor.

Juno scoffed. "You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"Perhaps. I cannot confirm nor deny that. Now," Louis presented his hands again, "are you going to hold them or not?"

Juno hesitated before giving in. Compared to Legoshi, she felt calmness wash over her. It was exactly how she felt when she touched Legoshi the first time.

And then... She felt something stir inside of her. A similar feeling she had not felt towards Louis in a long time.

Hunger.

Wanting.

Longing.

Juno jerked away in embarrassment. "You should get going too. We've both got lots of work to do."

On the surface, Louis remained indifferent. "You're right. So long, Juno."

Chapter Text

Juno got together with Legoshi to check off another one one their list of potential suspects. This one didn't come from one of Melon's fan letters, instead, they were cross referenced online and identified as the owner of a shooting range.

Hoka the reindeer moonlighted the Internet with his controversial takes about segregation under anonymous names. He agreed that beasts of different species should never be allowed to mate, let alone marry— or else they'll create monsters like Melon.

Juno stressed that it was important to identify Melon's haters as well as his supporters. Even if Hoka held some of the same ideas, his hatred for Melon and his kind overrided everything else.

Hoka's shooting range was to allow herbivores to learn how to shoot to keep themselves protected from carnivores. While the sentiment was fair, his actions online proved that he believed all carnivores should be put down.

Juno and Legoshi tracked him from his home, following him around town to see what he would do. Juno was driving which felt immensely awkward for Legoshi because it meant that she was taking charge. He was used to taking orders in his youth, but Juno was younger than him and he still looked at her as such.

Much of their time together staking out was spent chatting about all sorts of nonsense. Current affairs, work, friends and family.

Although, Juno's work was for more interesting than what Legoshi had to share. He got the feeling she didn't care much for his story about how a bunch of crickets were accidentally let loose in the insectorium. He changed the topic quickly after that.

"He's been in the jewelry shop an awful long time," he commented.

"Maybe there's a Mrs. Reindeer that we don't know about," Juno mused. "Though, nothing we could learn about online could tell us anything about that. There he goes— starting the car now."

Juno drove slowly to follow Hoka, trailing him on his car. She stayed a couple cars behind him so it wasn't obvious that he wasn't being followed. "You know," she said, "this is kinda fun. Feels... exhilarating, like I can feel my blood coursing through my veins."

"That's because we're two predators tracking prey," Legoshi answered matter-of-factly, sucking any fun that Juno was having right out. He knew what it was like because he felt that way about following Haru without her knowledge— at least, as far as he knew. Haru always knew when he was following her. "On top of that," he continued, "we're grey wolves, not necessarily family, but it's like we're hunting in a pack."

Juno rolled her eyes. "Always gotta ruin the mood with facts and trivia. We were having a bonding moment y'know—" She paused. "Hey, doesn't this area look kinda familiar?" She indeed knew where they were headed but she refused to believe it until she received Legoshi's second opinion.

"... This is where Louis lives."

"Why is Hoka going to Louis' house?"

"Well it's not a house, it's more like a mansion."

"Semantics, Legoshi. Semantics. I'm calling Louis right now." Juno took a turn and parked the car by the curb. In a few rings, Louis would pick up the phone.

"Hello, Juno? Is everything alright?"

"Louis, you need to go home right now."

"What, why? Is something wrong?"

Legoshi leaned over Juno's shoulder to speak to him. "Our potential suspect is heading there right now. Any idea why that might be?"

Louis was silent for a moment.

"Hello?" Juno called out. "Louis?"

"Azuki..." He exhaled sharply. "I'll be right there. Do not go inside until I get there."

Louis was fuming. He didn't want to jump to conclusions but it was fairly obvious what was happening. A reindeer... God, how could he have been so stupid. He should've put two and two together when Juno brought it up. He had been sorting through the new letters Juno had brought back, organizing them based on priority when she had called. With him out of the house, Azuki must've called up Hoka to come over.

Louis gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles ached.

Their son was home.

Little Louis' words echoed in his mind. 'Mister Reindeer came back again. I don't like him.' When children had a strong opinion about something, they truly stuck by it. Little Louis must have sensed that something was wrong with Hoka.

It was unlikely that the reindeer was their killer, he had no claws to carry out the murder. However, a successful businessman hardly sullied his own hands.

Unless of course, one was a successful businessman like Louis. He pictured his hands around Hoka's neck. Guns be damned. If Louis had a fraction of the power Legoshi or Juno had, he would end that male for daring to set foot onto his property and interfering with family dynamics by sleeping with his family.

The tires screeched as he halted into a stop. Louis barely registered that Juno had followed him. The wolves stepped out of the car, tailing him as he stomped along.

"Louis..." said Legoshi in a warning tone. "Don't do anything brash."

"Don't talk to me about tact, you big dumb dog. You're the last one to talk."

Legoshi shrank back.

"But Louis," Juno countered, "if he's involved with the killings and kidnappings, you would've scared off our suspect."

"Frankly, Juno. Right now I don't give a damn. That's why you two are here, right? Use your God given right as carnivores to protect me, an herbivore, and my family."

Louis burst inside, barreling past servants— all of which were hires from Azuki's childhood home. They would keep their mouths shut about the whole affair. They were all shocked to see him come home so early. He told Azuki that he most likely wouldn't return until late at night to take care of some work. In a sense, he had been hiding things from her as well.

Azuki and Hoka had been having dinner when Louis stormed in on them. His blood boiled. Hoka was sitting in his seat, drinking from his wineglass, and eating food that his cooks prepared. Naturally, male deer were very territorial. The antlers on their heads were not just for attracting mates but for protecting what was theirs.

Fortunately for Louis, as a red deer, he was taller and heavier. The only thing Hoka had over him was the weight and size of his antlers.

Azuki remained calm on the surface. "Louis," she began in a cadence that felt all too natural, "I understand that you must feel threatened—"

"Threatened?" Louis echoed. "Threatened? There's a stranger in my home while our son is up in his room!"

In his fury, the stranger had the gall to smile. "Take a seat, Louis-sama. Azuki-san has informed me of your situation. If we all just talk this out over dinner, I won't be so strange anymore. So send your bodyguards away because there won't be no need."

Louis motioned towards Legoshi and Juno. "Them? No, no. You have to worry about me. Not them." Without warning, Louis lunged for Hako and locked antlers with him. The male stood up from his seat to counter. As typical of cervids, the winner of a pushing match gets to banish the other male.

Legoshi moved to step in, stopped by Juno holding out her hand. She shook her head. "You of all people should know not to get in the way of a match between males," she warned him. "This is Louis' fight."

The bucks waltzed around the dining room, knocking over priceless furniture and decor. It was hard to discern who exactly was winning as they were fairly evenly matched.

This led to phase two, as Juno coined it. "Boxing. When things escalate between a pushing match, bucks engage in punching each other."

Legoshi scratched the back of his head. "Wow Juno, I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about deer."

"Oh uh—" Juno laughed awkwardly. "As the Beastar I find it crucial to be knowledgeable about all species."

The bucks went blow for blow, spattering blood onto the good carpet. The seering pain in Louis' muzzle was nothing compared to how he felt. He grit his teeth at Hoka. "I know exactly who you are," he said accusingly. "'Carnivores are the inferior species, they should be eradicated.' Sound familiar? 'Hybrids are unnatural demon spawn, not from this world.'" Word for word, Louis was reciting sentiments that Hako had posted online under an anonymous handle. "'Any herbivore that fraternizes with a carnivore is made dirty,' isn't that right CaribouKid0508—"

"Daddy?"

Louis froze. He turned slightly, spotting his son standing in his pajamas in the entryway. He was rubbing at his eyes.

"Daddy..." Little Louis' eyes grew. "What going on?"

Louis his his bloodied fists behind his back. "N... Nothing."

Slowly, Hako reached for something in the waistband of his pants while Louis was distracted. Quickly, the wolves spring into action. Juno dashed for LJ, shielding him from having to watch any longer. Azuki, too, sprung out from her seat, alarmed that a she-wolf was coming near her son. She was unsure if Juno had innocent intentions, Beastar or not. Normally, Azuki's reservations about carnivores were next to none. She wasn't anything like Hako at heart.

And yet... Seeing Juno cradle LJ as he hid his face into her chest made her feel like she failed as a mother.

Legoshi pulled Louis off of Hako in a flash, wrestling with the reindeer for the gun. Yahya had taught him how to disarm someone but it was proving to be more difficult than Legoshi had anticipated. Hako bludgeoned Legoshi repeatedly with his long antlers. Despite himself, Legoshi couldn't help but admire the biology. Male cervids were lucky to be born with horns. They could fight off predators this way.

But there was something predators had they they didn't.

Legoshi hated to do this.

He bared his claws and slashed at Hako's side, forcing him to drop the gun. The sound of flesh tearing was deafening. Clumps of fur and skin collected beneath Legoshi's fingernails. Hako whinced and grabbed his side. "Damn you, you filthy animal..." He cursed under his breath.

"Get out." Louis wiped the blood off of his face with the back of his hand. "Get out and never come back."

Azuki stood in awe. In all the years that she has known her husband, she had never seen this side of him. Her mouth was agape, unable to produce any words.

"Goodbye Legoshi, Juno," Louis said with eery calmness. "I should like to be alone with my wife. Louis, go back to your room. I'll be right there."

Juno reluctantly let go of the boy and skulked over to Legoshi's side. "Come on..."

This wasn't their battle to fight either.

Once the room cleared out, Louis stared at Azuki. "Let's get a divorce."

"What?" She blinked. "Is this about the affair? You know you're free to choose another partner, our marriage is nothing but legally binding. If we get a divorce, you'll ruin our public image."

"This isn't about that. You put LJ in danger."

Azuki scoffed. "LJ? You're calling him that now too? His name is Louis II."

"I never wanted to name him after me anyway." Louis took a deep breath. "Fine. Let's file for separation. No one has to know. We'll remain business partners for the future. But I want you out of my house. Move back in with your parents, buy yourself a new place. I don't care. Just go. I don't want to hate you, Azuki. Somewhere in there is a good doe."

From how they were raised, he couldn't blame Azuki for his misgivings and transgressions. Not fully, anyway. But if he had the capacity to change, so did she.

He half expected Azuki to retort. She only met his gaze with her own. "Okay," she said. "I'll leave."

Chapter Text

"Keep your eyes closed, no peaking."

"Legoshi, there's no way I can see past your hand, even if I open my eyes."

"Keep them closed anyway."

Legoshi was escorting Haru downstairs to the restaurant, crouching awkwardly to keep his hand over Haru's eyes. He was also holding Cress in his other arm as to not leave her upstairs by herself. The act of going down the stairs was a trip in itself but the three of them managed to do it without any trouble. Legoshi veered off towards the kitchen where he lifted his hand off of Haru's eyes. "Go ahead, you can open them now."

Haru opened her eyes and gasped. Before her was a brand new, sparkly stove. The old one was nowhere to be seen. She presumed that Legoshi took it out back. "When did you..." She was at a loss for words. "Legoshi!"

He shrugged. "We needed a new stove. This one is electric. No more worrying about the burners catching on fire. I installed it last night."

"By yourself?" Haru blinked twice in succession. "Is that why you look all beat up?"

Legoshi instinctively touched a hand to his face where he has been bruised previously by Hoka. "Yeah..." he lied. "Hit myself one too many times on the corner."

"You know you could hire people to do that for you, Mister Legoshi-san."

They turned to see Fido entering for his shift. He had heard their conversation from far with his exceptional hearing.

"Good morning Fido-kun." Haru scratched at her head. "You're about half an hour early."

Fido's tail wagged energetically, hitting it against the chairs and tables nearby. "I like being here," he said, "I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help. Maybe I could have helped Mister Legoshi-san not look like he lost a battle with the stove. We could have installed it together. Say, that's a fancy looking stove, I bet it cost a lot of money."

Fido had the proclivity to talk fast and ramble on, paying no mind if anyone was following along or not.

Haru caught on to his last statement, however. "You know, Fido-kun. I was wondering the same thing. We can't afford brand new things for the restaurant, especially when there's something important we should be saving up for."

As if Cress understood what was being said, she babbled.

Legoshi thought about telling Haru the truth, but Fido was standing right there and being the young male he was, didn't need to hear anything about murders.

That and he would probably tell everyone he knew.

"Oh uh, I got a raise at work. Thought I would surprise everyone with a new stove so..." Legoshi raised his hands unceremoniously. "Surprise...!"

"Legoshi, that's so sweet of you." Haru tugged down on the hem of his shirt, prompting him to lean down so she could kiss his cheek. He suppressed a whince from how sore his face still was.

"Does this mean we'll finally replace the leaky fridge?" Fido asked, cutting theo the touching moment.

There were so many things in the restaurant that could use upgrades, now that Legoshi thought about it. They haven't owned it for very long, buying the building itself was hefty. All the other funds towards equipment and appliances lent them towards buying the cheapest they could afford.

"I don't suppose why not," he said. "It's time for me to start giving to the restaurant. My name is on the lease offer all."

"Are you staying today, Mister Legoshi-san?"

He nodded.

On Legoshi's days off that coincides with the restaurant being open, he helped out. His experience at Udon BeBeBe had been quite helpful. It also helped that Haru didn't have to pay him.

"Fido-kun, go fetch one of the high chairs for Cress." Legoshi wanted to speak with Haru for a moment. "Set it up at one of the tables."

"Yes sir!" Fido saluted him and scurried off.

Haru laughed. "He respects you a lot. I think he likes you more than he likes me."

Fido liked her quite a bit as it was. He always did what she told him to with overeagerness and a smile on his face. He didn't treat her like a helpless herbivore, but as his boss that he wanted to please.

"Young canines tend to look up to a strong male figure, like an alpha."

With Fido's dad dead, Legoshi somewhat filled that void. He didn't mind it though. Fido was a good kid if not a little annoying.

"Oh please, alpha?" Haru shoved him playfully. Of course, Legoshi didn't move an inch. "Are you saying you're an alpha wolf now?"

Legoshi blushed. "Would you like that?" I'm getting off track, I'm supposed to tell her what I'm doing! "Would it be hot if I was?"

Fido soon returned for the baby, grabbing her out of Legoshi's arms. "High chair is all set, sir and ma'am! You know... If you can't find a babysitter, my mama could do it. She loves pups!"

Haru crinkled her nose at the thought. She never met the female but she didn't like the sound of her. "Fido... I don't think I want to do that. Didn't you say your mom wrapped you in aluminum foil?"

"Oh yes. I was a very naughty boy. Cress-chan is an angel though, isn't that right?" Fido pressed his nose to her cheek, making her giggle. In turn, she grabbed onto his long ears and pulled on them. "Ow—"

"I was thinking we could do daycare," Haru suggested, looking up at Legoshi. "Your grandpa volunteers at one, we should ask him about it."

"I guess we could do that..."

"Great!" Haru smiled. "We'll call him up!"

The door chimes would ring before Legoshi could get another reply in. "Hi, welcome to Furtastic Feasts!" Fido greeted the guest in his happy-go-lucky register. "We're not open just yet, would you like to come in an another hour?"

"Oh, I saw people in here and I just thought..."

Haru quickly put on her apron. "Let him in, Fido-kun, it's okay!" She then turned to Legoshi and more quietly addeded, "Business is business."

Legoshi peered over the counters, getting a good look at the guest. From afar, he looked like a wolf. Only, he was a bit on the smaller side, at least compared to him. Could just be a smaller breed. Though, something didn't smell quite right about him. It was the same kind of smell that reminded him of Cress.

A wolf, but not quite.

"Fido, make sure the tables are set," Legoshi instructed, deciding to investigate further. "I'll take his order." He approached the customer with a notepad. "This your first time?"

He nodded, licking his chops. "Oh yeah. I've heard a lot of things about this place. I figured that a restaurant that cooks a lot of veggies that's owned by a rabbit would be pretty good. A rabbit would know their veggies, huh. You're her husband, aren't you? Never thought I would see it. A rabbit and a wolf together, the rumours were true."

"Forgive my asking," Legoshi peered at him from behind the notepad, "but are you mixed?"

"Legoshi!" Haru scolded him from the kitchen. "You can't just ask people if they're mixed! Especially if they're a customer!"

The customer chuckled. "No, it's okay. I get that a lot. I'm a Siberian Husky. I get told I look like a wolf often."

"Pretty big for a Husky," Legoshi remarked.

The customer eyed him. "Pretty big, even for a wolf." He then started laughing, easing the tension. "I guess we all have a bit of mutt in us."

"Yeah..." Legoshi poised his pen. "Your order please, Mister..."

"Kosaku."

"Kosaku, right." Legoshi smiled. "What could I get for you today?"

Louis had watched as Azuki and her personal servants left their home. She had packed all of her personal belongings and left without so much as a complaint. It didn't matter to her if she wasn't living under the same roof as Louis. As long as they still had their shared business, all was well.

Their son would have to do a lot of traveling between households but it was agreed that Louis would have most of the custody. Louis thought she would put up more of a fight, but she hadn't. Azuki perceived that she had lost before they could truly butt heads.

Was this what it was like when she was little? Her mother always folding to what her father wanted to do?

He couldn't help but feel bad for her.

Maybe the time away would help her sort out whatever she had going on. It's not as though she was the worst mother ever. Louis felt that she deserved happiness all the same.

He felt LJ tug on his pant leg.

"Where Mommy going?" LJ asked innocently.

"She's... Going somewhere else," Louis answered, unsure of how to put this in terms a two-and-a-half year old would understand.

"She not like us anymore?"

Louis eyes widened. "No, Louis," he assured him. "She still loves us. Mommy just needs to be in her own house. You'll get to go see her sometimes."

LJ nodded as if he understood. "Our house not big enough?"

Louis chuckled. "Not big enough for all of Mommy's clothes."

"Daddy... Mad at Mommy?"

Louis turned and kneeled down, brushing his hand over LJ's heads. "Not at all. You'll understand when you get your antlers. Now... Who wants to sit in Daddy's spinning chair at the office while he does some work?"

If anyone from school could hear him talk like this or God forbid the Shishigumi saw him like this, Louis would never hear the end of it. It was embarrassing.

Little Louis was cute though.

The fawn deserved to feel like he was loved.

Chapter Text

Haru noticed that Legoshi would leave the bed in the middle of the night and return before the early hours of the day. She didn't want to question him as Legoshi never gave her a reason to question him. She trusted Legoshi with all her heart. Whenever she felt the encroaching dress that Legoshi was doing something he shouldn't, he'd come back with a gift.

Whether it be something she needed for the restaurant or something for the apartment to surprise presents for Cress or herself— she would be reminded that no matter what, Legoshi had his heart in the right place. It made her feel guilty for even questioning him.

And so, Haru would put up with his disappearing acts.

He would be there in the mornings, at least. As always, Legoshi would wake her up by peppering her face with little kisses. It had become a little game between them to see how many kisses it would take to make her get up.

Today was about five.

Together they prepared to start their day, the same old routine. While one of them takes a shower, the other checks on the baby and tends to her. Then they switch and begin to prepare breakfast. It was amazing how easily they had fallen into parenthood. It was as if Cress was with them all along.

She sat in her highchair being fed some strange mixture of fruits in vegetables they call baby food by Legoshi. It was... Very unappetizing to look at to say the least. Cress shared the sentiment.

"Maybe if you eat it and show her that it's edible, maybe she'll eat it," Haru suggested as a half joke. She didn't expect Legoshi to actually do it though.

Legoshi held up a spoon full of the slop, regarding it as the best thing to ever grace the planet since sliced bread— something Cress had yet to eat. "See? It's good, Papa is going to eat it. Mmm... Urk—" Legoshi fought the urge to spit it out and swallowed it like a champ. "Wow... So good."

Cress was rather unimpressed.

Legoshi conceded. "I did it, so now you have to do it okay?" He tried again and brought the spoon to her mouth. This time she opened and swallowed. Her reaction was anticlimactic as her distaste stemmed from how the food looked and felt like in her mouth rather than taste.

"She has no problem putting anything else in her mouth," Haru remarked unceremoniously. "She can't really taste it."

Just like Melon.

Legoshi frowned. "You're a botanist, isn't there anything we could do?"

"I'm not sure," Haru sighed, looking into her bowl of porridge. "But... I'm determined to find out. I'm going to find a way to serve every animal on this planet delicious veggies if it's the last thing I do."

Legoshi sat back and admired her. "You're so cute when you get all determined."

"Legoshi!"

"What?"

Haru opened up the restaurant with a sinking feeling in the pit of her belly. How simple it was to fall into routine and forget all the woes of the night. Now that Legoshi went off to work, Haru was alone with her thoughts.

There was Fido, but she mostly tuned out his incessant rambling about the where's and wherefores of something or other. Cress was also there, but a baby could hardly be considered company.

She leaned against the counter, head in her hands.

What's Legoshi up to?

And where is he getting all this money from?

Haru figured that Legoshi either got a second job or took up more shifts at the insectorium. But at night? It was possible he took up a security job. He was a strong large breed, he would have been perfect. Though, it wouldn't make sense as to why he wouldn't tell her.

She trusted him wholeheartedly but he didn't make it easy.

"Hello, welcome to Furtastic Feasts. How may I serve you today?"

Fido's practiced greeting broke Haru out of her thoughts.

"Do you still serve food to those without fur?"

Haru arched her brow, lifting her head to peer over the counter. She anticipated a couple of reptilian customers to make such a comment, but to her surprise, her eyes settled on an amphibian.

Amphibians tend to live near the water in more humid climates which puzzled Haru as to why this female frog was standing in her restaurant.

Her slimy skin was bright green in color and occasionally she rubbed herself with a wet rag to keep moisturized. She was pushing an odd contraption that Haru surmised was a sort of stroller.

The stroller was a bowl of water with a couple tadpoles swimming around in it.

"I would hate to have come all this way. I heard that this place was inclusive and wanted to give it a try," the female croaked.

"O-Of course! Find her a seat, Fido-kun!"

Fido straightened out from staring too long. "Yes ma'am!" He saluted. "Right this way, Miss. What can I get for you?"

"Do you serve meals with bugs in them?"

"Er..." Fido turned to look at Haru, his brows crinkled.

Haru's heart sank. I can't let this customer go! This could bring up business! If she had more than just mammals for customers, word could get out. She'd be serving amphibians and reptiles everywhere.

"Don't worry!" she blurted out. "I'll fix up something special for you!" Haru ducked behind the counter, digging for her phone in her apron. There was only one person she knew who knew a lot about bugs.

"Haru?"

"Well that was fast, aren't you on the clock? The phone didn't ring even once."

"I, um." Haru could practically hear Legoshi blushing on the other end. "What happened?"

"I've got a frog customer here and she's asking for bugs. Could you help me out here?"

"You're not implying that I steal from my job and bring you a couple insects, are you?"

"Hardly the most illegal thing you've done. You could hide it, you're good at that."

"...Are we still talking about the bugs?"

"Nevermind that, just think of something." Haru peaked over the counter, folding her ears back as to not be seen. "And hurry!" She hung up promptly and sighed.

Fido was doing his best to stall for time. "I've never seen a frog before," he was saying. "Your skin looks so smooth. I bet it feels really nice."

Haru was aghast. Idiot! You can't just talk to people like that! He and Legoshi were one in the same in the worst ways possible. Regaining her composure, Haru sat up and called Fido over.

"Yes Miss Haru-san?"

"Fido, why don't you prepare an appetizer while the Miss waits for her food?"

"But Miss Haru-san, you told me to never touch anything in the kitchen—"

"Now."

Fido bowed his head. "Yes ma'am."

While he got busy, Haru strode over towards the frog woman. "Hello," she greeted. "Our order of insects have yet to come in, but it shouldn't be much longer now. I'm Haru, what's your name?"

"Kero."

"I see that you are a mother, Kero." Haru motioned towards where Cress was sitting in a highchair, gnawing on crayons. "I'm also a mother."

Kero blinked one eye at a time, angling them towards Haru's child. "I see. She must take after her father."

"Her father is a wolf."

"Oh! What fantastic news!"

Haru flinched from the outburst. "It... It is?"

"How wonderful it is to be in this town." Kero clasped her hands together. "You must all be accepting of those different from you. I was worried I would stand out. To imagine a rabbit and a wolf having a child together. Very good news indeed."

Haru rubbed the back of her head bashfully. "Thank you... That means a lot."

"Tell me more about yourself, Haru-san." Kero reached out to grab Haru's hand. Her touch was cold and clammy. "You seem like a very interesting female. I wish to tell my family back home all about my adventures in the city."

"Well..."

The things I do for love.

Legoshi had been standing at the trashcan behind the insectorium, holding a stick coated with honey to catch flies and now he was on the bus getting dirty looks from everyone. He was thankful when he got off a couple blocks from home.

He had to admit, he was curious to meet this amphibian. He doubted that there were many living in the city, designating themselves to freshwater areas.

Legoshi trudged all the way to the restaurant, stick in hand. From afar, he could see that Haru and the frog were chatting up a storm. That's good, he thought, maybe it didn't feel like I took long.

As soon as he entered, the females turned towards him.

Somehow, he felt that they were gossiping about him.

"You must be the husband!" Kero the frog chortled. Her voice had a unique tenure that scratched at Legoshi's ears. "You treat her right, you hear?"

Haru laughed. "Oh he does, right Legoshi?"

"... Right." His tail wagged limply. Haru must've been catching onto him and this was his punishment. "Well..." He lifted the stick awkwardly and pointed to it. "I have your flies."

"Let's take that to the kitchen." Haru stood up and bowed. "It won't be a moment." She turned on her heel and Legoshi followed. Once they were out of earshot inside of the kitchen, Haru began washing her hands. "You're the best, Legoshi. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

There was an undertone in her words. Legoshi wasn't ready to face it.

"Haru..."

Her ears were getting bigger, a sure sign that she was irritated.

I want to tell you, but...

"Here, lemme take that from you. You should go back to work. I'll see you later tonight."

That is, if Yahya didn't slap him with another case to track.

Chapter Text

Yahya was none too pleased with how long it was taking to take down this copycat killer. He partially blamed himself. Had he not been restricted to the wheelchair, he would have been able to do a lot more. He was successful in bringing Legoshi on but the boy was washed. He was just like his grandfather.

Legoshi had said that Yahya was wrong, that his family made him stronger.

If only it made him shut up.

"Can we wrap this up please, I have to get back to my wife. She's starting to suspect something."

He, Louis, and Juno were congregating in Yahya's study for another briefing. He made them all stand shoulder to shoulder, refusing to allow them to take pity on him and sit down at eye level with him.

Yahya folded his hands beneath his chin. "Why don't you just tell her? You've got a history with her, this ain't anything new."

"If I tell her, she'll tell me to stop," Legoshi retorted.

"Hm. You're right." Yahya shook his head. "Don't tell her."

Juno shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "Doesn't Haru deserve to know? The two of you are already in so much danger by existing as an interspecies couple. More so that your marriage is documented."

"If Haru knew, she will insert herself into danger," Louis countered. "Best tell her a half truth, one that would keep her satisfied to throw her off your trail."

Legoshi bristled. Forcing his fur flat, he sighed. "Look at us. She's my wife," he said, "not a person of interest."

Yahya lifted his hand to cease their unnecessary chatter. "Perfect Segway to discuss who may be a person of interest." He threw down a few photos on his desk, prompting the trio to bend down to get a closer look.

"These are just pictures of Hoka," Juno commented upon inspection. "We already tried with him."

Yahya suppressed a sigh, reminding himself that the current Beastar was not a sleuth. "Could one of you boys point out what I'm really trying to get you to see?"

In all of the pictures, Hoka was surrounded by an entourage. It wasn't atypical for someone of his stature, though, Louis was the first to notice what was wrong in these pictures.

"They're all carnivores," he said.

Legoshi frowned. "If he hates carnivores so much, why would he hire them as guards?"

"Cheap labor," Yahya remarked. "They're all also former criminals. He hires them so he doesn't have to pay them as much. Besides, what better way to protect oneself from carnivores than with other carnivores?" He then lifted his gaze towards Louis. "Or other herbivores for that matter."

Louis hung his head.

Yahya threw more pictures down onto his desk— close-ups of the claw marks each victim had. "We know that the actual killer has to be a carnivore to make these markings, but it's possible that someone else is holding the gun while they pull the trigger. It's why I had you look into Hoka in the first place. His staunch views are very alarming."

"So what do we do?" Juno asked.

Yahya pulled out something different, the scent has been bothering the wolves in attendance without being able to directly pinpoint what it is. He tossed it to Legoshi who caught it reluctantly. The coldness of the tube seeped into his palms and the acrid stench wafted into his nostrils. It was somewhat familiar, yet different all the same. Yahya tossed one to Juno as well.

"This is... Fish meat," she said.

Yahya's tone was an unusual trill. "Oh so you do know something after all."

"Are you trying to say something?"

He glossed over his previous statement. "What I'm trying to say is, that all three of you are going to event that endorses the consumption of fish meat. It's still an unpopular choice as fish were once living and are sentient, but this is a gift of good will from the sea people. Their way of life is completely different from ours."

Legoshi thought of his neighbor, Sagwan the spotted seal. It was difficult to accept Sagwan's beliefs but Legoshi put aside his own beliefs in favor of making a friend.

"I can't endorse this." Juno held the meat as if it might poison her. "I'm already endorsing faux meat. It doesn't come from anything that was living, it's lab grown."

"I don't care if this goes against your beliefs, princess," Yahya scoffed. "Unless you want our killer to continue to walk, this is a prime time opportunity to find out more information. I need you to use your status as the Beastar to infiltrate this event in plain sight. Legoshi would be going as your guard."

"Hoka is going to be there," Louis observed. "You want us to get near him."

"You might not be able to, considering your altercation that almost ruined the whole operation."

Louis fell silent.

"I still need you to go," Yahya assured him, "see what you can suss out from the other guests. Information is just as powerful as money. You've got two weeks to prepare. You're dismissed." The trio turned to leave before Yahya added one more thing. "Except you, Legoshi. You stay."

Louis and Juno exchanged glances with him before departing.

Legoshi knit his brows together. "Need something from me?"

"Spare a trip to the morgue?"

"I told you already, I've got to get home... Haru is probably upset with me right now."

"So what?" Yahya flicked his hand. "Do something nice for her when you get back. Flowers, dinner, whatever. This'll be a quick trip, you'll be fine."

Legoshi sighed inwardly. He wouldn't be so quick to accept the advice of a lifelong bachelor but it didn't sound like a bad idea. "... Okay, fine. Let's go."

Yahya had Legoshi inspect the cadavers of the victims, given his canine nose, he wanted the grey wolf to become familiar with the scent of death. "You need to dig deep," Yahya told him. "Try to find the scent of the perpetrator."

The morgue was dimly lit with a few cadavers pulled out on tables. Legoshi stood by Yahya's side, gripping the handlebars of his wheelchair. The air was cold, freezing the tips of his fingers.

The smell of dead bodies took Legoshi back to the black market at seventeen, eighteen years old. A long time had passed since then, but he could never forget it.

Below him, the cadaver was uncovered. The slash marks were cleaned up, but Legoshi could see directly into the throat of the victim. He had to stop himself from touching his own throat instinctively. He tried to single out a scent left behind from the living skin cells of the perpetrator, but he couldn't detect anything specific.

"I can smell the preservatives," Legoshi said, "I could smell death, I could smell the person they used to be, but I can't smell the killer."

"Try harder."

Legoshi closed his eyes and blocked out every other smell, mentally berating himself. It shouldn't be this difficult for him, other than his physicality, his sense of smell was the stronger part about him.

He picked up on something vague yet familiar.

"It... Kinda smells like a wolf."

"Hold onto that smell."

Legoshi's forehead creased in thought. "Yahya-sama... I think the perpetrator must be a hybrid."

Yahya raised a brow. "Another hybrid killer?"

"It's the only reason why I can't decipher what the scent is. It was the same with Melon and similar to my daughter." Legoshi lifted his lids, staring down at the dead body. The scent, he smelled it before but he couldn't quite pinpoint it.

"Hm. Go home, Legoshi. You did good today."

Legoshi's tail wagged slightly. "I don't think you've complimented me this whole time."

Yahya chuckled. "Don't get used to it."

Haru waited up for Legoshi, staring as the 24/7 weather channel was playing on the TV. Her feet were kicked up the arm of their couch as her head rested in the cushions.

I don't know what it is that he loved about the weather channel, Haru thought. She would change the channel but at this point she had been watching for so long, it would feel wrong to.

She heard Legoshi walking up the stairs before he even opened the door. Still upset with him, Haru feigned disinterest and stayed put. She heard the rustling of plastic bags— takeout no doubt— and the shuffling of his feet.

"Haru—"

She didn't even look at him. "Are you cheating on me?"

Legoshi froze. "W... What? No!" He was hurt that Haru would even jump to that conclusion, though he couldn't blame her. "I would never."

"Did you find a sugar mommy? Did you join a host club?" Haru sat up to look at him. He had been holding something behind his back. "What is it, Legoshi? Where have you been going at night? I put up with it to see when you're ready to share but I get the feeling you were never going to tell me."

"I've been..."

His conversation with Yahya echoed in his skull.

If I tell her, she'll tell me to stop.

You're right. Don't tell her.

Best tell her a half truth.

He gulped. "I've been working with Yahya. He wants me to train Juno into becoming the best Sublime Beastar she could be. Yahya-sama is... Not very pleased with Juno. He wants her to be more of a fighter so she could fully take his place. He... He's tried to get me back into being the Beastar but I refused, only agreeing to train Juno."

Haru frowned. "I see. Why lie to me then?"

"I was afraid you would stop me. Yahya has been giving me money, that's why we have all these things now. I wanted to at least make it up to you."

Haru stared at him for a moment before, sinking back into the couch. "I'm not going to stop you. I'm glad that it's just that, I was fearing the worst." She chuckled. "Cheat on me? I don't know why that ever crossed my mind."

Legoshi wagged his tail. "I would sooner die than do that."

"You don't have to sound so happy when talking about something so morbid."

"... I got you this," he said, promptly changing the subject. Legoshi revealed his gift to her— a pale orchid. "I was thinking of getting you a bouquet but I know how you feel about dead flowers. So I got you a potted plant instead. I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Oh Legoshi, it's beautiful." Haru reached for the pot, brushing her hands against his.

And I'm still sorry to lying to you still, he thought.

I hope that you will forgive me.

Chapter Text

In the ensuing days, Cress was signed up for daycare. Legoshi wanted to push back as he didn't want Cress to be anywhere where he of Haru wasn't around. He eventually relented, seeing as his grandfather would sometimes be at the daycare. Although Gosha was getting older, he still worked. Reptiles aged exceptionally well. As for Haru's parents, they could hardly keep up with Cress as they were getting a little long in the tooth.

An agreement was made where Gosha would pick up Cress and drop her off at daycare as it was fairly out of the way from Legoshi's job.

Gosha was more than happy to do so.

Before he could depart, he was equipped with Cress' baby sling and her bag. He was a little concerned that the gene that made Legoshi immune to his toxins skipped a generation, even if they had tested for it. Not only that, but babies immune systems were weak, rendering them sensitive to just about everything.

Nonetheless, Cress was comfortable around Grandpa Gosha. She didn't fuss from being in his arms and she didn't mind it when he fed her. She was particularly fascinated by his scales, wanting to nibble on his fingers. Although it didn't hurt, Gosha refused to allow her to do so in case Legoshi or Haru got upset.

He wanted to continue being the fun loving grandpa that Legoshi grew up with.

"It feels like just yesterday you were a baby," Gosha mused, reminiscing in the doorway. "Now look, I'm taking your baby to daycare."

There was a time that Gosha hoped that Legoshi would have a simple life, settle down with another grey wolf, get grants from the government for their mono species family. But after meeting Haru and seeing how serious Legoshi was about their relationship, Gosha couldn't be happier.

Haru clasped her hands together, awing at the sight. "We've gotta get a picture of this! Legoshi, do you mind? I'm too short to get a good one."

"Of course. We need more pictures of Great Grandpa with the family."

Gosha rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I wish you would stop calling me that, you make me sound like a dinosaur. Just Grandpa would be fine."

It's not like Legoshi's father was in the picture to claim that title anyhow. When Cress was old enough to speak, she could differentiate her grandfathers by calling them different names to set them apart.

Maybe it would be something cute like Pop Pop or Peepaw.

Legoshi took a couple photos, smiling softly at them. When his mother was still around, there was only one photo with Gosha together with them in the house. Now, Legoshi had several pictures of Gosha and himself as well as Cress and Haru on his phone. He wanted to get them printed eventually so they could put them up.

"We better not hold you up anymore," said Legoshi. His heart may have been heavy but they didn't really have much of a choice. It wasn't viable to have Cress in the restaurant when they had do one else to watch her. He felt Haru place her palm on his hand. The warmth emenating from her touch put him at ease.

But it wouldn't stop his tail from twitching.

Haru waved them off. "Have a good day you two! Send lots of pictures, okay?"

"Are you kidding?" Gosha chuckled. "Half of the pictures I've got saved are of the little tyke." He looked down at Cress as she kicked her legs out. "Looks like someone is ready to go. We'll be off then."

He departed with Cress, leaving an empty feeling in Legoshi's chest.

"It'll be fine," Haru promised him. "It's the only daycare that accepts hybrids."

Cress was positively tickled pink by the outing. She didn't understand why she was being away from her parents, but she felt secure with Gosha. It warmed his cold blooded heart.

As he walked, Gosha was increasingly aware of another presence following him. There wasn't malice or malcontent behind the footsteps. They were rather loud, not caring to be heard. Gosha risked it and turned around, spotting a familiar grey wolf.

"It's... Juno-san isn't it? Beastar-sama?"

Juno was wearing another one of her poorly thought out disguises, this time donning a floppy hat and a flowing navy scarf. She had been feigning ignorance, turning to look behind her as Gosha called her out.

He chuckled. "Have you been following me, Juno-san?"

Busted, she sagged her shoulders. "I wasn't stalking you or anything... I just happened to be in the area—"

He raised a brow at her.

"Really. I tour through low income areas to see how I can help," she explained. "Then I spotted you and I just thought..." Juno twiddled her fingers, picking at her claws nervously. "I just want to talk to you. I need advice."

Gosha looked at her curiously. Legoshi's former schoolmate was someone he hardly ever saw. She showed up at events the couple would host and they would meet there. Other than that, they were perpendicular lines. This moment in time would be where they crossed.

He motioned for her to follow him. "What's troubling you?"

Juno bounced over to close the distance between them. "You were almost a Beastar, right?"

"I have it up for my family. Yahya and I were supposed to be the first Beastars."

Juno nodded. "So I've heard. Was he... Always difficult? I get the feeling that he doesn't like me much because I'm not what he wants me to be."

"He may be a horse, but he's as stubborn as a mule," Gosha admitted. "I wouldn't let that get to you. You use your status as the Beastar however you want." He wanted to touch her shoulder to comfort her, but he didn't want to risk it. Gosha kept his hand to his side. "You remind me a lot of my Leano."

Juno's ears perked up.

"Ah, here we are." Gosha slowed to a stop in front of the daycare. "Why don't you come inside?"

Juno instinctively shook her head. "No, I can't—"

"You want to help impoverished places, don't you?" Gosha gestured towards the door. "There's a whole bunch of kids that are down on their luck that would love to see the Beastar."

Juno glanced at the daycare before settling her eyes on Cress. The baby was blowing bubbles between her teeth.

"This is for hybrid children, isn't it?"

Gosha nodded. "The only one. The doe that worked her went back to school to further her education so she could franchise. But for now, this is where those children go. Here, they won't be judged for existing. Cress is lucky to grow up in a time where this place exists. It didn't for my daughter. Just you showing up is how you could use your status as the Beastar for the greater good. You don't have to be a fighter as Yahya says, but you have to be willing to fight for what you love."

"I love this city and her people."

Gosha broke out into a grin. "Then let's go then."

Upon entry, they were greeted by the new caretaker. She was a large black cat, whose scent sent Juno's nose off the fritz. The cat bowed politely, grinning toothily. "Ah, welcome back Gosha-san. You must be the Beastar. Welcome. I'm Gattineri."

Juno frowned and took off her hat promptly. Why do I even bother with these disguises. "Nice to meet you, Gattineri. I was hoping to..." Her eyes darted around, looking for something to excuse her random visit. "I was hoping to read to the kids," she decided, eyeing a bookcase in the corner.

Gattineri laughed airily, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "Looks like your job just got taken, Gosha-san."

Gosha smiled. "She could take it. Just got today."

Gattineri flicked her hand toward the reading corner. "Go ahead Miss Beastar. I'll go round up the kids."

Juno had picked out a book of fables, finding it somewhat difficult to read as it contained many stories where herbivores and carnivores are at odds with one another.

Seriously, that Wolf and the Three Pigs story is just offensive.

She settled on reading about a race between a tortoise and a hare. There were hardly any stories where there was a carnivore as a protagonist that painted them in a great light. Juno wondered why Gattineri would keep such a book in the daycare and quickly dashed the thought. It was just a bunch of old fables, kids love that stuff.

Fables were a part of history and they shouldn't be erased.

Looking at all the hybrid children and their mix-matched patterns, asymmetrical horns, and body parts that may be too big or too small on them— they filled Juno with pity.

She didn't want to pity them. Their smiling faces brought her much joy.

She felt guilty for ever thinking of trying to become perfect through pursuing a relationship with Legoshi and having a purebred family. These kids weren't going to lead happy lives. That was a fact of the matter. Society was going to move at glacial speeds when it came to acceptance. Interspecies marriage was even legalized until less than two decades ago. Acceptance of hybrids could take twice as long if that.

The worse case scenario, these ended up like Melon.

Best case...

Juno never met a 50/50 hybrid to tell the tale of a happy ending.

Chapter Text

Gohin was surprised that Legoshi managed to get the money in time for Cress' operation. Truthfully, he had it set aside from one of the first 'paychecks' of sorts that he had received from Yahya. He gave it to Gohin a week in advance.

On the day of her first birthday she spent it getting her braces and despite not being cognisant enough to remember it, it was a rather depressing event. Instead of celebrating with friends and family, even with just one another, Legoshi and Haru spent it in the waiting room of Gohin's associate.

Doctor Westley was a weasel in every sense of the word. For one, he was an actual weasel, hardly taller than Haru. Secondly, he was a quack doctor that Gohin knew from his days in the black market. Gohin would not say what Doctor Westley used to do, other than some dentistry.

The shrill sound of electric files from the operating room was less than comforting.

"I don't think I trust this," Haru admitted. She hadn't touched any of the magazines Doctor Westley had in his office. They were... Less than savory and they didn't suit her reading tastes. "A back alley doctor? Is he even a real dentist?"

Legoshi slouched in his seat. "Gohin knows what he's doing. I trust that he knows what's best for Cress. Best not to judge a book by a cover. Doesn't matter that he's a carnivorous weasel... Who are known to 'procure' more than they need to sate their appetites..." He dug his nails into the arms of his chair, reminding himself to follow his own advice. He used to believe in the good of everyone, once. Then he looked evil in the eye. Legoshi shook himself. "A small mammal with a set of carnivore's teeth is probably the best dentist for Cress. We're lucky we even found someone willing to operate on a baby."

Haru scoffed, "Lucky or unfortunate."

"Hey." Legoshi placed a gentle hand on hers. "Gohin is in there with her, he wouldn't let anything happen to Cress."

They sat like that for what felt like hours before Gohin and Westley returned with Cress. Cress was nestled in the crook of Gohin's muscular arm, her brand new headset on. The wire encircled her head and her teeth were also noticably shorter.

Westley clasped his hands together. The quack doctor was a wiry looking creature with a wild look in his eye. His eyes were soft and round like prey's, giving him a somewhat adorable appearance that was misleading. "So!" He announced. "What do you think?"

"She looks like the planet Saturn," Haru deadpanned.

Westley chuckled. "Think of it as a little halo for your angel."

"Halos go over the head, not around it."

"Well the good news is," Gohin interjected, "that part is removable. Take it off at night and at mealtimes. The wire will force her teeth to grow in the right direction and fix her overbite. Let her keep teething to file down those teeth. I suspect that the small percentage of reptile DNA she has is causing the rapid growth."

"You're saying that she might have to teethe for the rest of her life?" Legoshi asked.

"It's likely."

"It wouldn't be so bad when she's older," Westley added. "By then there would be a simpler solution. If you're lucky, she'll never have to wear braces again. She'll go the rest of her life having to wear a retainer, but that would only have to be worn at night."

Gohin handed Cress off to Haru. "You might want to put mittens on her so she doesn't try to pull at the wire."

Haru gave a faint smile. "Great..."

"Should any complications arrive," Doctor Westley continued, "please do visit me again. This is the most fascinating case I ever laid eyes on, and I've worked on alligator teeth! I should like to see the progression." He laughed to himself, rubbing his hands together.

Legoshi stood, helping Haru out of her seat. "Hopefully it doesn't come to that," he said.

They couldn't leave the office sooner.

Cress didn't like having the braces on whatsoever. There was no doubt that they were uncomfortable, especially within the first few days. Either one of her parents would take it off frequently out of pity. At daycare, Gosha and Gattineri were given special instructions on how to care for her. Cress always arrived with a numbing cream for her gums packed along with her things in the ensuing days. It was extra work but Gattineri was more than happy to do it.

These imperfections or 'special traits' as Gattineri liked to call it, were rather common in hybrids.

It at least put Legoshi and Haru at ease.

It was only natural that these special traits arise. Every species had his or her share of biological traits that could lead to potential issues if not taken care of. Hybrids were simply a brand new species.

As Cress' new caretaker, Gattineri was pleased to witness such an event.

With that big weight off of his shoulders, the only thing Legoshi had to worry about was going to the sponsorship event for the fish meat. The event would be partially televized on the news and Legoshi hoped up and down that Haru didn't happen to see it.

He couldn't come up with a fair excuse as to why he would be in attendance. He could always tell her that Juno needed a bodyguard, but she had plenty of those— species larger and stronger than him even. It wouldn't make sense to Haru as the half truth would sound more like a blatant lie than the truth itself.

It wasn't until catching up with Jack did Legoshi hatch an idea.

The two were meeting up for lunch at the park, longing to roll in the grass like a couple of pups. They were grown now and giving into such instincts was seen as taboo. Such was the reason they liked to live vicariously by being at the park.

Jack was wagging his tail as they walked, yammering on about the new updates on his life. "My new girlfriend is so cute! I love her brown eyes, they make me melt everytime." He clutched his chest. "I always wanna spend time with her but spending time with friends is important too, right Legoshi?"

"Hm? Yeah." Legoshi was zoning out a little. "You know... I worry that Haru doesn't have a lot of female friends. Not since school. Why don't we set them up as friends? Then, we could spent time together, the four of us."

If it was possible, Jack's tail wagged even faster. "That sounds like a great idea! Though... Shouldn't we go on a double date first so they could meet?"

"I don't want Haru to feel that every friend she has is because of me, I think it's better if they meet without us first," Legoshi decided. "How about... This Saturday?"

"Ooh, it feels like we're setting up a playdate! I know Jackie would like that but..." Jack trailed off. "I don't know how Haru could feel. I take it that she doesn't like to be babied."

"That's true." I need to come up with a better reason. "Why doesn't she stop by the restaurant? It'll feel more organic that way."

Jack nodded along. "That sounds like a good idea."

This way, Haru stays busy and wouldn't touch the television. It was a good plan, Legoshi thought. He felt dirty for doing Haru like this but he felt that he had no choice.

"Great, then it's settled then." Legoshi then gave pause, circling back to what Jack said earlier. "Wait," he crinkled his brow. "Your girlfriend's name is Jackie?"

Jack was beaming. "Uh-huh!"

"Jack and Jackie."

"Yep!"

"Okay."

Chapter Text

Saturday rolled around and Legoshi had prepared Haru with an excuse as to where he would be that night. He kept up with the vaguely false pretence of training Juno and told Haru that he would be with her for the night. It wasn't untrue per se. Though, the half truths and the white lies were beginning to pile on that Legoshi felt he had no choice but to keep rolling with it.

Once the killer is caught, my life will go back to normal, he reminded himself. He was at work, tending to the plants in the terrariums. Not only did the insects like to eat them, it was pleasing to look at for the viewers. Legoshi was grateful that Haru taught him a little bit about gardening as the information proved to be useful for his job.

Thinking about it though, it made him feel guilty.

It wouldn't be the first time he withheld information from Haru. This time was only different because of their close proximity on a daily basis. Legoshi carried his guilt with him to the bed they shared and carried it back with him whenever he left.

That afternoon, as per Jack's persuasion, his girlfriend stopped by Furtastic Feasts to get a sense of what it was all about. Jack has told her that it was owned by a friend and that they could really use a new customer. The Labrador inadvertently made Haru seem desperate, so when Jackie arrived she regarded the rabbit with pity.

She noted how sparce the customers were. It was lunchtime and the only other animals there were some teenagers of varying species. It was one of the few places that encouraged different species to come and dine.

Fido, the only employee was taken up by the group of friends, captivated by the older students and jotted down their orders. Haru was forced to leave the kitchen to tend to Jackie as to not leave her waiting.

"Hi, welcome to Furtastic Feasts," Haru greeted warmly. "You must be new here." She slid Jackie the menu. With Legoshi's influx of income, she was able to print out the new design on creamy cardstock paper. "We pride ourselves on the best vegetable dishes in town. They're home grown, I might add. The greenhouse garden is on the roof."

"Wow, really?" Jackie's tail thumped against the legs of the chair. "You must be a botanist. It's so nice to meet another female in STEM."

"Oh? And what do you do, Miss...?" Haru raised a brow at her.

"Jackie." She held out her hand for a shake. "I went to school to study biology, now I aid in the cultivation of fake meat. You know, I heart a lot about you. I think it's really honorable that you want to make food that's tasty for all species. In that way, we're alike. Carnivores need to eat and get their protein too, so it's high time we give them, er, us more opportunities to eat without devouring someone." Jackie sat back and batted her pretty brown eyes, pleased with her small speech.

"Wait, wait." Haru folded one ear back in confusion. "You've heard of me? From where?"

"Oh um, from my boyfriend, Jack." Jackie shifted in her seat, smiling awkwardly. "He's friends with your husband."

Legoshi, when I get my hands on you... Haru sighed inwardly and let out a short laugh. "I do believe that we've been set up by our significant others."

"They've been best friends for so long, but I don't see why we can't be friends too." Jackie handed the menu back to Haru. "Why don't we hang out tonight? We could discuss food, I'd really like to hear your insight."

Haru began the typical spiel of a mother, having rehearsed this line several times. "Sorry," she said, "but I have to watch my daughter—"

"Bring her." Jackie smiled. "I don't mind. We could go out, have some dinner and oh, I can't resist having a sweet treat afterwards. We absolutely have to try this frozen yogurt place."

"Well..." It would be nice to have more female friends. Haru only had Juno to speak of as of late. "Okay." Haru broke out into a grin. "I'll bring her."

"Great!" Jackie was the perfect picture of a happy dog. "And oh, uh— I'll have the garden salad."

Haru laughed. "Garden salad it is then."

Legoshi felt uncomfortable riding in Juno's limo. The city lights blurred past in the windows. He fidgeted around, adjusting his seating much to Juno's annoyance. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to still him and his unremitting movement.

"Hey," she said. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure that Haru isn't going to see you on TV. It's likely that she doesn't even know that this sort of event is going on. We need you to to be completely dialed in, which means no worrying about all that."

"I should tell her, shouldn't?" Legoshi sighed.

Juno's eyes softened. "Better she finds out from you than any other way. It doesn't matter what Yahya or Louis thinks. You should always be completely open with those you love, even if it hurts them."

Legoshi looked down at his feet. He knew that Juno was right. Telling Haru that truth shouldn't be so nerve-wracking. As his wife, Haru chose to be with him knowing the kind of lifestyle he engaged with.

Of course, she didn't know everything. He always explained what he was doing vaguely as it was hard to put into enough words that would keep her up to speed. Over the years he's been drip feeding her information to keep her sated. In his mind, the more he distanced himself from his life, it wouldn't find him anymore.

Yet here he is now, fully immersed in it.

"We've been together for seven years," Legoshi murmured, "and she still makes me nervous."

Juno smiled softly. "You have a good thing going on, I'm honestly a bit jealous."

Legoshi perked his ears. "Of me? Really?"

She nodded. "I love being the Beastar, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I wonder what I would have been like if I chose a simpler life. Maybe... Settle down. Of course," she laughed a little to herself, "that requires finding someone to settle down with. I wondered what sort of career I would of had if I wasn't the Beastar and then it occurs to me... I don't know what I would do. All my life I've been working towards this."

She spoke clearly as if she were giving one of her speeches, but she was truly pouring her heart out to her friend. Legoshi hung onto every word, entranced how Juno could put such a feeling into sentences.

"And now you have it," he said. "You made it, Juno."

The limousine slowed to a stop.

"Looks like we've made it too." Juno took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Great!"

The chauffeur would open the door. On the other side, the glamorous world of the rich and powerful awaited. Flashes from paparazzi blared like twinkling stars, nearly blinding anyone who so much dares to look at a camera.

When Yahya held the Beastar name, he made the world believe that the Beastar was no more than a myth. He was never public with what he did. He never attended events or spoke out about his beliefs.

This world was Juno's.

Oh and Louis' as well, Legoshi supposed.

He had arrived in a separate ride as it would only make sense for the CEO of Horns Conglomerate to do so. Riding with the Beastar would call the both into questions, spurring rumours of a potential endorsement.

Or worse.

Juno stepped out first, greeting her adoring fans. They badgered her with questions, yet she handled them all with an air of grace.

A small voice cut through all the commotion. "Miss Beastar Miss Beastar! Can you describe what you are wearing?"

Juno looked down. A journalist squirrel was at her feet, looking up at her with a notepad in hand. All the other journalists were bigger than him, towering over the poor guy. Juno decided to be attentive towards the squirrel. Besides, she was waiting for a question like this ever since she put her dress on.

Juno kicked out her leg, placing a hand on her hip. "I'm glad you asked." She smiled, keeping her teeth hidden. Her strapless dress cascaded down her thigh in a wide array of simmering blue colors like scales. "Inspired by today's event, I decided to wear something a little reminiscent of a fish. In old mythology, some of the first depictions of sea mammals were land animals with fish tails."

The squirrel wrote everything down, posthaste. "How fascinating!"

Legoshi casted a glance towards her. "You're really good at this. I thought you didn't support eating fish."

"I don't," Juno replied. "But for the sake of the mission, I must. Besides..." She trailed off, keeping her camera ready grin plastered on her face. "It's better than the alternative."

Legoshi had to agree with her. For the sea animals to share their customs with the land animals, they were one step closer to reaching understanding of one another.

Juno snapped her fingers. "No zoning out," she said. "You're supposed to be acting as my bodyguard."

"Yes ma'am, Madame Beastar."

Chapter Text

Legoshi stuck be Juno's side, staring intently at their surroundings. As a canine, there were many vertical patterns and flashing lights that begged his attention. However, Legoshi was a trained canine. He kept his gaze on the many eventgoers- celebrities that Legoshi don't recognize. He stopped keeping up with them after highschool. Not that he kept very good track during, anyhow. The best he ever did was keep up with the idol group ANM48.

It was embarrassing to think about, even now. Maririn, the chinchilla pop idol of his boyhood dreams was a far cry from the other celebrities in attendance. Rather than focused on being cute and appealing for a teenage demographic, these celebrities were entrepreneurs in their own right. They had brand identities and deals, partnerships with businesses that subscribed to their beliefs.

Carnivores and herbivores alike were banding together to advocate for the use of fish meat for food- carnivores so that they could have a valid source of protein, herbivores so that they don't end up in the bellies of carnivores.

Juno slid into the role of a supporter with ease. She spoke to journalists and reporters about the benefits of eating fish meat as well as other fish products.

"I believe it is important to use the whole fish so we are not wasteful of the gift they have given us," she said into a microphone of the local news station. "Fish oil is beneficial for reducing inflammation and joint pain for the older animals of of society. The fish itself is a brain food, good for the younger generations we are bringing up. I believe that fish meat is the way of the future, helps that it doesn't taste so bad either."

"Amazing insight, Miss Beastar! Thank you!"

The news filed away towards their next interviewee.

"Wow Juno," Legoshi murmured, having witnessed it all. "You're really... Learn-ed. Have you actually tried fish meat?"

"What Yahya-sama gave us? You didn't eat it?" Juno raised a brow. "You just let it go to waste?"

"I..."

"I ate it for the sake of understanding," explained Juno. "It would be pretty obvious that I didn't know what I was talking about if I didn't try it. Besides... They're going to be serving it inside."

Legoshi felt his throat swell, mentally rejecting the thought of having to eat it. He threw away the fish sausage Yahya gave him. Despite having eaten living beings before, that being Louis' leg and a moth larvae, Legoshi's body had grown past the desire to eat meat. All he could think of was Haru and Cress. He remembered being apprehensive towards the thought of eating fish when spending time with Sagwan, finding the spotted seal's enthusiasm to eat an octopus' dead daughter slightly revolting. Legoshi came around in due time, seeing that the octopus mother was grateful her daughter didn't die for nothing.

He wasn't mad at Juno for partaking in it, he wasn't mad at anyone. Legoshi was simply uncomfortable to have his beliefs challenged. He hoped that it didn't make him stand out. He tried to keep a neutral face.

Maybe...

Maybe eating fish meat wouldn't be so bad.

Sagwan would certainly be proud of him.

Juno swept away, forcing Legoshi to follow. She had spotted Louis from across the way. If Juno looked natural in this habitat, Louis was an absolute pro. He carried himself with an air of regal grace that was reminiscent of his days at the drama club. Louis was slipping into the role of the benevolent CEO. Then again, the benevolent CEO was much a part of him as any other aspect of his personhood.

He had finished being interviewed, dropping the public figure register in his tone. He spoke more casually towards Juno and Legoshi as they approached. "Juno," he dipped his head, "you look lovely. Legoshi..." His eyes trailed over to the wolf. "I don't think I've seen you all dressed up since your wedding."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"I really abhor these kind of events," Louis continued. "Animals acting as if they care what I have to say. As if I'm some sort of authority figure on the matter. They only care because I have money."

"Everyone puts up façades," Juno said. "You of all people should know that."

"I grow tired of it each moment."

As they spoke, a familiar scent festered in Legoshi's nose. He couldn't quite place it, searching through his memory bank to put a name to the fragrance. A carnivore, for sure. Canine. A wolf? No...

His fur stood on end.

A dog.

A dog that smells like a wolf. Where have I smelled that before?

Legoshi looked past his companions, spotting Hoka the reindeer with his posse of carnivore bodyguards. Among them was a particular Siberian Husky that Legoshi had met before.

Kosaku's confusing odor made it all the more apparent that he was a hybrid. He couldn't simply be a pure bred dog. After hours of adding hybrid scents into his bank, Legoshi was sure of it.

He was also sure that the killer had to be a hybrid himself.

A growl started forming in his throat, prompting Juno to lightly slap him across the chest.

"Watch it," she warned. "You don't want to give us away."

Without warning, Legoshi strode his way over, leaving Juno and Louis in his wake. They assumed he was going to observe Hoka and his graggle of goons, none-the-wiser to Legoshi's perceived suspect.

Before Legoshi could get too close, a red fox stepped between him and his goal.

"Hey." She placed her hands on her hips. "Any closer to the boss, I might have to gut you."

Legoshi observed her for a moment. She looked... Familiar somehow. "You're Inarigumi."

Her eyes widened slightly as her hand made a motion for him to quiet down. "Not so loud pal. I'm trying to move past that life."

"You and me both..."

"You're that wolf, that fought my former boss," she noted.

"That's me."

The former Inarigumi crossed her arms at him and sighed. "Look," she said pointedly, "you're in my good graces. But I'm trying to do my job."

"I'm not interested in your new boss." Legoshi glanced at Kosaku. "What could you tell me at him?"

The fox flicked her ear. "The new guy? Don't like him very much. He's pretty mouthy. He looks down on the rest of us, makes me think he's the only non criminal here. For a talker, he doesn't talk much about himself."

"Has he disappeared often?" Legoshi asked her.

She shrugged. "I don't know, I'm not paying attention to him like that. If the former co-Beastar is interested in him though..." The fox stroked her chin, intrigued. "I'd wager that whatever he did, he did it. A short fuse on that one."

"Ever kill anybody?"

"Haven't we all?"

Kosaku turned his attention towards Legoshi, surprised to see the grey wolf. His surprise was quickly replaced with amusement. He walked over, speaking with his coworker. "Is he bothering you?"

"Just two old friends talking."

"Hh." Kosaku's gaze flickered towards Legoshi. "I wonder what a restaurant owner has to do with a former gang member."

The fox creased her brows in confusion. "Restaurant... What?"

"What's your angle, Legoshi-san? It seems that you aren't who you say you are."

"I could ask you the same, Kosaku-kun." Legoshi purposely referred to Kosaku with a title lower than the one Kosaku used to refer to him. He wanted to make it clear that they were not on equal standing.

"Seems like we're going to have a problem here."

Left alone with Juno, Louis made an attempt at small talk. "How are things finding you?" He asked, hands in his pockets. He wasn't quite sure what to do with them and mentally berated himself for feeling as such. It was a childish thing to feel, especially at his age. He could imagine LJ sucking on his thumbs as a means to remedy this feeling.

"I've been... Well," Juno answered. She stayed facing forward away from him, occasionally waving at her fans as they passed by.

"You hesitated."

"There are a lot of things on my mind."

"I don't blame you. As the sole Beastar, you have a lot of things on your plate." He looked at her once over. "You haven't thought about finding a partner? Legoshi and I haven't been at it for very long, though, I find that it was nice to have someone have my back— filling in for the qualities that I lack. It could be good for you to lighten your load."

Slowly, Juno turned her head towards him. "Louis, I must come clean about something."

He blinked at her. "What is it?"

Juno inhaled deeply, smoothing out her her. "Remember back when we held hands? You know, after Legoshi left when we were sifting through Melon's fanmail. When you touched me, I felt calmer. Maybe Legoshi was wrong about the same species feeling at peace when they touch each other. Maybe that theory was made up because it was common to fall in love with your same species."

Louis could hear his heart thumping in his ears. "Juno... What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that the touch of a loved one is the only thing that could calm someone down."

His cheek twitched. "Not that..."

"Oh, duh." Juno facepalmed. "I meant to say that I'm still in love with you."

"What?"

"I love you, Louis."

Juno pulled Louis by the collar and planted a kiss on him. For a moment, the world was still and they were the only ones in it. Alarm bells were ringing in Louis' head. People were watching, there were...

Cameras!

"Hey... Isn't that—"

"Did you get that?!"

"Roll the cameras over there!"

Louis pulled away from Juno at once, silently cursing her impulsiveness. Cameras were flashing in their direction, no doubt capturing their appalling display. It would not last long, however, as another disruption would steal away the reporters.

Legoshi had knocked back Kosaku, growling down at him. He was threatened by the wolfdog, uprooting a primal urge to protect what was his from the outsider.

Kosaku stayed low to the ground, slashing at Legoshi's torso. Blood spattered and his rental suit was torn. For the split second Legoshi thought about how much it would cost to get it fixed, Kosaku drove his head upwards, bashing Legoshi in the chin. Legoshi was driver to bite his own tongue, tasting the metallic flavor of his own blood fill his mouth. The bite to his tongue was far more painful than the slashes on his stomach.

Annoyed, Legoshi kicked Kosaku in the ribs, forcing him backwards until they entered the venue.

"Pretty impressive for a former Beastar," Kosaku remarked, holding his sides.

Legoshi lunged at him, pressing his forearm into Kosaku's throat, choking the wolfdog. "Who are you really?" He growled. "I know your scent, you're a liar. You're not just an Siberian Husky. Why lie if you don't have anything to hide?"

"And what... Exactly... Are you trying to prove?"

Legoshi pressed harder, making Kosaku errupt in coughs. "Someone out there has been killing interspecies couples. It's pretty obvious to me that they're a hybrid. You can't fool everyone by making them thing you're a friendly dog."

"So I lied... about... That... What makes you think that... It's me? That... I'm the killer? There's no... Causation."

Legoshi bared his claws, threatening to use them. He was bigger and heavier than Kosaku. The wolfdog had no hope of escaping.

"Go... Ahead... And kill me. I don't... Care. You'll end up no better than Melon."

Legoshi groaned and let up on him. He had no definitive proof other than a hunch. On the off chance that he was wrong, it would have been very damaging for the both of them.

He felt Juno's hands on him, pulling him away. The vixen from earlier was there to collect Kosaku, eyeing Legoshi with awe. Even now, six years later, he was still that same wolf that defeated the gangs on the Day of Devouring. When security came in and asked what happened, she covered for Legoshi, saying that Kosaku was the aggressor.

Immediately, Kosaku was escorted out. There was a certain look in his eye that told Legoshi that he was not worried.

Chapter Text

Louis attempted to micromanage the debacle the best he could. He had his guards escort them towards the back so that they could leave posthaste. He willed himself to forget the feeling of Juno's lips on his, banishing the thought from his brain. Everything he worked so hard for was falling apart, everything they worked hard for.

Louis was furious at Legoshi for bringing attention to them, to himself anyway. Juno did a fine job of that. Legoshi simply made it worst.

Big dumb dogs.

He couldn't stay too mad for long as they were the only friends he had left. Though, they certainly didn't make it easy to want to keep them. He'll never abandon them, regardless.

"Yahya-sama is going to be pissed," Louis hissed beneath his breath as he ushered Legoshi and Juno into his ride.

"Frankly, I don't give a damn what Yahya has to say. I just want to go home," Legoshi bemoaned. His words were slurred by a lisp due to the injury his tongue sustained.

Normally, Louis would disagree. "I ought to take you both home," he said. "It's been enough of a night."

The whole time Juno stayed silent.

Legoshi would be dropped off first, stumbling up into his apartment with a hand over his stomach. The gashes weren't that deep, fortunately. Nothing that a little stitching and pain medication won't fix.

He looked up at the sky as the stars twinkled overhead. There would be a full moon soon. Legoshi decided to take it as a good omen. He then lumbered up the stairs and entered his home. Haru had fallen asleep on the couch. Cress was presumably in her room, fast asleep. The TV was on and to Legoshi's relief, it was only playing the weather channel. Haru never displayed interest in meteorology like he had, so he questioned the sudden change.

She was simply getting closer to him through his hobbies while he wasn't around.

Oh, Haru.

Legoshi knelt down beside her, gently rousing her out of her sleep with a touch. "Haru..." he said softly, "I'm home."

Her eyelashes fluttered. "Oh, Legoshi." She yawned. "I had a great time with Jackie."

"Huh?"

"Don't act like you didn't set that up with Jack."

Oh, right. "Haru, I gotta tell you something. It's... Not about that. Something else."

"Why're you talking so funny?" Haru pulled at the ends of Legoshi's lips, exposing his teeth. She then pried open his jaws. The flesh of her hands were being poked by his fangs. It would have been extremely tempting to close down on them had he been a lot younger and less experienced. "Your tongue..."

There were teeth marks marring the sides of his tongue as well as some small nicks were some chunks were missing. It would heal in time, though it was still concerning.

"Turn on the light," said Haru, "I want to see you."

Legoshi obliged and flicked the switch. Immediately, Legoshi was bathed in the warm yellowish lighting. It exposed his injuries to Haru, leaving him feeling vulnerable.

"It's time I told you the truth," Legoshi said. "The full truth." Haru looked at him with her brows drawn together, prompting him to continue. "I've been... I've been doing Beastar work again. Unofficially, of course. Just now I got back from some undercover mission. It was a disaster really. I got hurt. B-But not that hurt!" Legoshi started to see the concern in her eyes. "I'll be okay, really. I'm upset about the suit, it got torn up." He then rubbed the back of his head. "Where was I going with this... I'm sorry for lying to you Haru. It's a really long story."

"So then explain it to me."

"Okay, well—"

"Wait." Haru slipped off of the couch and grabbed Legoshi's hand to make him follow her to the bathroom. He stood awkwardly on the tiled floor, watching as she gathered a wash bin and a cloth as well as the first aid kit. "You're too tall," she said, pointing her finger at the ground. "Sit."

He promptly planted his bottom onto the floor.

"You may continue."

"Okay." Legoshi braced himself for the stinging pain of his wounds being cleaned. If he could reach, he would have been licking them himself. Though, he did like it when Haru looked after him like this. Her dainty hands were pleasant. "There's a lot of interspecies couples being murdered again. It's not Melon because he's still in jail. But... This new killer, they're taking the children of those couples. Yahya asked me to help and Haru, I had to. I wanted to tell you, but everytime I thought about it, I thought you would be safer not knowing. Th-That you would tell me to stop or quit before I got started. I know I can't sit idkt by, not anymore. That's not who I a—"

Haru stopped him by holding a finger to his lips. "I know." Her voice sounded dry. "If I had known, I probably would have said all those things. Still, you're a jerk for not telling me and you'll get yours. But I understand why you did it. I'm your wife, that's gotta be included in the fine print of the vows somewhere. I won't tell you to quit, only that you bring that bastard down. That's all I ask." She leaned in a planted a small kiss on him before pulling away.

Legoshi smiled, a huge weight off of his shoulders. "Thank you, Haru."

"Oh don't thank me yet," Haru warned him. She pulled out the needle and thread from the first aid kit. "This is going to be your punishment."

Legoshi puffed out his chest with pride. "For you," he boasted, "I'll take any punishment."

"Good." Haru smiled. "Because this is going to hurt."

The next day, Louis invited Juno over to discuss what happened that night. At first, Juno was unsure on how to dress. Since her confession, Louis conveniently skirted around it. He never mentioned it, he made no reference to the kiss, nothing. Granted, Legoshi's scuffle with the wolfdog did cause a huge distraction for everyone at the event, the two of them included.

She opted to dress casually, but cute. A lacey top and a throw sweater ought to do the trick.

When she arrived, she was directed to go to his office by his servants. She could hear LJ playing in one of the bottom rooms and felt a twinge of regret.

Oh what was I thinking? Even if everything else goes right, LJ might not even accept me as one of the family.

Juno pinned her ears back in shame as she strode towards Louis' office. It used to belong to Oguma, his father. Juno never met the stag, but she imagined he was a lot like Louis, only staunchier.

Before she could knock, the door swung open and Louis pulled her inside.

"How did you know that it was me?"

Louis scoffed. "You carnivores have heavy footsteps. I could hear you from down the hall."

Juno pretended to not be offended. In all honesty, it had something to do with predator and prey dynamics. She sighed. "Look, I know that this is probably about the kiss. I just want to say that whatever happens, I'm ready to face the consequences. The bad ones and... The good ones, hopefully. I think."

"You don't think, that's the problem."

Her heart sunk.

"You just take whatever you want with no regard for others. Who could stop you, really? You're the Beastar. You only made it this far by taking what you want. You act on impulse, even now was the grown she-wolf that you are. You've changed a lot, Juno. But in many ways you have remained the same. I too, have changed in some ways."

Juno hadn't realized that she had been backed into a wall. As Louis spoke, he took steps towards her until her back was pressed against the door she entered from.

What is this feeling? Is that what prey feel like?

Juno broke out into a sweat. In all his berating, Louis never lied. It was true. When Juno had her heart set on something, she was sure to get it. She may have been older now, but she was still young.

Young and devastatingly lonely.

She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."

"Quiet."

Louis was so close now. The height difference between them was more apparent than ever. Back at Cherryton, it was obvious that Juno had gained an inch or two over Louis. But his antlers still towered over her. Now, Juno had to actively look down at him to maintain eye content. She felt herself shrinking, sliding down ever so slightly until they were level. Louis placed his hand beneath her chin, slipping his fingers into her mouth. He pulled up on her upper lip to reveal her teeth. "I thought that they were sharper than before," he murmured. Pulling his hand out, Louis crashed his lips into hers.

Mixed feelings fired off in Juno's synapses. As always, Louis managed to vex her. She thought she finally understood him and yet again, he undermined her expectations. The roles were supposed to be reversed! She was the dominant one. Regardless, she came here to talk about the whole thing, not avoid it.

Juno couldn't will herself to do it, however.

Chapter Text

Official news about the scandal has surprisingly not come out yet. News outlets and newspaper tabloids had remained silent, much to Juno's surprise. However, that didn't stop the average citizen from posting about it. Blog posts and Zootube videos blazed forth from the Internet like a wildfire.

Juno sat on Louis' desk as one such video played on her phone. A sheep sat in front of a green screen that played clips from the live footage of the event. There weren't many clips of them kissing, fortunately, thanks to Legoshi.

Oddly enough, there wasn't a whole lot of clamor about the confrontation between Legoshi and the wolfdog. The masses cared about drama between celebrities and as far as they were concerned, Legoshi was not one.

"Hey there Sheeple, I'm here to bring you the inside scoop on the Fish Gala Fiasco. It may seem like this drama begins here, but folks, I have done a little digging and found an old clip of Madame Beastar from before she was a Beastar. I'm going to let it play and you'll see just what I mean."

The sheep faded from view and a clip from when Juno was in highschool began to play. It was from the night she spent with Legoshi out in the city. To the average eye, it looked like they were a couple, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Juno remembered how everyone treated them with respect for appearing as a same species couple.

The clip began when they were approached by the news, hoping to be interviewed about the current goings on when Juno flipped the script. She grabbed the microphone and shouted into it that she was in love with an herbivore.

"And there you have it folks. I theorize that Madame Beastar was talking about the CEO in this clip. Who knows how long this affair has been going on?"

"Turn that off," Louis prompted her from where he sat. "All it's going to do is rot your brain. These things happen all the time. They'll forget about it as soon as the next big thing happens."

Juno sighed and turned off her phone. "I know... But interest is going to be renewed once news outlets report on it."

"Well you should have thought about that before you kissed me," Louis retorted and then, in an amused tone he said "or had that outburst all those years ago. I didn't know about that one."

Juno groaned, pressing her palms into her eyes. "Are you going to keep holding that over my head? I know I don't think, but I have to do what feels right to me in the moment. It's... It's my instinct."

Louis' gaze softened. "I know, Juno." He placed his hand on hers. "We'll deal with this together."

Just then, Juno's phone pinged. Another news article was sent her way.

"Don't," Louis warned her.

"Just this once!"

"Juno..."

Juno switched on her phone in a flash and opened up the article. Her eyes grew at the sight of the headline.

"Oh?" Louis chuckled. "Since when?"

"As my boyfriend, you're supposed to comfort me when I spiral," Juno explained. She then tilted her head, eyeing Louis incredulously. "You are my boyfriend now, right?"

"Boyfriend sounds so juvenile, we're not in highschool anymore."

Juno crossed her arms. "Then what do you suggest that I call you?"

Louis fell silent in thought. When he couldn't think of anything, he conceded with a dip of his head. "Boyfriend is just fine."

Legoshi stood shoulder to shoulder with Louis and Juno as they face Yahya's wrath together. He was in the middle, the spotlight for Yahya's ire. He somewhat tuned out the horse as all he could think about what how relieved he was that Haru had forgiven him. She gave him her blessing to continue, alleviating him of his guilty conscience.

I don't deserve her, Legoshi thought blissfully.

"I'm so glad you think this is funny, son," Yahya snapped at him. "Care to explain what you were thinking?"

Legoshi blinked, jolting out of his trance. "Oh uh... I recognized his scent. You see, he came to the restaurant and I found it kind of odd that he smelled like a wolf like me and—"

"Is this going somewhere?" Yahya interrupted.

"Yes..." Legoshi forced his fur to lie flat. "That dog is a hybrid. It's hard to trace it, but my nose has been trained. I can distinctly smell grey wolf and Siberian Husky. The same as on the dead bodies."

Yahya stroked his chin in consideration. "Hm. I stand corrected, good work Legoshi. Still, you handled that very poorly. As for you two." He looked pointedly between Louis and Juno. "I don't know what the hell you telling were thinking. You're way too old to be acting like a couple of teenagers. Kissing on love television, what's wrong with you?"

Legoshi cocked his head. "You... Kissed?"

Louis tore his attention from Yahya to look at him. "You didn't know that?"

"I was too busy fighting to notice..."

"It's all over the Internet," Juno added.

"I don't really use that."

"Enough!" Yahya slammed his palm on the table. "You're supposed to be the Beastars, so start acting like it! You, Little Miss, are the Beastar. But I don't blame you as much as I do Louis. I expect more from you, kid."

Juno's jaw dropped. "What? I was the one that kissed Louis, it's not his fault!"

"Sure, that may be true. But I've seen the footage. He doesn't exactly back away either."

Legoshi held up his hand. "Should I still be here for this...?" he asked, but his pleas would be ignored.

"That's not fair!" Juno protested. "I take full responsibility for everything that happened that night. Except for um, what happened with Legoshi. I don't have anything to do with that."

"No offense girlie, but you're really naive. I want to like you, I really do. But you're new at this kind of work. No need to get your tail in a twist."

"If I might just say something, Yahya-sama," Louis interjected, "the aftermath has been handled. There's nothing to worry about."

Yahya rolled his eyes. "This time. Now get out of my sight, I'm tired of looking at you three." He paused as they turned to leave. "Do come back tomorrow."

Chapter Text

"Legoshi, don't you have to go to work? If you keep staring at the door like that, you're going to scare the customers off."

"But there's no one here, Haru."

"Yeah, that's because of you."

Legoshi positioned himself on one of the chairs, keeping an eye out for Kosaku in case he decided to return. Through the glass, any passerbys would see him and hurry along, clutching their pearls and purses and whatnot. His glowering expression set them all off.

"Are you just going to sit there?" Haru asked, hands on her hips as she stood directly behind her husband.

"I can be a little late to work."

Haru sighed and shook her head at him. "What am I going to do with you? No one is going to show up, especially not with you scaring everyone away. If that guy decides to show up, it could happen with you here and it could not. We still have to live our lives."

"You're right," Legoshi admitted. He turned over to face her. "Have you thought about hiring another employee? Someone that's... Not a preteen? A large breed, preferably. One that could protect you while I'm not here."

"That's a bit of an ask to put in a job description. Besides, the restaurant doesn't make enough for that kind out output."

Legoshi opened his mouth to speak but Haru cut him off.

"And no, you don't get paid consistently enough from Yahya-sama to make it work. I'm fine with Fido-kun, we manage."

Legoshi hung his head in consideration. "Then I should quit and work full-time at the restaurant."

"What?! No way-" Haru waved her arms wildly. "You're not doing that. You love that job, you went to school for it."

Legoshi's tail wagged limply between his legs, thumping against the chair legs. "Not as much as I love you."

Haru softened, drooping her ears. "Oh, Legoshi." She placed a hand beneath his jaw. "I'm not going to let you do that because I love you. There has to be some other way."

Legoshi closed his eyes in thought. "Take self defense lessons."

"... You're kidding, right?"

"I'm serious, Haru. It could be good for you in the long run. I could teach you if you want. Although, I'm not sure of how good of a teacher I could be, but I'll try."

"I thought you were teaching Juno?"

"No... That was a lie. She was more like... Shadowing me. She had her own duties to carry out for the most part. B-But think about it!" Legoshi's tail wagged harder. "I'll feel a lot better if you knew how to defend yourself. I'll even teach Fido-kun. Then again, his mom probably won't be too pleased... But it's a good idea, I can't be here all the time."

Haru sighed deeply. "Fine, fine. I'll do it." She kissed his nose and patted his cheek. "Now get to work before you get fired."

"Don't I get a real kiss?"

"Legoshi."

"Fine, I'm going." He stood up to leave, etching his disappointment into his features. "See you later, Haru."

"Wait!" Haru hopped up and pulled on his ear to bring him down to her level. She whispered a few choice words into his ear to get him motivated to go to work. It was the least she could do to keep his mind off things.

His eyes grew wide. "Really? You'll do that?"

Haru nodded, smiling coyly.

Legoshi groaned, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "I can't go to work like this. That's going to be on my mind all day."

Haru crossed her arms indignantly. "Then I'm not doing it."

"Do what?"

The couple snapped their attention towards the door as Fido walked in, ready for his shift. With his ears, it was a good thing he didn't arrive a second sooner. His youth addled brain would have been exposed to horrors.

"Changing diapers!" Legoshi answered quickly, nearly tripping over his own words. "Not fun," he said, "I don't recommend it. Anyway... I should get going to work." He dipped his head towards the two and hurried off.

Fido wagged his tail as the older canine acknowledged his presence, marveling at how fast Legoshi ran off. "Wow," he mused. "Mister Legoshi-san is so cool!"

Haru snorted in laughter. "He sure is."

Louis couldn't focus on any of his work. Proposals had to be looked through, deals had to be signed off, and all other sorts of business jargon gr didn't care for was on his schedule. Nothing too pressing, fortunately. Louis knew better than to leave such things unattended for a long time. But right now, the rest of it could wait one afternoon while he spent it with his son.

LJ scribbled away with crayons, practicing his finer motor skills. With both of his hands busy, he wasn't sucking on his thumb. His little brow was furled in concentration.

Louis tried to peer over his work. "Can I see?"

"Nuh-uh! Not yet." LJ hunched over his paper even more.

"I'll show you my drawing."

"Daddy doesn't draw."

"You got me there." The only papers in front of Louis were work related- work pertaining to Yahya that is. LJ couldn't read so Louis had no qualms about sifting through case files in front of him, so long as he kept the pictures hidden. "I just want to see what you did."

"Okay." LJ drew back and brandished his picture in front of Louis. Nothing was distinct in the drawing, looking more like a hodge podge of shapes and colors. Louis lacked the imagination to tell what it is.

"It's... Wonderful Junior. It's a wonderful picture of... Something."

"This is you, Daddy." LJ pointed to one side of the paper where a deer-like figure (if Louis squinted and tilted his head) was engaged with some kind of altercation with another cervid. "That Mister Reindeer."

Louis frowned.

"And this is Uncka Le'oshi." LJ pointed to the other side of Hoka where there a depiction of what was supposed to be Legoshi. His claws were scribbled with red. "Then there Mommy. Then there Missus Wolf. Then there me."

"Oh LJ..." Louis was at a loss for words.

"I gonna be strong like Daddy," LJ boasted. "And like Uncka Le'oshi and Missus Wolf."

As his father, Louis had no idea how to tell LJ that the sort of behavior he witnessed was nothing to boast about. He didn't want to hurt the boy's feelings. Oguma had a way of being cold and dismissive. Louis didn't want to be like that.

"You can be strong like me in other ways," he assured him. "Antlers are mostly for show, not for fighting. That's a last resort. Leave the fighting to carnivores, like Legoshi-san and Juno-san." He placed special emphasis on Juno's name so that LJ could learn it. "She's not a Missus Wolf, she's not married. She would be Miss Wolf. Or better yet, just call her by her name."

"Not married?" LJ echoed. The proper titles were lost on him.

"No." Not yet. "Did you... Like Juno-san?"

Before LJ could answer, the door opened slightly and the head butler poked his head in. "Master Louis," he said, "you have a guest. It's your- it's Madame Azuki."

"Right." Louis rose to his feet. "Watch him for me. LJ, draw him a portrait."

"Okay!"

Louis slipped out of his son's room to meet with Azuki in the foyer. She still had her purse and her shoes on, meaning she was probably ready to leave quickly.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up," Louis remarked unceremoniously.

"Funny." The corner of her lip curled into something resembling a smile. "I was wondering when you were going to thank me."

"I was getting to that."

"You know, Louis, when you said that you were only attracted to carnivores, I had no idea that you were in love with one. Let alone the current Beastar." Azuki laughed lightly. "You did go to school together, right? It all makes sense now. Happy for you really."

Louis clenched his teeth. "What do you want, Azuki?"

"I just want to go fifty-fifty with Little Louis," she explained. "Given how you're bringing a new female into our family dynamic, I don't want him to get overwhelmed. Let's not do what I did, that's all."

"You're really not mad about this?"

"Not at all," Azuki assured him. "Actually, it's quite liberating. It's the 21st century. A female carnivore can be Beastar and a doe can be CEO. Arranged marriages are archaic. I'll be happy to let that tradition die with us. You'd be surprised how much support I got after your little display. It made me realize that I don't have to do things the way they always was."

Louis was shocked by how cordial she was being about this. Then again, she was typically the level headed out of the two.

"Oh and I'll take Little Louis today, seeing as I'm here and all."

And there it is.

Louis sighed. "I'll let him know."

Chapter Text

The roof was typically used for Haru's garden, something akin to what she had back at Cherryton. She put in the same amount of effort to grow vegetables to use in the restaurant. She also grew some flowers as a hobby. Haru's garden was a place of peace for her.

But today, the space was going to be use for Legoshi's self defense lessons.

Hosting them in the apartment or inside the restaurant was out of the question. It would be impractical to move the furniture as there was already limited space. The roof was large enough for lessons without interfering with Haru's garden. Still, she wasn't very pleased about it.

"Alright," she said, hands on her hips, "let's just get this over with Legoshi Sensei."

"Hm. Legoshi Sensei. I like the sound of that."

"Focus, Legoshi. Cress is watching."

They couldn't leave the baby downstairs all alone, so they thought it best to strap her into her stroller so she could be up there with them. She was distracted by the myriad of plants, trying to reach over and pick them to no avail.

"She isn't paying attention," Legoshi said. "But you're right. Let's get started. Kosaku may be smaller than me, but he's still way bigger than you are. When he comes at you, he's probably going to come at you like a predator."

Haru shifted uncomfortably. "You mean, if he comes at me?"

"If, when." Legoshi shook his head. "It doesn't matter Haru. You can't freeze up either way, you have to fight against your instincts. The instinct to run is good, but if you're backed up into a corner, you have to fight. Herbivores have strong limbs, use them." He hunched over, antagonizing himself by growling.

"This isn't going to work because I'm not scared of you, Legoshi," Haru reasoned. Even now, she thought he just looked really silly.

Legoshi dropped down on all fours and pounced on Haru, pinning her beneath him onto the concrete. She had flinched but simply played it off with a grin. She was afraid for a moment as anyone would. Legoshi could feel her muscles tense beneath him before she forced them to relax.

"This isn't scary at all. Although, it is a bit familiar, don't you think?" She joked.

Frustrated, Legoshi continued to growl, fully baring his teeth. "You have to take this seriously Haru. Now try to get out from under me."

The smile was wiped off of her face once she realized that she couldn't move. Even if Legoshi wasn't intentionally keeping her there, she was nowhere near strong enough to escape from his gentle grasp. "I... I can't."

"Try," he urged her.

"You're too heavy, I can't do it!"

Cress began to cry, having witnessed what seemed like to her, fighting between her parents.

With a sigh, Legoshi peeled himself off of Haru. Together, they went over to sooth Cress' crying by rocking her stroller back and forth. "Okay. We'll try a different approach," Legoshi decided. "You'll come at me instead. You have to be willing to lay a hand on your attacker. That in itself can be scary."

Haru frowned. "Is that how you feel?"

"All the time."

Haru placed a hand to his arm, threading her little fingers in his fur.

Legoshi shook himself, ridding those sorry feelings for himself. "Okay, let's try again. Let's go back and I want you to hit me where it's really going to hurt. You're not tall, but that's perfectly fine. You don't need to be."

"Hm, okay." Haru nodded along. "I understand now."

Upon returning to their original positions, Legoshi beckoned for Haru to come at him. "I'm going to stay still this time so—"

Haru ran at him with a leap and swung her leg in a sweeping kick to between his legs. Immediately, Legoshi crumpled, groaning in pain. Haru's hands flew up to her face. "Oh my God, are you okay?"

"No..."

"You told me to hit you where it really hurt!"

"I meant like my shin! Because, you know... You're short and that's what you could reach!"

Cress thought the ordeal was rather funny, clapping and cheering for Legoshi's misfortune. It didn't help his condition whatsoever but he'd take that over Cress being afraid of him.

Haru kneeled at his side, rubbing his back soothingly. "I'm so sorry about your balls. You have to admit it though, that was a pretty good kick."

"Let's just pick this up again some other time..."

"Why is she here? You told her?"

Yahya's study was looking rather crowded with the usual suspects as well as Haru and Cress who Legoshi had brought with him.

"I don't see a problem if she doesn't have a problem," Legoshi remarked cooly. "You were fine with me telling her at one point."

"That's great and all," Yahya said, "but why does she have to be here?"

"I don't feel right leaving her home alone more than I have to. The killer came to our place, remember? So... I figured it would be safer for her and Cress to stay here while I'm working."

Yahya scoffed. "What do I look like, a babysitter?"

Haru sniffed. "I'm a grown doe, I can look after my own child."

"Not from where I'm sitting, I can barely see you over the desk. Hell, I can hardly see you over the stroller."

"Then sit up. Oh wait, you can't."

"Point is," Legoshi interjected before things could get more heated. "Haru is here just for the time being. Then we'll go home together. I'm sure that even you won't mind that Yahya-sama."

Yahya was silent in thought for a moment. "Very well then. Just go somewhere else and don't touch anything."

Haru nodded and wheeled Cress and herself out of the study, leaving the trio alone with the horse.

"I'm glad that ended up working out for you Legoshi," said Juno, relieved for him. "I told you that you should've told her."

"Who said that you guys could just talk about whatever?" Yahya questioned. "Just because she left doesn't mean it's your turn to talk. We've wasted enough time as it is. Now listen up." He pulled out a case file he was building on Kosaku based on whatever leads the 500 Cornered Mice could bring him. "He doesn't have a criminal record, which is surprising. He also comes from good parents. They're very active in the community, somehow more mundane of a couple than Legoshi and his wife. Our suspect was born to a wolf mother and a dog father. Being a hybrid could've been his MO, but unlike Melon his parents stayed together to raise him. It doesn't make much sense."

"Didn't Melon's father get eaten by his mother?" Legoshi asked.

Yahya pursed his lips. "So he thought."

"What?" Juno was taken aback. "What does that mean? His father didn't actually die?"

"As far as six years ago on the Day of Depravity," Yahya remarked. "I hadn't checked since then. But that's besides the point. Kosaku had good, present parents. Can't really pin mommy or daddy issues on them. But I need you to find out what you can from them. Here's the address." He flicked a piece of paper to Juno. "Take Louis with you."

"Why us?" Louis asked.

"Hybrid couple block party. Tensions are high with the murders so interspecies couples are celebrating themselves for a sense of community. You two would be perfect, you don't even need to act."

"Why not send Legoshi and Haru?"

"The rabbit doesn't work for me. Besides, I need Legoshi on standby. We don't know when Kosaku is going to strike next. You're dismissed."

"You know," said Louis, "this could've been an email or a text."

"I don't know how to work that encrypted shit, we do things the old fashioned way around here." Yahya flicked his hand. "Now get out of here. The block party is in a few days, you've got time to figure out how to get in."

"Wait, so I'm supposed to just do nothing?" Legoshi folded his ears back. "What if I'm not around and he attacks?"

Sympathetic, Yahya's eyes softened. "Look after your family, Lehoshi-kun. The next target is most likely going to be you."

"Well he's nice," Haru commented sarcastically as they waited for the bus. Cress was fast asleep in her stroller.

"He's charming in his own way. I punched him the first day I met him and pulled out all my teeth," Legoshi responded, staring out across the street.

Haru blinked up at him in disbelief. "You're insane."

"I am. But..." Legoshi glanced downwards. "Yahya was the one that cleared my name so that we could get married, so I can't dislike him too much. He's also Grandpa's best friend. He's just a stubborn old horse."

"I suppose I should thank him then."

"Haru?"

"Yes?"

"If you knew being married to me would be like this, would you have still done it?"

Haru was stunned. "Of course, what sort of question is that?"

"It's just..." Legoshi crouched down to her level. "All these bad things are happening and are going to continue to happen because we're together."

"So let me ask you this," Haru began, "if you knew that being married to me would be like this, would you still have done it? Would you still have asked me several times?"

He touched a hand to her head. "Of course I would. I would do it a thousand times over. I love you, Haru. No— I'm obsessed with you. I can't live a life without you in it."

"Well there you go. You're stuck with me and I'm stuck with you."

Legoshi chuckled. "That's not so bad."

Chapter Text

It wasn't comfortable being out in public and pretending to be a normal couple. At least, as normal as an interspecies couple could get. It was any wonder how Legoshi and Haru could manage it. But the secret is, they don't. They simply exist together as a grey wolf and a dwarf rabbit.

As public faces, Juno and Louis couldn't simply exist as a grey wolf and a red deer. They represented the whole of their species. Whether they liked it or not, people were viewing them under a microscope. Despite being mixed in with other interspecies couples, they stuck out like a sore thumb.

Juno had suggested to go in disguise but Louis refused. They were bound to get recognized anyhow, at least they should do it with dignity without silly costumes. Though, they did dress casually. It wouldn't have done well for them to overdress at such a celebration.

As they walked the strip, beasts were whispering loudly amongst themselves. Juno folded her ears back as to pretend to not hear them. She was used to being whispered about, but to this degree it felt jarring.

"What're they doing here?"

"So it is true, they are a couple!"

"It's gotta be a trend for them. Some sort of publicity stunt. They don't belong here."

"They don't know what it is to struggle."

Juno felt Louis slip his hand into hers. "Think of it as our debut," he told her. "You always were for the people, so it's only natural that we show ourselves off to them first."

"Technically we debuted at the fish event," Juno pointed out. "But I see your point. We're not hiding who we are. Seeing us in public like this, it's like an endorsement for interspecies relations. We're just like them, they just don't see it."

"They only see us as coming from money, many of them cannot afford such luxuries due to not getting government grants. It's either that or they're looking at us strangely for being carnivore and herbivore."

Juno's tail drooped. "It's still a rare pairing."

"And who could blame them?"

The party was restricted to a few blocks with food stands provided by the neighbors. Delicious aromas filled the open area, masking the scent of poverty. There were few hybrid children running about, playing in the gushing water of fire hydrants. There were even a few pure blooded children, no doubt from previous relationships. They were getting along with their half siblings as if they were no different at all. Perhaps one day, that could be LJ and whatever half siblings he might have. It Louis and Juno could last that long, that is.

Despite the situation these beasts found themselves in, Juno could see that they chose to celebrate the small things. It was why she desperately wanted to help them. Their resilience inspired her to do better as the Beastar. It made her want to do right by her friends.

Legoshi and Haru are a paycheck away from living like them. Juno would hate to imagine it.

Louis' voice pulled Junk from her thoughts. "Use your nose," he said, "try to smell out any grey wolves. One of them is bound to be Kosaku's mother."

Juno pushed away any distracting scents, from the distinct smells of food to the confusing odor of hybrid children, Juno singled out the scent of grey wolf. There weren't too many, she learned. Aside from herself, there were two others. One being a pure blooded female and the other, mixed.

Kosaku? No. This one is also female.

"This way." Juno made a sudden turn, dragging Louis along with her.

"Mind your strength," Louis grumbled, "you could tear my arm off."

"Sorry..." Juno let up with her hand. It was easy to forget how much more fragile Louis was then her. It made her feel like a freak of nature next to him.

"No worries, just keep going Juno. Don't lose that scent."

"Right." Determined, Juno continued on, weaving between partygoers and stands. The scent kept getting stronger until they stopped in front of a she-wolf selling candles. None of them were lit, otherwise her scent would have been obscured.

The she-wolf was about as tall as Juno but with true grey fur that she lacked. She looked pleased to see another of her species. Besides her was her husband, the dog half of Kosaku. He stood shorter than his wife and twice as happy. The permanence of a dog grin was very apparent. There was a third, one that carried the scent of the two of them- the other female that Juno detected.

She looked like Kosaku with her divided fur patterns akin to the Siberian Husky in her with large hands attributed to the wolf in her. Looking at the three of them, Juno was certain that this young female was Kosaku's sister. The only difference was that she had her father's height. Kosaku was taller than her.

"Can I interest you in some candles?" The she-wolf asked. "It helps mask that wet dog smells we canines tend to have."

"Oh no, we're just-"

"I'll take five."

Juno turned to Louis in shock. His gaze gave nothing away as he casually pulled out the money to pay the female.

Is he saying that I smell?

"These would make the perfect gifts," Louis said to her, laying on the flattery. "Quite the small business you have here."

"The extra income helps," said Kosaku's mother. "There's only three of us now, but it's still hard."

"Three?" Louis echoed.

"Our son has left us," Kosaku's father supplied. "Off to bigger and better things, he said. Whatever that means."

"So you haven't heard from him in a while?"

The three of them shook their heads, mirroring the same droopy expressions with their tails and ears. At least, Louis thought, it was easy to tell whether a canine was telling the truth or not.

"Big Brother said he'd only come back once he knows that he made it," said the sister. "We trust him."

"Sounds like a good kid then," Louis remarked. "It's not often you see hybrid siblings."

"It's more socially acceptable for beasts of the same animal family to have children," the father added. "So, we had two. Of course, don't let that stop you two from having children. A hybrid child is a hybrid child no matter how you slice it."

"I can't imagine it's easy for you either," Juno spoke. She was tired of Louis holding the reins on the conversation. She was just as capable. She was the Beastar, after all.

"Oh, not at all," the sister sighed. "Other dogs think my DNA is messed up by being mixed with a wolf, that I'm too wild to hang with them. But to most other animals, I'm not wild enough. I only belong here with other hybrids like me," she lamented. "But I had a good childhood, don't get me wrong! Big Brother and I grew up with lots of love."

Yahya had been right, there was no discernable reason for Kosaku to turn the way that he did. His family had no idea that he was a killer.

The mother sighed. "Our son is a big believer in the rights of hybrids. I just hope he's doing alright. Sorry to dump all this information on you. Here are your candles." She had placed them into a paper gift bag and handed them over to Louis.

Seeing as there was no point in badgering the family much longer, the two departed.

"It doesn't make sense," Juno said. "He had it good, so why kill interspecies couples when he's descended from them? His parents love him, even after he abandoned him."

"We can't assume that he has the same mentality as Melon," Louis remarked. "We have to think outside the box as to what his motive is."

"I just gotta ask something."

"What is it?"

Juno turned to him with puppydog eyes. "Why did you buy so many candles? Do I stink like canine?"

"What? No- I mean you do, but I like your smell." Louis shook his head. "I just bought them to start conversation. It would have stuck them as odd if we started asking questions about their son out of nowhere."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense." Juno looked down momentarily. "You like my smell?"

"It's comforting to me."

"Aww, Louis!" Juno threw her arms around him for a tight embrace, pulling him taught against her chest.

"My spine- you're gonna break it!"

She let go at once. "Sorry, sorry." She then held Louis at a comfortable distance. "Back to business. Kosaku. What's his MO?"

"He believes in hybrid rights. It's... Possible that he believes hybrid supremacy. The children aren't being killed too," Louis surmised.

"As far as we know."

"If he wanted to make a statement, he would have left their corpses."

"... So where are the children..."

Juno drew back and crossed her arms. "He's not working alone. There's just no way."

"The question is... With who?"

Chapter Text

Cress started to crawl a lot more often. Whenever she saw something she liked— which was a lot— she crawled towards it with the intent of putting it into her mouth. The braces stopped her from doing so, a lot of the time. The poor baby also banged her braces on walls and objects such as chair legs. On the bright side, she stopped crying as much. Her teeth were becoming as fit as a fiddle. They were starting to grow in the direction that they should. In another year, she wouldn't have to wear braces at all.

At daycare she was beloved amongst the slightly older kids. They all looked out for her as she was one of the only babies in attendance.

Cress was perhaps Gattineri's favorite of the bunch. Out of the children, she was the only cross between a carnivore and an herbivore. She was also the only one to have more than one strand of species DNA in her. It wasn't obvious that she was lizard-like. Legoshi had Gosha's eyes but they skipped a generation in Cress' case. Instead, she had her mother's eyes. No, Gosha's blood had shown in more subtle ways.

She healed quickly from injuries caused by the other children as they were bound to happen.

Hybrid children were unaware of their own strength or the lack thereof. They were getting used to their bodies, having no such frame of reference.

It was due to Cress' quick healing that her injuries never shown. Regardless, Gattineri tried her best to teach the children to be mindful of themselves.

She was a good teacher and would do anything for the kids.

Unfortunately, there were bad actors who would like to see them come to harm.

Gosha arrived to the daycare to pick up Cress as he always had, finding that the daycare no longer stood as it did when he dropped her off earlier that day. The walls were charred and smoke billowed upwards towards the sky. Gosha didn't want to think about the implications but it was unlikely that the fire was caused by an accident. Someone torched the daycare.

The komodo dragon wasted no time bursting inside. Support beams had fallen, blocking the entrance, but there were no match for his enhanced strength. His mouth salivated with venom caused by his distress for his great granddaughter, making it easier to destroy any debris in his way.

He couldn't smell anything as the smoke was too thick, but it was apparent that all the children were gone.

Hope swelled up in his chest.

Maybe they were evacuated, Gosha thought.

The sound of coughing from beneath ash and rubble stole away his thoughts. A slender black hand poked through, flagging him down. "H-Help! Over here!" called out the voice.

"Gattineri-san? I-I'm on my way!"

Gosha barreled through, tossing the debris off of Gattineri until he found her. Her black coat was covered in white ash, giving her the appearance of silvery fur. Gosha was relieved to see the feline but there were more pressing things on his mind than just her safety.

"Gattineri-san," he said, panic lacing his tone, "where are the children?" He asked. Gosha stared into Gattineri's yellow eyes. They glowed in the darkness.

Confusion etched itself on her features. "You mean... They're not outside?"

"They're not... What?"

Whatever hope Gosha had was dashed. Despair filled his chest, lining his lungs along with the smoke. Gosha slung Gattineri's arm across his shoulders and helped her outside where the air was clearer.

"I evacuated them and told them to go outside..." she wheezed. "But if they're not here... T-Then..."

"They're too small to wander off alone," Gosha remarked. "Did someone do this, Gattineri-san?"

"I didn't see who, but I have no doubt in my mind that someone did this..." Gartineri errupted in coughs, unable to finish her sentence.

Anyone could have set fire to the daycare. Anyone that was fueled by their hatred of hybrids— a sentiment that was unfortunately all too common. One that was justified by Melon for existing as a murderer.

Gosha's hands shook as he pulled out his phone. It was going to be one tough phone call he had to make.

It was a slow day at the restaurant as they tended to be. Customers would come and go. There were a lot more familiar faces returning, becoming regulars. Even if business was slow, Haru was proud to have a select few customers that always came back. Furtastic Feasts became a bit of a hangout spot for locals as well as a tourist spot for those looking for hidden gems.

Haru began to teach Fido how to cook again, trusting that he had the self control not to drool all over the place. He was only getting older and he could also handle the other responsibilities thrusted upon him. Fido took very well to Legoshi's training. All that canine energy was put into good use in learning how to defend himself.

As a bloodhound, Fido's proclivity for violence was ingrained in his ability to hunt. It was a stain on the existence of dogs, though they're generally seen as having more control over their instincts than their ancestors. Fido took to Legoshi's training like a fly to honey.

He was ready to protect Haru at all costs at any given moment.

Kosaku had done well to keep himself away, but it couldn't last forever. He had his sights set on Legoshi and his family and Legoshi tipped the scales against them even more when he confronted him.

Their grace period were grains of sand trickling down an hour glass until Kosaku decided that time was up.

Before the bell at the entrance rang, Fido could smell him a block away and started to growl. Legoshi trained him to detect the scent of the hybrid through his torn clothes from that night. As a bloodhound, his olfactory was vastly superior to Legoshi's. Not only could he smell Kosaku from far away, he could smell the individual beings that made up Kosaku's DNA.

"Miss Haru-san," Fido said, "you have to hide. He's on his way."

"No way," Haru said, thumping the ground with her feet. "This is my home, I'm not running away. He's going to find me eventually. So let's just give him what he wants."

Fido frowned. "He wants to kill you, Miss Haru-san."

"Not if I could help it. I need you to go get Legoshi. You could smell him, right? Find him and bring him here." Haru rolled up her sleeves and pulled out the taser Legoshi had gifted to her some time ago. It was meant to protect her from Melon. "All I have to do is stall until Legoshi gets here."

Fido shook his head. "I can't do that, Miss Haru-san."

"Nonsense, I've seen you smell if a sandwich was cut in half. That's nothing for you."

"I mean, yes— I can do that. I just won't," Fido said adamantly. "I'm staying with you."

Haru smiled solemnly. "You don't get paid enough for this, Fido-kun."

"I don't care." He wagged his tail. "You are the best boss ever. You and Mister Legoshi-san are family to me. You gave me my first job even though I wasn't qualified."

"I'd say you're over qualified now."

Fido stiffened suddenly, the fur on the scruff of his neck rose. "He's here."

The front door swung open, held by Kosaku. "I had a feeling that this place would be empty," he said. "I'm surprised you can afford to keep it up and running. I have nothing against you for being an herbivore, Haru-san. It's the fact that you're pure blooded is the problem. I don't exactly need to kill Legoshi, seeing as he's not..." The wolfdog began to inch his way inside. "And I would like to see the look on his face once he realizes that you're dead."

Fido shielded Haru behind him, keeping her inside the kitchen. He was still a juvenile, standing shorter than Kosaku, but it wasn't going to stop him from trying. His boss was fragile and small. Her life was far more important than his in that moment. He didn't want Cress to experience losing a parent like he had.

"Down boy, I'm not one for killing kids," Kosaku jeered.

"My species were bred to kill herbivores," Fido remarked. "Big ones like deer. We also tracked down our own ancestors. You don't scare me."

"Well," Kosaku chuckled. His laughs melted into growls. "That'll make this fun, now wouldn't it?"

Without warning, Fido lunged at the intruder, aiming his teeth at his neck. It wasn't what Legoshi taught him as his instinct to protect took over. His jaws snapped over the weak flesh as Kosaku held him at bay. The juvenile pup thrashed in the air as Kosaku stiff armed him.

"You're not a fighter," he taunted. "You're just a part time employee, this isn't even your fight. Do you really need a job that badly?"

Fido wouldn't answer. All Kosaku was trying to do was rile him up with meaningless barks. He just needed to get closer to sink his teeth into his neck...

"Fido!" Haru gripped the taser in her hands. She called out to the boy in warning as she pressed the button. Kosaku tossed Fido into a few tables and even though Haru knew that it hurt in the moment, it was better than getting electrocuted by proxy. She pressed the taser into Kosaku's side and the wolfdog convulsed. He swung his arm wildly at Haru until it connected, sending her into the short wall that sectioned off the kitchen from the rest of the restaurant. Her back was going to be severely bruised, Haru noted. Though, in the moment she couldn't feel anything. She scrambled to her feet, searching for where the taser flew out of her hands.

It went across the room where Fido had landed. The bloodhound was bleeding from his mouth from where he accidentally hit his tongue upon contact with the tables. He saw the taser at his feet and dove for it. Fido slid it across the floor towards Haru and before she could grab it, Kosaku stepped on it.

Horrified, Haru backed up into the wall.

Kosaku bared his claws and fangs. "Don't worry," he said, his voice dripping with sickly sacarine. "I'll make this quick. You aren't worth the pain and suffering. You've done well to mix your pure blood. Unfortunately, you've overstayed your use."

Haru forced her fur flat and smiled. "I don't really know what the hell you're on about. But this ends here."

"Oh?" Kosaku raised a brow. "You're not scared anymore?"

"Because my husband has arrived."

Chapter Text

Work had been especially mundane for Legoshi. Just the way he liked it. He got to look after the bugs, feed them, and explain them to customers that came to see them. The repetition of doing what he loved never got tiring. Normally so reserved, he talked freely about the insects that they housed in the insectorium.

He was speaking to a group of tourists while a rhinoceros beetle crawled over his finger when his phone started to buzz in his pocket. He ignored it at first as most of his friends and family knew he was at work and wouldn't answer until he was available. But it wouldn't stop. As soon as it stopped buzzing for a few seconds, it would pick back up again.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said, gently placing the beetle back into its enclosure. He then stood aside and took the call. It was from his grandfather. It struck him as odd that Gosha was calling him like this, he hardly ever did. Unless it was important of course. A dull ache in his chest told Legoshi that something was terribly wrong. Hastily, he picked up the phone. "Hello—"

"Legoshi, there's no easy way to say this..." Gosha was trying his best to sound calm and collected, but the fear in his tone shone through. "But Cress is gone."

"... What." The dull ache moved from his chest into the pit of his belly.

"The daycare got burned down and all the kids are missing."

Legoshi began moving at once, ignoring the shouts from his boss. He wasn't one to bail, which was worrisome. Though, in the moment, it didn't matter if this was going to cost him his job. If he got fired for leaving on the clock, then so be it, he thought.

"She's a baby," he hissed into the phone, "she's not even two years old yet. How does a baby go missing?"

"They're all gone, Legoshi. This was an attack. It's because they're hybrids."

A growl formed in Legoshi's throat. Kosaku. He had to have been behind it. However, the wolfdog has skipped a step. The parents of the hybrid kids that went missing were always murdered first.

That dull ache was replaced with panic.

"Listen, is there anyone with you?" he asked.

"Just Gattineri, the daycare worker."

To confirm his fears, Legoshi got an incoming call from Haru. Her caller ID appeared over the current call.

"I'll call you back, Grandpa. Stay and talk with the police, get in contact with Yahya. There's... Something I gotta do first."

Legoshi had to "borrow" someone's bike in order to make it back home. Public transportation was simply not going to be fast enough. He planned to return the bike where he found it whenever he got the chance but that was the last thing on his mind at the given moment. All he could think about was the danger Haru— and Fido by an extent— was in.

The closer he got to home, he could smell Kosaku at the restaurant.

He feared that this was going to happen, but to go as far as torching the daycare? Kosaku couldn't be in two places at once, the daycare was a good distance away from their home. Despite that, Legoshi was certain he was behind both attacks. He had half a mind not to try and kill him.

I'm not like that. I won't stoop down to his level.

Legoshi's legs burned as he pedaled harder.

It's really tempting though.

The desire to kill Kosaku stemmed from the carnivore's instinct to protect one's family. Kosaku already went too far by taking Legoshi's pup. Now he was putting his mate in danger.

The wires in Legoshi's brain that associated Haru with being prey was crossed a long time away. While he was still possessive of her in that way, it was different now. Stronger.

All he could hope was that Haru heeded his lessons.

Legoshi hopped off the bike as it was still rolling, he could see Kosaku's silhouette through the glass as he stood over Haru. Legoshi locked eyes with her and he could see her black orbs soften. She was fine, for the most part. The only blood Legoshi could smell came from Fido. He was young, he could bounce back. Legoshi wasn't entirely worried.

Fido was already back up on his feet, sensing that Legoshi was back.

Kosaku swung around to face Legoshi. Haru had said something to him that made him switch gears. He grabbed Haru by the ears and held her up in the air. "Come any closer and she gets it."

Haru writhed around, trying to get free. "Don't listen to him! He's going to kill me anyway! Beat his ass, Legoshi!"

"Shut up!"

Kosaku tossed Haru over the short wall and she landed in the kitchen, clattering amongst the pots and pans.

"Haru!"

"I've got her!" Fido ran towards the kitchen, collecting Haru from the mess. She was dazed and bruised badly, hardly receptive to Fido picking her up. "We'll go to the hospital, Miss Haru-san. Come on."

"We can't... Leave him..." Haru murmured. She was hardly able to stand, leaving Fido to carry her. She was practically weightless from how small she was. Her head lulled back and forth as her vision blurred. "Legoshi..."

Legoshi faced off against Kosaku. "Go Fido-kun! I'll take over from here."

"Yes sir!" Fido upped and left through the back, carrying Haru in his arms.

Now it was just Legoshi and Kosaku inside the restaurant.

Wolf and wolfdog.

Against his better judgement, Legoshi had to ask a few questions. He wanted to understand the monster beneath the fur and flesh, someone part of his own species— how could he do it?

"Why?" Legoshi asked simply. "Why do it?"

"Because," Kosaku said, "animals like us, we're not going to take it anymore. Beastkind will reach its full potential once we realize that mixing our blood makes us superior. Look at you, Legoshi. You got enhanced healing from your grandad. Imagine a world where hybrids like us exist everywhere. The world would be... Perfect."

"There's no such thing as perfect. My daughter... Her jaws and teeth needed work because she's not meant to have them, no one is. Now you have taken her away from me and for that... You'll pay."

Legoshi lunged at Kosaku, curling his hand into a fist. He punched the wolfdog squarely in the jaw, firmly grasping him by the shirt so that he wouldn't fly.

Over and over again, Legoshi struck at him. The blood from Kosaku's mouth and gums coated his knuckles and soaked into his fur. "Where is she? Where are all the children?"

Despite himself, Kosaku chuckled. "You'll never find them... They're not dead though, I'll tell you that..."

Legoshi pushed him against the short wall. "What do you want with them?"

"Not what I want. I'm not the one doing anything to them. I'm just the one liberating them of their pure blooded parents."

"You're sick."

"I prefer..." Kosaku drove his knee into Legoshi's abdomen, forcing the wolf to let go of him and stumble back. "Liberated." He picked up a chair and fended off further attacks. The legs of the chair bashed into Legoshi's forearms, bruising him up and down until the legs splintered off. Kosaku continued to use the chair as a weapon, jabbing the broken chair legs at Legoshi.

"No..." Legoshi grabbed at the legs and writhed the chair out of Kosaku's grasp. "You're just a hypocrite!" He brought the chair overhead and slammed it onto Kosaku with the intention of hitting it over his head. At the last second, Kosaku moved out of the way and got struck on the shoulder instead. Rather than let up, Legoshi continued the relentless attack of beating Kosaku with the broken chair until he was battered. He stood over the wolfdog as he coughed up blood, splattering the floor with his mixed DNA. "Both of your parents are still alive," Legoshi said. "Why not kill them too?"

"How did you...?" Kosaku's eyes hardened. He bared his fangs and went for Legoshi's leg. He sunk his teeth into the gamey flesh. It was tougher than herbivore meat but it didn't stop Kosaku's canines from digging in and rooting themselves into Legoshi's calf.

Pained, Legoshi tried to shake him off. The thing about most canines though, was that once they grab onto something with their jaws, they don't let go. Legoshi was forced to use his claws. He jabbed them into Kosaku's nostrils and flicked his fingers upward. Immediately, Kosaku removed his jaw from Legoshi's leg and drew backwards. Chunks of nose flesh flew up and spattered onto the ground.

"You bastard!" Kosaku held his face, covering what was left of his nose. "You're way worse than I am!"

Legoshi ignored him and kicked his foot into Kosaku's chest until he was laying flat on the floor. "Where are the kids?" he asked again.

"They're all together," Kosaku answered, avoiding the question.

Legoshi pressed down with his foot, making Kosaku groan.

"Keep pressing," he said. "I won't talk. You'll never find them and you'll never find her."

Her? Cress? No...

"You're working with someone, a female, aren't you?" Legoshi leaned forward. "Who is it?"

"I'll never tell." Kosaku snapped his jaws shut, eliciting a crunching noise.

At first, Legoshi thought it was his teeth. But when he smelled a bitter almond scent, he knew it was otherwise. "No!" Kosaku began foaming at the mouth, eyes vacant. Legoshi shook him. "Hey! Why would you do that?! Why kill yourself?"

Of course, Kosaku didn't answer.

He couldn't.

The bitter almond scent belonged to cyanide.

He died, taking all the answers he had with him to the grave.