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crisisandcritters · 1 month ago

Note

I headcanon Dolph snores loudly when he sleeps and that he is tried a lot so that makes me think he may have sleep apnea. How do you think the rest of the Shishigumi would deal with his sleep apnea / loud snoring. ❤️ Please and thank you, ps love your writing.

Lions' Dealing with Dolph’s Possible Sleep Apnea/Loud Snoring

I love this idea!

Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing while sleeping repeatedly. Please seek professional advice if you believe you’re experiencing this, this is just a simplified answer from one of my classes!

Ibuki

He’d be one of the few members that would take charge in addressing Dolph’s sleep, encouraging him to see a doctor or even get him a CPAP machine (device that delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep)

If Dolph one day fell asleep in the general headquarters couch and saw he stopped breathing he’d check his pulse or stare at him until he sees him move again. Imagine that one scene in Family Guy where Louis checks Peter’s pulse lol.

He’ll occasionally tease Dolph if it means that he’ll get help (so Ibuki stops bugging him). Also, he probably blames his excess use of cigarettes and alcohol.

Free

Likely to yell at Dolph to ‘die quieter’ from across the rooms, even though his hypocritical ass snores just as loud as Dolph

He’ll put a sock in Dolph's mouth if he sleeps near him, then realizing that it’s not helping he takes it out and just opts to throw a blanket over his face. Which either Ibuki or Agata take off if they see.

Even though he’s not showing his concern outright, he’d bring Dolph some over-the-counter medication from an animal they needed a favor from, and leave it by his nightstand.

Agata

Just like Ibuki, only more worried and less experienced on how to help. His internet searches revolve around ‘Older lion stops breathing throughout the night’ and ‘calming things for older animals to sleep to’. He’d buy Dolph an air purifier for his room.

Although he’s a heavy sleeper, the process of going to bed is what’s hard for him. If Dolph sleeps before him, it will take hours since he can’t ignore the loud snores or the anxiety of Dolph's sudden silence. He’s going to invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to sleep.

He won’t complain to Dolph since he sees how tired he is all the time, and he’ll lowkey be impressed on how soundly he sleeps given the circumstances.

Miguel

Again, bro sleeps like a rock, he’s one of the members that does not notice Dolph’s snoring/sleep apnea unless he hears him while napping. If he’s able to wake up to Dolph’s snoring, everyone goes to the hospital or local clinic.

He’d get Dolph a weighted blanket to help him sleep more quietly with the extra pressure. Unfortunately, it crushes Dolph once Miguel drops it on him, clearly it wasn’t a ‘little’ weighted.

He’d start experimenting with sleep smoothies or magnesium pills, thinking that deeper sleep and a better diet would help Dolph quit waking up the others.

Sabu

Sabu would probably never say a word about the snoring, even if it drives him crazy. He’d quietly relocate to another room without mentioning why, just to escape the noise.

If he can’t leave, he might nudge Dolph onto his side while he’s sleeping, hoping it would reduce the snoring, it doesn’t sadly

Might suggest it could be something supernatural, he’s older and seen a thing or two in his day. Maybe they angered a spirit and that’s why almost everyone’s sleep is being affected.

Jinma

Bro is tired! He does not want another spot forming from the amount of eye bags he’s getting from waking up in the middle of the night to either Ibuki or Agata going to check on Dolph.

He starts suggesting that Dolph either has his own room or has it made sound-proof. He cares, but he needs his sleep if he wants to be on his top game in the black market.

Deep down, he’d worry about Dolph’s health and would gently suggest he gets checked out, wrapping it in humor to keep things light

Dope

Another heavy sleeper but hears enough complaining from Jinma that they both start to investigate doctors or remedies to try and quiet him down

He’d stick up for Dolph (mostly towards Jinma) if anyone complains too harshly, reminding everyone that he’s not doing it on purpose and that there has to be answers or medicine somewhere

He probably wouldn’t mind the snores if it were just him and Dolph, he finds the background noise helpful and he’s used to more chaotic sounds

Hino

Likely the most annoyed by the snoring, especially if it wakes him up, he starts getting passive-aggressive from the lack of sleep until Agata gets him a pair of noise-canceling headphones

Will join Jinma and Dope on their hunt for an elixir or doctor, finding comfort with Jinma when they both complain about their interrupted/horrible sleep

He might observe Dolph while he sleeps (in a totally creepy way) to figure out exactly when the snoring starts and why. He’s already up, might as well start tracking him

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crisisandcritters · 1 month ago

Text

Trying something new, writing a fanfic. Which is super out of my comfort zone. So I drew one of my fav scenes. If anyone is interested in it or wants some context for this pic, you can check it out here on ao3.

Or you can read the story below the cut.

Midnight. On the bridge. Come alone.

That was all the note said, scrawled in hurried handwriting on a scrap of paper slipped under Agata’s rundown apartment door. He had almost missed it, the white edge barely peeking out before it could vanish beneath the bookshelf. For a moment, he stared at it, his heart pounding.

This was it. What he’d been waiting for. Ever since he started mingling with the lions who ruled the black market, Agata had anticipated a sign like this. The Shishigumi—an infamous gang whose influence ran deep through the black market’s veins—wasn’t just a group; they were the group. Ruthless, powerful, untouchable.

He walked to the window, the city’s dim lights casting long shadows across the room, and began to get dressed. If his instincts were right, tonight wasn’t one of Free’s pranks. Tonight was his chance. The invitation he’d been waiting for—to finally be one of them.

But if the rumors whispered in the darkest corners of the Market were true, joining the Shishigumi was no simple task. The gang had one of the roughest reputations, known for being some of the meanest cats ever to prowl the shadows. Agata had once asked what someone had to do to become a full-fledged member. Free and Dope had joked, throwing out absurd ideas like stealing a tuft of the mayor’s tail fur or spending the night locked in a box underwater. Hino claimed they made you shave your mane and strut around like a lioness for the night. But no one ever gave a straight answer.

The only ones who stayed silent were Ibuki and Dolph. They said nothing and simply looked... sad. Agata shook his head at the memory. He must have been misremembering. The Shishigumi were ruthless, sure, but they took care of their own. Whatever the initiation entailed, it couldn’t be anything that bad. Could it?

He would be turning 20 this year and had been living independently since he was 17. He’d tried to lead an honest life, but nothing had ever truly satisfied him. Agata had always stood apart, both in appearance and demeanor. His imposing stature and dark fur made him a prominent presence, a natural leader in the eyes of others. But Agata didn’t want to lead. He never craved the spotlight, never wanted the burden of greatness. As a child, people had assumed his potential without ever bothering to know him.

What Agata wanted was more straightforward: to belong. Not to stand at the forefront, but to be part of something larger, something meaningful. He didn’t want glamour or glory. He felt most at ease when he was just another cog in the machine—not the one pulling the strings. And with the Shishigumi, he felt that sense of belonging. With them, he wasn’t an outlier.

Not to mention, he’d discovered he was surprisingly good at committing crimes. His dark fur turned out to be an asset, helping him blend into the shadows, and his strength made him a natural enforcer. He’d already assisted some of the guys on a few easy jobs, proving himself useful. In this world, no one looked to a criminal to lead. No one demanded greatness from someone who slinked around the edges of the black market. It was strange, but for the first time, Agata felt like he might have a chance at something that resembled a normal life.

Tonight, could be the night—the moment he solidified his place within the pride. He was sure he could handle whatever they threw at him. Whatever it took to become one of them.

As the clock crept closer to midnight, Agata made his way to the bridge Dolph had pointed out months ago. The older, scarred lion’s words echoed in his mind: Anything important, anything that needed to be handled, would be dealt with there. The night was unnervingly quiet, as if the world itself held its breath in anticipation. Even the wind seemed to still, heightening the tension in the air. The clouds hung low in the sky casting grand shadows across the river. Every fiber of Agata’s being was on high alert, his whiskers twitched, and his claws started to extend on their own. The low hum of an approaching engine broke the silence, drawing Agata’s attention. His ears turned straining to catch the sound as it grew louder. A car’s headlights suddenly cut through the darkness, blinding him. Squinting, he barely had time to react as several large, shadowy figures leapt from the vehicle and surrounded him.

Instinctively, Agata raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, hoping to signal that he meant no harm.

"Look at this cub, all dressed up like he belongs here," one of the larger lions sneered, stepping closer. His voice dripped with mockery as he shoved Agata hard. The blow caught him off guard, sending him stumbling straight into another lion’s chest.

"You lost, rookie?" the first lion jeered, his laugh echoing in the cold night air.

Agata barely had time to steady himself before rough paws grabbed him by the shoulders, spinning him around.

"He’s shaking already!" another lion crowed, his tone cruel and gleeful. "This one’s not gonna last five minutes!"

A sharp fist drove into Agata’s gut, the impact stealing his breath. He doubled over and crumpled to the ground, coughing and wheezing as pain blossomed in his ribs. Panic surged through him—his mind screamed that this wasn’t a prank, wasn’t a test. They were playing with him like a pack of hyenas toying with prey.

But then, clarity cut through the haze of fear. If he didn’t fight back, he wouldn’t survive the next five minutes.

A shadow loomed over him, and he glanced sideways just in time to see a foot arcing toward his head. Gritting his teeth, Agata rolled, the sole of the boot grazing the fur on his temple as it smashed into the ground where he’d just been.

Using the momentum of his roll, Agata scrambled to his feet, adrenaline drowning out the ache in his body. The harsh glare of the car’s headlights still blinded him, reducing the advancing lions to hulking silhouettes. He counted five—maybe six—but there could’ve been more.

The next lion lunged at him, swinging a heavy fist aimed at his jaw. This time, Agata was ready. He sidestepped the blow and brought his elbow up hard, driving it into the back of the lion’s head. The impact sent the attacker sprawling forward, and Agata pivoted, using the opening to deliver a sharp jab to another lion’s ribs.

For a brief, dizzying moment, he thought he might hold his ground. A surge of fierce determination coursed through him as he ducked and weaved, striking out whenever he saw an opening. His fists connected with fur and flesh, and the satisfying sound of a grunt told him he’d landed at least one solid hit.

But then, out of nowhere, a voice snarled, closer than it should’ve been:

"You don’t even know what you’re asking for, do you? This life’ll chew you up and spit you out."

Agata spun toward the voice, but too late. Pain exploded across the back of his head as something heavy—maybe a pipe or a baton—struck him with brutal force.

The world tilted. His vision swam, and his legs gave way beneath him. As he crumpled to the ground, the last thing he saw was the shifting blur of shadows circling above, the laughter of his attackers fading into the encroaching darkness.

And then, everything went black.

The first thing Agata noticed was the smell: old stone, damp with age, mingled with the acrid tang of stale cigarettes. It was enough to stir him back to consciousness. He groaned softly, his head pounding as he opened his eyes, only to be greeted by blurred shapes of tan and yellow swimming in his vision.

His cheek rested on something cold and unyielding—stone, maybe—and for a brief moment, his mind raced to piece together what had happened. The bridge. The lions. The fight.

Agata shot upright, his fur bristling, claws unsheathed, and instincts screaming. This time, he didn’t wait for a fight to come to him. He lashed out, swinging hard and landing a hit on the closest lion—a sharp blow above the eye.

But before he could follow through, a massive paw clamped down on the scruff of his neck. He yelped as a lion with thick dreads hauled him off his feet with effortless strength, disarming him in one swift motion.

"Look who’s finally awake," the dreadlocked lion rumbled, a toothy grin splitting his face.

"Aww, he’s like a little kitten," another lion teased, his tone dripping with mock sympathy.

"Miguel," a third chuckled, "I didn’t know you had such a motherly side. What’s next? Are you gonna start grooming him?"

Agata found himself surrounded, the pride of lions from the bridge and more closing in, their feline eyes gleaming with amusement and curiosity. They loomed over him, scrutinizing him now that he was conscious, the tension crackling in the air.

"Look, guys," Agata stammered, panic tightening his voice. "I don’t know what I did! I’m sorry! I’ll get out of town, I swear! You’ll never hear from me again—"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, buddy," Free interrupted, stepping forward with an easy grin. "You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, you put up one hell of a fight back there."

Agata blinked, his breath still coming fast. "What… what does that mean?"

"Sorry we had to rough you up," Free continued, his tone almost apologetic. "But we had to be sure. We can’t just let anyone join the Shishigumi."

"Wait, are you serious?" Agata swallowed hard as the lion with dreads finally set him down. His legs wobbled beneath him. "Does this mean… I’m in?"

Free tilted his head, a sly smile curling his lips. "Well… not quite."

Agata’s heart sank. "Huh?"

"Like I said," Free replied, "we can’t just let anyone join the group. There’s a process. Blood in, blood—"

A loud creak interrupted him. All heads turned toward the heavy double doors at the far end of the room. They groaned open slowly, the sound echoing in the still air.

Free and the other lions immediately backed away, their casual demeanor vanishing in an instant. Agata’s stomach churned as he followed their gazes to the doorway.

The lion who entered didn’t have the imposing stature one might expect from a leader. He walked with a pronounced limp, leaning heavily on a cane for support. His balding mane was slicked back with gel and grease, giving it a sickly sheen under the dim light. Two jagged scars slashed across his face, running dangerously close to his eyes—remnants of a fight that might’ve blinded a lesser predator.

But what he lacked in physical presence, he made up for in raw authority.

The moment he stepped into the room, silence fell like a guillotine. Every lion snapped to attention, their postures rigid and their gazes fixed straight ahead. All except for Agata.

Agata, the literal black sheep in the room, stuck out like a sore thumb. He was the only lion not dressed in a suit and tie, the only one bruised and battered from the earlier fight, and the only one whose stance betrayed his unease. He couldn’t help but stare as the older lion made his slow, deliberate way across the room, the rhythmic tap of his cane punctuating the stillness.

"When I was a cub," the older lion began, his voice low and gravelly, "lions were considered the Kings of Beasts. No creature dared interfere with our business… because they quickly became lunch."

He stopped directly in front of Agata, his piercing gaze boring into him. "But now, the world seems to disagree with the old ways. Lions are no longer feared as we once were." His lips curled into a faint, menacing smile. "However, there’s one thing no one can dispute—raw power. And that’s something we’ve always had and must continue to hold onto."

Before Agata could react, the boss grabbed his shirt and yanked it up in one swift motion, exposing his torso. He inspected Agata’s body with the detached air of someone evaluating a product, his fingers brushing over the younger lion’s ribs and shoulders. Then came the cane, tapping against his arms and back as though testing the sturdiness of newly purchased goods.

Agata froze, stunned into submission. His wide eyes darted around the room, searching for any reaction—any support—but the other lions stood motionless, their faces unreadable.

"Open your mouth," the boss commanded.

Agata hesitated, unsure if he’d heard correctly. The pause proved too long. The older lion stomped hard on Agata’s foot, and as the younger lion yelped in pain, the boss seized his opportunity. Fingers shot into Agata’s mouth, gripping his tongue and pulling it out as though inspecting a prize animal’s fangs. The probing was methodical, his rough fingers pressing against teeth and gums with a practiced precision.

Agata’s body locked in place, too shocked to resist.

The inspection ended as abruptly as it began. The older lion released him without ceremony, wiping his fingers on a handkerchief he produced from his pocket. "Hmph," he muttered under his breath, stepping back.

"A lion with a dark mane," he said, his voice dangerously soft, "is often considered a strong candidate for leadership." He leaned in close, his breath hot against Agata’s ear. "You’d do well to keep any ambitions… in check."

"Y-yes, sir," Agata stammered, nodding frantically.

The older lion’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile as he patted Agata’s cheek—a gesture that felt more like a warning than affection. Without another word, he turned and made his way to the table set at the far side of the room.

The tension in the air eased slightly as he lowered himself into the head chair, the creak of the wood seeming to signal that the worst was over. Agata dared to exhale, his nerves still jangling. But before relief could take hold, the boss motioned silently with his hand, and several lions immediately exited the room without explanation.

Whatever came next, Agata knew it wasn’t going to be good.

“The Shishigumi live by simple rules,” the Boss declared from his makeshift throne, his voice carrying the weight of an ancient decree. The other lions had begun to settle into their seats around him, a silent council of judgment, while Agata remained standing alone in the center of the room.

“Be loyal to the family, put the family first in all matters, and, of course, Blood in, Blood out.” He leaned forward slightly, his cane resting across his knees as his sharp gaze fixed on Agata. “That last one might sound confusing, but it’s quite straightfoward.”

The lions who had left earlier returned, this time carrying a large, covered cage. Its ominous silhouette sent a shiver down Agata’s spine.

“In order to leave the Shishigumi, blood must be spilled. Typically, your own.” The Boss smirked faintly; his words deliberate. “And to join the Shishigumi, blood still needs to be spilled. It’s a balance—one that separates us from the spineless and the unworthy.”

With a sharp tug, the cover was ripped away, revealing the cage’s occupant: a massive, hulking white bear. Its fur glistened under the dim light, giving it an almost spectral quality.

“If you want to prove yourself worthy of joining our ranks,” the Boss continued, his voice now a growl, “you must kill this bear. Spill its blood to be welcomed into the family. Show us that you can separate yourself from the weak-willed and pathetic creatures who dare still call themselves carnivores.”

For a moment, Agata couldn’t move. The lions had retreated to the table, watching him from behind a heavy steel gate that had risen from the floor, separating them from what was to come. The bear, however, remained eerily still within its cage.

The room was silent except for the low groan of metal as the cage door creaked open. Agata’s heart pounded in his chest as he stepped forward, his legs heavy as lead. He expected the bear to lunge at him, to fight for its life. But instead, he heard something that stopped him cold.

A whimper.

Frowning, Agata bent down for a closer look. His breath hitched as the truth dawned on him. The bear wasn’t the massive adult he had thought—it was just a teenager. And not even a polar bear. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a white-furred grizzly—a rare find, but smaller and younger than any true predator should be.

He stumbled back, horrified, and turned toward the group of lions. The disbelief was written all over his face as he searched their expressions for an answer, for some kind of reassurance. Most averted their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze. Free’s face twisted in self-loathing, his jaw clenched.

Only Dolph stared directly at him.

Dolph’s gaze was hard, unflinching, as if trying to speak a silent truth. This is the life we all chose, his eyes seemed to say. And now, this is the life you’re choosing. Commit to it, or run while you can. But understand one thing—you’re in the company of killers.

The weight of Dolph’s unspoken words sank into Agata’s chest like a stone.

He turned back toward the cage, steadying himself as the bear whimpered softly again. Agata clenched his fists, his heart warring against his mind. He knew this was a crossroads, the moment that would decide everything. The path before him was dark, but it was the only one left. He had to belong somewhere. If this was the price, so be it.

With trembling hands, he stepped forward and reached into the cage, grabbing the young bear by the throat. The creature struggled weakly, its wide, terrified eyes locking onto Agata’s. He forced himself to look away as he tightened his grip.

“I’m sorry,” Agata whispered, his voice barely audible.

He tried to make it quick, but the bear’s blood spilled all the same, gushing onto the cold floor in a pool of crimson. Agata watched the light fade from its eyes, his stomach lurching violently. He turned away just in time to suppress the bile rising in his throat, but he couldn’t stop the sickening weight that settled in his chest.

Something inside him broke.

It was like watching a piece of his soul evaporate, leaving behind a hollow, unrecognizable shell. This was his turning point, his blood baptism. There was no going back.

The Boss rose from his chair and approached, his slow, deliberate steps echoing in the silent room. He gestured toward the lifeless bear with his cane, then looked Agata in the eyes.

“This blood symbolizes your birth into our family. From this moment, we are one until death.”

Agata swallowed hard, his voice trembling but steady as he nodded solemnly.

“Yes, sir.”

The Boss smirked, clapping him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the Shishigumi.”

Agata said nothing, the weight of his choice pressing down on him. He had a new home, a new family… and a new darkness that would haunt him forever.

#shishigumi #beastars #agata #ao3 fanfic #short story #fanfic #tw blood

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crisisandcritters · 2 months ago

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Shishigumi Family AU Drabble:

Summary: Ibuki is up late at night, trying to wrap his head around the recent events of his (formerly) missing boss. Louis is awake too dealing with his own struggles and the lion comes to grip that he doesn't just see the young and stubborn buck as his boss or friend but as something more: family

Disclaimer: I've only seen the anime once and skimmed a few random manga pages to try and learn about characters (currently making slow progress on reading the whole thing online). I'm sorry if I butchered personalities and/or backstories in canon so I guess anything messed up would just be part of the AU lol.

Things were beginning to look like they were heading in the right direction. It only took about two months for things to start moving slow once more. Tensions have fallen and eased back into the normal casual lifestyle of the Shishigumi-or whatever the ‘norm’ for a ragtag group of lions keeping a rather taboo location in check. It was their norm anyway and they frankly did not care if anyone thought different.

Despite the feeling of calmness washing over the rundown tower of a mansion, Ibuki could sense the underlying troubles that shook the members of the Pride down to its foundations. Even though the future was looking pretty good as of now, it had only just started to calm down after a rather devastating event that had even him sick to his stomach. He did not allow this feeling to really present itself publicly but he was still a bit shaken from the events that had unfolded a couple of months ago.

It had started when the Shishigumi boss had run off, ordering his lion followers to stay behind. That it was his duty to help a friend. Normally, the lions would not care to meddle with high school drama or fighting students but with one of their own running straight into the snarling jaws of carnivores, it had them all worried. Ibuki could recall the sheer power and determination that blazed like orange flames in his boss’ copper colored eyes, mingled with the heavy scent of fear that radiated off his body like a furnace. A few of the lions almost broke their ‘promise’ to try and give their boss bacup after hearing about what this fight was about. But in the end, it was not their fight and they respected their boss too much to go against his orders.

It had been a nerve wracking waiting game as the sun had slowly risen over the streets of the Market. They patiently waited for a sign.

No calls, no texts, no check ins, and not a single letter.

The Shishigumi boss had gone off the radar. Being an herbivore thrusting himself into a fight between two apex predators and had not returned, hope was slowly fading. By night three, the lions began to schedule patrols to keep an eye out for their horned friend, just in case. They kept their eyes and ears open in the market as well tracking any shipments of deer meat in the market just in case.

By the end of the second week, there was still no sign of their missing boss and Ibuki had taken the role as the new leader of the Pride. It was heavily suspected that their friend had gotten too close to the deadly fight and had been devoured. It sickened Ibuki. He had grown fond of the deer and it devastated him to think of the outcome of that fight.

Ibuki removed his glasses from his face with a sigh. It had only been about a week since Louis’ return and reassignment as boss once more. He could tell that whatever happened at that fight was troubling the boy. He never spoke of the full story in detail and that was his choice. He would respect that. The others did as well when they haute their poking and prodding but Ibuki had noticed that their were more changes to the former high school student than just physical. He noticed that he had slowly started to take better care of himself and was a lot more open on his thoughts and feelings than before. Even though these changes were not necessarily bad, it still left him in questions as to why. Louis had even halted his newfound carnivorous diet in favor of the much healthier greens he was supposed to be eating and gained a couple of pounds back in the process. He was still poorly underweight and underdeveloped for his age and species but Ibuki was proud to see the small glimmers of improvement in the field of self care.

Small tap like thuds drew the old lion out of his thoughts as he redirected his attention to the flight of stairs. He had been so lost in his own head that he failed to realize that Louis was almost at the bottom of the staircase. He watched calmly as the deer slowly inched his way down, step by step with a hand on the wall for support, occasionally whispering small mutters to himself. Quite possibly cursing the terrible night vision he had as an herbivore. It was also good to see that Louis did not seem on edge at this hour of night as he seemed to have full trust in the Pride to not attack him when he was basically blind. A louder tap and a metallic thump let the deer know that he had made it safely down the stairs and with a flick of an ear, he adjusted his loosely fitted white shirt. Ibuki decided to make his presence known as he slowly strode towards the deer, making sure his footsteps were not light so as to not startle him. Wide unseeing copper eyes looked up and his head turned to the general direction of the footsteps. “Hey,” he greeted softly.

Ibuki noticed the tiredness in the young buck’s voice and gave a small nod of his head. “Louis,” he returned the greeting warmly. “What are you doing up? With all due respect, i thought you would be asleep.”

Louis strugged a shoulder, not caring that the hem of the shirt has slipped over his shoulder. The lion could see the small white spots dotting the brown fur. He frowned slightly. He had only seen the fawn spots once before. Being brought up in the Market did its damage on the boy in more ways than one. “Couldn't sleep.” Louis slowly limped towards the kitchen, keeping one hand slightly away from his body to feel around his surroundings. “I could ask you the same thing.” The lion followed, impressed by the boy’s navigation skills. Even though he was relying on the sense of touch and his memory of the mansion’s layout, he seemed to be doing quite well in the dark.

Being an herbivore living with a group of lions certainly had some of its perks.

Ibuki observed the way Louis tended to keep most of his weight into his left leg with each step, putting only a small amount of pressure onto his prosthetic while he limped. He could tell the deer was trying to hide the limp but his efforts were not working well. He hung back a bit as he opened the fridge, squinting his eyes a bit to adjust his eyes to the sudden brightness that flooded the kitchen with a white glow, just standing there as if debating what his next move would be. The lion glanced down and noted how his left leg hovered about an inch from the ground and how he gripped onto the fridge for support. His ears twitched and his tail swayed slowly. "Does it hurt, boss?"

Louis did not reply. In fact, he made no indication that he heard the question but it seemed to snap him out of his trance when he grabbed a bottle of water. He closed the fridge and leaned his back against the door, twisting the cap off and taking a drink. Ibuki wondered if he hit a nerve.

"Yeah." Louis responded after another sip. He sighed and looked down, slowly moving his right leg as if observing it. "Sometimes it's like I can still feel my hooves on the ground. Sometimes it burns. Sometimes its just numb. Sometimes it's a little bit of all." Pushing himself off the fridge, he screwed the lid back on the now empty bottle and placed it back in the fridge in a drawer that held his own personal food items and drinks. "I try not to think about it too often. Thinking about it only makes the pain worse."

There was a long silence that fell between carnivore and herbivore. Ibuki, just standing near the doorway of the kitchen and Louis, leaning against the fridge with his head down, antlers making soft scraping noises as they accidentally brushed against the fridge door. He could see the boy's ears were drooping, his tail low, and his eyes nearly closed with a sorrowful expression on his face. So many thoughts must be lurking in his head, so many questions about life in general. It was one of the many things that had changed since Louis’ return. He seemed to be more readable than ever yet so unpredictable. In fact, he was always unpredictable, especially from the start when he took the first bite of meat at the table, asserting his growing authority over the lions who had watched his every move with wonder and some disbelief.

Ibuki ran his hand through his mane as Louis straightened himself a bit. The deer came closer, keeping his eyes downcasted as he seemed to follow the sound of the lion’s breath. Ibuki watched with concern that melted into confusion as Louis hesitantly leaned his head against his chest, careful not to accidentally impale him with the sharp ends of his antlers. He stood there, immensely unsure about the gesture. It wasn't until Louis’ smaller arms held onto him that he realized he was seeking comfort from whatever was plaguing his brain. Inuki slowly lowered himself to kneel on his knees to reduce the massive height difference and returned the embrace gently, hoping that his act of affection and care would sooth the boy. It was just another thing that made its way onto the unpredictable things to come from the smaller animal. Hell, he never would've thought that he even liked hugs but this interaction proved him wrong,

“I'm sorry,” Louis had whispered as he moved his head to rest his chin on Ibuki’s shoulder. “I was harsh on you guys. All you wanted to do was help and I turned your offers down. I should have let told you that i was still alive and-”

“With all due respect boss, i'm going to stop you right there.” Ibuki gently pulled Louis off on him and laid his hands on his shoulders, a soft look from his eyes even if he couldn't see it. “You don't need to apologize for anything. You were loyal to your wolf friend and helped him out when things got ugly. You put the ones you cared about first before your own needs and that says something about a person.” The lion smiled, gently scratching the fur behind the deer’s left ear. “You might have antlers instead of a mane, hooves for claws, and flat teeth in place of fangs but you damn well have the heart and soul of a lion. I dont think ive ever heard or witnessed another herbivore like yourself doing what you did back there. I know you made a remark about me not being your father but Louis...im proud of you, as if…” he trailed off, studying Louis' expression for a sign to continue. He could not see any negative thoughts or maybe even a furrowed brow of disgust. Hell, if anything, his expression was completely unreadable.

He could not bring himself to say it, at least not yet. He just simply gave a small nod and a smile. “All that I'm trying to say is that I'm glad to have you back with us, Louis. You're always welcome here as our Boss, friend, and a part of our family.” Ibuki slowly raised himself back to his feet, giving Louis a playful rub between his antlers. ��It was nice talking with you, son,” he added. He saw Louis’ ears perk up straight at the nickname. “ I'll let you get back to whatever you were wanting to do. I'll see you in the morning. Try not to stay up too late. You need your sleep.” As Ibuki made his way out of the kitchen, he could still feel the deer’s eyes on his back, following the movement of his departure as he made his way up the stairs for the night.

Night had fallen and the morning had come. Ibuki was greeted to a rokous in the dubbed ‘recreational room’ as he watched the lions chat amongst themselves as they played a video game. He could pick out Agata and Free sitting on the floor in front of the television, Dope behind Free, Dolph a few steps away, Hino and Jinma watching every now and then as they spoke about their own thing, and Sabu crouched near Dope. Between Free and Agata sat Louis, the three of them going head to head in a heated game of Claws Of Duty on the TV. Ibuki did not exactly have the same interest in the video game but he took amusement in the younger members competing on who can score the most kills or who slaughters who first. He faintly heard Dope exclaim “kick his ass, boss” just before one of the sections of the screen displayed a kill animation for a round of bullets to an avatar's head, followed by Free’s groan of defeat in his loss and Agata’s laugh before he looped an arm around Louis’ neck in a celebratory semi embrace.

The eldest of the lions smiled. Things were indeed looking good for the Shishigumi, the band of mischievous lions and a theater performer of a young buck. He could not ask for anything better.

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