A Challenging Time
#17 of The Zoo
_AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey everyone! Hope you're all enjoying your Labor Day weekend! Here's another chapter that I hope you will enjoy. Oh and in a Social Media update, I have a tumblr now! If you want to follow me (which has a bunch of random stuff) my tumblr is http://its-ak16.tumblr.com/ I haven't done much blogging, but I'm just getting started. As always, rate, comment, favorite, shout, tell your friends and now follow along (I follow back). Enjoy the waning days of summer! - AK _
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"I still don't understand why..."
"Let's just not worry about it?"
"But you could have died."
"But I didn't."
"Still, you should ask one of your new friends at the Police Department to at least look into this."
"I don't want to waste their time."
This disagreement had continued from the time Ibuki and Dulion first left the park until the next morning and now continued into the afternoon. It wasn't an argument, but Ibuki was still frustrated. Dulion would investigate someone using a cell to harass her, but he wouldn't at least try to find out who left a Wolfsbane needle in his mail box. It perplexed her.
"You wasted their time over a couple of phone calls. Don't you think you should waste your time on this?" Ibuki asked, hands on her hips.
"Nope." Dulion said. "Besides, what do we have to go on? We got rid of the needle which is the only piece of evidence we had. Dr. Tennant already warned everyone that another needle is possible. We just need to be careful. I'm even carrying these damn things on me."
Dulion took out a small case which contained his newly acquired Full Moon prescription and a needle. It was currently covered in pink unicorns and glittery star stickers after Cassie and Stephanie begged him to let them decorate it. Ibuki had honestly thought he would have said no, but now she was beginning to understand: Dulion just wasn't taking this seriously.
"And what if I got hit instead, huh?" Ibuki asked. What would you have done then?"
"I would have made Maxwell call the director of the FBI I'd have DeCosta call the Chief of Police all while I call the afternoon news."
"Very funny."
"I'm not joking. They want to hurt me, that's fine; I really don't care. They want to try and hurt you, that's when I'll call the troops in."
Ibuki walked up to Dulion. In her kitsune form, she stood taller than he did as a human. She bent slightly and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love you." She said. "I don't want to see you hurt. If you really cared about me, you'd call someone."
Dulion looked up at her into her eyes. If the conversation wasn't so serious, she might have laughed at being taller than him. Dulion shrugged and sighed.
"Fine. I'll ask DeCosta what I should do when he gets off work. Will that make you happy?"
"Slightly. I mean I am still going to be gone this evening. Work sucks."
"I could always come by and keep you company." Dulion said with a sly smirk.
"I'd get fired." Ibuki said with an amused chuckle.
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Well, first off, I would probably just drag you away and stay with you all night. Second, if I saw anyone trying to seduce you, I might take it personally."
"I didn't think you were the jealous type."
"I never said that."
"You implied it."
Ibuki smiled and gave Dulion a peck on his lips.
"Despite what I know you think," she said, "you are worth getting jealous over."
Dulion gave Ibuki a quick kiss of his own.
"Oh really?" he said.
Ibuki didn't answer. Instead, she grabbed Dulion close and kissed him deeply. Suddenly Dulion broke off the kiss.
"Do you mind knocking?" he said, annoyed.
Ibuki turned around to see Jayson leaning against the door of the kitchen with a cheesy smile on his face and his tail almost wagging like a dog's.
"Oh, please don't let me stop you both." He said. "In fact, you should let me watch. I can give you some tips."
"He doesn't need them." Ibuki said. "What's up Jay?"
"Matthew has something he thinks the two of you might want to see. He's waiting for you whenever your both ready."
"Sure, we'll be there in a minute." Dulion said with the sound of disappointment in his voice.
"Tsk tsk." Jayson said. "I would imagine that you'd be longer than that. Still, with such an attractive woman I can't say..."
"Enough." Ibuki said, as she shook her head and tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.
***
Dr. Tennant made sure that the DVR was set to the correct place. He saw the front door of his apartment open and watched Jayson walk in leading both Dulion and Ibuki with him. Instantly, his face went from excited to sullen. He had forgotten they were likely to be together. He rubbed his antlers nervously.
"Oh," he said when he saw them enter, "you both came."
"If you want I can go." Dulion said. "Sorry, I figured that..."
"No, it's not that." Dr. Tennant said. "It's just...well..."
"Well what?" asked Ibuki. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure that you will be as pleased to see this as Dulion is, Emi." Dr. Tennant said.
He hardly ever called Ibuki by her first name. When he did, it was usually not good. He had used it when he welcomed a crying Ibuki into the Zoo years ago and, upon her request, seldom used it. However, when he did, it was always to prepare him for something serious. He saw Ibuki tense up for a moment. Dulion grabbed Ibuki close to him. It was nice to see them together.
"I'll be fine, Doctor," Ibuki said, "now what is it you want to show us."
"Take a look for yourselves."
The Doctor pressed the play button on his remote. The image of a bottle blonde newswoman complete in an obnoxiously yellow dress was on the screen. In the right hand corner, a graphic stating "SUSPECT APPREHENDED" was scene along with a pair of hand cuffs. The newswoman spoke it a surprisingly pleasant voice.
"Police are announcing that they have apprehended a man charged with creating child pornography of both human children and lycanthropes. Police have arrested Akira Ibuki, had have charged him with multiple accounts of sexual assault and possession, distribution and manufacturing of the offensive material."
On the screen there was a police mug shot of an Asian man with large glasses and thinning black hair that was quickly turning grey. Even upon watching it a second time Dr. Tennant thought that he had a harsh look about him.
"Anthony DeCosta, the man who led the investigation stated that while he is happy they have captured the suspect, they are still concerned that his partner is at large. Police are asking for help from the lycanthrope community to locate the second suspect, Avery Johnson. Johnson, the former leader of the group known as WILD is suspected of participating with Ibuki to produce the materials. A third man, Brian Wilkens, has already been arrested and charged."
"Remind me to change my name." Ibuki said when the report was over.
"Are you okay, Emi?" Dr. Tennant asked.
"Fine." She said stiffly. "I just wished they caught him sooner."
"We all do." Dulion said. "You sure you're going to be okay?"
Ibuki nodded, but said nothing more.
The Doctor sighed, now it was the time for what he really called Dulion and Ibuki in for.
"Jayson, would you please go check if my medical bag is in the car. I would run, but I'm not feeling so well right now."
"Sure. Is everything alright with you?"
"Yes, I think just a bit of an upset stomach. I can't find my bag and I think I have some antacids in there."
"Okay." Jayson said. "I'll be right back. Try not to puke on the floor."
Jayson left quickly. With a slight wave of his hand, Dr. Tennant gestured at Dulion to close the door. Once Dulion did. Dr. Tennant picked up a small vase which sat unfilled on a shelf.
"What's that for?" Dulion asked.
Dr. Tennant smiled.
"Well I wanted to tell everyone what I was going to do first before I actually did it. I just needed a way to get Jayson out of the apartment. I was going to show you the news story anyway, so I figured, why not bring you in here and kill two birds with one stone. I was going to tell you later, Ibuki because I wasn't sure about the broadcast and how it would affect you."
"It's fine." Ibuki said. "Just what's going on though?"
Dr. Tennant gently lifted the vase until the small object concealed within it came out. He presented the object to Dulion and Ibuki.
"Is that a ring?" Dulion asked, a bit confused.
Ibuki gasped with a large smile plastered on her face.
"Does this mean what I think it means?"
Dr. Tennant nodded.
"it's been so long that we've been together. Now that we can finally do this, I'm ready to make it official. I'm going to ask Jayson to marry me."
Dulion offered a handshake to Dr. Tennant which he eagerly accepted. Ibuki gave the Doctor a large hug.
"I am so happy for you." She said.
"Don't get too excited." Dr. Tennant said. "He could say no."
"If that happens, I'll kill him for you." Dulion said.
"That won't be necessary, Mr. Dulion. Josef has already offered to do the same. Jess has said she would be willing to hide the body."
"I'll defend them in court then."
"Good man. You know, I've performed surgeries before and I've never been more nervous in my entire life."
"When are you going to pop the question?" Asked Ibuki.
"Tonight, at our weekly pot luck dinner. Will you be there?"
"If you do it before the meal is served, I can make it." Ibuki said. "I have to go into work so..."
"Not a problem. I want all of my closest friends there. And seeing how that means basically everyone living here, it seems like a good idea. Now let me quickly put this back before Jayson returns. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise."
The Doctor had just placed the vase back on the shelf and turned around when Jayson opened the door to the apartment.
"Your bag's not there." Jayson said. "I could have sworn I saw it in the bedroom."
"That's because it was there." Dr. Tennant said. "I found it a moment after you left."
Jayson sighed.
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Trust me I've been asking the same question about my partner." Ibuki said placing an arm around Dulion. "So when are the four of us going on a double date?"
"Hopefully soon." Dr. Tennant said. "But with Cassie in our lives, Jayson and I are busier than ever."
"Speaking of which," Dulion said, "where is Cassie?"
"She stood over Josef's and Cameron's house for the night. She wanted to have a sleepover with Stephanie. I'm glad she's responded so well to staying here."
"DYFS coming over to do a follow up visit soon?"
"Next week." Jayson said. "I'm more worried about how Cassie is going to take that than actually losing her."
"Just stay close to her." Ibuki said. "Trust me, as long as she has someone to make her feel safe, she'll be okay."
"Trust me," Dr. Tennant said with emphasis, "we have no intention of leaving her side. Especially with the history she has with DYFS agents."
Dr. Tennant glanced at the clock.
"Well, I don't want to be a bad host, but Jayson and I should be getting ready for our little dinner gathering."
"You're both going to be there right?" Jayson asked.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Dulion said.
***
Dulion sat at the table with Ibuki, Cameron, and Josef. At another table, Stephanie and Cassie sat with a canine boy playing some kind of game. Dr. Tennant was right; it was nice to see the kids playing and having fun. Towards the front of the room, Dr. Tennant and Jayson were ready to open up the food line.
"So you both know about the big surprise, yes?" Josef asked Dulion.
Dulion nodded.
"It's exciting." Dulion said. "I've never seen a proposal before."
"It's always a nice event." Cameron said. "I still remember when Josef proposed to me. It was in a small café in Moscow, by the university."
"I was so nervous," Josef said, "I was shaking. Cameron ask me what was wrong, and I said to her that I was cold. Imagine? Me? Cold in Russia."
"Hey, it worked out for you." Ibuki said.
"Excuse me, everyone." Dr. Tennant said, silencing the various conversations going on in the room. "Before we eat, I just want to say that it has been a challenging time for all of us. Challenging, yet it has come with rewards. As many of you know, Jayson and I have welcomed our dear Cassie into our home."
There was a round of applause and a small wave from Cassie towards everyone before shrinking down into her chair.
"Now, I feel like there is only one thing left from keeping us a real family."
Dr. Tennant grabbed Jayson's hand. Jayson had a puzzled look on his face. When the Doctor went on his knee, there was a spattering of "oohs" along with an open mouthed gasp from Jayson.
"Jayson," Dr. Tennant said as he reached into his pocket. "We've been together for so long and I love you more than anyone one else in the world. Would you marry me?"
Dulion saw tears form in Jayson's eyes.
"Y-yes, of course." Jayson said.
The entire common room burst into a deafening standing ovation. Dr. Tennant got up and gave Jayson a passionate kiss. When they finally broke it off, both men were in tears.
"Well," said Dr. Tennant, dabbing at his eyes, "I guess dinner is served."
A large crowd of people rushed up to the food line. Dulion felt Ibuki's hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going to congratulate Jayson and the Doctor, and then I need to get out of here."
"Okay. Shoot me a text when you're on the way home so I know you're safe."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Text DeCosta, or else."
Ibuki left to congratulate Jayson and the Doctor. Dulion felt a nudge against him.
"So," said Josef, "when are you going to get Ibuki a ring?"
"Oh Josef don't rush things." Cameron said. "They've only started dating."
"Duh, you are right." Josef said. "Still, these things follow each other closely wouldn't you say?"
"On occasion." Dulion said. "But give us some time. When the moment is right, it will happen."
***
Ibuki watched as the digital clock in the train station flashed 3:21 AM. Her train would be only a few more minutes. Then it was a short walk back to the Zoo. Work had been trying, as it always is. Today there was a creepy guy who kept staring at her on stage. While that did make up a good number of the people she saw, most of them were harmless. But there was something about this man...
"Good evening, or should I say morning," said a voice from behind Ibuki, "it's rather late for such a pretty woman to be alone."
Ibuki turned around. She saw the same creepy guy from the club. He had his brown hair parted down the middle. He wore a long overcoat which was odd considering the mild weather and a sinister smile on his face.
"What are you doing..."
"Easy, baby." The man said. "I noticed you at the club...more specifically, I noticed what you were."
"W-what are you talking about?" Ibuki asked.
"You're like me." He said as he rolled up his coat's sleeve.
Ibuki saw the pale skin turn reddish brown and furry before her eyes. The rest of the man's body changed and he completed his transformation into a fox.
"See? I'm like you." He said. "So what are you? Tigress? Leopard? You have to be a big cat with those moves."
"I'm...why should I tell you? Who the hell are you?"
"A friend. I'm trying to help you, and all of us. Tell me, have you heard of WILD?"
"Yes. And I am against everything they stand for. Or haven't you read the papers and heard about what their former head has done."
Ibuki began to look around; hopefully she could find someone to give her some kind of support. A cop, a guard, a conductor; but she couldn't see anyone in the station save for the two of them.
"Oh I know all the whispers and rumors that go around among the lycanthropes; including the notion that WILD needs a new leader, the advisor James Dulion."
"He's not interested in that. I..."
"I know. You're close with him. As I said, I know all the whispers. He's a coward. He should have come out of the cage the second he had his cushy little job."
Ibuki felt a twinge of anger hit her.
"You don't know what it's like to be forced out. There's always the chance..."
"That your girlfriend will dump you? Or that your parents will kick you out?"
Ibuki's eyes opened wide.
"H..How do you..."
"I have my ways. Tell me, sister lycanthrope, do you carry Full Moon?"
"Don't we all?"
"Of course we do. You see, that is why the humans will never defeat us. They invent new poisons that only work on us, but they take far too long to work. And we all have the antidote. You see, humans always invent new ways to be inefficient when the old ways work just as well."
"What the f...."
Before Ibuki could finish, the fox reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. Not a Wolfsbane gun, but a regular pistol. As Ibuki's eyes opened wide with fright, the fox lycanthrope pulled the trigger twice. Ibuki felt two sharp pains in her stomach and she collapsed to the ground.
"Anyone who tries to stop me or the revolution will be dealt with. Don't worry. Your boyfriend will be joining you soon."
Ibuki watched as the fox ran away and full speed. Ibuki tried to call out for help or to even grab her cell phone, but she was too weak from the shots. Ibuki took a few raspy breaths before her vision finally went black.
***
Dulion sat at his kitchen table and spun his phone around nervously. Where could Ibuki be? Normally, she would have texted him by now. He had tried calling, still no good.
"Maybe the train has no signal and she just forgot." Dulion thought to himself.
There was a knock at his apartment door. Dulion grabbed his cane and limped towards the door.
"Finally," he said as he opened the door. "No call, no..."
Standing in the door wasn't Ibuki, but rather DeCosta and Maxwell.
"Good morning. You're both here late. Mr. DeCosta, the needle wasn't that bad. It could have waited until..."
"Jim." Agent Maxwell said gently, but gravely. "Can we come in?"
"Sure, but what's going on?"
Maxwell gave a sad sigh.
"You may want to sit down for this."