The Dance
(or "What's Love Got to do With Anything?")





The next week went by in a blur for Cathrine as the young koala found herself bouncing between helping Arianna and Aubri with their training, keeping Thomas from pushing himself too much, and keeping up with her own weight training.

Thomas had been considerate enough to let Cathrine slide on his training. Not that it had freed any time for her. If anything, she now found herself more exhausted and ding more work than before. She would often find herself barely able to keep herself awake throughout the later part of the day and there had been a few times when Cathrine had found herself waking up in either Albert's office or on a bench in the girls' locker room.

Today was no such day though. The first round of Albert's qualifying tournament had arrived at last and excitement and anticipation filled the air, energizing the combatants and non-combatants alike.

Though she was far from well-rested and despite the fact her body complained at every move she made, Cathrine still continued to help as best she could: checking equipment, cleaning the showers, and examining the ring.

As she sat in the girls' locker room, the young koala marveled at the fact that she had been at the gym for only two short weeks. With all that was going on and how well everyone had accepted her, it had felt as if two years had gone by.

Briefly she wondered how her family was doing. Her mother was probably worried out of her mind, fearing that her youngest daughter was in the hands of some lonely, single male with malicious thoughts on his mind. It wasn't too far from the truth, though she doubted that Thomas had malicious thoughts on his mind.

Her father would probably be proud of her. She was following through with her dreams. As long she did her best, he would be happy. This she knew. It was the same philosophy that Albert seem to have. It wasn't hard to see how the two could have been close friends.

Her last thoughts were on her siblings. Most would be surprised that the baby of the family was trying something so dangerous and so unlike her, but she bet that at least her eldest sister would be proud.

She sighed as she let herself get carried away with her thoughts of the past and of her family. Only two weeks and she starting to get homesick. It was time to call home. Maybe she would do so after the matches today.

"Hey Cathy, are you okay?" asked a soft female's voice.

At first, Cathrine didn't hear the question, so lost in her thoughts was she. It wasn't until the question was asked again and than followed by the feeling of a hand on her shoulder did Cathrine look up. she found herself staring into a pair of pale green eyes filled with worry.

She gave a gasp of surprise and fell backwards off the bench, groaning as her back hit the tile that lined the floor, pain shooting through her sore body. She sat up rubbing her back.

"Oh, are you okay, Cathy?"

Cathrine looked up at the young jerboa looking down at her with concern in her eyes.

Melody Triss, a young jerboa who was a second year student at the gym. She was only a few years older than Cathrine and, much like Arianna, she had been one of the first to warm up to the koala. She had taken it upon herself to watch over Cathrine during the past week, making sure that she didn't completely overwork herself and although Cathrine was grateful for the assistance, she didn't want Melody to start slacking off on her own training. After all, it was Melody who had the match today, not her.

"I'm all right, Melody," Cathrine stated as she gingerly stood up, still rubbing her sore back. "Nothing hurt that wasn't already sore." She managed a weak smile, though pain coursed through her body with every move.

Despite her bravado, she allowed Melody to assist her as she walked over to her locker. She was glad for the tournament to finally start since it gave her at the very least, two days rest.

"Good thing I came to find you, Cathy," stated Melody. "Aubri and Payton's match is going to be starting soon."

Cathrine nodded absently as she changed out of her gym clothes and into a pair of jeans and a loose V-neck shirt. She then looked over at Melody.

"Are you ready for your match today, Melody?" she asked.

The jerboa shrugged in response. "As ready as I can be."

That was the answer Cathrine had expected to hear. As she and the jerboa left the locker room, the koala wondered briefly if the others felt the same way.



Ginger Maxwell was everything but ready for her match. Her stomach was in knots and her heart had yet to slow down to a reasonable pace since the match announcements had been made. Purple bags hung under her dark brown eyes and her normally glossy black fur was matted to her thing frame.

Sleep had left her and an appetite was but a fond memory. Nervousness and fear had become her best friends. Even while awake, nightmares came to her mind's eye. The certainty that no matter how her match with Malcolm went, he would leave her. If she lost he would claim that she didn't put her all into the fight and that she wasn't worthy of him anymore. If she won, he'd claim that she had become selfish and cared nothing for him, ultimately leaving.

They were ungrounded fears, she knew that. She and Malcolm had sparred on countless occasion since they had started dating. They both knew that there was the possibility that they would end up facing each other in the tournament. So then why did it come as such a surprise to them when thier names were drawn together?

Ginger let out a sigh of exhaustion. She knew why. She and everyone else knew that neither of them had thought they would have to fight at all. The two had foolishly embraced the idea of not having to meet at all in the tournament, enjoying the dream of only one making the finals or even being in completely different groups.

How she had been so naive? Giving in to such hopes and thought went beyond foolish, they had no place in situation shush as this, where friend was pitted against friend. All relationships had to be left outside the ring.

"How could I have been so stupid?" she questioned.

"Bad things happen. We jus' gotta take ‘em as they come and do th' best we can with ‘em," replied a male's voice.

Ginger looked up at the tall grizzly looking down at her with dark blue eyes covered slightly by the shadow of his black hair.

"I know, Lucas," she said wearily. "It's just that...." She trailed off. The thought unfinished, unwanted.

"I don't think ya do know, Ging," stated Lucas, "but then, I also don't believe ya want ta listen ta me lecture ya until yer match."

Ginger smiled. She didn't mind the bear's lectures, despite how long they could be. Even with his short temper, Lucas was acknowledged for his pure common sense and odd wisdom. Besides, his talks made up for all the lectures she never got when she was young. But he was right, neither of them actually had the time to go through any lectures.

After a bit of thought, the black squirrel also figured that Lucas was right about her not wanting to under what bear was talking about.

All week she had been listening to people telling her not to worry and that everything would be all right.

All right her tail, was her general opinion, though she never let anyone know how she was feeling towards them.

"Are ya jus' gonna sit there an' pout or are ya gonna come see the first match?" inquired Lucas. "Aubri versus Gabe, the pretty face match. Should be fun to see."

Ginger let out a soft chuckle. The soft sound bringing a chuckle to Lucas' lips and gleam of satisfaction to his eyes.

"Sure," Ginger said softly, "let's go."

She stood up and followed Lucas towards the ring, her doubt, worry, and fear momentarily forgotten.


Aubri Griffon didn't normally let his emotions show when he had a match. Cool, calm, and collective, that was his attitude. Nothing fazed him. Trash talk, playful jibes, complaints, and compliments; none did he hear. Tight focus is what he believed in and the fight was all that mattered. To win or lose was truly unimportant to him so long as he learned something from the fight.

He gazed out over the ring ropes out at the gym, brown eyes looking, but not seeing. His red hair was tied back and the resulting ‘tail' was draped over his left shoulder. He wore only a pair of dark red trunks with black trim and matching red gloves.

He senses told him that Albert stood behind him, waiting, as he was, for Payton to come to the ring.

The first match was about to begin and the moose was no where to be found. Aubri wasn't worried, far from in fact. If Payton didn't show, it would be ruled as a forfeit and Aubri would automatically win. Yet, therein lay the problem. The fox didn't want to win by forfeit. There was no joy, honor, or learning experience is such a win. There was no winner. Aubri didn't want to go on to the next round with that on his mind.

"One minute," came Albert's voice.

Aubri looked back at the wolf and nodded. Slowly he pushed away from the ropes and made his way towards a red corner. Less than a minute to go. A smile crossed his lips as he looked back out over the ropes, Payton was slowly making his way towards the ring. The moose's head was bowed and he breathed in time with his footfalls. A white towel was draped over his antlers forming a slight hood. Dark blue gloves were on his hands and he wore black trunks with matching boots.

Following right behind him was the new girl, Cathrine. The koala female looked as if she had just woken up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Not that it was a surprise to the fox. Cathrine had spent the entire week sparing with him, Arianna, and Thomas; working on her own workout routine; and helping Melody in trying to keep Malcolm and Ginger in decent spirits. Not once had she complained about any of it, and that impressed him.

The fox stretched his arms a bit as Payton rolled into the ring and took his place opposite of Aubri.

"Good luck, Griffon," stated the moose, giving Aubri a smug grin, "you're gonna need it."

Aubri smiled inwardly to himself, keeping a neutral outward appearance. He didn't believe in luck, have what luck he created. Even so, he knew it wouldn't be easy to topple the big moose, not with the rules Albert had set: single round matches fought until knockout or one fighter couldn't fight any longer.

This had been the whole purpose behind the ‘endurance' fights Albert allowed to be held. They were preparations for those matches, just as this was to prepare him and his fellow students for next month’s tournament.

The sound of the ring bell being rung brought Aubri out of his thoughts. The match had begun.

Aubri moved out of his corner, bouncing lightly. He brought his guard up, knowing that Payton would make the first move. He wasn't disappointed.

The moose came out to meet Aubri's advance and once in range, he let loose with a strong left straight aimed at the fox's head. Aubri was prepared. Parrying the straight with his right arm and then immediately shifted his weight to the same leg, turning slightly on it as he shot off a quick left jab to Payton's face.

The moose blocked the left with his own right and tensed as if he was getting ready to throw another punch. His left arm dropped and leaned forward, shooting out with his right, an attempt at a body blow to Aubri's midsection.

Except Aubri wasn't there anymore. He was already on the move once Payton's arm had dropped. He dropped all his weight and dropped underneath the incoming punch at the same time launching himself forward and slamming his right into Payton's un protected midsection.

The fox had only one major advantage over his opponent: his speed. He knew that if he wanted to win, he would have to mild this advantage for all it was worth.

The moose doubled over, groaning loudly and holding his stomach. Aubri instinctively took a few steps back, lowering his guard slightly, but keeping his body tensed as Albert went over to check on Payton.

He knew that he hadn't won yet. He had seen Payton take harder blows than that and continue to fight. It was shock and surprise that stunned him. Undoubtedly, Payton had expected him to dodge to the right, towards the dropped arm, bait, the fox assumed, for a left hook or underhook.

It was a tactic that he had used on occasion and it was from him that Payton had probably picked it up from. Still, it was a foolish move to use on an opponent who knew when it was coming.

Payton rose to his feet and glared at Aubri, his dark brown eyes filled with the flame of revenge, telling him that the same trick wouldn't work a second time.

We'll see, thought Aubri as he brought his guard up and stepped up to meet with Payton. He moved more cautiously now, letting instinct take over. Experience told him that Payton would be more aggressive from now on.

His thought proved to be true as Payton mad the first move yet again. Taking a step forward, he leaned to his left and mad as if to lead with a left cross. Aubri followed, covering his
face with his gloves and then wincing as pain shot through his chest. The moose had connected with a right straight.

The fox cursed silently to himself for falling for a simple tactic.. A feint and he had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. He took a step back and recomposed himself before Payton could make a decent follow up. Payton didn't lay off his assault, continuing to force Aubri back towards the ropes with quick jabs and straights. The fox did his best to block the shots, but more than a few found their way to the mark.

Thinking quickly, Aubri waited until he felt the ropes touch his back. Payton grinned broadly, most likely thinking that it was end game. Aubri allowed himself a small smile as the
moose shot out a strong right hook at his face. End game was at hand but it was not for him.

He pushed back against the ropes and once more dropped his weight down as he slingshot forward, sliding under the punch, causing Payton to over extend himself and going off balance.
Aubri moved quickly using the window of opportunity to try and finish the match. While still crouched he shifted his weight slightly to the left and delivered a shot to Payton's all ready
injured midsection. As the moose began to double over, Aubri pushed himself up, slamming his right into Payton's chest, following up immediately by launching a left cross into his
face. He was rewarded by the sound of bone breaking and the fox openly winced as Payton collapsed to the ground.

Broken or possibly even shattered cheekbone, thought Aubri as a wave of guilt flowed thorough his body. The moose wasn't going to be getting up this time. He wasn't going to be fighting again anytime soon, much to Aubri's regret.



Cathrine let out a soft sigh of relief as Payton fell to the mat. For a bit it had seemed that the moose was going to win and when Aubri had been backed up on the ropes, she was sure that the fox had lost.

Next to her, Ari also let out a sigh, though it sounded more like a sigh of sadness then of relief or joy.

"Bummer," stated the mongoose, "that's not good. Gabe's gonna be out for a bit now, huh?"

Cathrine was about to ask what she meant, but was cut off as the ring bell rang three times signifying the end of the match.

Aubri practically tore his gloves at the sound of the bell. He knelt down next to Payton and appeared to ask Albert a question, but Cathrine was too far away to hear what was asked.

Whatever it was, Albert seemed to agree to it and Aubri helped Payton to his feet and assisted him out of the ring. As the two passed by, Cathrine noticed that the moose's jaw seemed
out of place and his right cheek was badly bruised and swollen. Despite this, he managed to give her and Ari a coy wink.

"He's hurting," came Melody's voice.

Cathrine looked over at the jerboa. Short bangs hung over her eyes, giving the already serious expression she had a more grim look. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her tight
jeans. She looked at Cathrine and Ari.

"He's hurting real bad," she repeated. "Not just physically either."

Confusion ran through Cathrine's mind. She could understand the how and why Payton was physically hurting, she had just been witness to that. But she didn't understand how he could have mentally or spiritually hurt, if that was what Melody was getting at.

She waited expectantly for an explanation, but one never came. Melody moved off away from the ring and one look at Ari revealed that she was just as confused as Cathrine. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but she never got the chance as the ring bell rang, drawing their attention to the ring.

Quietly, the koala moved closer to the ring with Arianna trailing right behind her.

Thomas now stood in the center of the ring. He had his long hair done in a braid and he wore a jet black tank top and black jeans, but no shoes of any sort, though he did have his
feet tapped. What caught Cathrine's attention though, were the gloves that he wore.

They weren't normal boxing gloves. They were slimmer, not even full gloves. Looking almost like driving or finger-less paintball gloves, they covered his fist up until the middle
knuckle, but still prevented full-finger movement.

Cathrine had only seen the fox wear them a few times before and only when he was doing intense training. It surprised her to see him wear them now and even more so that Albert was allowing him to.

However, it seemed as if Phillip had no problem with him wearing them. The badger stood opposite of the fox, wearing a pair of black trunks sporting red trim and matching black boots
with red laces. His black hair was plastered to his skull and black eyes seemed to bore into the fox.

"You ready for a serious beatdown, Rivinian?" growled the badger.

Thomas made no reply as he took a step back, bringing his arms up in a defensive stance. He didn't bounce or dart or move at all san for breathing.

As Cathrine observed this, it dawned to her that she was unsure of her feelings about the match. She wanted Thomas to win, but only really because she didn't like the badger's attitude towards her friend and part-time teacher yet at the same time she felt that Thomas was seriously out-classed and needed to loose this fight, if just to kill some of his own arrogance.

He had to be at least sixty pounds lighter than Phillip, if not more. She knew that boxing wasn't Thomas' best skill where as Phillip had almost six years of experience, at least that's what the badger had told her. If that was true or not, she hadn't asked around to find out.

As the bell's ring faded, it was Thomas who made the first move. He slid forward moving as if he was going to go for a left cross aimed the badger's face but then he suddenly shifted his
weight and went for a right hook aimed at the abdomen.

The feint didn't work on Phillip. He blocked the hook and sent a right straight at Thomas, connecting with the fox's muzzle. Thomas took a few steps back, shaking his head slightly
in an attempt to clear away any effects of the punch. Outside the ring, chatter had started up as bets were being made on who would win. To Cathrine's surprise, most were on Thomas. Next to her, Ari was quietly cheering for Thomas to get back in the fight and show Phillip how boxing was really done.

Thomas seemed more than happy to oblige to her request. He wiped blood from his muzzle with back of his arm and then dropped into a low crouch, bringing both arms up in front of
him.

Bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet the fox moved forward, but refrained from attacking, seemingly content to let his opponent to make the next move.

Phillip was happy to do so. He moved forward with a speed that seemed impossible for someone of his size to posses and aimed a left hook at the fox's head, his right cocked back for
an immediate follow-up when, if, the hook connected.

It didn't.

Thomas waited until just before the punch reached him to make his move. In a seemingly single motion, the fox ducked, leaned forward, pushed off with his back leg, and rocketed a
right cross into Phillip's stomach. He followed quickly with a left under hook to the same spot.

The force of the two attacks had sent the badger staggering back a few feet. He gave Thomas a dark grin as the fox moved in for a second attack. He dodged the left hook Thomas
sent out and responded with a left of his own at Thomas' head, forcing the fox to duck. Still grinning, Phillip followed up quickly with a right under hook connecting with the fox's jaw
lifting him up opening up for a left underhook to the fox's solar plexus. The force of the blow lifted Thomas off the mat a few inches causing him to collapse to the mat afterwards.

The crowd outside suddenly hushed and stared in surprise as Albert began a ten count.

"C'mon, Tom," whispered Arianna. "Get up. Please get up."

Cathrine shared her friend's sentiments, though for a different reason. She was enjoying the fight and want it to end just yet. She knew there was at least good ten minutes left before either fighter really tired.

Get up, Thomas, came the silent demand in her mind. You can do better than this, I know it.
Despite her hope, the young koala sensed there was something strange abut the way Thomas was fighting, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.


Albert's count had reached nine when Thomas got back to his feet. He nodded an affirmative when asked if he could continue. He could. Nothing was broken and there was no reason to quit. As he prepared to attack once more, Thomas' only thought was a silent wish that this was the tournament where he wouldn't be hampered by only one style. He was still relatively new to the world of boxing and not being able to kick or grapple didn't set well with him.

He dodged a left cross and countered with a right hook to Phillips ribs. He didn't care that the badger out weighed him nearly fifty pounds or that he was more experienced. The badger
had won most his fights on luck alone.

That wouldn't be the case this time. He sidestepped and ducked under another left cross. Luck was nowhere to be seen for his opponent in this match. Timing and skill were the order of
the moment and Thomas excelled at both.

He dodged a third cross, a right this time, and went into action. As the cross passed in front of him, Thomas lashed out and threw a left hook into Phillip unguarded ribs. At the same
time turning his body into the punch, effectively avoiding the badger's attempt at a counter. Twisting to the right, he brought his right arm up and in, drilling Phillip win the with a short
uppercut. He then followed through with a left hook to the stomach, forcing the badger to double over.

He knew it was over then. As his opponent doubled over, Thomas finished him with a hard right cross to the temple. Phillip's eyes rolled back and the badger slumped to the mat.

Match won in his mind, Thomas moved to his corner and waited for the ten count. He kept his closed and he breathing slow, reminding himself that until the bell rang, it wasn't over
and there was a chance that Phillip would get up.

He didn't. The bell rang as Albert reached the ten count and Thomas smiled. One more victory for him. One more step in the big picture.


Outside the ring, all was quiet as Albert continued the ten count. When the bell rang and Thomas was declared the victor, a large cheer came from the crowd, with Ari and Cathrine
cheering the loudest.

"That was a great match," commented the koala.

Arianna grinned. "Wasn't it though? Almost all of Thomas' fights go like that. Just when it looks like he's lost, WHAM!! he comes back with a killer combo and snatches victory right out
of the jaws of absolute defeat! It's the greatest!"

The mongoose practically beamed with pride and Cathrine couldn't blame her. She had often wondered about the fox's aloof nature, crediting it to arrogance and faux coolness attitude.
Now she saw that it was neither coolness nor arrogance that he radiated, but confidence in himself and his abilities.

The fox rolled out of the ring and grabbed a nearby towel. As he wiped sweat from his face
and chest, he found himself surrounded by a majority of the female students, all congratulating
him on his victory.

He ignored them as he tossed the towel aside and made his way towards the locker room,
nodding briefly to Cathrine and Arianna as he passed them. Cahtrine smiled and Arianna bounced in place, eyes shining in admiration and joy as well as with general hyperactiveness. Behind them, the other girls sighed and walked off, all getting ready to watch the next fight.
"Feh, bastard," came a male's voice.

Cathrine turned in surprise. Phillip stood there, supported by Layla. His left eye was swollen shut and dark purple in color, the fur on his muzzle was matted with blood, and he kept his free arm wrapped around his ribs.

“He isn't all that great," stated the badger. "Yet all the girls go crazy for him. Hellfire! He doesn't even acknowledge their existence. Passes them by without even a ‘thank you'."

"And that's why they all fall for him," stated Layla. The wolfess shifted Phillip's weight on
her shoulder. "They can't resist the strong, silent types. Maybe you should follow in his lead,
Phil. Clam up and quit all your bitching."

She chuckled. "Who knows, the girls might start flocking to you as well."

Phillip gave a harsh snort of indignitation and growled softly, allowing Layla to lead him to her father's office.

"Then again, maybe not," commented Arianna, her voice barely above a whisper and a smile still on her lips.

Cathrine chuckled and nodded and prepared to watch the next match. It wasn’t a big one but a nice one to break the tension before Ginger and Malcolm as well as Melody and Elizabeth's matches. She frowned softly, the thought of how Melody was holding up playing in the back of her mind and wondering if she was all right.


Physically, Melody was perfectly fine. She had been training all week for her match. Every spare she had was dedicated to making herself strong enough to defeat Elizabeth and any time after that she spent keeping an eye on Cathrine and Ginger.

She sat on the bench in the locker room. Yes, she was physically fine, however she was mentally exhausted. The worry about Ginger's own mental stability draining her.

The sound of the locker room door opening caught her attention. She looked towards the locker room door and was surprised to see Thomas standing there. It wasn't really the sight of Thomas that surprised her as it was the look in his eyes, slightly haunting and vacant, as if they were seeing, but not really seeing.

The male fox stepped all the way inside and removed his gloves, setting them down on the bench. He looked at Melody, but again, didn't seem like he was really seeing her even though he nodded to her.

"Um, congratulations on your win and good luck against Aubri tomorrow, Thomas," Melody kept her voice calm and cheerful, trying to snap the fox back into reality, starting to worry that there might be something wrong with him.

Thomas didn't reply immediately and when he did, it wasn't what she expected to hear.
“I'm going to need all the luck I can get, Melody," he said. "Aubri is probably the second most skillful of us here, right under Nicki."

He sighed softly and rubbed his sides. His eyes coming somewhat back to normal but now holding a worry Melody had never seen before. She doubted that anyone had ever seen Thomas like this before. It was as if something was bothering him, something other than his match tomorrow.

As Thomas opened his locker, Melody opened her mouth to say something. She never got the chance. The fox pulled a cellphone out and then sighed as he looked at the screen. His eyes grew cold and his left fist tightened.

He placed the phone in his pocket and grabbed his bag.

"Sorry, Melody, but I've got someplace I need to be." He started for the door. "Let
Cathrine know, will ya?"

"Um, sure..." What was that about, she wondered as Thomas exited the locker room. Maybe the stress was finally starting to get to him. Thomas was acting much unlike himself, showing worry, fear, and concern.

Yeah, Aubri was good, but so was Phillip and he was beaten. It wasn't as if Thomas had never beaten Aubri before...

A sudden flash of insight hit Melody. Aubri and Thomas had never had a boxing match before . All their previous fights had been freestyle. Thomas might be the better overall fighter, but Aubri was the better boxer without question. She guessed would need all the luck he could get...

"Melody?" came a female's voice. "What are you doing in here?"

The jerboa looked towards the speaker. It was Ginger. The black squirrel stood by her locker, a pair of white gloves in one hand the other on her locker door. She was wearing an off gray sports bra and dark gray trunks, her feet clad in cream colored boots.

The squirrel's black hair hung loose around her neck and shadowed her pale brown eyes. Her black fur shone dimly in the room's inadequate lighting.

Melody smiled softly.

"Mentally preparing myself," she replied. "What about yourself?"

Ginger looked down at the ground. "My match is next."

Melody nodded. She had to get ready as well, her match with Elizabeth was soon afterwards.

“Just think of it as a really intense spar," she advised her friend. She then smiled. "Better yet, think of the real payoff at the end: you lose, he nurses your injuries. You win and you get to play nurse for him."

Ginger blushed a deep crimson, the red seeping through her jet black fur. Obviously this idea had yet to cross her mind.

Melody laughed and smiled, mission accomplished. She stood up and walked over to the squirrel, placing an arm around her shoulder. "Just do your best, okay?"

"Yeah, Mel," stated Ginger. She took a deep breath and moved away from the her locker. "Be sure to kick Lizzie's ass."

Melody nodded slowly. Now wasn't the time to announce her own worry and fears. There were many students who were hoping for the jerboa to win her match and finally shut the arrogant
arctic wolf up.

Ginger took a seat on the bench and started lacing up her boots. She remained quiet, keeping her attention on what she was doing. A look of worry etched on her face. When she finished she looked at Melody.

"Well, time's up."

Melody nodded and gave the squirrel a meek smile.

"I'll be out in time t o see t he last half, Ginge," she stated. "Just give me time to change."

Ginger nodded and made her way out of the locker room and Melody went to her own locker. The jerboa's mind was still mulling over her own match and wondering how the current match was going.


"...eight. ....nine. ...ten." Albert finished his count and declared Trenton the winner as the bell rang.

Cathrine joined in the polite applause for the small gray fox. It had been far from an extraordinary match, but both fighters had put their all into it. Trent had used small size to an advantage; ducking under and around his opponents attacks as he stayed on the offensive.

The first tire was almost complete with one match remaining. But it was not just any match but, as most of the students had been referring to it, the lover's match. The match between Ginger and Malcolm. A match that Cathrine felt was being over hyped and was putting more pressure then necessary on the pair.

Ginger didn't like the pressure, but what about Malcolm? For the first time it occurred to the young koala that she had hardly seen the wolf since the match announcements and in those brief periods of time that he was around, he acted like it was no big deal, as if he fully accepted the reality of the match.

If it was the truth in how he felt, which Cathrine highly doubted given his outburst last week, then it was all good on his part. Unlikely, Cathrine didn't doubt that it was eating away at his mind as much as it was Ginger's, but wouldn't allow his pride to show it, or was just really good actor.

"Now it's time for the main event," whispered Ari.

Cathrine looked at her friend. The mongoose was smiling, though her hazel eyes shone with concern. She was worried. The koala nodded, giving a silent prayer that both fighter's possessed the courage to go through with this.


"I'm a fool," muttered Malcolm.

The wolf stood by Albert's office clad in black trunks and matching boots. His dark brown eyes gazed at the ring from under an unruly mop of gray hair, a shade lighter than his light black fur.

"I'm a fool, Ginger's a fool, both of use damn fools and now we pay the price for being foolish dreamers," he said darkly.

He crossed his arms over his muscular chest and frowned. The last week had been hell for him. His mind was unfocused, his spirit in turmoil, and his body aching. Only his aching body was his own doing.

The thought of facing his lover in combat was one that was never far from his mind. In fact, he knew that it was inevitable and yet he allowed himself to be led to believe that it wouldn't happen. Idiot!

The result of said thinking starred him in the eyes. The one who once confided everything in him now sat quiet by herself, troubled by fear and worry. Her refusal to talk to him hurt worse than the hardest punch ever could.

He wanted, no, needed, to tell her that his feelings for her wouldn't change no matter how the fight went. Winning, losing, neither mattered at this point. Only she did.

With a soft sigh, he pushed away from the office and made his way to the ring, ignoring the whispers and smiling from his fellow students. They were bigger fools than he. Finding perverse pleasure out the turmoil Ginger was going through. Making sick bets on the outcome and how the recovery period would go.

He snarled at the thought. What business of theirs was it? Let lead and worry about their own damn life and matters.

Climbing into the ring, he shook his head. Now wasn't the time to let anger consume and cloud his mind. It would do neither him nor Ginger any good. A few quick breathes cleared his mind of anger. Slowly he walked towards the far ropes and looked out over the crowd.

He was surprised to see them give out a soft "ooo" and then part like the Red Sea. The reason for their reaction, however surprised him much less.

Walking slowly towards the ring wearing gray shorts and a dark gray sports bra was Ginger. Her eyes showing a small bit of worry, but her walk purposeful and her jaw set.

All in all, she made a very striking figure with her hair tied back and muscles tensed and
Malcolm felt his heart skip two beats at least. The black squirrel looking a far cry from the nervous wreck she had been all week.

On instinct he walked over to the ropes and held them open for her.

“Thank you."

"No problem," stated Malcolm.

He walked over to his corner. In the back of his mind he swore that if he accidentally injured her that he would make it up to her tenfold.


The butterflies had returned, more intense than before. His heart rate had jumped, legs shaking as they walked. The moment of truth had arrived at last and all questions were about to be answered.

Ginger swallowed hard as she went to her corner. The mantra of "this is only a spar" going through her mind was continually countered by the mantra of "this is the most important match of your life."

She leaned back in her corner, her eyes closed. She had to focus. This was neither the time nor place to let personal feelings affect you. It's a regular match. There are no feelings towards your opponent and they mean nothing to you.

She snorted softly at the words her grandfather had given her when she first started training. Bet he had never gone through a scenario like this.

"Try to keep it clean, you two. You both know the rules: No hitting below the belt, no blows to the back of the head, no hitting your opponent when they have been ruled down."

The sound of Albert's voice brought Ginger back to the present. Both wolves stood at center ring, Malcolm smiling at her. Sheepishly, she walked over to join them. Albert gave her a gentle smile as she approached the pair.

“All right you two, tap gloves and let's get started."

Ginger was surprised at what her mate did next. As she brought her gloves up for him to tap, Malcolm leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Good luck, love," he whispered before tapping her gloves and going to his corner.

The squirrel instinctively brought a gloved paw to her lips as the gathered crowd "awed". She fought back a blush and nodded before going to her corner. All previous fears put on hold as she suddenly knew that all would be fine.


Malcolm smiled inwardly as he looked at the shocked expression on Gingers's face. He had done the only thing he could think of to relax her and he simply prayed that it had worked.

The time for worry and regrets had passed. Fears and doubts? Non-excitant. Only one thing remained: to make sure you did you best and enjoy the round ahead.

The bell to begin rang and Malcolm came out with gloves up. He was ready. He knew how Ginger would begin: A right jab to the face and then a left jab to the chest followed by a right underhook.

As predicted, she lashed out with a quick right jab to his muzzle. He brought his glove up
to parry it, but was caught off guard as the squirrel suddenly shifted her weight and dropped the jab to his chest, quickly following with a left underhook.

Pain shot through his chest as the jab connected and then he doubled over as the air rushed out of his lungs as the underhook connected with his solar plexus.

In the back of his mind he knew what was coming next and knew that he couldn't dodge or block in time. That the split second between punches was all his mate needed.

Through blurry eyes he watched in slow motion as Ginger's right came around towards his head.

Stars exploded in front of his eyes as the blow connected. Only dimly was he aware that he was falling, light pain going through his body as it hit the mat.

Albert's voice came like a distant echo as he started the ten count, each number taking an eternity to come. By the count of three, Malcolm's senses started to come back to him and he slowly started to get to his feet. At six, he was on his knees and by the nine count he was back to a vertical base.

Vision still blurry, he nodded vaguely in reply when Albert asked him if he wanted to continue. Of course he wanted to continue, he wanted to see if Ginger had any other surprises despite knowing how much trouble he was in.

Vision blurry, headache forming, and slight dizziness…. What fun things possible concussions were.
He brought his gloves up slowly as Ginger came out of her corner, her own gloves up and a worried look in her eyes.

As they reached center ring, Malcolm attacked with a light left jab to the squirrel's face. It was blocked, Ginger bringing her gloves up just before the punch would hit and counter attacked with a double right jab to the face.

The two jabs bounced harmlessly off his gloves as he brought them up to block.

He attempted to go with a right hook but once again found his chest assaulted as the squirrel ducked under the hook and tagged him a pair of right/left combos.

Again and again he tried to attack only to have Ginger duck and weave around his punches and then tag him in the chest with light punches.

This continued for nearly another twenty minutes before Ginger started showing signs of fatigue. Her movements became more sluggish and many of the wolf's punches finally started to connect.

Soon, Malcolm decided that it was time to end the round. He feinted with a right hook before shifting into a left under hook that would've been followed by a right cross to the head had not Ginger suddenly gotten her second wind.

As Malcolm went for the left under hook, the squirrel shifted her weight and rolled to her right. She slammed a right hook into his ribs before shifting her weight to the left and threw a left under hook into his solar plexus.

Once more the air left his lungs and he started to double over only to have his head rocked the side by a second right cross and then knocked back by a left uppercut.

The last thing he saw were the gym's overhead lights as fell backwards. Consciousness left him before he hit the mat.

Ginger blinked as her mate's head rocked back after her uppercut. Almost in slow motion he fell silently to the mat. She stepped back to a neutral corner as Albert administered the ten count.

Starring at her gloves in disbelief, she wondered what had happened. Only seconds ago she had started to wear out. She had been slowing down and taking hits she had been dodging the entire match. Feeling her limbs start to grow leaden and her lungs had begun to ache. And then Malcolm had gone for the left under-hook. She had seen him do so many times at the end of a match, it was the set up for his knock out combo. Her mind had started to accept the inevitable defeat, but her body wouldn't. Adrenalin began pouring through her body and then she had gone into automatic. Her body dropped down and avoided the attack and then counterattacked. It had happened in a matter of seconds. Four hits landed. All carried her full weight behind them.

Now she leaned in her corner feeling as if she'd just run a 26K marathon. Her arms and legs were lead weights, her mind sluggish. If Malcolm managed to get up, she knew she would have to forfeit.

"...eight...nine...ten." Albert finished his count and the bell rang. Ginger smiled as her vision blurred and exhaustion took over. She had won. Dear God, she had won. Her eyes closed and exhaustion claimed her as visions of taking care of Malcolm began to swim through her mind's eye.


Melody gave a soft sigh of relief as she watched Ginger collapse in her corner. The squirrel would be all right, nothing a decent rest and a massage wouldn't take care of. Even Malcolm would be fine in a few hours, sore as hell, but fine.

The good thing was that the match was over and the stress that had been plaguing them wouldn't be back for a long time. Now it was her turn to worry.

The first tier matches had taken nearly the entire morning and now Albert was calling for lunch. She sighed softly. Another twenty minutes and then it would be her turn to enter the ring and prove her worth.

She prayed that she was ready.