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Okay, as cute as even I'm finding this story. I know that I'm going have to wrap it up soon. First of all because FebROOary is almost over and Second, because I know for a fact that if a story starts to hit more than two or three chapters then people will very quickly lose interest. (Sadly, this includes myself.) So chances are that the next chapter will also be the last.
Thank you all who have read, Favorited and even commented on this story. It was my pleasure writing it and I especially loved seeing other people liking it as well. Happy FebROOary everyone!
New Readers (if any) should click here.
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The Mommy Market (Shin Shinsetsu) part 3 The Sick Day
Scarlet really didn’t want to think about it anymore as she headed for the bedroom with her mate. As she laid down for the night, she just couldn’t shake it from her mind. It (along with Youta’s snoring) was keeping her up for hours. She decided to use the new math skill she obtained to calculate it all in her head. Humans live ten to fifteen times more than kangaroos at the very least. By that logic, a week as a human has to equal to like two or three months of her real age maybe more. Wouldn’t that be worth it? To have a joey to care for at least once upon a time?
Perhaps…
She felt Shin shifting ever so slightly in her pouch. The little roo was left completely unaware of where he was right now. Completely safe and warm. He’d be so vulnerable without her here. No, he’d be a human boy without her here. He’d survive just fine without her in his life. She rubbed the lump in her pouch, her precious little joey. That sweet baby boy.
This very experience might be enough, but she’d die of heartbreak if she had to give it up.
“So let me get this straight, Preston,” Seton rubbed his temples, “as far as you can remember you’ve always been a… what? Is that a Rottweiler?”
“Doberman, sir,” Sammy corrected him. The dog man nodded his head to this, wondering why these kids were so concerned with what race he was to start with.
“Yes a doberman,” Seton nodded, “okay, and you don’t remember being anything else before? Nothing at all?”
“I know that I was a father,” Preston leaned over the crate he was using as a makeshift chair, “why can’t I remember who my pups are? That’s my only concern right now.”
“We told you already,” Ed was very blunt about this, “they “fired” you…”
“Let me handle this. will you,” Seton pushed Ed back, before turning back to Preston, “now sir. I know that you’re very confused right now, but I assure you that we’ll do everything in our power for it all to work out in the end. Please trust me on this.”
“It’s not like I’ve got any other choice, is it?”
“That’s going have to be good enough,” Seton reached out a hand to help Preston to his pawed feet, “for now just go to Orientation to see what we’re all about here and then you can go to your room.”
Preston nodded, finally heading out to the next part of processing willingly. Seton took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Such a big mess just Had to be made on his watch. The Daddy Department Store manager, Mary Ann would never let him hear the end of this. Speaking of which, she barely missed seeing Preston for herself as she arrived.
“Okay, Seaton,” the teen twirled her curly hair, “what is this about a problem with my inventory?”
“The week’s barely started Mary,” Seton stated, “Chances are it’s not just your inventory that’s going to be an issue.”
Shin had a great night’s sleep, the best he’d had in years. He felt as if he was being hugged from all sides. He could just stay asleep forever if he could. That of which wasn’t possible. Nature was calling him early. He stretched himself around in his blankets (as far as he could at least).
He could hear somebody groaning and then he felt his entire world shift around. Shin’s eyes snapped open. Where was he? He knew he should have been screaming, but Scarlet’s voice became quite prominent,
“ugh-hmm… five more minutes…,” she mumbled a yawn. Shin felt her scratch through his covers.
“Scar-let,” Shin now realized exactly where he might be, he kicked around a bit more, “let me out of here!”
“Okay… fine sweetheart,” Scarlet groaned, only half-asleep really. Shin shifted in Scarlet’s pouch as she rose to at least a sitting position. A dim light hit Shin’s eyes the moment she loosened up the opening. This was short lived as he saw Scarlet’s face eclipsing everything. She groggily slipped her head inside to lick at his scalp, “Morning Shin-shin. How’d you sleep?”
“Please,” Shin pushed her head away as he tried to climb out, “I have to pee!”
“Sure thing,” Scarlet leaned back to stretch her aching body. Shin tried to use this moment to climb out, but her pouch suddenly caught around his waist.
“Scarlet!”
“Whoops! Sorry Shin-shin,” Scarlet loosened up her muscles as she fell to her back taking Shin with her as she did, “I’m so tired right now…”
“Are you okay,” Shin crawled off from on top of her.
“I’m fine,” Scarlet combed her hair out of her eyes, “Don’t you have somewhere to go?”
“Whoops, I nearly…,” Shin found that he was holding something soft under his arm, “puppy bear…?”
“I’ll hold that for you…,” Scarlet lazily stretch out an arm, “until you get back…”
“Where did…,” Shin felt the urge even stronger now. He threw the stuffed toy to the bed as he went to relieve himself. Not that much harder of a task, even though he ran all the way back to his own restroom to do it. He washed his hands before deciding to go into his own room.
Sure, being in the nude seemed to be perfectly acceptable, but he just couldn’t do it. He had to get himself a shirt or something. He couldn’t quite see as well as he usually could, but his dresser was still in the same place it always was. He took a quick look inside and one thing was absolutely clear… these were not his clothes.
Not that Shin minded. No really. As far back as he could remember, he’s basically had to wear plain black or white shirts. They were ironed and pressed and neatly folded into perfect squares, second drawer from the top. Now he had almost a million shirts in every color of the rainbow. Shin took out a blue one. It had something written out in a font that he just couldn’t quite make out without his glasses.
He liked the color blue, didn’t matter what it said on it. Shin wondered where he put his glasses, as he slipped the shirt over his head. It was surprisingly easy to fit his whole head through the hole. He looked to his desk to find his glasses sitting on the edge, just within his reach. They were a little bit different too, but they fit snugly on his nose. He could see much clearer now that…
“IS THAT THE TIME,” Shin shrieked. His digital clock read almost nine in the morning! He was late for school! More than just late! Even if he left out the door right now, he’d still be considered as absent for the day!
“Dad,” Shin raced back to his parent’s room. He only found the snoring Scarlet there, her legs still dangling off the side of the bed. That’s right, his dad’s at work by now. Scarlet had to do, “wake up!”
Scarlet mumbled something inaudible before turning over.
“Oh please Scarlet,” Shin leaped upon the bed, which surprised even him, if for only a moment, “I need to get to school! I’m late!”
“No school today, Shin-shin,” Scarlet rolled over once more, grabbing a pillow, “your teacher’s not feeling well.”
“What’s wrong with Mrs. Hinchburger,” Shin shook the giant roo to stay awake, “Why didn’t they send a substitute?”
“Shin-shin… dear… ,” Scarlet tried to hinder her yawning, “Sorry, I forgot… to tell you… in this reality…*yawn* you’re being home schooled…”
“What? You’re my teacher now too!”
“Oh joey please,” Scarlet pushed her son softly, “Mommy’s had a rough night.”
“You can’t… I can’t be taught by you!”
Scarlet’s eyes snapped open, “And just why not?”
Shin fell back at the sight of Scarlet’s red eyes. Even if they weren’t already red to begin with, they were now. She looked almost sick. Scarlet scowled at the young boy as she inquired again.
“As I recall, you learned how to do fourth grade level math thanks to me actually teaching you and not that Mrs. Hamburg-whatever,” Scarlet waited for a retort of some sort from her joey, “besides, we couldn’t afford to send you to an actual school on Youta’s salary. So think about how hard he already works for you, let alone me.”
Shin looked toward his puppy bear. It wasn’t on instinct or the like. Shin just knew that looking his mother in the eye was not allowed. Especially, when she was so crossed at him. He felt so helpless right now, “I’m sorry… ma’am…”
Scarlet felt something in her break. Her son was back to calling her that awful term again. The one that felt so impersonal between a son and his mommy. And here she thought that she was making some kind of progress. She didn’t know what else to do besides move to pick up his puppy bear, “It’s fine Shin-shin. Here…”
Scarlet paused. When she grabbed the stuffed toy, she also got a small idea, She held puppy up like a puppet and made a voice for him.
“Dwon’t cry Shin-shin. Mama’s just a widdle cwankie cause she didn’t get any sweep wast nite.”
“What are…,” Shin tilted his head at this.
“Shush,” Scarlet moved puppy’s paw to it’s sewn on lips, “wet’s go pway in our woom while mommy takes a nap…”
This made Shin smile again, laugh a little too. Scarlet then lifted the stuffed toy for Shin to take with him. Shin got the hint pretty quick, but was a little slow on the draw. He took puppy bear into his arms and received a slow heavy pat on the head. Scarlet shifted to return herself under the comforter. Shin slid off the other side and headed for the door.
“… thank you Shin-shin,” his mother sighed, “wake me in an hour… or *yawn* two, would you?… I still have to… make lunch…”
“Um… alright,” Shin nodded as he made it to the door.
“…just don’t burn the house down…”
“Yes ma’am,” Shin was about to shut the door when he heard Scarlet snort, “you sure you’re ok?”
“Yes, Shin-shin,” she lied. Truthfully, she was exhausted and scared. She just couldn’t let her Joey see her like that.
“Okay then…,” Shin stated as he moved out of the room, “love you, Scarlet.”
“…Love you too, sweetie.”
The door shut with a very audible click.
“Good morning, Mister…,” Youta read off the chart as he entered room 5B, “Dewford. What seems to be the-”
“OH GAWD! Another one,” Mr. Dewford leaped onto the examination table, “Get away from me!”
“Oh, now Mr. Dewford,” Dr. Shinsetsu was a little worried about this patient, he’s seen patients through some bad acid trips before, “stay calm… no one’s going to hurt you…”
“I’m sorry doc,” Mr. Dewford shook his head as he slowly made his way to the corner closer to the door, “please, stay away from me… ”
“Okay Mr. Dewford…,” Youta nodded raising his hands, “I’m not assaulting you… I’m not going to hurt you…”
“Just stay away!”
“I am. I am…,” the doctor pulled a stool over, “Look, I’m going to sit down… and just want to ask you some questions… Can you do that for me, Mr. Dewford?… Just answer my questions…”
“Oh kay, just don’t hurt me,” the patient was on the brink of crying. This was an odd reaction for a person to have to unprescribed drugs.
“Stay with me here Mr. Dewford,” the doctor stated as slowly as he could, “what did you take?”
“What?”
“What did you take,” Youta asked again, “I promise everything’s going to be okay… just tell me what it was you took.”
“I didn’t take anything,” Mr. Dewford shouted, “please, just let me go!”
“I can’t do that,” Youta tried to recall, “Kevin? It’s Kevin, right…? I can’t let you go as long as you’re like this.”
“Like you’re one to talk!”
“Kevin,” the doctor tried again, “do you know where you are right now?”
“I’m in a doctor’s office with a flipping Dr. kangaroo,” Kevin actually started weeping, “Oh gawd, tell me that I’m not going crazy!”
“I wont do that, Kevin. My name is Doctor Youta Shinsetsu,” Youta stated very slowly and in the most least threatening way possible, “I’m going to need to you sit down too, okay?”
“Alright,” Kevin very shakily sat himself down, “just don’t come any closer. Got it?”
“Got it,” Youta raised a hand, “scouts honor. Just try your best to stay calm, Kevin.”
“Just stay away from me, okay,” Kevin sighed, “I’m sorry. What kind of decease does this to a person?”
“Does what, Kevin?”
“Turn you into an animal.”
Dr. Shinsetsu stared at the man, “is that what you’re seeing, Kevin?”
“How can you be so calm about this. Look at yourself doc,” Mr Dewford stood up suddenly, Youta took this as a sign that Kevin was coming down from his stupor, “It just this isn’t right. You’re an animal.”
“Well… that’s a bit harsh to say,” Youta chuckled.
“I’m serious,” Kevin stated as he turned around, dropping his pants “I came in about this bump on my tail bone and I’m pretty sure that it’s becoming a tail if it hasn’t alread-hey don’t touch it!”
Youta scooted back from Kevin. He didn’t mean to cause his patient stress. He just moved in to examine it out of habit. The frightening thing was that Kevin was right. There was something protruding from his rear end. The human was in fact growing a tail. It was short and fluffy with fur that was spreading right before his eyes.
“Iya… gomen ne…,” Youta got up, “I have to get a second opinion about this.”
“Hurry back doc,” Kevin stated as he watched the kangaroo leave him alone to his spreading problem.
Shin stared at his puppy bear. He thought that the toy had been thrown out years ago, something about him being too old for toys. Somehow Shin figured it hadn’t exactly been his father’s idea to begin with. He hadn’t thought about puppy bear for at least a year. Now that he was back, Shin really didn’t know what to do with him. Frankly, Shin was surprised that he still considered puppy bear as a “he”.
“So what do you wanna do,” Shin poked puppy’s face. Needless to say… puppy bear said nothing.
“Too bad the magic didn’t make you any more alive,” Shin hoped that perhaps the magic would take the hint. It didn’t. Puppy bear was just as lifeless as he’d ever been. Similarly, Shin was just as alone as he’d ever been as well. He poked the stuffed dog a few more times, before lifting it’s arm to point at him, “stop poking me wike dat, or I’m gonna make you sowry.”
Shin couldn’t help, but chuckle. He couldn’t do puppy bear’s voice nearly as well as Scarlet could, “oh and whatcha gonna do about it if I don’t?”
“I’m gonna give you such a big wasberwy,” Shin made the toy say, raising both of it’s paws, “dat your Mommy’s gonna feel it.”
“Oh no. Anything but that,” Shin mockingly replied to himself. He lifted the stuffed toy as if it was on the attack, but then dodged it. Shin twisted to stand on his new feet, still gripping puppy bear by it’s paw. Shin playfully yelled as he ran around the room. After about his forth or fifth lap, Shin shouted louder as he made the stuffed toy fly to his face once more. Puppy bear flew right at him. Shin made puppy bear catch him and crawl to his belly to wiggle it’s nose where his bellybutton used to be.
“No! Razzberries, my one weakness,” Shin yelled again as he threw puppy bear towards the ceiling. Shin would actually squeal a little bit when he saw puppy bear flying back at him. Shin caught him and tossed him back in the air. He repeated this cycle of running and tossing countless times before he fell back, hugging puppy bear tightly in his arms. Shin didn’t even realize that he was balancing on his tail before he fell over from it.
In spite Shin hit the funny bone in his elbow, Shin felt giddy all over himself. Shin laid there until he stopped laughing entirely, gripping puppy bear close to his chest. He missed playing with puppy bear. Why did he ever let him go? Shin didn’t know how long he stayed on the ground before he sat himself back up.
“That was fun. I wonder if I can do that thing with my tail again,” Shin said to the toy as he took puppy bear to his desk. He sat puppy bear in his chair to observe him, “now don’t you go anywhere.”
Shin very steadily tried to lean back on his tail. It was like trying to do a handstand. The darn thing just wouldn’t listen to his conscious commands. He would barely be in the air for a moment or two before he would feel himself falling over again. He gave it four or five tries before he finally gave up.
“Why is this so hard,” Shin stomped.
“Probably because you’re trying too hard,” Scarlet laughed, leaning on the doorframe, “Most kangaroos use their tails to walk, you know.”
“Scarlet! I thought…,” Shin backed away from her, “how long were you…?”
“Not sure… You do realize how loud you got, right?”
“I’m sorry,” Shin ran to grab puppy bear, “please don’t take away my puppy bear!”
“Why would I want to do that,” Scarlet shrugged as she strode over to him.
Shin gripped puppy bear tighter, lifting his pleading eyes to Scarlet, “…because I was being too loud?”
“Maybe a little,” Scarlet wanted to lie, but she couldn’t, “I did think you were hurt.”
“No. I’m sorry, Scarlet.”
“Stop saying that,” Scarlet fixed Shin’s hair, “Come on. How about calling me Mommy, okay?”
“But your nap…”
“I got what I needed,” Scarlet smiled, “care to help me with lunch, Shin-shin?”
“Lunch? But it’s only…,” Shin turned to his clock again. It blinked 11:28 am.
“I don’t know about you, but mama’s hun-gry,” Scarlet got that look in her eye, “in fact, She could just eat you up right now!”
“What? Ah no,” Shin shrieked as Scarlet grabbed her joey once more. Razzberries in his hair! She was razzberrying his hair. Nomming his ears! Tickling his sides.
“Mommy’s gonna eat you all up,” Scarlet shouted over her squealing joey, “get in my belly!”
“Stop it-stop it, stop it…,” Shin giggled as he felt himself being flipped upside down, he pulled puppy bear tightly. Before he knew what was happening, Shin was shoved head first into Scarlet’s pouch. He kicked his legs out wildly trying to get away. Scarlet caught his feet and started tickling at his toes.
“Gonna eat you all up,” she blew on his feet, feeling her joey squirm inside her until she stopped again, “om-nomnom!”
Shin didn’t enjoy this sensation, but he couldn’t fight her. By the time she stopped, Shin was exhausted. He had been running around all morning after all. It felt so good to just relax all of his muscles now. He had to catch his breath now. Shin felt Scarlet slip his legs and tail the rest of the way into her pouch. He afraid that Scarlet would seal it shut again, but she didn’t. Scarlet left it loose as she headed for the kitchen.
“Okay Shin-shin,” she joked, “now that I’ve rested and eaten. How about I make some lunch for you now?”
“Do I have to be in here?”
“Yes. It makes Mommy feel good,” Scarlet explained as she helped get Shin right side up again, “You know, since I didn’t actually get to carry you as a baby.”
“What so special about that?”
“Guess you’d never understand,” Scarlet stopped, “it’s just something that I’ve always wanted to experience. It’s what I was born to do, but Emma never gave me the chance.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know, Shin-shin,” Scarlet pat Shin’s cheek, “my memories of her are, shall we say, ‘fuzzy’. I didn’t have the knowledge to understand her back then.”
Shin stayed quiet now. He couldn’t remember his mother, but he remembered why he got rid of her, if only vaguely. She never let him do anything he really wanted to do either. Things like keeping his puppy bear, picking out his own clothes, or staying home from school. Shin hugged puppy bear close as Scarlet finally got started on preparing lunch.
“Is PB&J alright with you,” Scarlet mentioned as she got out the wheat bread, she could feel Shin nod, “By the way, I love your t-shirt. Eating is my super power too.”
Shin took a moment to look down at his own chest. The writing was upside down, but he could still read it. It was a simple lettering surrounded by various food items, kind of like the superman logo. Inside were the words, “my superpower is eating”. He laughed at the irony of it, before yawning to himself. Just five minutes to rest his eyes before lunch.
“Kevin,” Dr. Shinsetsu asked as he re-entered room 5B, “Are still feeling okay?”
“Yeah doc,” Kevin nodded, playing with his long ears, “I can’t believe it got this bad so fast.”
“I’m sorry,” Youta lowered his head, “If only…”
“It’s not your fault doc,” Kevin got up to his feet, “It was my mistake. There’s no way you could have known.”
“There’s someone here to see you,” Youta stated as he kept near the door, “she says that she’s your daughter. But if you don’t want her to see you like this…”
“Lindsey? It’s fine doc. I think she can take it. She’s only ten after all.”
The doctor opened the door ever so slightly for the small girl to see her father. She wasn’t afraid. No, not in the least. There her adoptive father was half-rabbit, half-human. If anything she squealed at the sight. She ran right up to her father and gave him a big hug. He couldn’t hug her back though, you know… because of the quils that ran down her back. Years of diaper changes had taught him that much.
“Your father’s going to be alright Lindsey,” Dr. Shinsetsu nodded as he wrote up a prescription for Kevin’s rash, “it’s nothing fatal, just really really fast acting if you don’t take care of it in time.”
“Thanks again doc,” Kevin said as he took the paper, “do you want me to come in again?”
“Yes, of course,” Dr. Shinsetsu nodded as he pointed toward the way out, “just tell them at the front when you can come in say, next week?”
“Sounds good doc.”
“Then I guess that I’ll be seeing you next week, Mr. Dewclaw.”
“Sure thing doc,” Mr. Dewclaw nodded as he left his old self at the doctor’s office, as twelve other persons would do that day. Especially the those five that were visited by Dr. Shinsetsu personally.
Next Chapter
Thank you all who have read, Favorited and even commented on this story. It was my pleasure writing it and I especially loved seeing other people liking it as well. Happy FebROOary everyone!
New Readers (if any) should click here.
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The Mommy Market (Shin Shinsetsu) part 3 The Sick Day
Scarlet really didn’t want to think about it anymore as she headed for the bedroom with her mate. As she laid down for the night, she just couldn’t shake it from her mind. It (along with Youta’s snoring) was keeping her up for hours. She decided to use the new math skill she obtained to calculate it all in her head. Humans live ten to fifteen times more than kangaroos at the very least. By that logic, a week as a human has to equal to like two or three months of her real age maybe more. Wouldn’t that be worth it? To have a joey to care for at least once upon a time?
Perhaps…
She felt Shin shifting ever so slightly in her pouch. The little roo was left completely unaware of where he was right now. Completely safe and warm. He’d be so vulnerable without her here. No, he’d be a human boy without her here. He’d survive just fine without her in his life. She rubbed the lump in her pouch, her precious little joey. That sweet baby boy.
This very experience might be enough, but she’d die of heartbreak if she had to give it up.
“So let me get this straight, Preston,” Seton rubbed his temples, “as far as you can remember you’ve always been a… what? Is that a Rottweiler?”
“Doberman, sir,” Sammy corrected him. The dog man nodded his head to this, wondering why these kids were so concerned with what race he was to start with.
“Yes a doberman,” Seton nodded, “okay, and you don’t remember being anything else before? Nothing at all?”
“I know that I was a father,” Preston leaned over the crate he was using as a makeshift chair, “why can’t I remember who my pups are? That’s my only concern right now.”
“We told you already,” Ed was very blunt about this, “they “fired” you…”
“Let me handle this. will you,” Seton pushed Ed back, before turning back to Preston, “now sir. I know that you’re very confused right now, but I assure you that we’ll do everything in our power for it all to work out in the end. Please trust me on this.”
“It’s not like I’ve got any other choice, is it?”
“That’s going have to be good enough,” Seton reached out a hand to help Preston to his pawed feet, “for now just go to Orientation to see what we’re all about here and then you can go to your room.”
Preston nodded, finally heading out to the next part of processing willingly. Seton took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Such a big mess just Had to be made on his watch. The Daddy Department Store manager, Mary Ann would never let him hear the end of this. Speaking of which, she barely missed seeing Preston for herself as she arrived.
“Okay, Seaton,” the teen twirled her curly hair, “what is this about a problem with my inventory?”
“The week’s barely started Mary,” Seton stated, “Chances are it’s not just your inventory that’s going to be an issue.”
Shin had a great night’s sleep, the best he’d had in years. He felt as if he was being hugged from all sides. He could just stay asleep forever if he could. That of which wasn’t possible. Nature was calling him early. He stretched himself around in his blankets (as far as he could at least).
He could hear somebody groaning and then he felt his entire world shift around. Shin’s eyes snapped open. Where was he? He knew he should have been screaming, but Scarlet’s voice became quite prominent,
“ugh-hmm… five more minutes…,” she mumbled a yawn. Shin felt her scratch through his covers.
“Scar-let,” Shin now realized exactly where he might be, he kicked around a bit more, “let me out of here!”
“Okay… fine sweetheart,” Scarlet groaned, only half-asleep really. Shin shifted in Scarlet’s pouch as she rose to at least a sitting position. A dim light hit Shin’s eyes the moment she loosened up the opening. This was short lived as he saw Scarlet’s face eclipsing everything. She groggily slipped her head inside to lick at his scalp, “Morning Shin-shin. How’d you sleep?”
“Please,” Shin pushed her head away as he tried to climb out, “I have to pee!”
“Sure thing,” Scarlet leaned back to stretch her aching body. Shin tried to use this moment to climb out, but her pouch suddenly caught around his waist.
“Scarlet!”
“Whoops! Sorry Shin-shin,” Scarlet loosened up her muscles as she fell to her back taking Shin with her as she did, “I’m so tired right now…”
“Are you okay,” Shin crawled off from on top of her.
“I’m fine,” Scarlet combed her hair out of her eyes, “Don’t you have somewhere to go?”
“Whoops, I nearly…,” Shin found that he was holding something soft under his arm, “puppy bear…?”
“I’ll hold that for you…,” Scarlet lazily stretch out an arm, “until you get back…”
“Where did…,” Shin felt the urge even stronger now. He threw the stuffed toy to the bed as he went to relieve himself. Not that much harder of a task, even though he ran all the way back to his own restroom to do it. He washed his hands before deciding to go into his own room.
Sure, being in the nude seemed to be perfectly acceptable, but he just couldn’t do it. He had to get himself a shirt or something. He couldn’t quite see as well as he usually could, but his dresser was still in the same place it always was. He took a quick look inside and one thing was absolutely clear… these were not his clothes.
Not that Shin minded. No really. As far back as he could remember, he’s basically had to wear plain black or white shirts. They were ironed and pressed and neatly folded into perfect squares, second drawer from the top. Now he had almost a million shirts in every color of the rainbow. Shin took out a blue one. It had something written out in a font that he just couldn’t quite make out without his glasses.
He liked the color blue, didn’t matter what it said on it. Shin wondered where he put his glasses, as he slipped the shirt over his head. It was surprisingly easy to fit his whole head through the hole. He looked to his desk to find his glasses sitting on the edge, just within his reach. They were a little bit different too, but they fit snugly on his nose. He could see much clearer now that…
“IS THAT THE TIME,” Shin shrieked. His digital clock read almost nine in the morning! He was late for school! More than just late! Even if he left out the door right now, he’d still be considered as absent for the day!
“Dad,” Shin raced back to his parent’s room. He only found the snoring Scarlet there, her legs still dangling off the side of the bed. That’s right, his dad’s at work by now. Scarlet had to do, “wake up!”
Scarlet mumbled something inaudible before turning over.
“Oh please Scarlet,” Shin leaped upon the bed, which surprised even him, if for only a moment, “I need to get to school! I’m late!”
“No school today, Shin-shin,” Scarlet rolled over once more, grabbing a pillow, “your teacher’s not feeling well.”
“What’s wrong with Mrs. Hinchburger,” Shin shook the giant roo to stay awake, “Why didn’t they send a substitute?”
“Shin-shin… dear… ,” Scarlet tried to hinder her yawning, “Sorry, I forgot… to tell you… in this reality…*yawn* you’re being home schooled…”
“What? You’re my teacher now too!”
“Oh joey please,” Scarlet pushed her son softly, “Mommy’s had a rough night.”
“You can’t… I can’t be taught by you!”
Scarlet’s eyes snapped open, “And just why not?”
Shin fell back at the sight of Scarlet’s red eyes. Even if they weren’t already red to begin with, they were now. She looked almost sick. Scarlet scowled at the young boy as she inquired again.
“As I recall, you learned how to do fourth grade level math thanks to me actually teaching you and not that Mrs. Hamburg-whatever,” Scarlet waited for a retort of some sort from her joey, “besides, we couldn’t afford to send you to an actual school on Youta’s salary. So think about how hard he already works for you, let alone me.”
Shin looked toward his puppy bear. It wasn’t on instinct or the like. Shin just knew that looking his mother in the eye was not allowed. Especially, when she was so crossed at him. He felt so helpless right now, “I’m sorry… ma’am…”
Scarlet felt something in her break. Her son was back to calling her that awful term again. The one that felt so impersonal between a son and his mommy. And here she thought that she was making some kind of progress. She didn’t know what else to do besides move to pick up his puppy bear, “It’s fine Shin-shin. Here…”
Scarlet paused. When she grabbed the stuffed toy, she also got a small idea, She held puppy up like a puppet and made a voice for him.
“Dwon’t cry Shin-shin. Mama’s just a widdle cwankie cause she didn’t get any sweep wast nite.”
“What are…,” Shin tilted his head at this.
“Shush,” Scarlet moved puppy’s paw to it’s sewn on lips, “wet’s go pway in our woom while mommy takes a nap…”
This made Shin smile again, laugh a little too. Scarlet then lifted the stuffed toy for Shin to take with him. Shin got the hint pretty quick, but was a little slow on the draw. He took puppy bear into his arms and received a slow heavy pat on the head. Scarlet shifted to return herself under the comforter. Shin slid off the other side and headed for the door.
“… thank you Shin-shin,” his mother sighed, “wake me in an hour… or *yawn* two, would you?… I still have to… make lunch…”
“Um… alright,” Shin nodded as he made it to the door.
“…just don’t burn the house down…”
“Yes ma’am,” Shin was about to shut the door when he heard Scarlet snort, “you sure you’re ok?”
“Yes, Shin-shin,” she lied. Truthfully, she was exhausted and scared. She just couldn’t let her Joey see her like that.
“Okay then…,” Shin stated as he moved out of the room, “love you, Scarlet.”
“…Love you too, sweetie.”
The door shut with a very audible click.
“Good morning, Mister…,” Youta read off the chart as he entered room 5B, “Dewford. What seems to be the-”
“OH GAWD! Another one,” Mr. Dewford leaped onto the examination table, “Get away from me!”
“Oh, now Mr. Dewford,” Dr. Shinsetsu was a little worried about this patient, he’s seen patients through some bad acid trips before, “stay calm… no one’s going to hurt you…”
“I’m sorry doc,” Mr. Dewford shook his head as he slowly made his way to the corner closer to the door, “please, stay away from me… ”
“Okay Mr. Dewford…,” Youta nodded raising his hands, “I’m not assaulting you… I’m not going to hurt you…”
“Just stay away!”
“I am. I am…,” the doctor pulled a stool over, “Look, I’m going to sit down… and just want to ask you some questions… Can you do that for me, Mr. Dewford?… Just answer my questions…”
“Oh kay, just don’t hurt me,” the patient was on the brink of crying. This was an odd reaction for a person to have to unprescribed drugs.
“Stay with me here Mr. Dewford,” the doctor stated as slowly as he could, “what did you take?”
“What?”
“What did you take,” Youta asked again, “I promise everything’s going to be okay… just tell me what it was you took.”
“I didn’t take anything,” Mr. Dewford shouted, “please, just let me go!”
“I can’t do that,” Youta tried to recall, “Kevin? It’s Kevin, right…? I can’t let you go as long as you’re like this.”
“Like you’re one to talk!”
“Kevin,” the doctor tried again, “do you know where you are right now?”
“I’m in a doctor’s office with a flipping Dr. kangaroo,” Kevin actually started weeping, “Oh gawd, tell me that I’m not going crazy!”
“I wont do that, Kevin. My name is Doctor Youta Shinsetsu,” Youta stated very slowly and in the most least threatening way possible, “I’m going to need to you sit down too, okay?”
“Alright,” Kevin very shakily sat himself down, “just don’t come any closer. Got it?”
“Got it,” Youta raised a hand, “scouts honor. Just try your best to stay calm, Kevin.”
“Just stay away from me, okay,” Kevin sighed, “I’m sorry. What kind of decease does this to a person?”
“Does what, Kevin?”
“Turn you into an animal.”
Dr. Shinsetsu stared at the man, “is that what you’re seeing, Kevin?”
“How can you be so calm about this. Look at yourself doc,” Mr Dewford stood up suddenly, Youta took this as a sign that Kevin was coming down from his stupor, “It just this isn’t right. You’re an animal.”
“Well… that’s a bit harsh to say,” Youta chuckled.
“I’m serious,” Kevin stated as he turned around, dropping his pants “I came in about this bump on my tail bone and I’m pretty sure that it’s becoming a tail if it hasn’t alread-hey don’t touch it!”
Youta scooted back from Kevin. He didn’t mean to cause his patient stress. He just moved in to examine it out of habit. The frightening thing was that Kevin was right. There was something protruding from his rear end. The human was in fact growing a tail. It was short and fluffy with fur that was spreading right before his eyes.
“Iya… gomen ne…,” Youta got up, “I have to get a second opinion about this.”
“Hurry back doc,” Kevin stated as he watched the kangaroo leave him alone to his spreading problem.
Shin stared at his puppy bear. He thought that the toy had been thrown out years ago, something about him being too old for toys. Somehow Shin figured it hadn’t exactly been his father’s idea to begin with. He hadn’t thought about puppy bear for at least a year. Now that he was back, Shin really didn’t know what to do with him. Frankly, Shin was surprised that he still considered puppy bear as a “he”.
“So what do you wanna do,” Shin poked puppy’s face. Needless to say… puppy bear said nothing.
“Too bad the magic didn’t make you any more alive,” Shin hoped that perhaps the magic would take the hint. It didn’t. Puppy bear was just as lifeless as he’d ever been. Similarly, Shin was just as alone as he’d ever been as well. He poked the stuffed dog a few more times, before lifting it’s arm to point at him, “stop poking me wike dat, or I’m gonna make you sowry.”
Shin couldn’t help, but chuckle. He couldn’t do puppy bear’s voice nearly as well as Scarlet could, “oh and whatcha gonna do about it if I don’t?”
“I’m gonna give you such a big wasberwy,” Shin made the toy say, raising both of it’s paws, “dat your Mommy’s gonna feel it.”
“Oh no. Anything but that,” Shin mockingly replied to himself. He lifted the stuffed toy as if it was on the attack, but then dodged it. Shin twisted to stand on his new feet, still gripping puppy bear by it’s paw. Shin playfully yelled as he ran around the room. After about his forth or fifth lap, Shin shouted louder as he made the stuffed toy fly to his face once more. Puppy bear flew right at him. Shin made puppy bear catch him and crawl to his belly to wiggle it’s nose where his bellybutton used to be.
“No! Razzberries, my one weakness,” Shin yelled again as he threw puppy bear towards the ceiling. Shin would actually squeal a little bit when he saw puppy bear flying back at him. Shin caught him and tossed him back in the air. He repeated this cycle of running and tossing countless times before he fell back, hugging puppy bear tightly in his arms. Shin didn’t even realize that he was balancing on his tail before he fell over from it.
In spite Shin hit the funny bone in his elbow, Shin felt giddy all over himself. Shin laid there until he stopped laughing entirely, gripping puppy bear close to his chest. He missed playing with puppy bear. Why did he ever let him go? Shin didn’t know how long he stayed on the ground before he sat himself back up.
“That was fun. I wonder if I can do that thing with my tail again,” Shin said to the toy as he took puppy bear to his desk. He sat puppy bear in his chair to observe him, “now don’t you go anywhere.”
Shin very steadily tried to lean back on his tail. It was like trying to do a handstand. The darn thing just wouldn’t listen to his conscious commands. He would barely be in the air for a moment or two before he would feel himself falling over again. He gave it four or five tries before he finally gave up.
“Why is this so hard,” Shin stomped.
“Probably because you’re trying too hard,” Scarlet laughed, leaning on the doorframe, “Most kangaroos use their tails to walk, you know.”
“Scarlet! I thought…,” Shin backed away from her, “how long were you…?”
“Not sure… You do realize how loud you got, right?”
“I’m sorry,” Shin ran to grab puppy bear, “please don’t take away my puppy bear!”
“Why would I want to do that,” Scarlet shrugged as she strode over to him.
Shin gripped puppy bear tighter, lifting his pleading eyes to Scarlet, “…because I was being too loud?”
“Maybe a little,” Scarlet wanted to lie, but she couldn’t, “I did think you were hurt.”
“No. I’m sorry, Scarlet.”
“Stop saying that,” Scarlet fixed Shin’s hair, “Come on. How about calling me Mommy, okay?”
“But your nap…”
“I got what I needed,” Scarlet smiled, “care to help me with lunch, Shin-shin?”
“Lunch? But it’s only…,” Shin turned to his clock again. It blinked 11:28 am.
“I don’t know about you, but mama’s hun-gry,” Scarlet got that look in her eye, “in fact, She could just eat you up right now!”
“What? Ah no,” Shin shrieked as Scarlet grabbed her joey once more. Razzberries in his hair! She was razzberrying his hair. Nomming his ears! Tickling his sides.
“Mommy’s gonna eat you all up,” Scarlet shouted over her squealing joey, “get in my belly!”
“Stop it-stop it, stop it…,” Shin giggled as he felt himself being flipped upside down, he pulled puppy bear tightly. Before he knew what was happening, Shin was shoved head first into Scarlet’s pouch. He kicked his legs out wildly trying to get away. Scarlet caught his feet and started tickling at his toes.
“Gonna eat you all up,” she blew on his feet, feeling her joey squirm inside her until she stopped again, “om-nomnom!”
Shin didn’t enjoy this sensation, but he couldn’t fight her. By the time she stopped, Shin was exhausted. He had been running around all morning after all. It felt so good to just relax all of his muscles now. He had to catch his breath now. Shin felt Scarlet slip his legs and tail the rest of the way into her pouch. He afraid that Scarlet would seal it shut again, but she didn’t. Scarlet left it loose as she headed for the kitchen.
“Okay Shin-shin,” she joked, “now that I’ve rested and eaten. How about I make some lunch for you now?”
“Do I have to be in here?”
“Yes. It makes Mommy feel good,” Scarlet explained as she helped get Shin right side up again, “You know, since I didn’t actually get to carry you as a baby.”
“What so special about that?”
“Guess you’d never understand,” Scarlet stopped, “it’s just something that I’ve always wanted to experience. It’s what I was born to do, but Emma never gave me the chance.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know, Shin-shin,” Scarlet pat Shin’s cheek, “my memories of her are, shall we say, ‘fuzzy’. I didn’t have the knowledge to understand her back then.”
Shin stayed quiet now. He couldn’t remember his mother, but he remembered why he got rid of her, if only vaguely. She never let him do anything he really wanted to do either. Things like keeping his puppy bear, picking out his own clothes, or staying home from school. Shin hugged puppy bear close as Scarlet finally got started on preparing lunch.
“Is PB&J alright with you,” Scarlet mentioned as she got out the wheat bread, she could feel Shin nod, “By the way, I love your t-shirt. Eating is my super power too.”
Shin took a moment to look down at his own chest. The writing was upside down, but he could still read it. It was a simple lettering surrounded by various food items, kind of like the superman logo. Inside were the words, “my superpower is eating”. He laughed at the irony of it, before yawning to himself. Just five minutes to rest his eyes before lunch.
“Kevin,” Dr. Shinsetsu asked as he re-entered room 5B, “Are still feeling okay?”
“Yeah doc,” Kevin nodded, playing with his long ears, “I can’t believe it got this bad so fast.”
“I’m sorry,” Youta lowered his head, “If only…”
“It’s not your fault doc,” Kevin got up to his feet, “It was my mistake. There’s no way you could have known.”
“There’s someone here to see you,” Youta stated as he kept near the door, “she says that she’s your daughter. But if you don’t want her to see you like this…”
“Lindsey? It’s fine doc. I think she can take it. She’s only ten after all.”
The doctor opened the door ever so slightly for the small girl to see her father. She wasn’t afraid. No, not in the least. There her adoptive father was half-rabbit, half-human. If anything she squealed at the sight. She ran right up to her father and gave him a big hug. He couldn’t hug her back though, you know… because of the quils that ran down her back. Years of diaper changes had taught him that much.
“Your father’s going to be alright Lindsey,” Dr. Shinsetsu nodded as he wrote up a prescription for Kevin’s rash, “it’s nothing fatal, just really really fast acting if you don’t take care of it in time.”
“Thanks again doc,” Kevin said as he took the paper, “do you want me to come in again?”
“Yes, of course,” Dr. Shinsetsu nodded as he pointed toward the way out, “just tell them at the front when you can come in say, next week?”
“Sounds good doc.”
“Then I guess that I’ll be seeing you next week, Mr. Dewclaw.”
“Sure thing doc,” Mr. Dewclaw nodded as he left his old self at the doctor’s office, as twelve other persons would do that day. Especially the those five that were visited by Dr. Shinsetsu personally.
Next Chapter
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Kangaroo
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 60.5 kB
Thanks for the bode of confidence. I don't think that I have ever actually finished a story that was longer than a one shot is what I meant is all.
Believe me, I'm going to try to give it a proper satisfying ending, but knowing my track record… it won't be very easy to do.
Again thank you.
Believe me, I'm going to try to give it a proper satisfying ending, but knowing my track record… it won't be very easy to do.
Again thank you.
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