Took about 2 hours to make. Might change it if I need to.

A cool, soft breeze could be felt through the summer’s day in the port town of Shima, an island situated in the vast Pacific Ocean. It was mid day with spots of white clouds scattered lightly across the horizon, reflecting off the light choppy waters of the ocean. Numerous seagulls fly throughout overhead, catching each gust of wind as though they were kites, hoping to get leftover fish from the fishermen’s catch. Despite the serene nature of the locale many furs could be seen hustling and bustling throughout the port. Dog men, cat women, hyena elders, turtle youngsters. Just as there are numerous kinds of fish in the ocean, Shima seemed almost as varied with its citizens’ sizes, weights and species.

Stepping off The Starfish, a tugboat that has shown its age with numerous coats of faded white paint and rust, came a heavy footstep onto an equally worn wooden platform of the port. Standing at 5 foot and 11 inches, a well rotund lion with golden brown fur and brown long hair tied was seen, holding a blue, large bag stuffed to the seems. “Aye, the stable should be up the road, second block to the right. You couldn’t miss it even if you tried”, said the scraggily voiced German Sheppard man, the only fisherman of The Starfish. With a wide grin across the lion’s bearded, chubby face, the lion responded with excitement, “Thank you for once again for giving me the ride from the airport island”.”Don’t thank me just yet”, the hefty dog said as he fixed the suspenders to his belly high pants, “You’ll know what I mean soon”. With a bewildered look on his face, the lion gave a shrug and wandered into the busy streets of Shima.

For Ralph this was the day he was looking forward to for almost eight years. Born and raised in the United States, Ralph was almost immediately infatuated with the sport of sumo wrestling when he watched a special one day on the Furry Sports Programming Network (FSPN). He was just 18 years old, a senior of his high school at the time. The ceremonies, the fast paced action and unusual “mawashi” silk belt worn by the wrestlers entranced his eyes, almost as though it were a calling to his spirit. Although not many understood his decision to join a sumo heya (a group where sumo wrestlers train), it became clear how ecstatic he was as he explained his favorite sport as a cook would explain their favorite food. As soon as he gathered enough money for a plane ticket, Ralph took the earliest flight to Shima, where he had heard of a stable that was accepting applicants.

Walking through the brick laid streets of Shima, the 386 pound lion admired the European and Asian inspired architecture of the buildings. Wearing a light faded blue shirt with his favorite comic book on the front (“The Furvengers”) that hugged his round belly, a pair of denim shorts just short of his knees and a simple pair of brown sandals, the lion swayed his stubby tail. With each waddling step Ralph took on the brown brick roads he noticed that although much of the town was built throughout generations much of it was well taken care with upkeep. Many of the homes had bright, vibrant paint with trimmed and colorful plants at almost each entrance. Nothing of excess, outside of a few toys littered by the children of the town, could be found.

It was not until Ralph came to a shabby looking building did his attention get grabbed. Much of the paint had cracked and faded, yet another victim of the salt water air of the ocean. Noticeably, a plate where normally the name and number of the household should have been displayed on the front, instead just had “雷” engraved in it. Looking up to the second floor of the structure, Ralph also noticed a window enclosed with worn wooden boards. With a look of despair, the lion looked down at a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting. “Oh man… Don’t tell me I came all the way here for nothing…” he said as he turned around and slumped his body against the locked front door.”I must have gotten the translating wrong or some-“, Ralph stopped as he spotted a shadowed figure in the corner of his eye, on the other side of the building’s faded windows.”OH! UM! Er… Excuse me!” the lion almost leaped to his foot paws (especially amazing for someone his size),”Is this… the…ummm… “Kaminari” Heya?”. After about minute long wait staring at the window, the creak of the front door could be heard as it swung open.

Standing at the door stood an amazing 6 foot 7 inch muscle bound warthog man. Sporting a thick pair of dark brown sideburns across his chiseled jaw, long hair tied into a topknot (a traditional hairstyle worn by sumo wrestlers), very short light brown fur and thick, crude eyebrows against his piercing black eyes, the warthog was an intimidating figure as though he were an ancient monster guarding a palace. Stuttering a bit under his breath, Ralph finally began to speak once again but was suddenly cut short as the front door slammed thunderously. Giving a few knocks on the door the lion studdered,”We’ll you see… ummm… I was told that this was… ummm—“.”I don’t have patience with those who say ‘umm’ every 2 seconds!!” an intimidating, growling voice interrupted through the other side of the door.”I was told that this heya was taking applicants for sumo wrestlers and I was wondering if I could join!!” responded Ralph with a hurried voice. After a minute more the front door swung open once again.

“You? A rikishi?” scoffed the warthog with a chuckle and a tusk-like grin, “You’d be a bigger threat to a buffet table! Now leave! Ruick’s bakery should be open by now. He’ll be happy to add another pudgy customer to his list!” Almost as soon as the door closed, a strict, sharp voice could be heard in response.”Poto! That’s enough! That’s no way to treat a rikishi hopeful!”. With a shocked look on the lion face, he noticed a much smaller figure step out of the door’s shadow.