Grubbs and I already took our stances from the concrete flooring. The sparring match began. We stared each other down, seemingly with inaction.

The Guard stripped from his bulky armor, showing his large underbelly. His heavy frame gave him force I failed to notice before. He had to be the muscular type of fat.

I saw him practice his punches earlier. The attacks had a weight behind them.

The guards gawked on, enough that my head turned. My ears folded, with my feet planted on the comment. Grubbs naturally prepared as well.

We were waiting for whomever made the first move. I was more than content to wait. I could hold back until Donovan called the spar. Grubbs could do whatever he liked.

No, I can’t make the same error like with Lyle. Grubbs has an opening. strike now before he is guarded!

My body went into position. Grubbs wasn’t prepared. I was confident.I punched his chest, and tucked my claws within my palm.

Just like that, he blunders over. I knocked some air out of him, yet I lacked the strength. I didn’t have the toughness for a follow up. My hand felt the soft tissue, cushioning the blow. Grubbs was recovering.

I aimed for his stomach with a kick. He blocked my leg with his arm.

Crap, crap, crap, crap.

My body lumbered back, as my strength was put in my leg. Grubbs supported himself. He got up, and swung. My two arms diverted the blow.

I expected pain, for my arms to hurt, but my arms only stung. I saw him practice his unarmed strikes before, he was much stronger before.

Grubbs was stronger than that, yet he blundered like an idiot

He allowed me the first hit. Slow on the followup. How dare he!

“You got so much nerve pulling what you just did!” I puffed my cheeks.

“I… you hit me first!” Grubbs exclaimed. “We are supposed to be a spar. Why do you think I’m here!”

“I think you should fight me like an equal. I command you to stop pulling your punches, hit like you mean it!” I pointed at him.

“Pulling my punches? I am here trying my best! It is your amateurishness that is tripping me up.”

“Amateur? How come you have to say such horrible things?” I yelled.

Yes, Grubbs was technically correct. I wouldn’t even call myself a beginner. His actions spoke the truth on how he thought of me.

He was going easy on me. My fist was doing the talking for his offense.

I tried my hardest to resist pulling out my claws. Grubbs countered all my attacks. Neither of us were committed to sparring. Just two men fumbling around.

The guard went for a haymaker. I hastily dodged. His fist whizzed through the air. His other hand did a follow up. I was in mid fall. His fist went past my body, past my head.

Right by my ears.

I narrowly avoided the impact. The room grew quiet, dead silent. That man was only one hair away from touching my ears.

I caught myself by crouching by the ground. My pupils dilated, my claws restricted. There was nobody I could focus on except for the guard. Grubbs stepped back from me. My emotions were reeling. I bore my teeth, almost in a hiss. Not a soul spoken up.

Grubbs almost touched my ears. He was the person who caused so much pain. I went closer from the man backing up.

Yes, escalate it, get closer.

My legs crouched, and then I sprinted. My palm targeted his throat.

Don’t, there’s something’s wrong with me.

I adjusted my hand to hit his body. Grubbs toppled easily. I approached him with my claws out.

I realized how I acted, I caused a scene. My eyes stared deeply at my claws. They were still out. Grubbs was on the ground.

I knew what would happen if I proceeded with my aggression. Grubbs would be disqualified, and I declared the victor.

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I glanced at the hushed faces, onto Grubbs. They were afraid to look at me. How I managed to knock Grubbs over was due to fear. I wasn’t powerful enough to use force. I saw myself in him. How defenseless he was, like me with Lyle. Fate was terrible when at the mercy of another hand.

Grubbs was no different than me. Two people who were fighting, not wanting to embarrass themselves. Two men who have the weight of responsibility on them.

This match was supposed to be a fun spectacle.

I retracted my claws, turned my hand into a fist, and raised it in the air. I made the spectators believe that they misinterpreted the situation. All for Grubbs—.

And the crowd cheered, they roared louder than before.

I went up to Grubbs, “I know how you feel,” I said among the noise yet my voice was clear. “Pretend that everything is fine, don’t cause a scene. Win or lose, we are going to finish this match with dignity,” I offered Grubbs my hand.

He obliged.

The guard propped himself up, although slowly.

Donovan was about to call the spar, but I waved at him. My hand signaled I was fine. I then gave the man a thumbs up. Donovan gave me the clear. I carried myself back to the corner. Grubbs did the same.

I took my stance. His aura, his being, they were different. I knew he was going all out this time. Our fight was a matter of respect.

We waited for each to strike, yet there wasn’t hesitation between us. Grubs stared at me in anticipation. There was a lack of hype for me, a strange focus overcame me instead.

We approached at a steady pace, then charged. Grubbs went for a straight jab, there’s pressure behind it.

I withdrew and moved further back from my position. I had certainty instead of hesitation.

My body was solid. I have the vigor. All I needed was a little savoir faire.

Grubbs jabbed, yet he was out of range. I weaved within the fight. He responded with a left hook. My hand firmly pressed on the guard’s arm. A little push sended the jab off projection.

Grubbs’ leg twitched. He planned to kick. My reaction was faster. I needed not to use my claws. My knuckles drove into his chest.

His skin is much tougher this time. He was much more guarded than before.

He leaned back. Grubbs gasped for air, that was what I needed.

A simple kick? No, that wouldn’t work. I receded a few steps back. Repositioned myself, went on all fours, then jumped.

I brought my leg into an arch high up in the air, let gravity do the work. My kick made contact with Grubbs’ belly, using my entire might to add impact.

I used my feet, and caught myself. When I steadied myself, I looked to see how Grubbs was doing. Grubbs clutched onto his stomach. He laid on the cement ground.

Donovan went on the tournament stage, he studied Grubbs.

The crowd simmered down. “The winner is Mekiko,” Donovan declared.

The spectators thundered. Their cheers reverberated. There was no denying who won. I glance at Grubbs.

The fight was finally over, I let out an internal sigh.

I went over to Grubbs. I extended my hand, he could use some help.

“I think I’m going to lose my lunch,” Grubbs said with a pale face.

No, wait! …And he vomited over the pavement. I withdrew my hand — he’s going to need a lot more than personal attention.

— — —

The paramedics had a difficult time lifting Grubbs on the stretcher. I watched Grubbs get strolled out. Donovan and Lorry accompanied me. The guards slowly left the room, they seemed happy with how the match turned out.

My ears swivel on the various conversations. The guards were speaking from far away, although my cat-like ears can eavesdrop with ease.

“Have you seen how that beastkin flew in the air? He came down like an axe!”

“Grubbs wasn’t bad either. He put up a good fight, until the last part. But hey, he can swing a mean haymaker.”

“Uggh! I betted on Grubbs! How am I supposed to explain to my wife that I lost a month’s salary?”

Everything was in order

As for the puke — Someone else can deal with it.

Lorry’s words discourage any curious guards from seeking me. Back to work, as usual.

Donovan wrote in his book, “Unrefined, but that’s expected,” my mentor said. “I figure having more exercises would temper for your shortcomings,” he scribbled with his pen.

“What Donovan meant to say is that you did well,” Lorry chimed.

Donovan cleared his throat, “You lost yourself back there, Mekiko. You have to go back to the ‘laser pointer’ full time again.”

“Nya!~ How come you have to be so mean?” I shouted.

“This is for your own good. You had your claws out. I’m proud that you stopped yourself at the moment, but you could have caused an incident.”

My arms crossed while listening to Donovan’s explanation.

“That ought to do it for today,” Lorry said. “We should resume with our daily scheduled routine.”

“No, I still have some business,” I said.

“What could you possibly mean, Mekiko?” Donovan asked.

“It’s about Grubbs… I want to see him at the hospital,” I looked down at the ground.

“Grubbs is going to recover, I say with certainty that he’s fine. You; on the other hand, have lots to work on.

I shook my head, my ears twitched, “But I am worried about him. I’m the one who injured Grubbs, I am the one who should be taking responsibility. There is a duty to liability. What person does ignoring him make me?

“I appreciate the catboy’s dedication,” Lorry said.

“That may be so, but I’m afraid that there’s so much that needs doing. I can’t take Mekiko out to the hospital,” he told Lorry.

“That’s fine, I got a motorized carriage. I can ride him there,” she waved her hand.

“If you are willing to help, then I see no problem,” Donovan said, even so, he glared at her before walking away.

There was a chance for me to meet Grubbs again. I only hoped I didn’t do too much damage. Donovan wasn’t showing. He left me alone with Lorry. I could wait and see.