Tuesday spar
Story by PokemorphWriter on SoFurry
It's the second day of the week and Norah is about to find out something about Ben's past!
Notes at the bottom
Chapter 2: Tuesday spar
Music class went better than expected. Everyone had fun jamming with Ben and trying out different songs and even do rock covers of some timeless classics. And by everyone I mean everyone except Norah. The canine simply refused to be a part of anything “Mr. B" suggested. Ben tried playing nice and get her to participate but his every effort was met with a growl and a sharp “No". Norah's two favorite subjects were PE and music and now this guy had to teach both of them. She really hoped they find a permanent replacement and that Mrs. Smith comes back to work, otherwise, she's going to kill someone. Thank God class was almost over.
“Good playing, band. But I'm afraid class is over. " the students moaned in displeasure. This was the first time they actually had some fun in music class. The music was good as was the atmosphere. Usually they would be playing boring old songs and look like zombies.
“One more song Mr. B! " one of the students said and the others supported him by cheering.
“Well… We were supposed to be learning about classical music. So, umm, let me play something old so that we can say we actually learned something today. "
“We learned how to rock out, man! " James, who has been very enthusiastic about all this, pumped his fist high up and received cheers from his fellow classmates. Norah was not amused by their actions. She wanted to leave as fast as possible.
“Thank you, Mr. McQueen, but remember- “ Ben sat down and placed the guitar between his legs “-we can learn from history. The old masters were something out of this world. Even the best musicians in the world still struggle to learn their symphonies. It is my personal opinion that once you can play classical music on guitar, you can play almost anything. I've been playing for over ten years and I'm still having trouble with Mozart's Turkish March, as you're about to hear. " Ben's announcement was met with a round of applause and after it died down, Ben played the famous composition. Norah's ears twitched at the sound of the first tones. They were perfect. As Ben was playing Norah focused all her attention on him. The way his eyes looked so focused, his left fingers pressing on the strings with perfect timing, his right fingers never missing one strum of the strings. Once he started playing it was like all of Norah's anger towards him faded away. Even her tail began swaying lightly side to side. He was playing the harmonies so well, Norah could swear the song was being played by two guitarists. The entire class was mesmerized by his playing. The song lasted a little over three minutes and once he finished the class was still frozen still. But then Norah began clapping first. It began slowly, she didn't even realized what she was doing, then faster and the others joined in with clapping of their own and cheering. When Norah realized what was happening she stopped immediately and sat down on her chair. Meanwhile Ben stood up and bowed to the class “Thank you, thank you! You're too kind! " after that students put away their instruments, collected their things and left the classroom, Norah hidden among them “Miss Jones? A word please. "
“Fuck… " Norah cursed quietly and looked at Ben “What? "
“Sit down please. " Ben took the seat at his desk and Norah sat on the first available chair “Tell me, Miss Jones, do you have something against me? "
“What do you mean? " Norah glared daggers at him.
“You know what I mean, Miss Jones. Is it because I'm human? " Norah was taken aback by his bluntness. She didn't know how to reply. Of course that was the reason but how can you tell that to someone's face? Time to do some better dodging than in PE.
“What kind of question is that? "
“A simple one with a very simple answer. " Ben looked directly into her eyes and it made Norah flinch. There was something about that look that terrified her “Yes or no? "
“Yes. " Norah slapped herself mentally for cracking this easily. Now she waited for a hars lecture on racism and yelling and screaming and…
“Okay. " Ben said simply.
“What? " Norah thought she heard wrong.
“I understand. "
“How could you possibly understand? " now Norah was getting angry.
“Trust me, I do. " Ben began packing his things “In any case, I hope I can change your opinion of me in the coming days. I used to hate anthros. " Norah's eyes went wide “But then I became best friends with one. " Norah, once again, thought she heard wrong. Ben got up from his chair and went towards the door “As cliché as this may seem, don't judge a book by it's cover, Miss Jones. If I did, I would have missed out on some really great books. " then he simply left the classroom with Norah still sitting in her chair.
“You coming? " she was snapped out of her thoughts by her friend Emma's head peeking behind the door frame.
“Yeah. " the two left for other classes and arranged a meeting at Emma's later that day.
“You have any idea what he meant? " Norah asked her leopard friend who tapped her chin in thought. They were in the same positions as yesterday, Emma on her bed and Norah on the floor.
“I think it's pretty straight forward. " Emma looked at Norah “You don't like him, for obvious reasons, and he's trying to get you to like him by being nice. "
“And then he's gonna' stab me in the back like- “
“You don't know that. " Emma got off the bed and sat next to her friend “And you need to forget about what happened. "
“How can I ever forget that? " memories of one horrible experience with humans still haunted Norah “Do you know what they did to me? " Norah felt tears coming on and Emma quickly hugged her in comfort.
“I know, honey, I know. " even Emma felt tears coming. They sat like that for a while until they calmed down and Emma decided to investigate “So, he said he's best friends with an anthro? "
“He could be lying. " Norah was still skeptical but Emma was already on Facebook.
“Found him! " the snow leopard exclaimed cheerfully “Mark Benjamin Bennett, 22, like he said, single- “
“I don't need to know that. " Norah growled at her friend who just shrugged it off.
“Mmmhm. Let's see some pictures. " she began looking through his pictures and it confirmed part of Ben's story “Not a single picture with an anthro… Wait! "
“What is it? "
“Look! " Norah looked at the pictures on the screen but didn't know what she was looking for. Emma picked up on that and explained what she found “Up until this point there were no pictures with any anthro in them. " Norah looked at the pictures and it was true “But here's the interesting part- “ she scrolled down one row of pictures and the first picture showed Ben with a handsome lion anthro “Dayum! "
“Emma, focus! “
“Oh, sorry. " Emma was still ogling the lion and his magnificent mane “Umm, right! Between these two pictures- “ she pointed at the last picture before the one with the lion morph in it and the one with the lion “-there's almost a two year gap. "
“So? " Norah found nothing wrong with that. Besides, the most recent pictures almost always had the same lion in them and other anthros as well.
“Where has he been those two years? "
“Why does it matter? "
“Norah, we live in a time where you have to post on Facebook you went to the toilet. Something had to have happen. " Emma was intent on finding out what this gap was about. And who this hot lion, now known as Richard, was “They have a band together. " that was fast. Emma opened a picture showing Ben playing a black Les Paul and Richard sitting behind a drum kit, both of them looking like they're having the time of their life “That must be the best friend he talked about. "
“A human telling the truth, who would have guessed. " Norah still didn't like him.
“Something must have happened in those two years to change his mind about anthros, I just know it! " Emma was pretty satisfied with her detective skills and wanted to find out as much as she could.
“Well, do your work Sherlock, I got karate practice. " Norah looked at the clock on her phone “And I'm gonna' be late. " she looked at Emma who was deep in research. Norah suddenly whistled loudly and yelled “TAXI! "
Norah managed to arrive in time and changed into her white gi and began her warm-up. Her trainer Itachi, a Japanese red weasel, was watching her and the other students from the sidelines. Once Norah and the others were done, Itachi divided them into groups and took Norah, his best and most prized student, for special training.
“Are you ready, Norah- chan? " he asked the canine and took a firm grip of a punching bag.
“Yes, sensei. " Norah bowed and took a fighting stance.
“Hajime! " Norah's kick came as fast as a lightning bolt and hit the bag with such force that Itachi took a step back “Excellent! Another! " Norah wasted no time and kicked again. And again. And again and again until suddenly… “Yame! " Norah's leg was mid-swing when Itachi released the bag from his grip and it caught Norah unprepared, slamming into her and dropping her on the floor “Benjamin-san! "
“Benjamin-san? " Norah asked aloud, rubbing her sore behind “Oh please God no. " sure enough, Ben was running towards them dressed in his white gi with a 4th dan black belt “I can't believe this. " first PE, then music class and now her karate?
“I'm sorry, Itachi-sensei. " Ben bowed respectfully “I was- “ he noticed Norah sitting on the floor “Norah? " Ben extended a helping hand which she smacked away.
“Don't. " Norah said menacingly and got up by herself.
“Norah-chan! " Itachi scolded her but she paid no mind to her sensei.
“And it's Miss Jones to you, Mr. Bennett. " she growled at the human.
“We're all equals her so call me Ben. " he wasn't the least bit fazed by her behavior.
“Equal, huh? " Norah grinned “Then how about a sparring match then, Ben? "
“You will apologize at once or- “ Itachi was cut off by Ben's arm on his shoulder.
“It's okay sensei. " to Norah's surprise, Itachi said no more “I'll continue with her training. " the canine's eyes almost popped out.
“Who do you think- “
“Alright. " Itachi simply nodded and Norah was about to pop a vein.
“You can't be serious! " everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the scene unfolding.
“I am! And you will show respect for this great man- “
“Great man? What is wrong with you? " Norah's anger was reaching the point of exploding and pummeling everyone into the ground.
“SILENCE! " Itachi yelled out making everyone but Ben flinch. As small as he was, Itachi had a booming and commanding voice “Your anger and emotions have always been a problem, Norah-chan. You will control them or you will be banned from my dojo! "
“Like I said, it's okay. " Ben tried to calm the situation “Besides, I need a good sparring partner. Maybe she's up to the task. " Ben was teasing the canine who began laughing.
“Up to the task? I'm the best student here! "
“Humility at zero I see. " Ben was pushing it.
“Why you- “
“YAME! " Itachi cut in once again “You will settle this in a sparring match and that is final! "
“Fine! " Norah stomped away to the center of a karate ring and began putting on her gloves which were tucked beneath her brown belt.
“No gloves. " Ben said with a smirk.
“Good. That means it'll hurt more when I hit you. " she threw her gloves away but then Ben put on his “You just said no gloves. "
“I'm a guitar player remember? Gotta' keep my fingers pretty. " he said it as a joke but Norah knew he thought his punches were too strong for her to take. But she was tough, she could handle it.
“You think I can't take a punch? " Norah growled in anger “Don't mock me! "
“As you wish. " Ben just shrugged and took off his gloves and tossed them aside. They approached each other in the center with Itachi between.
“I want a nice, clean spar. You understand? "
“HAI! " they both exclaimed. Itachi put his right arm between them.
“First to win three points wins! Yoi! " the two took a stance “Hajime! " as soon as Itachi removed his arm Norah threw the first round-house kick with her right leg which Ben easily avoided by taking a step back. Norah was known for her speed and for Ben simply avoiding her kick caught everyone by surprise. But that didn't discourage Norah as she continued her assault. As soon as her foot landed she did a back-spin round-house to the head with her left leg that was once again avoided by taking one step back. Norah gritted her teeth in anger and began a barrage of kicks that forced Ben to use blocking techniques. Their match was followed by all the students being in awe of their skill. But so far, no kick connected.
“You need to slow down. " Ben said between blocking.
“SHUT IT! " Norah continued as before.
“Concentrate. Look for an opening. " Ben pushed away one of her high-kicks with his arm and had a clear shot “Like this! " Norah barely had time to react as a front kick flew towards her. She managed to evade it by twisting her body to the side but Ben had another opening. He coverted his front kick into a quick side kick to Norah's stomach and the canine was sent to the floor. Ben pulled back his power from the kick but it still hurt the canine as she held her stomach in pain.
“Yame! " Itachi stopped the fight “Ichi! " he raised his right hand towards Ben, showing he won a point. This round received an applause from the audience. Norah got up and glared at Ben.
“Lucky shot. " she growled out and took a fighting stance once again as did Ben. Itachi was once again between them.
“Yoi! " the nodded “Hajime! " Norah wasn't the least bit prepared for the incoming round-house to her head that scratched the tip of her maw.
“Pay attention. " Norah interpreted Ben's helpful tips as taunting and grit her teeth.
“SHUT UP! " Norah quickly retaliated with a combo of fast kicks but none connected. Once again, ben found an opening and did a sweep kick that sent the canine to the floor once again.
“Yame! Ni! " Ben got one more point and Norah quickly got up. One more point and he won. Norah couldn't let that happen “Yoi! " last chance to turn things around “Hajime! " this time no one moved. They were staring each other down As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. Norah thought and was following Ben closely I have to wait for an opening. The problem was, there were no openings. Ben's skills were so much beyond her own he was ready for anything she could throw at him He won't beat me just like that! Norah was determined but there was only so much she could do. Nevertheless, she went for it with fire in her eyes and power in her attacks. Ben was doing good up until a point when Norah found an opening Now! Norah launched a simple front kick that just barely grazed Ben's left side.
“YAME! " Itachi suddenly cut in to stop the fight.
“I had him! " Norah was enraged “Why did you- “ she then noticed Ben on his knees, his hand pressed over the spot Norah grazed with her foot just seconds ago. To her and everyone's horror, she saw the white gi going red and a few blood drops on the floor “Oh my God… " she covered her maw in shock. She never injured anyone in a sparring match with her claws, Norah was extra careful to always cut them short since they would be very dangerous in this sport.
“I'm fine. " Ben said with a strained voice “Old wound. "
“I'm so sorry, I- “ as much as Norah despised him, she didn't want to hurt him. Well, at least not make him bleed.
“It's not your fault. " Ben said with a smile as he got on his feet “May I be excused? " he looked at Itachi who nodded.
“Of course. " Itachi looked at his students “Jason-kun, go with him. " a cheetah morph nodded and followed Ben to the locker room.
“Sensei, I- “ Norah began, sounding sorry, but Itachi interrupted.
“I do not know why you hold such anger and hatred towards him, but trust me when I tell you, Benjamin-san is one of the best humans I got the pleasure of knowing. " Itachi never looked at Norah who began feeling ashamed of herself “Not many know this, but he is a true hero. I should know, I trained him in Afghanistan. " Norah looked at Itachi in disbelief.
“You mean… "
“The wound you just re-opened he received whilst saving my life. " after hearing this Norah wanted the ground to open up and swallow her “A sniper bullet aimed for me went right through Benjamin-san. " Norah went pale under her fur “I know of your hatred towards humans and I also know the reason behind it- “ norah shut her eyes as bad memories suddenly filled her mind “-but like I said to Benjamin-san years ago, don't judge a book by it's cover or you could miss out on a very good book. "
“He said the same thing to me today… "
“Did he? It would appear I taught him well. " Itachi said with a smile.
“I have to go and apologize. " Norah quickly ran after Ben. She never thought she would be apologizing to a human, not after what happened to her. Norah despised the human race so much she had to resist the urge to rip their throats. That was why she was so furious when Ben was announced as their new teacher. Then she started having fantasies about him after wrongly connecting the dots and her hatred grew even more. But after hearing about him saving Itachi's life her rage almost disappeared and was replaced by sorrow. She reached the boys locker room and burst in.
“Ben I'm- “ she saw Ben sitting on a chair without his top, the wound still bleeding and Jason standing there with medicinal alcohol and bandages “Ew… "
“It's not that bad-OW! " he winced when Jason applied alcohol to clean the wound.
“Look, I just wanted to apologize for… You know. " Norah couldn't look at him from embarrassment.
“Jason, I think I'm good. You can go back to training. " he said to the young cheetah.
“Are you sure? " the young boy asked uncertain.
“Positive. “ Ben gave a reassuring smile and Jason left, leaving the two alone.
“If it's you apologizing for the wound, there's no need. It happens a lot since I can't sit still. " Ben said with a smile and resumed cleaning but winced again when the alcohol touched his wound “If it's your general behavior I'm all ears. "
“Not gonna' happen. " Norah crossed her arms defiantly.
“Thought so- OW! Damn this burns. " Norah rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“Let me, you big baby. " she took the cleaning tools from him and quickly cleaned the wound, applied the bandages and it was done “There. " she looked at Ben who was smirking “What? "
“Nothing. "
“What's so funny? " Norah was glaring at him once again.
“You helped me despite how you feel about humans. " Norah went red under her fur “I was sure you were going to disembowel me. "
“Oh shut it! " she slapped his wound causing him to cringe in pain “This doesn't change anything. "
“Awww. And here I thought I found a new friend. " Ben smiled ear to ear, a smile that Norah found adorable and she blushed once again.
“Don't push it. "
“Sparring partner? "
“Punching bag is more like it. " Norah still felt the pain from his kick on her stomach.
“Yeah, I got carried away a little. " he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“But you were still holding back? "
“Well… "
“I knew it! You don't think I can handle it, do you? " Norah was offended by his assumption. After all, she was tough as nails.
“No, no! I'm sorry I doubted you! " he waved his hands defensively “I promise, next time I won't hold back! " Ben still had that irresistible smile plastered on his face and for some reason Norah couldn't stay mad at him anymore.
“You better! " Norah pulled him up by his arm “Now come on! Training is still in progress. "
“Yes, ma'am. “ Ben saluted and Norah rolled her eyes.
“Oh would you shut it already! "
Training was finally over and Norah was ready to go home and rest. She needed to clear her head from all that's happened today. Emma was waiting for her outside the dojo and drove her friend home. Norah didn't speak a word of what happened during training and listened to Emma's theories on Ben's two year absence. Once she finally got home Norah took a relaxing bath and turned on computer. For some reason she just had to go to Ben's Facebook page. It's like today gave her a completely different view of him.
“What do we have here? " Norah clicked on a video, the thumbnail showing Ben holding his black Les Paul.
“You ready? " Ben could be heard asking his band mates “One, two, three! " she saw Richard on the drums and an unfamiliar brown bear on the bass, and another human playing guitar who looked surprisingly a lot like Ben. The song was All the Small Things by Blink182, but the lyrics were… Different. She could hear Ben sing, with a very good voice to her surprise “All the… Small things… " then the other guitarist cut in “Like your… Small dick… " Norah snickered at the altered lyrics “I'll take… One lift…" then a cut in again “Viagras… The trick… " “Always… I know… You'll be… At my show… " Norah patiently waited for the cut in since she saw the other guitarist grinning mischievously “Watching… Waiting… " and it happened “And masturbating… " then the guitarist took over “This is so fun, I will soon cum, you can not run, I shoot like a gun!" and then the entire band sang the simple “na, na" chorus before bursting into laughter. Even Norah had to laugh at their silliness. After the laughter died down Ben got his act together “Let's get serious now. Okay, Master on three! “ Richard did the countdown and what followed was the most epic cover of Master of Puppets Norah has ever heard. The sound, the voice, the solos, everything was top-notch. Norah was so immersed in the song she didn't notice her tail, once again, swaying lightly side to side. Maybe this human wasn't so bad after all.
A/N
And there you have it, the second chapter of Seven days for love. It's been a year since the first chapter got released so I thought it was time to continue.
So, as always, I ask, did you like it? Did you hate it? Leave your opinions in the comments or PM me. Either way, I appreciate feedback. I feel like I got a little dark in this chapter and revealed some things too soon. Then again, I write with my gut feeling. I just go along and see where it takes me. It's all very spontaneous really.
See ya' next chapter!