FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter Seven

By

Furry Sith Lord

I went home and told the whole story to Jennifer and she was happy until I told her what Fen Ju said. It then turned into another battle as she called my foster mother and the two of them were shouting. I just wanted to watch some television and forget the whole thing but Jennifer kept walking in and out of the living room as they were arguing.

Eventually they decided that Fen Ju would accompany Shinto and I as we were going to meet Baron tomorrow. This way she could judge what kind of influence the Baron would have on young Shinto. Which is what I had already suggested but for some reason when Jennifer said it then Fen Ju understood it to be a good idea.

The downside for me was that I was going to be in Fen Ju’s presents all afternoon. If I’m lucky she will be too angry to speak to me and I can ignore her and enjoy my time with the kids. The more I thought about it the more I felt that maybe Baron and Shinto would be good for each other. It could be my own personal bias, but I figured it would give Baron a friend that would not force him to be a juvenile and Shinto would be helped out of his shell.

Baran eyed us as the entire group approached. Shinto and I led the way and we were followed by Jennifer and Fen Ju as they whispered back and forth to each other. Shinto broke away from me as we got close and he ran up to greet Baron. Baron slapped him five and even gave him a brief hug like buddies do. Then he returned to staring at the women as they watched.

“What are ‘they’ doing here?” he asked

“They wanted to meet you after they heard how much fun Shinto had with you yesterday.” I replied hoping to smooth things over.

“Right,” he replied skeptically.

“Game!” Shinto cried as he took off his shirt. I heard a soft chuckle from Jennifer and Fen Ju and Baron saw the look on my face.

“Alright little man, but first you gotta say it correctly. You say ‘Game On’ then we play.” Baron instructed.

“Game On,” Shinto repeated and Baron messed up his hair making Shinto ecstatic. Baron was playing basketball today with my foster brother and once Shinto picked up on it we did a really good job of playing. He got caught traveling a few times but it was an easy mistake so no one held it against him.

I was more focused on Fen Ju and her reaction to the whole situation. She watched without displaying any sort of emotion so I had no idea what her true feelings were. The more I watched the more I was afraid that she was going to inform me later that Baron was no longer allowed to play with Shinto anymore. I was dreading this because they two of them seemed so natural together that it really seemed like a good idea that they were becoming friends. At least in my opinion.

“Way to go Shinto!” Jennifer cheered as he outmaneuvered Baron and made a basket. Fen Ju also cheered and clapped her hands but her face looked like she was forcing herself to. That was the thing about her, that she rarely seemed to enjoy things. She could put on a good front but having spent so much time with her, I knew otherwise.

“Wow, you one sick little man.” Baron said as he hunched forward breathing heavily trying to catch his breath.

“Shinto! Come here!” Fen Ju ordered and Shintro went over confused as she began to place her hands on him checking his temperature and such.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“If he’s getting sick then I don’t want him to get any worse.” She stated.

“That’s slang. Baron is just saying he is a great kid he’s not saying that he’s ill at all… although ill is also a slang term too.” I explained.

“Stop… embarrass.” Shinto said and Jennifer and I started laughing. This earned me another glare from Fen Ju and Jennifer got one also.

“Yeah, mom, you're embarrassing him in front of his friend.” I joked. Fen Ju kissed Shinto’s forehead and I slapped his butt as he ran off to play with Baron.

“That boy does seem to be doing him a world of good. He even seems more like a boy than a child raised by wolves with him.” Fen Ju remarked.

“That’s why I think Baron is a good thing for him.” I said.

“I can see your reasoning but what happens when Baron no longer is interested in him?” Fen Ju asked as she watched us sternly.

“I dunno, suppose Shinto is the one that becomes bored with him? We can worry about that if the time comes but right now they’re friends. That’s all that matters.” I said and Fen Ju nodded after a few seconds of thought. It seemed odd that for once she agreed with me so quickly. That kind of thing never happens.

“I believe we women have had enough for one day. Why don’t we leave you men to be about your business. And Mr. Baron, you will be joining us for dinner this evening. That was not a request.” Fen Ju said firmly before Baron could object.

Jennifer and Fen Ju left as the three of us watched them leave while we stood there stunned. Although, technically, Shinto was just mimicking Baron and me.

“What am I supposed to tell my dad? He’s gonna beat my butt if I return home late. He already put me on curfew after… a little incident I had.” Baron complained.

“I’ll make sure you get home on time and if you need me to I’ll try and smooth things over with your old man.” I replied.

“Well you are both old so… it might work.” Baron said and I playfully raised my hand as if I was about to strike him. He then in turn pretended to be trying to cower from me.

“No hurt.” Shinto said as he ran over and grabbed my hand to shield his friend. I then grabbed Shinto lightly by the back of his neck and leaned him in close so I could kiss the top of his head. It took him a moment but he relaxed as he understood that I was not really upset.

“Whatever, I gotta take a piss.” Baron announced .

“Piss,” Shinto repeated.

“Hey Baron, do me a favor. Take Shinto with you and make sure he knows how to piss like a normal person. I don’t want him lifting his leg because he thinks he’s still a dog.” I said and Baron had a comical expression on his face.

“Always wondered why dogs do that. Maybe they're trying to show off. Maybe it feels good… I think I might try it too.” Baron laughed and I cursed loudly. Now I had to babysit both of them just to make sure Baron did not actually convince Shinto to start lifting his leg to piss like a dog does. I was beginning to question my involving Baron with Shinto, but only on a comical level.

Baron nervously watched the clock while we waited for Fen Ju to bring the food she ordered out to us. I had whispered to Jennifer why he was getting upset and she understood. Baron was watching and starting to imitate how impatient Baron was. I had to pull him aside and try to explain things before he did something wrong, like piss off Fen Ju.

“What time do you have to be home?” Jennifer asked.

“Eight PM,”

“Seriously?! It’s like 7:30, is he gonna have enough time to eat?” Jennifer replied as she now started to panic.

“Not if mom keeps dragging her feet,” I grumbled and was tempted to go into the kitchen and tell her to speed things up.

“I’ll be right back.” she said as if thinking my thoughts and she booked it into the kitchen. About a minute or two later she helped Fen Ju bring the food into the dining room.

“Forgive the delay but delivery was slow tonight for some reason.” She said and she forced a smile but I could tell Jennifer rushing her had ruined her mood.

She had about three large pizzas, a couple of appetizers, and pasta and meatballs for herself. She was using her best dishes instead of paper plates and had probably delayed everything as she was busy arranging it on the plates. She was strict with the presentation of a meal and would not settle for a simple slice of pizza on a disposable plate.

“Itadakimasu,” we all said as we prayed over the food then Baron hurriedly began to eat. Shinto watched him and thought it was another one of their contests so he began to rapidly eat trying to beat Baron. I had to step in before they both made themselves sick.

Fen Ju was starting to get annoyed at the rush so Jennifer leaned next to her and explained that Baron had to be home before his curfew was up and get himself punished more. I hate to say it but Fen Ju seemed pleased that Baron’s parents were being strict with him. I guessed that in her mind it was what a young punk like him needed.

“When will your punishment be ending?” I asked and when Baron told us I brought up the idea of Baron and Shinto having a sleep over at my place. Baron seemed half excited but also nervous at the same time.

I was sure there was more to this than he was telling us but it could be embarrassing and let the matter drop. Plus I had to get him home because time was running out. Shinto wanted to come but I made him stay because I wanted some alone time with Baron.

“Gochisosama” We said as we ended the meal and I quickly shuffled Baron to my car. It felt weird driving with all the walking I had been doing lately.

“So… what happens now? Is this the part where you tell me to never see your brother again?” Baron asked. I could understand what he must be feeling by everything that has happened today.

“I have a question for you Baron. What’s the deal with my brother? You’ve seemed to take him under your wing and act like you’d be a good influence for him. But my question is: How do you really feel?”

“I like him. He pushes me to be better and he has this natural raw energy and wins at everything. I’m gonna beat him at something, just you watch. He and I we’re Frivals.”

“Frivals? What’s that?” I asked, wondering if it was like frenemies.

“Friends but also rivals at the same time.” he said and I nodded.

“He also needs you as a teacher, like a coach, to help him fit in and catch up. I may be his brother…” The words hit me hard that I was admitting it instead of denying it. “But you can teach him stuff I can ‘t. Which is why we both need you.” I concluded.

We pulled up to his house and his father was outside waiting. I got out and walked over to apologize to Baron’s father. He ignored me mostly and pretended to smile as I tried talking to him but I saw him glare at Baron.

“So It was my fault if he was late. Is his curfew at 8 PM, correct?” I didn’t get an answer. “Well it’s 7:58 so he’s still on time. No harm done.” I said but Baron was already gone and probably hiding in his room wondering if father was going to punish him.

“Look, who are you exactly?” he asked me gruffly.

“I work with the welfare department. Your son has been helping us rehabilitate a disabled boy. He has been doing a tremendous job that we’re thinking of taking him on full time and applying the credits towards his community service.” I lied and had a sinking feeling in my stomach that was going to owe Fen Ju some major favors for this.

“We’ll see,” he replied, then he entered and closed the door in my face.

“Well… that went well…..”

To Be Continued…