"Mune wo hatte, ago wo hiite!"

Banzuke, Sumo Toshiyori, Part 12

"My offer to go to the top floor of the Hotel Metropolitan tomorrow when practice is over for the day and you’ve finished your chores still stands you know….we don’t have to….y’know’…..we can just talk !".

The giant panda’s softly spoken words from several hours earlier echoed around in Morgan’s half-conscious mind, making him restless and he fidgeted uncomfortably on his futon as he tried to sleep on the Beya floor.

"You gonna invite Ruffert too, so it can be just like ‘The good ol’ days’ ?" he’d snarled back, angrily…all his feeling of betrayal bubbling to the surface, as he knew what a trip to the private Jacuzzi obviously implied. "Sure…..Why not…..if that’s what you want !" was the simple consoling answer, "Sure…..why not…..if that’s what you want !…. sure…..why not…..if that’s what you want !..SURE…if that’s… what… YOU want !!!".

The brown bear woke with a start as the haunting words reverberated around in his mind like an eerie scratched record, he gasped for breath as he sat up. Looking around in the dim morning light he could see the rest of the slumbering students in the Beya all asleep in their own futons, communally, in what was soon to become their training room. He could make out Ruffert fast asleep, with his small plushie Human ‘Mannie’ nuzzled up close to his face. Morgan’s drifting mind flashed back a few years to that time when he’d first ‘slept over’ at the Kuma Motors factory's basement Gym, and seen Ruffert asleep with his beloved puppyhood plush…and the time only short while ago when Hikari had tried to belittle him for it…only to be scolded by the Oyakata - Mr Yamamoto for doing so…..".

"Mor-gan ?" groaned the German shepherd, as he slowly opened his eyes, and noticed the bear gazing down at him, "Wh..what time iz it…" he slurred, still half asleep.

"Ist very nearly da time to ve getting UP !" came a heavy German accented voice from nearby, as the burly Rottwiller rolled over in his bedding to face the pair of them.

"Uuuuggghhh….another day at ‘Pat sharp’s fun house !" groaned Dennis, referring to an old English ‘Cub’s TV’ show, as he reluctantly threw back his futon cover and idly scratched his chest, "Where’s me…Mawashi ?".

"Where you LEFT it !" moaned Jasper, who was in the futon next to him. The Polar bear rubbed the sleep from his eyes and wearily gestured to the untidy bundled length of cotton material, between them.

"Crikey, keep it down, you lot !" snorted Colin, "Some of us are still ‘alf asleep!".

"It’s a wonder any of us have learned to sleep through YOUR snoring !" rebuked Valdis, who had already got up and was beginning to wrap himself in his mawashi in readiness for practice.

"Yeah, it almost puts Kakera - Sensei's to shame !" quipped Lyro.

"You get USED to it…." Sighed Ralph wearily as he threw the futon back, and fumbled around until he laid his hand on his lengthy mawashi.

"Oh, DON’T stick up f’ me, Ralphie !" pouted the koala as he began to put on his own, some of the others had already finished and were just tying the flat knots at the back.

"I DON’T have too !" beamed the lithe kangaroo, "You’re MY ‘Tsukibo’ remember ?".

"Ahhhh….don’t remind me !" snarled the moody koala, dismissifully as he fumbled about tying his mawashi, as the others where putting away the bedding and Lyro was sweeping the dohyo floor in readiness for both of the instructors arrival.

What's the matter, buddy ?" Jasper whispered to Dennis, as he noticed the badger sereptisiously gazing at the crack of light emanating from the gap under Hikari's door and faint strains of D.D.R game music coming from within, even though it was still really early in the morning. " 'Think he's 'got it in for you' a bit….does it bother you ?". the polar bear whispered.

"Nah…not really…I guessed the instructors would be a bit bullying in order to get us 'mad' an' bring out our fighting spirit….or too 'weed out' those of us not dedicated enough to Sumo who 'couldn't take it'…..".

"Yah !, vut none of us 'gone home' wiv…how you say?….'tail between legs'……." Chipped in Knall, slapping his tan furred broad chest, proudly.

"I think it's like… he sees me as some kind of threat as he sussed out I played Rhythm/Action games when he turfed out my bag when we first got here…like 'English Furs can't dance' or something ". The Badger finished what he was saying to the Polar bear, but acknowledged the burly German heavyweight with a grin and a nod.

"We've all got Morgan to thank for leading us here !" smiled Ruffert, cheerfully hoping to lighten to the sombre mood.

"Thanks Ruff' !!" snarled Morgan, glowering at him " 'Like EVERYONE needs remindin' !".

"Awww, not ve so HARD on, Roof-felt……" rumbled Knall, as he wrapped a heavily muscled right arm around the startled alsatian's shoulder and yanked him towards him in a kind of playful hug, "Ev'ery vun come here of zere own free vill….not ALL blame you !….took lot of gut's do vhat you did an' make za first move……".

"You really think so ?!" gasped Morgan, not realising that was what was thought, although the REAL reason was only really known to Morgan and his closest friends.

***********************************************************

With one deft manoeuvre the muscular German shepherd span his slender opponent out of the ring, where he stumbled to the ground at the feet of the two other on-looking wrestlers.

"On your FEET !" spat the canine, as he stood victorious in the centre of the ring, at the Church hall in London’s Notting hill gate where they trained every weekend. Syd groaned, and the mawashi clad weasel wearily hauled himself to his feet.

"Ok, Bruno…’your turn against Syd this time…." continued PC O’Brian, in a kinder tone as he beckoned the bulldog into the ring marked out with masking tape on the wooden floor to take his place behind the Tatchai line.

"Urrghh…this TOTALLY sucks…" protested Syd as he staggered back into position, drenched in sweat " ‘You tryin’ to kill me or somethin’ ??…You’ve ‘ad me fighting bout after bout after bout…..".

"Would you rather run laps of the hall ?" snarled the police physical education instructor in a matter of fact tone as he rested his hands lazily on his mawashi belt and gave him a haughty look.

"Umm…No….!" muttered Syd, knowing any further complaint would give the police dog the prefect excuse to order him to run laps.

"That Japanese/American panda wasn’t as bad as this slave driver !!" Syd thought to himself as he adjusted his mawashi, stalling for time so he could catch his breath a little. "I bet it isn’t so bad for Mr Brock over at that Japanese Beya either…..’Can’t wait fer ‘im to get back an’ show ‘PC Copper’ who REALLY runs an’ set up this club……".

"C’mon, weasel dick !" taunted Bruno, as he was half crouched behind his half of the tatchai line and ready to go, "I’m waitin’ to kick your ass again….".

"If I wasn’t so knackered, you’d be the one….." the lithe weasel started to rebuke him, Bruno had got annoyingly cocky and overconfident since he knew he was the one the Police constable favoured.

"That’s enough, Syd…..’save the jaw flappin’ for those American TV wrestlers eh ??" hissed PC O’Brian impatiently.

"HEY, ‘e’s the one who started it…..!" Syd pointed an accusing finger at the bulldog, who’s facial expression turned to a ‘Who me ?’ look of pure innocence.

"Ten laps…GO !!" barked the alsatian, "Tonneau, you come an’ take on Bruno, ‘Son’….". The burly St Bernard stopped practising his koshi wari [deep knee bends] and wandered across to take Syd’s place. Syd scrubbed his sweaty face with his hand in disbelief and with a weary sigh started to jog around the perimeter of the church hall, even though his feet felt like lead weights.

***********************************************************

"Ohayo….." grinned Kakera, the massive grey furred rodent as he emerged from his room clad only in his amble mawashi in readiness to supervise the heavyweight ranked wrestlers

Morgan, Valdis, Knall, Ralph, Jasper and Dennis stopped chattering amongst themselves, turned in his direction to face him and all bowed humbly to their instructor. Kakera acknowledged them all with his usual elegmatic smile and a quick nod of the head type bow. "Sound as if Hikari is too much enjoying his playstation to be joining us…" the rat retorted as the usually prompt akita didn’t emerge from his room on time as he had done. "Dennis, be good and go knock on his door to be reminding him…..".

"But….." gasped the badger, knowing the Japanese canine pretty much had a grudge against him.

"Huuummmm ?!!?" the gigantic muscular rat glowered at him with his beady eyes for daring to question his authority.

"I’m not one of his students……" Dennis quickly added with a cheesy, nervous grin.

"It’s OK, Sensei….I’LL do it !" Lyro eagerly volunteered.

"NO !, I asking Dennis to do it !!" insisted Kakera.

Suddenly there was a heavy pounding on the thin wall beside the door to the akita’s room. "Hikari !, stop playing!, turn game OFF !!" roared Mr Yamamoto angrily "Is time you be taking your class, they all out here stood waiting !".

There was an audible groan from inside the room, and a clattering sound as the joypad was distastefully tossed to the floor, and a finger angrily jabbing the off button of both the console and the small portable TV set. The wrinkly shar-pei then turned expectantly to his students, who all bowed respectfully to the elegantly robed Oyakata, Mr Yamamoto duly returned it with a curt nod.

"Yamamoto – Oyakata, I not expect you up so early….did we wake you ?" mused the heavyweight instructor.

"No, Kakera…I expecting visitor shortly…. please just continue teaching as normal……".

The giant rat nodded another quick bow, and turned his attention back to his students.

"Thanks……" Dennis hissed to Lyro for offering to wake the akita, "Hikari’s really got it ‘In’ for me…..".

"Me too…..’think he thinks I’m a wuss…." Added Ruffert, "Or I’d have offered….I’d better get to our practice ring, 'bet he’ll be fuming when he comes out…..", and with that the mawashi clad alsatian wandered over along with Lyro, to join Colin.

"You always wasting time playing ‘Cub’s’ Computer games !" the Oyakata admonished Hikari as he emerged, still adjusting his mawashi.

"But they good for helping with reaction times, Oyakata….." protested Hikari, "VERY important in Sumo as you know !".

"Always quick with excuse, like teenage son…… IF I hear you moan like that again when I call you……" The staward shar-pei drew back his right hand as though he was going to strike him for his insolence.

"Forgive me, Oyakata…please…it’s just I missed ‘beat’ when you called…..". The muscular retired wrestler just rooted him to the spot with a withering stare, awaiting further explanation. "In the game….musical ‘beat’…meaning, I miss chance to beat my personal best score…." gushed the akita, feeling himself blush with embarrassment beneath his fur.

"I hearing any more insolence from you, and as I've said before…game machine take flying lesson into nearest bin !" snarled Mr Yamamoto, wagging a stern finger at him. "Now, GO teach class !".

"Yes…..I’m sorry !" Hikari apologised with a gulp, as he nodded a bow to his superior, the stable master. As he turned to go, unbeknown to Hikari, the others could see a rye mischievous smile spread across the wrinkly Oyakata’s face. As he took his place on the raised platform at the end of the room and sat cross-legged on a zabuton cushion where could oversee everyone’s training with his ever critical eyes.

***********************************************************

"Oh…I’m sorry…am I interrupting something ??" cooed a surprised female figure as she wandered into the hall, "Only I thought it was the Church Jumble sale today….".

"No, It’s tomorrow I’m afraid….’Think there’s a poster stuck up somewhere!" PC O’Brian replied, as the curious onlooker wandered inside, something had caught her eye…..

"Cooeee..SYD !!" she called waving frantically to catch his attention, as the weasel was dragging his heels on this ninth lap of the hall.

"Aww fuck !, it’s me Aunt Beryl…." Syd wished the ground would swallow him up as he caught sight of his mother’s oldest sister ambling towards him.

"Just WHAT are you doin’ running aroun’ the Church hall in your UNDERWEAR ?" demanded the shocked elderly weasel, "What would the parishioners say if they saw you, or the Vicar come to that….?".

"But ‘e KNOWS, Auntie…." gasped Syd, feeling himself blush with embarrassment beneath his short fur "We practice our Sumo here every weekend…..didn’t my Mum tell you ??".

"I remember her sayin’ ‘you went t’ Japan for some Wrestling competition…..".

"The Vicar gave us his express permission to train here, and we all make a contribution for the use of the hall…." breathed PC O’Brian, wearily folding his arms across his large pectorals.

"Really, and who might you be ??" hissed Syd’s Aunt, suspiciously.

"Police Constable, Mike O’Brian… I train newcomers to the Police force an’ this lot in Sumo ‘For fun’…an’ to keep them off the streets of course !"

" ‘E’s a poet, an’ he didn’t know it……!" quipped Syd, "PC O’Brian is filling in fer Mr Brock an’ Mr Preston while they’re away, Auntie…."

The ruggedly handsome alsation glowered furiously at the weasel as he said that. But before the fuming canine had a chance to respond, Syd’s Aunt spoke again "OH…are they the Badger an’ that American Racoon ??…. I’ve heard the Vicar say some very complimentary things about them….umm….well, I’ll leave you males to your wrestling then…".

"Thank you…..we’ve just about finished for the day actually, so if you’ll excuse us…..".

"O…of..course, Constable…" squeaked the female weasel, beginning to feel a bit intimidated by the near naked police dog. So she took her leave to go, as they obviously wanted to change. "Bye Syd, say hello t’ your Mother for me…oh, let me grab a kiss from my favourite nephew before I go….". Syd involuntarily shuddered, and stood stock still as if paralysed by fear as his eldest Aunt came over and gave him a big kiss on the side of his short muzzle, making his embarrassment complete!.

"I’m surprised she didn’t give you a ‘tongue sandwich’…" taunted Bruno a few minutes after the frumpy female weasel had left. As the four of them dried up their sweat as best they could with towels [as the church hall didn’t have showers] and began changing into their normal weekend clothes. "Could have been worse…." Added the police dog, pausing for comic effect "Your Aunt could have asked if you needed your Nappy, changed !!".

"Yeah, whatever…" snorted Syd, dissmisifully as he hurriedly dressed, eager to go, "C’mon Tonneau….let’s….".

"Just a minute, Syd…I’ve got a text message on my ‘mobile…." rumbled the St Bernard in his deep voice, holding his cell phone in his massive hand and scrolling through the message pressing the button with his thumb.

"WOT !!" yelped the weasel, "You NEVER told me you ‘ad one of those NEW mobiles with the color screen an’…."

"Built in digital camera….." added the St Bernard, completing his sentence from him as he replaced the phone in his jacket pocket.

"Gizza GO !!" pleaded Syd like an excited School Cub.

"Maybe later…." Tonneau dissuaded him, he regarded Syd as an annoying ‘Cub’ most of the time anyway because of the way he spoke and behaved. Normally he wouldn’t give someone like that the time of day, but because they where on the same team, he had little choice.

"You know, ‘Son’ I hope you’ve utilised all the security features on that ‘phone, pin number and the like….’in case it should get lost or stolen".

"I have, Mr O’Brian…. and I’d prefer it if you didn’t refer to me as ‘Son’….", the normally quiet, scholarly St Bernard frowned at him.

"I…" gasped the police constable as he was buttoning up his shirt, "I had no idea it bothered you… I kind of call some of my students that back at the ‘Cop shop’…… I don’t mean anything by it….".

"I’d prefer if you just used my name….." Tonneau hissed in an icy tone.

"Sure, I’ll remember that…." Blustered the alsation, "See you next week then…"

"GGrrrrrr, that German shep’ cop gets right on my nerves !!!" snarled Syd, as he walked towards the underground station with the large St Bernard.

"Yeah, it’s PRETTY obvious that he’s ‘got it in for you’ as you would say….." mused Tonneau, thoughtfully.

"Fer REAL !" snapped Syd, "D’you think he just wants an all canine team, like ‘e’s ‘Speciesist’ or sumthin’?…. I gets the impression dat ‘e’s tryin’ to piss me off, so I’ll leave. But I’m not playin’ THAT game !!, we’ve already lost Ringo an’ Luca…an’ Marlon had to move….." gushed the weasel in a stream of consciousness.

"Go left here…." announced Tonneau, as Syd was about to take the stairs to Notting Hill Gates underground station. "That text message was from Mr Brock’s flatmate….".

"Rusty ??".

"Yes, he’s asked us to stop in after practice to help him with something….".

"Ways to get rid of that glorified Police/P.E Teacher ??…bet he wants a full report….." Syd grinned evilly as they walked the short distance to the Victorian terrace house.

"Come in, you two…" the well dressed fox had seen the weasel and St Bernard approaching and met them at the front door, and he usurered them into his sitting room. "Charles rennie mackintosh furniture….VERY nice !" whistled Tonneau admiringly as he caught sight of the room décor.

"Reproduction of course !" beamed the fox, delighted that Tonneau had recognised it, "Although it’s not exactly built for comfort I have to admit…".

"Anyway….wot did you call us ‘ere for….." sighed Syd, unmoved by the Arty high backed chairs, "Only that Copper has REALLY got it in fer me now….’Dread to think wot it’ll be like when Mr Brock gets back…".

"Yessss…I kept meaning to come around and have a word with him about who really runs the club, but I’ve been busy with ‘Thistledown Fashion’ as usual…and I’ve sort of been stuck in the house today as I’m waiting for a delivery…..".

"Why, is someone ‘avin a CUB !" joked Syd, in his usual jovial manner.

"No, I’ve ordered one of those Multi Gym set ups for the basement as a surprise for Dennis when he gets back, and Axel….".

"Is Mr Preston coming back too then ?" Tonneau beamed with delight.

"Yes, he only went back to visit his Parents and brothers for a bit…they got all ‘Heavy’ with him, persuading him to stay in the ‘States….but his minds made up and he’s coming back here practically the same time as Dennis does !".

"GREAT !, then we can all gang up on those darn canines…..ermmm ‘don’t mean you of course, Tonn’…Bruno an’ O’Brian I mean…..".

"Yes, I DID kind of guess that, Syd…." sighed the St Bernard, dryly.

"What is the problem exactly then ?, he just couldn’t take you two being in charge…..?? he seemed perfectly amiable to me when I met him once" asked Rusty, his muzzle twisting slightly in surprise.

"Look, ‘e just TOOK OVER !" reiterated Syd, "An’ now it’s like me an’ Tonneau against Bruno an’ that copper….Bruno’s gotten really cocky an’ gobby as well……".

"SOOOO unlike anyone we know….." fawned the St Bernard, sarcastically.

"Leave it out, mate !" spat the angry weasel, but just then the sound of the front door bell silenced them, the delivery van had just pulled up outside.

***********************************************************

"WELL….what you all stood staring at ?!" roared Hikari, venting his anger on his students "Warm up 'Shiko'….BEGIN !!". The angry akita sternly took the lead, "I expect you ALL do one hundred with NO slacking or sign of weakness". Kakera's class were also engaged in the same ritualistic stamping exercise, which would soon be followed by Koshi wari, Suri ashi, along with several other gruelling exercises unique to Sumo before moving on to the inevitable practice bouts once they were all drenched in sweat, weary, and gasping for breath. Eventually the time for Sanban [Elimination contest] came around, allowing most of them to catch their breath or snatch a quick drink from the drinking fountain between bouts

"I wonder who THAT is" whispered Morgan, a little surprised Mr Yamamoto would allow someone in, to watch their early morning practice. A spectacled mole dressed in a shirt and chinos and wearing a grubby apron was ushered into the training area, as the shar -pei had wandered to answer the door to him. "Don't you remember the Oyakata saying we where having a visitor yesterday……when we where all eating….." replied Dennis, as they all watched Knall desperately trying to hold his ground against the massive Kakera in the Sumo ring.

"Ummm, no….I was ‘Out back’…..".

"Yeah, I’ve been there too….’Mate’…….." joked Ralph as he overheard them as he took a drink from the nearby water fountain, Valdis was wearily leaning against.

"EH ???" gasped Morgan.

"I was joking !" sighed the sweaty, Mawashi clad kangaroo, who had been the hefty rat’s previous opponent.

Morgan nervously checked his Mawashi as he was due to take on Kakera next. He'd missed out on that announcement as he'd hung around on the back porch of the Beya, struggling with his feelings for Dai'…

"So whats it about, Dennis…." Whispered the bear to the badger.

"Well….." Dennis started, but at that moment they where interrupted by….

"You ist NEXT !" panted the defeated Knall, as he wearily sloughed over to where the others were standing. The rottwillers fur was sleek with sweat and he jerked his head back, gesturing to the fat but muscular grey rat stood expectantly waiting in the middle of the ring behind one of the tatchai lines. Sighing softly to himself, Morgan strode over to confront him.

As he watched the light brown bear take his place opposite the Heavyweight instructor, and crouch down in readiness. Dennis sensed Hikari glowering at him from the edge of the other practice ring reserved for the Lightweight class, where Lyro was wrestling Ruffert, while Colin watched intently. The powerful akita beckoned the badger over with a menacing, curling finger.

"WHAT have I been told you about chatting like female School Cub ?, ‘Bemani’ badger !!" he snarled, once Dennis was in earshot.

"Umm, Not to….. But I hardly said….".

The akita drew back a muscular arm and smacked the hapless badger across the back of the head, "You WANT bring dishonour on Shokoku Beya, and Oyakata Yamamoto ???" growled the statuesque Japanese canine, "Be SILENT and attentive, watching every move made in ring is way you’ll learn…..How many times you need be told !? ".

"I’ll SHOW you a few moves !" muttered the wounded badger to himself under his breath. The lip of the akita’s muzzle drew back into a nasty snarl, as he’d obviously overheard him.

"And WHAT that mean !?" the Japanese canine growled with distain.

"HIKARI !" snapped Mr Yamamoto, who’d been patiently watching in the background along with the mole "He not even in your class, let Kakera discipline him….unless you having personal problem with him…??".

"N…no..Oyakata…" quavered the Akita, to the stable master who’s keen eyes missed nothing.

"Colin !" barked Mr Yamamoto, to the koala, whose thick grey fur was matted with sweat.

"Umm, yes Oyakata - Sensei, Sir…." gasped Colin.

"You go helping bring in stuff from Megane's vegetable truck….Seems as if Kakera choose you as 'second in command' in his kitchen…..".

"I know soon as I set eyes on him that he appreciate good food !" chimed the overweight rat, poking his own podgy stomach and jerking his head towards the koala who also had a bit of a gut on him. " ‘Never be trusting a thin cook !".

"Ummm, thanks…I think…", Colin wasn't sure weather to take it as a compliment or an insult as he swaggered across to follow the mole back outside.

"Do you think THAT'S who the visitor is supposed to be ?" Jasper whispered out loud to his fellow wrestlers, as he spoke another mole in his late teens appeared at the door way, bowed to the Oyakata and began nervously speaking to him in Japanese. Colin and Megane meanwhile traipsed back and forth with boxes of fruit and vegetables.

"Please speak English as best you can, Renjiro !, out of politeness for other wrestlers here who do !" the Oyakata calmly asked him.

"Y…yes, Oyakata….but my English it is….not that good…" the younger mole quavered as he bowed humbly to the shar-pei sumo stable master once again.

[In Japanese] "Is my Son bothering you again, Yamamoto-san ?" barked the grocer in his native language.

[In Japanese] "Not at all, Megane…..He's asked if he can train here today, He wants to do well in his College Sumo club by the sound of it".

"Can I father…please ?, umm I meaning 'Onagai Otosan ?'.." Renjiro reverted to Japanese as his Father didn't speak a word of English. The spectacled mole nudged his glasses back up his muzzle and smiled a fatherly smile at his son, [In Japanese] "Very well, be sure you do and respect everything the Oyakata, instructors and highest ranked wrestlers tell you and I'll pick you up later on the way home, later tonight…you have your mobile phone with you, don't you ?"

"Hai….umm 'Yes Father", the young mole nodded a polite thankful bow to him as Megane raised his hand to give a polite wave to the others present, he was about to go but hung on just an extra minute to see his son was settled.

"Well, Renjiro you had better quickly be putting a Mawashi on, if you want be properly warmed up before highest ranked wrestlers emerge!" advised Mr Yamamoto, kindly.

"You have other…..gashira…umm, 'High ranks' Oyakata ?" gasped the young mole in admiration, as he was eagerly beginning to undress.

"Yes, Renjiro…. Daikonran, the current foreign heavyweight champion from America….The former champion, Rasputin from Russia….and current Lightweight champion, Shlank from Germany….".

"Sugoi yo !…umm, I mean, "That's incredible, Oyakata" gasped the mole as he removed his shirt and unbuckled his belt.

"You will probably get to wrestle Shlank as he is Lightweight class same as you, and are the others over there…you will be taking instruction from Hikari…!" rumbled Mr Yamamoto as he handed the boxer shorts clad mole a lengthy cotton Mawashi to put on.

[In Japanese] "It’s just like his ‘First day at School’ all over again, isn’t it ?" Mr Yamamoto whispered gently (so Renjiro wouldn’t overhear) to the Vegetable seller as he wandered over to him, while the young mole finished changing. The grocer who had been lingering around the doorway took that as his cue to leave, and the shar-pei politely walked with him outside to his ‘Akindo’ van. Out of earshot of all the others, the shar-pei and the mole chattered comfortably in their native language of Japanese.

"Yes, you’re right of course Mr Yamamoto, I’m proud of him wrestling but I don’t want it to get to his head, it’s alright for now while he’s still at College and young….", The mole rubbed the back of his head nervously and then continued, "No disrespect, but I’m not sure I want him getting notions of ‘Sumo as a career’…..".

"That’s alright, I understand.." sighed the Oyakata, with slight disappointment, "Maybe he’ll grow bored of it or put it aside when it’s time for his final exams…but you have to be prepared for the fact he may get ‘Sumo in his blood’…..Daikonran is in a similar situation you know !. His father wants him to take his place as head of Kuma Motors when he retires, but Daikonran wants to pursue Sumo for as long as he can….". "I guess he can AFFORD too…a rich, probably spoiled ‘cub’ like that…" spat Megane with slight disdain, "But I want my son to know there’s a REAL ‘Work’ world out there…and that it’s not always ‘time for play’…umm, again I mean no disrespect to you when I say that".

"None taken…!,that’s alright, you’re a father who wants the best for his son….I quite understand, my Father was the same way…until I started winning basho’s and climbing the ranks…..eventually building this stable with my winnings…" a proud smile spread across the wrinkly Shar-pei’s face as he swung his arm back gesturing proudly towards it with a flourish as Megane climbed into the driving seat of his small vegetable delivery truck.

"Thanks again Mr Yamamoto for allowing my son this opportunity to see what it’s ‘really’ like at a Sumo stable… I guess the thought that he might want to take it up has always been at the back of my mind……he’ll be OK though won’t he?, he’s not inconveniencing you in any way?….I don’t want you thinking you have to put up with him or give him preferential treatment just because you buy your vegetables from me" gushed the mole as he nervously removed his glasses and cleaned them. "Not at all, he’s very welcome….if it wasn’t for this sudden flood of foreign wrestlers, it would just be myself, Hikari and Kakera….." sighed the Oyakata, sadly "Now, how much do I owe you ??".

"That’s alright…you can pay me at the end of the week, I’m surprised to hear that though, Yamamoto-san…..are none of them staying on to become full time students of your Beya, then ??".

"I really don’t know…." The wrinkled canine sighed heavily, "All their plane tickets will be expiring shortly, so they’ll all be heading home to their native lands pretty soon I expect…although it’s been a pleasure to have them all staying here….".

"Perhaps you should have them all around to stay before and after next years international sumo basho…..?" suggested Megane kindly, despite the elderly shar-pei’s wrinkly face Megane could see how sad and downcast he was.

"Yes,…perhaps you are right…I shouldn’t dwell on my own sadness….I should enjoy the sounds of my Beya being filled while I can…..".

"You do that !" smiled Megane, as he pushed his glasses back up his muzzle as they’d slipped down again, "I’d love to stay and chat…but if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got other deliveries to make….".

"OF COURSE !" blustered the shar-pei, "Please don’t let me keep you from your work…" and the elegantly yukata clad canine stepped back, as Megane turned the key in the ignition causing the vehicles engine to roar to life.

"Please don’t be afraid to treat my son as you would any of your students, discipline or whatever…I don’t want him having special treatment or anything……" called Megane from the van’s half open drivers side window as he drove slowly towards the road.

"He’ll be treated just the same… I expect Hikari will see to that…see you later then…." The shar-pei called out to him as the mole turned on his indicator lights, and pulled away.

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"Phew….that’s the last one….." gasped Tonneau, as he carefully placed the last box of the flat packed home multi gym on the basement floor.

"Hey, check it out…..’BMX Bandits !’…." joked Syd, as he unwrapped what looked like a pair of BMX handlebars, and comically pretended he was doing some sort of stunt on an invisible bike.

"No doubt, they are for doing chest presses with…." Muttered Rusty, as he was studying the complicated looking instructions with a slightly bewildered look on his face.

"Want me to ‘ave a look at ‘em ?" offered Syd, "I was ace at buildin’ Lego as a Cub !".

"Y’ still are….." muttered Tonneau, thinking out loud.

"WOT !" snarled the Weasel defencifully, as he put the handlebars down.

"Look, no disrespect…but I thought maybe you’d learned some maturity and discipline when we where over in Japan…remember your incident with Daikonran Kuma….??".

"Yeah, he gave me the ‘wedgee’ t’ remember, pickin’ me clean off the floor by me Mawashi like that….." snorted Syd, acting indifferently as he busied himself unwrapping another box.

"Sound’s like you had ‘Fun’…", smiled Rusty, lost in his private recollections of his own experiences in the company of Daikonran and his other friends, "Maybe the pair of you should have stayed in Japan to train, with them…..".

"Oh…Y-E-A-H……" Syd rolled his eyes, "Bet it’ll be worse than bein’ in da ARMY….".

"I wouldn’t mind…. maybe when I’m a bit more experienced in the Sport of course…." Mused Tonneau, as he rooted around for the pieces that made up the basic framework.

"Umm…yeah, that’s sorta wot I meant really…." lied Syd, going back on his previous sentence. "When we’re better at it an’ stuff….".

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Back inside the Beya, Hikari had already had the stocky mole hurriedly warm up and he was wrestling Colin while Ruffert and Lyro watched.

"Put your back into it, koala !!, Renjiro just walked in from street and is holding you off….!!" Snarled Hikari angrily as Colin desperately struggled to hold his position behind his tatchai line as the mole had a tight grip on his Mawashi and was leaning heavily into him.

"Perhaps you should…know…I on my College sumo….team !" panted the mole as he was beginning to sweat heavily, the beads of perspiration making his sleek black velvety fur glisten.

"SILENCE !! just push him down and out !!" Hikari roared impatiently. "I want students of mine be like bolt of lighting coming out from behind tatchai line, blinding flash…..and opponent blasted out of ring !!". Grinding his teeth, Colin quickly tried to change tactics, but Renjiro deftly countered him and span him out of the practice dohyo.

"How is the new student, Hikari ?" asked Mr Yamamoto as he wandered past.

"Huh…he’ll do !!" snorted the stern, muscular akita indifferently as he stood overseeing them with his hands resting lazily on his hips "Now, Ruffert in ring against Renjiro….!!" he snapped.

"He only beat me, ‘cos I’m knackered…." Colin grumbled to himself as he staggered to his feet.

"Accept defeat silently and honourably !" snapped the Japanese canine as his sharp ears overheard him. The koala swiftly bowed in the victorious mole’s direction. Fearful of retribution from the akita, thinking that’s what he’d meant. But Hikari had really meant for him to be quiet, not to make excuses and complain bitterly.

The shar-pei stable master’s attention wandered across to where the heavyweights were training, as he resumed his place on the agari-zashiki raised platform at the end of the practice room, and sat back down on his zabuton cushion, momentarily shuffling about to get comfortable. Valdis and Knall were locked in a fearsome bout, but the black bear managed to hook his right arm in under the tiring rottwiller’s arm and swung him out of the ring. The muscular German canine valiantly tried to recover his balance but Valdis shoved him squarely on the back with both his open palms and he crumpled into an undignified heap outside of the ring perimeter.

"Bad luck, Knall….’fought well !…now, before highest ranks come out, let me show you all ‘trick’ !…." beamed the heavy muscle bound grey rat with a mishevious grin as he walked to the middle of the dohyo, and waited for all his students attention. Moving his legs slowly apart sideways, he performed a perfect side split, grasping his ankles with his hands he lowered his chest to the floor. The on-looking bears, dog, badger and kangaroo all winced with discomfort, imaging how painful it must be. "Now, any of you knowing what his traditional sumo exercise called ?" asked Kakera, looking up from that position so his chin didn’t touch the floor, and then eased himself back so he was still sat in a perfect side split with straight knees. Morgan half raised his hand, the supple rat nodded at him to answer.

"Err, ‘Mata-wari’, Sensei ?".

"Yes, Morgan is correct !" announced the fat muscular rat as he dug his heels into the dohyo’s floor and drawing his ankles in towards each other slowly raised himself to a normal standing position again. "Now can any of you, do it…..??".

Not wishing to be upstaged, Hikari had took to the middle of his classes training ring, and performed a equally excellent mata wari, Renjiro copied him and with a lot more effort got the side split, but had more trouble lowering his chest to the floor. "HELP HIM, COLIN !" hissed Hikari.

"Umm, yeah…sure…Sensei….??" Questioned the koala, unsure what he was expected to do.

"Get around behind, and pushing him slowly to FLOOR !" snarled Hikari impatiently. As he sat back, still in a perfect split, "Now Ruffert, you be trying it and Lyro help….".

"I know Daikonran can do it, Sensei….but he never really pushed me to learn it, as I we use leg weight machines at the KM staff gym, and….." Morgan answered Kakera’s question, as the others shuddered at the thought they’d probably be practising Mata-wari’s any minute now.

"We cannot afford such luxury as gym weight machines here….although we have rusty old free weights out back…..so, rely on traditional Sumo exercises !, it very good for to strengthen lower body an’ pelvic area….inner thighs and such…" announced the massive sweaty Mawashi clad rat. "Now, get into pairs…Morgan you going with Valdis, Knall with Jasper, Dennis with Ralph……One try mata-wari, other help push down…then change !".

"Could be worse….we could ‘be’ with Randell !" Lyro whispered into the alsatian’s ear, as Ruffert moved his legs further and further apart inch by inch and the black wolf helped him lower his torso forwards by pushing him forwards.

"On floor, Colin !" barked Hikari as he pushed Renjiro the rest of the way flat to the ground and turned his attention to the hapless koala who was the only one without a partner.

"Umm….yes, Sensei, sir…." Gulped Colin, knowing not to give a smart-ass reply to the no nonsense akita, which would probably result in him getting cuffed across the back of the head.

"Oh no….I not want you hurting, Colin…my number one help in kitchen !!" gasped Kakera, as he strolled boldly over. "If you go tear his inner thigh muscles, he not walk right for weeks….".

"He HAS to learn….you teach own, students !!" Hikari snarled back defensively.

"Let him….!" boomed Mr Yamamoto from where he sat watching, "Koala big help in the kitchen…so if you want to eat well….You oversee Heavyweights for short while….top ranks come out training soon anyway !".

"Yes, Oyakata !" Hikari stiffened at the commandment, and nodded a quick bow to the shar-pei as he swapped with Kakera. "I see no reason, you all not keep practising this, while higher ranks warm up….. How is ‘Bemani’ doing ??" Hikari sneered evilly to Ralph, who was helping Dennis push his chest forward to the floor.

"Ummm, pretty good I guess, Sensei…." Gulped the lithe muscular Kangaroo nervously.

"Move over to badger’s left leg and move it out straight…holding knee straight with one hand and clutch hold of ankle with other !"

Ralph did as he was bid, Dennis drew breath sharply fearful of what was to come. "Renjiro, you come help…hold right leg the same!!"

"HAI !!, I mean ‘Yes Sensei’….". and the mole got up from his near complete Mata-wari and waddled over.

"I expect you feeling like chicken, now !" blustered Hikari as each of Dennis’s legs were inched into position, slowly like some arduous medieval torture. "Nnnnnnnngggghhhhhhh!!!" grimaced the English badger, biting his lip proudly, not wanting to give the strict akita the satisfaction of hearing him scream out loud against his discomfort.

"It not so bad….Well, it IS the first few time, until you used to….." cooed the black velvety furred mole in a soothing tone.

"QUIET !!, just concentrate on what you doing….." barked Hikari before Renjiro could finish his sentence. As the rugged canine spoke he wandered behind the heavy breathing, panic stricken badger. Knelt behind him, then leaning forward, pushed Dennis forward inch by inch with all his body weight. Dennis winced in pain as his inside leg muscles strained to their limits, tears formed in the corner of his eyes, and hot salty blood oozed inside his muzzle as he broke the skin from biting against his lip…but his stubborn pride stopping him from screaming out. Hikari held him in that position for what seemed like an eternity to Dennis, but was only about a minute or so then Hikari slowly released him. "Hold position as best you can for count of ten, then it Ralph’s turn !".

"Y..yesss !" croaked Dennis.

"AAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH, Me ‘nads !!" Colin’s agonised cry perforated the air from the other ring, as Kakera stood over the koala, facing him, and forcing his legs apart by walking towards him with his feet hooked inside Colin’s, and pushed down gently on his shoulders from above. "I know it hurt, but you get used to….think how it help you get lower stance at tatchai…." The gigantic rat tried to take the koala’s mind off his pain, by making comforting smalltalk like a dentist with his patient.

"I don’t BLOODY care…..!" whined Colin.

"For that, you staying down, LONGER !" spat Kakera angered by the suffering koalas protest, "Badger, he not cry out like hurt cub….!!".

Daikonran wandered into the keikoba [Practice area] and bowed in reverence to the Oyakata as was expected, closely followed by the German doberman, Shlank, and the sour faced Russian grizzly, Rasputin who both did the same.

"Ooooh they’re SO awesome !" whispered Lyro putting on a squeaky voice, as Ruffert was helping the black wolf get lower in his Mata-wari position.

"Monsters inc !…huh, good one !" the German shepherd whispered back quietly into the wolves ear as he recognised the quote, fearful that they might be overheard and scolded.

"You have joined us, just as everyone learning Mata-wari…." Announced the Oyakata as he nodded a curt bow back to the high ranked bears and dog. "It surprise me they not all learned it, but Morgan said you felt he not need too as you use weight machines at company gym, Daikonran…is this true ?" the shar-pei addressed the muscular Mawashi clad panda.

"It seemed simpler and less dangerous that way, Sensei…." Replied Daikonran in his ever calm voice, but….." with a serene smile, he slowly lowered his self into a perfect Mata-wari, with his legs perfectly straight, stuck out at right angles, "But ‘I’ can……" with that he confidently lowered his chest to the floor.

"Excellent !" the Oyakata congratulated him, "But really should warm up first…..not good to walk in and doing Mata-wari without warming up before, Daikonran… you could have gotten hurt !".

"I did limber up a bit in my room first, Sensei…but you are right of course !!" replied the giant panda, looking up at him.

"And, you two…..??" the Oyakata looked expectantly at Rasputin, who’s attention had drifted and was watching Valdis help Morgan with his Mata-wari, while Shlank was watching Jasper help Knall with his….

"Ummm, No Oyakta !" replied the Russian grizzly.

"Nein, Herr Oyakta" shrugged the lithe German Doberman.

"Well, we soon change that once you Gashira, all warmed up….!" Smiled Mr Yamamoto. "Oh….Gashira mean highest ranked wrestlers !" the retired wrestler corrected himself with a wide grin.

"RIGHT !! out of Heavyweights ring !" Hikari shooed the bears, badger and kangaroo to the edge of the room, "You continuing your Mata-wari practising there !!…. Shlank, you join Daikonran and Rasputin in Shiko’s and warming up….I teach you individually, later…..".

While they performed the stamping exercise in the heavyweight ring, Hikari and Kakera went around helping the others perfect their Mata-wari technique. As everyone was finishing, Mr Yamamoto boldly stood up and untying his Yukata’s belt, slowly peeled it away from his shoulders, until he just stood wearing his Mawashi. "WELL !?…how you all thinking I run Stable with just two others if I not join in….?!!" Announced Mr Yamamoto, as he noticed the surprised, aghast looks from his foreign students. Despite his having retired from Sumo, Mr Yamamoto still had a heavy muscular build underneath his wrinkly folds of short brown fur.

"Oyakata RIGHT !!" added Kakera, "Otherwise Hikari an’ myself soon get stale from only wrestling each other…..".

" A good stable master is not afraid to be putting on his Mawashi and get wrestling with his students…. I not one to just sit on his Zabuton cushion and shout orders…." Continued the shar-pei, who was a distinguished high ranked wrestler. "Beside… I wanted to see ‘how good’ these champions are, first hand….!".

"It would be an honour, Oyakata !" Daikonran smiled as he nodded a polite bow to the stable master.

"Humph….not until I’VE had my re-match with you, FIRST !!" snarled Rasputin. The Russian grizzly felt disgust at the way Daikonran, shamelessly creeped to the Oyakata, nothing would give the grizzly greater pleasure than to see the panda fall from grace.

Just then, the sound of a slow hand clapping caught everyone’s attention and they all looked around to see a large Brown bear, about the same age as the Oyakata swagger in from outside.

[In Japanese] " I let myself in…..So you've FINALLY come out of retirement then ?…I didn't know you where running a Sumo 'Holiday camp' for foreigners!!…."

Mr Yamamoto grabbed his yukata from the agari-shiki where it lay and pulled his it back on his shoulders and hurriedly retied it, this face twisted into a nasty snarl at the insolent newcomer.

"What are they both arguing about ?" Rasputin hissed to Daikonran as the startled pair stood there ground, "I caught the word "Gaijin" so I guess it's about us…".

"Yesssss…." The panda hissed back as he was concentrated on listening to the heated argument between the brown bear and shar-pei, "He’s from the Browrock Beya….. ‘Sounds like they’re old rivals or something".

***********************************************************

"Wow, it looks GREAT !" cooed Syd, stepping back to admire all their handiwork on the home multi gym, "Sort of like a giant Mecanno or technical Lego set really….’cept I never ‘ad one of those as a Cub, I was more into Space Lego….".

"Which would explain why you made a mess of trying to put any of it together, until we designated easier tasks for you…like handing us the nuts and bolts" Tonneau thought to himself, being careful not to verbalise what he was thinking this time.

"Fantastic !" exclaimed Rusty, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction, "I think we could all use a drink after that….what do you pair fancy ??".

"I’ll have a Coffee, please…. if it’s not to much trouble…." Asked Tonneau, the fox nodded "Milk, two sugars…." Added the St Bernard.

"An’ I’ll ‘ave a Coke if that’s alright….." piped up Syd, as Rusty turned expectantly to him.

"Umm, I might have a tin tucked away at the back of the fridge…Axel drinks it occasionally…but it’s not really mine or Dennis’s taste…..".

"Anythin’ cold an’ fizzy would be fine….. all that supervising you both wuz thirsty work…." Syd beamed his usual cheeky grin, as the others rolled their eyes in disbelief at his light hearted sarcastic white lie. Rusty headed upstairs then, to fetch their drinks. Tonneau laid back on the weights bench and gripped the handgrips on the chest press apprehensively. "Hey, I wonder what those four eyelets in the ceiling are for…??" mused the St Bernard, as he was about to make his first extension.

"Dunno, maybe he’s gunna hang a punching bag there for more Sumo practice…..that slapping exercise I’ve ‘eard about , or that thing where you do all those chest slaps when you come out of th’ Tat-chai….".

"Teppo, and Tsuppari…." Tonneau corrected him, "Keep an eye on the Gym set up for me Syd, if something falls out or isn’t put together right…I could get HURT !"

"Nah, you’ll be fine…’pair of you put it together ROCK SOLID !" insisted the weasel.

Nodding to himself, the burly St Bernard cautiously pushed up and down with the weight set just above the minimum setting.

"Sure, you don’t want me t’ spot you…." grinned Syd, looking at the dog pushing the weight up and down with hardly any effort.

"I’m TESTING it, remember…." hissed Tonneau, Syd could really try his patience at the best of times. "I’m more concerned that it actually works, and doesn’t fall apart……." After a few more smooth repetitions, the burly canine broke into a broad smile of satisfaction of a job well done. "OK Syd, change the pin setting and put some more weight on…."

"WEIGHT….that gives me an idea !!" exclaimed the weasel, excitedly.

To be continued…

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