"Rengo – Geiko" Banzuke Sumo Beya Series 3 Part 17

A thunderous clap of hands, caused the arguing Canines, to turn around,

Rev - head seized the opportunity to make himself scarce.

"German and American teams, yes ??...... I've to keep an "Eye on you" !!, Mr Kuma tell me about "Your Practice"... Last year....."

Knall, Shlank, Randell and Lyro, all turned and gave the wrinkled Shar-pei, an abhorrent look.

"Yeah, what of it ??" Sneered Randell.

Mr Yamamoto, said nothing, he just blinked his beady eyes, calmly drew back his large right hand, and cuffed the Grey Wolf across the back of the head, nearly knocking him to the floor.

"AAaahhhh, WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR !?!???" Protested Randell, straightening himself, and glaring angrily at the newcomer.

"You not act as one of your rank should !!, you are undisciplined....If I had taught you, it would be altogether different...."

"You're talking in riddles !!" observed Lyro, thinking out loud, instantly he got an equally hard slap to the back of the head from the aloof Japanese Dog, who stood his ground, proudly, clad in his elegant Yukata {Robe}.

" 'Should have zeen zat, comin' !!" Smirked Knall, Mr Yamamoto span around to confront the two German's, his arm's held behind his back, he rooted them to the spot with an icy stare, unblinking, unweilding, unmoving.

The Rottweiler and Doberman, swallowed briefly, they knew the Dog meant to strike them, but when ??, the seconds seemed like minutes.....

"Hi...Guy's....." Gasped Rev head, a little exasperated, as he approached the small group of practicing Australians.

"Oh, if it isn't "Sleepin' Beauty" !!" Snarled Colin, "Your "Mate" Magilla didn't have any trouble gettin' 'ere on time....."

"MORITA !!" corrected the Tasmanian Wolf, "Yeah, an' I'm sorry if I wasn't here bang on time.....I didn't sleep so good, 'things on my mind....."

"WARM UP !!" Snapped the Koala, as he stood ringside, with Ralph, scrutinizing Bowser and Travis, as they fought each other continuously. "Once you're ready, you’re fighting one of them....or ME !!....."

"Do you fancy doing some, "Butsukari-geiko" ??, while we wait ??," Asked Ralph, his hands, resting idly on his ample Mawashi "Belt"

"Gekko ??" Colin screwed up his face and large nose in surprise

"Y'know, the one where you run against me, I dig my heel's in, an' you shove against me, to build up your legs an' stuff...."

"Ohhhh.....THAT one !!, yeah, alright then...."

"We REALLY should start using the "Proper" Japanese names, for the exercises and that, you know......" Whispered the Kangaroo, as he quickly limbered up, "We've kind of neglected too, back home......"

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

"Right, who am I up against ??" questioned Jasper as he completed his brief "warm up", stretching his leg's and then got to his feet. "Tonneau !" replied Dennis, gesturing simply, towards the ring, with a jerk of his head. The squarely built Bear to wandered across, to confront his first opponent of the day. The St Bernard stood a little nervously, waiting in the centre of the ring, this was to be his first time against a "Bear", who were almost "Built" for Sumo, with their natural size and strength. As Jasper reached the shikiri-sen line, he squatted down again, limbering up with a few more, quick "koshi-wari's". Fixing his eyes on his opponent, as he'd been taught, Tonneau lowered himself down, opposite, to confront him. "One of your "New students" then, Dennis ??" the Polar Bear, glanced across at the Badger. "Yeah...., and the Weasel, over there, Dai's "Taken a shine" too..." snorted the Badger, trying not to let any pride in them show too much, and go to their head's. "You'll "Call" it then ??" added Jasper, flashing a brief smile to both Dennis, and the Wary St Bernard.

"HATTCHOI !!"

Tonneau threw himself at the Polar Bear with great gusto, which the Bear, hadn’t expected, but grinding his teeth, the more experienced, Jasper, made sure he had a good steady footing, and lunged his hand’s forward, clenching a tight hold, on his opponent’s, Mawashi "Belt"…..

As Tonneau, fought Jasper. Syd was resigned to fighting Rusty, who'd he'd been up against a few times before, but he couldn't help glancing across at Tonneau. "Come on !!" snarled Rusty, as he crouched down, behind the shikiri-sen across from the slender Weasel, "Concentrate on your OWN Bout !!". For once, Syd didn't answer back, this was VERY real now and it was happening to HIM !!, the sights and sounds of the large room full of Wrestlers from all over the World, practicing, washed over his senses. It was VERY different, to the little, London church hall he was used too, images of Bruno, Marlon, Ringo and several of the other Londoner's who hadn't "Made it", drifted through his mind. He'd overcome ALL the lightweights in his rank, back home, so he could be here now...... Everything the others had been saying, and the seriousness of it, suddenly fell into place, like a Ton of Bricks.

"Are you alright ?" asked Daikonran, gently, as he waited to start the Bout, "You look a little...."

"I....I.I.I...I'm Fine, Sir....." shuddered Syd, "Thing's have just "Sunk in", a bit now,.....That's all....."

"Give him a few seconds......" The Giant Panda, suggested to the impatient Fox. "It's better it should "Happen" now, rather that at the "Basho" tomorrow, the pair of you do some "Koshi-Wari" for a minute,...... Syd, let me know when you're ready....."

"I DON'T BELIVE THIS !!" wailed Rusty, throwing his arm's up in the air, in despair, but did as the Panda, suggested, knowing not to question his superior knowledge…..

"HATTCHOI !!!" Barked the Giant Panda, and the Fox instinctively flung himself, at the startled Weasel. Syd had to compose himself in a fraction of a second, grimacing, as he strained every muscle in his slender body, resisting the Foxes, "Shoulder" charge on him, as they flailed about, Syd desperately reached down to grasp his opponents Mawashi.

"You wouldn’t be allowed time to compose yourself, in a "Real" bout !!" called the Giant Panda, as he watched, outside the ring, "You’d be just expected to get in the ring, bow and FIGHT !!".

"You’re really a great Teacher, Dai’…." Observed Dennis, "I can’t believe your "Sumo "Summer School", never "Happened"….."

"Well, according to Morgan, I was "Too strict on them" my Friend…" the wizened Panda, replied, wistfully, "It seems only your Team, and the Australians have had any "New" members, or any "Real" interest…".

As they spoke, the Fox and Weasel continued there onslaught against each other in the ring, but Syd never really recovered from the "Surprise" attack, and was eventually, thrown out of the ring, to land in a discourteous heap, at the chattering pair’s, feet. "GET BACK IN THAT RING, SYD !!" ordered Daikonran, sternly, as the crest fallen Weasel, hauled himself up, "You’re fighting, Axel next !!". "Get ‘im, Ax’ !!" called Dennis, to the nearby Raccoon, who promptly, swaggered into the ring, to take a place behind the Shikiri-sen, opposite Syd, before the Weasel had much of a chance to recover. "It’s called "Sanban".." Daikonran called out, but loud enough, so Tonneau could also hear, "We’ll have you fighting continuously, until your legs give out from under you, or you FAINT !!".

In the ring opposite, Tonneau, was still battling valiantly against, Jasper. Both of them were dangerously close to the edge of the ring now. Lowering his hip’s, Jasper strained at the large Dog’s belt, lifting him, with brute force, up towards his chest, and then, bending back, slightly, twisted and tossed him out of the marked ring. Tonneau screwed his eyes tightly shut in disappointment and frustration, and sighing under his breath, nodded a slight bow back at the victor, which he, duly returned, "RIGHT, Decker !!, You're up against him, next !!" Ordered the Polar Bear, to one of his own "Students", pointing to where he'd just been. "QUICKLY, before he catches his breath !!", Decker had also been limbering up, as the bout had been taking place, but now it was to be his turn, to have his "First bout of the Day", not to mention his first fight against an unknown opponent.

Tonneau took his place back behind the line, gasping for breath, bent forward with his hands resting on his knees. Now he was to fight a TIGER !!, he tried not to let any prejudgment cloud his thoughts, a bout was a bout!, and all he was expected to do, was "plow" his opponent out of that ring, the type of Fur he might be shouldn't really matter, or come into it....

Decker, had been sizing up his new opponent, both while he had been fighting his instructor, and the short instance, they had been in the ring together, they looked to be a even match for size and height, but….

"C’mon Deck’..SHIKIRI… !!" Jasper, encouraged him, realizing he’d been lost in thought, the rugged Tiger, lowered himself down, and the pair of them, readied their fists, ready to strike the ground, when….

"HATTCHOI !!!!!" Boomed, Jasper, as he watched, ringside.

"Right, no nerves, this time !!" announced Axel, boldly standing where Rusty had, only half a minute, before, "You're fighting me this time, Syd !!, CALL IT DAI' !!". Quickly, drawing breath, the Weasel resumed his place near the centre of the ring, as the Raccoon took his, just opposite. "HATTCHOI !!" Barked the Giant Panda, who stood ringside. The two of them, clashed ferociously. Axel seized Syd’s belt, firmly with both hand’s, yanking it up sharply, and continued his forward momentum, barging at him, with his plump round belly. Syd felt his feet getting closer and closer to the edge of the ring, and so, steeling himself, he lowered his hips, countering the shorter Raccoons onslault. Heaving him up a little way, towards his chest, bending back slightly, and twisted to one side, aiming to toss him out of the ring. Just as, Syd thought, victory was his, Axel yanked himself, in the opposite direction, the surprised Weasel’s grip loosened, and with a few Tsuppari {Slapping + Thrusting}, Axel hammered him, out of the ring.

The Tiger and St Bernard, were deadlocked, in the centre of the other ring, their strength was pretty evenly matched, and both panted for breath, each straining against the other, as neither gave an inch. Decker began to sense Tonneau was weakening, slightly. So breaking the grip, Decker drew back, and aimed a few hard Tsuppari thrusts, at the large Dog’s chest. His mind reeling, Tonneau fought to keep his position, but the Tiger, kept up his onslaught, with grim determination. Tonneau held up his right forearm, blocking Decker’s attack, and in that brief instant, daringly ducked down and whipped in behind the large feline. Tonneau threw every ounce of his body weight into charging at the Tigers back, but seeing it with his peripheral vision, Decker stepped deftly out of the way, like a bullfighter, and the St Bernard’s own momentum carried him out of the ring. Tonneau sighed to himself, and once again got up, and bowed in acknowledgement to the one that had beaten him. "Not bad…." Snorted Dennis, stepping into the ring "But he could have easily whacked you on the back, when you ducked down, to get in behind him….". "I’m Sorry !" Insisted Tonneau, "Please, forgive me, I promise I won’t disappoint you….", he pleaded. "DON’T interrupt ME !!" Boomed Dennis, {attempting to be more like Dai’}

Tonneau shuddered, and straightened, like a soldier on parade.

"Well done !!" Cooed Jasper, to his student, "BUT don’t let your first victory go to your head !!, what Dennis said is true, it is essential to get your opponent down, as quickly and as swiftly as possible, the LESS time you spend toying with each other in the ring, the better…". Dennis meanwhile, had ordered the St Bernard to fight against him, and the heavy hearted Dog resumed his position, ready to take on his own angry instructor.

Mush was the next lightweight to confront the sweaty Weasel, stepping grimly into the ring, the Black and White, Husky, nodded a quick nod, towards Ruffert, who’d take his place next. Arduously Syd, hauled himself to his feet, and tottered over to resume the tachiai position, once again.

"HATTCHOI !!" barked Ruffert, after a dramatic pause. The Husky and Weasel clashed, Syd screwed his eyes shut briefly, as the seemly endless amount of opponents was beginning to take it’s strain, and colors has started to dance in his vision. The sharp yank on his Mawashi belt, instantly brought the thin, wiry Weasel to his senses, though…

Just then, a rather bewildered looking Polar Bear wandered through the large double doors, into the practice area.

"Are you here for the Sumo ? " Asked Mr Kuma, gently, as the Bear, clad in one of the hotel robes, looked apprehensively around.

"I was wondering....would it be alright, if I just stood quietly on the "sidelines", here and watched,..umm...."Sir" ??"

"Oh, let him stay !!" Fawned Dr Zhou, intervening, "We're all stood around, watching, what harm can one more do ??"

"I agree,.." added Maximillian, "Although you ARE staying here at the Hotel, I take it ??...."

"He's right, I'm afraid !!" Added Mr Kuma, curiously, " 'Can't very well, allow "anyone", in "off the streets....."

The Polar bear in question, showed his 'room key, which hung from his robes, "Belt", "Well, I've just come from the Hotel's "Public Bath", Sir, which explains why, I'm dressed like this........."

"Oh, I thought maybe you were pretending to be a Wrestler, so you could "Sneak in", and get a "Free show"......" Teased Max, half meaning it.

"Well, Truthfully, I'm over here on a business trip........." Announced the Polar Bear, "But I would be lying if I didn't say, I was a fan of the Sumo...what a "Coincidence", I managed to "Time" my 'trip, and end up staying at the same Hotel, as the Wrestlers......"

"Vvvveeeerrryyy "Smooth" Dr Zhou purred his "approval".

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

"Are you coming to get some breakfast then ?..." Sighed Ruffert, noticing, the diminishing number of Wrestlers, after an hour or two ....

"NO, We should stay and Practice, HARD !!" insisted Mush, glaring at the crestfallen German Shepherd, and determinably marched back into the ring, expecting him to do the same, "Or ALL that we've been working for over this past year will be LOST !!" he spat,...as he slapped his hand on his chest, waiting for the other Dog to attack him.

Ruffert's mind and heart, were elsewhere, and he just shook his head sadly.

"WHAT'S GOT INTO YOU ?!??" Snarled the Husky. but his anger quickly ebbed away, as Ruffert's soulful eye's betrayed him....

"Is it Randell, and those others.....??" he added, his voice changing to a gentle whisper, as he stepped back out of the ring to be close to him.

"Yeah....I..I....I guess so, I've been watching them, since they entered the room, those German's are desperate to lay into them, by the looks of things....but that Japanese Shar - pei, is keeping them in line...."

"He's terrifying !!" admitted Mush, "I guess they called him in, after last

years punch up..... But, look..... both of us, are likely to meet them in the ring at some point.... So we can't AFFORD to be scared !!"

"That Shar - pei isn't in our Weight class, anyway......" muttered Ruffert, avoiding the subject, "Anyway, I think he's an instructor or something, from what I've heard the others saying....."

"It's really in our best interest's to stay, you know..... your friend, Daikonran taught you the importance, of watching your opponents Wrestling Techniques, so you can figure out how to......."

"Yes, I know...... it was a lot "Simpler" when, it was just, Morgan, Dai' and myself......." sighed the Alsatian, glancing wistfully across at the light Brown Bear, who was busy practicing with the British team.

Syd swayed on his feet, and fell to his knees, after losing count of the bouts he’d been ordered to compete in, "I...I can't.....take much more of his......." he gasped, nearby, his teammate Tonneau was also on his "Last legs", putting up little resistance as Morgan bundled him out of the ring.

"That's an admirable amount of consecutive bouts !!, you've both done VERY well !" beamed Daikonran. "T…Th..ank…y..ou…S.ir !!" gasped Tonneau, trying to maintain, his usual polite air, despite his thick mahogany colored fur being matted with sweat, and his tongue hanging out, through sheer exhaustion. Syd was too busy trying to draw breath, and keeping himself from fainting, so he just nodded his head, in a passable bow. "BACK TO YOUR ROOM, and hit the showers, the pair of you !!" Ordered the frowning Badger, "Then go get some Breakfast, and RELAX !!, I’ll see you both later I expect, but the rest of the day, is pretty much up to you, to do WHATEVER you want…BUT, use your time wisely !!" advised Dennis, "And DON’T let us, catch EITHER of you getting into trouble either !!" Cut in Rusty, "THAT MEANS YOU, SYD !!" he added, pointedly. "D…dun’t wurry a’but ME !!" slurred the Weasel, slowly and painfully getting to his feet, "I’ll….b’ too KNACKERED t’ DO anyfink….".

"C’mon, "Rocky"…." Panted Tonneau, placing a weary arm, across the back of the Weasel’s shoulders, supporting him, and helping him to "Walk".

"Huh, g’d one.."Doodles" !" Gasped Syd, as the pair of them, swaggered over towards the exit.

"Dai ??" Rusty wandered over to the Giant Panda, who along with most of the other’s watched the new Londoners, wobble towards the door, like young Cub’s learning to walk.

"Yes?, what is it, my Friend ??", the Large Black and White, Bear, replied, kindly.

"Do you think you could loan me the "Top floor" key ??" he whispered, sweetly, winking one eye.

"Of course !!" beamed the Panda, "I’ll be staying here, for a while longer yet though…"

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

"Come on, I'll introduce you to "My" Student's....." Max announced proudly, grasping the startled White Bear by the arm, and eagerly leading him across the room, as the morning’s practice was slowly drawing to a close.

"RASPUTIN !!, VALDIS !!" Barked the elderly Bear, as he approached them. The Grizzly and Black Bear, turned on their heel's, upon hearing their names. "I'd like to introduce you too....."

"....That, Canadian Polar Bear, yeah I've kicked his Ass, before ..." mumbled Rasputin, wearily, as he wiped himself, with a towel.

"NO !!!, he's a "Fan" from Norway !!!" Roared Maximillian.

" 'Sweat was in my eyes..... " the Grizzly excused himself, "Sorry", he added, to prevent Max' from whacking him with his cane.

"We're both VERY tired !!" Whined Valdis.

"NOT too tired to show some MANNERS, "Cub" !!" insisted the Old Kodiak Bear, scowling, angrily at the pair of them.

"Pleased to meet you, .....", The Sweaty Black bear, reached out his hand, to shake the hand of the apprehensive Polar Bear.

Max's beady eyes, turned to Rasputin, expectantly, "...And THIS is, "Rasputin", the Current Heavyweight champion !! ...."

With a poorly disguised snort, the formidable Grizzly dropped the towel he'd been using, unceremoniously to the floor, his massive pectorals, and muscular chest were now on full view, as he took a step towards him. The Polar Bear's eyes went wide like saucers, a mixture of admiration and fear.

Pointedly, the Grizzly stuck out his hand, waiting for the quavering Bear to shake it. After a moment's hesitation, the Polar Bear nervously did so...

"Rather a "Weak", handshake, you've got there..." joked Rasputin, relishing the fear he had over the other Bear.

"HOLD OUT YOUR RIGHT HAND !!" boomed Max, instantly he produced his trusty cane, as lashed it with all his strength, across the Grizzlies open palm. Rasputin winced in pain, unable to hide it, as he'd like too. "THAT is for your lack of respect !!, Bob is here on Business, who's to say, he might have wanted to sponsor you or something !!" blurted Max, angrily. Realizing his mistake, Rasputin, humbly bowed his head. "NOW YOU APOLOGISE AT ONCE !!!". Rasputin obediently did as he was told, and Max continued, this time it was aimed at both his student's, "Don't EVER let me catch either of you, with "That attitude" EVER AGAIN !!, I DON'T care HOW tired you might be.......!!" brandishing his cane, the elderly Bear continued, lecturing them, "Don't EVER pre- judge someone like that !!, you made that "Mistake", with me, until you realized I was a former "Iron Bear", Didn't you ??" The newcomer had backed away, while this was going on. Noticing this, Max lowered his voice to a whisper. "One person, who I'd advise you to show the utmost respect too, is that Shar-pei I've been in the company of, over there.....He's a local "Oyakata", no less !!"

"What's that ??" asked Valdis, curiously.

"Well, young "Cub", that is "Your Homework" for tonight......." replied Max, reverting, to his more pleasant self, "Now, the pair of you are excused. Get some Breakfast, eat well, and relax...you have a big day ahead, tomorrow !!, I am very proud, of how you both have practiced today, DON'T think, I've taken my eyes off either of you for a second........."

"I don't doubt that !!" mumbled Rasputin, picking his towel off the floor, with a half smile.

"Nice to see a "Familiar face" joked Jasper, as the Norwegian Bear wandered past.

"Oh, "Hello"....." He breathed, nervously turning to the Canadian, who was also a Polar Bear, like himself, "I was just being introduced to the Russian team, until they "erupted", and I thought it was best if I......"

"I've noticed you speaking with my Father, are you a Wrestler then ??" Questioned Daikonran.

"Ahhh....." choked the Polar Bear, "You're......"

"Daikonran Kuma" Announced the sweaty Panda, with a polite bow, "....and this is my Opponent "Jasper".......I'm afraid you're more than a little late, as a lot of the Wrestlers have now left to get Breakfast, or to rest......"

The newcomer just gazed at Daikonran and Jasper, dumbstruck, his jaw just gapped. "I....I'm sorry.....It's just........"

"Whatever's the matter ??" asked Daikonran, gently.

"I'm not here to Wrestle,....I..I...I'm staying at the Hotel, and I'm a Fan of the Sumo....So I....."

"Came to watch ?" Jasper finished his sentence for him.

"Yeah !!" The other White Bear steeled himself, overcoming his nervousness, "The "Stewards" at the Door, said it was OK....."

"We could give you a quick "lesson", if you like....." suggested Jasper, "Sure there's a spare Mawashi lying around here somewhere...."

"WHAT !!!!!" Wailed the other Polar Bear.

"He said he wanted to "Watch", not "Compete", Jasper !!, Honestly, you're almost as "Bad", as me........" Daikonran, replied light heatedly.

"N....No, that would be a Great "Honor"..." The Yukata clad Bear, bowed mechanically, to the pair of them, "You're my Favorite Wrestlers....."

"....And I thought you liked "Rah, Rah..."Rasputin", sang Jasper, his arms folded across his chest, pretending to be "Hurt".

"Well, their Trainer introduced me to them, they're as "intimidating" as they appear on screen,... "

"Oh, they’re not so bad, Rasputin is really just a bit quick tempered…." Whispered Daikonran, "That can either be his strength or his downfall… Have to admit, I "Do" kind of get a bit of a kick, out of when he "Flares up" and I just talk back to him in a normal voice……" he rambled, {Deep down he had a certain respect for the Russian, as he was a worthy opponent.}

"I can't understand how he beat you last time though..." The Polar Bear asked him, simply, as he gazed admiringly at him.

Daikonran rolled his eyes, and let out a soft sigh, "Sumo bouts can be over in a few seconds, as you know...I guess I lost my focus for that brief instance, last time... My mind was elsewhere....."

"But you're going to BEAT him this time, AREN'T YOU ?!?!!". pleaded the "Fan"

"LOOK, WHAT I'VE FOUND !!" Called Jasper, he'd been and fetched a spare Mawashi while the two of them were talking.

"You're such a "Bully", Jasper.....We don't even know his name, yet....."

The Polar Bear, shuddered, "I'm.. Sorry, my name's Sven Boowray, but most Fur's call me "Bob", I'm from Norway..... and, I'm "Really" here on business....."

TO BE CONTINUED…..