"Testing times!" Banzuke Sumo Beya part 8

"Do you wanna get a Pizza on the way ??" Mumbled Dennis as he got dressed.

"Umm.. alright, " Replied Axel, as he pulled on his jacket, " 'We taking them home ??"

"NO !!" Snarled the Badger, "Rusty's got that Designer ponce "Laurence" around, again…he said so, when he phoned, Dunno about you, but that's put me off rushing home…"

The Racoon gave him a knowing smile, "You look a bit "Green", he has to do stuff like that to stay ahead of the game, you know…."

"Yeah, I know !" Sighed Dennis, shrugging his broad shoulders, "I just wish it was like the "old days" again, I know we weren't so well off, but….Anyway, let's go, I'm starving !!"

As they headed out of the Church hall, where they practised, another Wrestler jogged up besides them, "I..Is it Ok if I walk with you guy's?"

"Sure, Bruno!, we're just off to get a Pizza…." Smiled Axel.

"Oh, wow!, count me in on that!!, Buffet deal at "Deep pan' " Notting hill' yeah ?? " Gushed the Bulldog, excitedly.

"You're not trying to "creep" yourself a place on the team are you, Bruno?" Sneered Dennis, cynically. "You'll get the same chance as all the others…Besides, Axel and me, have some things to discuss…".

The Racoon, glared at him, furrowing his brow.

Bruno wavered on the spot, "Err, of course not!, I know the rules the same as the rest of them, Best guy's get to go with you, ain't that right!!" the Bulldog defended himself.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Mate!, 'got a lot on my mind at the moment…" Sighed the Stocky Badger, apologetically.

"Pizza's the best cure for that !!" Chirped Axel, leaning across and playfully patting Dennis's stomach.

"I bet Daikonran had you an' the other's chowin' down on Chanko- nabe, didn't he…." Added Dennis, wistfully.

"Naw, he's into Pizza like the rest of us….." replied Axel, as the three of them used their tickets to get into the underground, taking the tube train to Notting hill gate.

"So what are Daikonran and some of the other's like ??" inquired Bruno, as they wandered into the half full carriage.

Dennis and Axel, told the eager Bulldog about the previous two tournaments, and about there friends, Morgan, Jasper, Ruffert, Mush…..Soon they arrived at their stop, and clambered back out, climbing the stairs, and passing through the ticket controlled gates, again.

"This way…" announced Dennis, "No hold it, we take the right exit, force of habit I guess, what with all Rusty's trips to "Retro Clothing" at no 65….."

Axel, just rolled his eyes, and eventually, they emerged on the street level, crossed the road past the cheap book shop, and several of the chain of Second hand stores which pretty much dominated, that part of London.

Arriving at the bright Yellow and Red shop front, Dennis, pushed open the swing glass door, and the Racoon and Bulldog followed him inside.

As if by magic, a smartly dressed, Italian Puma Waiter, arrived, arm's laden with large laminated menu's, "Can I 'elp, you, sir's??" He beamed, showing off his gleaming white teeth, " 'old it !!, I'sa know you'se!!, you'se those "Sumo Wrestler's" 'ave seen, you, on da TV!!, I 'ope you'se not 'ere for the buffet, maybe you eating us outta business, eh??" He affectionately teased.

"Umm, actually, yeah,.. we are….." whispered Axel, a little bashful for being recognised.

"Three for the Buffet, an' Three large Coke's, Please," Interrupted Dennis, unmoved by the waiter's banter.

"O..Of, course, Sir…" The Waiter dramatically herded them to a table, and pulled out three seats in turn, so they could sit down, "You'se is on da English team, yes?" he asked Dennis, "Where'sa your Fox Friend??, he still Wrestle with you ??" he chirped excitedly, as he scribbled down there order on a pad, and handed the receipt copy to him.

"He's a bit "Busy" at the moment……"

"You musta get me a photo of you both, to put on'a wall…"London's Sumo team eata at Deep pan'…" as he spoke he held his hand's up in front of him, like a film Director, visualising a place on the wall for it.

"I'm on the American Team….!!" Piped up Axel, starting to envy Dennis a little, for all the attention he was getting.

"Yes,Yes!!, My Friend, I'va seen yous too, on the TV, your team Wrestle real good!!, especially that Panda Captain…..You wish him luck from me, when you see 'im, I hope he kicks that Big Russians, backside, nexta time, an' get's 'is title back!!." Placing his pad, back in his Apron pocket, the exuberant Waiter, span on his heel, to fetch their drinks and plates. "'Eh, Choda, Get somea more, Pizza's on, Eh !?!, We'sa got hungry customer's outa 'ere !!!" He shouted to the Chef, as he burst through the kitchen's double doors.

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

"We'd better be off to work…." Announced the Sweating Tasmanian Wolf, his concentration broken, as he glanced at the clock, on Ralph's hut's wall.

"Yeah, great work, you Guy's…." Sneered Colin, Jerking a Thumb in the direction of the small wooden shack, and Rev-head's pile of Clothes.

"Same time, tomorrow then?" Reminded Ralph, wandering alongside Bowser, "Your leg strength is really improving….."

"Thanks…" Puffed the Golden Retriever, as he rubbed the sweat from his eyes, "Do you think, Travis'll be back?….or….." he whispered.

"Naw, I don't think Col' did a very good job of dissuading him, and besides, he's pretty good….."

"That lifeguards gotta be kiddin'" Snarled Colin, helping himself to a tin of Drink from Ralph's cooler, once Rev head and Bowser had changed, and headed off back down the beach.

"Why?, 'cos he's got potential, and….."

"Yeah, shut up!, Ralphie!, he's a real limp wrist, remember!!" Rebuked the Koala, angrily, nearly spitting out his first mouthful of "Lilt" as he spoke.

"Not surprising, seeing as we're called "Team A.S.S….Australian Sumo Squad…" The Sinuous Kangaroo reminded him, sprawling out, lazily on his stripy deckchair, still clad in just his Mawashi.

"YEAH, that was that, Drongo, Sullivan's idea……."

"Errmmm, HI, GUY'S !!"

The Koala and 'Roo, jerked a little in surprise, as a Dingo emerged from nowhere.

"Alright, Mate!!" Called Ralph, cheerily.

"Yeah, wotcha' Sullivan!!, I was just " Talkin' " about you !!" Rasped Colin.

"MATE!!, If you where here, just a bit earlier, you could have practised with us!!" Called Ralph, getting up from his seat, and walking over towards him.

"I was just takin' a walk across the Dune's and I thought, I'd drop by, yeah…See, you're doing alright for new members then ??"

"We've got your Radio announcement to thank for that…but…Tell me?, what DO the initials of Australian Sumo Squad, Spell ??…" Growled Colin, as he drained the last of his drink, and dramatically crushed the can, in his large Grey hand.

"Ahhh, haa ha ha…" Sullivan, laughed nervously, "Just a little joke, Mate!!"

"Yes, VERY LITTLE !!!" Scowled the Koala, angrily.

"Pack it in!, Col' , what's done is done, alright !!" Intervened Ralph. "Hey, you wanna be back on the team??, Sully?? 'be just like ol' times…"

"Yeah, no doubt, he heard about the next tournament in Japan, an' wants to blag a bit of a free holiday…..I think they're a bit stricter on the team numbers now…." Breathed Colin, scinically.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP !!!, You're a fine one to talk!!, How many Tin's do you keep swiping from me??. They're meant for "PAYING" customers, you know!!" Ralph snapped back at Colin, in an uncustomary display of anger.

Colin wandered over to where his Shorts, Vest and Hat, lay on the decking, and delving into his shorts pocket, pulled out a Dollar, and marching back, stuffed it, in Ralph's Mawashi's "Belt".

"Hey, maybe you should take up, exotic dancin'…." Smirked Sullivan pointing to the paper note, that stuck, half way out.

They looked around, but Colin had gathered up his things in disgust, and had ducked into the Hut to change.

"Well if it isn't Australia's "Model" for Speedo's and part time Sumo Wrestler…" Sneered Jethro, as he saw Bowser approaching the path that lead to the beach front, the slovenly Platypus lent lazily against a wall, sucking on a large chocolate thick shake.

"You're a fine one to talk!!" the Red Speedo clad, Retriever, reminded him, adjusting his Mawashi, that was slung over his shoulder. "You're the one who quit, remember!!…"

"Yeah, I guess, so….Ummm, 'reckon they'd let me back on the team ?!"

"…And how much practising have you actually been doing ??…."

"HEY !!!, I'm in shape!!" the Platypus, rubbed his podgy tummy, "Wrestlers are SUPPOSED to be built like this in Sumo, ain't they ??"

"…And it WOULDN'T have anything to do with the upcoming, tournament being in Japan, Land of all your favourite Video games, would it ???"

"Weeellll, maybe just a little…." Coughed Jethro, looking, ashamedly at his feet. Bower remembered his Friendship with the Platypus, prior to his taking up Sumo, and his weight loss, and sighed, "Alright Mate, I'll have a word with Col' an' Ralph, Alright!, but I can't promise anything….Y'know, we've kind of got a New member now as well, his name's Travis,…and he's a Lifeguard…"

"..His name's Travis…and he's a Lifeguard…" mimicked Jethro, in a feminine voice, "Will you listen to yourself!!, You sound like you fancy him or something!!…and here's me, thinking it was your own reflection in the mirror, that you were in love with !!"

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As Rasputin and Valdis approached the shore of lake Ursus early that Saturday morning, a familiar voice called out to them, "Where do you think you're going !!"

Turning sharply around, they could see Maximillian, the Old ex "Iron Bear" standing defiantly by where Rasputin's dingy was moored.

"To train!!, what do you think ?!" Snapped Rasputin, a little angry at being asked such an obvious question.

"Not in the boat, your NOT !, Strip off, you two, and fling your stuff in mine!, YOU'RE SWIMMING ACROSS !!"

"B.but we didn't bring any swimming trunks…." Protested Valdis.

"HA!, You've got nothing I haven't seen before!!" Max' reminded them, "Now get a move on, or do I have to get my Cane…??"

Without any further argument, the Grizzly and Black Bear's Stripped Naked, bundled their Clothes and bag's into Maximillians own boat, and waded into the water.

"Keep a nice steady pace, the pair of you!, it's not a race!!, If either of you get really stuck, MAYBE I'll let you into the my boat !!"

After what seemed like an eternity, to the two Wrestler's, they reached the small island, and as there feet touched the sandy shore, they began, wading, exhaustingly out, and slumped down on the small "Beach",

"No time for that, you two !!, begin doing "Koshi - wari", until, you've dried out, or until I say stop….You'll thank me for this !!!" Ordered Maximillian, as he landed his boat, and climbed out, onto the shingle.

"Shinko ??" Questioned Valdis, half shivering with cold.

"Deep bends, remember!?!" Barked Rasputin, legs opened straight out, and squatting his pelvis as low as possible, then relaxing and repeating, Valdis watched him for a moment, then obediently copied.

"I've been reading up a little on your sport on the Internet!" Announced the Old Bear, producing a dilapidated old Laptop from his Fishing Tackle box. "You both know of the upcoming Tournament in Japan, I take it ??"

"Y…ES !!" Grimaced Rasputin, through clenched teeth, the Muscles in his leg's beginning to feel the strain, "We've both…got in..vites….!!"

"And you're going to keep that heavyweight title?, aren't you ??"

"O..Of…Cou…se !!" Breathed the Grizzly, as he spoke Max' walked around behind him, placed both hands on his shoulders, and grabbing hold, JUMPED UP !!.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING !!!" hissed Rasputin.

"You can't do it with his Ol' Bear's weight, on your back, eh?, maybe you'll not keep that title after all, your Bamboo munchin' "Friend", will take it back!…" Max' whispered, lazily into the Naked, muscular Grizzlies ear.

Angered by what he just heard, Rasputin, doubled his efforts, " 'And you can stop smirking, Valdis….maybe it'll be your turn next !!"

Swallowing hard, the Stocky Black Bear, composed himself, and continued with the exercise.

"Alright!, that's enough, both of you!, dry the remainder of the lake water and sweat off, and get "Mawashi' ed up" Barked Maximillian, sternly, clambering down from Rasputin's broad back and shoulders.

The Two of them fetched there back packs from the nearby boat, and gratefully did as they had been ordered, then began wrapping themselves in the lengths of Cotton material, as Max busied himself with the rest of the contents of his small boat. "Start Wrestling, as soon as you're both ready, I'll see if I can catch us something to have with our supper….Valdis, you're responsible for the stove and the cooking again!, alright !!"

"Err, Yes, Sir…" the Black Bear called back, as he tied the knot, behind his back that secured his Mawsahi, tightly in place.

"I've told you before!, there's no need to call me "Sir", young Cub !" Beamed the Fisher Bear, as he unfolded his small fishing stool. "I'm "Pushing" you both, so you'll do better in the tournament that's to come, that's all!!, I had a Coach do the same for me when it was "My time"….But he's dead and buried now….too bad, as I'm sure he'd have done a lot better job, than I can…"

"Don't say that !" murmured Rasputin, as he readied himself to take on his sparring partner, "There's hardly anyone, I'd let order me around….I've still got a lot of respect for you, I idolised you as a Cub, Remember!"

Maximillian nodded his thanks, sadly "Yes, but those day's are gone…."

"What's wrong?, Si..er, Max ??" enquired Valdis, meekly.

"Oh, nothing…" Sighed the elderly Bear, gazing at his Laptop, which lay on the ground beside his stool, "I just wish I was going with you, I guess…,

I don't think they pay for Coaches to go, at least the web site didn't say anything about it….."

"CRAP !!" Spat Rasputin, "Show me !!"

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

Heading back out of the Pizza restaurant, Bruno said goodbye to Axel and Dennis, and headed home. "Guess we should be getting back, ourselves now" sighed Dennis, glancing at his "Parappa" wristwatch. They walked the short distance to their Victorian Terrace house, and as they approached the steps, the front door opened.

"Oh, Hel-lo, you two, I was just leaving….Rusty, Sweetie, those roommates of yours have returned…."

Dennis rolled his eyes around in his skull, his worst fear was confirmed!, It was Laurence!, the tall slender Afghan Hound, with the Gold rimmed spectacles perched on his Muzzle, and who's foppish clothes, and every word and mannerism, just screamed "Fashion Designer".

"Yeah, Hi !" Dennis fiened a polite greeting as best he could, and shuffled past him.

"Did you practise 'til late then?" asked Rusty, with slight suspicion, as the four of them headed into the sitting room.

"No, we just got a Pizza, 'didn't want to come back early and disturb you!, besides we had to discuss the upcoming tournament with one of our promising students…." Growled the Badger.

"You REALLY must let me "Shoot" you sometime!!" squealed Laurence, excitedly, "All that primal, pent up aggression, I'm sure…."

"BANG !!" Dennis held two fingers up, like a pretend Gun, and pointed it between the Afghan Hound's eyes.

"AHH HAA HAA HA HA, Really, you're SUCH a tease!!, I can see why Rusty's SO found of you !!"

"And how about you, Sweetheart!" He turned his attention to Axel, "I bet you look just EDIBLE in one of those Loincloth thingie's that you wear !!"

"Mawashi's, They're called "MA-WASH-I'S" Corrected Dennis, Dryly.

"Yeah, whatever!" he turned back to Rusty, "Look, call me, OK, I've got plenty here to be getting on with…." He patted the "Design folder" pinned under his arm, "I'll see myself out,…'Bye all !!"

Rusty flashed a disparaging look in Dennis's direction, as he politely escorted Laurence to the front door.

"Look, I don't want a row, OK, you have NO idea, how exhausting it is, trying to work with him…" Complained Rusty, removing his Japanese style Suit jacket, and hanging it on the back of a nearby {Reproduction, Charles Rennie Mackintosh} Argyle chair.

"Really, I thought it would have been, "Absolutely Fabulous!" Sneered Dennis, reaching for the TV remote, and turned it on "Axel and myself, are exhausted too, you know, having to train, EXTRA hard, for the tournament that's to come…."

"Oh, Yeah!!, Lay it on thick with a trowel, why don't ya !?!" Pouted Rusty, "You know I'd much rather be Wrestling with you Guy's…But I've got to entertain the likes of him to keep "Thistledown" ahead of the competition."

"So you keep saying!" Axel reminded him, "But couldn't you schedule a meeting for ANOTHER night ?!"

"Bah, there's CRAP all on TV, as usual!" Dennis flipped through a few channels, then switched it back off in disgust. "I'm about ready for Bed, who's with me??"

Axel's eyes darted between the Fox and the Badger, unsure whose side to take.

"Yeah, Ok….let's hit the sack, eh….??" Breathed Rusty, giving a sigh of relief.

"And…DON'T go thinking having…"I'M SORRY", Sex, will make up for it!!" Growled Dennis, glancing back over his shoulder to the Fox, as he headed back out the door, to the foot of the stairs.

"Huh, knew I shouldn't have turned, Lawrence, down…." Whispered Rusty, deliberately loud enough for him to hear.

"WWWWWWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh, come on!, he's as bent as a Nine bob note!, maybe more than the three of us put together…Turned him down flat!, he's just not my type…."

"G..Glad to hear it !!" Harrumphed the Badger, as the three of them strolled upstairs to their large bedroom.

"Yeah, he's all skinny, seriously camp and effeminate…. Stereotype city !!, I prefer them a bit more butch and muscular….oh, I don't know, a bit like a certain Badger and Racoon, I know….Hey!, Laurence had his eye on you, Axel !!"

"Urrrgghh, don't remind me !!" whistled the Racoon, as he began to undress beside the seriously large, triple bed. "He gave me the creeps a bit !!"

"Yeah, he is a bit much, he really does my head in, sometimes……" Rusty Replied as he unbuttoned his shirt. Dennis had already stripped off, and clambered into the palatial Bed, "Won't be long now, 'til we'll be warming the bed, with Dai' and Co…." Beamed Dennis, playing with his large cuddly "PJ Berri" Plush, he'd picked up off the floor.

"Are you still "in" with us, then ??" Axel asked Rusty, innocently, as he climbed into the Bed beside the gleeful Badger.

"I guess so, I'd like to be, only….do you think it's fair…on the other's who've been training so hard, while I've…."

"SO, You don't want to….." Interrupted Dennis, angrily.

"Let me finish, sweetheart!" Whispered the Fox, lifting back the duvet, and wrapping an arm around the nude, burly Badger, "As I was saying, I'll take on each of your other student's in turn, at your "Finals", to decide who's going to be on the team…..Does that sound fair ??"

" 'No argument's there !!" Announced Axel, it was a flawless plan!.

"Well, alright…" Replied Dennis, softening under the gaze of his two bed partners. "But if you throw the bouts or anything, I'll kick your ASS !!"

TO BE CONTINUED