"Hit the Drum" Banzuke Sumo Beya part 12

"Here we go again…." Breathed Morgan, as he sat down beside Daikonran, he normally paced around nervously, whilst waiting for a flight, but….

"Relax, my friend !, They will be here shortly..……"

"It's a shame, Decker an' the others couldn't drive down here, and take the same flight as us…." Sighed the Brown Bear.

"I know !" Dai nodded his solemn agreement. "But you know, we had enough "Trouble" getting him, accepted as it was……"

"No Disrespect to your Father, but what difference does it make, that he's a "Trucker" it's supposed to be the "Kuma Motors" team, after all !!"

"Oh, that reminds me. Talking of "Team's"…. Axel's back in with us, had a bit of "Local trouble", some Weasel disagreed that he'd maybe get to be on the English Team.

"I guess that seems fair enough?." Shrugged Morgan, expectantly waiting for a reply to his original question. He didn't get it, as Dai' gestured with a jerk of his head, at two approaching figures.

"Mr Honeycomb ?, Son ?…" It was the elder Panda, in question, the two Bears abruptly stood up, nodding a polite bow to him. Mr Kuma, just smiled back at them, after returning the guesture.

"I'd like to introduce you to Dr Zhou,…. I'm "SURE" you both "REMEMBER" him, from that time, I was rushed into Hospital….." he added in an icy tone. "The good Doctor's agreed to be one of our "Medics" this year, it seems perfectly logical, seeing as a lot of Wrestlers speak English, and not Japanese….."

Daikonran and Morgan, each shook the Black Panther's hand in turn, and thanked him. He was smartly dressed in a pale Coral Pink polo shirt, and neatly pressed "Gap" Khaki's. Which put the younger Bears, T- shirts and Jeans to shame a little.

"Very well, I guess we should, head over to our flight !" Announced Mr Kuma, turning and taking the lead, the others just quietly followed behind him.

"Oh, I almost forgot….." Dai' whispered to Morgan, "I've brought a few of my DVD's with me this time, so we don't have to put up with, whatever "In flight movie" they might decide to play, we can pick our own!.

"Not the unsubbed EVA movie !" Sighed Morgan, Dai' had made him sit through the gothed out, near incompressible film, before…..

"No?, well…I selected a few that have either Dubs or Sub's although it limited my choice a little…..

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Bowser wandered across the dunes, with his packed bag, slung over his shoulder. He'd decided to walk with Travis to the pier, to catch a lift with the others to the Airport. He looked whimsically down to the beach, remembering all the times they'd spent training, there was Ralph's Hut, that Jethro had agreed to look after while they where away. The Golden Retriever smiled to himself, as he could make out the Platypus, sat on the Kangaroo's deck chair, eagerly reading through some of his Comic collection, which he'd also entrusted to him, Ralph's a real straight up, easy going kinda guy…he thought to himself. As he strolled along he was soon able to make out the Lifeguard's lookout. Travis would be able to leave, just as soon as he went off duty…..Who was that with him??, a Wombat ??, Bowser had certainly never seen him before, and it obviously wasn't the next Red Speedo clad Lifeguard that was due to replace him….

The Male Wombat stole a quick kiss from Travis, on the practically deserted beach !!. Bowser stopped dead in his tracks !!, was that…..his "Partner" ??

He'd never asked, him before…it wasn't really the thing you could talk about without…..He glanced at his watch, he couldn't stand here staring!. He could either head on to the Pier and wait for Travis to arrive on his own, or go down and….. Steeling himself, Bowser strode determinedly down towards the lookout post.

"Oh, Hi Bowser,….I didn't expect to see you here….." Smiled Travis, "Hold the Fort for me a second while I nip in and change….."

Realizing that it was properly for the best, as the next guard was due on duty anytime now, the Golden Retriever just nodded.

"Catch !!" Travis playfully threw his Red Speedo's back out, hitting the Dog, squarely in the muzzle.

"Trav' you in there ??" his Replacement appeared out of nowhere, and whisking the swimming trunks behind his back, Bowser pointed sheepishly inside.

"Be out inna Second, Ror ' …..Just getting' changed…..!"

Bowser took a second to look the new Lifeguard over, he was a very Buff, formidable looking Lion, with his mane of hair slicked back and tied in a ponytail.

"Look's like you've got an' easy shift, there's no one out there, an' the Surfs as flat as a pancake…." Continued Travis, as he emerged dressed in a pair of Dark Indigo Levi's and a particularly flamboyant Hawaiian shirt.

"Wouldn't have thought "Sumo" was your thing….." mused the Lion, as he pulled up a seat so he could watch over the waves, "But give you, your due, you stuck with it…. Hey, I just saw your "Mate" Billy waddling down the Beach, maybe he should take it up too !?!"

Travis just pouted, and rolled his eyes, "Hey, I almost forgot, this is Bowser, he's on the Team with me….."

"A'right Bo' , I've seen you around, joggin' an' stuff….." The Lion gave him a mock salute/wave.

"Y..Yeah, we practice over at Ralph's…umm, look…we REALLY should be getting a move on, Travis…."

"I'll run you down the Beach, on the back of the Quad, if you want…can't see no one out there, like you said….."

"Alright then, that'll save us some time!, but I'll keep watch anyway….Just in case….."

"Let's go then…."

The three of them wandered over to the Lifeguards Quad bike, the Lion cocked his leg over the seat and sat astride it, kick starting it, so it roared to life!, Bowser and Travis sat on the pinion on the back, with the Otter taking the side which faced out to sea.

"All aboard the "Thundertank" ??" grinned the Lion, the pair nodded, and the bike sprang to life taking them the distance to the pier.

Bowser glanced over his shoulder at Travis, their had gone his chance of having Travis on his own, so he could ask him about…. His anger softened as he noticed the Otter resolutely watching the waves, for all this light heartedness. He certainly took his job VERY seriously, well, he HAD to really, when lives could be at stake.

"G' luck, you two !!" Called the Lion as they both clambered off, once they'd reached the pier.

Turning a tight circle, the 'guard, tore off back in the direction of the hut.

"You'll prob' want these…." Bowser produced the Speedo's that he'd stashed in his pocket, and handed them to the Otter.

"Thanks, but I guess its Mawashi's for us, from now own….."

"Alright, you Guy's !!" Ralph called cheerily from where he stood nearby, alongside Rev- head, the pair of them noticed Ralph was clutching a thick shake.

"Want one?, you've got time, before Col' comes an' picks us up !!" He cocked his head back in the direction of the nearby café. "Thought I'd have one last one before….."

"Jeez, Ralph, We "ARE" coming back, you know !!" Snarled the Tasmanian Wolf, impatiently.

"Trust me, It's little things like this, you'll miss, when you're over their !!" the Kangaroo, replied confidently as he took another noisy slurp on the straw.

"PARP PARP !!!" a rather dilapidated VW Camper van, painted with various flowery designs, pulled up to the kerb beside them. Ralph chucked his finished shake, into a nearby bin, and went to open the side door.

"All aboard the Sumo Express !!" called the Large Female Koala, at the wheel. "Yeah, "Hop" in, Ralph, an' the rest of you,.." Colin, called out wearily from where he sat, stewing in the passenger seat.

"I'm Colin's Mother, Crystal, an' I'm going to be your pilot on this short flight, please fasten your seatbelts, and……"

"MO-THER !!" hissed Colin, through his clenched teeth.

"Oh, lighten up, Sweetheart, you're such a square, sometimes !!" with a flourish, she jabbed the play button on the van's tape deck, and "Magical mystery tour" blared out though the speakers.

Colin just buried his face in his hands in despair, as the Camper van, indicated, and headed back out into the traffic.

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"I want you to practice your exercises and techniques!!" the Elderly Max, commanded his two Mawashi clad student's, as they all stood on the shore of the island in the middle of the great Russian lake, "No actual Wrestling !!"

Rasputin and Valdis's puzzled expressions, bid him to continue, as they obediently began doing koshi - wari {legs open wide, and trying to squat down, forcing the pelvis as low as possible}.

"I think maybe your parent's would like to be alone for a bit, Rasputin, Eh?, and besides…Our Flight isn't until this Afternoon.

"You've got THAT right !!" snorted the Grizzly, as he determinedly practised. His mind couldn't help wandering to the events of the previous evening, when Max came to visit him at home, mostly to introduce him to his parent's….as predicted, his mother had got all his "Cub" photos out….

"You ARE coming with us, aren’t you ??" Whined Valdis.

"Of course, I am, Cub !!, I wouldn't have registered as your "Trainer" other wise, would I ??" Barked the once famous "Iron Bear", but a hint of kindness and pride showed in his voice. The younger Black Bear, smiled to himself, and continued what he was doing.

"That's ENOUGH !" announced Maxamillian, once he was satisfied, "Now I want you doing Shuri - ashi, down along the bank, until I tell you to stop !!"

The Grizzly and Black Bear's shuffled along, doing the exercise, which looked very much as if they were confronting an invisible opponent, they felt a little silly doing it, but it was a legitimate Japanese Sumo exercise, and certainly built up leg strength and co- ordination. Max had CERTAINLY been studying ALL the Sumo web sites, and took his job as their Trainer VERY seriously. Both of his student's had warmed to him, and thought the world of him really.

"MATTE !" Called the Elderly Bear, eventually, as he plodded along behind them.

"Huh ??" Sneered Rasputin, looking back over his shoulder. Within seconds, the Kodiak Bear, drew his thin cane from within his Fisher bear's vest, and lashed it to within a centimeter of the startled Grizzlies nose.

"Oh….yeah, Japanese for "Stop"….."

"Look !, I know what you're both thinking !!…."What's the point of learning all these Japanese terms……."

"Especially, when we're in the "International" Tournament….." Hissed Rasputin, under his breath.

"I HEARD THAT !!!, I might be Old, but I'm NOT Deaf !!" Maximillian drew back his cane, and brandished it behind his head, ready to strike again.

"Ras' must have just, forgot !!, Alright !? " Pleaded Valdis, leaping to the Grizzlies defence.

There was an uneasy pause, and Maximillian, scrubbed his face with his hand, "Look, I'm sorry, you Two…I'm just nervous, and want very much for you both to return victorious..…let's call it a "Day" then, Eh ??"

He caught the contemptuous on their faces then, barked, "Alright then !!, Thirty press ups, followed by Thirty sit ups, FROM EACH OF YOU !!"

He sat down on a nearby boulder, too keep a stern eye on the pair of them, as they obediently did as they where ordered. "They maybe "Old Fashioned", but they work !!" the Elderly Trainer, added.

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"Here's some "Gum" !, remember you like chewing it, when you get nervous !!" Fussed the Koala Mother, pressing a packet into Colin's hand, as the band of travellers clambered out in the Airport car park. "It'll stop your ear's, poppin' when you come in to land as well !!, make sure you mind your manners too !!, the Japanese are a polite bunch……"

"Yes, MOTHER !!!" sighed Colin, wishing the ground would swallow him up.

"You'll keep an eye on him, Ralph ?, won't you !!" the flamboyantly dressed Female Koala, looked expectantly at the nearby Kangaroo.

"Yeah,…sure !!" Ralph knew it would probably be the opposite, as the "Cocky" Colin, was pretty much their self appointed "Captain" and "Spokesfur".

"Look, we gotta catch our flight…" muttered Colin, as his Mother wrapped her arms around him like an affectionate octopus, he'd not felt THIS embarrassed since he was at school….

"Best of Aussie, luck then, love !!" she whispered, after planting a big wet kiss on his cheek. Colin quickly glared at his team mates, then kissed her back.

"NOT A WORD !!!, Out of ANY of you !!" Fumed Colin, as the five of them, wandered out of earshot and into the terminal.

"Got any gum, Chum ??" Smirked Rev - Head.

"SHUT UP !!!" snapped Colin, "It's Eucalyptus anyway !!, an' I'm NOT sharing !!……it's my favorite !!" he added in little over a whisper, Mother's always remembered things like that….

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"So this is Heathrow Airport !!" mused Tonneau, as he walked into the massive airport, along with the other's.

"No shit, Sherlock !!" rasped Syd.

"I was thinking out loud !!" the St Bernard snapped back at the Weasel, "I've never been abroad, ALRIGHT !!!"

"Yeah, well….neither 'ave I, no big deal….."

"Behave yourself, BOTH OF YOU !!" Roared Dennis!.

"Yes, we're the English Sumo team, and representing our country, REMEMBER !!!" added Rusty, "BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY !!"

"Oh yeah, 'forgot we're carrying a large "Union Jack" Flag, an' wavin' to our Army o' adorin' fan's as we check in……" the Weasel sneered back, sarcastically.

His jaw fell open, as they turned the corner, and where confronted by a few Fur's stood behind a hand painted message on an old Sheet, which they'd hung over the railings, in the departure lounge. "GOOD LUCK, ENGLISH SUMO TEAM"

"Hey, look!, it's Bruno an' some of the others….." Called Axel. The others were still enjoying the look on the Weasel's face !!.

"Alright, you lot !!" beamed Dennis, proud that some of his class had turned up to "see them off"….

The Bulldog lent over the barrier, along with Ringo and Marlon, "Yeah, it was kind of my idea…" the stocky Dog replied, with a hint of sadness.

"We'd have liked it, if we were in your place…." Added Marlon, the Orangutan, he couldn't help wistfully glancing at Tonneau as he said that.

"Umm, has everyone got their passports 'n stuff !!" Announced Rusty, hoping to lighten the mood. Everyone checked for the umpteenth time….

"Passport ??" Murmured Syd, rifling through the pocket's of his Leather Trench Coat, panic stricken.

"One of these !!" Bruno, produced his own, out of his pocket {Even though he didn't need it} and held it up, for all the others to see…

"OOOOHHHHH……"Passport", hissed Syd. As if he didn't know what one was, with an evil grin, he calmly produced it from a pocket he'd "Checked" previously, and waved it at the startled Canine. "Thinking you'd get to, "GO", in my place ?…forget it !!, it AIN'T gonna happen !!!"

TO BE CONTINUED