Chapter Text
It has been around a week since Bai Lu and Vivian's defeat. The two had fled somewhere else, battered up from the fight. Though funnily enough, Crimson, being the nice woman she is, patched them up! Of course, also having to bear with the complaints of the deer and vixen duo.
Things are back to normal again in the noodle shop. Tang was of course, freeloading and slurping a bowl of noodles, and Pigsy was yelling his ear off while everyone else covered their ears in an attempt to protect them.
“Oh, but Pigsy, we’ve been friends for so long! Can't you just let it slide?” Tang said nonchalantly.
“How many times must I keep telling you, Tang?! I've got rent to pay and you ain't helpin’ here!” Pigsy yelled once more, the walls rattled. It's a miracle how his throat was still working fine after all these years.
Everyone winced at his loud voice, mostly Tang since he's the closest.
“Hey Pigsy? Mind chilling out for a bit? My ears are starting to ring…” Mei groaned, her phone left forgotten on the table in favor of covering her ears. Crimson, who was sitting in her usual corner, nodded in agreement.
Pigsy sighed, pinching the bridge of his snout. “Fine, but seriously Tang, I'm trying to make a living here!”
Tang opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Everyone whipped their heads around, it was MK. “Alright! I'm done with the deliveries!”
"Kid, where've you been?! You were gone for four hours! Have you been slacking off again?!" Pigsy scolded.
MK rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, wincing as he looked away.
Pigsy just shot him an unimpressed glare. "Kid, you were only delivering. Two. Bowls. To the same destination."
MK rocked on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets. "In my defense, it was a very long drive."
Pigsy simply shook his head at that.
MK walked further into the shop before getting reminded of something. “Oh! By the way, has anyone seen Black Tail?”
Everyone shared glances with each other before shaking their heads. Mei spoke up, “No, she's gone for days!”
Crimson sat up from her spot. “Y'know, if you're looking for her, she's on Flower Fruit Mountain.”
MK perked up. Flower Fruit Mountain, so that's where she's been the whole time? “Flower Fruit Mountain? Great! Thanks Crimson! Alright, see you guys later!” and ran off just like that.
“Hey you got more work to do!”
“Wait! She might be sleeping right now please don't–”
Both Pigsy and Crimson yelled out at the same time.
Crimson sighed before mumbling what she wanted to say under her breath. “–don’t wake her…”
Birds sang, accompanied by the sounds of monkeys playing among the trees on Flower Fruit Mountain.
Black Tail lay on a cliff side, under a shade, tail swishing lazily. Her ears twitched as she picked up the distant sound of someone yelling. “Ugh…” she groaned, sitting up and stretching her arms above her head.
The yelling got closer and it was clear who it was.
“And what's he doing here?” she grumbled as she slowly stood up.
Of course, it was MK. And he was close.
“Black Tail?”
“Black Taaaiill!”
“Oooh Black Taaaiill!~”
“BlackTail! Where are you?!”
He repeatedly yelled her name, hoping she'd magically pop up somewhere.
Black Tail rolled her eyes, turning around and scowled. And there he was, just walking past, back facing her as he continued to unintentionally scare off all the resident monkeys that were resting.
One of the monkeys jumped on her head before leaping off to a tree, earning a loud ‘Oof!’ from her
“Can you keep it down?” She called out.
MK paused and whipped his head around and jumped. “Hm? Black Tail! There you are!”
He ran as fast as a rocket towards her, almost falling off the cliff when he stopped, arms flailing wildly until Black Tail stabilized him, while shooting an unimpressed look at him.
He muttered a small thanks before beaming once more. “I've been looking everywhere! You were gone forever! Everyone was getting worried!”
Black Tail raised an eyebrow, genuine shock creeping through her eyes before she masked it with indifference. “...so?”
“So? So you gotta come back!” MK started aggressively shaking Black Tail by her shoulders. He stopped, rubbing his arm as he looked away. “Some of us kinda miss you y'know…”
Black Tail brushed her shoulders and fixed her hair before narrowing her eyes at MK like it was her first time hearing people say they actually cared about her…which might be the case here.
She sighed, straightening her jacket. “Oookay? And what do you want me to do?– wh-” she froze when she felt his grip on her wrist.
“Great! You're coming back! C'mon let's go! Before Pigsy kills me.” MK dragged her along, running like he just drank ten cups of coffee.
Black Tail stumbled behind him, “H- HEY! Let me go! Did you even hear what I just said?!”
The door of Pigsy’s Noodles burst open, with MK panting slightly, holding up Black Tail's wrist with a big wide grin.
“Guys, look! She's here!” MK exclaimed.
And Black Tail? Hair all messed up as she glared at him and shook her wrist out of his grip.
“Whoo! Cool emo fox girl is back!” Mei rushed forward and gave Black Tail a tight hug. And in response, Black Tail dissolved into black mist and slipped out from the embrace, making Mei lose balance and fall down.
Black Tail reappeared next to her, arms crossed. “Can you please not?”
Mei huffed as she stood back up. “Gee, someone's a little cranky today.” she teased with a small grin. Black Tail just rolled her eyes with a scoff.
Crimson chuckled, walking over to her. “Either way, we're happy to have you back.”
Black Tail sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. Yep… this is my life now. She thought to herself, and a small part of her doesn't seem to hate it that much…