"Rgh, damn it!!" Pushing himself to his feet, Kanji hurried for his bike and hiked it back onto its wheels. He needed to get the girl off of Clive and quick before something happened to either of them.

But Clive was having the time of his life, hurrying along the track. It always looked so fun when the others had riders, but Mama never let him have anybody ride without being supervised. He wanted to prove he was big and strong, and would one day be able to take him places on his own capable birdy feet!

He felt that tug and the all-out sprint slowed to a canter as he tried to turn his head and look at her, wondering if she was preening him or something; he wasn't sure. Did she not want to race-race-race?