A/N: A drabble written for laenavesse on her birthday.

Old Tricks

by

K'Arthur


"It sure is one ugly dog," Yuri said, looking over the scrawny mutt with one eye.

"Don't be rude," Flynn answered, glaring at the dark-haired boy that he'd known most of his short twelve years. Left to their own devices as small children, they became fast friends and kept an eye on each other. Unfortunately, Flynn spent most of his time trying to improve Yuri's manners.

"He can't understand us."

The dog howled at that, as if to protest the statement and circled around the two boys.

Flynn frowned and reached to pet the dog. "I think you hurt his feelings."

"Dogs don't have feelings."

Again, a distressed howl came from the muzzle of the dog as he sniffed Yuri's side suspiciously and pawed at the boy's leg.

Yuri swatted him away. "Stop it!"

"I think he's hungry," Flynn said, reaching into his coat to produce a small apple.

"Dog's don't eat apples," Yuri said, again shoving the dog's face away from his pockets and back towards Flynn.

Surprisingly, the dog did eat the apple--in one huge chomp. Then, licking his chops, he resumed sniffing Yuri.

"Musta been really hungry," the dark haired boy muttered.

"Maybe he's not really a dog. Maybe he's a person with fur." Flynn tilted his head, his blonde hair falling into his eyes. "What do you have in there anyway? He's awful interested in it."

"Yeah, that's it. He's a person," Yuri rolled his eyes. "Nothing, really. It's just a knife I found. Figured it could be useful."

"Show it to him."

"Why?"

"He wants it."

"Fine," Yuri sighed, figuring this was the easiest way to appease Flynn and get back to their practicing. He held the knife flat in his palm and showed it to the dog, deciding that this was the single most ridiculous thing he'd ever done.

After giving it a suspicious sniff, the dog grasped the blade in his teeth and swung his head around as if it knew what to do with the knife. Then, he leapt into the air, flipping himself over and attacking an invisible opponent above their heads.

Yuri was dumbfounded. "He's a...warrior dog?"

"See," Flynn said, more proud of himself than he probably should have been. "I told you he wanted that knife."

"But what is he going to do with it?" Yuri asked, backing away from the armed animal.

Again, seeming to understand the boy's words, the dog carefully placed the knife back at Yuri's feet and barked happily.

"He likes you," the blonde said. "I think he wants to practice with us."

"Yeah," Yuri answered, still in disbelief. "Dogs don't fight with weapons." Not any dogs he'd ever met, at least.

Flynn picked up the two wooden practice swords they had dropped to the ground when the dog had wandered up moments ago. "Well, give it a try."

Yuri took one and tossed another one to the dog. "All right pooch, let's see what you got!"

The dog caught the weapon in mid-air and took his stance, ready to advance on the boy. Yuri held the sword out and called for the match to start. The dog, seeming to understand the command bounded forward and attacked.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.