Shiro is a very uncomplicated dog, and it shows in his plain white coat and the simple red bow he's worn for centuries. The thing that sets his tail wagging, his greatest joy in life, is not being a hero's companion, but being a companion. Dogs are meant to be by someone's side, and while he adores his friends, Kakisuke and Rurio, and he will always love Momotaro, he currently finds the most satisfaction alongside Hōzuki-sama.
When Shiro's time off coincides with Hōzuki-sama's, the little white dog is drawn by some evolutionary need to follow the demon around, and so, this morning finds him at a yoga class on the shores of the lake of blood.
There are many poses he cannot accomplish – having two surplus legs and, inversely, not enough arms – but he can modify something likes "The Warrior." Shiro pretends that one of his forepaws and one of his hind paws are arms and does his best to emulated Oko-sama. When he hops on one back foot to attempt "The Eagle," he earns a coveted chuckle from Hōzuki-sama, and he's so happy he feels dizzy – or maybe that's the heat radiating off the lake of blood – but either way, the euphoria makes Shiro braver, more confident. Hōzuki-sama, of course, doesn't even wobble, perched on one leg, his arms contorted. He's so cool, Shiro thinks switching to the other foot. Maybe his left is stronger than the right.
When Oko-sama announces "Downward Facing Dog" as the next pose, she calls Shiro to come up beside her and show the class how it should be done. He high steps to the place before the group and follows her instruction to stretch just like what comes naturally to him, lowering his head between his paws all the way to the ground. "Upward Facing Dog" is next and as he stretches backward, he is suffused with pride that he is able to teach his precious friends something. For a change he doesn't feel like a burden. Hōzuki-sama does the poses so well, he retains his place as Alpha Dog (at least in Shiro's mind).
Once the class is over, Hōzuki-sama towels Shiro off, restoring the sheen to his lustrous white coat. Shiro shakes from head to tail, and prances after Hōzuki-sama as he leads the way to the cafeteria.
"You are a natural at Yoga, Shiro. I can arrange for you to have Thursday mornings off, if you'd like to continue with the class."
"I don't know, Hōzuki-sama. I'd love to, but what would the others think if I got special attention?"
"I'll worry about that," Hōzuki-sama says, his face not moved by emotion, but his eyes twinkling in the red light, just a little.
"If you say so, Hōzuki-sama," Shiro smiles, showing all of his beautifully pointed teeth.