Disclaimer: I don't own Dogs. I only own the kids. References are made from different shows/movies/mangas too, so I don't own them either. T^T

Please enjoy to the fullest! ;3


Chapter 1: What you see is not all that's there.

Naoto

Badou, Haine, and Naoto were all walking back to the church after their weary mission was over. However, after walking two blocks, it began to rain, really hard. They ran through different routes to either find the church or at least a place to hid under until the rain clears. Unfortunately, there was none and they had no clue where they were, except Naoto. Her apartment was just around the corner at the next block. She debated whether or not to invite them to her home and let them see the side of her that she was trying to hide from them. She made up her mind when a gust of icy wind decided to keep blowing at them. "Dammit! Now I have to ask for some clothes from Mark," Naoto yelled as she ushered them to follow her.

Haine

'This is ironic and she's crazy,' was the first thing Haine thought of when they were face to face with her apartment. The building looked as if it was filled with cement and there were stairs that descend underground to a wooden door. (She's looking for the underground, yet she lives underground. Ironic.) The guys thought she picked the most horrible apartment ever made, but Naoto calmly walked down the stairs as she did everyday. The hallways were filled with large metal plates covering the walls and thick doors without locks. 'They sure have mental problems for not getting locks in this type of city,' Haine thought again. He and Badou were intently observing the complex's halls afraid that the place was not just an awkward apartment but a dangerous one. Naoto opened her door, and Haine was confused for a moment. The minute she touched the door a light turned on in the home. The thought left as soon as it came, for there was a huge doberman laying on the couch staring at them. Haine and Badou couldn't believe what they were seeing. The city was known for its quirky residents but not dogs that reach up to the lower half of someone's torso! "I'll be right back! Just going to get some clothes for you two!" Naoto said jogging down the hall and added, "Nanna! Show them to the bathroom, please." Unexpectedly, the doberman did as it was told not caring who they were and what they wanted. It was as if their katana companion always did this. The two bathrooms were located down a darkened hall facing each other. Not seeing anything else to do and freezing their asses off, they went in.

Naoto

"Mark! I'm going to borrow two sets of clothes from you. Also, I'm going to use your shower!" Naoto tells him. Mark was an experienced sniper for one of the famous mobs in the town. It always amazed her how he never got caught with his stand out appearance: raven black hair with a silver strand in his bangs, deep green eyes, and stood at 6 ft 2 inches in height. His wife was only half that size. Mark yells back, "You got to stop running to my house every time you bring someone to yours! Your hospitality is quite rare in this city and you might live to regret it! Whatever, the clothes are where they always are!" Naoto couldn't help but smile to this man who acted like an elder brother to her, especially when compared to Magato. She quickly takes a bath, grabs the clothes, and kisses him on the cheek with a small 'thank you' as she ran out. Chuckling could be heard before the door could fully close. When Naoto came back, she found the two men sitting on her couch with only their towels as they stared dumbly at Nanna. 'Yes, she's bigger than normal dogs but what's normal in this city? I'm positive we have seen stranger things than Nanna,' she thought already getting irritated. When they finally noticed her, they looked at her seeing someone totally different compared to the women they are use to. Haine appeared to be even more bewildered than Badou for once. She gave them a strict glare and started to cook. 'Since they are going to be staying here for a while, might as well give them something to eat' "You can cook but you can't sew?" Badou asked curiously. He was answered with a wooden spoon thrown at his face.

Haine

'The dog isn't the only thing that's huge here,' was the only thought that came to his mind when he observed Mark's clothes. He was a bit more suspicious of her now then he was when they first met. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw from the corner of his eye Badou fall to the ground. 'That idiot must have said something stupid like he always did.' As she continued cooking, he noticed how different she looked; it was strange. The woman who lived a harsh life and bared her teeth when threatened is now cooking with not one care in the world. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and wore a t-shirt with pajama pants too big for her petty size. It was completely different from the image he was used to seeing. Haine used this chance to observe his surroundings as he went to change. The apartment had two floors and looked like the inside of Howl's castle(1), just cleaner and with a dark warmth that seemed to welcome anyone that would come in. There was even a fire place by the stove. 'Apparently, glaring was a common gesture in this place; even the fire was glaring at her. Wait.' Haine thought as he quickly turned around to stare at the fire. It was in fact glaring at Naoto. Haine suddenly spoke, "Hey. Why is the fire glaring at you?" Badou looked at him as if he was crazy as Naoto froze. No matter how messed up the statement was, the red-head peered questionably at the fireplace. He then flew off the couch with a yelp when it glared back. "Really Calcifer. You couldn't just have stayed still till they at least fell asleep?" Naoto said with 'What an idiot.' written clearly at her face. The men just stared at them; confusion and amazement clearly on their expressions. All of a sudden, the door flew open and an albino, fox girl ran in yelling "Mamma!"; a young boy holding a baby girl followed after. Everyone froze in their places and stared at Naoto. "Mamma?" Badou restates questionaly. She just sighed. This was going to be a long night.


(1) Howl's Moving Castle. This will be used most of the time.

Thanks for reading! XD