It's a Dog's Life
~*~
Based on pearl84's Checkmate. You hear about Danny's Vlad's, Jazz's-and a great deal of the other character cast's scheme on things, but what about TJ? Interested on his perspective on the events thus far? If so-now's the time to find out!
Hallo, everyone! ^-^ I accidentally deleted a good portion of this story while I first working on this part (In other words....half when my computer switched off....and I wanted to scream. Once again, I still do):
Agggghhhhh!
^^ Anyhoo, I really, really hope you like this particular one-shot. I think it'll certainly be interesting trying to pull this one off! Heh.
Anyhoo-for my former readers, you know the score-and blah, blah, blah-blah, blah.
Blah.
This fiction is dedicated to pearl84-who requested it in the poll. ^^ Hope it turns out okay. I really appreciated your help on this piece.
Doomo arigatou gozaimasu.
~*~*~
Quote:
"The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master."
~*~
I still think about it sometimes.
Well, all the time, actually. It just seems something I'm acute to doing, now. Sort of like waiting for-oh-yes-oh-boy-suppertime-or finding the bed-that-belongs-to-Danny-and-napping-on-the-edge at-night, where I-can-still-smell-Danny's-interesting-interesting-interesting-beloved-scent-that-is-his-and-I-might-sleep-in-peace.
Peering out of one of the house's windows, watching-passing-cars-ooh, there-is-one and watching the woman-in-teal-who-is-Danny's-mother-and-the-man-who-can-eat-more-then-I-can-in-orange-who-was-his-father go out to the enormous silver....green....
...green.....
....?
I ponder the word Jazz-with-orange-hair-who-was-not-Danny used....ah. RV. I thump my tail importantly on the carpet as I remember.
But my ears droop when they begin to climb in, and I stand on my front paws, leaning against Danny's windowpane, unable to stop whining as they pulled from the driveway-to-the-road-where-Danny's-father-drives-like-a-maniac.
After watching people dive for cover on the nearby sidewalks-with-interest, I nonetheless-walk-in-a-circle-three times on Danny's-soft-soft-bed-that-smells-like-him and curl into a ball, paws over my eyes.
So much for a good day. Jazz probably-went-to-the-place-that-she-does-not-go-to-play again, along with my namesake-with-the-bad-hat and the-nice-girl-in-black-my-master-had-a-crush-on.
Dogs are ever so much smarter then humans. I prick my ears slightly at that one, feeling proud again.
But now-I-have-to-think-of-what-to-do today, seeing as how-there-was-no-one-around-to play with but my tail, and the darn thing is still too difficult-to-catch.
I whimper as I jump off the bed, well pleased with how tall I'm growing. I used to need Danny's help getting up-though I followed my master everywhere and anywhere I could.
Feeling-sad-and-a-want-to-whimper-though-no-one-can-hear me, my ears droop again.
Danny.
I want Danny to come home again. I want him to-scratch-me-behind the-ears-while-I-jump-on-him-and-slobber-at-his-face.
That sounds nice.
Hearing my stomach growl, and remembering that my breakfast was undoubtedly waiting for me in the kitchen, wondering where on Earth I was, I hurried from the room, and down the stairs, remembering that food sounded awfully nice, too.
~*~
Hurrying to the kitchen to find that my silver bowl-was-indeed-full, I wagged my tail most energetically, and scurried to it, my stomach rumbling most terribly.
Munching happily on my kibble, and wondering-if-the-human-food-that-is-better-then-a-dog's-where Danny is is good. I hoped so.
After finishing my meal, stretching, and knowing there was not much else TO do but take a nap in-my-favorite-mid-morning-patch-of-sunshine, I make my way to the living room, and find the-rays-of-light-that-were-so-lovely-to-sleep-in-and-chase, but-the light-kept-escaping-to-rest-on-your-paws.
After curling into a small ball, I prepare myself for a small snooze, only to find I'm not very drowsy at all, even-in-warm-warm-sleepy-and-good-to-sometimes-chase sunlight.
My thoughts are still-drifting-here-and-there, and-I-feel-like-recalling-things-that-are-nice. Like that piece-of-yummy-human-food-Jazz slipped me yesterday.....or that nice field I-rolled-in-when-the-girl-with-violet-eyes-who-liked-my-master-took-me-on-a-walk-and-I-saw-a-chipmunk-and-I-had-had-had-to-chase-chase-chase.
My eyes flicker, and my more floppy ear droops around my eye, so as to not get-my-eye-too-annoyed-with-the-nice-nice-sunlight.
And they slowly close.
~*~
No one remembers being born. I suppose that's just the nature of things. From what I can-understand-of-humans, they-too, always-want-to-know-more. The past means little-to-me, and I am-always-more-concerned-with-every-passing-second-that-is-present-present-present-to-become-future-to-become-past.
I only remember the ever-present-dark-dark-darkness, and a damp-warmth wrapped around my body-as-a-chilly-breeze-fluttered-around-my-cold-body.
I knew nothing. I imagined nothing.
I-only-wanted-the-warmth-warm-to-come-back, and-I-was-pleased-when-dry-warmth-came-in-the-dark-dark-dark.
I slept in peace, darkness-fading-to-the-bleak-nonexistence-of-gone.
~*~*~
I curled up tighter into my ball, my tail flipping slightly, from-side-to-side. I-sigh, if-dogs-can-sigh. Can-dogs-sigh?
No longer-interested, I-instead-watched-the-flipping-shadow-of my-wagging-tail, for once, too sleepy to give-chase.
It slows down. I-am-sleepy-again. With-another-sigh-or-whatever-you-call-it, I half-flip on my back, ear-over-my eye-once-again....
I remember. If only very faintly.
More then often, I was curled up to something-very-warm, in-the-dark. Only did I sometimes hear the-jabbering-sounds-people-made-that-meant-they-were-conversing. They were easily droned out so I-could-resume-sleeping-after-yum-yum-want more-milk-was-put-to-me-in-the-form-of-a-rag, content-to-doze-with-a-full-tummy.
But I liked the voices to-be-nearby. I felt safer with them. They-were-good. And, even-if-I-could-not-hear-the-tick, tick, ticking that was the warm-pulse-of-another-life, I could-hear-others, and-I-could-be-warm-and-safe-in-the-dark.
Still, sometimes, when I was wrapped-up-in-a-blanket-next-to-the-warmth-of-some-mechanical-thingy-thingy-thingy (what a lovely word...), and I was not-asleep-in-the-dark, nor was I eating, I listened to the man-and-woman-speak. Though I could not yet understand-I could vaguely comprehend in the pitch of their tone....and the vibes that reverberate from-human-beings-I-do-not-think-they-sense. Or, if-they-do, they ignore.
One day, after a faint fuzziness had at last entered my vision, and, for the first time in my life, I could see something other-then-dark, I heard them speak thusly:
"So...only the runt of the litter survived? You sure?"
A sigh.
"Yes....poor little things. And poor Betsy, too. She was a right good dog."
A pause. I flipped an ear, now knowing I could do so with the odd appendages I could faintly feel and react with the oddest sensations of touch and smell....each that were slowly and steadily becoming stronger....
I heard them speak once again.
"So...only the little 'un made it? After all of THAT?"
Creak, creak, creak. Something was steadily rocking back-and-forth. Back-and-forth. I got sleepy listening to the-calm-mundrone-pace.
Sleepy, Sleepy-oblivious-sleepy.
Still, the voices went on:
"Well....that first night, we kept the little guy warm and we bound him up in a blanket. I thought that that was the least we could do, seeing as the poor little guy seemed liable to die next morning, but he pulled through. Tough little guy. Quite a heart. He takes after Betsy."
"Quite an appetite, you mean," commented the man with a chuckle as the creak-creak-creak sounds continued. "He's gettin' a bit bigger. That's good. He may pull through, yet."
A pause.
"Oh, Ted-don't sound so cheerful. I'm starting to think you aren't being serious," commented the woman sarcastically as the rocking resumed. "He'll be alright-that I'm sure. But what are we going to DO with him?"
A sigh.
"Lucy....you know as well as I do that we can't keep the little guy. Might as well just drop him off at the pound."
The rocking ceased abruptly.
"TED!"
"Wha? What did I do?"
"Ted, those other dogs will eat him alive! He's just a little guy! You can't just drop him off in a foundation full of crazed dogs and walk away whistling!"
"Sure we can. It'll toughen him up. I'll drop him off tomorrow. He'll find a nice family and settle down."
"But what if no one sees just how sweet a little one like he is? What if they have to put him down? What if he DIES behind bars?"
The woman was nearly shouting now; so vivid was her exclamation. So much for me getting some sleep....
"Drop him off at the humane society," she urged. From the fuzzy, opaque mist I was still struggling-to-see-past, I could vaguely picture a misty-version-of-the-woman-turning-to-direct-a-harsh-stare-at-the-man.
"People will love little fellers for their families. It'll be a good start for him."
"They don't stay little forever, Lucy."
An exasperated sigh.
"Duuuuuhhhh," she fired. "But that just works all the better. He'll have a better chance of finding a home this way."
"Aw, Lucille....don't do this."
"Please? For Betsy?"
A groan.
"Lucille, do NOT give me that lower lip...."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty Please?"
"Lucy, quit the eyes-I can't stand the eyes-"
"Pretty, pretty please? For me?"
A long suffering moan, coupled with reluctant, though nonetheless amused, submission.
"Aggggghhhhhhh.......fine, fine. You win, Lucy. He's nearin' two weeks-and, once the little guy can see, I'll take him over to the vet. Once they evaluate the pup, they can manage him. There, you happy?"
A sheepish chuckle.
"Sheeesh....I hate it when you use the eyes. Nasty, underhanded blow, if you ask me. Works every time."
A laugh.
"Don't I know it...and love it, dear."
~*~
I remember, being picked up some time later, the-feel-of-another-life's-pulse-beating-against-my-face. I wriggled, and, I hate to admit it, whimpered softly.
Someone-patted-my-head.
"It's okay, little feller. It's okay."
~*~
I remember-a-coolness, and-a-thud-as-something-closed. I wished I could see-but-I-could-make-out-nothing-but-fuzz-fuzz-fuzzy-fuzz-fuzz.
Something began to reverberate, and slowly begin to roar to life as the-whatever-we-were-in-thunked-and-shook. I must admit, I-liked-the-shaking-a-little-as-I-was-settled-on-something-soft.
And the thumps and vroom-vrooming continued on for some time.
~*~
At last-almost abruptly; I had almost fallen asleep once again, the thunks-and-clunks-came-to-an-abrupt-stop. I was lifted out.
Disinterested, I only heard the-jabbering-dithering-that-meant-the-humans-were-talking. A new voice, one that-I-had-never-heard-before, joined them. After awhile of being poked-and-prodded, I was lowered-again-onto-something-soft-in-the-vague-misty-sometimes-dark-sometimes not.
And, again, I fell asleep.
______
Time went by. My world was a faint one-and-a-hard-one-to-get-around-in, seeing as how-I-was-learning-how-to-get-around-with-my-knobbly,shivering-trembling-buckling-knees-that-sometimes-gave-out-on-me-and-I-would-find-myself-on-the-floor-once-again-after-trying-to-stand.
I ate. I slept. I sniffed the new menagerie-of-smells-that-were-evident-everywhere,-as well-as-listened-to-the-barks-squeaks-and-growls-that-sometimes-came-to-my-developing-senses, and the canopy-spread-over-my-eyes-began-to-readily-dissipate-until-one-morning.
I-awoke-from-a-dream-of-haziness-and-food; which was my main occupancy at the time. When my eyes-parted-to-dispel-the-blank-fog-around-my-eyes....
......
There-were-silvery-silvery-reflecting-bars-cold-to-the-touch-in-my-little-room. I-awkwardly-dragged-myself-up, quivering-in-the-rawest-form-as-I-began-to-take-in-the-oddest-catacomb of sight.
There-were-other-box-room-silver-bars-like-mine, and-I-could-see-the-sources-of-the-yips-and-yowls-and grrrs-at-last.
And, I could-see-myself-for-the-first-time. I-could-see-a-white-paw-with-the-occasional-black-spot-that-moved-when-I-wanted-it-to. I-realized-later-with-a-great-source-of-pride-at-my-magnificent-discovery, that it was...MINE.
~*~
Excited and elated I was to finally be able-to-see-and-smell-more, I wriggled-around-my-box-room-unit-that-was-mine, and-ate-the-yum-yum-good-food-that-was-now-mine-instead-of milk.
But, even after-an-entire-day's searching-and-discoveries-from-around-me-and-my-bed-and-bowl-and-chew-toy-for-the-small-but-surely-fierce-and-deadly-looking-digits-now-growing-in-my-mouth-so-fun-to-use-and-oh boy-chew-chew-chew....
I found, much-to-my-rapidly-growing-disappointment-and-dying-elation, that-after-eight-hours-of-sniffing-each-consecutive-area-of-my-tiny-living-quarters....
....that was it. That was all.
Even-with-the-impact-of-living-around-so-many-like-me-but-bigger-then-me-creatures-who-were-black-or-spotted-or-brown-or-yellow....
The-empty-feeling-in-my-stomach-that-does-not-come-from-being-hungry-hurt. I was lonely. I wanted-to-be-held-and-patted-and-told-things-I-could-not-understand-but-sounded-nice-anyway.
Even-after-chew-chew-chewing all day long-on-my-toy, it was somehow-not-as-much-fun-as-I-imagined-it-might-be-with-someone else. I-was-fed-and-watered, but-most-of-the-time, I was left alone in my-box-room.
As the hours-went-by-and-outside-the-clear-water-hard-glass, as-light-slowly-turned-to-dark-dark-dark again, I would howl, out-of-lack-of-anything-better-to-do.
But either-no-one-could-hear-me-or-did-not-care.
And the-loneliness-like-hunger-but-not-hunger-only-grew-and-festered.
~*~
Sometimes, we-were-all-led-outside-to-play-play-play in the cool-green-nice-grass-that-was-good-to-roll-and-lie-in. I loved it. I could never get enough of it. The people with food-and-leashes-who-lead-me-in-and-out-thought-it-was-funny-and-they-laughed. I loved the sound, and I loved-it-even-more-when-they-patted-me-on-the head-and-said-things.
But-they-were-always-in-a-hurry-and-they-were-always-busy-with-another-dog. My spirits sank-much-like-they-did-when-I-grew-tired-of-chewing-on-my-toy-or-when-we-were-lead-back-into-the-building-and-were-told-no-play-anymore.
Sometimes, when I was not eating or chewing or sleeping or wondering when it would be playtime, people came in and bent over us. I always wondered why.
They seemed...happy. They often-talked-in-silly-voices-as-they-bent-over-some-certain-dog-and-laughed. Then, the dog was lead away. I wondered if they were going to play.
But that didn't seem right. The dog-did-not-come-back. The-people-did-not-come-back.
So where did they go? I had no idea. But, after listlessly staring from the silver-bars-that-were-cold-to-my-nose, I was determined to one day find out firsthand.
I yawned, vaguely wondering if Danny's-mother-with-purple-eyes-and-Danny's-father-who-ate-more-then-even-I-could were back yet. I was hungry again. Maybe-if-I-gave-'I'm the best puppy-in-the-world-eyes-to-Jazz, she would give me-a-treat-yummy-good-oh boy-good-once-she-came-back-from-the-place-she-did-not-go-to-for-playing.
Basking in the comforting warmth-of-my-home, for-surely-I-owned-this-place, I snuffled sleepily as faint tendrils of memory began to trickle into my mind-once-again, once-again.
~*~
One-day-not-so-very-long-ago-but-so-very-long-ago....the door-to-the-room-that-held-all-of-us-inside-opened.
I remember peering up from my chew toy, feeling confused. Surely-it-was-not-time-to-eat-ALREADY. Though, as my stomach lurched, I realized that that might not be an unpleasant factor at all.
But instead of-the-people-with-food, a girl-with-black-hair-and-violet-eyes-and-black-clothing slowly and uncertainly stepped in, her jaw slowly-dropping-as-she-slowly-began-to-take-all-of-us-in.
A woman followed her, with dark skin-and-a-boy-who-looked-like-her-but-was-not-her-with-glasses-around-his-eyes-and-a-big-red-hat-that-looked-very-chewable-slowly-stepped-in-after-the-girl-as a lady who I knew fairly well stepped in, and gestured at the units all holding us.
Now very interested in-these-new-scents, I anxiously leaned-up-against-my-cage-on-my-forepaws, desperate to see more as the-lady-who-worked-here began to speak to the other woman and the two smaller-ones.
"Take your pick, kiddos. We have over fifty six selections to choose from."
So saying with a smile, she departed for the nearby door, faintly whistling as she did so.
The woman-who-looked-like-the-boy-sighed as she looked around, face creased into lines of uncertainty.
"I wasn't really believing Danny's parents would say yes....." she mused, turning to face the-two-smaller-then-her-with-a-slight-frown.
"Tucker, honey....are you and Sam sure you want to pick out a PET for Danny? Wouldn't you rather get him a nice video game or something?"
The boy with the very chewable looking hat rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, Mom-we've been over this a hundred times. Danny's ALWAYS wanted a dog-and you only turn fifteen once."
The girl-with-the-nice-sent-of-something-I-might-have-smelled-outside-once....lilac, perhaps?-turned to the woman with a small smile.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Folley-Danny's definitely more then responsible enough to take care of a dog. The only matter is choosing which type." She gestured helplessly at the units as I peered curiously at her.
"It isn't like THAT'S going to be easy. We can't let Danny pick one himself-it'll ruin the surprise. But we need the right one."
The woman-who-looked-like-the-boy-but-did-not-wear-a-very-chewable-hat smiled.
"Oh....well....I guess you got me," she laughed slightly, sounding less apprehensive at this point. She turned to the boy, a questioning look on her face. "Is there any breed you'd like to look for in general? I don't know if Danny has a favorite...."
The boy shrugged helplessly.
"Maybe, Mom. I dunno. I don't really THINK he has a favorite, so we're just going to have to find one with the right personality."
The woman smiled again. She looked nice when she did that.
"Oh, well, I was thinking maybe a nice poodle...."
The boy rolled his eyes.
"Moooom! What's Danny going to do with a POODLE?" he scoffed, sounding more amused then incredulous. "A Cocker Spaniel sounds way better."
Sam just shrugged.
"I'm really not into 'poodles' either. It's the only dog my Mom will even look at." She scoffed. "Seeing as how Mom HATES animals, that's quite a stretch. I was thinking more along the lines of a Saint Bernard or a Scottish Terrier."
Tucker raised an eyebrow.
"A Scottish Terrier? What, is Danny going to take it out on walks with a little sweater and tam-o-shanter?"
As Sam snapped back, I continued my awkward pose, balanced precariously on the bars of my unit, swaying slightly by this time.
I hoped they would come over. I wanted them to look at me. Casting a look at my chew toy, I turned my vision back to the three people once again, panting slightly as I did so.
I hoped they wanted to play.
~*~
The woman left them with a slight wave.
"I'll go fill out the paperwork, hons," she said with another small grin, gesturing to the nearby door.
"You take your time and find your "Mr. Right." I'll see you in a bit."
So saying, the woman too, departed-and the two children cast grins at one another as the door slowly swung shut after the woman.
~*~
The two bent over cages, occasionally exclaiming once in awhile as they slowly made their way down the line. It was torture. I wanted them to come over. I wanted them to play, play, play!
"Awww....cute little guy. Wait, no-says here it's a she."
"Think we oughta get Danny a girl dog or guy?"
Sam threw her hands up in the air after patting a Golden Retriever.
"Oh...I don't think it really matters, Tucker. Just help me find a good one, already!"
Tucker tentatively patted a small pug.
"Well....they're all pretty good," he commented, at last moving down to my unit, where my eyes were peering intensely at his.
"Hey, Sam, check out this little guy. I think he's been watching u-"
CHOMP.
"Hey!"
The temptation was simply too great to resist. The boy with glasses who was peering interestedly over me was very close. And so was he very chewable looking hat.
I snatched it with still growing, pinprick like, but still undoubtedly in my opinion-deadly teeth, and dragged the large red hat away, pulling it with some difficulty through the bars. The boy attempted to snatch it back-
Too late.
Play, play, play.
I growled halfheartedly, still learning how to use my more grrrrring sounds at the hat's undoubted defiance of me, and shook it as the boy scowled.
"Hey! Gimme back my hat!"
The girl ran over, eyes bright as she slowly took me in, where I was busily gnawing at my new found chew toy. Very chewable, indeed.
Violet-eyes-who-smelled-like-lilac snorted, and-pressed-a-hand to-her-mouth-as-she-began-to crack up, chortling merrily as the boy attempted to take my new treasure back.
"Okay, that's not funny. Give me back the hat, already."
"Rrrrrrr," I commented back in response, tail waving frantically. As it did so, I began to take notice, and, clever as I am, I waited patiently for it to feel a sense of security.
Then, dropping the hat on the ground behind me, I began to give chase.
The boy cracked a smile. The girl was now beating her fist on the nearby wall, laughing as I continued to pursue the elusive tail.
"Rrrrrrrrr," I tried again, hoping to show off just how fierce an opponent I was as the boy made yet another hopeless attempt for the retrieval of his hat. He groaned.
"Sweet. First thing I come here, I find a dog that's Danny's double. Nice."
I stopped spinning, now feeling quite dizzy as I once again took the large hat into my mouth, and the girl bent down, and extended her hand.
"C'mon, little guy. Believe me-this is fun, really fun-but hand it over."
I hesitated. Her tone was gentle.
Not really wanting to, but genuine in my attempt to please, I slowly trailed over to her hand which just fit behind the bars, and reluctantly surrendered the new toy, another hand finding my head as I released it into her hand, as if I were being rewarded for something.
As Sam withdrew her hand, and handed the hat back with a small smirk to a still scowling boy, who snatched it back and carefully placed the now slightly woebegone hat back onto his head.
The girl hesitated, then found the small latch on my door. My eyes jerked up as she did so.
She pulled the mechanism.
~*~
Two hours later, as the girl wearily sank to her knees, I proudly dropped the now slightly slimy ball back onto her lap, feeling pleased.
For quite awhile, the three of us played in epic-rounds-of-tug-of-war and fetch. I loved fetch. I loved that the boy had a ball in his pocket and he threw it for me to give chase again and again and again and again and again until he'd finally given out, exhausted. Sam had taken a turn, and that was quite alright with me. I was just getting warmed up.
Sam smiled as she rubbed that special place from behind the ears. I thumped my tail happily as she did so, mentally wishing she would scratch a little harder. It felt nice.
"Sheesh....where's your off switch, little guy?" She laughed slightly, looking incredulously amused.
Tucker commented from his lying position on the floor.
"Personally, I think the...little guy runs on batteries," he gasped, rubbing at his eyes. "And he has a charger inside of him."
Sam rolled her eyes as she directed her attention back on me, my tail waving frantically.
"What d'you think, little guy?" she crooned, scratching harder and I loved every second of it.
"Think you can keep up with a kid who's half human, half ghost?"
My tail wagged even harder.
~*~*~
Fifteen minutes later, I was led out into the sunshine of a fair day, the overflowing blue dashed across the sky very very pretty to see.
There were a hundred new scents, a hundred new things to look at-so much more then my rusty old prison. With a joyful bark, I attempted to scurry into the parking lot, but Sam just chuckled and held me back-albeit with some difficulty.
"Come on, little guy. Tomorrow's the big day. Let's get you ready for Danny, shall we?" She smirked.
"HE definitely won't be expecting you."
I cast a glance at her, then, at the ground-underneath-my-paws-that-was-good-to-sniff.
What was Danny? Who was Danny?
However, I soon lost that tangent of thought as Mrs. What's-her-name, the woman without a chewable hat drove up in her minivan....
...and, much to my disappointment, opened the back of the car to find a new cage.
It wasn't fair.
Another cage? After all that had transpired, I was just getting a new cage to live in? Whoopie.
The car thumped and thudded as Sam and Tucker laughed and joked with one another, Sam always patting me on the nose as she did so in my unit. I hoped I would be let out again soon. I hoped we would play more.
To take my mind off things, I peered out at the rapidly fading landscape, feeling rather proud of myself for being able to see so so so much much now. It was a delight, and I wish I could have stuck my head out the window to get a better look.
Too fun. Too much to see. I was too excited.
But, the car came to a stop, soon enough, and I was taken out of the box (Yay) into a building-albeit a smaller one then I had known.
As Sam and Tucker-still laughing-lead me up the stairs-which I had never seen before, and wanted to smell-I was lead into a small room.
It wasn't exactly the neatest, nor the cleanest. Still, I sniffed the perimeter of the area with great interest, seeing a multitude of flashing lights from a desk full of small gadget-gray-things and a small black box that I wanted to observe up close.
Most unfortunately, I was led into my unit again before long, and, as Tucker waved Sam a goodbye, I felt my spirits sink once again that night as I sank to the floor of my cage, feeling resigned.
Here we went again....
Well, Tucker fed me before he left the next morning, that was something.
Still, I was restless as I anxiously paced the small confines of my cage, feeling worried.
What was Danny? Who was Danny?
Deciding that didn't really matter at the moment, I stared blankly into the new room, faintly wondering what exactly it was I waiting for.
Unlike the other place, this room was completely silent.
Very silent.
Too Too Too silentsilentsilent-!
Gah!
I couldn't take it anymore!
I wanted out.
And when I wanted out, I wanted out NOW.
I pressed against the new metal confines, noting that they felt much, much weaker then my old ones.
Panting, I began to scuffle with my cage, pressed as firmly as I could through the cheap metal....
....until, to my great satisfaction, I broke through.
It was about noon or so when I first heard the noises from downstairs. Or perhaps they heard me.
I tore through the new place with delight, finding a wonderful chew toy in the pillow....which, had the lovely prize of-fuzzy-fuzzy-sneeze-when you sniff them feathers inside.
I scuttled and shuffled around the demolished remains of my playroom; where discarded metal bits lay broken around the floor, feathers in a fresh sea of white, the more interesting gadgets knocked to the floor...along with a variety of other things, and then....well...
I found the bed. After running in and out from under the covers-which I promptly dragged everywhere-for-it-was-good-to-chew-I tackled the bedsheets, hearing voices faintly from downstairs:
"Sounds good."
Tucker sounded like he wanted to say something, but he abruptly paused when I skittered around the room again.
A pause.
"What was that?"
It was a new voice, and one I found myself instinctively liking. It was a good voice. It was a nice voice.
But my sheets were also good and nice as I heard another sound-this time, Sam talking:
"I don't know."
Tucker spoke next.
"You should check it out, Danny. Maybe it's a ghost."
An uncertain pause.
"Tuck.....if it were a ghost, don't you think my ghost sense would have gone off?"
I wriggled again, suppressing the urge to yip as I scuttled under the bed with my new sheet, and chewing on it appreciatively.
"Are.....you sure no one's home?"
Now he sounded pretty skeptic...as well as doubtful. I leaped from underneath the bed, to the top-with some difficulty before sliding back to the ground.
THUD.
Tucker spoke once again after the noise.
"I'm sure."
But now, he sounded a little apprehensive.
"Let's just.....go see what it is."
Not comprehending what they were saying, I continued to flock in my new forest of feathers.
~*~
"Rrrrrrr," I growled, delighted at just how fearsome I had to sound as I continued to tear at the pillow, scuffling slightly. It was no match for me.
I heard footsteps beginning to uncertainly inch towards the door. I ignored them.
"Go see what it is, Danny. We'll be right behind you."
Another hesitation. But, at last, the door slid open, revealing not two-but three teenagers.
As I growled from underneath the bed, there was a deathly silence. I wondered what the new-boy-looked-like. Was he special? Did he want to play?
Tucker screamed.
"Ah! My Room!"
The room was completely trashed; paper and what looked like pieces of metal littered the floor. His desk chair lay fallen on its side with Tucker's comforter wrapped around it. His pillows had been replaced by hundreds of feathers that had taken residence on his desk, bed, floor, fan, and even walls. The trio was brought out of their stupor from the now all too familiar scratching coming from under Tucker's bed.
I shifted from underneath my sheet, nose tingling.
The new one smelled...interesting. His vibes were tingly. I decided I liked tingly.
Hoping to see him face to face...though I was still covered head to toe in sheet, I leaped out from underneath the bed, just in time to hear the boy scream in astonishment.
"Ahhh!"
I leapt out at him, feeling a hand firmly grasp the sheet and rip it away, only to have a wide eyed, completely baffled looking teenager with crystalline blue orbs staring at me.
He still held my play toy. And therefore, as I took him in-reasonably heighted, with raven spikes and a thin disposition-
I decided immediately that I liked him. I liked his tingly-not-like-the-others'-vibe, and I liked his scent.
And I liked the fact that he still held my sheet, and I happily leapt up and down, hoping he wished to play.
He still stared at me. Was I truly that fearsome?
"Um, Tucker? There's a dog in your room."
The boy with a chewable hat managed a meek squeak.
"....................................Happy Birthday?"
The boy froze immediately, as if Tucker had slapped him.
".....what?"
Tucker cleared his throat anxiously.
"Well…you said you've always wanted a dog….so I got you one." Tucker said, crossing his arms in front of his chest and shooting Danny a triumphant smile.
The boy blinked; I wondered faintly if this was Danny. He looked rather unable to register what Tucker was saying.
"Tucker," the boy said at last, sappharine eyes still glued on me.
"I....know I've always wanted a dog, but I think you forgot why I've never got one."
His voice was serious-I wish it wasn't. He rubbed his forehead with a slight sigh; looking as if he were fighting to keep his calm disposition. He turned to the other boy with a new found scowl.
"Tuck, my parents aren't going to let me keep her!"
Her? I was almost indignant. I was no 'her!'
Sam piped in just a few seconds later.
"Actually, it's a boy."
The girl was smiling confidently with her arms crossed in front of her chest.
Danny stared at them, looking as if he were questioning their sanity.
"Tuck, I really appreciate you going out of your way to do this, but there is no way my parents will accept a dog. Believe me-I've tried for years," He stated sadly, crouching down to pet me, looking wistful.
Tucker scoffed.
"You know Danny, sometimes you don't give me enough credit."
Ah....so his name WAS Danny. He was Danny. I immediately decided I liked the name.
Danny.
"Do you really think I would have spent so much effort in getting you this dog, without making sure you could keep it?" Tucker warmly smiled, shaking his head.
Effort? What had he really done, other then lose his hat to a puppy?
The boy inhaled violently.
"You….asked them?" Danny stated in disbelief as he rose to his full height.
"Well duh!" Tucker exclaimed as he rolled his eyes. "And so that we can get you pass your brain freeze, they said you could keep him."
The boy paused, looking tremulous.
"......but what about.." Danny began to inquire but was cut off by Tucker once again.
"Already taken care of. Jazz said she would help you take care of him when you're out ghost hunting, so stop worrying so much and just pick out a name for him." Tucker stated in a light but strict tone as he made his way over to me, and picked me up, only to hand me to the astonished boy, who, after a moment's hesitation, took me into his hold.
"Here."
Sam managed a light smirk as Danny faintly shook his head, looking dazed as he turned to the girl once again.
"Hey Sam? Could you hold him for a Sec?"
I did not really want to be held by anyone else at the point, but I allowed him to take me as Danny turned back to the boy once again.
"Hey, Tucker?"
"Yeah?"
The next thing I knew, Danny had Tucker in a backbreaking embrace, looking liable to crush the gasping boy's windpipe as he continued to squeeze the boy in his embrace, muttering a dazed, giddy "Thank you" over and over and over again.
I cheerily panted I watched the spectacle, listening to Sam giggle as Tucker smiled sheepishly and docked another playful punch from Danny.
"Dude.. ok, you're welcome already."
Sam abruptly checked her watch.
"I hate to break up such a lovely moment, but its getting late." Sam mockingly informed them, an amused smile showing on her face.
Danny moved a hand behind his head, looking awkward as he withdrew from Tucker at last.
"Heh… right." Danny added, albeit with an embarrassed smile as he realized how childish he must have looked. Sam smirked at Danny before handing me back to him, which he happily accepted, much to my joy.
Danny turned around and began to head for the door, me secured in his arms as he began to exclaim, "Look at you; you're so cute! Yes you are!"
I know I was. I couldn't help it; I had just been born that way.
I had never been cooed over before, and all the way down the stairs, I happily yapped in agreement as I rested my head against my new master's shoulders, feeling at peace with myself and at the world as they made their way down the steps, listening to Danny's friends' laughing.
Finally, Danny paused after reaching the last step, and tore his eyes from me to his friend for a split second.
"Hey Tuck. That was really cool of you to let the dog trash your room just to surprise me like that." Danny stated as he positioned me on his side to allow himself to open the door.
Tucker's face paled at Danny's words.
"Ah!" He exclaimed as he ran up the stairs. "I forgot about my room!"
Tucker's reaction caused a stun look to fall on the two remaining teens as they watched their friend's frantic retreating form. Their gaze fell on each other with an expression that said "What got into him?" before shrugging in a "no clue" way as I snuggled into Danny, a soft sigh escaping me.
I felt sleepy.
~*~*~
After cheerful, absentminded banter, the four of us reached a small, most unusual looking building. I peered up with interest as we entered, Danny settling me on the floor.
Almost immediately, I took off with a joyous yip to explore this new terrain, a new ocean of scents and sights and...
Silence?
Why was it so quiet?
Evidently, Danny felt the same way as he turned to cast a puzzled glance at Sam and Tucker, who were still by the doorway.
"Well.... this is weird. My house is never this qui-"
"SURPRISE!"
I watched Danny start violently, face arching into a scowl as his body reacted almost instantly. Was this a new game?
His blue eyes vividly flashed green, and I could almost see an illumination beginning to spark to life from his waist as his aura, funnily enough, chilled-
~*~*~
WHEW! And yet ANOTHER one-shot decides to become too long. Grrr!
Poor little TJ is going to be in a great deal of pain, soon. D: I'm so sorry, everyone-but you know the story. And you know how everyone takes Danny's tragic disappearance. TJ is in for a brutal awakening. The poor puppy!
As I've said before, I'm more of a kitty person, but this fiction really has me warming up to dogs in general. Heh. Ironic, isn't it?
Anyhoo, I'm afraid that looking over all the parts that TJ's in-which Pearl very kindly left me a listing:
Chapter 1: spiraling emotions: Danny gets TJ from Tucker and names him. *lots of him in this chapter*
Chapter 5: the gift---small appearance when Danny opens Vlad's 'gift'.
Chapter 7: Night Fright---even small appearance close to the end. Danny is on his bed with TJ
Chapter 8: Brother's sacrifice---Danny says goodbye to TJ and takes him to Tucker's house until Jazz is better.
Chapter 9: Awakening----Tucker finds TJ in his house.
Chapter 17: Without you.---Tucker and TJ scene.
Chapter 30—unexpected Visits---Danny goes to visit his family.
Chapter 50—On the Edge *Jazz and TJ scene, and TJ sneaks on board the Speeder.
Chapter 51—Trips *Gang discovers TJ onboard and the whole encounter with the ghosts happen*
Chapter 52---TJ and Jazz in the lab discover the camera.
^-^ Thank you very much, Pearl-san. After reviewing all the parts that TJ's supposed to make an appearance, the thoughts he's supposed to supply for each chapter and all the off screen moments candelight decided to add, well....
Heh.
What's one more project? (Famous last words.) Once Summer comes again, and I'll be spending time at my other guardian's home, all I can flippin' do all day while waiting for them to come home from work is basically take walks and do Fanfiction. Heh. Last Summer, after a few incidents occurred, out of sheer desperation to lose myself in something and out of absolute boredom, I updated over sixty nine times last record. *Giggles.*
Anyhoo, I hope to be here soon, everyone. *Hugs.* Take care.