Thanks for waiting! Here it is!
Miwa stared at the shop's entrance in disbelief. What was Shin planning? And why was he part of it? Miwa just wanted to leave, but that wouldn't be helping the situation. He still needed help to turn himself back to normal and he was sure no one will ever take him seriously looking like this. Miwa looked over at Misaki. She was still reading the book from before.
Maybe I should try getting her attention? We're the same age after all. We communicate better.
Miwa shuffled over to Misaki and started to pat her arm. She waved her hand at him, half heartedly. She didn't even bother taking her eyes of the page. Miwa growled in his throat and patted her again.
"Oi, Ni-chan? Misaki! Miwa here! Earth to Misaki!" He barked.
She waved her hand again at him, a little more fluent. "I'm busy." She said simply.
"Busy doing what!? MI-SA-KI!" He called out to her.
She finally looked over at him and Miwa did his best to look like himself again. She slammed the book closed, making Miwa flinched in fear. She gave him a little push and he fell off the counter.
"That's enough dog." She said angrily. She went back to her book with no care.
"I won't forgive you for that!" Miwa shouted back, little fake tears in his eyes. Miwa sighed. This is going nowhere. He suddenly heard the entrance open and looked up to see Aichi, Izaki and Morikawa walking in and greeting Misaki. Miwa barked at them happily.
Aichi looked down at him. "Why is there a dog in here?"
Misaki flipped a page of her book. "I think it's a stray."
"That really doesn't explain why it's here." Replied Izaki, giving Misaki an awkward smile.
Morikawa stared down at him in a strange glance. Miwa tilted his head to the side, confused.
"What's wrong?" Then Miwa suddenly realised. Hang on! Maybe he knows it's me!
All hope was lost when Morikawa spun once on his feet and picked Miwa up and held him suspended in the air. He had rosy cheeks as he said: "I always wanted a dog!"
Not this again! Miwa began to struggle out of Morikawa's death grip.
"Aren't your parents allergic to dogs?" Izaki said, bursting Morikawa's bubble.
"Well-I-I just hide it!" The boys stifled a laugh at how stupid it sounded.
I'm an it now? Sighed Miwa to himself.
"It's not like you can keep it. Shin seems to have a soft spot for it." Misaki spoke up.
Morikawa struggled to speak after that, upset that he couldn't keep the dog, he hugged him to his chest and buried his head in Miwa's fur. "This is so unfair!"
Miwa growled. Enough of this! Sorry bud! And then Miwa took a bite out of Morikawa's arm, making him jump out of his skin and drop Miwa.
"OW! That stupid dog bit me!" Whine Morikawa, rubbing his arm furiously.
"Well it was your fault for practically strangling it!" Argued Izaki. The door opened again for Kamui and his friends Reiji and Eiji to appear and set Morikawa into his depression.
"What's up guys!" Morikawa growled, snarling at the three boys. Miwa nearly thought he had turned into a dog as well.
"Mine your own business you little brats!" He said harshly. Reiji and Eiji was about to give a snark remark at Morikawa, but they seemed distracted. They both squealed in delight and ran over to the small puppy that had tried to pretend he wasn't there at all. The loud squeals and 'aws' had spooked Miwa as they kneeled on their knees and began stroking his fur.
"Huh? What's a dog doing here?" Kamui asked, stunned as he watched his friends pet the puppy over and over.
"Stupid dog..."Mumbled Morikawa. Miwa had heard and frowned up at him. It least you aren't being pestered with. "Can't believe I actually wanted it as a pet!"
Miwa growled. Wait, why am I angry at that? I'm a human for crying out loud!
While Aichi and Misaki tell Kamui why a dog is here in the first place, Reiji and Eiji continue to give Miwa pats and strokes along his back, and giving the usual baby talk. Miwa had tried to scramble out of the way, but they had a tight hold on Miwa and he was starting to get annoyed. Miwa never really liked to be touched very often, which is probably a shock to you, but just because he's a dog now, doesn't mean he's changed at all.
"Get off!" He whined. Pulling his paw away from them both.
"Who's a good boy?" Reiji said, smiling down at the small pup.
"How do we know if it's a boy, yo?" Eiji replied. Reiji shrugged suddenly aware of question at hand.
"I guess we check right?" Miwa mentally blushed. He wriggled out of their grasp as quick as lighting.
"NO WAY!" They called out to him, as he began running towards the door of the shop. I should've never come here, I can figure this out on my own!
He had just got to the door, when it swung open and Shin came in and instantly picked Miwa up in one hand. Miwa yelped and heard Shin chuckle to himself.
"I'm back!" Announced Shin to everybody as he placed Miwa onto the table. "Check this out gang!"
Miwa was trying to get off the table, until something wrapped tightly around his neck. He grimaced trying to point his nose downwards to what he could fairly make out as a dark green leather collar round his neck.
"You're really serious about taking in this stray dog?" Misaki replied, unsatisfied by her uncles childish behaviour. "We don't even need a dog."
Shin looked troubled for a second, then his face lit up happily. "But you haven't seen the whole collar, look closer."
As he said this, he lifted Miwa's chin up high so everyone could see the small metal tag that was shaped like a four-leaf clover. The boys all looked at the collar inquisitive at what it actually meant. Misaki gave a sigh and looked at her uncle square in the eye.
"Seriously? All for this?!"
"Don't you see Misaki! With this dog, we, our Vanguard team will be able to known better! He'll be our mascot!" Shin declared, extending his arms trying to make it seem more huge than it really is.
"Mascot!?" Miwa exclaimed, looking up at Shin. "This is the worst thing you've ever came up with. And once I'm back to normal I want a raise."
"Would having a mascot really help the team?" Asked Aichi, dumbfounded by the idea his manager had come up with.
"Pretty lousy to me." Kamui thought out loud. His friends backed him up with a nod.
"We'll get more noticed for sure!" Shin said, encouragely.
Morikawa snickered. "Yeah, they notice the dog more and not notice your losing streak!"
Miwa tried to ignore the angry voices that were blaring in his ears, ignoring Morikawa's attempts to be able to join the team so they have a better chance at winning. He stared hard and long at his paws. Watching them inquisitively. How on earth was he was going to change these hairy, clawed paws into normal, smooth skin hands? Miwa crunched his paws closely together, putting small scratch marks in the wood. He was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt something hop onto the table with Miwa. Miwa glanced up to see at the very end of the table was the Sub manager, or Assisticat if you wanted to call him that. The cat stared at Miwa, with a flick of it's tail and shock written on his face.
"No way, he actually went and done it...Shin actually got a stupid mutt into MY SHOP!" He yelled the last part angrily. It made Miwa's fur shiver and his tail spike up. I can't believe today. I've turned into a dog and now I can actually hear a cat speak! The only way Miwa could describe Assisticat's voice was that it was very deep, and very smooth on the tongue. Technically speaking he sounds just like any normal teen or adult.
"Ah, Assisticat! Good to finally see you back. I have a surprise for you!" Shin remarked, as he stood close up behind Miwa. "This is our new dog! Great right? His name is Lucky!"
"Lucky!? What the hell Shin? Your naming abilities are worrisome!" Miwa looked back at Shin from the corner of his eye, staring at him in awe. "You're crazy!"
Assisticat started to stretch out his body, taking his claws out. "Lucky is the last thing that lil' mutt is gonna be when I rake my claws into him!" The Sub-manager suddenly jumped into the air towards Miwa. Miwa yelped and dashed off the counter before Assisticat could pounced onto him. If he was a second late into jumping, he would've been under the cat's claws.
"Assisticat! Please be nice! He's just a stray!" Shin yelled as the kids tried to get out of the way of two chasing animals.
Miwa skidded to a stop. Above him Assisticat had jumped onto a table. He looked down glaring. "When I'm through with it, he wished he was a stray!" He made a loud hissing sound, freaking Miwa out as he was able to extent his claws longer.
Miwa had backed away from the growling feline, but found that he had backed into a table. It was taller as usual. Tall and unnerving. He quickly looked back to see Assisticat launch off the table towards him. Miwa cowered, closing his eyes fully. Miwa couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe he was pleading for a cat to not kill him. Just like a mouse caught in a corner with the cat. He had seen this with Assiticat when he was working here. He would corner the mouse, but the fun had all gone when he knew the mouse was trapped, so Assisticat just started playing with it. In the end, Miwa had to try and catch it himself and bring it outside to run free. Miwa had suddenly wondered why he hadn't felt any pain yet. He slowly opened his eyes, looking up at Assisticat. His paws were stuck above Miwa in the table. Miwa blicked. And he ran.
"Damn it! Get back here!" He yelled after him, trying desperately to wiggle his body to get his claws out.
Miwa suddenly bumped into somebody tall. Whoever it was had just entered the shop. Miwa glanced up at a boy, with big spiky brown hair. Miwa couldn't help himself but starting barking happily at his friend.
"KAI! Man, is it good to see you!" Kai frowned down at the small dog and stepped over it and walked over to Aichi and his friends.
Assisticat was suddenly able to pull his claws free, but Shin grabbed him before he could start the fight again. "Gotcha!"
"Have you seen Miwa?" Kai asked Aichi, who gave him a pondering look. Miwa shuffled over to Kai's side...or ankle if you're counting the height difference. He was actually surprised Kai was looking for him!
"Huh? No, I haven't seen him at all today. He isn't with you?" Kai shook his head.
"Oh yeah, he wasn't in school today." Izaki explained. "It really isn't like him. I hope he's okay. You have to give him school work, don't you?"
Kai nodded. Had it really taken a whole day to get here? Miwa stood on his back legs, with his front, pawing at Kai's legs.
"Kai! Kai! It's me! I'm right here!"
"He seems to like you, Kai." Shin mentioned, still holding Assisticat tightly to his chest. Another thought went through Shin's head. Miwa though was barking, calling and doing anything that Kai would be able to hear. A loud click behind Miwa caused him to look behind him to see what trouble was coming up behind him.
A silver clip, was suddenly attached to his collar and lead up a long dark blue, leather leash. Shin held it out to Kai.
"What are you doing?" Kai had to ask, a little peeved off. He had to get home soon and trying to find Miwa had taken all day.
"Could you walk the dog for me?" Shin pleaded.
"Shin, he has no time for this!" Argued Misaki from her place from the desk. "He's your dog, walk it yourself."
Shin looked over at Misaki, sweat dropping. "I would love to, but I need to keep a watchful eye on Assiticat. He isn't having a good day and I don't think he's going to let this go."
He can't walk me! What are you thinking!? Miwa gaped up at Shin. When he goes back to normal, he is going to have serious talk with Shin and his ideas. Misaki sighed angrily. "He has to find Miwa."
"He can take Lucky along. You know dogs, right? Great sniffer dogs. He can help you on your search for Miwa!" He puts the leash in Kai's hand. Kai had shown his discomfort on his face.
"Just a little walk around the street" Shin pleaded again. Kai gave a long sigh. He started walking out the shop and Miwa was pulled along. Aichi gave him a farewell, which Kai just waved him off.
0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0
"Oi! Kai! Would you stop pulling?! It already hurts without you causing anymore pain!" Whimpered Miwa, struggling to walk while Kai constantly tugged on the leash and made it hard to walk.
They had been walking around for a while. It's been so long that the streets had become empty and most of the shops were closed. The sun set upon them and it began to get darker. Miwa was sure Kai had no idea where he was going. Unlike Miwa, Kai never knew where else Miwa would go beside the school...the park...but that was it. What's worse is that Miwa knew the way around the city very well and could probably find better places to go when he wasn't with Kai. Now you probably wonder why he just didn't go to Miwa's house to give it to him. He had, but no one had answered the door. Even if Miwa was sick, it least someone else could have opened the door, right? Miwa knew all this, because Kai was moaning about it under his breath.
Miwa shook his head. I do have a life you know! It doesn't always involve you! Miwa wondered how Aikiko was doing. His older sister usually left for work and uni after him, so it would be normal that she wouldn't see him in the morning, but for the whole day? His older sister was very sweet. She was like his mother, though more strict with housework and didn't really bother how long he stayed out for. Which was why any times he did stay out late, usually because of Kai, he wouldn't have any trouble when he got home and had no need for making up any lies either. But he knew she would get worried after a few days, if this did go on more then a few days. His father was always away for work, so he rarely saw him. But when he did get back he had wanted them to all get together and just do something. Anything would do. Miwa tried to remember how long his father had been away, and when he last came back. Because if he could calculate the exact time he came back and how long he be coming home next, that would be the amount of time he had to try and get back to normal. And he had his friends as well. He doesn't want them to worry either.
They had gotten to the very park that Kai usually sleeps in. They went over to the exact spot on his famous bench and he sat down. Miwa have a huff of relief and dropped to the floor. He's paws were becoming very saw and itchy. Obviously this searching for Miwa around town was going no where. Well of course it was, he was looking for Miwa...but Miwa was right here with him!
Miwa could feel the cold breeze on his fur, numbing his body and making him shiver. He sat up and noticed Kai had got up, probably came here to have a think and start the search again. Miwa sighed. Sure, he play along. Before they went off again, Kai had began mumbling to himself. What a stroke of luck that Miwa has the ability to hear things much better!
"I can't believe I'm stuck with some dog, when I'm trying to find Miwa who has the audacity to bunk off school."
Miwa shook his head at that. That wasn't right. He wouldn't do that, not with his father breathing down his neck. Though how could he tell this to Kai?
He was suddenly pulled back without warning. Miwa wheezed and stepped back to exhale some oxygen. He looked up at Kai, suddenly noticing his odd body language. Miwa was noticing a lot more about Kai, though he couldn't make out if it was because he was a dog.
He was crouching into himself and trying to make himself as small as possible. Keeping his hands in his pocket, but Miwa could see he was clenching his fists into balls. His head was so low down, that Miwa could see the stern look on his face. When he did move it was quick and he shuffled his feet together.
"Hey Kai...what's wrong?" Miwa automatically asked. But he didn't need to be told. He felt something dangerous around them. Although the whole park and streets were empty.
There were figures watching them. Miwa could feel the tension in the air. He looked around, almost trying to watch where the figures were moving. Miwa sniffed the air with his wet dog nose. He smelt about five different bodies.
"Kai...Kai Toshiki, right?" A calm voice broke the tension in the air and Kai stopped in his tracks. In front of him was a man, hidden by his black hood. Miwa was shocked he didn't notice anything.
Seven more people stood out of the darkness and cornered Kai and Miwa. Okay, so Miwa was a little off. He whined in his throat. How do these guys know Kai?
"Who wants to know."
"Our man Yokoma, said you had a nice easy going deal with him...Seems like you haven't paid him back."
Miwa growled angrily at them. Kai! What have you been up to now!? One of the thugs got closer.
"Nice dog, seems like he have potential, right lads?" He laughed, wheezing. Miwa could smell the alcohol and drugs off of them and it stinks. Another one of the thugs quickly snatched Miwa from the ground, pulling at the collar.
"Won't be needing this where 'he be going!" He ripped off the collar as Miwa tried clawing at him, barking loudly. Kai was about to protest when someone bashed him over the head with a wooden object.
"Kai! What are you doing to him!" Miwa howled and tried biting the one holding him, but his mouth was suddenly forcefully shut. Another thug got out a bag and opened it wide. The thug holding Miwa threw him in as if he was just a ball.
"Wait! Stop, he isn't even mine! You can't do this!" Kai yelled. They tied the bag up, with Miwa still trying to call out to Kai. The bag was dark, a empty dark bag. Miwa was started to freak out.
"Please doing business with ya!" They said and ran off into the night. Kai picked himself up again, quickly picking up the leash and collar and running after them. But he quickly lost them. He was breathing hard, holding the back of the head where he was hit. He was sure he felt blood. He looked into the direction they disappeared into it.
"Shit."
Ta daaa! I've ended it there! Sorry, cliff hanger is it? I can't tell. I had so much fun writing this chapter. I am sorry it took a bit long er then planned. But if you liked this, do you mind if you reply? I just love hearing you guys, it feels more like people are actually reading these storied of mine!
What is going to happen to Miwa!? What are they gonna do to him! Its starting to make me worried now! Xd
If you love this story, comment, if you love Miwa and get him out of the hands of those meanies, comment! XD See ya in the next one!