Chapter 2

'Beyond The Horizon'

Inukashi had been having a rather awful, if not, disasterous day. Shionn had come home covered in bruises after fighting with the twins from down the street, and lost! Then her youngest pup had ripped the bed sheets from the washing line, followed by her burning lunch and one of the stairs bannisters had come loose. Now, out of nowhere, Shion was asking her to abandon her safe domestic life to go on a road trip across a barren wilderness all because of a rumour and a day of communication loose.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!? You have got to be kidding me!" she roared at the pair of, what she could only discribe as, idiots in front of her.

"Nope, not kidding. Very serious in fact." Rikiga said with sigh. He had accepted the fate Shion had pushed on to him in hopes that it'd at least comfort Karan, and get him seen in a better, more heroic, light.

"And you're possitive that No.3 can't be contacted!?"

"I tried numerous times, only static on the radio and no connection for video links or calls. Trust me, I don't want him, or any of us, to go to that place..."

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't serious Inukashi..." Shion piped up, shifting slightly as he spoke, realising what a great deal of a request he was asking of her.

Inu had declared what he had expected many years ago, that she was female, and had taken on the role as Shionn's mother diligently. She was much more settled than either he or Rikiga were, and had much more to leave behind if she agreed to the journey.

"I have Shionn to think about, and the hotel, and all the dogs!" she ranted, pacing the floor in irritation. "You expect me to just drop it all and leave!? People already see me as a weak woman now and try to get control of this place, and you want me to leave it defenseless!?"

"You and I both know I wouldn't let that happen. The guards and dogs will secure your hotel from any criminals still lurking and Shionn would obviously stay with Mom. I can arrange for the dogs to be fed daily, even washed. You were never weak Inu... not as a man and definitely not as a woman."

The raven haired girl growled in frustration as she glared at him, halting her pacing with her fists clenched.

"How long will the trip be, and what will it entail... If I do this do I get some kind of payment?"

"About a month, we'll be taking a bullet train to No.4 then drving to No.3. We'll just check out the situation from afar and return here. Of course you'll be paid, I wouldn't put you through this without that."

The two continued their stare down before Inukashi finally sucked her teeth in acceptance.

"Fine... I don't see though why me and the monkey have to go with you...you have an entire police force at your disposal."

"Oi, watch it mutt!" Rikiga piped up in retort.

"Because I trust you both the most..."

Shion's comment cut the rising argument off as both Rikiga and Inu looked to him with confused expressions resting on their faces.

"Well... when you say that how can I say no..." Inu sighed heavily, folding her arms. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow at noon... we'll meet at the station for 11:30am."

The three nodded in agreement before getting up to part ways, excitement buzzing in the air for the old team to be together again dispite themselves, even if a member was missing.

The following morning Karan was still trying desperately to stop her son from leaving.

"But Shion, the Council isn't happy with this decision! You didn't run it past them at all, you can't go!" she begged, almost stepping on his heels as she followed him around the house.

"Mom, this is MY decision about MY personal interests. It isn't necessarily something the Council has a say in. I am allowed to take a trip without their consent..." Shion retorted, refusing to look her in the eye as he grabbed some bottles of water from the fridge.

"It's dangerous Shion! You'll be killed out there! We need you here... I need you here..."

Tears began to fill her tired eyes as she stood in the doorway, her head hung low and hands clenched around her apron. Shion finally turned to look at her, and gave an apologetic sigh.

"Mother... I'll come back, I always do. I'm not like Dad. Have a bit more faith in me, I know what I'm doing." he spoke gently as he placed his hand on his mother's head to sooth her silent sobbing.

"I...I believe in you Shion... please, please come home safely. I'll be waiting here with little Shionn until then..." she managed to choke out as she wiped the tears from her eyes and forced an understanding smile on her face.

Shion pulled her in for a tight hug, giving her a light kiss on the forehead before turning to finish packing. Just as he had placed the food rations into the rugsack, the door flew open to reveal Inu, Shionn and a dog.

"Alright Karan? Here's the grandkid, over for his holiday! Brought old Betty with me too in case ya needed her, she'll watch out for ye's while we're away." said the rowdy woman. She then turned to her adoptive son, and took a deep breath. "Now Shionn, please behave yourself for your Granny Karan, I'll be back soon. That's an order!"

"Yes Mama, come back in one piece... I don't want to run that stinky hotel by myself!" the seven year old boy said in a sarcastic tone.

The mother and son glared at each other for mere seconds before bursting out into laughter.

"Boy, you know I'll survive anything! I'll see ya in a month." the dark skinned girl reassured him with a thumbs up and grin. To her surprise, little Shionn suddenly gripped her top and pulled her into a tight hug.

"P-Promise!?" he stuttered into her shirt as he hide his face.

Inukashi's expression softened as she petted her son's head endearingly. "I promise... Now, ahem, b-be good! We best be heading off... I love you..."

"I love you too Mom."

"And I love you Shion. Both of you. Please be careful."

"And I love you Mother."

"You've nothing to worry about Karan, we'll be back before you know it!"

And with that, Inu and Shion left the old bakery, heading towards the train station to meet Rikiga.

-CHAP END-

A/N: Next chapter will be up soon!