A/N: Here's the next chapter, this one quite a bit longer than the last. The title of the story "Alasdair" means, in it's most simplest form, "to defend, help".

I love dogs.

Leon made himself comfortable in the back of Mr. Arjun's car as the man shut the door and sat down in the driver's seat. The face that he now turned on Leon was completely different than the one that had bargained for him in the Shop.

"I don't care what that pouf said in the shop," he told Leon. "If you hurt my daughter or destroy any of my property, I will beat you to within an inch of your life, is that clear?"

Leon snarled at him. Perfectly, he thought.

The man looked like he was deliberating whether or not to hit him right then and there, but, deciding against it, turned and started the car. This was going to be more work than he had first thought. Settling his hackles, Leon watched the city fly by through the window. It was fascinating how it didn't look like the objects of civilization were going by that fast when you were driving the car, but man!—looking out the window, it was like he was flying; the guy had to be going fifty in a thirty if the speed limit signs were anything to go by.

"You act like you've never been outside before," the man spoke. "Have you only seen the inside of that shop?"

Leon showed his fangs; ears flattening. He had never been shown such disrespect in his life…lives.

"How are you to be a proper companion for my daughter when you haven't even been properly socialized?" The man's tone was impertinent and condescending.

I'll show you civilized, Leon said, though to Mr. Arjun it came out as a growl. The man glared at the animal in his backseat via the rearview mirror. The two stared at each other—grey-green glaring at deep, knowing blue—until Mr. Arjun turned his attention to the road. Leon went back to looking out the window; smug.

"It's not like you to pick me up from school late, daddy," a girl, Arjun's daughter, voiced. "Club was over an hour ago."

"I'm sorry, Evelyn, I was running an errand," the girl's father smoothly replied.

She frowned. "If you were only running an errand, why do I have to be blindfolded?" she questioned. Leon watched the interplay curiously, head cocked.

"You'll see when we get home."

"You're not doing anything illegal, are you?"

The man smiled, almost proudly, if Leon had to put an emotion to it. It was rather too smug for his taste, but as the man told him not to give himself away, the former human checked his growl and settled for raising his hackles.

"It's a surprise," was all her father told her.

Evelyn settled into her seat with a huff. Leon took his time to study the girl. She had a cast on her arm and some healing cuts here and there on the exposed skin he could see. She had either gotten into an accident of some kind…or she was really accident prone. Leon watched her finger something purple on her other hand…her right hand. A cast?

Leon didn't see what drive they pulled onto, but he was suddenly aware of the car pulling into a driveway marked '19 Jeager' and then Mr. Arjun parking the car and stopping it.

"You can take the blindfold off now," he told his daughter. Leon watched as brilliant grey eyes blinked rapidly, adjusting to the light before they turned to the backseat. He watched, amused, as they widened in surprise before they were flooded with joy.

"A dog?!" she happily exclaimed. "What's his name?"

"The shop owner said his name was Leon, but if you wanted to call him something different, he'd acknowledge that too."

She, being female and indecisive, took a while, staring at him and pondering, before proclaiming, "You're name is going to be Ghirardelli, and any shortening of it will be a nickname."

Her father gave her a dubious look. "You're naming him after chocolate?"

Leon, oddly enough, thought the Count would find the name rather amusing. Not finding any fault with it, he wagged his tail happily.

"Does he have a leash?"

Her father shook his head. "Just show him the property boundaries and have him stick close to you."

She nodded as she jumped out of the car, her bags forgotten. "Come on, Ghir! Let's go!" Leon barked happily, shooting her father a smug look, before he rushed between the front seats and out Evelyn's door. He heard her father cursing, but didn't care when he was confronted by the sad, laughing child in front of him.

"…and that's the tree that I always used to climb," Evelyn finished up with after giving Leon—now dubbed 'Ghirardelli'—a tour of the yard and grounds owned by the Arjun's. It was quite a bit for living near LA, but still not as much as those who lived out in the country did; two, maybe three acres he guessed. Enough for a 'dog' like him to run around and be happy, and for a girl like Evelyn to escape. He watched as she fingered the bark of the tree.

"Just what kind of dog are you?" she asked, turning to him. "You look kinda like a German Shepherd, but you're as red as an Irish Setter with white markings like a Foxhound; yet you've shown the aloof personality of an Akita and the power of sled dogs."

Leon just stared at her; astonished.

She smiled at him. "I want to be a judge at dog shows," she happily explained. "Father thinks that it's a worthless aspiration, but it's my dream nonetheless."

It's a good dream, Leon told her.

She graced him with that melancholy smile. "I'm glad someone thinks so."

She went on talking about her school, and Leon listened, wondering just when she'd figure out what he was. It was hard to remember to wag just one tail; instinct had him wanting to wag all three, but he stood and headed towards the house before bounding back. He barked once, sharply, before whining and sitting down.

She laughed at his antics, and he panted laughter. "Hungry? Me, too. Let's go inside and see what father made for dinner."

Walking at her side, the two returned to the house. Leon smelled hamburgers.

"Is there anything for the dog to eat?" Evelyn asked as she got herself some water.

"I didn't have time to grab some dog food and necessities," Mr. Arjun told his daughter. "He'll have to have hamburgers with us tonight."

Well isn't that too bad, Leon thought. He hoped he never had to eat dog food, but, whether he liked it or not, he had a feeling that he was going to be made to do so. And I am not looking forward to that day at all.

Since going to live at the pet shop, Leon hadn't really had to know what day it was. Loosing track of time was easy, and he only knew the hour when he was fed and tea time which he shared with D at the same time every day. So when Evelyn woke up the next day, happy as a robin, Leon was confused.

"It's Saturday!" Evee told him. "Father said he was going to take me to the pet store to get things for you. She made a happy noise and, in her pajamas fled down the stairs. Leon happily frolicked after her. She poured two bowls of cereal, one she crumbled up a leftover hamburger in before she took them to the table, putting one on the floor beside her chair. Leon absently thought the hamburger was a nice touch to the crunch-berries before he ate the food with relish. There was something about the petshop that made Leon reserved about eating. In the "real world" as he began calling it. His body acted differently. He guessed some aura of the petshop fed its inhabitants.

He, frankly, didn't care at the moment. Lapping up the last of the milk, he layed down and patiently waited for Evee to finish.

"What did you feed him for breakfast?" her father asked.

"Captain Crunch and a hamburger," was his owner's reply.

He gave her a look. She responded in kind.

"What? It's not like he has anything else to eat."

He ceded the point. "Are you going to go out in your pajamas?"

She made a noise before gulping some of her milk, giving it up as a lost cause, putting it on the floor for Leon, and bounding up the stairs to put on clothes. Leon ignored the stare he was receiving from Arjun as he happily lapped up Evee's milk. He was going to have fun at the pet store. He absently wondered, as he made his way to the sliding glass door to wait for Evelyn—no point in showing off his intelligence—how the other dogs would act about him.

The car ride there was uneventful; Evelyn telling him her life story as she pet his large head. She wasn't a short kid, probably middle school or early high school, and his head easily came up to her waist.

Frankly, he was a rather large 'dog'.

The happy colours denoting the pet store brought Leon out of his thoughts.

"Come on!" Evelyn urged as she got out of the car. "They allow pets in here."

Of course they do, Leon thought, you wouldn't have brought me otherwise.

Getting out of the car, Leon stood beside Evelyn as Arjun got out of the car before the three of them made their way into the store.

It was chaos.

An attendant came up to them as soon as the door closed and informed them, "One of the puppies figured out how to get out of his enclosure and let a few others out. They're running around the store. If one comes up to you, can you please pick it up and keep it with you? They know the employees and run away from us."

"We'll do what we can," Mr. Arjun told the distressed employee. She smiled tiredly before heading back to the registers. Leon nudged Evelyn in a direction and the two took off, leaving Arjun standing at the door.

"What do you think; green or black?" Evelyn asked as she held up the respective collars. Leon just looked at them, before looking at her. He was slightly partial to the green, but both were rather…he wasn't quite sure, feminine? He raised his lips in disgust.

Evelyn sighed. She put the collars back. "Well then, if you don't like those, what do you like?" He paced down the aisle briefly before stopping in front of a rather charming leather collar. He sat down and gave her a doggy smile, raising his paw. She saw the collar and looked at him. "It is rather handsome, like someone I know."

Leon preened.

Evelyn laughed.

While they were looking at leashes, a puppy rounded the corner and skidded to a halt. Evelyn eyed him warily, not sure if he was good with puppies. Jesus, give me more credit than that, girl, Leon thought.

The puppy, however, was astonished. Holy Shit! Was his shrill, puppy bark.

Leon raised an eyebrow. Aren't you supposed to be in a cage or something? Leon asked as he made his way towards the puppy, a chocolate lab, completely ignoring his owner's warnings soothing words of placation.

The puppy raised his head, rather proudly. The border collie let me out.

Leon rolled his eyes. Those dogs were too smart for their own good. His tails waved in irritation. The puppy, taking note of his tails, tucked his tails and prostrated himself. Holy Shit! He repeated.

You will follow me and my person, Leon informed the puppy. Whatever game you and your friends are playing ends now.

Yes sir, the chocolate lab modestly replied.

Leon turned back to his owner and started when he found her staring at him. He cocked his head in silent question.

"I didn't know you did so well with puppies and small animals," Evelyn explained. She held up a long, black nylon leash. "Will this do?"

Leon wagged his tail.

Evelyn smiled. "Let's go look at dishes!"

Leon, along with the chocolate lab, bounded after her.

A beagle and a golden retriever were hiding amongst the beds the aisle before the food dishes, and surprised Evelyn when they jumped out of the display and pounced on the chocolate lab puppy.

We got you! The beagle happily crowed.

We got you good! We got you! We got you! The golden retriever chanted as she pranced and leaped about the chocolate lab.

Uh, guys, the lab began, slightly unsure of what to say. He looked at Leon, who seemed slightly annoyed.

What're you brats doing? Leon slightly snarled.

The beagle stilled and the golden retriever did as best as one of their breed of puppies could, her tail, however, was still wagging so hard her but slightly wagged from side to side as well. Leon looked to them, the retriever was just happy to exist, big doe eyes looking at everything. The beagle, however, looked at him curiously before recognition dawned in his eyes.

Hunter, he breathed. I never thought I'd be graced with your presence.

He stretched before laying down; something that looked like a bow. Something within Leon was immensely pleased with the praise. The golden retriever was immensely confused. She looked about for answers, at the two very well behaved puppies, before looking at Leon.

I thought Hunter was just a story Mama told me before bed, she stated more than queried.

The beagle growled at her in all his puppy annoyance. His tails! He has three tails!

What? The retriever bounded around Leon before stilling. Oh Shit!

That's what I said! The lab proudly stated. Leon gave him a look and he laid down on the floor in perfect obedience.

Leon looked at the two newcomers. I'll tell you what I told the lab there; you will follow me and my person. Whatever game you're playing is over. Who else is out and about?

The Border Collie who let us out and the Australian Cattle Dog, the beagle helpfully replied. The employees caught the Shiba Inu, but he hadn't really wanted to be out anyway.

Christ, Leon swore. The puppies stared at him. YOU FUCKING BORDER COLLIE AND CATTLE DOG! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW! The puppies shuddered at the subtle hint of power he put into the command.

Evelyn jumped at the bark-snarl that Ghir had made. "It's okay, Ghir. If the puppies bother you that much, I'll go get a store attendant."

Ghirardelli looked at her, smiling with his tongue lolling out. The smile left Evelyn's face and Leon was sad to see it go. "What are you planning?" Leon wagged his tail.

The skittering of claws heralded things and stopped her next statement before it could leave her mouth. She watched as Leon addressed the two new puppies before, seemingly satisfied about something, he turned his attention back to her, four puppies laying down obediently behind him while the border collie was between his front feet. That one looked rather sullen.

Evelyn looked through the food and water dishes before offering a few to Leon. He chose the two that he liked. Evelyn looked at all her things. "How about I go get a cart?"

Leon nodded; something he realized a dog wouldn't do, but couldn't take back. His person hadn't seemed to notice, leaving their shopping for him to watch. He turned his attention to the trouble maker between his feet.

Just what the fuck did you think you were doing? He asked.

The border collie pouted.

Speak, dammit! Leon commanded.

The puppy huffed. I was going crazy all locked up in my cage. It's small. So I watched the attendants open and close them and then learned how they work. I let myself out so I could run around. I need to run around. She looked rather pathetic, all huffing and angry in the way that only puppies could be. She rather reminded Leon of Chris.

Dammit, Leon cursed to himself. She looked up at him with her intelligent, blue eyes—so light they were almost silver in colour; small fluffy body covered in a bluish-silver colour with black patches and flecks. She was a pretty dog in her own way, but he had a feeling that she would be perfect for Evelyn.

The rattling of a cart interrupted his thoughts. Leon looked over his shoulder to see Evelyn driving a cart towards him. "Father's looking at fish," she informed him, "said to hurry up because he has a meeting soon." She went to put the things for him in the cart and Leon began putting puppies in the cart; all but the border collie.

Evelyn looked at him curiously, about to ask something, but Leon picked the dog up and started towards the food. His person sighed before following him.

The food all smelled disgusting. The puppies were all yapping at what their favourite brands were and their favourite treats; which employees gave the best treats; and so on and so forth. Leon would have told them to shut up, but Evelyn kept going on and on about how adorable each of them all were. The food he finally decided on that didn't smell the most revolting was some kind of wholesome puppy food. Considering the size of the pellets, and the fact that he knew Evelyn would give him table scraps, Leon stood on his hind legs and placed his front ones on the bag.

"But you're not a puppy," she told him.

He wagged his tail.

"You're not a puppy."

He looked at the border collie.

She looked at him, looked at the border collie, looked at the food, then found his train of thought. The fucking dog wants the puppy!

"Father is going to protest, you know," she informed him as, smiling, she put two bags of the food in the bottom of the cart. "He doesn't like you for some reason, and he's the one that got you in the first place."

Leon milked it. He whined.

"Ugh fine." She walked over to the puppy who tentatively wagged her tail. "Aren't you adorable? Yes you are!"

The border collie wagged her tail. "I'm going to call you Ghost. I don't care if father throws a fit. He owes me one."

When the two and company reached the registers, the employees nearly cried in relief. "Thank you so much!" the lady checking her out explained. "They always ran away whenever we got near them." Evelyn put her purchases on the belt and left the puppies to be taken away by a store clerk.

Ghirardelli had the border collie in his mouth, and when an attendant came to get her, he snarled.

"Ghirardelli," Mr. Arjun addressed the dog. "Give the man the dog."

He raised his lip in defiance.

"Ghir," Mr. Arjun said warningly. Leon turned, flicked his tail high in the manner of cats, and left the store. They all watched as the dog looked both ways before crossing the road to the parking lot before sitting next to a blue car; puppy still in his mouth.

"I think you'll have to add the puppy to the list of purchases," Evelyn said diplomatically.

"Didn't you take him to the toys?" her father nearly snarled.

"I did and he wasn't interested in any of them," she replied neutrally. "Since we stumbled upon her, he hasn't put her down."

She watched her father's face turn an interesting shade of red. He suddenly whirled to the store attendant. "How much?"

The lady told him the price with the puppy and his lips thinned. "You're taking care of both of them; I'm having nothing to do with them."

"Yes, father," she replied. He filled out the correct papers for the puppy and wrote a check. He shoved some money in her hand and gestured in a direction.

"Get your mutts name tags," he ground out.

Evelyn obediently did as she was told, not going to push her luck anymore than she already had. Before she left, the attendant called her back. "Here's a collar and leash for the puppy; to show our gratitude." She gave her a knowing look, and Evelyn secretly thought that the woman was right.

"Thank you very much," she told the woman. Both of them knew it was an empty formality. She hurried after her father and found that Ghirardelli had refused to let her father near him or the puppy he carried. As soon as she approached the car, Ghir bounded over to her and walked obediently next to her.

"That dog's too smart for his own good," she heard her father mutter. She agreed, but you'd never hear her say it out loud. Sometimes, it was almost like he talked back to her, but she knew that was silly. Dogs couldn't talk the way people did.

However, she couldn't argue that the smug look on Ghirardelli's face when he settled himself in the car, Ghost between his front legs, was very human.

posted 11August2008