Chapter Six: The Dog

It had now been two weeks since Keitaro and the others had allowed Set Moritsune to stay at the Hinata House, and Shinobu couldn't have been happier. He was Sempai's cousin, so he had all the right to stay at the Hinata House. Besides, the predicament he was in was awful, causing her, and some of the other members of the residence, to feel bad for him.

Not to mention he's kinda cute.

She blushed, and instantly dismissed the thought. She just met him two weeks ago! She shouldn't have any thoughts like that. She hurriedly finished making breakfast, and began to set the table.

Before Set could comprehend what was going on, he was thrashed awake by something landing right in his back, and then landing on the floor next to him resulting in a noise equivalent to that of an "oof". Next thing he knew, daylight engulfed the dark room, causing his eyes to wince. He opened his eyes and saw Su staring back at him.

"Rise and shine, sleepy head!"

Su had a very large grin on her face. Rather maniacal. This of course, caused Set to smile, for this was the sixth time it's happened in the past two weeks.

"G'morning, Su... Breakfast ready?"

"Yup, yup, yup!" Su hopped over Set, and bolted out the door.

Set sat up and rubbed his back. "Ugh, this is gonna be another exhausting day." He smiled, however. The work was kind of hard, and the pain he had to deal with wasn't anything he'd wish on anyone, but the food was good, the living quarters were comfortable, and the sights were wonderful. Being surrounded by pretty girls was an incredibly awesome thing.

Set finally managed to stand up, and stumble over to the dresser. He pulled out a pair of green cargo shorts, and donned on a plain black t-shirt. He then headed towards his door, and went down the stairs. Just like always, before he even reached the bottom, he was greeted to the amazing smell of Shinobu's home cooked breakfast. He finally reached the bottom of the stairs, and quickly ducked down, just barely avoiding Su's flying sidekick. She landed right in front of him, and spun around quickly.

"Nice try, Su," said Set mockingly. "Can't win 'em all, can you?"

Su smile nearly doubled in size. "Guess not! Doesn't matter though. I'll get you when you're least suspecting it. Tee hee!"

Su bolted off towards the dinning area with insane amounts of speed. He wondered if she ever ran out of energy, but decided he probably shouldn't try to comprehend her unlimited amounts of energy.

Kitsune was sitting at the table as Set walked into the room. He looked very groggy, though still cheery. Su was sitting next to her, and seemed to be in one of her calm stages. Keitaro and Naru were sitting across from her, and Shinobu was still preparing the last bit of breakfast. Mutsumi wouldn't be joining them due to she was visiting her family and wouldn't be back for a few weeks, while Motoko had yet to come down from the roof.

"G'morning, Set."

Set smiled pleasantly.

"G'morning. Mmm! The food smells delicious."

Shinobu blushed and smiled. "Thanks. I hope your hungry."

"I'm famished." Set's smiled widely as he sat down. To Kitsune's amazement, the man was able to wolf down the entire plate of food in mere minutes. Very amusing, if not slightly disgusting. This caused Keitaro to laugh. However, unbeknownst to Set, he had started a chain reaction that had been going on for nearly a decade.

Naru looked at Keitaro sharply. "How could you laugh at something like that!" And with a blink of an eye, Naru's fist was extended and Keitaro was on the other side of the kitchen.

Set nearly toppled over in his chair. "Holy crap!" The girls began to giggle as Keitaro sat up and dusted himself off. "Uhm, I'm sorry to have wolfed it down, Naru-chan."

Naru looked at Set pleasantly. "Well... I guess I'll let it slide with you just this once. However, use some manners next time."

"Heh, alright."

Kitsune was glad that Set was allowed to stay. It proved to be a nice addition to the household, and certainly added a bit of action to the house. With a new man, that of course would lead to double the amount of entertainment with accidental peep shows, and random violence.

About an hour later, Set found himself outside the Hinata House. He had planned to finally go down and perhaps purchase some things today, but he just didn't feel in the mood to. He then looked up at the sun and blinked a few times. "Damn May weather," he muttered. "So unpredictable... First it's cold, then it's hot. Then it's cold, then it's hot... Make up your mind!"

"Whom are you talking to?"

Set turned around and saw Shinobu shutting the door.

"Myself. Just commenting on the blasted weather."

"Tee hee. I see."

"So, where are you off to?"

"I'm going to pick up a book for Motoko-chan."

"That's cool. I'm heading down there to see if they perhaps see if they have anything worth buying. I planned on going a bit ago, but I never got around to it."

"Well if you don't mind, we could walk down there together? I'm also off to see if there is anything which I might be interested in buying, and to pick up a book for Motoko-chan."

"No, I don't mind at all. Company is just the motivation I needed."

Shinobu giggled, and they began to walk down the stairs.

"Set-kun?"

"Yes?"

"I really think you should consider college as an option."

"Heh... Why are you so interested in my future?"

"Well... Pardon me for saying this, but you seem to be directionless at the moment. Perhaps college is just the thing for you. It does open lots of doors."

"I'll think about it... It might be a good time killer, but who knows."

This answer seemed to satisfy Shinobu, causing her to smile. He seemed to be good at the art of getting girls to smile. This was a satisfying thing.

Damn. They had nothing there... Bah...

Set walked home from the store rather disappointed. He hadn't seen anything that had caught his attention, nor did they have anything that he wanted... Though, they probably did and he just didn't know it due to his rusty Japanese. As he headed towards the stairs that lead towards the Hinata House, he felt someone grab his arm, causing him to turn and face the person. There, stood an old woman, about the age of sixty.

"You look like you're in need of a companion, young man." She said this in a sly, creepy manor which caused Set to get a little goose flesh on the back of his neck.

"Uh, no thanks lady. I don't think I want what company you can offer."

"Oh, tee hee! I'm not offering my body, young man. Though I'm flattered, and slightly offended, at your thoughts."

"Oh, heh. Sorry about that. What could I do for you?"

"Follow me."

The old woman walked into a small shop behind her, and Set followed. The place seemed rather old, and dusty. As if no one had cleaned or repaired the place in the last fifteen or so years. The shop was full of empty cages and other unidentifiable things. The only thing around was a single solitary puppy sleeping in a cage on the counter. It looked as if it was a Golden Retriever. Set smiled and walked over to the cage.

"Hey little guy."

The puppy opened its eyes, and grew very excited. It ran to the edge of the cage, and pressed its paws up against it, hoping that Set would play with him.

"You see, young man. I have run this pet shop for the past seven years. However, things haven't been going so well financially, so I couldn't continue my business. Thus, I haven't restocked on any animals. What you are looking at is the last animal in this facility. He is seven weeks old, and he needs a home. Would you be willing to give him one?"

Set looked at the hound thoughtfully. It looked as if it's happiness was going to burst from its seems.

Motoko heard the front door open, and began to walk out to the entrance.

Hopefully that's Shinobu with my book.

As she reached the stairs and looked down, she saw him.

Damnit! Him...

However, for some reason his jacket was off and he was carrying it, as if something was inside it. Set looked up and noticed Motoko.

"Oh, hey there."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. Just heading to my room."

"I see... And what is it you have there?"

"This? Oh, well... See for yourself?"

Set opened up the jacket slightly, revealing a puppy.

"Wha-? Where'd you get that?"

"Some pet shop near that long ass flight of stairs heading up here... Speaking of which, you guys should really install an escalator or something. That flight is like a damn workout."

Set smiled, and continued to walk up the stairs, and then headed off to his room. The next thing she knew, her ears were assaulted by that damn American music.

Damn Urashima... Why would he allow such a person to stay here, even if he is his cousin! It's an outrage!

She became startled a bit as a voice called from down stairs. However, upon its second sentence, she realized it was Shinobu. "I'm home! Anyone here?"

"I'm up here, Shinobu-chan!"

Shinobu walked up the stairs carrying a small plastic bag. She reached into it, and pulled out a book.

"Oh, so they had it? Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it. So I see that Set-kun has arrived home?"

"Hai... I wish Moritsune would stop playing that racket. It's rather annoying."

"I don't think so. It sounds cool."

"Ugh. I supposed you're going to say him bringing an animal into the house is also cool?"

"He what?"

"Apparently while he was out he picked up a puppy."

Shinobu nearly quickly dashed towards Set's room and opened the door. The sight was amusing. Set was laying on his pack, holding the puppy in mid air, pretending it was flying. Motoko walked over and shook her head.

"Aw! That is so adorable!" Shinobu walked over and knelt down next to Set. "Can I hold it?"

"Ha-ha. Yeah, go on ahead."

He gently handed the hound to Shinobu.

"Aw, you're so precious! Did you name him yet?"

"Yeah. I named him The Dog."

"The Dog?"

Both Shinobu and Motoko looked puzzled at this choice for a name. Motoko stepped inside and stood next to Shinobu. "What the heck type of name is The Dog?"

"I dunno... I figured it'd be an interesting name for a hound. Instead of being 'A Dog', he is 'THE Dog'."

Shinobu giggled. "That's kinda cute. What do you think Motoko-chan?"

"I think it's stupid."

"You think everything is stupid."

"Bah... I don't need this."

Motoko turned and walked out of the room.

Set shrugged, and then looked at the dog. "Hmm... I think it's plotting her downfall?"

"Plotting her downfall?"

"Yeah, don't you know? All cute, furry animals plot people's downfalls. Doesn't mean they'll execute said plot, but they do it all the same."

Shinobu giggled. "You're a strange one, Set-kun. Well," she set the puppy down on the floor, "I have go start studying. Have fun with The Dog."

Shinobu smiled and walked out of the room. Set picked up the pooch and looked it straight in the eye. "I'm still not sure if 'The Dog' is the right name for you... I might change it, but who knows..."

The puppy licked his face, and Set began to laugh.