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Title: Man's Best Friend

By: Scarlet

Rated: G

Theme #55: Pet

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Notes: I've been on an angst roller coaster lately and I'm very happy that this one has no hint of angst what so ever. Pure Fluff and a touch of humor.

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It was a humbling experience. Not only did he find himself in the middle of an intense staring contest with a small puppy but he was about to lose.

Mamoru was having a perfectly nice afternoon reading on his favorite bench in the park. It was then that he noticed that he wasn't alone. Apparently the white fluff ball for a puppy had decided that it was his favorite bench too and was sitting next to him.

The dog turned its small head to look into Mamoru's face with wide dark eyes. Feeling oddly trapped, Mamoru continued to stare back at the creature, not sure what to do. Where was the dog's owner?

The puppy seemed to approve of him and barked happily at Mamoru. He placed his little paws on Mamoru's arms, vainly trying to lick the man's face.

Mamoru couldn't help but laugh at the small dog's antics. He wondered where it had come from. It didn't look like a stray since it was clean and seemed well fed, yet it didn't have a collar.

"I wish I had some dog treats for you or something…but all I have is a tuna sandwich. I don't think you'd enjoy that though." With a somewhat regretful sigh, Mamoru picked up the furry body and placed him on the bench as he stood up. "This was fun and a little weird but I have to go now. You should go back to your owner. I'm sure they're worried about you."

The puppy barked in response as his large eyes watched Mamoru walk away.

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"Mamoru, I don't believe I've met your new girlfriend." Motoki bit his tongue trying to stop the laughter that wanted out. It really was an amusing picture. When Mamoru walked into the arcade at his usual time he held in his arms the small white bundle.

Mamoru was not as amused as the blonde though. He placed the puppy on a stool and sat beside it. "I don't want to hear it. You have to help me. For reason's unknown this dog seems to think I'm its owner. I found it at the park yesterday afternoon and now it just keeps following me!"

It was useless. Motoki couldn't help it anymore and burst out in laughter. The puppy sat obediently at the stool wagging its tail as Mamoru was looking more distressed by the second. "I personally think a pet would be good for you. Now you won't be so lonely in that apartment of yours."

The puppy barked in agreement. Mamoru sighed in frustration. "I'm not a pet person. I don't have the time to take care of it. With work and school it would be just as lonely in my apartment as I am."

Motoki scratched his head. "So then what are you going to do with it?"

"If I can't find someone who wants him then I guess I have no other choice then to bring it to the pound."

"You can't!" Usagi had walked into the arcade and saw the adorable puppy, she listened quietly to the two men's conversation. At the mention of the pound she could no longer keep quite. "Do you know what happens to animals in the pound if they don't get adopted?" she asked, her blue eyes wide with horror.

A bit surprised from her sudden appearance, Mamoru turned around to look at the blonde. "I know. But hopefully he'll find an owner who has the time to take care of him properly."

Still unconvinced, Usagi picked up the white puppy and hugged it to her chest as if she was trying to protect it. "I'll take care of him!"

"I thought your mother said no more pets since you already have a cat," Motoki helpfully pointed out.

Mamoru saw the look of disappointment in Usagi's usually bright eyes. As the puppy went up to lick the girl's face it only managed to make her feel worse. She had to find some way to save the puppy.

"I have an idea." Mamoru said, prompting Usagi to loop up at him. "I'll keep him at my apartment, but you have to help take care of him."

The girl's eyes grew wide. "How can I help?"

Mamoru started to feel a bit uncomfortable at her intense gaze. "I'll be able to take care of it during the mornings. In the afternoons, though, you're going to have to come over to my apartment to take care of it and keep it company."

"You mean it? You'll actually let me do that?" she asked in wonder.

He was trying to look anywhere but her face. Why did he feel so embarrassed? "Well yeah… That is if you don't mind having to come over everyday."

"Of course I don't mind! Thank you so much Mamoru!" Usagi suddenly flung herself at Mamoru, hugging him to her with the white puppy in between them. "I'm going to go and buy a collar and chew toys for him!"

Mamoru was left staring at the closing doors with the puppy in his arms.

"I told you a pet would be good for you," Motoki said.

Looking down at the puppy who seemed to be smiling back at him, Mamoru had to agree for once.

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Notes: I've always wanted a white puppy…and a black cat. But my mother was not very animal friendly so all I've ever had was fish. I loved my fish but really it was a bit lame. Haha… So now when Usagi and Mamoru move in together in the near future they will have a white dog and a black/purplish cat. Woot.