Okay, I don't even know where to begin. I know I'm terribly late, and I deeply apologize. That's the deal: I was studding to a really hard test. I'm not sure how to put it in English. According to my translator it's called 'Public tender' or something like that. Bottom line it's some seriously badass exam I have to be approved on in order to get a job that pays well. The problem is, I studied, did the test and around two weeks after it was all canceled and rescheduled. That's right: rescheduled! Means I have to study all over again. Lucky me -.-'

So, that's my life so far. To make things worse the more I study, the more I get a block. Honestly, my imagination hates me.

I got some time and worked this chapter out. Once again it wasn't revised the way I would have liked but well, better than nothing, right? I'm not sure I liked my work though. I need to sit down and consider what I want to do with this story.

Once again I'm terribly sorry. Wish I could give you guys some hope about updates but I can't. I will try to work harder on 'The Other', though.

Now on with the story!

Warning: no poodle was hurt on the writing of this chapter.

The Other

Prompt: Pet

Age: around 5 – 6 years old

Kousei sighed, wondering once again if such good idea was really that good. Around him everything was chaos. There were children running around, pleading and crying, some demanding and throwing fits. The so called adults did little better, half bending to their child's will, unsure of what to do. On the background, echoing like an endless music, the animals continued to whine and bark and ...bleat?

The hell am I doing here? – the man thought, glaring at some puppies jumping and barking and promptly ignoring the goats and other strange animals. And to say he was here to buy one.

As if reading his father's thoughts, Kouji turned to the man.

"Why are we here?" – the boy demanded, his expression too hard for someone so young. He was the only boy that wasn't running around or begging for a pet. In fact, Kouji didn't seem happy at all.

And even if most times Kousei was grateful for the quiet attitude, he was starting to worry. No child should be this quiet and yet his son always behaved like that.

Quiet and angry.

And alone. So alone.

Why? He has all the toys, everything a kid could want. Why he has to be like that?

"Dad!"

"Well, I thought you would like to see the animals." – the man answered, casting some deep thoughts away. He knew why his son was like that, the school counselor had explained many times. Dwell on it would be of no good.

Besides, just because he knew doesn't mean it could be fixed.

"Poodles are stupid." – the boy declared, as he glared at the dogs and the girls around them. Both wore pink, sparkly clothes which, to a boy on Kouji's age, is nothing short to the portrait of hell.

"There are not just poodles here. Why don't you look around? "

Kouji didn't seem much convinced. And even if he was, years taught him his dad could not be trusted. Even if he found something he really liked, Kouji doubted he would bring it home. He would probably end up with a picture, if much.

And yet there are some laws that can't be broken, no matter how grumpy you are. Like the natural attraction between children and puppies. It took a while and more than a couple pushes, but eventually it worked.

"Are you sure?" – Kousei asked, wondering how his son managed to find that dog. It was not playing with the others. In fact it wasn't even free but confined to a small cage. Briefly the man wondered if that pup was sick. It was definitely smaller than the others, even with the mean look.

But Kouji didn't budge. Raising his small hand, he squeezed it between the bars.

"Don't! He bites! "

And sure enough the dog did just that.

"Ouch!" – Kouji cried, face contorted in pain. He didn't back away, though. Instead he held his ground, even if tears were gathering on his eyes.

"Kouji! Get away from it!" – Kousei called but didn't move. The dog still had the hand on its mouth. To pull Kouji now would only cause more damage.

But once again, the boy ignored his father.

"You want out, don't you?" – in the tense silence that fell around them, the question was like a bomb. It was an obvious conclusion, and yet it held a meaning far too deep for a child to grasp.

Blue eyes met the brown one of the dog's. Kousei held his breath.

Then the dog let go. Sniffing the small hand, it liked it.

Kouji giggled.

"What in God's name happened here?" – a woman asked to no one in particular, staring eye wide at the child and dog – "That dog never liked anyone outside his litter. That's why he's the only one left. "

Strangely enough, it made sense. To Kousei at least.

And maybe, just maybe, it made sense to little Kouji as well.

"I'll take that dog."

"But sir, I don't recommend-"

"I said I'll take it." – Kousei stood straight, eyes hard like stone. He was a businessman after all. There was no way that woman would intimidate him or change his mind.

Realizing she had no other choice, the woman walked away to settle the sell. Not without sending the dog and child a last fearful look. Kousei wasn't worried, though. Not when Kouji was still giggling.

Perhaps that wasn't such a bad idea.

"Dad, can I call Ken over to play with the dog?"

No. – the man mused, hiding his smile – Not bad at all.