"We gotta get you to the vet quick."

I ran in to get Gilroy, and we headed off as soon as we physically could.

"What happened? Who's dog is it?"

"I don't know. It just came up to me with glass jammed into its hand," I replied frantically.

"You mean its paw?"

"Not the time, Gil."

Once we got there, the clerk said that the offices were booked and no one was taking emergency calls. I was about to start yelling at the woman when Gilroy whispered something to her. She nodded and took us aside.

"Right this way, please."

Well, what the lucky hell? She brought us to a lanky male veterinarian who asked about the same questions as Gilroy had and more after I had told him the puppy wasn't mine. Once he had helped the puppy and bandaged it up, he gave Gilroy some paperwork to fill out before asking one final question.

"Will you be taking him to the pound then, or will he be in our hands?"

"What? No. I know he doesn't have a collar, but he still might belong to somebody. Like you said, he's completely healthy otherwise."

The vet smiled at my response and replied, "As you wish. Make sure he is well looked after. This puppy is going to be a very big and strong dog someday."

The vet scratched behind the puppy's ear as he finished his thought. Once Gilroy returned the paperwork, the vet sent us off.

"Thank you!"

The vet and the desk clerk nodded in response.

"Hey, Gilroy."

"Yes, Rori?"

"What did you say to that lady?"

He just smiled mishievously, "Another tale for another time, m'lady."

I hate when he says that! Every time there's something he doesn't want me to know, he answers with that crap. I sighed. ... Whatever. At least the dog's better. We went on back home.

I left my things in the vehicle from when I got home, and I resumed my position outside with the puppy. I heard two women yelling across the street.

"Hana, we need to find him before your brother gets home! Akamaru could be gravely injured!"

"... He's been waiting for Akamaru for months, now this..."

That was all I was able to make out at the end.

"Akamaru, that's a cute name."

Once I said the name, the little puppy gave a quiet squeaky bark and began to wag his tail rapidly.

"Oh, is that you? Are you Akamaru?"

He gave me another little bark. I guess it was a yes. He was just a bit bigger than my hands and was within my criss-crossed legs. They probably didn't see him. Even if they could, they might not have noticed him through their commotion anyway. Time to get up. The older female walked into the house as she dialed a number on her phone while the other girl seemed to be on her way, running in another direction.

"Hey, wait. ... Hey! Wait!"

"What is it?"

"Hey, is this your dog?"

"Akamaru! Where did you find him?"

"I didn't. He came over to me. Uh, with a giant piece of glass in his paw."

"What?" she yelled as she frantically searched his paws.

"Well, we took him to the vet. He's better now."

"Oh, thank you. We saw the blood. You had us so worried, boy!"

We began walking back to her house. She ran inside, urging me to follow after.

"Mom, look! It's Akamaru! He's alright!"

"Where did you find him?"

The girl, Hana if I remember correctly, told her mother what had happened. Then, she walked into another room with Akamaru.

"So, do you guys know how he cut himsef?"

"It seems he found his way onto the counter and knocked one of the glasses off. He must have fallen into it somehow."

"I would have taken it out myself, but it was pretty deep."

"What do we owe you?"

"Huh?"

"For the vet. What do we owe you?"

"Oh, no. I don't need the money. He just seemed ... Really in pain."

I have no idea what I just said. What the hell is really in pain? Ugh.

"Surely your parents must want to be paid back."

"I used my own money. Really, don't worry about it."

"Alright, it's your decision, but don't hold it over my head."

I nodded.

"I do have one question though."

"... Go on."

"Does everyone in your family have those symmetrical scratch marks on your faces? I saw them on Kiba's face too."

"Hm?" she asked as she went to feel the marks on her face, "We do. None of us are sure where they came from, but the Inuzuka family have had these 'birth' marks for generations. What's your name?"

"My name is Rori Summers."

She smirked while Hana walked back in, without Akamaru. They have a lot of dogs though...

"So, you're the one he's been complaining about. It's nice to meet you Rori. My name is Tsume, and this is my daughter, Hana."

"Likewise."

"You sure are a strange young man. Thank you again for helping Akamaru. Hana will escort you out."

"Okay."

Hana led me toward the front entrance. I began speaking again.