A/N: I'm about ready to conk out at my desk, but I'm pretty sure I promised this to PetiteShima last night, and now it's this morning, so technically I'm already late. I'm sorry. The pet's name, Kouki, means light, happiness, hope, radiance and sunshine.

Theme: Rima gains a pet and shares it with Senri/the pet's involvement in their lives Theme Supplier: PetiteShima

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or make a profit from this. And I might seem loopy, sorry, apologies are in advance today.

The squirming German Shepherd pup was placed in seven-year-old Rima Touya's arms one night when her Mother came home.

"You need to learn responsibility, Rima." Mrs. Touya lectured gently as Rima set the puppy down and held onto his collar. The pup seemed perfectly content to lean on Rima and have her scratch his neck lightly. "This puppy will help you do that. You're going to be the one to walk him and feed him, brush him and love him. You'll have some help training him if you want, but other than that..."

Mrs. Touya kept going, but Rima just peered down at the puppy. His bright, chocolate brown eyes looked up at her with excitement, and she continued to rub little circles under his collar.

Two weeks later, Mrs. Touya became Ms. Touya. The divorce was messy, and little Rima was sent off, with her new companion, to stay at her best friend Senri's house.

"You got a puppy?" Senri asked as Kouki, the puppy, jumped up on him. Senri was unfazed as Kouki licked his face and proceeded to attempt to knock him down, despite the size difference.

"Off." Rima commanded and Kouki returned to her side and lay down. "His name is Kouki. Mom said I needed him to learn responsibility."

Senri reached down and petted the dog gently. Rima clicked her tongue when Kouki began to chew on Senri's hand softly, and the puppy stopped immediately.

"Did you train him?" Senri asked, kneeling on the carpet to pet Kouki some more. The dog seemed just as entranced with Senri as he was with Rima, and that was saying something.

"He's almost completely trained since I got him two weeks ago." Rima's tone was affectionate, but firm. "Don't worry, he's housetrained and knows most commands. It's just tricks I haven't done yet."

Senri was silent for a moment or two, staring at the puppy. "That's cool, Rima, I would love to have a dog."

"What if we shared custody of him?" Rima offered. "My parents are going to share custody of me, and I don't think I want to take him from house to house, but he seems to like you. It would probably be better."

Senri nodded. His Mom loved animals, she wouldn't care.

Over the years the puppy grew into an adult, and it cemented the link between the two children, growing into adults themselves. They took the dog out on long walks in the countryside, and occasionally to the beach.

Kouki was their pride and joy, the only thing they treated like their baby. It was strangely appropriate, their little family, girl, boy, and dog. Their parents, Ms. Touya, still healing from the divorce, and Ms. Shiki, whose mind was deteriorating, took solace in the responsibility and love that their children had for Kouki.

But the years took their toll on the beloved pet, and soon Kouki was sick every day with some sort of ailment. His movements said it all, the way he limped or coughed. The veterinarian recommended all kinds of pills and remedies, but each one did nothing for Kouki. Rima and Senri were becoming frantic, as Kouki got weaker, and less mobile.

Senri and Rima were sitting in Rima's room, letters from Cross Academy and lists of what they would need if they chose to go were strewn across Rima's bed, and Kouki was on his dog bed. His breath was rattling slightly, the worst of his ailments at the time, and the rattling got quieter and quieter. Rima and Senri watched on in horror as they watched their best friend pass away.

There was a moment of understanding silence, and then Rima swallowed hard and looked at the letter. "I think... we should go now." She whispered.

Senri didn't say anything; he was forcing himself to look at her.

"Our parents want us to go... and what is there to stay for anymore?" Rima swallowed again and rubbed her eyes, hands shaking as she gathered up their letters. "Let's take care of Kouki, and then go get ready."

In one way, it was the end of an era. Their beloved pet was gone, and they were leaving for a boarding school. But in a way, it was only beginning.

When they married, once Rima was pregnant, they began looking for a puppy for their child.

A/N: I tried really hard to steer it to a happy ending, but it feels kind of depressing to me still. I may rewrite, depending on what you guys, and you PetiteShima, think. I tried to make it as realistic as possible. Anyway, I think I need a nap now, so I'll answer reviews tonight. Thank you for reading!