A/N: We all know that Cerberus is important to Hiruma and Mamori so I can't just scratch him off. So here I wrote a part for our beloved tenacious dog.

Chapter 37: Cerberus' Pride

"What about Cerberus? What happened to him?" Sena suddenly recalled. He had been wandering about the dog's whereabouts. Cerberus had always been wherever Hiruma went. He had actually been internally preparing himself for the dog's violent welcome if it was around. Looking around, he realized that Cerberus doesn't seem to be there. And if he was with Mamori-neechan that time, what would have those thugs done after impounding him.

"Ah, that's right. They didn't hurt him right Mamo-nee?" Suzuna didn't like the idea of having their former team mate get hurt. She loved that dog. She knew he is smart and tough but he was totally outnumbered.

"They didn't. But he still got some wounds from too much clawing and biting at the cage when the gang tried to make me do things. Hiruma-kun freed him."

"That canine; he didn't even want to get out of his prison," Hiruma added.

"Eh? He should have eagerly run out of it," Sena said.

"Maybe he felt bad that Mamo-nee made him go into that cell," Suzuna wondered out loud.

"Maybe that contributed to it as well. But I think it's more because he thought he wasn't helpful at all. But Cerberus also protected me and helped a lot," Mamori explained.

"He's just too full of himself," Hiruma commented. "I did tell him to stay on guard when I'm not around but I didn't tell him he needed to do anything else." He recalled how Cerberus just curled into a ball and stayed in the cage. He saw blood on his fur. He was so angry then since he thought maybe the bastards hurt him. Mamori was instantly beside them and was apologizing for letting him get caged and that it was for both their safety. Cerberus still did not move an inch. So that wasn't the reason; he understood that it was necessary. If Cerberus didn't he would have bit everyone. Then Mamori gently petted him; saying thank you, and that he protected her. Hiruma followed suit and said that he was useful and did his job. Cerberus finally lifted his head and Mamori coaxed him to finally get out of the cage. He instantly checked Cerberus and he was grateful that he only got light wounds. They had him treated immediately.

"Don't say that. He was such a good boy," Mamori chastised. She knew Hiruma was actually the most worried about Cerberus that time and told everyone what happened.

"Then where is he now?" Ako asked. She was expecting to see that scary dog that Mamori had time to time carried lovingly like it was a cute cat. Mamori and Hiruma's facial expression changed. They instantly knew there was something wrong.

"He is with the vet for recovery," Mamori replied.

"Ehh? What happened?!" Sena and Suzuna exclaimed. It's unthinkable for Cerberus to be in the vet.

"He got two of his legs injured so he couldn't walk. Thanks to this motherhen he didn't sustain more than that," Hiruma informed them.

"Nani?! Why would they do that?"

"Cerberus has cute little puppies now you see. He mated with the pet of the school veterinarian. Apparently the vet's dog had been harsh to a lot of people before. When they saw she has puppies now, some vengeful guys tried to steal them. Cerberus and I went to visit that time and caught them in action," Mamori supplied.

It was just another normal day. Mamori had just finished her classes and decided to drop by the vet's house since it was just beside the school. She knew Cerberus liked going to see his little puppies. She was surprised when Cerberus suddenly ran off without waiting for her so she quickly followed only to see Cerberus getting hit several times by a man with a bat.

She saw the puppies in a box and another man was carrying it, Cerberus' mate bit the guy carrying it and he dropped the box in pain. Of course Mamori's mother instinct acted before her brain and she instantly went to catch the box or the puppies would have gotten injured or worse. She quickly distanced herself along with the puppies. But when the man brought out a bat to hit the mother dog, Mamori couldn't help but go back.

"Don't hurt her, she's a mom. I already called the cops so leave if you don't want to get caught," she yelled but they didn't listen. She wasn't good at lying. "Stop it or I'll shoot?" she screamed and pointed a gun (one of Hiruma's smaller guns that she had captured since he was using it in school, thankfully she still had it with her).

"Oi oi, why's a university student carrying a gun? Isn't that a fake?" One of the guys said.

"Want to bet your life on it?" Mamori said and they eyed each other. The guys stopped and looked at her. She cocked the gun and they heard the sound. Her eyes told them she would really shoot so they dropped their bat.

Hiruma, Yamato, and Taka who went spying were jogging back to the university when they saw the scene. They blinked and took a second to process what they were seeing. Their manager just bluffed with a gun. Hiruma was the first to get in action and quickly went to pin down the guy nearest to Mamori. Yamato followed suit while Taka went to Cerberus who was now lying on the ground.

The school vet had also just arrived and saw the scene. She was dumbfounded at the sight of Mamori, a prim and proper lady pointing a gun fiercely. She went to check on Cerberus after checking that the puppies and her pet are alright. They had to put a spleen on Cerberus left front and back legs due to his injuries.

"You did well buddy," Hiruma petted Cerberus to reassure him. Even a dog knew how to look after his pups. He couldn't help but be proud even if he hated the fact that his tough buddy was hurt.

"He will be well soon right?" Mamori asked the vet. She could no longer stop her tears at seeing Cerberus in so much pain.

"It will take long to recover from those. I'll have to check for possible internal injuries as well," the Vet replied and Mamori's tear flowed even more.

"He will be fine. He's one hell of a canine so he will be up and chasing after the team again. Right buddy," Hiruma said Cerberus barked and raised a paw in agreement. The Vet thanked them and apologized for getting Cerberus involved. She volunteered to cure Cerberus back to health for free as thanks for protecting the puppies and her pet. Mamori and Hiruma visited Cerberus everyday to feed him and check on his condition.

"Poor Cerberus," Suzuna sniffed.

"He will be running around soon. You'll be surprised how he is loved by the puppies. They're all so adorable," Mamori said and showed them pictures.

"Yah! I want one," Suzuna beamed. Sena sweatdropped. He didn't really like the idea of having a scary dog. The puppies looked cute though, but when they grow up they would be like Cerberus, just thinking about several Cerberus chasing after him sent cold shivers down his spine.

"I'll try to ask the vet if she can give you one."

"Yah, a baby Cerberus!"

"Am I the only one who noticed that you used a gun to bluff Mamo-chan?" Ako reminded everyone.

"Maybe we need to get used to Mamo-chan with guns," Sarah suggested.

Mamori blushed. Hiruma teased her for a long time about that. He also scolded her though for always throwing herself into fire.

A/N: Did you think the loveydovey scenes would be here? Nope. Let's try the next chap. Kekeke.