Chapter Seven- Friendship

Jack entered the kitchen with Yusei, the latter smelling cooking sausages and his mouth watered as his stomach rumbled; a sound only heard by him and Jack. The head cook turned from the stove and bowed. "Mr. Atlas, you honor us with your presence."

"Yes. My pet needs breakfast." He noticed Yusei's eyes focused on the stove and smiled. "A full bowl of those sausages would do nicely."

"Uh, yes sir, but they're for Mina."

"I don't care. They'll go to Yusei." He pointed at the wolf upon saying the name.

"Y-yes, sir." He turned back to the stove to sizzle up more sausages. Within minutes, with Jack watching, a bowl of smoked sausages was put in front of Yusei who began to eat, clearly taking his time to savor his food. Perhaps sausages are his favorite food. I'll be certain to remember that, Jack thought as he accepted a glass of blood and headed for the dining room.

Mina entered the room and greeted Jack as normal. Jack nodded, trying to resist killing Mina and sucking her blood. Killing her would insure she doesn't abuse Yusei again, but death is a bit harsh. However, I could fire her and change the security codes so she can't get back in. "Mina, meet me in the living room after your breakfast."

"Yes, Jack."

Jack went into the kitchen, put his glass in the sink, and saw Yusei was done eating and licking his muzzle. "Come on, Yusei." He led him into the living room and, as he sat, said, "I'm thinking of firing Mina for what she did." Yusei barked and Jack laughed. "You can talk now. You're not just my pet now, you're also a friend."

"Firing her would make a suitable punishment," Yusei said.

"I'm glad you agree."

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"Are you a king?"

Jack was silent for a moment. "Not royally speaking, but I am a dueling king."

Yusei's head shot up. "You're a duelist?"

"I am. Are you?"

"Yes. My deck is in my jacket right now."

Ah, so things like dueling decks also merges with their skin and fur. Interesting. "I'm more of a turbo duelist, really," he said.

"Oh, that's really good. I'd like to see you turbo duel."

"I'm sure I can arrange that. I have a staff at the stadium to cater to anyone using my private box which can only be used at my instruction."

Silence reigned until Mina came in. Her eyes landed on Yusei and her face paled while Yusei growled until Jack put a hand on his head. He gestured with his free hand at the space before the chair. "Mina, stand there." She complied and Jack fixed her with a cold stare. "I am very disappointed in you. You chose to abuse Yusei when you knew I would disapprove."

"You named him Yusei."

"No. That's his real name. I lifted the no talking rule. You also lied about Yusei being uncooperative and I decided to check on him. I had no idea how cruel you could be."

"I simply followed your example."

Jack scowled. "I may talk cruelly and coldly, but I would never be physically abusive. I'm sorry Mina, but you're fired."

"Fired?" she repeated.

"I cannot have someone who will do things I disapprove of behind my back. Please gather your things, leave the keys, and go."

Mina's eyes teared up as she left the room and Jack put a hand over his eyes. He felt bad about dismissing her but the reason he gave made sense. He felt something on his knee and heard Yusei whine. He lowered his hand to see a black paw on his knee before looking into Yusei's concerned blue eyes. He barked and then said, "Jack, will you be all right?"

"Yes, I will. I think we need to undo the training that was imposed on you. You're still speaking like a wolf."

Yusei laughed. "I'm a werewolf. I do occasionally talk like a wolf, but never in human form."

Jack laughed too. "Yes, well that does make sense. All right, then. How about this? Act like a wolf in public, not so much at home, and sleep beside me as a human?"

Yusei's tail swished. "And maybe human while dueling?"

"Oh, yes. Of course. I'd like to see what it's like dueling a werewolf. I plan to throw a party in three weeks to introduce you publicly."

"Is that why I was being trained?"

"Yes, it was. Now, I see that it's better to ask for your cooperation."

Yusei nodded and then gasped. "Jack, the full moon's in three weeks!"

"I know. A safe room is being built for your safety and mine."

Yusei sighed in relief. "Oh, good. Werewolves tend to be destructive and fight one another on the full moon. We recall all of it the following morning."

"Sounds irritating."

"It can be at times, but as I was born a werewolf, it's natural to me."

"That's how I feel about being a vampire. The need to drink blood every day can be inconvenient at times, but it's natural for me."

"How does the city view werewolves?"

"Not favorably, I'm afraid. It's widely believed that your kind are inferior, stupid animals. I had believed that you spoke with a guttural sound that renders you incomprehensible. Clearly, that's not true."

"It's partially true. There are some who turned their backs on their humanity. They prefer to stay in wolf form and speak as wolves. When they do talk, it's difficult to understand them. They give the rest of us a bad reputation."

Jack nodded. "It's the same way with my kind. Some are arrogant to the point of snobby and believing they are superior to every living thing. They would prefer to attack humans instead of living among them peacefully and getting their blood from the blood bank like most of us do." Jack checked a watch. "I have a duel in a few hours. Would you like to come?"

"Yes. I'd love to." Yusei barked happily and Jack laughed. He enjoyed Yusei's company and friendship. Despite them being different races, they had a lot in common and Jack looked forward to knowing Yusei more in the coming days and weeks.

Jack opened the box door and Yusei bounded into it, running up to the window, and planting his paws on the sill, tail swishing. Jack smiled in amusement before turning to the man outside it. "Now remember, sausages and water when he wants it. He'll bark to get your attention. In fact, you may want to get some now."

"Yes, sir." The man jogged away as Jack closed the door and went up next to Yusei. "Impressive view, isn't it?"

"It's amazing," Yusei agreed. "I can see everything from up here."

"Yeah; as specks. Fortunately, a TV screen will activate just before the match starts. I hope my choice of food for you is okay."

"It's fine. I love sausages, raw or cooked."

"I thought so. I saw how you ate them this morning."

Yusei dropped to all fours and nuzzled Jack's hand. "I can't thank you enough for this."

"Really? I happen to know you have two friends back home and I sent someone to give them communicators so you can talk to them."

"I can!?" Yusei couldn't resist vigorously licking Jack's hand in thanks.

Jack laughed as he lifted up his hand. "All right, all right. I've got a duel to play and I think you duel food just arrived." Jack left as bowls of food and water were brought in. Yusei settled down to eat and watch.