Disclaimer: Petshop of Horrors belongs to Mari Akino\
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A/N: Whit, my beta-reader, is probably wishing I was deceased at this point, because this is the fifth chapter I've typed in the past 48 hours with little to no sleep. She's actually gotten to the point where she's counting my errors just to see if it annoyes me. ^^ the poor child. *bows to whit* You know I couldn't do this without you. *giggle*
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Night came swiftly to the woods, and Rebecca lit three seperate sticks of incense, then rustled a small dinner for herself and China. Once they'd both eaten, Rebecca changed the bandages on China's wounds, then added another log to her little fire. She leaned against an old, worn armchair, petting China absentmindedly.
"It's so nice here," Rebecca murmured as she listened to the heavy rain and swift wind pass over the cabin. She and China had been in hiding a total of two days. Both, while still very stiff, were beginning to do better. China lifted her head and looked up at her new owner, with a look of total adoration in her now half-wild eyes. "My mother and I used to come here all the time, when my dad would be away on some business trip or something like that." She rose to her feet, smiling down at the dog. "Well, I'm going to go and check on my sweet-bread. I'll be right back, I promise." In the kitchen, Rebecca checked on the food she'd placed in the wood-burning oven. It was done, so she removed the dish and set it onto a metal cooling rack, then returned to the living room. She noted that the room was a bit colder than before, despite the log added to the fire, so she made a quick check of the windows and door. All were securely shut, so she just shrugged and returned to the chair.
"I think you're the first person to listen to me talk without interrupting me, snapping at me, or telling me I'm a liar," Rebecca reflected as China hobbled onto the girl's lap. "My mom used to listen to me, but she's gone now. And for some reason Dad thought you would replace her!" Her words took an icy, angry edge as she spoke. "Then he hit you, just like he hit her and me... and he tried to kill you, just like he killed her!" A few tears rolled down Rebecca's cheeks, and China barked softly, nuzzling the girl's face with her nose. Rebecca smiled weakly. "I'm glad you'll listen to me though. All I've ever wanted was a friend who wouldn't hurt me, and the ancients spirits, or whoever it is watching over us, brought you. And I promise that I won't let anything happen to you ever again."
***
Count D stood in the shadows of the cabin, listening to the girl speak with mixed emotions. He'd come to take the dog away, for the contract had been broken, and yet here this girl was talking to the animal like nothing had gone wrong. And the canine hadn't made a move to rebuke its owners for disobeying the contract, as was the normal occurance. She hadn't even brought down retribution for her rough treatment. Not that China wouldn't have attacked Mr. Robinson, had she had the strength to do so. And D had seen that clearly in her half-wild eyes when she'd let him into the cabin while Rebecca was out of the room. But there'd been something else in China's eyes; a deep loyalty to this girl, who'd saved her from the brink of death. Even though Rebecca had, as being a member of the family, broken the contract, the canine still felt loyal to her... she wouldn't attack her new master even if the contract had been competely severed.
"It would seem," D said as he emerged from the shadows, "that in this case the consequences to be had will not be given by the animal, but by the police, and to the appropriate person."
Rebecca screamed as she jumped to her feet, half out of fright and half out of pain from the sudden movement. China began to bark loudly at the commotion and D stopped in his tracks, giving Rebecca an apologetic look.
"Please, I did not mean to frighten you," D said softly. "I apologize."
"H-how did you find me?" Rebecca asked the strange pet shop owner, not sure what to make of the man now that he was inside what she'd thought was her safe haven. "How did you get in here?"
"One of your neighbors, a pleasant old lady, gave me the directions to this cabin, and China let me in," the Count explained.
Rebecca watched D with a cautious eye, but when China calmed down and actually limped over to the Count to lick his hand, the girl relaxed her guard a bit. "Can I offer you some sweet-bread and tea? Both are hot."
"Thank you," D agreed, taking a seat gracefully in one of the two well-worn chairs. China laid herself down at his feet. He watched Rebecca through narrowed eyes, but China began to whine at him, and the count's eyes widened a bit. He then examined all of China's wrappings with the scrutiny of a professional while Rebecca set down a plate of sweet-bread and a cup of tea on a small table in front of him. "You have done a magnificient job with these bandages."
"Thanks," Rebecca said quietly, sitting gingerly in the other chair. She was unwrapping the bandages that covered her own hands, so as to clean them out, and was otherwise silent.
D glanced around the room while Rebecca tended to her own wounds, and kept himself silent. Until he noticed the three sticks of incense burning on the mantle over the fireplace. When he noticed this, he couldn't help but ask, "Three sticks of incense?"
"One for China, one for my mother, and one for the ancient gods and spirits," Rebecca explaine automatically. "My mother believed in the ancients and always burned incense for them, so I do the same in her honor and theirs."
D nodded, pleased with the child's answer. "Might I ask how you came to this place?"
"Climbing and running," Rebecca answered, re-wrapping her hands.
"You came here all the way by foot, carrying China?"
Rebecca nodded, though she didn't miss the impressed tone in D's voice. She glanced at the man's china-doll face, then returned her eyes to her hands. "Why did you come?"
D answered. "I came for China."
"Well, at least you're honest," Rebecca sighed. "So you're going to take her away?"
D didn't answer right away, but instead stared at Rebecca with his strange gold and violet eyes for what seemed like an eternity to the girl. Finally he answered, "No."
"No?" Rebecca repeated, a bit stunned.
D smiled gently at the girl. "You protected her. In this case I believe you are deserving of a second chance. I was decieved by your father, but I can see that this happened, in truth, for your benefit, not his."
"I'm... not sure what you're talking about," Rebecca said slowly. "But thank you... I think." She was about to say something else but a knock at the door cut her off. Both Rebecca and China scrambled to their feet, while D rose with the grace of a dancer. China started to growl at the closed door and Rebecca armed herself with an axe that laid by the door.
Seeing as there was no point in pretending no one was in the cabin, Rebecca edged over to the door and shouted, "Who is it?"
"Leon Orcot. I'm with the police. Rebecca Robinson?"
"Yeah, that's me," Rebecca answered.
"Will you let me in?" Leon asked. "I'd just like to ask you a few questions."
Rebecca lowered her axe and pulled the door open, letting the detective inside. Outside the wind howled while rain pelted the earth like liquid bullets. She shut the door behind her newest guest, and noted that he was soaked from head to foot. He nodded politely to her, but then he nearly choked as he saw D.
Leon's jaw dropped as he watched the Count lay a delicate hand on China's head, calming the growling beast. "Good evening, Detective," he said with a touch of humour in his voice.
"Wha... what are you doing here?" he stammered.
"Miss Robinson and I were simply discussing the matter of China's contract while enjoying some tea," D answered pleasantly and with a smile. "Her sweet-bread is excellent."
Leon stared at Rebecca, his tongue tied in a knot. But Rebecca wouldn't meet his gaze, and instead, was watching China. Finally the detective regained his composure and cleared his throat.
"I need to ask you a few questions about what happened at your apartment a few nights ago," Leon said purposefully.
"If you were inside the apartment," Rebecca replied quietly, "then you can figure out what happened."
"But I need to hear it from you," Leon stated. Rebecca shook her head. "You're only protecting your father by refusing to help us! Why?" But Rebecca wouldn't answer his question, avoiding his gaze by continually staring at China.
"I'll get you some towels to dry yourself off with," she said instead, disappearing from the room with China at her heels.
"I do not think being loud with her is going to get you any answers, Detective," D pointed out thoughtfully, having returned to his chair, teacup in hand.
"What, you're a child psychologist now?" Leon mumbled sarcastically. "Give me a break. And that thing beside her was supposed to be a werewolf? It looks about as ferocious as a declawed cat!"
"I told you, Detective, that China is only half werewolf. Half of her breeding is that of a normal dog."
"And why is that?" Leon wondered. "Why not just give her the real deal?"
"The werewolf is a very dangerous beast, Detective."
"Well, isn't that ironic," Leon muttered.
"China is a very special breed. Her werewolf blood makes her very territorial and very protective of what she sees as hers. To counter the werewolf's vicious nature, however, is the blood of an ordinary canine, making her as complacant and loving as any normal dog. That is why the incense must be burned, to help keep the werewolf's nature subdued."
"You are so full of-"
"Here are the towels," Rebecca interrupted, stopping the upcoming debate. "Would you like some tea?"
"Uh... yes, please." Once Rebecca was out of the room again, Leon continued in a low but pressed tone. "You might believe that thing's a werewolf, and she might even believe it, but all I see is a weird looking dog. For all I know you both could be on drugs!"
D shrugged his elegant shoulders with all the grace of a cat. "You will believe what you wish to believe, Detective. As is always the case on your part."
"Here you are," Rebecca said, returning with a cup of hot tea before Leon could make a smart remark.
"Rebecca," Leon said instead, turning his attention back to the young teen. "I have to take you back into town. You understand that, right? We need to know exactly what happened at the apartment."
"Can't I just tell you what happened and stay here?" Rebecca asked quietly.
"Unfortunately, no," Leon answered as calmly as he could. "I have to take you back, for your own safety."
"I must agree with the detective, Miss Robinson," Count D added softly, much to Leon and Rebecca's surprise. "You need a doctor to look at those hands of yours."
"What about China?" Rebecca pressed.
"I will keep her at the pet shop until this matter is settled," D promised.
Rebecca sighed and finally nodded. "I'll go, but there's no way I'm going to face off with my dad. Got that?"
"Not a problem," Leon agreed, thinking that was probably for her own good anyways. He pulled Rebecca's white jacket off of the coat rack and handed it to her. With gritted teeth she put it on, ignoring her stiff muscles' screams of protest, then banked the fire while Leon pulled open the door. Suddenly a loud crash of thunder rolled through the air, and before anyone could stop her, China bolted through the door and into the woods.
"China!" Rebecca shouted, running for the door. Leon stopped her, holding her back by her waist.
"You can't go after her in this storm, it's too dangerous!" Leon told her, trying to keep her from breaking loose.
"No, I have to go after her!" Rebecca argued, squirming in the detective's grasp. "I know these woods, I can find her! Let me go!"
But Leon held tight, dragging the girl out of the cabin and over to his car. In the minute that it took to get the struggling girl to the vehicle, all three people were soaked from the torrent of rain. "Count, can you open the door?" Leon asked, forced to hold the struggling teen with both hands. D complied and opened the back passenger door for the cop, then stood back.
"Let. Me. Go!" Rebecca kicked Leon in the leg with all of her might, and the shock of the blow relaxed Leon's grip just enough for her to break free. Without a second thought, she bolted into the woods after her dog, vanishing in the barren forest.
"Rebecca!" Leon shouted, watching her disappear. Rebecca - goddamnit! REBECCA!"
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A/N: Whit, my beta-reader, is probably wishing I was deceased at this point, because this is the fifth chapter I've typed in the past 48 hours with little to no sleep. She's actually gotten to the point where she's counting my errors just to see if it annoyes me. ^^ the poor child. *bows to whit* You know I couldn't do this without you. *giggle*
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Night came swiftly to the woods, and Rebecca lit three seperate sticks of incense, then rustled a small dinner for herself and China. Once they'd both eaten, Rebecca changed the bandages on China's wounds, then added another log to her little fire. She leaned against an old, worn armchair, petting China absentmindedly.
"It's so nice here," Rebecca murmured as she listened to the heavy rain and swift wind pass over the cabin. She and China had been in hiding a total of two days. Both, while still very stiff, were beginning to do better. China lifted her head and looked up at her new owner, with a look of total adoration in her now half-wild eyes. "My mother and I used to come here all the time, when my dad would be away on some business trip or something like that." She rose to her feet, smiling down at the dog. "Well, I'm going to go and check on my sweet-bread. I'll be right back, I promise." In the kitchen, Rebecca checked on the food she'd placed in the wood-burning oven. It was done, so she removed the dish and set it onto a metal cooling rack, then returned to the living room. She noted that the room was a bit colder than before, despite the log added to the fire, so she made a quick check of the windows and door. All were securely shut, so she just shrugged and returned to the chair.
"I think you're the first person to listen to me talk without interrupting me, snapping at me, or telling me I'm a liar," Rebecca reflected as China hobbled onto the girl's lap. "My mom used to listen to me, but she's gone now. And for some reason Dad thought you would replace her!" Her words took an icy, angry edge as she spoke. "Then he hit you, just like he hit her and me... and he tried to kill you, just like he killed her!" A few tears rolled down Rebecca's cheeks, and China barked softly, nuzzling the girl's face with her nose. Rebecca smiled weakly. "I'm glad you'll listen to me though. All I've ever wanted was a friend who wouldn't hurt me, and the ancients spirits, or whoever it is watching over us, brought you. And I promise that I won't let anything happen to you ever again."
***
Count D stood in the shadows of the cabin, listening to the girl speak with mixed emotions. He'd come to take the dog away, for the contract had been broken, and yet here this girl was talking to the animal like nothing had gone wrong. And the canine hadn't made a move to rebuke its owners for disobeying the contract, as was the normal occurance. She hadn't even brought down retribution for her rough treatment. Not that China wouldn't have attacked Mr. Robinson, had she had the strength to do so. And D had seen that clearly in her half-wild eyes when she'd let him into the cabin while Rebecca was out of the room. But there'd been something else in China's eyes; a deep loyalty to this girl, who'd saved her from the brink of death. Even though Rebecca had, as being a member of the family, broken the contract, the canine still felt loyal to her... she wouldn't attack her new master even if the contract had been competely severed.
"It would seem," D said as he emerged from the shadows, "that in this case the consequences to be had will not be given by the animal, but by the police, and to the appropriate person."
Rebecca screamed as she jumped to her feet, half out of fright and half out of pain from the sudden movement. China began to bark loudly at the commotion and D stopped in his tracks, giving Rebecca an apologetic look.
"Please, I did not mean to frighten you," D said softly. "I apologize."
"H-how did you find me?" Rebecca asked the strange pet shop owner, not sure what to make of the man now that he was inside what she'd thought was her safe haven. "How did you get in here?"
"One of your neighbors, a pleasant old lady, gave me the directions to this cabin, and China let me in," the Count explained.
Rebecca watched D with a cautious eye, but when China calmed down and actually limped over to the Count to lick his hand, the girl relaxed her guard a bit. "Can I offer you some sweet-bread and tea? Both are hot."
"Thank you," D agreed, taking a seat gracefully in one of the two well-worn chairs. China laid herself down at his feet. He watched Rebecca through narrowed eyes, but China began to whine at him, and the count's eyes widened a bit. He then examined all of China's wrappings with the scrutiny of a professional while Rebecca set down a plate of sweet-bread and a cup of tea on a small table in front of him. "You have done a magnificient job with these bandages."
"Thanks," Rebecca said quietly, sitting gingerly in the other chair. She was unwrapping the bandages that covered her own hands, so as to clean them out, and was otherwise silent.
D glanced around the room while Rebecca tended to her own wounds, and kept himself silent. Until he noticed the three sticks of incense burning on the mantle over the fireplace. When he noticed this, he couldn't help but ask, "Three sticks of incense?"
"One for China, one for my mother, and one for the ancient gods and spirits," Rebecca explaine automatically. "My mother believed in the ancients and always burned incense for them, so I do the same in her honor and theirs."
D nodded, pleased with the child's answer. "Might I ask how you came to this place?"
"Climbing and running," Rebecca answered, re-wrapping her hands.
"You came here all the way by foot, carrying China?"
Rebecca nodded, though she didn't miss the impressed tone in D's voice. She glanced at the man's china-doll face, then returned her eyes to her hands. "Why did you come?"
D answered. "I came for China."
"Well, at least you're honest," Rebecca sighed. "So you're going to take her away?"
D didn't answer right away, but instead stared at Rebecca with his strange gold and violet eyes for what seemed like an eternity to the girl. Finally he answered, "No."
"No?" Rebecca repeated, a bit stunned.
D smiled gently at the girl. "You protected her. In this case I believe you are deserving of a second chance. I was decieved by your father, but I can see that this happened, in truth, for your benefit, not his."
"I'm... not sure what you're talking about," Rebecca said slowly. "But thank you... I think." She was about to say something else but a knock at the door cut her off. Both Rebecca and China scrambled to their feet, while D rose with the grace of a dancer. China started to growl at the closed door and Rebecca armed herself with an axe that laid by the door.
Seeing as there was no point in pretending no one was in the cabin, Rebecca edged over to the door and shouted, "Who is it?"
"Leon Orcot. I'm with the police. Rebecca Robinson?"
"Yeah, that's me," Rebecca answered.
"Will you let me in?" Leon asked. "I'd just like to ask you a few questions."
Rebecca lowered her axe and pulled the door open, letting the detective inside. Outside the wind howled while rain pelted the earth like liquid bullets. She shut the door behind her newest guest, and noted that he was soaked from head to foot. He nodded politely to her, but then he nearly choked as he saw D.
Leon's jaw dropped as he watched the Count lay a delicate hand on China's head, calming the growling beast. "Good evening, Detective," he said with a touch of humour in his voice.
"Wha... what are you doing here?" he stammered.
"Miss Robinson and I were simply discussing the matter of China's contract while enjoying some tea," D answered pleasantly and with a smile. "Her sweet-bread is excellent."
Leon stared at Rebecca, his tongue tied in a knot. But Rebecca wouldn't meet his gaze, and instead, was watching China. Finally the detective regained his composure and cleared his throat.
"I need to ask you a few questions about what happened at your apartment a few nights ago," Leon said purposefully.
"If you were inside the apartment," Rebecca replied quietly, "then you can figure out what happened."
"But I need to hear it from you," Leon stated. Rebecca shook her head. "You're only protecting your father by refusing to help us! Why?" But Rebecca wouldn't answer his question, avoiding his gaze by continually staring at China.
"I'll get you some towels to dry yourself off with," she said instead, disappearing from the room with China at her heels.
"I do not think being loud with her is going to get you any answers, Detective," D pointed out thoughtfully, having returned to his chair, teacup in hand.
"What, you're a child psychologist now?" Leon mumbled sarcastically. "Give me a break. And that thing beside her was supposed to be a werewolf? It looks about as ferocious as a declawed cat!"
"I told you, Detective, that China is only half werewolf. Half of her breeding is that of a normal dog."
"And why is that?" Leon wondered. "Why not just give her the real deal?"
"The werewolf is a very dangerous beast, Detective."
"Well, isn't that ironic," Leon muttered.
"China is a very special breed. Her werewolf blood makes her very territorial and very protective of what she sees as hers. To counter the werewolf's vicious nature, however, is the blood of an ordinary canine, making her as complacant and loving as any normal dog. That is why the incense must be burned, to help keep the werewolf's nature subdued."
"You are so full of-"
"Here are the towels," Rebecca interrupted, stopping the upcoming debate. "Would you like some tea?"
"Uh... yes, please." Once Rebecca was out of the room again, Leon continued in a low but pressed tone. "You might believe that thing's a werewolf, and she might even believe it, but all I see is a weird looking dog. For all I know you both could be on drugs!"
D shrugged his elegant shoulders with all the grace of a cat. "You will believe what you wish to believe, Detective. As is always the case on your part."
"Here you are," Rebecca said, returning with a cup of hot tea before Leon could make a smart remark.
"Rebecca," Leon said instead, turning his attention back to the young teen. "I have to take you back into town. You understand that, right? We need to know exactly what happened at the apartment."
"Can't I just tell you what happened and stay here?" Rebecca asked quietly.
"Unfortunately, no," Leon answered as calmly as he could. "I have to take you back, for your own safety."
"I must agree with the detective, Miss Robinson," Count D added softly, much to Leon and Rebecca's surprise. "You need a doctor to look at those hands of yours."
"What about China?" Rebecca pressed.
"I will keep her at the pet shop until this matter is settled," D promised.
Rebecca sighed and finally nodded. "I'll go, but there's no way I'm going to face off with my dad. Got that?"
"Not a problem," Leon agreed, thinking that was probably for her own good anyways. He pulled Rebecca's white jacket off of the coat rack and handed it to her. With gritted teeth she put it on, ignoring her stiff muscles' screams of protest, then banked the fire while Leon pulled open the door. Suddenly a loud crash of thunder rolled through the air, and before anyone could stop her, China bolted through the door and into the woods.
"China!" Rebecca shouted, running for the door. Leon stopped her, holding her back by her waist.
"You can't go after her in this storm, it's too dangerous!" Leon told her, trying to keep her from breaking loose.
"No, I have to go after her!" Rebecca argued, squirming in the detective's grasp. "I know these woods, I can find her! Let me go!"
But Leon held tight, dragging the girl out of the cabin and over to his car. In the minute that it took to get the struggling girl to the vehicle, all three people were soaked from the torrent of rain. "Count, can you open the door?" Leon asked, forced to hold the struggling teen with both hands. D complied and opened the back passenger door for the cop, then stood back.
"Let. Me. Go!" Rebecca kicked Leon in the leg with all of her might, and the shock of the blow relaxed Leon's grip just enough for her to break free. Without a second thought, she bolted into the woods after her dog, vanishing in the barren forest.
"Rebecca!" Leon shouted, watching her disappear. Rebecca - goddamnit! REBECCA!"
