A/N: Hello everyone! Not quiet as many reviews as I've been getting, but I guess that's my own fault, or maybe I'm just losing my writing ability all together. --' I don't even wanna think about that; If that's the case then I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But moving right along…
P.S. I gave the explanation for why this chapter is so late in my new story I just put up so if you haven't read it it's in the top author note of that fic 'The World'. Also for the people that read that fic the next chapter will be up soon since I've already finished writing chapter II.
"blah" means Talking
'blah' means Thinking
$:$ blah $:$ means Yugi's doggie thoughts
Review Responses:
PyroDragon2006: I'm so glad you're still with me and thank you for your kind words. There definitely what keep me going. I hope you enjoy this chapter like you did the last one and as always thanks for the review.
Una1: covers ears and curls into a protective ball Sorry Sorry Sorry! I've always had a problem with asking people for help when I nee it. It's a stupid pride issue that I need to work on. About the whole pop tart thing… I think you'll find that it catches up to him a little bit later, but I'm not going to spoil the story. So enjoy and as always thank for the review, (P.S. You are definitely getting the award for most faithful and dedicated reviewer )
mobileholms: Yeah poor Yugi, it would be his luck that Bakura found out first. And always true to his character, he won't do anything to help the pharaoh. Thank you for the review!
Jill: pulls large golf ball out from between her eyes and then falls over Ouch… okay okay, I deserved that. I just hope that doesn't happen again for this long delay. But just encase. straps on helmet Thanks for the 'hard hitting' rubs forehead review!
vllom21: Lol, yeah, but let's hope for Bakura's sake that Yami never finds out. Thank you for taking the time to review!
Angel of the Mirror: SOCCER CLEATS! Oh Geez! I'm definitely glad you sparred me from that. After this large golf ball size whole in my head from reviewer Jill, having a nice couple of kicks to the rump would have been just what I needed to totally do me in. Aww, I'm honored to have been the first on your favorites list. That makes me feel really good! So here is the next chapter. Thanks for the review. P.S. I hope you like my newest story.
Hopeless Wisher: Wow, I'm sure glad that my timing for putting up my last chapter was in sync with your boredom, lol. Thanks for the review.
Yume Ishimaru: Lol, now you know Bakura would never do anything that would help the pharaoh. I'm glad you like it and thanks for the review!
crystal: Why thank you very much, I'm glad that you like it and here's the next chapter. Thanks for the review.
Bayleef: I'm glad you like both of the pups in the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter since it mostly revolves around the pair. Thanks for the review!
Haley: Thanks! I'm glad you like it and here is your update! Thank for the review!
Masami Mistress Of Fire: Okay, is today quick enough for you? I'm really glad you like it, so here's the next chapter for ya! Thanks for the review!
Test of Friendship
Chapter 11: Doggie's Day Out
The trail that the two pups and the eager teens had been following lead them to a small gazebo in the park. The group of rather impatient teens waited as Princess continued to sniff around the gazebo for another moment before stopping completely and look up at Tristan.
"'Ey Tristan, what's da matter with ya dog?" Joey's impatience was clear in his voice, "Its' sniffer brake or somethin'?"
Tristan didn't look up at Joey. Instead he squatted down next to Princess and gave her a well desired pat on the head. "Yeah Joey, it broke. Right after she got a whiff of you."
"'Ey!" The blonde exclaimed, "Don't go blamin' your dog's poor trackin' ablities on me."
"Give her a break Joey, she doesn't get out much and you're lucky she even got us this far!"
The rest of the group tuned the bickering duo out as they deliberated amongst themselves.
"Princess must've lost the trail." Tea concluded with a heavy heart.
"Tristan's right, we were lucky to have even come this far considering the amount of rain we got the night Yugi disappeared," Ryou added.
Yami didn't reply or make mention to either of their statements. He knew they had been lucky to have even made it this far, but he also knew that making it even this far was an improvement over what they had to go on, which was nothing. At least now they knew that Yugi had been confronted the night of his disappearance and had made it as far as the park afterwards. But what of all that evil energy they had found in the alley? Had it just been remains of what was once there before? Or was it related? Yami desperately wanted to believe that it was remnants of a past evil and had nothing to do with Yugi, but the picture that they had found in the alley that was saturated with the same evil energy gave Yami no such hope.
"So we're back ta square one," Joey grumbled. He and Tristan had apparently settled their differences.
"Not completely Joey." Yami mused and then elaborated at the look of confusion that showed on his friends face, "At least now we have some idea of Yugi's trail whereas before we only had a few hunches. We now know that he came to the park after the alley, so I'd say our best bet now would be to search the park."
"But we've looked here before and found nothing," Tea said in a hopeless voice.
"Yeah remember," Joey piped in, "Ryou agreed to check da park out on da first day we went out ta look, right Ryou?"
Joey noticed that Ryou had tensed a bit when he mentioned checking the park and wouldn't make eye contact with any of them.
"Woe how? Earth ta Ryou. You paying attention dere buddy?" the Brooklin accented teen waved his hand in front of the British teen's face to get his attention. "You did go ta da park on the first day didn't ya?"
"Oh… yes of course I went, but," Ryou paused for a moment and rubbed the back of his head while flashed a sheepish smile at his awaiting friends. "but you see, I sorta ran into an unexpected 'issue' when I got there and I didn't have the chance to actually, uh, look around."
"Say what!" Joey exclaimed as he grabbed Ryou's shoulders and gave him a shake, "what are ya talkin' about? What issue?"
Ryou's smile remained sheepish as he pointed down to the four-legged fluff ball just behind Joey, "Him."
Yugi face faltered. $:$So it's my fault now. Geez, I can't get a break even when I'm a dog.$:$
"Looks like you're in trouble Boo," Princess barked as she came up and sat herself next to the smaller pup.
Yugi's eyebrow twitched slightly at the name. Why on earth did they have to name him that? It sounded far too much like what a girlfriend and boyfriend pair called one another, so it sounded extremely bizarre to hear his female puppy friend calling him by that.
Joey looked annoyed and turned to pick up Boo by the scruff of his neck before dangling him in front of Ryou's face. The blonde noticed the look of shock on Ryou's face as he saw the way Joey was holding the pup, but he also noticed the grin that grow on Bakura face at the same time. He would have thought that to be odd had it been anybody but Bakura, but since it was he continued on with his rant without giving Bakura a second thought. "Ya mean ya abandoned the search so ya could take home this stray hairball?" Joey was now dangling Boo back and forth.
$:$Oww, Joey! Put me down, this is really uncomfortable and I can't feel the rest of my body.$:$
"Joey!" Tea yelled as her fist connected with the top of her street slavy, dog-dangling friend. "What do you think you're doing with my dog?"
Joey looked about ready to hit the ground after the blow he had received from Tea but managed to stay on his feet and continue the argument. "Aw, it ain't gonna hurt him Tea…'Ey!"
Joey would have continued on with his reasoning but was cut off by a sharp tug on his pant's leg and a low rumbling growl that vibrated through the fibers of his jeans. When he looked down he was not surprised to find that Princess had decided to become his leg ornament.
"Nice Doggie," Joey laughed nervously as he placed Boo into Tea awaiting arms and heard Tea reply with a smirk.
"Two against one Joey."
"You women always have ta have your way," the defeated blonde grumble as Princess slowly released Joey's pants leg as if to make sure he wasn't going to try anything again.
"What's that's s'pose to mean?" Tea challenged back as she let Boo jump from her arm and plop unto the ground next to his canine savior.
"Are you okay Boo?" Princess fussed over him, checking for any injuries, "did that ruffian hurt you?"
"Yeah… yeah I'm fine," Yugi squeaked in his doggy tone and shied away from Princess' continuous and quiet unnecessary inspection. He wasn't too sure that he was comfortable with this sudden care of his well-being from his four legged friend.
"Good," Princess exhaled in relief before a very ecstatic grin of some kind curled up her lips, revealing sharp white canines. Yugi would have thought she had lost her mind and was going to attack him had she not quickly given reason for her sudden joyfulness, "But did you see what I did? I just leaped into attack without even thinking about it. All I knew was that I had to help you and my instincts took over. Wow, I've never had anything happen to me like that, it felt amazing…"
Princess continued to rabble on as he pretended to listen. He couldn't believe how much Tristan had shelter this dog, never having acted on her instincts before. While the larger dog continued to relive her moment of glory, Yugi had nonchalantly turned his attention to the bickering teens behind him. To his surprise, they weren't there. Sometime during his and Princess's brief conversation (on the count that Princess did most of the talking) they most have resolved their problem and went off to search the park.
"Hey Princess," Yugi said, cutting into her aloud thoughts.
"Hm?"
"Where did the other's go?"
"Others? Oh! The others!" Princess had momentarily forgotten they were in the company of humans and looking over Yugi's head when she remembered, "They left us! Master Tristan left me. Do you think it was because I almost bit his friend? What if he's mad at me now?"
Yugi was taken back by the German shepherd's sudden fanatic behavior. Wasn't it just two seconds ago that she was praising herself for her actions against Joey, and now she was deeply regretting it.
"Whoa, hey," Yugi tried to calm the weary looking dog, "Tristan wouldn't do that. He probably just thought you might want to enjoy the park while they went out to search for me, I mean their friend. Yeah, in fact, he's probably rewarding you for helping them get this far."
This seemed to put Princess worries at ease a bit. "You really think so? Aww thanks Boo, you always know what to say to make me feel better."
Yugi smiled back at Princess glad to know that he had helped, but his smile turned quickly to shock as he felt Princess give his snout a quick lick before she scampered off beckoning him to come join in on the park festivities. He wasn't sure if he could follow at this point even if he wanted too. His paws were weighted to the ground as an awkward and disturbing thought entered into his head.
$:$That was my first kiss… and it was from a German Shepard. Nobody is ever going to hear about this.$:$
After the initial shock wore off Yugi was able to pry his leaden paws from the ground and move across the park in the direction he had saw Princess flee in. The park was especially crowded today. Apparently today was national 'take your dog to the park' day, because everywhere Yugi turned there was a family or individual sporting around their canine companion. Some were playing frizz-be and ball, while others were simply jogging around while there dog trotted close behind.
As Yugi passed by, he thought it was odd being able to understand the conversation between both the human and the dog, even when the human doing the talking couldn't understand.
"Come on come on, throw the ball throw the ball!"
Yugi looking over at a dog that had to be at least his size or smaller bouncing up and down while his master was taunting him with the ball.
"Come on, I'm dying here, just throw it, just throw… BALL!"
The small hyper dog shot off in a flash as his master finally throw the ball and laughed as the pup's head smashed into a trashcan while trying to stop.
Yugi shook his head at the small pup's antics and continued on his way.
$:$There's no way I'd ever chase after a round ball like that. I've got to find a way to make them see it's me.$:$
There's was only four days left until his time would be up and so far the only person that knew who he was was Bakura; a lot of good that was doing him. Besides Bakura, he had a feeling that Yami was the closest to finding out, but that didn't do him any good either. Yami was so neck deep in guilt over Yugi's disappearance that his keen eye for details had apparently been hindered him from seeing what was right in front of him.
This was definitely going to be a lot harder than he thought. If only he could access his bond with his darker half, then he would have no problem convincing them of who he was. But then again that would be too easy, and he had a feeling that whoever this shadowy figure was, was hoping that Yugi would lose. This didn't put Yugi's mind to rest at all. What did the shadowy figure want anyway? Sure, he said he wanted to test his bond of friendship with his friends, but the more Yugi thought about it, the more he doubted that this had anything to do with his friends. His friends wouldn't be the ones to suffer if they didn't put the truth together in just four more days, he would, so the figure must want something from him, but what? And after four days, what would be his fate? Would he be stuck as a dog forever? Yugi doubted that, after all, what would the figure gain from making Yugi a dog permanently? At this point the forbidding feeling that was growing in the pit of his stomach wasn't helping his already mounted fears.
Yugi was suddenly thrown out of his thoughts by the distance scruffy voice of Princess yelling. It didn't take long for Yugi to spot Princess not to far off with her front paws propped up on the side of a big oak tree and looking up impatiently. When Yugi finally made it over, he found out that he was right in the middle of one of the oldest revivals known to man and beast.
"Why not come down here and say that to my face kitty," Yugi sweatdropped as Princess taunted the bored looking slick, black cat sitting on one of the many branches of the oak tree.
The cat turned it's bored expression to Princess and replied in an emotionless tone. "And come down to your level? I think not. But here's an idea. Why not take your stubby canine claws and haul your oversized hind-quarters up here."
Princess growled, "Oh yeah, well, at least I'm big enough to be the predator and not the prey."
"Uh, Princess," Yugi tried to interject as the voice of reason, "maybe you should just leave the cat alone."
"But… He started it!"
The black cat visibly rolled its' bright yellow eyes, "Oh yes, I practically beg her to disturb my slumber and chase me up this tree."
"Well if you would have stood and fought, then you wouldn't had to have ran scare up this tree." Princess replied with her nose stuck slightly in the air.
"You mistake me," the feline replied laying lazily down on the branch but keeping it's stare on the two pups below, "I wasn't running scared from you, I thought we were experiencing an earthquake so a ran for safety like any smart creature would do. Imagine my surprise when I found out that you were the earthquake all along."
"Why you little furball!"
"Princess just leave it alone, he's clearly trying to taunted you."
"And who are you?" the cat asked turning his glance to Yugi, "I've never seen you around here before, and I'm sure I would remember someone of your…" the cat trialed off as it gave Yugi a quick look up and down, "low stature."
$:$Hey! I was trying to help the cat and it turns on me.$:$
Princess sniffed in a quick breath of air and turned glaring eyes back throws the offending feline, "Don't you dare talk to Boo like that! He's a really nice guy!"
The cat hissed out what sounded like a snicker and his eyes filled with a mocking expression, "Boo, why did they name you that? Was it because your face is so scary?"
"That's it kitty, you're going down!" Princess snarled and embedded her claws into the bark of the oak and tried to pull herself up the 90 degree angle trunk. The cat stood up and hissed at her predator's actions while Yugi just watching in astonishment.
Yugi decided that he wasn't going to stick around and watch how things turned out so he snuck off before either of the bickering parties knew he was gone. He figured that he needed to be looking for one of the guys anyway. It just wouldn't do for him to get lost in the park again and get picked up by a stranger. The first time he had gotten lucky with Ryou being there, but he had a feeling that this go around if he were to get left he wouldn't be so lucky.
Another thing that was bothering Yugi was the intense growing desire of wanting to join in on the other dog's fun. He kept finding himself distracted by the soft thuds of the rubber bouncing balls that kept rolling passed him. Once, he had even run into a tree watching one bounce and roll on passed him.
$:$No, I'm not a dog, I won't chase the ball. I can handle this. I'm stronger than this.$:$
Yugi kept repeating those lines over and over in his head, though it was hard to concentrate on them over his other worried thoughts. Why was he suddenly having these dog-like urges to chase a ball and rip it to pieces? Was he slowly turning more like a dog with each passing day? That thought alone set Yugi on edge.
$:$This can't be happening! I'll never be able to get the guys' attention before my time runs out if I'm to busying chewing up newspapers and chasing cars! I can't give into this, if I give in now, what's next? A heaping bowl of Kibbles and Bits?$:$
As soon as Yugi had finished his thoughts, a bright, shiny blue ball came bouncing right under his nose and rolled passed a set of bushes. Yugi's short doggy legs began to shake as he longingly watched the perfectly round rubbery ball round on without him behind it.
$:$I can do this I can do this… No I can't! Wait up little ball!$:$
All Yugi's sense of human thoughts flow out the window as the desire for catching the little rubber ball took over completely. It didn't matter anymore that he was a human or a dog, all that mattered was that one little blue ball. In fact, he was so into catching the ball, that when he finally caught up to it he had no idea that he had left the park.
Yugi chewed on the ball trying to inflicted damage upon it. He rolled over onto his side and brought his hind legs up to kick one half of the ball as he chewed on the other half.
$:$Oh man, where have you been all my life you little round ball of rubbery goodness.$:$
And that's the thought that brought Yugi back to his senses. He slowly stopped his kicking on the rubbery ball and thought about the position he was now in. Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, he picked his petite black doggy body off the ground and kept his head down.
$:$How could I have let this happen? I've got to get a hold of these urges or there's no telling what might happen next.$:$
"What do we have here?"
Yugi looked up just in time to see a large net come down around him. He yelped in surprise and struggled to get free as the net scooped him up and brought him eye level with one of the last people he ever wanted to see while in his canine form; The dog catcher.
"Well, well," the tubby dog catcher from only a day ago stated smugly, "if it isn't my little friend from the other day, and it looks like you don't have anybody to protect you today. Guess you know what that means. You get to take a little trip down town with me."
$:$Hey wait, stop! You can't do this, I'm not a dog!$:$
Yugi's barking protests fell on deaf ears as the dog catcher opened up the empty pin in the back of his truck and throw him in none to gently. He scratched on the metal fence door as the sound of the engine starting blared in his ears. He knew it was no use at this point to scratch on the door; he would never get out in time. If only he had been able to resist his urges and stayed in the park, then he wouldn't be in this mess. As the truck began to roll away Yugi figured there was only one thing left to do.
"HELP!" Yugi barked as loud as his lungs would allow and hoped against all hopes that someone would hear him.
Unknowingly to Yugi, his cry didn't fall on deaf ears. Fortunately, they had fallen upon the on looking figure of a very distraught German Shepard at the entrance of the park.
A/N: Phew, well that's it for the 11th chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it and I hope to hear from you about what you think. Have a Happy Fourth of July everybody!