"Ryder, I've never seen anything so impressive in my life," said Kang.

"They are pretty amazing," said Ryder. "You know you're welcome to join us if you'd like. That is if Lin decides to stay. Either way, you'll always be welcome here."

"I will owe Yeshe an unpayable debt for the rest of my life," said Kang. I suppose Mutida will owe Rocky an unpayable debt as well."

"What do you mean," asked Ryder.

"I'm not sure what your spirituality is, Ryder," said Kang. "That bullet was intended for me, had it been me that would have been shot, that trajectory would have put it in my heart. Yeshe altered the pattern and took my death shot. I have told very few people this, not even Lin. I had a vision years ago, I was supposed to be shot then and should have died. I had somewhat prepared Mudita, I wasn't sure when it would happen, but I knew it would be here. I quite literally owe Yeshe my life and will be at her call for eternity. Lin will feel this and will be compelled to stay, even though he may not know why yet."

Ryder sat there with wide eyes. "I don't know why, but I believe you. The story sounds like something out of an action film, but I know in my heart it's true. I don't know if I should be in awe or terrified out of my mind. Thank you Kang, Thank you I can't explain why it matters but my mind is at ease knowing there is some weird greater plan in place."

"You see now, why I knew the retreat had to be protected. Not because of the building." explained Kang. "Buildings can be replaced. But because I was supposed to sacrifice myself to protect Lin. The universe decided to play games and Yeshe took my watch. For some reason, I wanted to take Mudita to dinner because I knew it was coming. I had just made it back when the attack happened."

"Have you told Rocky any of this?" asked Ryder.

"I haven't yet," said Kang. "Yeshe should be waking soon. I somehow have a feeling that her extended coma might have been the result of a long conversation with the great one."

"The great one?" said Ryder.

"Ryder, you of all people should know," laughed Kang. "Canines will always be more intune with God than people ever will be. We're not called man's best friend for nothing. We are all guardians of a sort, all dogs serve to guide our humans and care for them, protect them, Be there to lend an ear. Canines serve the maker by serving his creations. Dogs serve people, wolves serve nature, cats of course serve themselves."

They both laughed at that.

"Yeshe, why?" wept Rocky "Why would you do that? I was so scared that I had lost you."

"Rocky," Yeshe said quietly, "I had to, I had to save Kang from fate."

"What, you saved Lin from the bullet, not Kang," said Rocky, confused and wondering if he should get Katie.

"It's hard to explain," said Yeshe. "But I'll try. Kang was supposed to take watch tonight. He allowed himself to be convinced to take Mudita to dinner to prepare her for his death. I was directed to alter the plan. Think about it, Rocky. The shot followed a chosen trajectory, that shot that hit me high, it would have hit him…"

Rocky saw it all as clear as day, he watched the pattern through the air like it was a scene on a crime thriller. "It would have hit him in the heart," Rocky gasped. "You mean you knew you would be shot and you did it anyway? Why didn't you tell me, I'd have figured something out."

"NO, you would have sat on me or worse come and jumped in front of me," said Yeshe.

"But you knew you'd be ok?" asked Rocky.

"Do you want me to lie to you?" asked Yeshe.

"No, you don't have to," said Rocky. "I know it's your duty to die to protect the monks. But why did it have to be you? I'd have died if you got killed."

"No, you're too strong," said Yeshe "Stronger than you give yourself credit for. You'd have made yourself miserable for a while but you'd have made it. Honestly I know how good Marshall and Katie are and I kind of hoped they would be able to save me, and here I am. Besides now Kang owes me forever."

"What do you mean?" asked Rocky, cocking his head to the side.

"Oh, God Rocky, Don't do that right now," winced Yeshe. "I'm too weak to take advantage of it."

"What?" Rocky said.

"Do you have any idea how adorable you are when you tilt your head like that?" laughed Yeshe.

Rocky remembered a conversation with Ryder that if they ever got into an argument, he should tilt his head like that and she would forgive anything. He smiled, "I might have heard something like that. But what do you mean Kang owes you now?"

"I altered the pattern and thus saved him from his fate," explained Yeshe. "He therefore is living on time I granted him. He owes me."

"You only saved him so he'd owe you?"asked Rocky

"Of course not," said Yeshe, "I saved him because I was directed to do it. The fact that he owes me is funny and I get to taunt him about it."

"I think that might be terrible but I'm not sure," laughed Rocky.

Rocky hugged and kissed his mate, tears streaming down his muzzle. Yeshe winced but hugged him back. Katie walked in.

"Good you're awake," said Katie looking at the monitors. "I need to run some tests to make sure there's no infection but you should be ok to go home in a few hours. Rocky, you know she's ok now. I don't expect you to leave but please rest."

Rocky yawned big and curled up at the foot of Yeshe's bed. He immediately fell asleep.

"Let me guess," said Yeshe, "He's been here the entire time and hasn't slept at all."

"Yeshe," said Katie, "he never left your side or slept a moment. When I walked out of the surgery room, he was as tight against the door as was possible. I almost tripped over him. He loves you Yeshe. He would do anything to protect you."

"I know he does," said Yeshe "I'm sorry I had to do this, but it was my duty and responsibility. Knag will have years more now and Mudita will have more time to spend with him."

"The universe is a crazy place," said Katie. "You pups never cease to amaze me. You have a better understanding of commitment and sacrifice than all the greatest human scholars."

"I'm glad you and Marshall have such a great commitment to medicine," said Yeshe, yawning. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

"You knew you'd survive though, right," asked Katie.

"I could lie to you," said Yeshe, "but I had faith in you and Marshall."

Katie had tears in her eyes, "Thank you for believing in me so much. I'll admit, I was scared."

Ryder rushed into the room. "Chase said you were awake, I had to come see for myself."

"She's fine," said Katie. "I've got some blood work to process, but you can speak with her for a while. She needs to rest, her body has been through a lot."

Katie kissed Ryder and walked out. Ryder turned to Yeshe, "So is it true?"

"What?" said Yeshe

"That you knew and took Kang's place on purpose," said Ryder.

"Yes, I was led to convince Kang to take Mudita to dinner," said Yeshe. "Then to jump in front of Lin at the exact moment I needed to be there."

"Wow, it just amazes me that you would do that knowing before hand that you could have died," said Ryder, dropping into a chair. "Willingness to sacrifice yourself is something I know all the pups would do. But to go into something knowing the possible outcome before, it's just…"

"It's what Guardians are bred and trained for," said Yeshe. "Like I told Rocky and Katie, I had faith that Katie and Marshall could save me."

"Marshall, is Yeshe going to be ok?" asked Everest, they were laying together in Marshall's pup house.

"She'll be fine," said Marshall. "We were concerned about the stress on the pups, but they seemed to be progressing perfectly. Once she wakes up she's going to be sore but she's strong and should be back on her paws in no time."

"I was so scared for her," said Everest. "You looked so focused, I thought you looked like you didn't know if she would survive or not."

"I admit, I was scared also," said Marshall. "All I could see was you laying there. I knew I had to do everything possible for Yeshe, but also for Rocky."

A few pup houses away, Chase and Skye laid next to each other also talking.

"I know it's a possibility since you're a police pup," Skye was saying. "But I hope I never have to stand there and watch them work on you like that. And if something like that happened to me, I could imagine you reacting just like Rocky and Kang did."

"If something like that happened to you," said Chase "There wouldn't be enough left to run a DNA check."

"Honestly, I didn't know Rocky had it in him," laughed Skye. "Kang you can't help but see killer instinct, but Rocky. He's the most loving pup there is, of course not as much as you, my love."

"Oh please," Chase rolled his eyes. "Even I know how sweet a pup Rocky is. But given the circumstances, I think even Zuma would have lost it and gone psycho for a moment."

"Do you get a feeling that Yeshe getting shot was on purpose somehow?" asked Skye.

"You mean the fact that it was actually supposed to be Kang on patrol?" asked Chase

"What?" said Skye "I didn't know that."

"Yeah, Yeshe talked Kang into taking Mudita to dinner," said Chase. "Rocky said she reacted before the shot rang out. Like she knew it was coming before it was fired. Skye, I've studied forensics as part of the job. The shot trajectory would have hit Kang in the heart. Yeshe is smaller and it hit her high. I think she knew it and took Kangs place to save him."

"She's something else," agreed Skye. "I wouldn't be surprised to find she did know and was willing to sacrifice herself. I know you would too, but don't."

"I'm not planning on it anytime soon," laughed Chase. They kissed and then began cuddling.

"Good Morning Lin," said Kang

"Good Morning my loyal friend," said Lin."I assume you were going to get around to telling me that you intended to die last night."

"No actually," said Kang, "I expected to be dead and you'd have to figure it out."

"And when did you know this was to be your path?" asked Lin.

"I had the original vision about two years ago," said Kang. "I didn't know where and I didn't know when. I knew I would defend you and block a shot. It wasn't until you told me we were coming here was it revealed that it would be here. I still did not know when."

"So how is it that fate was altered?" asked Lin.

"Well, apparently Yeshe has some pull with the Great One and argued on my behalf," said Kang.

"So she discussed this with you?" asked Lin.

"No, as a matter of fact she mentioned there was a great event coming and I needed to prepare Mudita for it and take her to dinner," said Kang. "She took my watch and you know what happened from there."

"You realize that you…" started Lin.

"Owe her a life debt," finished Kang. "Yes, I do. I realize that my time from now on is granted by her sacrifice."

"So if your purpose was to die last night," said Lin. "Has it been revealed what your future purpose is to be?"

"No, unless I'm compelled otherwise," said Kang. "My purpose is to protect you and be a better mate to Mudita. And of course, whatever silly mess Yeshe wants to torture me with."

"You think she would use it against you?" asked Lin. "I could speak with Toby."

"No, I think she will never bring it up and make me crazy waiting," laughed Kang. "She is a very strong willed Bitc, uh female."

"That she is," laughed Lin. "I am glad it worked this way. Do you think Yeshe will wake up soon?"

"I believe she has already," said Kang. "I figure she is trying to explain to Rocky why she did not tell him."

"Well let me just say," laughed Lin. "That Rocky, may be small compared to you. But he has the heart of a warrior if I ever saw one. He had every intention of killing that man."

"If he was any bigger you would not have been able to stop him," laughed Kang. "I can never doubt his devotion to Yeshe though. He does truly have the heart of a Guardian. I think you should suggest naming him one. Tradition alone calls for Mastiffs. But you know it's a stupid tradition, all canines are guardians."

"I believe that both Yeshe and Rocky should be named full Guardians." agreed Lin. "It may not mean much to Rocky at first, but with Yeshe's guidance and time he will understand his willingness to defend her makes him a true guardian. I will speak to Toby, We'll have a ceremony and declare it officially. I can have the papers sent from Toby's Monastery fairly quickly."

Three days later Yeshe was able to walk again with a little help. Her shoulder was hurting if she walked too much, but she was able to rejoin Rocky in the Cabin. Rubble and the boys stopped everything and finished the cabin for the two couples.

Rocky was sitting at a computer looking over some of the classes he would be taking in the fall when Yeshe walked in.

"Hey Rocky," said Yeshe "I believe Toby and Lin want to honor us for our work that night. They are having some form of party tonight."

"Us?" said Rocky "I was just there by chance. You are the one that should be honored."

"I defended Lin," agreed Yeshe, "but you defended me and Lin. You stopped the threat without thought for your own safety. That makes you honorable as well."

"I lost my mind is all," said Rocky. "I saw you hurt and he was still holding a molotov cocktail, I wasn't going to let him throw it at you. Why I had to be pulled off is beyond me. I apparently couldn't stop myself. Lin probably saved me from myself more than anything."

"True, Lin stopped you so you wouldn't have a death on your conscience," said Yeshe. "You're too sweet to allow even a deserved death to not haunt you."

Rocky blinked, "I hadn't thought about that. I would have been devastated that I took a life. I defend the environment, that includes scum that should be ignored."

"And I love that about you," laughed Yeshe. "My trainers would be proud of your attack. You eliminated the threat without training of any kind."

Yeshe kissed Rocky and then sat down to watch him work.

That night at the ceremony Toby called Yeshe and Rocky to the front. Kang had been given a medal for bravery and quick action to eliminate the shooter.

"Yeshe, your actions proved that you have the mind of a guardian." said Toby. "No one ever doubted that you felt compelled to honor your duty to protect. But until battle proven you can not be declared a full guardian."

"But this isn't the Monastery," said Yeshe. "I was not before an elder. I was not observed in battle."

"But you were," said Lin, stepping forward. "You were observed by Kang. He is a battle proven Guardian. He has the ability to sit in counsel as a Battle Leader. It was by his recommendation that you be awarded Full Guardian status."

Yeshe turned to Kang, tears in her eyes, "Thank you for your recommendation, I will defend and protect to the best of my abilities until called to my next life." Yeshe bowed to him and then to Toby and Lin.

Toby stepped forward with tears in his own eyes, "I present you with this sash of the Temple Guardians. May you always be willing but hopefully never again called to protect the Temple or retreat against all threats."

"Rocky, will you now step forward?" said Lin.

Rocky looked at everyone but did as he was told.

"Rocky, you were also recommended to be raised to Full Guardian by Kang" said Lin. "You showed courage and bravery as well as the fierce fighting spirit of a guardian. You selflessly eliminated a threat with little training but to say the least showed the ferocity of a Mastiff. You have been honored by the Monastery in being named the first Mixed Breed Guardian in history. You have begun a new tradition in that prior only Tibetan Mastiffs served as Guardians. To quote a wise pup, 'It was a stupid tradition anyway'. I hereby award you the sash of the Temple Guardians. May I never have to face you in battle, you have the heart of a warrior and the teeth of one as well."

The other pups all cheered.

The pups gathered around and were all admiring Yeshe and Rocky's new sashes when Mudita asked Rocky to step to the side and speak with her.

"Yes, Mudita?" asked Rocky. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Mudita grabbed Rocky in a tight hug. "Thank you Rocky. Thank you for the pain and worry you suffered waiting to see if Yeshe and her pups would be ok."

"What do you mean?" asked Rocky

"I told you I was a stray and that Kang gave me my name," said Mudita. "The rest of that story is that he found me near death. Rather than walking away like so many others, he chose to save me and during that time of recovery we fell in love. He is all I have, all I've ever had. You suffered not knowing if Yeshe would survive and for that I will be in your debt forever. I love you and your family and will serve you in any capacity you see fit until my death."

"You don't owe me anything more than to live your life to its fullest and live happily with Kang," said Rocky, with tears in his eyes. "I guess I hadn't really thought about how it would have affected you, if it had been Kang."

"I don't know if you understand the magnitude of you being named Guardian of the Temple," said Mudita. "You have opened the door to many others for many generations to come."

"I will be studying it for a while," laughed Rocky. "Because that is what I do. I strive to understand more everyday. I love to read and will continue to learn until I can no longer shove another fact into my head."

They both laughed at that.