My Dog is Chase Devineaux

Chase is transformed into a dog after wishing he understood Carmen Sandiego and why she tried to save him. Carmen finds him and adopts him. Chase becomes a part of the team as a dog and slowly develops feelings for Carmen. Maybe she is not the villain he thought her to be or maybe he's just falling in love. Oh help, he's in trouble now. Julia is worried about her partner and V.I.L.E hates Carmen's new ally. Chase/Carmen

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter

Chapter 5: The Daisho Caper and Dognapped

It had been four days and a week since Shadowsan had joined the team and Chase was now eleven weeks old as a dog. He'd grown a bit and had adapted to new his life as a dog, well, more or less anyway. He sometimes woke up, half expecting to be a human but it never happened. Carmen had taught him a lot of new tricks, the last time he'd seen the list it had looked like this;

Sit – learned

Stay – learned

Shake – learned

Stand – learned

Speak – learned

Hush – learned

Lie down – learned

Come when whistling – learned

Beg – learned semi-automatically

Heel – learned automatically

Please – learned automatically with beg

Hello – learned automatically with shake.

High five – learned

Dance – learned

Roll over – learned

Jump – learned

Fetch – learned

Crawl – learned

Take it, bring it, find it and leave it – learned

Limp – learned

Spin – learned

Open/close door – learned

Leash – learned

Attack- learned

Catch – learning

Guard/Protect – learning

Steal – not yet

Walk back- not yet

Play dead – not yet

Count/Spell – not yet

Weave – not yet

Bow – not yet

Jump rope- not yet

Bang - not yet

He had to admit, he was proud of himself for learning all his tricks, some of them were a bit tricky for a man in an active puppy body. He could feel himself, for lack of a better word…synchronizing with his new body and instincts better each day. By now he had fully integrated with the rest of the team. He liked Player the most aside from Carmen and always listened whenever he spoke. The boy was fun and interesting to listen to. He liked to annoy Zack and Ivy by chewing on Ivy's shoes and hiding her tools and he often ran off with Zack's car keys and he left fur on his sweaters when the boy left them on the floor. He tolerated them, understanding that they were both important to the team but he was annoyed by their antics and their attempts to play with him. He didn't want to, it was that simple. Teasing them was fun though. They were his entertainment.

"Carmen," said Shadowsan, walking up to her. She looked up from giving him a treat for his progress in learning how to 'catch.'

"What is it Shadowsan?" she asked, giving Chase another pat and standing up.

"What does he want?" Chase whined and looked annoyed but he sat and listened to what the ninja had to say. Shadowsan, the man was a conundrum to him. On one paw Chase simply did not like him on principal for what he did to him, even if he was…forced to act the part. He also didn't like him for the fact that although he was on Carmen's side, the man had cheated her out of a passing grade, even if it had pushed her to leave V.I.L.E. He also had too many secrets for Chase's liking. On the other paw though, Shadowsan had a lot of information on V.I.L.E., he just needed to share it and Carmen trusted him, so…well, that was a point in his favour. He certainly respected the man for his skills and strength. Carmen had also said earlier in the week that there were two people in V.I.L.E. she would be worried about going up against and one of them was Shadowsan, so having the ninja eliminated a threat. The man respected Chase for the reason that he was able to bring comfort to Carmen and allowed her to think of things other than just taking down V.I.L.E. but Shadowsan still frowned at the fact that Chase was so young and as such, unable to do much. That made Chase cross but he could see where the ninja was coming from. All in all, they had a form of respect for each other, not much but it was there.

As for the auburn-haired thief herself, well, after all the love, care, praise, encouragement, and attention she'd given him how could he not think the world of her. All of what she was giving him, was what he needed to get over a lot of things in his recent past. She was selfless, brave, kind, and generous and Chase felt bad for ever thinking that she was nothing but a no-good thief, she was clearly an angel. He spent all of his time with her, yes, he still was wrestling with his ego and his pride at times but they were rapidly fading the more time he spent with Carmen. She was undoubtedly, his favourite on the team.

"Japan huh? Sure, I've always wanted to go to Japan," said Carmen, and Chase looked up, so they were going to Japan for some personal business that Shadowsan had to take care of? Interesting, the man clearly was Japanese, he might find out more about him with this trip. It wasn't long before they were on the next flight to Japan, Chase curled up on Carmen's lap as they both slept the majority of the way. They did eventually land but then they had to take a train. Again Carmen and Chase slept.

Chase woke up first and yawned, 'Are we there yet?' he wondered. He looked around and saw that Shadowsan wasn't in his seat, 'I hate that ninja and his disappearing acts,' he mentally groaned and gently pawed at Carmen, trying to wake her up. It didn't work so he resorted to the technique that never failed, he licked her face.

"Gah! Chase?" she asked, blinking, "What's wrong?" she asked before noticing that Shadowsan was no longer seated next to her. "Again?" she asked and Chase nodded. She sighed and woke up Zack and Ivy. They had finally arrived at Matsumoto Station. They disembarked and Chase yawned, glad to stretch after such a long journey.

'Uh oh,' he thought, 'I need the bathroom,' he pawed at Carmen's leg, whining.

"What's the matter Chase?" she asked and he jogged on the spot. "Oh, right, got it. Come on, we'll find a place for you," she said, and they walked off. Once out of the station Carmen looked around and spotted an alley. They walked towards it and she let him off the lead. "Ok, off you go," she said, turning around and looking at the sights. He bolted into the alley, he was not thrilled about it being an alley, who knows what could be lurking in there but he couldn't be picky. He quickly did his business. He didn't like this alleyway, it made him uneasy, he smelt another dog but the smell was faded, as though the dog had gone from this place. He smelled something else, curious, he'd never smelled this smell before. Chase was now intrigued by the smell and started looking around for it. He knew that Carmen would be worried but he wanted to find out what the smell was.

"Meow," he heard, his ears pricked up at the sound. He sniffed around a bit more before knocking over a cardboard box. There was the smell, a kitten, smaller than he was. 'Well, this is interesting,' he thought, looking her over, she was a bit dirty but her coat was a lilac colour and he finally saw that she was a Scottish Fold. He noticed that she was looking at him in fear and he whined softly. It was then he found out about animal communication, as this was the first time he'd met another animal since turning into a dog.

'Don't hurt me,' he heard and it was the kitten who spoke, he knew it but she hadn't made any noise at all. This made Chase realise that animals could communicate with each other without the need to make any noise at all and their language was universal, there were no language barriers between animals!

'Come to think of it, I've never had any trouble understanding Carmen no matter what language she speaks and I never realised it. I guess being a dog transcends any language barrier, it's an automatic and instinctual understanding!' Chase thought. He crouched down and looked at the kitten. 'It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you,' he 'said' to the kitten. She looked at him timidly. 'My name is Chase, what's yours, and what's a little kitten like you doing here?'

'I was adopted by a little girl from the shelter today and she was taking me to her home when a red monster came roaring at us. I got scared and ran. Now I'm lost.'

'Red monster?' Chase thought quickly, 'Oh, you mean a car, yes that can be scary. I'll help you find your little girl. By the way, what's your name?'

'The little girl called me…um…Ami! Will, you really help me?' asked the scared kitten.

'Yes Ami, I will. I'm going to sniff you so that I have your owner's scent, then I can find her for you,' said Chase. He carefully sniffed Ami over, smelling the faint traces of her owner.

"Chase! Where are you?" called Carmen, who had worry in her voice.

'Oh no, Carmen. I made her wait!' was Chase's panicked thought.

'Who is that?' asked Ami.

'That's Carmen, she's…' Chase hesitated, should he say it? It would be awkward if he didn't. 'She's my human, my… owner. She's really nice. She'll also help you.'

"Chase!" and Carmen whistled. Chase turned and ran out of the alley. He barked, catching Carmen's attention. "Chase!" she ran over to him. "I was worried about you! I thought something had happened to you," she said, picking him up and hugging him. He whimpered, he had not meant to worry her. "At least you're safe," was all she said as she continued to hug him. His tail wagged and he licked her face. Then he wiggled out of her grasp and went into the alley. "What is it Chase?" asked Carmen in concern. Chase came out holding Ami by the scruff and whined, looking up at Carmen. "Oh, the poor thing," she said, picking up Ami from Chase. Ami meowed a bit.

'Don't worry Ami, Carmen is nice, like I said, she'll take care of you until I find your human,' Chase then put his nose to the ground and began to sniff, trying to track Ami's owner.

"Chase, what are you doing?" asked Carmen. Ami meowed again. "Oh…oh! I get it, you're lost. Oh, Chase, you are wonderful," said Carmen, who got it now. She was proud of him, trying to help this kitten.

He barked in acknowledgement and continued to sniff. They walked for a little bit before arriving at a park. Chase's nose twitched as he smelt the same scent that was on Ami. He looked around, spotting a little girl who was crying. 'Ami, is that your owner?'

'Yes! She is, you did it!' she cried.

Chase ran towards the girl, barking to get her attention.

"Chase, wait up!" called Carmen.

He slowed down to a walk, the girl was now looking at him. He turned and barked at Carmen, who was calmly walking towards him with Ami in her arms. The little girl looked at Carmen, seeing Ami with her. "Ami!" she shouted, her shout alerting her parents, who were nearby.

"Kon'nichiwa, kore wa anata no konekodesu ka?" Carmen asked her, kneeling down next to Chase in front of the girl.

Chase couldn't believe that he understood that, 'Hello, is this your kitten?' she had asked. He mentally smiled and his tail wagged.

"Hai! Ami!" she said, reaching out for Ami. Ami leapt into her arms meowing happily.

The parents were finally there and they thanked Carmen.

"Dō ka, kansha wa hitsuyō arimasen. Shujinkō no Chase wa watashi no inu de, roji de kanojo o mitsuke, anata no musume o mitsukemashita. Kare wa kono monogatari no hontō no hīrōdesu, said Carmen.

'Please, no thanks needed. It was my dog, Chase, who is the hero, he found her in an alley and then found your daughter. He's the real hero of this story,' was what Chase understood to be said and his tail wagged furiously. He gently licked the girl's hand when she reached out to pet him. She giggled.

'Thank you Chase!' cried Ami who reached down and licked him on the nose in thanks. He was surprised but he licked her back in the same way.

'Not a problem Ami. I'm glad I was able to help you find your owner. Take good care of her,' he said.

'I will,' and Ami purred as she cuddled up closer to her human.

"Let's go, Chase," said Carmen, clipping on his lead. He gave a final bark goodbye and walked off with Carmen. "Well, that was a nice little adventure for you. I'm glad that you can get along with other animals. How about I get you a small treat for being such a good dog and then we'll go and find Shadowsan," said Carmen.

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Chase barked happily. He felt really good about himself having helped Ami. Alas, it wasn't mean to last. Coming across a store that sold dog treats but didn't allow dogs inside Carmen tied Chase's lead to a post and told him to, 'sit and stay.' He was quite happy to do that until three dogs came around the corner. They looked tough and mean, not to mention mangy and ridden with fleas. They had no collars and Chase's senses were screaming danger. There was a Jack Russell, a Chihuahua, and a Pug. The Jack Russell looked to be in charge as it walked forward first.

'Well, well looky here boys. A House Dog!' he said, the other two laughing.

'He smells nice,' said the Pug, sounding pretty dumb.

'Dummy, that's cause he's a fancy-schmancy House Dog!' yipped the Chihuahua.

'What do you three want other than to bug me?' asked Chase, looking annoyed.

'Listen up junior,' said the Jack Russell, 'I'm Kenta and you're on our turf and any new dogs pay up, especially House Dogs. So when yer owner gets out here you hand over what she gives you and she doesn't get hurt. Capiche?'

'First of all, threaten Carmen again and I'll hurt you! Second, no, I'm not giving you lot anything. Third, what do you have against House Dogs and why do you see me as one?' asked Chase, he was mad and wanted to growl but he got the feeling that if he acted in a threatening way then they would act back and he'd get torn apart. He might be able to handle the Chihuahua, it was practically a rat! But the other two were bigger than him and it was three on one in the first place. Though…depending on the dumb pug's intelligence level he might stand a chance if he could trick him. But Carmen wouldn't want him to get in a fight. 'Who cares what she thinks of me!' yelled the egotistical human part of him that hadn't surfaced in a while. 'I care,' he thought, trying to push his ego away.

'Listen fancy, you do what I say! As for why I have something against House Dogs, are you dumb? You've got a badge of respectability around ya neck, don't ya?' asked Kenta. 'House Dogs have the life, you don't know you're even alive with all your pampering and rich food and we street dogs, we're real dogs, we actually survive and that's why you're going to give us our dues.'

Chase looked down at his collar, 'A badge of respectability? That's what street dogs call collars and tags?' he wondered. He glared at Kenta, 'My name is Chase and I'm not a House Dog! I'm a …' he was cut off by Kenta.

'You have an owner and a collar, you're a House Dog!'

'House Dog, house dog!' chanted the other two morons.

'House Dogs do what their owners tell them to do and they don't argue, they're obedient little pets, pets are the worst, you know nothing about being abandoned and struggling to survive!' yelled Kenta.

Chase flashbacked back to his childhood, where every day was a struggle… He saw himself, working on his homework late at night after a day of both school and trying to help around the neighbourhood and around the house, feeling bad that his parents often gave him their shares of food when money was really tight. He remembered the loss he felt when they died, the feeling of being abandoned, even though they didn't…It wasn't their fault that they got sick and died and it wasn't his fault either. He knew that but, it still hurt being alone in the world. He remembered being abandoned recently, by A.C.M.E. He was nothing to them, even Miss Argent had gone with them, not staying with him. Abandonment… It stung. These dogs…at least Kenta, he knew about it, the way he spoke told Chase everything. Chase shifted his stance a bit, what if Carmen were to abandon him? 'No, she wouldn't, I'm a good… What am I? A dog? A human? Who is Carmen Sandiego to me now? A friend? A partner? An…' he didn't want to think it… what the other dogs called her, an…owner… He wasn't a dog, he wasn't owned by anybody, he stayed with her because she was the link to V.I.L.E., right? 'That's a lie and you know it,' his conscience scolded him.

'Heh, looks like I ruffled ya fur, huh Chasey. Whatcha gonna do about it? Go running to ya Human?' taunted Kenta with the other two sniggering in the background. Chase's ears pressed down on his head. 'I knew that a House Dog like yerself would see sense. Just you wait, she's gonna abandon you when you do something wrong or when she gets tired of you? That's how humans are. How long until that happens?'

Chase snapped, all the bad memories and this trash talk about Carmen and him being a House Dog was just too much, 'SHUT UP!' he yelled. The three dogs began to growl and bark at him and he growled and barked back. Thankfully it wasn't allowed to escalate into a fight.

"Chase!" it was Carmen's voice! He turned his head to see that she was standing there, looking mad. She chased the two idiots away and when Kenta tried to attack her she sidestepped him, causing him to crash headfirst into the wall. "Are you ok Chase? You're not hurt are you?" she asked, checking him over. He just sighed and laid his head briefly on her knee as she was now kneeling down next to him. "What's the matter, boy? Did those dogs tease you?" she asked, meaning it in jest but she had no idea just how impacted Chase was by their words. He sighed again and looked up at her with sad eyes. She frowned and petted him. "Hey, I got you your treat, you want it?"

Not wanting to make her worry he mustered up a happy bark and wagged his tail, 'She doesn't need to know how confused I am right now. Not that could actually tell her but I…' he sighed a bit and then sat and begged for his treat, barking, "Please!" Carmen laughed and gave him a small bone which he took happily. 'I have nothing to worry about. Those dogs have no idea what it's like having an…' he stopped, he was going to think the word again, 'owner' but he wasn't a real dog, he was a human that was a dog. "I'm so confused!" he barked in frustration, accidentally letting go of his bone and causing Carmen to jump a bit.

"Chase, what's wrong with you?" she asked in concern. He stared at her, it was all her fault, she made him feel this way! So…happy and content to be with her! He forgot that he was not a dog, he was Chase Devineaux, a human! A…a…a former inspector of Interpol, a paper pusher, an ex-A.C.M.E. agent who was tossed to the side by everyone else. He was an egotistical loudmouth who messed things up. But, recently…he hadn't messed things up.

"Does that mean that I'm better as a dog than a human? Who am I, what am I? I don't know anymore and who is Carmen Sandiego to me? Who?!" he barked to the sky. He got no answer, he would have to find the answers himself.

Carmen was very concerned, what was causing Chase to act this way? "Chase?" she asked, kneeling down slowly.

He stopped barking and looked at her, seeing her worry for him, "I've done it again. I can't do anything right," he whimpered. Carmen slowly but calmly reached out to pet him, not knowing if he would do anything in this state. She wasn't afraid, she just didn't want to startle him or make him uncomfortable. He actually launched himself into her arms, whining. Carmen was surprised but she held him close. Chase sighed, he felt better now, Carmen Sandiego was his safety, she was reassuring and she would never abandon him. None of this was her fault, he never asked to be turned into a dog and she never asked to be the one to find him and he never asked her to adopt him or take care of him or even teach him tricks. He was still confused as all hell about his identity but he knew that he was ok as long as he was with Carmen. He licked her cheek and wagged his tail. He'd figure everything out later, right now, they needed to find that darn ninja. Chase calmed down and barked, looking at her with sad eyes, 'I'm sorry for making you worry about me.'

"I don't know what's going with you Chase but if something is wrong or bugging you then we'll work through it together, we're a team after all," Carmen said and he licked her, tail wagging. He knew he could count on her. She untied his leash and he picked up his bone and they made their way to Matsumoto castle.

"Any sign of him, Red?" asked Payer, who had been silent for a while.

Carmen chuckled, "Just one." She crouched in front of a glass case holding a katana. Chase sniffed the glass. Carmen smiled," A pretty sure sign."

Flashback to V.I.L.E. Academy.

Carmen is folding origami. She stares at Shadowsan's katana in front of her.

Back in the present, Carmen touched the glass case, "Please do not touch the glass. Fingerprints spoil the view," said a voice, they turned to see an old man with glasses wearing a suit. He introduced himself as Hideo.

"And the view from here is striking," said Carmen, Chase barked a bit in agreement. He was curious about the man, he looked familiar to him. He walked over to him, wagging his tail in greeting before holding out his paw. The man looked surprised but he shook Chase's paw and gave a little smile before turning back to Carmen.

"You are gazing upon Matsumoto Castle's most precious artifact. Swords like these, and the samurai who wielded them, embody the soul of Japan."

Carmen asked, "So, there's another like it? You said, "Swords like these."

"There actually was another. Part of the Daisho," Hideo said.

"The what?" asked Carmen and Chase in their own way.

"Daisho. The Japanese word for "pair of swords, big and little," worn together by the samurai. This pair was separated many years ago." Chase thought that the man looked sad at that. He did look familiar.

'Focus Chase,' he thought and sniffed at him carefully and then looked at him, tilting his head, there was definitely something very familiar about this man.

"What happened?" asked Carmen and Chase barked, he'd like to know that too.

"Legend holds that the long sword was lost to dark forces," Hideo explained.

"Sounds like a fairy tale," barked Chase, who was a little annoyed at the obvious evasion tactic. 'Like the ninja…the ninja, this man is related to Shadowsan!' Yes, he could see it now, he was most definitely related to him, 'An older brother perhaps?' he wondered.

Carmen left the Castle with Chase walking beside her. Chase heard Shadowsan and turned with a little bark as Shadowsan approached them from behind.

Shadowsan. "You followed me."

"You ditched me."

"Did I not tell you I came to Japan to attend to personal matters?" he asked a bit crossly and Chase gave an annoyed bark and Shadowsan gave him a mildly annoyed look.

"Let me guess. To complete your daisho? I saw the sword. If you wanna steal for personal gain, go back to V.I.L.E. Island. I mean it," she said, folding her arms.

"I did not come here to steal that sword. I am here to return this one," he said making both Carmen and Chase blink in surprise. Shadowsan presented his katana—the missing long katana of the daisho.

"Are you telling me the legend or the truth?" asked Carmen and Chase sniffed at the blade.

Shadowsan looked away before looking at Carmen, "I do not feel comfortable speaking here."

"More Than a Feeling" plays in a karaoke bar. Chase was cursing every deity he knew because Zack and Ivy were singing. "Mon Dieu! Who told them they could sing? Ow, my ears are bleeding, this is worse than the fireworks!" he yelped. Despite their tone-deaf voices he still managed to listen to Carmen and Shadow's conversation.

"I was once young and foolish as well," said Shadowsan.

"So, you stole the sword from the museum on a dare?" asked Carmen.

"It was more like a rite of initiation. My gateway into a life of crime. What I could not know then is the burden of shame I would carry for dishonouring the memory of samurai," he said with sorrow and regret on his face.

"Oh, they use swords, too!" Zack exclaimed.

"What's the difference between a samurai and a ninja anyway?" asked Ivy.

"Someone shoot these idiots!" Chase growled grumpily. Carmen's hand reached down to pet him, it was soothing.

"Samurai were noble warriors and keepers of the peace in ancient Japan. Ninja were trained in dark arts of deception and used their talents as spies and assassins," said Shadowsan and even Chase looked interested in his explanation. He wondered which one he was.

"So, which one are you?" asked Zack and Chase rolled his eyes, it wasn't obvious? Honestly, the boy had more than a few screws loose. A waitress arrives with a tray of fish. Chase mentally grinned at Zack's reaction. Zack retched. "Fish? Almost a perfect evening," he said.

"Heads up, Red. I just intercepted V.I.L.E. chatter. An unknown operative was dispatched to Tokyo this morning," said Player.

"V.I.L.E., in Tokyo now?" she asked and looked at Shadowsan.

Shadowsan told her, "They are here for the sword."

Xxxxx

Carmen and Shadowsan are walking down a street with Chase walking next to Carmen on his leash. He shifted a bit, he was feeling uneasy. Someone or someone very dangerous was around tonight, he could feel it.

Carmen was speaking to Shadowsan, "So V.I.L.E. assumes what I assumed. That you wanna complete the set."

"They will steal the short sword to use as bait to draw me out."

"We'll steal it first. It's what we do. The opposite of what you came here to accomplish, I know," said Carmen.

"I cannot, not again," Shadowsan said, not happy at all about it.

"Then be glad I invited myself along." Chase rolled his eyes.

Xxxxx

Carmen hang-glided over Matsumoto Castle. Chase was not with her this time, much to his displeasure but he was already too big and heavy for the harness and would have thrown Carmen off balance or caused her to crash. He was already inside the castle with the order from Carmen to 'guard' the sword. He was not happy that he wasn't there to protect Carmen.

"I hope Chase is ok," she said softly before paper ninja stars sliced through her glider. Carmen gasped as she went down. "Come on. Come on! Whoa!" she said, grunting. The roof tiles clattered as she skidded across them and she caught herself on the edge, "Paper Star."

Paper Star just smirked at her and threw more paper stars. Carmen jumped down onto another roof. Paper Star chased her on foot and chuckled. Carmen hid behind a column. Player contacted her, "Red. Someone's taking the security cameras offline... and it isn't me."

"Paper Star's not the thief, she's the decoy!" Carmen charges at Paper Star, who threw more paper stars. Carmen kicked up a roof tile and aimed it at Paper Star's wrist, knocking Paper Star's paper stars out of her hand.

In the castle Chase was hiding behind the Daisho display case and wondering if Carmen was ok, 'I don't like this,' he was still unhappy about what had happened earlier with the street dogs. He tensed, smelling someone and hearing them come inside and it wasn't Shadowsan's brother. This person was female and smelled of dangerous poisons. His ears pressed down on his head, this woman must be one of V.I.L.E.'s more dangerous operatives but Carmen was counting on him to protect the sword. The woman walked towards the case confidently. He rushed in front of it.

"A dog!?" she asked, staring at Chase. He growled and snarled at her, his hackles raised and the moonlight making his teeth gleam. "So this is the security," she said. She tossed a dart at him. Chase leapt to the side, he growled again, smelling that that dart had poison on it.

'Ok, the crazy lady is a poison expert. Great, well, I can't let Carmen down, I have to guard this sword until she gets here,' thought Chase, still growling as he dodged another dart. He decided to attack as she had now attacked him twice, he lunged at her. She wasn't expecting that and she fell backwards. He decided to keep up the pressure and ran at her, doing his best to nip at her calves.

"Miserable mutt!" she said, kicking out at him. Her foot caught him in the stomach and knocked the wind out of him.

"Ow, that hurt!" he barked, slowly getting up. She was reaching for the sword! "Not on my watch!" he barked, running at her. He barely managed to dodge her swipe but he did manage to knock her off balance because of her own motion. "Take that!" he barked, standing in front of the sword again.

She got her breath back and brought out three needles which she threw at him. "Take this you savage animal!"

'Dodge left, dodge right, jump!' he thought. He really cut that last one close. If he was an ordinary dog he would probably be dead. He actually managed to nip her ankle, making her shriek like a banshee. 'Haha!' he thought before he was yanked up by his collar and shaken and then tossed hard into another display case, hitting his head. "Ow," he whimpered softly before passing out.

A few minutes later Carmen entered Matsumoto Castle and discovered the empty Daisho case with a gasp, "No! Chase, where are you? Chase!" her panic growing. She then spotted him lying there, unconscious. "Chase!" she rushed over, picking him up and cradling him in her arms. "Oh, Chase, I'm sorry, I should have brought you with me or given you some backup. This is my fault," tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

He stirred, hearing her voice, 'La Femme Rouge? Carmen?' he wondered. His head was pounding but she slowly slipped into view. He whined upon seeing her sad face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for making you cry, for being unable to stop her from stealing the sword, and for being such an emotional mess," he whined.

"Oh Chase, you're awake, thank goodness," said Carmen, holding him close. "I'm so sorry, this was my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I'll never do it again, I promise, from now on I'll always be by your side."

Chase had no idea she cared so much about him and it warmed his heart, however uncertain it was, he was sure, no, he was certain about one thing, that no matter what she had to do Carmen Sandiego would always keep her promise to him. He slowly raised his head, even though it ached and he gave her a little lick, it was as much as he could manage. "Thank you," he barked softly. Carmen smiled and hugged him but thought that just for a moment she was seeing Chase Devineaux instead. She blinked but she figured it must be the stress and the tears that wanted to fall. Devineaux was safe back in Poitiers.

A man approached them with a flashlight. "What is the meaning of this?" Hideo flashed the light at Carmen, "You! The girl from today! Did Suhara send you?"

"Who? I work alone."

Hideo grunted as Carmen jumped and ran, disappearing with Chase in her arms.

Xxxxx

Dokuso appeared on the screen before V.I.L.E. faculty, holding the short katana in her hands, "Shadowsan will come for it soon."

Professor Maelstrom asked, "And what makes you so certain, my mistress of toxic distress?"

"His young associate is already here in Japan, doing his dirty work, so the traitor cannot be far behind. She left her dog to guard the sword. It actually put up a bit of a fight."

"Then use your young associate to bring us both their traitorous heads and earn a seat at our table. Bring the dog too if possible," said Maelstrom.

Xxxxx

Carmen and Shadowsan are standing on a bridge, Chase in Carmen's arms.

"This is not your fight Carmen, your dog has already gotten hurt," he'd checked Chase over and found nothing wrong with him, other than the fact that he'd been unconscious.

"You know it's a trap. Is it really worth risking your life to return these swords? There's more to the story, isn't there... Suhara?"

"I am Shadowsan. Suhara was swallowed by darkness a long time ago."

"Oh, pray tell," Chase growled a tiny bit, simply because he was a little mad at the ninja and himself.

"The curator of Matsumoto Castle seems to know something about that," Carmen accused.

"All too well, I'm afraid. He is my brother."

"I knew it!" Chase gave a bark making the two look at him.

"Seems Chase already figured it out and you didn't tell me? Why?" asked Carmen.

Shadowsan looked away, "Because I could not bear to burden you with tales of my own family, not when I am unable to tell you anything about your own."

"Connerie!" Chase barked again, he still didn't believe him about that. (Bullshit)

"Chase hush. No secrets Shadowsan, remember? I can't keep operating with only half of the story," Carmen scolded.

"I was raised by my brother from as early as I could remember. As you have no doubt already learned, Hideo is a scholar of samurai history. He always possessed discipline. While I did not. Hideo held sacred the idea of Bushido or the way of the samurai warrior. While I did not. And Hideo was content living on a scholar's wages. While I was not."

"Ungrateful brat," growled Chase, and Shadowsan actually looked away from him for a moment. Carmen looked down at him, petting him to keep quiet.

Shadowsan continued, "I believed I deserved better. So I chose my path. To earn my stripes, I boasted of stealing something of great value. So, I made it my mission to steal the Daisho. At that moment, I knew I had made a profound error in judgement. Hideo warned that I would have to take it from him. I knew that he meant it. I ran away. Separating the two halves of the Daisho separated the two of us... irreparably. In the event that I fail to return, please ensure that my brother receives this," he said, handing her the sword. Chase looked surprised.

"You're going in there alone and unarmed? Where are they keeping it?" she asked.

"In a V.I.L.E. stronghold in heart of Tokyo. Club Dokuso... a notorious den of hoodlums," said Shadowsan, Chase made a mental note of that.

Xxxxx

In Club Dokuso, a waitress wheeled a cart and served tea to the patrons, stealing their swords as she did so. Chase hopped out from the cart and laid underneath one of the tables. Carmen was uncertain, he could tell but she knew that he wouldn't be alone this time so he wouldn't get hurt. She honestly just wanted to keep him somewhere safe but Shadowsan and Player had pointed out that Chase had already been exposed to danger in the Rio caper and he was smaller then. He'd also wouldn't want to be separated from Carmen again, after what happened in the castle. Player insisted on letting him help, this was his life now too and she couldn't take it away from him after just one incident. Carmen was convinced and Chase was grateful that she was, he wanted to help and to redeem himself.

"We have stirred up trouble for our ex-colleague, but we must not let our guard down," Dokuso warned the Yakuza in her club. They brushed it off. "Believe everything you have ever heard about Shadowsan." The waitress disappeared into the kitchen. "New girl! Where is my coffee?"

Shadowsan arrived, "An old friend has stopped by to say hello." A yakuza goon gasped. The goons reach for their swords but they discovered that they were gone.

'Idiots,' thought Chase. He was waiting for his opportunity. Carmen said to 'attack' only if Shadowsan was in danger. He sighed, he was playing Guard Dog to the ninja but he was part of the team. In the hallway, Ivy took off her wig and lifted the table cloth off the cart. Carmen came out with the goons' swords and gave them to Ivy.

"You know where to toss them," said Carmen with a smile. She was secretly worried about Chase but he'd been told to 'hide' so he'd be fine and Shadowsan was with him.

"Down the garbage chute, hai!" grinned Ivy. Carmen ran off. "Along with these clogs. Who walks in these?"

Back in the club, Shadowsan grabs the hilt of his katana and approached the goons. They were cocky. Shadowsan took his katana out and held it out with both hands, "Do you really think I would ever dishonour this sacred blade by using it upon the likes of you?" Shadowsan set the katana down. The goons rushed him.

'Are the Yakuza always this stupid or just these guys? I've meet smarter mob bosses, in fact, I'm met smarter playground bullies,' thought Chase as he watched what was basically a massacre. Shadowsan grabbed the yakuza goon and launched him at a table. The goon landed with a grunt. "Yikes!" Chase barked ever so softly.

"Get him! Now!" yelled Dokuso. The other two goons yelled and charged at him. In the storeroom, Carmen's tracker beeped. The beeping became rapid and zeroed in on a crate.

"Konnichiwa," she said. She lifted the crate lid and found Paper Star holding the short sword inside.

"Boo! Pop goes Paper Star!"

Carmen knocked down a crate and folding fans spilled out. They both picked up and brandished the fans. "Bring it, fan girl," said Carmen. Paper Star charged at Carmen and they fought. Carmen threw her fans at Paper Star, who dodged. Carmen then jumped on her back and took the sword from her. "Lose something?" she taunted.

Paper Star growled at her, Carmen then jumped onto a windowsill and aimed her grappling hook at a neighbouring building. Paper Star grunted and grabbed onto her ankle. They both grunted as they landed on a roof.

Xxxxx

In the club, Shadowsan takes out Yakuza Goon 2 using a pair of chopsticks. 'Ok, I'm impressed,' thought Chase. The goon grunts as he falls to the ground. Shadowsan picked up his katana.

"A present for me? You shouldn't have," said Dokuso.

"On the contrary, I believe that you have one for me," said Shadowsan before he groaned and fell to the ground.

'What the…?' were Chase's thoughts.

"Yes, I coated the chopsticks with an absorbent toxin, designed to permeate the skin," Dokuso explained with a wicked grin. Shadowsan let go of the katana and it clattered to the ground. He groaned again and collapsed with a thud.

'Merde! Not good,' thought Chase.

On the roof, Carmen awakened with a groan. She grunts, noticing Paper Star as she rises, and takes off. A rooftop chase ensued. Noticing she is out of paper stars, Paper Star growls. Carmen stopped at the edge of a building. Cars honked below. Carmen quickly won the fight against Paper Star thanks to some help from Zack, glue, and paper lanterns.

Xxxxx

Shadowsan awakened on the ground, groaning. He tried to reach for the sword beside him. "Yes, you're fading." Dokuso kicked the katana aside. Shadowsan groaned. "The toxins currently coursing through your veins mimic those of the pufferfish, which paralyzes its victims." Shadowsan groans, still trying to reach the katana. "The effects are temporary, but by the time they wear off, you will be missing your head," Shadowsan grunts. "So terribly foolish of you to believe that you could stroll into my club like a samurai."

"I am no samurai. I am the decoy," Shadowsan said. Chase knew that Carmen wasn't there yet and that he had to make a move now. He crept forward, out from under the table behind Dokuso.

'Why am I doing this, somebody stop me,' thought Chase. He sighed and leapt forward, his mouth open. The next thing everyone heard was a scream of agony. Shadowsan looked up as best he could to see that Chase had bitten Dokuso on the butt! He was holding on like a champ while Dokuso danced around like an idiot.

"Haha," said Shadowsan, his katana was now in his grasp and he had an actual grin on his face, for all of five seconds.

Behind Dokuso, Carmen unsheathed the short katana. She was highly amused at the situation. "Chase let that thing go, you have no idea where it's been," and he let go.

"Oh, my dogs that was vile, gross! You so owe old man, yuck, oh, the taste in my mouth. Carmen, I need my toothbrush, right now!" he barked, his tongue hanging out in disgust. The ninja was lucky that he respected him a bit more after seeing him fight.

Rubbing her butt Dokuso threw down a dust bomb and escaped.

"Big and little, together again." Shadowsan sighed in relief. "My poor Chase, don't worry, you'll get a reward for what you did," Carmen petted him.

"I better!" he barked.

Xxxxx

Dokuso was briefing V.I.L.E. Faculty while rubbing her butt, she was mad, "Give us more time. We will bring you both swords."

"The sword was one way to draw out Shadowsan, not the only way. We will cross paths with him again," said Maelstrom.

"But if you would only allow us to…"

"Sayonara," Maelstrom said before cutting the call.

Paper Star yelled.

Xxxxx

The light clicks off in Matusmoto Castle. Hideo was about to close his doors when he noticed both katanas were in the case and he gasps, "Huh." Hideo ran to the case, "H-How?"

Shadowsan was kneeling in prostration, "I do not expect your forgiveness. I only ask that you allow me to correct this grave dishonour." Hideo walked away and didn't look back.

Xxxxx

Zack, Ivy, Carmen, and Chase wait at a train station. "Think he'll show?" asked Zack.

"A part of me hopes that he doesn't," said Carmen. The train arrived. The door dinged and opened. Carmen was about to enter when she noticed Shadowsan in her periphery. "I'm not sure what's worse, not knowing your own family or... not being able to return to the family you know. Shadowsan chose a road, and there's no turning back."

Chase wagged his tail, he was glad to be leaving Japan, there had been too much going on for him in this country. He suddenly caught a familiar scent and growled a bit. It was the cat woman, Tigress, he tried to get Carmen's attention but she was busy talking to Shadowsan. He looked around and spotted her, she wasn't trying to hide in that outfit. He wondered what she was doing here. Tigress looked at him and grinned wickedly, holding up a picture of Carmen which she tore up. He was furious, to him, that was a threat. He yanked his leash out of Carmen's hands and he raced towards her, growling. "Gotcha!" she cried, quickly placing a cage in front of him. He was running so fast that he couldn't stop and the next thing he heard was the cage door being locked. "NO!" he barked. Damn his anger and impulsiveness! "CARMEN! HELP!" he barked furiously.

Carmen heard him and turned just in time to see Tigress run off with Chase in a cage. "No, Chase!" she bolted, running after her. She was too late, Tigress was already being driven away by the Cleaners in a van. Carmen gave chase, leaping on rooftops and everything until they reached a helipad. Shadowsan and the gingers following. The Cleaners intercepted Carmen, allowing Tigress to climb aboard with Chase, who was still barking up a storm. Boris landed a hit to Carmen's stomach, winding her.

"NO! Carmen, let me out you V.I.L.E. rats! Don't you dare hurt a hair on her head! Carmen, watch out!" he barked as Vlad punched her, dazing her. He saw Shadowsan get shocked by some sort of rod and Zack and Ivy finally caught up but it was too late, the helicopter was taking off. "Carmen!" he barked and got his cage shaken for it.

"Shut up!" snapped Tigress.

He growled back at her but was helpless, he had been dognapped and who knew what V.I.L.E. was going to do to him.

"No, Chase, no!" Carmen burst into tears, her beloved dog had been taken by V.I.L.E. It was her fault, why hadn't she kept a stronger hold on his leash? V.I.L.E. was going to pay for this. She would get him back! The trio who was watching her saw a look of determination cross her face as she wiped away her tears.

'V.I.L.E. is doomed,' thought Shadowsan.

Xxxxx

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Please review