A knock sounded at the door of Kenji Taios home. Kenji punched the button on his chest and the armor disappeared as he reached the door. He opened the door to see three dogs standing outside. "Hi guys, need anything? Name's Kenji." A Siberian husky was the first to speak up. "We're friends of Peanut, were here for the...uh... library." Kenji nodded and looked to the other two, a Corgi and another one of their freinds who looked like a bigger Joey with glasses, all of them had their ears down as though they were afraid. They kept their heads down as Kenji stepped aside to let them in. He shut the door behind them as he turned to see the group searching the shelves of the three massive wracks, except for the corgi. Instead he went to the chess set that had been set on the middle table. Kenji watched as the corgi fiddled with the peices alone as the other two read on the couch. Kenji hopped over the back of the love-seat, landing across from the small dog, startling the others. "You play?" Kenji asked as he started to arrange the pieces on his side. "Sure." said the corgi as he also arranged his side. Kenji looked around the room to the other two who where still nervously flipping through the pages of their books. Kenji was also feeling the tension in the room and needless to say it annoyed him. Kenji popped his jaw and opened his mouth."You guys know im not gonna hurt you ar anything right? I mean.. its alright if you guys... make noise. hasn't been this quiet since my mom's funer-" Kenji stopped himself. 'good thing you stopped yourself from screwing up, dumbass.' he mentally scolded himself. He watched the three slowly relax to their sorroundings. As he shifted back to his previouse seating, he began his game. After a few minutes of heavily thought gameplay, Kenji tipped over his opponents king with a light flick. "Checkmate." Kenji watched in amusement as the corgi searched all areas around his king before accepting defeat. Kenji extended his arm to the opposite. As the corgi shook his paw, Kenji began to reset the pieces. "You're pretty good." said the corgi as he put a smirk over his face. "I think two steps ahead." Said Kanji as he looked to the other two who had started to spectate the game. "So you guys ready to go?" They stood. "Yeah we got some books we would like to borrow." Said the one that looked like joey. "Sure whatever you wanna take, go for it." Kenji said as he dismissed it. Kenji caught them as they where about to leave. "Hey you didn't say any of your names." The husky again, spoke up. "I'm Fox, this is Fido and the little one is king, he's a little new." "Hey! I'm as old as you!" Protested king as he punched fox in the arm. Fox grinned. "Well stop by any time guys." said Kenji as they walked off his porch. "Sure." replied Fido with a wave. Kenji smiled as they faded from view. He felt a buzzing at his side. 'I have pockets?' he thought as he retrieved a cell phone. "Hello?" "Wazzup dummy." Came a dreadfully familiar voice. "Dammit Darius what now?" Kenji muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just wanted to say hiiii. *hic*" "Are you... are you drunk darius?" Kenji asked. "What? Nooo, no i'm. I'm " Kenji sighed. "You know your not as... holy as i thought angels were." "HEY! YOU'D BE DRUNK TO IF YOU HAD TIME FOR IT FOR ONCE! And i'm gonna go to your house." Kenji held the phone away from his ear. "I'm gonna...go now." Kenji said as he flipped the phone closed. As he hung his head to the ground, he noticed a note that was placed under his pulled the note loose. 'Meet up later, just knock. Sandwich house.' Kenji looked closer to see a small cartoon dog drawn on the bottom. "Sandwich house?" He read aloud as he looked across the street. In a few moments he had pulled a hoodie over his body and drew the hood over his ears, walking to his neighbor's home. He reached the door of the described house and knocked. A smaller, presumably female dog opened the door. "Hello?" she asked. "Hello i'm looking for Peanut and Grape. Is this the wrong house?" He asked as he pulled back his hood, revealing his pointed ears. "No no, this is the right house. Erhm..Peanut?" She called. Kenji saw the familiar pup appear before him. "Hey Kenji, you got my note! come on in!" Peanut exclaimed as Kenji stepped in the doorway, looking into the cozy home. He noted grape lounging on the couch in the living room, the smell of fresh baked cookies filled the room. Kenji also noticed that the one who had opened the door had been staring at him with a strange look on her face, confused almost with her eyes seeming like they were... glowing. "Umm Excuse me?" Kenji asked as she seemed to wake from a daze. She didn't say a word, just simply walked over to peanut and dragged him away by his wrists. "He's different." She said to peanut. "Kenji? Yeah he's a bit bigger than most of our friends. What makes you think he's different tarot?" Tarot looked back to Kenji who had occupied himself with cookies and juice. "I can't read him." She said nervously, looking once more to the towering beauceron that sat in the living room. "You caane 'read' everybody. Sure it isn't some phsycic... blockage or something?" Peanut asked. "I'm pretty sure it's different." She said as she crossed her arms. "Well he is a little... different i suppose. Tell you what, as long as you treat him like a guest, you can ask as many questions as you like. NORMAL questions, got it?" He asked as he started to walk back to the living had begun to poke the sleeping grape. "Hello?" he continued to poke her arm as peanut entered and walked right up to grape's head that laid on the couch's armrest. "GRAPE!" Kenji didn't have time to see the purple cat fly from couch to ceiling. Kenji looked up to the prickly haired cat, who had wide eyes as she looked down. "DAMMIT PEANUT! I'M STUCK." She hissed down. Kenji stood. "I got ya" He said as he grasped her ribs and pulled her down like a child. As he plopped her back to the couch, he noticed a light bruise on her right cheek. He was about to ask before Tarot entered. They all gathered in different seating positions around the room, Kenji sat on the couch Grape laid on top of the same couch with an arm hanging off, Peanut sat next to Tarot on the love seat. Kenji kept finding that Tarot stared at him, and decided to speak up. "I get the feeling that you dont like me." Kenji said as he pointed to Tarot. "Go on, what sets you off about me?" He said as he crossed his arms and grinned with a closed mouth. "I just wanted to... ask you some stuff, thats all seriously." She said as she shrugged her shoulders. "Like where are you from?" she asked. Kenji made his voice deep as possible. "Hell" There eyes widened. He laughed at the three's reaction. "Nah i'm kidding. I'm was born in Tokyo Japan but lived most of my life in New York." He explained as he drained a cup of juice. Grape and peanut luaghed nervously. "Any family?" Tarot asked. "Sure. brothers, sisters, father." "Mother?" "Dead." Tarot looked as though she regretted asking. "Sorry." Peanut said sorrowfully. "Don't be, she was a great lady who lived a full life. Better to remember than suppress." Kenji said. "Any jobs?" Grape asked through her drowsy state. "I've worked everywhere, even tried for a tour in Iraq but got pulled by mom's funeral. Been doin whatever since, Everybody gotta get by right?" He said. Kenji remembered Darius saying he would be at his house. "Sorry guys i gotta go. I'm expecting a... friend." "Wait Kenji." Peanut said as he pulled a small card from his collar. "Here." He said as he handed Kenji the small card. It looked like a membership card or something. "Err.. thanks" Kenji said as he started for the door. "By guys." he said as he walked into the brisk air of the after noon. 'Too damn early to be this cold' He thought as he arrived his door. When he opened his door, he instantly backed up. Standing directly in the doorway was Darius, with a suitcase in one hand. He wore his traditional white robe and was also holding an ice-pack to his head. "Kenji, finally get in here i have to give you somethin'." Darius groaned as Kenji closed the door behind him. "Absinthe?" Kenji asked. "Friggin acid trip from hell more like it" Darius clarified. "Well what do you got for me?" Darius sat at the coffee table and snapped open the case. In side was a hypodermic needle filled with black liquid. Darius waved his hand "C'mere." Kenji walked over and looked at the needle. "The hell is that?" Kenji asked as Darius grabbed his wrist. "Just shut up." Griped Darius as he stuck the needle into Kenji's wrist. Kenji yelped in suprise. "Dammit be quiet, my head is about to explode!" Kenji withdrew his arm and felt the same sensation he felt when his armor spread through his blood. After a while of pain, kenji felt something materialize in his hands. As he looked to what he was holding, he realized that he was holding two handguns. "You like?" Asked Darius as he tossed the hypo back into the case, and snapped it shut. "I kinda understand the armor, but why these? This place is just so... innocent." Kenji reasoned. "Trust me Kenji, there will be a time when you find these nescessary, AI 1911s. Don't worry the rounds are rubber, and you can will them to your liking. Go on try." Kenji watched as the guns disappear in his hands and reappear with the slightest thought. "AI?" Kenji asked. "Angelic issue. With the coming of age, we figured we'd step up our arsenals as well." Darius explained. "Can you tell me when i'll have to use them?" Kenji asked as he read the lazer printed name of his mother and father on each gun. "No i can't, but trust me you'll know. I have to leave and get some rest, you best become more aquanted with your neighbors. see ya." And with that Darius faded in a flash of light that left Kenji blinking. After he regained his sight he looked at the card he had recieved from his neighbor. 'Good ol' dogs club. Guest pass.' it read. underneath that was an adress to one of the houses and a small map that led behind the house to the basement. "Guess it couldn't hurt to take a look."He looked to the setting sun. 'Gettin late.' he thought as he reached the basement door. It was open, and the sound of talking laughing and the clanking of cans echoed from within the room. As kenji walked down, he came to realize that the term clup was actually the younger defenition than what he expected. Around the room there where freinds chatting and drinking orange soda. As their eyes fell on Kenji, the room became silent. Kenji seemed to be the tallest present, and by the looks on everybody's faces, the most intimidating."Hello." Kenji said. It came out a lot deeper than intended. Kenji made his way towards those he had met. As he sat, the room slowly began to regain noise. He studied those in the room, Female occupants much slighter than male. "Ah Kenji good to see you could make it." Said peanut who sat across from him. "Glad to be here." Kenji said as an all black female dog served him a drink. "Hi, i'm daisy." She said cheerfully. "Hello jailbai-Erm Daisy, I'm Kenji." He said as he accepted the beverage and she walked on her merry way. Kenji popped the seal on the top of the can and drained it in three gulps. Fox and King who sat to the left stared in amazement. "How did you...?" Fox wondered. "Wut?" Kenji asked. he shook his head realizing his vision had been slightly blurred but everything was still visible. "What is this?" He asked as he held the can aloft. "Orange soda, or in our case, beer." Explained Fido who had been Chating among the masses of the crowd. "Well no more for me." Kenji said as he crunched the can in his hand and turned to his friends. As he began to hold a conversation with his tablemates, a rude voice cut in. "Well well well, Peanut, what's your sorry ass doin' here?" Kenji peered over his shoulder and saw the voices owner, a dog roughly smaller than peanut and looking like fido. "He's back in." Said Fox who appeared to have become a little more gloomy. "Say's who? last i checked, cat lovers where out under any circumstance." Sneered the dog. Kenji could tell by his attitude that he was going to have to deal with this guy. "Your brother let him in Bino. just leave him alone." Said King. "Shut it squirt. And did you now Fido? You may have Seniority, but this club is mine." By now Kenji had become annoyed. He turned and stood, His threatening pure black figure looming over Bino's. "They said he's back in. And show a little respect... squirt." Kenji said with a low growl. Bino quickly changed his stance. "Oh yeah... sure. Welcome back Peanut. By everybody." Bino stammered with a scared grin. Bino quickly retreated back to his little group of friends. "Thanks Kenji, Bino can be a real jerk sometimes." Kenji seated himself again. "No problem, but it's best not to speak ill of anothers family in front of them." He made a gesture to fido. "No Kenji, he's right. I tried to keep Bino from trouble but... it kept on finding him. After a while he sort of embraced it. Ever since his "Club meetings" Have been nothing but cat hate speeches, and rule setting for competition. I have to set up the Peacefull gatherings now." Fido sighed. "I know what its like to have a corrupt sibling. When i was a boy, My older brother had been a drug runner for the Yakuza. He was once so innocent, taking care of all of us. Hell that's why he took the job. But after a while he bgan swearing and using product from shipments. After a while the Yakuza got tired of loosing more an more per drop. One day while me and my younger brother and sister where watching cartoons, they sent an agent. He kicked in the door of our small home and drew a gun. My brother got in front of us all, shielding us from fire. After the shooting stopped. The man grabbed me and used my neck as a coolant for the barrel of his gun, to send a message." Kenji felt behind his ear for the scar. Even in his new form the mark stayed. "I killed that man. With the blade my brother had given me for my birthday. I slit his throat like the pig he was." Kenji looked up and saw that others had stopped to listen. "To this day i admire my brother. Was he corrupt? Yes. But he did what the eldest was born to do, to protect the younger. Even till death." He finished his story and watched the crowd around him stare. As he put his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, he felt a familiar leather lump. He pulled out his wallet, opening it to reveal a fold out set of pictures. He stopped at one of his older brother holding him. He noticed something peculiar about the photos. His family where no longer human but anthro like himself. Even then, seeing the pictures reminded him of his happy days of a child. He handed the wallet to Fido. "That's him at my birthday before his murder." Even on that sad note Kenji smiled. "You look really happy." Said Grape who had arrived half-way through his story. "I was. Still am. He was a good brother and took care of us during times when our mother and father couldn't find work." The crowd passed the pictures around. "Thats your job Fido, to protect your brothers, keep them clear from harm and bad influence. Even if it means disciplining them yourself." "I never really thought about it that way." Fido said as he looked to Bino who was still talking to his group of friends. "It is always best for an older sibling to hold an influence on the youth, but not to force change against will. You should talk to your brother more. But change is not instant, so expect resistance." Fido stood from the table and walked to his brother. As Fido walked away, Kenji smiled. 'plus one i think' He thought as he remembered Darius's instructions. "Hey where's my wallet?" He asked the crowd. "Sasha's got it." Said Peanut as he pointed to a white and brown female in the corner. Kenji walked over to retrieve his wallet from the interested girl. As he approached, she spoke. "Is this your family?" She asked sweetly. "Yeah, me, mom, dad, and my brothers and sister." Sasha's eyes never left the pictures. "You all look so happy." She said faintly. "That's how a family should be, happy, because those in a family all have each other." She handed him the wallet. She held a smile to her face even though there were bags under her eyes. He sensed something strange about her. Her attitude reminded him of his sister as children. Always smiling even through obviouse exhaustion. She walked away to Bino and his group. Kenji walked to a small bar-like structure and retrieved another soda. He noticed that King and Fox had left. Peanut, Grape and most of the others were dancing in the center of the room to some light techno. Kenji sighed 'At least they're not grinding... eww.' He thought as he took another sip of his drink. "Kenji get up come dance!" Shouted Grape through the crowd. "No no i couldn't." He replied, but not before She and Peanut Dragged him into the crowd. At first he stood there awkwardly as the youth around him moved to the generic bass & snare beat. After about a minute he began to pick up the beat to the song, after all, breakdancing was huge in japan. Within a few minutes, a circle had formed around the twirling, flipping, balancing beauceron. "Your good Kenji!" Cheered Peanut as Kenji panted off of the dance floor. He saw Fido walking towards him. "Kenji, can you help me clear this place out?" He asked as he motioned to the crowd. "Sure." Kenji drew a deep breath and released a barbaric bark, Silencing every body in the room. "Listen up guys. We gotta clear this place out. Get home safe!" He shouted at the exiting people. As the room cleared out, only Kenji and Fido stood left. "See you tommorow Fido. And good luck with Bino." Kenji said as he began to walk to the exit. "Thanks Kenji, you too." Fido said as Kenji Left the basement. Kenji hugged his hoodie closer. 'Colder than new york. The hell!?' He thought as he walked down the road. He watched his breath fade into the night sky as he approached the street light by his house. He notice that there was something. No, someone, laying at the base of the light. As he neared further, he noticed that it was the girl from earlier, sasha. He walked to her side, realizing that she was shivering. "Sasha are you ok?" She looked to him with the same weary smile as before, But something lingered in her eye's.. saddness. "No i'm fine Kenji, really." Kenji raised an eye brow at her awnser. She was obviously cold, and she definently didn't live under a lamppost. Kenji sighed and removed his hoodie. He handed the sweater to the shivering girl. She gradually accepted and draped it over her shoulders. He extended his hand, earning a confused look from Sasha. "Come on lets get you home." He explained. "Oh i can't go home. Daddy says so." She said. "What do you mean?" Kenji said as he crossed his arms. "He said i didn't bring him any babes home so tonight i sleep outside." She said innocently. "What do yo- You know what, never mind. Come with me." He said as he picked her up from the ground. As he held her in his arms, he noticed that bruises ran from her arms to her face. She was a little thin too. By the time he reached his doorstep, she had fallen asleep, breathing softly into his chest. He opened the door to his home. As he entered his home and shut the door, he was met by a frowning Darius. "Hey Riu." Said Kenji as he laid Sasha on his couch. "It's a lot more common problem than you might think." "Huh?" Asked Kenji wondering what Darius ment. "Abuse. Its shamefully common." Darius checked Sasha's condition. "At least it's not too extreme a case. Not good, but... not the worst." "What should i do?" Asked Kenji as he felt the handguns materialize in his hands. "You won't need those. Yet anyway." Darius said. "But you will need to deal with her 'father', not directly unless nescessary of course." Darius explained. "Best to wait 'till the problem becomes excessive." He said. "How is that fair!?" Kenji shouted. "Kenji, understand that i don't make ANY of these rules. And if i did, I would let you go over and pop him a couple of times. But we need to be civil." Kenji understood Darius's words. The guns faded to black mist. "Just wait Kenji. It will all play out." Darius flashed away again. Kenji sighed and looked to the occupant of his couch. He retrieved her sleeping body and took her to his bedroom, laying her under the comforter. He smiled as her sleeping face grinned and her body shifted in the bed. "Sweet dreams." Kenji whispered as he walked back to the living room. He plopped himself on the couch and sighed as his hands went behind his head. "Not as innocent as i thought." Kenji didn't sleep that night.
Hey guys Plavoko12 here saying Thanks to my followers (You know who you are) And those kind enought to leave encouraging reviews. And also, anybody get the "Get by" refrence? Kenji lives in new york? *knudge knudge* For those who don't know its a song named "Get by" by Talib Kweli. Yes it is a rap, but its not a new generation dub mix. Asside from my music prefrences, Anybody who has favorited me should check their PM inboxes. (Lonewolf buddy im lookin at you.) I hope to have the next chapter soon. Love you guys. byebye.