Beka's POV:

I woke, gasping with pain. My whole body throbbed in protest as I tried to sit up. Sighing, I lay back down with a thump.

After lying there for awhile, I tried again. Looking down, I saw several bandages tightly bound around my torso. My leg was similarly bound tightly, and large, angry bruises covered the rest of my body. I was way more lucid then last night, although a rather large bump was on the back of my head.

I squinted out the window, trying to discern the time from the Sun's position. I guessed it was morning, so I struggled out of bed and put on some new clothes with difficulty.

I would hunt those Rats that attacked me, and find out why. They mentioned my Dogs, and, particularly, the Rogue. I stopped suddenly, frowning. Why would they hurt me to get back at Rosto?

I sighed, shaking my head. This new revelation only made me want to sniff out those rushers more.

Looking down the staircase, I saw that it was deserted. If anyone saw me, I was sure they'd try to get me back in bed. Well, that wasn't going to happen. I was tired of bed, and I wanted to bag me some Rats, injuries or no.

I took one step out of the lodging house door and froze, heart hammering. Everyone I was trying to avoid, save Goodwin and Tunstall, were sitting right outside. You great big looby! I thought to myself. Of course they're having breakfast!

No one had noticed me yet, so I crept quietly to the gate. There was no sense turning back now. When I reached it, I slowly pushed it open.

The curst thing made the loudest squeak possible. Almost instantly, I saw all eyes turn to me. "Beka?" said Ersken, standing up. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

I saw Rosto get to his feet right behind Ersken, dark eyes fixed on me. Kora and Aniki were rising to their feet as well, trying to hide smiles behind their concern. Instead of answering I ran, slamming the gate shut behind me. I don't know what I was thinking, only that I had to get away to sniff around for my Rats.

I ran, hard. All those years as a runner, and then my training to be a Dog, really paid off. I didn't even notice the pain. Much. I was several streets away before I knew it.

My head pounded, so I sat down at a nearby fountain, taking a breath. My bandaged leg was shaking horribly, but I ignored it. I looked at my surroundings, recognizing it from our patrols.

"Why run?" said a familiar voice behind me. I jumped violently, spinning around to see Rosto now lounging on the fountain. "I'll admit, you're pretty quick to go that fast with a recently mended leg. But, unfortunately, not quick enough to outstrip the Rogue." He grinned, patting the empty spot beside him. "Sit down before you collapse again."

I stared at him defiantly, until my leg gave out on me. Before I knew it, he was standing beside me, steadying me. Sighing, I gave in, sitting on the edge of the fountain.

"Why run?" he repeated, settling in beside me. I sighed again, knowing I was good and cornered.

"I knew you'd stop me," I said simply. "And I need to get these Rats. They mayhap have some information I want."

"Like what?" asked Rosto, watching me closely.

Rosto could help my search, even just by telling me who might have a grudge against him. "Like what made them hate my Dogs and you so much," I said, averting my eyes.

"Your Dogs? Goodwin was under the impression it was entirely my fault, when she heard the last thing the cove said. What else did he say?"

"I-I remember them also saying, 'I'm tired of this game. Just kill her, so the Dogs and Rosto can find her broken body'." I gulped. In for a copper, in for a noble. "Why would they hurt me to get to you?"

Rosto's face tightened, and his eyes became unreadable. "No reason," he said breezily, but I sensed a lie. "I'll help you find these Rats, Beka. You just need time to get better first. I've said it before, and I meant it. No one's hurting you. Not again." I nodded, deciding not to question him further. "Now let's take you home."

I stood at the same time he did, and he slung an arm around my shoulders for support. I opened my mouth to complain, but he cut me off by challenging me to protest with his dark eyes. I fell silent, strangely comfortable in his presence.

Along the way, he bought some spice rolls. I devoured mine, earning a laugh from Rosto. "I guess you'd be hungry after a healing and a day of sleep."

I nodded, leaning against him slightly. I tried to blame my actions on my leg still feeling weak, but in truth, it was nice to have Rosto here supporting me. He grinned, just tightening his grip.

We reached the lodging house, and Rosto didn't let go until we reached my room, when he glared at me until I reluctantly got back into bed. Suddenly Kora came bursting into the room, gasping for breath. "Beka!" she scolded. "Running off like that when you're not even better yet! You know I'm not that great of a healer, and if you'd injured yourself further…."

She continued to bustle around, fetching potions and bandages before she proceeded to check on me. I faintly felt my cheeks flush with shame. She was such a good friend, trying to get me better, and I ran off to find my Rats.

As if she read my thoughts, she said, "Don't be feeling bad about running off, Beka. I should've watched you closer. I knew you'd try for your Rats as soon as you woke up, being a Terrier and all."

I smiled up at her, again feeling a wave of gratefulness wash over me. I had such great friends.

During this time, I saw Rosto slip out the door. I frowned. What sort of wickedness was he up to now?

ooo

I woke up with a jolt, realizing it was night already. My watch!

I scrambled to my feet, lunging for my uniform. Instead I tripped, landing with a thump. That brought none other than Rosto to my door. I glared half-heartedly at him from the floor.

He grinned, before saying, "Goodwin and Tunstall said we were to bind you to your bed if you tried to come to Evening Watch. They also said to remind you that they've been handling the watch for years before they got you for a Puppy. You have today, and tomorrow off, and since the day after is your off day, you can rest then too."

I huffed, pushing myself off the floor. Wobbling a bit, I sat down on my bed.

"I've been searching for your Rats," he said abruptly, eyes deadly serious.

"Why so determined?" I asked.

"No one hurts you and gets away with it."

I looked at him now, eyes narrowed. "Why do you care so much? What's the real reason they attacked me to get to you?"

"I already told you," he said. I rolled my eyes, scoffing. Before I could say anything else, however, he turned and left. I sighed, thinking, I'll never understand him.

Pounce jumped on my bed, yowling. I gave a start, before saying, "And where were you this morning?"

Pounce just looked at me, smirking. If it was even possible for a normal cat to smirk. "Okay, don't tell me. I'm off to find whoever those people were."

Looking at me reproachfully, Pounce yowled, Why can't you ever be a good Puppy and rest? I glared in response, maneuvering myself towards the door. Pounce shot off ahead of me and made his way out the door, his tail a jaunty flag.

Author's Note:

Yay! Another chapter! I hope you guys like it. I couldn't help having Beka try and run off so much to find her Rats; but she's called a Terrier for a reason!

Don't worry, there's some major fluffiness coming up in the next couple of chapters!!

Thanks for reading!! (Oh, and I did update another story before this one, so I've been trying to keep up the number of Terrier flicks!)

Padfoot