CHAPTER TWO

I would have been absolutely happy to explore the fresh world outside in the morning light had I not discovered I'd been locked in. I arose from my slumber, momentarily forgetting where I was and transformed at once back into my human form. Ah, I recall feeling sheer terror-which is highly rare in me as you all know-when that occured. I hid myself in a nearby closet for a time but then realized that no one seemed to be home.

I stepped out, blanket wrapped around my bare form should my assumption prove incorrect, and scanned the apartment again. My angel was gone and with her the answers to my questions. Like who was supposed to provide medical help for my leg and side, which were hurting me terribly. I was covered in bruises and didn't know the extent of my injuries. Nevertheless, I walked a short distance to my angel's bedroom and discovered a set of men's clothes in her closet. I wasn't sure whether she lived with a man or not, but I was definitely not planning on finding out. It was a simple outfit, comprised of jeans and a white t-shirt with a blue rectangle in the front. It was highly untraditional, but I was growing desperate.

Worse than this, I discovered that her door locked from the inside and could only be opened with a key. In addition, all of the windows had cast-iron bars over them. I felt like I was in a prison! I immediately began searching the apartment frantically for a key to the door. My search proved fruitless in that respect, but I did find a large box stacked far in the back of the hall closet full of photographs, letters, small gifts, all from the same man. I figured that I wasn't going to get out anytime soon, so I settled down to finding out more about the woman that had taken me in.

Her name was Lessa Armenia Wheeler. She was a small-time singer of sorts, mostly a film director. From the photos of her and her beautiful smile I could tell she was a very happy woman. Then, came letter after letter, written in terrible print, from her to a blonde man named Joey who seemed to be her husband (and the previous owner of the clothes I was wearing... I sure felt awkward). He'd disappeared somehow, from what I could tell. I was filled with compassion as I poured over her heart-wrenching accounts of how much she'd missed him, begged him to come home from wherever he was and start the family they had promised each other.

Gradually as the letters went on, she began to lose hope. And then, with a single line, "I've always loved you, but I must move on" ... it was over.

I was shocked. Further investigation of her files revealed she had moved into the apartment not too long ago from a well-furnished home in a good neighborhood, close to schools, grocery stores... she had everything she ever wanted.
It reminded me of a certain someone who let his happiness slip away, but I won't mention names... only in Lessa's case, her happiness had simply left.

Freakin' jerk.

No wait, my nimble fingers discovered newspaper clippings. I looked them over... 'missing' was the main word in every one. I became startled at once when I read a particular article about the CEO that had disappeared almost a year ago along with her previous husband. I pondered over Lessa's inclination to leave the home she had, to try and put Joey out of her memories... yes, she'd taken his disapparance hard. I looked up from the corner I was sitting in, surrounded by papers and discovered a phone. I debated calling Yuki and Kyo or even Hatori, but something told me to not call them just yet. Mostly, I wanted to know what had become of this beautiful Lessa.

I waited until nearly midnight for her return. I hid behind the sofa as the front door swung open. There stumbled in Lessa, dropping a set of duffle bags down, sighing heavily. "Sugar Ray! Here boy!" She called in a tired voice, moving slowly towards the kitchen after locking the door. Sugar Ray... oh heavens that wasn't going to be my name from now on, was it? "Ray-Ray!" She called, sitting down in a single chair and resting her head on the table.

I took my chance and in a few swift steps I had my arms around her. At once the clothes fell away and I was back in my dog form. She was startled and whirled to find me barking and wagging my tail madly as if glad to see her. However, she became highly upset at the jeans and shirt that lay on the floor now. "Ray-Ray, bad dog! Don't ever touch these again!" With a huff she scooped up the clothes and disappeared into her room to put them away. She returned shortly after, grabbing a take-out box from one of the duffle bags. "C'mere boy, I didn't mean to shout at you like that... those are... special..." another sigh. "Here, I brought home dinner for ya." she offered a sandwich in my direction. I wasn't the type for ham and cheese, but ah I was so desparate. She giggled and rubbed my back as I munched. "I'm glad to see you up and around; I was getting worried I was gonna have to call the vet!" She straightened and moved towards the kitchen. "I've been trying to come up with a cool name to call you by. Sugar Ray seems... girly." She shrugged at me. "But whatever. I'm uninventive and tired. It's been a long day." As I watched her disappear to her room I pondered her demeanor.

Yes, this Lessa was definitely different from the one I'd seen in photographs. This Lessa was defeated and devoid of hope. I was intrigued and followed her... only to discover she was getting ready for a shower. Ah yes, I felt a thrill run through me but remembered my position and whined in protest. She whirled to face me and giggled. "Now you stop looking, silly! I'm just gonna take a shower!" She gently shooed me out of the bath and shut the door, leaving me alone. I jumped up on the bed to wait for her, praying I would stay in my canine form.

Shortly after, with hair slightly damp, Lessa returned her bedroom and flopped down onto the bed. "I'm so tired of everything"
I nosed her with my snout, and she pulled me into a hug. "Ray-Ray, I'm glad you're here... right now... I didn't want to be alone tonight. Not tonight..." 'She must be talking about her husband...' I mused, and snuggled closer to her. Hug me all you want my angel; I am here for you. She abruptly released me, crawled into the sheets and hit the alarm for five am. Without another word she was fast asleep. Shortly after I curled up at the foot of the bed and slept myself.

However my sleep was to be short-lived, for I transformed once again into my human form. In a panic I looked over at Lessa and found she was still out. 'A heavy sleeper!' I realized with glee. Maybe this was the key I needed... In a matter of two moves I was beside her. What a glorious angel this woman was, even in sleep! Ah, but my nature got the best of me and I laid a kiss upon her brow. Instantly she began to come to, whimpering slightly. "Joey?" "Shhh..." I coaxed, kissing her further. Nay, there was no stopping me now, not when I had this advantage. "Who are you?" I looked up into her face; her eyes were partially open, looking at me in a most odd manner. "This is a dream..." I continued, giggling mentally to myself, hands working her shoulders and back. "This is a good dream, then." she murmured, finally opening up to me. Ah, sweet sensation of soft skin! Shower-fresh hair brushing my face so tenderly! Alas, I turned back into my Zodiac form the moment I was in her arms. "Ray-Ray?" She blinked, bleary-eyed. Within a moment she came full-awake and sat up, panicking. "I dreamt of another man!" I was startled by a sudden onslaught of tears and sobs from her. "Joey, I'm so sorry!!" I came to the realization that this was most certainly my fault and I wouldn't have cared save for the fact that I desperately wanted to keep her from being unhappy.

There is only one woman in the world that I love making cry and one woman only: my editor.

I nosed her arm and she instantly pulled me into a hug, tears slowing now. "Ray-Ray, why me? I don't understand it"

I don't either, Lessa, but keep rubbing my back; that feels good.

At length she settled back to sleep, arms still embracing my form. Good, I thought, as long as she's holding me, I'll be safe from turning back.

The next morning, she was gone again by the time I awoke. I debated once again calling Hatori and eventually gave in. I couldn't trick my poor Lessa every night into thinking she was staying with just a dog. It would prove interesting, but I disliked the fact that I was left alone in the apartment all day. Plus, she would probably start investing in... dog food. With this thought in mind, the moment I changed back I pulled a bath robe around me and made a beeline for the phone.

Yuki and Kyo dived for the phone the instant it started to ring, only to collapse in a tangled heap on the floor. As they bickered, Hatori calmly picked up the reciever and held it to his ear. "Shigure?... where have you--" startled silence. "She what?... okay, here's the plan..." There were a few tense moments as Hatori exchanged further words before hanging up. He turned to Yuki and Kyo. "Yuki, go grab some clothes for our sensei. We're gonna go get him. Come on."

I was startled when Lessa returned, not at midnight, but sometime around noon. She walked in, calling my farce name. "I brought some food!" The pungent odor of dog food wafted to my nose, and I flinched. Maybe calling Hatori was a good idea after all. She had her back turned, locking the door, as I silently approached her. With a swift movement, I hugged her and transformed. She whirled around, bewildered as I barked at her-- in my dog form. "There you are!" She leaned over and patted my head. "You jump pretty high, huh? I can't stay long, sweetie; I have to get back to work. Here..." she moved to the counter with a can of food. I grimaced-- if that were possible in my condition.

I was saved from my terrible fate by the doorbell. Lessa looked up, surprised. "Levi?" She strolled over and opened the door. There stood Hatori, dark, menacing. He blinked, unsure of what to say. "Hi. I..."

Psh, he should have sent up Yuki. At least he has people skills.

"Can I help you?" Lessa asked gently.

"I believe you have my dog." "Oh." She sounded disappointed and looked downcast as I sauntered near her. "Him"

"Yes." He patted his knee awkwardly. "Come on... boy." I hesitated and looked up at her once more. She knelt down and hugged me;

I'm sure tears fell from her face. "Well, I guess he couldn't stay forever..." she straightened, releasing me from an embrace that I never wanted to escape from. "By Sugar Ray... be a good dog, okay"
Hatori pointed downstairs to where his car was waiting. "Get in the car, mutt." With one last bark at my angel in thanks I sprinted out into the daylight and shut the car door just as I transformed.

Yuki patted my shoulder happily. "Welcome back"

"Here're your clothes. Get dressed, will ya?" Kyo growled. Within a minute or two Hatori returned bearing a shopping bag. "I think these are for you." He dumped the cans of dog food at my feet, smirking. "Had yourself a time, huh"

"Sure." I murmured. Truthfully, I didn't want to leave. And yet... I looked in the rearview mirror and watched Lessa slowly retreat back into her lonely apartment and shut the door. Hatori pulled out of the parking lot, jolting me out of my thoughts. "She didn't find out, did she"

"No, I made sure of that."

"You're limping slightly."

"No, I only got hit by a car!" I retorted.

"I believe Tohru will be back soon from her trip with her grandfather today." Yuki offered, trying to break the silence that had suddenly come upon us.

"And Ayame is back... whiny tart." Kyo muttered darkly.

"Oh... good" was all I could manage to say. I closed my eyes and the image of Lessa's crestfallen face came back to haunt me. Oh angel, do not cry. I will be back again...