Author's Note: Merry Christmas, everyone!
X-X-X
Title: Album
Rating: K+
Chapter 5: Rescued
X-X-X
The fourth page shows a picture of a young puppy, apparently some sort of terrier mix. His coat is brown, with one white spot over his right ear. He's looking upward curiously, as if trying to figure out what's going on with the camera that's taking his picture.
Natsuki sat on the floor of the study, watching the puppy in front of her intently. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully enough now, which was better than Natsuki could say for herself. She couldn't get over how someone could abandon a dog, like had happened to this one. It was just dumb luck that she'd been able to hear his whine as she drove by on her motorcycle. It seemed amazing that she could hear it at all over the sound of her bike, but the puppy's pained whimper seemed to cut through everything. Natsuki had heard him, and so she'd found him... rescued him.
Natsuki had ended up walking the rest of the way home, the dog in her arms. She'd been barely able to hold herself together, but thankfully, Shizuru had been there to help. Shizuru had been affected by the sight of the poor dog almost as much as Natsuki, but together, the two of them had managed to put aside their own worries for the dog's sake. Shizuru hadn't quite trusted herself to drive, but with Chisato's help, they'd managed to bring the dog to the vet. As it turned out, the only things wrong with him – at least physically – were dehydration and having gone without food for a day.
Mentally, however... Natsuki was still worried about him, even if he showed no particular signs of being traumatized. He already seemed to trust both her and Shizuru. Natsuki was sure she'd never forget the way he'd reached out and licked her hand in the vet's office, just after she'd said his name for the first time: "Kiyoran."
Kiyoran had been frightened the entire day, and Natsuki had refused to go to bed until she was sure that he'd at least been able to settle down to sleep. Even after she'd gone to bed, however, she wasn't able to sleep well herself. She'd ended up giving up on it early in the morning, and she'd come to check on Kiyoran. Although he was sound asleep right now, Natsuki still worried about him. Would he be able to learn to trust people, or would being abandoned like this hold him back for life? He was so young... he deserved a chance. Natsuki wouldn't bear to see him denied an opportunity for a happy life. Whatever it took, she would do it for him.
"Natsuki?" came a whisper from behind Natsuki.
Natsuki turned her head, smiling weakly at Shizuru. "Hey there, Zuru," she said. "Couldn't sleep..."
Shizuru nodded her head. She sat down beside Natsuki and placed a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder, smiling softly. "He'll be alright, Natsuki. He's strong, just like you. Life may have been hard to him at first, but I promise you, it will be better from here on out. He'll be happy, if I have to spend every waking moment trying to entertain him."
Natsuki let out a soft chuckle. "I'm sure you won't have to do that much." She brought up her hand to Shizuru's and gave it a squeeze. "But thanks." Natsuki leaned her head against her and Shizuru's intertwined hands, and she gazed down at the puppy. Their puppy. Kiyoran. "...We have a dog," Natsuki said, a smile crossing her lips at last. "And he has us."
In his sleep, Kiyoran rolled over onto his side, and he let out what seemed to be a sigh. He was going to be alright, Natsuki knew. He would have a good life.
