Wow! That has to be my record number of reviews! Yay! Thank you all so much! REZ=happy:D Ok so, as promised, here's the next chapter!
We return to the extremely large albeit rather cold Kaiba mansion where puppy Joey has been exhibiting some rather unusual behaviour (for him, anyway)…
Joey's POV
It had been three weeks since the shredding incident; the incident where Joey had single-handedly (or perhaps the word "pawedly" would be more accurate) demolished Kaiba's room. The incident that had led to Joey's guaranteed position as Mokuba's pet. The incident that had marked his last contact with Kaiba.
Since Joey's misbehaviour had merely served to evoke the wrath of one Seto Kaiba, Joey tried a different tact. A tact that could only be borne from his complete and utter despair. Subservience.
He hoped that by embodying the perfect pet Mokuba would report his exceptional behaviour to Kaiba. Never before had Joey ever been so quiet, so poised, so…so…boring! However, he was still no closer to Kaiba. And, what was worse, Joey's behaviour made Mokuba so happy that there was no way he was going to be able upset the little tyke by reverting to his old ways.
Feeling extremely despondent, Joey dragged himself to the kitchen. Although Mokuba insisted on feeding him dog food, Joey always managed to sneak enough from the kitchen to keep him going. At least his gang days were good for something!
However, just before he set foot in the kitchen, some extra doggy sense he had recently inherited began to tingle and, instead of entering, he decided to pause outside…just in time to hear an explosion…
"Vy vould anyvone put Käse in dis dish? Du bist einen großen Blödmann!* Can you not cook anything? Must I spell it out vor you?"
Hearing this Joey felt like banging his head against the wall. It was so obvious! He was the idiot! How could he have not realised it before. Within seconds he was galloping towards Mokuba's room, his hunger completely forgotten (this alone portraying the extent of his sudden euphoria).
He couldn't believe how stupid he had been! With Mokuba on board his mammoth task would become 100% easier! Well, maybe not 100%, but still, at least 50%! Scrabbling to a halt, Joey began to search Mokuba's currently empty room. It was only a matter of time before he found something to help him.
Two hours later and Joey was, once again, sprawled out in the corner of Mokuba's room. He had searched every nook and cranny and hadn't found anything that could help in his plight. His initial aim had been to find a pile of those letter blocks so he could literally spell out his situation. It was only after his search had proved futile that he realised why Mokuba didn't possess such toys…he was 13, not 3.
Then again, it was an easy mistake to make. After all, he did possess the appearance of one who was vertically challenged. And having an exceptionally tall brother didn't exactly help the situation!
Joey watched the heavy rain from his position on the floor. Normally Joey loved the rain, he just loved to jump up and try to catch raindrops in his mouth - and that was in his human form! However, now even the rain couldn't make him smile.
Then again…rain…mud…mud….
A slow smile began to spread over Joey's face…
Emma Charmer's POV
Emma Charmer sat down in front of her crystal ball. For the past few weeks she had been using her latest piece of equipment to gaze into Joey's future. Staring into its murky depths she expected the usual: Joey the puppy trying and failing to win Kaiba's stone heart. However, today it was different.
Today it showed Joey transforming back into a human. Screaming in rage, she gazed deeper so that she could see the cause of his transformation. Peering into the smoke, she saw puppy Joey carefully writing words in a large area of mud. Screaming in exasperation, she pushed herself up from her chair and disappeared in a plume of smoke.
Joey's POV
Joey was bounding along the sidewalk, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. He was just a few streets away from sharing his secret with Mokuba and he felt great. Absolutely great. That was, until everything around him froze.
He didn't need the familiar sound of stiletto heels to realise what was happening.
"Hello, Joey dear! How are you on this rather dreary day?"
"I would be doing fine, if it wasn't for you" thought Joey. Too his surprise, the crazy witch actually seemed to know what he had just thought.
"I'm so sorry about that sweetie. But you see, I simply cannot allow you to include anyone else in our little game. That would be cheating. And I'm sure you're not a cheater."
Joey growled angrily. This lady really was crazy.
"No honey, I'm really not. I'm just a little apprentice magician carrying out an experiment. I want to know whether people reject me because I'm not pretty enough or whether I'm simply unlucky with the people I fall in love with. Now, don't forget the rules again or next time I might not be so understanding. Toodles."
And with that the scene unfroze and the witch vanished with a shrill laugh.
Mokuba's POV
Mokuba was walking along in a happy daze. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was. Not only did he have the best, smartest, most successful brother in the whole entire world, he also had his very own friend. Looking down at his puppy, he couldn't resist a grin.
"Hey Buddy, how 'bout we get some ice cream?" Then, as if the weather disapproved of his plans, there was a loud growl of thunder. "Awww, no fair" moaned Mokuba. "There's no way we're gonna be able to reach the ice cream parlour in time…unless…"
Suddenly an impish grin seemed to alight upon his previously innocent face. "Well, I suppose we could always cut through Crackton Alley. I really don't understand why Seto is so against me going there." Joey felt his insides curdle. Even in his human form there was no way he'd dare to venture near Crackton. After all, unlike Mokuba, Joey knew how it had got its name and thus had no qualms about refusing to go another inch towards the terrible place.
"What's wrong, Buddy?" Mokuba was looking increasingly upset. However, though Mokuba was currently affecting a heartrending pout, Joey was able to keep himself from caving in by picturing the terrible people that dwelled in Crackton. People so terrifying that even his old gang had avoided them.
"Well, Buddy, if you're not going to enter the alley then I suppose you'll have to wait here. Don't worry, I'll be back soon with our ice cream. I'll get us both double chocolate chip – ok?"
Joey's POV
Joey groaned inwardly. Could anyone be cuter? Well, except from Yugi. As Mokuba entered the alley, Joey could bear it no longer. He caved. Within seconds he was walking in front of Mokuba. And, just like he'd expected, within minutes they'd encountered trouble. Trouble in the form of three, over-muscled crack-smelling men.
At first the situation wasn't too bad. They ordered Mokuba to hand over his wallet. Mokuba did. Then, after checking his pockets and finding nothing else, they were ready to let him go. It was almost excruciatingly painful to think how much easier things would have been if only Mokuba's old Student ID card hadn't fallen out of his pocket.
Of course, once the crooks saw the name "Kaiba" there was no question in their minds as to their next course of action.
"Get him, guys!" yelled the one that seemed to be their leader. With that command the two men flanking him moved forward to seize an extremely frightened Mokuba…only to halt at the sound of their boss's scream.
Joey was hanging off his arm, his sharp teeth piercing through the man's his faux leather jacket and into the vulnerable flesh beneath. Joey couldn't help but smile internally at the sound of his yells. Now, if his gang days had taught him anything, the other two crooks would leave Mokuba alone and concentrate on helping their boss. After all, a gang was like a pack, all decisions rested in the hands of the Alpha – and that was the man Joey had sunk his teeth into.
"All I have to do is cause enough damage to make him call off his men and leave us alone." By this point Joey was feeling pretty confident as said gang leader was almost howling in pain, multiple rivulets of blood cascading down his now ruined jacket. "Just a little longer…"
Crack
A heavy wooden bat slammed into Joey's skull, causing his surroundings faded into blackness. Nevertheless, he refused to relinquish his target. There was no way these men were going to hurt Mokuba. He was Mokuba's only friend and he had never let down a friend.
Digging his teeth a little deeper into the man's arm, he heard the corresponding cry of pain "Call off the attack, call of the attack" chanted Joey silently. His head may have been buzzing but, so long as he had just one ounce of strength, he wasn't going to give up."
Suddenly he felt fists begin to pummel his furry body and, though the sheer volume of his fur may have lessened the impact, the pain was still excruciating. However, that was nothing to the feel of the blade that was subsequently inserted at the base of his neck.
The pain he was now experiencing was even worse than Marik's shadow magic, worse than being attacked by an Egyptian God Card, worse than feeling his lungs slowly fill with water as he was pulled to the bottom of the sea by a giant anchor.
Nevertheless, the pain was simply strengthening his resolve to hang onto to this man's jacket like his life depended on it. And there was nothing that could make him let go. At least, that was what he had thought…until he felt the crowbar connect with his collarbone. With a howl of utter despair at his failure to protect Mokuba, he faded from consciousness into the beckoning darkness.
Kaiba's POV
Kaiba felt his temper rise to boiling point, "Let me get this straight" he growled menacingly "You put your life in danger simply so you could purchase ICE CREAM!"
"Double chocolate chip ice cream" muttered Mokuba under his breath.
"WHAT did you just say?"
"Listen Seto, I know you're mad and all but please, I need to get Buddy to a vet. He's really badly hurt and I don't know how to help him."
Kaiba glanced at the puppy with little concern. True, it had saved Mokuba but, then again, it was simply paying back a debt. Mokuba had saved the mongrel's life by taking it in and now the mutt had returned the favour. Simple.
At least, that was what he had thought whilst the puppy was still unconscious. But then the puppy opened its eyes. And that was when everything changed.
Ok – not much Kaiba Joey action here but don't worry, things start to get really good in the next chapter. So good, in fact, that I'm going to cheat on myself and start writing it now (despite my vow to write just one chapter a day so I can concentrate on improving my mind with classic literature and the like;) Anyway, don't forget to review! Remember: 4 reviews = next chapter:) Hope you enjoyed xx
*Translation: You are a big idiot!