A/N: What kind of author am I if I do not give a boyfriend to Mio? An evil one XD Well….yep, Mio gets a new guy….sort of. This might be the start of a beautiful relationship. Enjoy.

Chapter 40: Destiny Dogs

Mio sighed and rolled the window up as he said, "driver, sir. How much did Goda pay you for driving me around?"

The driver said, "About four more hours. Goda said to make sure you did not return to the apartment until then. I could drop you off and pick you up later. What do you—"

Mio stiffened and screamed, "STOP!"

The driver did as told as he spun to the front to see a teenager in a defensive position over…a little dog behind him. The teen's face was covered by his hood as he panted, "thank you…for good breaks…" He turned and picked up the Chihuahua as he got off the road.

Mio said, "I will meet you here in a few hours…" He got out and ran to the teen.

The teen removed his hood as he looked at Mio. His dark purple eyes looked over Mio as he said, "thanks but…I can handle them. It's just Pippini is excited by loud noises, so he ran off. I hope you are alright."

Mio never felt so alive in one second…his heart was slightly racing and he stared at the boy. This teen was younger than him, about two years, but he had a matured look to him. His skin was slightly tanned and small muscles could be seen through his thin leather coat. His messy black hair shaped his oval face perfectly as he blinked a few times in confusion. He was also shorter than Mio…but Mio felt this was… Mio gulped and said, "Are you okay?"

The teen boy said, "Yes, do you need help? You are looking slightly strange." He looked over Mio as Mio giggled and saw the dogs…six more tied to a light post. Dogs of all sizes and breeds; there was an Afghan Hound, Akita, American Eskimo, Basset Hound, Bergamasco, and a Dalmatian all barking at Mio.

The teen cooed, "Everyone calm yourselves, Pippini is fine. I can handle these dogs, do not—"

Mio said in a level tone, "Settle dogs."

All six dogs sit and started to pant. Even the temperamental Chihuahua was calmer; the teen blinked and said, "How did you do that?"

Mio snickered, "for a summer job, I worked at a pet clinic. I took many lessons on pet control with gentle persuasion than overbearing force. So, do you want help?"

The teen stiffened and said, "I do not…"

Mio held out his hand and said, "Mio Izumi Allens, and you?"

The teen shifted the little dog in his hands and shook Mio's hand. He said, "Juss Takani."

Mio smirked and said, "I can handle anyone, so…is there any favorites or ones that you need to walk?"

Juss said, "The Akita, Bergamasco, and Pippini are the temperamental ones…but…wait!"

Mio took the other four as the Basset Hound sat and started to snarl. He said firmly, "Get up dog or not treat." The Basset Hound's fur started to bunch around his shoulders as he turned his head to Mio with his teeth bared.

Juss said, "Maybe I should take him as well—"

"I could use their names, you know. Persuasion is useless if I am speaking to one dog and do not know his name." Mio said calmly and kept his breathing slow. He knew that dogs could sense human emotions as he continued, "please be calm as well, he is also reacting to you too."

Juss blinked and said, "The Basset Hound's name is Yasei."

Mio smiled as Juss started to show some trust with Mio holding Yasei's leash. He said, "Yasei, can you play nice?"

Yasei stiffened at his name being called but his stance did not change. He snarled deeply as the other dogs started to imitate him.

Mio sighed and said, "Juss, you must have treats…right? I need to build trust."

Juss went to the bus stop chair and grabbed his black backpack as he gave Mio some little turkey bites. He said, "Yasei does not play well…but…maybe I should walk him."

Mio smiled and lowered to the dogs' level. He said, "Relax Juss, they are reacting to you. Be calm and they will respond fine to me. Yasei, come here…want a treat?"

Yasei sniffed as the other dogs started to come closer to Mio. Mio gave some treats to the other dogs as he said, "Yasei, come here boy. All I want to be is your friend, come here." He said this very calmly and looked directly into Yasei's eyes.

Juss watched as Yasei moved slowly to the treat and smelled. Yasei still bared his teeth, but he looked at Mio's hand with desire…Mio reacted his hand before Yasei got the treat. Yasei snarled, but Mio said, "Be nice and you will get a treat. Common boy, we will get nowhere like this. Do you want the treat?" Mio put out his hand again, but he backed away to force Yasei to follow him.

Yasei sniffed as his furry friends tried to get the treat. Juss said, "Company sit."

All the dogs sit except Yasei. Mio smirked and said, "Lead dog, huh?"

Juss snickered and said, "Yes, Yasei is the pride and joy of my family. He is very protective of his furry friends and me. But…"

Mio said, "Loosen up, let me try. Yasei, common boy. Come to me and let us be friends."

Yasei turned to Juss as Juss said, "go on boy, you choose."

Mio smiled brightly as Yasei slowly went to Mio more calmly than before. Yasei sniffed and slowly took the treat from Mio. Mio kept his hand out as Yasei sniffed and licked it.

Juss's mouth dropped as he gasped, "Yasei…wow…he never does that with anyone!"

Mio rubbed Yasei's head as Yasei was still tense, but the dog looked at Mio with slightly calmer eyes than before. He said, "Yasei is still top dog, but he trusts me a little enough for a walk tonight. Ready dogs?"

All seven dogs barked happily as Juss set Pippini down and replaced the bag on his back. Juss took the remaining dogs and said, "I was just talking them up to the park for a few runs…then back to my place. Do you mind helping me? Pippini is a handful and…"

Mio said, "I would love to help you. I love pets and these dogs are adorable. Even Yasei the top dog, we can let them roam free while we chat."

Juss smiled and said, "Sure…if you like."

They started to walk after Juss got all his leashes and dogs in line. Mio got his dogs as they walked slowly to the park. Amazingly, all the dogs, small or big, did not pull. They walked in perfect line as they allowed the two teens to hold their leashes.

Mio smiled and said, "I am impressed. These dogs are very well trained, so…are they all yours?"

Juss laughed, a small but beautiful laugh, which Mio instantly smiled back. He said, "No, my dog is under your lead…the little white one, the American Eskimo dog, is mine. Her name is Sasayaki."

Sasayaki barked happily at Juss as she quickly turned and licked Juss's boot. Mio tugged her leash as Sasayaki quickly joined the other dogs.

Juss explained, "My family is rather large, so some family members have dogs or share them. For example, Yasei, Tan'i the Dalmatian, and Eiko the Afghan Hound are everyone's dogs. They enjoy certain people more, but for the most part they are everyone's. Yasei likes people…well, who are dominating."

Yasei barked and stuck his nose in the air.

Mio and Juss laughed as Juss continued, "the Akita is my father's dog, and his name is Mibojin. He is rather…well, protective of me. I am surprised he did not get too territorial around his pregnant girl, but he is pretty mellow if he is calm."

Juss pointed his head to Eiko, who was sporting a small belly. He said, "My family wanted a mix breed for the money and some people like Eiko and Mibojin very much. So, we allowed them to breed. Eiko should be due in January."

Mio loosened his grip on Eiko's leash as he said, "continue, they are all so different. This is fascinating to hear about."

Juss laughed louder but just a beautiful as before…Mio flushed slightly. He said, "Well, Pippini is a cousin of mine dog, and a spoiled brat! Nuu the Bergamasco is my godfather's dog, and he is mostly mellow and very loyal to me as well. Nuu enjoys a fast ball to fetch all the time, right boy?"

Nuu barked and turned to Juss to pant at him. He turned his head back as the teens brought the dogs to the park.

All the dogs sat at the same time as Juss explained, "I trained them to do this at the sight of the park, but they are not allowed to roam beyond me. So, we need to stand about the center of the field, so they can run and have some fun. Of course, any messes or anything needs to be cleaned." Juss said this so plainly, but Mio could see Juss was at ease with all his family's dogs.

Mio said, "I get it, so we release them?"

Juss said, "yep, but let me do this. Please, they know me better." He released his batch first as the dogs ran into the snowy field. Juss went after the other dogs as Sasayaki jumped into Juss's arms and licked his face.

Sasayaki yelped in pure bliss as Juss laughed and fell to the ground laughing. The little white hairball just kept licking Juss as Mio watched the other dogs.

Yasei sat beside Juss and glared at Mio. Eiko and Mibojin were walking together like a couple. Nuu and Pippini sat a few meters away while they panted. Tan'i took a poop and sat beside Nuu.

Sasayaki barked and yelped when Juss took her off. Juss gasped, "Get the ball out of my bag…please! She is killing me with her tongue…silly girl! I love you too!" Sasayaki licked and wiggled to get Juss's face again.

Mio quickly got a tennis ball as Nuu, Tan'i, and Pippini wagged their tails and started to get very tense. All three dogs watched Mio carefully as Mio pulled back and faked a toss. All three dogs knew better and barked in playful tones. Mio smirked and threw the ball. All three dogs and Mibojin chased after the ball. Eiko slowly lay down and panted.

Juss got up as the teens joined the dogs. Yasei followed Juss faithfully as Sasayaki kept in Juss's arms. She kept yelping in bliss at her master as Juss rubbed her head. Yasei snarled when Mio got too close to Juss as the teens laughed. Mio kept his distance as Nuu brought the ball back.

Mio struggled with Nuu as Nuu tugged Mio along. He said, "Nuu! Take it easy! Hay!" Nuu escaped Mio's grasp as he lowered his head and barked at Mio to egg him on. Mio chased Nuu as Tan'i and Pippini tried to get Mio playing with them.

Juss giggled and sat beside Eiko. He said, "Hey girl, how's the puppies?"

Eiko barked a sigh as she allowed Juss to rub her magnificent mane. She watched her boy play with Mio as Mio finally won the ball. Nuu pushed him down as Nuu licked his face. Mio laughed and released the ball. Tan'i got the ball as Pippini tried to steal it from her. Mibojin joined Nuu in licking Mio as Mio laughed and panted, "Juss…I think they like me! HAY! Watch the mouth, boys!"

Juss giggled and said, "Do you need rescuing?"

Mio gently pushed them off and said, "No…I like you boys too!" He rubbed on Nuu and Mibojin as they dogs laid in the snow to reveal their bellies. Mio rubbed both their bellies as Pippini won the ball and went to Mio. The Chihuahua dropped the ball and sat panting.

Juss snickered as he said, "Pippini is a good dog tonight for waiting; you will get a good treat later."

Nuu and Mibojin whined as Juss giggled, "everyone will get a little something."

Mio said, "Me too, master?" He pouted as Juss laughed brightly. Juss said, "possibly you too…"

Juss stood as Yasei and Sasayaki followed Juss to Mio. Mio stood as Juss took out a ball, and both teens threw both tennis balls. All six dogs except Eiko chased the balls.

Mio turned and said, "So, what school do you go to? I would like to see you more often…if I can."

Juss slightly flushed and said, "I am homeschooled…but—"

"Juss." An adult called from behind them as he joined the teens. He said, "Juss, I was worried. Who is this boy?" His dark blue eyes stared very closely at Mio.

Nuu barked happily and ran to this man. He sat as the man turned to Nuu and stroked Nuu's head. The man said, "Good boy, have you been good tonight for Juss?" Nuu barked in response as the man gave him a small pink dog treat. Nuu ate it quickly and barked happily. All the other dogs, except Eiko and Sasayaki, went to this man and begged for treats.

Mio said, "I am Mio Allens, sir. You must be Juss's godfather."

The godfather looked stiff at the idea but slowly said, "I can assure you, Allens-san. Your meeting my godson was a fluke to be not repeated, come Juss. Your father is waiting." He held all the leashes as the dogs sat down and allowed the godfather to place their leashes on.

Juss sighed and said, "It's been fun, Allens-san. But, this is good bye for good."

Mio quickly said, "Can I have your cell phone number?"

Juss smirked at Mio when his godfather took all the dogs followed him to the limo on the road. He said, "I better not. My father does not like strangers around me."

Mio said, "We are not strangers, but fellow pet lovers. Please, I can help you with walking them. No charge is necessary."

Juss sighed and looked directly into Mio's eyes as he said, "I am very sorry, but…this was a fluke. Pippini is usually well behaved on a leash, but he was spooked by something on the other side of the road. I never meant for you to get involved in this dog walking business."

Mio begged, "Please, this cannot be the last time I will see you…"

Juss's eyes enlarged as he flushed. He said, "I am sorry…but I cannot allow you to see me again. I have to go…" His body turned to leave as Mio quickly grabbed his arm.

Mio said, "Please do not go! I need to see you again…tell me at least your email or number or anything! I need to know…more about you."

The godfather came back down to the teens as he said, "Juss, your father is expecting you. Common Allens-san, let my godson go."

Juss turned to Mio and said, "Please let go, I need to go."

Mio tried to get a positive response, but he sighed as he released Juss. He said, "I sing. Yes, I sing at Unmei Café after school….some days, but can we meet there sometime soon?"

Juss said, "I will not guarantee it, but…maybe."

Mio smiled and said, "good night, Juss…thanks."

Juss blinked and said, "For what?"

Mio sighed and said, "For reminding me about how much I love dogs. Until we meet again." He walked away with a huge smile, flushed cheeks and slowly paced a hand on his chest. His heart was racing and his mind raced with ideas for songs…was this feeling what he thought it was?

He squealed and ran faster. His heart was racing in delight and pleasure that…Adam could be second in his heart…if he could see Juss again and get to know this dog lover better.

TBC

A/N 2: remember details….XD