Slowly my eyes cracked open and I noted the stiff aching in my muscles and my pounding head. I realized just how foolish I was to not take care of my injuries before I fell asleep. Even if I was a canine now, I still could have done something to clean out my wounds. I recalled reading somewhere that a dog's saliva acts as an antiseptic, and it can kills the germs in wounds. That's why dogs lick their wounds. Well, that and their tongues are rough enough to dislodge anything in the wound like dirt or stones. It's how wild dogs and wolves tried to stop their wounds from becoming infected.

With a whimper I dragged myself woefully out of my den in the boxes, limping a bit due to the stiffness in my muscles. 'What a pain in the ass,' I thought, my ears dropping back against my skull to show my displeasure.

Once out of my little hidey-hole, I stretched my muscles, arching my back and stretching my legs to try and get the stiffness and cramps out. I then sat down, mentally sighing about how weird this would be. Hesitantly I began to lick the bite marks I could reach to try clean them out. I noted that my once light orange coloured coat had stains of blood through it, causing my nose to crinkle.

'Next thing on the list,' I thought, 'I need to have a bath. This place is near the sea right? So I should go for a swim in the salt water. Salt water is meant to be good for wounds,' I smiled in self-satisfaction about my plan, but my grin quickly faltered as another thought came to me. 'But how did I get here? What happens if somehow I now have the powers of a devil fruit? It's perfectly plausible, which would mean going near the salt water would not be a smart plan at all.'

Before now I had not been thinking too much on how I had gotten there. I had been concentrated on the there and now. With some time to finally stew on it whilst I was licking my wounds, I thought of several ways I could have got here. But, none of them made sense. It's like a bad dream, or one huge joke. But somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was as real as I was and that I wasn't just going to wake up at home. The sense of loss then hit me like a ton of bricks.

'My family! I won't see them anytime soon. Oh Gods, how is mom going to cope?' Guilt was the next feeling to hit me, causing me to stop my cleaning and to lower my head dejectedly.

After several minutes of moping, I realized that it was the last thing I needed to be doing right now. I was never a person to get sad for long, or to have lots of self-pity. When something bad happened I focused on the positive, never dwelling on the negatives for long if at all. So why change my ways now? I need to suck it up, and see what was good in this situation. Like the fact that I am in an anime, I'd be lying if I said I'd never wished something like this would happen. Of course I could have thought of better places to go, but many people would kill to be in my situation, so I figured I needed to stop being a baby.

I must be here for a reason, right? Well I hoped so anyway, and since one of my first encounters here was with one of the main characters, I guess my reason here is to fit in with the main time line. And, if I'm not wrong, Zoro will be tied up for a while before Luffy came along to save him. Although, it wasn't exactly a willing escape to start with… What the hell am I meant to do in the meantime? Well, let's start with that bath. I had to figure out sooner or later if it's a devil fruit's powers that got me here. Might as well do it on my own terms rather than get thrown into the deep end in a critical time.

I followed my nose to the sea - a dog's sense of smell is amazing, so much stronger than a humans, so it was easy to find. I kept to back alleys and streets, shying away from people. For all I knew, Helmeppo could have put some sort of reward out for me, or may have people watching for me, so I better lay low for now.

When I finally made it to the sea I noticed that there were no beaches, the town was on a platform that kept the sea out, or it sort of looked like that. Over the side of the platform was the sea, just a straight drop. But, when I thought about it, it made sense, after all the boats need deep water to be able to dock anywhere.

I looked around and noticed there were not many people about, so I carefully snuck out of the alley I was lurking in at that time, and walked up to the edge of the platform, looking over it to see my reflection in the sea for the first time. It took me a few seconds to realize that the image looking back at me in the water was me. I saw an orangey coloured dog with a white chest and face mask. My fur was thick, and my ears were shaped much like triangles with the way they stuck out of my head. My eyes were a steely blue, exactly the same colour as when I was a human. My shoulders were stocky and wide, which I was sure would come in handy later on. It didn't take me long to identify that I was a dog after all - the daddy's boy got something right after all. I knew what breed I was, my friend had a dog like me, but it was the American version of the breed, where as I was the Japanese version, an Akita Inu.

If I remember right Akita's are built for fighting and bringing down bears. They're a guarding dog and are usually used for guarding or hunting. Their main features are their curved tail that sits on their back when curled up, their big build and bear like head. Their personality traits were generally stubborn, courageous, protective, aloof, and very loving towards those close to them, which had me smirking at how closely it reflect my personality.

'At least I know my breed is built for fighting, thank you Gods for that at least,' I thought with a soft wag of my tail, the tip of my tail brushing against my back.

I slowly drew my attention back to my current predicament, as to whether I could swim or not - or whether it was a good idea to test out that theory or not. I was not a brash person by nature, but I hated not knowing stuff. If I didn't find this out right now, it would drive me mad until I did experiment.

My head shot up proudly as a grand plan came to me, and I couldn't help the impish smirk that grew on my muzzle. I spun around, my back facing the ocean as I sat down. I then slowly lowered my tail into the water, or at least attempted to anyway. Having a curly tail means that it wasn't happy about straightening out for me, but eventually I coaxed it to uncurl and I stuck the tip of my tail in the water. I waited. Nothing happened. I didn't feel weak, nor did I feel drained. Isn't that what you're supposed to feel if you have a devil fruit power? Maybe, hopefully, that meant I didn't and that I could still go in water.

I waited a bit longer just in case something happened, whilst also still internally debating whether or not to jump in. Unfortunately, or fortunately, that decision was taken from me when I felt something clamp down on the end of my tail. With a yelp of surprise more than pain, I jumped, remembering too late how closely I was positioned to the edge of the platform. I felt my back feet slip off of the platform, my eyes widening in shock as the rest of my body followed.

My body hit the water with a loud splash, the water parting around me to swallow up my body. As soon as I had regained my senses I swam for the top of the surface, which I found that it's much easier when you are a dog. My head broke the surface and I drew in several spluttered breaths, my legs paddling in the water to keep me afloat. At least the fish, or whatever it had been, had let go of my tail now.

After I re-gathered my wits, I figured that if I could still swim and hadn't sunk, then I didn't have the power of a devil fruit, and that I was safe in the water. I was glad for that, I had always loved swimming, and at least I knew I could still swim, even if I was a dog now. After that happy revelation I got to the task that needed me in the water in the first place - cleaning out my coat and wounds. The easiest way to achieve that was to swim a while, so swim I did.

I felt like a kid in a candy store. I dove under the water, and messed around in it, floundering like fish on dry land as I tried to get used of having a dog's body whilst swimming. I stayed in the water for a while, and I saw a few people passing by. I saw them smile at my antics, there was even one kid who pointed and laughed, which caused me to smile widely, well as much as a dog can smile. I figured even if they knew who I was, they weren't going to give me up to that daddy's boy without good reason, of which I was thankful for.

After a while I dragged myself out of the water, heaving my body back up onto the platform, which left me standing there dripping wet, my fur clinging tightly to my body. I lazily shook as much of the water out as I could and then trotted, in a gleeful manner, back to the dark alley that I had exited from.

I followed the alleys and back street around for a while, trying to think of my next plan of action. When my stomach growled I noticed how hungry I was, and even though there was no one around to hear my stomach, I dipped my head down in embarrassment at the sound it made. Although I was in a dogs body, that didn't mean I was about to scrounge around in trash cans for food or eat whatever food was left on the ground, at least I was not that desperate yet. I then felt a twinge of guilt at the thought that Zoro most likely hadn't eaten either. Poor bugger.

I heaved a sigh and kept padding along. I wasn't the type of person to steal, even if I was a dog, so I wasn't going to steal any food from anyone. But, neither was a going to beg for food, my ego wouldn't allow it and I sure didn't have any money to pay for it. How was I was going to get food? I sighed yet again realizing that I wasn't going to get food then.

Later that day, after lazily spending the day walking around and lurking in the shadows watching the people in this town interact, I figured I should pay a visit to Zoro. It was night-time by then, and rather dark, so the chances of me getting caught were slim and I had nothing better to do, so why not?

Once I reach the wall surrounding his yard I stared up, suddenly realizing how tall it was.

'Of fucking course,' was the only though in my mind when I saw it up close. Nothing, I repeat nothing, could ever just be simple could it?

I knew dogs could jump high, but could I jump that far? Well, I wouldn't know till I tried I guess. I backed up a few paces, and took a good, long look at the wall, sizing up my opponent. After my stare down with the wall, I subtly backed up a few more paces before nodding my head softly, figuring that I was far enough back. I took a deep breath of air into my lungs and took off straight for the wall. I jumped up into the air, and when I saw I wouldn't make it all the way to the top, I brought my front legs forward, and as they came in contact with the wall, I boosted myself up further, my back legs following with the same motion.

I managed to get over the wall that way, lifting my head up proudly as my paws touched down on the ground, my tail wagging like mad as I danced around little on my paws much like an excited kid bouncing up and down. I couldn't believe I'd made that; I was allowed be proud for a few moments. I then spun around and my eyes met with Zoro's own, causing me freeze in shock. He probably saw that fit of mine. 'Great,' I groaned, mentally deadpanning.

It might be dark, but the moon was out and it was light enough to make out some things, like shapes. He saw all of my little dance. I saw his eyes narrow in my direction, as if sizing me up. I stayed still like a mouse in a trap for a few seconds. I was not good in one on one confrontations, but I then remembered that he was tied up and couldn't do anything. That last thought gave me some confidence and began to trot slowly towards him. I ducked my head tilting my head to the side, dropping my eye contact from his as I came forward. It came natural as a dog on how I should act 'submissive' if you'd like to call it that, I prefer the term 'looking innocent and non-threatening so the scary guy won't kill me'. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

I stopped a few paces in front of the man whom was tied to the post, lifting my head to meet his gaze. I meekly wagged my tail, letting out a soft whine as a greeting. He stared at me for a few moments before saying, "Aren't you the mutt from yesterday? The one Helmeppo wanted?"

I just tiled my head to the side at his questions, an impish smirk plastered into my façade - it's not like I could answer him.

"Go away then mutt, go on, shoo! If anyone catches you here you'll be in trouble. Shoo."

My amusement grew as he tried to get rid of me. 'How sweet,' I thought. Zoro even cares enough about dogs to try and help them like he's going to do to the kid. But, he didn't convince me to go away, instead I took the last few steps forward and rubbed myself against his legs in a friendly manner. I let out a soft 'woof' and looked up to meet his gaze again, my tail still wagging softly.

I heard him mutter something about stupid animals under his breath and he used his foot to nudge me away saying, "Shoo, before I kick you."

In response I just let out a playful growl and sat down on the ground staring at him. He stared back at me in annoyance and we sat in silence for a few seconds staring at each other. Deciding that it would be safer if I didn't stay here too long after all, I stood up again and walked towards him to say goodbye. Rubbing my head against his leg again I then turned around and took off running at the wall, jumping it much the same as before, before disappearing into the alleys again.

The next day, after sleeping in my den made of cardboard boxes again, I spent the day lurking around yet again and then at the end of the day, I went to visit Zoro yet again, like the night before. This time though, I noted with a slight twinge of worry that there was a few bruises on his body. Nothing that he couldn't handle I'm sure, but it still pissed me off.

On the fourth day of being stuck as a dog, I ran into the little girl I'd saved a few days earlier. I was darting through an alley when I saw her walking past the entrance. I was so shocked upon seeing her that I wasn't watching where I was going and managed to knock over a glass bottle. The sound of it clattering against the ground echoed around the alley walls. Her head shot around to look in my direction, her eyes widening as she saw me. We both froze for a few moments before she looked around, and then she walked into the alley.

She held out her hand in front of her and said softly, "Here doggy, doggy." As degrading as the term she used was, I figured I'd better get used to it. I trotted playfully towards her, letting out a soft 'woof' in a greeting. She reached out and began to pat my head with a smile on her face declaring, "You tried to help save me the other day, thank you very much." I just wagged my tail in response to her thanks.

She kept patting me, sliding her hand from my head to the back of my neck, and I flinched away in pain with an involuntary growl as she brushed over my wounds from the fight with the wolf. My thick fur hid the wounds from plain sight, but they were still there and painful.

"I-I'm sorry," the little girl stuttered and I felt bad for growling. I let out a whine to let her know it was okay. "You're still hurt from that wolf aren't you?" She stepped forward, running her hand gently over the rest of my fur where the wolf had bitten me, and she frowned when she felt the rest of my lacerations.

"Come with me!" she declared suddenly. "I can help your sores." She was such a cute kid, I was starting to feel glad I'd help to protect her as she turned around and strode out of the alley calling. "Come on!"

I hesitated but figured it couldn't hurt to follow her, after all she wasn't going to give me into Helmeppo. She led me to a small house, which I'm guessing was where she and her mother lived. She ushered me inside and I cast a glaze around, seeing that her place was quiet a quaint place.

"My mother doesn't get home till later, she works most of day. But I doubt mommy will be happy about me bringing you here so you'll have to hide. You don't mind do you?" I wondered idly whether the kid talked to all animals like she was talking to me; most of them wouldn't understand her. But, lucky me I guess. I responded to her question by letting out a yip and flashing my pearly white fangs in a smile.

The kid kept talking to me, I guess she gets lonely and will talk to anyone or anything. Not that it was an odd though, but I learnt her name was Rika from rambling which was handy. She rubbed some cream on my bite marks, which burnt a bit, but I was guessing that it was a good thing. She then feed me some left over rice and vegetables, and after not eating for a few days I was ravenous and wolfed down the whole thing within second, licking Rika's chin in thanks.

I spent the night in Rika's room under her bed hiding from her mother, and then coming out the next day whilst her mother was gone. I carried on that routine for several more days, not visiting Zoro anymore. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stop myself from freeing him. Then the day finally came in which Luffy and Zoro met.

Updated 15/12/12

Thanks to my beta Praeses for her hard work.