(The )
After a while, the trio make it to the barge. When the rest of the gang saw the banged up Fagin, they rushed up to greet them. "What happened, amigo?!" Tito barked.
"It's nothin', Tito. It was just two teenagers who got the jump on Fagin. But Rose and I put them in their place," Dodger answered proudly.
Tito bounded up and down, excitement lit up in his eyes. He couldn't believe he missed out on all of the fun. Fagin groaned as he collapsed in his living chair. Francis, Einstein, and Rita gather around him worriedly.
"Good dogs," he sighed, laughing as they licked him frantically. He didn't mind being licked to death by his canine companions. They cared for him more than words could say.
Dodger and Rose retired to their own beds, finding their places here in this creaking old boat. Not only did the two dogs have an inseparable bond, they had a great connection with Fagin. Rose smiled warmly, coming to terms with what had happened before.
Rita walked over to Rose after Fagin was settled in. "Hiya, Rose. You and Dodgie aren't hurt, are you?" Rita asked, concern on her face. Rose let her tail thump against the pile of blankets and she smiled half-heartedly.
"What's with the bandanas you guys are wearing?" Rita asked, noticing Rose and Dodger's bandanas. Rose looked down at her blue bandana that was still tied around her neck then looked over at Dodger's red bandana.
"Oh, these? Guess you can say they're our souvenirs for saving Fagin. He put these on us," Rose replied, not wanting Rita to think that they were pets wearing collars. These bandanas gave them meaning.
"I gotta say, they suit you guys," Rita said with a grin and walked back over to her own bed, but not without giving Dodger a comforting nuzzle.
Rose glanced down at her new bandana, then smiled again. They had something worthwhile.
I decided to make a change with the story direction. I figured the plotline of Rose getting taken by another group of dogs had gotten boring. Lemme know what you guys think.