Gorou, Loyal Dog to Watatsumi Island

"General Gorou."

The Divine Priestess stood up tall from her seat, though she was not accustomed to doing so in her private hideaway.

"Your Excellency, Sangonomiya Kokomi. I'm reporting in, as you instructed me to do."

"Gorou, when you're here, just 'Kokomi' is perfectly alright," she said.

"Um, alright, Miss Kokomi," he said. "May I ask- what is this place?"

He looked around the cavern. He had noticed this place before, passing by many times, and he could smell his Priestess's scent coming from it with his canine senses. She'd frequented this spot, and he'd known it, though he never dared to ask his leader about her secrets, neither would he have had any reason to distrust her. Though, he was relieved that his curiosity could be sated today. He could see many scrolls, books, recent official documents that he'd caught glimpses of before, and… was that a diary on her desk?

"Yes, I'll explain. This is a private place of mine that very few know about, so I trust you'll use discretion regarding it."

"Of course, your Excellency- Kokomi," he said. "Sorry, I'm not quite used to that."

"It's alright," she said. "Let's sit, shall we?"

The pair sat down across from each other and looked each other in the eyes. She was looking at him less strictly than usual. He wondered if he should be at ease, or continue with maximum focus and attention.

"Kokomi," he asked. "What do you want to speak about?"

"General Gorou, though you are a reliable captain and soldier," she started, "I hope you know that I would like to think of you as a friend."

The general's face turned a bit red- that was not what he was expecting to hear today. She could see his tail wagging a bit behind him as he heard it.

"I'm… honored to hear that, your Excellency!" he said.

"But… there is a matter we need to discuss," the Divine Priestess proceeded.

His tail stopped swishing as she dropped her tone. Something wasn't right, and Gorou had been worried about this for a while now.

"Is this about the Treasure Hoarders and their attempt at Watatsumi Island?"

"You are correct," she said. "And your behavior during our repulsion of them."

The dog did his best to retain his posture, but the possibility being scolded by the person he respected the most bothered him in a way that was visible in his body language.

"I… apologize for my brashness that day," he said. "I was overeager again and rushed into conflict before I had enough backup to guarantee my safety. It was dangerous and I could have gotten unnecessarily hurt, and for that, I am sorry, your Excellency."

"You see the issue, then. Thank you, General Gorou," she started. "But I understand you've been under a bit of stress lately. Or, perhaps not enough?"

"Not enough?" he responded. "I'm sorry, your Excellency- Kokomi, but what do you mean?"
"Let me explain the way I see this issue. Since the Vision Hunt Decree ended and we made peace with the Shogunate, Watatsumi Island has enjoyed our rest, and there is less action to go around for our forces. You pride yourself on your ability to fight and to serve for us in such physical manners, and our recent deficit of chances for you to do so has left you restless."

The general was surprised to hear that she'd been paying such close attention to him- more than he had for himself, even. He had found himself restless recently. But he was happy for Watatsumi Island's peace with the Shogunate, and would never wish for a battle if that meant somebody would get hurt. Was he truly missing his chance to lead?

"Maybe I have been restless, but you don't need to worry about me. I can always take another trip mountain climbing. Would you wish to go with me, at some point, as my friend, Kokomi?" he asked, a smile on his face.

"That sounds lovely," she agreed. "But unfortunately, I'll need you here and ready and calmed for the next week, since we're preparing for the annual Victory Feast among other trade issues. Our symbolic feast still stirs some of our oppositions' hearts and risks creating a conflict. The island needs its general right now, and it needs him thinking clearly."

"I will keep myself on a tighter leash, Sangonomiya," the dog replied. "There is still plenty for me to do, even if it's not as valiant as before. You don't have to worry about my state of mind."

"But I wish to help you, Gorou. As your leader, I want you to be in the best shape as my general. Or, as your friend, I want you to be at ease inside."

She reached an arm out from her lap, onto the table, closer to him, and her palm covered the back of his hand.

"So, I have an idea that could be a chance for some jovial fun time for the both of us, that will help relieve your stress, or at least use up some of that extra energy." She smiled as she spoke. "If you'd like."

"Alright," he said. "I'll do anything the Divine Priestess asks of me. What is it?"

"First, I need you to get down on your hands and knees."

Today was full of surprises for Gorou, and Kokomi was the provider. Nonetheless, he followed his orders to a T, and watched as his superior stood from her seat, and walked over to where he could see her in front of him. She crouched down slightly to make better eye contact.

She smiled and looked him over, to gauge his reaction as she asked: "Would you like to go for a walk?"

The general's tail wagged behind him. He tried to stifle it, but the energy was quickly redirected. She smiled wider as she watched, and his face became flush red.

"N-no," Gorou responded. "I don't need a walk. I'm a g-general."

"I know you're part-canine, and that more exercise will be necessary for dogs such as yourself to relieve stress. And happy dogs get taken for walks, don't they?"

"I'm part canine, but I'm not that much of a dog," he replied, his voice shaky. "Th-though if the Divine Priestess wanted to go on one… Not that I would enjoy that. I'm a serious, respectable general."

"I need you for your clear mind- it's obvious you're not suited to lying under pressure, are you?"

His face turned redder as she said it. Was it so obvious? He looked back and saw that his tail was a dead giveaway the whole time. It was shaking so involuntarily that he didn't even feel it.

"B-but, even if I did, somebody would see us, right?"

"Why would that matter? I'm merely taking my dog for a walk. You are a respected general, yes, but I'm the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. If anything, I may be the only one qualified to walk you," she affirmed.

He considered her words. It was true that the people of the island had trust and faith in her. Though, there were those who went behind her back in the past. It would be too risky- doing something silly like this could damage his or her reputations as leaders.

When he was almost ready to stand back up, he looked up to her, and saw her pearly eyes and her lips smiling warmly. She seemed to like this idea… and even though she spoke to him as her friend, she was his leader… and he couldn't refuse her orders, anyway?

"Um, okay, if you would have fun with a walk, I wouldn't mind," he let out.

She giggled at his admission. Gorou had not ever heard her laugh, and it was a welcome change. His body was shaking all over with trepidation. He didn't know that he'd wanted to hear these words. Whenever he heard that type of thing, it had been a mean, pointed joke at the fact of his ears, tail, and fur. To be asked it in earnest, by the person he revered the most, was something he was unfamiliar with. He'd never tried it before. Perhaps he should.

"Good. Stay there while I get my things, and we'll depart immediately!"

He wagged his tail again, excited for what was ahead of him. Today had taken such a pleasant turn! He'd become friends with the Divine Priestess, and now he would be taken dog walking!

He saw her come into his vision again, this time holding some items. She crouched down and reached at his neck with a cord, and hooked it into his collar.

"There, now you have a leash. Have you ever had one of these on, Gorou?"

"N-no, your Excellency."

"That's a surprise to me. And again, just 'Kokomi' is acceptable. We're friends today, understand?"

He nodded, and watched as she waved him forward, urging him to begin their walk. He obeyed, putting one hand in front of the other, leading out of the secret hideout onto the rest of Watatsumi Island. She followed behind, holding the leash attached to him as she walked.

"How does it feel?" she asks.

"It's… alright…" he responded, though his body language was more telling.

She walked him along the outer rim of the island, until they reached the beach. He was faster than she was expecting him to be, and at one point tugged at the leash while they walked through the sand.

"Easy, Gorou!" she called to him. "I'm walking in heels, you know."

"S-sorry, your Excellency," he said, stopping as she tugged.

"Thank you for slowing down," she said. "Now, let's keep going. Until you've been properly dog walked."

They began their hike again. She smiled as they walked in a loop on the beach by her hideout. The ocean was beautiful today, and the lovely view made her glad that Watatsumi Island was the place she reigned. But she had not properly dressed for the occasion. She was used to walking in heels, but Gorou at a slower pace still proved to be a bit faster than she would have preferred today. He could feel the sand between his fingers and on his knees. Down lower to the ground, he could smell more of the environment as well, and he found himself appreciating that. It also let him know that it was only him and Sangonomiya out here today, so he didn't have to mind anybody else's opinion.

"So, I've never done this before, Kokomi," he said as he crawled. "But it's not bad. Thank you for taking me!"

"O-of course," she said. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

He eagerly paced forward. They did their little loop five times, and while Gorou was just getting started, Kokomi began to tire. She eyed his back as he crawled, sizing his strength up. There was a different way to do this, if Gorou was up to it.

"Are you getting at all tired, Gorou? Using up your energy yet?" she asked.

"No, not tired. I feel like I could walk forever, if you want to!" he responded.

He looked back at her. He saw her dignified posture break a bit, and he could tell she wasn't enjoying this as much as he was anymore. He was sad to see it, but he couldn't leave his Divine Priestess unhappy. They stopped in the sand for a moment to speak.

He spoke again. "If you're getting tired, we can go back."

"No, we won't be going back until you've used up your excess energy. It's alright, though- I had a plan for this too. Hold still, please."

Gorou watched her as she pulled something else out. She laid a cord of some sort across his back, leaving two dangling items hanging off of his sides. Then, she reached forward, and unhooked his leash.

"I hope you don't mind, Gorou, but your friend has another plan for you now," she said, looking at him.

He looked at her and tilted his head in curiosity. She pulled out another cord like the leash, but this one was longer, and had a leather piece in the middle.

"Will you open your mouth for me, and bite down on this?" she asked.

He saw the leather piece just in front of his face. He was quite comfortable following her orders already, and so he obeyed, accepting it into his mouth. She stood up in front of him, and held the ends of the cord.

"Good. Now, I'm going to do something a little different so that I don't have to keep walking. Are you ready?"

He looked up at her and nodded. He could see her walk to his right side, from which point, she squatted down, and sat on top of him.

He was unfamiliar with touching the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, and so the body contact set off alarm bells in his brain. It wasn't bad, though- he didn't think, at least. His tail wagged involuntarily, giving a definitive verdict to his opinion. He felt her hips moving on top of him as she lifted her left leg up, and put it on the other side of him. He watched her foot out of the corner of his eye as she raised it from the ground, and placed it in the stirrup, then swiveled his head to see that the other had done the same.

Divine Priestess Sangonomiya Kokomi of Watatsumi Island had mounted him. And quite gracefully, at that.

"I thought that you might get tired before I did, and so we'd have to change our strategy. You look strong, Gorou, but you should be the one to tell me- can you hold me up?"

He felt her weight as her rear was on his back, and her thighs straddled him. It was far more contact than he'd ever had with the Divine Priestess before- he noted that her skin was quite soft. Even though she was light, it was still a bit taxing to have another person on top of him, and it didn't help that he was shorter than her when standing on two legs instead of four. Despite this, he didn't want to disappoint his leader and friend, so he chose optimism in his response.

"I fink sho, y-yesh. Yoo reallee wish to ryde mee?" he said, finding difficulty in getting the words past the leather in his teeth.

"Yes, if you can manage it. I'm not too heavy, am I?"

"Oph coursh nod!" he responded.

"Great! Truth be told, I'm glad we've ended up this way. When I made this plan, I thought you'd be a cute little ride. And also, Gorou, would you mind if I steered us this time?"

So that must be why he's got a bit in his mouth, and she holds reins behind him. Kokomi took him walking, so if he could return the favor this way, then he could oblige. And after the Divine Priestess called him "cute," he may as well do what she wants…

"Sh-shure, yore Exshellenshee," he responded.

She lifted her hands and carefully whipped the reins she was holding. Instinctively, he walked forward, his tail wagging. He was carrying more than before, but with each step, it got a little easier to keep going. He panted a bit through the bit, a clear indicator to Kokomi that this was indeed more exercise for him.

"We're not dog-walking anymore, are we?" she asked. "That is unfortunate. Is this alternative okay for you?"

"Y-yesh, Kokomee," he responded. "We shtill ar, I fink…"

"People don't usually ride dogs," she responded.

"Itsh ogay, aym a big dog."

She laughed softly at his little joke. He was a renowned general on Watatsumi Island, but with a bit in his mouth and her butt on his back, he sounded ridiculous. He walked forward, his face red, glad that Sangonomiya was enjoying herself, even if it was at his expense.

She fiddled with the reins as she rode forward. The sea was on her left, and it was beautiful. She pulled one hand back to steer him along the beach, and quite appreciated his receptiveness and diligence to her commands. He was her most reliable soldier, and that put her at ease. She watched him as he crawled. It was inspiring to watch him lead, and… a little fun to watch him carry her.

He crawled forward and appreciated the chance for better exercise. He could always trust that Sangonomiya had a plan, and it was her adaptability that made her such a great leader. Now that she was sitting atop him, he felt a sense of pride in being her partner in this exercise. Nobody else had ever been able to say they were the mount of Her Excellency, right?

"Kogomi, haff yoo epher don dis bephor?" he asked.

"Have I ever done what? Ride somebody?" she responded. "Once."

"Reallee?" he felt a jealous twinge as he asked, stopping in place.

"No, of course I haven't," she responded. "I just wanted to see your response."

She giggled a bit as she cracked the reins, setting off again. He shook his head, realizing what a silly question he asked. He wondered if Kokomi secretly enjoyed teasing people, and if so, if she often got the chance to in her highly esteemed position. But hearing her laugh, even if small, three times in one day- this was unheard of to Gorou, and very worthwhile.

Kokomi, ready to leave their little loop, opted to keep riding Gorou forward instead of turning right along the beach. He crawled a little ways, then his tail drooped as they turned left, back towards her secret hideout. Nonetheless, he obeyed her, understanding she must be tired. He started to turn left without prompt, when she tugged him in the other direction.

"No no, Gorou, I want to go the other way," she said.

His tail wagged as he realized his walk wasn't over. She instead faced him towards the bridge that led to the cliff side over Bourou Village. He put one hand in front of the other, and crossed it with Kokomi. He appreciated her trust in him as they reached the other side.

Once there, she pulled to the right, taking him to another part of the beach. Neither the grass nor sand never reached her feet in her stirrups, and she was happy in keeping her clothes free of the earth, even in such exercise.

Gorou had gotten quite used to the feeling of her sitting on him as he crawled. Her skin was soft, and though he was shocked when she first sat down on him, he liked the feeling of her butt on his back and her thighs resting on his sides. It was like a hug.

"Oh, Gorou. I haven't asked you this yet, because I was worried you'd be embarrassed, but seeing as we're comfortable now, I'll ask. Would you mind it if I petted you?"

His face turned red, and she looked down at his brown hair and saw a coy nod. Kokomi had wondered before what his hair felt like, and took her chance to learn. She reached forward and gently petted him between his ears. It was surprisingly soft, she found, and so she kept her hand there for a moment longer than she expected to. His face turned bright red, and his arms and legs picked up the pace a little.

"Wow, Gorou, what a response," she responded. "You truly are part dog. Good boy! Hehe."

She took him along the edge of the beach, out to where the dock was. When she reached it, she examined him, and saw that he was panting a little more heavily.

"Gorou, are you getting tired yet?"

He breathed heavy, but shook his head "No".

"Good, I was still having fun. Let's do this loop a few times then, shall we?"

Reaching an edge to the beach, Kokomi turned her mount around to face the way they'd come from. She petted his head again, and relaxed as Gorou carried her back. Seeing him run faster in response made her think about her general and how he operated. He'd get excited, then he'd bolt forward. Since it matched his behavior that got him in trouble, it could be a good chance to teach him some control. She began a sort of test on him.

She began this test by patting his head, and allowing him to run forward. Then, she pulled back on the reins to stop him. Unfortunately… it seemed like his instinct to start going faster was not paired with one on when to stop.

"Gorou, stop!" she commanded.

The dog she sat on reached a halt with a slight change in tone. Was he running too fast? He looked back at her, and she seemed to be taking something a bit more serious than before, from the expression on her face.

"Good running, but how about a little game?" she said. "A little exercise to show some control to your Priestess?"

Gorou looked forward and nodded, ready to hear the rest of it.

"I'll pet your head to excite you, so that you'll run fast. But when I pull the reins back, you have to immediately stop. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yesh."

Kokomi cracked the reins gently to begin going forward. Gorou held steady still and raised his head high so she could reach it. When she petted his head, he wagged his tail, and began trotting forward faster, eager and excited. She took her hand away for a moment, then did it again, rubbing harder between his ears. Sure enough, his response was to try and run more. She let him go for a moment, keeping her balance, then pulled back. This time, her mount responded correctly by stopping in place. She scratched at his ears to reward him.

"Good boy! Again."

She repeated her routine. Crack the reins, pet his head, pull him to a quick stop. It worked again. Time for the next bit.

"This time, I'm going to verbally tell you to stop, and you will heed the order, okay?"

After starting, she rubbed his head between the ears once more. When he was running as fast and as excited as she could make him, she called out-

"Stop!"

To her delight, Gorou listened to her, even though he was excited. She could feel his body shaking under her from his excitement, and he was breathing heavy through the bit, but she had his obedience in the palm of her hand. It felt quite nice to have that now, and knowing that her point had gotten across was a rewarding one.

"Good boy, Gorou. You're not tired, are you? Let's do a few more easy laps."

Kokomi considered her time spent with a mount as they went back and forth on the sand. He was loyal, and dependable, and did everything she asked of him, whenever she wished. The dog heeded everything his rider instructed, pleased to make her happy. Noting his jockey's graceful posture atop his back, he tried to touch up on his own form, so he could match her a little better. He managed to hold a form he thought would be more proper for a whole lap on this part of the sand, and broke it when he realized how tired he'd gotten. Kokomi watched this behavior, and she wondered what it must be like to partly be an animal driven to be a companion and a follower, and partly be a general that everyone respected and looked up to. Was she the only one who had more authority than him in his life on Watatsumi Island?

"Gorou, most dogs are owned, aren't they?" she asked.

"Yesh," he responded.

"Do you feel sad not having a master?"

He hid his face by staying true and walking forward. His true feelings on this matter would have to stay quiet.

"If you like, you could think of me as your owner," she offered.

"Kogomee, umm," he spoke.

"Yes?"

"Itsh embarrasshing, bud… umm…"

"It is okay, Gorou. I'm your friend, you can tell me your secrets."

"Aye short oph alreadee thing oph yoo ash my ownder," he said, his arms wobbling as he crawled forward, his body shaking from the humiliation of admitting that. "Maybe itsh weird, bud I haff phor a whyle naow…"

This time, not only did the dog's face turn red, but so did the complexion of the Divine Priestess. He worried how she would respond to his confession.

"That's so sweet of you! And you make an amazing pet," she said, beaming. "Let me give you more head rubs, Gorou. But will you hold still this time?"

She extended her arm once more, and pet him on his head. But this time, she let him know just how much she cared about him, rustling his hair with her gentle hand as best as she could.
Gorou could hardly contain himself. His heart raced as his master showed him her love, and though he was tired, he felt he could go as far as she'd ever need. She could see right through him, though- he was panting more heavily than she'd seen before. She wondered if he was even aware of his stamina- it was obvious he was starting to use energy he didn't have.

"Let's end this exercise for today, okay, Gorou?"

His tail drooped behind her, and she to see it.

"Don't worry- your owner will take you for another walk again very soon, alright?"

The thought made his tail wag. He could accept it ending today.

"One last thing, Gorou. Is it okay if I ride you back, or do you need me to bring the leash out again for just a walk?"

"Whadever yoo wish, mashter!" he responded.

"Good. I'll ride, then. Back we go."

She cracked the reins, and set off again. She led him across the sand, back to the grass. They crossed the bridge, and Kokomi pet him as they approached her secret study, where this had begun.

Upon returning to her secret hideaway, Sangonomiya carefully removed her feet from the stirrups, and placed them on the ground. She sat for a moment, and ran her fingers through her steed's hair once more before rising off of him.

He was a bit sad to feel her body lift off of his, but he tried not to show it. She left him, and walked back to her desk and sat down there. Once he rose to his feet, it was as though the serious General Gorou took his brain back over, as he realized just how different today had been. It made him uneasy for a second.

And yet, when he looked Sangonomiya Kokomi in the eyes, he was overcome with appreciation. He was finally able to tell her that she was his master today, and she not only accepted it, but cherished that.

"General, do you think your mind is cleared after being taken on a walk?"

"I can confidently say that I am clear-headed, master," he responded, with a salute. "I won't let you down this week."

She studied him as he saluted her. Though he was exhausted, his voice was clear and as far as she could tell, his inner restlessness had been quelled.

"Good. We have much to accomplish before the Victory Feast. For today, you are dismissed."

"Um, are you sure, master? I can do anything you need," he asked. "Or should I say, your Excellency? Or, Kokomi?"

"'Master' is fine when it's just the two of us," she confirmed, with a smile. "And yes, there is something I'd like from you."

"Yes? What is it?"

"I'll take you for a 'walk' again soon, once the celebration is over. And why don't we go mountain climbing, like you suggested? Since you were such a good boy today," she said, smiling at him in a way he hadn't seen before today.

"Y-yes, master."

"Good dog," she said. "Please return to your duties as General Gorou for the day."

"Of course, your Excellency."

With a bow, the dog exited the room, leaving Sangonomiya Kokomi alone with her papers, books, and documents. She opened a special one on her desk after waiting a few moments for full privacy. Inside, there was a log of her activities and how they'd affected her. In the next line, she wrote:

Walked Gorou today, and bonded with him. Energy +6.

I'm excited to have myself quite the interesting pet