thenearshore | [closed] When Lassie Goes Missing

Entry tags:

[closed] When Lassie Goes Missing

Who: Rin Matsuoka

sharkmaid and Sousuke Yamazaki

takenwithhim
What: The God of Love has heard his first prayer request. The Dog of Water has his first job.
Where: Various locations in the Near Shore
When: May 1st, throughout the day
Warnings: None to be had, save for awkward and amusing moments.

This would be day five of his new life as a shinki. Sousuke knew at some point he’d stop counting the days. They would blur into the “normal” and what he had previously been completely hostile towards would defuse into something acceptable. Odd that on his first day here he’d been completely against subjugating himself to the role of some god’s personal shinki. To willingly give someone the ability to control and change him, much less to admit to himself he needed to rely on someone else for his own success, failure, well-being even, made him feel irritated inside and scoff at the notion. While he still had that streak of rebellion and his desire for personal freedom, Sousuke couldn’t bring himself to say his partnership with the God of Love, Eros, had been a detriment.

Rin wasn’t the kind of person who wanted to control him or make use of him like a weapon or a tool. He was always fast to remind Sousuke that he was a human (even if he was, albeit, both shinki and dead), and never once tried to force him into something he didn’t want to do. Of course, it’d only been four complete days. Though Rin had already professed a desire for the two of them to be truthful and open to each other, Sousuke still wasn’t sure just how “open” he wanted to be with Rin. Embarrassingly enough, though, it was a little hard to be worried about how “open” to be with someone when that said someone had barged in on him stark naked in the shower. (Rin had a good reason at least, but Sousuke wasn’t about to let him live it down. Yet.)

Routine days they’d been. Sousuke stubbornly refused to sleep in a separate room from Rin (be that meaning he spent the nights on floors, couches, cots, or whatever else, just not in the same bed, thank you), so they ended up waking together. Morning practices, washing and talking, breakfast, and then, joy of joys, getting lost in the castle again. Rin said he knew where they were going and always had an excuse, but Sousuke professed his god didn’t have everything mapped out yet. Getting lost became “exploring” and off they went again, Rin flying ahead and Sousuke following behind. Some arguments here and there…

Beyond that, Sousuke was starting to become a little more adjusted to the idea of turning into a canine. A little more adjusted to the fact he could make some kind of strange barrier with his hand (which is definitely didn’t use to get back at Rin a few times for teasing him, of course not). A little more adjusted to the idea that Rin was a god, and not just a god, but his god.

Now, as he stood by the fountain, gazing at the water swirling within the basin, Sousuke wondered just what sort of things gods were supposed to be doing anyways. They had four nice, peaceful days here… but even he could tell the two of them were getting a little antsy. The idea and urge of getting out and doing something wouldn’t leave Sousuke alone.

Che, where was Rin now?

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Even if he got nothing for it, there was plenty of egg on his face for the comment. He definitely had meant it an entirely different way, but whoops! Faux paus. Turning with a curve of his body, Sousuke headed after Rin and soon fell in step beside him. ‘Osu.’ He wasn’t going to question or bring it up even in agreement, wanting to put that quietly under the rug. While he knew Rin a little more than their first meeting, he definitely didn’t know the other boy enough to be making those kinds of comments. Even Sousuke had his own limits on that stuff.

After walking for a few minutes in silence, he finally risked breaking it. ‘Did the poster give you any idea on how to find this dog?’ They had a name, they had an image of her, but wandering around and looking still didn’t seem to him to be the fastest, most efficient way. Of course, Sousuke had better hearing than Rin, but never having heard the other dog before… well, that was a problem. ‘What about an address?’ Looks, he's trying to be helpful.

A god of love clearly loved everyone, Sousuke. Let's just leave it at that.

"Where do you think I'm going?" He wasn't stupid, ok? Listening and looking aimlessly could only get them so far. So after a few minutes of walking–and maybe taking in the city sights a bit longer than he should have–Rin finally spotted the right numbers coming up on their right side and strode on up to where the sidewalk met a flight of stairs. An apartment complex. Small, compact, city living at its finest. When it came to dogs though, at least the loyal ones, it didn't matter where their owners lived. In Rin's experience, they liked to stick close by. Or if they wandered too far away, they'd manage to find their way back. So. Here they had Point A.

He looked down at Sousuke beside him. "They live on the second floor." Pointing at the door on the far left. "That one, if the poster was right. Angel's gotta be around here somewhere." She had a name Sousuke, gosh! "Or at least her scent should be, right?"

~~So not leaving it at that.~~

‘I don’t know; you never told me.’ Sousuke’s retort carried the underlying reminder of his lack of mind reading in it. But he had a general idea: some place Rin thought the dog would be. So he followed alongside him, grateful that people didn’t really “see” them. Because he’d probably end up completely mortified if people started complimenting Rin on what a handsome pet he had by his side. And knowing his god, there’d be red faces and cheeky grins and sheepish awkwardness that would follow them home like a cloud over the sun. He glanced up at the sidewalk and stairs as they came to a half. Apartments…

‘I see.’ This was probably the owner’s address. And thus the dog’s neighborhood. Rin pointing it out confirmed that. And he sounded so confident too—

Urk.

Sousuke blinked once. Wait a second… He had these misgivings the moment Rin mentioned the prayer request back there by the front door of the castle. Sousuke had guessed it, but gave Rin the benefit of the doubt, thought it was going to be something else, stuck his heels in and dug down with all stubbornness. And now…!

‘Don’t you even.’

~~... Asshole.~~

"Didn't I?" Teasing him, because he knew he didn't, but maybe he just didn't feel like it. Time is money, Sousuke! Though speaking of which, for as strange as it was being "invisible," with the task at hand, it proved to be pretty handy. No need to worry about people getting in the way or trying to stop them on the side of the street. Not very often a dog as big as Sousuke wandered through Tokyo's crowded neighborhoods and roads after all. They'd be stopped every block. ... Might've been an exaggeration, but still.

But, oh, here they go. And he thought he was pretty clear back at the castle too! Well, sort of. Kind of.

"What?" he asked, brow raised. Ohhhh, no he didn't. "Hey, you can't go giving me that look when you already agreed to do this with me!" Now get sniffing!

~~Dick.~~

‘No.’ And Rin knew it. He also knew what he was asking of him and Sousuke remained straight up flat faced at him. Listening, fine. Running around, fine. Asking the dog’s—Angel’s—owner, fine. But deliberately making use of his dog nose?! Look, Sousuke was rather proud with his shinki form, especially compared to what he’d heard other shinki changed into. The freedom to move on his own and utilize his powers being the most important and enjoyable part. But he was still a human under all that fur and the idea of going nose to the ground?

Ugh, awkward. Yeah it was ‘clear’ at the castle. Sousuke simply hoped Rin didn’t realize it. But apparently… And now came that look. The arched brow and all. His eyebrow twitched in annoyance, ears flattening on his head at “getting caught” by that reminder. He’d agreed. Hadn’t he. Shooting Rin a look that could kill, Sousuke delayed for a few more seconds.

Then turned around and lowered his head. And, honestly, he’d known his sense of smell was a lot better since the moment he walked out the front door the first time. Actively using it though? A bit of a head rush, considering he suddenly was conscious of a host of scents assaulting his nose, mind, and lungs. But since he didn’t know what Angel smelled like, well… He turned again and brushed past Rin (making sure to whack him on the shins with his tail—oops—as he walked by). Up the steps to the front door and got to work there. Food, definitely. Ice cream probably. Perfume. Definitely not dog scent. Leather. Fabric. Dirt. The doorma—There it was. The only scent that didn’t remind him of anything.

‘Got it.’

~~Butt.~~

Look, this felt pretty weird for Rin too, ok? Talking to a dog telepathically, a dog that just happened to be his best friend who didn't even remember being his best friend-- Couldn't they both just accept this was weird and get it over with? Sousuke was just lucky the powers that be were merciful enough to give him this form in the first place, as far as Rin was concerned. Awkward, yes. Different, absolutely. But helpful, and, most importantly, sentient.

... Hn. Though part of him did have to wonder how this would have played out if he could just carry Sousuke around and avoid having to look at those flat expressions of his. Oh, and avoid being thumped in the legs too, which Sousuke clearly felt no guilt towards.

"Oy," he grumbled once Sousuke passed by, tail in the air, ears pricked and alert. Should've flicked his ear again for that one. Oh, up the stairs he went, huh. He stayed at the bottom in the meantime, not wanting to interfere. Had to give Mr. Grumpy some space to work and all that. At least until he heard him speak again and perked up in interest, climbing the first couple steps to give himself a better look. Wow. He did it. He actually did it!

"Heh. That's the way you gotta do it, Sousuke!" His little plan worked! "Now can you figure out which direction she went?"

~~Prick.~~

Oh he wasn’t denying that. But he’d still argue that he had the shorter end of that stick (if he was going to be bothered to argue something stupid like that). Without knowing the truth of Rin’s burden, he had to rely on what was happening now and the short while he’d been committing things to memory. Still, they’re both holding up well despite the weirdness, right? Talking to Rin in his mind was strange at first, but now, he didn’t really think much of it. It’d only taken two times of trying to talk with his mouth and ending up making a strange whine sound the first time and a bark the second time to get him to accept the mental chat.

But no matter how odd it was, Sousuke was always going to be grateful for this form. Having the freedom to move and act on his own meant he wouldn’t go stir crazy when they went out on missions. It also meant he could whack Rin in the legs when he wanted to and otherwise show him his feelings without having to talk to him. It wasn’t ‘human’ obviously, but he wasn’t an inanimate object either.

Ignoring that little grumble—because no, he’s not sorry—Sousuke glanced up when Rin walked up the steps, one brow arching clearly even in his canine face. What was he coming up here for? He couldn’t see anything; it was a scent. But instead, Rin did something different. Teal eyes stared at Rin for a few seconds, that glowing praise sticking in his mind warm and making his chest swell some with pride. He shook it off before he ended up looking like a dork.

‘You couldn’t do better.’ And lazily stuck his tongue out at him (kinda harder to do in canine form). Then looked to the side, breathing in several times to keep the scent in his mind. Air currents, dirt, grass, pavement from the rain, food… dogs… dog… and there it was. ‘This way. The trail’s faint so you better keep up.’ And broke into a trot down the steps.

Oh but it was tempting to run… really show him up.

~~.. Bae.~~

Of course he wasn't sorry. But he'd let it go just this once and leave his scrawny little dog legs nudge-free, because aside from having some serious work to do, well, Rin knew he kind of sort of deserved that one. Dragging Sousuke into this with no warning, plopping him into this unknown city with all its overwhelming sights and sounds alike. It was a wonder why his shinki hadn't fallen over yet and buried his face in the ground with stress.

Not like that would have been very Sousuke-like, would it? No, he would have trudged along anyway, grumpy and unimpressed but tolerant to a degree, though with that positive reaction (don't try to hide it) Rin started to think he was finally having some fun. Rolling his eyes, he turned away from that gesture--not like Sousuke was very successful with it anyway--and made his way back down the steps, only to pause once fur brushed at his side and passed him by at a quicker pace. Yeah. Definitely having some fun.

"Please. I can keep up with my eyes closed," he boasted, chin raised ever-so slightly. "Someone's gotta make sure you don't end up getting yourself lost."

He’d better let it go; they’re busy right now and they don’t have the time to go quibbling over something stupid. (And excuse you, but his dog legs are far from scrawny or little, dumb human.) Even if he’d been pulled into this without knowing everything, Sousuke had agreed to it, of his own volition. And truth be told, he wanted to find the girl’s dog. How would it feel to have someone you cared about go missing? As overwhelming as the city was, Sousuke determined to conquer it and finish this prayer request. For his god. For the girl. For himself. (Please, he’s too tough to face plant in embarrassment.)

Sousuke glanced over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps beside him and a little doggy grin played around the sides of his muzzle. Wasn’t about to let his tongue loll out of his mouth at the moment though… ‘Really. So you’d keep up even if I broke into a full run, hm?’ And just to prove that point, he increased his speed, a trot turning into a faster almost-gallop, four legs moving in synchronization, paw pads cushioning the shock. He’d practiced with this body too, finding how to move and run, how to sense and keep his mind going despite the differences. ‘Oy, I’m following her scent; I’m not going to get lost.’

Unlike a certain someone else who only had his eyes and maybe his ears to help him out in locating their missing Angel. Who’s leading who now, huh?--Whoops! The scent went right and Sousuke followed it without a word, breaking from Rin's side almost instantly.

Did you see that one coming? 'Keep up, Rin.'

Oh she definitely went down... this alley!

They were certainly scrawnier and smaller than his legs, that was for sure! He didn't see a reason why he wouldn't be able to keep up with him, especially with his athletic physique. But, all that competitive stuff aside, Rin did feel the same way about this request in that he wanted to do it not only because it would benefit the two of them as a pair, but also because, well... he genuinely wanted to help this little girl out. Losing something important was never easy or fun, he knew that for sure, and being a dog lover himself he knew firsthand how much it would hurt to lose one. Like a friend, like a family member. This could have been the one chance in his life he'd be able to do anything like this again.

So with a laugh at that dopey doggy grin, Rin anticipated Sousuke's movements and sped up alongside him, legs stretching out and arms pumping at his sides as he broke into a jog down the sidewalk. Good. He was getting into it! And, ok, he had to admit it was impressive how easily he was able to move by now, even if he'd only been in this form a couple times before. Always such a fast learner, huh.

"Says you," he snickered before suddenly Sousuke changed direction and bolted off down a nearby alleyway. "Wh-- Oy!" So quick! He fell behind by a couple steps because of that one, but managed to catch up soon enough, smiling wider once he did. "Hah! Too easy!"

He’s pretty sure if you turn into a dog, your legs’d be scrawnier than his, so there. But as it was, Sousuke didn’t have to time to think about dogs and legs. The first few times he’d tried running in this form, he ended up embarrassing himself. By now, however, he had things down to an instinctive degree and had even put himself through some routines between the sakura tree trunks. Still, considering where he was running now, they really should’ve put more investment in their training rather than spending all the time wandering around the castle and chatting about this or that. Not that it was going to stop him from finding that dog.

The alley rushed beside his eyes and he skidded just slightly to catch the corner before taking off down the narrow stretch. He definitely wasn’t breaking into a full run yet. Glancing to the side, Sousuke caught Rin’s legs churning beside him as he caught up. ‘Got you.’ He saw that falter at the turn; don’t think he didn’t. That ‘too easy’ comment didn’t do a thing for him and Sousuke simply focused on getting out of the alley before stopping.

Another stretch of road… ‘I hope she didn’t go into the city proper.’ Trying to find her scent amid all those others? He didn’t know if he could. Head down again, nose to the ground, breathing in and searching. It took a few moments to clear the alleyway scents, but soon he locked on again and headed to the left. ‘This way.’ As much as he wanted to run full speed, he didn’t trust himself not to lose the scent at full speed.

Excuse you, his legs would be long and lean and graceful just like a champion! And he was pretty darn sure he wouldn't trip over them either unlike some people he could mention. Don't think he forgot those first few attempted leaps and bounds, pup. If he had a camera he would have captured that moment and saved it for all eternity. But. Right. Enough of that silly stuff. They were finally making progress!

Just pay no attention to the slight slip up back there, ok? ... He said not to! Ugh, leave it to Sousuke to do it anyway.

He huffed softly as they ran and by the time they reached the end of the alley he was ready to take off bounding in the next direction Sousuke would take them. Right, left? He hoped not straight into traffic... Just because they were invisible to this world didn't mean they couldn't be hit by a car or something like that, which would really be drawing attention to themselves. To his surprise though, Sousuke stopped and at his side Rin raised a brow in question, worried he might have lost the scent or gotten distracted from their light banter.

"The city?" Looking ahead, he frowned. No, that didn't sound like a fun time at all, did it. Thankfully that didn't seem to be the case and soon enough Sousuke was back on the trail, this time with Rin walking at his side at a more comfortable pace. As fun as it had been running like that, he didn't want to lose focus on this task either. "If she's anything like you, hopefully she would've stayed close to where she can find fried pork." Only a little joke, ok. Just a little.

Don’t forget having those pompom poofs like the poodle they’re looking for. And you would completely trip over them your first few times out in that body. Just you wait; it’s going to happen and he’s going to laugh at you. Sousuke’s glad Rin didn’t have a camera while they’d been learning about their powers and such because a lot of those moments were damn embarrassing. But right, that later; they have a job to do.

Of course he was going to pay attention to any mistake Rin made right now; they were already picking on each other since the step out of the house. Fair’s fair.

Sousuke flattened his ears a little at the sight of the cars driving across the road. The scents here were strong and he was having trouble sniffing out Angel’s specific scent. Food, exhaust, people, hot gravel, grass, all the things that came swooping in with every breath and lighting up in his mind. At least he was starting to figure out how to separate the bunch and focus on the one single. He felt Rin stop by his side and glanced up to him before putting his head back down to the ground. ‘Aa. In the neighborhood area, the scents aren’t as distracting.’

To explain himself at least. Drifting off to the right, Sousuke began working the single scent from among the multitude—Gross, not walking over there! Until he locked onto it and continued down the sidewalk, thankfully staying parallel to the city rather than going into it. ‘She’d better not be shacking up at some friend’s house.’ Who knew with dogs, right? Then tensed a bit at that comment about pork. A huffing snort and he glared up at Rin, ears flat again. ‘She could be like you and end up in a sakura grove forever.’ Jab jab. Just be glad he wasn’t smacking him with his tail again.

Fried pork sounded really good right now, though…

Pompom poofs? Please. Just because he was some god of love, didn't mean he had to be some fluffy little poodle like Angel, ok? He could pull off being something bigger and stronger and fiercer than that! Like... a Doberman! Those were pretty cool dogs, weren't they? Just you wait. If ever the opportunity arose where Rin could show off, he'd be sure to rub it in Sousuke's face. Before strutting around in his not poofy form, thanks.

... Wait, why did he even care about that?

Those silly thoughts aside, what Sousuke said did made sense. Less distractions, less noise and mess of scents from all directions. He sincerely hoped they wouldn't have to go running straight into Tokyo today. Thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case, and off they went down the sidewalk towards a few little cafes and shops. Hn. There were bound to be several scents around here too. Maybe having a second sniffer would have actually helped. "If she was, I'd think that friend would've helped return her by now." And if they didn't, well, then they'd have to ask for her back. Nicely. Right?

"Wh-- Oy, just what're you trying to say?" Look, it wasn't his decision to have all those damn trees around the place! And it wasn't like he stood around them all day or anything like that! Glaring back, Rin contemplated retracting his previous offer--no fried pork for naughty dogs, you know--but something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye and he paused, looking up in time to spot a flash of white disappearing around a corner. "Ah! Did you see that?"

Look, he’s just going by what he sees. And he sees the need to relentlessly tease you because of what you keep doing to him. So there. But all jokes aside, Sousuke has given thought to Rin being a dog and yes, he’s seen Rin as a Doberman. Those are really nice dogs after all. Sleek and powerful. Good work dogs and they’re police-related too. Guard dogs. Like German Shepherds. They’d get along perfectly. And Sousuke’d show him all the ropes to being a dog because he has so much more experience than you.

You won’t even get the chance to rub anything in his face, Dobie.

He lowered his head again, then lifted it, testing the scents in the air. There was a stronger pull coming from another direction, but it was relatively spread out. Just “left” didn’t really give him a focused point. The city looming on the other side was a relief though. Though the cafes and shops ahead, few as they were, wasted no time in spilling out all their good scents and distracting his pupper nose with the whole mixture. It was hard to find Angel’s scent when he was obviously far more attracted to the scent of grilling meat and vegetables… ‘That friend?’ Either he forgot or hadn’t paid attention to that little reference earlier.

But before he had the chance to get an answer (or answer Rin’s flustered question), Rin’s eyes snapped to the side and Sousuke quickly jerked his head in that direction. ‘See what?’ But with nothing better to run on (and it was in the same direction as the scent), he broke into a run in that direction, breathing through his nose to keep the scents flowing. Okay there was something this direction at least!

All right, all right. So Sousuke has the upper hand (paw?) when it comes to being the best dog, so maybe Rin wouldn't mind a little bit of teaching and training to get him on the right foot (... paw?). That's assuming his teacher will be gracious and not so snooty, you know. Though he can understand having a hard time avoiding the latter, what with such a long snout and all.

All the better to have things rubbed in, as far as Rin's concerned.

At first that was what Rin was afraid of: the various, tasty scents mingling in the air which were bound to throw his companion off. And when that question came up, hell, Rin was sure they would be lost in no time at all if Sousuke couldn't even concentrate properly on the conversation. Never mind. Wasn't important. Not when they were clearly onto something here!

"There!" he said, pointing off in that same direction before taking off towards it right as Sousuke did. "I saw something white! Go around that corner!"

Stop thinking so hard about it. It’s going to hurt your brain. Though Sousuke will be more than happy to teach Rin the tricks of being a dog (even if he’s still learning some of those things himself). And you got your own snooty sniffer too so hush. After all, it’s not just being a dog the shinki has to learn about. Rin’s got to learn how to be a god and both of them continue to learn about their new powers daily. Well… kind of quasi-daily. He hopes that won’t come bite them in the butt during this prayer request.

Sousuke quickly puts his paws to the pavement and goes dashing around the corner, not paying attention whether or not Rin’s keeping up with him. And for a moment, it all looks the same… until he sees another flash of white and goes after it. The scent’s back too and it’s strong. Fresh. That’s the good thing. The bad thing… is that he can smell other things. Dog things. Other dogs. And it doesn’t seem like Angel is such a pure little thing either because she’s definitely bounding off without a care in the world towards what’s probably Doggy Ugly Country.

‘We might have a problem if there’s a lot of dogs where we’re going.’ Of course, she could simply pass right through and none of them would have an issue... Sousuke hopes.

Silently, Rin hoped they wouldn't find themselves in a sticky situation today either. They've trained, but not nearly long enough to be prepared for something as dangerous as an ayakashi attack. From where they stood, he couldn't see or sense any nearby, at least not yet, but he wasn't about to let his defenses down just because of that. They could see the finish line up ahead, drawing closer and closer with every step...

"Just stay on the trail. We can't let her slip by now." He picked up the pace, arms pumping at his sides while he kept up at Sousuke's side, though once they darted around the corner into another alleyway, Rin paused and clenched his jaw. Other dogs. Quite a few of them actually. They couldn't have been all strays, could they? Though now that he thought about it, something did seem off about them...

Fists clenched, Rin kept his eyes on the flash of white now bounding towards the other end of the alley. Looked like a dead end... which could have proved both a blessing and a curse, really. A low growl from behind soon caught his attention and with a quick glance of his shoulder Rin noticed a couple more of those strange dogs beginning to creep up from the shadows. Looks like he spoke too soon.

"Sousuke," he started as one of the phantom dogs bared its fangs and snarled, "they're ayakashi."

Sousuke was starting to feel some of that pressure regarding their lack of training. The buildings on either side of them, while not city-scale close, were enough to make him feel closed in on and anxious. The scents around them were definitely not the friendly park and vendors they’d come from. It was ominous, threatening, and the idea that they might actually have to fight was starting to grow more prominent in his mind. Dammit, why’d that dog have to take this turn?

‘She’s here.’ He knew that much. Her scent was piercing through the air easily, cutting past the stone and other animals that left their scents around. Coming to a stop in the middle of a juncture of alleys, Sousuke glanced to the side, ears flattening a little at the area. This didn’t look good at all. Other dogs. He saw them. But instantly realized those dogs weren’t normal dogs. Not with that fur coloring and the shield-like thing on their heads. Their scent twisted in his noise and he snorted, giving his head a shake at the acidic burn.

A flash of white, just as Rin saw it, and Sousuke twisted towards it, ears flattening more as he realized their little Angel had just corned herself in the alley. He took a step towards the alley, but instantly jerked his ears forward at the sound of that growl. The Shepherd about faced in an instant and swept around behind Rin, planting himself between his god and the creeping canine ayakashi. Canines and teeth bared, lips quivering in a warning snarl, Sousuke’s back arched as a dangerous sound rippled through his throat and chest, matching the phantom beasts’ snarling sounds.

‘Get her. I’ll cover you.’

"Aa. She is." He could see her on the other side, hidden a bit in the shadows but definitely recognizable as their missing pooch. But what was supposed to be a simple mission was now more than what they bargained for, and as they ayakashi moved in close Rin quietly cursed himself for being so lenient. He knew it seemed too easy... Then again, who could have predicted it would turn out this way at all?

No sense in regretting it now. They were cornered. And if they didn't act soon, poor Angel could find herself in the same situation. That was a story he didn't want to have to explain to her owner.

At first he thought that snarl came from another one of the wolves, but closer inspection showed Sousuke's fangs bared and fur standing on end in retaliation. Hn. He was really getting worked up, wasn't he. "I'm not leaving you to fend for yourself. You'd be outnumbered." They both were, to be fair, but two against six still gave them better chances. So Rin kept his feet planted firmly to the asphalt, eyes focused forward... and right as he noticed one of the ayakashi's paws shift he swung his arm to the side with a bright red glow emanating from his fingertips.

"Let's go, Yumeki!" And with that he whipped his arm at another sharp angle, sending that ripple of energy outward and across the front of one phantom wolf to punt it backward into the alley.

Sousuke didn’t get a chance to actually see her, so he was relieved that Rin did. He could tell by her scent, but still being human under his dog, he relied on his sight more. Teal eyes narrowed and he spread his front legs a little in a braced position, the fur on his back rising as he focused on the six animals crawling from their places in the alley way. Dammit, this was exactly what he was hoping wouldn’t happen. Not like he or Rin could’ve foreseen it. But it definitely hammered home their dalliance in terms of training. Well… if anything, they were getting their first test run whether they liked it or not.

Better them than the dog they were trying to save. After all that work tracking her down, he wasn’t about to let his time go to the wayside because of a few stupid monster dogs. Another low sound rippled in his chest and throat when one of the dogs stepped forward towards Rin and he instinctively jerked his head towards the ayakashi, teeth snapping in a vicious motion that was far more bite than bark. Like hell was he going to let one of these things touch Rin.

‘One of us has to make sure she’s all right.’ But even as he said it, he knew the protest was futile. Rin wasn’t going to budge from his shinki’s side. Hn, stubborn guy. Sousuke appreciated it even if he thought of himself as a little more expendable than his god. After all, couldn’t gods heal and repair their shinki? The sudden shift to the side and glow of red snapped his attention and he quickly swept his attention across the group of them. But it wasn’t until that final call of his name that he felt his powers actually break loose from their confines.

Water splashed beneath their feet and a pool swarmed out under them, covering a good few feet radius with an inch of two of the alleyway’s pavement. At least that’d give them an indication of when an ayakashi got into their range. Little orbs of water blipped upward from the pool and Sousuke snorted a little at his lack of practice. The pool and these “bullets” of water were the pinnacle of his abilities at the moment. ‘We’re practicing more when we finish.’ No question. And snapped off several rounds of “bullets” towards the ayakashi.

It surprised him a little when Sousuke snapped his teeth at one of the ayakashi, but it seemed effective and the beast backed off on its advances, albeit after snarling and barking back in defense. Where did they come from, he wondered, and what reason did they have for wanting to stop them? He supposed ayakashi didn't even need a reason though, did they? They just did because they could...

So, no, Rin wasn't budging from this spot, not when the monsters were so unpredictable and certainly not when the two of them were inexperienced. Well... looks like they were going to be practicing a little harder today.

"If you've still got the stamina." A playful jab, just a little, and once the water began to spread and lift up off the ground, Rin prepared another burst of energy in his hand to pick off the ayakashi who might have fended off the water bullets quicker than the rest. Aim for the legs, incapacitate them quicker. The first one he struck came bounding back with a feral bark, eyes burning green, but he was quick to send it flying back again with another slash.

"We have to start picking them off one by one!" 'Rending' as he remembered it was called. But they hadn't practiced that... so how could they hope to do it?

The thing got near him and he had no intention of letting it view him as some kind of easy prey. He’d bite its face off if he got the chance to. Since he was in this body and couldn’t use his fists and legs like a human would. The bestial vessel may have a human mind, but some canine instinct made its way through regardless. When the ayakashi backed away from him, Sousuke turned his focus towards the others, ignoring the snarling and barking he got from the retreating one. They didn’t seem at all interested in leaving…

This was going to be a trial run then. ‘I’ll be ready to go long after you’ve gone for a break.’ To retort that jab and he quickly broke into a run. Staying within the pool he’d created, Sousuke traveled the perimeter, summoning more of the bullets from the water splashing up around his legs. While it might look like a spray at most, that spray had a hell of a sting to it, the power behind each of them enough to drive hard into flesh. Two of the ayakashi took the barrage to the front and were driven backwards. But when they returned, Sousuke couldn’t tell if they’d been damaged or not.

A feral bark snapped his attention to the side and he quickly searched for Rin, for the assaulting canine. Only to watch as his god successfully fended for himself. Well good. He jerked backwards, away from two jaws snapping down in the air where he’d been, and landed on his feet beside Rin. The canine monsters kept more towards the edge of the pool, prowling around. As for the mention of picking them off… ‘You know how to kill one of these?’

Sousuke’s ears flattened and he bumped his body against Rin’s legs. ‘Backwards. Let’s get to the mouth of the alley so they can’t go around us or flank us.’ Which also meant they couldn’t get to Angel and she couldn’t get past them either.

It was interesting to witness, this almost feral, instinctive side to Sousuke he wouldn't have had the chance to see were it not for these powers, and in some strange way, he found it suited him. The longer he stayed in that form, the more similarities he came across, but of course he wouldn't dare mention it, assuming he wanted to keep his shoes in one piece... or all his kitchen utensils out of the garden.

But those instincts could only get them so far on their own, and as it happened, these ayakashi weren't cowardly enough to back away and give in just yet. Still, at least they got the message loud and clear now from that barrage of water bullets, and from where he stood Rin could tell they were more hesitant now about approaching the pool as before. Hurting them was one thing. Completely eradicating them was another.

"Not exactly." In theory, they could keep at this until they successfully wore the creatures out or bought themselves enough time to grab Angel and escape, whichever came first, but there were no promises of them not being followed afterward, and most importantly, they couldn't leave these ayakashi to harm anyone else. With Sousuke pressed to his legs, Rin looked down before taking a step back as instructed. If all else failed, at least they'd have an open escape route where they could gather themselves and try again.

"I just know we need to rend them, but that's something the two of them have to do together." Perhaps combining their powers somehow... Before he had the opportunity to suggest anything more, however, there was a flash of red and blue as one wolf lunged forward towards his shinki, teeth and claws bared. "Watch it!"

Sousuke dropped to his feet again, legs bracing as the water swarmed around his ankles. This was his god and he wasn’t going to let any of these damn beasts get close to him! Teeth bared again and abruptly lashed out with a snarling series of barks at the next ayakashi to step into the pool. The water around them spiraled within the pool, though it instinctively stayed serene around Rin’s legs wherever he stepped so as to not disrupt his footing.

He felt the creatures in front of him, their instincts pressing against his own. They weren’t going to be stopped by something as simple as a few water bullets and some god throwing them around the area. Sousuke didn’t know what they wanted. Did they want Rin, his godly abilities? Did they want Sousuke, a shinki’s powerful spirit? Or did they simply want Angel, for whatever reason to torment the little girl who wanted her back home safe and sound? They were hesitating at least… Sousuke continued to slowly stalk closer to the perimeter of the pool, keeping himself between Rin as the pair of them relocated towards the mouth of the alley.

‘Then we’re in trouble.’ Because it didn’t seem like beating them off was getting the message through. And even if they had cut off any attempts at flanking them, they also just cut off their own retreat. Forwards at least. They could still go for Angel behind them and maybe escape up the walls and over the walls or something… ‘I don’t know how to rend them.’ Sousuke glanced back towards Rin, ears flattening. Only to tense up when he saw Angel. She was definitely in the alley behind them, huddled in a little ball in the corner half behind a trash can—

Watch it! The yell snapped him out of his surprise and Sousuke jerked his head back around. Teal eyes widened as teeth and claws flashed into his face. Fast! He shoved backwards, head and shoulders pulling in retreat—

Snap!

A shrill, canine yelp of pain lanced through the alleyway and Sousuke felt the bones in his back leg crunch between a pair of jaws. He slammed on his side, water splashing in a halo around his body. Pain seared up his leg, held between the ayakashi's teeth, and the pool of water around Rin’s legs scattered like the shinki’s concentration, hovering bullets falling to the ground like rain. The other five ayakahi wasted no time and flung themselves towards the pair, charging the mouth of the alley with snarls and raking dirt under their legs.

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