Humans Are Hard to Live With; (street dog thread)

[Klomonx]

((OOC: If you were one of the ones who commented saying 'HECK YES ILL JOIN THIS' then this thread applies to you. I think that was Shadow, Kana, & Phantom, yes? And the characters involved were Bandit, Tzilia or Tiger, Zehel or Kurogane or Fai, and Geko I think.))

It was morning, not early morning and certainly not late morning, but morning nonetheless. People had started to emerge from their homes and apartments, and began to make their way to work, or to their jobs. Bandit lay in an alleyway on his side. One of his eyes was covered by an odd bandage that was black, and the other eye lay closed as if he were asleep. He was mostly white, with the exception of his head that carried two gray patches of color. His nose was a slightly bright red color, and it carried no ability for smelling. However, a true thief is never asleep and even as Bandit lay there his ears flicked around. He was searching for a certain footfall on the sidewalk around him. Morning meant people scrambling to get to their jobs, their schools. What was wrong with playing with it a little bit? Bandit now opened his eye and rolled onto his stomach. He blinked, his eye narrowing and his ears flicking forward. He was waiting.

Across the street, what seemed like a group of high school students were waiting for a bus. That was odd, he didn't usually see them this late, so needless to say they were probably not on time in the slightest. Bandit smiled, it would be easy to get over there and steal something off of them. He simply had to wait and see if they had anything worth taking-which they usually did. Bandit was a mixture of sight hounds, and so he was mighty light and fast on his paws, but that also meant he had to do his best to to let any injury come to them. Was the fight to get across the street worth picking? Bandit watched the teenagers, one had coffee, and another had some chips. His ears flicked in agony, chips weren't a good food to start your day with, but it would be easier to take.

Standing now, wobbly, as the dog didn't have the best balance he walked out onto the sidewalk and began to make his way to the street. He would have to time it well, and beat the traffic that seemed to always exist, at any coming time or place. Flicking his ears about, he noticed some delay in the rumbling streets and sounds. He turned his head and saw that a bus was coming, and it was probably, the bus they were waiting for. That was just the stall he needed, and Bandit trotted across the street, not afraid of the bus or any other nonexistent vehicles that were lining up behind it. As soon as he stepped onto the other side of the street, he targeted the student that had the chips and immediately he jumped at an angle and lunged at the student's wrist. The student screamed and let go of the bag, which Bandit snagged and then zigzagged out of the crowd. They seemed rather angry, and the one who had the coffee had dropped it. Bandit ran a few feet before stopping and turning, waiting to see if he would have to run, if they were going to chase him. However, the bus came before the mob did and Bandit walked off into another alley way and lay down to dis his snout into the bag as the enraged students got onto the bus, now having their morning ruined.

'Not the best way to start,' Bandit thought as he sighed and ate one of the chips, 'but its better than starving and something better is sure to come by, it always is.' Bandit lifted his head from the bag, his ears and eye alert to any change. Because he had no sense of smell, he heavily relied on these two senses to keep a look out for other victims and even other dogs who might try to fight him over the food. Bandit wasn't a fighter, but he was one who could easily talk his way out of anything. And, really, he could hold his own against the right dog, he surely had been taught how to fight back when he had a human. Bandit knew how to handle guard dogs; whom were trained to bite first and ask questions later. Any bullies on the streets really never scared him, after all Bandit thought himself to be the best. He was trained to steal, and he simply wished for the day he could go back to stealing the harder, more advanced items that his human had always prized. One day, perhaps.

[Kana]

-Dear You

What a good way to start off a morning. Wake up to a clear sky, get away clean with a stolen fish from the market, evade hordes of children, and getting chased four blocks by your biggest fan. "Get back here you mutt!" Geko flew through the city streets like the pavement was on fire. The muscles in his body rippled under the smooth, short fur. With the infuriated dog he'd almost tripped in front of an oncoming car close on his tail Geko wasn't exactly feeling like sunshine and rainbows. No matter where he went someone had to be hating on the poor conartist and all round jerk. "Nana nana boo boo!" He looked over his shoulder mid-run to stick his tongue out at the dog before running all out. Two left turns, one right, another left, cross the street, and lo-and-behold: an alleyway. The insanely colored canine drove into the shadows of the alleyway, tossing the fish and himself behind the closest mass. The dog chasing him glanced down the alleyway, didn't see the green and yellow canine, and kept on running.

"Wheeeew, wee! Now that ri' there was close." He stood up and shook himself out, before suddenly freezing up. Geko swirled around in a 360 spin to look at what he'd been hiding behind. What was originally through to be a pile of trash in his rush was actually another dog. "Pft, my bad! Di'n't mean to use ya for a shield." The brute picked up the fish he'd discarded and began to grind it in his teeth, not intending to actually eat it yet. For now... he had a fellow stray to deal with. Hopefully he wouldn't be having another Fun Run around the city first thing in the morning. He could now add "mistaking someone for trash and using them as a living shield" to his "Stupid Mistakes" list. It was a very long list.

-Sincerely Geko

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[shadow]

Tap, tap, tap, tap....

Tiger made his way down a dark alleyway, for if there was one thing he remembered about the streets, it was that humans were vicious, scary creatures. It had been awhile though, since he heard his claws tap gently on the cement. So long it had been since he returned to Tokyo, he wondered if he would ever return to see his old alpha, Crow. His superior hadn't made it clear if he was allowed to return and say hello, but Tiger's heart was torn up about leaving his old home. He had to admit, the wild was beautiful, yes, but there was a missing sense of adventure around there.

Finally, White Tiger stepped into the bright lit street. Morning rays warmed his fur, but his eyesight was unaffected, as he was once again, hidden beneath his bandanna. Tiger lifted his nose to the air, taking in a deep breath. Familiar, distant, and new scents overwhelmed him. This was... this was his home. His real home. A car drove by not too far from him, making his ears erect. The loud sounds kind of stung, having not heard them in months, but at the same time, Tiger was happy.

"Home at last," he sighed.

***

But of course, while there was one soul happy to be home, there was another not so happy. Tzila crept along the shadows. Despite having not been home in months, she still knew every corner of the streets. Today, she was going to reclaim her territory and reputation. The Shadow Of Shibuya was back and thirsty for vengeance.

"Crow," Tzila growled, the familiar scent marker making its way into her nose. She lifted her head towards the lit streets, and narrowed her eyes. Someone was there. Someone that reeked of familiarity. Tzila sniffed the air once more, until finally, she remembered. Tiger. White Tiger. No more then a simple pup when Crow and his pack chased her out of her rightful home. A smirk made its way onto Tzila's maw, and she quickly devised a way to get the advantage.

Quietly, she snuck along the shadows, crouched low to the cement, but muscles ready to leap out and attack. And then, she was in range. There was no thought in her mind that this dog was hers to kill and hers alone right now. With a vicious snarl, the she-dog leapt forward, crashing down onto the much smaller Tiger.

"Ack!" Tiger cried as he fell to the ground under what felt like a safe's weight. "What the hell--"

But Tzila didn't give him time to finish. She cut him off with another snarl, "Come on now Tiger, don't tell me you don't remember who I am!" Tiger squirmed under Tzila's weight, until finally he realized he was not set to go anywhere. He relaxed, letting his body be pushed into the ground by the much larger Tzila. He stared up at her, his mind's eye trying to work out just who she was. It was... familiar....

"Don't remember pup?" she taunted. "Does The Shadow of Shibuya ring a bell?"

"Tz-Tzila?" Tiger sputtered out. Tzila responded with another snarl. Now the coydog remembered. This female... this was the one that he and Crow and the rest of his pack chased out of Tokyo. Surely, she was not just looking to get back her territory, but to also take revenge. In a last ditch effort to save himself, Tiger spat out, "W-wait, I'm not with Crow anymore!"

"Nice try pup," Tzila snarled.

"No, really! He....he kicked me out because of my scar! If you don't believe me... take off my bandanna...."

Tzila blinked. Well, what kind of trick could this be? She gently lowered her maw towards Tiger's headband, her teeth ready to grip the cloth.... But of course, White Tiger would have none of that. Instead, he rose his head and bit down hard on Tzila's nose, causing her to rear up and get off of him.

"Later loser!" he shouted as he scrambled to his feet and rushed down another alleyway. Tzila snarled, wiping the blood off her nose before following the coydog at top speed. She soon found that Tiger was no ordinary hound; he was fast. Faster then she was, and Tzila did not have much stamina.

But she did have one advantage. She knew these streets like the back of her paw. She willed her body to continue giving chase until she came to a corner. Yes, this was a dead end alleyway. He'd have no choice but to fight her now. Tiger turned into the corridor, laughing because he knew she could not out-speed him.

But of course, right as he ran to the end of the alley, two dogs stood to greet him, and a third horrible creature stood behind them; a wall. Tzila let out a snort, and then laughed vilely, "No where to run now pup. You two, stand down. I have a vendetta to settle with him."

[★Ryuujin★]

“Kanou, we’re back!”

Moving his giant head above the spastically wagging tail of Ayase, Kanou huffed softly as he curled his lip back at the sudden onslaught of exhaust. Yes, they were back. He laid his ears back - all these… smells, it was almost overwhemling to his sensitive nose, they smelled horrible. Kanou didn’t remember the city smelling this foul, then again, he had never spent months in the wild before, the air was so much better out there, crystal clear. But, he could never be a true wild dog for this – the city, was his true home.

Turning away from the main road, Kanou padded down a small residential street, the young shepherd quickly following behind. Tall, apartment like buidlings towered above them, squished together with small alley ways in between them. Several cats made their way through the dumpsters in most of them, a few of them being hounded by desperate, starving dogs. Kanou gave it no thought, not having much compassion for the strange beasts, but to Ayase, it made the young dog cringe. He rather liked cats, even though every dog he had met on the streets told him that cats were supposed to be his enemy, it never really hit him. They didn’t seem all that bad, just another stray or abandoned creature trying to live in this forsaken world.

How could that be so bad?

Happily padding infront of Kanou, Ayase yipped suddenly and leaped into the air, his maw quickly snapping down on a pidgeon as the small flocked scuttled and flew away. Kanou felt himself smile at this – the german shepherd learned a lot while they were in the wild, he seemed more adept now, prepared… ready. Both the wild and the city had their own dangers, some worse than others, some similar, or at least could be compared to eachother. It seemed like going through some of these wild dangers rewired the small dogs brain to be more alert.

And alert he was. His ears perked up suddenly and he whipped his head around as an elderly woman, who was seemingly feeding these birds, shrieked. “YOU FILTHY, MURDEROUS BEAST!” She kicked at Ayase with her heeled shoe, missing as he skillfully leaped out of the way. He released a soft growl, his blue eyes glaring at her as Kanou released a loud bark, causing the lady to shriek once again and grasp her chest, breathing heavily now – frightened. Taking the opportunity, Kanou dashed behind her and down the street, “AYASE!”

Making quick note of this, Ayase darted after his friend, around a corner and down another more industrialized street. Looking up at Kanou, he giggled around the bird in his mouth, “I remember now, that old people are fun!”

“…” The wolf-dog looked down at the happy face, feeling his eye twitch, “Fun… uh, sure.” Fun? How were they fun? More annoying than anything, in Kanou’s opinion. Screechy, old, often smelly – not to mention that they were humans, and humans were already a disgrace. Need he go on? “Ayase, Yo-” His words were quickly as a small, tiger striped blur dashed around them quickly. Nothing out of the ordinary, but Ayase found it quite interesting as his ears perked up and he made a small yip. Soon after the white blur, another dashed by, a black one. The first one did nothing to Kanou, but this one. He knew this one, her scent, her fur – Tzila… The thought crossed his mind with a smirk, he hadnt seen her for awhile, it may do him good to see someone he considered a friend, but… why was she chasing that pup? Preparing himself to go after them, Kanou looked back at the shepherd to tell him to follow, and to his surprise, was beaten to the punch.

”C’mon Kanou!” The joyful voice trailed back to meet Kanou before he darted after the other, skillfully weaving his way around obsticals. Why was he rushing ahead, did he know Tzila too? Or…. The other dog? Reddish brown eyes focused up as the two dashed around a corner, quickly followed by Ayase. Slowing to a trot, Kanou quietly rounded the corner himself, only to be met with the familiar voice.

"No where to run now pup. You two, stand down. I have a vendetta to settle with him."

Ayase released a soft growl and quickly made his way to tiger’s side, ears laid back, standing tall with self confidence – bird clenched tightly in his maw. “You wont touch him! I don’t know what your problem with Tiger is, miss, but No!”

Kanou felt floored. Ayase… he-he knew that mutt that Tzila was chasing. Oh good god almighty, what sort of trouble was going to happen here. “Tzila?” He gently questioned as he moved to stand next to her, brown eyes focused on Ayase as his ears raised up, followed by his head.

“K-kanou, you… you know her?” Blue eyes looked from Kanou, to Tzila, and back again, “Then tell her to stand down!”

Shaking his head, Kanou sighed softly. “No, I cant, not this time. I’m sorry.” He knew that Tzila never acted without reason, or at least, not usually, this pup must have done something to tick her off this much, and before he acted, before he did anything, Kanou would find out just why she was after Tiger. Giving an appologetic look to Ayase as the shepherd lowered his head slightly, Kanou swallowed harshly, hoping the shepherd wasn’t mad at him.

“So, uh… hey, Tzila.” Formalities always came first before buisness when it came to friends for Kanou, as he didn’t have many, he wanted to treat them well. “What’s your vendetta?”

[Klomonx]

Bandit's ears flicked, and he tensed half ready to dodge or roll out of the way of any oncoming dogs. His remaining eye blinked and he narrowed it. 'Two dogs, eh?' Bandit went to stand when he realized that a blur of the oddly colored dog was behind him. The coward. Bandit let out a rough sigh and didn't seem at all afraid of the dog that pursued him. Even though Bandit would often leave the streets, he would never, could never-forget them. His abilities had been trained in him to keep him alive. Had been pounded into his brain, and he was quite alright with them. And who wouldn't be? In Bandit's mind there was no greater work than thieving from the humans. He had nothing against them, of course.

"Pft, my bad! Di'n't mean to use ya for a shield."

Bandit calmed back down, and dipped his head into the bag once more. "Don't mention it. Its not the first time, certainly not the last." Dogs who were new to the streets looked up to Bandit, for whatever reason he could not understand. He knew he was great in his work, and he took pride in it, but certainly he knew that many looked down on it. Still, young pups on the street whom were bullied used Bandit as a way to stick around. Bandit snorted out some salt from the chips as a replacement for a laugh. After all, not many lived long on the streets. Bandit crunched down on a few more chips before more paw steps were heard, and again he tensed. 'More? Isn't it a little too early for these sort of things?' Bandit didn't mind it, but when it came to the paw steps always coming near him, well, one could easily say it was annoying and put his safety in jeopardy. Watching others thieve was a different matter, watching others fight bored him.

When suddenly a brindled dog whizzed down the alley, Bandit sat up, clenching the bag in his jaws. He didn't want to eat all the chips within it, but he didn't exactly want to leave his spot with all the newcomers coming around. The brindled dog seemed to be running for his life, and Bandit didn't necessarily care. After all, Bandit was a loner on these streets, a master of them, but a loner as well. Whatever pack or bully decided to 'rule' them was none of his business, and surely, Bandit was no hero.

"No where to run now pup. You two, stand down. I have a vendetta to settle with him."

Bandit nodded, still not dropping his bag, and keeping his attention high. His ears flicked in every direction. He would easily be able to spring off if a human or even more dogs made their appearance. Today was becoming an increasingly exotic and abnormal morning. Whether or not that meant it was a 'good' one, Bandit did not know. His ears flicked rapidly and he turned his head and stepped out of the alley way. 'More of them? How many have to coming barreling down this alley?' Sitting back down, dropping the bag but placing it so that a paw stood in front of it, Bandit began to assist the situation. He could leave, but he also knew that whatever was going on may be worth watching, if for no other reason, to learn about the street groups and gangs, the general underground dog-formed groups that Bandit simply scoffed at. The streets were almost as free and lawless as he was-but of course, Bandit had rules. He was a thief, not a pirate.

“You wont touch him! I don’t know what your problem with Tiger is, miss, but No!” “Tzila?” “K-kanou, you… you know her?” “Then tell her to stand down!”“No, I cant, not this time. I’m sorry.” “So, uh… hey, Tzila.”“What’s your vendetta?”

Bandit sighed softly. 'Surely, jumping to conclusions and trying to defend a dog who may have done something horribly wrong isn't the smartest idea.' Bandit knew it well. If a stray was ever hit by a scar, and hit bad enough that more than one leg was broken, Bandit would rather let them die. No theif was worth saving if they were so inexperienced to jump in front of cars and play chicken. The fact that these two new dogs thought they could find reason to help the brindled dog-named Tiger-was simply a curious, and laughable cause. Had none of them heard of letting Nature take its course? "Curious ones, aren't you..?" Bandit growled, ending it with a sigh that seemed to be dotted with a laugh. After all, he would never have asked such a thing or wished to kno-no, that is inaccurate. He was curious, that it without doubt, but he would rather stick around and watch rather than defend something that may not be worth it in the end, and a thief's live is often short.

[Kana]

-Dear You

Geko's nose prickled slightly at the strong odor of the chips. Fish had a strong smell, especially salt-water ones, but it was a smell he was used to. The pollution of the city, the rancid smell of human food, all that lot was a bit to rotten for his poor nose to take. "Well then, s'not norm'lly every day ya get mistaken for a trash bag, but hey, who'm I ta judge?" The dog was about to say his goodbyes and trot off with his catch when, in quick succession, four dogs barreled into the alley.

The dingo hybrid was no stranger to getting himself deep in trouble, in fact it was the key risk with a hobby like his. Being a conartist is a dangerous game, but he accepted the risks. Now there were two obviously street-smart and fine-fanged dogs facing off (for lack of a better term) with two green-horns. "Well damn. Now I'm trouble prone, but this is a bit over the top eh my chip-chompin-pal?" His liquid voice turned from a smooth crooning to a light chuckle. This was getting interesting and both he and Bandit seemed content with watching the show. The green and yellow canine sat a bit away from Bandit, turning the fish in his maw so that the tailfin stuck out from between his lips. Every now and then he'd chew it, causing the tail to flicker. "Hehe, just muh luck. Ran into some street performers."

-Sincerely Geko

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[shadow]

Of course, right as Tiger was about to retort something along the lines of "bring it on!" another dog came to his aide... and let's just say Tiger was not expecting an old friend. “You wont touch him! I don’t know what your problem with Tiger is, miss, but No!”

"A-ayase?" Tiger stuttered. Though the German Shepherd had grown significantly since the last time they had seen each other, his aura felt the same. White Tiger felt overjoyed at the fact that he had already found a new friend, and immediately, his tail started to wag. "Ayase, it is you. What luck!"

But of course, where there was luck, there was karma. Almost as soon as Ayase had appeared to aide Tiger, a huge dog came to oppose him as well... and apparently, he knew Tzila on good terms. Wow, I'm surprised she actually has friends, what with her temper and all... he thought as Kanou and Tzila got reacquainted.

“Tzila?” Kanou questioned. The female in question's ears pricked up at the familiar voice, but she did not have time to respond, as Ayase once again spoke up:

“K-kanou, you… you know her?” Blue eyes looked from Kanou, to Tzila, and back again, “Then tell her to stand down!”

Tzila let out a defiant growl, but Kanou managed to speak up before she went off on Ayase for being a total prick and butting into business that wasn't his. “No, I cant, not this time. I’m sorry.” Tzila snorted in contentment as Tiger's hopeful face faded. It was clear that he was nervous with two huge dogs against him. “So, uh… hey, Tzila.” Formalities always came first before business when it came to friends for Kanou, as he didn’t have many, he wanted to treat them well. “What’s your vendetta?”

"It's been awhile Kanou," Tzila responded, not once taking her eyes off Tiger. "Since you left things went down the drain on these streets. Believe it or not I was run out by that pup and his stupid little pack. I decided to lay low for awhile, but I want my territory back. They stole Shibuya right out from under my paw, and I'm going to have my vengeance for it. What kind of street dog and master thief would I be if I couldn't come back with an astounding victory? Heh."

"You haven't changed a bit," Tiger muttered to himself.

"Neither have you you arrogant pup!" Tzila retorted.

"Curious ones, aren't you..?" Bandit muttered from behind the whole seen. Tzila muttered something herself (and it was more likely then not an insult), but it was drowned out by an impatient growl from Tiger:

"So... are we actually going to fight? I'd love to take another chomp out of your nose if you won't let me speak and tell you that I was speaking the truth before. I'm no longer associated with Crow and his pack. All I can tell you about them is that they still occupy your territory. More then that I do not know," Tiger explained.

Tzila let out another snort, "Whatever pup. I still don't like you. One day I will get my land back, and if that means going through your precious alpha, Crow, I will."

"Do what you want, I am no longer required to protect him," Tiger responded, however, in his mind, he swore that he would stop Tzila with all his might if necessarily. For now though, those words could be left unspoken. There was no reason to fight this fight, at least, not really. Truthfully, Tiger would have liked nothing more then to go at it with Tzila, but now that there were other friends and acquaintances involved, it seemed out of place.

Of course, all of this went to hell the moment Geko muttered: "Hehe, just muh luck. Ran into some street performers."

"Who're you calling a street performer!" Tiger snapped. "I'm not part of a circus!"

"You look the part!" Tzila exclaimed quickly. "What with that bandanna and those god-awful stripes of yours. Besides, everyone knows I'm the performer around here. When I was revered as a legend around here, dogs would come to me for tips on how to own the streets. The trick was simple. Have fun."

Tiger tilted his head at what the female before him had said. His own philosephy was so similar to Tzila's he had to stop and wonder just why he had agreed so adamantly to chase her out of Tokyo with his pack.... Now it seemed almost wrong.

No, Crow surely had a good reason, Tiger reassured himself.

"So Kanou, who's your buddy over there," Tzila asked.

"I was gonna ask the same of Ayase," Tiger replied.

The two dogs looked at each other, heated waves of rage piling off of them. Though they had agreed not to fight, it was clear that they still did not like each other....

[★Ryuujin★]

“Its been awhile, Kanou.”

Kanou nodded in acknowledgement - it was true. It had been at least a year since he had last seen Tzila, and part of him felt guilty for having left. If he were here, perhaps he could have aided her in her plight against this pack that ran her out. A soft growl rumbled through him at the thought. Why though, why run Tzila out? She didn’t belong in a pack here, she was a threat, yes, but not much of one to an entire pack. She could definitely raise hell, but… he still didn’t see a problem.

Then again, this was his friend. He never thought wrong of her – just another struggling soul to survive in the city like each and every dog that stood here now.

His eyes wandered from Tzila to Ayase, who narrowed his eyes and laid his ears back as Tzila explained her story. Tiger was telling the truth, Ayase knew it, and if he had anything to do with it, the two dogs wouldn’t touch each other – or at least, Tzila wouldn’t touch Tiger. But… Ayase felt rather conflicted at that moment. The female was obviously Kanou’s friend… and he cared a lot for Kanou, he didn’t want to hurt him by harming his friend. Blue eyes trailed down to the cement in thought, jaw tightening around the bird in his mouth. Of course the shepherd had been conflicted before, but not like this.

“Curious ones, aren’t you…?”

Yet another growl escaped from Kanou, although it wasn’t threatening, it showed his obvious discontent. “We’re not the only ones I’d say,” A smirk played on his maw as one ear twitched back, “Enjoying the show?”

Ayase felt himself relax as the tension seemed lift a little, Tiger finally getting his words in to Tzila. He could only hope that the other believed him, he was sure he was telling the truth. Why would Tiger have to lie? But, the relaxation didn’t last long, as the tension returned tenfold.

"Hehe, just muh luck. Ran into some street performers."

Oh, that was it. Kanou would not be part of someone else’s entertainment. No ifs, ands or buts. He was born and raised in this city, he knew his way around, and he knew how to live. He didn’t have to joke his way around, nor did he want to, let alone ‘perform’ for someone else. No. Just… no. “Well, I’d say you look more the part there. I’ve never seen a green dog before.” Geko was quite… exotic, to be nice. Bright lime green and yellow. Did he fall into some die? Or perhaps some rather high teenage humans got their filthy paws on him. Natural? Couldn’t be, could it? Either way, he interested Kanou, though he wouldn’t admit to it.

"So Kanou, who's your buddy over there,"

Tzila’s voice broke him from his train of thought and he focused on Ayase again, who looked up at him as Tiger referenced him. Oh god, he hoped they wouldn’t part ways here due to some silly friend feud. It didn’t seem worth it to him, not over something like this. They needed each other after all, could they split?

“That’s Kanou…” Ayase let the bird fall to the ground with a plop, feathers dislodging and flying into the air, only to float down around the carcass. “He saved my life… he’s all I’ve had for… well… a long time at least… I’ve been with him since I last saw you, Tiger.” He looked at his friend, feeling the anger radiating off of his white fur. “Who’s she?”

“What he said’s true.” Kanou looked down at Tzila, “Ayase… In a way, I suppose he saved me too…” The wolf-dog stopped himself there. He was softening, almost too much. He was always that way toward Ayase, but he wouldn’t let it all show here, there was too much at stake. A fight here in the alley could be catastrophic to them all, as it could attract dog catchers, or frightened people with guns, or worse… teenagers.

Looking up behind Ayase and Tiger, Kanou once again studied the two dogs, his body tensing. He was still unsure if he could trust those two, thus, he spoke with a firm voice. “What about you?”

[Klomonx]

"Well then, s'not norm'lly every day ya get mistaken for a trash bag, but hey, who'm I ta judge?"

Bandit wasn't sure if the odd-colored dog meant anything or not. After all, Bandit's eye covering was part trash bag, part rag. Bandit knew better than to take insults to heart, as long as they weren't disrupting the only pride in his life, and that was thieving. Of course, meeting other thieves often meant competition, and with most thieves, egos were big. Bandit held a mutual respect for the other thieves, but he would never be out done by any thief who was not specially trained. Bandit had only one wound in all his life from his thieving, and that wound was covered by the rag. Bandit found this whole conflict amusing, as he knew Geko did as well.

"Hehe, just muh luck. Ran into some street performers."

“Enjoying the show?”

Bandit found this rather amusing, after all Geko was correct. They did just start a fight, almost exactly right in front of them. And the fact there fight was dying down simply meant they weren't to good at their show. Bandit probably would have chuckled at Geko's comment, but again Bandit wasn't dumb and he could tell the obvious offense the other dogs took, "don't act so surprised. You all did just barge into a fight right in front of us. In a way I would admit he is correct. And yes, as a matter of fact, I am." Bandit would have found the comment fitting if it had applied to him-after all, what better way to gain awe in others than by showing off his talents? Of course this ego of his was about to get in the way as Tzila-the dog who almost ripped Tiger to shreds, spoke aloud.

"Who're you calling a street performer!" Tiger snapped. "I'm not part of a circus! You look the part! What with that bandanna and those god-awful stripes of yours. Besides, everyone knows I'm the performer around here. When I was revered as a legend around here, dogs would come to me for tips on how to own the streets. The trick was simple. Have fun."

'What? Did she just say that she was a legend? Ha!' Bandit let out a chuckle, "Are you to say that you are a 'great master' thief of the streets then? I find that hard to believe." Bandit had his fair share of 'showing' others the ropes. It was very routine to Bandit. Of course, Bandit also knew that what he said may start a fight, which only proved his point. Thieves with an aggressive, fighting streak weren't true thieves at all. Or at least, they didn't live long. Bandit wasn't fond of packs, but a band of thieves would do nicely-prowling around-if they kept secret enough. "I don't doubt your abilities, but a true thief never is aggressive. A broken paw or limb ends them." There was a certain proud gleam in Bandit's eye. After all, he was experienced and trained in the field. If there was anyone else here besides the one he addressed knowledgeable on he subject-it was him.

Bandit listened half-heartedly to the mild chatter. So the striped dog who almost got himself torn to shreds name was Tiger. The dog that was going to preform the task was Tzila. The German Shepherd who seemed to curious for his own good was Ayase, and the wolf-dog with him was Kanou. Still, that green dog and Bandit himself had given no such names. Bandit wondered, should he make up a fake name? Sure why not? It would be interesting. Bandit was curious about Geko, but the enjoyment and blood lust of watching a fight died down, and so did Bandit's attention on the matter. So he knew some names, so what? Bandit was a loner-ven though he was part of a pack, he needed to know no one and no one needed to know him-and yet some must have, if not in Japan; at least some would have known his master. Maybe.

“What about you?”

Bandit's ears flicked. He was still high alert at any action made toward him. Bandit assumed that Kanou was referring to himself and Geko. Did it truly matter why he was here? He certainly didn't go around asking questions, and he was quite content at not answering anything. Then again, he wasn't just going to be a lump on a log, he had to show off, didn't he? "Me? Nothing more than a Master Thief, specially trained by my old master." Bandit never thought ill of humans. Sure they had their stupid moments-many, stupid moments. But the same humans that would have made Bandit's life at a puppy mill a living hell, also gave him a chance to experience a much brighter-at least to him-future. And so far, that future had been correct, even with the loss of his Master by a gun, Bandit had no regrets. And he never would.

[Kana]

-Dear You

The attention on the two of them wavered back and forth through out the other's conversations. His street performer comment hadn't been an insult, but the young hot-head took it as one, so did the brute next to the hell-chick. "Born with it. Heh, gets in the way when you're sneakin' 'round, but oth'wise s'quite useful. Never met someone who di'n't give me a head start with a good ole' jawdrop. Eve'y second counts." It was true enough. If you looked down to notice a bright green and yellow dog with a resemblance to both a dingo and a lizard stole something from you the first reaction would normally be a dumbstruck face. Dumbstruck they were. Then there was normally a "what the" followed by a loud yell. By then Geko was three skips and a hop down the street and long gone.

The metallic grey eyes watched the preceedings with mild amusement, wincing every now and then when a fish bone poked his gums in the wrong way. He chuckled at Bandit's comments, not being able to help the sense of comradory... of course should anything physical go down he was, like Bandit had said, long gone before any harm could come to him. Once glance at his body could tell anyone the dog was built for speed and balance. His body was stream-line with more lean than bulky muscles. Even his fur stuck close to his body like the skin of a lizard. All the while his exotic colors and accessory gave him a tropical look. He wasn't from Japan, but he sure was owning it. Finally the attention was back, Kanou had once again turned to address them. Geko watched Bandit once again make them all seem like idiots while making himself seem brilliant all at once. There was no doubt the dog had skill. "I ain't much more. Rather con-man than thief though. Call me Geko." As if to make the name match him in another way Geko's jaw opened to let the now cleaned fish skeleton fall from his jaws to the alley floor. With a large grin he swiped a far-longer-than-normal tongue across his maw and slurped it back into his mouth. Satisfied with his answer he looked playfully over to Bandit. "So, Trashy. How long ya been hittin' this place?"

[He honestly doesn't mean that nickname as an insult xD Rather he's fond enough of Bandit to call him that.]

-Sincerely Geko

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[shadow]

"Are you to say that you are a 'great master' thief of the streets then? I find that hard to believe." Bandit spoke up. Tzila bore her teeth at the comment, clearly offended, but made no sound to show that she was angry otherwise. "I don't doubt your abilities, but a true thief never is aggressive. A broken paw or limb ends them."

"I'm not traditional then, but I am good at what I do. I could travel these streets and steal with my eyes closed, if I wanted," she boasted. "Kanou can vouch for me there...." Tzila trailed off as Bandit spoke up. So he himself was a thief, and from the sound of things, so was Geko. An idea started to form in Tzila's mind... one that had gotten her into loads of trouble previously with a certain ninja-dog, but what the hell; Tzila was fond of bets.

"So," she said smoothly, a smirk making its way to her maw. "You doubt my skills, and I doubt yours 'master thief'. What do you say to a little... competition?" her smirk grew ever wider as she turned to Geko, and then Kanou, and lastly Ayase and Tiger. "You're all welcome to join in on my game too, if you want. Unless you think you can't handle it...."

Tiger, though clearly not a 'master thief' was not about to back down to a challenge. especially one from Tzila. This time, he was going to best her, and she would eat her own words. Karma was a bitch, a lesson he'd learned time and time again yet refused to give in to.

"You're on," Tiger growled. "And Ayase won't back down either!"

Tzila chuckled, knowing that the young dog before her had just initiated someone into the game without even getting their permission, and if Kanou was as close to Ayase as he'd said, then he'd surely be in this game to, to protect him if anything else. Truly, Tiger was arrogant to assume that everyone wanted to participate, but hey, that meant there were at least four players already, and in Tzila's mind, this made for a good party....

[★Ryuujin★]

"Me? Nothing more than a Master Thief, specially trained by my old master."

Kanou laid his ears back, eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion. He couldn’t trust this dog, not yet. He didn’t offer his name, yet he knew the name each and every other dog here. What did he have to hide? Snorting softly, Kanou decided that it didn’t matter, not yet at least. His attention diverted to Gecko as he offered his name, sending a genuine smile onto his maw, something that didn’t happen often. “A fitting name, my friend.” Oh yes. He liked this one.

“What do you say to a little... competition?”

Oh hell. What the hell was Tzila planning this time? He knew quite well that she could pull things out that could get even him into deep trouble. Maybe he and Ayase could skip out of this one.

“And Ayase won't back down either!”

Ayase’s ears perked as blue eyes widened in surprise. WHAT?! He knew that he could easily make his way through the city, and he could steal things easily enough as any other dog, but he wasn’t a master… and he didn’t necessarily like to steal. How the HECK was he going to do this? He looked at Kanou and the surprise on his face before turning to look at Tiger, looking so confident. If his friend was confident, he would be too. Raising his head and standing tall, Ayase nodded, smirking. “Yeah… Yeah, we can do this!”

Too late. Kanou growled, Ayase’s friend had dragged him into Tzila’s antics, not even giving the shepherd a choice. Thus, not giving him a choice. With a sigh of defeat, Kanou caved, “I’m in…” He knew this was absurd and childish, but it sent something through him that he hadn’t felt in a long while, adrenaline. As childish as this seemed, perhaps it could be fun. Four in Tzila’s little ‘game’. Four, or… would there be more?

He looked up at the two others, Gecko and the self proclaimed ‘master’ theif. This was his chance to show Tzila if he really was or not, would he take it? “What about you two, you in?”

[Klomonx]

"I ain't much more. Rather con-man than thief though. Call me Geko. So, Trashy. How long ya been hittin' this place?"

So, the naturally-fiboroptic colored dog had a name, and a rather fitting one at that. 'Isn't a Geko..isn't that like a lizard..?' Maybe Bandit had seen one about, he certainly had seen enough of many things when he had traveled. "I've been in the thieving trade most of my life, but not strictly in Japan until roughly a year ago." Bandit let out, after all, why not take a little more pride while he was at it? As for the name, well, it wasn't like it was any worse than a name Bandit could have made up. For now, he'd let them call him that. And, if he so desired, maybe they'd learn his real named.

"I'm not traditional then, but I am good at what I do. I could travel these streets and steal with my eyes closed, if I wanted, Kanou can vouch for me there...."

Bandit had lived almost as long as a thief being half blinded as he did being a thief alone. Now, could he have walked the streets blind? Perhaps. It wasn't hard, but in true thievery, eyesight was everything. 'Definitely not traditional, Tzila.' Bandit scoffed her in his mind. Thieves respected one another; or at least in Bandit's rules they did. But that didn't mean they had a mutual feeling to prove themselves and show which was better. Bandit had been trained that any false-step you made was your death, and naturally, he learned to avoid any and all failure. On the streets you could out run or loose your chaser. In an empty museum only guard dogs and the possibility of a bullet to the brain awaited you.

"So, You doubt my skills, and I doubt yours 'master thief'. What do you say to a little... competition? You're all welcome to join in on my game too, if you want. Unless you think you can't handle it...."

'Is she doubting me?' Clearly she was, 'naive one, un-traditional thief is correct. You don't know when and how to get angry and when smack-talk is best.' Bandit smirked though as he heard Tiger almost instantly join in the 'fun', while Ayase and Kanou seemed to be dragged into it. Bandit of course, was going to join up too, he wasn't about to say something and not prove it-what sort of dog did that? 'As long as she's not planning some idiotic chicken-fight.' Bandit reminded himself. Racing in front of dogs or a full-on battle was not going to prove anything, and if that was what Tzila had in her mind Bandit surely wasn't going to waste his time with that. He had better things to do.

“What about you two, you in?”

Bandit's smirk never faded. "Aye, I am. On the condition this isn't going to be some idiotic chicken fight. I am not wasting time running in front of cars or down the jaws of some other beast." Bandit's eye narrowed. He was serious, and his tone meant that he wasn't going to play this off as simply a game. He wasn't going to waste his ability and time on something if all it would get him is a broken leg and a death warrant. If that was what a thief was to them, then maybe they were nothing more than street performers.

[Kana]

-Dear You

Geko beamed brightly at Kanou's acceptance. One less issue to negotiate his way out of. Though he could run it had only just now dawned on him to check where he was. One dog to his side, four to his front near the alley entrance, and a wall at both sides and his back. The only other thing here was an old fire escape. Geko smirked at the rustly old thing, remembering all the good times he's had watching dogs thinking they were better than him try to chase him up one. They hadn't been long for the world when they stumbled.

Tzila's words and gaze only made him give her a look of disgust. His muzzle wrinkled up, one eye squinting closed in his distaste. Showing off was good and all, but competition was rare for him when it wasn't in the form of gambling. The lizard-like dingo mix sighed, rolling his head backwards with a mix of whining and muttering irritably to himself. As they all joined in one by one (two at a time when it came to Tiger and Ayase) he relented his inward sulking. It had been a while since he'd taken off for a day to simply enjoy other's company... and even now it didn't sound appealing, but it would provide entertainment and a good chance to further map out the city and its occupants. "A'ight, a'ight. Guess I ca' tag-a-long for the hell o' it. Tch, been 'while since I've taken vay-cay time." Despite his eerily cheery voice and smile, his silver eyes were as cold as steel when they locked on Tzila. As an expert at the art of con... he didn't like this feeling. Geko's hackles prickled as his mulled it over. "To them it's her sick game... but to her it's one big con, one big bet." The tropical canine stood with a sigh. "So bibilava, care ta elaborate fo' us?" He smiled at Tzila with mocking kindness, if only she knew just what bibilava meant where he came from. He had known her only a few minutes and knew exactly what she was: a snake.

-Sincerely Geko

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[shadow]

Tzila's eyes lit up with a determined flame as every agreed to her little game of fun. Perhaps she'd win, and perhaps she wouldn't but all she really wanted was to have fun... and of course pull a few strings while she was at it. She stole a glance at Tiger, who wasn't a threat to her at the moment, but was still an enemy in her mind. He had been one of the dogs to run her out of Tokyo, and Tzila would make sure that he would feel the pain of brutal humiliation, if anything at all.

"Alright," Tzila started, her tail letting out a rather playful wag. "No rules. You may steal any way you want, and put yourself through whatever kind of danger you wish. That means its completely up to you if you want to run head first into cars. A mere stealing game I suppose. It will be simple. We'll rotate on things to steal. The first dog will start with whatever they wish to thieve, and then the next dog will have to take something of higher value and of greater danger and or challenge to get. Make sense?"

Tzila let the instructions she'd winged out sink into everyone's head, "Again, you can do this any way you want. Holding to 'tradition' matters not in this game, though, if you want to use it, whatever it is, by all means, do it," though this really only applied to one of the group, Bandit, Tzila figured she would mention it to make everything clear. "Now then, who volunteers to go first?"