Angel's Story

Kusa village

Angel had arrived in Kusa village early as a stow away in the back of a wagon. It would have taken the little dog much too long to travel all the way from Ryoshima coast
on foot. As it was, the ball of fluff had time to spare! As soon as the wagon stopped, the would be warrior hopped down and ran down the nearest path. She should try to find the Satomi house right away! ....Then again, it would be a little while before the tiny dog needed to be there. What would be the harm in looking for the famous windmill and exploring the town a little?

Three hours later...

Kusa village was such fun to explore! There were so many people and animals to see! Unfortunately, it was also an easy place for a tiny dog to get lost. At first Angel was having fun, but the later it got, the more worried she became. The tiny ball of white fluff knew she was probably late by now, but try as she might, Angel couldn't find her way to the Satomi House. Would the princess be mad that she wasn't there? Would she know the tiny dog was trying?! Would she let someone else take her place after all the trouble Angel had been through to get here?!

After wandering hopelessly in circles for another half an hour, Angel was tired, hungry, and nearly ready to give up. Then, as she rounded a corner, the tiny dog saw a little pile of laundry and a few other objects, like a cart wheel and some gnawed children's toys. upon closer inspection, Angel thought it would make a perfect little bed... in fact it smelled like another dog had once used this as a bed, but abandoned it.

Surly Angel would think more clearly, and thus be better able to find the Satomi house, after a little nape. After spending all day wandering about the town, the tiny dog didn't think on it long before climbing into the makeshift bed and curling up in a little ball. "Just a little nap before finding the princess... that's all Angel need..." Angel reassured herself one last time before yawning, tucking her nose under her paw, and letting sleep clam her.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

Nobutoshi had been scowling the whole trek back to his makeshift home behind the houses and along the mountain wall. The ox and his master kept flashing within his mind, forcing him to watch as the merchant lovingly patted the steer. The pitbull snorted and stopped to clear his mind. He spread his paws shoulder-width apart and began shaking his head. His ears and jowls flopped and the shaking travelled to his shoulders, hips, and then finally his hind legs as he kicked one and then the other. What was he getting angry for? Nobutoshi was still convinced that the ox’s funeral was having his throat slit and being torn to pieces for his meat. Padding over to his bed, a tired moan left his muzzle as he stepped onto the pile of stolen laundry and tipped over onto his side. He hadn’t noticed the fluffball in his bed as he rolled onto his back with his feet in the air. He wiggled about to scratch his back before he settled upon his size. A relieved breath escaped his nostrils in a huff as he then closed his eyes.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

Angel slept quite soundly for a while, dreaming of chasing a rabbit through the fields... but she was suddenly woken by something heavy dropping on top of her. The tiny dog lay there stunned for a moment before starting to wiggle and kicking frantically at whatever was on top of her. "Help! Help! Get it off!" The tiny dog yelped as she struggled to get out from under the oblivious pit bull. Who knew a nap would be so dangerous?!

Weather because the pit bull got up or Angel wiggled free, eventually the tiny dog was able to get to her feet and spun to face the larger dog. Her ears were back submissively. Angel was startled, but not looking for a fight. He could probably eat her in one bite anyway. "Uh.. sorry.. Is this.. your bed..?" She asked sheepishly. "Angel thought it was abandoned... uh.. did Angel... Angel didn't scratch you did she? A-are you okay..?" Despite her nervousness, or maybe because of it, Angel was speaking rather quickly. One glance at the pit bull told the ball of fluff he knew how to fight, which lead her to another question. "Are you one of the canine warriors?! Ooh! Do you know where the Satomi house is?! Angel was suppose to be there but.." Here the chihuahua paused, feeling quite embarrassed. "Angel got lost..." Some canine warrior she would make.. if she even got the chance to join after this.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

There was a wiggling beneath him, and then cries for help that startled the pitbull. His grey and white eyes flew open, and then he rolled opposite of Angel out of his bed. With a rumbling growl, he walked a circle to face a creature he hadn’t expected to see. It was white, fluffy and…tiny. Nobutoshi’s eyes were wide and his one floppy ear was perked as he gazed upon…a mouse? As Angel began talking, he extended his scarred nose toward her and began sniffing her face before he turned his head to sniff her bottom. It didn’t smell like a rodent. In fact, it smelled much like a dog. Nobutoshi reared his head back in confusion. He had thought the Pom Pom was the smallest dog he had ever seen, but this runt took the cake.

Are you one of the canine warriors?!...

“No; I am not,” answered Nobutoshi. He then motioned in the direction of the Satomi House with his grey head. “The Satomi House is that way just beyond the bridge. This is a small village so you can’t…” He inspected the chihuahua’s size in brief silence. The pitbull had seen rats bigger than her. Kusa Village must have looked like a city. “Just follow the dirt road.”

Stepping back into his bed, he nudged the chihuahua out with his nose before he slumped back down. His hind legs stretched out and his forelegs extended before him as he rested his head. The snowball wanted to be a canine warrior? As much as he found it amusing because of her miniature size, he wasn’t going to question it. She could prepare dog treats, make sure the water dishes remain full, and groom the warriors’ backsides. He didn’t mentally laugh at her too much. Nobutoshi felt that for Angel to state her mission without falter was pretty bold. She must not have cared what others thought of her.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

Angel giggled when the larger dog put his nose close to her for a sniff. She licked his nose before he pulled away and wagged her tail a little. Well he didn't eat her, that was a good start! As the pit spoke, the white ball of fluff turned to look towards the street, only to let out a surprised help when she was nudged out of the bed. The nap was officially over now it seemed. Still, the little rest had done Angel good.

The pit got comfy, probably just expecting her to leave, but Angel hesitated. She didn't want to get lost again. Maybe it was her size, or maybe she was just bad with directions. Perhaps both, but Angel had a pension for getting lost and she would like to get to the Satomi house before sun down. After a few moments thought, the tiny dog stood on her back legs so she could put her for paws on her new 'friend'. "You wanna come with Angel?" She asked hopefully. "We can play a game or something! It'll be fun!" The larger dog would barely have time to answer before Angel was asking another question. "Did you get to see them? The warriors? Did they all come through here? Well.. probably not through your bed.." Angel let the sentence trail off into a giggle, then refocused to watched the pit intently for his answers. Her bright eyes, one blue and one green, were wide and hopeful and her tail wagged cheerfully behind her.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

The pitbull growled lowly when Angel stood and leaned her paws against his shoulder. She then bombarded him with enthusiastic questions: first, about going with her; next, playing; and then finally, the canine warriors. Nobutoshi was going to pretend that he didn’t hear her ask him to play, and he clearly wasn’t going to go anywhere with her, and so he decided to answer her canine warriors question.

“I saw them because I went to the Satomi House earlier. They’re nothing special. Why do you want to be a canine warrior so bad any way? What are you expecting to get out of it?”

The pitbull gazed down the alley between the houses at the busy dirt road.

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

Angel perked her ears up and tilted her head as the pit bull spoke, then followed his gaze to the dirt road. The ball of fluff didn't realize she was annoying Nobu. She was just happy to make a friend. A friend that knew how to get to the satomi house no less! and had met the warriors! The pit's question seemed odd to the tiny dog, but she answered it none the less.

"Angel dun wanna get anything out of it.. I just wanna help save the world from baddies!" She exclaimed happily. "Well.. maybe make some friends too.. Angel guesses that's gaining something..." Angel added the last bit rather thoughtfully. before returning her gaze to Nobu.

For a moment Angel wondered if she should run to try and find the Satomi house herself again. The pit didn't seem all that interested in going with her... and maybe she still had time. Yet, this pit seemed a little down to her, Angel didn't want to just leave him there alone. "Angel didn't ask you're name!" The ball of fluff exclaimed suddenly. "Angel is...Angel! What's you're name?" Maybe he just needed a friend too!

Nobutoshi’s Makeshift Home

Nobutoshi listened to Angel’s reasons: to save the world from baddies. He thought of the dog fights in Sei’an and how he wished he could save them. How could he if he did nothing but lie down and gaze into the past like an old dog? He wasn’t that old yet.

You haven’t heard of the demon, Orochi?

There were many things he hadn’t heard about, and if he had been raised a normal dog, he might have. The pitbull stood and replied to Angel’s question, “Nobutoshi.” He then turned and lightly grabbed her between his teeth before tossing her onto his back.

“Come; I’ll take you there. I have some questions for the princess.”

The pitbull started out of the alley for the street. As he walked, he thought that maybe Angel may have known some things to mitigate the questions he would ask.

“You said save the world from baddies. What baddies are you talking about?”

Angel gave a little squeak when she was unexpectedly snagged and tossed onto the larger dog's back. It took the ball of fluff a moment to get her barring, but soon she was giggling and wagging her tail. "It's nice to meet you, Nobutoshi!" She announced happily. Angel had never ridden on the back of another dog before, but it didn't take long for her to lay down and get comfortable.

The new view was so distracting that Angel almost missed Nobu's question. "Oh! Orochi and his minions mostly.. but any baddie that threatens Nippon should be taken care of! Don'cha think?" Angel added the last bit as an after thought, tilting her head and looking at Nobu.. or at least looking at the back of his head. Assuming -everyone- knew about Orochi, Angel didn't elaborate on the demon.

The tiny dog was quite enjoying the right Nobu had decided to give her. Her tail wagged the whole time the walked. However, she was eventually distracted by a group of dogs heading down the dirt road with bandannas and glowing orbs. "Are those the warriors?! They are aren't they?!" Then the white dogs ears and tail drooped. "Does that mean Angel's to late...?" Angel had gone from her normally happy self, to super excited, then to sad in about two seconds flat.

Kusa Village

Orochi and his minions mostly.. but any baddie that threatens Nippon should be taken care of! Don'cha think?

She made it sound so simple. Orochi was so far the only evil mentioned first by the cow and then by the shrimp. Nobutoshi’s snout wrinkled. He wanted to ask the snowball what and who was Orochi, but he felt she would make him feel stupid, and then he’d have to dump her in the street. The pitbull kept his questions to himself as he headed for the Kusa bridge.

Just passing over the bridge were the dog warriors from before, and if they were free, then it meant the ceremony may have concluded. Nobutoshi ignored them and pretended not to notice them until Angel opened her big mouth—for a tiny dog:

Are those the warriors!? They are aren’t they!?

Nobutoshi quickened his pace. He was in no mood for her to start a fan girl conversation with them when he was on a mission. He was in no mood to hear their voices, speak with them, or for them to even look at him. The excitement that had deflated in the Chihuahua was heard when Angel asked:

Does that mean I’m too late…?

The pitbull was hesitant to answer. He wasn’t sure, but if Princess Fuse only took in warriors on a certain day, at a certain time, and once a year, then she probably missed a lot of potential. Of course by potential, he meant Angel. Nobutoshi wasn’t sure he could handle obeying another master. They had all been the same, and he didn’t feel the princess was any different. It was human nature after all.

Kusa Village

Angel had hopped to her feet in her excitement when she had first seen what she thought was the canine warriors, but as Nobu had hurried on without a word, the tiny dog laid down again, watching the warriors as a palm joined them, also wearing an orb. So little dogs like her could join! With the thought of being too late buzzing in the back of her mind, however, Angel found little comfort in that.

The little dog had quieted down quite a bit by the time they reached the bridge in front of the Satomi house. However, being quiet didn't mean being still. Angel was pretty nervous. The little ball of fluff stood and paced along the bigger dog's back, then sat on his head to stare intently at the Satomi house with her multi colored eyes as they drew closer. The chihuahua liked the view enough that she would likely stay up there as long as Nobu let her, or until she got distracted.

The pitbull reached the bridge and was relieved that none of the dog warriors had noticed him. He hadn’t meant to ruin Angel’s fun, but if she wanted to go meet them, then she could have hop off his back and go do so on her own. The bridge that led to the Satomi House wasn’t as crowded as it had been that morning. When Nobutoshi realized that he could hear his own thoughts, he noticed that Angel was no longer talking. She had become silent.

He felt her sit on his head, which only made him raise his snout instinctually. His head turned left and right as though he were trying to see her before it lowered back down.

“You’re quiet,” Nobutoshi noted. He had only just met the Chihuahua and he thought it was unusual.

Outside the Satomi House

Angel had to shift her weight slightly as the pit moved his head in vain attempts to look at her. Despite her nerves turning her stomach in knots, the actions drew a giggle from the tiny chihuahua and even got her tail to wag a couple of times before it tucked between her legs again. All of that movement while angel tried to keep her balance would have made a lovely game any other time.

When Nubu mentioned she was quiet, Angel lowered her ears. "Angel was just.. worried that we're too late.." The fluff ball mumbled. If she didn't have such a horrible sense of direction she would have been early!

It seemed the two didn't have long to wait. When Angel saw the lady in the distance with orbs floating around her she nearly toppled off of Nobu's head in surprise. Angel was as excited as she was nervous now. Her tail, though held low, wagged wildly, bouncing off the pit's head a couple of times, but her ears stayed pinned back. "Hi!" Angel squeaked. She was too worked up to remember to bow. In fact after a couple of moments, Angel stood up and jumped from Nobu's head, landing at Princess Fuse's feet. "Angel's sorry we're late! Angel got lost! Nobutoshi-san helped Angel get here! Uh... Is angel... too late to be a warrior..?" The last word came out as a bit of a whine, but then the chihuahua remembered what Nobu had said earlier. "Oh! Nobutoshi-sun has questions for you!" She exclaimed before looking at the pit. "Right, Nobutoshi-kun?"

The pitbull continued across the bridge toward the Satomi House.

“Why worry over what you don’t know for certain?” Nobutoshi asked.

In the distance, Princess Fuse stood outside her home with those magical orbs floating around her. Nobutoshi hesitated in his approach, shocked to see her outside as though she had been expecting them. Angel was delighted. She had walked along his skull to his snout and her tail was whacking him between the eyes.

Hi! she alerted.

Well, there was no turning back now. Nobutoshi continued toward the princess as Angel eventually sprang from his face to the ground. He sat on his haunches as she yipped about in her excitement until the word “kun” got his attention. The pitbull wrinkled his snout at the snowball. Since when did she call him kun? Seconds after, he realized the spotlight had shifted to him. His ears perked briefly in surprise before the canine turned his cheek to the situation and frowned off to the side. He didn’t feel comfortable asking questions in front of Angel. Every dog that had come to the princess knew as much about the world than he did. He knew he was ignorant on some matters, but he was in no mood to rip someone’s face for agreeing with him.

The Satomi House

Nobutoshi's reaction to Angel's introduction was a little confusing to the fluff ball. Did he change his mind? Was he shy? Her head tilted to the side as she tried to figure it out. However, before Angel could really ask, Princess Fuse spoke the very words Angel had been hoping for! The chihuahua let out a gleeful little howl and started running circles around the Princess's legs as the woman started inside. Angel wasn't thinking about how silly she must look, or how this may have been seen as disrespectful. She was far to excited. She was going to be a warrior!

Despite how happy Angel was, the ball of fluff didn't forget about the new friend that had helped her. She paused just inside the doorway, wagging her tail a mile a minuet. "Are you coming?! You're coming right?! Say you're coming!" Angel let out a yip followed by an excited whine. She wanted to go with the princess, but she didn't want to leave Nobutoshi behind.