"No, Bandit," Wind said calmly.  He tucked the keys close to himself and laid down to sleep.  "This is how it was meant to be.  But if you still want to find Suzume.." he paused, scenting the air for a moment.  "You could catch her scent. It's not too late.  She just left a while ago.  I'm pretty sure you have a better chance at her love than I do.  You obviously.. have.. a connection."  Wind had forced those last words out of him, trying to be nice.  He wished they didn't have a connection.  He wished Suzume truly loved him.  He wished he hadn't made the mistake of his life, yelling at Suzume for only a split second.  He wished it hadn't changed her so much.  He wished she hadn't found out he loved her all over again and gotten mad - all over again.  He wished for a lot of things.  A lot of things that dealt with the wretched thing called love.

(I'm not dead! >:c )

Suzume sighed. She stopped herself. Even though she knew she was going to end up cruel and heartless again, she couldn't help but wonder: If Wind stayed behind when I wanted him to come...when I needed to talk to him...does that mean he abandoned me? Does it mean that he doesn't want me? If only...If only I would've given him a chance.

"If only."

(I was convinced that you were)

((Eh, sorry. Time differences, y'know. When it's 11pm Res time it's around 12pm where I live.))

Bandit bared his teeth and snarled, but didn't say anything. He turned around and ran back into the house, actually still not wanting to leave Wind in there. He tried to make himself believe it was because the Master would do something horrible to Wind.

Once outside the house, he lifted his nose and tried to pick up Suzume's scent. There were scents from all the other dogs around, but he could just pick up Suzume's coming from his right. Dashing down the road and toward her scent, he hoped she wasn't far and also wondered why she had ran off. Without telling me or anything like that.. 

(That's ok. At 11pm res time it's 10pm where I live.)

Suzume remained silent. It seemed like bad luck followed her. Her first master-gone. Her sister-gone. Ahto-gone. Wind-gone. Bandit...and then there was hope.

(Yuppers.  10 P.M. for me at 11 P.M. Res time.  Me and Kupa live in the same time zone! 8D

"The 'EARTH' without 'ART' is just 'EH'." XDDD  That makes me laugh.. )

Wind's ears went down to his head, ashamed.

Sierra and Lily soon found each other again.  Having a joyous reunion in their newfound freedom, the pair trotted off into an alley farther down the street.

Suzume closed her eyes and sighed. No. I can't give up on Wind like this.

I have to go back for him.

She turned back the direction she had come from, and began running.

And running.

And running.

(lol I know. EH.)

(Earth?  My opinion on it?  Eh. XD

But, uh.. I have nothing to post. o.o )

(On second. I'll post some more.)

Suzume finally got to Master's house. She went through his house, back to the cages. She stood outside the Other Dogs' cage. "Listen...Wind."

"I...I need to talk to you."

"I can understand many things," Wind simply said.  "If you don't feel comfortable speaking what's on your mind, you can leave.  You can leave thinking that you did not hurt my feelings."  He slightly indicated with his muzzle towards the door leading to Master's house, which would lead to the outside.

Master groaned in pain and rolled over.  Bad idea.  He rolled off the steps, onto the hard dirt.  A puff of the earth poofed up when he fell. Master coughed and winced.  It had gotten in his eyes.

"I...I used to love you."

"And..." she stopped.