Chapter Text
She had hated him almost immediately. Tseng. The man with the long black fur who had been hovering around her master for some time now.
It was really starting to get on her nerves. Rufus, who ordinarily let no one get close to him for long save for her, was now spending almost all his time by this stranger's side.
Or was it the other way around? For this newcomer seemed unwilling to leave his side, following him everywhere like a shadow.
But that was her role. The mission she had been assigned, and which she strove to fulfil with diligence and zeal. It was therefore up to her —and her alone— to ensure Rufus' safety and defense.
And up to that point, she had carried out her task rather admirably, or so she had convinced herself, thanks to the numerous congratulations, caresses, and gifts she had received for her service.
But perhaps she had inadvertently done a poor job lately? Something that might have displeased her master and driven him to want to replace her?
Perhaps she wasn't his "good girl" anymore, after all. The thought saddened her. She lived to be useful to Rufus; if he ever decided to do without her, she didn't know what her life would look like.
Perhaps she would return to that vast, horrible room —the one reeking of an acrid odour that stung her nose— where humans in long white coats (though not like her master's) bustled about, taking orders from another tall, shaggy-haired man whose eyes were hidden behind two circles of glass.
This one exuded a strange aura, not murderous like those who had sometimes tried to attack her master before she reduced them to shreds; but more like a diffuse feeling of abnormality, as if something about him was different from the other bipeds she had learned to understand. He was cruel, too.
She remembered how he had hurt her when she was still just a puppy, driving thin rods into her body that contained an icy liquid she could feel spreading through her. Rufus, on the other hand, had never subjected her to that kind of treatment. He was kind to her, and sometimes even gave her treats along with a pat on the back. Tseng, for his part, was calm. But that didn't mean he couldn't be dangerous on occasion.
Darkstar shook herself off.
Once again that evening, her master was accompanied by Tseng. Why did Rufus tolerate his prolonged presence? It was beyond her understanding. She grunted in the man's direction as she got up from her basket to go drink from her bowl a little further away.
"D, be nice." Rufus commanded from the chair he was sitting on.
Darkstar growled again but didn't bark. Rufus didn't like it when she barked inside the apartment.
"D! Are you listening to me?"
"I don't think she likes me very much." sighed Tseng, sitting across from Rufus on a small stool. He was holding a sort of small figurine between his fingers.
"That's right, I hate you; get lost and leave us alone!" D thought to herself.
"Well, she's going to have to learn to deal with it. Especially now that..."
He did not finish his sentence. Instead, he also took a figurine, placed it on a tray in front of him, knocked over another one and placed it outside the gridded area, near him.
She had often seen the two of them sitting at that small glass table by the large window overlooking the city. Chess: that was what she had heard her master call the activity.
He seemed to find it entertaining. D, for her part, preferred by far playing with her rope toys, though she did enjoy sleeping against the window. Sometimes, she would even watch the green smokes rising before her for hours while her master worked at his desk and did not wish to be disturbed.
Tseng placed his hand over Rufus'. The gesture made D's fur bristle. That was too much.
"It’s all right. Give her time to adjust to my presence."
"But it’s been months now."
"Maybe she’s jealous?" Tseng suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it. I’ve been spending more and more time with you lately. Constantly, I mean. Before, it was more sporadic. And I didn’t follow you all the way here."
"So?"
"Maybe she thinks you want to replace her?"
"Ridiculous. What makes you say that?"
The man in black shrugged. "Just a hunch."
Rufus smiled. He was even more handsome when he smiled. A pity he didn't do it often. "That famous Turks' intuition, I suppose. By the way, it's your move."
"What's the point of continuing the game, since you're going to win anyway?" Tseng sighed.
"There you go, now leave."
But Rufus burst out laughing, much to D’s dismay. Yet, just as with his smile, Darkstar had to admit that his laughter was also a rarity, or at least, it used to be. And that since Tseng's increased presence, she could witness both much more often.
Even so, that didn’t make Tseng more welcome on her territory. And he didn’t seem to grasp that. D therefore had to make herself clearer.
She crept stealthily toward the players, positioned herself beside Tseng, curled back her lips to bare her fangs, arched her forelegs, and then began to growl even more fiercely.
Rufus and Tseng both jumped.
"For heaven's sake, D! What has gotten into you?" Rufus exclaimed, springing to his feet.
He stepped between her and Tseng, his arms outstretched on either side and his brows furrowed. He wasn't laughing anymore —not at all. He even seemed angry with her. "D, heel!" her master practically shouted.
Oh no. She had really done something wrong. Worse, she had disappointed him.
"D. I don't know what's wrong with you, but you're going to calm down right now."
D whined. She backed away slightly, her head hanging low. She couldn't bear the furious look Rufus was giving her.
"Go to your basket. I don't want to hear from you again. I won't repeat it."
Darkstar obeyed, looking sheepish. She thought she had done her job as a bodyguard well. No one was allowed to touch Rufus. But clearly, her master was angry with her for trying to drive away the person who had violated that simple rule.
She curled up into a ball on her favourite cushion, turning her back on the two men. So that was how it was. Rufus no longer wanted her services. She was good for nothing. She wept a little, feeling useless, then fell asleep.
A piercing scream jolted her awake several hours later. Outside, the smoke was no longer visible; only a layer of condensation coated the surface of the bay window.
Another cry rang out. No doubt about it, that was Rufus' voice! D detected that it was coming from further away in the apartment. Her master was in danger; he needed her! She could still be of use to him.
She lunged toward the source of the noise but found herself facing a closed door. From the other side, she could hear several heavy breaths, including her master's.
In addition to raised voices, D also perceived what sounded like dull thumps. She knew it! Tseng had gone after Rufus while she was away, and now her master was fighting for his life.
Darkstar clawed frantically at the door, but it refused to open. She rammed it with her head once, then a second time; and, in a desperate move, finally slammed her wide tentacle against the panel with all her might.
"Ruu! It's D!" she heard Tseng, that damned traitor, shout.
"What?!"
"Rufus! It's me—I've come to save you! Don't be afraid!"
"She's thinking I'm hurting you! She's really going to end up breaking down the door!"
"Yes, exactly! And after that, I'm going to rip your throat!"
"Go see her—quick. Gods, I told you you were too loud!"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
A few seconds after those last words and a few more crashing sounds, the door finally opened to reveal Rufus, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. His hair was dishevelled, his face was sweating and his cheeks were flushed. And were those scratch marks on his chest?
It was just as she had suspected: he really had been fighting! D tried to rush into the room to confront the attacker, but Rufus held her back by her collar.
What? Why was he stopping her? Had she misjudged the situation again? Yet all the signs confirmed her theory! D barely dared to look up at her master, who was still holding her firmly.
But contrary to her fears, Rufus’ face showed no anger; only a hint of amusement. He let go of her and crouched down. Gently, he cupped her face in his hands. "You really thought I was in danger, didn't you?"
D barked in confirmation —never mind the rule about no noise in the apartment.
Rufus affectionately scratched her head. "It's all right. I promise. Good girl."
Another bark of satisfaction. "You can go back to sleep without a worry. Nothing bad is going to happen to me tonight, okay?"
Thus, satisfied with having fulfilled her duty, Darkstar returned to her basket. Rufus still loved her. He had praised her for doing a good job.
The next day, Tseng walked into the kitchen just as D was devouring her first meal of the day. The man looked just as disheveled as his master had the day before, with his hair sticking out in every direction. He didn't look quite so cocky now.
She approached him, ready to remind him that it was she who had prevented him from harming Rufus that night, but she stopped dead in her tracks. His scent was wrong. She could detect Rufus' scent alongside his own usual one. That wasn't right.
Tseng held out the palm of his hand to her, and she moved closer to sniff it better. However, her verdict remained the same. She was confused. This man wasn't Rufus, and yet, he smelled just like him. Tseng lowered himself slightly to her level.
"You wanted to protect him, right? That’s my goal, too. I would never, ever harm him. How about we work together?"
He accompanied his offer with a biscuit that had miraculously appeared in his other hand. Rufus, too, appeared out of nowhere, leaning against the doorframe. "Don't corrupt my dog." he said with a faint, wry smile.
"Not at all. It’s just a gesture of goodwill between two new colleagues."
After all, perhaps Darkstar could give Tseng a chance.