One Step Closer [Open]

[»Rie]

The shadows were thick across the sweeping lawn of the estate, the fountain in front of the house, sitting in the middle of the cul-de-sac like drive way hissed liquidly. Bird's called as they settled into the eves and trees that sprinkled the area. The sun was setting in a slow fiery glow, though it was already down enough that Junius could no longer see the great orb. The sky above was a dark blue black, mixed with pale oranges, purples, and even faint pink. The large doberman ignored it, his flat brown eyes focused on what was before him as he paced ceaselessly along the perimeter of the grounds. The grass crinkled faintly beneath every heavy fall of his paws.

Somewhere ahead of him he could hear a faint clatter as though something had hit something else. His pace didn't speed any, but his facial features became rigid and drawn, tightening until the muscles pulled back in a vicious snarl.

A faint shout could be heard from the same vicinity as the clatter, "Man, theres nothing here!" A human boy yelled, obviously speaking to his friend.

"Throw another one, I swear. There this crazy dog in there!"

The first boy huffed again, grabbing a rock up off the ground and throwing it at the thick metal bars of the fence that surrounded the estate.

Back in the shadows of the shrubbery, Junius paced closer low thrumming growls of agitation beginning to boil from his lips.

The boy turned and shrugged at his friend, "Theres nothing there. You were probably just seeing things or something."

"I was not!" The second jogged up to stand alongside the first squinting at the shadowy grounds, he looked pale. He well remembered the last time he'd seen the dog in this place.

Smirking at his friend the other jabbed him with his elbow, "I dare you to go up there and have a better look."

"N-no way man, I'm telling you-!" He was cut off as his friend shoved him forward, and after a moment he sidled up toward the fence.

Junius could see the boys face now, though he was still wrapped in shadows. He waited for a moment, his snarls escalating, the boy glanced back toward his friend; edging closer. Releasing a sound akin to a roar Junius charged forward, expelling all the tension in his legs in a sudden burst of speed. His vocalization declining into a series of snarling barks as he snapped at the fence, pressing his muzzle and head as far between the metal bars as he could.

The boy gave a frightened squeal, twisting around as he fell over to scramble back toward his friend. Who had given a yell of fright as well.

Saliva spattered from his jaws, slicking the cool metal dark as Junius strained against it. He didn't stop his din until the two boys had made tracks: nearly out of sight. Subsiding the dog gave a final low snarl, curling his lip after the humans before stalking along the fence line toward the front drive. The humans always left his food out over there around this time.

Upon arriving at the foot of the drive way he found his metal dish filled with a mixture of kibble, soft dog food, and red meat. Dropping gracelessly to his stomach he buried his nose in the food, giving a soft snarl when the shifting shadows seemed to be more than just tricks of light.

[Noodle!]

Dahlia despised when her human's mate came to visit. That immediately meant out with Dahlia, and in with the disgusting male. Perhaps it was a bad idea to bite the man, but he was loud and approached Melanie far too robustly for the shar-pei's liking. Besides, that's what the Chinese fighting dog was here for: protecting the lady. And now here she was, pacing down the length of Hawthorne Road.

Normally, the dog obeyed orders not to leave the grassy lawn, but today she couldn't stand being near the stench of that man and when he exited the house she was sure his backside would get a nice feel of her teeth. She smiled at the thought, biting was an excellent way to release this negative chi that was building up. And it wasn't like the man didn't deserve it, Melanie would forgive her after she saw how he really was.

Her claws clicked on the sidewalk, collar's tags jingling lightly, tongue lolling from between her teeth. Her blocky, pit-bull like head was held high and erect so she could see over the fences, looking desperately for some cat to amuse her or something small she could chase. Quickly she rounded a corner with a smooth grace and she stopped quickly. A young boy stumbled into her, smashing her paw. She yelped, and growled, snapping at the nearest area of his body possible. She felt her teeth tear fabric, but the metallic taste of blood was absent. Some other young humans also darted across the street, screaming and exclaiming as they went. She snarled at them as they left, wondering what the big hurry was. The scent of fear was strong in the area, and it nearly choked her.

Curiousity got the best of her, and she decided to see what all the fuss was about. She moved towards the fence, but not too close as to attract unwanted attention. She picked up the scent of an intact male, a large one that that. Her eyes scanned the large estate through the fence, trying to catch sight of the dog that was apparently the guard here. Her already wrinkled face formed more crevasses as her eyes narrowed, adjusting to the darkness.

[»Rie]

The smell of food clogged his nostrils, though when the breeze ruffled through the flower beds bringing with it the scent of another dog nearing the fence he was still able to detect it. As he lifted his head from his food dish the metal of his collar grated against the dish; he snorted hard to expel any foreign bodies that were dampening his sense of smell. Tipping his sharply angled head upward he inhaled several droughts of air in quick secession, giving a low thrumming growl at how close this other dog had gotten. Pacing along the pavement of the drive his claws clicking softly he pressed his nose against the bars craning his head around to peer along the fence to either side.

He saw her then, standing a few feet down, near where he'd scared the brats peering into the shadows. Was she some pet of the boys come to snap at him for scaring her precious masters? He didn't know, nor did he care.

For a moment Junius pondered just going back to his bowl, pacing over he tipped it slightly with his front paw, gazing at the stainless steel that showed through the bits of food left in it. After a moment he gave a snort, curling his lips off his teeth in a show of distaste. His paw lifted, and the bowel clattered loudly back to the cement, turning a partial circle as it settled. Stalking with quick aggressive movements he made his way back along the lawn toward where the dog had been peering, and shoved his way past the shrubbery in the area.

The shadows seemed to peel back as he stalked into view, all rippling muscle under sleek black and tan fur, and tense tendons. His dead shark like eyes staring through the twilight at the wrinkled visage that peered through the fence at him. His lips curled back off his teeth showing them to be gleaming with spittle as he stalked toward her. The muscles of his lower jaw tensed, and there was an almost audible sound as he opened his mouth, words tumbled forth in a deep baritone voice that sounding almost crushing, "Get lost." He snapped, his canine teeth sliding together to accentuate the sharpness of his words.

He didn't know why she was there, and he didn't care. He'd prefer her gone, he'd prefer them all gone.

[Noodle!]

<sub>Dahlia had nearly given up her search, for she could see nothing beyond the bushes and the hideous metal fence. She moved once more to the shrubs, trying to sneak a peek at the monster that dwelled within. Just as she was to turn away, the shadows parted. There was a rustling of leaves and twigs, and several small mohogany splotches appeared in the dark. She narrowed her eyes to see what strange occurance brought this about, when she saw the dull eyes. They were nearly perfect to be called lifeless. Glassy and covered with some strange film that let her know their owner's soul was far away. Ebony horns topped his head, long ears, like a German Shepherds, but smoothly haired and unnatural.

His mouth opened with a strange sound, like a creaking hinge intensified and deepened. The dog's growl rumbled forth as a roar, and bits of saliva flew onto her maw. She slung her head downwards, lip curling back into a snarl of disgust as she tried to get the wet substance off of her nose. Say it, don't spray it... She thought gruffly, looking up to stare the brute in the eyes from beneath her wrinkles.

The exotic female emitted her own growl, snapping off several words in sharp succession not so unlike the males, And you? You're going to make me, are you?

She raised her head, still looking down on the dog with his head in a bush. Already he'd made an unknown accomplishment, gaining a full sentance out of the female first try. She wasn't in much of a mood for trying to get him to fight for her attention, obviously he had no interest in her conversation.

Oh, that's right. She snarled, her own saliva bubbling at the back of her jowls, You can't.

Dahlia had planned on walking away and back around the block, but now she had something to tease, something to mess with. She rooted herself stubbornly on the concrete, keeping her feiry eyes set on his emotionless ones that were hiding in the darkness across the fence.</sub>

[»Rie]

Her taunting teasing response brought to life in him the intensity of his rage, he could feel in crawling beneath his flesh. Like a pile of fire ants marching across a carcass. His eyes seemed to sharpen in intensity showing a depth of madness. She was right, after all, he was contained; a massive cage. It wasn't as small as the other's the humans had forced him into, but it was still a cage. A great guilded cage for this bird with torn and broken wings. His slavering seemed to increase slightly, as his entire body twitched, the muscles coiling like corded steel beneath his slick hide. His innards felt like they were twisting and revolting against his bones. "Filthy wench." He snarled, saliva dripping from the corners of his jaws in a rope, spattering the dirt at his paws. Had he been in the right mind he might've realized she was deriving pleasure from tormenting him. Of course, had he known this he would have just ended up back in the same frame of mind. It was a moot point.

He lunged forward slamming into the metal of the fence, his chest and head ramming with the the small space between the bars. He twitched minutely as fiery trails of pain cascaded along abused bones and muscles; he didn't even really seem to notice it. The ridged bones of his muzzle and face stung painfully, his rib cage straining. One thick foreleg pushed through the opening in the bars clawing futilely at the air as he thrashed his snout against the metal. Saliva coated his black lips like froth, his sounds wordless vicious snarls. The male strained for ceaseless seconds against the fence before falling back, his tongue hanging from his jaws, flopping as he panted.

His sides heaved his breath whistling through his snout and maw with every inhale and exhale. He paced in stiff legged circuits along the fence line his muddy brown eyes burning into the female, "If my fangs could reach you, I'd have you split open like the filthy pig you are." He snarled, his voice never raising, though his growls made it hard to understand him. "Would you squeal for me? Would you, would you?" He mocked his head lolling to the left, his tense agitated body twitching slightly as he his shoulder brushed against the metal of the fence.

[Noodle!]

<sub>The dobermann's eyes came alive with a passion and ferociousity that was stunning. She did not react at his insults, nor at his gallant attack that was cut short at the metal fence. She hear the metal creak, but stand strongly against him, bone and hide thudded again and again as he continued his persistant efforts to get to her. She raised a paw, looking at the pads of her feet as if disinterested in the dog's advancements. Then she looked back up at him, seeing an almost erotic glimmer in his eyes now. Her own narrowed in curiousity at whatever she could have done to provoke this change. He stopped his thrashing, breaths panting heavily from his large chest, eyes still fixed on the shar-pei who was just out of reach. His pink tongue extended to hang out of his powerful jaws, dripping spittle in a steady flow.

He began pacing like a caged animal she had glimpsed at zoos and she had a slight pang of pity for the brute. It did not show on her unreadable face as she watched him. Continuous movements, walk to the left a few feet, then the right, then the left, then the right... His shoulder blade made light ting, thing, thung sounds as it brushed up against each individual bar. Her small, dark eyes kept him in check even through his relentless pacing.

His next words came through the bars, dripping with a stale, morbid air tinged with an excitement. She brought herself closer to the fence, calculating the exact distance the dog's muzzle would fit and placing herself just out of reach, but close enough to drive him just that slightest bit further into insanity.

For you? Oh, yes. Dahlia growled, her voice barely above a whisper but audible to the male across the fence. Her breaths, still coming in light growls, but were only heard when the brute reached a certain place in his patrol of the fence.

My, my, how this horrible day was turning around for her.</sub>

[»Rie]

He didn't stop his relentless movements even when she came closer, and for a moment it might have seemed that he hadn't even noticed, as though he was just going to ignore her now, but then he swung around and slammed forcefully into the fence. The metal vibrated, giving off a deep dull note as the top of his skull collided forcefully with the bar as he strained against the confining fence. His sleek body skidded, sliding to the side and his neck jerking upward, the side of his face, and the long column of his neck pressed against the bars of the fence a single wild eye staring down through the gap. His claws scrabbled uselessly against the dirt, sending up great clods of earth and digging furrows into the ground. "Maggot infested carcass" He snarled before turning away.

He disappeared into the shadows, the only sign he was even still there the sound of his steps as he roved restlessly among the shadows, and then without a thought he leapt back from the darkness with a series of sharp barking snarls, slapping head first into the fence making it vibrate violently once more. His jaws snapped and twisted between the bars slathering them with more saliva, making the metal gleam darkly in the half light that hit them. "Would I, could I, I'd rip you from stem to stern!" He howled. Rearing back he scraped his claws over the fence, jumping upward once fore legs extended to full reach as though attempting to grab the top of the fence so he could climb out.

He fell back again, twisting this way and that as his body heaved from exertion, his eyes flickering madly in his stark face. "I'll make you howl for hours, you piece of filth. I'll bite you until theres nothing left! Gnaw your bones to dust!"

He charged forward yet again, the fence shook as his skull impacted roughly and his legs seemed to loosen beneath him enough that he slid down, his forelegs curling under himself, his snout pressed through the opening in the bars. He seemed to have knocked himself slightly senseless with that once. His breath, fouled slightly from his diet of raw meat hissed across the bar, his slicked muzzle pressed tight between metal bars. He remained still heaving, paws twitching, and jowls quivering with incessant snarls.

[Noodle!]

<sub>The rippling sound of metal rang through the air, causing the shar-pei to perk her ears and tilt her head lightly as if to escape the monstrous sound. The fence still held against him and Dahlia commended it for its strength, even though she never gave humans much commendation for anything; especially their architecture and boundaries. She turned attention past the fence and to the doberman, who was going back to attacking the fence.

From her closer range now she could smell his breath, which was rancid with raw meat and dog food and something more raunchy that she could not identify. She could also intake the scent of him as a dog, her mind identifying his age and other important information out of natural, instinctual habit. His voice was louder now, making her ears cringe, as he threw more loud insults her way.

She laughed again, the melodic sound dancing around his ears, Could you being key words, love. The male lept upwards, paws reaching for the tops of the fence, but to no avail... He quickly hit the saliva dampened ground with a thud, doing a kidney-bean maneuver to get back upon his feet.

Dahlia watched as he rammed the fence once more, skull colliding with the cold, glimmering metal. Then the dog slid down into the dirt, folding up into a nearly puppy like state. His eyes were slowly growing dull again, breaths coming in heaving attempts at air, and his growls and snarls still consistently pouring forth. She smirked at his nearly unconscious state and lowered herself down to his level, remaining just out of reach, I'm not howling yet... But I dare say I've been making you howl for a few minutes now. Her purple tongue extended to lick him just below the ear and then she moves back to lay on the pavement.

He'll come to, he's not quite that far gone, and she's not quite done with him yet.</sub>

[»Rie]

It was amazing how fast he could react given his apparent listlessness. His head was jerked up his snapping for her as soon as her breath ruffled his cropped ear, and her tongue slithered across his head. Given, it wasn't fast enough to score a hit, she'd backed off before he could; and he didn't have the leeway to twist enough to get at her, but it certainly was a revealing reaction. It suggested that he'd been in this state enough to be able to react in it: He'd nearly knocked himself unconscious, and he'd still managed to attack despite his flickering vision.

He came to his paws swaying slightly his head jerking side to side, though it really only served to make the black spots in his eyes expand and jump around. The world seemed to waver like he was standing on a ship's deck. Lifting his fore paw he pawed at his head, scraping the tan appendage over his eye, dragging his ear down over the dome of his head. Then as though some unheard alert had whispered in his ear his head jerked back up and he stared straight at the female on the pavement beyond the metal bars. His eyes were so wide that the whites could be glimpsed around the dead brown irises.

His breathing was quick and fast, with a distinct wheeze to it to showcase his exertion. He probably could have gone on longer if he hadn't worked himself into such a lather earlier, but the fact was he'd been howling and snarling for awhile now. First those humans, and now this filthy female taunting him.

He turned stepping back into the shadows of the lawn, and abruptly all his snarling cut off. Dead silence echoed, the distant yell of playing children, slightly closer a dove cooed. Had he gone?

Seconds ticked by, nothing sounded; no paws against the earth, no wretched snarling. Then, without warning, the massive body of the doberman was flung itself out of the shadows in a rough lunge. He might have been able to hook his paws over the top of the fence, but his eye sight was still spinning from that blow, though it was obvious he'd nearly made it. One fore paw hooked over the top of the fence, and his chest smashed into the bars with enough force to dent them outward slightly. His other fore paw, however, missed and he jerked awkwardly to the side his head slamming into the tough metal. His body became limp, dead weight as his senses left him; eyes rolling into the back of his head. Twisted slightly from his grip on the fence he landed with his back pressed against it, his long legs folded awkwardly against his muscular body; a black and tan heap at the base of the fence.

[Noodle!]

<sup>Dahlia had scarcely sat her rump on the ground when she realized he had snapped at her, just before she'd turned. She smiled, You're quick one, aren't you? Almost had me. We'll find a use for you yet. The sly smile on her face did not fade and she remained moderately close to the male who was nearly out of his mind by now. He was laying not facing her, but she could see his shuttering breaths and tell that he was still aware of his surroundings.

She looked up at the top of the fence where he'd come so close to jumping over. Her eyes narrowed, and she wondered vaguely what would have become of her if he would have made it over the fence. Well, she told herself dryly, he'd make me 'howl'. She laughed to herself quietly and then her ears perked as she heard a human voice call, "There you are you miserable mutt!"

Dahlia's eyes shot up to take in the sight of her master's mate coming down the sidewalk at a brisk pace. His short, plastered hair was bouncing lightly as he ran, and he held a leash and muzzle in his hands. She growled lightly as he approached, but quickly warmed up to this delightful situation. Speaking of such... I think I've found a use for you, handsome. Of course, he wasn't going to amuse her out of kindness; she wouldn't kid herself there. She did, however, know exactly how worm her way into him and get him to do a particular deed for her own pleasure.

She put on a 'nice puppy' facade, eyes alight with happiness, tail wagging so much that it might fall off. The man paused lightly, confused at her new turn of heart. "Well, you little bitch. Decide you like me now that I'm taking you home, huh?" He reached down and petted her rough fur numerous times, and she allowed it. Then, as his hand retreated back to his body she grabbed it in her mouth. Her massive jaws were created powerful, as her breed was originally used for fighting, and she clamped down until she tasted a good flow of warm blood; and then she released. The man threw a variety of stange and unpleasant human words at her before snapping the muzzle and leash on her collar without much effort. She sat down, a picture perfect pet.

Dahlia took a quick, but noticeable glance at the doberman. She made sure the man notice her, and he squinted into the darkness. "You worthless mutt... Did you do something to their dog? Damn, they're probably loaded..." He started muttering about lawsuits and other things dogs really didn't care about. And then he did exactly what Dahlia had planned.

The man reached down with his blood hand to touch the unmoving attack dog.</sup>

[»Rie]

Leathery nostrils twitched in slow rhythmic motion, his inhales becoming deeper and more firm as he swum up from the bleak darkness he'd been catapulted into. His senses leaked into his head like water through a bucket.

Tactile. The grass crushed beneath his body. The cold of metal against his back. The nudge of something faintly against his haunch. What was it?

Sound. His ear tilted slightly honing vaguely in on the sound of words being hissed.

Smell. Coppery, slick, he could feel it almost; clogging the back of his sinuses.

The Doberman's eyes snapped open the world standing in stark relief, his brief respite into unconsciousness having allowed his vision to recuperate. Another prod near his haunches. His head lifted slowly from where it lay on the ground, and perhaps had this been a horror film the theme music would have started in; a loud bass beat that would ensure the audience knew that bad things were about to happen.

The low thrum of an aggressive animal filled the air, spilling loudly and reverberating like someone had dropped a stone into a well. Within seconds he was on his paws whipping around his teeth going for the bloody hand like a heat seeking missile. If he scored a hit he'd rip down to the bone, if not, he didn't care. All the same he jerked around after a moment and flew straight at the man's face as it loomed outside the fence. The burning wild fury that lit in his sharp eyes was far beyond that which had gazed at the other dog; this was hate beyond hate: Utmost loathing to an extreme that could freeze bones and take breath away.

His voice had degenerated to a bestial register. His motions quick and jerky as he flung himself heedlessly at the fence. The world was gone, narrowed down to just the human and him, "I'll kill you, massacre you. Feast on you! Hear me, human?! I'll cut you're belly with my teeth and roll in your entrails!" Gravely and sharp he snarled his threats, even though the human could never comprehend his words, the threat was implicit.

[Noodle!]

<sub>Unfortunately, the man moved just out of reach. But his sweater sleeve snagged in the dog's mouth as he cried out his threats and insults. Dahlia smiled inside her muzzle, eyes glittering in amusement. The leash lay on the ground now out of hand, but she remained sitting silently. Her curled tail thumped gently between the concrete and her left hip. She begins laughing quietly as the human male finally pulls away, falling directly backwards and landing on his backside.

She stands, walking back over to the fence. A smile forms on her face, and her teeth are exposed again behind the wire of the muzzle. Her eyes demand full attention as she speaks to the guard dog once more, That is enough for today. Work on your agility, love, I offered you a human hand and you got a bit of courdorey sweater. Pity. Here she turned away from the dog, who was more like a lesser intellegent sub-species of animal. She couldn't help but want to pry into his mind and find the dog within, but then decided against such a silly notion... She was having way to much fun with him as a bloodlusty brute.

Dahlia makes her way to the man, knowing he'd return with or without her and it would be best for her master to see her poor baby puppy muzzled and with doting eyes. If she returned with that act, there's no way she'd believe the man that says he was bitten by the shar-pei. She smiled again, perfect plan. She felt odd just walking away from the brute without proper introduction, but she also doubted he had the mental capacity or control to remember her name, but she still spoke, looking him in the eye, By the way, my name is Dahlia. Remember it.

She turned away from the doberman and as the human man stood, he jerked her leash and dragged her down the street.</sub>

[»Rie]

Behind him the sound of the estates outdoor lights could be heard thrumming to life, as night fell into place. The lit even this dark corner of the lawn in bright luminescence outlining the Doberman's muscular figure and casting his features into sharp contrasts. His dead eyes stared from his battered face, a bit of blood trickling from one nostril; he'd likely cracked the delicate bones of his muzzle a bit, but he didn't seem to care. His lips remained pulled back from his fangs showing the saliva slicked teeth, to, had a faint rust tint. As the female approached the fence again he fell back onto all fours his shark like eyes staring deadly intent at the human who seemed to be fumbling about to get his wits.

He didn't reply to what she'd said about his reflexes, let her think what she will. He'd like to see how fast she moved if she did the exact same thing he'd been doing. His tongue curled up over the edge of his muzzle. The damp tan and black fur gaining a fresh sheen of saliva, "I'll be sure to rip the thing off next time." He spat. "And maybe then I'll wrap you're pretty little neck in my fangs." His dark voice resonated from some deep part of his chest, his every vocalization seemed like a growling threat.

From the house he could hear the yells of the human men who worked on the estate his head turning, ears twisting and listening. Giving a low thrumming growl, he didn't want to be near any of them. Human filth. When he looked back the female and the man were moving away, but he caught the sound of her name. He'd heard once from the female humans talking, a book. It had, had a similar name. He might be insane, but Junius wasn't stupid.

A low, strange sound shook through him; he was laughing. It was a discordant sound, inexplicably chilling. His was the laugh of the grave keeper, "Don't underestimate me, Black Dahlia. The Master's call me Junius, do you know why?" He called after her, sounding almost charming, almost charismatic. He turned and began to slink off, seemingly boneless as he sought the shadows he could find, his voice drifting back on the breeze, "Et tu, brute?"

The low cacophony of his morbid humor followed, faded, and died. He was gone into the shadows of his massive cage.

One day...