Tough Love

Chapter 20

Monica continued her way out of what she could tell was a long passageway. She wanted to turn back but with Ban's voice in her head telling her to keep going, she pressed on the best she could while taking care not to hurt her broken leg more. As she continued she heard movement coming towards her, which made Monica stop in her tracks. She pressed herself as close to the wall so as not to be seen. The movement continued to get closer, while her heart was rasing, she prayed that it wasn't another one of those men again. As time seemed to slow, and her heart beat going faster, Monica braced for the attack that was sure to come. But the attack that was supposed to happen never did, as Monica suddenly heard a whimper and yips. Her eyes grew wide as she knew those noises.

"MOZART!"

Monica called as her trusted dog came running towards her. She did the best to kneel, which ended up with her just sliding down the wall. Mozart came up to her and licked her face to tell her that he made it. She wrapped her arms around him, as tears started to slide down her face. The dog sensed this and slowly pulled away and laid his head on his owners lap. A small, but comfortable silence formed around them as they relished in the company of one another. Monica after a while, calmed down, whipped her face, and cleared her voice.

"Mozart."

The dog's ears perked up at his master's call.

"I need you to find Ginji and the others, you remember Ginji don't you boy?"

"Woof, Woof"

Monica smiled at his answer and patted him on the head.

"Good boy now I want you to go and find him, and show them how to get to where I am ok."

Mozart cocked his head to the side to show that he was listening.

"I would come with you but I can't move to well, considering my leg is broken."

Monica said as he rubbed her leg to show him. Mozart whimpered at this and laid his ears against his head. Monica scratched him behind the head and continued.

"It's alright boy I'm fine, just go and find Ginji, Ban is hurt badly and he won't last long if we don't get help, so please go and find him."

Mozart started at his master for a few minutes, licked her hand, woofed once, then took off to go look for the blonde electricity user. Monica watched as her trusted dog took off and disappeared around the corner.

"Good boy Mozart just hurry please."

She thought as she rested against the wall, and let the tiredness she felt take over, until she fell asleep.

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As Ginji, Kazuki, Jubbei, and Akabane continued to head for Monica's house they could still hear the battle between Shido and Natsuhiko. Ginji wanted to go back, but one look from his lover told him to keep his mind on the task at hand.

"Ginji I know you're worried but we need to find Ban-san before its to late."

Akabane said as he wrapped his arm around his shoulder, and held him close. Kazuki and Jubbei nodded in agreement. Ginji smiled at his lover and friends, sighed, shook his head, then went to finish the mission.

"Alright guys let's get going."

The group then went on their way to the mansion. As they walked down the street, a sudden noise caught their attention. Akabane looked ahead of them and saw nothing, but at the same time heard sounds heading in their direction.

"Do you guys hear something?"

Ginji asked as he also looked and listened as his lover was doing. Kazuki shook his head, as well as Jubbei. But soon the sounds got closer, as a shape started to form in front of them.