The Two Of Us (will be continued)

Chapter 13: Date Dilemma

Once at the Lookout, everyone just kind of took to doing their own thing outside. It was best; less of a chance for more arguments to start.
But Zuma and Chase looked like they wouldn't be apologizing to each other anytime soon, and glared at one another whenever they crossed ways.
Ryder was starting to work on some parts for the new car as he took to noticing the bitter state that his chocolate lab and german shepard were both in. And for something as dumb as a volleyball game.
And as the boy stood up, he realized that it had also been a volleyball game gone wrong (as well as some Apollo episode) that caused Marshall to run away that one time, thinking no one had wanted him around.
Ryder nearly cringed whenever he thought about that day. To think that one of his own pups CHOSE to leave....
Just DECIDED to take off...
He felt it had been his fault. His fault for being such a distracted, busy ten-year-old that he sometimes forgot to mention to his pups that he loved them.
So when Chase came towards the frame of what was to be the new family car, though not paying attention as he was still glaring over at Zuma, his attention was suddenly on something that hit his head just now.
"Ow!" He shouted in annoyance. It was a rubber ball, thrown by Ryder.
"What's the big idea?!" Shouted the german shepard as his owner came towards him.
"You and Zuma have got to snap out of this, Chase! I'm dead sick of you pups fighting over the most ridiculous things! Now instead of moping around and muttering to yourselves, why don't you help ME out by making sure your brother doesn't wander off again!"
Chase only gave his owner a gaily look and just sat there. Ryder knew it would be tougher to get Chase back on the right track. He had always been kind of..well, to put it simply, difficult. A nice pup, but incredibly difficult at the same time.
"Look, Ryder, I get it. You don't like to see us pups fight. I understand that."
Ryder rolled his eyes. "Oh please, if you really understood then you wouldn't all be like this."
"Well Zuma and I just need space and whatever. We'll be fine. Don't worry. You've got Marsh to focus on."
"As do you and Zuma. All of us."
"Well I'm not going near that labrador. Not today." Chase stated.
"My, how stubborn you are!" Ryder groaned. "Chase, just say you're sorry! It's not that hard! Haven't you learned?! Whatever happened to 'trying to be more considerate?!' "
"Well...(sigh)LOOK, I just wanna be alone! Zuma probably does too! Maybe even Marshall does! He's probably tired of being babied all the time!"
"I am telling you, Chase, that you have a job to do! Just like the rest of us! For the love of God-!"
"Blasphemy!" Shouted Rocky, walking past them. He smirked.
Ryder turned his attention back to Chase. "For the love of..peanut butter, just help keep an eye out on Marshall and think about how you and Zuma's choice to stay silent is not making the situation better!"
"Alright then, your majesty!" Shouted Chase in frustration before walking away.
Ryder sighed heavily and went back to go keep working on the car.
From a ways away, Zuma had taken notice of the shouting going on between Ryder and Chase, but didn't know what about.
"Well whatevew he's getting in trwouble fow, he desewves it." He thought.
That's when Skye was passing by, using her nose to push a cardboard box with various things inside.
"What awe you doing?" Asked Zuma, curiously.
Skye looked up with a smile. "I'm taking this box of decorations down to Mayor Goodway's car just parked down the street. She said she could use all the help she could get in decorating for the party and I told her there were plenty of things in the Lookout that we could use. I'm sure she could use another set of paws so if you don't have anything to do, feel free to join us."
"Surwe." Said Zuma, returning the smile. "Lead the way."
"Thanks." Skye responded as she went back to pushing the box.
As Zuma followed he began to wonder about who he'd actually go to the party with, since it was clear that Chase was not an option anymore. He looked at Skye and thought about just asking her, but then came to the conclusion that she would most likely be too caught up in helping Goodway throughout the party to even really think about enjoying herself and the company of someone else, so he decided against it. In the middle of his wondering he spotted a familiar dalmation, visibly having a good time on the swing that hung from one of the trees there in the yard.
"Hi Zuma. Hey Skye." Greeted Marshall.
"Hey dude." Smiled Zuma.
"Hi Marsh. Busy? Cause if you're not, I'm sure Mayor Goodway could use more help."
Marshall smiled. "I would be glad to help. Just gotta let Ryder know first."
Skye smiled back. "Alright. Don't want him to be worried."
Marshall hopped off the swing and jogged to his owner.
Zuma watched him and a lightbulb appeared in his mind.
"Hey! Of couwse! Why didn't I think of that befowe?"
"Think of what?" Skye asked in confusion.
"Oh, nothing." Zuma responded.
Skye frowned. "You're weird."
With that she went back to pushing the box while Zuma lingered behind for a bit, still thinking.
"I can just go to the parwty with Mawshall. That'll show Chase that I prwefew othew company."
With his mind made up, Zuma stood proudly as he waited for Marshall to come back to help him and Skye, while also finding it hilarious that Chase was moping around in frustration, trying to find something to do to avoid getting in trouble again.
Skye turned around after a minute. "Zuma, where's Marshall? Is he still talking to Ryder?"
"Oh what? Um, yeah. He is. But wait, he's coming now."
Sure enough, Marshall was on his way over to them after his hug and lecture to be careful and to stick with his two siblings and the mayor at all times.
The dalmation had a smile on his face; a reminder that he always carried a willingness to help. Something Somnambulism could never interfere with.
"Hey guys. Ryder said I can go. But he said you both have to-"
"We know. We'll be careful with you. Did you take your meds?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, Everest made sure I did." Said Marshall with a chuckle. "Course, I don't know if they help much...." He thought.
Skye smiled. "Awesome. Well then, we better get a move on. Mayor Goodway's waiting by her car down the street."
Marshall barked cheerfully. "Let's go."
It was then that both Skye and Zuma received an incoming call from Ryder on their Pup-tags.
"Skye, Zuma,"
"Yes, Ryder?" Skye groaned, wanting to get to Goodway's car as soon as possible. She didn't want to keep the mayor waiting too long.
"I'm trusting you to look after Marshall. Anything can happen and I need you both to do all you can in preventing him from getting lost or hurt. I know the party is real soon and you're excited to set up for it but your biggest priority is to watch your brother."
"Yes, Wrydew."
"We understand, Ryder."
"Got it, Ry-Wait, those instructions weren't for me." Said Marshall with a giggle.
Everyone else laughed.
"All of you have fun. Stay safe. Especially-"
"I will." Promised Marshall.
"Alright, dear. See you all later."
"Bye, Ryder." Said each of the pups.
"Hold up, one more thing. Zuma, I recommend that you and Chase-"
"BYE WRYDEW." Said Zuma before quickly turning off his communicator tag.
Skye and Marshall just laughed and Zuma cleared his throat.
So off went the three pups to the mayor's car while Ryder stood back at the Lookout in puzzlement.
The boy threw down his Pup-pad. "That labrador!"
Jake approached him. "How's it going with building the car?"
"Good I suppose. But things aren't so great with Zuma and Chase."
"Aw, they'll work it out. Don't worry." Assured Jake. "Hey, have you seen Carlos by any chance?"
"Not since lunch. I thought he was with you."
"Hm. Maybe he took Tracker on a walk or something. Have you seen Everest?"
"No, and I haven't really planned on it." Sighed Ryder.
Jake gave a smile. "Aw, don't take it personally when she gets on you about Marshall. She just wants the very best for him and she stresses it. She's his big sister."
"I know." Said Ryder. "Still, gotta wonder how an eight-year-old husky feels inclined to tell a boy how to raise his six-year-old dalmation."
Jake giggled. "That's Everest for you. So bold."
Ryder smiled too, after a second. All of the pups were something special.
That was just a fact.
"Oh, and, have you seen my phone? I've been looking all over for it."
"I wouldn't know where it is, but I can try calling it."
"Alright. Thanks, kid.  You know,-"
Suddenly some rustling was heard in the bushes nearby.
"Hey, d'you hear that?" Asked Jake.
"Yeah, it's probably just a bunny or Chase playing 'Spy Chase' again." Said Ryder, not thinking much of it.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Chase, you've been discovered. Come on out of there. Unless you're gonna help with the car, I suggest you continue with your game elsewhere. Go on now."
Chase approached the two from behind with an annoyed expression on his face. "You're tripping, Ryder. I've been over by that tree this whole time. I wasn't anywhere near those bushes."
"Well then who-(sigh)Rubble, you're not gonna find any food hidden in those bushes. Let's come on out."
"I thought you and Rubble weren't talking." Said Chase, confused.
"Chase, what are you?! Some person who analyzes any drama that goes on around here?!"
"Well it's my duty to know about everything that happens here so that if a case arises, I can piece together all the chain of events and-!"
"I thought you were a spy. Not a detective." Said Jake.
"Well a spy is a kind of detective" Chase declared.
"But still two different things." Said Jake.
Ryder facepalmed.  "Jake, what have you done? Now he's gonna start arguing!" He warned, already knowing it was too late.
And so began Jake and Chase's debate on whether or not a spy and detective were the same thing.
Ryder sighed and looked back to the bushes, only to find that they weren't rustling anymore.
Passing it off as just being Rubble there the whole time, Ryder plugged his ear buds into his Pup-pad and turned on some loud rock songs to block out the noise of the argument as he went back to working on the car.