lunat1's note:

updated 22/02/2011 - to fix line breaks and a few errors and mis-pronounciation I noticed (probably not all though)

This will eventually be FlynnxYuri - just in case you did not notice it in the summary. Rated T for occassional swearing, adult themes, may be rated M in later chapters

Repede had always been with Yuri Lowell for as long as he could remember. He could bark with confident affirmation if he was ever asked whether Yuri was his most favourite human.

Yuri Lowell and Flynn Scifo actually – them both.

If he had to choose, though, Flynn had to come second. Repede had been with the two young men ever since they were but little boys, and himself as a puppy. After being left to fend for himself by his previous master – for whatever reason he could no longer remember vividly – the boys had been taking care of him, and even considered him as a friend who stood at the same status as their fellow human friends – regardless of his canine breed.

Even during their days in the Imperial Knights, Yuri & Flynn would always come down to the lower quarter to play with Repede whenever they had free time and could get away from their knights quarter in the palace.

When he got a few years older - not a little mutt anymore – and just not that interested in obediently played sit, shake, and roll for the boys amusement for some dog snacks; he would laze under the shades of one of many run down shelters in the lower quarters, and just watched the boys practiced their swordplay against each other.

He noted that Flynn had always been a tiny bit better than Yuri in his sword fighting techniques. Maybe because the dark haired boy was always more aggressive in his swordplay - all offense and hardly defense. Whereas Flynn was always more calculating in his moves.

Repede would smirk – however a dog's smirk would look like – whenever Flynn pointed his sword towards Yuri's neck at every end of battle for the 14th times for the day and Yuri just shot daggers at his blond friend – exasperated.

Those peaceful days was his favourite past time

There were also his other favourite times – some days, Yuri would come to the lower quarter and brought Repede for a walk without Flynn by his side. Yuri would take Repede to the near outskirts of Zaphias, just barely outside the barrier. This tiny patch of greens was located just outside the noble quarters, a bit of extension of the quarter's many parks, but not protected by the safety of the barrier. They would sneak around the noble's houses and reach this little slice of haven

There were hardly any monster roaming around - even when there were, they were nothing Yuri and Repede could not handle. The ones that were unlucky to share the haven with them were usually young and inexperienced beasts – whose lives were cut short by the duo whenever they were sighted. The wild and stronger beasts usually tended to roam a few miles away from the barrier limits. The beasts knew better than to stay too close to the town protected and patrolled regularly by the Imperial Knights.

There were no annoying nobles as well, since those snobs hardly ever went near the very limit of the barrier, preferring to stay in their lavish houses or chatter about closer to where the guards were stationed for their safety. These were the days Repede got to spend with Yuri alone, just staring at the sky underneath a tree and occasionally hacked away at the incoming beasts. Yuri always treated Repede as his equal fighting partner and practiced with him whenever he thought he could invent a new finishing move – as basic as it was. Yuri seemed to connect to him regardless of their lack of verbal conversations.

Whenever there were verbal conversations – mainly from Yuri's part - Repede would listen intently, perking his ears and tried to capture whatever emotions flowed through the words coming out of his lips.

Lately he could sense that Yuri was upset about whatever had been happening inside the mighty gates of Zaphias castle, amongst the Imperial knights and the nobles.

From what he could gather, Repede knew Yuri would leave the Imperial Knights, that he was getting sick of the twisted sense of justice and corruptions amongst the higher-ups, the lieutenants, and even some of the captains.

Repede understood that recently Yuri had been constantly getting into arguments with Flynn for this very reason.

Repede understood very well though, regardless what Flynn would say, Yuri had made up his mind.

Repede could only plant his head on Yuri's lap and whine softly in approval. There was hardly any moment he felt like getting that close to the youth, but he could sense that there were a lot of mixed emotions and inward battle Yuri was undergoing. And he felt that his closeness to the boy would help in some way.

Repede could make out the last few words Yuri exhaled,

"….. Thanks, Repede"

And he was content with his master's – friend's peace of mind.

Flynn Scifo had never felt like punching the lights out of his friend before.

"We promised that we would uphold justice together!"

Yuri rolled his eyes, albeit uncomfortably. He had never felt at ease with the way Flynn gritted his teeth while speaking – whenever the blond teen was angry.

"… and is that what we are doing now, Flynn? You saw what I saw, and you know this sorry excuse of the Imperial Knights won't make anything better", he snorted. He was just about finished packing up whatever left of his personal belongings, leaving his knight uniform scattered his allocated bed in his knight's quarter. He was going to leave without pleasant handshake with his soon-to-be-ex-superiors anyway, why bother tidying up?

"It will change," Flynn persuaded further, "That's the whole point we joined the knights! We need to … - no - We will change it "

"Honestly, before we could ever change anything, I am afraid I would kill someone already." Yuri waved his hands casually; his tone clearly signified that he was getting tired of this pointless charade of words exchange.

Flynn winced slightly as he realized that there was some truth in his friend's last sentence. Yuri was a black-or-white kind of person. What he learnt of his friend of all the years they had been together was that Yuri always acted on his first train of thoughts, without even considering the negative outcome that impulsive decision of his might cause; without even considering the harm he would cause himself.

Somehow, Flynn could not bear to let his mind linger on that last thought.

"Flynn, even if we take different paths…," Yuri sighed," even if we use different methods, we will make people smile. That is our goal, isn't it? It doesn't matter then whether I am in the Imperial Knights or not"

"…"

"You will not change your mind?,"

It was more of a confirmation than a question. Albeit a bit hurt - though Flynn would not admit it - he could not comprehend why Yuri would take a different path, away from their 'togetherness'. But it seemed that this was going to be his lost cause after all.

Yuri just shrugged.

Another pang of pain hit Flynn inwardly. He wished he could be as easygoing as Yuri, who was now sitting on his bed, crossing his legs lazily, still waiting if Flynn would say any more to irate him.

How could Yuri make such decision with such ease? If they were together, he would always be able to cover for Yuri – he was always the better fighter after all, and better person in choosing diplomatic words should the situation required.

He let out another exasperated sigh,

"I will walk you to the gates"

Yuri beamed up at his friend. It was not so hard after all. He felt bad, sure, but it's not like he was going to somewhere far away. He would still live at the lower quarters, protecting its residents at close counter – at least he would be sure he would settle things his own way whenever he saw something unjust – not waiting for some court order which would turn out to be in favor of the riches anyway.

And whenever he felt like seeing Flynn, he could just sneak up to the knights' quarter again.

With his small bundle of belongings slung over his shoulders and Flynn towing after him, they walked towards the castle gates. It had been quiet in the quarters – only a few maids and off duty guards. The rest of the knights were in practice session –one which Flynn was supposed to be in as well – if not for a more important matter, such as Yuri deserting the knights.

At the top of the stairs, just outside the castle' door, Repede was waiting and straightened up at the sight of the two young men.

Yuri smiled and had just started walking towards his canine friend when he noticed Repede suddenly perked his ears up . With that, he could also feel the fast wind and the sound of blade swinging from behind him.

It was just in time that Yuri docked under the incoming blow from Flynn, milliseconds away from getting knocked out.

His heart was still thumping furiously as he glared at his friend, who was now sheathing his blade calmly

"Is this your idea of a farewell? Farewelling me indefinitely?"

Flynn smiled sarcastically, if he could call that a smile. He was still bitter about Yuri's departure from the knights,

"I knew you'd be able to dodge it"

"Ha – ha!," Yuri fumed.

The next second Yuri gained his composure back, he suddenly realized that Repede had sat himself between where Yuri and Flynn were standing. The dog's eyes, although seemed to be at ease, looked up warily at Flynn. Flynn smiled and reached down to pat him, at which Repede wagged his tails briefly.

"Besides Repede would not let me cut your single strand of hair, let alone hurt you," Flynn chuckled.

He knew Repede was always fast, as fast as actually being able to leap in a blink of an eye to reach his spot at the second he swung that blade at Yuri. Flynn brought his head down to Repede's and buried his face onto his fur, seemed to be talking directly to his ears. Repede licked his face in response

"Oy, enough with the touchy feely," Yuri blinked, pretended to be disgusted with the way his two best friends were acting, "We are only going to the lower quarters anyway and will still be seeing you lots"

Flynn let go of Repede and stood up, forcing a smile at Yuri,

"Be seeing you around then."

"Yeah, for better or for worse," Yuri chuckled, as he walked away from his blond friend, with Repede in tow.

Repede threw a glance one last time at Flynn, who muttered something sounded like,"Please, Repede?"

Flynn looked at the silhouette of his friend's back as Yuri walked further away from him, disappearing in the midst of nobles scattered about around the castle, and towards the stairs leading to the middle quarters - finally lost from his sight.

Repede somehow knew that Flynn was just testing Yuri when he swung that blade – for whatever reason. Maybe the blond teen was just making sure to keep Yuri's instinct sharp. At least he would be able to protect himself then. Repede had never had any doubt of Yuri's ability to defend himself - or fighting in that case. The youth's wild instincts always made him a good and agile fighter, albeit of his reckless impulse. Repede knew this was why Yuri kept losing to Flynn and that Flynn always looked out for his friend.

Repede knew he need to keep an eye on Yuri from then on that it was going to be just the two of them.

Until he found someone he deemed worthy to be by Yuri's side. As strong, or even better – stronger than him.

Until he found someone he deemed worthy of Yuri's trust.

Someone who would take Flynn's place to stay by Yuri's side.

Look after Yuri for me, Repede

Those were Flynn's words as he whispered to his ears, wary and full of concern, as trusting as he is in his canine friend.

And Repede planned on doing just that.

Regardless how the story started, this is not going to be a story solely from Repede's POV. I just want to give him the opening line, since I love Repede