Summary: Beka Cooper must learn to control herself with the information of a serial rapist is in the streets of Corus, who might be a Dog. While dealing with possible coroption, Beka turns to only the ones she can trust, even the Roguw. Beka discovers how to scare and fight at every corner as any Rottwieler.

TAKES PLACE AFTER BLOODHOUND! (Hence, Spoilers)

Tuesday, October 2, 247

Noon

Been a week since I returned home and finally, I've been given the chance to go back on Nightwatch. My lord Provost had insisted that I wait until November but I used the excuse that I needed money to pay for my rent or I'd have no choice but to take up board at the Dancing Dove which Rosto had offered to me for free. I wouldn't want the Rogue thinking I owned him anything or I might regret what he asks for.

Tonight will be a great return. Eskren, I suppose, won't be in for awhile. He's liking the vacation time to be with Kora more since he left her to come to Port Caynn. Things will be different this time about, but I'm sort of looking forward to the idea of it.

First, Goodwin is officially Desk Sergeant. She'll do a great job telling us what to do. She never had a problem with it when I was just a Puppy observing her and Tunstall. Although Tunstall was the oldest, she seemed to wear the pants in that partnership while Tunstall laid back.

Second, I will now be partnered with Tunstall which will be the only good partnership I've had so far. Except for, of course, when I worked with Goodwin on my first hunt. Now that worked out pretty well. Tunstall, at least, will encourage me to chase a filcher. We'll have a good time. Well- as much fun as a Dog can really have.

Early morning, I woke up to take Achoo out for bathroom duties. I then change into a blue tunic and black leggings as well as my black Dog boots. At one point, I tried not to look like a Dog but I couldn't avoid it anymore. Any mot with bright grey eyes was instantly assumed as the Dog Beka Cooper because no one had eyes like me. I let my hair into a nice braid without the spikes because I kept my daggers in easy reach.

I then took Achoo and Pounce with me to the Dancing Dove. Already my breakfast friends were all waiting for me. It seems they always are- waiting, I mean. Aniki was fiddling with Phelan's hair from where she sat in the chair as he sat on the floor leaning against her legs. Kora and Eskren were sitting on a wooden bench. Rosto, well, he was actually missing, so I guess I wasn't the last one to wait for. I sat on the floor and allowed Achoo to greet our friends.

Since I first got her almost a month ago, Achoo has been well. Her coat is shiny and full. I see her give those doggy smiles a lot and she plays around a lot. That is, when's she's not on duty and is a full time bloodhound.

Pounce slipped into my lap Interesting, the Rogue isn't at his palace. Everyone was use to Pounce speaking when he allowed them to understand him. I would be the only one I know to be stuck with an annoying constellation cat. You're just saying that because you missed me last September. I wouldn't deny that.

I ran my hand over his fur, too excited to be working tonight to actually take any of the food that was on the table to our right. You would think we would sit around the table instead of in a circle in the middle of the room but, we would do just the opposite.

"Rosto disappeared somewhere," Aniki whispered sending a quick glance at me. "Probably still moping over our little Beka here and that cove from Port Caynn." I sighed and just petted Pounce more. He purred gently and then jumped out of my lap.

Traitor, I thought enviously of him. He knew I needed something to distract me so I couldn't respond. I stared at my hands, "Rosto's probably busy trying to find out who the new Rogue of Port Caynn is." I did, after all, get Pearl, the last Rogue, in some trouble. I gave a smile at that.

"I heard it's Flory Fair." Kora pitched in before wiping jam from Eskren's face. She kissed his cheek and then whispered something in his ear. I raised an eyebrow to what she had said. Flory Fair was in charge of orange sellers and flower girls. How did she become Port Caynn's Rogue?

Underestimating again are you? Pounce had grabbed a muffin off the table and began eating it. He started licking crumbs off his paws. The least expected ones are the people who win. Remember, Rosto was just an outsider when he became Rogue. Pounce made it obvious that I was the only one who could hear him.

"Beka, aren't you hungry? Tonight's your first night back. Tunstall and Cooper in the Lower Cities. We haven't had a safer city yet until now." Eskren had wrapped his arm around Kora. The closeness between the two of them and then between Aniki and Phelan made me miss Dale. At least when Rosto was here, I wasn't the only one who was single and alone. Then again, when I left Port Caynn, Rosto had made it very clear that he could find company in a few woman.

Not that I was jealous.

"No, not too hungry at all," I mumbled hoping my stomach didn't grumble and give me away. "I think I might just see the dusters today before I head out. Since I've returned I have not seen them." That seemed like a reasonable excuse at the moment that they believed me. "Come on Pounce."

No, too boring. Pounce began eating more of the muffin. I'll stay here.

I rolled my eyes at him. Constellations are very stubborn and self-absorbed. "Achoo," I watched as she picked up her head and stared at me waiting for my command, "Kemari." She instantly came to me and stood by my side. Her tongue stuck out and she smiled wide. I petted her. "Bye," I waved my hand to the four of them. I was barely acknowledged and heading back out through the Dove's main entrance.

When I walked through I was grabbed at the waist and pulled aside. Achoo began barking wildly but I instantly hit my attacker. He lost his breath and I easily backed away from his grasp. It was too easy really. I turned to face him while Achoo kept growling. I rolled my eyes, "Tumit Achoo." I watched as she stopped growling and sat beside me.

"Didn't you learn last month not to repeat your patterns? You could get hurt pretty badly," Rosto stood there, leaning against the wall. He had pulled out one of his knives and began twirling it about.

Achoo was watching the dagger closely. She growled again. I held out my hand, "Tumit." This time the order went completely through her mind and she bowed her head. I crossed my arms and glared at him, "Why worry when you can have someone kill them?"

Rosto's head tilted in confusion. "What exactly happened to you in Port Caynn? Never thought I'd heard that from you Cooper." He pushed his blonde hair back with his pale hands. He was dressed in a dark, fancy red tunic and black breeches. He had on black boots as well. He put his dagger away.

I watched as Rosto pushed himself off from the building and walked over to me. He reached for something in his hand and pulled out a large, handkerchief filled with something. He dangled it in front of my nose with a slim smile. Rogue's tend to have that sly look about them that makes you unable to trust them, ever but most of the time, Rosto was just one of the other's. I forget from time to time that he's not just a thief but the King of Thieves.

Wafting through the handkerchief I could smell cinnamon and apples. He picked up one of my hands and handed it towards me. My traitor of a stomach grumbled at the thought of eating my favorite bread. I couldn't believe he remembered. I narrowed my eyes, "What do you want Rosto?"

"Eat Cooper. I know it's your first day back and I don't want you lightheaded and then get hurt." He stepped away from me. I kept the bread and handkerchief in my hand. He placed his hands in his pockets and grinned. As if reading my mind he said, "It's a present Beka. You won't owe me anything."

"Sure," I mumbled, my mouth watering at the thought of the bread. "It's just a present today and then, over the days and weeks it adds up. Soon you'll be saying, 'Well, Beka, I did give you those presents, why don't you give me one something?'" Achoo began panting and sniffing my bread but I noticed it was because she was trying not to glare at Rosto.

Rosto raised his eyebrows and looked around the open street, possibly looking for all the enemies he had. Even in broad daylight I suppose Rosto is in danger. I am too. That's the life of a the Rogue or a Dog. We had that much in common. "And what is that one something that you think I'll ask for?"

I frowned and he shook his head. I knew perfectly well that Rosto had received word of Dale and I. He had slept with his fair share of mots to get over it. I wish he'd stop acting like he had some special eye for me and wasn't just interested in canoodling. I would be like Aniki or Kora if I ever give into Rosto's terrible flirting. He liked the chase and then, once he got what he wanted, he was done with it. I was not going to be 'it'.

"Tell me Beka, are you going to take up my offer to live at the Dancing Dove or do you think I'll ask something from you for that too?" Rosto had stepped forward and was staring down at me. I stared equally back at me.

"Rosto, you're the Rogue, you don't give away anything unless you want something in return." I gave him a smile, leaned in a bit just to tease, and watched him lean in response to my movement. I could smell his cinnamon breath on my cheek and I made sure that I was glaring at him. He didn't back away from my eyes as most people did. "And don't ever sneak up on me again, Rosto the Piper, or you'll get more than you've bargained for."

Rosto reached up a hand and placed a lose strand of my hair behind my face. I tightened my glare at him. "Or I'll get exactly what I want." His hand lingered on my cheek a bit more. I tightened my jaw. He went to close the last inch or two between us but I jumped back.

"Don't count on it," I murmured back and then I ran away. Achoo followed obediently. I made my away around the corner before I stopped running. I leaned against a building as Achoo huffed beside me. I stared at her.

"I'm sure Pounce will not be happy to have missed that." I reached my hand over to pet Achoo, "That cove doesn't understand what he's doing." Then, I sat down on the ground and opened the handkerchief. "Now, let me eat this before Slapper finds me." Achoo barked happily and sat beside me watching the streets to make sure no one came after me. I took a bite. The bread was the best I have ever tasted. There was enough cinnamon and apples so I could taste and enjoy both.

When I was done, I placed Rosto's handkerchief in my pocket.

After Nightwatch.

The worst has happened but I can't really explain. My mind is frazzled from all that I have witnessed tonight. My first night back and partnered with Tunstall may very be the worst night in my career as a Dog.

I made my way easily to Jane Street kennel. I had on all my proper Dog attire; black tunic, black breeches, baton, belt, boots, Achoo, and Pounce. All right, technically Pounce wasn't proper Dog attire but that's how it's worked out since I was a Pup. Pounce would follow us everywhere. People have gotten use to it.

I joined the others in training before the shift started. We always did this to loosen up our muscles and wake ourselves up. Night watch is a tricky duty because if I've noticed that evil worst best at night where it can't be seen.

Then Desk Sergeant Goodwin pulled us together and welcomed me back. Goodwin gave me a smile and a pat on the back. It was strange thinking that Goodwin would now be in charge of the paperwork instead of the street work. She was happier with this now. She had done enough fighting. Tunstall, apparently, would never have enough of it. I'd like to think I would be like him as I grew older. Street dog forever is what we like to say.

Out on the streets, we made our way easily through the streets. We stopped by the usual places to check up on old friends. People were real friendly to us today because everyone was saying it was the start of the best new partnership since Tunstall and Goodwin. I prided myself that we would be a good team, Tunstall and I because we covered up all that the best Dog would ever be.

Tunstall is the wise, old Dog with enough scares and history that if he tried to retell it he wouldn't be able to finish before the day's end. He was friendly, well-associated with the town, and had a reputation as a good enforcer of the law. He knew when to look the other way with a bribe or when to refuse the bribe and turn the felon in. He thought every cry for help was worth following after.

I was the new, shy Dog with the bright eyes that gave people the creeps and one of the best reputations for capturing true criminals. My first year as a Pup I had captured a killer alongside Tunstall and Goodwin. Just last month as a Dog I was able to stop an entire counterfeiter operation along with Port Caynn Dogs and Goodwin. I knew the difference between right and wrong. I believed in justice. I was true to the job. I had a constellation and a scent hound. I chased after the criminals and I caught them. I made sure I always caught them.

We were traveling south towards the old Court of the Rogue. The new one is the Dancing Dove due to Rosto's orders. "Glad to be back on the streets Cooper?" Tunstall asked as we passed a few sellers. He stopped for a moment to look at some food.

"Always," I gave a smile. Tunstall, Goodwin, and my friends were the only people who I wasn't shy around. I was always scolded by my Lord Provost that I would have to learn to be more social if I was going to be a proper Dog. For now, I like to think that Tunstall will be around forever and can be the social dog for me.

That's when we heard a scream, it was high and painful. "Take the alley," Tunstall ordered. I nodded my head and went straight to the first alleyway. I was the better runner out of us when it came to the back roads. For some reason, I could find my way through every twist and turn. I had chased a criminal almost all the way to the Upmarket on my first week and I caught her.

I paced easily through as the scream came again. I took a sharp right after hearing it and stumbled over a few trash cans. Achoo, Pounce, and I were running together now towards the end of the alley. A dark shadow stood up and stared at me running. Before I could do anything, the figure ran towards me and then took a sharp turn into another back road. I stopped wear I first saw the figure stand up.

A woman was lying on the ground crying with her skirt pulled up to her waist. I watched as she saw me and frantically pulled the skirts down to her knees. "I didn't want this," she cried. Her hair was messed up. I saw a thick bruise forming around her eye. There was blood on the hem of her skirt.

Tunstall finally arrived and stared at the woman. "What happened?" I found a piece of black fabric torn on the ground. I picked it up and I couldn't deny how familiar it felt. Tunstall stared at the woman and ignored at I pressed the fabric to Achoo.

"Bau," I ordered and Achool pressed her nose into the fabric. The woman was trembling and crying. Tunstall kneeled down and reached out to comfort her.

"Don't touch me! You'll hurt me just like he did! Filthy Dogs, the lot of you. He raped me and now you're going to finish me off before I can tell on your friend aren't you?" I lifted my head up from Achoo, who was still sniffing trying hard to grasp a scent.

"Ma'am," I stared at her and she looked at me. She was trying hard not to look away from me. She was scared and hurt, "This is Guardsman Tunstall. I am Guardswoman Cooper. Clearly you know enough of us to know that neither of us will hurt you. I have my scent hound trying to catch the man's scent and I will catch him. Please remain calm and we will have more guards here for you, woman guards who won't hurt you. I promise." That was the most I think I had ever said to a complete stranger.

My words seemed to calm her and she nodded her head. She covered her face and began crying some more just as Achoo sneezed. "Miss, I will have to leave to go catch the man." Achoo's ears were up and alert ready to find the terrible man. She seemed to understand that she would be alone with Tunstall but trusted me enough. I stood up and stared at Achoo, "Mencari. Cepat."

Within a second, Achoo was running down the same alleyway as the cove. I followed easily behind her as I had been trained to do. She easily knew where to go. We criss-crossed through the alleyways and out into the open street. Achoo was making good pace and I was hoping the criminal had grown comfortable and had walked most of his trail. I was starting to get hopeful until we reached Market Bridge.

There Achoo stood by the side of the bridge sniffing the air. I was hoping the cove hadn't been smart enough to go into the water. I was wrong because eventually Achoo came back to me with her head hanging low. I petted her, "The scummer was smart to lose our trail. He must've seen you coming. Back to Jane Street."

When we arrived, I made sure to give Tunstall the recap. He stood there shaking his head, "We're dealing with a crisis. He knows how to lose us." He ran a hand through his hair. The woman was in the other room giving her statement. She must've been eighteen, a year older than me.

"I still have the fabric sir," I held up the black fabric, "I think- I think she's suggesting it's a Dog." I made sure to whisper this so no one could hear. Tunstall rubbed his chin and glared at me.

"Beka, anyone can easily make a Dog's uniform. It's cheap fabric after all. I suggest you start thinking it's an impersonator before you think it's a cop." Pounce and Achoo were both at my side.

"Whoever it is will regret it," I mumbled.

Pounce mumped up on my shoulder, Control that anger. Rosto wouldn't like to see you get so easily upset. He'll tear down the city looking for whoever made you this mad. I knew he was right. I just didn't like the idea that someone almost my age could get hurt.

I made sure to tell Pounce that without actually saying that. He pressed his head against my cheek and purred. Neither with Rosto, Pounce replied back. I watched then as Goodwin stepped out. I could still hear the girl crying in the background.

"She has a sworn statement. She asked if Cooper could take her back to her home with her family. I offered someone else because we could've used you out on the street Cooper but I think after tonight, she needs something to go her way." I motioned for Achoo and Pounce to come with me.

I stepped into the room and stared at her. She looked up at me, "You're about my age aren't you?" Her voice was shaky. Someone had given her spare clothing so that her dress could be used for evidence. She was small and skinny. I regretted not being able to help her yet. "Be careful," she warned me, "He says he likes them are age before he-before he," then she burst into a new set of tears.

I promised her I would find him. Then, once she calmed down a bit, we made our way out of the street and I brought her to her home. Before she went to her parents, I explained that I'd be by within the week to check up on her. Her name was Rosaline Greene. Then, I waited outside so when her parents answered the door, they saw that the Dogs had made sure their daughter got home safely.

When they shut the door, I stared at Achoo and Pounce. "Let's go home."

More to come. I promise. Please Review!