Kanade wore her light summer yukata that she preferred for outdoor use. She had brought some leftover rice and bits of fowl and fish with her. Basically drying scraps, but needed them for this. She ordered Jiro and Hadena to sit near the door. The crates of remaining animals were stacked near the walls. The chickens rustled their feathers uncomfortably being kept near the dogs and the goats bleated to themselves from time to time. She had ordered the new dogs to not be fed yet. The other animals, including Hadena and Jiro had recieved food as normal.

Kanade went to each of the dog cages in turn, letting the sniff her fingers and, so long as they didn't react too bad, stroked them with a finger.

As expected, the three adults whined and backed away. Kanade patiently waited and eventually rewarded them with a soft voice and a little pet. The puppy snapped as he did in the shop. Jiro let out a growl and began to approach his mistress. Kanade pulled her hand back quick and let out a sharp "no," causing the other three new dogs to whimper, the eldest to release his bladder and even Jiro to cock his head.

In a very strange movement for a courtier, Kanade pulled back her lips showing teeth and made a growling noise in her throat trying to imitate the dogs. She thrust her head forward at the puppy's cage and made the sound again.

"Errf?" The pup looked a bit confused, showing teeth back.

Kanade turned her back, looking unafraid and went to the old dog's crate. Kanade named this one Kunio. She lifted the gate and backed away. Setting a small clump of the rice mixture on the floor, she backed up a little then lowered herself to her knees, and waited....and waited.

Slowly, the hungry old dog crawled out and nibbled the rice. Kanade smiled and softly said, "Jiro... low..." she made a hand signal to the floor. The old dog paused for a minute but eventually went back to licking the treat. As soft as she could, "come Jiro."

The old dog stiffened with fear. Yet, the food enticed him to stay. Jiro crawled his way to Kanade's side but no further. The old dog stood a few moments before returning to licking the floor, attempting to gain any sustenance. Kanade reached forward and placed another lump of rice as far as she could stretch.

Eventually, her efforts paid off as Kunio crawled forward to eat the bite. The process was tedious but Kanade continued to give small bits to the elderly dog with Jiro calmly laying next to her. Hadena had long bored of this near the door and lay down for a nap.

Finally, Kanade was able to gently pet Kunio and Jiro sniff him. The two dogs greeted each other with the eventual outcome being Jiro grooming his elder with gentle laps of his tongue. Kanade gently ran her fingers though his dark gray and white fur.

The other dogs watched this process from their cages with some interest. They smelled the food and watched what befell the old one. Tails wagged low in the cages, hopeful.

"Sorry boy, it is just for a little bit." Kanade finally spoke as she stood. She guided Kunio in to his cage, holding him just behind the front legs, one leg on other side of him. He whined as she shut the gate back down. "It's for your safety." Though he couldn't understand, she hoped the soft tone helped him and the others begin to adjust to her voice.

She repeated that painfully slow process first with the female adult, who was now known as Kaiya. She had red and white fur and a small scar on one of her ears. Kanade tried not to think about where that came from. Kaiya took to the petting a little better then Kunio, perhaps being younger helped. She also seemed more interested in Jiro.

Then came grey with black Shin. He picked up the idea much quicker than Kunio and Kaiya. Either was a tad smarter, or simply seeing the other two do it taught him what was asked of him. Though, he flinched a bit a Kanade petting him and after the second stroke let out a small growl. She was fascinated by the wiry texture of his fur and his thin build. She stood and backed up. Walking around she placed a clump of the ever dwindling rice mix in the back of the cage. Backing up from it, Shin ran in to nab it up. Kanade stepped over to shut it with a "good boy, Shin."

The next one was going to be trouble, so a new strategy had to be devised. She set a clump of rice in an empty corner towards the back. This would unfortunately involve a walk past the chicken crate.

"Jiro, come sit." He looked at the rice bit and licked his lips but did as bidden. Stepping to the side of the crate, Kanade loosed an eager Akita puppy.

Kuma charged, barking and twisting at his newfound freedom. The chickensclucked and lost several feathers. Kanade, tried to make a beeline for the rice before he got there. She barely managed to put herself in front of him, body blocking his process.

"Jiro, eat." It didn't take more than that for Kanade's lead dog to nab the food. The puppy growled and lunged at the dog that stole what Kuma thought was rightfully his.

"Jiro, tortoise!" A growl emitted from Jiro, though he didn't see a tortoise or any people besides Kanade for that matter. The pup tried to bite at Jiro, who being bigger snapped back.

"Hadena, come."The red and black female, who had awoke to chaos snapped to and ran to Kanade's side. Jiro bit and snapped at the pup, not seriously injuring him, but asserting his dominance. Hadena, jumped into the fray.

Kanade wasn't surprised. They'd been partners for 17 months now. It was a harsh lesson the pup had to learn.

"Jiro! Hadena!" Her voice snapped with authority. Kanade ran next to the unruly pup's cage. "Here." Together the two adults herded the wild dog into the crate. Kanade slammed the gate down.

She made note to tell the servant to feed that one last, and not to reach through the bars. Make him wait was the clear instruction.

_________________
Mantis Clan * Courtier/Shugenja * Dangerous Beauty * Experienced 3* Wealthy
Status: 1.0 Glory 4.2 Honor: Untrustworthy
sometimes accompanied by Jiro-inu and Hadena-inu
Carries: wakizashi, abacus, coin purse and satchel