Broken Pieces - Chapter 5

Chase, Marshall, and Ryder were at Katie's, Chase was getting the stitches removed finally.

Chase yipped, tears forming.

"Sorry Chase," said Katie, "the stitches pull a little when I try to remove them. Would you like something for the pain?"

"I-it's ok," said Chase, wincing as she cut another.

"Ryder, I think I have a better idea," said Marshall. Marshall tapped his pup tag.

"Yes Marshall," said Skye.

"Skye, can you come help distract Chase while he gets his stitches out," said Marshall.

"Say no more, I'm on my way," said Skye, Ryder snickered.

Skye ran in shortly and ran over to Chase.

"W-what are you doing here," said Chase, blushing.

"This," said Skye and she licked his muzzle. Katie caught on and as Skye would lick or kiss Chase, She timed cutting and pulling a stitch.

Chase blushed more and more but was needless to say distracted from Katie's work.

"Does that help?" asked Skye, kissing Chase once more.

Chase was almost speechless, "H-help with what?"

"I'm done," giggled Katie.

"Y-you are?" said Chase, "The first few I felt. T-thank you Katie. Um, Skye, uh, why did you come?"

"I asked her to come distract you," laughed Marshall. "I think it worked."

Chase blushed but nodded.

"Now Chase," said Katie, "You'll need to exercise and get the tightness out of your muscles. I gave Ryder some itch spray that will help while your fur is growing back."

"We're starting our workouts this morning," said Marshall. "I'll have him back to his former self and more soon."

"We are?" said Chase. "What are we going to do?"

"I thought we'd jog for a little while and get you warmed up," said Marshall. "Sensei Yumi will be at the Lookout after lunch. She's going to teach you some new defense tactics. You'll be better than before and more prepared. I told you, we are together in this."

"I'm coming too Chase," said Skye. "We want you to know you're not alone. Besides, I look forward to seeing even more muscle on you." She licked his muzzle again and did a backflip.

Chase blushed even harder.

Ryder and Katie both laughed.

Marshall, Skye, and Chase jogged over to the track. Zuma, Rocky, Rubble, and Everest were waiting on them when they arrived.

"Hey guys," said Everest. "Did you get your stitches out?"

"Yes, they're out," said Chase, he turned to look at Skye and blushed again.

"Skye, we were wondering where you went," said Zuma.

"I had to help," giggled Skye.

"Oh, I see," laughed Rocky.

The pups all began jogging in line. They slowly picked up speed and made it several laps. Chase began loosening up and felt his strength returning. He and Marshall took off running. Zuma howled and joined in. The three were running head to head, the others had stopped to watch the race. Marshall pulled ahead slightly and then Chase burst around him at the last minute crossing the finish line.

"Wow, great race," said Skye, running over to Chase. She nuzzled him and licked his cheek.

Chase broke into a deep blush, but licked Skye's muzzle in return

Marshall laughed at Chase's reaction.

"What are you laughing at," said Everest as she licked Marshall's muzzle.

It was Marshall's turn to blush.

"So are you two finally going to admit it," laughed Rocky.

"W-what are you talking about," sputtered Marshall.

"Please, you think we didn't know," laughed Zuma.

"I told you they already knew," laughed Everest.

Chase laughed, "I guess the cat's out of the bag guys."

"About time," laughed Rocky. "You four make great couples."

"Well let's get to the Lookout and grab some lunch before Sensei Yumi gets there," said Marshall.

The pups howled and ran for the Lookout.

***

Sensei Yumi was waiting as they came out of the Lookout.

"Good afternoon students," said Sensei Yumi. "Assume your places and let us begin our stretches."

The pups all followed and stretched. Then they paired off with Chase and Marshall pairing with each other.

Sensei Yumi had Marshall demonstrate some of the moves she hoped to teach Chase. Marshall acted as the aggressor and Chase defended. Marshall moved around and leapt onto Chase's back grabbing his scruff.

Chase flashed back to Rex grabbing him, In his mind he felt Rex's teeth sinking into his skin. He dropped to the ground cowering and shaking. Marshall immediately released Chase.

"Chase?" yipped Marshall, "Did I bite too hard, I'm sorry."

"P-please, please don't hurt me anymore," whimpered Chase, as he curled into a ball.

"Chase?" whimpered Marshall, "I'm really sorry. I-i didn't mean to bite so hard."

"Pups, please let me have some time with him," said Sensei Yumi.

The pups all dispersed and went inside the Lookout.

Sensei Yumi sat down in front of Chase.

"Chase," said Sensei Yumi. "Chase, look at me."

Chase was still shaking but looked up at Sensei Yumi.

"I-i'm sorry Sensei Yumi," whimpered Chase, "I-i've become a coward."

"Chase, you're not a coward," explained Sensei Yumi. "You are a victim. You were hurt and it has caused you to doubt yourself. No one is invincible, everyone has weaknesses. In your case it wasn't a weakness, you were overpowered by a bully that was larger than you. You stood your ground despite being injured. That's not a coward, that's a hero. You have allowed yourself to dwell upon a defeat. I have always said to fail is to quit. You simply need to train to understand that you had a minor setback."

"T-that's almost exactly what Marshall said," whimpered Chase.

"Where do you think he got it?" laughed Sensei Yumi. "Chase, you had a defeat. You think I've never had a defeat? Everyone experiences defeat at some point. We must learn from our defeats and better ourselves. If you find yourself at a point where you can't find the light, you step back and ask for help."

"But it's so hard not to see myself as a failure," said Chase.

"I need help, are the hardest words to say," said Sensei Yumi.

"Marshall said that also," said Chase.

"I'm working on my clumsiness with Sensei Yumi," said Marshall, as he rejoined the two.

"He knows those words are hard to say," said Sensei Yumi.

"I know because I had to ask for help," said Marshall, he nuzzled Chase, licking away his tears.

"B-but we love you and your clumsiness," said Chase.

"But I felt like a failure because I keep knocking everyone down," said Marshall, "I know you love me, but I want to be better."

"But he finally decided he couldn't do it alone," said Sensei Yumi. "It's hard to admit you were hurt and now you have a fear of repeating the defeat. I can't promise that there won't be other defeats in your life. I can probably assure you that there will be. But as long as you stand back up and better yourself, then it is never a failure until you quit trying."

"Thank you Sensei Yumi," said Chase, rising to his feet. "Thank you Marshall, You have been a great friend."

"No, I've been a brother," said Marshall, "and brothers stand by each other."

Chase and Marshall hugged.

"Much better," said Sensei Yumi.

The others had seen that everything seemed better and had returned.

"Chase, you got this," said Skye.

"Thanks guys," said Chase.

"Class, fall back into formation," said Sensei Yumi. "Chase, do you wish to continue? We can try again tomorrow if you want."

"No, I'd like to try again," said Chase.

Marshall once again assumed the position. Sensei Yumi stopped them.

"Ok, Marshall," said Sensei Yumi, "Let's do this a little differently. I want you to make the steps but at quarter speed. Chase, you take your time to reach and allow yourself to acclimate to the situation. As you gain your confidence we'll speed back up"

"Yes Sensei," said Chase and Marshall.

Marshall began, as he took hold of Chase's scruff, Chase immediately began shaking, Marshall froze and allowed Chase time to calm himself. Chase slowly relaxed and began making the move to sidestep as he was shown. Marshall continued the move and allowed Chase to throw him off.

The other pups howled and called encouragement to Chase. The two repeated to exercise several times until Chase no longer shook when grabbed. They began to speed back up to regular speed and Chase managed to throw Marshall off several times. Then Sensei Yumi whispered to Marshall and the next time Marshall held fast and tried to shift, taking Chase with him. Chase adapted and dropped rolling away and onto his back. Marshall was pulled over and on to Chase's tummy. Chase used his hindlegs and tossed Marshall to the side. Marshall landed balancing on the tip of his tail in perfect concentration.

"How does he do that?" laughed Rocky.

"And why can't he do a tailspin in Pup Pup Boogie?" asked Zuma

Marshall smiled and dropped to his paws, "Pup-Fu secrets."

"I still think it looks so cool," said Everest. 'And hot,' she whispered.

"Well done Chase," said Sensei Yumi. "Pups back in formation."

The pups all lined up.

"Well done class," said Sensei Yumi, "You are dismissed for the day. Clean up, Ryder has a special surprise for everyone."

The pups all ran to the showers, well most of the pups did. Rocky ran and hid in his pup house.

Later Ryder fixed a special meal for the pups and even had desert for them.

"Congratulations Chase," said Ryder. "You'll be back in shape in no time. I watched all of you earlier, you're all doing great."