Broken Pieces - Chapter 7

Ryder, Marshall, and Zuma returned. Chase was waiting as they backed into their spots.

"So?" said Chase, "how'd it go?"

"Rex tried to attack Ryder so I sprayed him and knocked him down," said Marshall.

"Then Rex told Lenny to attack Marshall," said Zuma. "When he jumped up on his truck I knocked off with a buoy and then hit a few more times until I knocked him out. Animal Control took him."

"Rex had jumped up and was coming back when Zuma shot him too," laughed Marshall. "He told him 'I have plenty more for you too'. It was great, Rex ran away. So now it looks like there's just Rex left. Don't worry Chase, we'll catch him."

"Don't be so sure pups," whispered Rex from the bushes nearby. "I plan on making you miserable for what you did to my guys."

"I wish I could have gone," said Chase. "I don't want that dog anywhere near you guys. I would be devastated if something happened to one of you because I was too weak to stop him the first time."

"Well why don't we run out to Farmer Yumi's and work out a little more," said Marshall.

"Chase, I want you to understand it was not weakness," said Ryder walking over. "You were attacked by a dog twice your size. But I agree, you need to help yourself move past this. It seems that Farmer Yumi and Marshall are helping you get there. I call her and let her know you two are coming."

"Thanks Ryder," said Chase.

***

Chase and Marshall pulled up to Farmer Yumi's. She was standing outside with a brown dog with a black muzzle, bigger than Rex.

"Hello Farmer Yumi," said Marshall.

"Greeting students," said Farmer Yumi. "Please begin your stretches and then we will begin."

"Hello Sensei," said Chase. "Is this a new guard dog for the farm?"

"Not quite pup," laughed the big dog.

"Chase, Marshall," said Sensei Yumi, "This is Akuma. He is a Pup-fu Master and a great friend. He agreed to come and help with today's lessons."

"What breed are you," asked Marshall, "You're huge and I don't think I've met anyone of your breed before."

"Greetings Students," said Akuma, "I am a Tosa Inu. I have been teaching military working dogs for several years. I was nearby and Sensei Yumi asked if I minded stopping by."

Both Marshall and Chase turned and bowed greetings to Akuma.

"What does Akuma mean?" asked Chase.

"It means Devil in Japanese," laughed Akuma. "I know, it's a little pretentious. I was bred to be a military working dog and my handler was trying to be funny."

"As I said, let's stretch and get ready," said Sensei Yumi.

"Yes Sensei," said both pups.

They began stretching and Akuma joined in.

"Ok Chase," said Sensei Yumi, "let's begin by repeating your new technique from yesterday. Marshall will be the aggressor first."

They began the exercise. Once again Marshall started slow but this time Chase didn't flinch when Marshall grabbed him. They repeated the process several times working up to full speed.

"Ok, now Chase, sit back and allow Marshall to demonstrate the same technique," said Sensei Yumi, "with Akuma acting as the aggressor."

Marshall took the position and Akuma stepped over grabbing Marshall by the scruff. Marshall rolled and pulled Akuma off his feet then threw him. Akuma flipping and landing on his feet. He came back and Marshall spun striking Akuma with his flank and then jumped to place a head kick. Akuma sidestepped the kick, grabbing Marshall's paw and pulling him off balance. Marshall rolled and Akuma jumped on top of Marshall. Marshall attempted to roll out from under him. Akuma reached to bite Marshall's throat. Marshall thrust his hind legs kicking Akuma off of him with a loud grunt. Akuma once again flipped and landed on his paws.

"And stop," said Sensei Yumi.

"Very good technique and adaptation Marshall," said Akuma.

"Thank you Sensei Akuma," said Marshall, breathing heavily. "You are quite difficult to throw."

"I have a few pounds on you Marshall," laughed Akuma.

Akuma turned to Chase, "Ok, other than the obvious, what did you see that could be done differently? Also take into account, your average aggressor will not have the training that I do. "

"Ok, I suspect that the first throw might have resulted differently," said Chase. "But that aside. I thought Marshall's adaptation was appropriate."

"I agree," said Akuma, "if you manage to get rolled over on your back as I did Marshall. Always use your hindlegs to your advantage first rather than attempt to roll away. Your greatest strength aside from your jaws is in your hindlegs."

"Ok Chase," said Sensei Yumi, "do you think you are ready to try?"

"I-i think so," said Chase. "Akuma is even bigger than Rex, but I will try."

Chase assumed the position and Akuma stepped over grabbing Chase by the scruff. Chase began the technique as he was shown. Akuma allowed him to easily pull him over and throw him off. Chase was shaking a little as he rolled to his feet spinning to face Akuma.

"Very good pup," said Akuma.

"Thank you Sensei Akuma," said Chase.

"Now you see that it can be done," said Akuma, "Size helps but to a trained pup, it can be used against the aggressor. Once you have their momentum moving regardless of size you can throw your opponent. However, things happen so let's have a little freestyle, adapt as you see fit."

Once again they assumed the positions. Akuma grabbed Chase and Chase moved to throw him. This time Akuma held fast. Chase attempted to roll onto his back pulling Akuma with him. This time Akuma pulled Chase back over and attempted to pin him to the ground. Akuma slowly began to shake Chase, just enough to let him know what he was doing. Chase began shaking and Akuma released him.

"I-i'm sorry Sensei," said Chase, drooping his ears.

"Not at all Chase," said Akuma. "I understand that is how you were attacked. But stop and think for a moment. What could you do at that point to attempt to break free?"

"I'm not sure," said Chase, "I was being shaken so hard that all I could feel was his teeth biting into my flesh."

"I can imagine that scared you quite a bit," said Akuma.

Chase nodded looking down.

"Ok, let's get back into that position," said Akuma, "I want you to go slowly but I will show you a technique that you might try."

They resumed the position and Akuma pinned Chase to the ground. He paused as Chase adjusted.

"Now slowly slam your head back into the muzzle of the aggressor," said Akuma. "A reverse headbutt if you will."

Chase slowly snapped his head back striking Akuma in the muzzle. As soon as he made contact he stopped, Akuma released.

"Very Good," said Akuma, "as you can see if you did that rapidly you would more than likely bloody if not break his nose. Very few dogs would withstand holding you if you did that."

"I see," said Chase.

"I can see how that would work," agreed Marshall.

"But that would likely only stun your opponent," said Akuma. "You saw how I dodged Marshall's kick earlier. Do you have any idea how to perform a knockout blow more effectively?"

"No, I have only begun learning the spinning kick," said Chase.

"I have seen a technique that might work," said Marshall. "But I have not been taught it yet."

"And what would that be?" asked Akuma.

Marshall went on to explain the kick he had seen.

"Ok, pups," said Akuma. "I will be teaching both of you an advanced technique that would work in that circumstance. Remember however, this technique is completely aggressive and for extreme circumstances only. It should never be utilized in competition or sparring. If placed properly it could even be fatal."

"Yes Sensei," said Marshall and Chase.

The rest of the afternoon Sensei Akuma taught the two the new technique and they practiced it repeatedly until fluid.

"Chase, Marshall," said Sensei Yumi. "You have been gifted an advanced technique. I would ask that you not attempt to teach this technique to any of the others. I will decide when and if they are ready."

"Yes Sensei," said Marshall and Chase. Both pups turned and bowed to Sensei Akuma.

"Thank you for assisting and teaching us this technique," said Marshall.

"Yes Sensei, Thank you," said Chase, "I hope to never have to use it, but I appreciate the knowledge to defend the others against a stronger opponent."

"You both did very well," said Sensei Akuma. "I will see you again soon."

Chase and Marshall returned to the Lookout.

***

As they backed into their spots Skye and Everest ran over.

"How'd it go boys?" asked Everest

"It went great," said Chase. "Sensei Yumi had a Pup-fu Master come and teach me how to fight off a much bigger dog."

"Oh, did he have a dog that came with him?" asked Skye.

"No, the Pup-fu Master was a dog," said Marshall, "He was a huge Tose Inu named Akuma."

"Oh wow," said Skye, "so you were able to defend yourself against him?"

"Not at first," laughed Chase. "He showed me that I could throw a bigger dog and then he made me work for it."

"I would have loved to have seen that," said Everest. "Marshall, did you fight him also?"

"I did and at first he could have mopped the floor with me," said Marshall. "He definitely showed me that I could hold my own but would really have to work at it if I truly went against a Pup-fu Master."

"He was really nice," said Chase, "but very tough."

"Well I'm sure you're very sore after all that work," said Skye, then she whispered into Chase's ear, "how about I give you a nice massage."

Chase immediately blushed deep red, but nodded.

Marshall and Everest giggled as they walked away going into Chase's pup house, closing the door behind them.

"I showed her how to give a pup message," said Everest, "would you like me to show you?"

Marshall also blushed hard, but also nodded.

"Come with me, my hot fire pup," said Everest. As she turned and walked into Marshall's pup house closing the door behind them.

Rex observed from the bushes and decided what he would do.

Later the pups had all gone to sleep.

Rex had decided that the fastest way to get his fellows released was to pupnap one of the girls. Since the Cockapoo seemed to be Chase's girlfriend he decided on her. He waited until all the pups were asleep and he crept over to Skye's pup house. She slept quietly a smile on her face.

"Let's see how you like losing your girlfriend," said Rex.

Rex grabbed Skye by her scruff roughly yanking her from the pup pad she was sleeping on. Skye screamed with pain as she was roughly drug along.

"Chase! Help!" yelped Skye.

Rex turned and ran from the Lookout carrying Skye with him.