about it.” Philip said, lowering into a fighting crouch. “The good Lord will show his light on these two through us.”
  The two had no more time for banter as Ashton and Bane pounced at them, teeth bared. Almost in sync, like they had planned it or even telepathically shared the idea, they pounced diagonally, Philip catching Bane, Meph with Ashton. Philip hated to fight, he never was much of one, but he had to fight, not only to survive, and not only to help out Meph, but also so he could see Mel again.
  He rolled with Bane, both biting and wrestling each other to be on top, snarling and clawing. Bane noticed the change in Philip, wondering what brought out such viciousness. Neither could see what was happening with Meph and Ashton, and they tried not to worry about their respective friends as they scratched deeply. Philip bit down on Bane’s shoulder and tossed him off before tackling him, clawing his face deeply in fury.
  Inside it tore both apart to hurt each other after knowing each other for a few years. But unlike Bane, Philip was fighting for something, he wasn’t ordered to do it, he had to. He had to fight to survive, to see someone he loved. The fight seemed to go on forever, blood getting on the concrete.
  When Bane was flung once again, he rolled away from Philip and growled. “Damn it Philip… You win this time, but you won’t next time. Ashton, we’re leaving!” The Malinois moved quickly, grunting and gasping in pain, and from the dark another figure limped after him, panting heavily. Meph was panting just as hard, staring after the two.
  “Better run!” He barked after them. “If I see you again I’ll toss you off a roof!” He turned towards Philip and limped a bit towards him. He came out of his scrap looking better than Philip but still pretty beat up. “You alright?”
  “I’ll be fine…” Philip said, grunting as he stood. He wobbled on his paws, and Meph’s trained, sharp eye caught the shaking. He sighed a bit, but ducked down a bit, scooting up under Philip’s left forepaw, lifting him up.
  “You owe me for this.” The mutt said flatly, both starting to walk back to his home.
  “I don’t think I’ll deny you that favor.” The Akita replied, chuckling nervously. He didn’t know whether or not Meph liked him now, but he trusted him a bit at least. He could tell because if he didn’t then the scruffy canine would have just sent him away, not let him fight with him.
  “You can stay with us, since I can see those guys are after your blood.” Meph grumbled, keeping his single eye straight ahead. “Mel wouldn’t let me kick you out anyway.”
  “You wouldn’t want to kick me out either it seems.” Philip pointed out. The mutt helping him walk didn’t answer, but he took that as a silent confirmation. Not like he’d ask for it, he’d probably have his muzzle bitten off.

  When the two made it back to the apartment, Philip’s injuries were treated, but Meph refused treatment, leaving Philip to get bandaged up. The others told him he was just trying to be tough and not appear weak. They pointed out he was only doing it because of him, and when he asked why they told him it was to appear tough for his sake, to keep him going. It was his way of showing he respected someone, by not letting himself be seen getting administered to so the dog he respected would try to tough it out like him.
  He had no more time for questions as Mel came in, and they shared a kiss and the experience of when Philip had left and when Meph had went out to fetch him. Philip found out that Meph didn’t even wait for Mel to berate him when the Akita left and instead went right after him after he snapped out of his shock of his sister telling him to back off. The Akita smiled, figuring this was a good omen for him and Meph to get along someday.