Spring was fast approaching the little town of Nome. Sandy, now full grown, trotted in and out of the streets, making her way to the beach. She was meeting her friend Orbi there today. 

She stopped just as her paws hit the soft sand. There, on the beach was JT and about five other females, swarming him like a plaugue of locusts. Sandy scoffed silently. She didn't expect him to be there, much less with a pack of girls.

Sighing, she turned to leave, but bumped into a mass of rust colored fur. "And where do you think you're goin, hmm?"

Sandy shook her head. "Oh. Hey Orbi."

The Irish setter chuckled. "Oh, come now. Is that the kinda greetin you give your best friend?"

 "I don't know, I'm just not feeling too well." Sandy sighed.  She glanced back at JT. He caught her stare and whistled at her.

"Hey Cutie!" He called. "Why don't you come join the party?"

Sandy just rolled her eyes. She would've leapt at the chance, but since there were so many other females around, she thought it best just to stay with her friend.

"So," Orbi said, "is that the cause of your discomfort, Sandy? That scoundrel with the ladies hangin from him?"

The thin dog snorted. "Of course not! Why would it bother me?"

Orbi shook his head sympathetically. "You've got that look in your eye."

Sandy turned away from him. She hated how he always seemed to know what she was thinking. It creeped her out.

"C'mon." He said, tapping her playfully. "We don't need to let them ruin our fun."

Sandy smiled weakly. "Okay."

******

The sky was dark and Sandy was just getting home. She slipped through the doggy door and stopped. There, in the kitchen, was a dog she'd never seen before. He was kind of bulky, even though he was young, and spikes protruded from his collar. Her fur stood on end and she uncovered her fangs.

The stranger stared at her, wagging his tail idiotically. Sandy began barking, hoping that he'd leave. She began to close in on him, just as Sarah entered the kitchen.

"Hush Sandy." Her owner laughed. "This is your nnew brother, Rounder."

'Brother?' Sandy thought.

"Hi." Rounder said shyly.

Sandy just stared at him. She couldn't believe that she was going to share her home with him. As if she didn't have enough to deal with.

She turned and walked outside, taking care to flick her tail across his face.

She stormed through the streets, hoping she could  find Orbi or her brother to talk to.  It wasn't too long before she saw Carmine trot behind his master's house.

"Carmine!" She hissed. Her brother stopped and turned to see his little sister running at him full speed.

"Sandy!" He gasped. "Be careful you might-oof!"

The two siblings tumbled over each other in the melting snow. Carmine struggled to his feet, shaking the fluff from his fur. "What was that about?"

Sandy sat up. "Sorry. I just wanted to talk to you."

Carmine's expression softened and he plopped down next to her. "What's on your mind Sis?"

She was silent. The hybrid was trying to put together her words carefully. "When you met China, how did you know you loved her?"

"Uh oh." He said. "Who is it?"

The small female sighed. "You know JT right?"

Carmine screwed up his face. "Stunner's boy?"

"That's the one."

He shook his head. "Don't get mixed up with him, Kid."  He ruffled the fur on her head. "He'd never settle with just one girl."

"I still want to tell him how I feel." She sighed. "Bye, Carmine."

*******

The next day, Sandy wandered around town showing her "brother" all the shops and houses. She stopped in front of one with a black and red dog sleeping on the porch. Wondering why she stopped, Rounder tapped her on the shoulder.

"What's the matter?" He asked.

"Rounder-"

'Hey Sandy."

She snapped her head back to JT. "Who's the kid?"

He was stretched out on his back with a sly look in his eyes. Sandy's heart beat against her ribcage. She was so nervous.

"Uh...This is Rounder." She faltered. "My human adopted him.  JT..."

"Jaaay-Teeee!"

Sandy looked over her shoulder just as a young female nearly knocked her over. She was on the porch flirting with him. She sighed and turned to walk away, but JT intervened.

"Sandy, what did you want to tell me?"

"Oh, it wasn't anything important." She breathed. "See ya later."

She lowered her head and began walking away. She turned back to the two and lowered her voice to a whispher. "I love you JT. Goodbye."

JT and Stunner (c) Catwhohas14tails