Hey everyone! This will be my first long-term fanfiction, along with my first Wolf's Rain fanfiction! This is rated M for a reason, so be prepared for violence and lemons. This is a TsumexToboe fanfic, although I have yet to decide if Kiba and Hige will be a couple in here as well (maybe tell me your preference?)

Disclaimer: I do not own Wolf's Rain or any of its characters

Enjoy!


Rain drenched the city. Cars honked at one another, people threw curse words at the weather, and umbrellas were everywhere. A young man crouched in front of a box, oblivious to the world around him. He reached out toward the mewling kitten within the wooden box, wanting to pet it.

"Toboe!"

The brunette looked behind him to see a hooded Hige. With a smile Toboe stood, only to have the pink hat he was wearing snatched off his head. The older teen put it on under his hood, giving a lopsided grin at the pout he received.

"Come on Chibi, you need to lighten up a little!" Hige said before tossing the hat back; it didn't fit his head anyways.

"You're one to talk," Toboe replied, poking his friend's belly.

Hige laughed. "I found us a hotel to stay the night, so let's head there. They have great food!"

Toboe grinned, following obediently behind his friend to their destination. The hotel certainly wasn't five stars, but it was pleasant enough. The doorman greeted them, and both replied with cheery answers, trying to react to the man as most of the other customers would. The more inconspicuous they were, the better.

"Room 32!" Hige announced to no one in particular as he slid the key through the sensor.

Four rooms made up the place: two bedrooms, a living room with an attached kitchen, and one bathroom. It was decked out in fall colors, even though it was the middle of winter. There was no TV, but Toboe didn't seem disappointed. He did, however, make a beeline to the kitchen, and opened the fridge. Seeing it was empty, Toboe turned to already find Hige on the phone ordering food.

"What'd you get us?"

"Spaghetti," Hige replied, rubbing his stomach as it growled, "I asked them to make it quick because I am starving!"

Giving a short laugh, Toboe gaze shifted to the window. His eyes scanned the people, trying to guess what types of careers they might have. Banker. Doctor. Mom. One person in particular, however, caught the brunette's eye.

"Hige, come look at this."

The tone in the younger male's voice caused Hige to believe that the runt wasn't trying to play a joke on him. Joining Toboe at the window, Hige peered out to see nothing strange outside. The streets were busier now that people were off of work, but there didn't seem to be anything amiss.

"Chibi, are you seeing things?"

Toboe gave a serious frown, "Look on the steps of the hotel."

Hige turned his eyes onto a boy clad in a brown letterman's jacket and ripped jeans leaning against the railing of the hotel. Even from the second story, Hige could see that the boy was close to exhaustion. Dark circles lay under his eyes, and damn was his shoulder-length hair a mess. Still, he appeared familiar. Turning his attention away from the stranger, Hige looked at his friend and gulped. The kid had that look, the one that said Toboe was about to become a good samaritan.

"Don't even think about it!" Hige warned, "I'll go down there and talk to him. You. Wait. Here. Somebody needs to stay and take our food anyways."

Toboe tried to argue, but the older male quickly reassured him that it would be better this way. He promised that he would try to get the boy to come back to their room, at least to get a shower and some dinner. With the brunette finally satisfied, Hige made his way outside, not surprised to find the rugged-looking male still where he had seen him from his and Toboe's room.

Leaning against the railing beside the boy, Hige just stood there for a couple of minutes. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Running a hand through his hair absentmindedly, he sent a smile over to the stranger, only to get a blank stare in return.

"Hi, I'm Hige."

"I didn't ask."

The brunette gave a bark of laughter before continuing, "I know, but I was wondering if you'd like some help. You look pretty beat up man."

"So what?" the boy hissed, "It's none of your concern."

"Maybe not," Hige leaned in, "But I can tell that you're running from somebody, and they're probably closing in, right? Just let me help you."

"I don't need your help."

"That attitude is going to get you killed. All I'm saying is there a plate of spaghetti and a warm shower waiting upstairs for you if you want it."

The stranger's eyes widened, but he said nothing. Turning, Hige walked back into the hotel with a satisfied grin. The stranger followed him, muttering a soft "thank you" under his breath.

"So Kiba, who are you trying to escape from?" Toboe asked curiously as he handed the older brunette a bowl of noodles.

Rolling his eyes, Kiba didn't answer. Toboe pouted, but didn't ask again when Hige gave him a soft shove. To distract the younger male, Hige went into a story about why wolves howled at the moon. The brunette was quickly intrigued, and even Kiba leaned in slightly, the only sign that he was paying attention.

"And on nights like tonight, when the moon is full," Hige pointed out the window, "Sometimes you can actually hear their shrill howls."

Toboe gave a small shudder. "I think I'm going to bed before you launch into your scary stories."

"Oh come on Runt, just one?"

With a small shout Toboe shot out of the room, barely getting a good night out to Kiba before he was out of sight, his door shut soundly behind him. Hige clutched his sides as he laughed, but Kiba just stared. After a few minutes the chubbier male became serious, turning to his new companion.

"I need to hear your story."

Kiba glared. "There's nothing to tell."

"You and I both know that's a lie," Hige said, still using a light tone, "At least tell me who is following you."

"..."

"Have it your way," the lighter-haired male shrugged, a sad smile tugging at his lips as he continued, "Toboe and I are getting out of here in the morning. Are you going to come with us?"

"Why are you inviting me, a stranger, to go along with you?"

"Because," Hige stared him straight in the eye, "I can tell that you've been abandoned too."