"Wolves don't purr." He stated and I couldn't help but laugh. His crystal blue eyes held confusion as he looked to his feet. We were hiding in a rundown building; Tsume and Toboe were in the other room, talking. Well, Toboe was talking at least. Kiba and I were sitting on the rotting bed, listening to the wind outside.

"Wolves don't purr." He said, "Kittens purr. Not wolves." I sat in his lap, startling him. My hoodie lay on the floor across the room. We'd argued about this many times before.

"The first step in curing a 'problem,' is to admit you have one." I looked at him, "and you, my dear Kiba, have a sleeping problem." I looked into his eyes, denial shining right back.

"Wolves don't purr." He growled, "I don't purr." His hand tangled in my hair, curling the strands around ling fingers. I sigh loudly, resting my head on his shoulder. He is so sure he doesn't purr, but I wake up to it every morning. What can I do to prove wolves, well he, purrs?

"Within me is nothing, but a darkness as demons fight, and consume me. Multiply my pain feeding my fears of those who would sooner destroy, than accept us." I sang quietly, tears springing to my eyes.

"I'm sorry." He whispers, kissing the top of my head.

Guilt swims through me. It had been so long since that song rose on the air, when our numbers were greater and we didn't have to hide so much. He pulls me down to the bed, the sun setting. Snaking an arm around my waist, he pulls me closer.

"Hm, go to sleep, Hige. We'll talk in the morning."

I snuggle into him, as he drifts to sleep, muttering about wolves and purring. I smile, knowing he'll wake me up soon, the soft rumbling in his chest as he snores.

And purrs.

TBC?