Nearly four hours had gone by since Toboe had ran away and Kiba and Hige have had no success at finding him. It didn't help that Kiba knew so little of the city and his way around. Hige had led them to the parks and dumpsters that often had the best food and back near the orphanage.

"We're getting nowhere," Kiba finally spoke up. "You're taking us in circles."

"Hey I'm just taking you where the kids like to go," Hige said. He shrugged. "Maybe that runt left the city already."

"I don't think so." Kiba said. They stood in the darkest shadows between the buildings trying to avoid the police. They were scattered about like ants tonight intending on finding every wolf and killing it.

"Do you know Tsume?"

Hige started to shake his head but then paused. "Wait, is that the guy you got in a fight with the other day?"

Kiba nodded.

"I've seen him around a lot. Has poor taste in the crowd he likes to hang out with but he's usually a loner."

"Yeah, I know that much. Where does his kind of people like to hang out?"

Hige spat out a sigh. "All right. Follow me. This night is turning into a nightmare. " He muttered.

Toboe had only taken a turn for the worse as the forth hour passed. He had fallen pale and it took all his strength to just take the next step. Tala still supported him carrying his arm over her shoulder and rested her's other around his waist but she grew tired carrying most of his weight. She set him down on his knees and set beside him. "We both need to rest. Toboe, we need to get you help. Not be finding some human who abandoned you."

"I just have to make sure he's ok," Toboe said. "He didn't abandon me. He watched me murder two people. He had as any reason as those other boys to run."

Tala stood with narrowed eyes and frowned crossing her arms. "I wouldn't have left you especially if you had saved my life. Stay here, I'm going to find us water and bring it back."

"All right be careful," Toboe muttered. He sat his back against the wall closing his eyes for just a few minutes while Tala went away to find them water. It seemed like he had just closed them for a moment when he heard a familiar cry fill the air. He was startled awake and opened his eyes turning his head in time to see a boy being chased out on the city streets. "It's not me! It's not me!" The boy cried.

"Akio?" Toboe whispered softly. Then he saw policemen on foot with two dogs chasing Akio. One of the dogs pounced on Akio's back throwing him on his side on the ground.

"Get that wolf!" The police encouraged the dogs.

Toboe sat up more alert realizing the police thought Akio was the one who murdered Kudo and Satou. He stood coming out of the safety of the dark alley out into the open clutching the knife wound. He was cold, weak and exhausted but he wasn't about to let his friend take the blame and suffer. "Hey!" Toboe yelled from across the street. All of them including Akio turned their attention to Toboe. "You got the wrong person. I'm the wolf!" He yelled and charged them changing into a wolf before their eyes. The police immediately started to raise their guns to shoot until their own dogs charged the wolf. The first dog plowed into Toboe's side knocking him against the ground while the other took advantage of the situation and bit right into his wounded shoulder. Toboe whimpered at the pain and rolled back to his stomach then grazing his claws across the dog's face in front of him. He fell to his other side slamming his weight against the dog still biting into his wound and managed to knock out the dog momentarily. However, he still faced one dog and two armed policemen and could barely get back on all four paws. The dog growled and shoved Toboe back on the ground and shoved its claws against Toboe's throat choking him. It started to snap its teeth into his neck until a howl filled the air. The dog's ears went back pausing its death strike on Toboe.

"Toboe!" Tala cried out. She burst out of the darkness of the alley into the street in her beautiful wolf self. She didn't hold back but charged the dog threatening Toboe. She leapt through the air throwing herself into the dog as hard as she could. They tumbled across the street in a vicious manner until she landed on top of it planning to break its neck. The dog reacted quickly snapping its teeth into her front leg making her back off and whimper at the same time.

If there wasn't enough going on, sirens could be heard approaching the scene followed by gunshots. A second later, a man on his motorcycle swerved around the corner followed by numerous police cars. It was Tsume.

Akio fell into complete fear and rushed across the street when he saw the others were completely distracted. Toboe weakly stood to all four paws but then fell over his leg attached to his wounded shoulder. "Akio! Don't!"

Akio froze in his tracks and shook in fear at the person he could no longer recognize. "Stay back!"

"Get off the street!" Toboe yelled and stumbled into a run.

Akio screamed like he was about to get mauled by a bear. Toboe lunged at him in his human form throwing both their bodies off to the side of the street just as the police cars sped by.

Tala had started to get out of the way until she recognized the man on the motorcycle. "Hey!" She called to him. "Please help! They're going to kill us!"

"Get out of my way!" Tsume hollered.

"Tala move!" Toboe cried.

Tsume knew Tala would be doomed even if he sped around her because of all the cars on his tail. He growled again as he approached her and swung his arm out like before and snatched her up on his bike as a yelp escaped her mouth. "Get my friend! He's hurt!"

"Look I'm not your babysitter!" Tsume snapped. He looked over his shoulder and saw nearly half the cars that were chasing him were pulling over and surrounding Toboe. Tsume cursed and swerved his bike around shoving Tala off the side of the road.

"Hey-

"Get out of here!" Tsume yelled over his shoulder leaving her on the ground as he sped towards the oncoming police cars.

Toboe set up over Akio on his last bit of strength. "Are you okay?"

"Get away!" Akio screamed shoving Toboe aside letting him collapsed on the road. Police cars began to surround them seeing that Toboe was a wolf when he jumped to save Akio. Akio hesitated for a moment leaving the only true friend he had known behind but to Akio, Toboe was as good as dead to him and he could not befriend someone who had killed two people from lack of control. Toboe sat over his knees staring sadly at Akio as the two policemen approached him.

"I'm sorry Toboe." Then he ran leaving Toboe completely at the mercy of the police.

"Akio!" Toboe cried out. He weakly stood to his feet and attempted to run after Akio but the policeman easily caught him by his arms. "Please, just let me go!" He cried getting more angry then scared.

The policeman pulled his gun out and set it just below Toboe's neck. "I wonder," the policeman cackled, "will it turn back into a wolf once it's dead?" He touched the gun against his skin. "I certainly hope so. So that everyone can see the dog that you really are."

Tsume seemed to be playing chicken with the rest of the police cars that had continued to chase after him. He sped as fast as he could towards them and at last second, jumped high from his moving vehicle and landed near Toboe and lunged in his wolf form at the two policemen threatening him. His motorcycle did the rest of the work. Those driving the police cars realized all too late what had been his plan and they slammed on their breaks swerving out of control. His motorcycle smashed into the car leading the chase as the car behind the leading reared into it. The others smashed into the other parked cars trying to avoid getting hit by the moving vehicles. It turned into complete chaos. Toboe gasped in horror when amongst the confusion, a car got airborne and was headed straight for both he and Tsume. Tsume saw the danger and clutched Toboe's collar before jumping them both out of harm's way. Both landed on the hood of a wrecked car while the other car smashed into the other two policemen who failed to get out of its path. Toboe collapsed on his knees feeling his heart that was ready to jump out of his chest. He looked around and attempted to get off the car to go after Akio. Tsume grabbed the back of his shirt."What are you doing?"

"I need to-

"Open fire!" An order was made to shoot them dead.

Tsume jumped from the car and wrapped his arm around Toboe's shoulders bringing him down behind the car just as they were fired upon. Toboe cried out having landed on his wounded shoulder and the pain in his shoulder being revived. Tsume pulled him upright behind the tire of the car so the bullets wouldn't hit him. "What the hell is wrong with you? I can't be doing all the work here!" He yelled over the bullets. It was then he noticed Toboe clutching his shoulder breathing heavily and cringing in pain. "Have you been shot?" He could see trails of fresh blood running down Toboe's arm and left hand. He quickly forced Toboe's hand off his shoulder then opened Toboe's shirt off his shoulder worried he had been shot near or in the heart. Instead, he saw a deep open gash and bite marks from where the dog had viciously bitten into. "When did this happen?" It didn't matter how it happen but Tsume knew he had open the wound from the force of the fall he made Toboe take. He felt at his side pockets remembering he usually kept a small towel for his motorcycle. He pulled the bunched out towel and pressed it into the bloody wound. It was risky since it had oil from the motorcycle but he could tell Toboe has already lost too much blood and losing any more would be looked away grunting out loud from the pain when Tsume pressed against the tender wound. Tsume forced Toboe to look back at him seeing how close he was to passing out. "Don't close your eyes and take deep breaths. Understand?" Toboe just stared; his eyes half closed. He clutched his ears and hair becoming overwhelmed by the bullets beating against the car. It was literally driving him insane and the blood loss was not helping.

Tsume looked down and saw the car was leaking gas and it was only a matter of time before a bullet would strike it. He didn't know what to do especially having an injured boy by his side.

"Shut up!" Tsume yelled impatiently when Toboe started to scream from the chaos. When he saw Toboe wasn't going to be able to comply with him, he pulled Toboe up by his collar and jumped risking the bullets in the air. Just as they jumped, however, a bullet struck the gasoline immediately causing an explosion. Tsume fell across the street accidentally letting go of Toboe as both skid and rolled across. For a moment, both were motionless on the street.

"Toboe!" Tala voice filled the air. She came running down the street and fell at his side. "Please don't be dead. Don't be dead!" When he didn't respond, she raised her palm and slapped his cheek. "Toboe!"

"Ow!" He groaned opening his eyes slightly. "What was that for?"

She breathed in relief. "Come on!"

Tsume sat up rubbing his head he had hit. He glanced over at the two then back behind him where the explosion had taken place. The shooting had stopped for now and smoke filled the streets. Now would be the time to get away. "What are you two waiting for?" Tsume yelled impatiently. "Get moving!"

Police started moving in through the smoke. Tsume stood running towards the two and forced Toboe on his feet and shoved his back forward before he was quickly caught by Tala who frowned at Tsume for being too harsh.

"There they are! Open fire!"

"Jump!" Tsume yelled.

Toboe panicked for a moment looking at the building they had to jump. It was taking all his strength just to walk. Tala seemed to read his mind and put his arm back over her shoulder and her arms around his waist. "Ready?"

He couldn't even find the words to speak so he just nodded. They both were able to jump high reaching the roof on their first time followed by Tsume just as the police opened fired. They were pretty much home free by the time they jumped the third roof and left the police behind with their wrecked cars.

Tsume led the others to an abandoned factory to recover from the excitement of tonight. Tala led Toboe towards a large broken window that was letting in much moonlight and sat him down near it knowing it would make him a bit stronger than being in complete darkness. "I'll never know if he'll be okay," Toboe said in guilt closing his eyes. "He's in this mess because of me."

"You mean that human who left you on the street to die?" Tala said with a tone.

Toboe opened his eyes narrowing them at her. "What if the humans are right about us? I killed two people because I couldn't control myself. We are dangerous."

"You were just protecting yourself!"

Tsume walked in on the scene entering into the moonlight. "You're the wolf that killed two people? You hardly look that threatening," he scoffed. "Even for a wolf."

Toboe rolled his eyes turning his back to Tsume.

"Because you went after that boy, you were beaten more and nearly killed," Tala said. "It caused unnecessary trouble!"

"It wasn't unnecessary to me!" Toboe snapped. "Please just let me rest. I don't even have the strength to argue."

Tala sighed just not able to understand Toboe's compassion for humans especially after how they treated him."I'm sorry you just had worried me. I'll go find us some water. You should no doubt be safe here. Just rest," she said and stood from him. "I'll be back."

She left and then Tsume started to walk off but turned to face Toboe one more time. "There are humans who do whatever they want because they can. They kill many without thought and out of the blue, they decide wolves should be destroyed. They've deemed everyone one of us an enemy. They've invented weapons that can wipe out the whole world while wolves have never had any need for such weapons. The fact you're trying so hard to defend that and calling the wolves monsters sickens me. You can go out there and die with the humans for all I care because you're nothing but a traitor to us." He walked off back in the shadows of the building.

Toboe lied on his right shoulder trying to push Tsume's words from his mind but they had hit him hard. He had never been called a traitor before. He couldn't help but shed a few tears before he closed his eyes and blacked out completely.

Tala returned having found a bucket and filled it with water from a puddle outside still there from the rain the other day. She didn't even drink from it until she knew Toboe would have enough. She returned at his side and set the bucket beside him as he slept.

"Toboe," she said kneeling beside him and gently nudged his shoulder. "I got the water. Come on; you need to drink."

He didn't even stir at her touch. She shook him a bit harder. "Come on, wake up!" No matter how hard she shook him, he wouldn't wake.

Tsume walked the dark factory alone lost in thought and coming to regret what he said to Toboe. It was harsh but to Tsume, it was the blunt truth. As he walked, he heard others approaching the factory and quickly went into hiding becoming his true wolf self. He half expected it was the police but when he jumped out to surprise them, he got the surprise seeing it was just wolves. Kiba, Hige and Amaris to be precise. Hige and Kiba had raised their fists ready for a fight.

"Tsume?" Kiba asked .

Tsume stood in his human form crossing his arms. "Are you being run out of town too?"

"We're gladly leaving," Kiba spat. "We saw the wreck you caused the police and followed your trail. You have others with you. Who are they?"

"Tsume! Tsume!" A girl's voice yelled and echoed in the factory before her head peered over a balcony above. "It's Toboe! He won't wake up!" She had tears swelling in her eyes. "I don't know what to do."

Hige and Kiba exchanged worrisome glances then looked at Amaris. She also had a look of an anxiety. Tsume even had a look of panic especially seeing how worried Kiba looked. "Do you know him?" Tsume asked.

Kiba looked at the girl and took Amaris by her hand and suddenly jumped to the balcony in front of Tala. Tala gasped stepping away. "Who are you?" She looked at the beautiful girl holding Kiba's hand and thought she was staring at a goddess.

"Take me to your friend. I might be able to help him." Kiba said quickly.

Hige followed after Kiba but Tsume was reluctant to follow. He stood frozen in place replaying the last words he said to Toboe; the last words Toboe heard. By the time he convinced himself to meet with the rest, they were all already gathered around Toboe. Kiba was knelt down by his side examining the wound. His shoulder had swollen and bodily fluids were leaking out of the knife cut and where the dog had bitten through which had only infected the wound more.

"It looks septic," Hige said softly.

"Will he get better?" Tala asked.

Kiba shook his head. "He needs medicine. If we were near a forest I could give him the needed medicine." His experience in the wild gave him knowledge of herbal remedies.

"The hospital?" Hige suggested.

Tala suddenly had a thought and opened her mouth to speak but Tsume spoke first. He looked stupidly at Hige. "Right now, every policeman is out hunting for us and they know both our human and wolf appearance and the hospital has cameras on every corner. Besides, they won't just handout medicine without seeing the patient first."

Tala opened her mouth to try and speak again but was cut off by Hige.

"They don't know my human appearance," Hige argued. "What choice do we have? We can't let him die!"

"Quiet!" Tala yelled. They all looked at her. "Toboe showed me around the city a bit while helping me get food. There was this healing place but it was just for animals. They would have medicine, wouldn't they?"

Tsume scoffed. "A veterinarian? We're wolves, not pets."

"It be one thing if the runt was fully grown but since he isn't, their medicine could actually work on him and they're closed at this hour." Hige brought out.

"Then we're going," Kiba stood from Toboe before someone else would shoot the idea down. "Hige and I will get the medicine. Tsume, you watch over them."

"Of course," Tsume muttered sarcastically.

Quent was still up and watching all that had been happening in the city that night through his television in the bar room. The last customer had left and he had cleaned the area before sitting and having a drink himself. Blue had retired for the evening but slept as her wolf self next to Russe on his bed. She had felt the need to stay near him that night and it even made Quent feel a bit more secured knowing his son was being guarded. After the other wolves left, Blue had never looked more lonely and miserable and it was the first time he really saw how much she cared for Hige. She also deeply cared for Russe and he and just couldn't choose between them. Quent didn't want her to have to choose but knew how much Russe loved her. It was a hard choice indeed.

He stood turning off the television and took one more shot of whiskey. Just as he slammed the glass down, hell broke loose. All the windows in his bar exploded around him and smoke grenades were thrown in. Quent held his breath and dove behind his bar just as the grenades released the smoke. He fell unconscious within moments unable to get to Blue or Russe.

Tala had sat herself on her knees behind Toboe laying his head against them so she could better care for him. She had tried to get him to drink water but could barely get him to drink any. Instead, she used the water to try and better clean the wound on his shoulder. What had started as a deep wound now had worsen with the surrounding bite marks from the dogs that had attacked him. She sang softly as she stroke the rag against the injured shoulder. He still had not waken but had begun to breathe abnormally and broken into cold sweat. Tala thought it was just the sting of the rag whenever she it against the flesh wound so she tried to be more careful. She cares for others better than she does for herself, Tsume thought. She had been such a helpless mouse when he stumbled on her but she had now taken the initiative to care for Toboe and appeared to have some experience with it. She touched the rag against his skin once more and Toboe suddenly convulsed violently and began gasping like he was suffocating. His eyes finally opened but barely halfway.

"Toboe! I'm sorry!" She cried. She dropped the rag touching his face feeling his temperature. "He's so cold." She looked at Tsume shaking. "I-I didn't mean to make it worse, I just wanted to keep the wound clean."

"If you were doing something wrong, I would have said something. You didn't cause this reaction," Tsume knelt down beside Toboe and caught him when he started to roll off her knees. "Come on, kid. Just hold out a few more minutes."

"I...can't...breath- " Toboe spat on his breath before choking and gasping. "It's...freezing!" he grunted holding his chest. His heart felt like it was trying to punch its way out of his chest.

"Hold him," Tsume said laying him against her chest so he'd still sit upright. She did not hesitate to hold him. Tsume took off his jacket and placed it over Toboe's shoulders.

"Surely his wound can't be causing all this," she cried softly.

"It's Septic shock. Once a wound like this gets infected, it spreads and forces the organs to shut down. It should have been tended to the moment he was hurt."

"I tried to bring him to you earlier but he just wanted to find his human friend," Tala cried.

Tsume shook his head. "It's a good thing you didn't come back. Not too long after you left, the police invaded it."

Toboe sat upright holding his chest trying to breathe but the panic from lack oxygen just made it all the harder to take it in. Tala pulled him back close trying to calm him but he fought against her. Tsume grabbed his arms trying to make him stay still.

"Let me go!" Toboe hollered.

"Those fools better hurry back or it will be too late!" Tsume didn't know what more he could do. He looked at Tala who was tightly grasping Toboe's hand still. "Talk to him! Keep him focused on your voice."

She nodded understanding the urgency of it. "Hey." Tala whispered holding his cold hand to her chest. She gasped like she remembered something and reached in her pocket. "After you were taken, I went searching for you. I have to admit I got a bit distracted and came across a jewelry stand. Ooh it had beautiful sparkling things. After watching you steal food, I figured I could steal this." She pulled from her blouse a silver rose necklace. "I got this for me," she said then pulled from her pocket silver bangles, "these are for you. You have to get better so you can thank me." She said sliding them down his right arm.

The only reply Toboe could give was he tightened his fingers around hers where she held his hand. Tala gasped in excitement and smiled for a moment until he released his grip and a long breath escaped his lungs as his head fell back limp. His skin seemed to turn to stone at that moment.

"No!" She yelled. "Wake up! You promised to take me to paradise. You promised!" She held his hand tighter against her chest. She looked at Tsume shaking her head. "Is there nothing more we can do?"

Tsume quickly took and held Toboe up and gave him a shake trying to wake him up but Toboe had stopped breathing completely. "Come on kid! Don't give up!" Tsume yelled desperately. He would feel responsible knowing he had told Toboe he needed to die for what he said."Toboe!" he yelled one more time. At that moment, Kiba and Hige jumped to the balcony and ran towards them sensing what was happening. "It's about time!" Tsume yelled.

"We got it!" Hige announced.

Tala got out of the way as Kiba fell to his knees beside Toboe and shoved his sleeve up his arm. He pulled from his jacket a syringe filled with medicine and pierced it through the skin releasing it into his system.

Tsume shook his head. "It's too late. He's still not breathing." He looked up at Amaris. If they could just get him to breathe to let the medicine work, it could revive him completely. "You call yourself a guardian of wolves. Do something!"

"Don't make her feel responsible!" Kiba yelled.

Amaris came by Tsume's side and sat beside him. "He is right." She took Toboe from Tsume and laid him against her. "She promised him he wouldn't die." She rest her palm on his chest and immediately a blue aura glowed and she leaned in putting her mouth against his. Eyes widened and everyone's mouth dropped, especially Tala's.

"Hey- she started to question it until Hige smacked his palm over her mouth.

Amaris pulled away putting her ear against his chest then opened his mouth again breathing into his lungs. Everyone thought they had lost him until his chest rose showing he was finally breathing. His eyes opened slightly but then snapped wide open when he realized what was going on. It only took a few seconds for him to relax back in her special kiss and he very nearly closed his eyes again. Seeing him clearly enjoy it made Tala all the more jealous. It wasn't exactly the kiss itself he enjoyed but it was her oxygen. Her breath was so overwhelmingly refreshing and he could taste the lunar flower on her breath which was easier to breathe in than the air itself. It was being carried throughout his body reaching his organs that had been failing from lack of oxygen and it made him feel like a new person. Amaris pulled away and smiled once she saw him wide awake. "Are you okay?"

Toboe just stared wide eyed and raised his hand resting it on his chest where her's still was. The aura had warmed his cold fading body as she breathed her pure oxygen into him.

"Say something!" Tala yelled bitterly.

Toboe sat upright with the help of Amaris and pulled his sleeves over his shoulders and then Tsume's jacket still shivering. Amaris gently pulled him against her and startled him when she coddled him like the wolf he was. He was not used to affection but her hold and affection warmed him to the point he could fall back asleep safety. "Just give a bit more time for the medicine to work before trying to stand," Amaris whispered gently.

Tala was more glad than anyone to see him alive but it was easy to see the jealousy overcoming her.

"How do you feel?" Kiba asked more kindly after a few minutes.

Toboe had started to close his eyes and he probably just needed to rest longer but now was not the time and he knew that. He opened his eyes pushing away from Amaris before nodding to Kiba. "Better." He looked back at Amaris smiling. "Thanks."

Amaris replied with her own gentle smile.

"You mean all I had to do was touch lips with him?" Tala put her hands on her hips.

"What?" Toboe yelled his cheeks turning red. "She did more than that!"

"What?" Tala's whole face turned red from anger instead.

"No wait- I didn't mean like that!"

Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter as Tala stomped off in a childish manner. "Tala wait- he started to go after her until a sudden jolt in his shoulder reminded him he was still in critical condition. The medicine could clearly be seen working already to improve his health but it didn't mean he could take on a fight like he did already that day. He groaned clutching his shoulder. "You still need rest," Kiba said.

Toboe shook his head and slowly got to his feet. "We've been delayed long enough on my account. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get to paradise."

Hige looked away sadly. "I'm still not sure if I can leave her behind like that."

"She made it clear how she felt about paradise," Kiba said. "It's where we belong."

Hige still held a sober look on his face but finally raised his head to Kiba and the others. "You're right," Hige nodded. "I'm with the runt. Let's get going."

Toboe frowned raising a brow. "It's Toboe."

Kiba and the rest were finally headed out on the city to sweet freedom. They were at the edge of the city where less buildings crowded their view and they could see a bit of landscape. Most of the buildings were abandoned and doomed to be torn down and reconstructed. Kiba was more happy than anyone else to see land within view. Tsume, Tala and Amaris kept up well but not surprisingly, Toboe struggled still weakened by his wound and what it caused him. Hige was behind too struggling not to look behind. He had thought if he didn't look behind, it be easier to leave her behind, but it wasn't. He slowed to a stop as the others ran on. Toboe then stopped and turned around to face Hige who looked like he was fighting a war within himself.

"Hige? Are you all ri- Toboe paused looking passed Hige towards the city.

Hige raised his head at Toboe and saw Toboe had a look of panic. Hige swallowed hard and slowly turned around. A blazing fire could be seen as smoke clouded the sky blotting out the moon. "That's towards where Blue lives!"

"It may not be her-Hige!" Toboe yelled when Hige took off running towards the fire. The rest of the group had stopped, looking in on the scene. Hige did not even hesitate to stop. Kiba looked at Tsume. "Take the rest out of the city. We'll catch up." He said and ran to catch up to Hige. Tsume growled impatiently but urged the rest onward making sure everyone got ahead first before him. Toboe slowed down when he started to pass Tsume and looked away with a frown than ran ahead with the others. After another few minutes of awkward silence, Tsume felt he had to speak up to make peace.

"I don't think you're a traitor," he said awkwardly. He wasn't sure how to reason with a child. "You shouldn't take my words literal."

Toboe stopped walking then turned to face him. "Is that an apology?"

"Uh-" before he could answer, he recognized the sound of a motorcycle engine approaching them. No, two of them. Light appeared at the end of road before two motorcycles flew over the street about to hit Tsume and Toboe. "Look out!" Tsume yelled. He grabbed Toboe by his shoulder shoving him to the ground and fell beside him. The motorcycles landed in front of them and they turned their vehicles around to face Tsume. It was the bounty hunters. "Looks like you found another wolf." He eyed Toboe then looked behind him seeing Tala and smirked when his eyes caught sight of Amaris. "Looks like we get a woman out of this too. Thank you Tsume for leading us straight to them." Amaris backed away in defense mode. Tala stepped forward ready for a fight clenching her fists. "You're not going to touch her! You're going to pay for what you did!"

"You fools are supposed to be in jail," Tsume growled.

Toboe sat up from the pavement. "Who are these guys?"

"Glad you ask," the bounty hunter chuckled. "With every policeman out, it wasn't too hard to escape. We hunted humans before but now with a price so high on wolves, we're changing our plans for awhile and hunting you dogs down."

"You may know a lot about hunting humans but wolves are a completely different story," Tsume stood from the ground getting ready for a fight.

"Not really," the hunter cackled and pulled his gun from his jacket and pointed it at Tsume. "It's the same. You just strike where it will hurt more," he said then aimed the gun at Toboe.

Toboe cringed at the sight of the gun. He was tired of them being pointed at him. Just as he would have pulled the trigger, Tala suddenly flew into the bounty hunter's back and bit into the back of his neck. "With wolves that's the last thing you want to do," she growled. He screamed flailing his arms unable to get her off and fell off the motorcycle hitting the pavement. "Shoot it!" He yelled to his partner. Tsume was about to charge in after the second hunter but Toboe reacted more quickly to the aid of his friend. He immediately shot to his feet charging the second hunter when he started reaching for his gun.

"Toboe no!" Tsume yelled but of course Toboe didn't listen. Toboe charged the man changing into a wolf. The man hesitated between shooting Toboe or Tala who was murdering his partner and before he could decide, Toboe jumped and pounced on him throwing him off his motorcycle. He was thrown on his back and Toboe had every opportunity to take his life but held back. The man clenched his fist and punched it into Toboe's jaw throwing him off him. Immediately after he fought off Toboe, Tsume was on him like a gray blur. The last thing he saw, was Tsume's fangs ripping into his throat. Tala had successfully killed her target. Tsume stood in human form wiping the blood from his mouth. "Humans constantly underestimate us," he spat. "I should have done away with these guys when I had the chance."

Toboe stood in human form rubbing his jaw where the hunter had hit him. "I couldn't bring myself to kill a third person."

"He was ready to kill you," Tsume said.

"I achieved what I wanted and that was preventing Tala from getting shot," he eyed her. "I'm not the only foolish one here." He rubbed his jaw again.

Tala frowned crossing her arms. "I would have been just fine, thank you very much. Why don't you get Amaris to put her lips on that to make you feel better eh?"

"Ok stop saying it like that," Toboe said self consciously as his cheeks turned red. "It's called kissing."

"You would know."

Toboe flattened his brow.

Tsume growled grabbing Tala by her arm and shoved her forward. "All right children, get a move on it or there's going to be another dead body lying around here!"

Toboe started to follow but hated to be walking towards safety while Kiba and Hige were headed back into danger. He turned around facing the great city seeing the smoke rise high into the sky and imagining the scene Kiba and Hige were going to run into. "Toboe, come on!" Tsume yelled over Tala's ranting. Toboe obeyed but with great reluctance, turned his back to the city and followed the rest out.

"Hige wait!" Kiba yelled trying to catch up.

"You're not going to talk me out of this one!" Hige yelled not even looking back.

When he managed to run a bit closer, he jumped high towards Hige and landed behind him with just enough time to grab his arm. "I'm not trying to talk you out of saving her. If we get to the roofs of these buildings and travel over them, we'll get there faster, draw less attention to ourselves and not stumble into a fiery building surrounded by the police."

Hige shoved Kiba's arm off like he wasn't going to listen but he knew Blue's life was at stake. He nodded to Kiba. "All right, let's go." They jumped to the first building becoming their true wolf selves running and jumping from roof to roof at such great speed yet grace. They reached the center of the city within minutes coming upon the fiery scene. With great horror, it was the Yaiden home engulfed in flames.

"Blue!" Hige yelled. He looked down hearing another cry and saw Quent was being restrained by four policemen as he fought relentlessly against them even with his hands cuffed. "Russe! Sinikka! No! You bastards!" Quent would yell.

"She's still in there!" Hige yelled and without another thought jumped from the roof he was at still in as his wolf self and to a second story window that had been shattered. Kiba soon followed once Hige cleared the window and was inside.

"You see?" One of the police yelled. "This proves Quent Yaiden has been using his home to hide wolves!"

"That's ridiculous!" Quent roared. Immediately there was an explosion and debris went flying into the air as the building caved in a bit. "No! Russe!" Quent would never admit it out loud but he was placing all his trust on Hige now to get Russe and Blue out.

Kiba and Hige had blacked out for a moment from the explosion. It had come from the first floor but thankfully had not been too close to them. The floor beneath them had shifted and walls had fallen over. Hige weakly stood on all four paws when he heard a child's cry fill the air. Kiba heard it too and stood also. "Russe! Blue!" Hige yelled.

Through the thick fog of smoke and fire, Hige saw a silhouette of a child and charged with every strength he had towards it afraid it would disappear. He had to stop suddenly when he nearly ran into the child. "Hige?" Russe asked but then embraced his arms around Hige thick neck and cried into his fur. "I knew you'd come for us!" He cried. He gasped and pulled away when Kiba walked through the flames, his white fur becoming scorched by the flames. "Let Kiba take you out of here. I'll get Blue."

"She's out cold in my room still!" He pointed to the closes doorway. Kiba got on his stomach and allowed Russe to climb on his back. "Can you handle the rest on your own?"

"I'll be fine! Get Russe out of here!"

Russe clutched his fists into Kiba's thick fur as he turned and ran for the window they had came in through. "Hold on!" Kiba yelled as he approached the window. Russe buried his head into Kiba's fur holding on for dear life as Kiba made the jump. Instead of trying to make the awkward jump back to the roof they had first jumped off of, he jumped straight across to a fire escape stairway attached to the building.

"Shoot it!" The order was given to the police.

"No! He's got my son!" Quent yelled but they didn't care. Kiba was fired upon as he scrambled to get to the top. Thankfully he only had two flights of stairs to climb before he could jump to the roof and disappeared from view. Quent breathed in relief knowing his son would be safe now but he was still waiting for the wellbeing of two other wolves.

Hige had found Blue trapped under debris that had fallen through the ceiling. It had fallen on her while she was still in her wolf form. Hige, in his human form, removed the debris off her and picked her up in his arms before dashing as fast as he could back down the inflamed hallway. The floor suddenly shifted again causing him to lose his balance and he fell accidentally letting go of Blue. He got up over his knees becoming increasingly dizzy and sight was blurring from the ingesting of smoke that made it hard to breathe. However, he found the strength and determination to crawl to Blue and took her back in his arms. He slowly stood; the window within view. Just as he started to take another step, the floor shifted again and a loud crash was heard from behind. Hige maintained his balance this time but turned to see the floor was caving in and collapsing beneath him. He found his last strength and burst into a run as the floor began collapsing behind him and threw himself through the window and landed on the same metal staircase Kiba had. Just as he did so, the entire second story of the Yaiden home caved into itself. Hige used his body to shield Blue from the debris and smoke that suddenly overwhelmed them. As soon as he could, he picked Blue back in his strong arms, rose to his feet and climbed the stairway to the top. Thankfully, smoke and debris from the building collapsing offered them cover so the police couldn't get a clear shot to shoot.

When Hige finally was able to jump to the roof, he collapsed to his knees but still held on to Blue. He really just needed to catch his breath and panted trying to catch it.

"I know you're tired," Kiba said, "but if we don't leave now, they'll start surrounding us on this roof."

Hige nodded getting back to his feet. "Let's go."

Everyone else had finally made it out of the city. Tsume didn't want to lead them too far out until Kiba and Hige returned. He really just didn't want to lead the group of children. Tala was still ignoring Toboe keeping her arms crossed and head turned away with a "Hmph!" whenever he walked too close. Toboe just rolled his eyes. He didn't even know what she was mad about and it be pointless trying to ask at the moment.

Tsume cleared his throat and nudged Toboe's arm to get his attention. "I'm not one to give advice about this sort of thing but... "Toboe looked at him as Tsume muttered something to him in a hushed tone as Tala and Amaris walked ahead. Tala turned her head back suspiciously glowering at them. Toboe's cheeks had turned red as he pulled away from Tsume. "What! You think-

Tsume covered Toboe's mouth walking ahead of him. "It's the only way to get peace and quiet around here."

"What are you two talking so secretive for?" Tala spat.

Toboe rolled his eyes irritably. He turned around looking back again and to his gladness, he saw Kiba and Hige and they looked to be in one piece. "Hey they're back!" He announced happily. Everyone else stopped and turned to see the two and each person they carried.

"Great...another kid," Tsume muttered.

Once Kiba and Hige caught up, Kiba led the group further still carrying Russe on his back. "I know where we can hide. There's a cave not too far from here." They at first hurried across the barren wasteland before the authorities would realize they had actually made it out. The land had once been beautiful until the city drained it of its beauty and resources turning it into nothing but gray and emptiness. Still it was more pleasant to be in it then in the stench of the city. For Kiba at least. As they cleared the city grounds, they relaxed into a slower walk and began climbing up an incline. Russe leaned into Kiba stroking his white fur. "I wish I could be a wolf," he said breaking the long silence. "I think the other humans are just jealous. I'm not like them. Ah!" He yelled when Kiba suddenly jumped to the top of the hill they were climbing. After just a few more minutes, Kiba led them to the cave he had mentioned earlier. Just as they entered the cave the rumbling of thunder could be heard.

A fire was made and everyone could finally rest without worry for now. Hige laid Blue near the fire and stroked her dark fur affectionately. "I'm glad I looked behind," he whispered. Russe came and sat near Hige to check on Blue.

"Is she going to be okay?" Russe asked.

Hige nodded. "She just took a hard hit to the head. Just give her time to recover."

Russe jumped when thunder suddenly split the sky apart and he looked towards the mouth of the cave. Toboe stood there leaning against the wall looking outside as torrential rain fell. He was worried for Akio and wondered what became of the kitten. Akio had not been carrying it last he saw him.

"Hey, I remember him. He's the wolf with the funny name." Russe said. He left Hige and ran up to Toboe but screamed in terror when lightning and thunder clapped in the sky together.

Toboe turned to face him and smiled. "It's nothing to be afraid of."

"You wolves aren't afraid of anything." Russe crossed his arms in envy.

"Wolves can get struck by lightning too," Tala said trudging towards them. "Or are you asking for a death wish 'cause I'll give it to you," she said pulling on his arm jerking him deeper into the cave away from the storm. She raised her hand to his face like she would claw him. "Is that what you want?"

Toboe shoved her hand out of his face. "What is your problem? Are you still mad that Amaris saved my life?"

"She 'kissed' a wolf!" She yelled. "...as you call it. You did not even try to hide that you were enjoying it."

Toboe blushed laughing in guilt which only made Tala angrier. He got serious again and met Amaris' eyes who was giggling at them. He frowned. "Look- " He started than looked at Tsume remembering what he said. "Amaris didn't kiss me. Not in the way you are thinking it."

"Oh real- she was interrupted when Toboe gently but firmly grasped the side of her face and kissed her on her lips. If no one was paying attention to them, they were now. Russe clutched his stomach looking sick. "Gross."

Tala's eyes widened in surprise but she was quick to return this new way of showing affection. That was all she wanted was for Toboe to kiss her after seeing it done for the first time. That was what Tsume had told him. "Just kiss her already so she'll shut up." Toboe pulled away in disbelief he had actually done it. He cleared his throat trying to stay serious. "That's a kiss. It's quite different from what Amaris did. She just breathed her pure oxygen into me and that's what revived me. Not the kiss itself."

Tala tried to stay serious but her whole face had turned bright pink. She finally gave into a girlish squeal. Toboe gave her just what she wanted. "I like being human!" She fell to her knees still giggling in a love daze. Toboe raised his brow and gave into a shy chuckle. He started to walk away when he remembered the bracelets. "Thanks for the bracelets by the way," he raised his right hand showing the bracelets but she was still in a love daze and wasn't even paying attention anymore. He was surprised he could make a girl feel this way. He sighed feeling fully accomplished but terribly embarrassed shaking his head walking passed her. He came to sit next to Hige. He hugged his knees and dropped his head against them trying to hide his red face.

Hige looked at him starting to laugh. "Nice one runt-

"Shut up!"

After a few more minutes have passed, Blue was finally gaining conscious. A big smile came across Hige's face. "Hey are you okay?"

Blue sat up in human form rubbing her head trying to focus her vision. She groaned but nodded. "Yeah I'll be fine." She opened her eyes wide with a gasp and glared at Hige. "Where Russe and Pops?"

"I'm here!" Russe announced and surprised Blue throwing his arms around her neck from behind. "I was so worried about you!"

Blue chuckled patting Russe's arm and looked around the cave. "Where's Pops?"

Hige's smile fell from his face and he shook his head. "He was captured. There was nothing we could do to save him."

"What?" Blue snapped. "You left him behind?"

"I-

"Both you and Russe would have died if we tried to save him first," Kiba spoke in Hige's defense. "This way, you both live and we can still save your owner."

Hige nodded. "I promise we'll save him. Blue, you should know better than me this is how he would want it. He wouldn't be able to live without you or Russe. He would have killed me had I saved him first."

Blue looked away sadly still holding onto Russe's arm he held around her neck. "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't have left him behind if you didn't have to. I should have protected my own family. I'm sorry Russe."

"It took Hige and me together to get both you and Russe out safely," Kiba said. "You can't have expected to save everyone on such short notice."

Hige affectionately placed his hands on her shoulders. "I promise, we'll work together to get Pops out. Maybe he'll at least trust me then."

Blue pulled him close embracing around his neck. "Thank you so much, Hige!"

As the hour passed, everyone, one by one, fell asleep near the campfire. There was a sense of freedom now after leaving the city behind. Tsume was the only one who never fell asleep. While everyone slept, he stood at the mouth of the cave staring at the barren wasteland. He was practically leaving his whole life behind.

"Are you really going to miss that dump?"

Tsume turned to see Kiba wide awake and just scoffed turning his back to him. Kiba stood from where he had been sleeping and approached Tsume's side. "Even you deserve better than living there."

"I've spent nearly ten years of my life there," Tsume said. "And within a few minutes I had to decide to leave all that behind."

"I'm sure that city is not what it was ten years ago. This world certainly isn't." Kiba said sadly. "We're leaving this dying world behind for something better. Amaris will lead us there."

Tsume just laughed at the thought.

"Still think it's a fairytale?"

"It's too good to be true. Of course it's a fairytale."

"Amaris is real though and to me, she is enough proof that paradise is out there."

Before more could be said, a tremor could be felt in the ground and steadily getting more violent. The other's were being stirred awake as the ground began to quake.

"What the- Tsume started to say.

"Everyone get up!" Kiba yelled. "They've found us!"

A loud boom, like that of a cannon, was heard followed by a hissing sound. Everyone froze for a few seconds before the land near the cave exploded. Heavy militaristic machines could be heard approaching them including tanks. The humans were surely desperate to wipe them out.

"I didn't think they'd find us this quickly," Tsume said in shock.

"That can't be the police," Kiba said surprised by how well armed they were.

"It's the military." Tsume uttered.

"Everyone out!" Kiba yelled.

"Are you crazy?" Hige yelled. "We'll get blown to bits!"

Another shot from the tank was fired and landed even closer to the cave. Chunks of rocks began to fall making Tala scream.

"Would you rather get crushed or trapped in this cave?" Kiba yelled impatiently.

Hige paused like he actually had to think about it. Blue rolled her eyes grabbing Hige's hand and picking up Russe in her other arm before running out the mouth of the cave. The rest followed after them into the dangerous open land. Military trucks and tanks started to climb up the incline and fired again at the wolves. Tala froze in place screaming hearing the loud whistle of the cannonball nearing ever so closer. Toboe was just ahead of her and turned grabbing her by her wrist and pulled her forward. "Come on!" He gasped sensing the cannonball about to strike, shoved her forward and fell over her to guard her. The cannonball landed just a few yards from them blowing up the land near the two and throwing debris everywhere.

"Toboe!" Tsume cried out and turned back to help the two.

"We're going to get slaughtered!" Hige yelled over the machines the humans drove.

Kiba nodded and looked at Blue. "Take Amaris and the youngest wolves with you. We'll distract the humans."

"That's not what I had in mind!" Hige shouted.

Tsume was relieved to see both Tala and Toboe move and unharmed from the strike. Toboe sat over Tala who was shaking becoming paralyzed with fear. The machines humans drove really did frighten her. Tsume approached them kneeling down in front of Tala. He grabbed her by her shoulders forcing her up. She had tears in her eyes. "Get a move on it Tala! This isn't the time. Both of you move!"

Toboe nodded and grabbed Tala by her wrist forcing her to run with him. As they ran, Toboe noticed Hige, Tsume and Kiba running back down the incline to meet the humans in battle. He stopped and looked at Tala. "Run with Blue and Amaris. I'll catch up." He said and ran back down the incline after the others.

"What do you think you're doing?" She yelled but he didn't stop to yell back. "Stop being brave!" She hollered.

Toboe caught up just as Kiba was laying out a quick plan to distract the humans.

"What do you think you're doing?" Tsume yelled.

"You're too hurt to fight runt," Hige said.

"I'm fine! Look, I know a bit about their machines. I can distract and even stop a machine. Let me fight."

Kiba nodded. "All right, we run down to meet them in separate directions so they can't fire on all of us at the same time. Go!"

The four of them charged down the incline in their true wolf form proudly towards the humans and their deadly machines. Side by side, Kiba, Hige, Tsume and Toboe ran until they parted ways to scatter the tanks and trucks. Gunfire was let loose. This was a start of a war with the outcome of wolves being completely destroyed or finding sanctuary in their paradise before it was too late. This was only the beginning.