Leningrad

Holo and Dmitri followed Malik through the maze of destruction that was Leningrad. Around each corner, POWs where either being marched or executed; often at the same time. In other corners, troops cooked food and huddled around small fires. At many points, civilians where selling "meat pies" to any one with money to spare. Holo could smell the human flesh in these pies.

"It saddens me to see this city in this state. I wonder how it was before the war." Holo commented

"Leningrad was once the cultural center of the Soviet Union." Malik replied. At the moment, the song of a violin could be heard. Despite playing a cheerful song, it added to the gloom of the once proud city.

"The German's have taken everything and destroyed the rest. Just look over there. That was once a palace of the Tsars. Once it had treasures that gleamed like the sun. Now it is just ruin, its treasures have since been looted by the invaders. Nothing can now make it stand out from the rest of the rubble." Malik continued. Holo stared at the ruin, understanding what the Chechen meant.

"Malik, how do you know this city so well?" Dmitri asked

"My grandparents lived here before the war. My family would visit them every winter and summer. I take it as a blessing that they both died before the war, or they would be in sorrow at seeing their city in ruin." Malik answered. A tear formed in his eye, but Malik wiped it away. Only Holo noticed this.

"He may be like ice, but ice melts." Holo thought.

The theater, or what was left of it, was one of the least destroyed buildings of the city. Despite being in usable state, there were no other soldiers in the building. From what Holo and Dmitri could see, it was once a burlesque hall before being converted into a theater for watching "pictures" as Dmitri put it. Malik extinguished the cigarette, blowing off the ashes before putting the remainder of the cigarette into a case.

"Malik, why don't you just keep smoking that cig?" Holo asked.

"The air in this building is warm compared to outside; it would be a waste of a good cigarette if I used it to warm already warm lungs." Malik replied. Holo took the answer, and followed the Chechen into the hall.

The Theater hall was small, but was large enough for what it once did. Holo noticed the stage had a screen on the wall, she wondered what use it could be for. She then smelled alcohol inside the hall and noticed Sasha fiddling with some kind of contraption.

"Now how did Chekov do this? He put the reel in first then, no wait the reel goes here. Shit, did this just break? Stupid Soviet junk, WORK!" Sasha screamed at projector. Holo watched as Malik walked up to the "projector" and placed a "reel" onto the machine. Dmitri and Sasha where stunned as Malik placed the parts the Sasha "broke off" back into their place.

"Ah… Malik, how do you know how to use a projector?" Sasha asked

"My uncle ran a movie theater back in Chechnya. When I needed money, I would work for him." Malik replied. Sasha then started sniffing the air, waving has had in front of his face.

"Malik, you need to stop smoking, I hear that it is bad for your health." Sasha replied

"And you need to stop drinking." Malik answered

"You win this time, old friend." Sasha retorted back before staring at the reel placed in the projector.

"Ah, I see that we will be watching the American cartoon, "Steamboat Willie." Sasha replied. Dmitri and Holo sat down. Holo was confused at what the Russians meant by "Movie" and "film" and "cartoon" and "Steamboat Willie."

"Dmitri, what is a cartoon?" Holo asked.

"You will see Horo, you will see." The lights in the theater dimmed down. Holo could see the projector beaming a light onto the screen. Then, on the screen, a picture formed. Holo noticed the Latin based alphabet that read "Disney Cartoons presents a Mickey Mouse sound cartoon Steamboat Willie A Walt Disney Comic by UB Iwerks." Holo also saw what she assumed where two mice. One wore pants and held a hat in one hand and a cane in another. The other mouse had a dress on and was looking at the other mouse in a seductive pose. The picture changed, this time to a boat with a wheel on one side. What astonished Holo was that the picture was moving. She then saw the male mouse piloting the ship, whistling a tune she did not recognize. As the picture went on, Holo laughed at the mouse's antics. At one point, the mouse used animals to make music in illogical ways. She wasn't the only one laughing, as Sasha and Dmitri laughed at the mouse. Holo even noticed Malik somewhat smiled at times. When the film finished, Dmitri turned his head to see Holo. He smiled when he saw her still giggling from the cartoon.

"Want to watch another?" Dmitri asked

"Another? Why Dmitri, you are spoiling me." Holo answered. Dmitri only turned his head and body to face Malik.

"What other films does this theater have, Malik?" Dmitri asked. Malik looked down the film rack, noticing the large number of American films.

"Most of them seem to be America Cowboy films, cartoons, and other old films from America." Malik replied.

"I see the German's did us a favor by destroying the Russian films. Ok Malik, play one of the cowboy films." Dmitri responded. Holo wondered what the two meant by "American" and "Cowboy."

"Dmitri, what are Cowboys and Americans?" Holo asked. Dmitri did not answer for the next film was already starting. This film did not have an opening card as the cartoon did; instead it opened to a masked man on a horse atop a cliff. Next to the man was a shorter man wearing what looked like a rough leather jacket. The masked man spoke, but no words came out

"Malik, why is the movie not talking?" Sasha yelled at Malik.

"The synchronized sound was destroyed, just read the subtitles." Malik answered. Sasha just piped down, mumbling to himself. From what Holo read, the masked man was the "Lone Ranger"; the other man was "Tonto". This film was more series then the cartoon, for the "Lone Ranger" would walk into town and be ambushed by other cowboys at times or "Indians" at other times. Holo liked the film, for it had more of a story then "Steamboat Willie." She was particularly interested in the area the movie was set in. To her, the area looked like a desert that had strange trees that looked like prisoners holding their hands up.

"To answer your question Horo, that is a cowboy and American." Dmitri answered.

"So if that's an American, does that mean all of Americans are gun toting marauders?" Holo asked.

"Not really. You see, according to the Party, America is a corrupt land where the capitalists extort the workers. They also say that America was once a land of opportunity, but it is no more due to capitalism." Dmitri chuckled. "The funny thing is that a lot of our food, fuel, and supplies come from America. I have even heard that some American capitalists love the idea of communism. But still, we love their Cowboy movies. Even Stalin watches them." Holo just stared at Dmitri

"This is a strange world that we live in, Eh Dmitri?" Holo asked.

"I guess it is." Dmitri replied.

Malik looked on the film rack, finding another film to play.

"Alexander Nevsky", No. "Why we fight", I think not." Malik said to himself as he examined the films. He then picked up a film canister with film that looked homemade. Malik looked for a name, finding it on a note stuck to the reel.

"Spice and Wolf" Malik said as he examined the reel. Opening the canister, Malik sighed when he saw at the state the film was in. Still, he looked at the small pictures of the film that were still okay. Looking through one of the frames, he saw the character "Holo" resting her body on a cart in front of the character "Lawrence". Malik Then looked at Horo, feeling some kind of connection between the picture and the sniper. Malik re-spun the film into its canister before loading a comedy onto the projector.


Holo was amazed at the films played in front of her. She watched comedians such as Charlie Chapman, Three stooges, the Marx brothers, and others that made her laugh till her stomach hurt. She saw men like "Buck Rogers" fight against creatures from space, using strange weapons to fight against the space creatures. She saw cartoons with names like "Bugs Bunny", "Popeye", and many more of "Mickey Mouse". As time passed, other soldiers started entering the theater. Some sat down, while others stood up. The small hall was filled with laugher and tension, depending on the film. During the film "Zorro", Commissar Boris entered the hall. All of the men became quit as they eyed the commissar. When Boris did find a seat, he ordered Malik to continue the film, stating "This is good film, please continue." Over time, Holo became tired. Not because of the films, but because it was getting late.

"Dmitri, it's getting late. I will be heading to my cot." Holo stated.

"I will come with you; it is not wise for a woman to walk alone at night, especially here." Dmitri answered. Holo gave a small blush before a voice appeared in her head.

"He is not Lawrence, Holo, he is your descendent. Which means he is related to your son, which means he is related to you." the voice said in her head.

"He is different enough that no one would know he is my descendent." Holo replied in her thought.

"But you would know Holo"

"Horo are you O.K." Dmitri asked. Holo tensed up at the question.

"Yes, I am just tired, that's all." Holo lied, knowing that it was more than just fatigue that was causing her problems.

"Good, then let's get moving then." Dmitri answered. As the two started to leave, however, Sasha came up on the two.

"Dmitri, before you leave, I want my vodka ration."

"Sasha, we have done no fighting today, wait tomo…" Before Dmitri could finish his sentence, Sasha grabbed him with an iron grip.

"I NEED TO BE DRUNK DMITRI, I NEED TO BE DRUNK!" Sasha yelled as he shook Dmitri. Many of the theater's patrons where now starring at Dmitri and Sasha, wondering what would happen next.

"Fine Sasha, here, you can have my part." Dmitri then took the bottle and jammed it into Sasha's arms.

"You don't need a temper, Dmitri. Also, Horo, will you be drinking tonight?" the drunkard asked.

"No, that drink causes problems for me when I sleep. Besides, I do not wish to have a hangover." Holo answered. Sasha opened the bottle and started to act crazy as he drank.

"I HAVE A FULL BOTTLE OF VODKA; SASHA WILL BE HAVING GOOD TIME TONIGHT." Sasha screeched as he danced like a drunk. The other soldiers of the theater just turned their heads back to the screen; they did not want to miss a good film before they died in battle.

Holo and Dmitri walked out of the theater, the night pitch black.

"How long were we in that building?" Holo asked. Dmitri just chuckled

"Hell if I know Holo, but long enough to say that we didn't have to work today." The two laughed at the comment. Dmitri then did the unthinkable; he placed his arm on Holo's back, holding her close to his body. Holo blushed at the action, trying to look pleased by his touch. In her mind, however, Holo was fighting her own war.

"Stop that, Holo, Stop that right now. You know your relationship with this man; you can't love him like Lawrence." Holo's conscience screamed

"So what, I can flirt with an….." before Holo could finish the though, she felt her own hand slap her face.

"WHAT THE HELL! Are you alright Holo?" A confused Dmitri asked. Holo just touched her face at where her body slapped her.

"Do anything like that again, Holo, and I will do worse." Holo's conscience said. Holo started to weep.

"By my tail, even my mind is against me!" Holo said as she wept. Dmitri tried to comfort the she-wolf by patting her back. Holo bit back

"You dare touch Holo the Wise Wolf of Yoitso after it was your touch that caused me my pain." Holo stated as she eyed her descendent. Dmitri was taken aback

"The Hell Holo, all I tried to do was comfort you. Instead, you bark back at me saying it was my fault. How is it my fault Holo? What did I do to make you act bitchy?" Dmitri then screamed in pain. At that moment, Dmitri felt a searing pain coming from his groin. Looking down, he saw Holo's knee right in his manhood. He fell like a bag of bricks onto the floor, squealing in pain.

"O…God…it….Hurts…I….rather….be…..shot…. then….feel…this" Dmitri whimpered in pain as he tried to relieve the pain.

"You never call me a bitch, NEVER. Or I will personally cut them OFF!" Holo screamed with anger. Dmitri just kept squirming around, trying to get back on his feet. Holo just stared at the soldier as she spat on him. Turning around, she trekked back to her sleeping quarters.

"Did you have to hit him there and say that threat?" Holo said to her conscience.

"ME! I did nothing, you where the one who hit his manhood and threaten to cut them off." Her conscience replied. Holo just slapped herself.

"I hate this war." She said to herself. As she walked, she looked back at Dmitri. She wasn't surprised that he was still on the ground, trying to dull the pain. Unknown to Holo, someone was watching her.

The German once instructed sniper courses outside of Berlin. To the world, he died back in Stalingrad after a 3 day dual with another sniper. The Vrill society, on the other hand, had other plans for him. They staged his death so that he could hunt down the wolf known as Holo. The sniper looked out the window, observing Holo kneeing the soviet soldier in the groin. He could take the shot, but he did not. He was tired, and did not wish to run out of Leningrad with an unconscious body at this time of night. He would have to follow her and wait, wait for the sun to rise so that the hunt my end.


As Holo woke up the next morning, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Looking to her side, she saw Dmitri sleeping in his cot. His groans of pain somehow did not wake Holo up during the night. Feeling pity, Holo attempted to stroke the soldier's hair to comfort him. The second she touched Dmitri, the soldier jumped to his feet and tried to hide himself from Holo.

"I am sorry, O great and powerful Holo the Wise the Wolf of Yoitsu. I promise never again to bring you pain and..." Holo hugged the soldier before he could finish.

"No Dmitri, it was my fault for venting my anger at you."

"So does that mean you are sorry for kneeing me in the groin?" Dmitri asked.

"No, you deserved that one for calling me a bitch." Holo said in a teasing manner.

"Well at least they still work, just please don't hit so hard. I can still fear the pain from last night." Dmitri said as he tried to dull the pain. Holo just giggled as she walked out of the makeshift barracks. Dmitri just kept his mouth shut and made no comment at her giggling; he did not want to feel more pain.

For today, Holo learned that her squad would be part of a unit sent into an area of Leningrad that still had German's fighting for control. Holo sighed at the news, knowing that more human would have to die for a useless cause. The four walked down the streets of Leningrad, searching for any resistance. At times, they would be fired upon by a German. Sasha would just paint the building with bullet holes, killing any German in the building. If there were more than one, then either Malik or Dmitri would throw a grenade into the building, the screams of the enemy confirming a kill. For the most part, however, the German's had lost the will to fight. At many buildings, the squad saw Germans who had hanged themselves to lamp posts and trees. At others, they saw the remains of Germans who had committed suicide by other means. Holo averted her eyes from looking at these corpses. Even when she did, she saw the bodies of Germans who died by Russian hands, and Russians who died by German hands. As they walked, the four came upon two German's who were surrendering. Dmitri searched the troops for hidden weapons and important documents. Once he had found what he was looking for, he ordered two other soldiers to escort the prisoners back to camp. As the squad advanced through the rubble, two shots could be heard. Dmitri just sighed; he knew the Soviet rules for prisoners. Turning his head to see Holo, he could see that she disliked those two soldier's actions against the prisoners. The two said nothing, as they continued their sweep for any resistance.

"Is there any point to this?" Holo asked. Dmitri looked at Holo as he ate his ration. He knew the answer, but did not wish to say it. Holo looked at Dmitri, reading his silence as an answer.

"If they really want to use us, why can't they just send us to the frontlines?" Holo asked. Dmitri did not answer again. Malik answered for him.

"To Stalin, one German is too many. He hates their guts. To show his anger, he wants to kill every German, soldier or civilian, to show his revenge."

"I have heard that if one wishes for revenge, they better dig two graves." Holo answered to the Chechen's statement.

"True, but Stalin has many men to dig both his and the enemy's graves." Malik answered to Holo's quote. Malik then became silent as he walked to the corner of the courtyard the squad was resting in. He then pulled out and set a worn piece of cloth. Holo then watched as he removed his helmet, revealing his pilotka, and then started to kneel on the cloth.

"Dmitri, what is Malik doing?" Holo asked as she pointed to Malik.

"He is praying to his god in the direction of Mecca. From what I have heard, Muslims are suppose do this every day. I am, however, unsure if my information on this action is correct." Holo turned away from Malik, she wanted to show respect to him as he prayed. As she turned her head, she saw Sasha rubbing his face. He was obviously having trouble with his hangover.

"Ah, did Sasha drink more than he could handle?" Holo teased at Sasha. Sasha just opened a gap in his fingers, eying Holo.

"Shut up Horo, I have enough problems as is." Sasha groined. Holo just grinned as she saw Sasha suffering from his hangover.

"He is strong and dangerous when drunk. But when he has a hangover, he is like a turtle on it back. Still, I can understand his pain of having a hangover." Holo thought to herself. As Holo contemplated, the German sniper was lining up his shot. He noticed the three other soldiers, but knew that they posed little threat if he acted now. Moving his crosshairs over the women's head, he prepared his finger to squeeze the trigger of his rifle. He knew that if he failed to get out of the city today, he would be stuck behind enemy lines forever. As Malik finished his prayers, he noticed a flash coming from a building across the road. Slowly, he grabbed his rifle and fired a shot close to the position of the light.

"Malik, what are you doing!" Dmitri asked as he heard the report of Malik's rifle. Malik did not even look at Dmitri as he answered.

"Sniper, move into building behind us, I will cover." He said as fired another shot. Holo and Dmitri looked at each other and nodded, knowing what they had to do. Holo ran into the building behind them, setting up a sniper position. Dmitri ran toward Sasha, trying to get the man up from the ground. As he helped Sasha up, he felt a bullet enter into his leg. Holo saw the report and fire, but she missed her shot.

"Curse this wind for messing up my shot." Holo said to herself. Malik ran towards his fellow comrades, helping Dmitri carry Sasha into the building. Holo could smell Dmitri's blood, but pushed the smell out of her mind. She needed all the concentration she could get. Malik pulled out a knife and dug out the bullet that had landed into Dmitri's leg. Dmitri groined heavily as Malik pullet the bullet out. Malik then pulled out a small bottle of alcohol, much to his comrade's shock, and poured the clear liquid onto the wound. Dmitri screamed as the alcohol disinfected the area. Malik then tour a piece of sterile cloth from his kit, wrapping it around the wound. Dmitri continued to breathe heavily.

"Calm down Dmitri, the bullet did not damage you seriously. However, I advise that you do not move that leg for now" Malik said as he tried to lower Dmitri's breathing.

"Oh? And how would you know he is ok?" Sasha asked the Chechen.

"My mother was a nurse with and my other grandfather was a surgeon. They thought me what to do in times like this." Malik answered Sasha.

"Your family certainly is close."

"Yes, I know." Malik answered. Holo was getting annoyed

"We can talk about family later; right now we have more pressing matters." Holo said as she fired a shot from her rifle, again missing. Malik only nodded, then held out his hand indicating that he wanted Dmitri's binoculars. Dmitri gave the optics to Malik. With the optics in hand, Malik indicated to Holo to follow him. Holo obliged the request.

"Listen to me Horo, after each shot you take, move to another position. When you do move, try to move fast and out of sight."

"What will you do Malik?" Holo asked Malik.

"I will try to locate him for you, draw his fire, and help you correct your aim after each shot." The Chechen answered. Although Holo disliked the idea of being corrected for aim by Malik, she did not argue. She may have better senses then humans, but Malik had more experience with sniping then she did. Plus an extra set of eyes would help her. Holo nodded in agreement, setting up another position for her to snipe.

The German scanned the building in front of him. He was looking for the tall tell sign of light reflecting off of a scope. Meanwhile, his spotter was using a flashlight and helmet in an attempt to draw fire, thus hopefully cause the She-Wolf give away her position. The German then saw the front end of a rifle poke out of the building. He fired a shot, only to hear the pang of s shot hit close to his position. Moving away from the window, he moved to another position. Likewise, Holo did the same as she moved. Setting up again, she waited for Malik to give a coordinate.

"Second story, third window, right side." Malik silently told Holo. Holo moved her aim into the area, but did not see the sniper. She knew that he was hiding in that area. Again, she saw the decoy, but neither Malik nor Holo fired upon it. They continued to wait. To Holo, she felt like she was hunting, waiting for her prey to offer an opening before she attacked.

"Maybe snipers and sniping are more like me then I previously thought." Holo thought. She hated to admit it, but being a sniper felt natural to her. It felt even more so with Malik helping her take down her prey.

"He may be no wolf, but he certainly reminds me of one." Holo then saw the tip of the German's hat. She fired, another miss.

"Too high, recommend lower aim." Malik corrected. Holo moved to another position, this time next to Malik. The German looked out his scope, searching for Holo. He was lucky that last time. He knew, however, that he might not be so lucky next time. Holo and the German exchanged shots for an hour, before Holo saw an error in her opponent's movement. She saw the German sniper run to his position without cover. Taking aim, she hit the sniper in his arm.

"Hit, but no kill." Malik said as he confirmed Holo that she had hit the German. The German laid himself on the ground, clenching his arm. The pain was great, but the wound didn't stop him from finding another position. Unfortunately, his blood marked his position to Holo. She could the smell sniper's position just from his blood. Malik noticed Holo move her rifle, almost like she knew were the German was. As Holo aimed her rifle, she saw the German make a quick look through his scope. Holo fired her rifle. As she fired, she saw the bullet enter the scope of the rifle, killing the German through his eye. Holo and Malik watched as the sniper's body fell out of the window. The two then saw his spotter run out. Holo and Malik, nor did Sasha and Dmitri fire at the fleeing German. Holo and Malik left their positions, stepping down the stairs. As they did, they noticed Dmitri standing up; although they both could see he still had pain from the bullet.

"You alright Dmitri?" Malik asked.

"Yay, thanks for pulling that thing out of me." Dmitri thanked Malik. Malik just nodded his head as he left the building to reclaim his prayer rug. Sasha, smiling, began expecting Dmitri to pull out a bottle of Vodka. To his chagrin, Dmitri told the now sober Sasha that he had given the bottle to Sasha last night. Sasha just grumbled as he stormed out the building. Holo wanted to talk with Dmitri, but she did not want her descendent to have more pain from his wound then he needed. The two walked out of the building and started on their trek back to camp.


"You did WHAT?" Commissar Boris screamed at the Holo and her squad.

"It is part of Red Army doctrine to check any personal, dead or alive, for important documents. Despite this, you failed to check the sniper's body for documents, and allowed his spotter to get AWAY!" Holo, Dmitri, Sasha, and Malik stared at the old man expecting him to order their execution. Instead, Boris did something no one expected.

"Even though I should have the four of you executed for treason, I will drop the charges due to the situation of the battle. Do something like this again, however, and I will not hesitate to order a firing squad on you four. You're dismissed." Boris saw the four leave his tent. Sitting down at his chair, he knew who the sniper was. He also knew his mission and who sent him.

"I guess the Vrill still found out. Pity, Leningrad was starting to feel like home." The commissar said to himself.

The squad spilt up, each getting rest in their own way. Malik was cleaning his rifle and sharpening his blade, doing his best to remove any rust. Sasha was trying his best at gambling, hoping to win some alcohol. Holo and Dmitri, on the other hand, entered the medical tent to have Dmitri's leg check. Despite some redness and scarring, the doctor assured Dmitri that his would was not live threating. He also complimented on how Malik treated the wound, saying that without it, Dmitri might have only one leg.

"You are indeed a lucky one to have Malik as a friend, Dmitri." Holo stated as she drank some water from a cup.

"Yay, maybe too lucky"

"Oh don't say that Dmitri. Even with my superior senses, I did notice the sniper until Malik fired a shot." Holo saw as Dmitri turned away. He was obviously upset.

"Holo, do you think Malik would be a better leader then I?" Holo was taken aback. Although Malik was indeed a better soldier, there were certain traits he had that did not indicate a leader.

"Dmitri, Malik may be a better soldier, but that does not make him a better leader. For instance, Malik is very quit and at times blunt. You on the other hand try to keep moral up with the squad with your alcohol. And yes, Malik may have more experience, but that is only in battle. You, on the other hand, have experience around people. And also…" Holo stopped herself. She could see that Dmitri was not impressed with traits she said to him, and she could understand why. His scar was a stigma that marked a weakness that only he saw in himself. Holo decided to change the subject.

"You know, Dmitri, this squad reminds me of a wolf pack?" Holo saw that Dmitri was interested and no longer worried about his role compared to Malik's.

"How so?" Dmitri asked

"Well, you see, for obvious reasons I am like the maternal leader of the pact. I am wise and protect my children fiercely. Sasha is like the wolf that was forced to leave his own pack for being a trouble maker. Malik, on the other hand, is like the old wise wolf that could live on his own. However, he preferred to stay with the pack in order to help the pups."

"And what am I in this pack, Holo?"

"Well, you're an interesting case. You are either the wolf pup who is learning to live and act like a wolf, or you are the leader of the pact. As a leader, you keep order, care for each one of the pack's members, and risk your life for the pack." At that moment, Holo saw that Dmitri no longer saw his wound as a mark of shame. Instead, he saw the mark as a mark of power.

"Thanks Holo, you know how to make soldier feel better."

"You're welcome" Holo responded back. As she saw Dmitri fall asleep, she whispered to herself something meant for Dmitri, but she did not want him to hear.

"You're welcome, my descendent."