lostmoonchild: Okay, here's another chapter. I'd like to say first off that this chapter was inspired by the fact that it's actually raining outside and I was listening to "Tell Me What the Rain Knows" for a bit.

Disclaimer: I don't own Wolf's Rain or anything unless I say otherwise.

Chapter Eleven: What the Rain Knows

White flowers grew across an endless field that faded away into the distant horizon. The sky above held no clouds in its gentle blue stillness as the wind blew ever softly across the earth, the air holding a scent far sweeter than anything that had ever existed around humans.

There were no humans to destroy this peaceful place. No humans to pollute the air and water sources with whatever they decided to make then abandoned as soon as it broke down and was considered useless. There was nothing to disturb the soft rustling of the yellowing grass as the wind blew through it, carrying its scent in with the other scents.

This was Paradise, she was absolutely positive. How else could such a beautiful place exist while humans still lived and destroyed everything? Even the unforgiving elements outside of the domed cities had been ruined by human hand.

Did humans honestly have to destroy everything they could get their hands on? Whatever happened to communing with nature? None of that shooting and killing animals just to stuff them for decoration crap some of them were fascinated with. A human or two that didn't believe in that nonsense would have been nice before everything was so diseased.

The ground trembled violently and the clear skies grew dark. The wind holed angrily, screaming in fury at some insult that she was unaware of. Torrents of freezing rain came down, striking her as if they were small bullets that were unable to pierce fur and flesh. It stole the heat that her body generated and made her feel as if she were slowly freezing.

Why was this Paradise turning into hell? Why? What had happened? What?! Had some human gotten into Paradise and had managed to somehow disease this place as well? Please, please don't let there be a human!

A howl left her lips as the ground beneath her split open and she fell to her death in the unforgiving abyss below.

Startled gasps left Kaylah's lips as she looked around. She could hear the rain outside, singing of the days past when the world wasn't dying. Her heart pounded frantically against her chest as she panted softly for air.

Slowly she became aware that somebody was awake and was currently radiating concern. A quick look around again revealed that Blue was the one watching her and that she was indeed concerned. "Are you okay?" Blue asked patiently.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Kaylah nodded slightly before noticing that Kiba and Cheza were missing. Where had they gone? "Where's Papa?" Kaylah asked. "And Cheza?"

Blue looked towards the exit for a moment before sighing to herself. Kiba was happier at least but they were being targeted and tracked by the humans from Kayhah's original city. That was more than enough to put any of them in a bad mood since none of them know how in the hell those humans were tracking them. "They went out a little while ago before the rain started to fall." Blue explained. "Why? Is something wrong that you need to talk to Kiba about it?"

"Curious."

"I hear that curiosity killed the cat."

"Good thing I'm a wolf then."

Blue laughed softly and nodded in agreement. The younger female had a sense of humor so that was a plus. The pup, no, bitch had a fighting chance in the world and that chance was best to be taken before it was snatched away. "Good thing," agreed Blue with a small nod.

Kaylah didn't say anything for a few moments before asking, "What's your story, Blue? All I really know is that you and Hige are a thing but I don't know how you met the guys."

A sigh left Blue's lips as she thought about what to tell the other wolf. "There's really not much to tell. I t raveled with a human that hunted wolves when I met the guys." Blue said patiently. "Cheza told me that I have some wolf in me and I decided to go to Paradise even though I don't know if it'll accept me."

Kaylah quietly laid down next to Toboe. "Do you hope it does?" she questioned.

"Very much."

"I hope so too. So why are you here? I mean, how did you find the guys?"

Blue let out a small laugh. "I followed my nose. I know by now that wherever there's the scent of lunar flowers, the guys would be showing up sooner or later."

The young wolf thought for a moment before nodding slightly. Cheza did have a very unique scent and it did make sense to follow her scent to locate the others. Maybe other wolves would come seeking Paradise and they would find the Flower Maiden waiting to help them get to Paradise.

Her heart froze in fear. While she didn't doubt Kiba's ability to protect Cheza, she worried about others' intentions towards her. Not everybody was as kind as Kiba and they might want to jurt him just to get to Cheza. What if they were being attacked now and didn't have any help?

As if sensing her fears, Blue silently got up and nuzzled Kaylah's neck. "He'll be back." Kaylah heard Blue tell her. "Don't worry. If something happens-"

"Who said anything would happen?!" Kaylah snapped as she got to her feet.

"-Kiba will howl."

"Right. So why'd you leave that human?"

"We were separated. Don't worry, I'll find him sooner or later."

Confusion crossed Kaylah's features as she tilted her head slightly. She couldn't understand why any wolf would want to be near a human for very long. If they were among humans while having their illusions up then they were watched with great suspicion. If they appeared as dogs to normal humans then they got stones thrown at them. "There are good humans. Pops, the human I was with, is one of the good ones." Blue explained. "Humans are like us. Not all good but not all are bad either."

Okay, she already knew that not all humans were bad but that didn't stop her from disliking this city. While she had yet to meet a kind human here, the city reminded her of her home city. No, anywhere that had Toboe was better than anyplace anywhere.

As she laid back down and nestled against Toboe, the young wolf wondered if Paradise would be good because it had the heart's desire or if it really was a dream that somebody came up with.

lostmoonchild: I watched the entire Wolf Rain's series and the only point I'm getting about Paradise is that it's based on personal preferences. If that's wrong or not, I don't know, but can somebody let me know if I am wrong? Read and review, I'll accept flames!