Canis sat on a fence post in front of the pub. Rubel sat across from him on an empty liquor barrel and Ilene stood at his side. And a crowd of riled up patrons stood around the windows with vicious glares.

"I apologize for Ilene's behavior," said Rubel. A glare was shot at the Claymore. "It seems that my orders to leave this town off the chart was not heeded."

Seemingly uninterested with what Rubel had to say, Canis pushed a rock back and forth with an outstretched foot. Without looking up, he pointed back over his shoulder and said in a deep tone, "The ones you should be apologizing to are back inside."

Rubel didn't want to try it. After Ilene had walked out the door, Kim took a swing at his face. Trying to say how sorry he was for the incident, he was cut off by an all too angry Jed. It took one yell of "Get! Out!" to reinforce the fact the leader wasn't welcome anymore in the establishment. Canis had told the others to stay inside while he followed the man out, stopping at the fence when he discovered Ilene still there.

"So just who the hell are you anyways?" Canis demanded. "First blondie over there tries to take my head off, and then you somehow managed to get her to leave."

"I have ties with the organization that backs up the warriors," explained Rubel. "The ones you call Claymores. As of late I have been doing the tasks of collecting resources and payments. I am still learning it seems."

Canis pointed at Ilene, who ignored the motion. "I think you still have a ways to go with addressing orders."

"Ilene is not under my sanction. Someone else is. I tried warning him not to come after you, but it seems the chain of command didn't pass the message in time."

Canis laughed. "Hold on, you're telling me that you guys knew about, well, me?"

"You got into a fight with a warrior. You didn't actually think that she wouldn't talk about you?"

"I suppose not. So how many… 'warriors,' are under your command?"

"I don't think that is any of your business."

"Oh, and this isn't either then?" Canis grabbed a hold of his tail and presented the tip to Rubel. "Six stitches and twenty rolls of bandages, my business this makes."

"So telling me more about you would be out of the question I take it," Rubel said with a smirk.

"I'm a dog that got washed in Yoma blood. I know it, you know it, and the whole damn town knows it. Now what's going to happen now that Ilene over here can't complete her task?"

"Who says she can't."

Canis looked back through the window at a group of drinkers starring outside. "I can give you at least fifty good reasons. Five of them are good shots with bows and one gets unglued when he's had one too many beers."

Rubel sighed. "The Organization thinks you are a threat to them. I've lived here for quite some time now, and I can honestly say that you aren't. However, certain members just will not listen, unless I do what's called a terms of alliance."

"Which is?"

"If you were to aid us in dealing with a few stray Yoma that we cannot track, then the other leaders will stop investigating the town. I would be acting as placeholder to see it is honored."

Canis bit his lip and nodded at Rubel. Without a word, he got off the post and walked back to the door. 'I don't play pet,' he thought to himself.

"We would pay you," Rubel added.

Canis paused. "Just how much?"

"That isn't an obstacle for us."

Canis laughed and continued back inside. "Right, I've heard that one before. This is like some bad story."

"Canis, listen. I came here to ask for your help. Ilene's arrival ruined it for me, but I still have to ask. There is a pack of Yoma that has slaughtered both warrior and civilian. If they are allowed to continue, then this State will be gone in a matter of months."

Canis faced Rubel . "No seriously, tell me why you want my help. That bullshit about human safety, uh-uh, I don't buy it. Yeah, I know what this is. You want me to hunt these demons since your finances are at risk. If the towns go, then you lose your interests."

Rubel remained quiet as Canis grinned smugly at him.

"If you want my help, then convince me that I won't be backstabbed or experimented on."

Rubel's patience suddenly dissipated and he leapt to his feet. "I've been the reason you're still alive, Canis. I'm trying to help you out. The other leaders don't give a damn about you, or their own warriors for that matter. I already set it up where your assistance will bargain for your survival. I know you don't think it, but we honor our agreements."

Jed apeared at the doorway with arms folded. Concerned over Canis's safety, he came forward to make sure nothing would happen. A nod from Canis told him all was well on his part, but he wouldn't take is eyes off the two strangers. "Just checking up on you guys."

Jed made room for Canis, and he muttered his thanks. With one last look over his shoulder, he gave Rubel a sarcastic expression. "Now convince me that you actually care about me."

Rubel's eyes narrowed. "You're master wasn't the only one who cared for transformed dogs."

Canis starred at Rubel while tring to keep a straight face. "I can see how that would, um, play a part in, um… You know what, forget it. Come back with one of these little mutated pups you've parented, and then we'll talk seriously."

Canis understood that Yoma flesh didn't settle right; the blood itself made grass wither and die. He believed the only reason he didn't cough it back up was because he had eaten parsley before hand, a wives-tale cure for upset stomachs. So unless this state had the right kind of conditions to grow the plant (which it didn't) or an owner had imported it and shoved it down his pet's throat, there was nothing to discuss. So with that said, Canis marched up the wooded steps.

"So how's your hand? It must take at least one Yoma a week to keep it from deforming into a twisted mass of flesh."

Canis stopped with one foot in the air, his eyes drifting to his glove. Jed noted his friend's movement. Riled up once more, he leaned around Canis with finger raised and a warning to give to Rubel. Canis grabbed him by his shoulder and shook his head. "No."

"I don't fear you, Huldra. You cannot hold onto or replicate the necessary energy that makes a Yoma the way it is. In fact, if the Yoma were to die off, so would you. I can help with that too, should you want it."

Temptation reached its peak in Canis's mind. Suspicion knocked it back to the depths. The idea was shrugged off as fast as it came on. "You know where to find me," he said as he reached for the door. "And no Claymores."

Rubel watched the dog enter the pub, ignoring the threatening signs of the people still inside. Jed stood for a few more seconds in the open, a call from Canis finally drawing him back inside. That is, after he took the liberty of starring Rubel and Ilene down one last time.

When the door finally closed and Canis disappeared from sight, he turned his focus on Ilene. "I told you to stay back," he growled under the shadow of his hat.

Ilene bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I heard that he was in here and I…"

"And you what? Hmm? That animal in there can track the Abyssal. When I say stay out, I mean it."

"Ermita told me it was necessary to kill the Yoma at all costs."

"But I said that I had taken responsibility of this town, remember? And no, he's not a Yoma."

Ilene remained silent for a moment, working up the courage to ask Rubel what Canis was then. "So," she finally said, forcing her eyes up and right at the back of a now opposite facing Rubel. "Just what is this being then?"

Rubel sighed heavily. "A better man than I am, that's for sure," he said, watching through a window as Canis worked his way into the back corner. The table was flipped back over and the dog then began picking up the fallen coins and cards.

The lesser leader shook his head and laughed. "If I were him, I probably would have taken the head off the fool asking for my help."