As always I must thank everyone who reads this and especially those who review, I love you guys!

For the last time, this chapter follows the episode "Don't make me Blue" including the dialogue. With the exception that Blue is already traveling with them and Tala is there. Most of the dialogue is from the episode cept for the places i altered it a bit to fit my plot line.

All disclaimers apply.

ENJOY! And don't forget to review!

The four wolves raced as fast as they could to the spot where they had left Tsume and Kiba, only to find that the two had vanished.

"They're gone." Hige breathed, stating the obvious.

Toboe spotted a large splatter of red. "What?"

Tala looked over his shoulder. "Is that blood?"

Toboe turned to Hige.

"Looks like someone was shot."

Tala screamed as two more gunshots echoed through the air. Blue took off after the noise.

"C'mon, it sounds like its coming from this direction."

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The small group didn't have to go far before catching up with the wayward members of the pack. Tsume had been clipped in the shoulder but the two didn't look any worse for wear.

An old man in a trailer had his shotgun trained on the pair of wolves.

Hige slid to a surprised stop. "Oh Crap!"

His scream startled the old man, who reflexively turned the gun on Hige and the others. Taking quick action, Blue went after the gunman. Tala screamed as the man shot, but Blue skillfully dodged the bullet.

When the dust cleared Blue was sitting right in front of the old man with pleading eyes. Toboe, Hige, and Tala ran up behind Tsume and Kiba as Kiba addressed the old man.

"We're not gunna do anything to you. So just leave us alone. I don't want to fight if there's no reason to; I don't wanna kill."

Tala was awestruck by his words. The young wolf dog didn't think killing bothered the other members of her pack at all, but Kiba was standing there pleading with this old man to prevent an unnecessary death.

Tsume turned his head as shouts could be heard in the distance. Tala stepped over to him and whispered.

"What is it?"

"Those creeps from earlier came back with guns. They're the ones that are after us." Tsume growled.

The grey wolf then shouted to the old man.

"Those people want to capture us and sell us to the highest bidder. It's up to you whether we can avoid bloodshed."

The old man stared at the pack of wolves before him. Tala stepped forward cautiously.

"Please sir, help us. Please."

The old man finally lowered his rifle and Kiba quickly explained the plan.

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Moments later the men that had attacked them earlier reached the trailer. What they saw was a crazy old man shooting at the seemingly dead wolves.

"Die you damn wolves, die! Take this and this!"

The gun went off over and over and Tala willed herself not to flinch and give them all away.

The gang leader was appalled at the old man's actions.

"Did you kill them!?"

The old man turned his gun on the gang members before his wife intervened, pulling the gun down.

"Stop it! That's enough!"

As the husband and wife continued to argue, the gang leader looked on in disgust. He spat on the ground.

"Damn it! Those things are worthless if they're dead!"

The leader and his gang took off.

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When the group was sure they were gone the wolves slowly got back to their feet. Kiba thanked the old man and started to walk off when the old man's wife stopped him.

"Wait. You children look half starved. Please, let me get you something to eat.

In no time the wolf pack was munching on the wonderful food the woman had prepared, all except Blue and Tala that is.

Blue sat next to the old man in her wolf form as he stroked her blue/black coat. Tala sat on the other side of her with her knees pulled to her chest. The young half breed was still a bit shaken up about everything that had happened in the last 24 hours.

For about the hundredth time the old woman apologized to the group of teens.

"Please forgive my husband. I can't believe he thought you were wolves of all things. He's getting more and more confused lately. That's why we came out here on this little jaunt. Let's spend the time we have left on the road he said. So now this trailer is our home as well as our coffin. But we've seen such horrible things. That castle of the Darcias to the west of here, which must have been beautiful once, is nothing but a grave."

The mention of that name made Kiba's ears twitch forward.

"Castle of the Darcias?"

The woman put her head down slightly and continued her story.

"It's as if everything in this world has given up its desire to live."

Kiba interrupted her with a slight smile.

"No it hasn't. The old man isn't confused at all. He's right we are wolves."

The woman looked at each one of the young travelers stunned. Hige smiled at Toboe.

"You ready to go?"

Toboe nodded. Blue changed back into her human form.

"Goodbye mister and take care." She told the old man before joining Kiba and the others. The old woman stood next to her husband as Tala stood up. The young female bowed in front of the couple.

"Bye and thank you for your help earlier and the food."

As she walked over to the others the old man finally spoke.

"Where are you going to go?"

Kiba looked back at him over his shoulder.

"To the castle in the west."

In the blink of an eye the six wolves were out of sight; on their way to Darcia's castle in search of the flower maiden.