Welcome to the newest fic by AnkhsAngel/Amy L and I. This is the fourth story featuring our OC's Kiba and Andy, and the second or third for most of these other characters we've created. If you enjoy this, check out Healing Star, our Kyuranger fanfic, and under the Kamen Rider tag, Rider Knights of the Throne and Monster Squad. All four are being worked on, however Rider Knights is *technically* finished.

Hope you enjoy and thanks so much for reading!

-Aiden Ravelle

"I need a doctor!" A tall man with his arm around another man yelled as soon as he got into the clinic.

"Let's get him checked in," a nurse answered without looking up.

Andy rolled her eyes at the other nurse and went out into the lobby, "Let's get him into a room." She wrapped her arm around the injured man and helped get him into a room and started looking him over.

He was unconscious, bleeding heavily from his right side. His face was bruised, a gash trickling blood from his hairline. He was dressed in what appeared to be a black jumpsuit, an empty holster around his right thigh.

His companion kept glancing out the door, scowling at her. "How long is this going to take?"

"It'll take a little bit to clean up these wounds." Andy answered as she grabbed the supplies she needed.

The man growled deep in his throat, turning to stare out the door's window. "Damned idiot should have listened to me."

Andy stayed quiet as she worked, stitching up the larger wounds and then bandaging him up.

He stirred, chocolate brown eyes blinking open slowly. "Where?"

"You're okay now, don't worry," Andy said gently.

"Can he be moved?" His companion asked urgently, his gaze locked on something outside.

"I wouldn't suggest it, but you seem like you won't listen either way," Andy analyzed critically.

"I'm trying to keep your work from going to waste, Doc." The tone was sarcastic with an under current of fear.

A hellish howl was heard amidst shattering glass and both the injured man and friend cursed explosively.

"Thought I'd lost them." The injured man rose quickly as his companion snarled.

"That's what you get for thinking, Tet." The man quickly pulled a pistol, double checking the magazine. He looked at Andy. "Please say there's another way out or we're going to be hound food."

Andy raised an eyebrow but nodded, "It's in the back. I'll show you the way."

Her patient shot her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about him."

"Don't apologize for me jackass." The other man scowled as screams were heard. "Let's get the fuck out of here." He wrapped an arm around the injured man and pointedly looked at her.

She headed to the back door, opening it for them, "Good luck. Try not to get hurt again, okay?"

The man with the gun pointed it at her. "You aren't going back. You're coming with us. Unless of course you have a death wish."

As if to prove him right, a nurse appeared horribly sliced. She stumbled a few steps, then fell as a hulking black dog jumped on her body. It had a red glow to match its eyes, the mouth a gaping hole with giant bloodstained teeth. It looked straight at Andy and snarled, then began to charge forward.

Andy's eyes widened and she backed up quickly, "Alright, guess I'm going with you."

The companion pushed Tet into her arms. "Go! I'll slow it down!"

Tet grabbed his arm. "Are you insane? Kiba, you can't!"

Kiba looked at Andy. "Get him to the van around the corner. I'll be there as soon as I take out ugly here." He started firing his pistol, the creature letting out a howl as the rounds hit. It began to smoke, the skin burning. He continued to advance and fire.

Andy took Tet to the van, helping him get in before climbing in next to him.

He growled, watching the clock click down. After twenty minutes, he reached for the sliding door. "I've got to help him."

"You're hurt. I'll go," she sighed. "Do you have a gun I can use?"

He nodded in resignation, pulling open a drawer and handing her a pistol. "Hounds can only be taken out by destroying their heads and hearts." His hand lingered on hers for a minute, then he pulled away.

"Alright," Andy nodded, "I'll be back soon then." She headed out and went back around the corner, looking for Kiba.

A wolf was slowly limping toward her, blood dripping to the ground. Its eyes met hers and she was amazed to hear a human sounding chuckle escape seconds before it fell over.

Andy stared at it a minute, getting the feeling it was a good wolf. She knelt beside it, grabbing a few things from her pockets and started sewing its wounds shut.

Suddenly, she was staring at the man Tet had called Kiba. His jumpsuit was almost shredded, gashes clearly showing through the fabric.

She stared in confusion for a moment, wondering if she'd imagined the wolf. She shook her head, continuing to care for his wounds.

A few moments later, he spoke. "Tet okay?" His eyes were dark and pained as he tried to rise. "We need to get out of here."

"He's in the van," Andy informed. She wrapped an arm around him to help steady him.

"Good." He stumbled a few steps, breathing heavily. "We need a new game plan since we're now with you instead of just watching."

She frowned, "Wait, do you mean you were watching me?"

Kiba scowled. "Me and my big mouth. You should ask Tet about that, he's team leader." The man closed his eyes briefly before continuing toward the van.

Andy followed, feeling really confused about what was happening. Thoughts of her nurses crossed her mind, and she briefly considered going to check on them, but she wanted answers more.

Tet's face appeared from the open door. "Dammit Kiba. Tsukasa's going to have our hides." He helped Andy to get his companion in the van, then handed her an address. "Can you drive here?"

Andy looked at the address before nodding, "I want an explanation first. What the hell is going on here."

Tet sighed, staring at Kiba. The other man shrugged and closed his eyes. Tet scowled, then looked at Andy. "We are an elite team hired to protect you. We were supposed to stay hidden, but the damned hounds screwed that idea. That good enough for now?"

"Why do I need to be protected?" Andy asked in response.

"Would you believe I don't have a clue?" He tried to give her a smile.

"We just follow orders, Doc. We don't ask for all the intel. If we needed to know, we'd be told." Kiba's voice was harsh.

Andy sighed, "Fine. But I'd like answers the first chance you have to find out."

"You could ask our boss, but I doubt you'll get answers." Tet gave an apologetic grin.

Andy rolled her eyes, "One last question, what is this place I'm driving you to?"

"Current base." Tet took a deep breath. "Can we put twenty questions on hold until after I feel more human?"

Kiba snickered and Tet elbowed him. "Shut up, fur ball."

Andy drove to the address, wishing she was just heading home.

When they arrived and parked, both men slowly climbed out.

Several young men exited the building, looking startled at Andy's presence. Then they gave Tet a look.

"You okay?" A scowling blond asked him, eyes locked on Andy accusingly.

Tet chuckled. "Lower shields, Zal. She helped us."

"She wasn't supposed to know we existed! If we're lucky, Tsukasa will only sear your fur and not make you a rug." The blond turned away angrily.

"Why don't you help Kiba instead of blowing your top?" Tet lightly smacked his head.

An aggravated chuckle escaped the man as he helped Kiba inside the building. "Go screw yourself, Tet."

Andy stood near the van, unsure what to do. Part of her wanted answers, but part of her just wanted to walk home and pretend this never happened.

Tet shot her a look as if reading her mind. "You can't go home. If you thought the hounds were frightening..well, there are worse things hiding in the dark."

Andy sighed, "Why can't I go home? Are these things after me?" She looked at him a moment, "And if I can't go home, where does that leave me? Having to stay here with a bunch of men I just met?"

"I'm sorry. The hounds have your scent now and they won't stop. But if you still want to go, I won't stop you." He moved to her side and extended a card. "You might want to leave town."

"I'm not leaving town, I have a business and patients to care for. You said I just have to destroy the head and heart, right? Can't I just take them on if they do come after me?"

"Did you forget they attacked your clinic tonight? You think patients will actually show up?" The blond was back, posture tense. "And you think hounds are the only things after you? You're naive. Hard to believe your parents didn't educate you. Guess even witches can be idiots." He tapped Tet's shoulder. "Let her go. Boss won't flame us any more if she's dead and we can get a real job."

"Witches?" Andy asked confused. "And what about my parents?"

Both men stared at her in horror, then exchanged looks.

"You don't know…" Tet's voice was low as Zal swore in a foreign language.

"What don't I know?" Andy stared at them, almost begging for answers.

"Your parents were two of the most powerful witches in the hemisphere. They were killed for that exact reason." Tet's lips tightened. "You really didn't know? This isn't an act?"

"I was told their deaths were an accident.." Andy froze.

Zal chuckled humorlessly. "Yeah, an accident. Being ritually slaughtered is totally the same as falling asleep at the wheel and crashing."

Andy took a deep breath, trying to take in everything. "So.. is that why things are after me? Because my parents were witches?"

"That and whatever they found out before they died. But let's have this discussion inside." Tet took her arm and brought her into the building.

Andy looked around a moment, still feeling confused at the knowledge she'd just learned.

The room was large, even with all the equipment crowding the walls. Several men gave her looks, then pointedly ignored her.

There was a tinkle of bells and a blast of air. Three men materialized in front of her, eyes widening.

"You decided to break protocol and ask her out yet?" A young man with round glasses and a beanie eyed her with a laugh.

Tet growled. "Shut up Yamae. Why don't you go annoy your brother?"

Andy looked the three men over, frowning at the comment.

The other two men elbowed Yamae in the stomach. One of them glared at Tet. "Saka is going to be furious."

Tet stared at the floor. "I know. I'll accept responsibility when I call. Anything on the network?"

The man shook his head. "All quiet. The cops have already told the news it was a meth head attack."

Tet exhaled in relief. "So he's still covering for us even though I screwed up?"

"Of course. You think he'd slack off just because you did?" The man strode away.

Andy watched in confusion, staying silent and trying to take everything in.

Tet looked at her apologetically. "Sorry about that. I-" He swayed, holding his side and grimacing.

"You should be resting," Andy analyzed, remembering his wounds.

He gave her a tired smile. "You're probably right. Help me?"

She nodded and wrapped an arm around him so he wouldn't fall over.

Slowly he made his way to a military cot, laying down with a muffled growl. His eyes closed, his breathing pained.

Andy watched him for a moment before looking around, unsure what she should be doing.

Kiba met her eyes, a smile on his lips. Then he was gone, a wolf in his place. It curled up near one of the heaters lying around the room.

Andy watched him for a moment, glad she hadn't imagined the wolf earlier. She sat down in a chair, looking around the room for a few minutes before she started to doze.

Yamae nudged Zal, inclining his head at her. "This might work out. She didn't run screaming."

Zal huffed. "She has no idea her gifts or the troubles that come with them. If it wasn't for the hounds, I'd bite her and drop her in her own bed."

Yamae laughed. "Think Tet's infatuated with her. He might fight you."

The blond raised an eyebrow. "I'd kick his ass and he knows it. If we can get them off her tail, I want to see him try."

A beeping began to sound in a pattern. One of the men sat down at a computer, typing quickly.

A white haired man appeared on a monitor. "Where's Kanamoto?"

Zal sighed. "He's resting. Got attacked by a hound."

"Wake his ass up." The man's voice was tight as he saw Andy.

Zal nodded, approaching the cot. "Saka's online."

Large yellow eyes met his and blinked. Slowly they turned brown and became human. "How pissed is he?"

"Just this side of nuclear. Better have a good explanation."

Andy woke slightly when she heard speaking, blinking her eyes open a moment, but she curled her legs up against her chest, resting her head on her knees, and fell right back to sleep.

Tet glanced at her quickly, sighing as he finished shifting. Then he stood, facing the monitor. "Sir."

The white haired man eyed him critically for a second. "Why the fuck is she in your base?"

"Hounds attacked us, then her clinic. I made a tactical decision that she'd be safer with us."

The face frowned. "You made a tactical decision? Sure you weren't thinking with something else?"

Tet stiffened. "Are you implying I've been compromised?"

"Haven't you?" The face met his straight on.

"I am not. We were given the task of protecting her. I was just doing that. Nothing more."

The face nodded. "Make sure you are. Kadoya out."

Tet clenched his fists, then reined in his temper and turned to the team. "Make sure there are no more hounds on her tail. Once it's confirmed, she's going home." He met Zal's eyes. "You know what to do."

Andy woke slowly, stretching her arms out before opening her eyes. She straightened out in the chair, looking around the room again.

Tet held out a cup. "Coffee?"

Andy nodded, "Sure, thanks." She took the cup, smelling the fresh coffee before taking a sip.

"Sleep well?" He glanced at her.

She shrugged, "I wasn't even trying to fall asleep," she admitted with a small smile.

"Shock will do that. Anyway, I have some good news." He took a drink from his own cup.

Andy raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"Looks like the hounds gave up. You're going home."

Andy smiled, "And what about the clinic? I can go back to work too?"

"Everything's been fixed. Zal will take you home whenever you're ready." He met the other's eyes, nodding almost imperceptibly.

"Thanks for the offer but I don't mind walking." She smiled and glanced out a window, "Especially when it's this nice out. And thank you for helping with the hounds."

Tet gave her a smile. "No problem. That's part of our job, after all. But I'd feel safer with him walking you. Please humor me?" He gave her a wide smile, his face beaming.

Andy rolled her eyes, "I guess."

Zal approached her, extending a hand. His eyes glittered as he glanced at the light out the window.

Andy stood, giving him a small smile before walking toward the door.

He walked beside her quietly, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

Andy glanced at her phone map, making sure she was heading the right direction before pocketing it and looking up at the clouds for a moment.

They were at her door before Zal spoke. "Can I ask a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Look me in the eye for a moment. I want to tell you something."

Andy sighed and turned to him, "What?"

His eyes mesmerized her, the green gold iris sparkling in the sunlight. "You will forget everything you learned last night. You will wake and go to work. You will remember nothing about us, hounds or your parents. Do you understand?"

Andy rolled her eyes, "It's not like I can just forget that stuff."

His eyes bored into hers. "You can and you will."

She raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to roll her eyes again, "Whatever you say."

He scowled, then bared his fangs. He pushed her against the door, aiming for her throat.

Andy quickly kicked him away from her, using the time to unlock the door. She quickly closed and locked it again, standing against it for a moment.

Zal slammed a hand into the frame. "You're in too much danger with your knowledge! You have to forget everything! Don't fight me please."

Andy shook her head, knowing he couldn't see it. She wanted to remember. At least the part about her parents. If they were witches, was she one too? She had to find out, and forgetting about it all was not going to help her figure it out.

Zal snarled, pulling out his cell and dialing. A moment later, he was talking. "Your damn girlfriend can't be hypnotized. You need to figure something else out." He listened for a second, then sighed and nodded. "Alright. But you need to explain the facts of life to her fast before she runs into someone who's not as polite as I am." He hung up and jumped into the nearby tree.

Andy sighed, heading to the attic. She kept a lot of stuff from her parents but never actually went through it all. Maybe there'd be something there to help her figure things out. She spent the next little while checking through boxes, until her eyes finally landed on a big black book. It looked old and dusty. She opened it slowly, starting to read through it.

Her doorbell rang.

She ignored it at first, until it went off again. She carried the book downstairs, placing it gently on the table by her chair before glancing through the window to see who was there.

Tet and Yamae stood talking to Zal. Yamae reached for the doorbell again and Tet smacked his hand. Yamae rolled his eyes.

Andy sighed, reaching into the table drawer and pocketing her gun just in case before finally opening the door.

"Hi." Tet gave her a smile. "I wanted to apologize for Zal. He took my instructions to heart and got overexcited."

"Did not. I was trying to carry out your orders and she resisted." Zal growled as Yamae grinned.

"Should have eaten before you took her home." Yamae laughed as Zal glared at him.

Andy sighed, "So what do you want?"

Tet chuckled. "I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"

Andy opened the door further, letting him inside.

He gave silent instruction to the others and they took up positions near the door. Then he closed the door behind him.

"I am really sorry I had him try to mess with your head. I thought it would be the best way to keep you safe if you didn't remember last night." He gave her a bow. "Forgive me?"

"I guess," Andy nodded.

He smiled, then sat down on the couch. "You now know witches are real. I'm guessing you can figure out what Zal is. There are a few more things you should know if you're going to stay in the real world as we call it."

"Alright. So what do I need to know?"

"There is a ruling body over what you probably would call monsters. We aren't supposed to mingle with humans, even ones who have gifts, so I am taking a risk here. But here's the truth. All the things you think are science fiction or fantasy are real. And they are all around you. Sometimes they run amok. That's where we come in. We try to keep the hidden world hidden so the humans don't come after us."

He sighed, clasping his hands together.

"It's a fragile alliance at the best of times. Lately, there have been attacks and assassinations on humans and monsters alike. Your parents were just the latest. Now they are coming after you. Our team has been trying to keep you safe. But it might be impossible."

Andy nodded, taking in the information. "Why would they hide all this from me?"

"Probably so you wouldn't have to worry about all this. The constant worry of slipping up by having friends that you shouldn't, or saying something that alerts someone. Safer for everyone."

He looked at her, then he shifted. His yellow eyes blinked at her as he sent a mental message to her. "This is my true form. Are you scared?"

Andy stared at the white tiger sitting on the couch for a moment before shaking her head.

The tiger chuffed, then shifted back to human. He looked at her in amusement. "I have a feeling you saw someone before me shift.."

"Kiba," Andy nodded.

"Show off. He always tries to upstage me." He leaned back and smiled. "And you've met Yamae. He's a teleporter." He looked down again. "I have a job offer for you."

"A job offer?"

"You don't have to give up on your current job. Think of it as added work. I would like you to be our physician. We don't have a dedicated medic on the team. Just patch us up if we show at the clinic. Are you okay with that?"

"Alright," Andy nodded. "I can do that." She looked thoughtful for a moment, "Is there anything more you can tell me about witches?"

"Other than being scary if you piss them off? Not really. We aren't encouraged to go outside of our own groups. Our team is a test to see if we can actually get along with each other." He gave her another smile. "Sorry."

Andy sighed and nodded, "Okay. Thanks."