Kiba staggered into the barracks, his eyes barely focused. In one hand is a bottle of sake, his other against the wall as he balanced himself. He looked around blearily, finally sliding down to sit on the floor. He took a long drink, wiping his mouth. He sighed as a door opened.

Andy took a long look at him before kneeling beside him, "Are you alright?"

He blinked at her for a moment. "Just drunk..and miserable. Doubt you can help.." He took another drink, tears appearing in his eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it at all?"

He looked up at her. "I knew it was coming if he found you, doesn't make it hurt any less.."

She moved to sit next to him, "Knew what was coming?"

"That we'd be done. We'd be nothing but comrades. I thought I was okay with it, but I was lying to myself. Maybe I should request a transfer.."

Andy frowned, "I don't know what you two have together exactly but I never meant to come between you."

Kiba gave a chuckle. "I knew what was going to happen. You didn't do anything. I'm just a needy wolf." He waved the bottle. "Want some?"

"Sure," Andy took it and smelled it before taking a drink.

He laughed, then watched her reaction.

She chuckled, "This is some strong stuff."

"If you're gonna drink.." He trailed off, rising and kissing her lips wonderingly. He quickly backed off, his face turning red as he stumbled out the door.

Andy followed after him, "You should probably stay in if you're that drunk."

He tripped, sprawling as he began to tremble. "Don't tell him.."

"Ok, don't worry." She knelt beside him, "Are you alright?"

"Feel like a giant girl, weeping over the boy who left for my best friend." He closed his eyes as he turned over. "Don't mind me."

Tet walked over. "Is he drunk?"

"Yeah," Andy answered as she stood up. "And I think you two should talk about it."

Tet's eyes widened. "What did he say?" His eyes belied his calm tone.

"From what I understand, the basics are he thinks you've left him for me and he's upset about it."

Tet bowed his head. "Shit..should have known."

Kiba rose to his feet unsteadily, approaching Tet. "You're happy and I won't fight. I'm just sad that we're over. Don't worry about it." He kissed Tet's cheek softly, then began to weave away.

"Like I told him, I'm not trying to come between you two. If you still want to be with him, that's fine," Andy watched Kiba with concern.

Tet's eyes narrowed. "You'd share me?" He face palmed as Kiba tripped and went down again.

"Whatever makes you happy. Like I said before, we've never really defined our relationship anyway. If you want to have two partners that's fine."

Tet gave her a small smile. "Help me get him inside before he kills himself by walking off a cliff or something?"

"Yeah, he definitely needs help," Andy chuckled before starting toward Kiba and grabbing his arm to help pull him up.

He muttered something unintelligible as Tet grabbed his other arm. The tiger rolled his eyes and headed for the barracks. When he got to Kiba's room, he laid the wolf down, then sat down in a chair and looked at her. "You curious?"

"About?"

He chuckled. "What wolfie is depressed about."

"I figure if you want to tell me you will. It's not really my business."

Tet raised an eyebrow, then began to speak. "I met Kiba in the Branch. He's a year younger, so I kinda adopted him I guess. He wasn't well, his body originally rejected the 'vaccine' so the scientists spent almost as much time with him as me. We began to resist, not allowing the tests as we got older. We realized there was something more when we were 18 and started a relationship." He looked at the wolf in chagrin. "Part of it was he needed desperately to belong somewhere since his parents signed him over to the scientists because he was a delinquent. I wasn't even thinking.. He no doubt believes he's alone again.."

"No wonder he got drunk. Do you think he'll be alright?"

Tet sighed heavily. "I don't know. We fought last night and he said something about finding somewhere else to belong. Did he say anything to you?"

"He mentioned maybe getting a transfer," Andy nodded.

Tet's eyes began to fill with his tears as he looked at the unconscious man. "You idiot! Didn't we promise?!"

Andy sighed, "Talk to him when he wakes. Hopefully you can fix things."

"Can you fix it where he can't run off?" Tet was close to panic, his knuckles white as he clutched the back of the chair.

"Alright, I can try to freeze just his body so he can't move but not his head so he can talk and listen," Andy looked thoughtful.

"Thank you." Tet's voice was soft. "I'm sorry for putting you in this spot, but transfer is a euphemism for turning himself over to the Branch, per the agreement with the military."

"I'm happy to help. I don't want anyone having to go there."

"We'll end up there eventually. But I won't let him just walk in." Tet's voice was hard.

Andy nodded and looked down at the wolf.

"Just let me go. We knew from the beginning we wouldn't last." Kiba's voice was resigned. "Maybe they'll ignore the rest of you if they have something to study."

"We're not just letting you go there willingly," Andy answered before doing as Tet asked and making sure Kiba's body was frozen so he wouldn't run.

Kiba growled half heartedly before yelping as Tet kissed him.

"You stupid furball. How could you think I'd leave you?"

"You have her.. I knew it would end someday.." The wolf stared at the blanket.

Tet snarled under his breath. "Can I hit him?"

"You probably shouldn't."

"Did I ever say we were over?" Tet tried to keep his anger under control. "I love you just as much as I love her. So shut up."

Andy smiled as she watched them.

Suddenly, Daiki popped his head in. "Party in the rec room. Unless you guys are busy?"

Andy shrugged and glanced at the other two, "Want to party?"

Kiba chuckled. "I was already started before you two got ahold of me." He yelped again as Tet slapped him.

"We do need to relax."

Andy unfroze Kiba, "Let's go then." She turned toward the door and headed into the hall.

Tet helped Kiba stand, then they followed.

Andy entered the rec room, looking around at everyone before going to grab a drink.

Tsukasa sat on one of the tables, drinking from a bottle as he listened to Jack.

The porters were in a huddle, visibly buzzed. They giggled among themselves.

The other shifters were engrossed in a game of twister. There was drunk laughter as Ryon went down in a sprawl over Zal.

Andy took a drink from hers before grabbing a few more drinks and taking them to Kiba and Tet.

The two gave her a smile as they stood by the door, watching the room.

Andy finished her drink before laughing.

"Come play with us." Zal waved at her, his movements off.

Andy went and grabbed a new drink before heading over to them to join.

Ryon relinquished his spot, wobbling unsteadily.

Andy started to play, giggling at the others who were more drunk than her.

"Left foot green, right hand red." Ryusei managed to get out between chuckles.

Andy looked over at Kiba and Tet, smiling at them before stretching to reach the right colors.

They began laughing as Zal fell over with a snicker.

Andy rolled her eyes before chuckling.

"Announcement! We are possibly getting our freedom from the Branch." Tsukasa's eyes roamed the room.

Andy smiled, wondering why but staying quiet.

"Let's just say honesty appears to be the best policy with our new boss." Tsukasa winked at her.

She chuckled, taking another sip of her drink.

The room echoed with cheers.

Suddenly fireballs began landing outside the building.

Andy frowned, "What's happening?"

Kiba looked out the door with a scowl. "Dragons. And I see some vamps too."

Andy growled and headed for the door.

The others immediately shifted, following.

Kiba launched himself at a vampire with a shaved head, rolling away as he was backhanded. He shook his head, then rose growling. He lunged forward, then yelped as a silver dagger was embedded in his chest.

Andy rushed over, saying a spell to kill the vampire before putting a barrier up around Kiba. She removed the dagger, saying some healing spells. She left the barrier up around him before she headed back out to take down some more of their attackers.

Tet sank his teeth into one of the dragon's arms, snarling as the dragon retaliated by breathing fire onto his back. He refused to let go even as the flame began eating through his clothing. The dragon screeched, then slammed him into the concrete. He gasped as the flame went out and the new pain began. The last thing he saw was the dragon's flame aimed at him before losing consciousness.

Andy set up a quick barrier around Tet, rushing over and saying a spell to stop the dragon. She knelt beside Tet, checking him out before saying spells to help. She stood slowly, leaving the barrier to try to see if the others needed help.

Pain erupted as a fireball knocked into her. She quickly put the flames out, noting the burns on her arms. She said a quick spell to hopefully help before continuing on and taking down the dragon that shot the fireball.

Daiki went flying past her, a wooden stake in his chest. He slammed into the wall, then slid down.

Andy went about creating another barrier then removing the stake. She healed the wound closed before checking for other injuries.

He had burns on his face and hands, one eye covered.

Andy focused her spells on him, light glowing as it worked on healing him.

The sounds of battle faded, until a scorched Tsukasa limped to her side. "He okay?"

"He will be," Andy assured.

"Good." The officer closed his eyes with a pained sigh.

Andy checked him over, saying a spell to help with the pain and injuries.

Slowly the team reassembled. Most of them had minor injuries. Jack sat away from them, his head bowed as he cradled Zal, red tears streaking his face.

Andy knelt beside him, checking him over and healing before focusing to revive him. The gold light surrounded Zal.

He began to breathe but it was slow and shaky.

Tsukasa glanced over at the other barriers. "How bad are Tet and Kiba? The vamps were using silver.."

"I think they'll be alright, but I'll check on them again." She went over to Tet and began checking his vitals.

Tet's eyes opened halfway. "Are you okay?" His voice was pained, his eyes semi unfocused.

"I'll be alright," she said quietly before muttering a spell to help with the pain.

Kiba let out a loud whimper, arching his back. There was silver residue on his skin, the knife liquefying as it lay on the ground.

Tsukasa cursed.

Andy went to Kiba, trying to gently wipe away the residue as she said a few more spells to help.

"Kiba?" Tet tried to crawl to the wolf. "Don't let him die.."

Tsukasa knelt beside the wolf. "We're lucky it didn't liquefy while it was in him. It's deadly to wolves."

Andy nodded, checking Kiba's vitals. She said a final spell before helping Tet get to Kiba's side.

The tiger gripped the unconscious wolf's hand. "Stay with me."

Andy continued to monitor Kiba's vitals for a few more minutes before speaking, "Let's get you two inside, okay?"

He nodded as Yamae teleported the three of them into a large room.

"Extra space. Maybe it should be the new infirmary?" Yamae took a deep breath.

Andy nodded, getting Tet and Kiba situated onto beds before sitting between them.

The porter waved, then disappeared.

Tet watched her for a moment. "Sorry about all this. I didn't mean to hide our relationship."

She shook her head, "It's alright."

He shook his head. "No, it's not. I'll understand if.." He trailed off, dropping his eyes.

"It's just something new to adjust to. It's not like it changes my feelings for you."

"Really?" His voice was soft, it's tone unbelieving.

"Really," she grabbed his hand and squeezed gently.

His eyes were soft as he met her gaze. "Thank you."

She gave a soft smile, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."

He chuckled, then winced. "Alright. Think the vamps finally got the message?"

"Hopefully," she sighed.

His eyes drifted closed, his hand still holding hers.

Andy continued to hold his hand, watching him as she sat there. Occasionally, though, she'd glance over and check on Kiba.

His eyes met hers. "Did we win?"

Andy moved over to his side, "Yea, I think so."

He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry about before. Guess Tet's not the only one to have a pity party."

"It's alright, at least things worked out, right?"

He gave her a wry smile. "Guess so."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better than I expected. Thought I was a dead wolf with that damn silver." He pushed himself up to sit. "The damn vamps are sneaky."

Andy nodded in agreement.

Yamae materialized in a state of panic. "Did you see my brother after the fight?"

She shook her head, "You can't find him?"

The porter shook his head frantically.

"I did." Tsukasa's voice was grim. "Branch was behind this attack. They just contacted me. They want you." He showed Andy the email.

"Why me?"

"Who cares? They can't have you." Kiba growled.

"If it gets Ryon back..." Andy trailed off.

"Oh we'll get him back alright but not by turning you over." Kiba tried to rise, hissing.

"You need to rest more. Keep an eye on Tet and let us worry about rescuing him."

He sent her a scowl, but nodded as Tsukasa thought aloud.

"Jack and Kenji can go with you. But you better come back safe."

Andy nodded, "I'll try my best."

Jack and Kenji entered, looking at her.

"Time to end this." Jack's voice was low, his fangs glinting in the light.

"Alright. Let's go." She gave a final glance at Tet before waving at Kiba and exiting the room. "Do you guys have an actual plan or are we just going in guns blazing?"

Kenji gave her a small smile. "We prefer stealth. We're going to sneak in and grab Ryon while Jack here plays decoy."

Andy nodded, "Sounds good."

Jack snickered, then put a finger up to his lips. Kenji nodded as they left the building and headed away from the base. Soon a small tent base appeared and Jack smiled coldly.

The vampire suddenly disappeared, his speed taking him to the first tent. He stuck his head in. "Hi guys."

The security poured out as he took off.

Andy whispered to Kenji, "Do we know what tent he's in?"

He pointed to a green one. "Traveling lab." He scowled, then shifted into a huge snarling hound.

Andy started heading toward the tent, careful where she stepped to not make noise. She peeked in, not seeing many people but found Ryon laying on a table. She said a few spells to take out the scientists before grabbing Ryon. She turned to head out of the tent but she felt a prick in her arm. She looked and found a scientist smiling. She managed to get back out of the tent before collapsing, dropping Ryon to the ground.

A howl of agony broke the silence, then it was quiet again.

Andy woke, feeling the room spinning around her. She tried to break free from the chains tying her to the table but her limbs felt so heavy. Scientists surrounded her, watching her and talking. She couldn't understand them though as they spoke quickly. She felt the pull of sleep and soon was unconscious once more.

Jack weakly lunged for the scientists, his heart hammering. "Where is she?!"

"Worry about yourself." A scientist injected him with something.

Jack cursed as he felt his energy disappear, his head dropping to his chest as he was bound. The faces wavered, then disappeared as the world went black.

Andy couldn't focus enough to remember how many times she'd woken up, but every time she did remember the scientists above her. She felt so strange and wondered if it was the medicine or if it was experiments they were performing. Things must have been going well though as she noticed the scientists smiling before blacking out once more.

Jack's eyes opened and he cursed. Why wouldn't they just let him die? He didn't have the energy to even hiss anymore as the scientists injected him with yet another drug. As his vision faded, he hoped it was the last time.

Andy woke once more, this time having a bit more energy. She was extremely aware of the scientists hearts beating, somehow able to hear it and the blood rushing through their veins. She fought against the chains, pulling hard. She finally got one hand free and she looked at it, finding a large black cats paw. She stared in confusion until she felt a prick and the world faded away again.

The scientists scowled as they looked down at the body. "Put it with the others. Once we're done, we'll autopsy them." They filed out, then entered the tent where Andy was. "She ready?"

"Almost. Just a few more tests," another scientist answered as he wrote things down on a clipboard.

"Let us know. The other subjects have succumbed." The group exited silently.

Andy woke once again, this time feeling mostly awake. She felt a surge of strength as she pulled at the chains, finally breaking free. She jumped up, an extreme feeling of hunger taking her over. She felt fangs appear, and before she knew it she was on one of the scientists, biting into his neck. She quickly did the same with the other scientist in the room, the hunger only partially quenched. She found the clipboard they had been writing on, checking things over. She threw it down in anger as she realized what all they did to her.

Running out of the tent, she quickly took down anyone she ran into, biting and draining them. She then found the tent her friends were being kept in, frowning when she noticed they were dead. She took some time to check them over, finding it much easier to resist the urge to bite them since they had no heartbeat. She said some healing spells to counteract some of what the scientists did to them before focusing on reviving them. The gold light surrounded them and soon enough she heard their hearts beating again. She grabbed onto them and said the teleportation spell. They appeared in the room she'd left Tet and Kiba in, and she quickly backed away from them, sliding down the wall and starting to hyperventilate.

"Andy!" Tet's hands cupped her cheeks. He cursed, speaking to someone behind him. "I need blood now!" He focused on her, gently rubbing his thumbs over her cheekbones. "Andy? Breathe with me. Can you do that?"

She tried to nod and take a deep breath, her eyes shifting from their normal blue, to a deep green, to bright red.

He wrapped his arms around her, his neck resting by her mouth. His artery pulsed rapidly as he sighed.

She stared at it for a good moment, fighting the instincts to bite. She moved her hand up over his neck to try to make a barrier.

"Andy?" He looked at her in confusion before turning to the door as it opened. The blood bags in his hand almost glowed in her sight.

"Tet, please back up before I bite you." She continued to stare at the blood bags.

"I'm not afraid." He handed one of the bags to her, only moving a tiny bit away.

She quickly bit into it, draining it away in seconds. "I think I took out all the scientists at the base.."

"Good." He handed her another bag. "Did you find Ryon?"

Andy looked over at the unconscious men she'd teleported in.

He followed her gaze, releasing a relieved sigh. "Okay. Just concentrate on regaining control."

She nodded, "Oh, not only did they make me a vampire, I'm also a panther? I think?"

Tet exploded. "Those utter bastards! I'd kill them all if you hadn't!" He balled his trembling hands into fists.

Andy sucked down another bag, staring at the ground in front of her.

He slowly calmed, his breathing heavy. "I hate to ask when you're like this.. But they tried another raid after you disappeared.." He shook his head. "Never mind. We've already dealt with it for a week." He handed her the last bag, rising with a grimace.

One hand clutched his side as she glimpsed red bandages. His skin was paling and he swayed unsteadily.

She quickly drained the last bag before shakily pushing herself up. She went to him and recited a healing spell, blue light surrounding him for a few moments. "It's been a whole week?"

He winced, his voice weak. "Yeah. They attacked the night you left. Killed half of us, the rest of us injured. I'm in command at the moment.." He grabbed her arm as he blinked rapidly.

She helped him into a bed before asking, "Where's the dead? I'll work on them first."

"We put them in the freezer. There's too many for you right now. Don't overwork yourself." He tried to rise in desperation.

She pushed him back into the bed. "Let me worry about that. You just rest." She headed to the freezer and started to look over the bodies.

Tsukasa lay with Daiki. The dragon appeared asleep, the vampire sporting multiple wounds. Taka and Akira lay still in phoenix form, their hearts impaled with iron stakes.

Yamae and Kai were barely recognizable, burned horribly.

Finally, she saw Kiba. The wolf had several silver bullets embedded in his limbs with a handle lying in the bag. Liquid silver had dried in the deep stab wound.

Ryusei appeared beside her. The porter was exhausted, bandages peeking from under his shirt. "They tortured him when he tried to protect Tet. Silver is poison to wolves so they shot him slowly. The dagger came after they'd tired of him." He leaned on the table for support.

Andy said a few healing spells focused on Ryusei to try to help before grabbing supplies to start surgery to remove the bullets.

The porter murmured a thanks before he slumped into a chair, his eyes closing.

Andy spent the next several hours working on the dead, removing bullets and silver, healing up burns and giving them transfusions. She took a break and sucked down a transfusion bag, proud that she hadn't bitten anyone yet with all the scent of blood surrounding the room. She reentered the room, continuing to make sure they were healed before focusing to revive them one by one. She felt herself getting more exhausted with each one she did, but she continued on anyway. She finally came back to Kiba, focusing the gold light onto him until he sucked in air. She watched him through half open eyes, leaning heavily on the table.

"You need to rest." Tsukasa spoke quietly as he sat up.

Andy nodded, swaying as she pushed herself away from the table and started heading out the room.

Zal met her in the hall. He didn't say anything, just picked her up and took her to her room. He laid her down, giving her a smile before leaving.