Note: In the anime not much is mentioned about Shante, she is still searching out her brother's past. It was hinted that he could have been a Chimera that had been killed.

            Elk and Lieza leaned against the sand on the beach. It was night time, and the sky held a myriad of sparkling stars. Pandit was sitting next to them keeping guard.

            Lieza smiled. "The night sky…it's so beautiful…"

            "Yeah.." Elk agreed. He sighed and relaxed.

            "Look!" Lieza pointed.

            "Look? Which one?" Elk asked.

            "That one!" Lieza pointed to a shining star.

            Elk squinted. "What about it?"

            "It's the brightest one in the sky. It's looks like you. You were always brave."

            Elk blinked and squinted at another random star. "Well, Lieza, that one looks like you."

            "Where? Which one?"

            While Lieza frantically looked for the star Elk had referred to, the young Hunter shoved her into the water. Elk started laughing. "I got you!"

            Lieza pouted as she stepped daintily out of the ocean. "Elk!" Pandit growled.

            "What? I think we need some cooling off from hunting down the rest of the Chimera these past years."

            Lieza giggled and dragged Elk into the water. Pandit loped after them.

            Nearby behind a tree, a dark figure hums to himself. "So, this is the one. I should be able to work this out…hehehe…" He smiled and walked silently into the forest.

            Lieza, Elk, and Pandit were still frolicking around when they heard a scream. They quickly rushed toward the noise. In a clearing in the forest, a man was trying to defend himself against several Chimera. Elk leapt in and used Fire to vanquish the Chimera. Lieza tended to the man's wounds. Pandit stood watch. When Elk was finished, he turned back to the man.

            "I thought we cleared this area out already," Elk sighed.

            "I'm fine," the man said to Lieza. "They've been turning up around here recently, Elk."

            Elk narrowed his eyes. "How do you know my name?"

            The man stood up and smiled. "Well, Elk, who wouldn't know you? You're a hero beside Arc and his crew, and the young lady that offered to help me, I believe, is the kind lady, Lieza."

            Elk dropped the expression, but was still suspicious. "Do you live here?"

            "Oh, no." The man shook his head. "My plane crashed."

            Lieza looked at the man sympathetically. "Elk, let's help him."

            "No, that's not necessary. I was able to fix the plane. In fact, I was on my way to it when I was attacked by these monsters."

            "We can escort you," Elk declared.

            "I'll be fine. I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. Good bye." The man stalked off into the darkness of the trees.

            Lieza started to run after him, but Elk stopped her. "Leave him alone, Lieza. He doesn't want our help. We can't force him to accept our help even though we want to help him."

            Lieza bowed her head and patted Pandit on the head.

            "The most we can do is clear out the rest of the Chimera here," Elk said. "Let's go."

            "Hai." Lieza nodded and followed Elk.

~

            The small quaint bar sounded with life as Shante performed one of her numbers. She was so absorbed in her dance that she didn't notice Shu slip quietly in. He ordered a shot of wine and waited. He caught her attention only after she finished her performance.

            She walked over. "Hey, how are you?" She picked up a glass of wine.

            "Hunter business, of course." Shu smiled.

            "As usual," Shante took a sip.

            "Have you any luck with your brother?" Shu asked.

            Shante shook her head. "No."

            Shu sighed. "I'll keep an ear out for you."

            "Thanks." Shante glanced at the bartender, who was conversing with another man. She leaned closer to Shu. "People have been uneasy lately. Mobs have been breaking out more than the usual. Rumors have led many of us to believe that Keldan's responsible."

            "Keldan. He's actually my bounty. The only thing I know is that he runs a chain of bars in the country."

            "Shu, I have an apartment about a block away. I can tell you more there. My shift is over for tonight."

            Shu nodded. Shante went to inform the bar manager of her departure. Out of the corner of his eye, Shu noticed the bartender edging closer and closer. A glint caught Shu's eye. The bartender had a gun in is hand. He unsheathed a knife and stood up with it hidden in the drapes of his scarf. "I'd drop the gun if I were you."

            The bartender froze and hesitated. Then he swiftly raised the gun and shot frantically. The shots silenced the noise in the room. Everyone looked back at the two.  Shu smoothly moved to the man's back and held the knife to his throat. "Drop the gun."

            The bartender dropped the gun. At this moment, Shante walked in. Seeing Shu and the bartender, she quickly jumped on stage and announced the name of a performance. She started to sing and dance. Everyone turned back to look at her.

            "Why did you pull the gun?" Shu hissed.           

            "I wouldn't go after Keldan if I were you. He has eyes everywhere that work for him. Now, get your hands off me now or I'll kick you out of the bar."

            Shu moved the knife closer. "What do you know about Keldan?"

            "Nothing," the man insisted.

            "Nothing?" The knife was close enough to cut through the bartender's skin without much pressure.

            "I swear. I don't know anything. He's just my boss. I've never met him."

            "That's it?"

            "Yes, yes, I swear…by the spirits.." the bartender stuttered.

            Shu removed the knife from its position. "You'd better be telling the truth. I'll be back." He walked out of the bar.

            Shante met him outside in a few minutes. "What happened?"

            "We'll talk in your apartment," Shu whispered.

            They walked silently and quickly through the empty streets in the late night. It was unnaturally quiet, so they quickened their pace. Suddenly out of nowhere, a group of men surrounded the two. They closed in on them. Shu and Shante fought them off, but unfortunately, Shante was wounded by a shot. Shu ran the rest of the group off and carried Shante back to her apartment.

            "I'm fine," Shante said. "Dangerous business?"

            Shu didn't reply. He started treating her. "You're wounded pretty badly. Don't speak. Just rest."

            Shante nodded weakly and closed her eyes. Shu sighed and closed all the curtains in the apartment. He made sure the door was locked as well. Then. He pulled a chair and stood watch. Apparently the bar that had employed Shante was one of Keldan's….