Wolf's Rain: Cycles of Sorrow

by dChronologer

Ch 8 is up! Ch8 preview: The wolves continue their journey in this new city. Can they survive the latest hybrid attack? Literally too much to summarize. (Non yaoi) Please read & review

8. Song of the Moon

Wow, I can't believe it's been four months, one day, ten hours, thirty-eight minutes, and forty seconds since I last updated. Yikes! This semester did fly by, but sheesh was it tough. Don't take French as your foreign language unless: you've already had it or really like it. That language is HARD. I'm really glad to be posting again. During the semester I also did work really hard on this chapter in what free time I could steal from work, homework, and classes. I promised you readers a long chapter, and this one is LONG. I'll give you the page tally at the end because I don't want to scare anyone away. I'm also gonna put the reader replies at the end of the chapter. I think that's the most reviews I've gotten for a single chapter. Yay! I was also shocked when I got reviews several months after I had posted the story. I've tried out some new stuff with this chapter so PLEASE tell me what you think.

I also need to make an announcement. (Puts hand on a stack of seven Bibles) I promise not to commit the seven deadly sins of the Mary-Sue. Not sure if there are seven, but it sounded really cool in my head. I'll just let you readers figure out what that means. I'm not gonna try to explain. Just read the chapter as a whole and then make up your opinions, okay. Also, don't check the bottom notes until after you read the chapter because I'm gonna talk about some of the stuff in the chapter.

All right, onto the chapter and enjoy!

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Episode 08: Song of the Moon

The horizon was a glow as the setting sun bid its farewell to the city. A recent snow had blanketed the ground in white. The wolves walked against a backdrop of fire red and orange while they trekked along a set of train tracks leading into the city. Their breaths escaped in hazy puffs as they followed the scent of lunar flowers. Kiba led the way, of course, closely followed by Hige, Aibo, and Toboe in the middle with Tsume leisurely bringing up the rear.

"Hey Kiba, what do you think we'll find in this place?" Toboe asked a little eager with anticipation. Kiba only shrugged as he continued walking.

"Trouble . . ." Aibo answered succinctly. The boy had become oddly silent as they neared the town.

"What's eatin' you, squirt?" Hige queried looking down at the kid.

"I came through this city on my way to find all of you. There's a local pack here, and well . . . they . . . don't like outsiders," the wolves could detect a trace hint of fear in Aibo's voice.

"Sounds like you've already met them. So, you gonna tell us what happened or not?" Tsume's tone relayed only halfhearted interest, however, he did quicken his pace coming alongside the others.

"Maybe . . . we should just forget about it."

"You don't have to be afraid," came Kiba's confident voice. "We're not going let anything happen to you." With Kiba's reassurance, Aibo mustered up the courage to speak.

"They just . . . they did something bad to me all right . . ." the boy transfixed his gaze on the ground. Kiba moved over to Aibo and placed a hand on the boy's head. The wolf knelt down locking eyes with the child.

"We'll leave as soon as we find what we're looking for. In the mean time, just stick with us and you'll be fine. Now come on, let's go." Aibo gave an obedient nod.

"Thanks."

The pack inadvertently entered huge train station via the train tracks. There were hundreds of people about the place all going in every last possible direction. The station was definitely the heart of the city. It looked to function as a major access hub for transportation in the north. Some of the people were passengers simply waiting for their next train. Others were business people, or workers moving various cargo ranging in all various types of shape and size.

There was one group of workers that just somehow stood out from the others. They were hauling lots of small boxes out of their cargo train. However, the workers weren't taking the equipment out of the station. Instead they merely relocated it to a sectioned off locale within the station. Then something caught Toboe's attention.

"Guys look at this!" he shouted, though the volume of his voice wasn't an issue since nothing less than a shout could be heard above the din from the crowd. "What is it?" Toboe, ever brimming with the curiosity of a pup, had noticed a flashy poster, something which was relatively new to him.

"It's an advertisement. It says something about a concert tomorrow night," Aibo answered being the only one able to read it.

"What's a concert?" Toboe replied.

"Who gives a damn about what these stupid humans are doing?" Tsume was a bit irritated at this unnecessary distraction.

"I was just curious," Toboe sulked. Tsume raised an eyebrow at the whining pup.

"Get over it," the gray wolf ordered playing the role of Toboe's surrogate sibling yet again. Although, it was a job Tsume was starting to become accustomed to.

The wolves expedited their departure from the hustle and bustle of the noisy station. Kiba resumed the lead following his nose as he tracked down the source of the lunar flower scent. However, what they found wasn't quite what they were looking for. They had meandered into some of the back alleys and stumbled across some strange humans clustered together. A closer look revealed these people to be wolves--masked by nothing more than weak illusions.

These wolves were the local pack Aibo had warned about. There was a single female among the group, and next to her sat an older wolf with a scar on the left side of his face. Five members of the group stood; their malicious intent was evident in their muffled chuckles. As they approached the pack, it soon became clear who their leader was. The five stopped dead in their tracks as the scared wolf shot a glare in their direction. When the scared wolf continued his cold stare the five quickly retreated to their original seated positions. The scared wolf rose from his seat turning to face Kiba and the others. His human appearance also bore the scar on his face. He wore a black jacket with red stripes, a blue shirt, and black pants. His hair was blonde and his face was that of an older man.

"You got a name?" the scared wolf questioned Kiba, gruffly.

"Kiba," came his curt reply. Then he gave the other wolf a look which implied 'and you?'

"Zali. Where are you boys from?" Apparently, Zali thought he was the only one to be asking questions.

"We came from a city to the north." The two pack leaders continued their stare down.

"Why are you here?" Zali demanded.

"We're just passing through. We'll be leaving soon," Kiba gave a cold reply.

"YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!" shouted one of the wolves in the group. He had a rounded nose and wore a tacky yellow cap and jacket with a lavender shirt. His shout was followed by several agreeing murmurs. Zali snapped his head around.

"Moss!" the pack leader snarled. This shut them up--and quick.

"Where are you going?" Zali turned his attention back to the outsiders. His tone was still harsh and demanding.

Kiba felt a small hand grab a firm fistful of his pant leg and two sharp tugs followed. He turned and looked down at Aibo, who had been hiding behind the white wolf the whole time. Aibo slowly shook his head back and forth with a serious--and seriously scared--look on his face. Kiba raised an eyebrow trying to understand what had the kid so worked up. The Aibo mouthed the words 'don't tell them' while his eyes pleaded with Kiba. However, Toboe started to speak up at that point.

"We're going to . . ." Toboe started.

"That's our business!" Kiba cut Toboe off. Toboe looked at Kiba in confusion for a moment before noticing the way Kiba's stance was shifted. The russet wolf realized that Kiba and Aibo had been exchanging glances, but as to why the pup was still uncertain.

"Don't tell me you're looking for Paradise. You don't take that myth seriously, do you?" Zali pressed. When Kiba didn't answer the other wolf's interrogation Zali smirked. "We've been there. . . It was no paradise." This statement didn't sit well with Kiba. However, to everyone's surprise, Aibo answered the stranger's challenge.

"You're lying."

"What?" Zali growled slowly, staring at the child. Aibo returned the wolf's stare.

"You're lying. You couldn't have gone there. It's locked and, you didn't mention anything about the Cradle of Neo Geneses."

"Wait . . . you, you're that kid," Zali looked like he suddenly recognized Aibo.

"Excuse me," came a voice which startled everyone. The voice was distinctively female. "I'm looking for a man named Zali. Could any of you possibly help me out?" the speaker had an unusually lovely voice. It was deep and richly feminine, rather than high pitched and sugary sweet like most female voices.

Zali turned and faced the woman asking for him. She had light ruby-red eyes and a softly tanned complexion. Her hair hung down to her mid back and was jet black with a slight curl to it. She wore a red velvet coat that draped nearly to the ground. The coat had fur trims along it's collar and sleeve openings. The girl's arms rested in front of her hanging freely since she had tucked her hands inside the sleeves to keep them from the cold. Her voice had made her sound older, more matured, than what she really was. Honestly, the young woman looked to be around Tsume's age. However, there was something odd about this girl.

"Yeah, that's me. So what do you want?"

"I hear you have a team of canines that help with the cargo from the trains."

"So?"

"So, I'd like to hire you and your team," she paused letting her words dangle for a moment, "if you're interested, of course." She pulled out a small card and scribbled something on it. "How's this amount?" she asked casually handing Zali the card. Her hands were slender and graceful ending with long fingernails decorated with red nail polish. He gasped as he read what this stranger wanted to pay him. With that much, his pack wouldn't have to work at all for a very long time. "Drop by the station if you want the job. Tell them, 'Kyoko Tensei sent you.' That'll be enough to convince Joachim," she nodded to herself. As the woman started to walk away she called out, "Kage, let's go." The person she called to, Kage, seemed to appear out of nowhere. He had been standing near the group on the side opposite her.

Kage looked roughly about the same age as Kiba. Kage's hair was black and hung to about shoulder length in the back, but was trim along the sides, front, and top. He wore a white shirt tucked into black jeans and a large black trench coat. The coat had a high collar and was long enough that it dragged along the ground. Kage's eyes were a striking emerald green, and they had a piercing stare to them. His hands were casually stuffed into waist level side pockets of his coat.

As he stepped forward to follow the young woman, his trench coat billowed out to the sides and everyone caught sight of the guns he wore. Two silver clip-load pistols rested, butts outwards, in brown leather holsters on a belt around his waist. A third gun, quite odd compared to the pistols, was strapped into a rectangular holster on the outer side of his left leg between his calf and shin.

Kage sauntered between Zali and Kiba as he followed the girl. As Kage passed Kiba, the two locked eyes in a brief stare. Kiba learned something startling about Kage. The white wolf could tell that Kage, himself, was also a wolf. For a single instant, Kiba could see a ghostlike echo of Kage's wolf form. Kage was a black wolf with a white chest and underbelly. The two wolves seemed to recognize one another, however, the notion went unmentioned. The woman and the wolf were soon out of sight. As the odd pair continued their walk, the young woman spoke up.

"Hey Kage, those the same wolves from that city to the north you told me about? The ones that seemed to have gotten themselves in deep with Dark?" Kage was silent. She had learned that this was a good as a 'yes' from him. "So, do you wanna hook up with them or something? They are your own kind, after all."

"Shut up," Kage emphasized both words. "Just because I'm your bodyguard, Kyo, doesn't mean we're friends," he added in his cool smooth voice.

"I know, I know," Kyo retorted rolling her eyes. "I DO remember the rules. You'll hang around as long as I'm useful, but if I get in your way, you're outta here. And no questions about your personal life. I just thought that they might want to help, that's all. I didn't mean to pry."

"I don't need help. It's my business. I'm leaving now."

"Will you be coming to the concert?" Kage didn't give an answer. "It isn't going to be held for a while, so I'm sure you'd have plenty of time to take care of whatever it is you do when you're gone." This earned Kyo an irritated stare from the black and white wolf. "I just thought it might be nice, and who knows . . . you might enjoy it." Still no answer. "Just so you know, I meant it when I said I wanted to be there and help when you finally confront Dark."

"We'll see . . . about the concert, I mean," he finally replied before he ran off into the city.

Kyo smiled to herself. He's so easy to read. Kage tries to put on a loner act, but he's such a sweetheart underneath. It just takes a little effort to drag that part out. I just wish he'd tell me why he wants to go after that noble so badly. Well, regardless, I still think he'll enjoy Black Cat's performance at the concert, she thought to herself. "Okay, let's see what kind of trouble I can get into in this town," Kyo laughed to herself as she set off.

Meanwhile, Kiba and the others had been left rather bewildered. The pack didn't bother sticking around long enough for Zali to remember them. Eventually, they followed the lunar flowers' scent to the edge of town. They wound up in a cemetery with a pipe-like sewer entrance jutting out from a hillside and leading deep into the ground. The pipe was large enough so that they could walk upright if they crouched just a little once inside. However, the tunnel was blocked by a huge door with an electronic lock.

"Dammit," Kiba sighed in frustration while slamming his against the door. "We're so close."

Hige put his face up close to the dusty keypad and gave it a couple sniffs just for curiosity's sake. "I've seen these things before. If ya don't have the right code you'll never get it open." The tan wolf back away and plopped down on the ground. Hige decided to ask the question that was burning on everyone's mind, but no one wanted to say, "So . . . what now?" Almost as if in answer to Hige's question, Kiba tried to pry his fingers between the door crack and force it open.

"Yeah, like that's gonna work," Tsume sneered trying to get Kiba to think about what he was doing.

"You got any better ideas, Tsume?" Kiba responded angrily, pausing from his endeavor for only a moment. Tsume rolled his eyes. He walked over to blue-eyed boy and with a sigh put a hand on his shoulder.

"Kiba, your going to hurt yourself. Settle down and think." Kiba actually stopped, seeming to listen to Tsume's advice. "Look, let's find a place to rest for the night."

"The sun is starting to set, and it'll just get colder at night," Toboe chimed in.

"Hey Kiba, come on. Maybe we'll find something in the city to help us out tomorrow," Hige added.

"All right, fine," Kiba sighed. He really didn't want to quit now that they had just found the source of the scent, but there wasn't anything he could do about it at the moment. The pack spread out and scouted the cemetery for a building which could provide decent shelter from the coming cold. Aibo tagged along with Kiba as they searched for a place to sleep. The pack finally settled on a small building near the cemetery's entrance. The roof had long since caved in, but it had four walls and the floor was clean enough to sleep on.

"Oh, yeah. This is reeeaaal cozy," Hige whined.

"Shut up," came Tsume's irritated response. The pack settled in for the night, but Kiba was still feeling restless.

"I'm going for a walk," Kiba announced climbing to his feet. It was still somewhat early for going to sleep, and no one seemed to mind. The pack had lain about for quite a while, waiting for sunset so they could get some sleep, when it suddenly dawned on Toboe that someone was missing.

"Hey guys, where's Aibo?"

"He took off after Kiba. Kid snuck away while he thought no one was looking," Tsume answered.

"You just now caught on, runt?" Hige teased. Toboe just scowled at Hige as an uneasy silence settled between all of three. Then a thought occurred to Toboe that moved him to break the calm.

"Hey guys, do you remember that strange girl we tried to rescue in that other city? What was her name?"

"Cheza," Hige answered.

"Well, I was just thinking. Is it just me, or did it feel like we were supposed to know her? She felt really familiar." The others only gave thoughtful stares as they considered what Toboe had said.

"I guess it's safe to say that we all felt it . . . even Kiba, I bet."

"I wonder what he's up to," Toboe pondered.

Right then, Kiba was traipsing around through the city trying to find the pack from earlier. He wanted to get a few answers about that door in the cemetery. Kiba figured Zali had asked enough questions so it was only fair that the white wolf get his turn to play the interrogator. However, Kiba was no fool and knew this was going to be dangerous enough for himself, so he didn't want the others along just incase Zali and his pack didn't take kindly to a round of brusque questioning. Perhaps if luck was with him, Kiba might be fortunate enough to find Zali alone.

Just then, the white wolf was startled by a loud noise from behind. As Kiba spun around, he mentally berated himself for getting so distracted in thought that he had let someone sneak up on him. What Kiba found was Aibo, sheepish grin plastered to the boy's face, standing next to an overturned trash can. Kiba's brow narrowed in irritation.

"Uh hi, so what'cha up to?" Aibo offered nonchalantly.

"Go back to the others, now," Kiba's voice was stern and left no room for argument, at least that is how most would have taken it.

"Um, I just wanted to come with you," the child persisted. Kiba normally didn't mind Aibo's antics too much, but now Aibo was really in the way.

"I said GO," Kiba raised his voice.

"But . . ."

"NOW!" Kiba snapped, flashing his canines at the boy. Aibo jumped back genuinely frightened. He stared, holding his breath, wide eyed at Kiba before wheeling around and running away. The white wolf sighed. He hadn't meant to do that, but at least it would keep the kid out of trouble if he was back with the others.

Kiba started to walk forward again continuing his search for the local pack's leader. A few moments later a scream reached Kiba's ears. His heart stopped. It was Aibo's voice he'd heard. The white wolf wasted no time in racing off towards the sound. Kiba practically flew, his feet hammering against the pavement beneath him.

"AIBO, AIBO!" Kiba called out, but no reply came. Now he was really scared. The fear began to work itself into a knot in the back of his throat. If anything's happened to him I . . . I . . . Kiba trailed off in thought. He kept running frantically trying to find the boy, but his efforts were to no avail. As Kiba drew in one heavy breath after another a slightly metallic scent reached his nostrils. The nerve impulses that fired off from this scent triggered a response in Kiba's mind that ramped his heart rate up an hundred fold. Blood. It was Aibo's. There was no mistaking that scent. Kiba soared like a bat out of hell towards the scent. Whatever was there with Aibo was going to DIE.

Finally, the scent grew stronger, and Kiba knew he was close. He rounded a corner into an alley between two brick buildings. There in front of him, Kiba found Aibo being suspended in the air as a fist clenched the collar of the boy's shirt. Aibo's back was towards Kiba, but he could still see how bad off the boy was. Aibo's right calf had been dug into with the fangs of a wolf as evidenced by the blood stained holes in his pant leg. Kiba also saw bites and deep scratch marks on the boy's arms, shoulders, neck, and the blood that dripped from the lacerations. Apparently, Aibo had tried to run from his assailants, but they still caught him. The person that held Aibo was one of the wolves from the local pack. It was the one Zali had referred to as Moss. There were four others along with Moss.

"I thought I told you never to come back here. Looks like you didn't learn your lesson. And you brought others with you. Guess I'll just have to teach you again!" Moss yelled into Aibo's face causing the boy to flinch.

"Put him down," Kiba commanded, the rage in his voice seething over causing the words to reverberate off the alley walls around them. Aibo turned his head around to see Kiba standing there. The white wolf's expression was furious and horrified at the same time. If it was in Kiba's power, these wolves would die horrible deaths right here and now. Kiba was only slightly relieved to see Aibo alive and still conscious. But if Aibo had been conscious the whole time, why hadn't he responded to Kiba's call? That thought tore at Kiba to the core, but he would have to deal with it later.

"You again," Moss spat. "If you want the little shit, then come and get him!" With that Moss threw Aibo against the brick wall to Kiba's right. Aibo's head slammed against the stone with a sickening thud. Then the boy's body slumped to the ground.

That was it. Kiba's rage roared above the breaking point. He shed his human form as his lupine body bolted at Moss. Kiba was going to kill him, now. That sorry excuse for wolf had drawn his last breath. However, it wasn't to be. The other four with Moss were on Kiba in an instant, cutting the white wolf's valiant charge short. Even as he struggled to get free, their fangs and claws pierced deep into his flesh. The other wolves tore at Kiba's shoulders, legs, and any where else they could bite. The small group's leader finally sauntered over once he was sure Kiba couldn't escape the others' grasp. Moss mercilessly pounded away at Kiba's face striking him again and again. Kiba's pure snow white fur became stained into crimson with his own blood before Moss finally had his fill. The other four wolves also released their grip on Kiba as Moss backed away. The five local wolves, satisfied with their work, left the injured Kiba and the unconscious Aibo for dead.

Kiba finally struggled onto all fours once the other wolves had left. He staggered over to where Aibo lay retaking his human form which also bore the battering Kiba had taken. His jacket and pants were shredded, the large tears revealing his wounds which still poured blood. Many deep cuts also adorned his bloodied and bruised visage. Kiba gathered up Aibo's limp form. He supported the child with weary arms trying to rouse the boy.

"Aibo, Aibo, please . . . wake up," Kiba pleaded trying make sure the boy was still alive. There was no reply save for the small boy's breathing. Kiba thought about how he was going to get them back to the others, but his strength was failing him fast. He couldn't stand any longer and fell back against the wall, slumping all the way to the ground. As he lay there on the ground, Kiba pulled Aibo closer to him trying to keep the boy warm. They were both in serious trouble, and this was the best Kiba could do until he regained the strength to walk. "Sorry," Kiba confessed running a hand along Aibo's head. "I hadn't wanted this to happen. I'll take care of you." Kiba fought desperately to stay awake, but with each passing moment the weight of his eyelids became harder and harder to resist. Knowing it was a gamble, Kiba summed up the last of his strength drawing in a large breath letting his proud and mighty howl rip loose through the city. Just before his mind fell in the black abyss which came to claim him, Kiba heard three howls answer his own. They're . . . coming . . . was his last thought before he fell into unconsciousness.

In another part of the city, Kyo found herself returning to the station; first things had to be taken care of first, after all. As she entered the building, the burgeoning mass of people had dissipated. Most were fans that had come to this city for the concert. By now they had dispersed among the city looking for places to stay the night. Kyo was spotted by the last person in the world she wanted to meet at that moment.

"Kyo, where have you been? And where the hell is that bodyguard of yours? Why isn't he with you?" The assault of questions came from a very anxious looking man in a black business suit. His hair was black and greased back while his eyes were a light brown.

"Joachim, I'm a big girl," Kyo answered sarcastically, "I can take of myself." She had been gone all morning without so much as a word to where she was going. He always freaked whenever she took off.

"I don't care. That's it, he's fired!" Joachim was obviously frustrated.

"You can't fire Kage, he doesn't work for you. And remember, technically you're the one who works for me. Besides, I gave him the rest of the day off."

"How do you expect me to do my job if you keep disappearing?" he sounded rather panicked.

"Joachim," Kyo stared him right in the eyes. "Breathe! Just take a deep breath and calm down."

"There's just still so much to do: the final equipment check, rehearsals, sound tests, and we still haven't set up the stage yet. And what if something goes wrong!" Joachim was talking a mile a minute.

"Look, I've never missed a concert before, and I'm not going to start now. Now, I know you can handle this just like you always do." Kyo paused for a few moments before posing a thoughtful question, "Joachim, is this really the way a manager should act? Come on, this is the last show before the tour is over. Then you can take a nice long vacation." Kyo smiled trying to reassure the panicky manager. Joachim took a few long breaths. That seemed to calm him down. "There's something I need you to do for me."

"What?"

"There's should be a man named Zali dropping by about an unloading job. Just give it to him, all right?"

"Why? It's almost done now."

"I know, just have your people stop where they are and leave the rest, okay?" Joachim nodded with a raised eyebrow. He could tell this was another of Kyo's little charity projects. Joachim would go along with it, like always, since it did help their image.

"So how much?" Kyo told him the amount. "WHAT! Are you . . . never mind. I'll do it," he grumbled reluctantly.

"Thanks." With the business out of the way Kyo started to leave the station, but her manager stopped her before she got far.

"Kyo, I don't want you taking off after this tour is over with. You always vanish once we finish a tour and only God knows where you are." Kyo whipped around and gave Joachim a look that made his blood run cold.

"And it's going to stay that way! You ever try to confine me or follow me and I'll vanish for good! Got it? You don't own me. I'll come back when I feel like it. That's the agreement we started this whole business on in the first place."

"Fine, you win," Joachim sighed dropping his head in defeat. Kyo was the only reason they made money. If she left, so did their success. He always gave into her demands in the end because he really did believe that she could disappear for good.

"All right, what's bothering you? You're acting weird . . . and I mean more so than usual. You've never had too much of a problem with the arrangement before, so why now?" Kyo crossed her arms, drumming her right hand's fingers against her left biceps.

"It's just that you're passing up a big opportunity to further your career when you take these extended furloughs. And besides . . ."

"Are you upset because I still haven't told you whether or not I want to do that private concert for that noble . . . what's his name?"

"Darcia the second, and yes," Joachim gave Kyo a very serious stare. "What if one of the nobles gets angry because you snub them, huh? What'll we do then? What if we get arrested or worse?"

"You worry too much. He didn't specify exactly when he wanted a reply. Besides, I flat out refused to perform for Orkham, and we're still in one piece."

"Don't remind me," Joachim moaned massaging his temples.

"Personally, I don't give a damn about what the nobles think. Who cares if they get upset? If they're mad with me, it's not like I give a crap," Kyo said over her shoulder waiving a hand as she walked off.

Kyo finally left the station, but as she came out the main doors something caught her attention. It was a dog with blue eyes and grayish-blue fur. Holding the dog's leash was an older man wearing a trench coat. Next to him stood another, younger man dressed rather nicely who happened to be fidgeting with a strange device. There was something about the dog's scent that drew Kyo's attention. It was faint, but the scent definitely set off a ringing sensation in her brain that cried out 'wolf'.

"Damn it. I hate technology," Hubb whined in frustration as he tried desperately to understand what the compass, that Cher had left behind, was telling him.

"What's the matter, Detective Dandy?" Quent laughed. "That little box too much for you to handle?" Quent continued a hearty chuckle while Hubb gave the old man a perturbed stare.

"I don't know what's wrong with it. I think the readings say that there's a signal in this town, but then there's another signal coming from the west. I don't get it. That flower can't be in two places at once, and I don't think that there is more than one." As Hubb finished voicing his confusion, the two men were surprised by the voice of a stranger.

"My that's a nice canine you have there," Kyo greeted the men as she sauntered over to them. As Kyo got nearer to them, Blue's head perked up as she started sniffing the air. Blue padded next to this person that was new to her and continued sniffing. "Oh, well aren't you friendly," Kyo cooed crouching down to pet the 'canine' as she called Blue. "What's the name?"

"Huh," Quent grunted finally taking notice of this strange girl with a peculiar interest in Blue. "Blue," he replied staring at the young woman.

"Actually, I had meant your names, but that answers my next question," she chuckled. "My name is Kyo, and yours?"

"Quent," the old hunter answered gruffly.

"Hubb Lebowsky," the detective introduced himself. He offered his hand to shake hers, but just then Hubb's allergies started a sneezing fit. "Sorry about that."

"No, I think it's my fault. Allergies, right?" Hubb nodded. "I think my perfume's the culprit. So, what are two strapping men such as yourselves doing way out here?"

"I guess you could say that we're looking for something." Hubb was starting to blush a little at Kyo's comment.

"Really, I'd say it looks more like you're hunting something. Especially since you've got a wolf hound with you."

"She's a dog!" the hunter sounded really agitated. "And what would you know about wolves?" Quent stared at her.

"Sorry, but you can't deny that she's got some wolf in her. Trust me, I have spent a lot of time around uh . . . canines," Kyo awkwardly recovered, realizing that she almost said wolves. Quent was eyeing the girl suspiciously by now. There was something strange about her. She couldn't be a wolf, otherwise Blue would have sensed it. Perhaps, she was hiding wolves. This thought really sparked the hunter's interest, but he didn't have much time to continue thinking about it before something of a far greater priority grabbed his attention. A howl pierced the ambiance of the city.

"Blue!" Quent shouted. Blue immediately responded to the one word command. She ran towards the source of the sound leading her master to what promised to be a wolf. As Quent and Blue peeled out of the area Hubb followed after them, hot on their heels. Kyo was left by herself for a moment as she considered what to do.

Hmm . . . all right Kyo, do I want to go back to the station and listen to that worrywart Joachim, or do I want to follow two strange men, that I've never seen before, into unknown parts of a city that I've never been to before, she thought to herself. "Duh!" she said giving herself a little bop on the head as she dashed off after the trio easily catching up. "Hey, what's your friend up to anyway?" she asked Hubb as they continued running.

"Oh, he's on some sort of crazy quest, hunting wolves," Hubb answered in a haphazard way.

"Why? What did wolves ever do to him?"

"Huh, I don't know. Guess it never came up."

"Well regardless, I think that's terrible!"

Hubb and Kyo heard Quent give a shout, "Got you now, you damn wolf!" They followed the old hunter into a dead-end back alley. Blue stood before him, her fangs barred and body poised for attack. Quent had his rifle leveled at the wolf, but he hesitated. He recognized this kind of wolf. Quent had only encountered it once before, but he would never forget it. This wolf was far larger than any wolf should be, just like the one back in the last city he had come from.

"What the hell is that?" Kyo gasped. "That is NOT a wolf." Her eyes were wide with fear. She felt a hand grab her arm. It was Hubb.

"Go on, get out of here," he whispered trying to push Kyo back. She turned around and would have started running, but their escape route was blocked. Two men dressed like soldiers cut off the way the group had come from. They wore helmets with visors that covered the upper portions of their faces. Quite strangely, though, neither soldier carried a gun or any other sort of weapon.

"Hey, is that one of the priority targets?" one of the soldiers asked.

"No, she's a secondary," the second replied.

"Is that wolf one of the secondaries that was accompanying the primary targets?"

"Negative, we'll still proceed with the elimination anyway."

"What about the humans?"

"Terminate them, as well."

"Are we going to let the wolf hybrid take care of them?"

"Nah, we can do that ourselves. The primary targets are still in the city. We'll just set the hybrid back out on the loose again 'til it finds something," as the soldiers finished their banter the first shouted at the hybrid to get going. The oversized wolf at the back of the alley responded to the command instantly. It cleared the entire group with a single leap and then raced off to find its next victim. The soldiers removed their helmets and one laughed, "Let's have a little fun and make them scream before they die." It was then that their black and yellow eyes became visible.

"What the hell? Are you humans or wolves?" Quent demanded as he pointed his rifle at them.

"A little bit of both you could say. We're what you would call human hybrids. Humans with just a bit of wolf added to the mix. It comes with a lot of benefits, but there is one down side. Sometimes I get this urge for blood. It's probably from the wolf instinct, but it isn't often that I get the chance to satisfy that impulse. The best thing about human prey is the way they beg for their worthless lives just as you start sinking your teeth into them. It's really quite a rush."

Everyone's faces hardened at this soldier's perverse taste in pleasures. Neither of the two men noticed, but Kyo's body was taut and ready to strike. Her hands were tensed with each finger spread apart from the others and bent slightly, just like claws. Quent, not one for waiting to be attacked, fired his rifle aiming for the hybrid's head. The bullet missed . . . They hybrid vaulted forward intent on killing the old man. Blue was already moving, but she wouldn't get around her master in time to save him.

"No you don't!" Kyo yelled as she swiped at the hybrid. She had aimed for his face, but missed and instead adjusted to dig into his torso with her nails. The hybrid spun on his heels stopping just short of Quent. He turned to stare a Kyo while he held his side.

"YOU B--" he shouted, but never got to finish. A bullet silenced him forever. Quent had fired his rifle again at point blank range right into the hybrid's chest. The remaining hybrid snarled barring fangs way too long to be human. However, he never got a chance to use them. A pair of jaws clamped around the sides of hybrid's neck as he fell forward from the weight of a wolf pouncing on him. The wolf was black with a white chest and underbelly.

"Kage!" Kyo cried out of glee. Kage shifted to his human form, while still standing on the hybrid's back. Then, in a fluid motion, drew his right pistol and fired, making sure the hybrid was dead.

"Come on, we can't let that other one get away," Kage called to Kyo. Together the pair raced off after the wolf hybrid that had left earlier.

Hubb and Quent were left somewhat awestruck. Quent looked down and noticed long claw marks in the dead hybrid's torso. There were five of them each one at least an inch deep. Hubb finally caught sight of the claw marks.

"That girl, she did that? But no human could have made those," Hubb pondered with mounting anxiety.

If that girl isn't a wolf, then what is she? Definitely not human at least, Quent mused to himself. He was startled out of his reverie as Blue took off after the hybrid. "Blue! Come back!" he called to his faithful pet. However, she was already gone leaving a worried Quent and a dazed Hubb back in the alley.

Kage and Kyo had taken to the rooftops shortly after their departure from the alley. They were hot on the scent trail of the hybrid. It wouldn't be too long before they caught up to it. However, Kyo suddenly called out, "Kage wait a minute." The pair halted from their run. "This thing is too bulky." She shrugged out of her coat.

"Why did you even bother putting that ridiculous thing on in the first place?" Kage questioned, bemused with her annoyance.

"It's all about authenticity. You do have to at least make a credible attempt to fool humans. Yeah, they are pretty stupid, but they aren't complete idiots. Human don't do well in the cold without proper clothing, and so sometimes I have to add a few accessories to make the deception perfect." Kyo smiled as she finally got free of the coat revealing her outfit.

Kyo wore a black tank top with a crimson skirt. Over her top she wore an open velvet mini-jacket, the same crimson color as her skirt. The jacket fit snugly around her shoulders stopping just below her shoulder blades. The sleeves were short reaching only a quarter-way down towards her elbows. The tank top and jacket left her collarbone and midriff areas exposed. Kyo's skirt had a diagonal hem which hung down to her knee on the right side, but rose to her mid-thigh on the left side. She also wore a pair of black high heeled boots. The color scheme was complimented by the red nail polish on her long fingernails.

"I am a lady, after all. I do have an image to maintain."

Kage raised an eyebrow at her. "Let's get going already," he shook his head. The two resumed their pursuit of the abominable creature.

"Kage," Kyo spoke up again as they continued running. "Why didn't you want to at least talk to those other wolves? I don't get it. I mean, other than you, they're the only wolves we've met who know about that lord Dark person."

"Kyo, right now I don't give a damn. Besides you know about him."

"You're forgetting one thing, Kage. I'm not a wolf."

"I know, so why the hell are you even following me?"

"I've already told you. Wolves just fascinate me, and I've always liked your kind, even though it might not be natural for our species to get along."

"I swear, you're the strangest creature I've ever met."

"Stranger than a hybrid?"

"Much." Kyo broke into a fit of laughter at his reply. Kage couldn't hold out for much longer before joining her. It was rare that Kyo heard that wolf laugh, much less saw him smile. But she always found the effort to get him to do so worthwhile once she succeeded.

"Hey Kage, do you smell that?" Kyo asked while halting from their run suddenly becoming serious.

"Smell what?" Kage replied taking a good sniff at the air.

"I'll take you to it." Kyo darted off towards whatever it was that caught her attention. Finally, she leapt down from the rooftops and into an alley between two large brick buildings. Kage landed beside her moments later hearing her emit a gasp. He scanned the alley, quickly finding what startled Kyo. It was blood, and there was a lot of it. There was a trail on the ground and a smear on one of the walls with a large pool underneath.

"Must've been one hell of a fight," Kage pondered. "Looks like your talent paid off again."

"Yeah, lucky me," she said dryly. Kyo cautiously stepped over to the pool of blood and took in a few whiffs. "Kage . . . this smells like one of those other wolves from before."

"So . . . there's also scents here from several of the local wolves. They probably just had a fight."

"That's not what I wanted to show you. Don't you smell it?" Kage came to Kyo's side and tried to figure out what she was going on about.

"A hybrid," Kage realized. "It must have stopped by here out of curiosity, but . . ."

"But the scent of that hybrid is different than the one we're tracking."

"Two wolf hybrids, fine I'll take 'em."

"Kage, back in the other alley where you found me, one of those soldiers said something about looking for priority targets."

"You think Dark is sending his hybrids after those wolves from before?" Kage didn't really need her to confirm his notion.

"So then, these things come from that Dark person? Is this what you do when you go off on your own? What the hell are these things, Kage!"

"Yes, yes, and they were wolves. Now they're nothing but mindless beast stripped of there free will."

"Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"

"You scared?"

"HELL YES!"

"That's why." Kyo shot Kage an irritated stare.

"Come on, I'll track the scent of those other wolves to wherever it was they went. I don't think we'll have to wait long for those things to show up," Kyo grimly explained.

"Fine. Lead the way."

"Let's keep it casual. You of all people should know just how dangerous a wounded wolf can be, right?" Kyo lead Kage out of the alley and back onto the street. There was quite a crowd making it rather easy for them to get lost among the faces. Kyo slowed her pace to come shoulder to shoulder with her bodyguard. Swiftly and silently she slipped her arm around his interlocking their arms at the elbow.

"What are you doing?" Kage demanded feeling rather awkward at being arm in arm with Kyo.

"Uh . . . making us look normal, duh. Besides, it's a big crowd and we could get separated. Waaait . . .," a smirk crossed her lips, "you didn't just have your mind in the gutter now, did you?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kage raised his brow.

"You dirty hound," Kyo cackled to herself. Kage just shook his head and shrugged off the whole thing. After walking a good distance, Kyo's pace slowed, and she seemed to grow uncertain of just where she was leading them.

"Damn, I lost the scent. There's just too many humans to sift through, even for my nose."

"Don't worry about it," Kage said taking the lead.

"Huh?"

"That scent, I've got it. Smelled it back in the alley."

"The lunar flower scent! You smell it!" Kyo grew quite excited at this prospect.

"It was faint, but it came from the blood we found," Kage explained. "We can follow the scent all the way to the wolves we're trying to find. So, now the question is what do we do once we find them?"

"What are you asking me for? They're your kind, so you should now how to talk with them," then Kyo's wry smirk came back, "or are you asking me for help?"

"You're a pain in my ass, you know that!"

"Sorry," she chuckled, "we'll figure something out, don't worry about it."

Eventually, the pair found themselves in a cemetery at the edge of the city. Kyo announced that she could detect the scent from before here. That confirmed it. They had found the wolves they were looking for, but now their next step had to be planned carefully. They didn't want to wind up fighting the pack that they were, in truth, trying to help. It was doubtful they were aware of the hybrids that were attempting to track them down at this very moment. Kage and Kyo scoured the cemetery looking for the wolves.

Meanwhile, Tsume, Toboe, and Hige were tending to their friends' injuries inside their shelter for the night. They had already fixed up Aibo, and now they were treating Kiba. Tsume and Hige had to hold Kiba down while Toboe applied several herbs he'd managed to dig up from outside.

"Hey Toboe, how did you know what plants to get anyway?" Hige asked while holding down Kiba's right side. Tsume was on the left, and they made sure Kiba didn't squirm around. The white wolf had been quite adamant that he was fine and didn't need them to fuss over him, especially when they had to strip him down, all except for his pants, to get at the wounds. The herbs Toboe pressed into the open flesh of Kiba's wounds had a bite to them, but eventually they dulled away the pain.

"Granny used to talk to me about them all the time. I think it was sort of a hobby for her. Growing plants . . . I mean." Toboe finished applying the herbs to Kiba's body, but still the russet wolf sulked.

"What's eatin' ya?" Hige asked Toboe, but the pup didn't answer.

"Hige, you can let go of him now," Tsume instructed.

The tan wolf looked down only then realizing that Kiba had succumbed to sleep. They decided to redress Kiba, carefully placing his shirt back on him, but balling his jacket instead as a pillow for his head. Hige grimaced when he looked at Kiba's face, finally understanding Toboe's distress. Kiba was messed up pretty badly. His dark brown hair was sweaty, bloody, matted, and several strands clung in clumps to the drying blood on his face. Kiba was a miserable sight to behold, but the worst part of it all was that they hadn't been able to find any water to wash the blood from Kiba's battered face.

Aibo had been maimed fairly badly, but Kiba had received injury with prejudice to the extreme. Though none of the others said anything out loud, they were going to make sure whoever was responsible for this would pay. Even the gentle natured Toboe shared this same sentiment with his older pack mates.

What really scared the trio was that Aibo was not healing as quickly as he normally would. They weren't sure what to make of it. For now, all they could do was hope and wait.

"Tsume," Toboe started a little hesitant because of the situation. Toboe wasn't quite sure how the gray wolf would react.

"Yeah," was all the reply Toboe received. He was actually relieved. That meant Tsume wouldn't be venting his frustrations on them.

"Shouldn't we try to find something to get Kiba cleaned up?" Tsume nodded.

"Why don't you and Hige go. I'll stay here with these two."

"You sure?" The two wolves' banter was disrupted by a shout from outside.

"Kage, they're here already!"

Tsume, Toboe, and Hige ran to the door of their shelter to find out what was going on. Immediately, they recognized the two people from earlier who had interrupted their encounter with Zali and his pack. The trio also recognized their third 'guest' or at least what kind of creature it was. A large hybrid, similar to the last one their pack had encountered, chased after the odd pair. The male, referred to as 'Kage', drew the creature's attention and alternately fired his two pistols while trying to get a bead on the hybrid. One good shot and he could bring it down. The female, named 'Kyo' as they remembered it, shouted out to the three wolves.

"Hey! Look there isn't time to explain now, but that thing is after you guys. You've all got to get out of here now."

"We can't!" Tsume gave an irritated answer.

"Why?" Kyo hissed back equally irritated.

"Two of our friends are really hurt, and they can't move!" Toboe explained.

"Shit," Kyo muttered. "Where are they?" The carmel-eyed boy pointed inside their dilapidated shelter. Kyo gave herself a little bop on the head thinking, duh Kyo. "All right, hey you, cutie, think you can give my friend over there a hand? " she asked pointing at Tsume.

Tsume stood there and just blinked with an expression of shock. However, this only lasted for about three seconds before switching to totally pissed off. "What the hell did you just call me!" he growled. "And why the hell should we trust you?"

"Uh, hello! We're here fighting to help you. Geeze, is he always this suspicious?" she asked no one in particular.

"Yup, all the time!" Hige answered with a snicker, and Toboe nodding in agreement. Tsume shot each of them a dirty scowl. "I'm Hige, nice to meet ya," he greeted Kyo.

"Let's save the pleasantries for later, okay?" she smiled. Kyo turned her attention back to her bodyguard. Kage, both pistols leveled at the creature, was at a stand off with the hybrid whom he'd backed into a corner formed by two adjacent buildings. For a brief instant, Kyo saw a shadow move. "Kage, above you!" she shouted a warning.

The black wolf just barely dodged the beast which came leaping down from the structure next to him. It was another hybrid, but this one was far more imposing. The head was a wolf's, but the body, except for the reverse jointed legs, possessed many human qualities, especially in the hands, claw-tipped fingers, arms, and torso. In fact, the beast was a good deal larger than any human. Kage seemed to falter once he caught sight of this particular hybrid. There was something about it that caused him to hesitate.

"Hey, think you can look after our friends for us while we're busy?" Hige asked Kyo as he charged for the hybrid.

"Will do!"

"Toboe, stay here!" Tsume ordered as he reluctantly 'followed after'--well, more like

'went to save' in his mind--Hige.

"He sure is somethin' else, huh?" Kyo thought out loud as she walked over to Toboe. "Um, Toboe wasn't it, sure you don't think we can move your friends out of here?"

"No, they're hurt too badly for that," Toboe explained shaking his head.

"You know what that means, right?" Toboe gave her his cutely confused look. "It means we're the decoys in case one of those," Kyo swallowed hard, "monsters decides to get opportunistic and pick off you friends in there." Now Toboe looked scared. "Don't worry about kid, I'll be right here with you," she bent down to his eye level and patted his head. Toboe usually resented the nicknames his packmates gave him, but . . . this lady seemed sincere enough.

"You . . . smell kind of nice like flowers," Toboe noticed as he seemed to relax a little.

"Well aren't you just precious!" Kyo cooed as she gave the pup's cheek a gentle pinch. "It's the perfume I wear. Personally, I think it's a rather acrid stench, but it does the job so I can't complain."

"What's it for?"

"Simple, it covers my scent. None of you wolves have been able to figure out just what I am, and honestly I like it that way. But that's another story."

Toboe's eye suddenly went wide, "Ah ah ah ah," he stuttered pointing behind Kyo. The smaller hybrid had managed to slip away from the others and was coming for the two of them. Kyo wasted no time in charging the creature. Toboe watched in shock as Kyo disappeared once she collided with the hybrid, and the two became a tumbling mass of fur, tooth, and claw. Finally, the foes broke apart. The hybrid lay on the ground, bearing five long claw marks across its muzzle, only momentarily stunned before running after Kyo whom had returned to her human form too quickly to for Toboe to notice what she was.

Toboe, dawning his russet furred wolf body, took off after Kyo and the hybrid thinking that she might need help. The only problem was that Toboe wasn't sure how he could help. It didn't take long for the beast to figure out that it was being followed. Immediately after spotting Toboe, the hybrid lost all interest in Kyo. It made an about face, lunging for the wolf pup. Kyo realized almost instantly that she wasn't being chased anymore. She saw the hybrid get closer and closer to Toboe who was just standing there stunned.

"Toboe, no! RUN!" she yelled hoping to snap him back to his senses.

Meanwhile Tsume, Hige, and the stranger, Kage, had their own work cut out for them. Not one to fear danger, Tsume, shedding his human appearance in an instant, leapt for the hybrid's throat. However, he came short and settled for sinking his jaws into the beast's shoulder right at the base of the neck. Hige didn't wait long before following Tsume's charge, but chose instead to attack the hybrid's legs biting deep into the flesh on the back of its left leg. The enormous hybrid howled in pain. The sound was so loud it actually startled the two wolves causing them to loose their grip. Tsume was flung several yards away with a backhanded swat, and Hige started run but still received a good kick to his gut which sent him airborne for ten feet before he came back down with a thud. The hybrid then lunged at Kage finally snapping the green-eyed youth out of his shock. The beast reached forward as it tried to disembowel Kage with its claws. At that moment, Kage leapt into a forward somersault actually leaping over the beast. He managed to dodge the brunt of the attack, but still received several deep slashes into his torso. While mid air he unloaded a volley of bullets into the hybrid's right shoulder. Again the creature resounded its howl of pain as the wounded arm fell limp. The hybrid turned baring its fangs at Kage.

"I see," Kage looked sympathetically at the creature, "your pain impulses aren't suppressed like the other hybrids . . . Dark, you bastard." By now Tsume and Hige were back on their feet and ready for another go at the hybrid. "Hey you two!" Kage called out to get their attention. "Look this isn't something I normally do, but . . . if you guys can hold him still for a little while, then I think I can bring him down." Kage cocked his pistols to show them what he meant. Hige and Tsume looked at one another as they considered Kage's proposal. Eventually they nodded to one another.

"Well, since you asked so nice . . ." Hige teased.

"I didn't ask," Kage snapped back.

"Fine, then go get someone else to help you," Tsume sneered.

"But it'll be your friends who die when this thing isn't stopped," Kage countered. Hige and Tsume, albeit grudgingly, gave no further argument. They dashed for the hybrid's legs clamping into its hamstrings, just as Hige had done before. Kage sprinted for the back of the hybrid, but just as he made it to the creature's side; the hybrid threw the two wolves off with a powerful single armed swipe sending Tsume and Hige crashing into Kage. The hybrid loomed over the trio, Tsume and Hige in their wolf forms on top of Kage in his human form.

Then suddenly the hybrid doubled over and its face winced in pain as the beast fell to its knees. There behind the creature was the very familiar white wolf form of their leader. Kiba had pulled the creature's own leg out from under it, and he still held the leg in his jaws by the ankle. The white wolf still hadn't recovered, and his body language spoke that loud and clear. Kiba's breathing was quick, heavy, and labored. His body still bore the deep wounds inflicted upon it, and he kept his weight off his right front leg curling it up off the ground. Tsume darted forward attacking the shoulder of the hybrid's good arm while Hige went for the other leg. All three of their combined efforts sent the creature to the ground.

Kage was on his feet soon after and had his gun pointed to the back of the hybrid's head right at the base of the skull. He hesitated almost like he didn't want to shoot the hybrid. Kage, at last, pulled the trigger. The hybrid's body convulsed sharply and then its struggling stopped. However, the bullet seemed to make little more than a flesh wound. Kiba, Tsume, and Hige finally released the hybrid from their grasp. Once they did so, the creature began to shrink in size until it returned to the normal shape and size of a wolf. The dying wolf lay there on its side. Kage knelt before the wolf, holstering both his pistols. The wolf looked up at Kage and smiled nuzzling his leg. Kage returned the gesture giving the wolf a few gentle strokes on its neck.

"So, your skull was given a greater the bone density. That way, you wouldn't die until after your N.S.S.U. is destroyed," Kage muttered.

"It's . . . all right. I'm not afraid to die. I'm glad, really. I'm finally free. It doesn't hurt . . . anymore . . . " the wolf spoke his final gratitude before breathing his last breath. Kage lowered his head letting out a long sorrowful sigh which bordered on a broken sob. The black and white wolf then suddenly stopped himself forcibly regaining his composure. He wouldn't let himself mourn, not until Dark was dead.

"Who was he?" Kiba finally asked while his two friends silently observed.

"My brother. He was the third born out of five. I was born a day earlier than the others, so it was like we had two eldest between the six of us," he reminisced. "I'm gonna set them all free . . . and this is the only way to get them out of Dark's reach." They eyes of the other three wolves widened at what Kage revealed to them. The opportunity to offer words of solace never came, however.

"Ahhhhh!" came a pained cry which ended in a yelp.

"Toboe!" Kiba, Tsume, and Hige said in unison. They raced off to find their companion, and, not too long after, the three wolves found themselves joined by the black and white wolf.

"I guess you have a sense of gratitude after all," Hige cajoled Kage.

"There's still one more hybrid left, idiot. I'm going to kill it!"

Hige only gave an undignified, "Hmph!" in reply.

The quartet made their way to Toboe in no time. They found the russet wolf being shaken like a rag doll as the hybrid held an iron grip on the pup's left shoulder. Toboe tried to stay on his feet, but every time he managed to get his footing the hybrid shook him harder. Toboe couldn't even reach around to bite his opponent. The beast's jaws were clamped tight onto his flesh and its teeth sank in deep. It was possibly the most painful thing Toboe had ever experienced, but despite his dire situation, he wasn't going get hysterical. Toboe had called for help and knew it was coming. For now, he would do his best to be as brave as he was able. Toboe wasn't going to let himself cry, scream, or whine. After what seemed like a terrifying eternity, Toboe caught sight of the other wolves and took heart.

Tsume and Hige were first to leap into the fray, each biting into the beast's shoulders giving it a taste of its own medicine. The pair kept fighting taking turns snapping and clawing at the hybrid covering each other's backs as they attacked and retreated.

Kiba stopped next to Toboe, "Are you all right?" Kiba asked huffing deep breaths while eyeing Toboe's wounded shoulder as the pup lay on the ground.

"Y-y-yeah, I'm all right," Toboe said shakily. Then he realized who he was talking to, "Kiba? Wait a minute, what are you doing up? You shouldn't be fighting."

"I'm fine, Toboe," Kiba insisted, but the weary wolf's own body--legs buckling and whole form trembling from sheer exhaustion--betrayed him and the strong front he tried putting up for the pup. Even Kage, who at the moment was breathing quite heavily, had taken a seat on the ground in his human form to rest, holding his hand over the wounds in his torso. The black wolf's once white shirt was now stained red, and Kiba's fur still retained its alteration to crimson.

"You both look like you're about to collapse!" Toboe countered.

"Fine, I guess I . . . could take it a little easier," Kiba was spent, consequently lacking the will to argue any further.

By this time, the hybrid was sick of dealing with the relatively healthy tan and gray wolves. Its directives told it to kill as many of the group as possible. At that moment, the hybrid decided it best to abandon the fight with these two wolves, especially when there were three wounded wolves who would be much easier to pick off. The creature, deciding to ignore Tsume and Hige, went to finish the job on Toboe. However, the pup's attention was still trained upon his injured friend. Toboe didn't even notice as the hybrid lunged for him. Kiba caught site of the beast as it was mid air. He moved to push Toboe out of the way, but something collided with the hybrid. Kyo had rammed into its side and they both went rolling. When the two finally stopped the hybrid latched a deathgrip onto Kyo right wrist.

"Damn you, let go!" she hissed clawing at the beast's eyes with her nails. The creature actually released her from its grasp, blinded by its own blood. Hige took advantage of its confused state grabbing it by the throat and forcing the hybrid to the ground. Kage joined Hige in an instant with pistol in hand. The black wolf fired a single shot into the back of the hybrid's head destroying the abominable creature.

"It's over," Kage panted holstering his pistol. "Now . . . who the hell are you people?" he demanded.

"We're the ones who should be asking that," Tsume growled.

"Shouldn't we save the introductions until after your friends aren't in danger of bleeding to death?" Kyo asked rhetorically. Tsume grunted and Kage smirked. "That includes you, too," she shot a glare at her bodyguard. Kyo sauntered over to Kiba and crouched down to his eye level. "I know somewhere we can get you fixed up, but . . . uh how do you feel about human doctors?" Kiba only stared at her, suspiciously. Toboe didn't seem to have a problem with the idea, but Tsume and Hige were a bit more skeptical.

"Just because you helped us out to save yourselves doesn't mean we have any reason to trust you," Tsume stated flatly. "After all, you're still hiding whatever-the-hell-you-are from us."

"Ugh, fine!" she groaned with all the sarcasm she could muster. Kyo paced off a little ways from the group and revealed herself for what she was. There upon a soft pillow of freshly fallen snow sat a very sleek form cloaked in glossy black, short length fur. The tail was long and sender while small pointed ears, tilted forward, rested atop the head. Gold eyes with pupils contracted into a slightly elliptical vertical slit stared back at the group with the strange sort of intensity that is unique to Kyo's kind. Her legs and paws were all neatly tucked beneath herself in a very feline position with claws retracted.

"A cat!" Tsume halfway barked in surprise and halfway out of fury at having had help from such a creature. Kyo stood on all fours at hearing this remark. She definitely stood shorter than a wolf, but her form was longer than a wolf's. Her build was for speed, maneuverability, and reflexive agility unlike a wolf's sturdy build which was for strength, endurance, and power. Kyo slinked side to side a few steps.

"You know, as a professional courtesy I never refer to wolves as 'dogs'," she spoke in a sly manner, "and I would appreciate it if you extended courtesy of the same kind. Puma, mountain lion, cougar, panther, or just plain feline; take your pick. There's plenty of names for you to call me by, but . . . call me a cat again, and you'll regret it. Besides, I'd rather not have to rearrange that cute face of yours." A low guttural growl resounded from Tsume, and Kyo gave a feline smirk. That's it. She had found his 'red button'. Tsume hated being called 'cute'. At first Kyo hadn't meant anything by it, but now she could use it to tease him once in a while. Though Kyo did have to admit that there were certain qualities Tsume possessed which did make him attractive--for a wolf anyway.

"Why would you want to help us?" Kiba asked her flatly.

"I like wolves. That's it. There really isn't anything else to it, so what's that big deal?"

"Uhh, it's just weird," Hige replied.

"Oh, yeah, we know whose got his mind in the gutter," Kyo countered retaking her human presence raising an eyebrow at Hige.

"What? Just what the hell are you trying to imply?"

"Nothing you already didn't say."

"Damn she's a pain in the ass," Hige grumbled.

"You don't know that half of it," Kage chuckled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" the flustered feline eyed her bodyguard.

"Look, I don't intend to sit here and bleed to death while you idiots ramble on debating this crap. How 'bout you?" the black and white wolf directed the question to Kiba and Toboe. Both wolves just nodded slightly, "Now let's get moving!" Kage's little outburst actually seemed to settle the matter which made it all the more strange. However, Tsume and Hige were smart enough to know when to choose their battles.

"It'll be easier to get all three of you treated quickly if I check you in to the doctor under the pretense of being canines," Kyo explained.

"So, you're just gonna have them pretend to be dogs?" Tsume scowled.

"Tell me, at what point did I say 'dog'? If anyone is smart enough ask flat out: 'Are they wolves?' then I'll tell them yes. It's as simple as that." All eyes were on her now and everyone was looking at Kyo like she had just lost her mind. She started to laugh to herself, "And you know what, that's the same look they'll give me while they say 'you're cracked because wolves have been extinct for two hundred years'."

"Fine, I guess you're not as stupid as you look," Tsume grunted hardly satisfied with Kyo half-baked plan. However, her countenance dropped all joviality assuming a wearied and saddened expression at Tsume's remark.

"Whatever, let's just go already," she sighed softly marching off quickly away from the group. An awkward silence remained as the others followed suit.

"Hang on a sec. I'll get Aibo," Kiba remarked excusing himself from the group. The white wolf returned to his human self knowing it would be less conspicuous around the city. However, Kiba found Aibo awake inside their decrepit shelter. The boy, back turned towards Kiba, was inspecting himself looking over all the wounds he had accumulated. "Aibo," Kiba called softly.

"This is all your fault," came the child's voice cold and reverberating. Aibo turned about-face; his eyes were crimson and pink once again. Kiba instantly remembered who this was--Aibo's guardian. This entity had attacked him once before, so Kiba knew to be cautious since Aibo was not himself while the guardian was in control.

"You again," Kiba replied.

"You know, I'm not sure which hurt the child more: the fright from seeing you lash out at him like he was your enemy, the beating he suffered from those thugs, or the thought that he couldn't call to you for help even as they started tearing into him," the guardian slowly elaborated with a smug tone deliberately taunting Kiba in a sadistic manner. "I was there for it, you know. I'm always conscious . . . always watching over him, but you . . . you're completely inadequate! You're not fit to be his . . . his . . ." the guardian paused as if contemplating the consequences of what it was about to say. Then something clicked in Kiba's mind that set him off. He dashed over to the guardian grabbing it by Aibo's jacket and shirt collar. Kiba raised the boy to eye level and shook him.

"You knew what was going on! Then why didn't you help him! I know you have that power, so why?" Kiba shouted violently at Aibo's alter personification. For once, the entity didn't know what to say. Kiba had caught it completely off guard, and a look of horror and realization flashed across those crimson eyes--which reminded Kiba so much of Cheza. "Answer me, damn you!" the enraged Kiba growled through his teeth, shaking the boy once again.

But no answer came, instead the entity relinquished its hold over the boy's consciousness leaving Aibo, perhaps deliberately, staring into the face of a very angry Kiba. Kiba's expression immediately softened as he saw the child's eyes, through a messy veil of dark brown hair, return to their normal cobalt blue. Aibo made a squeak of fright, but the white wolf was quick to console the child. Kiba instantly shifted his hold on Aibo placing one arm underneath the boy's legs and the other arm around his back firmly planting his hand in the center between Aibo's shoulder blades. Kiba embraced the small child to himself allowing Aibo to rest his head against the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

"It's all right, you're safe now," Kiba reassured Aibo gently rubbing the boy's back. "I promised, I'm not going to let anything happen to you." With a slight tremble, Aibo breathed a soft warm sigh against Kiba's skin. The child nuzzled into Kiba's neck almost like the way a wolf pup would to its parent. "I don't know why, but you aren't healing well. I heard the others talk about it while you were sleeping. I want you to go back to sleep. I'll be right beside you the whole time so you can rest."

"Okay," Aibo whispered before slipping into slumber. Kiba carried the boy back outside and found Hige still waiting for him while the others had gone on ahead.

"Hige?"

"Oh hey, just waitin' up for ya," the tan wolf gave a nonchalant grin rubbing his nose with his index finger. "You know what, just go on ahead. There's something I wanna check out." With that Kiba left at a quick pace catching up with the group in no time.

Hige sniffed at the air a few more times. There was definitely the scent of another wolf around--and a female to boot! He was certain he had never smelled this scent before, but there was just something so familiar about it. It didn't take the tan wolf long to go sprinting off toward the direction from which the wind blew the scent. Hige found who he was looking for, receiving quite a shock once he found . . . her. He had seen her once before back in that city where this crazy quest began. She was that hunter's dog, Blue, as Hige recalled her name. Blue . . . he thought. Hige took a step forward. There was something screaming in his head that he should know her from somewhere. Blue growled as Hige neared her, surprised by his sudden movement. Hige backed away ready to run off, but she let out something like a bark and yelp.

"Well make up your mind. Do you want me to go or stay?" he said in frustration throwing his arms out to the side. Blue sat down immediately in response to Hige's question. Hige shifted to his wolf form and slowly padded towards Blue. They took a few sniffs at one another, then Blue licked Hige right on the side of his muzzle. He jerked back in surprise, but didn't move any further than that. "Why do you seem so familiar?" Hige gave her a gentle nuzzled to the shoulder. Blue returned the gesture. Okay, this is really weird. I only just met the girl and we're already halfway to making out. But it feels like this isn't the first time I've met her. I kind of feel more like we've been reunited after a long time, but that's just crazy . . . Or is it? Hige pondered the situation. Then the pair heard a shrill whistle pierce the serenity of their moment.

"Blue!" came a shout that called for her.

"Crap!" Hige squeaked as he realized that was the hunter's voice. The tan wolf started to run, but stopped in his tracks suddenly.

"H-h-hige!" a voice that he knew, called out for him. He turned back and looked at Blue. She stood on all fours begging him stay with a soft whine. Was that her voice he had heard? Hige dashed away when he heard the hunter call out Blue's name again.

"There you are," Quent sighed with relief as he spotted his dog. "What the hell got into you? What're you doin' here anyway?" he patted her on the head. "Find some boy that sparked your interest?" he teased. Blue just looked up at him and tucked her ears back. She knew she just had to find him again. Hige, that was his name. Blue had never heard it before, but somehow it felt like she remembered it. But not even Blue was certain of just how she had spoken even for that brief instant. Still, she was going to do all she could to find him just one more time.

Back at the cemetery, someone was looming over the corpse of Kage's brother. The figure, robed in black, stooped down and began long languid strokes to the deceased creature's fur. Two other people soon stood not far behind the figure kneeling by the wolf. "Lios, why are we wasting time here, and what the heck is she doing?" an irritated young man looking about twenty years in age questioned his older companion--a man looking to be about thirty-five years in appearance.

"Why are you always so impatient, Tibris? You'll never learn anything if you don't get over that," the older man replied to the younger one.

"This one is merely collecting the soul of the fallen wolf," the kneeling figure answered.

"We should be going to finish off those wolves rather than sitting here indulging Shikyo's petty whims!" Tibris shouted in frustration. He wore an indigo long sleeved shirt and black pants with a violet stripe down each side of the pant legs. Lios, his garb being quite similar to Tibris', wore a black long sleeved shirt and tan pants with a crimson stripe down each pant leg. Their clothes were of a style and quality befitting those of the nobility's race.

"It doesn't really matter if we let them go. It all fits into brother Dark's plan. We just have to sit back and watch incase anything goes wrong. You done yet, Shikyo?" Lios questioned the flower maiden. Shikyo stood holding a slightly golden shimmering kernel in the palm of her hand. A seed casing then appeared around the kernel promptly absorbing itself into Shikyo's skin.

"This one is finished."

"Good, we'd best be getting along now."

"Finally, if we hurry we can catch those stupid wolves by surprise!" Tibris' voice carried his enthusiasm for the prospect of a fight.

Lios, however, shook his head, "Sorry, but the wolves have to wait for now. Our sisters require our assistance elsewhere. Those two are ready to spring their plan into action." Tibris crossed his arms and started to pout like a little kid. "Don't worry, you'll get your chance to test out your fangs in battle soon enough. So just save it for then, all right?"

"Fine," Tibris moaned in disappointment, "let's just go already."

Meanwhile, Hige was making a beeline towards the others following their scent trail after already having returned to his human guise. He finally came upon a small office building that reeked of wolf, and not just his friends' scents. Hige entered cautiously finding Tsume, Aibo, and Kyo waiting in a small lobby with several chairs that looked rather uncomfortable. The room was cramped, and there was no one at the front desk. Aibo slept in one of the chairs while Tsume and Kyo stood off to one side looking like they weren't having a very pleasant conversation.

"What the hell were you thinking bringing us to this place!" Tsume demanded pointedly.

"What are you talking about?" even with regard to--what she assumed to be--his usual mood, Kyo didn't quite get why Tsume was so especially pissed off at her.

Hige decided to explain, "This place stinks of those other wolves, and . . . they're the ones who're responsible for our friends being in the shape that they're in." Kyo's eyes went wide.

"What the hell? You mean Zali's pack is responsible for that? And they did that to a little kid?" she glanced over at Aibo. "You're sure it wasn't the hybrids from before?" Tsume grunted and Hige nodded with a kind, understanding expression.

"We're sure, we just haven't found the particular wolves that are responsible. By the way, where's Kiba and the runt?"

"Those two are in the back with Kage. I made them promise not to bite the vet before we walked in. Don't worry, I've brought Kage to her before. She doesn't ask questions. Oh, I'd be a little discreet going back there if I were you. Your friend Kiba, he's about to lean first hand what humans mean by the word 'bath', so just be considerate. I didn't have the heart to tell him, and the vet insisted. That reminds me, how did he get all those leaves matted into his fur?"

"Eh heh, well you see. . ." Hige chuckled uneasily, "let's just say that Toboe tried to help out as best he could."

"Why don't the both of you go back there and see how they're all doing? I'll stay here with the kid."

Tsume and Hige finally agreed and left the cat and the kid in waiting room. The two walked through a small space between the front desk and the wall leading into a hallway which took them to the back room. All in all, the office was rather small. But it was in nice shape and everything was well kept. The place felt clean, but not in an antiseptic way. Eventually the two wolves heard the sound of running water and a small yelp.

"Come on now, there's no need for that," came a woman's voice in a soothing tone. "Hey look, I didn't mean to surprise you like that. Sheesh, the way he acts you'd think he's never had a bath before in his life." Tsume and Hige came into a larger room and found Toboe and Kage sitting in in a corner on the right side of the room. They had already been bandaged up. Kage was trying to muffle his snickering while Toboe just watched the whole scene in utter amusement. That was when Tsume and Hige looked over to the left finding Kiba standing in a large square, tiled basin with a drain in the middle. Next to the basin was a woman with a shower nozzle in hand that had a long cord plugged into the wall just a few feet off the ground.

"You could say that," Tsume said breaking into a fit of laughter. Kiba was a priceless sight to behold. His white fur was sopping wet hanging straight down--even on his tail. His expression clearly read to the other wolves that he was completely pissed off. If Kiba could have had his way, the vet would have one less hand by now. He wasn't so angry about being wet as he was about having to go through this embarrassment with the others watching. Kiba did have his pride after all.

"So, I take it that you two are the owners?" the vet turned to address Tsume and Hige.

"Um you could sort of say that," Hige answered scratching his nose.

"Well, I should report you for neglect if that's the case, but considering the other circumstances I guess I can let you off with a warning."

"Other circumstances?" Tsume questioned. The vet reached for a bottle of shampoo and set it down next to herself before giving Kiba another rinse to clean out the rest of the plant debris from Toboe's healing herbs. The shampoo would be for the dirt and blood stains in his fur.

"Don't be modest, not everyone would stop and help some stranger that was being mugged, especially when the muggers had dogs with them. But then, I guess this fella here did his fair share of the work too. So what's the big boy's name?" she continued the banter while pouring some of the thick liquid into her hand and then working it into a lather in Kiba's fur.

"His name's Kiba," Hige replied.

"Kiba huh, nice name."

She worked along all of his back and then moved to scrubbing his underside. Then the vet lathered up Kiba's legs and then gave his tail a gentle washing. Honestly, Kiba did have to admit that this 'bath' thing wasn't as bad as he had thought, at first. The vet's touch was actually kind of soft and felt pleasant. She didn't have long nails to scratch him and the gentle rubbing had a nice soothing effect on his aching muscles. He really hadn't had much time to rest and this light massage was a welcome experience. The shampoo, as she called it, also left his skin with a nice feeling that he found hard to describe with words in his mind. Kiba started to relax and even enjoy his bath gradually closing his eyes.

Next he felt the human woman's hands working on and around his neck. The vet kept the washing brisk but gentle, so Kiba let her continue without protest. Although, Kiba did have to fight his urge to growl at her. After all, she was only a human and didn't pose any real threat just from touching his neck, even though it was an intimate area for him--and really all wolves. Finally, the vet made her way to his head. She washed the underside of his muzzle and then just held him there for a moment petting Kiba.

"You know what Kiba," she said getting him to open his eyes and look into hers. The human woman's eyes were a soft green framed by her short light brown hair, "you're beautiful, don't go getting yourself messed up like this again!" she ordered. Then the vet moved on to the bridge of his nose and top of his head. She also washed up the sides of his face and his ears.

Now done with the washing at long last, the vet took the shower nozzle and tested the water's warmth on her wrist. Once satisfied, she turned the water onto Kiba and gently worked the soapy lather out of his fur being careful not to spray him in the eyes while rising his face. After that she pulled out a soft towel and dried every last inch of the white wolf. Kiba gave her a quick lick on the cheek while no one was looking. For a human, she wasn't too bad, and besides Kiba wasn't an ingrate. This human really had done something nice for him so he felt obligated to show form of gratitude. She smiled and laughed, "You're welcome."

"You done yet? Sure have been taking your sweet time," Tsume grumbled. The gray wolf had gotten bored with the whole bath thing about five minutes into it.

"I still need to apply some antiseptic and astringent," the vet answered absentmindedly as she continued her work grabbing the aforementioned supplies. With a puff of gauze, the vet dabbed Kiba's wounds with the medicines. "I honestly don't understand why you're so impatient. You wouldn't want him to scar would you? That would ruin your gorgeous looks wouldn't it, boy?" the vet smiled again and gave Kiba a few strokes on the back of his neck.

Sheesh, she sure does touch me a lot. Quit pawing me already! Kiba thought in annoyance. At least she hasn't patted me on the head like I'm some dog.

"There, finished," she announced. "All right boys, you're free to go. Kyo already took care of the cost, and I still have to clean up back here." The three in their wolven forms responded to this, immediately heading for the lobby.

"Hey Kiba, where are you off to in such a hurry? Don't you wanna stay with your new girlfriend a bit?" Hige teased the white wolf.

"Shut the hell up, Hige," Kiba shot the tan wolf a cold deadly gaze while snarling his lip up to bear his fangs. Hige seemed to have crossed a line because Kiba didn't usually get that upset. The white wolf stormed out of the back and into the lobby. He found Aibo sleeping in a chair, but Kyo was nowhere to be seen. The others soon joined Kiba in the lobby.

"You probably shouldn't go around like that outside of this building," Kage suggested, both he and Toboe having already returned to their human appearances.

"Fine," Kiba agreed, now back to his human form, as well, while he picked up the sleeping child.

Meanwhile, Kyo was outside attending to business. Zali had come looking and found her inside the vet's office. It was under her suggestion that they ventured outside and away from the office for a more private setting.

"Well, I take it that you didn't go through all the trouble of tracking me down just to say 'hello'. So then, what's on your mind?" Kyo struck up a casual banter.

"We're not going to accept your charity," the proud stubborn wolf flatly stated.

"Good, because I'm not giving it," she returned catching Zali by surprise. "You wolves and your damn pride, sheesh." Zali stepped back shocked. "What? I know a wolf when I see one. Doesn't matter what body they use."

"I see, that still doesn't change that fact that we're not accepting help from some human."

"I don't see your point. I take it that you've already been down to the station, right?" Zali only gave a curt nod. "Well then, what's the problem. Joachim always pays the help in advance," Kyo began casually glancing her eyes over her long nails. "If you don't like the job then you should have said something before you were paid. That's why you're here isn't it? You wanted to return the money?" She turned her gaze to the wolf, and Zali nodded again. "Well too bad. You accepted the job once you took payment, and that's the end of it. I hired you and your team to do a real job and real work. If you've got a problem with that then I'm sure I can always go to the police."

"What the hell kind of game are you trying play?" Zali face grew stern.

"I'm not playing any game. I'm not here to question you're pack's way of life, the way you run things, or to have pity on you all. Just because you're wolves doesn't mean you are going to get special treatment from me. I'm just a client that needs a job done, nothing more, and I expect that job to be done with early tomorrow morning. After that, I want to talk to you about another job. Our security team is a little stretched, so we need some additional man power to make sure there's no trouble at the concert. Bring anyone from your pack who's interested. Just make sure you can keep them in line."

"Just a client with a job, huh? Fine, we'll see about that," Zali actually seemed satisfied with Kyo's reasons.

Bought it hook, line, and sinker, Kyo thought to herself with an inward smirk of satisfaction. She knew Zali's type well, the kind that have to preserve their ethic--their honor and pride--above all else.

At that moment Kiba and the others finally located Kyo and her 'guest'. There was a round of uneasy stares from everyone at Zali's presence. Hige, Toboe, and Tsume had half a mind to jump him right there and make him pay for what his pack had done. Tsume would normally be the first one rash enough to follow through with that impulse at this moment, however, he decided to keep his cool, if for nothing else, to wait until Zali was most vulnerable.

"All done I see, that's good," Kyo greeted the group.

"Why is he here?" Hige demanded, asking the question both Tsume and Toboe also wanted to shout out.

"And what's his problem?" Zali asked not really caring. The other's were about to tell Zali exactly what their problem was, but Kyo intervened before the situation could escalate.

"You see the boy?" Zali, his stern face still in place masking whatever he might be thinking, looked at Aibo. "Some of your wolves did this."

"I have to go now," Zali said anger seething in his voice.

"Hold it you, we wanna know who the hell is the bastard that did this!" Tsume pressed.

"You stay out of this!" Zali snarled. "They're my pack!" The scared wolf stormed off to the inner parts of the city.

"That went well," Kyo said dryly. "You boys hungry?" Hige's stomach gave an almost gleeful grumble at the mention of food. "Kage, will you show them the way?"

"Fine," came the black clad boy's succinct reply.

"I'll see you all there," Kyo waved as she walked off.

"What was that all about?" Hige inquired.

"You'll see soon enough," was all the explanation Kage offered. The black and white wolf started off in the same direction as Kyo, but turned down a side street. "You coming?" he called out stopping just before turning the corner.

"You think we can trust them?" Hige shot the question to Kiba.

"Yeah, if they were going to try something they would have done it by now," Kiba reasoned.

"Well, it's not like we have much of a choice since we've already gotten involved this far," Tsume muttered. The group finally chose to follow after Kage wherever he was leading them.

"Hey Tsume," Toboe finally piped up whispering to the gray wolf, "I don't get it. Why did you change your mind?"

"Hmph, it's just like I already said," Tsume brushed Toboe off.

"Come on Tsume, you can tell me," Toboe persisted not content to be shut out. Tsume sighed.

"You really shouldn't have to ask that, if you know me at all, that is," Tsume explained. It wasn't going to do him any good trying to play his tough guy routine with the pup.

"You don't like to trust people because it has something to do with your scar, right?" Toboe guessed. Tsume gave him a surprised looked.

"What would you know about that?"

"I think you told me about it once. Though I'm not sure exactly what you said. Remember?"

"No."

"It was after I . . . died," Toboe drifted off into thought as he said that last word. He blinked in confusion for a while still trying to figure out why he knew something he shouldn't even if it was just a fragment.

"I still don't get why you tried to save that damn human hunter," Tsume growled in frustration to himself.

"I did what?"

"That's why you died. You tried to save that human whose been hunting us."

"But how did you know that when I didn't even remember, Tsume?"

"I don't like this one bit."

"Why? I think it's kind of neat remembering things about each other from our last life," Toboe smiled beaming his ever gleeful state of mind.

"The past is just that. And that's the why it should be left behind," Tsume grumbled.

"But if that's how it's supposed to be, then we wouldn't be friends," Toboe pouted a little.

"You think too much, runt," Tsume gave Toboe a pat on the back. Toboe winced as Tsume hit his injured shoulder. "Oh," Tsume looked away, "sorry."

"It's all right," Toboe said rubbing his shoulder.

"So, how is it?"

"It's better, really."

"We're here," Kage informed the group.

"Where's here?" Tsume inquired.

"You'll see," was all the answer Kage would give. The pack stood in front of a large building possessing at least seven stories. Except for its grand outward appearance it really didn't seem too out of place with the surrounding buildings. The lobby's front wall was simply one giant window with five sets of sliding glass doors. There was a large flow of people coming and going in and out of the building some taking to the sidewalks and others standing along the street curb trying to catch a taxi from among the busy traffic. This section of the town seemed livelier than the rest for some reason. "Follow me," Kage instructed as he lead the pack through the right most set of sliding doors.

"Hey, there's Kyo!" Toboe announced his discovery once they were inside the building. He had spotted their feline companion in the middle of a large crowd of people. The others glanced over to at least humor the pup. Kyo didn't look particularly happy as she continued to talk with various people in the crowd. She was back in the red velvet overcoat she had worn earlier. Kage figured she must have gone back for it. "Who's that with her?" Toboe asked Kage having moved next to his side. Toboe had referred to a man in a black business suit immediately on Kyo's right.

"Joachim, his bark's worse than his bite. Kyo keeps him in line. Still, it's best that you don't let him see you."

"Why do they keep flashing those lights at them?"

"It's not important. Now come on," Kage directed. He lead them to a back wall at the right most end of the lobby and opened the door to the stairwell. "This'll be less conspicuous than using the elevator."

"Are we seriously gonna have to climb all those?" Hige moaned.

"Seventh floor is our stop," Kage replied. "Take the hard way if you want," with that Kage leapt up the first flight of stairs, turned on his heels, jumped again--this time to his left, and cleared another flight of stairs.

"Oh," Hige said in kind of a 'duh' way. The other wolves followed suit eventually reaching the top without much difficulty. Even Kiba was able to make it with relative ease despite having to carry Aibo the whole way. Finally at the top, Kage opened the door to the seventh floor. It was a single hallway with the stairwell being all the way at the right end of the hall. There was a trail of red carpet, centered in the middle of the polished wooden floor, spanning the length of the hall.

"The whole floor has been rented out, so there won't be any on lookers," Kage explained.

"Huh, what's that?" Toboe asked as he inched closer to a tall table against the wall before the group. The table was decorated with several potted plants, and amidst those rested an almost statue-like feline form. Toboe crept closer until his nose was just barely an inch away from the cat. It was so still the wolf couldn't tell if cat was real or not.

"BOO!" The cat's azure blue eyes snapped open with its head springing forward.

"AHHHH!" Toboe screamed falling over backwards. Everyone, even Kiba, shared a laugh at poor Toboe's expense. The pup groaned in complaint. "Cats always creep me out," he tried mustering some self-defense to save what little dignity he had in the pack. Toboe sulked when no one bought his excuse. Then Toboe felt a strong hand grab the center back of his shirt, and the russet wolf was lifted to his feet by a very strong arm.

"Toboe, that's enough," Tsume instructed letting go of his friend's shirt.

"So, now even the stray is bringing in strays, hmmm?" came the sleepy drawl of the lazy female cat with a cream colored coat and brown feet and ears. "Well, it's not like I really care."

"Isabelle," Kage introduced the cat.

"Joachim hardly ever goes past Kyo's suite. She's the only reason he comes up here. Her room is in the middle of the floor in front of the elevator. Joachim should stay away from the spare room at the left end of the hall. That is what you're up here for, right?"

"Thanks."

"If you want to thank me, talk Kyo into buying me one of those terry cloth bathrobes from this hotel. Those things are simply heaven to sleep on. Speaking of which," the cat yawned, "I've got to get back to my nap."

As the wolves entered the room, they were all shocked by what they found. It was more like a full sized apartment that a single spare room. They were currently standing in a large living room with a kitchenette space to the right of the door. There were three bedrooms--one on each side of the living room. The smaller bedroom was directly across from the apartment's entrance, and the two larger bedrooms faced one another from the other two walls. In the living room there was a nice brown cashmere sofa longer that a person's height with large comfortable looking cushions and a small coffee table in front. Now the only matter was to divide up the rooms. Who was going to sleep where? Kage took charge of this matter before anyone had time to start an argument.

"You two with baby-sitting get the large rooms," he delegated looking at Tsume and Kiba. "You're on the couch," Kage glared at Hige with a look that left no room for debate, "and you're dead if you wake me up." With that Kage disappeared behind the door of the smaller bedroom.

"Who the hell made him the boss?" Hige shouted in defiance. However, the others were already gone inside their own rooms leaving Hige all by himself. Kiba, with Aibo, had taken the room on the right while Tsume and Toboe went to the one on the left. For a moment, the tan wolf actually considered raising hell, out of revenge, for his friends ditching him like this, but once he actually hit the sofa he changed his mind. The cushions were feather soft contouring to his body gladly reciprocating the warmth of his body heat. "Ah, I guess this isn't so bad," Hige sighed as he snuggled into the sofa and slipped off to sleep.

Toboe, having already kicked off his shoes and socks, sandwiched himself in the bed under the thick comforter and peema cotton sheets. However, Tsume would be damned if he was going to sleep on the floor. The gray wolf had half a mind to shove Toboe off the side of the bed. Just because Tsume liked the runt didn't mean he had to put up with Toboe being a brat. That thought kind of rung inside Tsume's head. He had never really admitted to himself that he liked someone else, especially not casually.

It felt good the gray wolf decided. Tsume really had let down his barriers and defenses as far as Toboe was concerned. The pup had unlocked that protective shell Tsume had always kept around his heart. He felt a strange sense of peace overtake him. It was so relaxing. Toboe had earned Tsume's trust without even realizing it. Tsume kicked off his boots, peeled out of his leather jacket, yet still keeping his sleeveless undershirt on, and then slipped into bed. Toboe was lying on his side with his back to Tsume. The gray wolf while lying face up looked over to his side and stared at Toboe's back. Toboe could feel Tsume's eyes on him.

"Looking for the bullet hole that should be there?" Toboe's voice was a bit shaky. "I was looking for it myself, too. That, and I peeked looking for the wounds that should be on you. I saw him . . . it . . . that black wolf that killed you . . ." Toboe's voice trailed off. Tsume reached over rubbing Toboe's back trying to comfort him.

"Go to sleep runt, I'll watch out for you," Tsume reassured the russet wolf with apparent fondness in his voice.

"Thanks," Toboe whispered. The two were soon asleep while images of what Paradise promised to hold gave them rest.

Kiba remained the only one awake, still worried over Aibo's condition. After removing the boy's jacket, he slipped the child into the bed's sheets and then sat down in a nearby chair. Kiba found the books and dagger Aibo had squirreled away inside the jacket's inner pockets. There it was--the book Aibo had first told them about, the Chronicle of the Companions. Not really sure of what he was doing, Kiba flipped through the book's pages. It occurred to him that there might be some answer for what was wrong with the small boy. However, Kiba found the pictures and scribbled texts to be of absolutely no use. In frustration, he slammed the book shut and threw it to the floor shouting, "Why the hell won't you tell me what's wrong with him?"

The book made a thud that echoed through the outside hall. Strangely though, the book landed on its spine, both covers pointing straight into the air. Then it fell open to an almost preselected page towards the back of the book. The original images upon those pages faded away as new lettering inscribed itself upon the pages in a gently shimmering white light. The book almost seemed to be responding to the command in Kiba's outburst. The white wolf took the book in hand and gazed over the lettering. The symbols, though thoroughly foreign to anything he had ever seen before, made perfect sense as they unveiled their meaning to the wolf. Kiba began to read the text aloud to no one in particular.

"Companions beware . . ." he paused for a moment before resuming, "never incite or give provocation for the anger of our beloved masters. A poison, deadlier that any the Mother Keeper of the earth can fathom, is to be found in the malice of a wolf. Take care not to bring upon thyself the ill will of any wolf lest thine only salvation be thee collective sum of thine pack. . ." Kiba stopped and thought for a moment. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" but the book failed to provide an answer this time.

"Hey, something wrong?" a voice caught Kiba by surprise. His eyes snapped over to the door. It was Hige rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Oh, guess I woke you," Kiba fumbled for something to say.

"Duh, so . . . what's up?"

"Nothing, I'll figure it out later." Kiba then just stared at Hige.

"Kiba, you're acting funny. What's on your mind? And why are you looking at me that way?" Kiba's face held a kind of sad and concerned expression.

"Hey Hige, you know . . . you don't have to wear that as a reminder," Kiba referred to Hige's collar.

"Oh . . . heh, heh . . . shit. So, you remember that too, huh?" Hige tried to laugh it off, but his face fell into an uncharacteristically depressed look. "Ki-kiba . . ." Hige shut his eyes tight and dropped his head to the side in shame. "I'm . . . I can't say . . . how sorry I am . . . for, well . . ." he swallowed hard, "betraying you . . . and the others." Hige felt a hand on his shoulder just then. He glanced at the hand and then to its owner. Kiba was staring Hige right in the eyes. The white wolf's eyes, holding no emotion, conveyed the iron will of their pack leader.

"Don't be," the way it came from Kiba, those words were as much an order as they were solace and encouragement. "I already told you that no matter what you do to me or us, I would never think of it as betrayal." Then Kiba's face softened, "And like I said before: When I think you're trying to kill me, then we'll fight." Hige smiled at the humor--or what was considered humor in Kiba's case--in his friend's eyes. Kiba let go of Hige's shoulder and looked blankly out into the night through the large window spanning the whole wall to his right. "But even then . . . I wouldn't want to see you killed . . . or any of the others . . . again."

"Kiba . . ." Hige gasped slightly, "you mean you know that about me and Tsume and Toboe?"

"Yeah," the other answered wearily.

"How long have you kept this bottled up?" Hige halfway scolded his friend.

"How long did you keep it bottled up--that Jagara made you into her puppet? How long were you afraid that we'd remember and think of you as a traitor?" Hige gave Kiba a mock punch to the back of his shoulder.

"You ass!" Hige hissed almost on the verge of yelling with an upset look. Kiba looked at the tan wolf in confusion. "Geeze, you don't have to carry the weight of the world, you know!" Hige huffed a sigh. "We're your friends, Kiba. You can let us help you with that burden you're always carrying on the inside. Don't you trust us by now?" Kiba gave a genuine smile towards Hige.

"You guys help more than you think, really."

"Well, then let us know what's going on in that head of yours once in a while."

"I'll think about it. You know, Hige if you want the bed,"

"Nah, I'm fine. Hey, you think Tsume and Toboe remember anything?"

"Have you noticed how Toboe's been hanging around Tsume a lot closer? And how Tsume isn't yelling at him for it? I'd say definitely. They're probably just working out their concerns. But we had more with us."

"Who?"

"Three humans and one other. I think a half-breed."

"Who could that be? I'd bet Tsume would have a cow!" Hige mused.

"Probably," Kiba chuckled.

"Why are you guys still up?" a young voice asked. It was Toboe barefoot, shirt untucked, and hair ruffled up in a mess.

"What're you doin' up, runt?" Hige eyed the young wolf.

"Duh, there was loud noise and you two talking. How was I supposed to sleep?"

"Huh," Hige groaned. "So, is Tsume up then?"

"No, he's a pretty sound sleeper. At least he doesn't snore," Toboe giggled. "How's he doing?" the russet wolf motioned to Aibo before moving to the kid's bedside to take a few sniffs.

"Not much change. I think I might have found something, though," Kiba replied.

"What?"

"Nothing much, it's just a hunch."

"Well, it looks like there's a party in here," there stood Kyo in the doorway lacking the overcoat from when they had seen her in the lobby.

"Why are you here?" Hige wondered.

"Heard a noise. Thought I'd investigate," she shrugged. "Damn paparazzi, they finally let me go."

"What's a paparazzi?" Toboe inquired.

"Pray you never find out kid," Kyo advised. "By the way, it might be a good idea if you didn't leave the hotel tomorrow. There've been several killings caused by 'dogs', supposedly. At least that's the cover story. In reaction, police have been shooting all unaccompanied dogs on site . . ."

"What's that got to do with us?" Hige insisted. He didn't quite like the idea of being locked into a small room with Tsume of all people.

"There are several rumors I've heard. I think that some of the dogs that have been killed . . . were really wolves. That may explain why Zali was so riled up."

"Okay mom," Hige gave a sarcastic tease. Kyo only scowled at the tan wolf.

"Hey Kiba, there's something I want to ask you."

"What?" he replied.

"In private," Kyo glared at Hige.

"Fine I'm going, geeze."

"Aw, how come I have to go? I'm still not sleepy again yet," Toboe whined.

"Tell you what kid, if you go now I'll show you how I help Kage when he has trouble sleeping. But I'm only gonna do it if you go now and no arguing, okay?" Toboe nodded and left the room. Now the wolf and the cat were alone.

"What do you wanna talk about?" Kiba wasted no time in getting to the matter at hand.

"Why . . . are you guys traveling around like this? What is it you're looking for?"

"Paradise," they both said at the same time, Kiba in reply and Kyo as a question.

"I knew it! I just knew there was something different about the four of you!"

"Why did you want to know?"

"I've got a favor to ask. I want you guys to take me with you. I can't track the lunar flower scent on my own. A feline's nose just wasn't made to track plants, and Kage's too preoccupied with his own agenda to care about Paradise." Kiba gave her a skeptical look.

"Why would you even care?"

"Because . . . there's just too many wolves making too much of a fuss over it for there not to be some truth to it. Whatever that truth is, I wanna see it with my own eyes. That'll be enough. I just want to see it for myself, that's all," the feline confessed.

Kiba stared at her in thoughtful silence. "Somehow, I don't think you're telling me everything."

"Maybe you're right. Hey, you don't have to give me your answer right now. Why don't you come to the concert tomorrow night. I'll explain why there. If you stick around after the show, we can talk some more. Or you could leave right after, and go on your way with no grudges born, no questions asked, and no explanations needed. Promise. All I want is for you to hear me out, all right?"

"We'll see." Kyo nodded and left the room so she could fulfill her promise to Toboe.

Kiba returned his attention to Aibo. The white wolf seated himself on the bed next to the boy. He went back to the book still in hand looking in his previous spot for anything else that might elaborate upon the cryptic passage. After no avail, Kiba remembered the other book. Upon fetching the Book of the Moon, he laid the two next to one another on the bed. The moment the books came into close proximity energy--like an electric spark--raced betwixt the pair. Red lettering then etched itself into the pages of the Chronicle following the white lettering Kiba had uncovered. It was one singular and simple sentence. "Only by the blessings of our master are we guarded from all that we may not see."

Kiba sighed. "You're really not going to just give me the answer, are you?" he asked the books and received no reply. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Nothing has ever been that easy." With that, Kiba closed the books casually tossing them aside towards the general vicinity of Aibo's jacket. The wolf watched the sleeping child closely as he sat there next to him on the bed. "So, what are you dreaming about?" Kiba reached over and stroked Aibo's forehead. At the very least, the kid wasn't feverish. Aibo squirmed about wriggling closer to Kiba. "Well, no use staying up any longer," Kiba threw off his jacket and shoes before settling in comfortably for the night.

Kyo paused halfway between the bedrooms, startled by a strange grumbling. She looked around for a bit finding Hige on the couch who was grinning sheepishly. "Heh, heh, this thing never shuts up," he patted his gut.

"Oh crap, that's right," she gave herself a bop on the forehead. "You're all probably hungry. Sheesh, I completely forgot. Well, not much we can do about it now. So what do you all like to eat anyway?"

"Ah, usually whatever we can find. Just meat, I guess."

"You sure that's it?"

"Well," then Hige got the impulse to cause a little mischief, just for fun. "Kiba likes hot dogs."

"Hmm, really?"

"Yeah, sure does!"

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Kyo smiled as she excused herself to Toboe and Tsume's room. Once through the door she found Tsume asleep on his side facing the door. Toboe, the one furthest from the door, sat upright on the bed leaning against the headboard. "Hey kid," she smiled a ruffled Toboe's hair. "So what's the problem."

"I can't sleep, remember?" Toboe sounded a bit cranky.

"Why not?"

"I'm hungry," he confessed. "I just didn't want to complain about it, that's all."

"Sorry, I'll have something for you guys in the morning, okay?"

"Okay," Toboe sighed.

"You know that other wolf I hang around with, Kage? Sometimes he can't get to sleep at night. I figured out a little trick to help with that. But he never asked for help and got a bit irritated every time I brought it up. So, finally I just had to be nonchalant about it."

"So, what did you do?" Toboe titled his head in curiosity.

"Simple, I sang for him. When Kage would snap that he didn't need my help, I'd just tell him I was singing for myself just because. One thing though, don't let him know that you know. It won't turn out pretty," Kyo warned Toboe. "All right, I think you should lie down first. You wouldn't want to sleep propped up like that." Toboe did as she suggested, and Kyo seated herself near Toboe on the bed. "I think I know the perfect song." She started off with a gentle humm, building into a soft slowly rocking melody then leading into the lyrics.

Kyo would have asked Toboe how he liked her singing, but the pup was already sound asleep. She smiled to herself knowing he liked it just fine. Kyo reached over and stroked the sleeping wolf's brow. You know, I bet he'd be about your age now, Toboe. I wonder if he would have looked like you, too? She thought quietly to herself.

"What the heck is with you?" Kyo was startled by Tsume's voice. His intent and tone was that of curiosity rather than antagonism, but Kyo still returned the question with a lethal scowl. "You've got as big a soft spot for the runt as he has for humans."

Kyo stood up and seriously considered telling Tsume off, but instead she opted for the cold shoulder treatment. "Hmph," she grunted upturning her head and storming out of the room. Tsume was left in something of a confused stupor with a matching expression adorning his face. He soon heard the door to their 'apartment' lightly slam shut. She was pissed at him. That much Tsume knew, but wasn't particularly worried about it. He wasn't going to lose any sleep over her being mad at him, and that's precisely what the gray wolf went back to doing.

Morning came soon, and the wolves gradually awoke. Hige and Toboe were the first ones awake in the living room with Kyo. Toboe sat on the floor in front of the coffee table while Hige was in the middle of the couch with Kyo to his left. She had room service bring enough food for everyone. Three trays, full of food that the wolves had never seen before along with a paper bag, sat on the coffee table between the threesome.

"What the heck is this stuff?" Hige inquired as he played with the strange food.

"Humans call is sushi. It's the closest thing you can get to raw meat in the city, but it can be a bit costly depending on the vendor. However, there's no benefit in getting it from a cheap place because there's the possibility of getting bad meat," Kyo elaborated.

"But this stuff is already bad!" Hige moaned.

"Come on Hige, you haven't even tried yours yet," Toboe insisted. "But how are you supposed to eat it?" Toboe asked as he poked at a squishy piece of octopus tentacle. Kyo giggled at the sight. Toboe looked really cute, just like a puppy discovering something new.

"Just pick it up and throw it you mouth," Kyo instructed proceeding to give a demonstration. "There's not much to it." The other two complained about the taste at first, but after sampling several of the varieties present, Toboe and Hige found suitable agreements to their individual pallet's liking. Finally, there came a groan from the room Toboe and Tsume had stayed in. Tsume, fully dressed, stood in the doorway rubbing the sleep out of eyes.

"What is that stench?" the grumpy gray wolf griped.

"Come on and try it, Tsume! It's really not bad," Toboe coaxed his otherwise reluctant companion. The gray wolf unceremoniously plopped himself on the couch next to Hige. Tsume scooped up a particular fish piece that caught his attention and downed it just as quickly. The other two wolves had their eyes trained on their packmate trying to discern his reaction. However, Tsume hardly ever let his face betray him.

"Well?" an impatient Toboe finally asked. Tsume just shrugged and made a small sound to single his indifference in the matter. Just then, an idea popped into Toboe's head. "Here, Tsume, try this one," the pup offered, holding out a small black tube-shaped piece. The gray wolf ate it without much thought. However, once Tsume chewed and swallowed the piece Toboe gave him, the reaction was instant. His eyes flew wide open and he leapt over the coffee table dashing towards the kitchenette space. Tsume nearly ripped the knob off the faucet over the sink as he turned on the water. For the next three minutes, Tsume stood there chugging water. Once satisfied, his eyes narrowed, and he redirected his attention to the pup.

"What the hell was that!" he growled.

"Toboe, you didn't give Tsume one of the horseradish ones, did you?" Kyo interrogated the pup.

"What's the matter Tsume? The horseradish too hot for you?" Toboe teased with a giggle and a grin. Then the russet wolf got a good look at how pissed Tsume was. "Uh . . . uh-oh," he realized now just how much trouble he was in. Toboe raced off for the bedroom he had spent the night in, with Tsume right at his heels.

"Come back here, you little runt!" Tsume shouted as he bolted after the pup. Tsume tackled Toboe just in front of the bed sending the two of them tumbling over it and off the other side onto the floor with a hard thud. Tsume pinned Toboe in a headlock with one arm and ground his knuckles in to pup's head with the other arm. "I'll teach you to pull pranks." Toboe managed to wiggle out of Tsume's hold, and then launched himself at his friend trying to pin the older wolf. As the two went rolling across the floor Tsume shouted, "You little brat!" Then the gray wolf counted the russet wolf's charge. They continued wrestling on the floor back and forth making quite a racket slamming into walls and other various objects in the room.

"Shouldn't we do something?" Kyo , getting a little concerned, asked Hige.

"Relax, Tsume wouldn't hurt Toboe for the world. The runt just wanted to wrestle, that's all. But he wanted to piss Tsume off, first. One, so that Tsume would wrestle him, and two, so Tsume won't go easy on the brat," Hige chuckled with his bit of banter. He could read his packmates' quite well.

"Hmm, are you sure?" Kyo asked as another series of loud impacts sounded from the room.

"What's that smell?" came Kiba's groggy voice.

"Oh, hey Kiba. You're finally up," Hige casually waved.

"Who is she?" Aibo peeked out from behind Kiba's left leg.

"She's someone who helped us," Kiba patted Aibo's head.

"Oh."

"Ah, here you go," Kyo announced as she handed the paper bag to Kiba. The wolf opened it up to inspect the contents. When Kiba pulled out one of the three hot dogs inside there was a very uncharacteristic 'why me' look on his face. "Is something wrong? Hige said they were your favorite."

"Hey, well I didn't say that exactly," the tan wolf laughed uneasily.

"He did, did he?" Kiba glared at his mischievous friend. Hige gulped knowing full well what the look meant: 'I will get you back for this'.

"Um, could I have those if you're not gonna eat 'em?" Aibo asked.

"Sure," Kiba handed over the loathed food items.

"Thanks, it's kind of nice to eat something that isn't raw once in while."

"Huh, I'll keep it mind," Kiba ruffled the kid's hair.

"Aw, Kiba makes such a good dad," Kyo remarked.

"Who're you calling 'dad'?" Kiba stared at her with a raised eyebrow. Even Hige seemed a bit surprised.

"What, you mean he's not your pup?"
"Well, no. Aibo's not even a wolf. What gave you that idea?"

"Oh, really? Sorry, it's just that he smelled so much like you guys."

"Um, I'm gonna go find Toboe," Aibo excused himself from this awkward situation before anyone wanted to know what he was thinking.

"I didn't mean to put a dampener on things," Kyo apologized again. "Kiba, you can help yourself to whatever you like," she motioned to the sushi. Kiba scooped up one of the hot ones Toboe had giving Tsume. The pair sitting on the couch were about to warn Kiba, but he scarfed it down before either one could say anything. Hige and Kyo sat staring, mouths agape, waiting for Kiba's reaction.

"Hmm, not bad," he remarked and then ate another one. Hige picked up one thinking that they might not be spicy hot after all, but Kyo put her hand on his shaking her head back and forth.

Tsume and Toboe finally emerged from their wrestling match. Tsume shoved Toboe out the door first. Aibo stood behind the two wolves, having just missed seeing whom the victor had been. However, it didn't look like those two wolves were going to supply the play by play. "Well, are we gonna get going or what?" Tsume barked impatiently.

"Won't do us much good. That door's still locked," Kiba reminded the other.

"Damn."

"Door? What door?" Kyo inquired.

"We found a tunnel that had the scent of lunar flowers coming from it, but the thing's sealed off tight," Hige explained.

"Why don't I just have Joachim look into it? It sounds like something that the humans of this city should know about."

"What are you talking about?" Kiba gave her a puzzled look as soon did the others.
"Humans like to store all sorts of odd bits of information using machines. Joachim mentioned this 'database' as he called it while he was looking through city maps and whatnot to find us a place to stay. The only problem is . . . that to get at any of the information you have to have a human do it for you. There's a strange method to searching this mechanical archive. Other than that, there's not much I can tell you about it."

"Thanks, but no. We can handle this ourselves with some stinking human's help," Tsume insisted flatly.

"That's the first time you've thanked me for something," Kyo tilted her head and smiled at Tsume. The gray wolf just furrowed his brow in confusion and shook his head. Then a noise caught everyone's attention. The door to the living room space was being shaken back and forth. The group noticed a small feline paw stretched underneath the door and curled up on their side. That's what had been causing the door to rock. Kyo opened the door, and Isabelle strolled right into the wolves' room.

"Kyo, Joachim is on his way up here, and he's looking for you," the cat announced.

"Thanks for the heads up."

"If you want to thank me, there is something you could buy me . . ." the house cat coyly alluded.

"We'll talk later. Right now, you guys need to get out of here unless you want to meet Joachim. He'll have a fit if he finds out I let four guys I just met stay here."

"You're right, I think I would be quite upset," Joachim glared at everyone in the room while he stood in the open doorway. "Who the hell are these people? Where were you yesterday afternoon? And how in the hell did you get those cuts on you wrist?"

"Hmph, this guy doesn't miss a beat," Tsume scoffed.

"I was here the whole night. They didn't try anything, so you can quit barking and go back to your dog house," Kage, who had finally emerged from his bedroom, taunted the high strung manager. Tsume and Hige snickered at Kage's comment.

"Kage," Kyo stared at her bodyguard, "that was uncalled for." Kage only shrugged.

"Well, are you going to tell me what went on, or am I going to have to call security to remove these trespassers," Joachim demanded impatiently.

"Joachim, calm down. I got mugged, but Kage was there, and these boys were passing by so they decided to help." Kyo sauntered over to Kage and then lifted up his shirt. She displayed the still fresh, yet healing, slash wounds on his muscular torso. "See. These other four also got pretty banged up on my account, so show them some gratitude and stop with the fifth degree already."

"Hey," Kage finally knocked Kyo's hand away while quickly putting his shirt back into place. He almost seemed a little embarrassed.

"Well, this is what you get when you got out on your own with a word to anyone. Be more careful from now on all right, Kyo?" Joachim rubbed his temples with both hands. "Look, we've got a lot of work to do. It's time for the rehearsals, so I'm here to make sure you're there. We're still waiting for your final approval of tonight's song line up. And we've got to run a preshow sound check, and everyone's waiting on you before we can get things started. So let's go already!" Kyo sighed in defeat.

"Well guys, guess I'll see you all tonight, I hope." With that she left for the station escorted by her manager.

"Well now that the circus act is gone, guess we get back to tracking down Zali," Tsume reasoned.

"Right then, let's go," Kiba agreed.

"Hey wait, what about what Kyo said? You know, about wolves being killed." Toboe reminded the group.

"Relax, we'll be fine. All we gotta do is keep cool and fool any humans we come across. Simple as that." Hige sounded confident.

"You coming with us?" Kiba directed the question to Kage.

"Ah, what the hell," he shrugged, speaking in a relaxed, casual tone, "it's not like I've got anything better to do."

As the group made their way down the staircase of the hotel, a thought occurred to Tsume causing him to speak up, "Hey, what the heck did you mean by N.S.S.U. the other day? You know something about why those wolves were working for those nobles, don't you?"

"You're right. I do," Kage replied.

"Then why didn't you say something about it earlier?" Tsume pressed.

"Because you only just now put it together," came Kage's smart aleck reply. Kage was a step below Tsume at the time, and it was then that the gray wolf spun the other around grabbing him by the shirt collar.

"Talk!" Tsume commanded holding Kage with a vice-like grip.

"Heh, tell me, would you have been able to bring yourself to help kill those wolves if you'd known that they were acting against their own will?" Tsume let go of Kage at this point, and the others stopped directing their attention at Kage. This turn had taken them by surprise. It was one thing to kill an enemy that wanted you dead, but the wolves they had helped kill probably didn't even want to fight in the first place. Kiba, Tsume, and Hige were kicking themselves for not having realized it when they saw Kage speaking with his dying brother. "It stands for Neural Suppression and Stabilization Unit. That's the control mechanism they use to stabilize the genetic metamorphosis and to suppress conscious thought."

"How . . . how do you know all this?" Toboe asked.

Kage gave small smile, "Kid, there's a lot of things I know that I'm not sure why I know them. Take where did I get these guns for example, and where did I learn how to use them. I haven't got a clue, but I don't question it. I just trust in what I know, and it hasn't let me down yet." Finally, the group reached the ground level. They decided to exit out a back door in the stairwell which let them out into an alleyway. As the group left the building, heading for the main street, they immediately bumped into the female wolf from Zali's pack. She was running and nearly plowed over Hige.

"Please, you've got to help me!" she cried desperately. "It's Moss and the others . . . Zali only wanted to talk and . . . but, but once Zali--he met with Moss . . . they, they're going to kill him!" her words were jumbled and confused. She could barely get the thought out.

"Calm down," Kiba instructed, "Who are you, and what's going on?"

"My name's Kohl. Please, you have to help Zali. Moss and the others are going to kill him!" she pleaded.

"Why should we step in? Isn't he the one who didn't want us interfering in your lives," Tsume sneered. Cruel as it sounded, it was what the other wolves were thinking. "Besides, if there's a challenge for leadership, who are we to but in?"

"It isn't like that. It was an ambush! Zali had asked Moss to meet with him alone. But once they met, the others attacked and Moss joined in! Zali only wanted to talk. He suspected Moss and his friends had been behind the killings of several outsiders ever since Moss came back that one day smelling like that child you have with you. Zali had told Moss to leave the boy alone the first time the child appeared in this city, but Moss wouldn't let it go," Kohl explained.

"He said I needed to be punished for reminding them of Paradise with my scent," Aibo added.

"And now that Moss had gone after that boy again, and the fact that several of our own pack members had been killed by the police because of Moss's actions is why Zali finally had to do something about it. Moss had always been a problem, but we never thought he was planning to betray us."

"So then, if he's a traitor now that means he's no longer a part of you pack, right?" Tsume questioned. Kohl nodded. Tsume, Hige, and Toboe's glances met one another's and they all smirked. Payback time, they all thought. "I guess that changes things a bit. So, where is the old-timer anyway?"

"Four blocks back towards the cemetery, then take a left. Then go down the second street on your right. You should pick up their scents before then. Please, hurry! I've got to go get the rest of the pack. They're all at the station," with that Kohl left in a hurry to inform the rest of her pack about their rogue packmates' betrayal.

Kiba hoisted Aibo onto his back as the pack sprinted off. The pack soon took a tight formation as the sea of humanity clogging the streets pressed in around them. Kiba took point even with the extra weight on his back. Tsume and Hige were at either of his sides while Kage kept pace just next to Hige and Toboe did the same next to Tsume. Overall, their formation resembled something of a large 'V' shape. The white wolf found himself pondering just why in the hell they were racing across the city to help some wolf they didn't much care for, nor did the said wolf care much for them. However, Kiba found it to be an easy question to answer. Ambushing your own pack leader for whatever reason was the lowest form of betrayal a wolf could commit. This Moss had no pride as a wolf. He didn't much less deserve to be called a wolf. There was nothing wrong with outright openly challenging your leader for control. After all, packs were set up to allow change of leadership, but this was just petty bloodlust as Kiba decided in his mind. Kiba figured that Moss must have tired at killing humans and now wanted to try seeing if he could get away with killing another wolf. Apparently though, not just any wolf would do. It made Kiba's blood boil to think that a wolf of all creatures would fall so low as to actually do something like this.

Another thought also occurred to Kiba. He found it a little touching that the others: Hige, Tsume, and Toboe were willing to support him--even to this extent. Kiba was smart enough to figure out why his friends weren't having any second thoughts about jumping into this fight. Usually, Hige wouldn't be one to rush into a conflict without a plan, and Toboe would normally be hesitant to any fighting. However, they were acting much like Tsume would, eagerly plowing into confrontation if it suited his whims. Kiba couldn't help but crack a smile as he started to figure out that the roots of his friends' loyalty to him ran deeper than what he had expected.

As for this new wolf, Kiba couldn't be completely sure about Kage, but at the moment it seemed that the black and white wolf was merely grateful to be in the company of his own kind. Perhaps that was why he was tagging along for this. Or maybe he was just itching for a fight. It was still too early for Kiba to tell with that guy, however, the white wolf definitely felt that Kage wouldn't be a threat to him or his packmates. Perhaps they might come to trust one another in time. Kiba snapped out of his reverie once he picked up on Zali's scent. They were close and soon they'd have a fight on their hands, so Kiba chose to set Aibo on the ground and let him walk on his own from here.

A few more bends and turns put the pack face to face with Moss and his friends as well as a bloodied and battered Zali. He wasn't the only one sporting injury, though. The old wolf still had something to be proud of, having managed to wound each of his assailants to some degree. Even Moss, himself, had failed to remain unscathed, but still it was clear that Zali had been fighting a losing battle. One of the wolves charged for Zali, at that moment, thrusting him into a cluster of trash cans. The cans went rolling once the wolf collided with them. As Zali rose back to his feet on weak legs, everyone paused finally taking notice of Kiba and his pack.

"What do you boys think you're doing here?" Zali huffed as his knees began to buckle.

"Heard there was a fight about to start. Looks like we're just in time," Tsume smirked bearing his teeth.

Zali glared at Tsume and the others, "I told you to stay out of my pack's business."

"They aren't part of your pack anymore, old-timer. That means we can do whatever we feel like." Tsume was the first to leap into the fray followed closely by Hige, Kage, and even Toboe--all of them dropping their human forms. The four wolves each singled out an opponent leaving Kiba and Moss to watch the scene. Tsume rushed his opponent faking back slightly to evade his enemy's snapping jaws and then pressed in biting into the other wolf's shoulder. Tsume's opponent snapped his jaws and eventually managed to shake himself loose of the gray wolf's iron grip. After this, the wolf ran off leaving Tsume disappointed at an all too easily won victory. Tsume quickly scanned the fight soon locating Toboe. The gray wolf just had to snicker at what he saw. Toboe had clamped onto his opponent's tail. The other wolf chased after Toboe, but the russet wolf kept running and dodging leaving the two of them running in a continuous circle.

"Toboe," Tsume called to the pup. Toboe let go of the other wolf's tail then jumping backwards landing gracefully beside Tsume. The other wolf started to come at Toboe, but hesitated once it caught sight of Tsume's gleaming fangs displayed in full view. At the sound of the gray wolf's deep growl, Toboe's opponent turned tail and ran.

Hige and Kage were mopping up their opponents quite nicely. The wolf Hige was fighting lunged forward leaping into the air head on at the tan wolf. Kage intervened right then, intercepting Hige's opponent midair. The two wolves went rolling and then finally broke apart. The black and white wolf had left the other wolf with several deep bites before it decided to run off. "Hey, I didn't need your help. I could've taken him," Hige complained.

"How about you just owe me one--right now," Kage finished in a hurry. Hige caught sight of the wolf Kage had abandoned in order to come help him. Kage's opponent was already mid jump headed towards Kage's side. Kage ducked down and rolled out of the way while Hige rammed into the other wolf as it crossed in front of him. The two rolled several times and then Hige, using his jaws to dig into the scruff on the back of his opponent's neck, sent his opponent flying with a strong throw. The last wolf went running, as well, leaving Moss all by himself. Moss started to back away.

"What's that matter. Don't have enough pride as a wolf to finish what you started by yourself?" Kiba taunted. The four victorious wolves backed away allowing Kiba to take point and stare down Moss.

"You damn outsiders," Moss snarled with all the hatred he could muster. "Pride as a wolf is nothing but a load of shit! I'll show you outsiders and your damn pride!" Moss shed his human form lunging for the white wolf. Kiba was more than ready and willing to put an end to the life of this pathetic excuse for a wolf. Moss's charge was slow and clumsy showing his obvious lack individual fighting experience. Just before the wolf reached Kiba, Aibo stepped out from behind Kiba positioning himself between the two wolves. Aibo held his left hand forward causing Moss to come to a dead halt. The two stared at one another for a good while. Kiba was afraid that Moss might attack Aibo at any instant and was about to move the child away. However, Moss did something very strange. He lowered his ears, began wagging his tail, and whimpered softly while licking the boy's hand just like a dog would do.

"Satisfied?" came the familiar reverberating voice. Aibo turned his head allowing the wolves to see the fading eerie red glow emanating from his eyes of wine's hue. Kiba's brow narrowed as he met the guardian's stare eye to eye. Tsume and Hige looked uneasy about this whole thing while Toboe looked with worry towards his gray companion. Kage and Zali, both wide-eyed, were taken back by this whole occurrence not sure of what to make of things.

"What did you do to him?" Kiba questioned.

"Simple, he acted like a dog, and this one made him so. Moss will live the rest of his life thinking he is nothing more than a pet dog."

"But why . . ." Kiba started, but the guardian cut him off.

"What? You think it too extreme? Well, see now, how he's a hypocrite, Aibo? First, he yells at this one for not protecting you. Then, Aibo, when this one defies your wishes and exercises this one's power to protect you, he objects. That doesn't truly matter, but on the other hand even though he objects now, this is still the thing Kiba wished for. Deny the truth as much as you wish Aibo, but it does not change the facts." Kiba blinked several times trying to figure out if the guardian was taunting him, talking to itself, or had just plain and simple gone insane. "This one may speak to Aibo whenever this one wishes," the guardian sneered at Kiba in response to the white wolf's expression. "You know, this act was deemed too cruel by the child, but still you wished for it to be done. This one does have the power to and can protect this boy, and this one will use it when he allows. This one is able to do far worse than that which was done to Moss and is willing use this one's powers against even you."

"You're not Aibo, and you don't get to decide what to do with his body or his life!" Kiba glared angrily at the guardian. "I'll get you out of there one way or another."

"Just you try it," the guardian dared Kiba. Then Aibo's eye drooped shut and the child fell to his knees. Kiba stooped down catching the boy before he wound up face down in the snow.

"Aibo, are you all right?" The boy's eyes weakly fluttered halfway open.

"I'm . . . just really tired," the child spoke softly in one breath. Kiba lifted the child into his arms holding the boy close to his chest. Aibo hugged Kiba's torso while resting his head on the wolf's shoulder. Then he whispered to Kiba, "Moss . . . all of his bad and painful memories are gone. All he can remember is happiness and his pack. But still, he is no longer a wolf--not in nature anyway. Can you find a good person to look after him?"

"Sure, now just rest."

"Okay."

"Zali!" came a shout from a voice the wolves recognized. It was Kohl and she had brought several of her packmates from the station. Kyo was not with them. Kohl ran towards Zali and threw her arms around her mate. "You're all right," she started to cry into his shirt as she held him tightly. Kohl kissed Zali softly on his bruised face.

"Hey," Kiba called to the two wolves, "think you can take care of this guy?" Kohl was a bit startled when she saw how Moss was acting like a friendly pet dog.

"You don't need to worry about it. We do take care of our own, after all," Zali assured Kiba. "And . . . thanks," Zali muttered.

"There's something we want to ask you about," Tsume cut to the business end of their search for Zali.

"Go ahead," Zali answered.

Hige spoke up next, "Well see, there's this door at the the cemetery, but the damn thing's locked. We were kinda hoping that you might know something about it," Hige chuckled while rubbing his nose with the side of his index finger.

"You kids really are looking for Paradise, aren't you?"

"It's only a matter of time until we find it," Kiba stated.

Zali nodded, "Fine, follow me." The scarred alpha lead the other five wolves, with their 'luggage' in tow, back to the cemetery rather quickly. The streets were as busy and crowded as ever, and the fact that it was about noon didn't help the matter. It only meant that there were even more people up and about. They could still forge a path towards their destination somewhat easily provided that they didn't stop until they had reached the cemetery and the door in question. After roughly half an hour of swimming through an ocean of humans, the wolves finally stood before the obstacle in their path to Paradise. "There's something you might want to know." Zali walked up to the keypad on the door and lifted the face of the device on its hinge at its top side. He stepped aside to let the others see the condition of machine. All the wires had either been cut, ripped out, or rusted away due to the ravages of many years of desuetude. "This thing hasn't worked in years. Besides that, the door's rusted shut, so it's just one huge chunk of metal."

"You mean you led us here for nothing?" Hige groaned. The spirits of the others had sank, as well, except for Kiba who was still staring with intensity and expectation at Zali until the realization clicked for him.

"So how did you and your pack get in there?" Kiba queried. Zali started up the hillside where the pipe was buried motioning for the others to follow him. Several meters from the entrance he stopped and kicked at the ground.

"Dig straight down from here, and you'll find a hole in wall of that pipe. That's how we got in."

"Why did your pack turn back?"

"There are machines down there that killed half my pack when we down there. We later learned that humans call those things 'gun turrets'. Apparently, some human military once used this as a supply route, but it's long since been abandoned. If your lucky, the machines might have rusted down to nothing just like that door. But . . . it's still a gamble. You boys are on your own from here on. Good luck, 'cause you're gonna need it." Zali strode off back to the city leaving the wolves to their digging. At this point all the wolves decided that it would be fine to drop their human forms and perhaps less conspicuous. After all, no one would bother to stop and investigate why--what they assumed to be--dogs would be digging a hole in the ground.

Kiba was the first to go at it wasting no time in getting the hole dug. The white wolf kept up a decent pace for about an hour before finally giving it up for a rest. Kiba took care of breaking through the thick grass which congregated around only the pipe. There was just enough heat radiating from the pipe to help plants grow in the cold weather. There was an added bonus in that the pipe's warmth kept the ground surrounding it from freezing. Hige continued the excavation project since his friend had taken care of most of the hard stuff with getting the hole started. Kiba had already carved out several feet into the hill so it wasn't too long before Hige struck metal. From there, Toboe joined in helping to widen and deepen the hole whilst looking for the telltale breach in the pipe. Reluctantly, Tsume joined the effort after twenty minutes of a steady glare from Kiba. Tsume hated the idea of digging a hole like dog, thus the root of his reluctance. But it wasn't like he was going to tell anyone that.

At that point, Kage was starting to feel a bit left out, even though he wouldn't say anything to anyone. The black and white wolf nonchalantly crept over to the hole now with three wolves inside. After something like a casual 'need any help?' and getting a few apathetic glances in response which equated to a 'suit yourself', Kage slide down into the hole picked a spot and started scooping dirt out of the miniature crater. Meanwhile, Kiba stayed topside keeping an eye on Aibo. The wolves in the hole had to dig nearly underneath the pipe before finding the break in the metal surface which Zali had told them about. At long last the goal obtained, the wolves clambered out of the hole one by one each taking a moment to shake the loose dirt from their fur.

"All right then, let's get going," Kiba, eager to resume their journey, encouraged the group.

"I'm hungry. Let's find something eat first. Besides, who knows how long it'll be before we find food again after we get out of that thing," Hige advised.

"He just wants to stuff his gut," Tsume needled the tan wolf, "but he's got a point. Don't forget, we can't have the runt or the brat collapsing on us because we pushed 'em too hard. Unless, of course, you'd like to carry both of them, Kiba."

"Fine," Kiba relented with a sigh. Hige was fairly ticked at Tsume and ready for a go around if only just in words. However, Kage queried Hige before the tan wolf could muster a sarcastic comeback consequently getting himself killed by Tsume.

"I guess that's as close as he'll ever come to a compliment, right?" Kage posed the question to Hige with something of smirk. "Guess that makes you pretty lucky?"

"Some luck I've got, then. Heck, I'd be better off cursed!" Hige muttered. Kage broke out laughing at that. Hige started to chuckle too after a moment.

"Hmm, for a pain in the ass you're all right."

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment," Hige said with raised eyebrow.

"Well, you're the second person that can make me laugh."

"So, who's the first?" Hige pondered, but didn't really need Kage to reply. The tan wolf figured out the answer to his own question. The wolf pack strode back to the city now that it was late afternoon. On the way, Kage came alongside Kiba. "You gonna leave Kyo behind? I know she had to have asked you, at least, to come to that concert tonight."

"She's too wrapped up in her life with the humans. She would only slow us down, and probably get in the way," Kiba reasoned.

"You're right. And, it is your choice, after all," Kage agreed.

"What about you? Aren't you going to come with us?"

"Huh? Why would you want me along?"

"You are a wolf, right, so why not search for Paradise with us? We also have the same enemy, don't we?" Kage shrugged at Kiba's questions.

"Why not, it might be nice to have a change in company," Kage reasoned.

"Besides, if Kyo really wants to search for Paradise," Kiba continued, "then she's got to make the choice to search for herself. She can't just rely on others to make that choice for her."

"Guess I never thought about it like that," the black and white wolf admitted. "It makes sense, though. She can't just tag along. She'll have find her own resolve to search on her own regardless of whether she can get help or not. That is what you were getting at, right?" Kiba nodded succinctly to Kage's statement.

"Hey guys," Hige spoke up, "think we can drop by that cat lady for another free meal?"

"You don't know the meaning of 'wearing out your welcome', do you?" Toboe scowled at Hige.

Eventually, all five stomachs were fed. The wolves spent a few hours relieving several street venders of their food wares. They alternated from inattentive clerks while picking their meals so no one got suspicious. Aibo had no trouble in relying on the pitiful looks of a small helpless boy to get some charity offers. However, the pack's other youngster wasn't as lucky. After Toboe made several unsuccessful attempts, the russet wolf finally lifted a small morsel, but definitely not enough to satisfy him. The other four wolves, including Kage, felt pity for the pup. They took turns nabbing stuff for him to eat when they thought the other three weren't looking. Toboe kept his mouth shut about the whole thing gladly gobbling down whatever the others brought him.

Being the 'runt' had its advantages every once in a while. He'd have plenty of chances to prove himself as a wolf later, but for now Toboe was overjoyed that Kiba, Hige, and Tsume, in their own ways, showed that the he was a part of their pack. Toboe smiled at the thought that they were becoming more and more of a real pack. Even the new wolf seemed to want to fit into the pack. After Toboe made a pig out of himself, the pack headed back for the tunnel. It was early evening as they set out inside the pipe leaving behind this city where so many strange things had happened to them.

Once they had all climbed down the hole and up through the opening, the wolves took a slow pace keeping a vigilant watch for any dangers. It didn't take long for them to find said dangers either. The pipe led into a larger system of passageways. Hige was the first to peek out of their pipe into the new opening. The tan wolf heard a mechanical whirling noise. He looked up just in time to see the barrel of a gatling gun mounted on the ceiling staring him in the face. Hige immediately ducked back inside the pipe. However, as the gun began to spin trying to fire its bullets the barrel fell right off its ceiling mount. Years of decay and rust had rendered the weapon far less than lethal. The wolves ventured out of the pipe into the passageway, but still kept a leery eye out for any more of those gun turrets. Now, it was time for the pack to move on and find Cheza, so they could continue onwards to Paradise.

However, the one the wolves left behind still had yet to discover their departure. Kyo sat in the backstage area of the station. The concert was going off without a hitch. There had been a couple guest singers that performed under Kyo's endorsement. The crowd ate it up. Obviously, this city didn't have much in the way of live entertainment. It was time for the closing number. The costume she wore was part of the show. It was an elegant open-shoulder white dress. The dress fell down from the waist in long overlapping strips that came to curved points making it look like petals of white flower. Her hair and make up were perfect, and now it was time to wrap up the show. She could hear her manager, Joachim, giving her an intro for the last song.

"And now, the moment you've waited for. Black Cat will be singing tonight's finale!"

There it was--her introduction by stage name. Kyo almost floated as she strode past Joachim along the narrow catwalk stage they had setup. The band was ready and waiting for her signal to start the music. Kyo paused for a moment scanning the crowd. She spotted the table she made Joachim reserve for Kiba and the others, but it was still empty. The crowd applauded as Kyo made her way to the end of the stage. The microphone hung loosely in her hand as her arm drooped by her side. The feline searched all the rows and tables from front to back. She glanced around the back wall and then turned around looking at the stage to see if she could just find Kage. He has to be here, at least, is what she sincerely hoped. Silence now filled the air as the crowd awaited her song. Kyo just stood there hanging her head. The crowd started to murmur amongst themselves not sure if something was wrong. Even Kyo's band was starting to worry.

"Hey everybody, y'all having a good time tonight?" she called out to the crowd catching them all by surprise. The people, however, answered in a solid affirmation. "I can't hear you!" Kyo shouted. The crowd shouted back their answer louder. She loved giving of herself to make others happy. Kyo wasn't the most generous person, but she liked to perform and help people forget their troubles for a while. "All right. There were some friends I had invited for the performance tonight, but it looks like they couldn't make it. Oh well, I guess it just means that they miss out, right?" The crowd called back an affirmative 'right' bordering on a roar. This is what Kyo loved doing--making others happy--but tonight the whole effort just felt empty and vain.

Kyo motioned for the band to start the music. First a violin accompanied by a harp played in a slow sorrowful melody. Then the violin and harp ceased and a piano keyed in, playing the same somber tune in an arpeggio style. Kyo began to sing in a heavenly voice and eventually the violin rejoined the piano later into the song.

The piano resumed an arpeggio style interlude after the lyrics were complete as an exit for the song. On the ending notes of the piano solo, Kyo repeated the final verse perhaps for effect, "I feel the gravity, of it all," she sang slowly while hanging her head down. The crowd rose to their feet applauding loudly, but no one noticed a single silent tear fall from Kyo's face. She wiped the dampness from her face with the back of her hand and shook her head back bringing up a smiling face. "You've all been a great audience tonight, really." Kyo waved to the fans, "Good night everyone!"

With that, she left for the backstage. Everyone, in the band and management, was quick to congratulate her on another successful performance. Kyo hid her pain and put on a good performance for the people around her. After all, this was her problem, and she felt there was no reason to ruin their good time. All that was left to do now was pack up and enjoy their vacation time. Kyo thought to herself that perhaps she would head back to her hometown area. It had been about a year since she last visited, and the feline was anxious to see what had changed in the time she had been gone. It was a small place in the mountains, but the town and surrounding mountain country were very dear to Kyo. She was looking forward to seeing how Kurzon, Tiza, and the others had fared over the last year. For right now though, Kyo was going to have what fun she could with her human friends. Kyo decided to save thinking about what she would do next for tomorrow.

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End Episode

(Not an update) I removed the lyrics due to the recent notice posted by the system administration so, that's where they've gone.

HA! Admit it! You thought I was going to pull a Mary-Sue didn't you? Well, maybe not, but I bet I surprised you, didn't I? The wolves left Kyo behind, bet you didn't see that coming. Oh, just incase anyone is wondering if Tsume and Kyo wound up pairing off as a couple that would surprise even me. Those two would have to write that into the story. Also, just for point of interest, I've tried to kill Orkham twice, but Dark wouldn't let me do it. So see, these characters do write the story and sometimes even defy what I want to happen. But it does seem to work out for the best. Orkham is going to have a role in the story later down the road.

Okay, this is something that I need to ask. Do you people hate Kyo, the OC I introduced in this chapter? I need to know if she's tolerable or just a nuisance. If she really is disliked enough by most of you I can minimize her presence in the story. She does have a purpose, so I'm not going to be axing her soon or anything. It's just that you never know with female OC's in this fandom. I've pretty much done what I could to keep her from becoming a Mary-Sue. Heck, I even made her a different species. By the way, I've found that the puma really is something like the feline equivalent to a wolf. They've got just as much survivability range: forests, mountains, deserts, take your pick. I know there's the whole endurance thing, but cats can cover fairly good distances in a day.

See, I told you it was going to be a long chapter. The page tally is 79. Oh and congratulations! You've read 201 pages! I was going to put one at the 150 mark, but that's somewhere in the middle of this chapter. Wow, this story has reached novel length and it's still not done. Okay, I know this isn't the longest fanfic ever written or posted, but I think that I'm safe in saying this is the longest Wolf's Rain chapter on , and maybe mine might be the longest Wolf's Rain fanfic with the addition of this chapter. However, this could all change as soon by tomorrow's postings. At least, I've set new personal records for myself. And honestly, I did want to write something epic for Wolf's Rain. I just hope this measures up, you know. Oh and don't be expecting another monster like this chapter any time soon. Chapter 9 I can almost guarantee will be shorter than this one.

This is just a last minute correction. Just something I forgot to add. For my character Kyo, if I weired you out with her voice description, well sorry. The voice I had in mind for her is Wendy Lee. She voices Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop and is litterally all over the place in anime. If you look her up on the internet you're bound to find her work in some anime that you're familiar with. So, that is what Kyo sounds like.

Next, I also picked out a voice for Kage. Yeah, I haven't said much about him in the notes. Anyway, the voice I wanted him to have is David Kaye. He voices Sesshoumarou from Inuyasha, but he is also litterally everywhere in anime. Guy's got his own homepage. Look him up on the internet and you're bound to find a lot of characters you're familiar with, but didn't know that he voiced.

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Awrawrawrawrawrawra: I'm really glad that you liked the relationship between Darcia and Cher. I do have a reason for bringing that into this story, but it won't become evident for a few more chapters. I'll also reveal later on just what it is that Cher is feeling guilty about. By the way, I'm so thrilled that you liked Darcia the second. He's what I like to call a blank slate character: a character whose existence is implied by the series but didn't necessarily appear in the show. He will be appearing again, that I can promise. Oh, and as for multiple events, now I've got a total of five dynasty nobles that have been introduced.

Mai Hayami: Thanks a lot for the complement. :-) I'm not going to do away with Cher and Hubb's relationship, trust me. But I do have something in store for Darcia to deal with, heh, heh, heh. I'll try being original and expanding with new elements, but for right now I can't do too much of that because the wolves are passing through familiar places. However, they will be going to places that they have never ventured to before as well as a few more familiar places. Oh, and I don't mind long reviews at all.

Nikki: Thanks for the reassurance on the characters. That's always a big concern of mine. I'm glad you liked the owl and he'll be back. I'll also try to watch it on those simple mistakes.

IceGoddessII: Thanks a whole lot for reading and the positive feedback. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's great that classes are finally over for Christmas break.

Tao Daoshi Jun: Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the story and the Darcia/Cher thing. I was really worried about putting that in at first.

Kaijo101: I'm really glad you like this story. Darcia is going to have a major role in this, but it's still a bit further off. So just hang on a bit more. However, I think he's going to appear in the next chapter.

Jazz7: The lyrics at the end are the song that Cheza sings in the show. I don't have the actual lyrics. Shiro is japanese for white. So they really are actual words, but I don't have the lyrics. I just tried to capture the phonemic sounds as best I could, but I think it still needs some improvement. If you remember the episode "Song of Sleep" the one right after where the wolves first met Cheza, that's the episode where the song is first sung. Hope this answers you questions and no it's not stupid at all. Several people asked about that.

Shinji Ikari: I really don't know where to begin. Exchanging e-mails with you was tremendously helpful. You've actually helped me change around one of the more problematic portions of my story. The form that chapter 9 will take is decidedly thanks to you. I hope you'll like what's in store and perhaps I can surprise you with a few things. Oh, and after reading this chapter are you still sure you've seen everything? Ha, ha. Welcome to Wonderland, now just how deep the rabbit hole goes, well not even this Cheshire cat is sure of that one. grin I also hope I can learn to become as helpful as a reviewer to others as you've been to me. Thanks again and I figured that you probably thought all the issues had been resolved and didn't need to respond to my last e-mail, so that's cool. PS. Checked out some screen shots of FF8. The in game renditionings of Shiva, Ifrit, and Siren weren't as well 'you know' as the player's guide implies with its artistic drawings. Guess you can't always judge a game by the player's guide. So, I went and bought the thing about a week ago. Currently on disk two, even I (stubborn as I might be at times) can change my beliefs with revelation of new facts. By the way, story-wise Shiva and Ifrit have always been my favorite common elements in the FF series--even more so than most of the characters. I've always wanted to see a game where they take a large part in the actual story as main characters. So, FFX was a step in the right direction for me rather than satisfaction of my criteria. I know, probably a little silly. Eh, but it's really just my subjectivity. Maybe you'll feel in the mood to review this chapter? Well, I can hope. I'll look forward to reading you comments whenever you do decide to review.