Disclaimer: Once again, Wolf's Rain is not owned by me and never will be…unless…

Thinking nothing of Kiba's tormented mind, Yuri asked, "So, exactly what kind of food do wolves eat, anyway?"

Kiba's eyes widened in both astonishment and comprehension, "So you- you did!" He stammered, as Yuri eyed her patient in utter confusion.

"Did what?" Yuri asked.

"You-you saw me. You saw me in my true form!" Kiba exclaimed, eyes wide in shock.

"Oohhhhhhhhh. So that's what you were talking about…I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You guys are supposed to be extinct. But, yeah. I mean, yes, I saw your wolf form. Does that bother you?"

Kiba stared at Yuri incredulously. She spoke as if she should have expected to find a half-dead wolf in the middle of nowhere. Wolves' extinction was so widely believed, this was only the second time that his identity had been received without shock or disbelief by a human.

"You mean you're not shocked? You're not even surprised or scared?"

"Well I was at first," Yuri replied, picking up a roll of bandages, "wolves are, after all, supposed to be long gone. But I didn't really have time to ponder it. I mean, when I saw you lying there, half-dead, all I could think of was helping you. Being afraid or shocked wasn't an option—it wasn't important."

Kiba stared at her. Such a simple answer-- so reasonable. But the action itself was far from simple—it was downright noble. Kiba had never known humans to possess such nobility—didn't know they could. He had only known humans to be cowardly and greedy—like the nobles, as well as murderous and ignorant—like the nobles' henchmen. But this girl was different. Her actions had been courageous and selfless.

"Man, I hate awkward silences!" Yuri thought, growing uncomfortable under Kiba's relentless gaze. "I better say something."

"Uh, besides," Yuri added, "I can't say you presented much of a threat to my life. At least not in the condition I found you in!"

Kiba smiled and chuckled a little. "No, I guess not." Kiba looked at his wounds: "Definitely not."

Yuri laughed. She had a soft, pleasant laugh.

"Well, as long as you're up," Yuri said, her laughter having subsided, "let me look at your back. I've finished cleansing the wounds on your front."

"Oh, uh, sure," Kiba replied. He hadn't even noticed that he had sat up in shock when he found out that Yuri knew he was a wolf.

15 minutes later

"All done!" Yuri exclaimed satisfactorily.

"Thank you," Kiba replied. He did not look at her, but Yuri could hear the appreciation in his voice—after all, he owed her his life.

"Would you like something to eat?" Yuri asked, smiling.

Kiba turned to her, smiling, and nodded.

"Ok, I'll be back in a minute. Do you mind eating cooked meat?"

"No I've act-" Kiba started, but Yuri cut him off.

"Nevermind, uh…I think it's best you just come with me and I'll show you what I can make. I'm actually a little low on groceries, and…yeah," Yuri added, putting her right index finger to her chin. She gave an affirmative nod.

"Let me help you get up," She said, reaching for Kiba.

"No. I can manage," he replied.

She nodded, and headed for the kitchen in just the next room. The house was small and old looking, but well kept. The floors were wood, as was most of the furniture. The cozy home was simply adorned. In all, the home consisted of five rooms: the living room, one bathroom, two bedrooms, and the kitchen. Kiba stood up with much less difficulty than he thought. She had wrapped his wounds well. Kiba could hear her rummaging in the kitchen, and headed for the sounds.

When he found her, Yuri was standing on a chair, searching through a cabinet.

"Can I help you with something?" Kiba asked, making his presence known.

"Huh?" Yuri turned. "That's alright. I was just looking through my cabinets for food. I'm really sorry. I haven't got much, I was just heading to town when I found you."

"It's ok, I'll eat anything," he replied.

"Is stew alright?"

"Sure," he replied, looking unsurely at her. "What's stew?"

"It's got meat and vegetables and stuff. It's pretty good actually, and it's not old or anything. I made it only yesterday. Well, it's sort of old, but not too old…"

"Do you always ramble on like this?" Kiba cut in, putting Yuri's babblings to an end with one piercing stare. Yuri wrung her hands in front of her nervously.

Noticing that he had made Yuri nervous, Kiba turned his gaze away from her. "Nevermind. Anyway, this stew stuff sounds fine. Like I said, I'll eat anything."

Yuri sighed, smiling, "I'm sorry I'm acting so weird. It's just that I'm not used to entertaining guests, that's all."

"That's alright."

Yuri climbed off the chair and returned it to the small, circular table located in a corner of the kitchen, by a large window.

After taking a pot out of the refrigerator, Yuri placed it on the stove and lit the flame. "That should take just a few minutes to heat up," she said, turning toward Kiba, who had taken a seat at the small table and had been gazing out the window while Yuri heated the stew. He nodded in response, and Yuri took a seat next to him.

"So…" Yuri clasped her hands in front of her, twiddling her thumbs, "Oh! I don't even know your name!"

"Kiba," he replied. Yuri took his hand in hers, and shook it vigorously.

"Kiba…nice name," she said. "I'm Yuri."

"Yuri," Kiba repeated.

"Oh!" Yuri cried, "The stew!"

She dashed frantically to the stove, leaving Kiba alone at the table. Yuri returned a minute later, with a bowl in each hand. "Here, I saved it just in time."

"Oh," Kiba replied.

"Wait! Uh, you should probably wait until it cools down. I don't suppose you're used to eating hot meals are you?"

"No, not exactly. I'll wait a bit."

"Good idea, I'll get some water for us to drink," Yuri said, scraping her chair across the wooden floor as she excused herself and reached for the refrigerator.

The rest of the evening passed in relative silence, except for Yuri's quiet inquiry about Kiba's injuries, and Kiba's fumbling attempts to grasp the spoon. He finally mastered the technique, but left a small mess at the table.

"You should go rest," Yuri suggested as she cleared the table, "there's a spare bedroom next to mine. I'll show you." Placing the bowls in the sink, Yuri took Kiba's hand and led him to the two bedrooms at the end of the house. "It's small, but really cozy," she said, opening the door. "The bed's large for one person, and really comfortable. And if you need anything, I'm right next door," she continued, indicating the door adjacent to the one she now held open.

Kiba, his hand still held in Yuri's, now removed it, "That really alright. I don't want to be an inconvenience for you. Really, you've done enough. I'll just—"

"Just what? Sleep outside in the bushes? Really, it's not inconvenient to have you. After all, I'm volunteering."

"But I have to—" Kiba stuttered.

"Have to…have to what? Listen, if you have to be someplace, or meet someone, it's not likely you'll be able to find them or it in the middle of the night."

"Alright…" Kiba sighed.

"Thank you, I'm glad you're seeing reason," Yuri smiled. "Now, I think I have some of my father's old clothing. In the mean time, I'll try to mend yours the best I can," she finished, entering the adjacent room. She returned with a man's t-shirt (much like Kiba's) and a pair of men's pants.

"These should do…" Yuri said, examining Kiba and the clothing she held in front of her. And before Kiba could offer a protest, Yuri thrust the clothing into his arms and ushered him into the room, shutting the door behind her.

Kiba emerged shortly after, holding his tattered jeans and bloodstained shirt. Perhaps it was the earnest kindness that shone from Yuri's eyes, or perhaps it was the fact that Kiba was too tired and too injured to put up much of a fight, but Kiba found himself shockingly comfortable doing as the girl said. Her pleasing manner was a stark contrast and welcome change to Tsume, and Kiba had somehow taken a liking to this girl. She was no thug or black-armored soldier of Jagura's—she was pleasant, she was nice, and he felt at home with her, for no apparent reason.

"Thank you," she replied, taking his clothes, "if you need anything, just ask!" She called, walking away.

Kiba stood before the large bed for some minutes, just staring at it. He'd never slept in a real bed before. He slowly climbed onto it, laying his head on a mound of pillows. Lying in this soft, warm bed, Kiba finally felt the day's fatigue settle into his bones. Not only that, but the day's events settled in as well. He wasn't the only one who had been caught in the explosion. What could have happened to Tsume, Hige, and Toboe? They couldn't be too far from here. It then occurred to Kiba that Yuri had mentioned a city nearby. Perhaps they had wandered into that city…maybe they were looking for him…he would go there…tomorrow… "yes, tomorrow…" he murmured. But now, there was only sleep.