Let's get right to it!

"Under attack?" Hige repeated in disbelief. "But who—what—why?"

"I don't know," Tsume interjected, "but let's just try and use this to our advantage."

"But how Tsume?" Toboe asked timidly. His eyes had brightened for a moment after Tsume's last comment. Heaving a sigh he added, "We've tried breaking out of these cages before…how are we supposed to do it now?"

"We've got to try though, don't we? No matter what!" Hige cried. Fire shone in his eyes and he glowed with determination. "Let's do it guys—and girls!"

The wolves nodded their heads in determined agreement. Yuri remained quiet throughout the exchange. It wasn't that she was hesitant—quite the contrary—she was just as determined as the latter were about getting their freedom. She was ponderous. What was she going to do when she got out? Would she look for Kiba? Now that his friends had been found, there was really no need for her to stick around. She had considered this before, but certain events had prevented her from thinking further into it. Yuri noticed the wolves' eyes on her. They were hesitant. "Sorry about spacing out," she apologized. "Count me in."

He didn't really know how he had made it. The sun's scorching rays had been almost too much for him to bear and although his wounds had since closed, the large patches of dried blood that adorned his clothes were but a mere indication of the amount of blood he had lost.

But he made it. Dragging his feet in the dirt, Kiba stumbled into the town. His decision had been rash—too rash—they always were. Now he was stuck in the city, half-dead, and with no idea where he should go. Damn, he should have thought this through. "First thing's first," he thought, "I need some water."

It is quite needless to say, although mentionable nonetheless, that wolves are far better equipped than humans where instincts are concerned. Sensing a source nearby, and confirming it with his heightened sense of smell, Kiba found water in relatively little time—he stole it—some of these vendors were too careless for their own good. And, seeing such a perfect opportunity present itself, Kiba lost not time in taking some food as well. Thus, perfectly hydrated and pleasantly full, Kiba was in good-enough condition to consider his situation in a sound state of mind. Yes, unusual for a wolf to think rather than follow his instincts, but he had learned from previous mistakes—wolves may be wild, but they're not stupid.

His determination to rescue Yuri had not left him—nor had thoughts of finding his friends. He weighed his options. On the one hand, he knew that Jagura had captured Yuri, but he acknowledged that he did not actually know where she was, nor did he know where his friends were. Damn, strategy was difficult—he preferred following his instincts. However, Kiba's struggle was soon ended.

Two men dressed in black uniforms drove by in a large black truck. Kiba ducked for cover—he knew Jagura's soldiers when he saw them. This settled it; he would look for Yuri first. Making sure they did not notice, Kiba followed the truck as it wound in and out of the town's many streets.

"Why won't it DIE?" The terror-filled cries of a soldier echoed through the large truck.

"It?" Tsume pondered aloud. "Does that mean there's only one of them?"

"But—" Yuri's comment was cut short. A young soldier crawled through the truck's flap. He kept his eyes closed, cowering in a corner alongside the flap. Blood flowed freely from a large gash on his cheek and he whimpered softly, clutching his gun to his chest. The wolves and Yuri stared at him intently. The soldier stopped whimpering, but continued to breathe in large gasps. He opened his eyes a crack and, realizing where he was, stared in horror.

"Monsters!" He cried. "How can one of you be so strong? You'll-you'll kill us all!" He jumped to his feet; a manic expression overcame his face. "No, no…I won't let you! Die! Die, all of you!" He uttered a loud cackle and shot at Tsume, shaking furiously.

His aim was perfect—he hit Tsume's cage squarely on the lock, breaking it and allowing the door to swing wide open. Not a moment's hesitation was taken and before the soldier knew his folly Tsume lunged at his throat—he was dead.

"Great job Tsume!" Hige cried. "Now get us out of here!"

Turning back into his human form, Tsume nodded and took the soldier's gun gingerly into his hands. "How do you…what am I supposed to do with this?" He asked, staring down the gun's barrel.

"Careful!" Yuri yelled. Tsume jerked the gun away from his face and held it at arm's length. You—you have to aim it, then pull the trigger."

"Trigger?"

"It's the—it's the uh…come here." Tsume walked over to Yuri's cage and allowed her to instruct him on how to shoot a gun. "Do mine first, and I'll finish the rest off," she suggested. Tsume gave her a guarded look. "Please, don't you trust me?"

"Tsume doesn't trust anybody," Hige commented.

"Why don't you shut your trap?" Tsume yelled.

"Just do what she says so we can get out of here!" Blue yelled.

"Fine!" Tsume turned back to Yuri. "Move aside!" Yuri slide to the other end of her cage, away from the lock and the gun. Tsume held the gun against the lock, leaving no room for error. In the next second Yuri was free.

She crawled out of the cage and took the gun from Tsume's hands. "I'll check out the battle scene," he said, indicating the truck's flap. Yuri nodded, and turned to Hige's cage. Moments later, Hige, Toboe, and Blue were free.

Peeking through the flap, Tsume turned back to the others. "The gunfire we're hearing is from the other side of he compound. We should be able to sneak out unnoticed. No, you take it," Tsume said, shaking his head. Yuri had motion for him to take the gun from her. "That things was cramping my style—I prefer my fangs and claws," he grinned. He took one final precautionary look and jumped out of the truck, motioning for the others to follow his lead.

He was right. Landing on the hard dirt, Yuri surveyed the scene. There were rows upon rows of trucks. Bodies lay scattered along the rows—they were all mangled, some beyond recognition, with blood oozing from their necks.

Tsume, Hige, and Blue all gave each other knowing looks—this was the work of another wolf. "Right," Tsume said firmly. "Toboe, don't leave Yuri's side—you should make a pretty good team together. Keep your eyes open and listen for anyone tailing us. Other than that, following me and don't get separated."

Yuri stood moved next to Toboe while Tsume spoke, and smile nervously. "I feel like I'm in the middle of a war," she muttered.

"You are," Toboe responded. "But don't worry, as long as we help each other, we'll be OK," he finished, giving her a comforting smile. As Tsume finished his speech, he peeked around the truck and began running down the row they were in.

They ran without interruption for about a minute, with Yuri and Toboe in the rear. She couldn't believe how fast they were! But as long as she kept up, at least with Toboe, she figured she was all right.

The scratching sound of footsteps on dirt was heard nearby. Tsume and the rest cut their speed and listened intently—the footsteps were drawing nearer. "Come on!" Tsume yelled, jerking to a sprint. He rounded a corner and leapt into the air. Behind him a ways, Yuri saw Tsume's form disappear behind the tops of the trucks—and heard howls of terror only moments later.

By that time, Hige and Blue had disappeared behind the corner themselves and joined Tsume in the fight. Yuri and Toboe were left to catch up. As they finally reached the corner, they were met with a pair of armed soldiers. Yuri yelped and ran in the opposite direction, followed by Toboe. Shots flew past Yuri's ears and grazed her arm, but their luck was impeccable—Yuri and Toboe remained relatively untouched.

Yuri glancing over her shoulder, Yuri saw that their pursuers were persistent. "Damn!" she gasped. She turned a corner and ran blindly forward—right into a wall. A wall…with turquoise eyes?

"Kiba!" Toboe yelled gleefully as he came up beside Yuri.

"Toboe!"

Sprawled on the floor, Yuri yanked her hair out of her face and looked into Kiba's beautiful eyes as he leaned over her, offering her his hand.

"You're OK!" She cried, taking his hand. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "I thought…oh, I'm so relieved!"

"Yuri…" he sighed. He embraced her gently.

"Kiba, watch out!" Toboe yelled—their pursuers had finally caught up. Pushing Yuri toward Toboe, Kiba thrust himself in front of them and lunged at the soldiers. He made short work of them.

"Where are the others?" He gasped, turning toward Yuri and Toboe, who stared at each other blankly.

"We got split up," Yuri said hesitantly.

"Then let's find them," he said firmly, taking Yuri's hand and breaking into a sprint.

That's the end of that chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter: Only For Him. Thanks for reading, please review!