Hey, it's me again. Yes, I have not updated in a while. Yes, I just started a new quarter at school, so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. Thanks to all who reviewed; I'm glad my lame attempts at humor are appreciated. Yeah, Hige was definitely getting his in the last chapter for being such a loud-mouthed jerk, but Kiba was just getting tortured needlessly (evil grin).

Darcia Plushie: As for what I'm going to do about Darcia coming back . . . well, you're just gonna have to wait and see. Cheza'll be appearing shortly, as will Blue. Geez, can't you people wait . . . ?

I'm just kidding, guys. Don't kill me.

Again, I'm just pulling this out randomly, with no rough draft whatsoever, so here's to hoping . . . (crosses fingers). Hope you enjoy it and thanks again for your support, folks!

(And do I really have to do another disclaimer? . . . No one owns anything on this site except OC's and whatnot.)

Kiba slowly backed away from the stairs as Granny started up after him. He looked around wildly for some place to hide. There wasn't much to pick from. He dove into Toboe's room and crawled under the bed, which was packed full with stuffed animals. The dust was almost unbearable, but if it meant escape from Granny, he could put up with it. He held his breath, feeling a sneeze tickling his nose.

" Where'd you go, dearie?" called Granny's voice from the hall. Kiba almost sneezed, but he clamped both hands over his nose and waited tensely. The sound of Granny's footsteps stopped outside the room, and through a crack between a stuffed unicorn and a pink teddy bear he could see her slippered feet at the door. He closed his eyes, praying she wouldn't enter.

After an eternity of waiting, he heard the shuffle of her feet as she moved away. He peeked out again from between the stuffed animals and saw that the coast was clear. He cautiously slid out from under the bed and glanced out of the window. Below, Hige was relaxing on the hood of his car, while Tsume leaned against it with arms crossed. Toboe seemed to be talking to them.

Kiba looked back over his shoulder at the empty hallway, then down at the three by the car. He unlocked the window and swung it open. A slight breeze ruffled his hair as he peered down. It wasn't that high of a drop; probably no more than twenty feet to the ground. He'd have to chance it. He climbed over the windowsill and perched on the narrow roof above the flower beds, mentally preparing himself for the leap.

Then, a soft voice in his ear said, " Are you trying to escape, you naughty boy?" and he panicked, jumped off the roof without a second thought, and landed in the middle of the lawn. Granny was staring out of the window at him, amazed. Then she clapped.

" I knew you were the athletic type!" she cackled, and Kiba shuddered and retreated to the car where the others were waiting.

" Hey, it took you long enough!" Hige said, half sitting up on the hood as Kiba stopped in front of Tsume, who only scowled at him.

" What?"

" I don't know how you do it," Kiba said in a low voice as he passed by him and got into the car. The door slammed, and a muffled curse soon followed it. Kiba had gotten yet another wedgie from Tsume's infamously tight pants.

A couple of days later, Hige and Kiba were cruising around the city in Hige's car, taking in the night life. Kiba was even more silent and pensive than usual, and that was making Hige worry.

" Man, are you still thinking about seeing that girl on TV?" he finally asked, taking his eyes from the traffic in front of him long enough to glance at his friend. They were in the downtown area looking for somewhere to eat after coming back from the movies, and so far, Kiba had turned down McDonald's, Weinershnitzel, Ramen House, China King, and The Salad Bowl.

" That was Cheza," Kiba said, still staring out of the window at the passing buildings and crowded, neon-lit sidewalks. " I know it was her."

" Hey!" Hige swerved to avoid a slow car that turned into their lane and slowed down even more. He sped by the Sunday driver and stuck his tongue out at them, then focused on driving normally again. When they reached a stoplight he turned to Kiba.

" But are you sure it was her?" he asked. Kiba only looked over at him, his eyes saying, " Do you even have to ask?"

" Hey, I mean, it could be that she just looks like her," Hige continued, but feeling that his argument was falling on deaf ears. Once Kiba had his mind set on something, that was it, no questions asked. Of all the people, Hige knew that. " I mean, red eyes and pink hair can occur in nature . . . right? Right?"

" I don't think so. It was her." Kiba turned, and pointed out the window at one restaurant in particular. " How about that one?"

Hige looked over to see which restaurant had sparked Kiba's interest, and sighed when he saw it.

" The Brazilian Barbecue. Of course." He slowed down and turned into the parking lot. The restaurant was in the shape of a Mayan temple, and was surrounded with jungle plants and ferns. The deep bump of tropical techno and fusion music throbbed from overhead speakers as they joined the line queuing outside. Hige had to yell to make himself heard over the music and people's chatter.

" Are you sure you want to eat here?" he asked. " I mean, I know you're not that fond of crowds . . . "

" I'm fine."

" Man, it sure is crowded here," Hige said, more to himself than anything, looking around at the people around them. Kiba smiled.

" I thought it was the more the merrier?"

" Well, yeah . . . but here, it's, uh . . . " Hige trailed off, seeing a pair of girls in mini skirts a couple of people ahead of them. " Hey, I'll be right back," he said, sidling forward. He had almost reached the girls when he got stuck in between a couple of people and couldn't move either forward or backward.

" Aw, man . . . " Hige tried to squeeze by, but accidentally stepped on the toes of the person in front of him, who let out a curse and an "Ow!"

" Oops, sorry!" he apologized hastily, as the woman turned around and glared at him with intense blue eyes. They locked onto his and remained riveted there, hardly giving him enough time to take in her short black hair, the red scarf around her neck, her black jacket and skirt . . .

Kiba sighed and pushed his way through the crowd after Hige, knowing the hot dog wolf would have gotten himself into some trouble or other in the two minutes he'd been gone. Sliding around an older couple – a grizzled man and a slightly younger woman – he came upon Hige involved in a staring contest with a familiar face . . .

" Blue?" Hige managed to gasp out. The woman's hostile stare melted into one of disbelief as she took an involuntary step back.

" Who – ?" she began, then took a closer look at Hige, and now Kiba, who stood a little ways behind him. Her disbelief became surprised recognition as she stifled a gasp.

" Oh my God, it's you . . . " she took another step forward and Hige closed his eyes expectantly, waiting for the hug he knew would come –

POW!

" Wow . . . " Kiba murmured.

Hige's head bounced off his right shoulder. His hand came up to gingerly feel his reddened left cheek as he turned to face Blue, who now stood with her arms crossed, a deep frown darkening her face.

" Wha . . . " he began, but Blue cut him off.

" That's for not coming to see me sooner!" she said angrily. " And be glad I didn't let Pops have a crack at you."

" Pops?" Kiba repeated. Hige looked around, one eye closed against the pain.

" Popff?" he asked. He couldn't speak with one swollen cheek, and Blue, despite her anger, couldn't keep back a giggle. Then she snickered, and it became full-out laughter when Hige protested, " Dob't laugh ab be!"

Even Kiba couldn't keep back a smile.

" I'm sorry," Blue wiped a tear of laughter – or was it happiness? – from her eye." But it's been so long . . . " She looked up at Hige, and her eyes softened. " And I missed you."

" 'Oo did?"

Blue broke out laughing again. Hige looked indignant.

" It's been a while," she said, turning to Kiba, who only nodded. " And the others . . . are they . . . ?"

" They're here," Hige finished for her, resting his hands behind his head. " Even that jerk Tsume."

" Really? He's not that much of a jerk. I thought he was kind of . . . cute." Blue giggled at the look on Hige's face, then patted his uninjured cheek, " But don't worry, you'll always have a special place in my heart."

" Blue?" came a voice behind Kiba, who whirled instinctively, coming face to face with the grizzled man and his female companion, the ones he had passed in the crowd earlier.

Kiba's eyes widened and he took almost took a step back, but he managed to contain himself and met the eyes of the man who shot him in the market alley all those years ago.

Quent stood gazing at them with some curiosity. " Are these guys buddies of yours?" he asked, looking the two wolves over, his brow furrowed as though he were trying to recall their faces. " Funny, it seems like I've met them before . . . "

" Oh, well, you probably wouldn't recognize them," Blue cut in before Hige or Kiba could say anything. " I mean, we took a couple of road trips together a while ago, but it's been years since I've seen them." Hige tried to look as though this was old news. Blue shot him a look that said, " Now don't screw it up by opening your big mouth, or else."

Quent just shrugged and said, " Hm. Well, nice to meet you kids. This here's my wife, Marianne – " The woman holding his arm smiled and said a warm hello. " And I guess you already know my daughter, Blue. I didn't quite catch your names . . . "

" I'm Hige, and this is Kiba. Nice to meet you too, sir."

Quent simply nodded in acknowledgment and drew his wife closer, and they continued their previous conversation. Out of the corner of his eye Kiba took in the former wolf hunter's appearance, and all he could do was wonder at the change.

The older man was wearing a casual set of dinner clothes, and looked much more presentable in his creamy button-up shirt, dark jacket, and olive-colored slacks, than he did wearing a scruffy trench coat and hat. His gray hair was darker than it had been then, and though it was just as grizzled, it made him look younger and saner. He was smiling and laughing as he talked with his wife, who looked to be a gentle, sensible woman, and must have loved her husband immensely.

Thank God for that, Kiba thought as the line moved up a little. At least she's around to keep him in check.

In front of him, Hige and Blue were talking together, sometimes arguing loudly, other times whispering softly to each other. Kiba was in the middle of the two couples, and found that his thoughts kept wandering back to that girl he saw on TV at Granny's house.

Cheza . . .

He knew it was her. He had seen her face, seen her smile and her eyes . . . and every nerve and instinct within him yearned to seek her out, never stopping until he found her. He was on edge at this restaurant with its crowds of people, and its loud music that hurt his ears, even with his human senses.

He didn't feel right in this place.

He was also so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice the line moving around him as he stood still, until Hige looked back and saw with consternation that his friend was now in the midst of a giggly group of college girls, who were whispering and pointing at the silent, moody Kiba with glee.

" Come on, Kiba," Hige urged from their spot in line. Kiba snapped back to reality – he seemed to be out of touch with it a lot lately – and joined them inside, where Quent was counting the heads in their party and telling the hostess to get them a table for five.

" This way, please," the girl said, leaving her podium and motioning for them to follow. Quent gently nudged Blue to get her moving.

" Come on, we don't have all night," he said in a false gruff voice, and shooed the three younger people forward.

Marianne laughed, and Quent, party of five, made their way into the restaurant.

I know, it's short. Ah, well, I had to do something. This was mainly to appease certain readers (ahem)(ahem)chasetherainbowisthisparadiseoukaminokokorofemaleheeroyuy(cough) - geez, what was that? musta been a hairball . . . - who said they needed chapters NOW.
But it was also short because homework sux0r5 h4rdc0r3, and I just need a little time to readjust myself to the school-work-home-sleep-eat-repeat cycle.
And for the record, I'm glad you're reading my incoherent ramblings and appreciating them for what they are . . . just incoherent ramblings.
Well, I think I know what I want to do with this story (NOT). Um, but yeah. Thanks again to all who read and reviewed/ will review/ read but didn't review o.O;;
(Oh, yeah, and on a minor note, the fact that sometimes the quotation marks separate from the dialogue really bugs me. Just thought I'd let you know.) Lat3r!