Ms. Selly owns Fire Blossom, Annabellina, Frank, and Lynx. Nyneve owns Saxen Maverick and Moksha.

Chapter 25:

Worry. Moksha. Tsume.

Washu was more than content to leave Lynx in his rage, pointless though it was. There had always been friction between him and her kind, and being somewhat of a fire starter, she had fanned the flames through the years. But now Effie was caught in their fight, and it did not bode well. Of course, "Miss Moral-High-Ground," as Lynx had called her, wasn't much more pleased about what was going on, but then again she didn't panic and make any threats like Effie's brother did. It was ironic that the only people Lynx showed a level head to was those that ended up causing him the most stress.

Making her rounds of the Tsunami, Washu came upon Tabby, Van Helsing, Drusilla, and Jack playing cards in the kitchen. She smiled and waved to them, but said nothing. In a corridor near the bridge, Kira had wandered down to find Saxen staring out at space, and they were talking quietly. For a moment, she considered pulling Saxen aside to pass on the message she was sent to deliver, then shook her head and decided against it. Continuing on, Washu peered into the main lounge and saw Effie wrapped tight in Duo's arms, her head resting against his chest as they stared out at the vast expanse of space. She smiled. It was going as planned.

She came to the door of Miyu's cabin and knocked. Larva opened the door. Washu smiled charmingly.

"Hey there cutie-pie. The little mistress around?" she asked. Before he could answer, Miyu stepped out from the shadows.

"Washu? What is it?" she answered, her soft voice emotionless as ever.

"Gotta talk to you about something. Would you like to go for a walk?" Washu suggested. Miyu nodded, and Shiina appeared on her shoulder.

"I want to come too!" the creature replied. Washu smiled.

"Of course. Come on then. There's some things we need to discuss."

The goddess led the vampire down into the lower passages of the ship, near Saxen's cabin. She looked at Miyu. "You've been talking to Moksha."

"You know about him?"

"Of course. He's just as important of an employee as Saxen or Effie. He was part of the reason I chose Saxen to be a part of this. What I'm wondering is how much he's told you."

Miyu shrugged. "Not much. He told me he could speak, and that he's somewhat of Saxen's guardian. I know he's not just a typical wolf. He hasn't really let on to what exactly he is though."

"I see…Miyu? You're the Judge. You've noticed how…certain people…on this ship are drawn together, right?" Washu remarked.

"You mean like Dru and Jack, or Effie and Duo?"

"Yes. Do you think it's just chemistry, or something more?"

"I would have guessed just chemistry. But I doubt you'd be talking to me about it if that was all it was."

"Smart girl," the goddess grinned. "The truth is, the Sacred Ones are really only half of the Sacred Ones. You and Larva are the only complete ones."

"Because he's the Executioner and I'm the Judge?"

"Exactly. Together, you are the God of Justice. The others…well…it's kind of a long story."

"But it's important."

"Yeah…"

"Tell me."

"All right. I explained how there were nine spirits placed into the bodies of random people, correct? Those spirits could not be awoken unless the body was attacked by someone who had been touched by the power of the Juraian Holy Trinity. When the body died, the spirit would pass onto another person who had similar traits to that first body. Well, through the years, pairs of those spirits would come together and bind. The first time Jack and Dru ever met, they were a pair of nobles on one of Jurai's territorial planets. They fell in love, yatta yatta yatta, married, had children, died. Their spirits became so closely bonded that they had traded fragments of spiritual essence. They could feel each other's souls, and also amplify the powers that those souls possessed. Of course, the chances of ever meeting twice in a random situation like that are very slim, but if you think about how much time has passed since the covenant, and if the souls are drawn to people with similar traits…it's not impossible."

Miyu looked at her. "So you're saying that some of the people here are destined to be together?"

"I wouldn't call it destiny as much as I would call it…well, chemical attraction. To the nth degree. But even so, it's important that the others understand this. Look at the difficulties between Saxen and Van Helsing. I do everything I can to throw them together…"

"Wait…Saxen and Van Helsing?"

"Oh yes. I knew they'd need the most time to warm up to each other. So that's why I arranged for them to find each other first."

Miyu smiled slightly. "She won't believe you if you tell her that."

"Exactly. That's why I'm telling all of this to you," Washu's face became serious. "Miyu, of all the people on this ship, I think you are the most trusted and respected. You're rational, calm, and very intelligent. Now, I'm not saying you have to tell everyone all of this right away, but if anyone has questions, you should be the one to answer them. They'll trust you. You're the Judge."

"I know."

Washu patted her on the back. "All right then. That's all I've got to say. Take care, Miyu. Of the others, and yourself."

The vampire nodded as the goddess vanished.

"Saxen?"

The bounty hunter turned her head to face Kira. She hadn't noticed him there at first, and he had startled her somewhat. There was something strange about the boy. He reminded her so much of Vittorio…

It almost hurt.

"Yes Kira, what is it?" she answered, looking at him with an unclear expression.

The young pilot colored slightly. "I uh…I never thanked you for saving me back there. You know, in the snow…"

Saxen blinked confusedly. "I didn't save you Kira. I pulled you out, but that was just so I could keep an eye on you. If I had left you in your machine, you would have been fine. But I wasn't going to risk you contacting your ship or running off."

"Still…it was kind of you to take me in. So thank you."

"…You're welcome."

They stared outside at space for a while before Maverick looked back at Kira. "Tell me something, Kira. Where did you learn to pilot that thing?"

"The Freedom?"

"Is that what it's called?"

"Yes. It's a Gundam."

This took her aback. "Duo's is called a Gundam. Gundam Deathscythe. When we found him, he was with four others who also piloted them. I didn't think they existed in more than one universe."

Kira laughed a little. "Me neither. And it's ironic, because there are several Gundams that exist in my universe as well. Though none like he has. None like yours either."

"The Ravana is different from a Gundam," Saxen explained. "Gagan is famous for them. During the civil war thirty years ago, the military perfected them for use in space as well as on land and in the atmosphere. They don't pack much of a punch, I'll admit, but they're very functional."

"The military? So how did you get one?" Kira asked, looking at Maverick curiously.

"My Aditya gave it to me. He showed me how to pilot it when I was about your age. When I went off on my own, he left it to me."

"So your Aditya was your teacher?"

"Yes. On Gagan, some people have a teacher, or a mentor. Someone who shows you how things work in a certain profession, bounty hunting in my case. The name of my Aditya was Algonkian. All I know now, I learned from him. How to pilot the Tsunami, how to use the Ravana, how to fight…even simple things like how to read and write and do arithmetic," Saxen tilted her head back. "I never went to school."

"You didn't?"

"No."

There was awkward silence for a moment before the bounty hunter spoke again. "So how did you learn how to pilot the Gundam? Freedom?"

Kira looked uncomfortable. "I…didn't, really. It just sort of happened. You see, the captain of my ship…the Archangel…she was trying to pilot it, but she wasn't having much luck because she's a Natura—"

"A what?"

He looked even more uncomfortable. "A Natural."

Saxen frowned. "I don't know what that means."

"It means she was born the normal way. And I…I'm a Coordinator. I was born through genetic engineering. My parents basically decided what I would be like. At least…I think they're my parents. I can't be sure of anything anymore. I just found out one of my friends might be my sister, and…"

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Kira looked confusedly up at Saxen. She gave him a reassuring…well, it wasn't a smile. But it was comforting. "It's all right. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," she paused. "But Kira…I'm here for you, all right? If you want to talk, I mean. I know Effie might tell you otherwise, but I'm not heartless."

"I don't think Effie thinks that about you. I don't think anyone does," he replied.

This time, the bounty hunter did smile a little. She patted his back. "That's a reassurance I guess. I'm going to take a rest now. I'll see you in a while, Kira."

"All right."

With that, Saxen started back for her cabin. Something about that boy…she just couldn't explain it, nor could she explain her feelings for him. Even from the beginning, she wanted to protect him, to look after him. She could tell he needed it.

When she got to her cabin and opened the door, someone was sitting on her bed.

"What is it?" she asked, sitting down next to him.

"We need to talk."

"Anybody ever tell you you've got beautiful eyes?"

"Aren't I supposed to be the one saying that?" Duo smiled, wrapping his arms tighter around Effie.

She poked his chest playfully. "You and your traditional gender roles. What's the matter with a girl telling a guy he's got beautiful eyes?"

"Nothing. Who's complaining?"

Fire Blossom laughed. "Duo, I swear I—GAH!" The floor lurched beneath her and she fell forward against his chest. The impact was hard enough and suddenly enough to send the pair crashing onto the floor, Effie straddling Duo.

"Ow…" she moaned, sitting up. Duo grinned at her.

"Man I'm smooth. But don't you think we ought to do this in a bedroom or something?" he laughed.

Effie shot him a look and climbed off of him. Looking out the window, she saw the starts suddenly moving. "Uh…Duo? We're moving!"

"Huh? But who's piloting? Saxen?"

"No! I just saw her going back to her cabin!"

"Does anyone else know how to pilot?"
"No!"

"Oh boy…" Duo muttered. He stood up. "Okay, I'll go to the bridge and see what's going on. Maybe it just got turned onto autopilot or something. Washu was probably screwing around. You go find Saxen and bring here there, okay?"

"Okay!" Effie answered, darting out the door and down the hallway. She didn't like the sudden motion. It had made her uncomfortable. It probably was just Washu playing with them, but still…

"Saxen, did you feel that? We need you in the bridge!" the hitchhiker cried as she burst into the bounty hunter's room. Locking eyes with her, she stopped dead. Maverick wasn't alone.

Sitting next to her on the bed was handsome young man about Lynx's age. He was tall and looked like he worked outside a lot. His curly red hair fell down to his chin, and a he had a Van Helsing-esque five o'clock shadow. Deep set green eyes looked at her with a friendliness and familiarity that made Effie uncomfortable. He was dressed in a plaid flannel shirt under a wool bomber jacket, and a pair of worn jeans and work boots. Around his neck he wore a copper chain that ran under his shirt, not unlike the one Saxen always wore.

Effie's eyes widened and she looked accusingly at Saxen. "Uh…Saxie?"

The bounty hunter sighed and stood up. "Effie, I can explain…"

"We need to talk," the smaller girl grabbed her hand and dragged her out into the hallway, away from the confused stare of the red haired man. Once they were outside, Fire Blossom's look turned accusing. "Saxen! Who the heck is that guy? How'd you get him on the ship? Does Van Helsing know about him?"

"What? Effie…"

"Don't 'Effie' me! I can't believe you've been hiding a guy in your room! Was he there the whole time?" she asked.

"Well, yes, but—"

"Saxen! Are you absolutely out of your mind?"

"Effie, relax."

She turned to see the man step out of the room. Pointing her finger, she stared at him. "Look, I don't mind that you're here, really I don't, but this is between Saxen and me so…wait a minute! How do you know my name?" she cried.

"Effie, it's me. Moksha."

"Moksha?"

Saxen nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, it's Moksha. He can sometimes take the form of a human if he wishes."

Effie looked back at the wolf. "And you were going to tell me this when?"

Moksha shrugged. "I don't know. I hadn't planned on needing to change at first. But a while ago, Washu said you would need my help with a Sacred One, and it would be better if I helped when I looked like this. And now Miyu tells me that it's my time."

"So that was why the ship moved?" Fire Blossom asked.

"Yeah, I'm assuming so."

There was an awkward silence as the three looked at each other.

"So…he's not your illicit lover, Saxie?"

"No!"

Moksha laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, Effie," he remarked.

"No biggie. So, since you can change from human to wolf, are you a werewolf?" Effie asked.

He gave her a weird look. "No…"

She shrugged. "Okay, whatever. I'm gonna go find the others."

With that, she was gone.

Saxen raised her eyebrow, and Moksha laughed. "One of a kind, isn't she?"

"She most certainly is," she answered solemnly.

"This has got to be the flattest place in the history of any universe," Effie commented as the Tsunami came to a landing on the open plains. There were no buildings for miles around. Only cracked ground and gray skies that threatened rain, but they could all tell it wouldn't come to a place like this.

"How the hell are we supposed to find anything out here? It's completely empty!" Duo complained.

Tabby patted him on the back. "Relax Oh Great Lord of Death, Destruction, and Doom. There's a jeep in the hangar. For just such a purpose, I believe."

"Did you see how big it was?" Saxen asked, looking at the blond.

"I'd guess it could fit about five people. Six in a pinch. Question is: Who's going?" the Goddess of Chaos asked.

"Well, Saxen and I have to go. Moksha too," Effie answered. "Since he got all human-y for the occasion."

The wolf smiled and patted her on the back. "I'd change back if I thought it would make a difference, but really, it won't. But I'll sit in the back if it makes you feel better."

"I'm going too," Van Helsing answered, stepping forward. Saxen shot him a look. The hunter put a hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "I'm not going to let you get into any more trouble, so don't even start."

"I wasn't going to," she whispered back.

"Hey, ah, if you two are going to whisper sweet nothings in each others ears, could you do it later?" Lynx commented as he leaned against the wall. Kira was standing next to him, wondering what to contribute to the situation.

"Shut up," both Saxen and Van Helsing snapped in unison.

A feline smiled crossed the violet-haired man's face, and he put an arm around Kira's shoulders. "Touchy, aren't they?"

Saxen was still glaring at him. She didn't like it that he was coming on to Kira. And she was even more upset that Kira didn't seem to mind.

"Anyways…" Effie cut in, before a fight could break out between her friend and her brother. "Who else should come? Room for one more. Tabs?"

"Actually, I think I'm gonna sit this one out for now. I got a feeling this ain't really my fight. You don't mind, do you?"

She shook her head, and looked at the others. Jack and Dru were out; they wouldn't go anywhere without each other. Little chance in Lynx doing anything to help, and Kira still seemed a little bewildered about everything. It was probably too early to put him in a fight.

"Duo?" Effie asked hopefully.

"Well babe, you know I'd usually say yes, but unfortunately," he stepped aside to reveal Miyu standing behind him. "The little lady wants in. And someone has to stay here and keep an eye on things on the bridge, you know? Someone who can pilot?"

Her face fell, but nevertheless she looked hopefully at Miyu. "Okay, we can always use a vampire, right?"

Miyu shrugged. "Moksha asked me to come with."

"Moksha?" Saxen asked.

He nodded. "I think you underestimate Miyu. She's far more important than you think. I can feel a Sacred One near, but she can actually see them. She'll confirm who it is we need to kill."

"I understand," the bounty hunter looked at the vampire. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Effie looked around. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Come on, let's go get this guy! Or girl. Whichever."

That said, Miyu, Moksha, Effie, Saxen, and Van Helsing proceeded to the hangar. Sure enough, parked in the corner was a large green jeep. Saxen opened the door and climbed into the drivers seat as Moksha took the seat next to her. Effie and Van Helsing sat in the back seats, while Miyu knelt in the small bed of the back. The door leading outside opened, and the group was instantly met with a cold wind.

"Should have brought a sweatshirt," Effie murmured. Moksha turned around and held his bomber jacket out to her.

"Here. I don't need it. Just for show," he replied with a smile. She smiled back and gratefully put it on and zipped it up.

Saxen pulled out of the hangar and almost instantly floored it. The jeep's engine roared to life and the tires kicked up a cloud of dust, but Miyu didn't seem to notice. Moksha turned back to the front, his face serious. Stretching up a little, he sniffed the air. "West of here. I can smell him."

"Him?" Van Helsing asked.

"Yes. Another wolf, traveling in a pack with three others."

"Another wolf…oh Moksha, you have to kill one of your own?" Effie said sympathetically.

He didn't look back. "There's no other choice. But he's not really dying. And he and I…we're not exactly alike. Gagan wolves are different from Earth wolves."

"This is Earth?" Saxen looked around. "It doesn't look too different from some parts of Gagan."

"Earth, nonetheless," Moksha answered. "There is much death and destruction here though. Don't count on seeing any humans."

They rode along in silence for a while. It seemed as though hours were passing. But after about forty-five minutes, the wolf grabbed Saxen's shoulder.

"Stop," he hissed. Immediately, she cut the engine and everyone flew forward. Miyu nearly pitched out of the back, but her inhuman strength allowed her to keep her grip on the roll bar.

Moksha stepped out of the jeep and took several steps forward. "I see them. There."

Sure enough, there was a collection of animals moving towards the horizon. Wolves, and no matter what Moksha said, there was little difference between them and the bounty hunter's partner.

"I'm going to go ahead and try and talk the one into coming quietly. Miyu, come with me please. I need to be sure. I think it's the one with the scar, but…"

"Yes," she answered shortly, standing next to him.

"What about us?" Effie asked. "You don't expect us to just sit here, do you? Because I don't think Saxie would like that very much…"

"Saxen should follow us. But stay far enough back so that you don't intimidate them. Effie, stay with the jeep in case we need to make a quick getaway. Van Helsing, if it looks back, get Miyu and Saxen out before they get hurt, okay?"

He nodded, then paused. "Can't say I've ever taken orders from a wolf before."

"You get used to it," Saxen replied with a tiny grin. She put a hand on Moksha's shoulder. "Be careful," she whispered. "I don't want you getting into anything you can't handle."

Moksha held her hand to him. "Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself and the others, okay?"

She nodded. "Right." However, her face still showed worry.

The wolf gave them one last final smile. "Just be ready to drive. Really fast, probably." With that, he started off.

Miyu looked at Saxen. "He'll be fine. This is supposed to happen." Then she too had her back to them.

She didn't like the way the blue-eyed boy looked at her. There were four of them in all. Wolves or men, she wasn't quite sure. It was like looking at a shimmering mirage. One moment there would be a large brown collared wolf standing off to her left, and the next there would be a tall boy in a yellow hoodie. Of course, the same thing happened to Moksha, but he seemed more real somehow.

It was Moksha that approached first. He put a hand on her shoulder, and indication for her to stop, and took a step forward. "Hi there," he said cordially.

None of them answered. Miyu could almost see the tension. Finally, their leader, the boy with bright blue eyes and wild black hair, spoke. "Who are you?" he asked. He had revealed himself as a pure white wolf with gold eyes.

"Name's Moksha. This is Miyu."

"A human?"

"Not quite."

A smaller reddish wolf/boy, one with short fuchsia hair and big eyes, piped up. "She doesn't smell like a human. She doesn't have a scent at all."

The leader kept his eyes focused on Moksha. "But you smell like humans."

He pointed back towards the jeep. "I'm traveling with humans. I need your help."

"We're busy," a fourth wolf snapped. Miyu froze. She saw the aura around him. He was the tallest, dressed in tight black leather, with a white ponytail and sharp eyes. A cross shaped scar was on his chest. It was also on the wolf who sometimes stood in his place, a gray one.

"Moksha…" she whispered. But he wasn't looking at her. He was focused on the gray wolf, a look of determination in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. But you don't really have a choice. I need you," Moksha said directly to the wolf.

The smaller one looked confused. "Tsume?"

"The hell with you. Get out of here," Tsume snapped.

There was a growl as Miyu glanced sideways, and saw Moksha had reverted to his original form. "You don't have a choice. And if I have to kill you, I may as well do it now!"
"Moksha!" Miyu cried as he lunged for the gray wolf. However, the smaller one had jumped in the way, and the pair collided into Tsume. The other two, seeing their comrades attacked, barked and piled onto the group.

A stream of flame ripped across the sky and scalded the back of the white wolf. He growled and looked at Miyu. Her eyes were glowing now.

"Stay out of this. All we want is Tsume. We won't interfere with you or your quest otherwise," she said calmly.

But the leader wasn't ready to listen. "Get out of here." He lunged…

An engine roared and a shot rang through the sky. The wolf froze then darted sideways, narrowly being missed by the jeep. Saxen's rifle was pointed over the top of the windshield, and Effie was gripping the steering wheel for dear life. Van Helsing was perched in the back, from which he leapt off and landed on the pile of wolves. He shoved the collared one aside, only to find the small one wounded below it. Immediately, he started looking for the other two.

"Moksha!" Saxen called. He and the gray wolf, now back in a human form, were grappling on the ground several feet away. Miyu was keeping the white wolf at bay while Van Helsing was managing to hold the big one off. She pointed her rifle. It would only take one shot…

"Saxen no!" Effie cried. "You'll hit Moksha!"

She looked at the pair of wolves, and realized Effie was right. If she shot, there was a huge chance she would hit Moksha instead of the other wolf. She clenched her fist.

"Damn it…" she whispered. "Come on Moksha!"

The wolves were rolling over each other and biting viciously, just barely missing throats. Moksha grinned playfully at his opponent.

"You're a lot stronger than I thought you'd be, Tsume," he replied cordially.

Tsume growled and snapped at his side, again only missing by a fraction of an inch. "Will you wipe that smile off your face? It's bugging the hell out of me!"

"Sorry. Can't help it. I'm having fun. Except now," Moksha threw his weight at the gray wolf suddenly and landed on top of him. The smile disappeared. "I'm sorry. This is the part I don't like."

With that, he ripped out the gray wolf's throat. Tsume gave one last surprised gurgle, then fell limp.

The fight stopped dead. The white wolf, the small wolf, the collared wolf, all of them stopped and looked at the red one standing over their comrade.

"No! Tsume!" the little one cried, letting out a mournful howl as tears streamed down his face.

"You…bastard!" the white one yelled. But before he could attack, a wall of flam shot up in front of him.

"Moksha, the jeep! Go!" Miyu called, as the wall spread out to form a ring around the wolves.

He nodded, then reached down and picked up the gray wolf and slung him over his shoulder. Effie pulled the jeep over, and he climbed into the back. Van Helsing grabbed Miyu's hand and pulled her in, and the driver floored it.

Saxen looked back at her partner. "Are you all right, Moksha?" she asked gently.

He nodded. "I took a little damage to my shoulders, but otherwise…"

"No, I mean, are you all right?" her eyes fell on the gray wolf laying at his side.

"Oh," Moksha answered. He swallowed hard. "Yes…I think so. I'm going to rest for a bit until we get back, okay Saxen?"

"Of course," she answered as he changed back into his wolf form.

His fur was even redder from the blood.

Tsume awoke in a cold bright room. Unlike the others, he was not lying on a table, but on the hard floor. In the corner, Moksha watched him with wide eyes. He was heavily bandaged, the only sign of the fight that had taken place hours before.

Immediately, the gray wolf got to his feet and growled. "You. What the hell did you do?"

Moksha got to his feet and looked at him calmly. "I killed you."

"Are you crazy? I'm right here!"

"Exactly. You need to calm down. I can explain—"

Tsume slammed him up against the wall. It was remarkable how strong he felt. The last thing he remembered, the red wolf had his teeth in his throat. He should have died. But he was in better condition than he had been even before the fight.

"I don't want an explanation. Listen to me. Get me out of this place, or I swear I will rip your throat out like you tried to do to me."

"I can't do that. I'm sorry," Moksha answered.

Tsume opened his mouth to say something but was instantly cut off.

"Oh my. Got a bit of a dog fight here, do we?"

Washu stepped into the room and smiled amusedly at the two. Her eyes ran up and down Tsume for a few moments, and then she shook her head. "Shame on you Tsume. After he sat with you this whole time?"

"Hi…Washu…" Moksha greeted her. With Tsume's hands wrapped around his neck, it was difficult for him to speak. Sensing this, the gray wolf dropped his hands and looked suspiciously at the goddess. She smiled brightly.

"There, that's much better. Anyways…Welcome Tsume, God of the Wilds!" Washu greeted. "I am Washu of Jurai, and you are on board the good ship Tsunami. As I'm sure you know, the canis lupis over there you were just strangling is Moksha, a Gaganite wolf. I don't know where the others are at the moment, and frankly I don't care."

"…What the hell?" Tsume asked.

Moksha laughed. "That's the typical reaction. Don't worry, she's practically harmless. Just smile and nod, and she'll go away."

Washu scoffed. "I take offense at that Moksha. Feel free to resume strangling him Tsume."

"Wait a minute…what are you talking about? God of the Wilds? Gaganite wolf?" Tsume asked.

Washu sighed impatiently. "Well, it's a long story that you could get from anyone on board, but since I'm here…oh my." She glanced out the door of the room. Lynx was walking down the hall towards her. "I think I ought to go now. Don't worry Tsume, Moksha will explain everything. Bye bye now!"

"Hold it Washu!" Lynx yelled, running into the room. But before he could do anything, the goddess was gone.

"Damn it…" he muttered, then looked at Tsume. "Oh hey there…you're the new guy, huh? Tsume, if I heard correctly?" Lynx's eyes examined the wolf closely. "Well well well, you certainly are a cutie, aren't you? Ah well. I'll leave him to you Moksha. I only date guys in my own species. By the way, my name's Lynx. If you ever need anything…I'm just off the galley." He winked flirtatiously at the wolf, then disappeared.

Alone again, the wolves were left with awkward silence. Finally, Tsume looked at Moksha.

"Okay, this place is very messed up. Start talking."

"Gladly," Moksha grinned, and began his story.