So much was happening... so very fast. The young wolf's mind couldn't handle this.

Cheza began sobbing, and Toboe knew why. He felt it too. Kiba had been hurt. His blood was in the air, along with that of humans. It shook his very core, causing him to squeeze his eyes tight, crying out in his mind "I have to do something, I have to do something." He could smell something near as well...Shilaze and Meshawa. They were close, probably fighting valiantly as well.

Without another thought, Toboe put Cheza in a corner of the room and looked at her deep in her eyes. "I'll be back, stay here and they won't find you." He looked at Hige with determination. Toboe may have been a young one, but he could fight too. "Let's help our pack."

With that, he ran out the door, heart pounding, blood pumping, and teeth barred.

He'd fight too, just like the others; he'd fight, just like Tsume.

Shilaze and Meshawa were caught in a trap, surrounded by humans; Toboe caught the middle one off guard with a quick motion of his jaws. He wouldn't be helpless; he wouldn't be in the way. He'd do his part to save his friends.

Kiba hurried along, following his nose to Tsume. Where was the goddamn wolf? His sight was a little bit blurry, but he wouldn't let that slow him down.

Shilaze bared her teeth at the humans...If she had to die she would go down fighting. She saw one of the humans drop out of the corner of her eye and turned to look, standing there was Toboe. She blinked to make sure she was seeing things right, she was. Shilaze was so over come with joy she forgot about the fight until a gun sounded again. Meshawa seeing the humans caught off guard jumped on a near by one and bit into his thought. Shilaze saw a human coming up from behind Toboe, she leaped on the human knocking him over.
She quickly turned back to the others seeing even more humans comeing... three wolves ageist this many humans... They had to get out of there before it was to late. She thought to herself as she back up ageist Meshawa and Toboe.

Toboe knew that time was running out for everyone, not only Kiba and Tsume, who were shot, but Cheza's safety as well. And now, he, Meshawa and Shilaze had a lot of people around them. If he didn't think fast, then who knows...

An idea hit him "Split up!" he yelled

He took off in the nearest direction he could think of... towards the smell of Kiba. He glanced back to make sure the other two were gone, but the humans were everywhere. Please...please make it ok...

He ran faster than he ever had in his life.

"I am coming Kiba! Hold on! I'm coming!"

Cheza covered her ears to drown out the sounds of the gunfire and the wolves fighting. She knew Toboe had gone to help the others, but she couldn't help but feel slightly vulnerable. On top of that, she could feel his presence. It was faint, but it was getting slightly stronger. She knew she would always be bound to him, whether she wished it or not. However, her main concern was Kiba. She new he was injured... and badly. All she could do was hope for his safe return. For all of their safe return.

Shilaze took a last glance at Toboe and Meshawa before she ran anther direction not knowing where she was heading. She ran through the humans laughing to herself...time for a little game of chase... she thought to her self as she ran humans right behind her. Bullets wised by her as she dogged them with ease it's like they aren't even trying to hit me she thought then shook it off thinking it was nothing more then bad aim. "That's right you humans, follow the little wolfie" she mumbled under her breath as she leaped over a halfway covered hole. She chanced a glance back and saw that only a few humans remained. "Well at least that took care of them" she sighed and ran on hoping that Toboe and Meshawa were doing as well as she was.

…meanwhile at the building...

Hige stupidly stared out the door as if Toboe would come running back in the way he left. The runt had said "Let's help our pack." in the same tone that Hige had complained about being stuck in the house.
And now, he was staring at the open door. He turned to Cheza, who seemed to be staying in hiding, as Toboe requested.
She looked so scared and defenseless, but still managed a smile, or something like that; Hige couldn't tell. He knew he should stay and protect the flower, but he heard all sorts of pained cries in the distance. He had to help.
He stood in attack mode, throwing Cheza a hopeful grin, "We'll be back for you, Cheza!" Out the door he ran.

Hige first spotted Shilaze, who was being followed by humans. He grabbed the first human by the neck, then the next, the third had a perfect aim on Shilaze before he was surprised by Hige's fangs on the back of his neck. He nodded at the black and white wolf before running the other direction towards more humans.
Damnit, how many humans are there? Hige growled while taking out another pack of men. He had been running and dodging for so long, that he was happy when he could finally see Toboe in the distance. "Toboe!" He howled.
That's when a strange smell caught his attention. It was a wolf, at least, he thought it was a wolf, there was a mixed smell coming up fast. Hige slowed down to catch the scent; it was female.
He looked down the alley to see a black wolf sitting on the ground, chewing on some scraps. He then recalled who's wolf... dog? She belonged to; it was that old smelly guy. Hige met her eyes. He figured it wasn't best to get caught up in conversation. He began to hurry his pace, to catch up with Toboe.
Hige felt guilty for leaving her. He could smell blood and pain from her; she was the one he heard cry out while he was in town in the afternoon. Would that old smelly guy hurt her?
Hige caught up Toboe, yet no matter how hard he tried, that black wolf couldn't leave his thoughts.

Shilaze slowed down a bit and smiled at Hige before he left again. She turned back to the street for once there weren't that many humans...just a few who have already been wounded. Not wanting to get into yet anther fight she turned and headed down an ally. Shilaze stayed in the shadows trying to avoid being seen panting as she walked. Gun fire sounded once more off in the distance. Shilaze sighed and ran in that direction.
As Shilaze ran a few more humans gave chase but she quickly lost them. She rounded the corner; the scent of wolf was strong. Somehow with all her running she managed to end up with the others.
Meshawa came running over to her from anther direction more wounds on her then Shilaze could remember. "You ok?" Meshawa asked. Shilaze nodded seeing Toboe and Hige out of the corner of her eye she smiled but it soon faded as more humans came at them "can't we get a brake!" Shilaze yelled as she doge bullets and attacked one of the humans Meshawa doing the same.

She dodged one bullet only to be hit by another as she jumped at a man tarring at his throat. "Get out of here Shi. You and Toboe run, I'll keep them off till you guys get away!" She said and jumped at the next human. "I want you two out of here now!" She growled, "I said go!" She limped softly on her right paw before she jumped at another human and was kicked off by another. She turned running towards the other two and bit at Shi. "Go." She told her.

Tsume was far away from the other wolves, and he kept walking, trying to find a bit of shelter. His legs would barely take him. He ached, and the wounds in his legs went deep. He tried to ignore it. He tried to continue out of sight as far as he could.

Finally, as his quickened breath caught up to him -- he collapsed in a corner, behind some rubble, perhaps what was once remains of a building or shelter. He lay on his side in the corner, eyes half-lidded, fighting to keep consciousness. He didn't want anyone to come for him. He wanted to care of himself. He shifted uncomfortably, blood seeping around his sides like a pool of crimson.

His breath came out slowly from his nostrils, tendrils of it rising into the cold air. His scent was stronger now, mixed with the toxic scent of his blood.
I... can't stand... I have to make myself... get up...

When the bullets stopped, and there were no more humans approaching, Hige heard a howl far in the distance. He gave a 'Oh crap, that's Kiba' look to Toboe before he dashed off in the direction it came from. "Come on, damnit! Kiba probably found Tsume!"

Shilaze glanced form the humans to the others... "Looks like we follow..." Shilaze sighed as she took off after them Meshawa following. The humans didn't appear to notice them running away; they were staring off at something else. A shiver ran down Shilaze's spine... what could be so important to the humans that they would forget that she was there... shrugging it off to worry about latter she ran on hopefully to find Kiba.. Only she wondered who this Tsume guy was...

Kiba finally picked up Tsume strong stench. Limping as fast as he could, the white wolf eventually found himself in front of a small shack. The gray wolf's scent was stronger than ever--Kiba went in, appalled by what he saw.

Tsume was curled up in the corner, back legs shot and bloody, and a large gash in his side that was spilling blood in a pool around him. "...Tsume..." Kiba breathed. Quickly the wolf rushed over to Tsume, nudging him with his nose. "Wake up." Kiba brought his attention to the gray wolf's side, running his rough tongue along the deep gash, trying to lap out the blood. How was he going to get Tsume back to the others? Maybe Cheza could help him, but there was no way he could carry him like this, with humans all over.

A sick lump slid down Toboe's throat. Something didn't feel right. That howl was...something was wrong.

With all the strength he could muster, he pounded out towards Kiba's howl. He could smell Kiba's blood along with that of... Please, oh please let him be ok

What met Toboe's eyes when he reached Kiba made his heart skip a beat...all the blood, Tsume's blood. "Tsume! Oh Tsume!" Toboe ran to the grey wolf's side, trying to wake him up, trying to get some kind of response. "Tsume...please, get up, we have to go. Cheza can, she can help you!"

The young wolf turned to Kiba and tried to speak while holding back his tears. "Right Kiba? She'll be able to help him." Toboe choked out. "Right Hige?"

He went and began trying to lift Tsume up. "Don't worry, we'll get you help. Don't leave us..."

Kiba lifted Tsume up now that he had backup. He began limping toward the door, his human disguise sporting a torn jean leg, everything below the knee soaked red, and a deep, dark wound beneath. "Lead me to Cheza...and cover me."

Toboe nodded, hot tears streaming down his face. He took most of Tsume's weight, seeing Kiba limping. Poor Kiba...he too was bleeding heavily. It was basically up to himself and Hige to lead them safely to Cheza.

"Yes, Yeah she's just over that hill" Silently, he began the slow trek back to the little house. It was hard, but Toboe knew he had to get both Kiba and Tsume to a safe spot, to rest. They needed to heal. Otherwise...

No. Toboe wouldn't think it. He couldn't. He hoped Shilaze and Meshawa were ok, he hadn't seen them since he found Kiba and Tsume. But his mind was consumed with getting back to Cheza.

Cheza. Cheza. Cheza. He followed the beat of her name back to where she was...or at least, he hoped she was still there.

"Hey! Look, I found her!" A human stepped into the little shack where Cheza hid. "These radars are awesome, aren't they?" The man stepped forward, grabbing the Flower Maiden's wrist. He gave it a sharp tug. "Come now, don't make me drag you."

Hige thought they would never reach the shack where he last left Cheza alone. Every step he wished she would be there to greet them.
Oh please, Cheza...

He helped the two injured wolves in and gave Toboe an exhausted sigh. "Cheza? Cheza come on out."

Hige had a sinking feeling when no one appeared...the smell of humans was faintly in the shack. "Cheza?" He ran to the spot where Toboe had told her to stay and she wasn't there. Oh crap no... "She's not here!" He snapped. "Those bastards got her!"

Tsume had fallen unconscious. He vaguely heard the soft words spoken at him by a pair of familiar wolf eyes. He had felt terribly dizzy, but there was nothing he could do. His mind was far from the others, and he was oblivious to being carried across from his bloody space, trickles of crimson blood giving away his scent for miles around and dribbling a trail behind Kiba and the others. He showed no hint at waking up. Perhaps what he needed was water and some rest, but there was no time for that.

Tsume spiraled between an unconscious state with no dreams and no images. Just dark, dull nothingness. But he wasn't dead... yet.

By the time they reached the shack, Toboe's body was about out. His tongue rolled out to the side as he tried to catch his breath. Hige helped him and Kiba carry Tsume into the shack and lay him on the floor. Finally, Cheza could help both Kiba and Tsume get better.

But...something was wrong. Very, very wrong. No...No this wasn't happening. It couldn't be true! She was gone, taken by those humans, those scum. Toboe pushed past Hige and stopped in the spot he left her, and broke down in sobs.

"Kiba! Tsume! Hige! I-I am so sorry. This is all my fault."

Cheza

Kiba stared at the empty corner blankly, his features slowly curving into a snarl. "You...YOU JUST LEFT HER ALONE IN HERE?" Kiba's anger diminished slightly as his leg finally collapsed under him, sending both himself and Tsume to the ground. "Ch-Cheza..." Slowly the ferocious look came back to the white wolf's eyes. Jumping to his feet he ran out of the shack, dragging his limp, bleeding leg behind him.

Hige felt terribly sick. He could of - SHOULD of stayed with Cheza and this wouldn't of happened.
He tried to ignore Toboe's crying, but it was starting to get to him. Hige shifted uncomfortably as Toboe's cry grew louder. He twitched, seeing the rage in Kiba's eyes. Taking a glance to Tsume, who looked just as disappointed as he looked exhausted, Hige closed his eyes, then covered his ears. "Toboe..." He said quietly. One second passed as Toboe's cry didn't cease, finally Hige snapped, "Toboe! Shut up! This is my fault. I left her alone!" He shot a look at Kiba, "I did it, damnit!"

Hige tried to grab Kiba and Tsume before they both fell to the ground, but his actions weren't fast enough. He held out his hand to Kiba, who ignored the gesture, and limped out of the shack in a hurry.

Hige stared, dumbfounded. "What the hell?" He finally spurted out. "Toboe, take care of Tsume, I'm going to go get BOTH of them."

With that, Hige dashed out the door.

Meshawa and Shilaze watched the two walk out and Meshawa stopped cleaning Shi's wounds for her and stood limping slowly to the building. "Toboe what's going on?"

Shilaze gave a wine "I can clean myself..." but gave up the argument... she glanced around "where's..." she stopped knowing what had happened she sighed and walked over to Toboe. She sat down next to him changing into her human form as she did, she draped and arm around him trying to comfort him "It'll be ok..." she whispered "somehow..."

"Yeah kid it can only get better." Meshawa sighed and lay down in front of the door her own wounds where still un tended and bleeding badly but she could have cared less at that point she just needed to keep the two safe right now. "We're wolves Toboe wolves always find a way out of trouble."

Kiba rushed out of the shack, dragging his bad leg along as quickly as he could, toward Cheza's scent. It was getting fainter and fainter...

a few minutes later

Kiba arrived in front of the humans' headquarters, where their airship had landed. Kiba hurried over, looking for a way in.

Hige caught up with Kiba, but couldn't talk to him to help himself. The white wolf was too transfixed on getting Cheza back. The fuzzy haired one decided to run with Kiba's pace.

They arrived at the airship. Hige looked over the headquarters with a hint of recognition. He ran along the building, sniffing the wall. This all seemed too familiar, there's something about this place that looked ...
Hige shook his head. No way, this can't be where I grew up. He shook his thoughts aside, and just wondered if Kiba actually followed him. He totally misplaced the fact that the white wolf was walking on three legs.
Hige came to a door, opened it, and peeked in. It was the way in alright. But how...?

Kiba walked toward the entrance with tunneled vision, completely ignoring Hige. He entered the building, and within seconds, had an armed human running toward him. Kiba leapt, crushing the man's neck before he could make a sound, landing on his shot-through (and probably broken) leg with a loud whine.