Disclaimer: Guess what? Don't own Wolf's Rain, don't own squat except for original characters and plot. Meh. Bad writing's all mine, too.

Kiba's POV

We circled back to the orphanage so I could pick up the scent of the Flower. As we walked down the front hallway, where pictures of the children that had been adopted were, I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. One of the girls that had been adopted was the Flower.

Her pale silvery blue hair brushed against the soft line of her jawbone, a stark contrast to her ruby eyes. She was pale and slim, looking remarkably fragile and beautiful. Lips the color of the sunrise on the clouds were parted slightly, almost as though she had been in the middle of saying something when the picture was taken. What I wouldn't do to hear her voice…

"Something wrong, Pretty Boy?" Tsume's bitter, arrogant voice broke through my train of thought.

"That's her. That's the Flower."

Hige cocked his head as he gazed up at the photograph. "She's so pale…Do you think maybe she's sick?" He squinted, leaning forward. "I was expecting her to be more…green, ya know? Like a plant. She is a Flower, right?"

"She's pretty," Toboe murmured, gently pressing his fingers against the glass on the picture frame. "I wonder if she's lonely."

"She's been adopted." Tsume obviously didn't think much. Couldn't he see how special she was? "I doubt if she's lonely."

"She looks lonely. Do all Flowers look like that?" Toboe turned to me like he expected me to know.

"I don't know." I took her picture off of the wall and started opening the frame. "I've never seen a Flower before."

"So how do you know she's one?" Tsume demanded. I could feel his scowl burning into my back even if I couldn't see it.

"Ah, come on, Tsume! Have some faith!" Hige stopped and sniffed the air, upturned nose twitching. "Aw, piss. You know the old man and his dog?"

I sniffed the air for a moment, catching the scent of alcohol and dog that Hige must have been talking about. "They're here."

"Shall we scatter?" Hige asked, taking a step back as I stood.

"No. He's going to follow us no matter where we go. Let's find her scent and go." I stuffed the Flower's picture into my jacket and started calmly walking towards the room where I had originally caught her scent. Only Tsume would be able to tell that my muscles were tensed in anticipation. I was ready for anything.

The room was the same as when we left it except for where the remote was. Walking to the window sill, I lowered my head and drew in a deep breath, the scent filling me and making my head swim. It was sweet and wild, untamed and untainted, pure and welcoming, like the first snow in the mountains before the water freezes over. Lifting my head and feeling an overwhelming sense of loss, I closed my eyes and tried to find the next strongest place where the Flower had been. "The back door."

"I was hoping you'd say that." Hige hurried for the exit, looking nervously over his shoulder.

Toboe stopped for a moment next to the sill, took a deep breath, then regretfully followed Tsume out the door.

Walking through the doorway, I caught a wiff of dog, spotted a flash of black fur, and slammed the door shut. I managed to lock it before the dog slammed into it and started scratching and snarling. After breaking the electric box to the orphanage, I dashed past the others.

"Run," Tsume snarled at Hige and Toboe, then took off after me.

Toboe had just jumped the gate when muffled gunshots echoed from the orphanage and the door flew open, the dog racing ahead towards us. The old man ran after his pet, feet splashing up mud as he squinted after us.

I leaped on top of a one-story house nearby. "Run toward the sun," I ordered. "It'll blind him."

Hige followed me without hesitation, but Tsume stopped and turned after he was on the first roof. "Come on, Toboe!" he snarled, holding out his hand.

The Pup jumped and got a hold of Tsume's hand right before the dog got him. After he was safely on the roof, Tsume let him go and ran after Hige and me. Toboe sprinted after us, limping on his bad paw.

Screams started erupting from the buildings we were running across when the people realized that there were Wolves leaping above them. A security guard leapt in front of us, firing his pistol frantically. Snarling, I lunged and caught one of his arms in my mouth, making him spin in a circle before I threw him into a police officer who had just got up the stairs. No one else got in our way.

"Wait!" Toboe was panting behind us, now limping painfully on his bad paw. "I can't run that fast…" He stumbled, looking all together pitiful.

I waited for him as Hige and Tsume hopped off a building and hid in an old bomb shelter. Toboe practically collapsed into my arms, face twisted with pain, brown eyes glazed, and I ran off before the soldiers who had started chasing us could catch a glimpse of where we were hiding.

"Thanks," Toboe whispered, looking almost guilty as he slouched against he wall. "My wrist hurts."

"Nothing we can do about it now," Tsume snapped, glaring at him. He turned to me, yellow eyes flashing dangerously. "We need to get out of Tokyo."

"Do you know where Darshia made his speech?" I asked, placing my hands in my pockets so that no one could see me make fists. The scent was distant now, further to the West.

Tsume looked at m e like I was mad, then relaxed slightly, turning to gaze out of the shelter. "He was in Kyoto."

I unclenched my fists. Kyoto was west of us. "That's where we need to go."

"We leave at sunset," Tsume said simply and started to leave.

"Where are you going, Tsume?" Toboe scittered up onto his feet.

"I'm getting some food."

"Where, McDonalds? Because if you are, I want-"

"I'm hunting, dumbass." Hige's face dropped instantly at Tsume's sharp refusal.

"Oh, well…be careful, Drop Out." Hige dropped onto the floor, looking rejected. "What the hell can you hunt for in Tokyo, anyway? Only thing wild you'll find here is a handful of hobos."

I couldn't help but smile before I turned to Toboe, who was licking at his paw. "What happened to your bandage?"

"It…it was itchy, and I thought my wrist was better, so…so I took it off." He looked up at me guiltily, all wide puppy dog eyes and drooping tail. "I'm sorry."

I simply turned to Hige, who was leaning against the wall. "What are you wearing under your hoody?"

Hige gave me a strange look. "A t-shirt and a wifebeater. Why?"

"Give me your wifebeater."

Hige crossed his arms protectively over his chest. "Are you one of those sickos who rapes young boys? I know I'm hot, Kiba, but try to control yourself! I mean, Toboe's right there! You're gonna scar him for life if you-"

"It's to wrap Toboe's wrist." If he had been thinking, he would have realized that I was younger than he was. "And I don't rape young boys."

Hige turned pink, then pulled off his hoody. "Like the shirt?" It was red with white letters and a picture of a dog sniffing another dog's butt. The letters read "NICE TO MEET YOU". "Can't beat classic humor." He pulled off that shirt and his wifebeater. What I saw there I shall not describe to the masses, for fear…yes, fear…that it might scar you. "Merry Christmas." After I had the wifebeater, he scurried to get fully dressed.

"Is that really clean?" Toboe squeaked, looking at the wifebeater with distrust.

"Come on, Pup- our ancestors used to lick their own butts. A little dirt and sweat won't kill you." Hige was leaning against the wall again, his arms crossed behind his head.

Toboe sighed and held his wrist out. He twitched as I started wrapping it, letting out a small whimper. "OW!"

"Don't take this one off." I looked out to where Tsume had left. We were on the outskirts of the city, too far east for my tastes, but at least there weren't as many people. "Is anyone thirsty?"

"I could go for a rootbeer." Hige sighed when I gave him a somewhat unimpressed look. "Water's good- I've been meaning to go on a diet, anyway."

"Stay here." I left, listening for the sound of running water. When I finally heard what I was listening for, I cocked my head slightly. Something was splashing around in the water.

When I reached the stream, I stopped and stared blankly. Tsume was in the water in his Wolf-form, dripping wet, watching the stream intently. I glanced at the bank and found five good sized fish flopping around desperately. This wasn't really my idea of hunting, but it must have been working.

Walking to the edge of the stream, I knelt down and started drinking. The water was dirty and gritty tasted, and would probably give us worms, but I was so thirsty I didn't even care. Toboe was sure to complain, though.

There was a loud splash, and then Tsume came up through the water, a fish struggling in his mouth. He glared at me, set the fish on the bank, and shook himself off, succeeding in soaking me. "What are you doing here, Pretty Boy?"

I scowled at him, not in the mood for his bitterness. "I was finding water. The others ware thirsty."

He snorted and turned away. "You're the only one I see drinking." He waded out into the middle of the stream and waited for another fish.

Standing, I went to get Hige and Toboe. "There's a stream," I told them when I reached the shelter, "and Tsume caught some fish."

"Sushi for breakfast? That's something new." Hige stood up and brushed off his pants.

"Oh good! I'm hungry!" Toboe leapt up and followed me happily.

Tsume had just caught another fish when we all reached the stream. He climbed out of the water and shook himself off, sending water flying everywhere. Toboe giggled as the water hit him and then jumped into the stream, tail wagging as he lapped at the water.

"Anyone got a lighter?" Tsume asked, picking up some sticks and making a pile. "I'm assuming Porky likes his meat well done."

"Unlike some people, I work on carbs, not crazy little energy drinks that taste like monkey piss." Hige fumbled around in his pockets and brought out some matches. "Will these work, Drop Out?"

Tsume glared up at him. "If I'm ever starving and can't find any food, I'm eating YOU, Porky." The way he said it made it sound like more than just a pissed threat.

Toboe suddenly barked and leapt after a frog, sending water everywhere.

"Quiet down, Toboe- we don't want anyone to find us." I picked up some more sticks and threw them on top of Tsume's pile. "Hige, go clean off some rocks."

Hige blinked at me, a blank look on his face. "Um…why?"

"We'll put the rocks in the fire to heat them up and cook the fish on them," Tsume snapped. "Have you EVER been out of the city?"

"Nope." He picked up some stones. "You don't seem like the type to have been a Boy Scout, Drop Out. Kiba…well, maybe a little more likely." Hige started chuckling, amusement flashing in his eyes. "I guess you guys would've been CUB Scouts instead. Get it? Cubs?"

I kept my stoic expression, even though half of me wanted to knock Hige out for being so stupid and the other half of me wanted to laugh out loud. "Toboe, go find more sticks. Try not to get them wet."

Toboe clambered out of the water and shook himself out. He looked like he had just gotten out of the dryer at a laundry mat when he was done. "Alright, Kiba. I want my fish rare!" He dashed off, tail still wagging.

"Why would Darshia want the Flower?" Tsume's question made me blink. "You think he has her, right? That's why you asked me where she was."

I nodded and took some newly cleaned rocks from Hige. "I think Toboe was right- he wants the Flower to get into Paradise."

Tsume lit the fire, leaning down and blowing gently to get the flames going. "How does he know all these things about Paradise? Hell, I don't even think it even exists. How can you two be so sure?"

"It exists, and I'm not sure-" I broke off and turned to look at a man dressed entirely in red. I didn't know why I hadn't seen him before, and it pissed me off. "I suggest you leave- I really don't feel like killing you."

"I, on the other hand, have no problem with it." Tsume was tensed, ready to lunge.

The man dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead against the ground. "Forgive me, masters. I did not mean to anger you."

"What do you want?" I asked, still eyeing him suspiciously. If he thought bowing down was going to give him any more of a chance of getting away from us alive if he pulled some trick, I was sure Tsume would show him just how wrong he was.

"I wish to offer you a place to stay."

"No." Tsume's voice was terse. He meant it. "Go back to wherever the hell you came from."

The man hesitated, then looked at me hopefully. "Do you-"

"No. Now go away." I turned back to the fire, listening for him to leave.

"We can help you find Paradise!"

"Bastard, listening in on our conversation." Tsume stood, eyes burning with rage. "Piss off, asshole. I'm about ready to rip your head off of your shoulders."

The man set a piece of paper on the ground. "Very good, masters. This is where you can find us." He hesitated, glancing from me to Tsume, then left.

Toboe stumbled over, trying to keep twenty some-odd sticks from falling out of his arms. "Someone, help me! These are heavy!"

Hige grabbed one. "Sheesh, Pup, can't you do anything on your own?"

"I don't like being alone, and taking one stick isn't helping much." Toboe tripped and the sticks went flying, one of them landing on Tsume's back as he stood.

The gray Wolf picked up the piece of paper that the man had left and tossed it into the flames. "Just the fuel we needed." Sitting down, he took the stones and started heating them.

Hige helped Toboe pick up the sticks, then plopped down next to me. Yes, he plopped. "So how are we gonna keep shaking off Gramps and his faithful companion? He seems pretty intent to catch us. Maybe he heard about the reward?"

"He tried to kill Toboe, and he's trying to kill us now. He doesn't want a reward- he wants us dead." Tsume flicked out a pocket knife and started to clean the fish.

"We just have to go over terrain that he won't be able to cross easily." I wouldn't allow myself to sit. My legs were itching to start running, like I've always done.

"Can we play like a fox and backtrack and stuff?" Hige wiped drool from his mouth as he watched Tsume set the first fillet on a stone. "Or should we act like ninja?" To illustrate his point, Hige took some strange pose and started making strange sounds that sounded like they came from a bad kung-fu movie.

"This isn't a game," Tsume growled at him. "You're the only one who hasn't been hurt, so of course you don't understand. To humans, the only good we are is dead."

Hige snorted. "And I guess you don't get the fact that there are more humans than Wolves in this little world of ours? YOU let yourself blend in pretty well- you rode a motorcycle and continue to drink Red Bulls. If humans hate us so much, and if you hate them, then why blend in? Shouldn't you be pulling one of those 'race pride' things and run around as a Wolf?"

Tsume glared at him, pulled the fish out of the fire, and promptly gave it to Toboe, who dug in. "I don't think you have any right to talk about fitting in- you call one of them Mom."

"Hey, leave Mom out of this." Hige was starting to look mad, or at least as mad as I'd ever seen him.

"Have you told her that you're a Wolf yet? Are you even planning to?"

"That's enough, Tsume." It threw another piece of wood into the fire, glad that he decided to listen to me for once. "This stuff doesn't matter. We're all being hunted, so we're all in this together."

"I like humans," Toboe said, swallowing the food he had in his mouth with a loud gulp. He started clicking his boots together at the toe, watching the action with a thoughtful look on his face. "They aren't much different from us; they just can't turn into Wolves, like we can."

Tsume tossed some fish at me, refusing to look me in the face. I took a bite, then shoved the entire thing in my mouth. Even if he was a complete and total asshole, he could cook.

Rhapsodic Melody: UGH! School has claimed my SOOOUUUL! I'm OK, though. Just tired. Very tired. By the way, I'm not an idiot- you can't really cook fish rare or well done or whatever, you just cook it till it's edible. Whatever. It was Toboe, come on. And Tsume was trying to make a point. Speaking of which- Tsume as a cook. Picture him with the chef's hat and an apron- and laugh. Do it. Cuz it's funny. Please leave me a comment! I feel so unloveded!