Disclaimer: Don't own Wolf's Rain, as previously stated in the last twelve chapters.

Kiba's POV

"Run Run Run

Isn't it beautiful

This life of a flower?"

The screaming finally stopped. My throat was raw form howling and I was vaguely aware of tears on my cheeks. Tsume wiped his own face quickly and stood, refusing to make eye contact with me. "What was that, Kuro?" I croaked, turning to look at him. "It was them, wasn't it?"

Kuro nodded quietly. "I don't know what that monster does to them, but they scream like that throughout the entire day and night. Humans can't hear them—it doesn't matter to them. But even humans can tell there's something wrong with the whole place."

Toboe sniggled and wiped his nose and eyes, his whole body trembling. "Let's leave."

"It's too late now," Priestess lady murmured, looking directly at me.

"Darshia left this afternoon." Everyone whirled around to gaze at a slim blond woman with messy hair. "Don't worry, I'm a friend. I know why the Flowers scream."

"Why should we trust you?" Tsume demanded, glaring at her. "Who are you?"

"My name is Cher—"

"Like the singer?" Hige interrupted, eyes bright. "That woman-" Tsume punched him. Hard. If I ever allowed myself to, I'd need to thank him. "Piss! You guys really do know nothing about pop culture!"

"Isn't that American pop culture, anyway?" Lackey-Boy muttered, giving Hige a strange look.

"—and I use to work for Darshia." Everyone bristled. "I quit this morning, but the staff hasn't been informed yet. I can get you into the building."

"That's all damn peachy, but that has nothing to do with why we should trust you." This is why I never thank Tsume. Even I have some form of manners…

"You've walked this world before, too." The Priestess took several steps towards Cher. "You must have no memory of it."

Cher gave her a skeptical look before looking at me desperately. "Do you trust me?"

I didn't answer right away- waste of energy. Instead, I stared straight into her crystalline blue eyes, a silent sort of challenge. She gazed right back, refusing to let me turn away. Hm. Strange woman. She was smart, I could tell, so she knew she was surrounded by some pissy Wolves, but she wasn't afraid. Quite the opposite—she seemed fearless, dominant, but not cocky in her strength. Not your normal human. I had made up my mind; after she blinked, I lunged at her, snarling, and tore her hair out of her ponytail. Cher screamed and fell backwards, her hands flying up to protect her face. Turning, ponytail holder in hand, I met her eyes again. "Do you trust us?"

Cher swallowed hard and turned her face away. "You have to give trust to get it…"

"So who gives first?" I demanded, and she went silent, still on the ground.

Hige sighed suddenly. "As amazing as this rendition of my Psych class is, maybe we should decide what to do and do it?"

Toboe glanced up at me. "I trust her, Kiba." The Pup would probably trust anyone, so his vote of confidence didn't sway me much. "I have a good feeling about her."

I tossed her ponytail holder at her. "Lead the way."

fifteen minutes later

We kept to the shadows as Cher opened each door, glanced inside, and beckoned us in. Hige had finally shut up, and Toboe had stopped complaining, so our way was silent until Cher opened a large steel door.

"Anatoria." Everyone turned to look at Kuro in confusion. "This is where we separate. I have to find her."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Tsume glared at Kuro, eyes flashing with barely controlled hostility.

Kuro started walking off, a barely hidden urgency in his step. "If she's alive, maybe others from my pack are."

"Coward." Kuro paused for a moment, then kept walking. Tsume wouldn't quit. "You're afraid to keep going. You're trying to run away."

"You're a cranky dumb ass. Say whatever you want, I'm finding Anatoria."

Tsume started following him. "Let's see where you run to, Spot."

I sighed softly as Toboe trotted after Tsume. "I'm going with them, Kiba, OK? I'll be right back."

Hige grinned. "Guess it's just you, me, and the humans, Kiba, old buddy." He paused for a moment, then leaned forward and sniffed. "Smell that?"

I took a few sniffs as well and felt my heart skip a beat. "She's here." I took off without thinking. Hige's voice followed me: "As I was saying, it's just me and the humans…"

I ran as hard as I could, following that alluring, sweet scent to my Flower—or another steel door. Skidding to a stop, I looked at the door, anger and annoyance building up in me. The Flower was right behind the door, I knew it. So why? Why another damn steel door? The only way through was if Cher had the key.

Turning away, I jumped as the heater started, the whole place moaning as the vents were filled with warm air. I froze in midstep. The vents.

Glancing around, I searched for a vent that I could fit through. Just my luck- the only one was on the insanely high ceiling.

"Hey, you!" A soldier ran at me, ready to spear me with his bayonet.

I waited until he was right beneath the vent to run at him. His eyes widened and he swung at me, stopping right where I needed him to. One easy jump, a push off his head, and I was in the vent; the soldier collapsed, his neck broken from the force of my body.

After putting the ripped cover and filter back onto the vent opening, I took off down the tunnel, wishing that I wasn't wearing my jacket. I glanced through each opening I came to, seeing lab after lab after-there.

I slammed the vent open with my shoulder and went tumbling into the dimly lit room below me, landing on my feet. The Flower hung gracefully in front of me, hovering in a green orb that had wires spiraling out of it. Her eyes were closed, pale lashes fanning out over paler cheeks, and her head was tipped down slightly. She looked almost like a puppet, her arms spread out and back while her legs remained neatly together and pointed at the ground; she was beautiful.

Stepping forward, I gently rested my hand on the glass, which was strangely warm. Her eyes opened slowly, a smile touching her lips as she gazed at me. I couldn't think of what to say, but one word popped out of my mouth. "Cheza."

"Kiba." Her voice was soft, melodious, here but not. She smiled again, eyes warming.

Shock went through me as someone knocked me over; I wouldn't have fallen if I hadn't have tripped on one of the tubes feeding into the orb. Green liquid sprayed everywhere, making the wires spark.

"Bastard." A pale man with red eyes snarled down at me, eyes flashing with hatred. "Darshia was waiting for you."

"You're a Wolf." Something in me couldn't believe that one Wolf would betray another; it's our nature to stick together. "What are you doing with Darshia?"

"Finding the way to Paradise." He lunged at me again; this time I dodged. The room was filling with smoke and flames. "You're in the way." His teeth caught my arm this time. I twisted my head around and caught his throat, right beneath the jaw bone. Placing his front paws on my chest, he shoved down as hard as he could, knocking the wind out of me while forcing me to release my hold. With surprising strength, he spun and flung me into the air, straight at the orb.

Twisting in midair, I shoved off of the orb, feeling the glass crack beneath me, and met the albino halfway to the ground. We both tore at each other; agony flashed against the side of my chest as his teeth ripped my skin open. As soon as I landed, I turned back to the orb and started running towards it. The liquid was spraying from the cracks, the pressure inside building until the globe exploded. I had almost reached Cheza when the Wolf got in my way. He grinned at me insanely, unaware of the blood pouring from his throat and shoulder. My eyes were playing tricks on me; for a moment, I thought he was a black wolf, huge and looming, with one flashing blue eye and one golden…And then he looked like he did before, thin and shimmering white. "Thank you for visiting Hell. We hoped you enjoyed your stay."

Author's Note: AH HA! I'm not dead, I swear. My wrist is, though, which is why it took so long to update—that, and I was on vacation. If it ever takes an eternity for me to update, you could check my profile, because that's where I'll tell you what hurts. Next chapter is Toboe's…and Kuro and Tsume and their stupidity make me happy. You'll see what I mean next chapter. Toodles until next time! Oh,and the quotes at the beginning...those all come from songs...mostly Japanese that I've translated. If you can figure out what songs they're from, maybe I'll give you a cookie...or something. A prize. Whatever.