"Someone's coming!"

Aya's stance changed from carefully-relaxed to threat-wary within seconds. He dug his claws into the bark of the branch and ducked down. Omi perked up his ears to locate the source of Aya's agitation. With the dogs yowling and growling under them it was nearly impossible to hear anything. Suddenly the dogs stopped and turned their attention to someone Omi could not see, yet, because of the leaves. Had one of the other come here to get them? But then the dogs would not have started waving their tails. It had to be...

"Dr. Nishimura," Omi said to the figure that appeared under the tree. The women in a white coat wore a bulgy mask and looked up at them through thick glass goggles.

"You must be the other two members of Weiß," she said and Omi wondered how much they had missed while sitting on this tree. Why did she know about Weiß? And where were the others?

"I suggest you come down from there to join your friends. We have agreed on keeping a...truce until the situation has settled down. I will need some samples from you to create an antidote for the animal transformation. So, if you wouldn't mind..."

Aya 's tail was still twitching, but he nodded at the woman and looked down at the floor beside her.

"It's quite high. Do you think, you can jump the distance, Omi?"

Omi looked down as well. "I don't know. I don't think rabbits are made to jump from trees."

Dr. Nishimura was patting the head of one of the dogs that now seemed to be just as harmless as Yoji or Ken. "I could catch you, if you want," she offered. "I don't see why you should risk a sprain ankle, just because you don't know if you can trust me. I mean, I could have killed all of your friends without you knowing."

"You wouldn't," Aya simply stated, took aim and jumped before Dr. Nishimura could react to him. He landed next to one of the dogs and hissed, when it stuck his nose in his direction. Then he started stalking towards the house.

The doctor shook her head and shouted after him. "How do you know I would not do that?"

Aya turned and looked at here with those strange feral eyes. "Because you care," he said, turned and took up his path again.

The woman sighed, looked up at Omi and spread her arms. "Come on down, I have work to do. We should turn you back as soon as possible I guess. Your friend seems rather irritated about his state."

Omi gave in to a little smile. "That's just his normal personality."

He got up, took a deep breath, ignored his rising fear and screaming senses and jumped. He felt panic taking over for a moment, his feet struggling to find some ground, than Dr. Nishimura's arm closed around him. She took him against her chest and supported his rear with her other arm. Then she started walking towards the house. Omi instinctively leaned into her and felt his heart beat rise even more. He really appreciated the fact that rabbits did not blush.

"I..you...you really don't have to carry me. I can walk on my own."

"I know," she answered. "But Cassandra and the others are quite agitated at this point of time. They would be all over you, snuffling and perhaps licking your fur. I supposed you don't want dog's saliva all over you, do you?"

"No, I don't," Omi replied. He was not sure, though, if touching a woman's breast with his paws was something he wanted either. At least her white coat was quite thick and covered most of her form and the respirator mask helped to see her as a scientist and not as a...woman, too. He tried to concentrate on that while she started to caress the fur between his ears. The gentle touch help to soothe his racing heart beat a bit. It also reminded Omi of how tired he was. And how hungry. Maybe he could close his eyes just until they arrived at the lab. It would help him to calm down.

"Seems like Omi has made himself quite comfortable." Omi's eyes shot open to face a grinning greyhound. "Nice place for a nap, pal." Yoji winked at him and grinned some more.

"I...I didn't," he started and wanted to get away from the doctor's offending chest, but she held him in place.

"Don't wriggle. I will start with you to take the blood samples. So keep still or I will hurt you more than I have to."

Omi was placed on the cool, smooth surface of a desk. With wide eyes he saw Dr. Nishimura take a syringe from a drawer. Its needle glistened in the blueish light that filled the room.

"I think we can refrain from shaving you, but I will have to disinfect the puncture, so it might be a little cool from the alcohol."

Omi smelled the sharp stench of the liquid, as she moistened his fur with it. He really did not like needles, but he knew this had to be done. So he tried to concentrate on something else. Something nice. Salad maybe. Salad was good. And carrots. Yes, he really had to get another carrot. Was chocolate suitable for rabbits? And..

"Done."

Dr. Nishimura carefully picked Omi up and set him down on the floor. He blinked and felt the urge to groom himself rise. Maybe he would have to eat something soon, but now was not the time for it. Dr. Nishimura had already prepared the next syringe.

"Who wants to be next?"

Yoji rose to get to her, but Aya was faster. He jumped on the desk and set down as if he rightfully belonged there. His eyes scanned the doctor's face.

"I hope you know, what you are doing here."

Omi saw her smile behind the mask. "I have studied veterinary medicine for a few semesters. You are save with me."

"I doubt that," Aya answered, but let her take the blood from his leg anyway.

Ken and Yoji were next, their samples stored together with the first two in a small box.

She wanted to get another syringe ready, but Crawford held her back.

"I recommend you analyze the samples you have already taken first. I am quite positive that you will get the required information from them."

Dr. Nishimura furrowed her brows. "You're right. Every second might count to save all those poor creature. I will take these samples to another laboratory. It might take a while, so make yourself comfortable. Do you need anything?"

Omi thought about motioning the possibility of food and drink, but Aya had already said no, before he could make any move. So the doctor left without a word. Omi sighed and started grooming his ears. It was better than nothing.

Aya tried to get himself into the meditative half-sleep he had seen cats do so often. He draw his paws under his body, placed his head on his front paws and almost closed his eyes. He resisted the desire to lick his paws, though. He was not a cat. Not a real one. He would not give in to all his animal whimsies. But the need for sleep was overwhelming at this point of time. And he would be saved from the stupid banter, Yoji and Ken had started with one of the Schwarz again. This Schuldig guy seemed to have trouble keeping his mouth shut. Aya was quiet glad he did not have to spend more time with him than absolutely necessary.

Moments stretched to almost two hours until Dr. Nishimura came back to their room. She held a piece of paper in her hand. Aya got up immediately and perked his ears. He really hoped she had found something.

"I have good and bad news," she said without hesitation. "The good one is: I have found some clues that might lead to the creation of the antidote. The catch to the matter is that there is still something missing. Something I will not be able to get from any of you."

Aya saw the badger move and gave his expression a short assessment. The gray animal did not seem to be surprised, but looked more like he was waiting for something. Something he had already foreseen?

"What is it that you cannot get from us?" Omi asked. The rabbit looked tired, his ears dropping on each side of his head.

"I have the strong assumption that I will need the blood of a female to create the missing ingredient." Dr. Nishimura turned to Aya. "Your blood was the most promising. Do you happen to have a female relative living here in Tokyo?"

Aya felt like he had been punched in the gut. A chill ran down his spine and made his fur rise. No way he would tell Dr. Nishimura about his sister. He had already wondered about what had happened to her. If she was save with all the doctors turned into animals, but there had not been any time to think of a way to make sure about that. Her hospital was quiet close and he had thought about checking on her later, but of course he could not just leave this place. And now there was this strange woman asking about a female relative. He...he just couldn't tell her about Aya. Not in a million years.

"He has a sister", a nasal voice stated. "She lying in a hospital nearby."

Aya's eyes bore into the one of the fox who was wearing a smug grin. How could he know? Was this a trick? It had to be. He couldn't know. He just couldn't.

"He's a mind reader."

"What?" Aya blinked and looked at Yoji. The greyhound did not look as if he was joking. But it had to be a joke. A mind reader? This was...

"...impossible." Schuldig looked at him. "What is this? Is he really hearing what I am thinking? Ninetynine. Red. Roses. Spathiphyllum. Oh come on, now you're just making words up to test me." Schuldig drew a face and rolled his eyes.

Dr. Nishimura turned to Aya. "So you really do have a sister?"

Aya nodded slowly. He still was not comfortable with the thought of someone being able to read his mind. How much had he seen? Did he know more about Aya? Would he be able to find her, if he refused to lead the doctor to her hospital?

"Fine, we need her blood. Where is she?"

"You..no. You can't have her." Aya hissed at the doctor and flattened his ears. His tail puffed out as it lashed behind him. He would not let her go without a fight. If she went for the door, he would catch her and drag her back here. Even if this was impossible.

Dr. Nishimura looked at him with scientific interest. "It seems that cats can get quite protective, too. Normally I prefer dogs, but maybe I should consider getting one or two cats as well."

"This is not funny," Aya spat. "You will not lay a finger on my sister."

"Well, than you will be responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people. Is your sister really worth that? Besides I only need a little blood sample from her. I will be able to synthesize the antidote based on her data."

Aya grit his teeth. He did not want to get Aya involved in any of his Weiß affairs. But he did not really have a choice, did he? He had to do it or anyone in Tokyo would stay an animal for the rest of their lives. He could not let that happen. Perhaps there was a way.

"I will go to get the sample myself." Like that Aya would stay save.

"That's a brilliant idea. I will come with you." The fox smiled at him innocently.

Aya felt a growl emerge from his throat. "Now you won't. I won't let someone like you near my sister."

"Someone like me?" Schuldig drawled. "I should be offended. But I am not. You are right to be careful and so am I. Therefore, I will make sure you really bring us your sister's blood and not anyone else's."

"I..." Aya started and closed his mouth again. He really had been thinking about that. But this would, of course, be stupid. He did not know, how he would get his sisters blood, but it would not be much harm to her. He did not like the idea of the fox joining him, though.

"I will come, too, then," Yoji said and rose. "I don't trust you either and I will keep Aya company."

The fox smirked at him. "Then Farfarello will join us, too. Nagi's still sleeping and Crawford's leg are too short. With Farfarello we'll make a nice four-leaved clover."

The ferret grinned. "I like clover."

"Then it's decided," Schuldig said cheerfully and headed for the door. When he reached the stairs he turned around and looked at Aya. "Are you coming?"

Aya gritted his teeth and jumped down from the desk. He went slowly, taking his time. He would not be rushed by this stupid Schwarz and he would certainly not let him intimidate him by any means. At least he had something Schuldig wanted. He was the one in control. He would be the leader.

The fox just rolled his eyes. "If you say so. So go on then. Lead us, oh fearless...er...cat."

Farfarello snickered and Yoji growled, but Aya just choose to ignore the obnoxious telepath. He would have to guard his thoughts, but he had done worse. All that mattered now was to get to the hospital and to keep Aya safe while taking her blood. Then this nightmare would finally come to an end.

Music: "Bangerang" - Skrillex