You've got a friend in me...

None but a few lights were on in the entire city. Not even street lamps, or was the era of street lamps done with? The cold wind rushing through the vacant streets was the only element moving in that city. At least down the road she was going through that is. Not a single human was to be seen, but of course, considering the hour of the night she was strolling at, it was not unusual.

With wide ruby eyes observing every little detail of the metropolis, Cheza paid no mind to the absence of people, but more to the absence of wolves. Unsure of where she was going, Cheza just kept walking, hands into little fists over her heart and eyes ever watchful. Surrounded by nothing but dirtied buildings and raggedy open stores (a/n: like the stores in Aladdin, the market stores), she looked through every little alley and corner, hoping to spot a couple of perky ears or hear the sound of jingling bracelets.

Where is this one? Where is Kiba? And little Toboe and Hige and Tsume?

The cold October night breeze was starting to take its toll on her soaked body, getting her to slightly shiver now and then. But that was not the issue now, she needed to find her wolves. Before the scientists...or Darcia...found her.

Nearing an alley, something caught her attention. The silhouette of a canine enlarged on the side of a building brought a wide smile to her face and raised her hopes.

"Kiba!"

She made a run for him, eyes shimmering in delightful relief but the emotion soon turned into confusion when Kiba quickly turned, his shadow leaving, as she moved into the alley.

Cheza stood in the way, puzzled by his sudden retrieve but decided to follow him anyway.

"Kiba? It is this one!" Hearing no reply, Cheza walked deeper into the alley, profoundly confused by the wolf's actions.

"Kiba?" Her eyes caught sight of a pair of bright eyes in a dark corner.

Sighing happily, she took a step towards the hidden wolf. "Ki- - -"

A low growl stopped her words and before she knew it, the creature came out of the shadows, revealing its true self.

A simple stray dog.

You could easily mistake him for a wolf with his stature and bright eyes. He was a light caramel colored dog, spotted with dirt all over his fur and legs, with a dark brown spot over his right eye.

Cheza frowned as her hopes collapsed inside her as the stray stood before her, baring his teeth at her. Being the innocent one and blinded by sorrow, Cheza spoke to the canine.

"Forgive this one, this one thought you were someone else. Sorry for disturbing you." Her voice, no higher than a whisper, caught the dog by surprise. He stopped his growling and cocked his head to the side. Clearly he was confused by her sweetness.

Cheza smiled softly at him and crouched down, extending her hand out to him. "This one's name is Cheza. This one is alone just like you."

Slowly, the dirtied dog walked up to her, analyzing her with each step he took. Cheza kept her smile on, looking at him straight in his bright eyes. He took a sniff at her and felt a sense of tranquility rush over him.

As if a natural instinct, the dog lowered both his guard and his ears and allowed her hand to caress his furry head.

Cheza's smile widened, knowing the dog had accepted her and deepened her touch by fully digging her hands into his fur and hugged him. She giggled watching his tail wag left to right in delight and just embracing him brought wonderful memories. Memoirs of when her and Kiba had met.

Closing her eyes, Cheza revived those moments in her mind, letting her emotions bring the dog peace.

"Kiba..." She whispered into the cold night, his name like music to her ears and a warm blanket over her shivering small figure.

Feeling tears sting her eyes and her bottom lip quiver, Cheza tightened her hug on her new companion and nuzzled her face into his fur, trying to hold the pain in. The dog whined a bit as if asking her what was wrong.

Cheza plastered on smile and unhooked herself from him, looking at him in the face. "You are a very cute dog." She patted his head and giggled watching him try to lick her hand.

"Well, this one must go." She sighed, getting up to her feet. He whined and gave her a puppy face, eyes begging her to stay.

"This one needs to find a place to stay for a little while. Like Kiba used to do." Cheza ruffled his fur and explained to him, as if the dog would understand her reason.

Surprisingly he did.

He barked at her and wagged his tail in an excited way. Turning around, he ran deep into the shady alley. Cheza stood there a bit confused and tried spotting his figure in the dark alley but couldn't. He barked again, signaling to come and without hesitation, she did.

Watching her step, Cheza met up with the dog again, at the end of the alley which seemed to look endless when she looked over her shoulder to see the entrance. Squinting her eyes to see better at what he was showing her, Cheza smiled at the dog.

"Is this where you live?" She pointed at the cardboard dog house hidden behind tons broken boxes. He barked in agreement and went to her side, snuggling beside her leg.

"..May this one stay with you?" She looked down at him and found a very happy dog, barking in delight.

Cheza laughed as he pranced around her, happy as ever. Going behind her, he nudged the back of her knees, motioning to enter his little home.

"This one thanks you very much, friend." She smiled as she got on her knees and crawled into the small dwelling, perfect for her stature. In he went after Cheza, laying next to her.

Even in the blackness of the night she could see his bright eyes and placed a tender hand on his head, fingering his fur. "This one will repay you back, friend...My little...Unari."

His ears went up in surprise. Unari?

Cheza giggled and nodded, knowing what was going through his mind. "This one does not know your name but Unari matches you. The first thing you did to this one was growl, Unari."

Feeling like her explanation was good, not that he cared of course, the now-named Unari placed his head back on the cardboard and rested, loving the touch of her caressing hand.

Cheza smiled softly at the sight of his comfort and continued petting him as images of her friends came to her. She knew how much it helped her wolves when at night she sang to them and consecutively petted them.

She shivered a bit as the night wind swayed through their area. It did not help that she was still damp to the bone nor that the temperature seemed to be dropping. Yet she closed her eyes and tried falling asleep, wanting to relive moments in her mind.

Unari felt her shiver, he heard her shuddering breaths and scooted over to her more, shifting so his fur was covering her a bit.

"Thank you..." Cheza whispered, wrapping her arms around him and snuggling into his warmth. They soon together fell into the reign of the sandman, both happy for their new findings.

Cheza for making a new friend in a city she knew was completely dangerous. And Unari, for finally finding an owner who wouldn't mistreat him like his previous ones.

As the night grew colder and darker, there in a narrow alley draped in darkness, lay the flower maiden and her new protector.

A/N:

Unari is Japanese for growl. :) I thought I'd follow BONES ways of naming people. Kiba aka Fang, Tsume aka Claw, and so on lol.

Thanks for waiting and of course reading and reviewing :big grin: Sorry it took so long, but I can assure you that this will be the last time I take so long to update. Scout's Honor::...cricket...:

For those who might want to whack me or choke me to death for making a dog Cheza's 'new protector', let me explain. I think Kiba and the guys would be much happier knowing that Cheza's in good hands rather than being alone in a city full of wacko scientists and crazy cops.

Speaking of our four lovely wolves, they're be appearing in the next chap. So fear not! Our handsome protagonists will come to the rescue!

That's all for now, with lots of psychopathic love,

Maiden Cheza