As I stated last time, some dialogue may have been left out or changed around. This chapter has some of both. I also want to say that I had read a Wolf's Rain fic where Cher was a wolf and that's where I got the idea for this one. I found the idea of Hubb being a wolf interesting. I thought it possible when it was discovered that his allergies had disappeared completely.

Chapter Two- Gunshot of Remorse

Hubb's thoughts were awhirl as he drove. All this time, he was really a wolf and never knew it. His allergies had disappeared awhile ago, a sign of his true nature. His senses were now enhanced and, for the first time, he saw the world clearly and differently.

He glanced at the flower maiden who sat in the seat beside him. She appeared to be asleep, but his enhanced hearing told him she just had her eyes closed. "I hope we're going in the right direction," he finally said, causing Cheza to open her eyes. "Paradise is somewhere up ahead isn't it?" He glanced over at her.

She nodded. "Yes, it is."

For some reason, her response sent a shiver of excitement through him and his stomach squirmed with the same emotion. He couldn't help glancing at her now and again as he drove. He wanted to make sure she was all right. She was the key to Paradise, at least according to the others. Deep down, he believed them though his rational mind told him it was impossible. But then again, Cher had told him earlier that anything is possible.

"Hey, Hubb!" called Hige from the back. "Stop the car! The old guy's dying!"

Hubb hit the brakes and stopped the truck. Leaping out the door, he ran into the back. Quent lay on the floor, gasping something awful. "Quent!" he exclaimed. "Hang in there!" He started pushing on the hunter's chest as he sensed the other wolves behind him.

"What's wrong?" Kiba asked, concern lacing his voice.

"It could be severe dehydration," Hubb answered. "Either that or internal bleeding."

"Is there something we can do?"

"I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I'm not certified in CPR."

It was then that Cheza entered. She moved to the hunter's mouth and breathed into it. Hubb pushed down a few times before Cheza breathed in again. Quent's awful gasping became normal. Hubb sighed with relief.

"Well, I think he's out of the woods for now," he reported.

They resumed their journey and Hubb reflected on the wolves. He thought about the white one, Kiba. He seemed so confident, acted like he knew where to go. He certainly acted like a leader and Hubb felt content to let him lead the way.

Then, there was the gray one, Tsume. He seemed like a warrior-type. Hard, tough as nails, didn't take anyone's crap. That kind of attitude made it hard for anyone to get close to him. Except for Toboe.

Toboe. The reddish-brown one and the youngest of the group. He was fond of humans and looked up to Tsume as a role model. But, he could prove himself a fierce protector if the need arose.

Hige, the golden-brown one, seemed pretty easygoing and friendly. He looked rather thoughtful lately and Hubb wondered why that was. When he wasn't distracted by his thoughts, he kept Blue company.

Blue was completely different from the rest. She was half-wolf and had served as Quent's wolf-tracking dog. She had a strong tie to Quent as well as to Hige. Hubb wondered if he could feel like a part of the group, what with being human for so long.

The vehicle stuttering and stopping brought him back to the present. He looked over the instruments and found the gas gauge empty. It would be walking from here on out. Hubb hoisted Quent onto his back, Kiba took Cheza, and Toboe and Tsume took the blankets before the group set off across the snow-covered ground as the snowstorm progressed.

It was cold and the storm had stopped when they stopped to rest. But the cold didn't really bother Hubb. Must be his fur. Nevertheless, he snuggled under his blanket. Quent laid on the mat and blanket beside him, resting. He wasn't conscious, but he was alive. Hubb slept for awhile before he became aware of someone watching them. He rolled over and saw Blue, the half-wolf watching Quent.

"It's ok. He's sleeping," he told her. "You might as well get some rest, too. I'll check on him in the morning, though it's getting kind of hard to tell if it's night or day now."

"I'm scared," Blue said. "How's Pops going to react when he wakes up and sees all of us."

"I don't think he'll have any hard feelings. He can let go of all that rage now, thank to you."

At that moment, Quent opened his eyes.

"Pops!" Blue exclaimed.

"Blue," Quent said in a soft voice. "where are you?"

"Pops, it's all right. I'm right beside you."

Quent reached a hand out and it ran across Blue's fur. "That's right, there you are. Good girl. Who else is here with you."

"It's me, Quent. Do you remember?" Hubb spoke up.

"Yeah. The detective."

"Can't you see him?" Blue asked.

"The only thing I can make out clearly is a bunch of blurs. Quent couldn't see clearly but surely that would pass soon enough.

Toboe came over and crouched down next to Blue. "Hey, he's finally awake. That's great."

"That boy," Quent murmured, recognizing Toboe's voice. "It's not just him. There are others. I can sense them."

"That's right," Kiba said.

"Who is that? Who else is here?" Quent demanded.

"Well, Pops," Blue began. "they're, they're, uh…well the thing is…"

"We're the wolves you've been tracking," Kiba interrupted.

Quent gasped before saying, "Heh. You guys are messing with me."

"They're not," Hubb told him. "It's the truth. They're wolves." Hubb decided not to tell Quent he was a wolf, too. At least not at this moment.

"The Flower Maiden is here with them as well," he continued. "It was Cheza who resuscitated you. She saved your life."

"They're all on their way to Paradise and they brought you along so we could all go together."

"To Paradise?" Quent sat up before grabbing his shotgun, putting it in his coat, and staggering to his feet.

"Pops," Blue said. "you shouldn't be moving."

Quent ignored her and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Hubb asked.

Quent didn't see to hear him. Instead as he passed the wolves, he said more to himself than to the others, "They want to go to Paradise together. What a nightmare. If you're telling me this is what's really happening, you should have let me die.

"What's wrong with you?" Toboe suddenly spoke up. "Do you have the slightest idea how worried Blue was about you? I know how much you want to be with her! Why are acting like this?"

"Shut up!" Quent shouted. Then in a normal tone, Quent said, "Blue, you're not my dog anymore."

Blue looked as if she had been punched in the stomach. "But you can't," she said softly. She stood there in stunned silence as her former master staggered off. Hubb felt sorry for Blue and angry at Quent. He took off after the hunter, calling his name.

"Quent, why did you do that? Blue wanted to stay with you."

"Blue's free now. She can do what she wants."

"She wants to be with you." Hubb put a hand on Quent's shoulder.

There was a click as Quent whirled around and aimed his shotgun at Hubb's chest. Hubb froze as he saw burning hatred in the man's eyes. He also saw teeth holes in the hunter's coat- right where his hand had been! Hubb was shocked that trying to touch with his hand was actually his mouth doing the touching. That would take some getting used to, provided he wasn't about to get shot.

"So, you're a wolf too. How long have you been in league with them?"

"I haven't been one long. You don't have to go. You can come to Paradise with us."

"Silence! Don't mention that cursed place! Wolves are evil and you would do well to deny your true self. That's why I don't shoot you now. Because I giving you the chance to redeem yourself." Lowering the gun, Quent walked off.

Hubb stood there, contemplating. He could deny his wolf side, but he felt that if he did, his wolf abilities would pop up at the worst times. No. The best thing to do was embrace his destiny. He would toss aside his remaining humanity and let his instincts guide him. Just as the others let their instincts guide them. Thus, Hubb shed his human guise in favor of four paws, a tail, and a fur coat.

A horrible stench reached his nose and his put a foreleg over it. That had to be the smell of a noble. He had heard the others say what a terrible scent it was, but he never understood until now. The scent had to belong to Darcia. He was after Cheza. Well, not if he could help it. He would follow Darcia and keep him away from the flower maiden.

I had more written to this chapter, but what was there was actually in episode three, so I relocated to my chapter three.