Sorry for the delay, it's cram session here, so enjoy what I did get done, and normal disclaimer follows:

I do NOT claim ownership or influence of any kind of Wolf's Rain or their characters, Bones and Bandai does. And yes I am updating as quickly as I can

Chapter 6

True enough, we were not taking the same route down the mountain it often seemed that we were diving for the bushes every ten minutes or so when the camera came passing by the rocks were a rugged staircase for us, much easier than climbing I'll admit.

We were almost to the town's level at the last of our run for the night. Kiba and Tsume led us, Toboe and Hige followed them, while Cheza and I took rear. I'll say this, Cheza can be impish if she wants to, she nearly sent Toboe, Hige and myself into a panic when she nearly decided to step over the edge then turning back towards us.

Toboe sighs, somewhat relieved that we weren't caught, and that Cheza hadn't fallen off the ledge. "So, she already knew."

"She is the Flower Maiden after all," Hige remarks.

"Flower Maiden or no," I retort. "I would prefer if she save surprises like that for when we aren't about to keel over as it is." I was losing patience and feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the day's earlier events.

"But how?" Toboe inquires eagerly to Hige's statement.

Hige shrugs. "She can probably just feel it," he guesses, glancing away.

"But there's no such thing," Toboe argues angrily.

"You might not be able to see it, but it does exist." the brown wolf answers calmly, turning back to the path.

"Maybe she's looking out for us," Toboe estimates, looking back at Cheza. "but why?"

"Because you guys are watching her," Kiba answers from below us.

"That's no surprise," Tsume replies coldly from his point position. "She's neither wolf, nor human. Neither is she a flower. How are we supposed to trust such a thing, especially since a noble made it?"

"Her," I correct, knowing it's not the best idea to antagonize the gray wolf. "She's a her, Tsume, get it right, and besides, it's the way one is raised accounts for who one is, not because of breeding or who made it."

Tsume looks annoyed at my statement. Kiba just glares at Tsume in disgust.

"Are we going to take her along like this?" Tsume asks nonchalantly.

"Yeah," Kiba replies.

"Why?" Tsume inquires without hesitation.

"Well, don't you think it's all right?" Toboe pipes in, trying to quell the brewing argument. "We'd feel pretty guilty if we left her behind, besides, wouldn't it be nice to travel with the scent of flowers?"

"On the contrary, wouldn't that be dangerous?" Tsume returns snidely.
Kiba looks at him questioningly.

"If she keeps spreading such a strong scent, they can track us down easily."

"We can always say she's a perfume tester," I joke, trying to get everyone calmed down.

Tsume doesn't want to be humored at the moment and glares at me.

"Humans can't smell this scent," Kiba states firmly.

I open my mouth at the wrong moment and contradict him. "I can,"

The entire group except Cheza stares at me. "but just a little bit." I look down uncomfortably trying to shift out of their gazes.

"I can also tell when something is going to cause trouble," Tsume remarks cockily, like he's won the argument or something. "What are you saying that she can do?"

Kiba turns to face Tsume again, his hackles rising up a bit, and his face starting to wrinkle. "You should already know just how important Cheza is to us," he challenges.

"I don't think I do," Tsume retorts, returning Kiba's statement.

"It's to get us to Paradise," the white wolf answers impatiently.

"I've heard enough of that," the gray wolf dares to cross the lines, his eyes narrowing angrily.

I almost step between the two to prevent any unnecessary fights, but something stop me and everyone else as well, one by one we all look over and see Cheza singing in the moon's light. The song doesn't seem to have words, but it's disarming and soothing nonetheless.

"Somehow, I feel very…sleepy," Toboe says slipping to the ground tiredly.

"Hey," Tsume calls out worriedly even as he's having trouble keeping upright. "don't fall asleep Toboe."

"I can't," The pup replies. "my body is already asleep." with that Toboe is soundly snoring.

"What is this?" Tsume demands. Turning around to face Kiba, whose eyelids are drooping in exhaustion.

"I don't know," is the weary reply. "I just…" Kiba leaves the answer hanging as he drops his head asleep as well.

I can't help myself, the song is getting to me too, I drop to the ground, uncaring what rock or twig is digging into my side.

"Maybe just a little rest," I murmur before closing my eyes surrendering to the song's spell.

The dreams that night are surprisingly peaceful and I actually find myself enjoying it. The desert night air is fresh and heavy, the way it feels before a rainstorm, the winds are barely stirring the ancient sands. But the faint rustle of low desert palms gives enough rhythm to add song to this barren land. The clouds are murmuring threats of thunder within them.

I start to dance to the rustling leaves and menacing beat within the clouds. My feet are chasing after the small puffs of dry dust. the winds strengthen as I continue to dance adding to the song with ribbons of long mournful howls that whisper around me, tugging me to join. Then the clouds surprise me with a drop of rain, I glance up and slowly, I hear another fall, I chase after it, following the next, then another. I kept up with the rain's tempo until they were dropping so freely from the sky that they were turning to chase me.

The wind whips and twirls the rain drops, bending them from their appointed course. And I twirl with them, landing on the slippery rocks. Then the thunder comes lighting the shadowed sky and pulsing through the earth. I laugh at the lightning, and it takes the challenge.

The storm is pulsing through the ground and sky now, the winds, twirl and tug, whip and lash at me and the rain. The thunder shakes the ground fiercely. I leap and twist, raising my hands to meet the sky, blinking against the raindrops.

Little by little, the rain stops, the winds lower their mighty voice, and the thunder disappears into an echo. I look around exhausted and glance at a small pool of water the rain had left behind. I look in and instead of my reflection I see a small wolf staring back, a wolf with silver-gold fur and sly glittering hazel brown eyes. I stare at it for a moment and reach into the water, and watch my hand turn to a paw beneath the surface of the water.

I wake up suddenly, my eyes snap open, staring at a tree trunk. The cold muggy air reminds me again where I am. The mountains. I look up and see Cheza looking at me, her eyes are smiling down in a friendly expression. I sit up slowly, feeling the ache of whatever rock or root had embedded itself into my ribs.

"Man," I yawn, stretching my legs out. "what time is it?" I ask no one in particular, I get an answer anyway.

"Almost sunrise," Kiba says, staring out to the east.

"If I weren't so groggy, I'd probably be enjoying it," I laugh quietly then stare out at the dense twilight. "Daylight and midnight, meeting and separating all at once, showing the truth, and casting it out." I whisper to myself.

The white wolf looks over at me, gold eyes narrowing in question.

"Last night you said you could smell Cheza." he mentioned softly, but his shifted blue eyes hardened.

I shake my head, this was not my idea of a morning conversation. I turn away not wanting to remember anything from yesterday, except finding Cheza.

"Kali," the silver-white wolf says, with the beginnings of a growl coming into his voice.

"Yes, I can," I answer quickly. "not much though, just when she's really close or downwind."

"But you're human," he affirms hastily, glancing over me as if to reassure himself.

"I know," I almost shout at him, "I know I'm human, but ever since I've met up with you and the rest of the pack, nothing is making any sense to me anymore!" I curl away slightly.

"Like what?" Kiba asks cocking his head in confusion.

I glance away, "can I ask you a question?"

Kiba nods silently.

"Do wolves have proverbs or any wise sayings?" I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I just have to know.

"We do, why do you ask?" the white wolf inquires cocking his head.

"It's just something Zari said when we left, it just… reminded me of my Grandfather."

"What did he say?"

"'As long as the moon is there, flowers will not cease to exist, now will wolves,'" I repeat the old wolf's words. "My grandfather said nearly the exact same thing."

"How did your grandfather know wolf words?" Kiba asked in amazement.

"I don't know," I shake my head. "I didn't know they might've been wolf's until Zari said that phrase!"

"What does Cheza smell like to you?" he says curiously.

I look back at him, questioningly. "Like, cold rain and lilies," I say glancing at the Flower Maiden hesitantly. "that would be the closest I can describe it."

"What's all going on here?" Hige yawns from where he was resting.

"Nothing important," I answer lightly,

"Aw, well, at least we slept good, right?" the chubby brown wolf asks stretching before he got up.

"Two of them still are," I inform nodding towards the pup and the gray wolf, "and I have a feeling that Tsume is one the kind that you regret waking up."

"Eh, I'll just let someone else wake him if we need to," Hige replies carelessly

"Don't look at me," I say half-seriously, "knowing my luck, I'd end up getting my hand bitten off or worse."

Hige shrugs, "Well, we'll need to get some supplies from the town first, food's not exactly plentiful here."

"I need to get a few essentials, also," I say standing up, stepping over Toboe.

"Ai!" Hige yelps, nearly making me tumble over.

"Huh, what?" I ask, looking around panicked, hoping we haven't been discovered.

"How did you get those?" Hige demands pointing down to my feet.

I glance down seeing my feet covered in a layer of dirt, what was seen below that was multiple cuts, scratches and several open blisters. I bite my lip not wanting to answer.

"Do they hurt?" Kiba asks, looking at them closely.

I curl my toes in response, "It's not anything to worry about," I mutter.

"Where'd your shoes go?" Hige says worriedly, "You didn't lose them when we were running around yesterday did you?"

I roll my eyes. "You are observant, aren't you, Hige?" I snap. "I got rid of them when we were in that town with all those wolves."

"You've been going around without shoes for almost four days?" Hige exclaims disbelievingly.

"What's it to you?" I retort, glaring back at him.

Hige stands up a bit taller, putting his hands in his hoodie's pockets stubbornly, "It's not gonna matter how much you dig your heels in, Kali, you're getting shoes."

"I'm fine," I protest. "besides, I kept up with you guys just fine without them."

Hm?" Toboe moans tiredly behind me. "it's morning?" he asks, blinking at the sunlight that's just now coming through the trees.

"Yeah," Hige answers lazily.

"You need to get some medicine for those wounds." Kiba states firmly

My jaw hangs open in surprise. "Both of you?!" I almost shout, ready to object, but Kiba's firm glare brings me to a dead halt. "Fine, I'll get some herbs or ointment or something when I'm in that town."

"We're going?" Toboe asks, jumping up excitedly, fully awake at the news.

The white wolf nods.

"When do we go?" the pup inquires, leaning forward. I smirk thinking that he's almost ready to pop out of his fur.

"When Tsume wakes up," Kiba answers tersely.

I glance over at the still sleeping gray wolf "That's not going to be anytime soon, he looks pretty comfy to me." I smirk, wishing I had a camera with me.

Kiba peered over to me, then looked at Tsume who was lying there, oblivious to everything. The white wolf strides over to Tsume.

"Oh, no," I mutter, realizing Kiba's intention, I duck behind Hige grabbing his yellow hoodie fiercely, not wanting to be in the middle of the upcoming melee. Toboe leaps into the trees, Hige nearly topples over me trying to back away, looking nervous.

"Wake up," Kiba says, Tsume just continues sawing logs.

I relax about a hair's breadth.

"Hey, get up," the white wolf calls out a little louder, Tsume doesn't even budge.

Kiba is now a few inches from the gray wolf, after staring at him inquisitively, then nudges his foot into Tsume's ribs, I nearly swallow a lung. But Tsume reacts simply by rolling over and snore. Cheza giggles softly, still stroking the sleeping wolf's back.

"That's a first." Hige says, scratching his head nervously.

"You're telling me," I mutter from behind him, still grabbing his shirt.

"Is he ok?" Toboe asks from his perch.

"What are you doing?" Hige demands, waving me off his jacket.

"Using you as a shield, in case Tsume woke up." I reply easily.

Hige snorts and tugs his hoodie into place. "Well, what now?" he asks Kiba. "he's obviously not going to wake up."

"We'll go to the town," Kiba says, turning to us. "get what we can, and see if there's a safe route down the mountain." his tone is terse and precise.

"Let's go then," Toboe remarks as he climbs down, Hige nods in agreement, then all of us start off towards the town. Kiba puts a hand on my shoulder, stopping me.

"What is it?" I ask looking at him Kiba's stormy blue eyes are lit with worry.

"I want you to stay here, Kali," He says calmly, looking back at Cheza.

"Why?" I inquire, looking back at him.

"Those men might come back," he explains, "I need you to stay with Cheza."

I glance back at the Flower Maiden hesitantly and sigh. "Fine," I concede. "I'll keep an eye out for anything." I walk back to the tree.

Kiba nods silently and the three wolves head towards the mountain's village.

"Looks like it's just you and me," I comment to Cheza as I lean against a fallen arch. Cheza's crimson eyes smile at me in wordless reply and she strokes Tsume again.

An hour passes and Tsume's still asleep and I'm getting antsy. I needed to do something, I glance at the Flower Maiden.

"Cheza," I ask quietly. She just looks up, with a calm smile, indicating that she'd heard. "Why did you give me those dreams?" I inquire hesitantly, before starting to ramble on. "I mean, it doesn't make sense, I'm human, not wolf."

The Flower Girl's eyes, look at me bewildered. "This one sees differently," she says warmly. "You are a friend."

I cock my head, totally confused. "What do you see?" I don't know why I'm asking this, and I'm not sure if I want the answer.

"Friend," is the simple reply, and it drives my frustration over the edge.

"Cheza, I'm human, so why did you keep sending me dreams," I choke out, not wanting to growl. "Kiba was looking for you. Toboe is willing to listen to almost anything he hears. Tsume and Hige were in the area. You could've given them the dreams, why me?"

"You wanted dreams," she answers softly. "you wanted to remember."

"Remember what?" I shake my head, trying to discern her statement.

"This one told you," Cheza says, her scarlet eyes shining cheerfully.

I don't get what she's telling me and my frustration has grown, I decide that I need a short break.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," I tell the Flower Maiden. "if Kiba gets back before me, tell him I'm close by."

Cheza nods, knowingly, petting Tsume's back again before I run off a little ways.

I'm far enough to where I can't see Cheza, but close enough to get to her if there's trouble. The trees around me are huge rough and mossy, the branches hang their leaves over me like a lace curtain that glints as the sun passes through them. I turn around inspecting the area. My thoughts fly back to what happened yesterday.

I was the weakest of the pack, and I hated it. I was faster than the soldiers, but just barely, I only had my knives to defend me without them I was useless. I felt my blood heat up furiously at the thought. I punch the closest tree, loose pieces of bark shatter and fall to the ground.

"What's it gonna take?" I ask aloud, punching the tree again, then step into my street battle routine, I'm a little rusty at first, then I start weaving in and out among the saplings around the titantic trees and my agility comes back, I spiral among them, seeing how close I can get without even the needles brushing my skin. Faster and faster I flip over one sapling that is nearly twice my size then swipe through the prickly branches when I land.

Everyone knows you're fast, Kali, I scold myself, a blind man can see that, but they know when you slow down, you're weak. I tell myself, I have to be stronger if I want to last another fight. I knew how to use speed to my advantage, to keep at a distance, but guns could outdo me and my knives easily, but so could wolves.

I sigh, I was going to need help. I look around my impromptu training ground and head back towards Cheza.

I climb into the tree, just in time to see Tsume wake up, backing away from Cheza like she's a curse then sitting up awkwardly.

Cheza apparently doesn't mind, and smiles at him. "You slept for the longest time." she says. Tsume just looks around, then stares at the Flower Maiden blankly. The sun strikes his black leather jacket so that it glares off it, nearly blinding me, "Did you have a nice dream?" Cheza asks.

Tsume glances away "I don't remember," he replies gruffly.

"You were running in your dreams," she replies, no mistake that she knew.

Tsume's tries to scowl at her, but the confusion is too obvious to miss. He stands up when Kiba comes back from the town.

"It's no use," he tells Tsume. "All the roads down the mountain have been blocked by those guys we'd better think of another way."

Tsume starts to pass him. "Don't go wandering off and leaving me with her like that," he growls.

"I tried waking you up, but you seemed quite content." Kiba replies.

Tsume glares at him, "Shut up, I was tired."

"Shut up yourself, you snore," I retort from my perch.

The gray wolf looks up at me in surprise. "How long have you been up there?"

"About twenty seconds," I reply leaning back against the rough trunk. "How long have I been in the general area, about an hour."

Kiba glances up at me, "You can come down now." he tells me, pulling out a package of what looks like herbs.

"Oh, no," I say, pulling my feet back. "I said I was fine, and I am."

I hear Kiba sigh, but the surprise comes from Tsume.

"What's wrong with you?" the gray wolf asks looking up.

"Nothing," I snarl.

"Her feet are hurt," Kiba explains to his packmate.

"They are not," I protest vehemently. "If they did, I'd be complaining."

"Kali, get down," Tsume orders, which gets my blood hot.

"Bite me," I snap back, before realizing the mistake of what I'd just said.

Tsume is on my branch in an instant. "Do you really want that?" he asks snidely.

"Depends, if it just gets through skin, or bone crushing," I retort.

Tsume just grabs my shirt's collar and jumps down, dragging me with him.

"What's wrong with your feet?" Tsume asks as he sets me down if front of Kiba, then looks down at my feet. "never mind."

"Observant as usual," I mutter, trying to pull my feet away.

Kiba kneels down and pulls out some water. "This may sting, but I need your feet." he explains calmly.

I reluctantly stick my foot out. "Have I mentioned before that I hate medicine?" I ask nervously, just as he douses my foot.

I hiss in response to the cold liquid, my fists curl up tightly and Tsume's behind me, smirking at my reaction Kiba rubs the layer of dirt off revealing more of the cuts and blisters.

"If that's what the tops look like," I mumble, "I don't even want to imagine what the soles are like."

"Humans," Tsume remarks cockily.

"Shut up," I snarl through my teeth, when Kiba pulls out some of the powdered herbs.

Cheza come over and kneels down beside Kiba and reaches for my foot. My eyes go wide at what she's about to do, I jerk my foot away.

"No," I tell her firmly, shaking my head. "not here, not now, not in a thousand centuries." Cheza's eyes look almost hurt at my statement. "you shouldn't be wasting your gifts on humans, least of all me." I snatch the dried and powdered herbs from Kiba and brush them onto my feet. They sting, but it feels better than the questioning stares of the wolves.

Hige and Toboe show up several minutes later panting, their arms stuffed with groceries.

"Phew, that was quite a trip," Hige says between breaths.

"We're back," Toboe confirms nearly dropping to his knees.

"You guys took your time," Kiba comments looking at them.

"This guy was slinking around, so," Hige exclaims pulling a package from under his arm and tossing it to Kiba, "Here, provisions."

"We can tell you ate," I joke from where my secluded spot. "you're giving us food."

Hige takes the opportunity to scowl at me.

"We brought back a number of things," Toboe says coming forward with an old, and very ugly fur jacket.

Tsume stares at the jacket as well. "Hey, what were you thinking?" he asks.

"What do you mean?" Toboe asks innocently. "it's a gift," the pup places the coat on Cheza, stepping back smiling.

I shake my head. "Never trust a guy to create a fashion statement," I mutter, trying to hide a smirk when Cheza's face falls in agreement at the coat.

"You don't like it?" Toboe asks, his shoulders sag in disappointment.

"That's what it looks like," Kiba remarks from behind him.

"I told you, she'll like these though," Hige says, pulling out a pair of bright pink boots.

Tsume smirks at him. "I wonder if it'll be any different."

"Oh, God," I groan, burying my face into my hands. "Knowing my luck, I'll be eating my words."

"What do you mean?" Kiba asks, still holding the bag of provisions. And Hige puts the boots down in front of the Flower Maiden.

"I've always said that pink only looks good on flowers." I tell Kiba tiredly.

Cheza's eyes brighten when she sees the boots and slips her feet into them, she takes a few steps testing them, twirling around and laughing.

"Perfect," I comment, slumping down further. "They fit."

Tsume give me a crafty grin in response.

Hige cocks his head uncertainly. "You like it?" he asks then laughs with her.

Cheza continues twirling around, showing off the new boots, I can't help but crack a smile at the infectious laughter that stops too soon when an old woman comes down the road on a twisted cane.

"Cheza?" Kiba asks, looking at her worriedly, then he sees the woman as well.

Hige and Toboe take a step back, while Tsume stands up from his post. I crouch down on my fallen arch, ready to run or attack if necessary.

"Who's that?" Cheza asks, her eyes latched on the old woman. The lady smiles and comes towards us slowly at her unsteady pace. All of us stay put until the woman is less than two meters from Cheza when Kiba steps between them.

"Wolves, I see," the elderly woman remarks, her low raspy voice reaches my ears and the hairs on my arms prickle. The rest of them tense up as well.

"Old lady," Kiba addresses her calmly. "who are you?"

The lady surprises us when she wordlessly removes her glasses, then opening her ancient eyes. Her eyes match Cheza's wine colored eyes flawlessly. I nearly collapse in shock.

"What in the- how?" I splutter aimlessly. Kiba finishes my thoughts for me.

"What in the world are you?" he asks, concealing his shock better than most of us.

"Flowermen," The old lady replies simply, "That's what they called us."

"Who's 'they'?" I ask, stepping closer.

"This one recognized your scent," Cheza says uncertainly. "Are you different than this one?"

"You are a true masterpiece," the woman answers admiringly. "you are different from us."

"Masterpiece?" Kiba asks, not exactly how to take the term.

"You make it sound like she's a piece of art, or a tool." I remark, my eyes narrowing in response.

"I was not speaking to you, Lost one," the old lady replies harshly at being interrupted, then turns back to Cheza. "I have been expecting you for some time."

"So she wasn't a ghost," I hear Toboe whisper behind me.

"I smell them," Hige says, turning to the catch the scent better.

"They're here?!" Kiba exclaims looking back to them.

Tsume looks back cautiously. "I guess this is no time to be careless," He comments.

"Then let's go," I shout to them, jumping off the arch I had been perched on.

The old lady rushes off faster than I would've thought she was capable of, Cheza follows after her with Kiba at her heels, Toboe wastes no time following after him, I chase after him desperately not wanting to be dead last, Hige and Tsume trail us. The branches and brush seem to be a living obstacle course as we head down the hill, the flowerwoman and wolves jump down silently, I opt for sliding most of the way down, hurdling the roots and shrubs when necessary.

"You think it's okay to follow her?" Toboe asks.

"If she's with Cheza, then we shouldn't have to worry," Hige answers.

"At this point, I don't care," I say from behind them.

We reach a small dell, and the lady pulls a small hidden door open and all of us race into the shadow filled room before she closes the door.

"Just asking here, but who were you referring to when you said 'they'?" I pant when we are inside.

"Quiet!" Tsume demands looking out the window where the soldiers had arrived at.

"Darcia's scientists, Lost one," The old lady answers when the elites had moved on elsewhere.

The woman seats Cheza in a well worn, but well cared for chair, the rest of us take our place along the walls, Hige and Toboe are near the window, Tsume is in his own reclusive corner, barely visible from the entrance. I stay near the door, where the light doesn't quite reach. Kiba stands near Cheza and the Flowerwoman.

"I've experienced it in this body," The old woman begins, her voice cracking at the painful memories. "Those dreadful events, and those flowermen who weren't completed, they had no choice but to wither away." She paused to raise her head, as if to see Cheza more clearly. "I escaped from the castle. I've been holding my breath in this forest in the mountains for a very, very long time. And when I came I was alone." the old woman's red wine eyes spark excitedly when she looks at Cheza expectantly. "You may not know, but I know you very well, everything about you."

"This one has been sleeping until now, waiting for so very long." Cheza says calmly. Her gold collar glints from the sunlight from the open window.

Kiba smiles knowingly at Cheza.

The old woman bows her head disappointedly. "The wolf seeks the flower, and the flower seeks the wolf," she recites an old proverb of sorts. "But you must not go with these people." she urges Cheza desperately.

"Why?" Cheza asks looking confused at the proverb as well as the warning, and so do I.

"Because it leads to destruction," The woman answers.

"Don't be ridiculous," Kiba barks.

"I was not speaking to you," the flower woman returns sharply.

"Let's go, Cheza," he says firmly, the Flower Maiden stays rooted to the chair a hard determined expression claiming her usual gentle face.

"My scent is already getting faint." The old woman says mournfully. "soon it will probably fade away completely."

"What should This one do?" Cheza asks her eyes grow wide at the thought of the flowerwoman dying.

"You have the ability to extend a flowerman's life," The old lady explains. "Stay here and-"

"Cheza don't listen to her," Kiba interrupts sharply.

"Wolf, what are you to accomplish by taking this child with you?" The old woman asks, the wrinkles on her forehead furrowing in annoyance and anger.

"We're going to Paradise," Cheza answers. All of us look at her, Toboe is overjoyed, Hige is leaning forward in amazement, Tsume is skeptical, my mind is just overflowing with hope, Kiba is swelling with pride the old woman is skeptical, and disappointed at the decision. "We're going to Paradise." Cheza repeats. And I stand up taller at the resolution in her voice.

"Shh," Tsume says, glancing out the window, then back to us. "Keep it down!"

All the wolves, save Kiba are gathered at the window, looking at this scientist coming down the hill carefully with some sort of device in her hand.

"This is something I smelled before at the castle," Hige exclaims. "I've seen that woman before somewhere."

"What are we going to do?" Tsume asks, looking to Kiba.

Kiba pauses for a moment, his hard blue eyes narrow slightly before he speaks. "Let's go," he says looking to the Flower Maiden again. "let's go, Cheza."

"That woman's looking for Cheza," I tell them out of instinct.

"Wha- how do you know?" Hige asks, looking at me uncertainly.

"I don't know, I just do," I say shaking my head. "we have to keep Cheza away from her."

Kiba nods in agreement, and all of us prepare for a hostile game of 'cat and mouse'.

The scientist comes closer to our safe haven, and Tsume jumps down from the trees, landing in front of her. Hige and Toboe land on either side of her, leaving her only motion to back away. I take the opportunity to go behind Tsume, doubling Cheza's guard in case our line of defense broke.

"You people," The scientist exclaims, looking at each of us. "Who in the world are you people?" I duck my head down, trying to look more like a young man than a full grown woman. The blonde woman spots Cheza and Kiba through the trees. Just before both of them bound up to a nearby ledge, before turning to us, Kiba's white wolf form appearing as he lands in front of the Flower Maiden, giving us a silent order to hurry and join him. I jump up the rocky ledges after him. Everyone else follows wordlessly, Toboe and Tsume leap through the trees I stay on the ground, sprinting to keep up with the others as they pass me, heading towards the town.

We reach the town's entrance still running as if Hell itself had been opened behind us. Cheza is the first to stop, her red eyes swelling with tears that even I stop beside her.

"She's crying," Cheza says tightly before her shoulders quiver from sorrow. "She'll wither away."

The old woman. I realize suddenly.

"The old lady?" Kiba asks uncertainly.

Cheza nods. "Kiba, is it alright with you?" she inquires, looking up to him.

Kiba stares blankly at her for a minute.

"Can this one come with you?" Cheza clarifies.

"You have to come with us," is the solid reply from Kiba, but I can hear the enthusiasm around the edges of his voice.

"Hige?" she asks, turning towards the brown haired street thief.

Hige chuckles in response. "What do you know," he says cheerfully. "The more the merrier, right?"

"Toboe?" the Flower Maiden inquires the pup, wanting his permission as well.

The pup nods eagerly. "Sure."

"Tsume?" she turns to the aloof gold eyed thief.

Tsume tilts his head nonchalantly, "Tag along. If that's the only way, then I have no choice." I roll my eyes, man was this guy stubborn.

"Kalishka?" Cheza asks, turning to face me.

I stare at everyone for a minute, not knowing what to say.

"I came along at first because I thought I would get answers when I found you." I tell Cheza, then look up to face the others. "I don't know where I stand with the pack, but I welcome you to our family." I say grinning at her.

Kiba nods, appoving my words, then assumes his role as leader and we return to the flowerwoman's home once more. Cheza goes in alone.

I take a deep breath and look over at the gray wolf.

"Tsume," I say casually.

"Yeah?" he returns looking over at me.

"Can you teach me how to fight?" I ask, looking away quickly.

Both Tsume and Hige look over at me somewhat confused.

"You've been on Freeze City's streets how long and you don't know how to fight?" Tsume asks coldly.

"I knew how to fight well enough to get out of a situation and run," I grumble. "but against wolves like we had in that town we were in or even those soldiers, I'll get slaughtered if I don't get an escape route."

Tsume sighs, looking down at me, like I'm a challenge. "You're good with those knives at least, so I guess I won't be working cheap trash."

I clench my jaw firmly, "Better watch it, Tsume," I retort, giving him a crafty grin. "otherwise I might snatch the meat from your jaws next time."

The gang leader smirks back, appreciating my comeback.

Cheza steps out of the hidden home, her face is a strange combination of sadness, determination, and joy as she comes up to stand beside Kiba.

"Did someone tell that guy about Paradise?" Tsume asks, looking at Kiba, still not ready to believe the journey we were on.

"No," Hige answers, staring at Kiba and Cheza as well his hands hidden in his jacket's pockets.