"Drip! Drip! Drip!" In tiny drops it fell. Speckled against his lips he lapped it up. So far, he had been doing this for two days. So much crimson, so much blood. It splattered against his black fur staining it, yet he didn't care. Whimpering he lapped again till he was sated.

XXX

Mayu walked through the tunnels as quickly as her little legs could carry her. She wasn't running but instead just quickly walking.

"Sis wait up!" Her brother called behind her. Mao, as he was now known.

She didn't, only increasing her brisk pace. They were alone in the tunnels that comprised the underground lair. Were they hiding? Or were they off with their own business? Who knew that had only been here for a short time. The moment they ingested that blood, they were thrown into another room by some guard dogs. To their surprise, it was full of puppies. Some were around their own age while a few ones were older by some months. Various breeds and types they were. Some were normal looking while others held the same deformed features as the adults.

"Wait!" Mao whined.

At last she stopped. "Alright, just shut up you baby!" Mayu spat. Her brother stopped. He had never been so affected by his sibling's words. Usually their mother would scold upon name-calling. Now, however, a small wince of hurt appeared on his face. Not wanting to seem as such, as he was called, he ignored the emotional hurt.

"I'm not sure where the exit is but we should stick together." Said Mao.

Mayu turned her back looking surprised at her brother's words. "I wasn't trying to leave.

Surprise found its way to Mao unbelieving of what he just heard. "But what about Mom?"

Nothing followed in response. Words were in her mind but the young puppy saved them for later. Mao had more to say.

"We can't stay here Sis! Mom could be looking for us. What if she comes home and were not there she'll be so worried!" Mao said matching what he imagined his own mother would go through.

Slowly Mayu shook her head. "Mom's not coming back."

"How can you say that?"

"Think about it!" Mayu suddenly shouted. "Mom always came back with Sawada, she's dead alright and she's never coming back!"

Mayu heaved in her breaths. Mao's heaved as well. Morel like shaking as his eyes started to glisten. His jaw quivered lowering agape. A sniff came from the puppy as tears started to drip from his face. There wasn't a small ounce of guilt at making her brother cry. Yet she felt something even if she didn't show it. Her mouth started to move opening just like her brothers.

"Hey you two!"

The pups shook in startled fright at the young voice. Behind from the darkness they had left a dog stepped out. At first they didn't notice him as his fur matched the darkness that surrounded them. He was a young dog possibly a year or even just a few months shy of that age. His ears were long at first making the pair believe he was a saluki like them. Then they realized the face was long like a borzoi's. The one glaring detail that stood out was the eyes; the pupils held the same glow as the rest of the dogs only they were crimson red.

"I've been looking for you two!" The dog said in a deep voice but still retaining youthfulness. "Alright just come on back with me otherwise I'll get in trouble." The dog said. Mayu and Mao had seen him before back with the other puppies. Several dogs around his age were about the only "adults" present. It was assumed they were supposed to keep watch over them and the other puppies.

Mayu looked up at the older dog with full resistance in her eyes. Mao, on the other hand, had had enough. Unlike his sister he wasn't confrontational. The small male immediately started to bawl. Mayu wasn't surprised in the least sometimes her brother could be such a baby that it was embarrassing. She fully expected the other dog to harshly threaten them against this.

"Hey kid calm down." Said the dog. Mao didn't do so crying only louder. The black dog moved in. Mayu growled ready to fight if she needed to. Sure, she was scared but someone had to be the brave one.

Just when she was about to pounce, she noticed something. The black dog put a comforting paw upon Mao's head. "Just calm down. It's okay." He soothed.

Mao stopped hiccupping a few times. It was almost akin to the way their mother reassured them. That must have been the reason Mao calmed down. For the first time in a while somebody showed the comfort. Strange it was coming from one of these dogs.

"You two are new aren't you?" Both siblings nodded at the question. "Thought so." The dog smiled. "I was the same way but you shouldn't show fear around here. Libel to get yourselves killed. Especially with the nut job Drake." Despite the almost off-putting color of the eyes, there was kindness.

"Did they name you?" He asked.

Mao stuttered a bit, he hadn't grown used to the whole naming aspect. "Well we." He begun.

"I'm Mayu, This is my brother Mao." Mayu spoke up for her sibling.

The dog mouthed the names seemingly trying to understand the fitting of such titles. "Okay then." He accepted. "Call me Alucard."

"Alucard?" Mao repeated."

"What kind of name is that?" Said Mayu. To her that sounded odder than the ones they were bestowed.

Alucard chuckled and rubbed his paw against Mayu's head. "Bold one aren't you." Mayu growled a little. "Well come on you two if we don't hurry up it will be all our asses. Trust me today is the easy day tomorrow they'll more than likely assign you a teacher." Said Alucard.

"Teacher?" Both siblings repeated. No more was said as Alucard started to walk disappearing into the shadows. Far off they could make out the glow of his eyes. With nothing else, to do the siblings followed. Mayu bounded off first. Mao looked back with hesitance. Reservation he still held but he didn't' want to be left alone.

"I'm sorry Mom." He apologized before running off.

XXX

The puppy den, that was exactly as Alucard described it, and that was how the two puppies viewed it. Nothing but puppies played about their floors. Mutts, half-breeds, that fitted them perfectly as they came in various shades.

Play maybe as not the right word to use. Fighting seemed more appropriate. That was what turned Mayu and Mao off initially. Sure, the siblings play fought at times but these pups appeared to be brawling. It wasn't a very good impression, they never had seen other puppies before, only within their family. Oh how they wished for dogs of their own age, it would have made waiting for their mother far easier if they had somebody to keep them company.

Mao kept close to his sister as he saw two males bite down on each other's necks. Mayu stepped a few inches away not liking the closeness. However, she too flinched as she saw two females claw at each other. Despite that, they all appeared to be enjoying it.

Alucard had kept close throughout the entire way. Mayu didn't quite trust him just yet. Mao on the other hand went to him the moment he saw his sister wasn't going to offer any comfort. Mayu did have to give him credit, any time they had run into some adults in the tunnels, Alucard claimed "I got careless and these two got away." Apparently, they bought it.

"Well here we are." Alucard announced. "Now you two stay here okay?"

"Okay!" Mao obediently piped.

Mayu didn't say anything except for a tiny little scoff. Mao always tried to be a little pet to any adult he met, at least from his sisters view. That and between the two of them, Mayu always found herself on the receiving end of a scold. The pair worked their way through the puppy glom. With the large amount of dogs it had been easy to slip out. that would prove difficult as Alucard again followed them.

"We can walk ourselves." Said Mayu.

Alucard's gaze greeted her. The redness shone, needless to say Mayu was more than a little creeped out. "Just walking in the same general direction." Alucard grinned.

"Hey Alucard!"

Amidst the puppy crowd, several older dogs, probably other "puppysitters" like himself. Like the majority of the little ones, they were mostly mutts of varying fur patterns. The one who spoke looked like a mastiff, broad shouldered and strong looking overall.

"Where the hell were you!" The teen asked hotly. "I ain't taking the fall if you skip out on duties!"

Alucard raised up his paw. "Relax, Mako, I was just getting these two back."

The dog known as Mako glared down at the two pups. Like the rest he held the same glowing eyes. It was apparently a common trait yet his were the standard yellow. Alucard oddly held the only distinct difference.

"Oh yeah these must be the new runts I heard about." Mako grinned at the pair. It was just the same as Drake had given them. "You guys must be outsiders- what's wrong? Lost your mommy?" Mako snickered, the other dogs did likewise.

Hearing the word "mommy" brought on another sniffle from Mao. More than likely tears would follow. The older dogs snickered even more. Mao tried to force back his tears, yet he was having a rather large amount of trouble. Mayu looked over at her brother then to the older dogs. For the first time in a while Mayu felt something. Although Mao could be a baby once in a while, nobody made her brother cry, at least strangers.

"Leave my brother alone!" She snapped at the older dog.

Mako scoffed at the small puppy's boldness. "Or what little bitch?" Mako gruffly responded.

This provoked a growl from Mayu. Mako and his gang recoiled in mock fear, laughing even louder. In turn, Mayu's growls increased in tone and pitch. Right now she felt nothing but hate, both towards the way they treated her brother, but more than so the bitch comment. Nobody called her a BITCH! Technical term or not. Throwing away her rational, smart side, Mayu did the only thing that came to mind.

"Wait don't!" Alucard warned but it was too late.

Mayu opened her teeth and dove forward. Mao stopped his sniffling for a second as he noticed the strange site. His sister was defending him? Funny how she always chided at him for being so weak willed. Or a baby as she put it.

"OWWWWW!" Was the next thing that came out of Mako's mouth. "GET HER OFF ME! GET THIS LITTLE RUNT OFF ME!" Mako screamed trying his best to fling the small puppy off.

It wasn't working for Mayu clamped tightly. Not the sharpest teeth as she wasn't fully grown, but apparently it was hard enough.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THREE STANDING THERE FOR! GET HER OFF ME!"

Mako's gang looked dumbfounded on what to do. They watched as their leader did his best to get Mau off his leg. It wasn't working no matter how hard he flung. In his panicked mind, he took his paw attempting to push her off. Several times, he tried until she finally gave way. Mayu fell to the floor quickly rolling back on her feet.

Mako whimpered as he tried to sooth his sore flesh. A visible red bite mark stood out amongst his fur. Mayu spat out whatever fur mixed in with her saliva. Suddenly she heard a heavy breathing. Looking up from her paws, she saw a rather angry looking Mako.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Some of the other puppies chanted. Their attention shifted ot the little squabble in the den.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT! I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR FRICKING HEAD OFF!" Mako growled, exploding in rage.

Thick rows of sharp teeth revealed underneath his muzzle. The sharp white points swam in the drool that flowed. Mayu was at a sudden shock. Uncertainty crossed her mind as fear returned to her. She had thought that puppies never died in stories, but now she didn't really believe in fairy tales anymore. The real world was harsh and dangerous and it came down on her. Mayu closed her eyes expecting her end. Yet it didn't come. For a brief moment, Mayu had closed her eyes. Opening them, she saw Mako's enraged face now held a different emotion.

Stunned the burly dog looked. A thick set of teeth had clamped down upon his shoulder The teeth in question belonged to Alucard. Mako gave little gasps as Alucard clamped down harder.

"Slurp!" The sound was short, coming and going.

"Slurp!" It came again. Mayu looked closely as blood trickled down from the wound.

Alucard moved his head back slightly then forward. The sound came a third time as a long pink rope darted out before retreating. The crimson-eyed canine retracted back, blood all around his mouth. Now it dawned on her, he was drinking the blood. Mako stepped backwards fearfully. His former angered front shattered away into a million pieces. Opening his mouth, he only muttered a disgruntled "freak!"

Subverted giggles chattered amongst the puppy crowds and from a few of Mako's gang. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STARING AT!" Mako screamed sending the crowd back to their own business. The foursome gang stepped back into one of the dens corner. Their leader licked his wounds literally.

Mayu opened her mouth as well. Words wanted to leap out, to ascertain what had just happened. Alucard licked his lips sighing satisfactorily at the taste.

"You're welcome." He said before retreating off into his own corner.

Should she have thanked him? The pup wondered. Mao who had remained silent kept so. Like his sister he felt he should have thanked. Nothing more was said, the two spent their first night with the Clan, their new home and family disturbingly enough. Huddling close to each other, they managed to make it through the night. It was hard at first for the feared Mako would come and get them, or worse Drake. Neither of them did for unbeknownst to the pair, Alucard kept watch.

XXX

Pups. Always squabbling, whining, and throwing themselves around. They were never quiet, they were never still. And that was what enraged Lazarus the most. Why? Why could they be never still? The thought of another day teaching the little appalling brats in the puppy den made him just angry thinking about it. Lazarus scratched his head, aiming at eliminating a particularly bothersome flea with his dull claws. Being a Border Collie had a humungous downside: with your long fur, it was like a parasitic paradise. Still, it usually meant you were born with usually high intellect and at least a small portion of charisma. Both were something Lazarus had in heaps, though the charisma was definitely his strong point. Still, he mused, having charisma meant you also had to have the intellect to apply it to your superiors to get anywhere.

"Despite my current run of bad luck, I've certainly gotten somewhere."

From an extremely young age, Lazarus had realized that his future as an average Border Collie was destined for a flat-out boring failure. Though his brothers and sisters had been seekers of human homes and gathering an abundance of friends, Lazarus had preferred to seek out pawns rather than owners or cohorts. While others were busy being love struck and attempting to woo unfamiliar females, the idea of a mate had seemed to be a combination of being preposterous and dangerous to Lazarus. Some dogs didn't take mates simply because they weren't interested in having them; others didn't take any because none of them had fit their personality. None of those reasons counted for Lazarus.

Having a mate meant the possibility that you could have puppies some day- and they could easily overthrow you once you had aged. If the female you chose to mate with was sterile, then, if she wasn't a stupid broad, she could undermine you like a mole going underground. Having a mate more devious than you could lead to many issues. Still, having one that was stupider than you to prevent this happening could lead to a hostage situation, or a tangle in your web of plans. Which was precisely the reason Lazarus didn't have one. He scratched his short silky ears once more, then turned and began to flea his shoulder with a small clipping motion of his teeth. Yet Lazarus still had two daughters, both in the clan with him. His spies.

He smacked his tongue against his lips to rid himself of the strands of hair that had stuck to the inside of his mouth. For un-neutered dogs, having sexual attraction to females was something completely inevitable. A good bit of them just simply repressed the natural urge to mate, especially when the female in question was a mate of their companion. However, the urge to pass genetics onto the future generation occasionally stirred, nudging their bodies. For the most part, the male would just shove the urge back down mentally without thinking about it and just dismiss it as a daydream. For younger males, the problem was much bigger.

A good bit of them were ruled over by their hormones, which drove them to things that they usually wouldn't. The things in question were always very stupid. Though Lazarus hated to admit it, he had also once been at the much younger age where hormones reigned supreme. He was now a year or two older than that point, but that still hadn't prevented his one enormous mistake at that age. Lazarus had been very insulated from other females in his hormonal age. He had a nearly entire male brood of brothers.

Nearly.

He had had one sister.

One.

One.

The only female in the entire valley.

She had been a dithering woman, though she'd had a very supple and healthy body.

She'd proved her dithering stupidity when she'd still trusted her scheming brother, even whenthe raging hormones had been ridiculously obvious, and the seed of insanity and mental instability had already been planted into his mind. She'd innocently followed him into the barn, though he'd picked a time when all of his brothers had exited the valley on numerous errands. Afterwards, he'd forced her to keep silent about the event. But eight weeks later, the event had been impossible to hide. His sister had given birth to two healthy- yet inbred- female puppies. She'd died shortly after they became weaned. Lazarus wasn't sad at all. She'd simply been a tool- and the puppies that she'd given birth to could also be valuable tools.

Lazarus had left the village a single father, two female puppies in tow.

Both of them were now his pawns and spies in the group. Lazarus had recently discovered the cult group after a few months of wondering. The opportunity had sprang out at him like a rabbit from a bush. Power, positions, a feared reputation….. All could be his, just for a little bit of sucking-up and some blood. The ceremony had gone over completely smooth- and now, here Lazarus was, basking in his own brilliance of manipulation. Well, mostly basking.

Lazarus ground his teeth together momentarily, feeling some frustration about the position he was currently in. Pup trainer. HA! He himself only felt miniscule feelings of affection toward his own daughters, never an entire group of precocious rag-tag rats. If possible, he would manipulate them into the point of fighting each other till they were too exhausted to make any trouble. Lazarus licked his paw, adjusting the fur. Now who would be a useful pawn in this game…? A brief memory floated to the top of Lazarus's mind: a pair of glowing, red eyes and a snaky, pink tongue….

Both a mental and physical grin worked their ways onto Lazarus's face and mind. An abstinence of blood often made people and dogs alike very tired. He should know. Tasty blood. Slippery-

Lazarus shook his head, ridding himself of such crude thoughts. He knew how much blood someone had to lose to be unconscious, but he often over-did it. He would need someone who was able to carry out his subtle little plan carefully, and with no blood-lusting…..ah…. hang-ups.

A body meant proof, and Lazarus didn't intend to give anyone a body. At least, unless they requested it. Doing favors and working yourself into a suitable position to blackmail other dogs was necessary to survive, certainly when it came to playing mind-games with Cain. If Lazarus was going to usurp someone, he might as well aim high and do it in style. Cain had already asked for a few little favors from the oily Border Collie, and he'd received them with much lace trimming of words and little hints. How it may effect him if wind of this got out, some of the… difficulties that had presented themselves while he'd been trying to complete this. All slipped in between the treacherous dog's honeyed tones. If Cain had the mannerisms of a snake, then Lazarus had the voice. And he intended to put it to much, much better use then Cain ever would.

Lazarus paused, then readjusted himself. He gave a soft bark. In a few moments, a young female Border Collie had ran up to him. One of his daughters.

"Yes, Dad?"

Lazarus coolly observed her, continuing to flea and other wise groom himself to perfection. "I have a new game beginning. Are there any new pawns to be found…?"

The daughter thought for a moment. There had recently been two new recruits, ones who didn't know of her father's brutal nature. They had both seemed naïve and inexperienced, though tough enough to be useful tools….

"Yes, Dad. I think I know some pawns you could use…."