All the puppies were gathered. It was an order- or so they heard. Mayu and Mao quickly found themselves within the group. It had only been after lunch or what qualified as lunch in the Clan. The mush that Sawada gave them didn't seem so bad now. Down the passages they moved, side by side in two single files.

"What do you think is going on Sis?" Asked Mao. Although his sister had long accepted her name, to Mao she was nothing but "Sis".

"How should I know?" Mayu replied with a snap.

Mao winced slightly. She was cranky but that wasn't new. They hadn't enough time to eat before they were herded up. They didn't even protest for they knew the punishment. Mayu had plenty of back scars to prove it. Both twins stood on opposite sides of the lines. Better this way than behind each other. The pathway led to a medium sized opening, the cave mouth. This was the first time they had seen the cave mouth. The Clan had several exits to the outside. However, those were always guarded. One rule amongst puppies was they were forbidden outside. This applied to every pup, both outsiders and pure bloods. By pure bloods, that meant those who were born within the Clan via breeders. Although empty for the most part on a normal basis, it was filled to the brim with puppies. Male and female, Mayu and Mao found them all around their age.

"This is everyone from the puppy den." Mayu said to herself.

That was true, they recognized a few from their class. They had lived, slept, trained and fought with them as they aged from small puppies into pre adolescents. So many scents hit their noses. Ahead of the large murmuring group they could see the older kids. Both Mayu and Mao scowled as they caught sight of Mako and his gang. Yet close by was the distinct black shape of Alucard, and even at this distance his eyes gave off a glow. Mao nearly called out but he kept silent as his sister kept his mouth bound with her paw. The whole lot grew silent as a few adults entered. Drake, Lazarus and his daughters, and a few others they didn't really recognize that much. The former two they had dealt with them to leave etchings in their brains. Cain followed them lastly, and the figure behind him gained respect from everyone present. Everyone save for Mayu and Mao, whom only gave it so they wouldn't be killed on the spot.

"I am glad to see you are all present." The Grandmaster called out in her ancient voice.

The pups raised their heads up as if they were to howl. Mayu and Mao did as well, but, again, only so they wouldn't be killed. "HAIL GRANDMASTER!"

The female smiled proudly at the adoration. Such wonderful minds had been molded into tools and weapons that would die for their Grandmaster. However, she could smell something in the air. Two vocals of that praise felt synthetic. Her old ears began to sift through them, but there would be no time for that.

"My children! You embody the future of the Clan!" The Grandmaster called aloud, a creak worked its way into her voice. "Some of you were born with our halls, while others were foundlings we took under our wing." The Saluki pair couldn't forget they categorized under the latter.

"You have remained hidden underneath the earth since your induction. But now is the time of your graduation. No longer will you be viewed as puppies but soldiers." The Grandmaster spoke vibrantly.

Murmurs spread amongst the puppies. What could this mean? They were already being trained for battle since birth, so they couldn't understand what their leader was talking about. The Grandmaster gave a gesturing motion to Cain. The younger dog took to the front holding his chest out.

"Each of you will follow us to the surface in two orderly lines." Cain instructed.

"Outside!" Several of the puppies exclaimed. Murmurs commenced of an excitable feeling. They had never been outside in their entire lives. Mayu and Mao were exceptionally excited. They had missed the blue sky and the warm sun shining down on their fur.

"Shut up!" Cain cut.

All the puppies obeyed and without a word they followed after the adult dog. With more than eager paws, they felt a different feeling beneath them, soil. Sure there were occasional spots of soil within the walls and floor, but there was always dead dryness to it, yet this soil outside felt happy and alive. As they walked a Mayu and Mao dug their claws deep. They wanted to take it all in. A breeze brushed past their fur. Oh the wind it was so cold. Not the bad kind but the refreshing kind. Then there was the sunlight. Actually there was no sunlight. A thick canopy of trees overcast the sky. A few rays peeked through but not enough to get a full effect. For the longest time, pessimism had stewed within Mayu. She had accepted their current lifestyle, or rather accepted there was no way out of it. Mao still held onto hope. Now Mayu found some of that hope exchanging to herself. They were twins after all and twins could feel each other's empathy so they said.

Soon their walk came to a halt. They had stopped in a large clearing, large enough to fit everybody in. The Clan must have used this area in the past. From the way it looked it seemed a if a huge amount of sunlight could overflow. Yet there was none. Looking above they could see it. "Oohs" and "Ahs" were given as they could view the cloudy, endless blue. To some it was the first time they had ever seen it, while to a certain group it was like seeing a long forgotten friend. To Mayu and Mao it was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen.

The beauty then became a beast. There was a reason there was no sunlight, a cloud blocked it from view. As the wind blew its course, the cloud followed. What followed was what the puppies considered pure hell, more so than the pain that they had endured from punishments. This would qualify as a punishment. Being underground for so long had an inverse effect regarding sunlight. Their eyes had been used to the dimness of the dark. The rays hit their eyes. In moments they doubled in pain. Their eye's burned as if they were on fire. Their bodies felt weak and several collapsed to the ground. Whines of pain yipped out of the poor children. None felt it more than the Saluki pair.

"Good! Embrace that pain. Pain is the only thing that makes the body stronger!" The Grandmaster called. It was evident on her face that she was enjoying this. "Lazarus!" She snapped.

The Border Collie readied himself for attention. "Alright listen all of you!" He called. The puppies gazed up at him despite the pain they were in. Anything Lazarus dished out was worse than what the sun could do. "Now that you are facing a harsh element it's time to properly train your bodies. Now first position!" The puppies knew what he was talking about, even the ones who weren't under Lazarus's tutelage. Apparently Lazarus had been picked out of all the others of this little excursion. During the timeframe he had grown much in influence apparently despite being a fairly recent teacher compared to the others. They followed each exercise and movement with tired, pained groans. Slowly with each muscle flex they found their bodies growing used to the surroundings, slowly cut surely.

"Hey Mao." Mayu suddenly spoke in-between a stretch.

Mao blinked his eyes, trying to block out the sunlight. "What Sis?" He aid not able to shake of the nickname.

Mayu directed her head to a series of trees to their left. From the positioning and density, it looked like a good source of cover. "We can make a break for it over there."

"What!" Mao suddenly blurted before being shushed by his sister.

"Not so loud!" She hissed.

Mao lowered his ears at the scold.

"Look every body is too distracted and worn to notice us, so I say we take a chance."

"Yeah but!" Mao protested. His eye turned over to the black shape of Alucard. "But." He began to protest again.

Mayu growled once more in frustration. "Look there's no time to talk lets just get out of here before this ends."

Mao couldn't understand why his sibling was suddenly bringing this up. It had seemed she had accepted this lifestyle. However he didn't. Escape had popped into his head one too many times but there was nothing to be done about it. Each scenario was always brushed aside with fear. Yet his sister was right, there was an opening and it could be their only chance to take it. Seeing that she had gotten her brother with her, Mayu signaled for them both to keep low. Despite their vision blinking in and out, they were able to crouch low and manage to make it out of the group. It was by a mere chance they were able to escape into the trees and vanish from sight. They were free at last and freedom tasted good.

XXXXX

Something wasn't right. Alucard could feel it in the air. It was an honor that he was one of the elder kids chosen for the pups "weening". Only a few members his age were given the privilege. Not that he enjoyed watching the youngsters torture themselves with these movements, but he had no choice. If you refused something ordered from the Grandmaster herself…..well it didn't need to be aid. It brought on memories from his "weening". For some reason the sun had proven more so painful for his then recently, red tinted pupils.

They were missing. He could tell something was off during the maneuver drills.

"Damn those two." He whispered.

Why couldn't they have stayed put? Nobody escaped from the Clan. He had lived long enough to know that. Maybe nobody would notice. Unfortunately somebody did.

"Stop everything!" The Grandmaster commanded.

"Crap!" He thought. Did she notice his uneasiness?

The old dog sniffed the air before it finally dwelled to her whom was missing. An angry growl bellowed up from her. It didn't last as she regained her composure. A little voice inside told or rather ordered her to.

"Continue." She ordered Lazarus, noticing his slight hesitation in his orders.

Her attention turned to Drake.

"God no not him!" Alucard panicked.

"Drake it seems we have a few wandering sheep." Her eyes narrowed with suggestion. "Please be our shepherd."

A gleeful, sadistic smile appeared upon his face. His emotion distorted his formally uncaring expression. Watching these puppies was something entirely disinteresting to him. But this was an entirely different story.

"Consider it done Grandmaster." Drake bowed. With that said and done, he leapt off into the trees.

The rest of the maneuvers went on as if nothing happened. However in-between it, another sheep wandered off. There was a reason nobody escaped the Clan. Those that did always came back in a bloody heap. Alucard wouldn't let that happen again.

XXXXX

Mao and Mayu ran through the undergrowth, doing their best not to make any excess noise. Both felt as they were going to explode with excitement and nervousness. Mao swore he could feel his heart slamming into ribs repeatedly, and more adrenaline was pumping through Mayu's veins than any other time in her entire life.

The two rushed underneath several bushes, swerving slightly on the way out to avoid getting tangled in a bush of particularly vicious brambles. One caught Mayu's ear, but she didn't slow down and kept going. The wiry branch jerked out of her stringy ear, recoiling. Mao brushed past it more successfully than his sister.

Disbelief and hope were steadily growing in both of the young dogs. The more they ran and tore around low lying foliage and trees, the more the clarity of what they had just done revealed itself. They had ran away from the clan. A group of blood thirsty dogs determined to "fulfill their destinies." Which involved killing and fighting. And psychos like Drake and Lazarus. Whom they had just run away from. And no one had come after them- which was why their disbelief was enlarging every second. Every step was a step further from the clan. From those monsters. Their hope was overflowing. Mao and Mayu actually believed they managed to escape from the clan without any notice.

The two changed direction to avoid a fallen tree and its rotting- though sweeping- branches. As they sped past, Mao stepped in mud, leaving an imprint.

XXXXX

Drake eagerly trotted through the woods, sniffing leaves and bounding over small piles of compost. The forest was filled with life- the sound of birds and chattering squirrels cluttered the air, creating a busy atmosphere. At least, away from Drake. As soon as they caught wind of the murderous clan member's advances, all wildlife erupted. Squirrels screamed warnings to others in the area and crows cawed raucously, taking off after having released their notices. When Drake actually passed near them, all but the birds silenced, and even they perched in higher tree branches. No one wanted to be the animal stupid enough to catch his attention at this range. To do so would signal death. And Drake was fully aware of his impact.

He cheerfully smelled the ground, noting the small disturbances where the young dogs had stepped before continuing on. They hadn't bothered to conceal their tracks- maybe because they thought no one would come after them. Naïve brats, Drake thought. Passing by some bushes, he stopped to sniff a bramble pile. As the "Sheppard" of their little "flock" Drake was specialized in taking care of wayward "sheep." He grinned to himself wickedly. When he caught up with them, the Grandmaster had given him permission to discipline the two sheep. After all, if a few left the herd, then more would follow, wouldn't they? Troublesome sheep needed to be taken care of. And Drake was very fond of mutton.

He paused, his eyes locking onto a few strands of fur tangled in the bramble's longest stalk. The scent belonged to one of the puppies- if he wasn't mistaken, it was the female's fur. Drake licked his lips hungrily. It had been an eventful day. The only thing which could make it better would be a special dinner. And Drake had a feeling that he'd be finding one shortly.

XXXXX

Alucard cut through the bushes, running as fast as possible. Not bothering to keep silent, he easily burst through weak patches of low-laying vines and crunched fallen branches under his feet. Those two…! He thought furiously. What had compelled them to run off at a time like this? They should've realized that the clan's guard had been heightened since they'd brought all of the puppies outside, not lowered! At this point, anyone who'd ran away would be chased by Drake, devoured, and then have one of their severed limbs brought back as a demonstration. Not to mention the fact that the Grandmaster would find a way to turn the situation into her favor. Alucard sniffed the air, taking in the wind. An assortment of scents were clumped together in it. The forest, several animals, a faint whiff of human…

But Alucard was more focused on the three dog scents he had caught. The first, and by far the strongest: Drake. The second, and weaker one: Mao. And finally, the weakest and last smell: Mayu. Alucard grimaced. The situation was not good, but it could be far worse. Currently, the wind was blowing from the east to the west. Alucard was located to the west of Drake and far west of the twins. Being here meant he didn't have to be stealthy- the blowing air would make it much harder for Drake to hear him, and nearly impossible for him to hear him. The bad thing about being in this position is that he'd have to trail Drake and cut across behind him minutes after he'd passed in order to reach Mayu and Mao before he did. Cutting in front of Drake wouldn't work- he'd simply pick up Alucard's scent as well, and then it would be over for the three of them. Alucard was fully aware Drake would rearrange his plans to incorporate killing him if he caught his scent earlier than he needed to. Which was why timing was everything. Alucard ground his teeth together, forcing himself to run faster and turn to the northeast. This was going to be close.

XXXXX

Mao and Mayu were tiring out. They'd been running at full speed for nearly fifteen minutes, and it was taking a toll on them. Mao's saliva felt thick and congealed in his mouth. Mayu swore the back of her throat had been turned raw. And both of them were rapidly slowing down. Finally, it became too much. Mayu was the first to collapse, having been in the lead the entire time. She lay on the ground panting, chest heaving. Mao almost ran over her at her sudden stop. Tripping over his outstretched sister, he hit the ground with a yelp. Mayu was too tired to snap at him, though she gave a faint growl. Mao didn't care. As soon as he hit the ground, he scrambled away from his sister before falling back down. Gasping for air, he looked exactly like a four-legged fish out of water. The two simply lay on the soil, breathing hard and getting their bearings. They were pretty far from the clan now- maybe it wouldn't hurt to take a small rest….

XXXXX

Drake licked his lips hungrily as he walked through the forest. The smell of the two deserters was still strong on the ground- the two hadn't bothered with avoiding leafy plants or trees which they could rub on and leave their trail. They were truly uneducated idiots. Snorting, he pulled his head up from the ground. This was much too easy. Drake hoped that the deserters would at least taste good- then this wouldn't have been a waste of time. He leisurely padded over several broken branches and bent bushes. "I have a feeling those two are going to taste good…" Drake muttered to himself in a low tone. There was no one out here to hear him, so why not? Talking to oneself was far better than to hear the voices murmuring in your head whenever you were alone and hungry, and Drake was pretty sure the little partridges he was stalking wouldn't be able to hear him. Even if they did, it wouldn't matter. The tasty little partridges were doomed, no matter what happened. He would have their meat. Drake grinned, giggling slightly. He couldn't wait to sink his fangs into their warm and chewy flesh, tugging, biting, and shaking till he could rip part of it away, dyeing his muzzle red with blood-

Drake burst into a run. He could no longer take the wait any more.

XXXXX

Alucard dashed up the remainder of the hill he'd just climbed over. Now starting to wheeze, he desperately raised his head and smelled the wind. The smells of Mayu and Mao were so close- but Drake's was as well! Alucard knew Drake hadn't found the twins- otherwise, he'd have heard it. The only problem was the fact that he hadn't found them either! Had his calculations to cut them off been wrong? He thought they'd have tired out by now, and their white fur should have been a beckon in this green woods. So where were they, goddamn it? Alucard desperately cocked his ears and flared his nostrils, waving his head around, trying to catch a signal, a scent, any scrap of sound-

He glimpsed a patch of white in the bushes.

And there was no doubt over whom it was.

Alucard put on one more spurt of speed and headed down the hill.

XXXXX

Mao and Mayu sat bolt upright and froze. They had heard a faint crackling and crunching in the undergrowth a few moments ago- from two different directions. The two had stilled, trying their best to stifle their breathing and hide in the leaves. For a few minutes, Mayu was sure they'd completely succeeded- till she heard another crunch come from next to them, near a close-by hill. Mao bit down to keep himself from yelping in surprise. The clan… they didn't come after us, did they? There was yet another rustle- only from a completely different direction. From behind them. Mayu felt her body stiffening. Suddenly, the sound of dogs flat out running and crashing through the undergrowth hit both of their ears. And all hell broke lose.

XXXXX

With the sound of a ruthless snarl, Drake lunged from out of the trees, body stretched like an arrow. There was a flash of brown- maybe red, Mao swore he saw red mixed in with it- and then another dog had slid into their vision, also snarling at the top of their lungs. The two collided, rolling over, snapping, tearing, and seeming to be on top of the runaways before they could move. Another furious round of barking and growling exploded into the air, and the two forms separated, stepping back from each other with hackles bristling and teeth exposed. Mayu and Mao practically threw themselves backwards to escape from the battle-eager pair, Mayu herself preparing for a fight to follow, and Mao trying to make sense of what had just happened. Staring at the two growling dogs, recognition snapped into place. He knew both of them. And so did Mayu.

"A-alucard….? Drake?" The latter name came out in a hiss. Mayu growled, her body vibrating. Drake ignored both, eyes fixated on the one who'd bothered to challenge him. And he was not happy.

"You….!" Slippery ropes of saliva dangled from his mouth, his eyes bulging in rage. "You worthless little shit! Interfering with my prey and my mission!" He moved a step to the side, as if he expected Alucard to start circling with him. Alucard didn't move.

"They were not your prey, Drake. They never were." He stared at Drake, mimicking his growl and stare. His bloody red eyes seemed even more unnatural in the daylight.

"It's not up to you to decide my prey or not, blood-sucking brat. I was assigned. And I will come away from this mission with their bodies!" He snapped his jaws once to emphasize his point. Mao had never seen such terrifying teeth.

"You were assigned to bring them back. Back, Drake, back. Alive. Not necessarily in one piece, but with all their vitals intact and limbs whole! Something you've neglected to do for missions in the past years…" Alucard brought a low hiss into his growl. "None of us are blind, Drake. We all know what you've been doing to those you're sentenced to retrieve. Breaking orders, taking flesh when you're not supposed to…. Do you know what your nickname in the camp is, Drake? Child Eater."

Drake menacingly ran his tongue over his canines, not taking his eyes from Alucard for a single sentence. "Since when has the clan became sniveling cowards not to tell me my second name into my face, Life-sucker?" He moved more towards the other side of Alucard. "If the clan has eyes and can see as much as you claim, then the Grandmaster herself surely is not left in the dark! Unless you can justify why she, knowing what became of the previous deserters, allows me the taste of young flesh. From your tone, young Alucard, you make it seem as if she disapproves. If she does, then why not stop me? Or are you saying that the almighty Grandmaster is blind?" Drake's tone became scornful and sarcastic in the last sentence.

Mao and Mayu realized that they'd been watching the confrontation stock still the entire time. Mayu blinked, feeling her fur still stuck in a permanently stiff and stuck-on-end state. The tension in the air made it impossible to relax. But now Mayu had finally been able to peel her eyes away from them. They needed to escape. To run. Maybe Alucard could keep Drake busy for a while- the way they were carrying on, it'd be a few minutes before the warring two noticed they were gone. Mayu swallowed her nervousness. Time to whisper her plan to her brother. Mayu turned her head. She'd been so focused on the war of words that she hadn't looked at Mao once the entire time. Now she did. The second she glimpsed him, all hope of escape crumbled. Mao was completely transfixed by the fight going on- to snap him out of it, she'd probably have to shake him and yell- something she couldn't afford to do now. Mayu could not leave Mao behind- sneaking off was not an option. All she could do now was hope that Alucard won the fight… and that they'd be able to take whatever the clan had in store for them.

Mayu turned her attention back to the fight. She looked just in time to see Drake finish saying a word. His mouth was turned down in mocking contempt as he finished it… and Alucard's reaction was something to see. His face lit up with fury and shock as he roared an accusation and insult back at Drake, snake-like tongue fluttering madly and blood red eyes lighting up in a new level of anger. "….AND DAMMIT, IT IS OUR DUTY TO TAKE THEM BACK! Unless you're willing to disobey orders from the Grandmaster, Drake? Hmm? Will you disobey some of her orders outright? Were you plotting to kill me and pass me off as a traitor? To break one of the clan rules for your own sick desires, you worthless cast-out!"

As a last measure, Alucard raised his head and tail higher than Drake's. Drake narrowed his eyes, now almost on the verge of attacking Alucard. Mayu had to grudgingly admit that that was one of the bravest and more insulting things Alucard had ever done. To raise your head and tail higher than someone you were threatening was the human equivalent of spitting in someone's face and rubbing it in or forcing them to lick your feet- it showed you considered yourself their master and placed yourself above them. For Alucard, a relatively young dog, to do this to Drake, an experienced killer and hunter, was the ultimate insult. And Mayu was sure that she'd just seen the end of it.

Drake stared at Alucard in disgust. He'd won the fight, and he knew it. But pride was something Drake didn't want to bend- especially for someone like him. But there was no choice. If he killed Alucard here and now, then there would be issues to explain to the clan- and things could go sour if the Grandmaster used her spirits to investigate the issue. There was only one way out. "…fine." Drake forced his words out with his much hate and loathing he could fit into them. "The two brats will be taken back to camp. Are ya happy now, you pompous piece of dung?"

Alucard responded in the same way. "Yes," he said coldly. He spun around to face Mao and Mayu. "Mao. Mayu. Come on." Even though the fight was over, Alucard's voice still remained rough. Mayu had been getting ready to put up a fight, but judging from his tone of voice, she had the feeling that doing so might push him over the edge. And after seeing what had happened to Mako and the fight he'd just finished with Drake, that would not be a wise idea.

"Right." Mayu kicked Mao in the shoulder. "Come on, Mao. Leaving time." She shot a warning glance at him. Mao didn't need to be reminded. He quickly scrambled over to Mayu.

"….OK."

With one last loathing look at the trio, Drake turned around and began to sprint back to the clan camp. Alucard followed after, eyes pinned on the former's back. Mao stuck to Mayu like glue. As they left the scene of the quarrel, Mao had one whispered question for his sister.

"Mayu?"

"Yea?"

"Why'd Alucard get so mad when Drake called him 'Walter'?"

XXXXX

Alucard escorted Mayu and Mao back to camp. Of course the two were punished for their little desertion. Nothing much, Lazarus simply gave them several lashes. To Mayu it wasn't anything unusual seeing as she had many to prove it upon her back. Mao on the other hand was a first. So far he had managed to be a good little boy and get by without any scars. Now he shared some pain with his sister, but she still held more. He supposed that demonstrated a clear difference in obedience. Even with their scars, they were forced to practice the maneuvers like everybody else, there were no favorites. Much they had learned and soon it was over. After that it was time to return. Many of the pups were given free time on what to do, very rare considering the living condition they were used to. They supposed it was a kind of reward, the last ounce of freedom before being inducted as full fledged soldiers. During this time Mayu and Mao decided to rest their tender backs. That is until Alucard came up to them.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." He said.

The Grandmasters permission was to be granted before such a thing could commence, but surprisingly the old dog allowed it. Perhaps it was because she trusted Alucard. He wouldn't run and she knew that.

Alucard led the pair through the forest, then stopped at a certain spot. It was a cliff and out looking it was the whole valley. That wasn't the sight no, it was the sun setting slowly over the horizon. Still not used to the sunlight after so long, Mayu and Mao were in slightly pained. It didn't last very long and to them it was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Wow!" Was their duel reactions.

Alucard had to smile. He supposed those two needed some form of joy after today.

"Alucard?" Mao suddenly asked.

"Yeah?" He asked.

Mao didn't' hesitate upon asking this. "Thanks for saving us."

Alucard was taken back a bit by the gratitude. Nobody had ever thanked him before. Gratitude in the Clan was generally unheard off, at least vocally expressing it. "You're welcome." Alucard didn't know how else to say it.

Mao wagged his tail as his appreciation was excepted. Mayu opened her mouth looking a bit hesitant at what she was going to say. It was against her lips but she wasn't sure if she should ask. Some might find it too personal but being the kind of girl she was, she essentially thought "What the hell."

"Why did Drake call you Walter?"

Alucard flinched slightly at the question. Maybe it was too personal? Mao shot his sister a chiding glance. This in turn provoked a "what?" look from her.

"Walter was my original name."

The answer came just like that. Mayu and Mao were surprised at the quickness of the response. Seeing that he indeed was open in his feelings, Mayu asked again. "How did-" she had begun but apparently Alucard could foresee what the female was about to ask.

"I was born in a pet shop, I never knew my parents, just my brothers and sisters." Alucard began, closing his eyes he thought back to those days. "Then she came, a little girl picked me out of all the others." A smile played upon his face. "Her name was Seres." The smile grew larger as the happy memories flooded back.

"She was kind, sweet, she loved me and I loved her." Slowly the smile started to fall. "One day she and her family were going on a trip, she begged her parents to take me with her. They did, the trip started off nice, we were hiking near the mountains." The mountains that surrounded the countryside may have been what he was referring to. "Then there was an accident." Alucard thought back, he saw the gleeful laughter of a little girl silenced as rocks fell from the heavens. Following that were screams and at last silence. "My human family didn't make it." Alucard replied sadly. "I was pinned under rocks were who knows how long."

"How did you survive?" Mao immediately asked.

Alucard could see the darkness, his whimpers as a puppy. By all means he should have died, but he didn't it, if not for a certain liquid that sustained him. Red crimson dripped down, the life of his owners sated him keeping him alive. God, he truly was the Life-sucker.

"Eventually some humans dug me out, but I was scared and ran away, then the Clan found me and well." The rest was history. Obviously he was found and inducted into their circle.

This was a vast difference in their homelife with Sawada. Even though he was inattentive to them, they at least had a home and food. Honestly had they known their life would have turned out this way, they would have stayed even with the loneliness of not having a mother around.

"You two remind me of myself." Alucard continued. "I knew Drake would kill you. Hell, everybody here is a sociopath. The Grandmaster's blood curses them, makes them ugly on the inside. Including me." Mao opened his mouth to protest. "Don't try to deny it!" He flashed them a look with his eyes. "You think any little girl would pet me now?" With those eyes and the blood sucking who would? "You two aren't like the others, you still have a chance to stay who you are." Alucard looked off into the sunset again. "Promise me you two won't become them. I've seen kids sweeter than you turn into savages."

Mayu and Mao didn't know what to say. Inside they made the promise and Alucard could feel that. Something inside the three had connected a bond. They didn't know what it was at first but quickly they understood. They were friends.

XXXXX

Cross couldn't help but stare at the three bundles of fur in front of her. So small, so warm…. One made a small whining noise before hungrily burying its tiny little muzzle into her belly and feeding. The other two followed suit, squirming and wriggling to get in closer. Cross gave a minuscule sound of approval in the back of her throat. Her puppies had to feed, after all. Dropping her eyelids shut, she laid her head down on the ground. Right before they totally closed, she noted that two of the pups were colored the same medium brown as Ben was, and only one held her white coat. No disappointment there- at least they'd been born healthy. She gave a sigh thinking about what had happened and what was going on.

The several past days had seemed like an impossibly warped dream. Cross could barely believe they'd taken place at all. To start things off, she'd returned with the Ohu Army to final fighting place with a good friend and savior of hers that she hadn't expected to ever see again. Oliver the Dachshund hadn't failed to surprise her by heading back to the camp with them. Such a cheery fellow, for someone who was about to get involved in war. And then Riki, the pack leader, had appeared in one of the most jaw dropping and amazing entrances Cross had ever seen. The war speech about eliminating Akakabuto he'd given nearly right after had made his arrival look dull as dirt. There had been one problem- Cross hadn't heard all of it. She'd doubled up in pain due to the fact that her delivery had started half way through the speech. Oliver had helped her to limp away elsewhere, where she was free to labor and gasp with pain in privacy- oh Oliver, he'd been so helpful to her- and after a long time of torment and harsh breathing, all her pups had been born.

Cross's body had been ready to drop straight off to sleep after the birthing business was all said and done with, but merciless maternal instincts that filled her mind only allowed her a half rest. She'd been feeling something she hadn't felt for so long- the urge to protect someone with every part of her body and mind. Let Akakabuto come. She would tear him to pieces for her children. Let Sniper come. She would twist his neck till he no longer breathed, for she now had something to protect at any cost.

Let Gin come.

She would look at him and say, "Sorry, Gin. This was almost you. Almost. But you're not a child any more, are you, Gin? Sorry. Sorry." Cross remembered her first pups. The ones she'd lost to vengeance and hate of Akakabuto. The ones who's scents had long faded from her nose. And the ones whom were the same age as Gin. "Grow leaders don't need protection from a fussy and overly worried female, do they, Gin? I forgot. I forgot. So please forgive me for treating you like a pup. My pup."

Cross hadn't actually said to this to Gin. She'd been thinking of it as she lay exhausted from giving birth and Gin was off fighting the demon bear.

Cross almost said the same thing to Chibi that she'd wanted to say to Gin. But she didn't. After all, he was still a fragile one who needed protection. Her protection. So coddling him more for the time was not a bad thing.

Particularly when he and her pups was all she could protect on that day.

A few hours after she'd delivered and most of the army had left, Ben had came to see her- them. He'd come to see his family before he ran to join the others in the fight, despite the fact that the leader had wished him to do otherwise. At first, Cross had protested. This was her fight as well- despite her pups, why couldn't she come with him and fight? But her arguments had been futile. Ben had had his way and left for battle. Cross had cried like she was barely three months old. Her puppies had stared on in confusion. Tears were a new idea for them, but it was quite obvious something was wrong with their mother. Chibi had simply whined slightly, cocking back his ears.

Cross had eventually managed to clamp her jaw shut and end her crying, though a grim look had come over her face when she'd began hearing noises from the battlefield. Every time she had heard a bear roar, her fur had stood up on end. Akakabuto and his crew were not an easy pushover- many dogs WOULD die. Dogs Cross had come to know and trust- though she's also been aware that death was the eventual fate for every single one of them. As a soldier, death was something you expected to come with your duty. Your best hope would be to die snarling and fighting- at least you'd get respect from fellow soldiers at the end when they found your corpse. Ben had known this. Gin had known this. Moss had known this. She herself had known this. But that didn't stop her from fighting or Ben from keeping her back from the battle. Cross had felt like strangling him for keeping her back. But things had changed.

Just yesterday, on the same day she'd been forced to stay behind, Gin, Ben and many dogs had returned from their battle with Akakabuto, victorious but hurt and tired. Riki had taken Akakabuto down with the last bit of strength he possessed, and many more dogs than the ones whom had returned had been slain. Gin was the leader of the pack now, and he'd been thrown into a nightmare. There were bodies to be buried, celebrations to be had, and grieving to be done. Scores of the dogs foreign to the Ohu territory had to be negotiated with, messengers had to remember a list of dead to be recited for when they reached their home territory again… The only reason Cross didn't have to help out right now was the fact that she had to take care of all her puppies and Chibi, whom was slumbering happily under a tree. Still, I might have to help later on…. Cross groaned at the very thought. Her puppies paused for a moment, wondering if their mother wanted them to do anything, or if the groan had just been an odd noise. One of the brown furred duo began to move away from Cross's belly and tumbled over, rolling against her ear.

Cross snapped out of her daydream. Sitting up, she plucked the puppy from the wayward pose it was sitting in and moved it closer to her belly. It wouldn't do for her brood to be getting in the way of everyone else or getting lost. The puppy sniffed, rolling back against her mother's stomach. Cross looked on in amusement. "Sheh. Such a shy little female." As if responding to her mother's comment, the little puppy went back to quietly nursing. Well, thought Cross, Now that I think of it, I really need to name all of these puppies before too much time passes. We need to call them SOMETHING other than "pup." Hmmm…. I think a fitting name for the girl would start with a "m." Maybe something like Miny, or Miney….

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