Disclaimer: I do not own any Klonoa characters… The others are mine, though.

Chapter 4: The Hunt

It had started raining by the time Nikki returned to her apartment. She had planned on relaxing, probably forgetting all about Klonoa for a second. Coming home to just sit on her couch after a hard day's work always made her feel better. But she certainly didn't come home to anything pleasant this time.

On her rug, she noticed as she walked in, where red drops soaked in with the original teal color. It led in a small trail to the other side of her couch, where she couldn't see. "Klonoa?" She called. She felt slightly awkward, as if she was speaking to herself. But Klonoa soon enough responded. Nikki saw his head look over the arm rest of the couch.

She quickly walked over to him. "What happened?!" She asked loudly when she saw the side of his shirt soaked in blood. "I'm sorry. You told me to be careful, but I wasn't and it started bleeding again," Klonoa apologized, looking as if he were a young child being scolded. He sat beside the couch, as if standing up was too hard.

Nikki sighed, brushing a hand through her long hair. "I'm sorry," Klonoa repeated, looking down. "It's okay… I'll just clean it up," Nikki replied quietly. She was trying not to get annoyed, though it was hard to not get mad at anything after such a stressful day. And it wasn't like this was her rug. If the owner of the apartment came up right that moment, he'd charge her for the stain.

Still, it wasn't like this was really Klonoa's fault, right? He was the one bleeding, after all. At least he was safe and her father hadn't gotten to him somehow. "I'll go get some bandages," Nikki said, walking away.

"You still want to go?" Nikki asked after treating Klonoa's wound again. It had pretty much stopped bleeding by then and didn't seem to have been bleeding as much as when it was first inflicted. Klonoa had stood up with a bit of effort. "Yes… If it's all right with you," he hesitated, as if expecting a punishment.

Nikki had to smile at how pathetically cute he looked. She put a hand on his furry head reassuringly. "Nope, it's all right. I promised, after all," she replied good-naturedly. Klonoa looked relieved. "But it's raining now and you're going to have to hide your face. I think I know something you can wear," Nikki continued. She was feeling a bit more relaxed herself by now.

She had Klonoa put on a raincoat that was too large for herself, so it was huge on him. Its bottom nearly dragged on the ground. The hood hid his face as long as he didn't look up and he had to keep his ears tucked in behind him. Nikki was wearing her own black raincoat that looked so formal that it was easily mistaken for a normal coat.

The two left the apartment and set down the wet, shinning sidewalk. Klonoa was limping, but tried to hide it and kept pace with Nikki. A little worried, Nikki wasn't planning on looking far before suggesting they go back.

As expected, few people were around. Most stood idly, waiting for the bus. Some others sat in the rain with no choice, the merciless water soaking into their dirty, pruned faces. Klonoa gave these people a glance, as if he didn't understand. Nikki took his hand when they reached a group. The last thing she wanted was to lose him in a crowd.

When they reached a certain block, Klonoa looked around, as if recognizing something. "This is where I got hit by that big vehicle," he recalled. "You got hit by a car?" Nikki asked incredulously. "'Car?'" Klonoa echoed. "You don't have cars on your planet, but you have vehicles?" Nikki asked. She had lowered her voice as a few people past.

"Yes. They're smaller than… 'cars,'" Klonoa replied. Nikki scratched her head. "So, um… where do you think your friend would be?" She asked, changing the confusing subject. "Not out in the open… He's usually easy to see because he carries big guns," Klonoa answered. Nikki staggered slightly. "Guns? Jeez… let's hope your right about him not staying out in the open," she sighed. She wasn't sure if she was really going to like this guy.

A red light lit up at one of the traffic lights and Nikki started to move, but she felt Klonoa stay still behind her. When she turned around, she saw him looking up, the top of his hidden ears perked. "I hear it again… Guntz' howl," he said quietly, concentrating. Amazing, Nikki thought. He had the brain of a human and the senses of an animal.

Klonoa looked to the side. "It's coming from over there," he said. Nikki was about to say something, but, without warning, he ran off in that direction. She stumbled in surprise. W-Wait!" She called, running after him. It was ominously quiet down this road, for some odd reason.

Nikki slowed to a stop, forgetting about Klonoa for a moment. This was just like the other roads, only a bit longer. Was it being blocked? Why? She hadn't noticed any signs or cones. But when you're a New Yorker, she supposed, you stop looking after a while. She turned around when she felt a tug on her coat.

"He's moving," Klonoa said. Nikki blinked. Why did he come back? Didn't he want to find his friend quickly? "Well, let's hurry, then," Nikki replied. This time, Klonoa led the way, for Nikki hadn't been able to hear the howl over the sound of traffic, or now, even. It was very quiet.

Distant yelling could then be heard somewhere far ahead. It was too dark to see anything. Why weren't the streetlights on? A sudden, loud bang noise made Nikki jump as it was followed by a sharp dog-like yelp. Klonoa suddenly ran ahead and Nikki didn't notice until a few second later.

"Wait!" she yelled, but then clamped her hands over her mouth. If she kept this up she'd be shot, too. But now Klonoa was in danger. Quickly, but not running, Nikki made her way forward. She stepped close to the ground, trying to keep as quiet as possible. She froze when she heard rapid footsteps coming toward her.

Before Nikki could even make out the figure in the darkness, it bumped into her, causing both of them to fall over. She quickly leaned on a wall beside her and got up, but the figure stayed where it was. Nikki tensed upon looking at it.

It was certainly Klonoa's friend, if not the one they were looking for. It had a dog-like face and human body. It currently lay where it had fallen, breathing heavily, eyes closed. Nikki wondered if it had been injured by the gunshot. Slowly, she took a step forward and bent over, reaching out her hand toward it.

Without even looking to see that she was there, the dog-like creature suddenly lunged toward her and snapped its parted jaws at her hand. Nikki flinched and the creature weakly fell over again. Another sound behind her made her jump again.

Klonoa was suddenly there and nearly skidded to a kneel beside the seemingly unconscious dog-like creature.

"Guntz! Wake up!" He yelled frantically. Well, that proved that this was the one they were looking for. Again without looking, Guntz bared his jaws and lunged them at Klonoa. "Watch—" Nikki stopped mid-sentence as the fangs already fastened around Klonoa's skinny arm.

Klonoa looked more sad than scared or mad, though. "Guntz… don't you recognize me?" It was then that Nikki noticed the small dart stabbed in one of Guntz' shoulders. So that was it. He wasn't trying to be aggressive. He was just tired and freaked out. Nikki knew she'd freak out if the urge to sleep overcame her while she was being hunted, too.

Eventually, the teeth loosened and Guntz' head weakly fell to the ground. Nikki got closer and knelt beside Klonoa. "Calm down, we're not going to hurt you. We just want to help," she said quietly, trying to calm him down.

"Bullshit."

The reply was hoarse, but strong. Nikki blinked in surprise. She looked at Klonoa, who didn't seem at all surprised at his friend's foul language. He actually looked more relieved that Guntz was speaking at all. Nikki staggered slightly in her position when Guntz started lifting his upper-body slightly.

He opened his eyes, but they were dazed and didn't seem to be able to see much. Not long before he falls unconscious completely, Nikki thought. She was honestly surprised that he was lasting this long, though hoped that he'd hurry up and fall asleep. They had to get out of there before those men who shot him showed up.

"Look, your friend Klonoa is here," Nikki said, desperately trying to find ideas to make Guntz chill out. He twitched his ears and paused for a second, as if not believing her. "Klonoa?" he echoed hoarsely. Klonoa twitched. "Guntz, are hurt? Can you stand up?" he asked worriedly.

To Nikki's surprise, Guntz made a small smile. "You idiot, I've been looking for you," he said quietly. "I'm sorry," Klonoa apologized, as if he were at some fault. Guntz sniggered slightly. "Stupid, you're always worrying about how other people feel..." He shivered slightly as his arms gave out from under him. He made no movement after that.

"Guntz! Guntz, wake up!" Klonoa yelled. Nikki had been so engrossed in the two's conversation that she had almost completely forgotten about the tranquilizer. Poor Klonoa looked close to tears. "Don't worry, he's just sleeping. I think they tranquilized him," Nikki explained, trying to sound as if nothing was wrong.

Klonoa looked at her desperately. "Why?" he asked. Nikki hesitated. It was like teaching a young child what "murder" meant. "Look, we should hurry up and bring him home," she said instead, avoiding the question. Klonoa only looked at her and Nikki realized that he was too small to carry Guntz. She sighed, trying to remind herself that he was tranquilized and wouldn't wake up for another several hours.

Trying not to look disgusted or annoyed, Nikki carefully lifted Guntz' limp body onto her back. He was smaller that her, too, she could tell, though he had sounded older than Klonoa. Nikki heard distant yelling as Klonoa jumped to his feet. "C'mon, let's go," she said, starting to run back toward the road they had come from.

Upon running, the three reached Nikki's apartment room within a few minutes. Again luck had been on their side and no one noticed them; at least, Nikki hoped that was the case. Reluctantly, she let Guntz down on the couch. Klonoa looked at him worriedly, as if he didn't believe that he was just sleeping.

Nikki could tell just by looking that the two were close. Perhaps they were related… She blinked. Was that possible? Well… it was a completely different planet… She shook her head quickly, catching Klonoa's attention. "Um… why don't I go make something to eat?" she suggested, noticing Klonoa's stare.

"I'm not hungry," Klonoa replied quietly, looking back at Guntz. He looked oddly somber, contrary to his childish mood before. Nikki brushed the back of her head awkwardly, but stopped when she noticed something. "Oh, he has a wound on his neck," she said.

It was hardly noticeable through the dog-wolf's highly furred mane. It didn't seem to be bleeding currently, but it was still open and in danger of becoming infected. "And there's that wound on your arm, too," Nikki added to Klonoa, regarding Guntz' bite mark. Quickly, she left and came back with bandages and ointment. She had taken the dart out of Guntz' shoulder and, though it was unnecessary, would treat that, too, just in case.

Afterward, she asked Klonoa to go get a blanket from the closet in her room. Guntz was soaked to the bone and could catch a Cold.

You're being too nice, Nikki, she told herself. Doing this is going to cause a lot of trouble for you. She could see it now: being fired, getting on even worse terms with her father, getting caught, being arrested… But still she couldn't bring herself to even think about kicking these two odd creatures out. She had offered her help and it was her responsibility now.

Yet the same question continued to reel in her mind: why me? Nikki was beginning to wonder what was taking Klonoa so long when Guntz shifted slightly. She froze as he opened his blue eyes slowly. He immediately noticed her, jerked back with a start, and began growling.

Nikki almost fell from the chair she was sitting on. Guntz looked even more threatening than he had before. And what was he doing so full of energy, let alone even awake? His wet fur bristled and his muzzle wrinkled nastily. Nikki was about to call for Klonoa, but she didn't need to, for he suddenly appeared in the room.

He dropped the blanket he was carrying when he saw Guntz. "Guntz!" he yelled. Nikki was surprised that it wasn't a yell of relief, but more of a scolding. Guntz twitched in surprise and stopped growling. "Don't be mean to Nikki, she's helping us," Klonoa said as he picked up the blanket again and walked over.

"Are you crazy?! She's just like the other one's who shot—" Guntz was cut off as Klonoa threw the blanket over his head. "She's not! She much nicer than those other people. She's been helping me this whole time." Klonoa almost sounded protective.

Nikki struggled to resist a blush of embarrassment. She wasn't used to being complimented. Guntz threw the blanket off his head, his irritation showing clearly in his face. "So what? It could be a trap!" Guntz yelled.

"I know it's not! You're just not trusting enough."

"You're too trusting!"

Nikki was dazzled by how loud the room had suddenly gotten. The two seemed like enemies now, contrary to seeming like brothers before. Somehow, she could still hear the doorbell ring from across the room. A chill struck her heart.

Who could that be? So late at night…?

Gawd… Could that first scene between Guntz and Klonoa sound any more shounen-ai? I can't believe I wrote something like that… I blame Solitary Shadow! Her and her ebil, manipulating fics… My intention wasn't for it to sound shounen-ai, but believe what you will. I personally think the "relationship" between Klonoa and Guntz is very interesting, and I love to play with it! –Maniacal laughter-

Right… well… Stay tuned for Chapter 5!