18.

They wind through the tunnels underground into the city. Alex had showed them a way through, though it was all sewers. Hige wasn't too happy about it neither was anyone else for that matter but they just continued on and forgot about it. Alex's word ran through Kiba's head as they continued:

Here follow the tunnels into the city, I hoped you all had enough food to eat. Stay as humans. Remember Kiba keep your friends close, aye? You are the key to Paradise, here…Alex had taken out a golden key and tossed it to him. It will help you open the door to the case in which houses the Book of the Moon. An Agent must lead you there for I don't know where it is. Find out what's wrong with the wolves and you'll find out what's wrong with your friend and then find you other friend. Good luck on your trip. We shall meet again.

They left them then and here they were.

Cyan moved next to Kiba, "Are we going to die?" the fear in her whisper brought him attention. She spoke softly so the others wouldn't hear her and be frightened. Kiba looked into her eyes. He smiled reassuringly and place a hand on her shoulder, "no Cyan, I won't let any of us die."

The fear didn't lift even when Kiba tried to comfort her. She sighed and went into Hige's arms and hugged him.

Surprised Hige hugged her back, holding her tightly. He didn't bother to ask but enjoy the little moment before Shippo shouted, "Here it is!"

They walked to a manhole cover that was painted in a light green on the bottom of it. Shippo went up first along with Kiba. They climbed the slippery ladder and pushed up the cover enough to see the street around them.

To their surprise it wasn't a street at all but a dark room. Kiba gave a quick check all the way around and closed it, looking to Shippo and then to his pack.

"I think it led us to a room."

"Why would Alex lead us there?" Tsuki looked at him. Kiba couldn't help but smile at her confused expression.

"Perhaps they don't hate wolves…" he shrugged and opened it again, climbing out. Shippo followed him excitedly and the others slowly moved out after them.

They were in a small room with mystical books on wall shelves. The walls were all shelves down to the very corner and at least two hundred books were stacked on them. There were candle chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, lighting up the room.

Hige moved the manhole cover on and a loud thud echoed. Everyone turned and glared at him. He smiled, scratching the back of his head, "heh. Sorry." They rolled their eyes and the wooden door in the small room unlocked itself. Neko instantly jumped up on Kiba to protect him against the new stranger that may come. The door open and in came a short woman with a big structure. She had a happy grin on her.

"Hello wolfies, I'm Juno. I help wolves get into the city with the secret service we have. Come with me and I'll show you the way into the castle, come come!"

Her plump self bounced out of the room and Kiba followed willingly. Tsuki held onto his hand for support and he smiled to himself. They were led through a series of green hallways and to a guest room so it seemed were the girls sat on the beds and she handed Kiba a map, talking to him about what tunnels to follow through and which turns.

"Now, be careful, this is a tricky journey if you don't listen and we don't mark our tunnels just in case the Agents come in and seek us out. We are wanted people you know."

"Are there any other wolves here?"

She shook her head sadly, "No, I'm sorry dear, but a lot have been caught. I've heard stories that they use the Book of the Moon for evil deeds which none of us thought could be done."

"Like what?"

She sat down and looked at him, seeing the determination in his eyes, she leaned close into the group and began whispering, "They hypnotize them… they make the wolves become part of them."

Kiba jumped and the others knew what he was thinking. Tsume.

"The only way it can be stopped is if you have the Book of the Moon, if it can turn the wolves into zombies it most certainly can change them back."

Kiba nodded, the woman looked at Tsuki and smiled, "All doors will open to you wolf of the moon."

She cocked her head sideways and the woman laughed pointing to another manhole in the middle of the floor, "go, follow the white arrows and avoid the blue ones, safe trip, young wolves, the cover you see will be yellow and it will lead you to the castle's kitchen, don't worry, you'll be protected and fed there."

The first to enter was Shippo followed by Kiba and the rest. They moved through the dark tunnel, following a pattern of white arrows above their heads. Neko lead the team, checking corners and such as they continued. Soon they reached a yellow painted manhole cover. The smell of baking bread erupted from the cover, Hige's nose wiggled in delight and Cyan smiled, "mmm…"

"Can I go first, Kiba?" Shippo looked up at his leader.

"No, I'll check to see if the coast is clear, Ship."

He climbed up the ladder slowly and pushed it, the door wouldn't budge. He tried again, pushing all his weight against it and he could move it at all.

"This is the right door, right?" Hana asked, tugging on her sleeve nervously.

"Allow me to handle the situation," Hige pushed and climbed to the top, smiling to Cyan as he was about to show his manly-ness. Kiba jumped down and folded his arms watching Hige do his job. Hige lunges his body against the door, yet the cover didn't move.

He gave a sly smile to Cyan, she was laughing. With a growl he lunges his whole body again, this time flying through the hole and landing outside. Everyone laughed as Hige made his defeat. Kiba climbed up and looked up at a tall man with a beer belly gut holding the cover.

"Sorry, m'boy, I was standing on it."

Kiba smiled, "no problem sir, he's the one in pain." Kiba looked at Hige rubbing his shoulder.

They all came out of the tunnels and looked around. The kitchen was made of cement with long tables and many ovens and stoves around them. There were about 10 cooks and maids helping them. They all watched the wolves exit and enter into their domain.

"I'd never thou' to see a'nother," one of them said as she rolled dough. The all nodded in reply. A loud gong was heard and they continued with their work.

The cook secured the entrance and looked at the wolves, "I'm Jocque, what be ye names?"

"Kiba"

"Tsuki"

"Shippo"

"Hige"

"Cyan"

Neko couldn't answer. She simply meowed.

They all replied in unison almost. The cook smiled, his mustache curling around his nose as he nodded to some soup, "I'm assuming Alex sent ya. He was once a friend of mine a long time ago. I did'n know he be wolf then, now I help him by send'n some food."

"Have many wolves come this way?" Hana wondered as she asked the cook.

The cook sighed, "nah, child. The last one came when I was but a boy working as an apprentice to the chief cook. That was after me, an' Alex departed. That was about 50 years ago."

"What happened to them?" Shippo asked in a whimpering voice.

"I don't know, they never came back."

Shippo sighed and Hana looked towards him then down.

Kiba noticed the doubt in them, "you don't have to come with me, I can get the book by myself."

"No! I'm coming!" Shippo said excitedly that it even made Kiba a bit frightened. The cook motioned for them to keep it down. Hana sat down on the floor and Tsuki followed her. Cyan and Hige were talking amongst themselves, Kiba didn't know what. Neko found herself a mouse and she stalked its hole in the wall, waiting for it to emerge, though knowing it would be a while.

"Kiddies, I must be back to work. Wait until nightfall and then I can tell you how to sneak into the Alchemist's room. That is located in the East Wind tower. I think your cat would be a good idea for a spy, she's quiet, however the king doesn't like cats, she can stay 'ere with us while you go." The cook went back to making whatever it is, a stew mixture of some sort, "There's a cellar room for you guys to sleep, it's kinda small but no one 'cept us go in it."

They nod and the cook raised his ladle towards a door in a corner and the group made their way over there. Kiba realized it was almost dark when he looked out the window. They were in the tunnels for a whole day and he was tired. Tonight the adventure would begin when they will do the craziest thing ever possible, steal the Book of the Moon.

Sorry this isn't as good as some other chapters.