This chapter is for fruitsbasket girl and her OC Arisu Mizushima

thinking'

Flash back or dream

"Talking"

Demon or inner

Did you know that rabies is most common in dogs? The virus gets in your dog through a bite, then travels to the brain. It usually takes a while to notice though, and sometimes we don't know that it might be the last month before our dog turns into a killing machine. Still, most of the population in the world owns dogs. Still, we love them.

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Arisu POV

I pushed my black hair away from my blue eyes, so I could see better. It was dark already and I didn't need my curtain of black hair covering up my view. I groped for the night vision goggles and quickly put them on, just as I heard a growl from the giant white dog beside me.

Akamaru sniffed at the floor before barring his teeth and slinking down the alley to the right. I felt a pat on my shoulder. Kiba. "Guns at the ready now. Precious seconds can be wasted by readying a gun. Those seconds could mean a lot when we come face to face with a hive off genetically modified killer bats". I rolled my eyes but did as he told me.

This was the daily routine for us mercenaries. Our tiny but effective squad consisted of me, Arisu Mizushima (the techno girl), Kiba Inuzuka, (part knuckle head, part werewolf muscle of the group), and Akamaru, (genetically modified dog, shredder and eater of leftovers). Tonight, we were on a job for some laboratory to exterminate some giant killer bats. Real fun.

I trailed Kiba down the dark alley. He didn't need any night vision whatever stuff. His nose told him exactly where everything was.

I heard a sniff, and a growl like a chainsaw before I heard them.

Flapping leathery wings, the size of bed mattresses. Then I saw them Red eyes. A lot of red eyes.

I ducked and rolled to the side as one of them screeching bats sailed over me. It then made friends with Kiba's fist as it was thrown to the back of the alley. "Yahoo!" he shouted, followed by a bark from Akamaru, "let's start the show!".

I made base behind a crate on the floor. Spreading my highly priced weapons on the floor, I took my pick. It was a rifle, long and sleek ,a bit slow but real powerful.

I adjusted it on my shoulder and looked for my first target. There was a large hairy one. It was clinging to the walls all the time leaping from one wall to another. That one I wanted to get rid of fast.

I aimed at its neck and fired. There was a splatter of crimson as it fell and-what's this?- the bullet went through and hit another bat in the corner. That's a bonus.

Two down.

Akamaru was busy, a streak of white in the dark alley. He professionally chose unsuspecting targets, and with cold professionalism, he dismantled them, a.k.a ripped their limbs off. There were snarls followed by a ripping noise. That skinny bat had just become Akamaru's chew toy.

Kiba grabbed on to the railing of a balcony and with its help, used height to further power his flying kick. There was a crunching noise, as he struck a bat in the chest. The two of them plummeted to the ground. Thinking quickly, Kiba used the bat's wings to slow down the fall. As soon as he reached the ground, he kicked off once again, going for another bat. His sharpened nails easily made the flying mammal a pincushion.

Eventually my rifle ran out of ammo. I didn't have time to reload so I traded in the rifle for a pistol. Much easier to handle. Pulling a trigger, I fired at another bat. It hit its wing. Hmm, my aim's a bit off there.

The bat wasn't hurt, just angry. It let out a shriek before doing a dive bomb on me. I ducked in time as it's fury mass went over me, but now, I was cornered. I took out my pistol and fired, one bullet, two bullets, three bullets. What was up?! Why wasn't it working?

Finally, a clicking noise told me my trusty pistol was spent. I realized in horror that the huge bat was between me and my bullets as well as all my guns. So I was cornered with an empty pistol what do I do? No, I don't call for help.

I was weaponless, but then, an old street fighting trick arouse in my mind. Using all the strength in my puny arm, I pulled my arm back, and threw my empty pistol at its furry skull. There was a satisfying crunch and it crumpled to the floor.

Anything can be used as a weapon, but still…"I can't believe it actually worked".

"Hey, Arisu. Are you ok over there?!" Kiba called. "Yeah, I'm fine. I think this is the last one.

Kiba pouted, "no fair, I wanted the last one!".

My forehead throbbed, "stop whining! I almost died just now!" I shouted as he covered his ears, Akamaru put his paws over his ears, doing the same.

Kiba POV

Arisu sat at the computer as soon as we got home. Yeah, we lived in the same house, no parents, just us and Akamaru. I wonder what people thought of that. Arisu's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, "the CEO of that laboratory says thanks. Also, the money's already in our bank account" she said turning the monitor to face me. I whistled, seeing the large sum. Akamaru caught a whiff of Cyber money, too. He barked , then gave a doggy grin, obviously he knew that meant a nice variety of raw meat for dinner.

I straightened myself up, "say, let's go to a bar tonight". Akamaru perked his ears, Arisu swung around on her swivel chair. "Why?" she asked quietly. I shrugged ,"in memory of the genetically modified killer bats we fought? May they all have gone to a better place". She smiled widely, "alright Mr. Wise guy. We'll go out tonight".

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We stepped into the crowded and noisy bar, Arisu trailing behind me, in a long red jacket. Akamaru was at home, feasting on lamb chop and he had the T.V. to himself, we even gave him permission to use the air-condition , so he'll be fine.

We went to go sit by the counter when someone caught my eye. A pretty girl with green eyes and pink hair. She was someone I've never seen before in this bar, let alone this neighborhood.

On a stool beside her was a woman with short black hair and a long black dress, who seemed to be worried about something. Come to think of it, she looks a bit familiar…

Then I saw the blonde, busty woman. She was definitely familiar.

Sakura POV

Here I was, sitting at a bar with a nurse and a sake sponge…and I was drinking. Yeah. It was true.

I picked up the miniature porcelain sake glass, playing with it a bit in my hand. I tipped its contents into my mouth. I felt the warm, sweet, stingy taste of sake before feeling a bit lighter.

I spared a glance at Tsunade. She was leaning back, sake bottle in hand, while steadily draining its contents. Suddenly a hand appeared, taking the bottle away, "Jeez lady, you drink more than a depressed old man".

It was a guy I never saw before. He had messy brown hair, and there were strange red, fang tattoos on his cheeks. He also possessed a pair of sharp black eyes that were currently scrutinizing Tsunade. Standing a little bit behind him, I noticed a girl with black hair and blue eyes, in a long re jacket. Was she with him? Or just a bystander watching?

Meanwhile Tsunade stared groggily at the boy, before slurring, "I remember you. You're the werewolf kid" , she wrinkled her nose, "you smell like dog, dog boy".

He just kept staring her down, "I've heard that one before, get something new". Tsunade tried to reach for the bottle, but he only held it higher away from her. She scowled at him, unhappy at the interference in her sake draining.

He passed the bottle to the girl with black hair, "Arisu, hold this please". She took it out of his hands quietly. He then settled his eyes on me. I noticed something strange about them. They were…animalistic.

He stretched his hand out to me, "I'm Kiba Inuzaka", I took it and shook, "Sakura Haruno". "Well, Sakura, I'm very much curious how you ended up with this alcohol guzzler" he said grinning. I was a bit unsure how to answer, "we met at church". I myself thought it was a really safe, simple and normal answer before he had a laughing fit. He clutched his stomach, doubling over with laughter. I just stared, the girl behind him sighed, putting her hand to her head as if feeling a massive head ache.

Finally the laughter subsided as he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes, "good one. Real good, a church, hah! Good lord, Tsunade in a church". Well that wasn't entirely false since I met her in a church, but I guess Kiba thought otherwise.

"Oh, yeah!" he said as if suddenly remembering something, he gestured to the girl beside him, "this is Arisu Mizushima. She's real quiet, but be careful she hides a nasty temper. Arisu frowned making a clicking noise with her tongue.

"Kiba", it was Tsunade who had magically conjured up another sake bottle, her cheeks were still pinkish but she looked more alert now, "why don't you consider joining us?". He smiled revealing pointed teeth, "thanks but no thanks. Not a demon. Not an angel. Just the regular half-were wolf. Besides, " he glanced at Arisu, "I've got my own little gang already".

Were wolf? The guy's a were wolf? I looked closer at him. He looked pretty normal, minus the fangs, and sharpened nails…and the tattoos too. What a weird thing. I guess it shouldn't surprise me though, now that I'm running around with a coven of angels and demons.

Tsunade sighed, "oh, well, what a pity". She stood up, flipping some cash on the table, "come on Shizune, Sakura, we're out of here". "Finally" Shizune breathed. I nodded and hopped off of the tall bar stool, but immediately lost my balance, and almost fell back ward if Arisu hadn't caught me.

"A bit light on our feet, are we?" she asked, setting me back on my feet. "Just take a pill" she said tossing me a capsule. "Thanks" I answered, storing it in my pocket. I waved one more time at them, before exiting the bar with Shizune and Tsunade.

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Stranger POV

Two teenagers. Don't know them, never seen them before. Tsunade, and the two women were leaving now. The Canine boy turned down her offer. Interesting. That human girl is a liability to him. Yes…I can work with this.

A shady man with shades and a grey jacket, paid his tab, cast one last look at the girl in the red jacket and left, the bar, slinking into the shadows…

Arisu POV

Monday. I hate Mondays. Kiba and Akamaru were out for a walk, I was alone in the house with my lap top. I sighed, scrolling down my inbox. Junk mail, junk mail, trash, junk mail, your account has expired yadda, yadda ,yadda….

Since that giant mutant bat job, there haven't been any new requests coming in. It's not too much of a worry since the pay we got should keep us financially stable for two and a half more months, but still… two and a half months pass quickly.

My budget worrying was then interrupted by the door bell. I sighed and put down my lap top, to go answer the door. I walked into the short hall way of ours , towards our white, friendly looking front door. I opened it up and saw the most bundled up person I ever saw in my life.

He was wearing a high collared, long sleeve shirt, with a grey, hooded wind breaker on top of it. I barely saw his hands as they were tucked away into his pockets, and his expression was a matter of heads and tails since not only could I not see his mouth, but his eyes were covered by sun glasses.

"Good afternoon" he greeted in a quiet , polite voice. I just stayed in the door frame, not reacting. Seconds of silence lapsed before he took it as a cue to continue.

"My name is Shino, I'm looking for a Kiba Inuzaka, is he in?" he asked in his soft voice. Sensing it was a person with good hearing, I answered back in my regular quiet voice, "no, he's out for a walk . He'll be back soon though. Why don't you come in?", I asked, gesturing to the house. "Yes, thank you", he said, before walking through the door way.

I sat him in the living room, before asking, "want something to drink? Soda, water, beer…?", "Tea if you have any", "that, we do. I'll be right back".

One thought played in my head, as I entered the kitchen, to fix some tea, "Shino, huh?".

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When I came back, he was exactly as I left him. On the couch by the window. I placed the tray on the coffee table. He murmured a soft, "thank you" before picking up the teaspoon to stir the boiling tea.

"So, Shino" I decided to try a conversation, "what's your reason for the visit". He stirred the tea quietly, "I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I'd drop by…also wanted to warn Kiba about the recent rabies outbreak".

"Oh, how thoughtful…I'm sorry, but Kiba never mentioned you…"

"Well, we actually weren't that close. I just remembered he lived around here".

"Ok, well…where'd you guys meet?".

"You know, the usual. Elementary school. We met over something in the plant beds. He was going to squash one of the bugs there…".

Wait a minute, something was off, "I don't remember there being any plants there when I visited every year".

There was an uncomfortable stillness. He even stopped stirring the tea, which I just noticed he never touched. Then he looked at me. "You sure?".

…silence. Then my cell phone rang. It was upstairs in my room.

Beep Beep. Beep Beep. Beep Beep.

I stood up and smiled, "hold on for a sec, ok? I'll be right back".

I rushed upstairs to my phone. It was on my dresser, and in it were the words, "Kiba, calling".

I picked up, "Hi, Arisu-!" "Kiba. I need you to stay really quiet" I said in a serious tone. The line was then filled with silence. I pressed the loud speaker button. Then said loudly, "don't worry, we've got enough kibble till tomorrow. Bye!". I put the phone in my pocket.

If the person downstairs was listening he'd think the call was over. I turned around then almost, received a heart attack. Shino was standing in the door way of my room.

I took five steps back till I was against my dresser. My face turned serious, "I know that there were absolutely zero plants in Kiba's school".

Shino stayed silent for a while-I groped for a bottle of perfume on my dresser- before saying softly, "I wasn't counting on you having gone to the same school as Inuzaka".

I flung my bottle of perfume at him, he ducked. It hit the wall, letting lose its fragrant contents. I took that distraction to run passed him, but his hand shot out, seizing a hand full of my hair. I bit back a scream of pain, as he pulled me back. His other hand, formed a fist and hit my middle section. I let out a scream this time.

I staggered back, holding my stomach before slumping against the wall. "Arisu, what's happening?!" Kiba's voice flowed over the line. Shino advanced towards me and taking my hand, he pulled me up. I didn't miss this opportunity to hit him. I slapped him, hard, and he let go, taking a step back.

I grinned, triumphantly, before I felt a strange tickling sensation around me legs. I looked down and so in horror, that my legs were completely covered by blankets of black insects, I screamed, as I felt pain, all over my body. They weren't biting me, but it was like my energy was being sucked away. Meanwhile the never ending bugs, took over. They were all over me, this was the worst fear factor. I screamed again, trying to push them away, but my body was going numb now.

Finally, my vision was obscured and everything went black.

"Arisu?! Arisu! Answer me, what's happening?! Arisu!". Shino calmly walked over to the cell phone, lying on the floor. He picked it up and pressed the end call button. The line went dead.

Beepbeepbeepbeeepbeeepbeeep…..

To be continued

The chapter is finished, hope you guys enjoyed it, especially fruitsbasket girl!