As Shinoku and Anya neared the coach's office they remained unaware of the hidden figure observing them. The figure had spotted them about midway there and had kept it's distance the whole time, even more so after it had almost been spied by the arctic wolf. The figure recalled that night, where while it was trying to get pictures of the two. It had only managed to catch up to them when they had made it to the girl's dorm and was only able to get two pictures, nothing definitive. If it wasn't for the fact the arctic wolf acted like he knew the figure was there it would have stayed to get more instead of running for it's life.

The figure's only intent was to get proof of Shinoku and Anya, definitive proof, to get caught by either was not an option. So it played it safe, keeping an eye from afar. It followed them while staying hidden and not drawing any attention to itself. It watched as the two made their way to the office of Anya's coach, noting Shinoku stayed outside as Anya went in. So far it had found nothing worth taking any pictures of, at least in it's mind.

Sure they were holding hands, but it didn't see that as too definitive. To the figure the surest proof Anya and Shinoku dating was them kissing and that was what it was waiting for. Still, the figure decided that just in case it would add to the pile of evidence, when they started walking it looked for opportunities for more pictures. It soon found some when Anya interlocked her tail with the arctic wolf and then again when she leaned against him.

While this was good evidence, it still wasn't quite enough, it waited and watched. There was a kiss to the cheek the tigress gave, but that wasn't good enough. So the figure followed, observed, and as the two reached the girl's dorm it readied to take a picture or two. It wasn't terribly late in the day, the sun was just starting to set, but if it could get a picture of them both going into the girl's dorm it could help with the evidence it already acquired.

The shadowy figure hoped that today would be it's chance. It was waited, anticipating getting the picture. But as it seemed like it was about to get the chance it froze in fear as Anya walked on in but Shinoku stayed behind. It's fear realized even more as the arctic wolf's head turned in it's direction, scanning the area. Did Shinoku know ot was there? Had he known that they were being watched? Was that why there wasn't any definitive that it could have taken a picture of? Cautiously the figure watched, chancing the arctic wolf not looking any further.

It watched Shinoku, it's fear only growing as the arctic wolf started to sniff the air. Did he have it's scent? Could he track it? It had heard the rumor's about the arctic wolf, about how dangerous he was, that he was one to steer clear from at all cost, that he had even talked about getting fresh meat from the back alley market, if not worse. It readied to run as stealthily as it could at a moment's notice if Shinoku looked like he was about to come towards it.

Shinoku sniffed the air a bit more before scanning the area again, he had a slight feeling of them being watched, if not followed for a while which only grew. He had made up an excuse to Anya that he needed to do something real quick but meet her in her room. He didn't smell Otis, but his sense of danger was only growing. He scanned the area once more before got the feeling it was in a specific area, the same bunch of bushes and trees he had felt it from before.

The figure's panic began to rise as it saw Shinoku look in it's direction. It stood as still as death, though ready to flee at a moment's notice, keeping as low as it could so it could run without being seen. Something that it put into action not long after doing so. Shinoku took a step in it's direction, starting to head over to. The figure didn't even hesitate, stealthily bolting away from it's hiding spot. When Shinoku got there he saw nothing. In fact, he couldn't really smell anything either. At least, nothing he recognized. Shrugging it off as paranoia the arctic wolf turned around and headed back to the girl's dorm, sneaking into Anya's room.

The figure didn't dare to go back, deciding it's best to try again another day. If the rumors were true about how dangerous the arctic wolf was, it wasn't going to take any chances of a confrontation with him. It made it's way through the school grounds and to the boy's dorm, entering and going up to the sixth floor and to the twelfth room, letting out a sigh as it entered. His roommates hadn't gotten back yet so took the time to get in his bed and look over the pictures he had taken, thinking back to earlier in the week.

Three days ago he had received a text on his phone telling him to be at a secluded area in the city. Wasting no time, he headed to the location provided, an agitated Otis was there waiting for him. "So, you still eager to join my gang runt?" the doberman asked, clearly in no mood for pleasantries. That, and possibly a bit offended by the figure wanting to join his gang.

"Yes, more than anything!" The figure replied as it nodded eagerly.

Otis scoffed, sneering slightly. "Then I got a job for you. There's a girl in your school, Anya, a tigress. She's my girl, but there's this white wolf bastard who's put his nose in MY business. She claims he's a friend but I don't buy it. Watch them, bring me proof of either. Do that and I'll let you join up. You have one week." the doberman ordered, to which the figure agreed without hesitation. "Good, don't fail me or come back empty handed. Otherwise you won't be getting a second chance."

The figure shuddered in it's bed at those last words, the way Otis had said them made it more like a death threat rather than a simple you only get one chance. He had no idea what was going on between Otis and Shinoku, or what the arctic wolf did to piss off the leader of a gang of doberman's but he wasn't going to go too deep into it. As far as he was concerned, the arctic wolf was seemingly trying to steal Otis' girlfriend and that this was his best chance to get into the gang, anything else wasn't important enough to care about.

His train of thought was interrupted as his roommates; a coyote, dingo, striped hyena, Tibetan fox, and dhole came in and greeted him. They talked for a bit, laughed, and played games before turning in for the night. As he laid in bed he was worried, the deadline Otis had given him was quickly approaching and all he had in his eyes was circumstantial evidence at best. All he could do was hope that tomorrow would provide results, results that he might have to take great risks to get.

As morning came the figure rose and stretched, a feeling of determination coursing through him. Today was now or never. True he had tomorrow, but that was going to be cutting it close, too close for his liking. And if he wanted to impress Otis and get in, he was going to get Otis the proof he wanted today or die trying.

He hung out with his roommates a bit, as he had done days prior so as not to act too suspicious, before excusing himself, claiming he had something to do. He didn't really like lying to them, they were his friends, but they wouldn't understand. Hell, they'd try to stop him. Not just because of Shinoku's reputation, but because they'd disapprove of him wanting to be in a gang. The Dhole might understand, slightly, but the others wouldn't.

It was still rather early in the day and he set out to see if he could find Shinoku and Anya, he was going to tail them for as long as he needed to in order to get the unquestionable evidence he knew would determine that the arctic wolf was stealing the doberman's girl. Was there a possibility that Shinoku was just a friend? He wasn't going to discount it completely considering the pictures he had gotten, but from the way Otis talked and the arctic wolf's reputation, he felt Otis was justified in believing Shinoku was trying to steal Anya.

While it did take a bit for the figure to find them, after scoping out the girl's dorm, he eventually did find them. They were hanging out with Shinoku's roommates as usual, which made it even riskier for him to try and get evidence. Watching Shinoku and Anya alone was risky enough, but while his only friends were around? No, he wasn't going to risk that, he was going to play this smart and wait for the perfect opportunity.

For now he kept a good distance, far enough as to not cause any of them to suspect they were being watched, the last two instances if Shinoku almost finding him out was enough. He watched the group, observing them interact, ready to take pictures just in case. An opportunity that soon presented itself when Shinoku leaned over and kissed Anya on the cheek. The figure did take a picture of it, but still, it wanted rock solid proof. Call him a perfectionist, overachiever, or whatever but he wanted all the evidence he could get.

It wasn't long before the group started to make there way to the entrance of the school, likely going off the campus to get some food or something. It would be a big risk to follow them where he couldn't conceal himself, but he didn't want to potentially miss out on the one possible chance he might have of getting the one picture that he needed the most. So, with hesitation and extreme caution, he made his way at a distance, making himself as unnoticeable as possible.

He tailed them to the train, getting in a car or two behind them but made sure he could still see when they got off. When they did get off he did too, using the crowd the best that he could as he followed them from the station to the city. He watched as they moved through the city, hoping and praying that he didn't raise any suspicion or was caught. As the group walked along the street they eventually made their way to a few places; mostly game, manga, and music stores, respectfully.

Though with each stop there was no way or presented opportunity to get the one picture he was after. He was somewhat surprised though that while the others wore casual clothing, Shinoku was wearing his uniform minus the vest and tie. Did the arctic wolf not have much of a wardrobe? Or was he just comfortable in the school uniform? Either way, it didn't really matter. If he was indeed able to get the picture he wanted, or even not get it in the end. With what Otis WOULD see, the arctic wolf likely wouldn't be around all that much longer.

As it got later in the day the group made their way to a restaurant, the figure following them starting to feel dismayed that it would ever be able to get what it wanted. He contemplated just giving up after this and just going ahead and heading over to Otis to give him what he did have and hope it was enough. He made himself inconspicuous and waited, getting himself his own bite to eat.

As he ate his meal he took his attention slightly off the group, thinking that nothing would happen. He had just taken taken his eyes off them when he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Anya and Shinoku had started to feed each other what looked to be a shared plate of spaghetti and tofu meatballs. He quickly went to take a subtle picture of the two doing so, if nothing else this could be just as good. Though fortune seemed to smile on him even more by what followed.

As the two ate Shinoku and Anya started to share a single bite, to which the figure couldn't belie his luck. He started to take more subtle pictures as they got closer and closer to each other with each inch of bite devoured. Then, it happened, it finally happened, he was able to get a picture of the two sharing a, admittedly brief but no less true, kiss. Finally, all his patience, all of his determination and risk taking paid off.

He was ecstatic, he had what Otis needed and his sure fire way to enter the gang. This was the happiest moment of his life. Sure it might be coming at the expense if Shinoku, but if the rumors of the arctic wolf were as true as the sounded, the school was better off without him. Hell, he was probably doing the school and society a service by ridding them of such a dangerous wolf.

When Shinoku, Anya, and the others left the restaurant so did he. He didn't follow them though, he was too excited about getting what Otis wanted and decided to deliver the evidence to the doberman personally. Sure it was getting late, and he'd likely miss the last train to get to Cherryton, but surely Otis would be so pleased with what he gave him that he'd not only let him into the gang, but let him stay the night as well. After all, who else would go so far and beyond as he did to get what the doberman wanted, surely his reward would be great.

He made his way through the city, walking through the streets at a somewhat brisk pace. His excitement was through the roof and he wanted to get to Otis' compound as quickly as he could. Though he was smart enough to walk more calmly and with purpose as he got to the ever seeder side of town, knowing full well that if he looked in a hurry or anything it would make him a possible target for those that lived there.

As he finally made it to Otis' compound he was stopped by two doberman's that stood at the gate, "What do you want runt?" One of the dobermans asked. "Scram, this is no place for you." he added, looking at the figure with narrowed eyes.

"I'm here to see Otis, I have something for him." The figure said.

"Is that right?" The other doberman said skeptically as he crossed his arms.

"Yeah, I do." The figure insisted. "He wanted me to keep an eye on Anya and take some pictures for him, so if you want to piss him off by turning me away be my guest." The figure added confidently, with a bit of intimidation added for measure.

The moment they heard it involved Anya their ears immediately drooped as their eyes went wide in fear. They knew how important Anya was to Otis, hell they had seen what he was willing to do when it involved her. Neither of them were going to risk ending up in some ditch because they prevented Otis getting information about the Siberian tigress.

"R-right….sorry...come right on in." The first doberman said as the other hastily got the gate open.

The figure grinned as he walked through, walking confidently towards the building as the dobermans that patrolled it looked at him in curiosity. When he reached the entrance he was once more stopped by two guards who asked what his business was. And just like the ones at the gate, they quickly stepped aside in fear as they heard what he was there for.

Otis was busy talking to Felix, getting some things in order when he noticed the figure approach, eyes narrowing as he turned his attention to him. "So runt, did you find anything?" He asked.

"Yeah." Said the younger looking doberman. "It took a while, even had to get close to the arctic wolf intentionally so I could track him through scent, but I got it."

Felix blinked as he looked at Otis. "Find anything?" He asked. "Who is this, I don't recognize him. Otis, what have you-"

"Shut it felix!" Otis snapped as he side eyed the albino doberman. "You said to give Anya space, NOT that I couldn't keep an eye on her."

Felix's ears drooped back, mentally cursing himself for not making his suggestion more specific and iron clad. He could only hope that whatever it was the younger doberman found was not something that put the tigress in Otis' wrath. Still, the fact that he had mentioned a wolf made his heart sink. "Otis if you did what I think you did and Anya finds ou-"

"I said shut it! Otis snarled. "I only barely tolerated your suggestion as it was."

Felix's tail then drooped, saying nothing else as he only watched on in dread as Otis' took the younger doberman's phone. His dread only grew more as Otis seemed to get angrier and angrier with each swipe hew took, the likelihood of Otis exploding in utter rage more and more certain. Otis' face contorted with each passing second into ever more unadulterated fury, hands gripping the phone tighter and tighter until...snap, the phone broke as Otis seethed in rage.

"Did I get what you wanted? Am I-" The young doberman stopped talking as Otis' gun found itself against his head. "B-b-but I did what you asked!"

"WHY DID YOU TAKE SO MANY WHEN JUST THE FEW OF THEM BEING CLOSE WAS ENOUGH?!" Otis' roared in anger, everyone around him now trembling in fear.

"I-I-I...I thought you would want definitive proof! I was just trying to be thorough, to go beyo-" Before he could finish Otis had pulled the trigger on his gun, the young doberman's lifeless body falling to the floor with his terrified expression.

"Otis….you should-" Felix stopped as he soon found Otis pointing the gun directly at him, causing him to tense in fear.

"YOU said to leave her be, give her time….NOW THAT FUCKING MONGREL HAS MOVED IN ON HER! SHE IS MINE, NO ONE ELSE'S!" Otis roared. "I should kill you right now for convincing me giving her space and not killing the fucking mutt right away!" He snarled.

Felix gulped, fear and nervousness filling his body. But he had to stay strong, try to have Otis see reason. "But you agreed that you didn't want any cops looking into the killing of a student in broad daylight on campus..."

Otis glared at Felix, finger still on the trigger. "You are going to FIX this, whether you want to or not."

"H-how…?" Felix asked.

"I don't give a damn about if there's an investigation." Otis remarked. "You and a group are going to go Cherryton, you are going to bring Anya HERE, and while you bring her hear a few are going to stay and KILL that mutt." He ordered.

"But..." Felix didn't even dare keep talking as Otis cocked the gun, he knew better when Otis was like this. In rages like these, there was no talking him down.

"NO BUTS!" Otis snarled. "YOU are going to do this, and YOU are going to bring her back because I can't trust you to try and not stop the piece of shit from getting killed." He continued. "So you are going to do AS I SAY or else you'll find yourself joining the runt here on the floor."

Felix sighed. "Yes Otis..."

Otis glared at the albino doberman before putting his gun away. "Good, tomorrow you get Anya."

"Tomorrow? Why not..." Felix stopped as Otis quickly glared at him.

"I am NOT giving that fleabag any longer." Otis snarled.

Felix gulped. "O-of course." He said before turning to head to his room. His heart felt utterly devastated, he felt for Anya, she was so nice, too nice, to be mixed up in all of this. He hated how over time Otis just kept getting more and more possessive of her and expecting her to be with him. He detested how violent the other doberman had become towards the tigress, demeaning her and threatening to kidnap her younger brother.

It wasn't right, but there was nothing he could do. He was much weaker than Otis and every other doberman in the gang, the only power he had was in his connections and influence, nothing more. He was forced to just comply with Otis' more violent and abusive tendencies for fear of being killed and not being their to act as a buffer, no matter how slight, between Otis' darker nature and Anya.

Not that when he did try to be the voice of reason it always turned out well, there were often times in even gang deals that Otis threatened or hit him when he didn't like what he advised or tried to steer Otis towards. In fact, it had felt that their friendship that had once been so strong during the early years just gradually eroded over time as Otis obtained more and more and started to fear losing what he had gotten.

But what could he do? Otis had made it quite clear that if he did anything to prevent what he wanted to happen in any way, he would be killed, then he wouldn't be there to protect Anya the best he could from Otis. He knew full well the tigress wasn't interested in Otis in the way the doberman hoped, and what Otis couldn't have...he took by force. All he could do now was just comply, follow orders, and be there for Anya the best he could.

As he reached his room he sighed, dejectedly entering it and going to a window to look at the night sky. He hated that once again, some poor animal was going to die because they got close to Anya. Felix could only hope that in some way the arctic wolf might survive, no matter how unlikely the odds of that were, maybe if he did it would bring an end to all this madness brought on by Otis' rage and insecurities. But then again, when Otis wanted someone dead he sure as hell made sure they were dead. So he didn't even dare think that it was a possibility, letting the dread of what he was going to be forced to do sink in.

Back at Cherryton the group had just gotten back from their day of fun, no less the wiser at the fact that they had been followed the majority of the day. Jax grinned as he looked at the new Manga he had gotten while Sebastian lightly read one of his new books he got on the way back to the train station.

"That was fun." Vega said as he carried a CD he bought from the music store.

"Yeah, though I'm kind of surprised you didn't invite Sheila to come along." Sebastian commented.

"I would have...but it kinda felt too soon you know?" Vega replied. "I don't want to come off desperate."

"That's reasonable, give her a bit of space." Hassan said.

"Yeah, bur as much as I'd like to have be around, I think giving her a day or two would be smart." Vega remarked. "After all, we can't all be like Shin and Anya here." He said as he looked over at the two who were walking affectionately close to the other with a grin. "Not that that's a bad thing of course."

Shinoku only flustered slightly before glancing at Vega. "Jealous?" He shot back.

"A bit, but I'm sure I'll get there soon." Vega said confidently.

"So, see you guys at lunch tomorrow?"Shinoku asked.

"Of course, see you around Shin, maybe one day you'll get back in the guy's dorm." Jax replied. Either that, or you're going to have to start cross dressing so you can move about the girl's dorm freely." He joked.

"Hell no." Shinoku said quickly, much to the other's amusement.

"I don't know, I think you'd look cute." Anya chimed in teasingly. "I can even do your make up and everything." She grinned.

"Very funny." Shinoku said sarcastically.

"I try." Anya giggled.

"Anyway, later guys." Shinoku bid the others farewell.

"Later." Hassan said as he and the rest of the guys waved goodbye to Shinoku and Anya as they parted ways.

"That really was fun, I enjoyed hanging out with your friends." Anya said, nuzzling against Shin as she stayed close to him.

"Yeah." Shinoku replied with a smile, only for the smile to shift into a concerned look as Anya almost stumbled. "Hey...are you aright?" He asked.

"Yeah...might have pushed myself a bit too much with the walking after yesterday..." Anya replied as she rubbed her thigh, the same one that not only previously had a pulled muscle, but been hit by baseballs.

"I did offer to carry you." Shinoku pointed out.

"I know...but still...I didn't want you or your friends to worry." Anya admitted as she blushed, only to rub her thigh again. "Shit...not sure I'll be able to make it back." She admitted before blushing as Shinoku picked her up.

"Well now I'm worried, you might need to stay off that leg." Shinoku commented.

"Yeah..." Anya slightly pouted as she snuggled against Shinoku. "But at least I have you to carry me.~" she purred before kissing him.

Shinoku grinned as he blushed. "I am ever your faithful servant." he chuckled as he carried her.''

"And don't you forget it." Anya teased with her own grin.

As they made their way back to the girl's dorm Shinoku looked about, taking it slow and cautious so as not to be seen by any of the female students or be caught by the dorm mother. All of this seemed like deja vu to the arctic wolf, something Anya pointed out. When the two made it to Anya's room he gently sat her on her bed.

"Comfy?" Shinoku asked.

Anya grinned, quickly grabbing hold of Shinoku and pulling him onto the bed to where she could snuggle against him. "Now I am." She giggled.

Shinoku chuckled. "Think you'll be able to attend classes?" He asked.

"Not sure...I hope I can." Anya mused.

"Well, we'll just have to see in the morning." Shinoku said as he pecked Anya's cheek.

Anya nodded as she kissed Shinoku's neck, the two sharing some affection and time together before getting ready for bed. As she got ready Anya couldn't help but feel a slowly building sense of unease, a rather gloom and doom one that was unique to felines. She had been told about it, about how it bordered on a supernatural sense. But while she didn't outright believe in it, she wasn't one to wholly dismiss it either.

It was after all, the feline's strongest means of either preparing for or avoiding lethal danger. But seeing as it wasn't overwhelming or even all that great yet she paid it no mind for now, thinking it was more in relation to her injury or something. As she and Shinoku finished readying fir bed she climbed in and cuddled against him, closing her eyes and hoping that tomorrow would go well and that everything would be alright.