Why is the scent so strong here? Kiba asked in thought as he walked the city streets of Listra. Rain fell but it wasn't torrential and it barely masked the scent Kiba had followed from outside into the city from over the mountains far off towards the horizon. There were many scents in this city that tried to over power that sweet scent. He could smell the exhaust, gas and oil the cars gave off as they drove passed him not caring if they showered him with water that had accumulated on the streets from the rain. Worse yet, he could see and smell the smoke coming out of the factory pipes polluting the air. Even the food smelled horrible to him but he was still driven to find that scent. It was something he had not smelled since first leaving his home behind in the untamed wild. It was a flowery scent many of his kind were drawn to and it made him wonder if others were already here because of it. He started to pass a particular alley and paused turning to face it catching a fresh scent of the flower from it and cautiously entered. As he continued, he came across the certain flower and was surprised at the sight of it. "A lunar flower? Here?" He became his true form, a beautiful white wolf as he gently sniffed the flower still in disbelief such a beautiful rare thing could grow in such a disgusting place. What puzzled him even more, however, was this was not the same scent he had been following for days now. There was still a stronger lunar flower scent somewhere within the city. As he smelled the flower, the rain stopped falling for a moment and the wind picked up gently caressing his white fur and on the wind, a faint but beautiful voice sang a haunting melody. He looked towards the sky wondering where it came from as it began to stir a deep but familiar feeling within him. It made his heart flutter warming him from the inside out. He left the alley back in his human form looking around the busy city trying to find the source of the beautiful voice that was becoming ever fainter. He walked passed the other humans, his heart beating faster in ecstasy still hearing the faint voice. No one else around him seemed to hear the voice and just walked about their daily lives. The more faint the voice became, the faster he walked until he sprinted down the sidewalk shoving passed the others getting in his way. Without thought, he continued straight even when the sidewalk ended leading him straight across a busy highway. He didn't even realize the danger being so entranced by the voice calling to him until he heard cars slamming on their brakes and honking their horns. He whirled around first seeing a motorcycle that was unable to slow down from hitting him. The person driving it slammed their foot against the brakes skidding across the busy highway trying to avoid hitting the nearby cars. Kiba simply jumped soaring high in the air out of the path of danger and landed on the other side of the road. The man driving the motorcycle now was faced with the danger of a head on collision from a car skidding out of control in the confusion. The man acted quickly jumping from his moving motorcycle jumping nearly as high as Kiba did and landed firmly on his hands and feet glaring directly at Kiba.

Tsume watched as the oncoming car slammed into his motorcycle toppling it over and dragging it at the speed fifty miles-per-hour across the road before it was able to come to a stop. He was dressed all in black and stood straight throwing his helmet aside in anger revealing his golden eyes and snow white hair. Kiba's eyes widened in surprise. "He's a wolf too."

People gathered around the streets rushing to aid those involved in the accident. At least three other cars were involved especially the one that had hit the motorcycle head on. Sirens could be heard already rushing to get to the scene. Kiba started to turn away from the scene remembering the voice but realized it had stopped singing to him completely.

"Where do you think you're going?" He heard before someone grabbed his arm forcing him back around. Kiba felt threatened and naturally reacted by tightening his fist and swung it around to meet his opponent's face. His assailant expected the reaction and dodged the move easily and pinned Kiba to the wall. It was Tsume.

"You dumb mutt," Tsume growled, "if you don't know how to survive out here then go back to the wild."

Kiba growled and kneed him in his stomach and forced his hands off his collar. "The last thing I want is to end up looking and living like you are in this filthy town. What's a wolf doing here living like a human?"

Their fight immediately was drawing the attention of those around them and people started to gather to stop the fight from escalating.

"What did you say, punk?" Tsume yelled. He started to charge Kiba in a fit of anger before a well meaning citizen got between them raising each hand in front of Tsume and Kiba to keep them separated.

"That's enough! This is all just a big misunderstanding. I suggest you two get to the hospital as soon as possible, all right?" Ambulances and police cars now crowded the scene gathering those who were involved and injured in the accident.

"Whatever..." Tsume shrugged and shoved passed the other bystanders. He paused glancing at Kiba one last time. "I suggest you leave this place before you get yourself or someone else killed. This isn't a walk in the woods." With that, he turned his back and crossed the street to get his motorcycle lying on its side. He picked it up off the ground and swung his leg over turning the key. After a few attempts, the motorcycle miraculously was able to start and he took off driving it on the sidewalk to get around the debris from the car accident and back on the road. Kiba watched him drive off and the crowd dispersed from around him. He could sense other wolves nearby and he guessed they were here because of the lunar flower scent also. Maybe he wasn't alone in how he felt.

What was their deal? Hige thought. He had been part of the many bystanders who came upon the accident Kiba caused and knew right away Kiba and his assailant were wolves. He didn't think too much on it though. It wasn't too uncommon to see other wolves in the city and it was best not to get involved in a fight, especially between wolves. All he wanted now was to finish his sandwich before it rained again. He turned on the next street having somewhat of a destination in mind but he also took his time getting there. After walking a few more blocks, he came to a city bar and stopped before the large window to look inside to see if she was in there. He let out a gentle sigh at the sight of her nearly forgetting about the sandwich he had stolen for himself. She ran the bar inside and was now cleaning preparing for a busy night like it always was every night here.

"When are you going to ask her out?"

"Huh?" Hige looked around wondering who spoke turning a shade of red.

"Down here." Hige looked down and saw a crow looking up at him with its black beady eyes. He breathed a sigh of relief then rolled his eyes at the bird.

Crows could never be trusted. "Come on, we always see you gawking at her. Make a move."

"We?" Hige frowned.

"The other crows."

"Wolves don't make moves. We don't date like humans. It's more complicated than that. Now stop spying on me!"

You're spying on her, aren't you?"

Hige opened his mouth to justify his actions but no words came through to defend him. The crow burst out laughing. "Look all we want is your sandwich." The bird tilted its head mischievously at Hige.

"Ha! No. Now go, shoo!" Hige said opening his mouth to take another bite out of the sandwich.

"I tried to ask nicely," the crow said. "Now boys!"

Hige was suddenly attacked by a flock of crows pecking at his head and hands so he'd let go of the sandwich. He yelled swinging his arms while still holding the sandwich until he got overwhelmed. He closed his eyes releasing the sandwich and darted out of the flock of crows and immediately stumbled into someone else walking by.

"Oh I'm so sor-" He raised his head and turned a shade of red realizing who he ran into. It was her. "H-hey Blue. What are you doing here?" He realized right away that was a stupid question. "I mean, you live here, right?" Yes, she and the rest of the family lived just above the bar.

Blue crossed her arms glaring with her blue eyes at him. She shook her head and gave in to a soft chuckle. "Oh Hige, don't you know you shouldn't trust crows? I could hear you screaming from inside."

Hige forced a chuckle rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah, sorry about that."

"Come on inside, you're bleeding. I'll take care of it."

"I am?" Hige looked at his hands then touch his forehead. He lowered his hand and saw there was blood on it. "Stupid birds," he muttered. But he definitely wasn't against going inside with her.

She led him to the back kitchen where a young boy was seated at a small table eating ice cream. He met Hige's eyes and a big grin showed across his young face. "Hey Hige!"

Hey Russe," Hige greeted.

"Just sit here," Blue sat him at a chair at the same table Russe was at. She grabbed a dish towel and wet it at the sink before smacking it against Hige's head.

"Ow!" Hige grabbed the hot towel and held it more firmly against the cut.

"That should do it," she cackled.

"You couldn't be more gentle?" Hige smirked. He looked at her with puppy eyes.

Blue rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you're still such a pup."

Hige sat back in the chair more casual and coolly. "Where's the Olds man?"

"Pops just out running some errands for tonight. He's become quite the business man since opening up this old bar."

Hige laughed. "It fits him, owning a bar. He can drink all he wants now."

Blue crossed her arms not finding his joke humorous. "Pops had been through a lot with the military. I think this is good for him. He can finally raise his family and owns a good business."

"You probably help in bring in a lot of business. Those humans just see a beautiful woman working the bar. Of course they'll walk in." He smiled at her. "Am old man's dog by day and a beautiful woman by night. Maybe I could come see you tonight?"

Blue chuckled. "I'm not sure if Pops would like that. He doesn't have a great love for wolves."

"Well he can't expect you to stay alone forever."

Blue narrowed her eyes making Hige realize he was crossing the line. He sighed sitting up holding the rag away to see if the bleeding had stop. "How does it look?"

She nodded. "Better."

"You could always lick it, you know." he said trying to be funny.

Hige looked at Russe when he heard him drop his spoon in his bowl, his jaw dropped opened. Blue scoffed punching her fist right in the wound on Hige's head and shoved him off the chair to the kitchen floor. "You can be so vulgar, Hige!"

Hige sat up rubbing his head and hanging it in shame. "Sorry..." He didn't think it was vulgar for it was natural to have wounds licked clean. Blue had been raised like a human daughter though and licking wounds was not how humans cleaned them. It had sound really bad to Russe.

The back kitchen door suddenly opened and in walked a tired old man carrying two packaged boxes for his business. He paused seeing Hige on the ground, the disappointment on Blue's face and Russe's jaw still dropped opened.

"Good afternoon Mr. Quent...Yaiden...sir," Hige said with a crooked smile raising his hand.

"Boy...what have you done now?"

"He wanted Blue to lick him," Russe said without really thinking thinking his words through.

Blue's eyes widened and she held her breath knowing what was coming.

"I-" was all Hige got out before Quent grabbed him by his sweatshirt pulling him to his feet and dragged him to the back door. "Wait!"

Quent literally kicked Hige out the back door throwing him in the dark alley. "Get out of here and don't ever show your face here or I'll shoot you like the dog you are!" He yelled than slammed the door shut.

"Pops, he was just kidding! You know how he can be," Blue said in his defense.

"Exactly, I don't ever want to see him around here again. Understand? Even as a wolf you deserve better than that wretched dog."

"But Pops-

"Do you understand?" Quent raised his voice.

Blue gave out a hopeless sigh looking away. She crossed her arms shifting her weight then nodded. "Yes, I understand." She really was treated like a human's daughter.

Hige stood from where Quent had thrown him feeling horrible for what he said and quite humiliated. He kicked an empty can across the ally frustrated in himself and headed back towards the main street. As he entered back on the main street, he paused momentarily seeing a kitten in a box. It was wet and scrawny and it looked it might even be dead. It's eyes were closed as it lied on its side very still. Hige didn't want to feel sympathy for it and forced himself back in the open air of the city. He was thrown off balance when a young boy with an umbrella suddenly plowed into him having been running like he was in a rush.

"Hey, watch it!" Hige shouted bitterly.

"I'm sorry," the boy said. He raised his head from the umbrella and Hige realized he was another wolf...a pup at least. It was quite strange to see three other wolves in the city within one day but Hige was too depressed to think anything of it.

"Hey, you're a wolf-

"Save it," He shoved the boy aside a bit harder than he meant to knocking him on ground right in a puddle of water. Hige pretended not to care and kept walking leaving the boy on the ground.

Toboe watched Hige until he turned on the city street nearby and was gone from sight. He sighed picking up his umbrella and himself off the wet ground when he heard a small gentle sound. He turned towards the alley lowering his head and saw a beautiful white kitten that was now wide awake looking up at him with its round eyes. Toboe knelt down to the kitten chuckling softly at it. "Hey little guy. What are you doing here by yourself?" He pet the kitten behind its ears as it started to purr at his touch. It replied with another innocent meow trying to climb out the box to him. Toboe smiled but showed a hint of sadness through his golden eyes. "Someone must have abandoned you. I can relate."

The kitten started to climb up his jacket sleeve making Toboe realized it just wanted warmth. "If I could, I would take you but my caretaker wouldn't like that. He'd probably hurt you." He pulled the kitten off his arm as it meow like it was in pain. Pained at being rejected. Once it looked at him with those round heartbreaking eyes, Toboe couldn't find the will to place it back in the wet box and leave it by itself. Instead, he held the kitten to his chest so it got the warmth it was craving.

"Hey kid!"

Toboe looked over his shoulder seeing two policemen he knew all too well.

"Don't move!"

Toboe stood immediately grabbing his umbrella and darted down the alley holding the kitten close. "Hold on," he said closing the umbrella and suddenly jumped high to the roof of a smaller building nestled between two larger buildings and hid himself in the shadows they overcast. The two policeman came running through panting to see not a soul in sight.

"You little rat! Your luck will run out soon!" One then yelled angrily.

When they finally left, Toboe relaxed. "That was close." He looked down when the kitten meowed softy having been brought away from his warmth. He chuckled softly placing her inside his shirt and zipped up his jacket so it stayed hidden. "Mr. Satou is probably going to be too angry at me to even notice you." He jumped down from the ledge landing firmly on his feet. He decided for now to cut through the allies to get home faster without another run in with the police. "I live at the orphanage currently. I was being chased by dog catchers as a pup when I tried to steal food. When I hit a dead end, I had no choice but to disguise myself human before the dog catchers caught up. Instead of just letting me go, they handed me over to the police who then handed me to the orphanage. Instead of dog catchers, I always have the police on my tail now whenever I leave the orphanage. I can escape whenever I want easily but at least now I have a place to eat and sleep at. Plus, it's nice to be around others who are my age and understand how I feel. Some of those boys were abandoned too."

The kitten popped its head out of the collar of his jacket and meowed like it understood what he was saying. Toboe stopped walking for a moment and smiled again at the kitten and pet its head. "You're probably hungry, aren't you? I'll do my best to care for you but you have to stay quiet. Mr. Satou has turned into a drunk since his wife died a few years ago. He hasn't gone easy on us. I guess we can't blame him, eh? He still feeds us and gives us a bed."

He exit the alley, cut across another before entering back in the open streets. He crossed the busy street carefully where the orphanage resided. It was an old run down building and a little cramped on the inside but it still beat living on the streets in cold wet weather. He entered the building through the back entrance that opened up to the kitchen where the orphanage cook was preparing food. The cook glanced at Toboe raising his brow suspiciously at him. "You're fortunate Satou isn't back yet."

Toboe laughed nervously clutching his collar tightly when the kitten tried to pop it's head out. "So he isn't here?"

"Get upstairs, boy," the cook rolled his eyes and continued with his task.

"Yeah, I'll do that," he quickly walked passed the cook and hurried out the door leading into the main hall. He closed the door behind him and let his back fall against the wall to breathe a sigh of relief. After his anxieties calmed, he hurried up the steps leading to the boys room ignoring the few boys on their way down for lunch. The boys room was just a big room filled with old creaky beds and a few old toys they could play with. Toboe slept towards the end of the room which gave him a bit of advantage every night there was a full moon. There was only two windows and one was boarded shut. The only other one was his only way at seeing the full moon at night. There was no way he could sneak out successfully to see it and get back in at night when everything was locked up. He would often open it to see it and sit on the window sill wishing he could howl to it like the other wolves would. Tonight would be another full moon.

As he approached his bed, he saw another boy sitting on the floor playing with some toys. He was only eight years old and owned the bed next to Toboe's.

"Toboe? Where have you been?"

"Hello Akio, I brought something. Want to see?"

Akio jumped to his feet nodding. "Yeah! I've been a little bored."

Toboe hushed him and looked around the room to make sure they were still alone. "All right but you can't tell a soul...promise?"

"Yeah. What is it?"

Toboe gently pulled the kitten from his jacket and placed it on his bed. The kitten ran in circles around the bed until it clumsily tripped on its own paws making Toboe laugh. Akio gasped in surprised and eyed Toboe like he was a fool. "Are you crazy? is going to beat you if he sees that."

"If he sees it. I just couldn't leave it by itself," Toboe explained. "Would you mind watching her while I go get her some food?"

"What if I'm caught?"

Toboe was already making his way out of the room and turned to face Akio. "Everyone already had gone to lunch. I'll only be a few minutes and you'll still have plenty of time to get to the lunch room."

Ok...but I don't think this is a good idea."

"It will be fine," Toboe smiled then left quickly. Lunch was in a few minutes and Mr. Satou would be back any second.

I should have grabbed some food while I was already in there, Toboe thought. He was just worried about being caught with the kitten. Not even the cook would have let Toboe through had he seen the kitten. He opened the door to the kitchen first just poking his head in and saw the cook wasn't in there anymore. He slipped himself carefully into the room and right away saw a bottle of milk that was half gone sitting on the cabinet . "Perfect." He grabbed the bottle and hurried back out the door. He slowly closed the door and turned thinking he was home free ready to run back up the stairs but instead, ran into the very last person he wanted to see at that moment. He lost his grip on the bottle of milk and it fell shattering on the wooden floor.

"Mr. Satou, I-

"Are you stealing food, boy?" His words were slurring showing he had already been drinking.

"Uh-"

Mr. Satou slapped his backhand against Toboe's cheek before he could even try to talk. He then grabbed his shoulder forcing him on his hands and knees making him cry from the pain including the sharp glass his hands and knees were being forced into. "Clean this mess up, now! No meals for you today and I catch you doing this again I'll throw you back on the streets where you belong. Do you understand? Answer me!"

"Y-yes Mr. Satou," Toboe whimpered closing his eyes to better bear the pain.

Mr. Satou finally released Toboe pulling a flask from his jacket and began to drink it leaving Toboe on the floor bleeding from the glass he was shoved into.

That night, while everyone was asleep, Toboe sneaked away from his bed and quietly opened the window quietly to gaze at the full moon. He sat on the window sill enjoying the beauty of it and the power it gave him. He held the kitten gently stroking it's fur making it purr. He let it climb clumsily up his shirt until it got to his shoulder and began chewing on the ends of his hair. "Hey," he whispered pulling the kitten off his shoulder while trying not to laugh. "Don't eat my hair. I'll feed you tomorrow. All right?"

The kitten meowed softly and Toboe quickly hushed it. He looked around the room to make sure everyone was still sleeping. He turned his head back at the moon and closed his eyes. He could already hear a certain wolf howling proudly to the moon even within the city.

"Psst! Toboe?"

Toboe raised his head in alarm but relaxed when he saw it was just Akio. Akio had climbed out of bed approaching Toboe at the window. He pulled from his pocket dried out bread left over from dinner and held it up to Toboe. "I was able to save this for you."

Toboe gladly took the bread and thanked Akio. "Get back to bed. I'll just be a few more minutes."

Akio nodded. "Toboe? You might want to get rid of that kitten after all. Your life is more valuable than an animal anyway."

Toboe glared at him taking offense to it especially since he was a wolf, an animal too. Did that mean he was less valuable than a human? He said nothing in response however and just gazed back at the moon. Akio saw he had somehow offended his friend but decided to stay quiet too and return to bed.

Kiba had found an old abandoned factory to hide himself within for the night. He had searched endlessly trying to locate the source of the lunar flower scent to no avail and to the point of exhaustion. He had gone in circles and found himself always returning back to this old factory. He approached a large window overlooking the city now polluting the night air with all it's lights. The only thing that could be seen in the sky was the full moon because the light pollution blot out all the stars.

"Perhaps this was a waste," he whispered softly. "Still, there are many wolves gathered here. Why?" He gazed at the moon in his wolf form and closed his eyes trying to remember her voice. It sounded so familiar. The haunting voice played through his head again and he couldn't help but raise his head towards the blue moon and let out a strong howl.

"Kiba," a voice whispered in the air.

Kiba lowered his head recognizing that soft voice. It was then he realized he actually heard someone say his name. He whirled around in alarm and saw a beautiful young girl dressed in white with long silver hair that fell at her waist.

"We finally meet, Kiba."

Kiba growled at first but then quickly realized she carried that scent he had followed since traveling through the mountains.

She tilted her head curiously at Kiba as he growled at her. "It's all right, Kiba. This one knows what you seek."

Kiba immediately stopped growling. The girl sat on her knees before him smiling lovingly at him. Her silver hair fell like liquid and glistened at her sides from the moon and her green eyes sparkled. "This one is here to help you and find the others. To lead you all to paradise."

"Who are you?" Kiba asked.

"She has been named Amaris, born from the first lunar flowers that first blossomed here on earth. This one has been waiting for you in secret inside this city to take you and the other wolves to paradise." She smiled gently reaching her hands out towards him. Kiba fell under her spell and approached her still in wolf form until she could run her fingers down the side of his face. "This one kept watched over them until she knew you would come. Past friends you shall be acquainted with over more," she said softly. She pulled him close wrapping her dainty arms around his large neck. "This one has missed you so much Kiba. She will not fail you again." She pulled away sadly seeing how lost Kiba still was but was still enchanted by her presence. Everything about her made him want to protect and love her.

Amaris looked away sadly and held her dainty hands to her chest looking away sadly. "You don't remember them. It is good you don't. This one carries the memories of so long ago and what you and the other wolves suffered." She said as her eyes glistened with tears. "They all had once given their lives for the sake of finding paradise and this one is here to make sure it doesn't happen again. This one will guide you back to your true paradise. You will know when you see your friends. Wolves you had met in a previous lifetime who were loyal to you and will choose to follow you again. This one will call them back to you." She looked back at Kiba reaching her hands towards him. Kiba walked within her reach as she gently stroked his face then wrapped her arms around his neck holding him with such tender care. "This one is happy to see you again, Kiba. Rest, she will watch over you." Kiba rested on his stomach and rest his head on her lap as she stroke the fur on his face and began to sing again until he fell asleep. The flower maiden had returned.

"Stupid, worthless, piece of crap," Tsume growled kicking his motorcycle. Ever since leaving the scene of the car accident caused by Kiba, he had been trying to fix his motorcycle. He had not been able to get it to start again since driving away on it and he was just about ready to give up on it.

Tsume lived at an old, rundown apartment complex. He rarely was there to live in it and was just a place of solitude he could escape to rest at. He finally decided he should retire for the evening. He looked up at the full moon closing his eyes to help ease his troubled mind and be refreshed by the power and strength it gave him. As he did so, he heard Amaris' voice singing into the night air immediately putting a spell on him. He opened his eyes feeling drowsy by the song and headed inside his apartment before he would pass out on the ground by the strange song. It stirred something familiar within him, like something in the past that he couldn't quite remember.

Hige was in the city park lying on his back across the park bench gazing at the full moon. He turned on his side spitting out a sigh. "This is the worst full moon ever." All he could think about was Blue now and how stupid he acted in front of her. He had humiliated her too and now he longed to beg for her forgiveness.

"Hige?"

Hige sat up on his side looking over his shoulder and his lips parted in surprise. "Blue? What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be working?"

"I wanted to apologize about Pops. He can be overprotective sometimes," she forced a chuckle. "Actually I'm supposed to not ever see you again."

"Oh," Hige looked away sadly. "I see. You don't need to apologize for anything. I was the idiot."

"That much is true."

Hige looked at her like he was hurt but then relaxed even laughing softy. Blue gave in to laughter too. He stopped laughing looking at her nervously. "Would you want to take a walk with me at least?"

Blue pretended she had to think on it only to further torture Hige. She finally gave a nod of her head. "Of course, I would love to but only for a free minutes."

Hige now couldn't have been happier at that moment. "Even if it was just for a few seconds it be worth it." He mumbled a cheesy line making her laugh. They walked side by side in their true form as wolves alone in the city park beneath a full moon Hige would never forget. He had not seen Blue in her wolf form in a long time but she was beautiful no matter what form she took. The walk did not last a few minutes. Instead, they lied in the long soft grass talking until they heard a mysterious but beautiful voice fill the air. They didn't even question it as it set a spell over them and luring them into a deep but peaceful sleep together. She would not be returning home that night.

Toboe sat upright gasping waking up immediately to Amaris' song. His sudden movement woke the kitten that had fallen asleep on his shoulder and it meowed pathetically. He still sat on the window sill and looked around the room to make sure he didn't wake anyone. He then looked back at the moon listening to the strange voice. "That voice...it's so familiar." For a moment, he contemplated following after it until it worked its spell on him.

The kitten looked up in concern when he sat forward clutching his forehead. "What is this?" He whispered feeling lightheaded. He did not feel ill at all. It relaxed him but at the same time stirred deep emotions he couldn't understand.

He stood from the window to make his way back to his bed and for a moment thought he would pass out on the floor. He sat the kitten on his bed and pulled the blanket over his shoulder as he lied down. The kitten again climbed to his shoulder and curled its small body against Toboe's neck where his hair fell over it wrapping the kitten in a cocoon of warmth. Both were sound asleep within minutes.