A/N: So . . . Moral of the story is don't lie to Red. Hahahaha . . . Hahaha. Btw how is everyone's pulls going?

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Flashback . . .

When Sora had first joined Rhodes Island she didn't know what to expect. So, she had reasonably went to see Texas on the matter when she had first been recruited, figuring her girlfriend would know what was what at the Pharmaceutical Company/Infected Aid group. The two of them were lounging in Texas's bedroom together, snuggled underneath the covers when she posed the question.

"What's Rhodes Island like?"

Texas, who had been in the midst of reading a book —something about the art of war— raised an eyebrow at her thoughtfully. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm supposed to head over there tomorrow. And, well, knowing what I'm getting into might be nice." She replied, trying not to get lost in those amber-blue eyes as they peered at her so intensely.

"I suppose that's a good enough reason."

No duh. She held back the obvious retort, choosing instead to pluck the magazine from Texas's grip and set it down on the nightstand behind her. The low lit lamp light in the room gave everything a dimness, relaxing eyes that were so used to the bright sunlight raining down on Lungmen. In the summer it was particularly bad, the glass paneled windows of the skyscrapers building up the heat to bake the people and streets below. Croissant had complained about it for an hour yesterday. She was beginning to consider those complaints the best way to hear about the weather. TV was overrated anyways. She rarely had time to watch nowadays anyways.

"Yeah, so tell me."

"Hmm, let me think. For starters, Rhodes Island is a Pharmaceutical Company dedicated to helping people, the Infected being a prime example."

"Yeah, but I know all that already. So what else do you know?"

Texas chuffed, though Sora knew the other wasn't the slightest bit annoyed. Especially not when she shuffled closer, warm breath alighting down the expanse of Sora's neck as she pressed an onslaught of kisses there. It trailed right down to her pulse point where a reminiscent mark from there last "activities" remained. She liked to keep it exposed, seeing how Texas got when she saw it in public was hilarious and endearing, a sign of a wild wolf instinct which refused to be stashed. And the cute blush was nice too.

"No need to get impatient. As I was saying, Rhodes Island caters primarily to the Infected, but considering how many other people they help, the result is there are many different people who work there."

"Okay . . . Where are you going with this?" Texas always had a point when she spoke, especially for an extended period of time. But Sora hadn't the slightest clue where this conversation was head yet.

"Most of the people at Rhodes Island are friendly. However, there are a few, mainly one, I suggest you avoid as much as humanly possible."

And that got her attention even more.

"Who is it?"

"Red."

"As in the color?" She was perplexed.

"No. As in the wolf."

Present . . .

Sora stood in front of Doctor Y/N, smiling as they shook hands. A few other operators were there, including Croissant and Angelina, which left her feeling at ease. Dr. Kal'tsit and Amiya flanked the esteemed amnesiac Doctor on either side, their expressions ranging from terse to friendly.

"Welcome to Rhodes Island Sora. We're glad you could be here with us."

"Thank you Doctor, though the honors all mine. Ever since I learned about Rhodes Island I wanted to join." It was true. The way Texas, Exusiai and Croissant (mainly the latter, seeing as her girlfriend wasn't a talker) described the Pharmaceutical Company peaked her interest. Plus, it meant a chance to spend time with people who weren't adoring fans begging for attention, which was always nice.

"Glad to hear it. Amiya will be showing you around for the day, if you have any questions feel free to address them to her." Kal'tsit cut in, grabbing at the Doctor. "You and I have a meeting to go to."

A sigh, sounding like disappointment. "Aww . . . Do we have to?"

"Yes. So let's get going. Sora will be in more than capable hands." Kal'tsit stressed.

"Fine. See you later then." Y/N waved before turning to leave. Kal'tsit gave a curt nod in her direction before following swiftly behind.

****

"And this is the first level Dormitories, where many of our operators like to hang out when they're on break from base operations. You'll most likely find operators often assigned to either the control room, reception, or first level rooms here." Amiya explained as the doors swooshed open. "And we've done our best to tailor this room in particular has been suited to Penguin Logistics' tastes, per Doctor Y/N's request."

Sora looked around with wide eyes at all the stuff inside. Like Amiya had claimed, the place was decked out in a style Penguin Logistics would favor. The walls were a warm metallic like many of their secret hideouts. A divider separated the two rooms into two separate sections in a way that was fitting and in no way out of place. There was a cozy couch with a blanket overhanging the cushions. She saw a high-tech camera set up on the other side of the room, a few swivel chairs peeking out from behind the divider. Special spotlights hung from the ceiling. Their light was standard, not the overpowering blaze that could be the stage lights she grew accustomed to during tours.

"Wow! It's impressive."

"I'm glad you think so. It's the least we can do for our favorite logistics company," Amiya said with a pleased smile. Her bunny ears fidgeted slightly, the jacket which seemed a number of sizes to big swaying with each of her twirling movements as she stood in place.

"It really does look just like one of our hideouts." She approached the sofa to sit down. Even with all the elevators fully functioning here, all the walking left her feet feeling sore. Sora sank into the dark leather, appreciating the slight cooling to the backs of her legs as she relaxed. "I'll have to thank Doctor Y/N later."

"Yes I'm sure Y/N will be . . ." Amiya trailed off, words freezing like broken static from a radio.

It caught Sora off guard, her breath hitching. There was a shift in the air, almost like the shiver that darted over exposed skin when the air conditioning turned on out of seemingly nowhere. But the air conditioning here was stagnant, remaining at a steady whir in the background as the lights sizzled and the rim of the camera caught the sheen.

"Amiya. What's wrong?"

The little bunny's frown did nothing to dissuade her worries. They deepened like her anxiety before a record breaking audience, lungs filling with too little air to keep herself calm. Blood rushed in her veins as some strange sense of not quite right filled her. But she couldn't put her finger on it yet, where this sensation was coming from.

"Don't move."

And that was when she heard it.

Sniff. Sniff.

She went even more rigid, if that was even possible.

"Wolf . . ." A new voice breathed out the word, somewhere between reverent and cold.

"Uh." Sora jolted in place as something cold touched her neck. Her lungs ran out of air as she fumbled for a response. Skin on skin, heavy breathing to send chills running amuck. "Er, uh, um . . ."

What the hell?

She looked to Amiya for answers. To her credit, the bunny didn't look nearly as shocked as she felt. Her lips were tightly pursed, hands pressed together in a silent apology to leave her further befuddled. What the heck is going on?

"Smells like, but are you . . . ?"

The new presence was edging into her periphery now. What had been an unknown touch turned out to be a nose pressing against the junction of her exposed collarbone. Those breaths sent out those tingles. It was as though a Hunter was scenting their prey eagerly. Her hands trembled at the mentality of it all, anxiety spiking as those fingertips went up over her cheek and graduated to her hair. All of her was frozen. Sora knew she should move and yet nothing in her was doing so. This was so unexpected, so shocking there was no retaliating slaps as she stared.

A flash of red.

Wait.

"Red."

"As in the color?" She was perplexed.

"No. As in the wolf."

Was this what Texas had meant? She didn't have much time to consider it. That hand was on her head now, contemplating in its thoughtful grip on her scalp. There was no tugging, yet a small twinge ran through her, a rubbing right on her ear tips.

Sniff. Sniff.

"Are you Red?" She finally managed to ask.

"Sora." Amiya was fretful, twisting one of the blue rings she wore. The strange glass-like pattern to them remind her of sea glass on the beach. Though something told her they were made of something stronger than the fragile glass.

Sniff.

One more pressing of a nose. Then the sniffing paused, two hands stilling on her wolf ears. Even the best illusionist could only keep their work going for so long. There was a waning, a gradual dissipation of the control and power as her lungs dispelled another breathy exhale.

"Yes. Red is Red."

What kind of response is that?! Her indignation resumed back into a steady stream of fear as something sharp and cold was pressed against her neck. From her experience of being threatened before she knew what metal felt like, knew it was a knife just a gesture away from slitting open her skin if she made a wrong move.

"Red! Stop that!" Amiya yelled, concern turning to panic. How she wasn't moving at this point was startling.

Grrrrr . . .

Is she growling? What the heck?!

And indeed there was a rumbling sensation from the body pressed behind hers. She had heard such growling before from another wolf she knew far better. This growling was foreign to her, an unpleasant warning mixed in its undertones. Any attempt to interfere would clearly not be welcome.

"Fake."

And her hands still shook.

"You are not a wolf. Why lie?"

Those words were so cold, even with the heat of that breath. Sora shuddered again, anxiety leaping through hoops and goals. She tried to keep calm, reminding herself yet again what one wrong movement might incur.

"I . . ."

She swallowed as another wave of fear crashed over her. Her mouth felt parched, voice scratchy as the words refused to follow the singular word. Amiya had dared to move a step forward but no further, clearly torn on what to do here.

"Leave her alone."

The knife at her throat vanished. A steady stream of rumbling that took place behind her ceased. In its place came her gasping as she fell to her knees, hunching over as she wheezed for breath. Out of the corner of her periphery was a flash of red and black. Texas.

"Texas. You're here." Delight vanquished the growling; a tail thumped against the couch.

Both wolves were in her full view. Texas had appeared from one of the back doors, her bronze sword in hand. And Red, who had been holding her at knife point mere moments before, was wagging her tail excitedly. It was like the sight of Texas had made her year, watered her crops and cured her depression. What even is going on anymore?

Amiya seemed just as flabbergasted as she felt, mouth hanging open for a moment longer than necessary. And when she recovered her words fumbled out. "Texas you're . . ."

"I got back from my mission early and figured I'd see how Sora was settling in. I didn't realize I'd walk in on something like this." How Texas remained so composed with sweat beading on her forehead was beyond her. Her clothes were rumpled and boots caked with mud. Wherever she had been it was wet.

Mentioning Sora's name got Red growling again. The heavy jacket rustled as she gestured with one arm to Sora with a frown of disapproval, nose raised in what might have been disdain on anyone else. "That is not a wolf. Why does she look like wolf?"

"Why does it matter what I look like?" Sora asked weakly, only to be ignored by the two wolves.

Texas sighed, gnawing on her lower lip. "If I tell you then you have to promise not to take it the wrong way," She said after a pause.

Red huffed. "Tell me."

"Promise first." Texas practically barked.

"Why should I?" Red asked, not the slightest bit amused. At this point Amiya had managed to shuffle out the door, leaving the three of them to do what they will. Maybe she's getting reinforcements? Or she just left me to this mess. She tried to feel annoyed at the bunny, but figured she would do the same thing if the situation presented itself.

"Because you've been harassing my girlfriend for the past few minutes now and I don't take kindly to your disrespect," Texas said sharply, showing her teeth in a way that made her hot all over. The dominance was tantalizing, heart stuttering.

Red stopped growling. "She's your girlfriend? Even though she's fake?" The way she said it made it sound like Texas's choice was crazy.

"She's not my girlfriend because she pretends to be a wolf. She's my girlfriend because I love her." Texas wasn't meeting her gaze, face reddened. Sora's heart melted at those simple words. They held so much meaning and were the first time she heard them from the dark haired Lupo.

"Love?" Red tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes. Love. Now leave her alone." Texas snapped, no longer patient.

"But she—"

"I know she uses illusions. And if it makes you feel any better . . . Sora, tell Red why you do it." Texas voiced out the request with the firmness of a command, hand clenching the hilt of her bronze sword tightly.

Those yellowing eyes were on her, noting straight into her soul. Sora barely managed to get her words out, volume regulating between scratchy and choked. "I . . . Um . . . I do it, I do it because I admire wolves. I, I . . . Want to be brave like them." The lame finish was with less confidence than what she wished. To her credit, Red slouched after the confession, no longer a tightly bunched coil waiting to spring.

"See Red. It's nothing bad."

"Hmmm, Red guesses its acceptable."

"You guess . . ." Sora was unamused. All that just for a guess?

"Not finished. Guess only if I get reward." Red murmured.

Texas sighed. "I suppose that's fair."

How is that fair? She mouthed to Texas. Why should anyone get rewarded for pretty much harassing someone? It was so bizarre she didn't dare to comprehend it. The lights remained steady in their glow above them. It was about the only sense of normalcy she had in this strange situation.

"What the heck could you possibly want?" Sora asked. If was something she had to do there was no way it was happening.

"Tail," Red said simply.

"What?" Sora asked, dumbfounded.

Texas sighed again, deciding to elaborate. "She wants to pet my tail. Why don't you go join Amiya outside. I'll join you in a bit."

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes. I'll be fine."

The second Sora began her walk out the door Red was lunging for Texas's mostly black tail. The happy content sounds the Hunter made as she stroked it would've been adorable to some, but to Sora they were just strange as could be. The cuddling and hugging of the fluffy appendage was all the stranger, Texas's flat expression hard to read into. It was likely to her credit she led the other wolf over to the couch to sit down, giving Sora a nod of approval right before the door cut her from view.

And after that day Sora did her best to avoid Red entirely.

And no one could blame her.

*****

A/N: So a lot of the things I've written about Red were fluffy, but there's also this aspect of her that's a Hunter and dangerous and all so I tried to insert that here some. So let me know what y'all think in the comments and don't forget to vote!