Laurence & James Zelkovii

After their brazen kidnapping of Sasuke and Kyenna, Laurence drove the duo through the streets of Atroe City, not a care in the world for repercussions. Most of the police force were in their pockets, save for a handful of brave holdouts like Officer Sohmers, but Lanny wasn't concerned about them. He and James spent the drive discussing what exactly to do with the Uchiha guy, with 'killing' being tossed around as a possibility. Eventually though, not wanting to deal with housing the pair at their own home, Lanny found himself tooling slowly through the eastern portion of the city, and eventually came across a large, abandoned building. He parked his jeep in a lot nearby, and stepped out of the vehicle.

"Out you go, Sasuke." He ordered, taking his switchblade out just in case the other tried anything. With James holding a gun to the back of his head though, Lanny doubted there would be much fuss from him. While keeping Sasuke in his peripheral, Lanny shifted his tone to something a little lighter as she spoke to Kyenna. "You next, over here by me."

James waited for Sasuke to get out before he would, so that he could keep the weapon trained on him.

Sasuke

He was silent as he got out. His one eye narrowed but for now was silent

Kyenna was still shaking but got out.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"Go ahead, I'll follow." James gave the order after slipping from the backseat, nodding to his younger brother to take point. Most of his attention was on Sasuke still, though he spared a few glances for their surroundings, knowing that one of their captives had been part of a gang years ago, and may still be part of it.

Kyenna would find a rough hand against her back as Lanny began to guide her forward, directing her towards the old building along side of him. His nose curled as he got closer to the front doors, as the scent of animal was strong enough even for his poor sense of smell to detect. The man hesitated a moment, his mind recalling all the horror stories in the Valley involving people being mauled to death by wildlife. There hadn't been a fresh case in a few years, if one discounted the shelter worker getting jumped by three wolves last winter, but it still lingered heavily in Lanny's mind.

"Don't go running off, now." He began, looking down to Kyenna as they stopped before the rusted metal door. "Go darting off into those shadows, and who knows what'll nab you. Something far worse than James and I." He stepped forward then, mincingly, and entered the complex. The scent of animal grew stronger, and he swore he saw a flash of movement in the corner of his eye.

------

That flash of movement had been Cael. The young shepherd mix had been standing alert as the humans talked and moved around outside, knowing of their approach long before Lanny and Kyenna stepped into their Den. He'd waited until the last moment to dart away, slinking into the shadows behind a cluster of plastic milk crates. His inky-hued coat helped him blend with the shadows and black crates, and their he huddled, quietly watching the interlopers.

Desmon had already bolted. The old wolfdog was already behind the crates by the time the child and man entered. "What are humans doing here? They never bother our den."

Kyenna

Kyenna didn't want to go in this building and she wanted to run to her uncle as she just followed in silence

Sasuke hands were fisted but he went trying to think of some way to get Kyenna out of this.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"Sit down, over there." James barked, nodding roughly to a metal support beam nearby. "Both of you." The older brother stayed close to Sasuke, watching his every move like a hawk, knowing he'd once been part of a dangerous clan. "You still apart of that Akatuski bullshit? Or did you and your brother vow a life of peace after moving in with that cop?" He held the gun in a loose aim in Sasuke's direction, making sure to give himself a few feet of space from the other, so Sasuke couldn't pull a surprise kick and knock the weapon from his hands.

In the background of this interrogation, Lanny had given Kyeena a small shove, directing her towards the beam that James had pointed out. "Man, it really smells like dog in here." His words were ignored by his brother, though James did give an exasperated look to his younger sibling when Lanny stooped down to inspect the lonely skull of some long-gone canine.

----

Desmon eased his head down slowly. His nose twitched, and he watched Lanny pick up the skull of Narsia, the grandmother he had never met. He wondered what must be going through the human's mind, and that curiosity spilled out to the others. James seemed to be the dominant one, his posture smacked of aggression. The human pup looked terrified, and the other male looked distinctly anxious and not at all happy with the other two males. "What do you think's going on?"

Cael had never responded to the first question, and now he side-glanced at the young Lurker. "It's hard to tell, but I wish they'd leave."

Sasuke

Sasuke did as he was told "once your in a gang your always in unless death. I would think youd know that" he hissed he put his arm around his niece protectively.

Kynna went over to the piller and hugged close to her uncle

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"I just find it funny-" James began to answer back, "-being in a gang, and living with the one cop in the city that's still ballsy enough to keep coming after us." Across the room, he heard his younger brother give a contemptuous snort at Ryan's mentioning. He truly wasn't that interested in the dynamics there though, his focus was more on his enemy's gang. "Who's your leader now? You got a phone on you?"

Sasuke

He snorted. "It was either live with him or be sent to a crazy house so yes i chose the cop" he said with a snort. "Leader always been the same. And sadly for u my phone back at said cops" he said

Kyenna just pressedd her face into her uncle

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"I ought to spare him the hassle of wasting his time on you." The cruel words were spoken with simple ease, and with the gun still tauntingly inclined in Sasuke's general direction. "But fortunately for you, you might be worth more to me alive than dead." With his free hand, James fished his own cellphone from his back pocket, unlocking it with a quick few strokes of the thumb. "Give me his number then, and we'll see how willing your leader is to spare your life."

Sasuke

He snorted at him and then laughed.Funny thing is I don't remember numbers. Im sure you can call the police station for it since he pays themHe said with a snare.

Kyenna was silent.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"Not the cop, he won't pay the ransom." James corrected with narrowed eyes, not amused by Sasuke's laughter. "Your leader, the head honcho of the Akatsuki clan."

James strode back towards his brother, though his eyes continued to rove the cavernous room of the Den. "I might check out those stairs. This building's pretty tall, I should be able to keep a good lookout from the roof."

James nodded to his younger sibling, "Fine, but watch yourself. I don't want that cop spotting you."

Sasuke

Sasuke laughed.Not just him no, he pays the station and chiefHe said. Haven't you ever questioned why they only hold any of us for maybe a day? He said with a raised brow.

Kyenna was still crying but falling asleep from exhaustion.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

Anger began to flare anew in the man's eyes. He resisted the urge to step forward and slam the handle of the gun across the laughing mug of his captive, settling instead for chasing that phone number he wanted. "I figured as much, Spelts is as greedy as they come. And that's why you're not being handed over to the police." He paused to watch his younger brother begin to ascend the stairs, then returned his harsh glare to Sasuke, "If your gang has enough to pay the mayor off, you might just have enough to pay me off. That's why I want your leader's number. Now spit it out, before I get really angry."

Sasuke

He smirked internally. He was gonna give him his brothers number but not the brother who ran akatsuki, no to thier older brother who hated itachi. 554, 33,234 he said

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

James was none the wiser as he listened to Sasuke rattle off the number. From the shadows, he also missed the twitching of canine ears as they tuned to the faint chirps of the phone. Eyes still locked critically to his prisoner, James put the phone to his ear and waited for someone to pick up on the other end.

"Human!" The screeching voice, followed by a flurry of wing beats and a dislodged feather or two, came from Darkwing as she saw a human head pop up over the railing of the second story walkway. The peregrine falcon bolted from her sleeping spot on top of a pipe and vaulted for a broken window on the other side. "Gwen, Zeus!" She cried again, not sure what Lurkers were even in the den right noww.

"The hell?!" Lanny's startled cry was almost as loud as the bird's as he threw a hand up in defense, even though Darkwing dodged past him by more than a healthy yard of space. "This place is full of pigeons! I swear if I get crapped on..." His laments were answered by an angry growl for his brother to 'shut up'.

Desmon suppressed a growl. The human had looked startled, and made no apparent move to go after Darkwing, so the elder Lurker decided against breaking cover to attack. Still, he didn't like the four creatures in his den, nor did he like the way the small cub had been crying earlier.

Sasuke

He wasnt sure what would happen

Madara answered. "Who is this" he growled

Zeus was already watching the human his pups were hiding in some trash cans near the human. He licked his lips but did nor make a noise yet

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

The voice wasn't one that James immediately recognized. He didn't have great intel on the Akatsuki though, and wasn't entirely sure who was their actual leader. Fierce eyes bored into Sasuke, a silent warning to the other as he answered Madara back, "You've got the privilege of speaking to James Zelkovii. Now I'm gonna keep this short and simple; I've got Sasuke here with me, along with one of his nieces. If you want to see either of them again, you're going to be bringing me some money. ANd if you want them in one piece and still breathing, you'll deliver that money with no fuss or fighting. Got that?"

'He sounds aggressive. And those eyes.' Desmon quietly observed from his hiding spot. Being so close to humans in the city had afforded him the time and the street smarts to recognized basic human body language, and this fellow was not a passive, submissive creature. Desmon broke his gaze on James to look to Sasuke again, reading the younger man as submissive, but not happily so. The hybrid shifted uncomfortably, wondering if all this noise making and posturing would break out into actual violence.

Madara

He raised a brow as he listened. Sure he didn't exactly want Sasuke Dead but he knew this call wasn't meant for him.Well in that case you've got the wrong brother to be callingHe said calmly.

Zeus keeps his eye on the human closes to one of his pups.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

The gaze that was currently boring into Sasuke grew darker with anger as James learned he was given the wrong number. Without saying a word, he strode forward and whipped the gun around, aiming to crush it against the side of Sasuke's jaw as punishment for this trick. Lanny might be one for shenanigans, but James tolerated no nonsense.

"Who am I speaking with?" James demanded, deciding he might as well learn who this fellow was to better understand his enemy's allies. "Got any connection with the Akatsuki?"

Desmon and Cael both flinched at the swing of the gun, neither expecting the sudden outburst of aggression. "I really don't like them in our den, Des." The younger Lurker murmured, his midnight-hued frame as tense as a coiled spring.

The elder Lurker nodded subtly, "I know, Cael. But stay quiet and don't move. That one has a boomstick, we don't want to tangle with that."

Sasuke

Sasuke knew he was pissed. In a way it was to test if Madara cared or not and by the look on the mans face no and he grunted as the gun smashed into his jaw.

Madara knew something happened but doubted it was death. He listened with a frown. my name is Madara Uchiha and sure their my brothers but we are not friendsHe asid.

Toph was very close to the one with boom stick and was hunkered back behind the post to his left.

Zozen was upstairs watching the man that came upstairs.

Honz wanted to rush the men but held back.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"Hoo boy, that sounded like a good one." Lanny's voiced echoed from the second floor, as he peered over the railing and looked down in the trio's direction. "Hey Sasuke, keep it up, and maybe we'll take that other eye out for you. Or mayb-"

"Quiet!" The sudden bark from James silenced his younger brother's enthusiastic threats. The elder was trying to focus on this Madara guy, and his mood was souring bt the second. Satisfied that he'd at least given Sasuke something to think about with that metal punch, he took an idle step back from his prisoner and focused on the voice at the other end of the line, "Not friends? So you wouldn't care if he lived or died? Because that's the situation were in if I don't get what I want." For effect, James raised the gun closer to the phone and cocked it back, so that Madara would hear.

Lanny sighed and pushed away from the railing. He came close to Zozen, but hadn't yet noticed the canine lurking in the shadows. His eyes glanced briefly at the 'pigeon' perched on the nearby windowsill, and he began to look around for something to toss at the bird, figuring he could waste a few minutes before climbing the narrow stairwell to the roof to lookout for danger.

Back at the bottom of the den, Desmon anxiously watched Toph. The click of the gun brought his ears down and he held back a dreadful whine. Unsure of what to do, Desmon looked silently to Honz, ready to take action of his alpha urged it, or remain quiet and hidden and hope that these humans left soon.

Honz

At the click of the gun honz couldn't hold back a warning snarl. But he did not move.

Madara frowned a little.I would but I don't cave to threats so kill him you'll only make yourselves more enemiesHe said.

Zozen flinched back when the man looked his way.

Toph ears were back and she hunkered down.

Sasuke glared and then frowned at the snarl his arm going around his sleeping sobbing niece warily.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"You're already enemies, I'm not worried about that. But suit yourself, offing him will be one less Akatsuki I have to deal with later." With that, James ended the call, leaving it to Madara's imagination as to whether or not he'd really kill the young man. The business end of the gun was lowered to Sasuke's chest, with a finger on the trigger, and no ounce of patience in his brooding eyes, "One last time. Give me the number, or I'll drop you and use your niece as leverage instead."

The snarl surprised James, and though he didn't swing the gun away from Sasuke, he did look back over his shoulder at the source of the sound, where he finally spotted the canine. He didn't know he was looking at one of the Shadow Lurker alphas, but the grimace he gave showed he held no fear for a single canine. "Laurence, get your ass back down here! Take care of this dog."

Upstairs on the walkway, Lanny had secured a small tin can, and was getting ready to lob it at the falcon. "Huh?" He peered down over the railing again at his brother's request, idly tossing the can up in the air a few times, but ultimately never chucking it towards Darkwing. It was only after following his brother's gaze that he saw the husky mix and chuckled, "You need to lighten up bro, it's just a dog. Just say a nice word or two and they wouldn't growl at you so much. And if they do, just give them a kick. Easy enough." Unwilling to anger his elder brother though, Lanny obligingly climbed back down the stairs and approached Honz. "Hey there, who's a good boy? Huh, who's a good boy?"

Cael bristled his fur, tensing now as Desmon was. He shared a quick, questioning glance with his friend, but Desmon caught it and gave a faint shake of his grayed muzzle. "Not yet. Only attack if he does."

Honz

Honz ears were back especially when the other man came down stairs and began approaching him. He bared his teeth in warning. All too much had he had humans say similiar sounding words to him and every time they had back stabbed him. He gave a warning bite snarl at the man.

Zeus had woken from his friends snarls and he stood up and started to snarl as well.

Sasuke laughed.Madara your enemy? he not AkatsukiHe laughed shaking his head. FineHe gave him Itachi's number.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

Sasuke's laughter riled James further, bringing more venom to his glare. He might have acted upon it and shown Sasuke the back end of the gun again, but the younger man finally divulged the information that he was after. James tapped his pointer finger against the trigger of the gun as he watched his prisoner, and then glanced aside to Lanny and the dog. Whatever thought had come to his mind, he put it aside to dial the number into the phone and bring it to his ear. As he listened for the ring to begin, the leader of the CrypticSilvers stared cold daggers into Sasuke, "This is your last chance kid. You'll be dog meat if I get the wrong answer on the other side of this phone."

Lanny's cheerful expression soured immediately upon Honz's continued aggression. Pale-colored brows furrowed together and anger leapt quickly into his gaze, "Hey!" He raised himself up and gave a swift kick in the alpha's direction, not so much intending to kick Honz, but more to shoo him backwards. "Go on and get out of here, mutt! Go!"

Desmon was startled by the abrupt change in the blond man's behavior. He was debating getting up when Zeus stood and gave a growl, earning Lanny's ire next. After a moment of hesitation, Desmon decided to remain still. If the humans actually tried to attack, he and Cael could at least catch one of them off guard.

Sasuke

He rolled his eyes and just sat there.

Itachi answered.who is this?He hissed.

Honz snarled and moved back but then he b egan to rouch and move toward the male teeth bared.

Zeus did as well his teeth showing.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

James turned away from Sasuke just long enough to see what all the commotion was about behind him. "Get those dogs out of here." Not yet aware of how many other canines were lurking around him, the elder brother wasn't that concerned about two mongrels. His focus was on the voice that was now answering him on the other end of the phone. Turning back around to keep an eye on Sasuke, James answered with a blatant lack of patience, "James Zelkovii, and I'm going to be blunt with you. I've got your brother and his niece, and you're going to deliver ten grand to me in exchange for their lives. Sound good?"

Two dogs were now baring their teeth and not being the 'good boys' that Lanny had first imagined they'd be. He was scowling right back, showing little fear of the pair as he too failed to realize they were partially surrounded by Lurkers. "Do you need to eat some boot, mutt? I said get!" Lanny advanced on the crouching Honz and swung his heavy boot, only this time he was aiming to clock the alpha square in the muzzle if he didn't dodge aside.

Itachi

He sighs." As much as i love my family i do not give money for others lives" he said hanging up

Honze dodged and gave the signal. Lunging for the man who kicked him zeus lunging as well

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

James was surprised by the response he got, and it showed in brief widening of his eyes. Anger quickly swept the shadows back in place as a scowl reformed and he hastily shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Looks like they value money more than your life, sadly for you." As he was raising the gun to fire at Sasuke, ready to make good on his threat and off the younger man, a shout from his brother saved the Akatsuki from sudden death. James whirled around in time to see Lanny dodging aside Honz's rush but getting tagged in the arm by Zeus. Less than two yards from his brother and the pair of mongrels, James aimed his firearm at the alpha and fired...

Lanny wrenched his arm from Zeus, feeling teeth puncture his flesh as he did so, and leave holes in the leather jacket. He swung a fist square for the hound's sensitive nose before trying to scramble back and give himself space...

Desmon and Cael came forth under their alpha's direction. Cael immediately darted for James, taking a few false snaps at the fellow's leg while baring his teeth. His first goal would be to drive the humans away with a show of aggression; if that failed, he'd deploy his teeth as his elders were doing.

Similar to the younger Lurker, Desmon stalked towards James and Laurence with bristled fur and bared fangs, snarling deeply. A few barks were thrown in, resonating loudly in the hollow chamber of the Den.

From high above, Darkwing crouched and observed the scene below. If the humans didn't soon flee, she'd turn her claws against them...

Sasuke

He snorted. "I could of told you.." but he was cut short by the snarling canines. With james attention drawn he stood up and picked up kyenna in fear the dogs would go after her.

Honz felt a bullet pierce his ear and now his attention was on the man with the boom stick

Zeus meanwhile yelped and released the other but bared his teeth

Laurence & James Zelkovii

James was now recalling the various headlines and news clips of the many people slain by canines in the Valley, and fear began to creep in. He could handle violence with other people, but dogs were not really his forte. "Sasuke, start moving towards the door. Slowly." With his finger poised on the trigger, ready to deliver another bullet in Honz's direction if the alpha so much as stepped closer, James nodded his head towards the rusty door. "I'll follow, and if you try anything... don't think I won't take a shot at you with that kid in your arms."

A short, foul curse left Lanny's mouth as he saw red begin to blossom out from the holes in his jacket sleeve. He now had the sense to retrieve his own pistol and aim it between Zeus and Desmon, all while backing for the exit. "Where did they come from? Spelts really needs to crack down on these stray dogs."

Desmon and Cael continued to bristle, both baring their fangs and uttering threatening snarls. The elder of the two spoke up as he eyed the humans with guns, "Hey, I think it's working. That one's moving towards the door."

Cael snorted, eyes flashing from James to Sasuke and Kyenna, "We should kill them all, before they can go out and alert other humans that we're here. What if they bring more back, with more boomsticks?"

Sasuke

He had no choice but to comply as he held his niece and slowly moved toward the door

Honze just growled when they began to retreat."no cael we dont kill humans if it can be avoided let alone one is a pup"

Zeus teeth were bared

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

James shadowed Sasuke out the door, turning sideways to slide through the narrow gap while his brother trailed behind to fend off the dogs. Once outside he quickly rounded on their prisoner and re-trained the gun at his head. "Back in the car, we're taking a short trip just north of town."

Lanny was soon joining with the trio, after wedging himself through the rusted doors. A few curses graced the cold air as he took a moment to inspect his bleeding arm. "Damn dogs, I am talking to Spelts about thi-" His complaints were cut short by a harsh bark of words from his elder sibling.

"We have bigger fish to fry, Lan. We're taking Sasuke to the Bay. We got duct tape in the car? Rope? I don't want him floating back to the surface." James was still staring Sasuke down, his eyes cold and devoid of concern for the other's life.

----

Back inside the den, Cael was bristling. He shot a questioning look to his alpha, "What if they come back though? Humans have never come in here like that before!"

A heavy sigh left Desmon. "Honz is right, we can't stir up conflict with the two-leggers. They left without a fight, we should be thankful for that."

Sasuke

He wanted to run but he couldnt risk his nieces life to run or attack. So he got back in the car forcing himself to not listen to what they were saying. He was glad kyenna had cried herself to sleep

Honz growled "and if they have others who know they were here we will be in the same boat its not worth it" he said

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

"Should be some nylon rope in there, don't know about tape. Want to swing by the store and grab some?" Lanny suggested, all the while backing towards the vehicle. When the dogs didn't pursue him through the door, he holstered his gun and climbed into the driver's seat, letting his elder brother handle keeping Sasuke in line.

James stepped towards the car and slammed the door shut after Sasuke got in, gun still trained on the other. "No, rope will be enough. I want to get rid of him before his friends try to find us." He climbed into the car next, and unlike his younger brother, did not holster his weapon. He'd dealt with Sasuke before, and he wasn't going to take any chances. "Who's this kid's mom? If we're not getting payment from your lowlife 'family', we'll get it from her."

Cael was irritated by Desmon and his alpha, and stepped towards the door, peeking his black muzzle through the narrow exit. A soft growl echoed in his throat as he watched the humans climb into their thunderbug. Ear twitched at the sound of the motor roaring to life, and he made sure to commit all these things to memory.

Sasuke

Sasuke just sat there. Someone you'll never find anyways she is deadIt was a lie but it was also a possiblility.

Lanny, James, Desmon & Cael

James gave the other a hard look as he climbed into the vehicle next, contemplating those words. 'Is this another lie? Maybe, but I'll find out soon enough.'

The vehicle hummed to life, and across the alleyway, Cael briefly flattened his ears against the roar of the motor. He could no longer hear what the humans inside were saying, but he would remember those faces, and the bright splash of red that colored their boxy-looking thunderbug.