Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
A/N: This is just my own weird take on what might've happened if the Kenshin-gumi were wolves. Whatever. Hope you enjoy it! (Yes the other chapters will be longer.) Oh, yeah, I almost forgot: Someone Really Special beta read this.
Winter Moon
Chapter One
I silently padded down an old deer trail, tasting the cold winter air for any tell-tale prey scents. The smells of the forest assaulted my senses, coming in the form of pine, fir, spruce, and aspen. Their sweet scents made me relax my tense muscles slightly, but the sudden scent of rabbit undid the effect of their aromas, and excitement nearly overrode my senses as I crouched downwind of the large white cottontail.
I wanted to give chase, but I forced myself to be patient, instead stalking forward as carefully as I could in the sparse undergrowth. Suddenly, I sprang forward, nearly landing on top of the startled rabbit. It quickly came to its senses, however, and darted with startling speed towards its burrow.
Snarling, I gave into my earlier urges, running as fast as I could after the little beast. It only took a moment for itslithe form to disappear, blending into the pristine white-ness of the snow. I mentally heaved a sigh, panting as I lay down, my black fur standing out in stark contrast to the small expanse of white around me.
As I lay in the little clearing I had hunted in only moments before, I caught the scent of magpie and looked up. There it was, sitting high in the branches of a pine, looking down as if mocking me. It probably was. My first hunt, after all, had been a failure. I wondered what our alpha, Aoshi-sama, would think if I came home without anything to show. I would probably be stuck watching puppies with Genzai-sensei, our healer. I hated that. No, I would stay until I found and caught something.
I stood, heading back to the deer trail and bypassing it. Instead, I padded wherever my paws happened to take me. I stopped once or twice, parting my jaws slightly to taste the air. Once I caught the scent of a Jay, but it was faint. Too faint for the bird to have been there recently.
Eventually, I hit the strong odor of urine, marking the end of our territory. I looked on, seeing only more trees, and wondered why we hadn't extended our markers. The thought was fleeting, however, and I continued onward, keeping close to the border. Stopping, I looked past our markers again. Finally coming to a decision, I hesitantly stepped past our border into unknown territory.
I had to admit, I was curious. What could be so bad about this area that we wouldn't want it? But the thought was lost when I caught the scent I had desired ever since my first failed attempt hours ago. Lowering myself into a crouch, I stalked closer, launching myself after the snow-hare when it appeared I was close enough.
I felt the soft body of the hare go limp in my jaws, tasted the warm blood on my tongue. The warm, coppery liquid tasted like heaven to me. Now, all I had to do was return to Aoshi-sama and show him my kill. My heart lightened considerably, and I turned toward the border again when a sudden low growl made me freeze.
"What are you doing on my territory?"
A/N: Well, that was fun. But it was short. Oh well, too bad. I'll be back with the next (longer) chapter soon (hopefully) and I'll try to get the next chapters to my other stories out A.S.A.P. Please review!