Disclaimer: I don't own Wolf's Rain. –pouts-

Before the Red Moon

Maron enjoyed the look of stark terror that washed over Toboe's features when the two Noble troops stormed in. Fear was good, it was one of the biggest guns he had.

Kem noted what Tsume was doing and slammed the but of his gun at the scarred gray wolf, knocking him further back into the cage.

"Next time, I'll hit you in the teeth and you won't have any fangs to break out with!" the younger troop growled.

"Leave him alone!" The words were practically spat out impulsively, but when Maron turned his face towards the younger brown wolf and advanced towards him with a hideously gleeful expression.

Toboe shrank back against the cage as far as he could go; his heart rate spiked. Tsume snarled something unprintable and lunged forward again, making the cage rattle violently.

Kem ignored him this time and moved over to where Maron was standing, barely a foot away from the cage. Except for Tsume's snarling, it was quiet.

"Don't—do—anything!" Tsume said furiously. "Or I'll make you wish you'd never been born!"

Maron looked like he had a sudden idea. "Hey Kem. Get your knife out." He instructed.

Toboe gulped. The knife the younger noble troop took out was seven inches long, wickedly sharp looking and the shiny blade had a jet hilt. Light bounced and reflected off of the weapon's honed edge.

Toboe had to fight to keep from whimpering.

Tsume practically roared.

"Don't you dare, damn—"

His words were cut off sharply when Kem, without warning threw opened the cage and seized Toboe by the front of his shirt in one violent motion and then shoved him to the ground on his back unceremoniously.

The young wolf yelped as his head rammed hard into the floor—it was still sensitive, but his heart was pounding against the walls of his chest so hard, he could have sword even this mysterious 'Lady' could hear it, wherever and whoever the heck she was.

He was about to sit up when Kem lowered the knife and let it hover just above the delicate skin of his throat.

The sun was coming up outside. The short night was over. Hige walked alongside Kiba with his hands jammed into his pockets, Kiba doing the same. People were out now, and it wouldn't do to just stay exposed.

"This stinks. In more ways than one." Hige complained. "Those dumb nobles are running around and we haven't heard anything about Tsume and the runt."

Kiba gave the slightest nod of his head. "Yeah, well, we just have to keep looking."

He stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted something, his odd blue eyes widening in surprise. Watching them from a shadowed alley, barely distinguishable from all the people around the place was a wolf.

A/N: Sorry for the short, realatively crummy chapter, I'm at school and my teachers are going to kill me if they find out.

Thanks to all who reviewed! All two of you. –cackles- I love getting your reviews, I really appreciate them! FWA! The DRAMA! –dances around—