Disclaimer: I don't own Wolf's Rain. –sniff-
((Freakishly long author's note at bottom))
Before the Red Moon
"Hurry up, will you?" Complained Hige he and Kiba followed their cream and gray guide. It was getting late, the moon was up—waning crecent tonight—and there were practically no people wandering around. Those that were up and about were a few pitiful hobos and a couple of shady looking characters. The 'Lady's' troops had given up that day's search a few hours ago.
Getsuei looked back over his shoulder at the hefty wolf. He was up ahead of the two several meters. "We're getting closer, but this is a relatively big city, Hige," he said smoothly, an air of superiority about him that seriously pissed Hige off. "Besides, if we go too quickly, we might attract the attention of Ryo's pack."
"Ryo?" Kiba repeated, keeping his face straight and emotionless.
Getsuei laughed, causing Kiba to bristle in the slightest bit. His manner was really irritating—he seemed to revel in their ignorance, and Hige was going to say something about it when the annoying loner continued.
"Ryo is the leader of the pack that lives here. She's ruthless, territorial and easy to anger, so stomping around in the territory like this might piss her off. She's killed lone wolves who wander in before, and since there's two of you, she might have the rest of the pack tear you to pieces. However, if she's in a merciful mood, she might just question you…"
Hige snorted rudely. What a pack leader she sounded like! "That's nuts!" he said loudly. "She sounds like a whimsical windbag, not a leader. Why the hell do you stay loyal to a maniac like that?"
"Hige…!" Kiba hissed, but it was too late.
Getsuei stopped dead in his tracks and stormed back over to where the other two were. He shoved his long pointed muzzle into Hige's face and snarled, his hackles raised and his tail bushed out, "She's a good leader. She has kept us safe from many a noble infiltration and search, brought us through hard times and enabled us to survive! She cares for her packmates."
Hige frowned and was about to come back with a sharp retort when Kiba caught his eye. The look on the white wolf's face was a warning and a hint to shut up. Flattening his ears, the large brown wolf complied, but his ears remained flat.
"Fine, whatever," he spat out. Getsuei glared at him, turned and ran back up ahead, causing snow to fly into Hige's face. The hefty brown wolf spat the dirty white stuff out of his mouth and shook the cold substance out of his eyes. "Phaw! I bet he meant to do that," he grumbled.
Kiba shook his head and followed with a sigh, but his eyes were searching, his ears flicking in all directions. His muscles were tense, he moved warily. Then, he heard a low chuckle from one of the deeply shadowed alleys.
"Oh crap!" He heard Hige say. Getsuei swore as a loud snarl ripped through the still air as many unfamiliar lupine scents flooded his nose.
Toboe had been sleeping, a slumber riddled with horrific nightmares when he heard a low whimpering. But it wasn't Tsume.
Opening his light amber eyes, he cast them about the room, his heart starting to pick up its pace. His eyes quickly registered to the darkness, but there wasn't anyone in the room besides Tsume…
"Dump the stupid animal in with the other two, she won't do anything." A noble troop's voice sounded.
Toboe was able to relax the slightest bit to hear that it was neither Kem nor Maron's voice. Another noble, also unknown grunted and said, "Get the door open then. God, she's as broken as some dogs."
More whining sounded, and then the scrabbling sound of claws on metal as a big lupine form was shoved in, and then the door was closed and the nobles left, talking.
Toboe stared at the wolf who sat slumped at the locked door. Her fur was very dark, near black, but it was ragged and dirty, blood matting it. Her eyes were a pale gray, dull and sunken with defeat. Her ribs showed starkly through her thin fur. It was a pitiful sight.
"There's nothing to see over here, pup." She spoke in a voice cracked with age, her voice flat. "I'm just a wasted old fool, and none of them'll do me the mercy of death." She cackled a laugh without humor.
"But they're going to kill you soon…very soon."
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed! –bows- As I said earlier, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, guys. And thanks very much Ryuujin Dragon King for the anonymous reviews tip and the thing for 'moon'…I got 'getsuei' from some website that had the word 'moon' in several languages, but apparently the person was a little off. Oh well. xD I'm Mexican-American, so the only way I previously knew how to say moon was in Spanish and English…Lonegreywolf, happy to hear from ya –hugs-, and Kristen, don't worry, I shall update soon. –grins at you all- Thankyamuch. Gracias!
