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

Before the Red Moon

Maron woke early that morning. It was before dawn, perfect, just perfect. There were absolutely no guards wandering around, the night watch always shirked their duties around three a.m. He could not ask for a better opportunity to get back at the huge gray wolf, who had given him a permanent scar on the face that made him uglier than before. Just because he wanted to save that stupid pup. Maybe he'd kill the little one first, just to watch the gray wolf suffer…yes…Since it was obvious Sheshkemana wasn't going to do anything about them yet, he would be sure to make it look like an accident….

He had already roused Kem from his sleep, and even though the younger noble troop was clearly annoyed, he said nothing nor complained. Maron had achived an odd, feverish look in his brown eyes, bent on revenge. Kem could tell by the way Maron was handling his gun, his finger hovering over the trigger, that his friend was on the brink of crackup.

"Easy does it, Maron," he cautioned nervously, trying to keep pace with the older man. "Look, I really wanna get back at them too, but shouldn't we wait until the Lady gives the order? I mean, you've seen what she does to those who disobey her, and it's not pretty…"

To his surprise, Maron did not turn around and hiss something venomous at him, but replied in a perfectly rational voice, "Oh, it'll be causal. We'll make it look like we were patrolling early, because we heard something. Turns out the wolves had broken a hole in the prison wall and attacked us as soon as we got there. We'll kill the gray one for sure, and shock the others…"

Toboe opened his eyes, now fully accustomed to the darkness, and the unwelcoming shadows, hard edged and dark seemed to watch him. He shut his eyes back tight again; wishing this rotten situation would just disappear…It was weirdly cold in the stupid dungeon too. He shivered, trying to vainly keep his body warmth to himself, but the cold, hard ground seemed determined to suck it out of him.

With a small sigh, the pup sat up again and rubbed his head, hugging his knees once more. The others were still out like lights. Hige's gentle snoring eased harshness of the dismal atmosphere, but it was only a small comfort. Toboe let himself be reassured by it anyway. It made this place not seem so…lonely.

One question kept pricking at the back of his mind. Why did Shehskemana want them in the first place? At the very thought of her and her evil cackle, another violent shudder attacked his spine. They didn't know where Paradise was…at least, he was almost sure they didn't. Kiba's leadership had brought them through thick and thin, only failing when Cheza was around…which ironically meant they would be or were getting closer…

A dim crash and the thud of boots on cement woke him from his reverie. He jerked his head in the direction of the sound, an expression of confusion on his features. The others heard it and woke with a jolt, even Hige. "What the hell?" the robust brown wolf wondered, his mahogany eyes on the door.

"I dunno, but whatever it is…" Toboe began, starting to panic. The sounds were coming closer, and those footsteps were horrifically familiar.

"Oh damn!" Tsume suddenly exclaimed. "It's those stupid guards!" Toboe felt his stomach completely drop away. Not them. If they were looking for them this early, their intentions could not be good.

"What?" Getsuei asked ignorantly. Marel threw him another filthy look. "Guards! Think about it, kitty cat. It wasn't as if Toboe, Tsume and I weren't guarded on the airship! Unfortunately, these are the guards that gave Toboe that shoulder wound."

Kiba stiffened. "Here they come," he growled, pulling his black lips back in a snarl, his hackles raised. He above all the others could look very ferocious if he wanted to, even more so than Tsume sometimes…

BANG. Maron and Kem skidded to a halt in front of the cage. Kem looked dubious, and Maron almost looked insane at this point, an ugly scar twisting his unshaven features. He had a big gun in his right hand, and his knives glittered at his waist. Toboe couldn't help but flinch a little when they showed up, his heart starting to pound.

Maron cackled. "See? There's no one down here…all we gotta do is…" he put the gun right up to one of the gaps in the bars, trying to aim for Tsume, but Kiba suddenly lunged, startling the troop and causing him to leap backwards, but unfortunately, his finger had been on the trigger. When Kiba had leaped at him, Maron had brought the gun down, firing at a lower section in the bars.

The multiple bullets slammed heavily into the cross section of two joined bars—right where Toboe was—, the noise absolutely deafening, but to the wolve's surprise, the crossbeam fell apart. Toboe had leaped almost two feet in the air as it came apart, but saw a blur of movement that could only be Hige coming up behind him, just as the alarm sounded in the prison wing, screeching and flashing red lights.

Maron and Kem panicked, fleeing the scene and leaving the gun just as tons of guards poured in—but unfortunately, Maron ducked into a small niche in the wall, pulled a tiny lever and seemed to disappear from sight, leaving his only friend out in the hallway to the guards, who were starting to fire.

"Move, runt!" Hige yelled, shoving Toboe forward towards the hole made by the gunshot. "You're the only one that fits, get out of here, go, dammit!" Toboe wriggled forward, more on Hige's instruction than anything else, the broken metal scraping his fur, but he was out. Free….the sound of gunfire and the smack of a bullet into the ground right by his paw brought him violently back to reality as Tsume bellowed, "RUN!" backed up by Kiba, Marel, Hige and even Getsuei. "RUN, TOBOE!"

Toboe was petrified. His eyes were huge, but there was no other chance or choice he would have. He turned and sprinted as fast as he could, his eyes wide with terror, dodging the bullets from the guards clumsily, but he managed to keep his pace. He was nearing the wall of guards on the other side, and there was no getting past them…unless…something dark and primal seemed to start to smolder, taking some of his fear with it in the blaze that resulted. His face was twisted in a snarl as he bared his long teeth, his hackles bristling.

He surprised even himself when he launched himself at the head guard, his mouth open as he tried, and successfully grabbed the noble's neck, his hindclaws scrabbling on the armor. He felt a sharp pain as a bullet grazed his tender shoulder, and he yelped and let go, dropping down the ground and taking off again as fast as he could manage, staggering up the stairs, the dark fire gone, panic the only thing driving him now. He rounded the last corner, his tongue lolling out of his mouth—maybe he could reach Ren—and found himself face to face with none other…than Lady Sheshkemana. And she had her sword.

A/N: Awesome, That's what you guys are. All your comments and stuff really make me feel good, as I've said ten thousand times. You guys are the bestest. Lonegreywolf, great to hear from you, Tweak—great to have ya!—Kristen, thanks!—Saberwolf, welcome back. -grins hugely- Hawr. Thankies again! SQUEEEE! YAYNESS! –dances around- I HAFF ACCESS TO DVD 7! –girlyfansqueal- Hawr! My sister and I managed to get our mom to order it. ARGH, sorry for the short chapter guys!