Chapter Four- Precautions

The sounds of animals and a sparse number of demons were clear and sharp as usual. His senses had not been enhanced as foxes are kin to wolves. He shifted on his feet, feeling restless and anxious for his last change of the month. The forest grew darker and he saw shafts of moonlight on the ground in a few spots.

He then threw back his head and gave an angry howl before growling as his eyes glowed red and fur began to grow again. A bushed-out tail sprouted as his heels moved up and his knees changed direction. He fell to his feet and hands, the former forming paws and claws extending from them. His fingernails grew into claws as his hands formed paws. His nose and jaws pushed out into a muzzle of sharp teeth and his ears formed wolf ears on the top of his head. The muscles on his limbs and body grew larger and he howled again as his mind reverted to the mindset of a killer. He sniffed for prey and then sped of when he found one.

Shiori went to the park, knowing it was best not to hunt in the same place all the time. Yes, she had hunted at home until last night, but that was safe as it was her property. But now that she had gone dark, she had moved on to different prey. She had had her first taste of human flesh and it was clear that she loved it. She couldn't go back to her previous kills. She would follow her sire's example.

Speaking of which, I haven't seen him for three months now. It makes sense as I stay home to hunt. If I see him while wild, how would I react? What would I do? Oh, wait. I think I know. If I see him, I will kill him.

She moved into the shadows of a grove of trees and watched the sky darken and the moon rise. She growled angrily as she shifted to wolf form. She was about to charge out to attack and kill when the scent of another wolf caught her attention. It wasn't her kin member, so it had to be a stranger, a competition for food. She whirled around with her ears flat and legs crouched. She bared her teeth as a gray wolf slunk into view, also ready to attack. For a time, they just stood there, waiting for the other to move. The gray one moved first, charging and leaping toward her. Shiori ducked the leap and lashed upward, her claws catching the belly. He snarled in pain as he landed and turned just as Shiori plowed into him. Her claws flashed out as she slashed with both forepaws. One furious slash caught the throat and ripped it open. The gray wolf laid dead on the ground, blood pouring from its throat. Shiori howled in triumph before tearing into the dead wolf to feast on him. She only ate a little before stepping away. This did not taste as good as last night's meal. She scented her preferred kind of meat and raced toward it, the screams of her chosen prey rang through the night air.

Kurama awoke and his eyes focused on the remains of squirrels and rabbits. I made the right choice of eating at home. I'll head inside, wash up, change clothes, and head for Genkai's. Kurama was soon cleaned and dressed and was about to leave when the door opened and Shiori entered, looking very pleased with herself. She flashed a cold smile. "Morning, Shuichi," she said. "I had a wonderful evening. I learned that I far prefer human flesh and cannot eat anything else. Oh and I killed the one who bit me."

"You did?"

"Yes. He was competition for food and he started the fight. I simply finished it. I ate a little of him and that was how I found I'd rather eat humans."

"I was happy eating animals and by the way Mother, I did not appreciate the raw mean in my lunch yesterday."

"I suppose raw meat in school would be frowned upon but we will consume it otherwise."

"I have an errand to run, Mother. I will see you later." Kurama slipped out the door and headed for the station to begin the trip to the mountains.

Hours later, Kurama was reaching the top of the stairs, hope in his heart that he could receive help in handling his condition. He had acknowledged that his mother was too far gone to help. She's been a wifewolf for three months and absolutely loves it. I have only been a werewolf for two nights and I am determined to keep myself from going dark as well.

He reached the compound's gates and as he headed toward the house, he smelled a repugnant scent, felt weak, and calm too. His eyes raked the area around him and he spotted the source: Wolfsbane. He stared at the plant. Does Hiei know that I was bitten and warned Genkai or is it just coincidence? He walked onto the porch and used his still sharp nose to track Genkai's location. He found her and caught Yukina and Hiei's scents as well as he knocked. "Come in," came Genkai's voice.

He slid the door open and entered. "Master Genkai," he said as he knelt before her. "I need your help desperately." He saw Hiei's nose flare slightly and the eyes widened for a second. Kurama waited for him to speak.

Hiei didn't disappoint him. "You failed, Kurama."

"I was caught unprepared," he admitted.

"What help do you need?" Genkai asked.

Kurama exhaled slowly. "Mother is a wifewolf and she bit me two nights ago. I would like to have wards to restrain me during the full moons and perhaps a cutting from a Wolfsbane plant."

"I can provide wards but you will not be able to touch them as they will hurt. As for the plant, I will do better and give you a whole plant that you can cut and plant to grow more."

"Thank you. I plan to lock myself up next month and perhaps Hiei could put up the wards." He saw the fire demon nod.

"When you say lock up, are you referring to a cage?" Genkai asked.

Kurama nodded. "A kennel cage for large dogs with the wards on the door and some of the bars should do the trick."

"What about your mother?" Yukina asked.

Kurama shook his head. "She's too far gone. She was bitten three months ago and loves what she's become. I will not follow her lead." Kurama did not mention that last night's kills did not taste as good as the human he ate, as much as it sickened him to know he ate human flesh. I will not do that again. I will stay caged and surrounded by Wolfsbane.

Kurama snuck the plant and the disassembled cage into his room and once accomplished, began to care and cut a piece of the plant so he could grow more. The smell was still unpleasant and he felt weak, but it also calmed him and he considered the two negatives a worthwhile trade-off for the positive. He then put the cage together and hoped it was big enough for his wolf form. And if it isn't, the wards should prevent me from escaping.

A tap sounded at his window and he turned to see Hiei there. He opened the window and stepped back. Hiei entered and said, "So, what happened?"

"I had her legs bound and was going for another rose seed to bind her mouth, but I did not have one. She chewed her way free and pounced on me. I thought she was going to kill me, but it turns out that when faced with family, they will turn instead of kill. I changed soon after the bit and since Mother is the elder, I was compelled to follow her lead. We both ate a human that night for the first time."

"I can't say I'm sympathetic to the loss of human life, but I am to your shame of it." He went over to the cage, gripped a bar, and shook it. He nodded. "Seems sturdy."

"I hope so. I'm thinking of having my bedroom door and window warded as well should the cage prove inadequate."

"I'll see to it. I can ward every door and window in the house to keep both of you from escaping."

"No, Hiei. Mother would find a way out, most likely by going out during the day and staying out so she can change and kill. She would want to hunt while I do not. I will need to buy either meat or dog food for those three nights."

"I suggest the meat. You're a wolf, not a dog."

Kurama sighed. "You are correct, but I will cook it. Mother insists on raw meat for dinner and lunch when it is not a school day." Kurama turned to his homework he had been unable to do because of the full moon. It is going to be a long month before I get to test my precautions.