One day until the blood moon.

Breeze was out playing with Streak and Kati, Zakk and Flash were busy hanging out together, Sasha was wondering about Doug, Cory was inside his tent, dreading the upcoming night, and Kasai was glaring down at the gang camp, tapping her fingers against her side.

She could hear voices in her head screaming for her to go down and kill everyone now, but she fought the urge.

"Keep it under control, Kasai." she whispered to herself.  "Don't let your instincts take over."

She finally decided to do something else to keep her mind off of it.

She peeked into Cory's tent.

"Cory?"

"..?" He turned to face her. "Oh...hey Kasai." he muttered.

She slowly went to sit next to him, her ponytail flowing behind her. After she sat down, she hesitantly let it out, letting her hair cascade down behind her in a reddish-brown waterfall.

Cory stared for a moment. He had never seen Kasai with her hair down before. She almost looked more like a siren than a phoenix...if it weren't for the clothing. Sirens usually wore more brightly colored clothing compared to Kasai's black t-shirt and blue jeans shorts.

Kasai blushed and looked away. "...d-don't give me that look. It makes me uncomfortable."

"Oh! Sorry..." Cory said, looking back at the ground. "I didn't mean to stare...it's just, I'm not used to seeing you with your hair down. It...it looks nice."

"Thanks..."

The two of them sat in awkward silence for a few moments before Kasai spoke up.

"So...what's your plan?"

"Hm?"

"For the blood moon tonight."

"TONIGHT!?  I-I forgot it was tonight...I thought it was tomorrow night."

"Is it? ...well, either way, what's your plan?"

"I...don't have a plan."

"Well, you might wanna make one, just in case."

"Yeah..."  He sighed.  "... I hate blood moons..."

"I know, Cory.  I know."

"Why do they have to exist?"

"I don't know, Cory.  I don't know."

Cory snickered a little.  "You don't have to do that every time."

"I know, Cory.  I know."  Kasai laughed a little.  Messing with Cory like this was fun.  Besides, some humor and lightheartedness was needed right about now.

The two of them cuddled a little. Cory closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth radiating off of Kasai's body. It reminded him of being next to the fire, wrapped up in a warm blanket with a hot drink in hand...

Hot drink.

The thought struck him like a spear and he forced himself to pull away, earning a confused look from Kasai.

"Cory?"

"... you shouldn't be this close. Not now."

"But Cory—"

"I don't want to hurt you."

Tears formed in his eyes and dripped to the ground. He didn't like thinking about it, but the fact the upcoming blood moon caused frequent hunger spikes put thoughts of him sinking his fangs into Kasai's neck and draining every last drop of blood from her in his mind. The taste of her blood filled his mouth as he remembered the drink he got a few nights back. Oh, how he longed for that taste again. Just a little bit of it. That's all he wanted.

That's all —

"CORY!"

Kasai's startled shriek snapped him out of his trance to find himself just inches away from her neck. He quickly shuffled backwards.

"S-sorry!  Sorry!  I don't know what came over me—"

"It's okay..." Kasai whispered, panting from nervousness.  She forced herself to calm down.  "It's okay.  It's just the upcoming blood moon messing with your head."

Cory looked away.  "...you should go."

"But Cory—"

"No buts.  Go.  Now.  Before it happens again and I can't stop myself."

Kasai sighed and nodded, getting up and walking out.

She was cut off, however, by Breeze running by.  "Eep!"

"I'm gonna get ya!  Iiiii'm gonna get ya!" the young husky neko barked.

"Are not!" Kati protested, running past Streak to get Breeze's attention on him instead.  The centaur reared up before running too.

"Kati, you traitor!" he whinnied.  Kati laughed.

"All's fair in fun and games!"

The three of them continued chasing each other playfully as Kasai watched.  Breeze ran by again, then skidded to a halt and looked at her.

"Kasai!  Wanna play too?"

"Er, no thanks.  I'm good."

"But it's more fun with more people!  C'mon!  Pleeeease?" Breeze whined.

Kasai looked at him and sighed.  "I'm a little busy right now, buddy.  Maybe you can get Flash and Zakk to play instead."

"Oh, okay!" Breeze barked, running to find them.

Kasai chuckled a little before sitting on the edge of the hill again, sighing and staring up at the sky.

The sun would be setting soon.  Fear boiled in her.

It was too late for Cory to run...

...the whole team was in danger.