Disclaimer: I do not own +anima, but I wish I did

The walls were black, and the chains cut into the girl's wrists. She had long brown hair, braided on one side, and a large gash over her right eye. Her eyes were an odd color; storm grey rimmed with a light gold, like that of a wolf or wild dog. Holding her chains was a hooded figure with unusually thin, bony arms. Another peculiar feature of the figure's arms; they had a black, diamond shaped pattern starting at the elbow.

"Sonnen," came the rasping voice of the figure, "A good duel, there. You may have won the master some money, there." The hallway gradually became lighter, but Sonnen didn't notice. Everything was still dark grey to her.

The hooded figure stopped under the arch connecting the hallway to a larger room, containing five other children of about 16 years of age. The figure holding Sonnen's chains released them, and lightly pushed her towards a wall, where she collapsed in a heap. The other five figures waited for the figure to leave the room, and hi giggled mirthlessly.

"I'll give you some time, there" he laughed, but stopped and examined the group.

An older boy was perched upon a large slab of granite, talons and wings outstretched. 'Kazana,' thought the man, 'the hawk +anima; master's new plaything.' Next to Kazana perched Ciaze, a redheaded girl of about 14.

"Ciaze!" called the man, grinning. "Won't you spread your wings for us? Your pretty wings?" Ciaze was a macaw +anima, so had large red wings and a long feathered tail.

She glared at the man. "Ghio!" She called in a sing-song voice. Ghio winced. He liked it better when she yelled. This was far more taunting. "Bare your fangs, little snake, little traitor!"

A laugh from a small pond carried over. "You should go, now. You could get hurt." Ghio spun to face the speaker, an older girl with flowing blond hair and glistening copper koi fins falling from her wrists. 'Ghohe' thought the snake +anima.

"Crawl back to your hole, worm!" came another voice from the pond. A young boy with dark brown hair stood, hair dripping with water and algae. He appeared normal, other than his reptilian eyes.

Ghio smirked. "You are most certainly one to talk, water-snake. Shiko."

Shiko cringed. "We have nothing in common! Traitor! Murderer of your own kind!" he shouted.

"Shiko"

"Murderer!"

"Shiko"

"Traitor! Killer of-"

"Shiko! Quiet!" everyone turned toward the speaker, a boy of about 17. He had striking white hair, fringed with black. His fingers were tipped with two-inch claws that curved down dangerously. He rested on the balls of his feet, and his eyes were the pale blue orbs of a cat. Most obvious, however, was the long, snowy tail of a white tiger flicking back and forth behind him.

"Tei". The snake +anima said in shock. Tei very rarely spoke, much less yelled. But he didn't stop there. Tei pointed to Ghio. "Go"

Ghio stalked away, astonished. Tei, speaking? Rare. Yelling? Absurd. But he had just heard it. He glanced back over his shoulder, and was met be Tei's unnerving glare. Ghio shuddered and left the room.

Sonnen leaned against the wall, assessing her wounds. Her eyes again wandered to her +anima markings; vertical lines going down toward her ankle, then curving up and spiraling out of existence. This pattern was mirrored on her wrists. They formed the paws of a jackal. The jackal in her wasn't doing much for her now. Her whole body ached and stung. 'Rao will pay' she thought, 'but he is feeling this as well, probably.' She suppressed a growl at the mental image of the rival +anima.

Rao was a loudmouth lion +anima, in another king's team. Kings and other royalty had a game that they played; a demonstration of power. They captured six +anima, two of ground, bird and fish. If two members of royalty had a dispute, one would challenge the other to a duel between their teams. The owner of the winning team would be declared the winner, and the losing team was released or killed, depending on the master's feelings. Some duels involved all six members, while others required less.

Sonnen's battle was one-on-one, with Rao. She had won, however, so she was safe. She examined a long gash down her leg, going through her +anima markings. The other wounds were just bruises and smaller cuts. She decided to rest for awhile, and let her body heal itself.

As she faded away into the sleep realms, she heard an almost forgotten voice. Tei was speaking? She would have to ask him later. But for now, she was content just to sleep. She curled tighter into a ball, and took on her jackal form to heal. Her breathing slowed, and then she was asleep. Sonnen dreamed of escape.

I will try to upload soon, so please review!

Thanks…

Ivywolf