Sorry that I took so long! I was away camping, and then the Internet wouldn't work for a while. But I'm back, I promise to finish this story, even if it kills me…okay, I may not go that far, but you get the idea!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avalon, Rachel Roberts does. I only own my personal characters, and you should be able to pick those out rather easily.

Chapter 10: The Fight

The opposing sides stood still, measuring each other up. The girls stood, looking uneasy with the situation, but determined to help. Kaiyou walked forward to the head of his army. Akuma did the same. Looking at each other through rage-filled eyes, both cried the attack signal at the same time. The warriors surged forward.

Though the girls tried to stay together, Emily was separated from the rest. A bear-like animal that was covered with dragon scales cornered her. It raised its massive paw up when an angry voice howled "Don't you dare!" A fiery blast and a red-gold body slamming into the monster shortly followed the cry. She grabbed the beast's neck in her powerful jaws and flung it to the side. "Miss me?" she asked the dumfounded girl.

"Kaji?!" squeaked Emily, dropping the spear in awe.

"The one and only," the she-wolf replied with a smirk. Kicking the spear back to Emily, she added "Now let's go! Adriane and Kara are probably wondering where you are!" With that, girl and wolf raced through the fighters. Ahead, Kara and Adriane were fending off several Kakera. Another blast from Kaji solved that problem.

The two girls whipped around as Kaiyou came bounding over. Upon seeing his sister, the blue-silver wolf yipped joyfully and nuzzled Kaji. Adriane was too amazed to form a coherent sentence, while Kara merely open and closed her mouth without making a sound (quite a rarity for her).

Kaji gently pulled away from the embrace. Turning to the battle, she howled and launched herself towards it. Kaiyou nearly burst out laughing. "She is the only creature that I know who can die and still be ready to fight!" Nodding to the girls, they raced after Kaji.

Kaji had a large bear-beast pinned and was fending off another two. Kaiyou blasted one with water, and Adriane's sword sent the other scampering away. But the pinned monster flipped Kaji over and went for her throat. Its jaws narrowly missed Kaji as she twisted off to the side. The enraged animal rose up onto its hind legs and sent the she-wolf flying with one swipe of a massive paw. Kaji hit a rock and fell to the ground, too dazed to move as it charged at her. Kara raised her bow, closed her eyes, and loosed an arrow. The head found its mark in the thing's neck. It stumbled then fell, lifeless. Kara opened her eyes and was quite surprised at the results. "Thanks," Kaji said. "But next time, I'd appreciate it if you would keep your eyes open!"

They leapt back into the fray of fur, claws, and steel. Just as Kaji brought down an impressively large Kakera, a dark shape caught her eye. Turning her head, she saw Akuma galloping up a steep slope, accompanied by several other unidentifiable forms. Akuma...If I kill him, all this will stop. Her thoughts were broken by another assault by a smallish Kakera. Looking into its eyes, a strange realization came to her. I remember that look. I carried it too in my own eyes. It is not the look of hate, but of fear...of pain. They don't want to do this, none of his army do! Akuma is using them as he once used me! She released the creature from her grasp. It looked up at her in wonder, then took off, hoping it would get away without her noticing.

Kaji turned to look at the fighters. Her gaze fell upon the girls. They don't have to do this. But they do. They want to end this entire thing. She saw her brother, battling and protecting at the same time. I know what I must do. But I am frightened. Memories flashed before her eyes. Her parents' blood, her brother running in fear, her capture, the pain from the collar, the gentleness of the three humans, their bravery, her brother's love, the eyes of the Kakera. She let her gaze linger on the girls once more. I will.

Rearing up, Kaji brought her paws to the ground, burying them deeper than she ever had before. Opening her mouth, she took careful aim, and fired a blast more powerful than anything else. But it was not meant to hurt anyone.

Kaiyou looked up in surprise as something extremely hot hit his side. Turning to its source, he saw his little sister pouring out all of her power in that single blast of fire. Giving it to me, he realized with sadness. Finally, Kaji had nothing left to give. Her red-gold fur was now brown, the white mark on her head was gone. She was nothing more now than an ordinary wolf. No magic, no fire, nothing more than an animal with teeth and fangs to fight with. Sadly bowing her head towards him, she turned and sprinted up the hill, towards the mountains.

Kara, Adriane, and Emily stopped fighting as soon as they realized Kaiyou was gone. Looking where he used to be standing, an enormous silver wolf had taken his place. The tips of his fur were tinged with gold, and in the middle of its forehead was a perfect circle, half-black and half-white. The wolf turned its head towards them. His eyes were dark with grief. "She's gone," Kaiyou whispered.

Emily looked frantic. "Where is Kaji? What happened?!"

"She gave her power to me," He said in a hoarse voice. "Kaji left."

Kara looked annoyed. "So she just waltzed away and left us here to finish?!" she half cried, half snarled.

"I think she found Akuma…right?" Adriane asked. Kaiyou nodded.

"She's going to try to kill him. Without her power." Kaiyou turned back to the fight. As though reading the girls' minds he quietly said, "We cannot join her. This is her battle alone." He added, in a voice that was barely audible, "Be safe little sis…Be safe." He leapt into the fight, releasing a powerful fire blast. The girls followed him, praying the Kaji knew what she was doing.

Kaji smiled to herself, feeling her brother with her in spirit. Kaji knew that they would be strong even without her. She tore off up the hill even faster, taking the same path that Akuma had taken. Kaji prepared for the fierce battles that awaited her. She failed to notice the prints that she ran along side of: the prints of two giant cats and one, slightly limping, monstrous wolf.

Yet another cliffhanger. Don't ya just hate me now? Don't worry, I promise to have the next chapter up as soon as I can.