©Blood of Sephiroth

Last Hopes Chapter Two

A/N: The name 'Craja' is pronounced 'Craya'. Just thought I'd sort that out…

Craja leapt off the top level of the huge tree house backwards, the samurai katana flashing in the sun as she somersaulted backwards. The light glinted on the sleek black double barrel of her shotgun as she land smoothly with a muffled thump.

Pushing her sword back into her scabbard, Craja pointed the cocked and ready gun into the shadows, frowning.

'C'mon, c'mon!' she muttered. Shouldering her gun and lifting a hand to shield her eyes, Craja looked back up to the platform that she had just vacated.

No sign of him. Didn't mean she could relax though. Not after all the surprise attacks he'd pulled, the evidence of which dripped from her tee-shirt.

Suddenly realising that she was in plain view, Craja tore for the relative safety of the woods, gasping for breath as she leant against one for support. She waited a couple of seconds before realising that the flaming end of her albino tail was in plain sight, lighting up the woods around her. Hastily tucking it away, Craja split the shotgun to make sure that her Water Mastered materia was in place.

'Craja?'

Craja grinned when she heard her name. She wouldn't let the bastard get her again. Not while she had anything to say about it.

'C'mon, Craja. Where are you?'

Platform one, to the left and near the front. Craja moved around to the back of the ground level platform, staying in the cover of the trees.

There he was. Craja could see the wild black hair of the guy as he peered into the trees behind him, his weapon held above his head.

He was looking right at her. Craja froze, invisible in the clothing she was wearing. The only thing that would give her away would be her hair…

But no, the boy looked away from her. Craja took the safety off her gun. Aimed.

With a staccato boom, the water balloon burst right above his head, soaking him. The boy whirled round, looking in the direction that the bullet had come from, but Craja had already moved. She was on the other side of the platform as she aimed again, concentrating on the materia at the same time. With another boom, a blue, slightly glowing streak left the barrel, and the boy didn't see it until it was too late. With a wet splat, the bullet of water added yet another patch of wetness to his already dripping shirt.

Suddenly a low growl behind her nearly made Craja jump.

'Not now, Grinder.'

Another growl, this time more menacing and urgent then before, made Craja look round.

Behind her stood three huge timber wolves.

'Oh shit.'

Slowly, Craja got two bullets out of her pouch and slotted them into the chambers. She unsheathed her katana, complete with a Fire materia in the hilt, and looked at the first wolf. Her tail whipped from side to side like a tiger's before they pounce.

With a roar, the first wolf leapt up at her, meeting the sword in mid air. The wolf fell, smoking, onto the ground. Before the others had time to attack, Craja spun her shotgun and fired first one, then the other bullet into the hounds' heads. As they went down, they let out a shrieking howl that made Craja's tail nearly stand on end.

She looked up as the howls were answered.

Oh shit.

'DAMIEN!!'

The soggy black-haired boy ran up to her. 'Yo!'

'We've got to get out of here. Wolves. Grinder!'

The Displacer beast trotted up to her, the hackles on its back rising at the smell of wolf.

'Let's go!'

The three moved slowly as the small clearing began to fill with silent, hungry wolves. Suddenly Damien cursed. A wolf was barring their way. He pulled out a dagger and slashed its throat. At that the wolves all set up a howl and began to run.

'RUN!!!' Craja screamed.

The three ran, the wolves almost snapping at their heels.

Managing to reach the house, they pushed the door shut on the wolves, exhausted but relieved.

- - - -

Cloud heard the wolves howling in the distance and smiled slightly. They had been cheated out of yet another seemingly-easy meal by Craja and Damien.

At the thought of Craja, Cloud's smile faltered slightly. Sephiroth's twin, she reminded Cloud strongly of him. Her grace, her fighting ability, her ruthlessness…

'Cloud…Wait for me…'

Cloud sighed and finished cleaning his sword. Maybe he'll go and see Craja later on.

'I'll be there…'

- - - -

Ooo-er! Hee hee! A little short still, but I'm trying! Tell me what you think!

Oh, and, er, a muffin to who guesses who the mystery person is!!

Love ya all!

Blood of Sephiroth