Well, back from Disneyland, and I had a great time! Now I'm waiting for a certain story from Wolf about Squall in Dizzyland/Disneyland. Write it, woman! OK, it is time… THE LONG AWAITED UPDATE! -laughs evilly- Oh, yeah, reviews first.

Ej- Thank you, good to know it's not too mushy.

Wolf- WHAT DID I JUST SAY? Mushy is good, your brain is just too small to appreciate it. :D

Sammy- Muaha, I knew it was you. They're not really an "item", per se; they still need to figure things out.

Wolff- Can I call you Wolfie or Wolfster? It'd keep it easier for me. XD Anyways, Squall sort of is the wondering type, glad you like it. And cute and cuddly isn't really in my description of wolfies, unless you're talking about Lupin. :D J/K.

Lady-Rinoa- Hah, I suppose so. I've never kissed anyone, but I've seen it. Lol, there was a snog-out at Disneyland. Thanks again.

My final words: Horny man, let's go search for Hell, there we can do the Sean dance and the Seven Dwarves with their little friends will join us. Confused? So is the rest of the world. :D Onward. P.S. There's gonna be a showdown, so strap in. And they talk sorta oldish to each other, so if you don't get it, they're basically calling each other fools and idiots and bagging on each other. :D You'll see.

Chapter 12: Caraway's Plight

Caraway sat up in his chair, awakened silently from his sleep. His chin was still slumped onto his chest, and his hands dangled over the arms. Sitting up, Caraway stretched and continued his stare at the portrait into the lives of the past. His heart ached for the long-awaited touch of his Julia, the feel of his daughter's hand in his. Still, the two women he loved were gone from his life, his wife dead, and his daughter missing. Everything had been destroyed. His hand moved up to cover his eyes as his head slumped forward once more, lost in his own misery.

"Wake from thy sleep, o king of thy home." The speech of olden times made his head rise, as he stared into the black of the room. His wife had spoken the talk of old to him sometimes, a sort of thing that they did together. The voice sounded familiar as well. In fact, Julia herself stood in the room, a glow almost emitting from her very being. Caraway stood up, hand outstretched to her.

"Julia? It can't be…" His hand had reached her face, feeling her cheekbone and long strands of brown hair flowing from her loose bun. Her face felt real, her hair feathery to his touch. "It is you…" he said gently, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"C… Caraway…" the woman whispered, slinking back slightly from his touch. Caraway's eyes narrowed as he stared into her eyes. They were a glimmering yellow, instead of the deep brown of Julia's. Quickly, he realized the truth.

"Come out, werewolf! Your images cannot fool me!" Applauding, a young man with blonde hair stepped out from the shadows, laughing aloud.

"Ashimoka! Enough." Julia shrank backwards, light brown hair turning to a deeper, longer brown. She stared at the man with contempt in her eyes.

"Why must we do this, Sir Seifer? He isn't important to her plan!" Seifer took this pause to slap the girl across her face. Caraway watched in silence. They were obviously werewolves, but the girl didn't seem to be as evil as the stories would tell. Her eyes glowed healthily, though her body seemed to sink around the stomach, ribs sticking out like handles through her shirt.

"Keep your mouth shut, girl. You do not know our mistress' plans as I do." With that, he stepped over the trembling girl and stood in front of Caraway. "But how rude of me! I am Seifer, knight to the queen of wolves. This," he spat towards the girl, "is Ashimoka. A dirty half-breed, one who was bitten, but who cannot turn. As you can tell, I use her for my images that draw filthy humans like you into a trap. But you, O Cattle King, have turned my plan over towards me."

"I saw the girl for who she really was. You can't win against me."

"Oh? And I, who have already won against the rest of your household. As we speak, my fellows are feasting on the flesh of your servants. Almost all of your house are dead, my poor idiot. They answer to me, I answer to only one. My queen would like an audience with her humble servant," Seifer said laughingly.

"I am no servant of your acclaimed mistress, prince of fools. Even if you kill me, my blood will live on."

"You mean your daughter? I'm sure she'd love to pass on your blood, especially since she'd rather run from you." At Caraway's face, he laughed. "Yes, I am the one who launched the attack after your daughter ran away, taking the lives of Nida and your prized cows to give you a taste of what was to come. I am also the one who attacked her in the saloon a few nights ago, the one who was bested by that idiot." He spit on the ground and seemed to puff out his chest. "He shall die soon. To be honest… And now," his tone completely changed, "I introduce the one who has the power to end and create. I leave you in her, ah, caring hands. Or should I say… paws?" With that Seifer stepped out of the room as a woman stepped in, wearing robes of deepest ruby red. Her hair hung down to her feet, tattoos like vines spreading along her face. A small rune on her right hand was glowing slightly.

"Ashimoka, your services are no longer needed." The girl slowly crept out, not taking her eyes off of Caraway. "Go, you filthy wretch!" the woman said harshly, giving the younger girl a kick. Yelping and whimpering like a dog, Ashimoka shot out of the room with only one thing filling her mind… to find help.

"What do you want, witch?" Caraway yelled, hoping to the Lord above this was a nightmare.

"Your life…" she whispered as she crept closer, slowly transforming effortlessly. "Do not worry… your daughter will be safe. For now. You die for a better cause!" she cried as her transformation completed, lunging for his throat. Caraway shut his eyes and tensed, but nothing could prepare him for the immense pain as the sharp teeth and powerful jaws closed along his Adam's apple and began to tighten.

"Ju… lia… I'm… coming…" he managed to whisper before the woman crunched his windpipe in her jaws, leaving him lifeless. She left him there, sprawled along the floor, hands closed in prayer. As he lay on the ground, the sound of howling triumphantly filled the air outside as a hoard of werewolves pounded away, being followed by the slower Ashimoka. She vowed silently that she would end the terror from Ultimecia before her death, and according to her reports and the things Seifer said, only two people had the power to destroy her… two people named Mr. Leonhart and Miss Caraway-Heartily.

Short, yes, but I wanted to get this out A.S.A.P. so you guys had more to read. :D Anyways, I will update soon, and I'd like to know if any of you out there have the MIDI for Stray from Wolf's Rain, can't find it anywhere. One last bit- Tim Burton is weird. Thank you. Please review and stuff, and keep waiting! It's a small turd after all… -walks away humming-