The crushing class and ferocious roar drew the wolves' attention away from the sick boy in the corner. He lifted his head to see Tarja tear through the first three, still in her human form.

She stopped and stood, golden eyes flashing dangerously at Nikolas and Julia.

"Princess," Julia bowed her head mockingly.

"Bitch," Tarja bit back. "I had no idea you were running with this flea-ridden piece of shit."

Nikolas growled. He wasn't going to take any abuse from her, and prepared to charge. Julia put her arm on her lover's chest.

"Take the boy," she whispered seductively. "I want to try my luck with the princess."

Nikolas nodded and grabbed Akito by the arm. The boy let out a cry as he was dragged further into the building. Tarja moved the stop them, but Julia swiftly got in the way.

"If you insist on fighting me," Tarja snarled, "I'll just have to rip you apart!" She lunged for the blonde woman and they fell to the concrete in a tangled heap of limbs and fangs.

Julia ripped at Tarja's stomach, leaving a small trace of blood to seep through her top. Tarja didn't have time to play games, so she tried to dispose of Julia the best she could.

Running up along the wall, she was sure Julia followed her. She turned suddenly, and the blonde slammed right into her arm. Tarja wrapped her arm around Julia's neck and snapped.

The elder female wolf fell the ground in a lifeless heap and Tarja stood triumphant. She gazed heatedly down at the bitch near her feet, but her eyes snapped to the back of the building as a cry emitted from that direction.

Akito struggled to get away from the wolf holding him, but to no avail. He sunk his teeth into the grey one's arm and the wolf snarled at him, tossing the boy into the wall nearest them.

Akito let out a cry and sunk down. He was cold, naked, and in pain. Where was Tarja? That woman didn't get her, did she? Panicked thoughts wracked the poor boy's brain as he tried to come up with a plan.

"You think the princess really cares what happens to you?" Nikolas snarled. "Even she can smell it. You reek of death."

Akito drew back in fear. They knew! "But then why did she come?"

"Easy!" Nikolas chuckled. "It was a good reason to track us down and kill us. But we've got a special guest waiting for her."

"Who is the guest?" Akito braved the question. He hadn't needed to.

"Bring the boy to me," a deep voice bellowed from inside the room next to them. Nikolas opened the door.

"As you wish," he bowed respectively to the cloaked man sitting in the chair in front of them. He shoved Akito forward, who tentatively looked up at the apparent ringleader of werewolves.

"Of what importance are you to my bride?" he asked the boy.

"Probably none," Akito choked back fear. This man was seriously giving him the creeps.

The figure stood, casting the robe aside. In it's place was a tall man with wild dark hair that hung down his back, piercing black eyes, with a scar running through one of them, and muscles that would make Kyo and Yuki both jealous.

"Then I imagine it doesn't serve me any purpose to keep you living," Claudio glared down at him, an evil smirk pulling at his thin lips.

Akito paled. Suddenly, the door to the room flew past them and a sorely pissed off Tarja stood glaring fiercely at her former slave driver.

"Claudio," she growled. "Leave him be. Your fight is with me!"

"Dear princess," Claudio smiled. "I am so glad you could come. I've missed you terribly."
"Save it!" she yelled. "Just hand him over." She watched as Claudio crossed the room slowly, and took Akito by the arm. He pulled the boy up and looked him over.

"You would rather have this sickly worm than me?" Claudio asked incredulously. "He couldn't even satisfy you. Do you not see his deformity?"

Tarja didn't want to, but her eyes betrayed her. They traveled down the junction between Akito's legs and stayed there. He wasn't normal.

Small and slightly shriveled were his organs. He tore away from Claudio and covered himself in shame. His tortured eyes met Tarja's.

She was glaring at Claudio with the fury of a million suns. "You will die, scum!"

Her old leader chuckled.

"You can't defeat me," he said nonchalantly. "Admit defeat."