Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I, own Wolf's Rain!

Author's Note:

Wow… It has seriously been a while since I updated… It took me a while to find my Wolf's Rain story notes. For all of you who have been anxiously awaiting this next chapter: "sorry about that…" (hangs head in shame) But enough of the constant apologies… Time for chapter 11! Yay.

CHAPTER 11

Outside the castle is completely different from the cleanliness of before. It is utter chaos and destruction. The humans are running around screaming and looting and killing each other in this discord. When I entered the castle with Darcia, there were absolutely no scents in this city. Now, the lights are off and everywhere is darkness and chaos. The scents come rushing back to meet me in the streets.

To avoid being killed along with most of the humans, I jump between the rooftops of the identical buildings. Somewhere within this labyrinth of a city, a familiar scent catches my attention. I follow it to a large stretch of concrete where thousands of strange monsters are standing. All of these similar monsters remind me of the one that Darcia came out of when I first met him.

Still following the scent, and a trail of blood drops, I come upon that very same contraption. Its belly is open once again upon the silhouette of that evil man. Darcia… His back is to me, but I can still feel the evil look in his eye from the first time I saw him. I growl.

Darcia slowly turns around. I can once again feel the pain and numbness from back then. "You again," Darcia says as he approaches me. Then, after a moment's apparent thought, "That is right. You are still drawn to me, okami. It is because I need you to complete the transformation along with this." Darcia looks at something clutched in his right hand.

Through all of this, the numbness continues to consume every muscle in my body and slowly starts to affect my thoughts and brain. And as Darcia is talking, I find myself losing consciousness. I try to fight it. I force my weak muscles to move threateningly toward Darcia. My movements and constant growling do not affect him however.

"I'm afraid you are fighting a losing battle, my okami."

As the last words roll off his lips, I collapse into a heap at his feet. I remember no more after that.

LATER…

For a while, I am unable to move my body. I think I am once again inside Darcia's flying monster. I believe I am chained to the wall again. I can't feel the continuous thrumming of the monster through the floor this time though. But what I do hear is the wind outside the monster. Dust or sand blows in through the open belly of the beast and clouds my vision. I find myself having to blink rapidly to keep the dust from landing in my eyes. I can't smell Darcia on the wind from outside.

Still lying on the floor, I begin trying moving my legs. Over time, I am able to move all four of my legs. But my back muscles and such still do not feel like helping me to stand. I try to lift my head to look around and I am rewarded with a pinch-like feeling all along my back. Ignoring this feeling, I glance furtively around the inside of the monster I am in. I do not see the figure of Darcia in either of the chairs at the front. Nor do I see or hear the ruffle of that horrible long black cloak of his. I also notice that Darcia has neglected to chain me up this time.

Standing shakily on my paws, I decide to try walking towards the opening in the side of the beast. With the first step I take, my head reels and I feel slightly sick to my stomach. But the feeling passes when I stand still for a few moments. I begin walking again towards the opening. When I make it there, the sick feeling has left completely. I peek slowly around the side of the opening. Although I can hardly see a few feet from the opening because of the madly swirling dust, I detect no sign of Darcia. Not even a whiff of his disgusting scent.

After a few seconds hesitation, I exit the belly of the monster I have been captive of. But I don't make it very far.

"You won't escape, my okami." I know before I glance behind me that that was the voice of Darcia.

"Watch me." I say in return. I continue at a trot away from Darcia and his horrid purple monster of the sky. A minute or so afterwards, there is an explosion slightly behind me and to the right. It is distinctly red in color. I am flung forward and to the left a few hundred feet or so. I feel my side wound from the sword reopen as I roll on the ground. I think I yelped…

I immediately get up once I stop rolling. Even though my head is spinning and I feel blood flow down my side, I sprint forward and away.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Whew… that took a while for me to write… I hope you all enjoyed it! The next chapter will be coming soon when I get myself together after this long weekend of work. Anyways… I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) Red Snow! There are just a few more chapters coming and then I can concentrate on another one of my stories. Until the next chapter…

HOWLS! --riawolf