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 11: Warlock vs. Lone Wolf

Kaji raced through the path between the mountains. It was narrow, and tall rock walls formed the boundaries of the path. She gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the sharp rocks that bit into the sensitive pads of her feet. A scent hit her nose, and she nearly turned around. It was the smell of death, and the stench was nearly unbearable. The rock walls connected overhead, plunging Kaji into darkness. I can't see...That smell...It keeps getting stronger. Suddenly, the rock ceiling disappeared. She was temporarily blinded by light. A mocking voice met her ears. A voice she hoped never to hear again. Her heart thudded to a stop.

"Hello, Kaji. Did you miss me?"

Kaji blinked rapidly in hopes of regaining her vision faster. Not fast enough, she thought as sharp fangs bit into her shoulder. Twisting her body around, she managed to throw her attacker of balance. Opening her eyes again, Kaji saw her opponent for the first time. Touken crawled to his feet. Looks like his leg still hurts him, she noted. The larger wolf was being very careful not to put any weight on the previously broken leg. A low hiss came from behind her. Looking over her shoulder, Kaji saw two black cats. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized them.

"Remember us, wolf?" the larger snarled. "You're going to pay for what happened in the canyon."

Kaji readied herself to blast them with fire, but remembered too late that she was without power. Touken laughed evilly, noticing her weakness.

"Too bad you were too stubborn to follow Akuma. He was always stronger than your parents were. If you joined us, you would have lived. You would have been a great addition to our forces."

Signaling to the two cats, they leapt at the small wolf in unison. Kaji whirled and caught the smaller cat in her teeth and bit down hard. It gave a startled yelp, but before she could finish it off, the weight of the other two forced her to let go. She rolled onto her back and kicked upward with her hind paws. They caught cat number two square in the stomach. It hit the wall with a yowl and lay on the ground half-stunned. A low rumble resounded through the area, and a small rock fall fell onto the still form, burying it.

By now the smaller one had recovered and pounced again. Kaji maneuvered herself so the Touken was between her and the cat. Touken howled in anger as the beast's claws slashed into his side. He released his grip on Kaji. Taking her chance, she sprang forward at the staggering wolf. I will not make the same mistake twice, she thought. She closed her eyes as her jaws closed around Touken's neck. She clamped down, and she felt his breathing stop a moment later. Dropping the still wolf, Kaji turned toward the cat. It looked uncertain. Kaji took a menacing step forward. That was all the incentive the animal needed. It turned tail and fled back the way she had come.

Three down, who knows how many are left to go. Kaji turned to another path between the walls. Sniffing the air, she picked up Akuma's scent, but no other. Apparently, only one. He planned carefully. He left those three behind to weaken me, if not stop me. It worked. I...I can't keep this up...

An image flashed through her mind. Her brother when they were still children, before her parents were murdered. WE should make a vow to each other, he had said. We should never give up unless we've stopped breathing. Are you in on it Kaji?

Yes. That was her answer, then and now. Throwing her head back, she howled long and clear. It was a message to Kaiyou that she was still alive, and one to Akuma. I am here, and I will not lose to you, she howled to him. She scented the wind again. She smelled the warlock and…

Fear. He is afraid of me. But I am not afraid of him. Not any more, Kaji thought as she sprang forward. Each stride brought her closer to her enemy. Leaping over rocks, she gained speed. The walls fell away around her. She now ran along bridge of rock. Ahead she saw Akuma astride his horse in the middle of a platform. She howled again in hopes of terrifying his horse. It worked marvelously. It reared up, throwing Akuma off its back. It charged toward her, something she hadn't expected. Kaji dropped and rolled, and the hooves missed her by inches as it jumped over her and galloped away.

Kaji sprang to her paws and faced Akuma. The warlock stood up. Drawing his sword, he smiled darkly. "You look different," he sneered. "Ah, I see. You gave up your magic in hopes of protecting your foolish friends and your precious brother. No matter. I can kill you just as easily without my magic."

Brandishing the sword, Akuma vaulted himself at her. Kaji was ready and caught the blade in her teeth and clawed at him with her front paws. He wrenched his weapon from her mouth and sprang away. Kaji jumped at him with her jaws open, but his sword came up. She twisted out of the way just in time, and the blade missed her by centimeters. Rolling to her paws, Kaji came in low to the ground, hoping to get a hold of one of his legs. She saw a flash of cold steel coming toward her left eye. Before she could move, it hit its mark. The she-wolf howled in pain and staggered to the right. The left side of her face burned with pain. It was warm and wet. With my blood, she thought as she realized she was now blind in her left eye. Kaji closed her good eye in pain and defeat. She could hear Akuma laughing.

"You are exactly like your mother and my dear old brother," Akuma jeered at her. "Foolish, weak, and easily killed!"

Her eye shot open. How dare he says that! I will avenge my parents! I will KILL him! Kaji Spun around to face him, anger lending her strength. She leapt, catching Akuma off guard, and bit into his arm. He screamed in pain and dropped the sword. He dropped to his knees and groped around for its hilt. Kaji kicked it away and pounced again. Her paw landed on his throat when something sharp hit her side. She yelped and jumped away. Akuma stood up and held up a dagger.

"I will not lose to some sniveling girl!" he snarled under his breath. He lunged for her, but Kaji rolled out of his reach. He landed heavily on a ledge. Kaji stalked toward him, wary of the dagger. She felt the rock shake slightly as she stepped onto the ledge. It can't hold both of us, she thought, frozen for fear of it crumbling beneath her. Akuma lunged at her while she was distracted. Kaji yelped and scooted forward, and the dagger narrowly missed her shoulder. The rock beneath them groaned in protest to the added weight.

Akuma was now crazed with the want for blood. Jumping at her again, Kaji ducked. Akuma sailed over her and hit the ledge. The rock crumbled beneath them. Akuma screamed in terror as he fell. Kaji for the platform just as the rock fell away. She closed her eye and prayed that her paws would meet solid ground.