Silent Hunter and Spotted Beast

Undaunted by her miss, the Jinn aimed again, more than ready to tear a chunk out of the girl in front of her.

A yelp bubbled up when a fist collided with her jaw, knocking her to the side.

But she was quick to get back to her feet and launch herself at the Junkai, loud snarl ripping from her. "You'll pay for that."

Raye wasn't one to let things go. She didnt get angry over things. She got even. And she fully intended to get even by leaving a nasty bite on the girls thigh. She hoped to drag the girl down, but she wasn't sure she could. Doing so when hunting usually involved two or three others aiding her. She didn't have two or three others. She was certain that she wouldn't be able to do it.

It wouldn't stop her from trying, though.

Solasta didn't allow herself time to be relieved when her blow connected. She'd been successful in one hit, but the fight was far from over. She leapt to her feet, screeching in an animalstic manner, he long tail whipping from side to side.

She considered using her fire powers against it, but then decided to dismiss the idea. She wanted to stick to her promise not to use it, and besides, she wanted a fair, fist-to-claw fight.

Raye was quick to recover from the blow, quicker than the junkai had expected. However, she was prepared for it. She didn't dodge when Raye sunk her teeth into her thigh, and she let out a gasp of pain. But, with Raye's position on her thigh, she'd leave a vulnerable spot wide open - her belly. With her other leg, she aimed a swift, sharp kick in the Jinn's stomach region.

Her jaws locked when her teeth sank into the Junkai's thigh.

A high pitched keening yelp escaped her when the younger girl's kick hit her stomach.

She roughly extricated her teeth, probably tearing skin in the process, and jumped back, slouching into a hunter's crouch, stalking around her prey silently, lips curled up over blood-stained teeth, ice-blue eyes glaring holes through Solasta.

This fight was far from over. She'd definitely have some nice bruises blossoming along her jaw and stomach when this was through, though. But, as she was, she couldn't find it in herself to care.

Her eyes flickered over the girl a few feet away, shoulders raising and falling with her heavy breathing. How would the girl move next?

A scream erupted from the junkai's mouth as the skin tore away from her thigh. She glared down at the fresh wound. The blood had already started to run down her leg, before dripping and creating small puddles on the floor. This was problematic. No doubt if it continued to pour like this, she'd find herself at a heavy disadvantage.

She wasted no time in tearing the edge of her skirt, before hastily wrapping it around her thigh. The red instantly seeped through, rendering it rather useless, but there wasn't much else she was able to do.

Her gaze returned to the wolf before her, her red eyes narrowed and thoughtful. Solasta found that it took all of her willpower not to view her opponent as an animal. Such things were usually killed swiftly and cleanly. No, she wanted Raye alive. Alive and surrendering. Somehow, she thought that last part wasn't all that likely.

Her tail lashed behind her. "Dat's de last wound yo' gettink on me," she spat.

She didn't need to beat her to a bloody pulp - after all, long recoveries were often a nuisance. Just restrain her. She surged forward, ignoring the scream of pain in her leg, with both arms outstretched. She'd aim to clench her hand around her neck, using her size advantage to tackle the wolf to the ground - hoopefully pinning her there.

A grin of triumph pulled across her muzzle and a bright spark lit up her eyes - which were fading into a dark muddy colour. She watched the girl perform make-shift first aid silently. She'd let the girl patch herself up before tearing her down.

"The last? I wouldn't be too sure about that, lover."

Her dull claws scratched the stage floor as she shifted, manoeuvring herself for easy defence or retreat. There'd be no way she would be able to take a full-on attack from the girl - she was much larger and probably a deal heavier than her, too. And, after receiving a wound like that, the Junkai wouldn't be placid and wait out another attack.

The Jinn was right. As the Junkai surged forwards, her claws scrambled against the wood, pushing herself around in a tight circle. When she was facing the opposite direction, she copied the Junkai's movements of surging forwards.

But Solasta had had an early start.

The hands meant for her neck brushed down her sides instead.

The Wolf cursed loudly and squeezed her eyes (which were now the same deep smouldering red of Raye's half-human form) shut, hoping the Junkai wouldn't get a grip on her sides or hips. She'd be going down then. And with a nice weight pinning her down, it'd be damned difficult to go anywhere.

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You can god-mod tackling Raye to the ground if ya want. I doubt she could get away from Sol in time to not get pinned.

Lover. Even like this, Raye still had the cheek to call her a lover. The arrogance! She would only bare her teeth in response.

The distance between them was cleared in a few steps of her long legs, but she growled in frustration when her hands missed her mark and pushed against the wolf's side instead. Whatever. The junkai was confident that she could work with this instead.

Successfully tackling Raye to the floor, she pressed her weight onto her side, hoping to keep the wolf securely pinned down, although there may have been room to wriggle. She panted, her breaths rather ragged, before stooping her head down to the wolf's ear with a harsh, spitting whisper.

"I've got'chu now. I win."

A loud whine left her throat as she was pinned. This whine was one she had been using for years. It was loud and long and at a pitch that made you want to gouge your ears until they bled. This had helped her out of many situations where she had been pinned and close to having her throat torn out.

Along with the awful noise she was producing, her body thrashed wildly. It jerked so hard Raye - trapped somewhere in the back of her mind - thought idly that she'd probably be sore later.

"Not over 'til the fat lady sings, sweetheart. And I dont feel like singing at the moment." It was a wonder she was talking in this situation. Any other time she'd just be a snarling animal. But, it seemed her words annoyed Solasta more than being animalistic did. So, for the Jinkai's sake, she retained enough sense to talk to her opponent.

The screeching whine was irritating, to say the least. Solasta cringed at the noise, gritting her teeth. No, she wouldn't let one stupid, annoying noise get to her. She'd dealt with the howling of her own race, infamous for their incessant cries. This, in comparison, was tolerable.

Snorting disdainfully at the words, the junkai found her grip slipping slightly at the trashing. She should've seen it coming, but that wasn't her greatest concern. After momentarily trying to restrain her, she let out something of a "Pah!" and released her grip, pushing the Jinn.

From her crouching position, she moved back a few steps, squinting her eyes to see if the Jinn would flee or surrender. Her thigh, which was still oozing red, was overlooked with dissatisfaction. It was beginning to get sore now.

"I'm goink to be generous. Give yo' one chance to go away. What do yo' say," she smirked. "Cupcake."

The Jinn grunted when she was pushed, rolling to her feet with a snarl.

She gave a snort at the girls words - showing exactly what she thought of them. "Sorry, darlin', I don't run." And it was true. The Wolf didn't run from fights, even when she was at a great disadvantage that could lead to death. She stood tall and took every challenge as it came.

It was Raye that backed down and fled with her tail between her legs. The weak pathetic Jinn with a conscience and compassionate feelings towards others.

The Wolf wasn't weak enough to run from a fight. She'd keep fighting till her legs collapsed beneath her and she fell into the cold clutches of death.

Her carmine eyes drifted over the tall purple form, setting on the bloodied thigh for a second, letting a glimmer of triumph spark in her eyes before she took a few steps backwards, settling into her Hunter's slink, low to the ground, sharp eyes focussed. Her dull claws scraped against the wooden stage flooring.

"Come at me, Sugar."

"Hm." The Junkai's tail lashed behind her, as if in anticipation. Raye's determination was admirable. Heck, after her time in the academy, this was the first person who was all too willing to brawl. Her offer had been something of a test, and she'd passed with flying colours.

Standing back to her full height, she glared down at the wolf. That's all she was. A dull wolf. She'd hunted many vicious creatures in her life time. Tigers, gorillas, anacondas. She'd dipped her feet into the waters of piranhas and wrestled crocodiles into submission. In comparison, this was just one wolf. One animal. It was nothing.

"With pleasure, princess," she spat with a smirk.

With a battle cry that sounded like a pained chimpanzee, she staggered forward, trying to ignore the notable limp in her step. The moment she was close enough, she would aim a punch squarely in the face.

She skittered back a few more steps when Solasta stood to her full height, eyes taking in the great form. This was by far the largest creature she had ever hunted - as The Wolf or just as Raye.

The height intimidated her slightly, she wouldn't lie. But the only physical indication of that was the slight extra stiffening of her tail.

"Sorry, I'm not a princess any more. I gave up that title a hundred and forty years ago. I'd say I'm more of the jester now, ne?" Her lips pulled back from her teeth in a snarling grin.

She backed up very ungracefully, catching the punch on her muzzle. She yelped when her teeth dug into her tongue, breaking through it easily.

With an angered snarl, she lashed out, ready to tear into the Junkai, spittle and blood flying from her mouth.

"Whatever you say," she hissed under her breath, approaching the wolf. The limp was getting on her nerves more than she preferred, but she couldn't control it. It were almost as if she were talking lopsidedly.

However, when she finally hit her mark, she grinned in satisfaction, yet she knew the brawl was far from over. She'd hoped that the blow would've disorientated her, but when she lashed out again quickly, Solasta didn't have time to avoid.

The jaws clamped around her calf, the same leg that had previously been injured. "Damnit!" she screeched, trying to pry the wolf's jaws off with her hands. Unable to keep her balance, she staggered, before falling to the stage.

Solasta knew all too well the saying, 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall', and this wasn't any exception. Groaning in discomfort, it wasn't long until she realised her vulnerable position. She did only what she could immediately act on - raise her arms in an attempt to defend herself and hope for the best.

The Wolf extricated her teeth from the Junkais leg as her hand pried at her jaw, snapping at the hand in annoyance.

She grinned in triumph when the Junkai fell, raising her arms in defence. This was the perfect time to attack.

The Wolf took a few slow steps back, eyeing her target.

With a snarl, she leapt forwards, more than ready to tear into the Junkai and give final rest.

A piercing pain shot through her head as Raye struggled for control. Her head snapped back and fourth as she concentrated on subduing the other part of her. She wouldn't let that damned girl take control when she was so close to killing her prey. It was unacceptable.

A loud, frustrated growl escaped her as the Jinn refused to be subdued. "That. is. Enough!"

She charged forwards on shaky legs. If Raye refused to bow down, she'd just perform the act before the girl could take control again.

Her jaws opened, bloodstained teeth glinting in the light as she dove for the kill.

When Solasta found herself with a few more seconds than she had bargained for, she wasted no time in thinking through her next battle plan. The wolf was undoubtedly about to strike, so she'd have to defend quickly and get up again. Her leg did sting though, and if she lefted it untreated, it would probably get worse. The makeshift first-aid she'd executed wouldn't stay for long. She came to the realisation that she may need to get away - and challenge her to a rematch when she decided to play fair.

But she put the most important priority first - defending herself. She peeked through her arms, and watched the animal bound towards her. She wasn't sure why it was aiming for an area she was already defending - but she wasn't about to complain. It was advantagous.

The flash of bloodied fangs didn't deter her from throwing her first right out to block her assault with a hard smack tot he muzzle. It did put her hand at risk of a bite, but Solasta hoped that she would not realise.

There's a drawback to leaping.

When someone does something, like say throw their fist out, while you're in mid-air you have nowhere to go but forwards.

And forwards for The Wolf just so happened to be right into said outstretched fist.

A loud cry echoed in the room as The Wolf barrelled into the fist. And the distraction caused by the pain was more than enough for Raye to take possession of her body again.

The mass of fur fell like a rock, laying on its side on the cool wooden flooring of the stage, chest heaving.

Raye's tongue lolled out of her jaws as she continued to pant, eyes screwed shut.

DAMMIT! She had let The Wolf control her again. And so soon after the last attack... She was losing control. Becoming as dangerous as the Jinn that she used to hunt.

When her fist successfully connected, she couldn't help but grin in triumph. That hit hard. In fact, the pained cry was like music to her ears - the sign of success. She hadn't even needed to resort to fire. That damn wolf should better be grateful.

She panted for a few moments to regain herself. Her leg still hurt, bleeding like no tomorrow. In fact, Solasta wouldn't have been surprised if it left a few nasty stains on the stage. Not that she minded too much, it almost gave it an exotic, dangerous flair. If only it wasn't her own blood.

She shakily stood to her feet, walking towards Raye. She was still alive, good. She bent down, and reached a hand to stroke smoothly through the wolf's fur. She craned her head forward closer to Raye's, her voice lowered into a whisper.

"I win."

She stood up straight, before flippantly turning around and pacing (although lopsidedly), towards the exit of the room, her head held high.

Raye flinched when she heard the staggering footsteps of her darker sides opponent. Had she realised Raye was back? Would she try to attack her again?

She forced her aching body to curl up into a defensive ball. It was all she could manage.

Her body was exhausted. She hadn't taken too much damage in the fight, but the mental strain of fighting against The Wolf like that had done her in.

Raye very rarely fought for control with The Wolf. She was usually knocked out by the darker half. It was a wonder The Wolf hadn't been able to knock her out this time.

When the Junkai knelt down Raye's eyes screwed even tighter shut and her body tensed.

Her now-blue eyes blinked open when all she felt was was a hand running through her fur.

At the younger girl's words her lips curled upwards. She had, hadn't she? Well, whatdya know, The Wolf finally lost a fight.

When Solasta had stood up again and began to walk away, Raye finally spoke. "Did she sing, then?"

Solasta could see Raye's frightened reaction, and realised that she wasn't even sure what kind of internal conflict was going on in her head. Probably something a bit beyond your ordinary mental incapacity. Whatever it was, she was certain that Raye certainly wasn't all that she appeared to be.

She tossed her head back over her shoulder to give Raye a look at her question. She pondered over the question briefly, had there been singing? She certainly couldn't recall any, or she hadn't been paying attention to it in the thick of the fight. "Hmm... no."

Her tail flicked behind her, and she noticed the peculiarity of the question. She squinted her eyes at the floored wolf. "Why."

The Jinn's chest rumbled in a chuckle as she rolled over, laying on her stomach with her head rested on her paws instead of on her side.

Her eyes raised to meet the Junkai's. "I'm pretty sure she would have vowed that the fight wouldn't be over until the fat lady sings. And then made an offhand comment about not feeling like singing at the moment. Because... that's what I'd do."

Her eyes slid closed. "As much as I - and she, I'm sure - hates to admit it, we're the same person." it was a sad truth. The Wolf and Raye weren't two different souls or a soul and an alter ego sharing the same body like she made them out to be. Raye was Raye and The Wolf was Raye, too. A darker part of herself she uses involuntarily to defend herself that got far too carried away.

As Raye mentioned it, the memory returned to her. Ah, she had said that. She'd assumed it was something irrelevant, but apparently not. She nodded curtly. "Ai. She said dat."

And, for some reason, she felt relieved upon knowing they were the same. A smirk slid across her face. "Good. I wanted to fight you, ya know. Nat someone else." She raised a hand to pull back from of the hair from her fringe, giving Raye a clearer look. "Yo fought well. Surprisingly," she couldn't help but add.

She turned away again, ready to depart after Raye had responded to her rare compliment.

Raye chuckled again. "Y'know, if The Wolf and I ever had a conversation, I dont know which way it would go... We could easily try and tear each apart. But, I have a feeling that we might take to each other. It'd be strange. I've come to loath her for what she does, but when it comes down to it, we're similar and we'd probably get along under any other circumstance."

She grinned and pushed herself to stand on her four paws. her legs shook slightly with the effort but she steadied herself. "Wish I could remember most of it."

Her grin widened. She had a feeling that compliments from Solasta weren't given out very often. "Thank you. Next time I'll show you a fight when I have a clear head. I fight better when I have a clear head."

She grimaced at the metallic taste of blood and pressed her tongue gingerly against the roof of her mouth. Yep, she had bitten it. Fun.

"And maybe next time I'll win."

Solasta listened quietly to Raye's babbling, not really caring as much as she should, but merely out of obligation. It seemed nonsensical, the way she claimed that they were both the same person, but treat her as another. She mentally complained that the girl should make up her mind.

"I'd like to see yo' try," she haughtily spat, before flicking her tail in a mild wave of farewell, before finally pushing open the door and taking her exit.