Chapter Four: Sudden Similarity

Later that day Gutts went hunting for food while Islode and Puck stayed with Katara to help heal her wounds. Every two hours Islode would remove Katara's bandages and place more of Pucks dusts on each cut. While doing so Katara kept staring at Islode's brained and wonder how she got it. And she also wondered how Islode and Gutts had gotten involved with The God Hand.

"You want to know how were like you do you" Isolde ask as though she could read Katara's mind.

Katara nodded. As soon as Islode was done cleaning her wounds she gave Katara some water to drink and went to wash her hands in the river. While doing so she spoke.

"I use to be apart of the this great mercenary band known as the Black Wolf. In fact I was it leader. It was equal in skill and battle strategy as that of The Band of The Hawk. So there leader Griffith and I decided to join forces as one".

Katara almost choked on the water. This women was the leader of one of the two greatest mercenary bands during the hundred year war between the Kingdom Midland and The Chuder Empire. Islode ignored Katara's surprised looked and continued talking.

"Making us the strongest army in all of Midland. It had been six years since I had seen Gutts. He and I were raised by my Father Gambino who was also a mercenary leader. He trained us both in the art of swordplay. You might think A women like me shouldn't fight in a mans war. But wasn't going become some whore for the men."

Katara could understand that feeling. Living in times like this was ruff on women. being beaten and raped for men amusement.

"It was hard life when training. My mother Shisu had past away three years before when I was four and Gutts was three. He was the only man by her side when she died. While training we were both equal in skill. But Gambino still treated Gutts like shit. Whenever he tried to hurt him, I would always Be there to have Gutts back."

Katara the realized that Isolde and her father didn't have a good relationship. I wouldn't be a surprise

it was hard growing up with a mercenary for a father.

"Even though Gutts and I don't share the same blood. He's still a brother to me, He gave me a reason to fight and family to love. I swore to him I would always protect him. But there was a time where I couldn't"

For a moment Isolde's voice almost cracked. Katara felt like reaching out her hand but thought better of it. Isolde took a deep breath for a second and continued talking. She then finished washing her hands and turned to Katara.

"It was the day after Gutts first battle. I was ten and he was nine. I had woken before the other men and walked out of tent for air. I looked towards Gutts tent to see Donovan walking out of it. And arrogant fat fucker who didn't hesitate to kill his enemies. For corse that wasn't the only reason I despised him"

Katara again realized again this man was one of those men, Who were know for preferences that gave men loving men a bad name or for a liking for young girls. She also had come close to becoming a victim of it.

"I then ran to the tent. Threw open the folds and found Gutts on the ground naked"

Katara then suddenly realized where Isolde story was going. She dropped her water in deep shock.

"No. You can't be serious"

Isolde hung her head in shame. The memories of those days still haunt her thoughts.

"It was the one time I couldn't protect him. I felt so powerless and failure, Just seeing him lying there with no life in his eyes. I'll never forget how tightly I held him to me. Sobbing and begging for his forgiveness. But during the crying I knew who sold him out. And I wouldn't rest until I made him pay".

Katara knew this far into the story that Isolde was talking about Gambino. It was hard trying to protect someone from a father that you'd stop trying to win there approval from. Listening to this story reminded her of certain events that happened with her brother and family.

"Gutts got his back though. On that day Gutts killed Donovan while we ambushed a enemy. Then a month later Gambino lost his leg in battle. Two years later Gutts and I became more and more powerful with swords and winning great rewards for taking down high rank soldiers. I was so proud of him but he always wanted to show Gambino his winnings which always turned out badly."

Isolde then threw another log into the fire. Puck on the other hand was eating some bread from Isolde's bag. He then gave some to Katara who took it gently still wanting to hear more of the story.

"Later that night I was sharpening my sword. I saw Gambino on his crotch walking towards Gutts tent. I knew he was up to no good. So I ran after him with my sword. I found him trying to kill Gutts. But I wasn't going to let happen. For too long I had bee sitting on the side lines watching him treat Gutts like shit. Now was the time for me to take a stand against him."

Isolde then clenched her fists and breathed heavily. The brand on her forearm looked like it was burning.

"He was spouting bullshit that Gutts was to blame for all the bad things that had happen to him. The death of Shisu, The lose of his leg. When the only person to blame was him and him alone. I gave him a good few slash's with my sword. That was the moment I could really tell him how I felt. Where was he when I needed a father? Where was he when his wife was dyeing. Off fighting in war, never caring about his wife and daughters existence. I told him I never loved him, I was never sure he was my real father and I always wanted him dead. Gutts was the only family I ever had, The only man who cared about Shisu"

Katara didn't need to be told what Isolde did to a father that never loved her. And she was only protecting her brother.

"After that night he and I separated. For six years I walked from battle field to battle field gathering up money and followers for my army. After that I meant Gutts and Griffith and then we joined armies to fight for Midland"

many questions went off in Katara's mind. But she was intrigued that this women she was meant to kill was a powerful warrior fighting along side another powerful warrior who were both apart of great mercenary bands that were know as death on the battle field. Now they were wonder's that slew creatures of hell.

"So. How did you two become what you both are now?" She asked

Isolde looked deep into Katara's eyes not really sure if she could be told the origins of the Black swordsmen and the Black Alpha Wolf. But she had faced the same hell they had faced. She then turned to face Katara and told her the story. It was a long one but they had time.

—

Later that evening Gutts had returned from hunting. He brought back a deer which both he and Isolde skinned and gutted before roasting on the fire. While doing do Gutts looked to the sky and saw the sun was setting.

"Have they come?" He asked

"Not yet, But I dough that they won't" Isolde answered with a growl in her voice.

Gutts looked around the camp, there was not sigh of Katara.

"Where's Katara?" He asked

Isolde looked up from roasting the deer.

"She down by the lake cooling off and practising with her Naginata" Isolde answered

Before she could say another word Gutts was on his feet heading for the river with Dragonslayer. Puck and Isolde both watched him run. Isolde felt a small grin on her face forming and Puck just looked a bit giggly.

—

Gutts made it to the river and waited in the bush's. He saw Katara in the water with her shirt and shoes off spinning her weapon around her body. Swinging it down and making lunging motions. Gutts watch her every move still amazed by how powerful she looked with that deadly weapon. For the past two years never has meant a women as powerful as he and Isolde was. But unaware to him that wasn't the only thing she was capable of. Katara then plunged her Naginata into the ground, She then waved her hand and water began to rise from the lake. Slowly she moved the water around her body, flowing as though it was apart of her body.

Gutts heart began to pound really fast , Watching Katara move the water was mesmerising and almost hypnotic and in a way he realised that she unbelievably beautiful while doing it. It hand been so long since a women made him feel this way. Ever since Casca. All of sudden he heard an evil laugh coming form behind him. He had been so distracted he forgot that the sun was gone and night had fallen. He reached for his sword and stepped out of his hiding place.

Katara heard rustling from the bush's. She dropped her water to see that Gutts was watching her from a far. She was a little violated that he saw her half naked but that was pushed out of her mind when she heard growls and laughing from the darkness. She ran and grabbed up her weapon, Then ran and stood back to back with Gutts.

"Dame it. There back" she growled.

Gutts looked at her out the conner of his eye. Knowing what she meant. Demon voice's echo around them. Gutts knew them all to well. The God Hand was here to drive them crazy.

"So. We see you found another Swordsmen. Like you every inch of her is ours. Yes you both are ours. You can't escape us. We are always watching you"

Katara couldn't stand it. All there crazed bull shit about belong to these demons. Her brand began to burn then bleed down her chest. Shadows of red evil spirits began to form around them.

"As long as you both bare your bands. Your anger, Your sadness, Your pain and Even your fear. Everything is ours"

Katara then screamed "ENOUGH, LEAVE ME BE. I'M NOT ANYONE PROPERTY YOU BUSTARDS. I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL SEND YOU ALL BACK TO HELL"

She then stabbed the ground and they disappeared laughing. Gutts then looked at Katara how was now on her knees shaking a breathing uneven breaths. Gutts the knelt down to her, he saw beads of sweat on her face. Gutts the helped her back on her feet. All of a sudden she fell into his arms startling Gutts a little. She then pushed her self away from him and started walking towards the camp.

"You see them too don't you? and how did you learn to fight" Gutts asked

Katara then stopped in her tracks and turned to Gutts. He saw there was blood oozing a little out of her brand.

"You and Isolde are not the only ones born to war." She answered.