A/N: Here's the deal. I got a certain review calling me annoying for posting up a short chapter, so I'm combining what I was going to make as chapter 22 to chapter 21. I was originally going to do that anyway to make it longer, but I got when lazy when typing it. Well anyway, Enjoy! It's all thanks to that certain someone who wanted a longer chapter that I decided to combine them. And I'm happy that I did.

Kaitlynn416: Wow…such a high compliment. Thank you very much.

Kokon: Thanks! I hope that you'll like this chapter too!

Kaitlynn416: Thanks! Here's the next chapter.

Kellie: Sorry that I took it down, but I like it better redone. But I'm really happy that you liked it when I didn't.

Baltogirl: Thanks!

Kaitlynnn: Thanks! And I will.

shimakoyouichi: Thanks! I'm glad that you do.

Partnerincrime: Thanks!

Dear Karin-

I'm sorry that I haven't written. It's been two month since I've seen your beautiful face. Things here at the camp are hectic. Enemy troops are coming in from the right and left of us. We are holding are own thanks to the troops from the Kuga Kingdom. I've been in charge of our archers. Some are just from the age of 14.

The Kuga's have been recruiting some men to become spies. My father has been busy drawing up the plans for the next battle and gathering info for the one after that one.

The Barbarians are strong, but we shall prevail in the end! I can't wait to see the birth of our child. I promise to come home as soon as our victory is claimed.

-Kazune

Kazune drops the feather pen onto the table. He takes a deep breath, as the chaos of the next battle is prepared around him. Men are yelling at each other. Horses neigh as they are being saddled.

Kazune folds the letter, sticks it into an envelope, and stamps the royal seal on it. He walks out of his tent and grabs Chad as he was walking passed him.

"On the next round of supplies, I want you to give this to my wife. Understand?"

Chad looks back at Kazune in the eyes, "Yes, my Prince." Chad tucks the letter safely into his best pocket.

Chad has been in charge of bringing fresh supplies to the camp. Often he goes for a few days into the palace grounds. Sending word to everyone of what is happening. His next departure is scheduled in two days.

Kazune walks towards his father as he is mounting on a horse. "Father, allow me to fight on the battle grounds."

"Son, you more useful here in the trees. Where you could easily spot the enemy and shoot them down."

"Father! I am just as skilled with my sword as my bow."

"I beg to differ, my Son. Your abilities with your bow are far better." The king smirks.

Kazune scolds under his breath.

The king sighs, "I promise you that you will get to fight. You will end up ruling a powerful kingdom along with having the Kuga's as a powerful ally." The kings lays a gentle hand on his son's shoulder, "Don't worry. I have faith in you. You won't allow the enemy to over take this land." The kings smiles wryly.

Kazune watches as his father rides off. …. Wait. What does he mean by I won't let the enemy over take the land?

A heavy fog went through the land the battlefield along with an eerie silence. Only the snort of a few horses and the pounding of impatient hooves could be heard. Every man stood tense, ready for the battle to begin.

Suddenly an icy wind swept the fog from the battlefield clear. Kazune could clearly see the enemy's battle-trained horses lash out with the hooves at the line before them. For a moment the enemy's line wavered, giving ground before unleashing the fierce attack. The enemy charges at full force.

King Kujyou gives a signal with the wave of his sword. Their troops rush out to meet the enemy with an equal force. Kazune was impressed by the discipline of these so-called Barbarians. "Battle Tactics by the book." Kazune over heard an older soldier say.

A half an hour has passed now. A faint scent of blood starts to smell through the passing of the wind. The archers under Kazune's command continued to pour flights of arrows into the enemy ranks, concentrating much of their shooting on the center.

Suddenly the two armies split, one on each side. A deadly silence followed. Kazune squinted his eyes, what's going on?

In the middle of the split, King Kujyou fell to the ground, gasping in obvious agony. The Barbarian leader circled the King as the King slowly stood up. Kazune realized that he is witnessing a showdown. An unfair one at that.

Kazune yells to himself in frustration. He could barely see anything from his point of view. All of the soldiers that were armed and ready for the next attack, now stood by Kazune, including Chad, to watch what would happen next.

King Kujyou clinched his teeth to keep himself from screaming in pain. His right side near his ribs laid a deep bloody gash. He knew that he wouldn't live much longer without medical assistants. But by the looks of it, it wouldn't make much of a difference. The barbarian came out of hiding once he had seen the King of his enemy hurt.

King Kujyou held up his hand to keep his soldiers from intervening with this challenge. I won't go down without a fight. A man of his years will surely not last long, along with the gash too. This is what the Barbarian is most likely thinking in his head. The King decided that he would prove him wrong.

Roars of cheering could be heard from both sides.

Why doesn't anyone stop him!? Kazune looks down in anger.

He felt a hand lay on him. It's the older soldier from earlier. "It's a battle against leaders, my Prince."

Kazune looks at him and says with anger in his voice, "It's an unfair fight! My father is wounded and he's not! The enemy waited for this to happen!"

"Perhaps." The soldier says calmly. "But there is nothing that we can do now."

"My father is going to die and no one is doing anything about it!"

"…. Most likely he knows this. Also he probably trusts you enough to do your duty as the heir. Otherwise he wouldn't have put himself in this situation."

Kazune said nothing and just watched his father circle his opponent. Father…what am I to do?

Kazune looked at the still peaceful face of his father before setting a fire the thick stakes of oak wood that laid as a platform for his body. The soldiers had already poured oil and other flammable liquids over the wood. Immediately the wood caught on fire in a huge blaze.

The sky was a heavy, dark presence, with the threat of snow coming later in the night. Father... Kazune wipes away the few tears that manage to escape from his eyes.

The king had fought bravely, under the unfair circumstances. He was able to leave a nasty wound on the arm of his opponent before getting a sword thrust into the back of him. Kazune could still hear the mocking words of the Barbarian King.

"Ha! You send an old man long overdue for retire to do your fighting! Now that you King has fallen, what will you do? Run home to your mother?" The Barbarian King spits on the body before continuing, "I suggest you surrender your worthless lives now while you can. If you do that you will all become our slaves. If you refuse, you shall I die!" He starts to walk away and yells, "You have till morning to come up with an answer!"

His whole army left when their King left.

Kazune could feel suppressed rage fill him as the scene replayed over in his mind. When Kazune turns his eyes away from the fire he saw that all of his soldiers were kneeling to him. "We wait for your next command, my King."

Then all of the soldiers together yelled, "We pledge our lifelong alliance to you, King Kazune Kujyou. We shall follow you always."

All of their heads were bowed. Kazune could feel a heavy weight of responsibility being pressed onto his shoulders. He couldn't let his kingdom down.

Kazune cleared his throat, "Thank you. I accept this great honor and duty bestowed onto me."

All the soldiers stood up, eagerly waiting for their young new King to speak. Kazune slowly glances around. Some of the soldiers that were young, he could tell were scared and anxious of the future. They looked to him for direction. He was their leader. They trusted him.

Kazune looks at the fire and once more feels the hatred against the enemy return. Kazune's voice manages to come out clear and loud with anger, "We shall run these Barbarians out of our land! Our rage will roar through their camp!"

Kazune could feel his voice climb higher with rising power, "My Father's death shall be avenged! Our weapons will strike with hatred! If we do not stop them, imagine the consequences! They will burn down our homes! Take our wives and daughters! And slaughter our children!"

Kazune paused as a furious outbreak was heard through the crowd of men. Soon a chant could be heard along with the beating on their swords on their shields, "Let our anger be the power that smashes the enemy to bits!"

When things had finally quieted down just a bit and voice could be heard, "What's all the commotion about!?"

Kazune turns to find Jin smiling through all the noise; new transports of troop were brought with him. "It's about time, Kuga. We have some things that you need to be caught up on before we prepare for tomorrow's morning battle."

"Oh joy," Jin replied sarcastically. "And here I thought that I would be able to enjoy a nice hot drink of cocoa, sitting by a warm cozy fire, singing a few songs."

"No matter how wonderful that sounds right now, we have an enemy to destroy."

"Karin-Sama."

Karin turns around to see Jeff standing behind, "Yes? What is it, Jeff?"

"A Chad-San is requesting your presence. He says that he has news from Kazune-Sama."

"Let him in, please."

Jeff bows and opens the door for Chad to enter.

"Chad, it's been awhile. How have things been going?"

Chad seemed to be clearing his throat from shock. He had forgotten all about the pregnancy. Of course a 5-month pregnant woman would start to show.

Chad kneels down and says, "I deliver letters from the King to you, my Queen." Chad looks up at her gravely through the sudden stillness of the room. Karin had a hand raised up to her mouth, "Dear God…no."

Chad hands her a letter, "This was written before the death of the former King." Then Chad pulls out another one, "This one was written shortly afterwards."

Karin quickly opens both letters and reads them. She gasps at the news of her Father-in-law. A tear streams down her face. Kazune...please stay safe.

A/N: Writing about war is easier for me to do. Please review!

-Kountry101