"Judgement" By Luke's Dragon

A/N

Standard Disclaimer and Spoiler warnings apply from here on in okay?

Umm, not much to say really apart from this is Kasumi POV, set before during and after the battle with Luca Blight. If you've read "Unrequited" or "Fallen Stars" they're going on at the same time and are referred to a little.

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Chapter 2 The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Dawn

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"I remember every word you said, okay? I'm not that naive, and I'm not that stupid. I've been broken before, I can deal. I'm not scared of moving on with my life. What I'm scared of is that I'll realize somewhere along the road, that you were my life."

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It's been a while since I've felt this nervous, nervous and excited all at once, in just a few hours we will march our forces right out of Phoenix castle and go one on one with Luca Blight and his army. And I'm scared. Scared witless to be honest, sure I've fought in mass battles before, but in I was always espionage rather than leading a unit as the representative of the Toran Republic. Leading a unit of men all fighting for those same ideals that we all fought for what seems like forever ago. Fighting for the country that he made, fighting for all those friends who have gone. Fighting for Hazel.

I suppose I'm meant to be fighting for Toran, but what I just said sums that up I guess. You know I thought I saw him when we were walking back through Banner Village, just for a moment, and then Apple came running up to us and we had to get right back to the castle. No matter how many times I do it, I swear I'll never like going via that blasted mirror, it always leaves me feeling as if I've left my stomach and my legs behind.

So here I am in another castle, following another kid to almost certain death. And he's so similar to Hazel it's a little unsettling. they both bear a rune, but it's more than that, this Reo kid, I mean Lord Reo, he seems touched by great sadness too, just like someone else I used to know. Someone told me that his father or adoptive father is dead, and I know that he misses him and wishes someone would tell him what to do about all these hopes pinned on him. If Hazel were here I'm sure he could help him… No that's just stupid talk, I should just stop it, I've got more to worry about right now.

There's something else, I can't quite put my finger on it, but I get the impression that there is someone who he cares about so much, and he can't tell them for whatever reason. And that hurts, knowing that he's going to make the same mistake that I did. But I can't just go up and tell him all about it can I? Its not as simple as just going up to him and dropping some corny line like, 'Hey Reo, I used to be in love with a legendary hero but didn't tell him'.

Guess I can't say anything about it to him anymore than I could Hazel. It keeps me up at nights just wondering what might have been, if one of us had just taken that chance and opened up, would I still be sat here hoping that I don't die tomorrow without ever letting him know…

Still it's nice to see old friends again, we all thought Viktor and Flik had died that last day in Gregminster and I know it hurt Hazel to think they had sacrificed their lives to save him. I think he always thought of them as surrogate big brothers or something, he certainly respected what they had done for him. I know he'd be happy to see them again, even if the situation isn't a happy reunion. Well I'd better get some sleep; it's going to be another tough day tomorrow.

***

Okay I'm scared now, really, really scared. It all sounded so simple when Shu was outlining his master plan. We'd all take up hiding positions whist General Kiba led Luca Blight into our trap. The only problem with this plan is Luca Blight and his stubborn refusal to die, He managed to cut down most of Kiba's armored cavalry as though they were rookies, then the rest of the White Wolf army came charging in and separated every one. Apart from my own group and Ayda's archers I can't see where any of the other units are. We should just about be safe hiding in the woodlands east of the main battle. But I feel so useless, I really wish I could do something, anything to help out.

"Alright, everyone wait here, I'll go scouting"

Ignoring their protests I sprint forwards towards the edge of the copse, I might be a poor commander but this I can do. Scouting and espionage was always my forte, bizarre as it sounds I miss Krin at moments like this, mainly because I could do with a human shield right about now.

Looking around I see the main bulk of the White Wolves charging straight forwards towards Phoenix Castle, our forces battling bravely but looking as though they can't hold out forever. From back here though I can see their weakness, their backs are totally exposed.

Moving back to the rest of my forces as quickly as I can, my heart pounding knowing that friends are dying every second. I quickly outline my less than original plan of race towards the edge of the wood and open fire with everything we have. I can hardly concentrate as I try to load my bow; my head is racing at a thousand miles an hour.

Stupid little thoughts really, like longbows aren't a ninja weapon, thoughts like Mathieu would have come up with a much better plan than Shu, thoughts like I really wish that one of these stupid arrows would let me load it properly.

And then a blinding pain my shoulder burns, screaming at me that whatever just happened was a very bad thing indeed, someone supposed to be on my side has managed to shoot me in the shoulder blade. This seems to sum up our luck, no matter what we do there seem to be far too many of them, however the majority of the army has turned about and is marching towards us. This is very bad news; we have no where near enough troops to have a chance against them. I can feel my heart in my mouth; soon they will be close enough to charge us down. It's times like this I really wish that I knew anything about tactics. It's something ninjas never need to know I'm an independent solo fighter who relies on stealth and intellect to get through.

"Fall back to the forest!"

At least Ayda can think on her feet, I don't know why I didn't think of that, no way could the heavily armored horsemen get through the woods. As we retreat back to the safety of the trees I see the rest of the Dragon Army fall back to the castle leaving the Luca Blight and the White Wolf Army in control of the battlefield.

Our lightly armored troops managed to get back to the Castle by sticking to the woods well out of sight. I have to admit to being impressed by Ayda's skill at moving through the woods. I think she could even impress Master Hanzo. He seems so far away right now just like my home in the Toran Republic, instead of being back there I'm skulking around in a wood. Bleeding from 'friendly fire' and being lead by a girl no older than myself, who is calling us all every name under the sun every time we so much as snap a twig. I know we don't want to get ourselves discovered, but I'm a skilled ninja, being told I'm 'griffin droppings' is starting to get to me. Still I can see the Castle now.

***

So that didn't go very well did it? We lost many men in the battle and hardly even scratched Luca Blight. Still apparently this time we have an infallible plan, although it sounds a bit like an all or nothing gamble. We are going to form into three groups and ambush Luca as he sneaks up on us. I don't know why the Highland strategist let us in on this ambush plan, but I suppose even if it is a trap it beats sitting here waiting to die. So I get to go with Lord Reo's group, this means we're responsible for finishing him off. Hurrah! A wounded evil prince, just what I wanted to go toe to toe with, today is really starting to get on my nerves. Well I should go and prepare, it's nearly time to fight, again.

***

It's cold now, really cold, the wind is cutting right through me, making my wounded shoulder sting even more. Right now Luca and his forces are coming for us, soon Flik's group will be on him, then Viktor and then us. After that we're going to chase him down and cut him down with all our archers. I can't help thinking that this might be a hell of a lot tougher than any of us were hoping for. Then a noise, it sounds like there coming now, time to get ready… I just wish that Hazel were here right now.

No time to think he's on us right now…damn

It seems to take forever to beat him down, I never knew anyone could be so tough, despite the fact three groups of our toughest individuals have thrown everything they have at him he still puts up one hell of a last stand.

And then it's over; he turns and runs towards our ambush. But we can't give up now, we've got to keep moving, if we let him escape then today and all the suffering has been for nothing. I'm getting fed up of woods today, I seem to have spent more time running through trees than is strictly needed by anyone. I'd have never thought that branches would have fallen deliberately to try and trip you up, and I'm sure that it trys to be as cold as possible, and don't even get me started on the squirrels.

I can't help noticing Flik seems to be suffering from a nasty gash on his arm; maybe it's just the sort of day for interesting injuries. And still the White Wolves block our path, hopeless really but they still stand in our path, happy to give their lives to protect Luca Blight. It reminds me of that Imperial General who blocked our path at Gregminster Castle. Awful really, it was him versus the Liberation Army and he stood his ground. Sometimes I envy people like that, people who have something so dear to them they would die for it without a second thought…You know I used to wish I had something like that in my life…

And there he stands, arrows sticking out of him like some human pincushion, still screaming his defiance, and laughing that unsettling laughter and telling us we are all pigs. And then, with far more speed than I'd have thought possible he charges, knocking Viktor out of the way and closing on Lord Reo. There should be no way our leader can win, Luca is stronger, faster and far more skilled, but he is just charging. Total headlong determination, furious, lethal and no guard at all.

It is a fatal mistake, spinning his Twin Heaven Fangs Reo ducks past the wild attack, slamming a flurry of blows into the chest of Luca Blight. For a brief moment the prince looks surprised then slumps forward. Still shouting how he is the very face of evil, and then he is silent, finally at peace.

I hurt all over; I'm exhausted, I'm cold, I'm hungry and want to go to bed. This is one day that I just want to forget about still with any luck things can only get better… Maybe I'll go home for a little visit tomorrow, I hear Banner Village is nice this time of year, and I can shake the feeling that I should go and check out my hunch. Still that's something to look towards the future for.

Goodnight Lord Hazel, wherever you might be.