Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Chris Nolan, Batman,or the DC Comics world. All chracters, plots and story lines used that belong to them...well belongs to them. I just own my plot and my interpretation of known characters

A/N: So I have finally brought bane in in this chapter. I hope to do him justice. Please note Cassandra is still a teenager for most of this so her thoughts are such. Next chapter she is a completely different personality and it will be full of bane. Please review with any constructive criticism. Iinvite it. It will only help me get better as a writer. Thnaks to all who have reviewed so far. Can't wait to hear from you guys!

Chapter 4: Another Day

"How did I get myself into this?" Cassandra thought to herself. The sweat on her brow stung her eyes as she tried to think of something anything that could help her survive this "unconventional" training exercise. The room was slightly lit there were crates piled in one corner. They were in some form of warehouse. She had woken up there. As soon as she opened her eyes; he was released. She hadn't had time to fully acclimate to her new surroundings and suffered several injuries because of it. "If I keep this up he wouldn't even have to touch me?" Cassandra thought to herself wincing at the sting she felt in her leg.

"Come out Come out wherever you are." Taunted the man? Or more Tiger? She had never seen anything like this before. The thing in front of her was some sort of hybrid of tiger and human. He had a humanoid figure with yellow cat like eyes. The pigment of his skin had an orange brown hew to it with alternating dark brown melanin deposits in the skin that gave the appearance of it being striped. He had claws actual claws that were sharp and threatening meant to rip the flesh off easily in a few small swipes. Not to mention the fangs. Cassandra did not want to think about what those could do. David often had unusual methods of teaching, but this was borderline sadistic. She had panicked and took off running before he could reach her. She was fast and very agile to have only been trained for 2 months. Cassandra arrived at the exit to find it locked. "Damn it." Cassandra shrieked struggling against the handle. She had known better to think that it would be as easy as a sprint to the door: the first one out gets to live.

Tiger man seemed to be in no hurry. He was enjoying the hunt and was gaining on Cassandra. She had to move from the door. "The crates" she thought taking off to hide amongst them. He anticipated this. Cassandra was making bad mistake after bad mistake. She would hide buy sometime while she thought of something anything she had learned in the last two months that could remember well enough to execute. She drew a blank. Cassandra was mediocre at best in training. David could tell she wasn't trying hard enough or more she just didn't have the right inspiration. To teach her she'd need no choice but to fight. She'd need the will to survive…

And there she was sitting behind the crates sweating .He was closing in and she was now trapped. Nowhere else to move. He hadn't found her yet, but it was only a matter of time. "What is David trying to do kill me?" she thought. Fear entered her body immediately at the thought. Then realization. Only one being was meant to come out of this alive, and if she wanted it to be her Cassandra had to think of something and quick.

Think Cassandra. Think. She urged herself.

It had been a long flight and an even longer trek up the mountain. Cassandra had never seen anything so beautiful, even at the hour of night that it was. The snow illuminated the landscape providing a light that outlined a beauty she had never witnessed before. She could only imagine what it looked like under the warmth of the sun kissed and enveloped in its rays of light. She felt at home there. "All the money in the world at my disposal and I never once thought to visit the Himalayas; they are breathtaking." Cassandra thought out loud.

Ra's smiled at the sentiment. He understood. He watched them constantly…longing. They reached the monastery sometime after midnight. A young woman greeted them in the main corridor.

"Cassandra this is Sovann. She will show you to your room. You will retire for tonight for there is much to do tomorrow." Ra's nodded slightly to Sovann and took his leave.

Cassandra did not offer any opposition. She never expected to hike that day; the flight had been enough. Cassandra just wanted a pillow to lie down on. They arrived at her room and Sovann dismissed herself. Upon entrance, Cassandra became fully aware of the decision she had made. The room was dimly lit by an oil wick lantern that sat on a wooden bedside table beside a steaming white porcelain bowl. Fresh linen lay on a cot. It was a far cry away from her Majesty IV spring bed with 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets she had at home in the manor, but it was cozy. Her stomach growled. Cassandra couldn't help but think of the herb crusted quail Alfred prepared for her on occasion. It was her favorite. Cassandra reluctantly picked up the bowl with the white mass of what she could only assume was some form of seafood bathing in a brown broth. She looked disapproving at the mass and opted just drink the broth around it. Soup and fish were not her purpose for being there so she would have to suck it up. She was not in Gotham anymore. This was her home now, a sense of purpose then replacing the homesickness she was feeling. Cassandra closed her eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Tomorrow proved to be as long as Ra's had warned her it would be. The "One Who is All" all but failed to live up to her name. They would have to start from the beginning. Ra's decided it was best for "timely progress" that she be trained separately of the rest of the league by David Cain after all with Sandra gone and Cassandra back. It would prove to be a much needed distraction for his old friend. He hadn't been the same since the day he lost Sandra. She just vanished and David Cain vanished with her. Ra's observed David when he looked upon his daughter for the first time. He appeared quite disconnected. He had only had a few hours with her at birth. That bond had been severed, but Ra's had hoped to see something come back to David upon seeing Cassandra… anything. It was one of the reasons he felt the need to retrieve her from Gotham when he did and also the reason he gave the duty of training her to him. David did not contest when Ra's instructed him not to reveal who he was to Cassandra. She reminded him of her; Cassandra's mother at least in looks. It still hurt after all these years, but she was nothing like her mother, she was weak and uncoordinated. It was going to take a lot of work if he was going to make her worthy of leading an army. He WAS after all the best. He had once created the best when she too was not living up to her potential. He had killed to allow her to be the best then married her. He'd do it again for their daughter.

A few minutes had past. The tiger man was still calling out to her again. He was definitely having fun with the chase. "I'm going to play with you before I kill you, Cassandra." He taunted certainty of a promise he would keep pouring from every word. Cassandra did not want to know what he meant by play. On one hand she could be a big ball of yarn for a kitten to roll around or…Her eyes immediately traveled down to his penis. He definitely had one and it was fully erected. The thrill of hunting such a helpless and seemingly defenseless prey, a female at that, must have excited him. Cassandra could imagine all the things the sick mutant was probably thinking of doing to her. Disgust and fear lodged into Cassandra and was just enough to motivate her. Sure she had done things with guys, but she was still a virgin, where it counted, and had no intention of losing that or her life that day.

Think Cassandra Think. What can I do? She urged herself again raking her brain for some inspiration.

Lesson 1: If they can't touch you they cannot kill you.

First day of training and Cassandra had a stick flying at her head. She dodged it. Again three more swift attempts. She dodged at lof them with an ease. With the right concentration where stick Her swung the stick again. Dodged.

Bullet, stick dodge

Or fist you stick dodge. The will not be able to touch you. Which means they cannot kill you. That makes you indestructible and they will fear what they cannot not destroy. That is half the battle. Get in their head and make yourself more than human; more than a god more than anything tangible. Make yourself fear itself. Stick, stick, stick. Dodge, dodge ,dodge.

Cassandra screamed in excitement. She had done it. He hadn't touched her. She was so excited her first day. "That wasn't so hard" Cassandra gloated."I…"

Whack. Cassandra slumped to the ground in tears.

"What the hell" Cassandra wept.

"Lesson 2: Do not become distracted by petty Victories…"David corrected.

A few days later

It was hot in the room and they had been training in Jiu Jitsu all morning. Cassandra's temper was short. She was beginning to feel as if David was toying with her. She was not picking up on this style as easily as the others. She hit the ground time after time after time just to be completely dominated once she hit the floor.

She had just recovered from a particularly hard spill when she lashed out.

"What's the fucking point of this" Cassandra said yelling in frustration as she kicked a nearby chair over.

"The point is lesson 3 Cassandra: Stay on your feet." David retorted yelling just as loud,"but know how to fight if you must do it from the ground. For instance: Say you bump your head or sprang your ankle. Standing may not be an option. To be indestructible is to not let things like bumps or wounds or a sprang defer you from victory. You have to be able to counter. Set up a defense from the ground, but that is only if it is necessary. Otherwise…" David didn't have to end his lecture. Cassandra did it for him.

"I know… stay on my feet" Cassandra finished annoyed and rose to her feet. She took her stance and they began again.

Weeks later….

"Lesson 4 and 5 we will cover together. Number 4: Weaknesses are your best ally. They tell you everything you need to know to beat your opponent. "David walked her over to a carton with a mouse in it. Cassandra reached in a picked it up. His white fur tickled her fingers. It reminded her of a pet mouse she had once begged her father to buy her. He died a week later. Cassandra wanted to protect this mouse. If David had a purpose for it then it probably would not end well for the tiny creature. David took the mouse into his hand and held it up for Cassandra to see. "Take this mouse for instance" David began. "His weakness is his endless need to eat.

Control his weakness." David placed the cheese down directing under a cinderblock on a rope.

"Control the mouse." The mouse stayed in place sniffing and eating the cheese exactly where David wanted him. "There is no room for compassion or sympathy." David stood there for a second studying the mouse. They grew dark…Sinister.

"And the final lesson Cassandra; the most important lesson, number 5: once you have an opening for a finishing move… take it." David cut the rope holding the cinderblock, and it released on the mouse. Cassandra closed her eyes not bearing to watch the brutality. There were no long explanations this time. No second lecture just cut then death. Cassandra opened her eyes to find only blood, stone, and dust left in the place where the mouse had been.

Cassandra finished her thoughts. If she was going to survive this she'd have to fight her way out.

"Ok , Cassandra you can do this." Saying it aloud made her more sure than she felt. It was too late because his sharp ears had heard her declaration and he was now about 20 feet from her. He knew where she was and was done playing. He wanted her urgently anticipating the thrill of the kill. Cassandra knew it. It was now or never.

"Lesson 1" Cassandra remembered. "If he can't touch you he can't kill you."

Tiger man swiped at her several times with his claws. She easily dodged each one, and returned the favor by sending a series of punches his way. Right hook, left hook, right, right, and ended in a roundhouse kick. The cat man fell to the ground.

"What was lesson 2 and 3 again?" Clunk! Cassandra hit the ground.

"O yeah, don't get distracted by petty victories and stay on your feet. I'll have to fight my way back up." She thought to use some of the jiu jitsu she had learned.

"Wait I can make him beat himself she thought Lesson four weaknesses. "What are a tigers weaknesses? Or was he more man than tiger? Think ,THINK" she had learned this. It was right there and she just could not recall it. David had given her a book on the animals an enemy could use against them or that could be randomly encountered on a mission to more exotic locations. Animal were predators too and some were just as deadly. She could learn how to defend herself against everything from an awry squirrel to an anaconda from this book. However, recalling it while actually in a dangerous position did not prove to be effective at all for Cassandra.

"Think, think." Then all of a sudden it came to her. "Bluffing" she thought. "Tigers do not like to fight. They will bluff each other until one proves dominate, and they don't camouflage well. I have to get him down somehow. Show dominance." Then it hit her. She would never out power him he'd have to be outwitted. She'd have to turn the tiger into a house cat.

"Owww my ankle" She feigned. Cassandra held her ankle as if in intense pain. She started scooting away from him backwards fear in her eyes tears staining her face. He stalked her licking his fangs. He crouched down in front of her and used one of his claws to make a small incision on her calf. Deep enough for a small drizzle of blood to sliver down her leg. The pain was real now but she couldn't afford any distractions. He scooped down to lick the blood from her leg. He then stood up and finished by licking his claw. His erection was firm. He was definitely enjoying this. He thought he had won. She could use this. He had become distracted. She jumped to feet couched low- balanced- and before he realized what happened; Cassandra planted a foot into his erection. The tiger man fell to his knees bringing him to her level. Cassandra knew well enough that she didn't have long. She sent a swift kick to his face and he fell to the ground with a thud.

"That should buy me a few minutes." Cassandra thought and took off running at the wall. She had to turn off the lights.

"Damn it no switch" Think, think Cassandra. She looked up. She'd have to do it manually. There was a stack of crates that were just high enough for her to jump from. She climbed to the top of the highest crate and jumped. She felt her finger wrap around the cold steel of the over head pipes.

One by one she swung kicking out light bulbs as she went. She reached the last one. Darkness.

Cassandra could see. She did not know how, but she could definitely see. Her senses were in over drive. She could see colors. Him. He stuck out like a sore thumb against the darkness. She could see his energy. Hear his heart rate quicken a little at the change in environment. She had called his bluff. Something primal inside of her took over. She felt alive. Awake for the first time in her life. She was now the predator. She stalked him. The power she felt was intoxicating. She took her position. She knew one thing held true. It was pure logic.

"Where the head goes" She whispered to herself. He looked up just in time to see her drop down from the ceiling. She landed on his neck and locked her legs. Tiger man started thrashing about trying to knock her off. She, as if in autopilot, flung her body forward into a flip.

"The body will go." Cassandra finished.

Tiger man hit the ground head first completely knocked out.

He came to about 30 minutes later groaning. It took him all of 5 seconds to realize he was chained.

"Release me now you tricky bitch! Or…"Tiger guy threatened

"Or what?" Cassandra retorted, "The way I see it you are in no position to make demands."

"No more tricks. I am Bronze Tiger. You will release me and I promise to kill you fast. You won't feel a thing I promise." He spit struggling against his chains.

"That still doesn't seem like a fair fight for you, Gold Tiger or whatever you called yourself." Cassandra said a little hint of malice in her voice. She pressed a foot in to his groin making sure to place some of her weight onto it.

"Now be a nice kitty and cooperate or I make sure your part in the family tree ends with you.

Two hours past and David Cain returned to the ware house. He removed the bolted chains from the door. He entered knowing that at least one of them was dead: his daughter or Bronze Tiger. He was taken aback when he saw it was pitch black. "Could it be" He thought. "Could she have…" Through the darkness he saw something moving towards him. Cassandra's outline appeared first becoming clearer as she reached the light. She squinted some as her eyes adjusted. He heard the rattle of the chain before he saw it. She had it in her hand. Cassandra gave one big tug and out popped his creation bound in a way that he could still be mobile but could no longer cause harm. Both very much alive and he was in complete submission to her. A few hours and she had tamed a cold blooded killer. Cassandra smirked at the absolute confusion and anger that etched on David's face. She had not squished her mouse, cat in this instance, under the metaphorical cement block. She had spared him and there was no room for compassion if they were to succeed.

"It's about time you showed up. Missed lunch. I was getting hungry. I think this belongs to you." She dropped the chain in his hands and walked towards the plane. David put a bullet in Bronze Tiger's head having no further need for him then burned the body. Something had to be done about Cassandra. It was in her blood to kill. The plan depended on him finding a way to awaken the Cain in Cassandra Wayne.

"I can't train her here." David yelled spiting rage. "She is defiant, completely unpredictable yet frustratingly good. Great even, if it could be controlled."

"I have to remove her from all comforts." David continued "I have to destroy her then rebuild her."

"My friend, Is this really the best way? Ra's questioned. "Is there no other way."

"You want "the one that is all"…She is like her, master. I know her. I created her mom. I saw her sister holding her back and I did what I had to bring her out of the shadows and into herself. Let me take Cassandra away and I will bring you back a warrior."

Ra's considered this for a moment. The girl needed training, she was not ready for the destiny she was born to have. However, having her trained in solitude with only the dependency of David Cain could prove to create more problems than solutions. He feared the girl was too emotionally weak. Create an unbreakable bond. David's training was unique even when monitored. There would be no compassion or sympathy. He would be harder on the girl because she was a part of him. Ra's knew that eventually every person longs for another's touch. If she is successfully trained her loyalties might shift away from the league and lie only with David Cain especially if she discovers he is her father, and he could use her to take the league for himself. Some animals are best left on a leash. Nevertheless she needed training and only David could bring it out of her. She needed her father.

"I will grant your request under one condition .She must not find out you are her father. Timing is everything. So much depends on her full compliance and loyalty to our cause. He made sure to emphasize the word loyalty.

David understood what was implied. The two men stared at each other tension building. David was the first to break the silence.

I only take pride in making my offspring the ultimate warrior, the perfect weapon purposed for use by the league only. I did not hesitate sacrificing my family for the league and I'd do it again if asked. You do not have to question where my loyalties lie, master. I still only seek to do my part to see that our mission be fulfilled and you and I both know only I can train the girl. We will leave in an hours time. I ask for no provisions. David bowed slightly signaling his respect and departure; then set off to find the Cassandra.

She never thought to question him. She had grown to trust him in the few months they had spent together. It wasn't a traditional relationship, but he always seemed to mean well. She had never acted this way with most people. Such compliance. Not for her mom, Bruce, Alfred. They all received countless questions from her. What, Why, How? David had knocked on her door and didn't wait for a response.

"Get up. Pack light. We leave in an hour." David commanded sternly. It was all he had to say.

"Ok" Cassandra replied curiously but did as she was told.

She had only felt that way for one person before. Thomas Wayne. It hurt to think about him still. All these years and it still hurt.

It took three days to get to their destination: a cabin in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing in any direction for miles. Still Cassandra blindly trusted him. Not one question. She had not anticipated how cold it would be or she would have brought more clothes. David lit a fire. There wasn't much light, but she could see the outline of his face. Long and slender it reminded her of someone but she couldn't recall who prominent dimples much like her own and sad eyes. His hair white with age streaked with red. She imagined him in his younger days hair red as the fire before her. She had always had natural red highlights. She had her suspicions of who David Cain could be, but she needed confirmation. After the fight with the tiger man Cassandra started practicing her "ability" she called it reading. People did not realize how in every moment of their lives their body betrays them: every lie, every hidden thought, every slight moment of fear; the body will respond, and if someone were to pick up on the slight changes they could use that to tell truth from lie even possibly anticipate movements. It was a language of its own to Cassandra. She was learning to speak it fluently.

"Sensei, have you ever had a wife? A child?"

David took a deep breath in and hesitated. He knew it was coming one day. He had to play it right. He agreed with his Master; she could not find out he was her father.

"I had a wife and a child once. A daughter. My wife was a female version of me. She had a strength like no other woman I have met. She loved me, but never forgot her duty. It was the most important thing to her besides our child and even her she sacrificed for her duty. Even me she sacrificed for her duty. The sadness returned again. Our duty Cassandra is the most important thing. What we do is bigger than love, and family, and happiness. You will learn this in time. David hoped he had diverted the conversation, but Cassandra was persistent.

"And what of your daughter?" He avoided her eyes and said simply. "We lost her" this did not make since to Cassandra.

"How do you lose your…?" Cassandra started

"I think I'm going to turn in for the night." David interrupted finality in his voice. We have a long day tomorrow.

"Sensei, one last thing?" Cassandra thought it was a good time to inquire about the other subject that was plaguing her: Her ability.

"What is it…Cassandra?" David allowed

"When I fought that Bronze Tiger the other day, it's like everything slowed down. I knew what moves he was going to make as if I were in his head. I could see every twitch his body made. Have you ever seen anything like this before? Can you explain it?" Cassandra inquired half knowing what he might say.

"No, Cassandra. Now I'm going to bed. Goodnight" And he set off to the small cabin.

He was lying Cassandra could tell. He had seen it before? He reacted to her questions as if he knew she was doing more than just asking. She did not know where, but she would find out. She also didn't fully understand how she knew, but he was her father. He couldn't look at her when he talked about her; his daughter. She was that daughter. They had lost her. There was just one thing she couldn't get past. How had she ended up in Gotham?

She stayed by the fire for a while longer pondering to herself. She wondered about Bruce and Alfred. Her mom; her biological mom. How exactly she came to be in the place called Gotham and was fortunate enough to be found and raised by the Wayne family. She came all this way to get answers. Left everything she knew and the only thing she had to show for it was more questions.

David was already sound asleep when she finally decided that her need for sleep was greater than her need for answers. Cassandra grabbed the blanket left out for her. It was light but surprisingly warm. She watched the sleeping mass rhythmically rising and falling lying across the room from her. She had been wrong she had found one thing. She had found her father. She had a family. He wasn't particularly warm or welcoming. He didn't comfort her when she cried or was scared. He probably wouldn't ever give her away at her wedding, but in that moment lying there listening to him breathe; David Cain was enough.

Cassandra didn't know how long she had been asleep, but she was pulled out of her dreams by sharp pain. She was being dragged. Then extreme cold. Was she outside? She opened her eyes dizzy from hitting her head as she was dragged from bed. She was outside in her night gown. The breezes flew in and out of the opening. Snowflakes fell on her face she was in the snow. It was freezing. It took her a minute to get oriented, but soon she realized she had been drug outside. She didn't see anyone around. Where was David? Was he hurt? She couldn't feel the cold anymore. Her whole focus was finding her father. She just found him she couldn't be separated from him again not until she had more answers. She didn't hear him walk up behind her. He poured water all over her. Cassandra let out a loud scream of surprise. She was completely soaked. The cold hit her first then David hit her next. He beat her. Each hit stung. The sound resonated through the emptiness the endless void of blackness. Cassandra did not know how much she could take. She wailed with each hit. Screeching, praying for help that would never come. He beat her for what seemed like forever then he stopped abruptly. Cassandra's body was shaking from coldness, shock, and immense anger. She scowled at David. Why had he? How could he?

"Get up" David yelled. Cassandra just laid there crying and shaking too defeated to move.

"I said get up damn it!" David yelled again this time kicking Cassandra in the stomach. Look at you. You are not fit for the league of shadows or anything for that matter. You lay there crying and what will that solve? I stopped. Your enemy has gotten the best of you. He kicked her again. He now has the upper hand, Cassandra. He kicked her again. When they see you are tired and almost done: do you think they will stop? He planted a kick to her back. Cassandra screamed out in frustration, pain leaking from her throat.

"No, they will keep beating you until they kill you. It does not matter if it is in snow, fire, or while being electrocuted. They will not stop. You have to learn to fight through your body. Fight through you mind. Fight through the pain. Fight through the cold. Fight Cassandra. He yelled each phrase. David stood over her legs raised back ready to deliver one final kick. "Or you will die" now get up. He sent his foot flying forward toward her face. She didn't know how, but she found the strength to move. She caught his foot in her hand and threw it back at him. Cassandra was still shaking, but with an unsteady hand she began lifting herself off the ground. The pain was unbearable. She saw the snow around her painted in red… Her blood. The mixture of red on white reminded her of her David's hair. Something awakened in her. She could do this. She could show him she was fit. She would show him she could be her. Better than her even. She would pass her mother. Cassandra stood all the way up planted her feet and took stance. David saw it in that moment in her eyes. The same determination and loyalty; he saw Sandra in her. He saw his wife. Cassandra Cain had been awakened.

Two years had passed and Ra's had heard no news of David Cain or Cassandra. No word on her progress. He thought to send out a search party, but it would prove pointless, since he had no idea where to begin looking. David had taken care to keep that information to himself. He didn't trust David to give her up once he realized her full potential. Was it even fair for him to have to give her up twice? He remembered when Talia first found him how proud and relieved he was to have her back. He assumed that was how David felt. Pride. His daughter too had come to find him. Ra's wasn't sure if David had kept his word and not told Cassandra that he was her father, but their whole plan depended on the hope that he didn't.

"Master" Ra's was pulled from his thoughts by Jacques one of his men. "I think you should come and see this." He was breathing hard his arm hanging at a weird angle.

"What is the meaning of this? What has occurred? Are we under attack?" Ra's stood from his arm chair his body ready to respond if needed.

"Yes and no, sir…They're back."

Ra's knew Talia was expected to arrive back any day from the scouting mission he had sent her on. She had been gone three years. He didn't like the idea of his daughter being gone that long, but he had insured it was a minimum risk mission necessary to the cause. Plus he was with her. She had insisted to help in some way and he had insisted on following her. Ra's didn't trust him. That abomination. There was something off about him: something evil, powerful…dangerous.

"Oh, Talia, splendid I was expecting her arrival." Ra's relaxed the tension melting away from his limbs. "Send her in to see me at once."

"Not Talia sir. David Cain and…" Ra's eyes grew wide. He didn't need him to finish. He hurried to the main corridor. It reeked with a familiar metallic scent. Fresh blood followed by a chorus of moans. All but two were on the ground. David stood a smile on his face as he took in the path of carnage his creation had left. Pride etched in every crevice on his face. The he saw her. No longer a child. She was a woman. She had even grown a few inches everywhere Ra's observed. Her hair was longer the red streaks burning brighter than ever through her dark tresses. It looked like burning coal braided to one side of her face naturally emphasizing her facial features. She was gorgeous. She exuded power. He had wanted to wield her for it before but now his desire was for much more. He wanted her. She drew him in. He needed to be near. Touch her. He imagined kissing the gape of her neck caressing; gripping her taking her all in as he inserted himself into her making them one for that moment. It was paralyzing. It was strong… Too strong. Ra's was no stranger to this type of deception, but to have someone in his league with that kind of power. She would be very useful indeed once he confirmed where her loyalties lay. Those thoughts weren't his not all of them. She had willed him to think that way. Instead of being a threat to him like she should have been. She made him instead believe her to conquerable and vulnerable. It was the perfect defense, an undetectable defense to the untrained mind. It would be over before the person knew anything was wrong. She was the perfect weapon.

"Ah, Master I have brought you your weapon. Fit to lead your army." David proclaimed

As if on cue Cassandra turned towards Ra's and started walking towards him. Poison in ever seductive move of her hips. "I live to serve my master, Ra's Al Ghul and my family the league of shadows." She pointed to her brothers lying on the floor in agony. "I have beaten your finest warriors. I have proven that I am worthy to take my position at your side as your heir." She ended right in front of him. So close he could feel the energy radiate off of her. She was doing it again. He knew it wasn't real he could even shut his mind to her if he wanted but he didn't care. He wanted to give her whatever she wanted. Ra's opened his mouth to accept.

"Talia al Ghul is the rightful heir of Ra's al Ghul if I am not mistaken" an accented voice thundered through the corridor. She had never heard anything like it. His voice was muffled as if part machine. A mechanical hiss stole the silence in the room and echoed off the walls. Nobody dared to move. Something was about to happen and it was not going to end well.

Cassandra grew rigid "Who said that?" She yelled. Cassandra turned. Hazel met Gray for the first time.

"I did" the man replied matter -of -factly without hesitation.

They stood there staring at each other…challenging one another. He broke their gaze to look around at the bodies sprawled on the floor. Then found her eyes again. He wore a mask with what appeared to be skeleton fingers or spider legs that covered his mouth, nose, and chin. He was big, yes, but all she could see was what could bring him down: Weakness number 1. Smiling to herself. Even the biggest of brutes could be brought down to size with the right tools, "and who are you?" she inquired ready to strike.

"I have been given many names."He said stepping over a few unconscious bodies never losing eye contact. "You possibly are thinking of a few yourself, I'm sure. I however prefer Bane." A sarcastic amusement rang through his voice.

He stopped, opened his arms wide, and moved his fingers taunting Cassandra to come. She took the bait. Cassandra stepped forward to attack; only to be halted by a hand outstretched blocking her from moving any further. Her eyes met David's. He didn't say anything nor did he have to. She understood. Cassandra nodded then bowed respectively first to Ra's then David and turned to leave.

"Another day" taunted Bane after her mockingly.

Cassandra stormed down the hall livid. She had not anticipated him.

How dare he challenge me? She reached her room and found it was just as she had left it. She immediately set out to work strategizing. She had to be ready. Cassandra pushed what had happened to the back of her mind. David would say it was a pointless distraction to dwell on what could not be changed. Cassandra went to bed early that night. There was still much to be done the next day. "I need to be rested for tomorrow." Cassandra thought. I'll need all my strength, after all it is another day."

That's the chapter. More Bane to come. Thanks again to those of you who reviewed. Until next chapter ...