Path of Radiance part 2 Making contact.

It took us a hour to arrive by the area Mist and Rolf were being held at. A few bandits were in the front of them but not close by. I didnt even bother to turn back human. Walking up in my wolf form slowly, I waited till the time was just right.

'You are so sneaky.' Alita said husky telepathically. Kasumi had turned human and was slowly moving to Mist and Rolf the opposite side of me. She was using her magic to go invisible since the tech way would cause problems. 'Your scent is strong as well.'

'Now you know how I feel every bloody day I am near all of you.' I said back. I could feel Kasumi mentally snickering at me. Alita was keeping her eye out, to make sure no one snuck up. She was also keeping an eye for Shinon. That blasted sniper could be anywhere right now.

After a few minutes the fighting started. The bandit leader made his declaration and moved to come back to the house and use the kids to threaten Ike.

"If you care.." He started to say before I jumped from the bushes and latched on his throat. Sinking down with my teeth I then threw him to the side away from the others.

"Ahhh," Mist and Rolf screamed at the same time. My poor ears rang like they were right next to me.

"I will burn this house down and kill you brats next!" The other bandit said. He didnt see what happen to his boss. He just wanted to cause trouble I figured. He turned to the house but stopped.

"Schlk," his throat was cut by a dagger Kasumi threw. He grabbed it and fell into the dirt.

'Bastard was sick. Wanting to burn someone's home down just to feel good about himself.' She was livid. First time I seen her angry in person. 'I like being a thief but this. I am killing them boss.'

As Kasumi took out the bandits near her I waited by Mist and Rolf with the other people.

"Ah, you to really suck for mercenary kids. I mean Mist you know swordsmanship and Rolf you know a bunch of different fighting from your brothers. So what's the delio?" I said looking back at them.

"Did.. that thing just talk?" A villager asked to everyone.

"Yeah I talked fool. You can talk. Why cant I?"

"Blessed be the goddess we are saved."

"Eh your corpse goddess had nothing to do with this." I gave that villager my best dumbfounded look. "I mean you know she is like sleeping right. She isn't doing crap to help yall. Heck her servants are making it worst.."

"How dare you speak blasphemy? You are a stupid sub-human what do you know." Another villager yelled at me.

"Oh really." I moved over and stared at the villager opening my mouth slowly. "This sub-human is the only thing standing in front of you and death. If I kill you... who is gonna care really? Nothing but another person who did nothing to defend themselves. Cowering in fear.. pathetic. Worst than a sub-human.. a coward."

"Ahhh, please dont hurt me." The villager panicked.

"Why not? You obviously wanted to hurt me. Not physically but emotionally. What about my feelings? What about the others near you who have to listen to your words?" I didnt like this person and my biotic strands did not help at all in this situation. "I wanna kill you just to punish the others for there weakness, just to hopefully make at least one of them become brave. Even at the risk of one of you breaking mentally." I moved my muzzle around the villagers' face. It was so tempting. The fear was strengthing me and making me angry.

"I am sorry. I didnt mean anything by it."

"Your a liar. Just for that I am thinking about letting your filthy country burn to the ground." I turned around and went back outside. "Ahh, so much to do. So little fucks to give." Putting my head onto my paws I just guarded the entrance as the others fought. Ike and his companions making it to the door faster thanks to this.

"Mission complete on our end boss." Kasumi said coming over to me. I moved the water in the air and cleaned off her blood. Then removed the dampness to keep her from having to deal with it. "Thanks a lot. I still want that ride." She moved over and sat on me. "I dont need a saddle."

"Heh, alright. Sorry, you had to kill those people. It is funny that you are one of the few thieves I actually like." I said as I rose up. Ike and company had moved up and were looking at us warily. I moved out the way for them to see everyone was fine inside. "Your sister and whatever Rolf is to you, is fine."

"What other thief do you like?" Kasumi asked. "Not Riku."

"Hehehe," I had to laugh at that. "The man himself, Sly Cooper and Lupin the III. It switches between the two."

"I am gonna have to look them up when we get back," Kasumi said as you leaned on my head rubbing it. "You are so fluffy. This black fur is nice and soft." She looked up at the people. "Tell me who they are since I dont have your knowledge. You can do the sharing thing later. I will scratch your ears if you do."

"Heh, very well," I said giving a laugh. Most likely throwing people for a loop with a wolf laughing and talking. "The dark blue hair Beorc is called Ike. He is the son of general Gawain. Now going by the name Greil. He is up in line to lead the mercenary guild after his father's death. A thing we will be changing. He is brunt due to no blasted home training really. But he is honest, loyal, and does not lack courage. A lack of mothering and strict father has resulted in a lot that tested his character. He kept moving forward. Has a good family in his mercenary company though, so there is that. He is an excellent swordsman that actually doesn't get to show his potential until several years later. Which is a shame since he also becomes a dangers axe wielder. Almost better then most in his company."

"You sound you like him?" Kasumi asked/ I gave her nod of yes. How about the hot redhead? Are you here for her?"

"No, I am not. Tempting but no." I shook my head and felt a sense of relief come from her. "Titania is a former knight of Crimea. She left to follow Gawain. She adores him and loves him more then one would think possible. Till you see her in the woods breaking down from his death. She kept it togethor just to make sure Ike didnt fail. We are gonna try and change that. Dont let her medium frame fool you, she has both power and skill. The rigidity from her knight training is gone due to her years being a mercenary."

"Hmm, I wanna spar with her," Kasumi said. She wanted to test her mettle I suppose against her. "What about the axe wielder I saw fighting earlier?"

"That is Boyd. He is the brother of the cry baby boy in the shack. He is the middle child out of three. With the crybaby being the youngest. Boyd is a lot like Ike, a bit of hot head though. Comes from a good place. He means well, just not that great with talking to people. A lack of education is his only downfall really. And magic resistance."

"Oh, nice muscle. But yours are bigger and nicer." Kasumi said leaning down whispering in my ear. Her warm breath tickling. "How about the thin one of there, the healer."

"That is Rhys, a devout follower of the corpse goddess. A good man but sickly. Very hard to keep alive. But a magical powerhouse. Just hard to keep alive. I have no idea what he is sick from. That small skinny frame is accurate, he is very weak to physical attacks. Even a newborn from my Nether World can kill him." I shook my head after that. "He is a very worthwhile ginger boy to talk to."

"So we like him," Kasumi said rubbing the back of my neck. From my moans, she knew I like that better than the ear rubs. "The one Alita was having to look out for, the one called Shinon. What about him?"

"He is a man with an inferiority complex. Wants recognition but his pride has kept him from getting it. A bad racist. Not one you can really joke with or reason with. Unless you get the boy Rolfe involved. He trained him unofficially anyway. He is Tsundere is the word I am looking for. Thats what the message boards say. I say he is just an asshole. But one that I can respect for saying what he believes and pushing forward."

"Boss your racist to." Kasumi said with a little giggle in her voice. "Well not to your crew. But then again everyone is a little in some way or another. They just hide it well."

"Meh, I am more specist than anything. Anything that is in that category is at different levels. You have to have a structure or you will go nuts." I said thinking about one of the ones I actually hate at that moment. "Blasted Hanar. Stupid jellyfish squid things, with there talk of the Enkindler. Bah!"

"Hehe," Kasumi laughed in my ear. "Glad you dont hate my people. But you hate your own."

"Eh, kept me alive and moving Kasumi. Trust me I wished I could have done something for my kind when I grew up. But it was to late, views are already solidified by then." I could feel Kasumi hug me tighter.

"Forgiveness goes a long way boss. Just need to put behind what they did to you." Kasumi feelings were genuine. At least I felt so. "But what you have now works for you, works for me. I won't try to change you. Just a few nudging every now and then. I like it here. To bad its at war. I need a world that is just.. a little less violent."

"When we finish here, I will pay the points for you to go to Sly Cooper. All the thieving and fun you can have. With only a little violence."

"Are you coming with?"

"No. I am not suited for that. But I know you will enjoy the thrill of it."

"If you are not going.. then why do it then? Well I mean I know why already. But it cant be just to make me happy. Trying to get into my pants?"

"Heh, yes and no. Kasumi I want you but if I dont have you, I won't cry over it. You are an amazing friend to have. Defintely friendship I like. I dont want to lose that more than anything. Just the way things developed for you."

"Thanks. I love you to boss." Kasumi said as she pulled my head back. "I want to stay friends till we cant anymore. No matter what boos."

"Aye, friends it is." I said and felt happy. Kind of like with Zelda I think. 'Thoughts for later. Or maybe not.'

System: Kasumi Goto Eternal Bond.

Galtea: That is a nice achievement. Kasumi will always be available to you even if she dies. A part of her soul will always remain with you. Even if another User has her. Your Kasumi will be fine with no problems.

'Wait you are saying I could have run into another Kasumi. Someone else has her?' That threw me for a bit of a loop. 'Oh wait I forget if a world is destroyed the people get sent back to the System.'

Galtea: Yes. Think Highlander. If Kasumi kills another Kasumi, the winner becomes stronger and takes all the power. Memories as well. But the emotions generally dont come over. Sort of like how the User's operate with a few less things happening.

Titania came over while we were talking. Boyd moved over as well, holding an unconscious Shinon. Covered in cuts and scratches with a gash on his face. Wolf scratches, he must have bumped into Alita.

"What is a Laguz doing here?" Titania asked. "An extinct one at that."

"We are here to help, in our own way," Alita said coming over, turning into her beorc form. "Just a little goodwill is all here. That right there," she pointed at Shinon. She sneered as she said "was a punishment. Idiot shot at me."

"You went a little to far," Boyd said. Ike was staring at Alita. Much to her enjoyment. My wolf was a little apprehensive until I reminded it that the boy never saw a Laguz. Especially a female like herself.

"If you keep staring at me.. your going to have to beat my mate to have a chance with me. Then beat me." Alita said teasing Ike a little. Ike blushed and looked away to the dirt.

I forgot he wasn't good with women. Oh, how that merchant woman teases him. "Hehe, dont tease the boy." I said giving him a little help. Titania and the rest jumped a little spook. "What never seen a wolf talk?"

"Never seen a laguz talk in their beast form," Titania said. "What is it that you want? There is no way that was all you had planned."

"Take me to Gawain. We have things to discuss." I said plainly causing Titania to grip her axe tighter. "You cannot beat me in a fight. None of you can. Dint do something stupid."

"Who is Gawain?" Ike asked looked at her then to me. "If you are just going to talk to this person, I dont see why we cant help them. Besides they did help Mist and Rolfe. Not to mention the villagers."

"I am sorry Ike, but no. He is not to be trusted." Titania said as she pointed her axe at me. I didnt flinch or say anything to that. Kasumi was a little angry but her strands let me know it was just because of the axe in our faces.

"How stupid. How about this?" Alita said as she returned to her wolf form. "If Kasumi beats you in a fight, you will tell this Gawain that we are coming to visit him in the upcoming days. If she loses, we leave and dont come and visit."

"Fine," Titania said moving to the side to an open area. She dismounted from her horse and was on foot. She moved around a little to get her bearings and adjusted for movement change. Kasumi moved off me and stopped in front of me.

"I won't kill her. I want you to watch me fight. Do not look away for a second." Kasumi biotic strands poured into me. That bond had changed something in her. Something I couldn't tell at this time.

"Very well. Be careful. Do not underestimate her." I told her. I sent to her mentally about the dangers of fighting a pillar. 'She is a pillar Kasumi so be careful. She will receive a burst of strength if she is close to death or close to being critically injured. That and just because your level is higher does not guarantee victory.' I felt Alita come up to me. She moved her head under mine and watched Kasumi intently.

'Thanks for the reminder.' Kasumi said determinedly. I saw her reach down and a mask came up to her face. A Lin Kuei mask, it was silver. Only thing could be seen where her eyes. And that was only when she moved her head up a little.

"Begin!" Boyd said.

Kasumi just had her two daggers at the ready. Her legs poised in a pounce as she was in her tippy toes. She moved a little. Only a fraction as she held her balance.

Titania moved in fast. Faster than one would think a person in her armor would move at anyway. "Swish," her axe moved in the air in fast arc.

Kasumi waited for the axe to reach her. "Ting," her dagger hit against the axe ringing out to my ears. She didnt use it to parry. She used it as leverage. The sound was her dagger hitting as it slid down the shaft of the axe.

'The flexability of a thief. Shit a master gymnist.'

"Whack," Kasumi's left leg smacked against Titania's head. Her not having a helmet came back to bite her. Kasumi didn't stop as her other leg went into the crook in Titania's arm.

"Tch," Titania grunted as she moved her left arm from her weapon. Balling it into a fist she went to strike Kasumi's in the stomach. I figured it would hurt like hell and turn the fight over a little. I was wrong.

"Huh," I heard Ike say. Titania's fist went right through Kasumi. The Kasumi was a fake that disappeared into smoke. Titania was just as surprised as the rest of us. Well, I could feel Alita wasn't. She chuckled under me.

"Where are you?" Titania asked as she looked around. She stopped a few seconds later. I watched as a small cut appeared around her neck. "I yield!"

Kasumi then appeared. Wisps of smoke that turned into her legs that were wrapped around Titania's waist. Her other hand was above the woman's head with a dagger pointing down.

"You are using only your thighs for support. Amazing." I was impressed. Kasumi jumped down and walked over. She dropped her mask that disappeared into her clothing.

"Had to show you I wasnt defenseless as you thought. Well doesn't mean I want you throwing me into any wars." Kasumi climbed pack on top of me. "You never said it, but I can feel it sometimes. Thanks for the worry. But I can fight with the best of them. When we return I want some personal training in Lin Kuei from you. Not anyone else."

I stood up. "That I can do. Guess you are my Smoke now." I looked to Titania and company. "A few of my people will come to you in a few days. They will help with a problem you have coming up. I will come after." I watched Ike nod and walked away.

"Who is Smoke?" Kasumi asked.

"Heh, well you are in for a treat," I said as I started telling her about him. Kasumi and Alita listens in carefully.