Disclaimer: I do not own 'Beserk'; this is only a fanfic.

Authors Notes: This is my first attempt at writing in the "Berserk" fandom and I must admit I was not very creative. My goal is to tell Caska's side of the story and to put forth thoughts she may have had during these episodes. This segment is based solely from the anime. I have just recently acquired the manga, but only the ones following the ending of the anime.

Please read, enjoy and leave a review!

The battle was over and the men relaxed on the hillside just outside the castle walls. All was quite now. The Band of the Hawk was having their first break after three months of continuous fighting. We lazed about drinking in the clear blue sky, finally enjoying some peace and quiet.

However, there were always the ones, like Corkus, who stirred up trouble the first opportunity.

"Someone's coming!" One our men yelled.

The others gathered at the end of the ruins to see the oblivious passer-by leaving the castle. It was the youth… the one that had just defeated the notorious Bazuso.

"I'll bet his coin purse runneth over," said Corkus, the rabble-rouser. "You know he got plenty of money for killing Bazuso."

Personally, I had not seen the boy fight; however, according to Griffith, he was impressive. As I sat on the flat boulder, I recalled Corkus's claim to kill Bazuso and I could foresee where this was headed.

"Griffith!" shouted Corkus. "Do you mind if we get him?"

I was surprised by Griffith's off handed manner as he told them to do as they pleased. Although we were a band of mercenaries, our leader had never allowed a group to attack a single opponent no matter how skilled.

"Okay, guys, come with me!"

Corkus and his cohorts jumped to their feet and I could only laugh at their foolishness. Would they really be stupid enough to take on the guy below?

"What are you laughing at, Caska?" Corkus spat.

As the only female member of the 'Band of the Hawk', I was highly respected amongst the men. I was also a skilled warrior and second in command to our leader… Griffith.

"You don't really think that you'll beat him?" I lifted eyebrow.

With a smug look on his face, my fool comrade began spouting delusions of grandeur. Corkus stated that he was supposed to have defeated Bazuso and become famous.

In my opinion, the warrior was not as great as everyone had thought he was. How the hulking idiot had maintained the title of undefeated was beyond me. However, the others had believed it and Corkus went on to say that, he planned to kill the youth and reclaim his quasi fame.

"Then you will die," I said simply, but he did not heed my words.

"Hah!" Corkus sniffed. "You'll see what'll happen."

I shook my head as I watched the group descend on their supposed prey. Idiots… the lot of them; clearly they had a death wish.

"Oh, boy! Corkus…" Judeau exclaimed and turned to our commander. "Griffith… is it alright to leave this up to him?"

The leader of the 'Hawks' never responded, he simply lay on his back staring off in the other direction. Although it seemed that Griffith was disinterested, I sensed he was not as blasé as he appeared. At our leader's lack of response, Judeau turned wide eyes back to his comrades.

From where I sat, I could not (nor did I particularly want to) see Corkus acting the fool. I had only to watch Judeau's expression to determine what was going on down there.

With his freckles, tousled mane of blond hair and light brown eyes, his face was an open book. Judeau was a thief prior to joining the 'Band of the Hawks'. He was skilled with knives, one of the best I had ever encountered. As far as his mannerism, like Griffith, he was quite the gentleman.

He was soft spoken with eloquent manners. I could never understand why Judeau was so accepting to his status in life. Unlike the rest of us, he had every possibility of achieving something more. However, that was who he was and if I were to call any man 'my friend' here… it would be Judeau.

I heard Corkus give the call to charge. Hmph! It was no surprised that he gave the order for his men to precede him. It was the coward's way, after all. How many men would he have put in Bazuso's path to act as his shield?

From the sounds below, it was clear the battle had begun. As expected, the next sound was the screams of our men being cut down.

"Look at what that guy did to Dan and Earl!"

"Damn it! What is Corkus doing?" Judeau's voice was anxious. "Fight or get out of there!"

"See…" I began. "I told you so." I guessed Corkus was about to become famous, although not in the way he had announced.

"Caska!"

I turned to Griffith's summons.

"You had better go help them."

It was command… no matter how softly spoken, but a part of me rebuked.

"Wait a minute! Are you kidding?" I stood defiantly. "It's all Corkus's fault."

Griffith silenced me with a steely blue glare. I realized that look from the battlefield and it stopped my outburst. I rarely disobeyed an order and there was no sense refusing this one.

One could say that I was one of the privileged when it came to our leader. I was allowed to voice my opinions and I valued that position; therefore, I stood down. After all, I was indebted to Griffith; I owed him my loyalty… I owed him my life.

"Fine," I sighed. "I'll do it."

As I geared up, I muttered at the unfairness. Why on earth should I cover Corkus's ass? He talked big; it was not my fault he could not back it up. Now he was in a 'no win' situation and I had to rescue him.

Mounting my chestnut mare, I turned to the battle… or rather the massacre. As I rode over the rise, the dark haired warrior had just raised his sword to Corkus and I smirked at seeing my cowardly comrade withdraw in fright. With crossbow in hand, I fired one shot striking the lone warrior in the upper arm.

The eyes that turned on me were full of hostility. His brows were drawn together and his nose scrunched as he sneered at me, reminding me of a rabid dog. For one moment… just one brief moment, I was wary of my opponent.

"Caska… are you coming to back me up?"

Corkus voice caused me to break eye contact and I was able to regroup.

"Of course not!" I snapped. "I'm here on Griffith's order! Now… step back!"

Sitting atop my horse, I glared at the dark haired warrior through my helmet. He stared back as he grabbed the base of the arrow and, without flinching, removed it from his upper arm. As I tossed away my crossbow, I took a moment to review his weapon.

He carried a huge broadsword that seemed longer the length of his body. As it gleamed in the sunlight, I noticed the remarkable craftsmanship. Who could have made such a monstrosity? As I looked down on my opponent, I wondered how well he could wield it.

I was a proficient swordsman (or swordswoman) and the only member of the 'Hawks' that could best me was Griffith. Although the young warrior had killed Bazuso, I was not afraid. Considering his stance as he gripped his sword, he too was more than ready to do battle.

I grabbed the hilt of my sword and unsheathed it. With a fierce battle cry, I nudged my mount forward.

From the moment our swords clashed, I felt his raw power. We disengaged and struck again. He was an aggressive fighter, but I had not expected his swiftness. I had assumed his attacks would be slow as he wielded such a large sword.

His blows were coming hard, his attack vicious; just maintaining the seat on my horse took most of my concentration. So overwhelmed, I did not see the tip of his blade aimed directly at my head.

The blade rammed into the chin guard of my helmet, knocking it from my head. My body lifted from the back of the horse and I felt myself falling. I landed heavily on my rear, but managed to maintain the hold on my sword.

Momentarily stunned, I looked up to find him glaring at me. As I realized what had just occurred, I became enraged. Jumping to my feet, I drew my weapon and charged.

"You bastard!" I yelled.

Our swords clashed again as I lashed out in anger. I could not loose face in front of my men… in front of Griffith. Even though I was a woman, I was still a commander and second to the leader of the 'Hawks'.

The dark warrior's attacks winded me; they jarred my body and my teeth rattled from the impact of his blows. I pressed forward only to feel myself loosing ground. He may lack the basics and grace of the usual swordsman, but he made up for it in strength. We came together as I parried a blow and I looked him full in the face.

He could not be any older than I was and he was handsome. The feminine part of me detected that right away, but it was the eyes that drew my attention They were wild, reckless… merciless. Oh god… what had I gotten myself into? For the first time I felt fear.

The overhead strike ripped the sword from my hands and I closed my eyes as I hit the ground again. My arms were sore and felt if they had been ripped from their sockets. As I opened my eyes I saw him standing over me, his sword raised high, his eyes burning with hatred.

"Oh no!" I gasped. "I'm going to die!"

As I lay sprawled on my back, I wondered if I should pray. I could not… I could only stare, wild-eyed, as I awaited my fate.

The dark warrior raised his sword to strike when, suddenly; a javelin appeared and lodged into the ground in front of me. The weapon separated my opponent from me, thus halting his assault.

The warrior and I both turned to see who had interrupted our skirmish. This only made him angrier, but I was thankful.

Turning my head, I saw him. Sitting astride his white stallion, was Griffith… my savior. Once again, he had come to my aid.

"Griffith!" I breathed and then sent a warning as I saw he was also geared for battle. "Be careful, he's very strong!"

Our leader approached, his face a stoic mask. "Will you put up your sword?" he questioned the warrior. The only answer was his opponent's tightened grip on his weapon.

"I see," Griffith said and unsheathed his sword. Before he could complete the draw, I heard a viscous growl and the dark warrior lunged forward to attack.

Griffith and his stallion remained still as the monstrous sword came crashing down upon them. We all watched as our leader executed a smooth counter to block the warrior's strike. His parry looked effortless as he slid his rapier down the length of the opponent's broadsword. Confused at the maneuver, the dark warrior was thrown off balance. Griffith, with a smooth backstroke, took advantage of the opening it provided.

The tip of the blade sank into the warrior's side and I saw his face register surprise. Our men cheered as he maintained that incredulous look and fell, unheeded, to the ground.

"Amazing!" I congratulated Griffith. "You beat him in one stroke!" I turned to our leader in awe. He was unstoppable and unchallenged, but I was only one of many who worshiped him.

In a way, Griffith had saved us all. Many of us had no lives until we joined the 'Band of the Hawk'. Although none of us really understood his dream, we were grateful that he allowed us to share his pursuit of it.

"What an idiot," Corkus spat. "He was no match for Griffith in one on one combat!"

"You're responsible for this, Corkus!" I turned on him in fury and pointed my sword. "I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth!"

"Sorry… don't kill me," he joked.

How I would have loved to behead him right then and there… the fool. Dan's death, Earl loosing him arm; all of this senseless fighting was because of him.

Suddenly, from my peripheral vision, I detected movement. Turning my head, I saw the dark warrior, although wounded, was struggling to his feet.

"Ah…" I gasped. "How… can he…" I began, but was interrupted by Griffith.

"Step aside; would you, Caska?" he asked calmly. It was as if he had expected this.

I could only watch helplessly as the two men assessed each other. Griffith was composed as he sat astride his stallion, his clear blue eyes cold. The warriors brown eyes were glazed in anger and full of hatred.

From where I stood, I could see the storm clouds gathering in those hostile orbs. His facial muscles twitched in fury and those heavy brows were drawn together as he sneered. With a crazed look, he charged our leader.

"Griffith!" I cried out in alarm. My anxiety, however, was short-lived as the dark warrior passed out cold.

"It's a woman's duty to warm a man!"

What idiocy… what nonsense! There was no doubt in my mind that it was a man who came up with that. However, regardless of what my feelings were, I now lay naked with a complete stranger. One, I might add, who would have killed me had Griffith not interfered.

"Help me!" the dark warrior cried out, interrupting my thoughts.

He was dreaming again. He had slipped in and out of consciousness since the men had brought him to the tent.

"Gambino… help me, please!" he continued. "I didn't mean it, Gambino! Forgive me!"

Lying beside the warrior, I wondered who was this Gambino that he cried out to with fervor. What had he done to this person that warranted forgiveness?

I had lain with him for two nights and I knew soon he would begin to thrash about. He shivered with cold from loss of blood not yet replenished from the wound Griffith had inflicted. Thus, my body was required to provide him warmth.

Originally, our leader presented the offer of my services as a request. However, on my refusal to 'warm' the dark warrior, the request became a decree.

"It would be most unseemly to have one of the other comrades lie with him." Griffith had said.

Personally, I could have cared less. After all, he was not my responsibility; it was Griffith who wanted to keep him alive.

"Don't touch me!" the dark warrior cried out suddenly.

Immediately, I straddled him and pinned him to the ground to keep him still. Although an awkward position, I actually preferred this to lying beside him. Stretched out next to him seemed much more of an intimate act than wrestling.

With him restrained, I felt dominate. Gone were the tingling sensations in the pit of my stomach. The ones that came as we lie silently together in the confines of the tent with our mingled breath and heartbeats. I had to admit, that was somewhat uncomfortable.

Looking down on him, I thought about the scar across the bridge of his nose. A sword made it, I was sure, and I wondered how he had acquired it.

His skin was bronzed and swarthy, as if he spent much of his time outdoors. His short-cropped hair was spiked, black as mine and, once again, I thought him handsome. His dark ruggedness was a contrast to Griffith's genteel fairness.

The warrior may have been weak and injured, but it took all of my strength to hold him down and to prevent upsetting the wound. By the time he calmed and fell into a light slumber, I was exhausted. With him finally settled, I pulled the covers over us both and instantly fell asleep.

Waking early the next morning, I dressed, gathered my toiletries and started to exit the tent. I paused in the entryway with the strongest urge to look back at the still sleeping form of the dark warrior. Resisting, I redirected my thoughts to my confrontation later with Griffith. Without a backwards glance, I left the tent and headed towards the river.

A bath and fresh clothes revived me. I had washed away the mingled scents of last night and felt more myself. My skin now tingled from the cool water and not with… the unknown.

As I returned to camp, it was alight with activity as everyone was now awake. I spotted Griffith immediately and headed in his direction, accosting him outside of his tent.

"Good morning, Caska!" he hailed cheerfully. "How is our young friend?"

"He'll live!" I gave an unladylike sniff and continued, determined to have my say. "I will not spend another night with him!" I said forcefully, yet trying to keep my voice low.

"Caska…" Griffith implored and pressed a hand to my shoulder.

"I mean it!" I snapped, slapping his hand away. "If he needs more attention, let Corkus keep him warm!" With that said, I turned in time to see the dark warrior emerge from the tent that we had shared.

I may not be able to fully vent to my commander, but he was a different matter. Mindless to my audience, I marched purposely towards him, reared back my fist and landed a punch to his wounded side.

He grunted from the blow and then doubled over in pain. Moving away, I recalled my manners.

"Good morning!" I said bitingly as I looked down on his crumpled frame. "If I had my way, you'd be left to die out there!"

Marching over to stand with the other men, I felt the quite satisfied at seeing him in that position.

Griffith had entered his tent and I turned to see Judeau speaking with the dark warrior. I knew I was the topic of conversation from the glowering looks he sent my way. Turning back in Griffith's direction, I saw him emerge from the tent carrying the large broadsword.

I watched as our leader approached the warrior and hand him his weapon. I was just as surprised as the recipient and wondered what Griffith was about. No one ever knew what went on in that calculating head. But… he rarely, if ever, made bad judgments.

Words were exchanged between the two men. Griffith then turned, with the dark warrior following, and exited the camp.

"So… what do you suppose Griffith is up to?" Corkus implied something sinister. "He should not have spared that brute's life."

"Well," young Ricket piped in from his place on the ground. "I assume he plans to have that guy join us."

Ricket was the youngest member of our group. At the age of ten, he was a mastermind with weapons. The boy could fix anything and the 'Hawks' well-kept arsenal was left in his capable hands.

"Huh!" Corkus turned to the boy in shock.

"We saw with our own eyes how powerful he is," Ricket continued. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be a great addition to our army."

Corkus became incensed at the possibility, reared back his foot and kicked the crossbow from Ricket's hands.

"Never!" he shouted. "Don't be ridiculous, Ricket! He cut Earl's arm off and sent Dan to his grave. The bastard killed our comrades," he continued. "I can't forget that never happened. Isn't that right, Pippin?"

I remained silent throughout his tirade. Had Corkus conveniently forgotten that it was he that had gotten one comrade killed and another impaired? If not for his cowardice, he would have been the one either maimed or dead.

I did not expect a response from Pippin, and frankly, neither did Corkus.

Our Pippin was a large hulking figure of a man, who spoke only when necessary (which was hardly ever). Even then, he resorted to one-liners and more essentially, one word.

Not much was known about Pippin; his past was a complete mystery to me. I only knew that he was loyal to the 'Hawks', to our cause and to Griffith.

As I watched our leader and the dark warrior leave the camp, I wondered if Ricket was right. Was Griffith actually going to ask this guy to become a member of the "Band of the Hawk? And… if so; why? Without saying a word to the others, I decided to follow them.

I watched Griffith and the dark warrior climb the rise. The two stopped at the edge of a low cliff with a view of the valley. Standing behind a large tree, I listened as the two men talked.

" Why didn't you kill me?"

The dark warrior had just questioned Griffith and I, same as the warrior, awaited his answer.

"Because I want you to join me, Guts."

"What!" The dark warrior… I mean, this Guts gasped aloud, as I did in silence. We both listened as Griffith went on to explain.

"I watched the duel between you and Bazuso at the castle," our leader began. "You were magnificent, but the fight was quite close. If Bazuso's axe had not been cracked, you would have lost your head."

"Probably," Guts grunted,unconcerned.

Griffith turned to him and I could see the admiration in his eyes. "At least you're honest," he stated. "Judging by the way you fight, it seems you value victory over your own life."

"You never yielded an inch," he continued in awe. "Even when faced with a monster like Bazuso or outnumbered by a gang on horseback. On the contrary, you would rather recklessly engage any opponent that crosses your path."

"You are brave," Griffith informed Guts, "… but I believe you purposely put your life in danger and seek the meaning of your existence by battling to preserve it."

"That's what I see," he continued. "You are fascinating and I find you much to my liking. I want you to join me, Guts," our leader petitioned.

I drew in a shaky breath. From my spot from behind the tree, I could read the sincerity in Griffith's eyes. What was it about this… this Guts that held such appeal? There were plenty of reckless warriors ready to throw their lives away in battle. What was so different about this one?

"If I say no?" Guts inquired calmly.

"You don't want to?" Griffith asked in wide-eyed innocence.

Guts moved forward and erupted. "Of course not!" he shouted, his face ferocious as stared into our leaders eyes.

Most would be honored to join the 'Band of the Hawk'. Some had traveled miles to request entry; however, our leader was selective.

Normally the hopefuls were allowed to interact with the group, allowing Griffith time to evaluate them up close. After a few days, a decision was made based on character. They did not have to be the best fighter; it was something else that our leader looked for in choosing.

I often wondered why Griffith chose Corkus, as I wondered now why he chose this Guts character. I had no doubt he would be trouble, hard to handle and I hoped Griffith knew what he was taking on.

Peering around the tree, I saw Guts had fallen to one knee in pain. The wound must be bothering him. However, although kneeled, he lifted his head and glared at Griffith.

"Don't talk as if you know so much!" he shouted. "What do you know about me? You've never talked to me, how can you know anything about me?"

"You're right; I don't," Griffith said softly. "I just have a feeling about you."

Rising to his feet, Guts backed up a few paces. "You lousy son-of-a-bitch!" he said through clenched teeth. "Treating me as some kind of friend after you stabbed me."

"You started this fight," he continued and pointed a finger to Griffith. "I'm not going to forget what you did to me and I suspect… you won't forget what I did either. Taking the lives of two of your comrades," he stated, as if we needed reminding.

"What do you want then?" Griffith asked.

"Well…" Guts smirked and withdrew his broadsword from its sheath. " To settle this with swords," he continued and his voice lowered to a menacing growl. "I'll make a hole in your chest as big as this one when I win." We waved his sword threateningly.

Griffith appeared unperturbed as he stood, his silvery locks blowing in the wind. "What if I win?" he questioned his challenger. Our leader may look fragile and that had deceived many; however, the members of the 'Hawks' and I knew better.

"Do whatever you want with me," Guts replied.

That alarmed me. This fool… this Guts was as reckless as Griffith implied. To wager yourself to an opponent that you just lost to in battle, to challenge one that had already defeated you at a time when you are not fully healed was insane.

Lowering his eyes, Griffith appeared humble and bowed his head acquiescently. Our leader almost seemed reluctant to accept, however…

"I rather enjoy settling things by force," he said and withdrew his sword. His eyes were blue steel with a detached edge contradicting his earlier aversion.

It was clear both men were determined; I could see it in their eyes, in their stances. They stood facing each other with weapons drawn. Although Guts was injured, it was something ominous in his tone as he had spoke. I had every confidence that Griffith would win; however, the phrase 'a cornered cat' kept replaying in my head.

Clinging to the tree, I watched them and experienced a premonition. What was about to happen, would change us, I just knew it. And that… scared me more than anything else.

I could no longer sit here; I had to stop this. Stepping from behind the tree, I quickly moved towards them.

"Griffith!" I shouted.

"Leave us alone, Caska."

"But…"

"No matter what," Griffith interrupted calmly. "I will have what I want."

Words delivered with such confidence, only added fuel to the fire for the dark warrior with the large sword. Guts brows drew together and his lips thinned as he snarled just before charging.

There was nothing I could do. I could only watch, helplessly, as the two came together and the clash of steel rang throughout the cliffs.

To be continued…