The Guardian
Prelude
Beauty and the Babe
She thought that death would be a very painful thing. Now that she was here it was rather quite peaceful. Despite her urge to make jokes to herself about how nice it was not to be constantly pestered by her teammates Mihari kept silent. If she had been taken down so easily then what had happened to the others. After five years of running amok with them the thought that they, too, had met their end made it hard to relax. Yeah, sure, it seemed very pleasant here, but Kenzo had a family already. What would his wife do without him? And Shae? She had her sister.
Your friends are well.
Mihari spun in the darkness around her, searching for the source of the mysterious "voice." She could swear she just heard a voice in her head and it had startled her. It was rare for someone to sneak up on her. In the darkness her hearing was always more pronounced. Maybe all that was lost after you died?
You're talents are very much intact. If they were not, then we would not need you.
"Need me? For what?" Her eyes narrowed, as if trying to peer into the blank expanse. She knew she would not see anything. Whatever was good enough to sneak up on her in the dark would be good enough to stay out of sight. It didn't seem to want to be found. Still, that didn't stop her suspicious and cautious nature. "Who are you?"
I am you.
"Elaborate."
Very well. I am what you will be. Soon you will see. Your death came exactly as it should. But we do not have very much time. Come.
"Come where?"
Before her question had completely crossed her lips the darkness was slinking away, replacing itself with the landscape of a village. She was standing on the side of a street. Houses stood before her. Somehow this place seemed familiar, but only in that passing way that it looked like many of the villages.
The world seemed so much brighter. Colors pulsed with life, and wisps of energy floated throughout the air. Creatures of different shapes and sizes scurried about. Spirit creatures. Like this spiritual world of the beyond these creatures were so vivid, so real. If she hadn't had been so enthralled by their mere existence some of them might have been menacing, and for good reason.
A whispering voice broke through her thoughts. The voice wasn't directed at her, but another. "Are you sure she's worthy of this assignment? What if she can't handle it? We can't afford to lose him."
Mihari raised an eyebrow in question, turning her head to look over her shoulder. A man and woman were crouched on the top of the fence as if it were just a dirt strip. Their balance was effortless. The man's form was mostly hidden behind a hood and a jacket with a high collar. From the moonlight shining above she could see a glint within the shade of the hood, glasses or sunglasses.
The woman hid nothing. She had a medium build, and seemed to be keeping herself very compact. A thick curtain of short brown hair hung around her face, but the bangs did not hide the bright gold eyes looking out at her. Folded on her back were two small feathery wings. One twitched as she watched Mihari. Like the man she was dressed all in black, but her clothes didn't cover her body.
"Trust me, Ryoji." The man replied in a casual manner. He didn't move, but the inflection begged for a hand gesture, even perhaps a bit of a grin. Who knew, he might have been grinning behind that jacket collar, teeth shining white into the night, and Mihari would never know. "She can do it."
"What am I doing?" Mihari asked.
The woman, Ryoji, groaned, "she doesn't even know yet!"
"Well, she just died tonight! Give her a break." The man chuckled; the tenor melody was warm, but something made a chill run through Mihari.
"J…ust… died." Ryoji stammered. "Please tell me your kidding! She hasn't even been properly trained or not! I was trained months before I was allowed to have a charge!"
Charge? Mihari thought. Trained? She frowned. She'd have this person know she was one of the most talented ninja her age in her village. In fact she was on a very special mission when… well, when she croaked. She frowned deeper.
The man pulled the woman closer to him and whispered into her ear. Mihari caught part of the whisper. "…Special…. only one…"
Whatever went along with this statement seemed to shut Ryoji up. She didn't look happy though. "If it must be done that way, but she is not to leave his vigilance. And you!" She shoved a pointed finger in this man's direction. "You, Hae, should make sure she knows what she is doing. She'll be useless as a Guardian if she can't use her abilities."
"Excuse me! I'm a very competent fighter!" Mihari shouted. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here! If you have a problem with me then take it up with me!"
"Kami save us!" The woman threw her hand to her forehead. "She's completely wrong for this job. We can't entrust her with him!" Mihari was about to reply to that when suddenly Ryoji shot her hand out toward her in a claw like motion and squeezed the air. In that same instant she felt like her 'body' was being crushed under some horrible weight, like Ryoji's fingers were crushing her. She gave a strangled cry.
"Ryoji!" Hae yelled. "Stop this. You're being ridiculous." He grabbed Ryoji by the shoulders and shook her.
With a smile touching on malicious Ryoji opened her hand and let Mihari go. "See, she can't even stop a simple soul grip."
"That will be enough." Hae sighed. "I already told you why she has to be the one. Its important."
"As I said. Teach her properly. And if he dies…you know what's at stake." She gave him that pointed finger again. Her wings twitched again before raising off her back. "I must attend to my charge. Something is off."
"Danger?" Hae inquired.
"No. He's just upset, and they've got their hands full over there with his little brother now."
"He's the one with the beast inside him?"
"Yes." Ryoji for once looked liked she might have some compassion in her. "The poor child. You've seen his life script, correct?"
"Yumei wants to change it, but they won't let her."
"So they're going to let his father turn him into a monster?" Ryoji was shocked.
Mihari was confused about what was going on, but she meant to catch every word and hold it for later. It might come in handy once she figured out things.
"I'm afraid so. But things will change in the thirteenth year."
"The other?"
"Yes. They'll battle, then become friends."
"They'll make good companions." Ryoji finally approved of something. "Farewell, Hae. Give everyone else my regards." She bowed her head in a respectful gesture and then vanished with a spiral of wind, her form becoming energy in the air. It flowed away from then, then disappeared completely.
"May I ask?"
"Not at this time." Hae said, dropping down from the fence beside her. He grabbed her arm and guided her to the house in front of them. "We must hurry. He's only been safe for a short time. They'll can't sense them this early, but I don't want to take chances."
"What can't sense who?"
"You have some instincts. You asked What instead of another who."
"Something is going to be after someone in that house?" Mihari exclaimed. "Am I to protect them?"
"Yes, but I must explain to you the great dedication that must exist for the assignment I am about to give you." He led her up to the door and – Mihari's stomach churned – through it. "This mortal is one of the most important beings in this world right now. His soul is strong and pure, and one day he will be a great warrior. However, it is our jobs to make sure he makes it that far. To be specific, it is your job since he will become your charge."
"Whoa… he's a kid?"
"Infant."
"What!?"
"You know, a newborn. He isn't quite attuned to this plane yet, so its hard for them to find him. So before they start to come, we must get you settled and in place. It is important you are there to protect him."
"I don't want to be a babysitter! I'm a Shinobi!"
"You were a Shinobi!" He reminded. "Dead now, or don't you remember that slight change in density." If Mihari could see his face she would have sworn there would have been a smirk there. He was making fun of her.
"I don't have to do anything." She growled.
"You would let an innocent child die?"
"Can't you get someone else?"
"No. As I already explained to Ryo." He kept pulling her through the home. There was a man asleep in the main room, but she didn't have a change to take in any details before being dragged into a hallway. "You are the only one. Its rare for this to happen, but the two of you have a special type of energy that only allows others of your type to guide them. It is either you, or that child in there dies."
Mihari could be lazy at times, and she tried her hardest to weasel out of situations like this – she didn't like kids too much – but there was no way she would really turn her back on a baby. "Okay, where is he?"
Hae went through another doorway and let Mihari follow of her own volition. When she entered she saw a crib sitting in the corner. Hae stopped but Mihari walked forward and peeked inside. "This him?"
"Yes."
"He's a beautiful child."
"Indeed. He's got a tough life ahead of him, Mi, are you ready for this?"
"Only I can do it, right?" She blinked down at the sleeping baby. Something strange stirred inside of her and for the first time that night she realized it fully. She was dead. Never would she be able to enjoy something like this of her own. Protecting and guiding this child was the closest thing to motherhood she could ever experience. That filled her with a deep kind of sadness. "He'll be my everything."
Hae pulled back his hood finally and regarded her. His earnest expression of study fascinated her, as did the fact he was wearing sunglasses. A smile broke out on his face after a few moments. "Well, Mihari, over the next couple days I'll teach you the basics, then we'll find your true power and train you up a few more weeks."
"Basics of what?" She was still confused. She lightly brushed a finger over the child's cheek and he cooed in his sleep. She grinned to herself.
"Welcome, young one, to the great and divine ranks of the army of light. We are protectors, guides, soldiers, healers, and most important, spiritual entities of great power and integrity. Called by many names, we are, in laymen's terms, Guardian Angels, my dear."
Mihari froze. An angel? Angelic was always the last thing anyone had ever described her as. An awkward smile curled her mouth. "Wow. That's… um… big."
"Very."
"When do I start?"
"Now. I have to go. A guardian's work is never done, and unfortunately, my charge will interrupt our time together often. Until I can return to fully explain everything I leave you with this: a great darkness is bursting forth from its restraints. That child and others like him are the only hope for the continuation of this world. If anything strange happens, if a shadow moves in the wrong direction, if you feel like something is wrong or off, call to me. I don't care if it turns out to be a freaking flea!"
"Yes. I will. One last question?"
"Shoot."
"What is his name?"
"Your charge?" Hae glanced at the child. "Akimichi Chouji."
Just as quick as Ryoji had vanished Hae was gone, leaving Mihari alone with her new charge. A queer feeling of disquiet settled inside her. She had no idea what to do, or where to start. She only knew she had a responsibility. "It's just you and me, kid." She whispered, leaning against the wall. "But don't worry. I'll always be here."
Author's Notes: Ok. The prelude went a little bit longer than I originally intended, but I think its ok. I know its just some original characters right now, but give me a chapter and I'll have some canon in here. But as for now the next chapter will have to set up the background on what is going on. If you haven't guessed, everyone has their own guardians. All the "kids" will have their own special guides. We met three in this installment. Ryoji, Hae, and Mihari. We know Mihari's charge, but I'm curious, can you guess from the hints I gave who the others are? Just curious.
Next Chapter: Hae finally gets some time away from his charge and begins to train Mi to protect her own precious bundle. But soon she learns things could get serious! "What the crap is that? An evil demon shadow thing! I'll take care of that! ACK! It just bitch-slapped Hae! What do I do!?"
Ja, until next time, Kazekage!
