For disclaimer and warnings, see first chapter.

In this chapter I introduce two new characters, whose cards you may or may not have heard of.

The first is a card called 'D. Human'. I have named him Tairn. For an image, go here, but take out the two spaces: http://www. yugiohcardguide. com/single/SDK-030

The second is a card called 'Neo the Magic Swordsman'. Naturally, he's named Neo.

Notes: This is a really short chapter, but serves the purpose I intended. Enjoy and please point out any mistakes. Reviews are requested & appreciated, and constructive criticism is encouraged.

Guardian's Gaze

Chapter Two:

The D. Human

It was far into the early hours when Keiran's senses were roused. His body was taut with pain. He hadn't felt this terrible since his last encounter with a Blue Eyes. Those White Lightening attacks could critically injure a magician, even one of his rank.

"You're awake. I should thank you. You just made my job easier." It was an oddly calming voice, smooth yet deep, and Keiran was unnerved despite its unfamiliar tone. An experienced hand cupped over his forehead, brushing back his matted purple bangs and checking the temperature of his skin.

"You still have a fever, but the fact you're conscious is good." Finally gathering enough of his senses, the magician slowly began turning his head. The fabric of a pillow beneath his skin was a luxury and he wished to enjoy it, but he was wondering who had brought him here. Wherever herewas.

The man beside him was carefully examining a sheet of paper, biting his lower lip with a bit of concern as if he were rearranging his schedule and finding he had to cancel an important appointment. His blondish green hair traveled past his shoulders to rest decoratively on his chest. There was a certain rumpled look to the stands that on most would look messy, but on the man before him it was appealing. What really did the magician in were the long, bat-like ears on the man. They provided a unique but fascinating characteristic he had never seen before. Most noticeably, however, was the auburn horn that appeared to twist forth from his forehead. His dark skin was a charming bronze that complimented his narrow eyes partly shadowed beneath the curve of his brow. He was rather feminine in certain aspects, such as his smooth skin, but held a strong sense of presence and appeared very capable. All in all, he was not an unpleasant sight, but he would be lying if he said the man was not an eye-catching individual.

"Welcome back to reality, my name is Tairn. I am known as the D. Human as well as the head doctor in the West Wing," the man bowed his head delicately before he glanced down at his paper once more, "I was told your name is Keiran, is that correct?"

Keiran didn't trust his voice quite yet, and so gave a nod in response.

"Hm, another Spellcaster among the Warriors. I remember the last one Bixonel brought home." Tairn sighed, shaking his head but managing a fond smile.

"Bix?" Keiran asked hoarsely, cringing at the tone of his scratchy vocals.

"Yes, his nickname." the blond Warrior set his papers on a table and went into a sort of story mode, "He gives that name to everyone and never tells his full name unless it is required. That's just how friendly he is - always rescuing those in need and bringing his new friends back here for me to care for while he seeks permission for his 'damsel in distress' to remain until healed. The longer you know him, the more you realize he's quite the remarkable creature."

Keiran studied the dragon-like man carefully. An aura of safety was emanating from the doctor and Keiran felt he could easily place his trust with this one.

Tairn poured water from a pitcher into a clear glass he had been handed by a passing assistant. He brought his chair closer to the bed the magician was lying in.

"Bixonel is a high-ranking warrior, as you probably noticed," with a strong arm, the D. Human snaked his limb under the Spellcaster's neck and slowly began to lift him, "and he is known for his skill in swordsmanship and tactics - easy, don't tense or you'll hurt yourself." Tairn scolded him softly, chuckling when he finally finished his task and handed the now sitting magician the water. It was accepted, almost greedily, and Keiran began gulping the much appreciated and needed liquid.

"Slow down!" the doctor took hold of the glass and pulled it from his patient's lips, "Don't want you drowning yourself."

"Sorry," Keiran gasped, "thirsty."

"I can see that." The man smiled in an amused fashion, slowly shaking the nearly empty glass as he laughed with natural elegance. One of his lengthy ears trembled, catching Keiran's interest. The ear shifted slightly before it sloped smoothly downward towards the door on the other side of the room. He had heard someone.

Keiran looked up as he watched a form pass over the threshold of the entrance.

"Ah, good!" Tairn was immediately on his feet to meet the visitor halfway. Although their forms couldn't be seen clearly from the distance they were apart, Keiran was sure the new guest was the Guardian from yesterday.

"Sit, sit, sit! You look exhausted and no doubt you are." The man plopped his newest 'guest' into a chair, the chair he had been sitting on earlier, and pulled up another one.

Finally, Keiran could see Bix clearly. He found he was catching new details about the elf, such as the dark facial marks that appeared to be akin to his particular race. The Spellcaster had to smile; the Warrior's presence brought him further security. Bix's face brightened at the smile. He was relieved to see the magic-user was, in a sense, fine.

"Since you are the patient, would you like me to go over the list of your injuries? Bix has already read them, even though I tried to protect them," Tairn gave the guardian a disapproving and almost threatening look, "so it won't be anything new to him."

Keiran brought his bright blue eyes back to the doctor and tilted his head while processing. He merely nodded dumbly, not sure what else to do.

"First off, allow me to congratulate you. You survived quite the fall, according to Bix, with minor injuries. This doesn't include what you had previously accumulated. You now have yourself quite the collection of stitches, not in the same place, mind you, but still an impressive number." Tairn scanned down the paper in his hands and continued, "Thankfully the fractures I found were minimal - all of them being located in your right hand, so be nice to it for awhile. It looks as though your legs will heal fine except for the cut along your right calf. Favor it a little and it should prove no bother. However, what I'm most concerned about is that shoulder of yours. If my knowledge and experience is correct that injury was caused by a spell. A spell from a powerful staff, more so than your own."

Keiran turned his eyes to the floor and released a small sigh. The bandages wrapped around his upper body were flexible, and therefore he barely noticed their presence, but the pain was a dull ache. He couldn't deny Tairn's words. He had been attacked by his superior, after all.

A whir of noise suddenly filled the air, rattling like rocks in a metal container. He looked up, finding the sound was emitting from a box sitting on a counter along the side of the spacious room.

"Ah, is it that time already? Neo should be here soon." Tairn smiled as he began scratching his pencil against the papers on his lap.

"How are you feeling?" Bix finally spoke, his voice barely audible over the rattle.

Keiran managed a shy smile, "Could be better."

"Neo!" Tairn jumped in surprise as his elbow was shoved, causing his pencil to create a long, dark line over his notes. Keiran looked up at the man standing behind the chairs. The newest addition to the room was smiling and draping his arms playfully around Tairn's neck. His hair was a surprisingly upbeat color of blond. It was an interesting pattern for his new friends and he figured his own purple mop must have stood out terribly.

"It's dawn, dear doctor. Time flies when you're taking care of patients, huh?" Neo flashed a charming smile. The fondness in the man's eyes was apparent.

"Neo, meet Keiran, he happens to be the most recently recovered war victim." Tairn motioned towards the magician sitting on the bed, ignoring the last sentence from the man hanging around his neck.

"Hey there, nice to see another Spellcaster for a change. I heard there was a newbie here but I had no idea it would be a magic user." Neo blinked down at Tairn who was erasing the long black mark, "Anyway, how long do I have to wait, doc?"

Tairn smiled, "Exactly the same as every other day."

"You know I can't resist asking." Neo tightened his arms around the dragon lord in a brief embrace and kissed him briefly on the cheek before stopping the rattling machine and taking out the dose of medication.

"Neo was the step brother of Tairn before their parents parted," Bix nodded in Neo's direction, "but he's a Warrior as well as a Spellcaster. The power he possesses gives us a helping hand."

"I've heard of him." Keiran admitted, "Rumor has it he's a loyal and brave fighter." The Dark Magician smiled tenderly, watching Neo waving sarcastically at some of the others lying in beds.

"He's been kind to the Warriors here, even if they have refused to accept him." Bix rose from his seat, running a skilled hand through his hair to straighten it.

"Neo, stop pestering the other patients – and stop making Hayate laugh! You'll make him pull his stitches again!" Tairn made sure the man was moving away from his patients before he continued, "Alright, before I forget, tomorrow you will be moved to a different room. We all share rooms here. Sorry, we don't have much so you'll be bunking with Bix since his last roommate decided he was going to go and start someone's nightshirt on fire. Don't ask where he is now or what his punishment was, but understand we have rules here. I'm sure you will survive just fine though. Heal up and come see me if you have any problems. Bix may stay until the mid-morning stars are out, but after that I would like you to get some much needed rest." The dragon lord took a breath and sighed.

"Ow!" A voice howled, causing Keiran to jump.

"Neo!" Tairn snapped, rising and walking off to find his trouble-making companion, "Whatever it was you probably deserved it!" Bix laughed as Tairn comically attempted to wrestle Neo into submission. The Spellcaster poked and prodded the doctor, intent upon brightening his day.

He succeeded.

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e. 7.28.07

e. 10.3.09