The Guardian

By: Wildfire Sky

The next chapter coming at ya! I'm so happy with the responses I'm getting, and was even more pleased at the fact that someone actually thought my fic good enough to put into a C2! It's unfortunate my other fic Ante-Mortem hasn't, but they might be waiting for me to finish it...or get better at writing, whatever comes first I suppose. Enjoy and R&R!

The Guardian

Chapter Eight

Akoshin smiled gently at the blind, shaking child before him, a curious young creature that happened to fall into his lap. He reach out a hand, gently brushing aside the matted strands that covered half of the youngster's face, the hair plastered to his scalp from blood and dirt.

"We have much we must do to make you presentable, my young friend." Akoshin said softly. "First, we must find you a proper name, for as much as I enjoyed the vile term with which your uncle summoned you, to be under my care, a man must have a title worthy of a samurai."

The boy started at this, blindly staring at a spot three feet from Akoshin's face. "A samurai? I don't want to fight in any war!"

Akoshin laughed. "We will discuss that later. As for now, a suitable name...a strong name." The man paused in thought, staring at the young boy. "You will be known as Hikaru, for soon you will see light again and when you do, your training begins. Now come with me." He took the boy's hand, noticing the tension increase in his fragile muscles. "There's no need to be frightened of me, I'm your protector now and will do my duty to the best of my abilities, you have my word."

The now dubbed Hikaru slowly nodded, confusion etched across his face. He allowed himself to be lifted to his feet and led around like the pathetic blind child that he was. He would have given his right arm to be able to see again, even if it was only for a moment. The smells of smoke, body odor, and animal wastes surrounded him as he was lead through what he believed was the camp.

Loud, zealous voices sounded around him, bombarding his heightened hearing. He could tell the difference between Akoshin and the others easier than he would have imagined, the blindness seemed to increase the sensitivity of his other senses, making him agitated and jumpy.

"Your eagerness is unnecessary, my young friend..." Akoshin said in a low voice, "These people will not harm you as long as you are in my care, do you understand?"

The boy remained silent and Akoshin stopped. He felt the man's hands jerk from his grip and his head was suddenly whipped around as a fist connected with his jaw. Hikaru crumpled to the ground, horrified at the action. He thought that such unbidden acts that seemed to characterize his uncle would end with the protection of this new group he'd found himself in.

A hand clenched itself against his shirt, bodily lifting him from the ground until his toes barely touched the firm land. Hikaru clawed helplessly at the hands, helpless to stop the assault as his new master gave him a firm shake.

"You will learn to answer when I speak to you, Hikaru!" Akoshin snarled before lowering the stunned child to the ground again. "You will learn when there is a time to answer and a time to remain silent...you will learn how to make the silent shout to the heavens and quiet the noisy forever." Akoshin nudged the blind Hikaru into another shuffle, his hand on his shoulder. "Things will be different for you now, my young apprentice. If you thought your uncle was a terrible man, then you will grow to hate me as well. But know this, unlike your uncle, the pain that I inflict will make you stronger than you have ever been before."

Hikaru allowed himself a small smile. "You will, Akoshin-sama?"

There was a chuckle, the hand pressing a light squeeze on Hikaru's shoulder. "Just you wait and see. But first, a warm bath and food. Then, when you are rested, we shall begin."

"But, Akoshin-sama, how am I to train if I can't see?"

The elder warrior laughed again. "Hikaru, you must learn to make your handicaps your strength. If you can't see, use your ears. You will be surprised how loudly a man breathes, even when he is hiding." They turned again, and then there was a sound of flapping cloth. "And besides, you are not truly blind..."

Hikaru froze, his heart swelling with new hope. "I...I'm not?"

"Of course not. Were you truely blind, in your heart you would know it. You would not bother trying to look around and search for things. Your mind would tell you that your efforts are fruitless, however, in your case, you do search and that tells me that you don't know what your soul does."

Hikaru was forced into a sitting position on what felt like a smooth wooden floor. He heard the sound of sloshing water and of something dripping into that water. There were footsteps and shuffling, the sound of rustling clothing.

"Hikaru." Akoshin said from somewhere above. "This is Akara, my daughter."

Soft hands clasped his own, giving them a firm squeeze. "Hello, Hikaru-chan." Said a gentle voice, a voice that instantly made Hikaru feel safe and warm. "You are safe now with my father and me, so fear nothing as long as we are near." Her hands left his, running over the contours of his face. "You have a very strong face, Hikaru-chan...the face of a fighter."

"Will you bathe him?"

The hands dropped from his face. "Of course, father, whatever you ask. I'm sure that this blood will come away with the warm water."

"Good. Then dress and feed him before he returns to my tent." Akoshin sounds further away. "I must go and speak with our leader on certain matters; I leave him in your good care for now."

There was the sound of flapping again, signaling Akoshin's retreat. Hikaru remained still for a moment, straining to hear of any sounds or movement. For a long while he sat, patiently waiting for his bath to begin. He let out a loud yelp as someone tapped on his shoulder, Akara's voice coming from behind.

"Have you fallen asleep, Hikaru-chan? The bath is this way."

Hikaru frowned, struggling to his feet and groping blindly in front of him. "I can't see, Akara-sama. You have to show me the way."

Akara laughed gently. "Gomen, Hikaru-chan, but this time you must find your own way. I will give you a hint, though; it's in this same tent."

Taking a hesitant step forward, Hikaru reached out with his hands. "Akara-sama? Am I headed in the right direction?"

"Perhaps...search not with your eyes, Hikaru-chan, but with your mind. You'll find it easily enough."

Hikaru moved slowly about the room, letting out frustrated cries as his continuously ran into objects that bruised his ego more than his body. He ran his hand over each new object, measuring it's length to safely go around, only to run into something new. He tried crawling, but had nearly knocked himself unconscious. Then he tried bigger steps, allowing for more time to stop himself should his foot hit something, but that only resulted in numerous trips and falls. Finally, with one last frustrated cry, he stormed forward, angrily pushing aside objects and tables until he felt Akara's warm body in front of him.

"I can't do this, Akara-chan! It's too hard!"

Akara's hand took his as she laughed again, pulling them down until they touched warm liquid. He blinked his blind eyes rapidly trying to understand.

"But my dear, Hikaru..." Akara whispered, "I believe you have done it."

Kenshin sat against his bedroom wall, his hands itching from missing the familiar feel of his sakabatou resting against his shoulders like it used to. Vaguely he wondered where and what Toorima was doing right now...whether or not he was planning another vicious attack on this once peaceful dojo. Kenshin found himself unable to relax now, with a mix of both Karou and Toorima, his nerve endings were fried beyond belief.

Running a hand through his hair, Kenshin released a shallow sigh. He didn't mind Karou's intrusion into his once solo lifestyle, but now that Toorima's reared his ugly face, he felt torn between going after Toorima directly and staying at the dojo to protect Karou and the others. In one hand, he could simply find Toorima, defeat him, and send him to jail where he belonged...in the other, he had his dedication to Karou...

Sighing again, Kenshin decided that he could do nothing either way if he was exhausted. Although it hadn't been long since Toorima's attack, Kenshin already felt drained of energy and, truth be told, he was already sleep deprived. Nightmares from the past had begun to haunt his dreams even before Toorima had entered his life.

The ex-hitokiri slid beneath the covers of his futon, his eyes instantly closing as soon as his head hit the pillow. He lulled his body into a relaxed state, telepathically checking the dojo for any sign, no matter how faint, of ki. There was a small hint of it, yet it came from Karou's room. No doubt, it was low because she was now fast asleep. Snuggling deeper beneath the sheets, Kenshin fell into a meditative sleep.

As soon as his breathing slowed, the shadow near the doorway, well out of the moonlight, shifted, rising into a standing position. Only his narrow red eye could be seen as he slowly and cautiously approached Kenshin, drawing the blade at his side. Toorima stood over the prone warrior, observing him silently, his head cocked to one side.

You sleep too deeply for a hitokiri Battousai. That will be the death of you...

Toorima raised his sword, holding it parallel to his body and aiming for his target's heart.

I would love to see you suffer, but there is something else that has drawn my attention now...

Toorima's eyes narrowed at the thought. His precious item...his treasure had been taken. The small mirror that held so many memories had disappeared and could not be found. It was unfortunate for Genze when he'd discovered the missing possession. By this time, the fish should be starting to nibble on what's left of his mutilated form.

And I will get it back!

Toorima drew in a deep breath, his eye gleaming with victory. This ends tonight, Battousai!

Suddenly, Kenshin's eyes snapped open, staring directly into the assassin's shocked face. "You're too slow to kill, Toorima."

Toorima blinked in surprise. "Battousai..."

Kenshin took his opportunity, knocking aside Toorima's blade and delivering a swift kick to the man's midsection. Toorima instantly curled over, a hand clasping his attacked stomach as he stumbled back. Kenshin attacked again, throwing his elbow down directly onto Toorima's spine. The assassin collapsed to the floor, his sword clattering away from his hands. He snatched at Kenshin's ankles as the smaller man dove for the weapon.

"That is not yours to take, Battousai!" he cried, heaving his weight back and dragging Kenshin towards him. "You will have to do more than throw a few punches to defeat me."

Kenshin whirled around, his foot lashing out and catching Toorima across his cheek. His hand still firmly latched onto Kenshin's ankle, Toorima rolled with the kick, his face snapping around to lessen the blow. Letting out a deep throated snarl, Toorima reached inside his robes, drawing his dagger. Kenshin barely had time to react before the blade was driven deep into his calf, eliciting a ragged cry from his lips. Toorima's own lips curled into a harsh snarl as he plunged the blade deeper into the bone and muscle.

"Kenshin? Kenshin!"

Both men turned at the sound of pounding footsteps. His eye narrowing to a mere slit, Toorima launched himself from on top of Kenshin, dashing over the moaning man and snatching up his sword. He quickly melted into the shadows; watching and waiting as the young Karou slammed open the door and rushed into the room.

"Kenshin!" she cried out at the sight of blood pooling around his leg, "Kenshin, what happened?"

Kenshin groaned, his hand coming down to clutch the immobilizing wound. Straight through the muscle, he couldn't operate effectively until it was healed. Which meant that he very well could die...and so could Karou. He jerked away as Karou bent down to touch him.

"Karou-dono!" he bit through clenched teeth. "Run! Get out! Toorima's here!"

Karou blinked in surprise before rocketing to her feet, her eyes darting all about. "Are you sure Kenshin? I can't just leave you here!"

"Yes you can!" Kenshin shouted, urging her with his voice to escape. "He'll kill you if you stay, now go!"

Karou looked down at him, panic filling her face. "But Kenshin, what about you?"

"I'll be fine..."

"I'm not going to leave you here..." Karou's breath hitched in her throat at the feel of a cold, merciless blade tickling her throat.

Toorima smirked against her cheek as he nuzzled close, glaring at Kenshin over her shoulders. "You know something, Battousai...she looks remarkably like Tomoe-san, don't you think? I'm sure you remember her..."

Kenshin's breath caught at the mention of his fallen love. Oh yes, he remembered Tomoe...he remembered her everytime he looked at Karou, everytime he actually felt at peace it seemed like a life he could have had with a woman who had brought out the blackness from his soul. But none of that mattered now...Tomoe was the past, and right now, he needed to concentrate on the present.

Keep him distracted... "How do you know of Tomoe-dono, Toorima?" he asked, rising to a kneeling position, blood sluggishly flowing between his fingers. "There are very few who knew of her and surely they are dead by now, that they are."

Toorima snorted in contempt, his hood flaring momentarily. "I know a great deal about you and my dearest Tomoe...I know of how you murdered her and then buried her as if you really loved her!" Toorima's grip tightened around Karou. "You are a fool to think that such a hideous crime would not resurface...you should have known that justice would be brought..."

Kenshin frowned, struggled to his feet to face Toorima. The assassin took a step back, firmly keeping distance between himself and Kenshin. Kenshin winced slightly at the pressure on his knee, but gamely faced the assassin. "I have done no crime to Tomoe...yes, I killed her, but it was an accident."

Toorima spat on the ground. "Don't lie to me, Battousai! She interfered with you precious battle and you cut her down!"

"No." Kenshin calmly shook his head. "She died...she died to protect me, that she did. She was not murdered...she sacrificed herself."

Toorima's attention on Karou was lost momentarily as he channeled all of his hate at the man in front of him. "Damn you, Battousai. You truly are lower than scum. Sacrifice? What woman would do such a thing, especially for a cold hard killer like you?" He thrust his blade in Kenshin direction, his eyes blazing, "Burn in Hell!"

Karou saw her chance. As the blade dropped from her throat, she threw her body backwards, catching the fuming Toorima off guard. He stumbled back, arm still tight around her body, as he tripped over their flailing feet. His leg entangling Karou's, they both let out a cry as they tumbled from the room and out into the moonlit grass between the gate and dojo. Toorima immediately shoved Karou away from him, wrapping his robe about him tighter in order to protect his body from the rays of the moon. The violent shove sent Karou flying into the outstretched arms of the following Kenshin.

"Karou-dono, are you alright?" Kenshin asked, steadying her.

Karou nodded, turning to look over her shoulder at the withering Toorima. "I'm fine...but what's wrong with him?"

They watched in fascination at the dark robes shivered violently in time with Toorima's spasms of anguish. He fell to his hands and knees, red eye riveted to the ground as he crawled backwards and into the protective shade of the wall overhangs. Trying to slow his ragged breathing, Toorima glared at them.

Kenshin stepped in front of Karou, blocking her from Toorima's view. "Give up now and leave, Toorima. The elements are obviously against you tonight."

Toorima stared at Kenshin, his breathing heavy. The silence dragged on, the two dojo protectors eyeing the assassins, ready for anything. Slowly Toorima lowered his head as if in defeat. The earth seemed to shatter as a low, throaty chuckle filled the air.

"Do you really think me that much of a fool, Battousai?" Toorima hissed, lifting his head and staring directly at the samurai. "I may fear the light, but moonlight is something that I force myself to endure. It is you who the elements have betrayed on this night. Look."

Kenshin shifted his eyes from Toorima to the darkening sky above. His heart sank at the sight of large, thick clouds starting to roll in, evidence of a waking storm. He glanced back at Toorima, maintaining a composed face even as Karou gripped his arm in worry.

"Kenshin..." she whispered urgently, "The clouds..."

"Are nothing to be concerned about, Karou-dono." Kenshin replied firmly, raising his opposite hand to cover hers, "I will deal with the situation, that I will, do not trouble yourself."

Toorima stepped forward as the rays of the moonlight were slowly blocked by the clouds. He was chuckling as he moved closer and closer, his grip tightening on his blade. "I will enjoy this, Battousai...greatly. Too long have I played games, watching and waiting for the perfect time. On this night you will die amidst the applause of thunder and rain."

Kenshin stepped further in front of Karou, flecks of gold dotting the edges of his eyes. "You will not harm Karou and you will not kill me. I swear to that."

Toorima paused as a ray of moonlight fell through the clouds, striking his body. Reflexively he jerked back and yet urged his body to remain in its place. He allowed himself a firm smirk of victory as his body ceased its obnoxious quaking. "You see, Battousai? Already, I am conquering all elements of the night. Soon, the day will know my terrors as well." He lifted his sword, pointing it at Kenshin in challenge. "Come Battousai! Let us see if you can tame this demon of your past!"

Kenshin straightened, crouching down into a fighting stance. "I can see you won't leave until I defeat you, that I do." His body tensed. "Then I fully accept your challenge."

Kenshin rushed forward, his unchallenged and legendary speed proving its worth once more as he charged the waiting Toorima. The cloaked assassin smirked as Kenshin winked from view, stepping over to one side just as Kenshin reappeared, hand snatching for the now missing weapon. Toorima barked a laugh as he brought his sword lashing down, but once again, Kenshin's speed saved him from a brutal death. The red-haired samurai rolled to one side, coming up in a crouch facing Toorima.

Toorima pulled his embedded sword from the ground, staring at Kenshin, his eye slightly curved in what hinted at a smile beneath his hood. "Your speed never ceases to amaze me, Battousai. That blow would have surly beheaded you." His lifted the sword again. "Come once more, please. My skills are as rusty as yours."

Kenshin glared at him, ignoring the trickle of blood that fell from the shallow cut at the base of his neck. "Your skills are rusty?"

"Oh!" Toorima gasped mockingly. "I seemed to have actually cut you! That will make things much harder...I'll actually have to aim this time if I want a clean beheading. Try again."

Kenshin glanced at Karou worriedly, silently begging that she remain in that spot. Karou stared back at him, her lips pressed in determination, eyes narrowed. Kenshin's heart clutched, feeling true panic for the first time in a long time. He'd seen that look before...she always had that hardened glare whenever she was about to do something that he'd never agree with. Kenshin tried to communicate with his eyes, tried to plead with her to remain out of it, but her stubborn look only intensified.

"Too long!" Toorima snarled, easily catching both of them by surprise as he rushed forward.

Kenshin never had time to react; too distracted was he by Karou and her safety. He was just rising to his feet when Toorima's foot connected to his face. Kenshin was sent flying into the dojo walls, blood spurting from his mouth. He landed in a pathetic heap, crimson liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth, his tried body struggling.

But Toorima was relentless. He was beside the fallen hitokiri in an instant, snatching up the rurouni's long hair in a tight fist. Toorima jerked back ruthlessly, pulling Kenshin off balance and dragging him away from the wall. Kenshin let out a cry of pain, his hands coming up to try and pry away Toorima's iron grip.

The first drops of rain began to fall.

Toorima grabbed Kenshin up by the collar of his kimono, lifting him until they were eye to eye. Gold flecked violet stared deep into darkened red as the two challenged each other. For the first time, Kenshin got a good glimpse at the face behind the shadows and the image was one that would forever be burned into the back of his mind.

"Your...face..."

Toorima's red eye narrow, lips curling into a sinister snarl. He threw Kenshin to the ground, pressed a heavy foot onto the injured leg of the rurouni. Kenshin let out a strangled yelp as Toorima leaned over him, reaching into the depths of his black cloak.

"There are many things I don't like in this world, Battousai," he growled, his foot increasing the pressure on the still bleeding leg. He shoved his sword in the ground next to Kenshin's head. "One of them is the eyes of people...of warriors such as yourself. Eyes have a very bad habit of going places where they don't belong, such as yours have, Battousai." He uncorked the tiny vial in his hands. "This is a little something that I like to use when necessary...a tool used to teach the curious not to pry into dangerous unknown."

Kenshin began to struggle, white flashing on the edges of his vision at the blinding pain lacing through his body. He tried to lift the upper half of his body in an attempt to grab at the killer. Toorima snorted in disgust before lashing forward and wrapping his free hand around Kenshin's neck. Although the ex-hitokiri's eyes were now a blazing gold, he felt no fear. He was stronger, better, and smarter than the old man. He was a god of the night and the Battousai was nothing more than a maggot compared to his great power.

Toorima held the vial over Kenshin's face, his eye gleaming with excitement. "It will be quite hard to fight when you cannot see, won't it?" He tipped the vial, the clear liquid rushing to the lip. "Enjoy the world that I once knew..."

"No!"

Despite every thing he knew about Karou, he'd never expected her to do what she did. Toorima jerked back as Karou snatched at the vial in his hands. Gripping his wrists, she pulled at them, trying to prevent the inevitable from happening. Toorima was too shocked to do anything for a moment, but as she went for his fingers, he was finally moved into action. Face twisting to a look of pure hatred and annoyance; he glared at the interfering woman.

"Get you gone, girl!" he snapped, pulled his arm back.

Karou ignored him, still grappling with his arm in a losing battle. "You won't hurt him!" she declared stubbornly.

Toorima began to shake with anger. "You dare to try and stop me?" His whole body seemed to move with the anger flowing through him. "I am a god! Find your place beneath me and stay there!"

"No!" Karou shouted at him, freeing one hand to deliver a hard punch to his face. The punch was so unexpected, so unthinkable by Toorima's terms that he was caught completely by surprise as his face snapped around from the force of the blow.

Time seemed to slow for Kenshin, his body unable to respond quickly enough. Toorima fell back, the vial launching from his fingers and into the air. It seemed to hover there in space before tipping down and releasing its contents onto his unprotected face. The pain was indescribable and time returned to normal.

Kenshin let out a ragged scream of anguish and pain as the liquid showered around him. Toorima had recovered from the blow, his hand wrapped around Karou's as the scream ripped from Kenshin's throat. They both turned, Karou's face riveted in horror at the sight of a thrashing Kenshin, still pinned by Toorima's legs. Despite his strength, Toorima was bucked from Kenshin's body as the wild animal need of survival surfaced in the warrior. He back away from Kenshin and Karou, watching in fascination as the Battousai jerked and screamed, his love trying vainly to calm him.

"Kenshin!" she cried, a mix of rain and tears streaming down the side of her face, "Oh gods, Kenshin!"

Kenshin screamed again, raising his hands to his face, rubbing at his eyes. Toorima laughed at the sight. "Yes! Rub the toxin in deeper, Battousai! Go on, scrub away!"

Karou instantly grabbed Kenshin's flailing hands, trying to stop him from doing further damage. The moment she did this, Toorima was back on his feet, striding towards her angrily.

"I told you to get back, woman!" he snarled, shoving her away angrily and snatching up his sword. He viciously kicked her in the stomach as she tried to rise, taking great satisfaction in the look of pain that crossed her face as she collapsed to the ground, curling into a fetal position. Toorima turned back to the Battousai, firmly planting his boot on the squirming man's chest and raising his sword.

"Welcome to a world of eternal darkness, Battousai..."

Karou lashed out with her foot as the blade came down, her heel connecting solidly with Toorima's knee as an audible pop was heard. Toorima let out a cry and he was jerked to one side, his falling blade burying itself deep into Kenshin's right shoulder. Toorima fell and rolled away, clutching his knee in pain.

"Damn you, bitch!" he yelled at Karou as the dojo master struggled to her feet. "Damn you, you'll pay for this!"

Even as Karou made a move for his sword, Toorima was up and gone, shoving his weapon in to his scabbard before Karou could grab hold of it. He back away from her quickly, glaring with a hate filled eye as he disappeared into the shadows and out of the dojo gate. You'll pay...

Karou remained motionless, staring at the spot where Toorima once stood. She could feel the tears of fear and sadness rolling down her cheeks, unable to move although her mind willed her to. The ragged moan from Kenshin averted her from the trance-like state she'd fallen into. Karou fell to her knees, cradling Kenshin's head in her arms as he moaned and whimpered like a beaten dog. She rocked back and forth, holding Kenshin tighter as his hands came up to grab at her soaked clothing.

"Kenshin..." she whispered, head tilted towards the sky. "Oh, Kenshin...I'm so sorry..." She leaned down, pressing her lips to Kenshin's fevered forehead as she rocked, the sky truly opening up as the rain fell in sheets, the lighting flashing. "I'm so very sorry..."

And far above, thunder and rain began to applause.

How's that? Haha! Finally, right? Finally Kenshin is blinded and finally I update. Apologizes for taking so long on both. I really am ashamed for that. It got distracted by my other new Gundam Wing fic "Jungle Rot". If you're a Gundam fan I encourage you to read it. I'm getting good reviews.

Also, if you're a GW fan (whether you read or write) I think you should pay a visit to the website on my author page: Aishiteru. It's now being updated every Sunday, so please submit and please read! It's one of the biggest (if not the biggest) library of Gundam Wing works on the web!