Crimson blade, meaning of a name

The increasing scars I have

in exchange for freedom, and burning pain,

are signs that I live.

There was also a day when

I stopped walking in love.

That too is part of the faraway past.

(Anime) Arcadia of My Youth: Waga Seishun no Arcadia (Arcadia of My Youth)

Last time

Wolf turned her face calm. Yet the girls eyes where not the blue of before. Amber danced in her eyes, like that of a wolf's. A large man dressed in ninja gab stepped though the window, his eyes narrowing on the small teen, protecting the girl in front of him. His skin was painted black, matching his mask. The aura of the teen embodied pure violent, at him! Never in his life had felt such a thing, from a female of all people! Was this a demon of some kind?

Burning eyes pierced the shadows of the room, looking at a man clothed in black. Such eyes should belong to a demon. Not that of a teen, or woman by any chance. Still this is where these belonged even more. Wolf, or as she was called once on the streets in fear. Blood. Was about to let loose on a man, for going after a child no less. A cruel like smirk slowly appeared on the teen's face. The ninja twinge a little, his eyes growing a little bigger by the heartbeat. Sounds of his comers and battles cried filled the other rooms, now then a gunshot shattered the clinging of metal and human sounds.

The man took his moment, rushing at the teen with a pulled dagger. He had every intention of killing the girl with one thrust to her neck, making it look like he aimed at her head. The plan would work with someone of the west. As his thrust went for the head, his other hand pulled out a needle, stabbing at the heart. A hand blocked the needle! While the girl using the motion, pulling back into a roll on her back, throwing the man into the wall. Using her feet on his stomach. He hit hard and was knocked out cold.

The teen stood up, dusting her self off. Her gaze was cool, blood still dripped from her shoulder onto the ground. Leaving a dark strain on her gi and shirt underneath. Wolf sensed there were about 4 more outside. She walked to the window, holding the bloody dagger. One man looked up, seeing a pair of bluish amber eyes staring sight at him. Framed by deep crimson hair. It was the smile on the youth face that shocked. Blood was back, and in a mood for a fight.

Kenshin did an upper thrust with his sword, knocking the man up and out of the fight. As Wolf had run off, men had pilled into the room like ants to honey. He had lost count of how many had attacked. Sanosuke was having his ground being run over. Bodies on the passed out men covered the room. Slowly the group and one police cheif where being backed into a corner, with room to make a run for it. The red head sidestepped a short sword aimed at his neck, blocking it with his sheath. Where was Wolf in all this? His eyes landed on the door, if only he could clear a path!

" Sano, I am worried about Wolf!" Kenshin's yelled

Sano ducked a punch, coming up with an upper cut to the jaw of the man yelling, " She can take of herself Kenshin, we have other things to worry about right now!"

Outside, Blood had taken the fight to them. The three men circled the girl. Her face had returned into the cool mask, only her eyes burning at the men. It was during battle the teen had a gift. Foresight, letting Blood see her opponents attack moments before it happened. Back on the street, this had let her become one of the top gang fighters in the city at such a young age. And being a berserk was also a lift up.

" Are you going to attack or what?" she asked, looking at one of the men.

The shortest of the men rushed at the girl, while the other brought out a hand dagger. Seeing the attack was effortless to the young fighter, she sidestepped the rushing one making him trip into front. Slashing, Blood had mid judged the disuse of the other's reach, the small dagger leavening a gash in lower side. Blood grabbed the man's hand with her right, slightly turning to look at his eyes. He pulled away, yet her gripped was like steel.

" Your going to regret making me bleed this night asshole!" she whispered harshly

Her left foot shot as his knee, shattering the bone. A cry of pure anguish ripped from his covered mouth. She used his un- balance to throw him onto the ground, using an elbow drop on his lower spin. Anther cry tore from his lips. Front was back on his feet, his friend knocked out. Blood spat some blood from her mouth. Hating the coppery taste left behind. Front took his chance, to flee. The plan was done for now. Flashing, a thrown dagger caught him in the left back knee, making the man fall. Blood shooting out. Grunting he pulled out the dagger. Sounds of boots reached his ears, he looked up from ground. One swift kick to the face, and it was off to dream land for the man. Blood held her side, blood running between her fingers. Her left shoulder ached from the stab wound. Still, Valerie was alive and so was she.

Sano and Kenshin ran to the broken window, looking down the teen and her comatose bodies. Blood looked up, giving them a thumbs-up. Kenshin smiled, she was all right. Sano looked at the room and Wolf below. The girl has managed to take out four men on her own! He felt a little respect for the teen. Not many a female could do that.

Valerie tenderly opened the door. Her mother seeing her little girl was ok. Picked the girl up, crying out of gladness. Mr. Smith hugged his family in his arms. Never again would he take them for granted as he had done these past few years.

A few moments later, Wolf leaned on the wall in the main hallway. Most of the men of the attacked were in curtsy. She had taken moments to wrap her gash, hoping the banged would hide the blood until she could get to the dojo and take care of it. Her should still bleed a little, but nothing more. Sanosuke walked over to the teen. It had been hell of a night

" You ok Wolf?" he asked

She looked up, giving a weary like smile " Ya, just a little banged up here and there. Nothing a little bath, food or sleep can't fix. What about you Roaster?"

He gave his cocky smile replying, " Same as you, sleep winning over the bath thou!"

Both fighters smiled a little. Kenshin had talked to the officers, hearing the two laugh and joke a little made the rurouni smile. Still, he frowned, eyes on the teen. She was favoring her left side a little. Dark clothing was good to hide blood. Kenshin eyes narrowed a little. Wolf looked up, shaking her head. After a few questions, the trio made there walk home. Tonight having been a long one for them all.

" Wolf, this one wanders if you are ok?" Kenshin asked, his eyes on the girl

Sano shrugged, thinking, " Kenshin is being a little over baring again. Wolf can handle her self plenty enough I think."

All the girl did was nodded, not in the mood to talk. A corner of her visions was getting a little blurry. Swaying in out of the talking of the two. " Damn it! I lost to much blood!" she thought, " Just got to last until the dojo, then I can patch my self up." Her breathing was becoming labored a little. Kenshin took note the girl was falling behind them. Sano looked back a little.

" Wolf, come on!" he snapped a little. She glared at the man, making him twinge a little.

Wolf walked up to Sano, with every injection of laying the smack down, then her visions and body gave out, falling to the ground. Kenshin moved, caugting the teen in his arms. Blood ran from his hand to the earth.

" Sano, we have to get her to Megumi!" he picked up the girl. She was light in his arms; he made a note of this. To light for his taste for her age. The pair ran off, heading for the lady doctor. Wolf now and then felt she was being carried, someone she could trust. At last the teen gave into the darkness of sleep.

Next Chap

A brush stokes.

" You're bleeding again, your scar." His voiced softly

Wolf looked at the man, the blood dripped from her face. Something in her eyes was reflected back to her. Kenshin knew, that her soul was crying out. Yet her eyes would not let go of a raw pain.

" Mind your own life Himura!" She spat out the words. " I don't need someone looking over my shoulder and my life, so back the fuck off!