Chapter 2 "Youth without Youth"

A ten-year-old boy with dark hair and blue eyes faced down his opponent. Across from him was another boy, maybe three years older, approaching him with raised fists. The younger boy showed no fear and stood down this challenge, though he looked quickly to his left and right for a possible escape, knowing he stood little chance in this fight. He spotted his six-year-old brother crouched down about thirty yards to his right. The day before, the brother had stolen a knife from the older boy and escaped. Today in the market, the older boy had seen the knife in the brother's hand, and confronted him, but the blue eyed older brother had seen this and intervened.

The older boy was flanked by four other boys ranging in age from thirteen to ten. These now filtered down the flanks of Blue Eyes, cutting off any escape. Blue Eyes peeked once again at his brother, who's eyes were darting around as if he was about to run. A second later he did so, sprinting in the direction of their home. Blue Eyes sighed, feeling miffed that his brother was fleeing, but relieved that he wasn't in danger anymore.

The older boy continued to advance on him, and Blue Eyes readied himself, crouching down slightly on the balls of his feet. Just as the older boy got near and loaded up one fist for a punch, Blue Eyes judged his distance then head butted the older boy square in the nose. The height difference added up perfectly, and the bully's nose broke, spurting blood over both of them. He quickly fell to the ground clutching his face. The bully's cronies saw this and rushed in, but Blue Eyes had not waited to admire the result of his quick hit, and was able to roll past one of the boys before they could surround him. He stepped up to the nearest one and hit him square in the jaw, dropping the boy to his knees.

The next boy in grabbed Blue Eyes from behind, and held him while another hit him in the stomach. Blue Eyes grunted in pain and another boy hit him in the face, bloodying his lip. Blue Eyes reacted throwing his head back and catching enough of the boy holding him to get free, but he was immediately tackled by the other boys. They kicked at him as Blue Eyes covered up to try and lessen the damage.

"Stop!" yelled the first bully. The boys stopped kicking Blue Eyes and one of them dragged him to his feet. His left eye was blackened, his nose and mouth bleeding, and his face bruised. The bully's nose was still bleeding heavily as he walked up to Blue Eyes, and pulled a knife from his boot. Pointing it at him he said, "After I kill you, your brother is next."

"Hey!" Yelled a female voice from behind them. The bully looked up just in time for a rock to strike him in the face. He howled in pain as another rock hit one of the cronies holding Blue Eyes. Blue Eyes threw an elbow into the gut of the other boy holding him and ran in the direction of the rock thrower. Under a barrage of stones the bullies did not follow, but ran in the other direction. Blue Eyes looked up and saw a friend looking concernedly at him. It was a girl named Gin. Most girls didn't have names in this country; Blue Eyes only ever knew his mother as, well mother. She however had given herself a name that they both used.

"Are you ok Nin? You look terrible." She said. "It was nothing, thanks for the timely rescue." Ninrun said sarcastically. Gin narrowed her eyes at him. "What was that about?" she asked with attitude. "Rin was causing trouble again." Nin said. Gin sighed, "You know you should stop fighting his battles Nin, he deserves it anyway." "He's my brother Gin, they would have killed him." Nin glared at her. "Still…" She said.

Looking at his battered face her mood softened, "Come on I'll walk you home." "I'll be fine alone." He said grumpily. Gin's face went red for a second, but she didn't reply, just kept walking in the direction of Nin's house. Nin's blue eyes looked at her softly and she turned to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry." He said simply. Gin couldn't stay mad at him when he used those eyes on her. "I'll forgive you since your face looks like a mushroom." She jabbed. Nin smirked and they continued toward the house.

They reached Nin's home, a small wooden structure with little decoration, and four rooms, and he headed towards it while Gin continued down the road to her home. Nin looked at her with concern. She was still young enough that most of the predators did not look at her, but the more sick ones, well you never knew. Nin still remembered the day he found his mother being attacked by one of those bastards three years ago, and bore a scar on his forehead from being knocked unconscious by him. He entered the home and saw mother preparing the evening meal. He also saw Rin, squatting down in the corner, still playing with the knife. Nin strode over to him and snatched the knife from his brother. Rin's eyes flashed with fury for a second, and then his face fell as he saw his battered brother, his eyes falling to the floor without a word. Nin tucked the knife in his belt, and walked towards Mother. She looked up and saw his state. "Dammit Nin, what happened to you?" She glared with a mixture of anger and concern. "Nothing Mother."