Once again, I dropped off Kat’a at her room, only this time, I had company, her mischievous friend. “Good night, Kat’a,” I bid, kissing her forehead.

She made a face at me. “Staaaaaald,” she whined, “that’s annoying. Besides, you were kissing Louie, you might have given me cooties.”

I rolled my eyes, not bothering to verbally answer the comment, and hoped she was teasing. Goddess knew it wouldn’t have been the first time she’d said something like that and been serious.

T hugged her friend gently, grinning. “We should do this again sometime.”

Kat’a raised an eyebrow. “Yes, because we never go drinking,” she said, deadpan.

T giggled, hugged her again and bounded down the hall.

I waited long enough to give her my best “I’m a guardian and dead serious” glare. “Bed, young lady, I mean it. I will post a guard at your door if I have to in order to make sure you sleep, or rest at the very least.”

She made another face at me and stuck out her tongue. I reached out to grab it, and she quickly brought it back in her mouth. “I think I can handle taking care of myself without one of your pet guards hovering,” she grumbled.

I shrugged. “I worry.”

She sighed. “I know. But I’m fine. I’m in one piece. See, practically unkillable.” Loosing her balance and yawning widely interrupted her moment of bravado.

I chuckled. “Sure you are. Big tough princess. Go to bed,” I repeated.

She sighed. “Fine, fine,” she groused before opening and slamming the door in my face.

“Such a charming girl,” I muttered to myself, running down the hall to catch up with my charge. “Reminds me of a certain archdemon.”

“Who does?” T chirped from behind me.

I swallowed an oath, and spun, grabbing her arm. “Your friend.”

She smiled, that “I know something you don’t” smile which usually indicated that she was going to start trouble or was in trouble. “She’s your friend too, Staldy.”

I ignored that in favor of phasing us home. We barely took two steps before a certain blond archangel barreled towards us looking frantic with worry.

“Where’s the fire, boyo?” I muttered, quietly enough that he didn’t hear.

“You said you wouldn’t get into trouble,” he hissed, directing all his attention to T. “You said.” Though what it was exactly that she had said was left unknown, as his ability to speak coherently had been lost.

True to form, T stared at him a moment before snickering at him. She rolled her eyes and continued walking, brushing against his arm and wing. It was a subtle movement, very slick, not slick enough. It also had the desired effect, as his yelling rant was derailed completely as his mind shut down from the contact. Poor boy. I bristled, but let it go.

“Wha…you….GET BACK HERE!” Raph hollered, chasing after her. “I wasn’t done! I told you to stay out of trouble! Instead, you return with Ma’Stald looking far more pissy than usual.”

I raised an eyebrow at his back. That was news to me; I thought I seemed quite calm, no blood, no yelling, no glaring, no scowling, no weapons drawn... Shows what I know, I suppose.

“What the hell were you doing? What did you and Kat’a do to get him looking like he’s going to spit nails?” Raph continued his ranting.

“Raphael, rant, rave, make a scene, I don’t care, but leave me out of it,” I growled.

He stared at me and seemed to contemplate what to say next, filling the hall with blessed silence. Unfortunately, it was doomed to be a short silence, judging by the still fluffed wings and his personality.

“You picked a fight, didn’t you!” he howled at T.

I could handle the yelling, up to a point, but we’d reached that point when my ears started hurting, and I couldn’t hear anything but his yelling. T had clamped her hands over her ears to try to dull his voice some. Well, I was the bodyguard. I slammed him against the wall and hissed for him to either keep it down or shut up. He gulped and squirmed free, sulking. With ringing ears, T and I continued to her rooms, leaving the angel to either follow or go home.

“Stay here, I’ll be right back,” I bade T before phasing once more.

The sun shone brightly down on the lands of forest and gardens. Birds sang overhead bright and content with life. The trees thrummed with good will and cheer, soaking up the soft sun. I paused, running through the list of guards under my command, trying to decide who would be best to keep Kat’a where she was…at home and hopefully in bed. Someone cute, cuddly and more stubborn than the princess they’d be keeping company…

A small feral smirk accompanied the perfect idea. “Mik’hal!” I called, getting the attention of the shorter elf.

Like the good little guard, he came trotting over. “Sir?”

I felt the grin grow more reckless, and watched him pale. “I have a job for you. Make sure that Kat’a stays where she is, and if you can manage it, get her to stay in bed.”

His eyes widened. “Sir, please, no. I…Kat’a? But…no, I know you’re pissed at me for sleeping with your charge, but that was a long time ago. Can’t you just consider…”

I glared. “You’ve been given an order. Do it,” I snarled.

He slumped visibly for a moment, and muttered a dejected, “Yes, sir.”

I nodded and left as abruptly as I had arrived, phasing back into T’s rooms, hoping she was still there. I was not in the mood to go hunting for the reckless little princess.