Grey sighed a little as he stood waiting for the reason why Commander Hunter had called him down here. ‘Could he get on with it?’ Grey groaned slightly causing the Commanders ears to turn towards him.

“Walker what is your post currently right now?” Commander Hunter questioned through the heavy air as Grey needed to rethink of his words some. “Sentry Sir.” Grey replied as he kept a narrowed gaze on the Commander. “Sir if I may speak freely.” Commander Hunter nodded as he finally flopped into his large chair behind the vast desk. “You’ve called me here because you are concerned about Mistress Hunter… correct.”

Commander Hunter chuckled, a little as he lined a hand under his chin as he continued on his path of thinking. “Walker she is not what you may think she is.” ‘I can believe it.’ Grey thought to himself.

“Rye isn’t the same little kid I left six years ago,” Commander Hunter was lost for words.

“Sir six years can change a person.” Grey commented as he nodded gently. Shaking his head quickly Commander Hunter leaned forward over his desk as there was a familiar hint in his eyes. Shuffling back a little, Grey didn’t want to know what was happening. “Walker consider your new post to be watching over Ryden.”

Grey blinked rapidly. “Sir…” Grey wanted to protest but Commander Hunter would hear none of it. His hand was up like a stop sign causing Grey to already to regret ever laying eyes on Rye.

“She seems to like you already Walker, and I rather not have a different soldier with her. She seems to be more violent now and since you’re a half demon I think you can handle her.” Commander Hunter reminded him of his hevanick. “Anyways Walker, Rye is pretty easily to maintain.”

Rolling his eyes, Grey knew he had no choice of the matter. He was now Rye’s ‘bodyguard’ whether he liked it or not. Nodding to the Commanders orders, Grey turned out of the sights of the Commander.

Growling under his breath, Grey stared up the flight of steps to Rye’s quarters as he knew this was going to turn out bad for him. He could feel it in every inch of his body. ‘We are going to be a bad combo.’ Grey warned himself.

Pulling open the door, Rye studied over her new clothes and thought they suited her better than her old keeper clothes. She wore a blue shirt over a gray one, blood red gloves, a gray bandana, and black jeans and boots. “Well I guess I can’t really stay mad at Carmon.” Rye spoke out loud.

“The clothes seem to suit your thick skin.” Grey spoke as he back off the wall and stood firmly in front of her. Trying to keep herself from barking from the sudden movement of him, Rye chose to let him think he hadn’t scared her there.

“Are you my protection Grey? It seems you are always around now.” Rye joked light-heartedly. “Can’t say it’s a bad thing though.”

“You could say that Rye. Your brother put me in charge of watching over you or something…” Grey smiled. “What do you mean it’s not a bad thing?”

Rye shook her head. “Nothing not a tender little thing Grey.” Rye grinned leisurely as she turned and looked down the hall. Peering through the corner of her eye towards Grey, she traced her eyes slowly over each carved muscle, tightened tense tendon, as his hair was a very interesting spiked, golden blonde which seemed to bring out the soul chilling blue in his deep gaze. Even under all that armour he wore, she still could see the worn muscles of his as she twirled a mysterious smirk to her face. ‘For a Vena Guard, he is one sexy… ahhh don’t be thinking like that!’ Rye scolded herself as she rapidly ran her hands through her hair; causing Grey to look over her in a strangest manner.

Laughing lightly, a brush had crawled across her cheeks as she felt utterly stupid for thinking like that. “Are you alright Rye?” Grey questioned. Rye nodded quickly as she rubbed the back of her neck stupidly. Walking up to her, he gave her an examining look over as she could smell the salt on his skin with the light hint of his personal smell as it gave off some of the weird ‘cologne’ Brock her brother would wear to impress the ladies. Her heart was racing up into her throat as Rye figured that she had better get walking before she began to regret ever standing there with Grey.

No matter how much she loved to be near and personal with him, she knew the rules of the guardian… it was a vicious rule as she just wanted to kick Scarlet in the ass for it. She wanted to flirt and be a sexy little vixen she knew she could be. But to be caught breaking the rules meant harsh punishment. ‘Bah! Stupid rules!’ Rye snorted as she began her walk down the hall as Grey followed remotely. Shaking her fist to herself, Rye closed her eyes just wishing she could turn around, turn on her charm, and have her way. ‘I hate this!’

Later on that day, Rye had asked Grey to leave her be as she studied her magic book because she couldn’t control her powers yet. Taking Garth with him, Grey wondered about outside. The sky was a light blue colour with no clouds, no wind no nothing. It was just another calm day in Stormin’. ‘Well at least I don’t have to be troubled with a nine hour sentry duty again.’ Grey told himself.

“Yo Grey!” A voice called to Grey from out of the blue. Turning to look around the surrounding area Grey knew the voice well as he was beginning to wish he was inside now. “Over here you dolt” Turning his attention to Dovea, she sat upon the protective wall of the base.

“Oh shit!” Grey jumped as he slid over to the wall to Dovea as she was wondering how to get down. “Dovea what the hell are you doing here?” Grey snapped as he helped her off the wall.

“I came to see this place you now call home.” Dovea smiled innocently. Narrowing his gaze to Dovea; Grey carefully examined over her.

“You’re a bad liar Dovea.” Grey growled. “You’re here to see Rye because you like her and you wanted her to teach you how to kick like she did yesterday.”

Dovea giggled childishly as she blinked slowly to him. “Damn you Grey Walker. You know me all to well, but since you know are you going to take me to Rye or am I going to have to find my own way in?” Dovea smirked mischievously. Leaning back a bit Grey ran his finger through his hair and then turned away from Dovea.

“You better leave Dovea before you get into trouble with the guards here. I am not taking responsibility for what happens to you.” Grey muttered loud enough for Dovea to hear.

“Jeez Grey. Ever since you cleaned up; you’re such a stick in the mud. No fun!” Dovea whined. Turning back to look at Dovea, Grey seen a blur of auburn hair move pass him towards the base.

“GET BACK HERE YOU BONE HEAD!” Grey called as he glanced down to where Garth was suppose to be but found him running towards Dovea. Darting after Dovea, Grey grabbed her shoulder to stop her but almost had a fist hit him in the face. Grabbing her arms to bound them by her side, Grey couldn’t believe that he had once grown up with this woman.

“Damn it Dovea stop being a spoiled brat. You cannot be in here and I don’t want my ass on the line!” Grey snapped as he twirled her to look him in the face.

“Is this the way we welcome our guests Walker?” Colton called from his left. Whirling around to face Colton, Grey heard Dovea praise the good spirits for their great timing.

“Guest?”

“Yeah guest Grey.” Colton lowered an eyebrow as Dovea snapped at Grey. “Mistress Hunter sent me a letter this morning asking me to come here.” Dovea barked as she slapped Grey’s hands off her forearms.

“Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?” Grey growled through clenched teeth.

“Because I know you wouldn’t have believed me.” Dovea stuck out her tongue as she skittered over to Colton’s side for protection.

‘Brat.’ Grey repeat through his head.

“Miss Dovea I presume?” Colton smiled as he addressed Dovea like a gentleman. “That I be. Could you please take me to Mistress Hunter good kind sir?” Dovea bluntly said towards Grey. Watching Colton take Dovea and Garth to Rye, Grey thought he better go talk to Mistress Hunter first.

‘Arg! How do I get into these messes? I thought I left Haven Fortress to get away from this?’ Grey asked himself, hoping to get some kind of answer.

“Come in Grey.” Rye spoke softly as she never lifted her scanning eyes off a large black book that sat on the bed in front of her.

“Rye may I ask you a bold question?” Grey enquired as he stood in the doorway, not wanting to intrude into her domain. Tracing her finger along the page she stopped it on the word she was reading. Her sights lifted as Rye narrowed her eyes to Grey and waited for him to speak again. “Did you send a letter this morning to Dovea asking her to come the Vena base?” Grey requested. Removing her finger from the page, she closed the book and crawled to the base of the bed. Looking up to Grey, Rye simply nodded.

“Great now I feel like an idiot.” Chuckling to her-self Rye stood up in front of Grey and smiled slowly. Grey peered down to her smaller figure as he wasn’t too sure about her at the moment and what she would do to him.

“You thought that Dovea was breaking into the base and you had to stop her correct?” Rye laughed. Lowering his ears a bit, Rye smiled kindly and with a flick of her wrist her white cobra sword came into her palm. Arching the blade smoothly in the air, she kept her eyes on him.

“How well are you with a sword Grey?”

“Alright, why?” Grey replied as he turned his head a little just keeping his curious gaze on this guardian.

“Care to take a Guardian on for a little fun?” Rye leered cunningly, as she slipped the sword into the scabbard. “I’ve been trapped in here for the last couple hours. Nothing like a harmless little sword fight that helps the body lessen the tension.”

“Why so you can lose to me? Oh the embarrassment…” Grey joked. “Aha, I am so sure.” Rye jabbed at him with her slender finger. “But how shall I ever know unless I take you on?” Pushing Grey to the side, Rye skittered out into the hallways she pressed her legs into a steady sprint; passing Dovea and calling her along with Colton following behind.

“So tell me this again? You are going to take on the commander’s sister, the Guardian of Vena Temple on in a blaze of swords!” Colton repeated to Grey.

“Yeah, I doubt she is as good as she says.” Grey grinned arrogantly. There wasn’t anything more satisfying than taking down a guardian at her own game. He could already see the amazement and perhaps it would draw people’s eyes away from him being a hevanick.

“From the rumours I heard, guardians aren’t just skilled in sword battles, but hand to hand combat.” Dovea spoke as her eyes went wide. “You actually want to take that on Grey?”

“I’ve heard that also but if the Mistress is anything like her brother, she’ll have beat Grey in ten minutes tops.” Colton spoke as Grey caught a cocky smirk on Colton’s face.

“And you both can believe what you will. I’m going to take Rye out and show you two that a guardian isn’t as strong as they seem.” Grey laughed.

“Don’t get cocky Grey; you may think I’m just a harmless little maiden, but I’m going to show you the true vixen I can be!” Rye chuckled as she stood in the field just looking over her sword. “Take your stand boy and watch the master kick your sorry ass!” Placing both of their swords in their scabbards, Dovea looked over both of them and was about to call start before Grey interrupted her.

“Hold on Dovea. I like to make sure of something to have a fair fight. Rye can you use your magic yet?”

Rye blinked dumbly. “No, I haven’t had enough experience to bring it forth yet. Why afraid that I was going to start you on fire?” Rye laughed. “You’re kidding right? Dovea start this battle so I can end it” Grey spoke proudly. “GO…”

Rye pulled her sword out of the scabbard smoothly and pushed herself hard off the ground to fly through the air for a minute and landed firmly behind Grey. Kicking her right foot out, Rye swung around and took Grey out from under his feet or so she hoped. Flipping himself backwards Grey booted Rye’s sword out of her hands across the playing field.

“Not so smooth are we?” Grey laughed.

“I warned you not to get cocky.” Pushing herself up on her hands into a catwalk Rye twirled her self a bit and then rolled over to her sword but was stopped by Grey’s sword that sat above her hand.

“Sorry Rye, try something else.” Grey smirked. “You might just as well give up.”

“I don’t think so.” Giving a blunt kick to Grey’s stomach his grip on his sword loosened and before he realized it Rye had belted him with another strong kick and then took his sword. With rapid speed, the sound of grass crunching under her feet Grey began to wish he had thought twice about this. Driving his spaded blade forward at him, she caused him to skitter back as he seen the Egna sword drive itself into the ground. Thinking he was safe, Grey heard Dovea cry as he whipped around to see Rye’s awesome recovery. An long carved Dragontooth bow came from behind her back, firing a red oak arrow at the shoulder blade of him. Waiting for the piercing sting Rye seemed to miss her target. Not being discouraged, she threw up her bow as she sprung forwards and kicked the feet from under him again, making him smack painfully on his back to the ground. Fully knocking the wind out of his lungs. Curving himself to his side, Grey gasped for air as finally the final touch of her attack appeared. Rye pushed herself into a front flip, landed, and caught the bow in her hand again. Arrow strung and pointed towards him on the ground, a sly evil smile came to her face. An evil charming chuckle escaped her as she let the arrow fly, driving itself into the dirt as Grey fell over on his back. Rye’s travelling footsteps rose to him as she laced a boot upon his chest. Looking up at the sole of her boot, Rye pressed down on Grey’s ribs forcefully almost enough to break them. Grunting with the force on his ribs, Grey watched Rye carefully as he tried to move.

Sitting on his stomach, Rye grabbed his hand as he seen the thin bloody line from the arrow cutting between his middle finger and ring finger. “Aw I think you lose.” Rye smiled as she stabbed the arrow into the ground fairly close to Grey’s head. Grunting again, Grey pushed himself up on his elbows and looked to Rye as she gave him a superior smile.

“Holy crap!” Colton gawked as he and Dovea stood above the two.

“It wasn’t that amazing.” Grey answered gruffly as he held Rye’s stare. “You cheated. You never said we could use any other weapon besides a sword.”

Rye leaned close to his face as she smirked playfully, “I never said there were rules now did I?” Rye smirked as she continued to sit on Grey. “But you know Grey you fought pretty well; I’ve never had anyone make me loose my sword yet, nice job.”

“Are you going to get off of me or not?” Grey asked as he flopped back down.

“You’re just so comfy like a marshmallow so I think I’ll just stay here for awhile…”

“No you’re not!” Grey cried as he sat up properly and made Rye fall into his lap. Flipping her hair out of her face, she looked up to Grey’s soft _expression.

“Rude! But it’s still comfy” Rye smiled as she fixed her sitting position and leaned up against Grey. “Now carry me.”

“What am I to you? Your slave?” Grey asked as he sighed. Watching Dovea sit down besides Rye’s head, she turned her attention over to Dovea and smiled a cattish grin.

“I think you owe me some money Dovea.”

“Here you go Mistress Hunter, five rupees.” Dovea smiled sweetly. “You beat Grey like you said you would.”

“Mistress here’s your sword and where was my piece of this bet?” Colt asked childishly.

“You guys were betting against me! Out of my lap you wretched woman!” Grey barked as he slid his hands around Rye’s waist.

“Aw come on Grey. Your really cosy, can’t I just stay here for three more minutes?” Rye pleaded.

“Nope. Out!” Grey smirked as he picked Rye up and sat her in front of him.

“You would think Rye that you would have gotten your way, since you are a guardian” Colton joked.

“You would think…” Dovea laughed. Standing up Rye narrowed her eyes to look around the surrounding area and then started walking back to the base.

“Something wrong?” Colt called.

“Very. I think we all should start back to the base and get preparing for the war at hand. We have had our fun and now it’s time to get busy.” Rye commanded from her distance.

“Oh yeah I completely forgot about the war.” Colton confessed. “When you’re watching a good fight, I guess you loose all sense of time and what is happening in the world around you.”

“What war? Lord Colton what war?” Dovea asked.

Grey agreed with Colton’s observation. “Well I think be better get back before we have Commander Hunter on are asses again.” Grey smiled grimly. “Not like he did when we first started out here eh Colton?” Grey joked as Colton agreed with a throaty chuckle.

“WHAT WAR!!!” Dovea screamed making the two boys turn and stare at her.

“Something that is not concerning you Dovea, anyways I think you should go back to the fort and stay there until it is completely safe to come out again.” Grey spoke firmly as he cast a glance to the direction that Rye left.

“For once I think Walker is right, Miss Dovea.” Colton crossed his arms over his armour as Dovea seemed more than just confused. But if she didn’t want anything bad to happen to her hometown then it would be better for her to remain locked up in Haven Fortress.