This story flashes back from past to present and switches from Castiel's view to Julianna's view. I hope it isn't too confusing. I should warn you that some of this story contains fluff. It must be the mood I'm in. I hope you like it. Reviews are welcomed and appreciated.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Julianna.

To Laken: Thank you so much for all the kind words.

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Castiel wiped his face and stared down at his hand.

His hand was red, why was his hand red? It took him a minute to realize he was bleeding.

He felt dizzy and his vision was blurred. He tried to assess the situation. He was lying in a field, not yet sure where. His nose was bleeding and he had a cut on his forehead that seemed to be bleeding profusely. He knew that head injuries tended to do that. Castiel held his stomach. It was causing him some pain but he couldn't tell why. He turned and coughed up blood on the grass.

That isn't a good sign, he thought to himself.

Cas attempted to stand up but his body was working against him. His legs felt strangely weak and before he could catch himself, he was on the ground again.

He lay back down, trying to hurry the healing process. He didn't have time for this. He tried to sit up but the pain in his midsection stopped him. Closing his eyes, breathing deeply, he tried to concentrate. 'How long have I been here? Surely this pain will be over soon', he thought to himself. His healing process is usually much quicker but it had been a fight like no other.

They had tricked him. How stupid of him to allow that to happen. How naïve and trusting he was. He should have known that Raphael had not really wanted to speak of peace and compromise. Perhaps Castiel had wished it to be so and that is why he didn't see it for the deceit it was. Dammit, he was smarter than that.

At this point, he wasn't even sure how many there were. They jumped him from all sides. Castiel was a skilled soldier and he managed to hold his own for a short time. When he knew he had to get out of there or die, he willed all his strength to transport away. Anywhere, just away from there.

It was interesting that he ended up here. Cas dared open his eyes slowly and the spinning had decreased but was still threatening. He allowed himself to take a look around. This was where he met his little sister for the first time. Cas remembered….

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The field was expansive and completely open. It was the perfect place to teach new soldiers. Castiel and the garrison were instructing some of the younger angels on evasive maneuvers during combat. He enjoyed working with the garrison and teaching the young soldiers. He had been around a long time and had a lot of experience and knowledge he could pass on. Some of his brothers however didn't feel it to be an honor to teach. Rather, they enjoyed tormenting the young ones. "It makes them tougher." Uriel had said to him once.

Uriel liked to show off his abilities when working with the younger soldiers. Castiel watched as he threw a young hopeful named Janiah to the ground with ease.

"You are lucky that I am in good spirit today Janiah!"

The young angel only grunted in response and Uriel laughed a hearty laugh. Then as Janiah tried to get to his feet, Uriel pushed him down once more and laughed again.

"Uriel! That is not what I intended when I set up this exercise." It was Anna. She was leading the garrison and not afraid to show Uriel that she was in charge.

"My apologies of course" Uriel said rather sarcastically and helped young Janiah to his feet. Anna ignored him and continued on.

"Brothers please gather" Anna called out to the field.

The garrison formed together quickly in front of her.

"Today is the day that we will be assigning each of you as mentor to a guardian. They are still quite young. You will have a short time to get to know them today. It is our hope that perhaps you will keep an eye on them now and again and be able to guide them as needed; until they are old enough to be placed with a human."

Castiel could hear some low grumbling coming from some of his brothers. He wasn't particularly happy about this assignment either. What could he do to aid a young guardian? They do not fight and at the age she is suggesting, they are still learning how to feel and understand human emotion. How could he possibly help them with that?

"I know that some of you are confused about this but it is customary and the pairings were coordinated by Michael and Raphael. So, if it is not to your liking, I would suggest that you take it up with the archangels."

That started a whole new conversation throughout the garrison.

Castiel could see a group of guardians entering the field. They seemed very small to him, possibly the size of 4-year-old children. Of course Castiel would follow any order given to him but this seemed to be a waste of time.

One of the garrison spoke up then, it was Hester. It was as if she was reading his thoughts. "What would you have us teach them Anna? They are not fighters."

"It is my understanding that this is an exercise in mentoring and leadership. Michael and Raphael felt that it would be good for them to have a "big brother or big sister" to look up to and to aid them as they make the transition from heaven to earth to watch over their charges. There are many things that can be taught besides fighting."

Uriel whispered to Castiel then, "They are so small. I might accidentally crush one under my foot."

"Watch your words Uriel, even in jest." Castiel warned.

"You have no sense of humor Castiel." He grumbled.

The group of guardian angels all huddled together and stared wide-eyed at the soldiers. Castiel looked them all over as did his brothers and sisters. He wondered which one was chosen for him. He hoped that whichever one it was, that it didn't talk too much.