Hello, again, my faithful readers! I come, bearing yet another chapter…and cookies :3 And a lot of you might be wondering what took so long. Well, the answer is, I've had a lot of computer drama these past few months…and weeks. But, please read the announcements!

The drama: In all, we have four computers in our house, in which one I am not allowed (by my parents) to use for ANYTHING. Another Computer uses a TV screen as the monitor, and…the TV broke, so it is currently away and I have no access to that. Then, we have the laptop… Oh, yes…the sweet laptop, which is pretty much mine, considering I am the only one who uses it. ANYWAY, I had started on this chapter and everything, had a bit more than 1000 words and I turned the computer off. The next morning, I came in and tried accessing it, but the thing had broken or something…only being able to have its data completely wiped to work, I believe. And alas, I lost the whole part of the story I had worked on. Now, we have this computer that I am working on right now, in which my brother almost always seems to be on, playing World of Warcraft (Don't get me wrong, I like the game, but…I'm not to a near-obsessive point like he is). But, disregarding that, I had to retype this whole chapter (when I could) and then work on the new parts I had not yet typed up. Not to mention I am severely changing the style of writing…well, at least somewhat.

The Change: The chapters will now be longer, and (hopefully) more descriptive. I know a few of you have said that this story has been a little bit too fast-paced, and I agree, so I am also slowing it down….hopefully not to the point where it gets boring. And another main point is that it used to be a third-person omniscient point-of-view, where I shopped everyone's thoughts and such at once… Now, it is a third-person limited point-of-view, only focusing on one character at a time. I bet you all will be able to figure out who's POV it is, and remember it might change after I use the three hyphens.

Another announcement is that I have revamped my profile to include a story status section where it states the status of a chapter, when the last chapter was posted, story notes, the current story arc and etc. If you want to know how the chapter is coming, you can take a look there. Okay, end of announcements.

Disclaimer: I do not own ToS, or its characters, settings or plot. I only own my OCs, and my variation of the plot.

I hope you enjoy!

Wings of the Seraph-A Kranna Story

Chapter Four

To say Anna was disgruntled was an understatement. Seething, she glared at the source of her agony: her 'protector,' Kratos. The redhead seemed to take no notice of this, however, and only continued to watch for anything that might come their way. Mumbling, the former prisoner glanced away.

'If protecting means to wake up someone early and force them to walk miles upon miles every day, then I'm going to kill whoever thought up that damn word.' She silently swore with all bitterness. The brunette turned her emerald gaze back to Kratos, the enigma man, and the Desian who had for some reason saved her. Her eyes began to twinkle mischievously.

'This means war!' She promised him mentally. She began thinking up a plot in which she would publicly embarrass him in Asgard for what he had done. 'But if he was unfazed by blood, fighting, death, the things at the ranch…and my anger…then what will unsettle him or embarrass him?' She sighed, almost in defeat. There was almost no one who had gotten nervous from her being angry. True, she did not have the coolest of heads-Kratos was definite proof of that- she did not have the worst temper, either.

'Somehow, someway…I'll get back at you…for sure…' The woman vowed. 'I will…'

---

Sometimes, Kratos questioned his own sanity for rescuing Anna. If he would have known she would be this bothersome, would he have even saved her? He shook his head. No, he probably would still have done what he did. No one deserved the fate that was in store for her if she stayed. He looked behind him at the woman, who was smiling brightly at him. If he had not seen that glint in her eyes, he would have thought she was naive.

"Kratos," Anna's smile broadened. "Where are we going first in Asgard?"

'I should have known that would be the first question…' The seraph mused. Just ahead of them was the said city, and they would likely pass through the entrance in a few minute's time.

"Hey, Mister 'I'm so cool, so I don't have to answer!' I asked you a question!" The woman fumed.

'Too bad, Anna.' The man responded silently. His burgundy pools flitted back and forth, scanning the city. 'Hmm…it has changed since I was last here…' He quickly thought up an agenda for their short stay.

'The first priority would have to be…' With the start of that thought came an unbidden image to his mind's eye of Anna in her rags. 'Yes…she needs something else besides her current…clothes…'

"Anna, wait here. I am going to see where I can find a place that sells clothing." He ordered her firmly. The former prisoner crossed her arms.

"Fine, but don't take long! You don't want poor, defenseless me to be taken by the Desians, do you?" She retorted tartly.

"…" Kratos walked forward, leaving his companion behind. He had only to find the nearest citizen of Asgard to tell him where the clothing store was, and then he could meet back up with Anna. Then, if he had luck on his side, Anna would not try to make a fool out of either herself, or both of them, when they headed towards the inquired location. The red-haired man soon caught sight of a group of women spreading the latest gossip, but he decided they would not give him the right amount of information. Gossiping females, he had learned, always seemed to add on too many things, and any knowledge he had gained from them turned out to be at least partially false, in the end. Luckily, he then found another man, just standing near the entrance.

"Could you tell me the location of the clothing store?" He asked the single man. Kratos saw the one he had asked hesitate, likely because his piercing gaze had settled upon him.

"W-well, sir, it's…further into town…" The Asgardian gave the seraph precise instructions after his stuttering statement that were satisfactory enough for him to know the general location of the store.

"Thank you." He turned his back on the Asgardian before he could respond, but stopped in his tracks when he heard the gossip from the three women he had seen earlier.

"Did you hear?" One said.

"What, what?" Asked another.

"The Desians are looking for someone, and they're offering a reward for turning her in!"

"Oh, really? How much?"

"Thirty-thousand glad! Can you believe that?"

"What does she look like?"

Kratos felt he already knew what was going to be said next.

"She apparently has long, brown hair, and stunning green eyes. The wanted poster also stated she would be clothed in a brown, ragged gown that was thin enough to see her form. At least, that was what the poster said. I don't know about you girls, but I want that money!"

'They already put posters out here? And that sum…Kvar must be getting desperate to have Anna back.' Kratos felt his legs breaking out into a run to get back to her.

"Kratos, why the rush?" Anna's voice suddenly stopped him. She blinked with confused jade eyes.

"The Desians have posted wanted posters for your capture. We must be more careful than we have been."

She laughed softly. "Well, why would people turn me in? I just escaped from the ranch, so-"

The seraph's eyes narrowed. "Anna, they have said to have a reward for your capture; a reward of thirty-thousand gald."

"Th-thirty-thousand? Am I really that important to…Kvar?" he nodded grimly. The brunette's eyes widened and she inched closer to her companion. "Then, how…how are we supposed to get through town without being caught?"

'Her voice is cracking…but she is still trying to keep a brave front…' He spoke no words, only shaking his head.

"I…I don't want to go back, Kratos! Please…try to think of some way!" Without even realizing it, she had thrown her arms around the seraph's middle, and was shaking profusely.

"Anna…" He reluctantly wrapped an arm around her. "Come on. I won't let them take you…" He assured her, but in reality, his mind was speaking his reason. 'I won't let another get their lives destroyed like this…and I won't let…Mithos…receive that gem.' As if to make things worse, rain began to poor down form the heavens, soaking the both of them.

"I…I guess…" she whispered. The rain made her clothes and her hair stick to her even more than it already did, and she blushed. Kratos guessed it was because she found out what she had been doing. "I'm sorry!"

"No, it's…fine." He replied. This whole act had given him an idea of how to gain entrance to the city without being caught or recognized. "Do that again, and don't let go."

"Huh…why?" She seemed very confused now.

'She probably thinks I like her now for some odd reason…' The seraph gave her a look that said, 'Do it now, or you will get caught.' With a sigh of relent, she nervously hugged his middle.

"If anyone questions us, I will say that you are my wife," Anna twitched. "And you had gotten sick, so we came here as quickly as we could to rest." He paused, and watched her face for a moment before continuing. "So all you need to do is rest your head against me and close your eyes. I will lead you to the right place. And, Anna, let me do the talking. Try to cough or act sick, even, if at all possible."

She held his gaze for a moment longer before sighing, and casting her eyes down. "I guess we have to do what we need to, huh?" With a lack of enthusiasm, she repeated her previous actions and laid her head against his chest. Before her eyes closed, he could see her eyes narrow as she leaned further in-likely looking for a heartbeat-but her eyes softened when she seemed to be reassured of whatever it was. Finally, her eyes closed.

"Indeed." He muttered, wrapping his left arm around her frail-looking body. The seraph watched her as they approached town together. 'She's playing her part well… Does she feel that she can really trust me?' A shadow crossed her face as they passed under an arc.

"Kratos…how long will it take?" Anna murmured, turning her face to the side and opening one eye very slightly.

"It should not take long until we are there." He responded.

"That's…good…" The woman whispered with a yawn. "So…sleepy…"

The man almost jolted from her words. 'It is like back then…when Yuan and I first met Mithos and his sister…'

"Who…are you?" The girl asked Yuan quietly, her eyes drooping. Kratos knew the guards had likely drugged her to make her this sleepy.

"There's no time to explain right now, but we must get you out of here!" His half-elven friend replied. He pushed a lock of her pale green hair back behind one ear as they navigated the stone corridors. She nodded.

"Yes…" Her eyes closed, but then, she gained a wakefulness that surprised even Kratos. "Mithos! Where is…my little brother?!"

"We didn't se-" The human stopped. "I will go back and retrieve him. Yuan, you take her and go on ahead. I will meet you back at camp once I've finished here."

His friend dipped his head slowly. "Alright."

"Thank you…" The girl they had rescued whispered. Her eyes closed yet again.

"We will reach the surface soon, and the campsite is near. Don't worry; Kratos will get your brother." The aqua-haired half-elf assured her.

"That's…good…" She yawned. "So…sleepy…"

Kratos smiled. He stood where he was until he could see them no more and turned back. "But how am I supposed to know where, or who her brother is…?"

He had learned a very valuable lesson that day, thousands of years ago. Back then, his nineteen-year-old self had not thought to ask for more details, and it had proven quite tough to find Mithos. Eventually, and only because of luck, he had come across the very young boy, only about three years old. The way Anna was holding onto the seraph now was exactly how Yuan had carried Mithos' sister.

'The past always seems to resurface itself… No matter whether or not we want it to…' He shook his head to clear his thoughts. 'We need to get mov-'

"Excuse me, sir!" A voice stopped his thought process. He turned his head to see who was the source of the sound. His eyes saw a woman with long, curly red hair smiling up at him. Kratos quickly jerked his head forward again and continued walking on.

"Please wait, sir!" The woman called out, but he ignored her. "Please…!" Eventually, he got to the point where her voice faded away. Finally, the town became a quieter place.

"Anna," He whispered, as so no one would hear him. No response. "Anna!" Once again, nothing came from her, as he soon found she was asleep. Gritting his teeth, he withdrew his arm from around her and instead placed his hands on her shoulder. He shook her back and forth in an attempt to wake her up. "Anna, wake up! We're there!"

As if by some miracle, the woman's eyes snapped open. "Great!" She grinned as she turned around and looked at the shop looming over her. "Let's go in!" She was quick to grab the doorknob and turn it. "Come on, Kratos!" She entered, leaving the door open fro him to pass through.

"I'm coming, Anna…" He followed his charge, and closed the door behind him.

"How about that, and, oh! Add in that detail, make sure its that color… Ah-ha! This will look great!" The seraph groaned softly as he watched the brunette draw out a clothing design for the shopkeeper.

"Hold on, there, little lady!" The shopkeeper smiled a bit too widely as he calculated the sum. "Let me see…that will cost seven-hundred and thirty gald!"

"It's that expensive?" The woman turned her head. "Kratos, honey…would you be so kind as to give me the money?" She teased him lightly. He glared at her. "Please?"

"…Fine…" He, almost grudgingly, walked over beside her and handed her enough gald to buy the outfit.

She grinned. "Thank you, dear."

"Don't mention it…" He mumbled into his hand.

"Well, now…I'll need to take your measurements." The shopkeeper continued.

"Excuse me?!" Anna hissed. Kratos took his gloved hand off his face and glanced at the shopkeeper. The perverted pleasure he saw in those eyes made him step in between his charge and the man.

"Leave the room. I will get her measurements for you." The shopkeeper frowned, and seemed lost in thought. An instant later, he saw the man smile.

"Fine, fine…but when you're done, she's mine." The storeowner went into the back room and shut the door behind him.

"K-Kratos…what are…are you…" Anna stammered, backing away from her guardian. She gulped. "Going to do?"

"Anna, I am not going to 'do' anything to you. Would you rather that man 'accidentally' touch certain areas while he measures you?" She looked away. "That's what I thought."

---

"So, Kratos, how do you like it?" Anna asked the mercenary on the way to one of Asgard's two inns. The seraph examined her new outfit carefully, so to see that there would be nothing that might at all draw attention to herself. Her new outfit consisted of a simple lime green shirt and white trousers, but she had an orange sash tied around her waist, and the same color of a cape not unlike Kratos', except with cloth hanging loosely around her neck, and a third 'tail.' Now, instead of sandals, she wore gray boots that would make traveling easier.

"Hmm…It seems fine." He responded. The woman sighed.

"Oh, come on! You never compliment anyone or say anything that isn't degrading!" She griped. "Can't you just live a little, for once?"

"If it will keep you from pestering me for the next hour, then, Anna, it suits you." He turned his back on her.

"You are so sweet." The brown-haired woman, as she was trailing even further and further behind her guardian, picked up her pace.

"…" The seraph shot her a glance as he entered the more luxurious inn of Asgard. The man strode over to the innkeeper without giving his companion another thought.

"I would like a room for two, with hot baths and breakfast." The innkeeper nodded an accepted his money, in turn handing over the room key.

"We should get rest; tomorrow, we will get supplies, and set out." The redhead told his shadow.

"But, Kratos…it's not even late, yet!" Anna protested.

"That's because we're leaving early in the morning, preferably at dawn." He heard the woman groan, and mutter something about a 'damn word.' Ignoring her ramblings a few moments later, he thrust the key into a keyhole. He turned it, and waited for his charge to go inside before locking it up again.

"Good night, Anna."

And, that's it! Yes, shorter than I thought it would be, but I did not want to keep you readers waiting too long! I am going to be able to gain access to another computer within a few days, so I will start working on the next chapter then! If you have not already, make sure you read the announcements at the top. And don't worry…this is not the end of their stay in Asgard… And as for Anna getting back at Kratos…she will :)

You all know the drill by now: You don't have to review, but every time you do, a Kratos kills a Kvar, and you get a preview of the next chapter!

See you next time!