The next morning Anna sat with Mia on the front porch watching the Troopers train. She sipped her coffee and could swear half of it was made up of her own drool. Even Seiji (though she would never admit it to his face) had the body of a god. None of them wore shirts. She was amazed that with as much as Shu ate, he had a six pack to die for. Anna stared at their abs and imagined running her nails down them. There was nothing sexier than these hot sweaty men before her.

"How's the coffee?" Mia asked still watching the guys.

"Coffee with the best view ever," Anna replied before taking another sip.

Mia laughed, "I know right? It's too bad Seiji's married, Shu's married, and Touma is taken. That leaves you with Ryo or Shin," Mia said, "The others are look but don't touch."

"Ryo could light my fire any day he wants," Anna replied with a little laugh.

"Oh he is hotter than July," Mia added laughing more. Anna laughed with her toasting to her joke.

"What are you two laughing about?" Shin asked walking up and grabbing a towel from the banister of the porch.

"Girl stuff, you wouldn't get it," Anna replied with a shrug and Mia laughed more.

"Why don't you be helpful for once and get us some water or something," Seiji chimed in walking up behind Shin. He was glaring at Anna who returned the glare.

"I'll get it," Mia said getting up and going into the house.

"I'll help," Shin offered, choosing to run from the next battle.

"Wuss!" Anna called as she watched him run.

"Listen, I don't know what you're playing at, but if you're not helping then you're just dragging us down. So why don't you just go," Seiji suggested, his pale violet eye staring hatefully at her.

"I'm here for Shin, not you. So don't get your panties in a twist," Anna replied sitting back and taking another sip of coffee. She could swear Seiji turned a shade redder as he closed his fists. He grabbed the banister and easily jumped it, landing inches from her face. Anna didn't even flinch, she just watched him as he growled.

"Well Shin has us to look out for him, so don't worry your pretty little head," Seiji growled, "Seriously, you're just a distraction. He'd be better in battle if he knew you were home and safe."

"Who's to say my home is safe?" Anna asked, "I mean if you guys lose I'm pretty much screwed anyway, right?"

"Will you just go?" Seiji asked.

"No, you may not see it, but I feel like Shin needs me. He's like a brother to me. I care about him just as much as you do," Anna replied. Seiji rolled his eyes and leaned back against the banister. Mia came out with the water for them just then and Anna forced a smile at him.

"Well Seiji's still in one piece, that's a good sign," Shin said with a laugh, "Did you work your issue out?"

Seiji glared at her and gulped his water.

"Yes, we're just best friends now," Anna replied making Seiji choke and look at her confused, "Don't worry Shin, you know me. I don't hold grudges."

"Good, let us see you hug it out then," Shin said smiling cheerfully. Seiji shook his head, but Anna rose and wrapped her arms around his waist giving him a tight squeeze. Seiji awkwardly patted her back.

"See, the best of friends, no worries," Anna said smiling at him. Shin returned the smile and ran off to hand out the water with Mia.

"Listen, you be nice to me and I'll be nice to you. Shin doesn't need us fighting to add to his stress," Anna said pulling away.

"Me? You started it. You're the one invading-," Seiji started, but Anna held up her hand.

"I started it! You-," Anna stopped and took a deep breath, "Okay, fine, you pig-headed... ugh… Fine, I'm ending it, but let's get one thing straight I'm not your maid or your wife so get your own shit."

Anna wasn't one to swear but this guy just knew how to push her buttons. They had a brief glare down when Ryo called for the break to be over. Seiji sighed and turned away from her to join the others. Anna felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Everything okay?" Mia asked as she sat down in the chair. Anna sat back in the other chair.

"As good as it will ever be, I'm sure," Anna replied shaking her head, "Seiji and I are just like oil and water, we just don't mix."

Mia laughed, "Seiji's had a hard life. You might find that under all those layers is a nice guy, just give him a chance. Even though he acts like he hates you he'd still risk his life to save you."

"Yeah, did you have a hard time with him when you met?" Anna asked.

"Oh yeah, we still butt heads occasionally. I think he's just under a lot of stress from home and takes it out on us occasionally. I'm still surprised he's even more offensive with you, but it might be because you give it right back to him," Mia said smiling, "You probably don't know that his family is the respectable Date's that own a dojo. He has a lot of pressure to be the best."

Anna nodded and returned to her coffee and thoughts. She watched Seiji as he swung the sword like an extension of his arm. He obviously worked with swords. She watched the muscles of his back move as he swung the sword at Ryo. She gazed at Ryo's tan body and muscles as he blocked the attack and came back at Seiji. Anna had to check her mouth for drool again. She didn't know how Mia could stand this. She wanted to take them all to the bedroom and lock the door. She could just picture the five of them as her love slave. Their wives and girlfriend were damn lucky. Anna shook the dirty thoughts from her mind. The ominous clouds still remained and put Anna into a gloomy mood.

A few days later the guys were getting antsy and wondering if they should make the next move. Anna sighed and decided to take a walk for some air. It was early morning as she passed Seiji in his normal meditation spot under the huge tree in a field. They had a strange truce going on, but Anna could still feel the underlying tension between them.

"You shouldn't be out here alone," Seiji called. Anna blinked and stopped to look at him. She could have sworn his eyes were closed, maybe he heard her walking.

"I'm just going for a walk," Anna replied with a shrug, "Did you want to join me or something?"

"Of course I don't want to join you," Seiji replied opening his eyes, "But it's not safe so if you must walk, then I suppose I'll have to join you."

"Well don't sound all excited about it or anything," Anna replied, turning back to the path. She started walking before he came to join her and realized an odd fog was making its way over the ground. She found herself coughing a bit because it felt like she was breathing in water.

"Oh, my, you are a lovely thing aren't you?" came a deep and sinister voice from the fog. Anna looked around but didn't see Seiji, and couldn't find the owner of the voice. Her eyes squinted and she coughed some more. Armor came out of the fog, it was dark purple and spiked. The bearer pulled off his helmet to reveal sexy black hair and deep purple eyes. Anna stared at him, unable to move.

"What is your name, princess?" he asked, "You're not one of the armor wearers, are you?"

Anna knew she should call for Seiji, but she hated to have to hear it from him later. Oh, well, it was either hear it from him or die… tough choice.

"Seiji!" Anna called out.

"Funny you don't look like a Seiji. I thought that was a boy name. I'll just call you princess, my pet. I'm Adrik. Why don't you come home with me?" The man said getting closer. He stood inches from her face and took a lock of hair between his fingers. He pulled the lock to his nose and smelled it.

"You smell so sweet and your hair is like silk, princess. I promise to be nice," Adrik said. Anna could feel his warm breath on her ear and neck as he spoke. He was getting closer to her. Her brown eyes stared into his dark purple. He brushed his lips over hers a couple of times before pressing them to hers. Anna was so scared she felt frozen in place. She felt iciness down to the bone as his lips moved over hers. Anna gasped in a breath and let out a scream as loud as she could.

"Get away from her!" Seiji yelled running forward. Adrik jumped back away from her. Anna shivered from the coldness she felt.

"Oh, I'm sorry, is that your princess?" Adrik asked putting his helmet back on.

"No, but she's not your either," Seiji said swinging his sword towards Adrik.

"Oh, but she could be if I defeat you," Adrik said with a smile. He pulled out a long Katana and blocked Seiji's attack.

"No, she will never be yours," Seiji said, "I will make sure of that."

Adrik laughed maniacally and matched Seiji swing for swing. Anna watched as the swords clanged together. She was tempted to try and run back to the others, but was afraid of getting lost in the thick fog. Seiji looked like he was having a hard time keeping up the fight. Anna could hear their grunts and she realized that Mia was right. Seiji made sure to remain between them so that Adrik couldn't grab her. Adrik's eyes flashed as he called upon the spirit of his armor of nightmares. Huge black globs formed wolves with red eyes. Seiji jumped back. He knew that he alone wouldn't be able to defeat this guy and he had to protect Anna. He backed up to where she was directly behind him. Then he wrapped an armor clad arm around her waist and took off at full speed. Anna felt the wind whipping her hair and heard the growling of the black shapes. Adrik laughed as he ran alongside Seiji. Seiji ducked down from a swipe of Adrik's Katana and then jumped high into the air. He landed out of the fog and let go of Anna.

"Run, Anna! Go, I'll protect you!" Seiji called as Anna took off, back towards the house yelling for Shin. She ran so fast that her lungs felt like they were on fire. Pain shot into her ribs, but she didn't slow down one bit.

"Shin! Shiiiin!" she yelled as she neared the house. Ryo ran out to the balcony followed by Shin and Shu.

"Quick! Attack! Seiji!" Anna yelled between breaths. They jumped straight from the balcony and took off in the direction that she came. Anna sat down and rested her head between her knees. She felt really dizzy and nauseous all of the sudden. How weird was it that the bad guy kissed her? Wasn't he supposed to just kill? He said the armor was nightmares, and she'd believe it. Anna was pretty sure that she would have nightmares about him for weeks. Anna lay back on the ground. It felt like her lungs were finally able to fill up all the way again. She took deep breaths and stared up at the murky sky. She could hear the fighting in the distance but found that it was hard to move, and she really didn't want to be near Adrik at the moment.

After a few moments the warriors emerged from the woods. Seiji had a cut on his cheek and was holding his arm. He glared at Anna as he passed and for the first time Anna felt guilty. She knew this was her fault. Seiji was just protecting her. She rose off the ground and followed them inside, and using her first aid skills she immediately went to work. She felt tears slide down her cheek as she ran a clean cloth under warm water. She squeezed it out and dabbed his cheek. Seiji grabbed her arm and glared at her.

"You need to go. It's not safe for you here," Seiji said. Anna frowned and nodded. The others didn't say anything. They just looked down. She felt the hot tears drip down her cheeks.

"We were lucky to survive. You were lucky. He probably would have killed you or worse, tortured you. Do you see what I mean now? You need to go home," Seiji said. Anna sat down shakily as Touma and Mia emerged from upstairs.

"What happened?" Mia asked.

"They almost got Anna. He had his lips on her when I showed up. It was really creepy," Seiji said staring at her. Anna couldn't look up at him.

"Seiji's right, Anna. I should have never let you stay after the first attack. I can't have them hurting you," Shin said pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head, "I can't let them hurt you. You're like a sister to me."

"Okay, Shin. I'll go. I don't want to be in the way," Anna said and frowned looking down. She rose and went to Mia's room. As she packed her bag she felt the hot tears falling down her cheeks. She couldn't stop from feeling like Seiji might have died, and it would have been her fault. What if his wife were pregnant? What if he had died? She certainly wouldn't be able to sit and contemplate it. She would have been at that Adrik's mercy. When she was able to compose herself again she grabbed her bag and walked down the stairs. Shin gave her a weak smile and took her bag over to Mia's car.

Anna glanced over at Seiji who couldn't even look at her. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him, gently squeezing him.

"I'm sorry, Seiji. Thank you," Anna said kissing his cheek. She still felt horribly guilty for what had happened. He risked his life to save her even though they hated each other. When she pulled away Seiji looked almost shocked. He gently touched where she had kissed and looked up at her with a deep sadness in his eyes. He quickly looked away and Anna remembered Shin and Mia saying something about layers. It dawned on Anna then, what they had meant. He had been hurt pretty bad, damaged even, and not just physically. She looked down and then hugged the others, promising to write and asking them to keep her updated.