I do not own the Power Puff Girls or the Rowdy Ruff Boys.

Chapter Eleven: Unexpected Guests

"How long do you think they will they sleep?" Brick asked as he sat at the table with his brothers and the inventor.

After bringing the girls back to their home, the inventor had them taken to their room and set about making them as comfortable as he could. He then urged the hovering princes to return to the town and make sure that the fires were put out and the people were all safe. For the most part the townspeople were okay. They hardly remembered anything about the night before other than a mysterious wildfire that blew in the wrong direction. The damages helped to affirm that the fire had occurred. Brick made it a task for himself to send a group of men to help rebuild.

They'd found Mac at the inn speaking with Gabrielle. He hadn't left her side much aside from speaking with the princes and helping out whoever needed help in getting their more valuable belongings out of the would-be rubble of their homes. Boomer informed him that as soon as they were able, they'd be returning to the castle.

"I don't know." The inventor answered, before looking at the boys and quirking an eyebrow. "Though I am surprised that you three are awake."

"Why is that?" Boomer asked as he pushed the cup of water away from him.

"Each time I've seen them use magic, at least to the magnitude of last night, they've fallen into a deep sleep." The inventor ran a hand through his hair as he sat back and looked up to where the girls lie. He hoped that they awoke soon, and not after three days like the first time he met them.

Suddenly a loud, high pitched whining sound erupted startling the boys and John. The sound brought a pained roar from Butch, his ears much more sensitive than his brothers. "Stop the noise! Stop it! STOP IT!"

John stood up and went to the room where the girls kept a majority of their magic. Upon opening the door, the sound increased in volume. Butch's growls devolved into whines with the louder sound. The inventor walked into the room with Brick and Boomer following behind him. Looking left and then right, he walked to the far corner of the room. Hanging from a thin thread, a ragged stone glowed a bright red and emitting the whining sound.

Eyes widening, John ran to the charm and shook his head. "No, no, no, no, no." He snatched the glowing charm from the thread it was hanging from and prayed that it would stop. "Damn it!" He slammed the charm down on the table, rattling jars and bottles of herbs and various liquids. "Damn it."

The whining sound stopped, but its silence meant nothing. Brick and Butch looked between each other and the inventor, confused as to what just occurred.

Brick brought the silence first. "What was that?"

"An alarm." The inventor answered.

"Alarm?" He turned to look at Boomer, before turning back to the inventor. "For what?"

"For her." He then threw the charm across the room in anger. It clattered loudly as it hit the floor and then slid underneath a set of drawers. John then brushed pasted the princes and briskly made his way to his workroom.

Brick and Boomer followed the aggravated man out of the conjuring room and stood in the eating area. Butch looked up from holding his ears at his brothers. "What was that godawful sound?"

Neither elder nor younger brother had a chance to speak as the owner of the house came back in the room with a small bottle in his hand. His franticness was now subdued, if only minimally. He stared at the bottle in his hand before setting it carefully yet firmly on the table. A sigh broke from his nose in aggravation as he began pacing back and forth much like he did not moments before.

"I'm sorry for the pain this causes you." Boomer said, as he read the difficult decision that needed to be made in the older man's mind.

John brought his eyes up to stare at the young princes before him. "You're sorry? I pray to God that you're sorry, considering you've brought the might of hell upon them!" his voice rose with he accusation he threw. "Because of last night they have to run!"

A deep growl ripped from Butch's chest as he turned to glare at the inventor. "The blame isn't ours. Those miserable cretins were the ones that forced their hand."

"And how do you think those miserable cretins found out about them?" The inventor challenged him, only to be met with a menacing growl. John reigned in his temper with a deep breath. While he knew that present situation wasn't the princes' fault, but it didn't dispel his frustration with them. "Now isn't the time for us to be fighting. We have to think about what's best for the girls."

"He's right. We can face their wrath later. For now, we should consider bringing them somewhere safe." Brick spoke with royal authority.

The inventor turned to look at his future king with a wary glance. "Bring them? Where are earth are you going to bring them that's safe?"

"Our home." Brick stated. When he was met with silence, he knew that it was only a prelude to protest.

"Are you out of your mind?" John's voice raised as he stood up from his place at the table. He then began pacing back and forth in the small space that made up his kitchen. "The six of you being in such close proximity is what will draw that murderous moth in like a roaring flame. I cannot allow this!"

Butch's growl broke out into a snarl as his hackles rose at the tone the human man was using with them. Standing up he stalked toward him with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You will watch your tongue when speaking to us. We are your rulers and demand respect."

Pacing stopped, John turned his angry glare onto the second prince, who now stood toe to toe with him. "Respect? It's because of your lack of respect that those girls will have to run for their lives now!"

I'm going to rip his throat out! Butch thought as he felt his fangs and claws lengthen.

"Butch, stop it." Boomer cut in, before an already bad situation could be made worse. "He has every right to upset with us."

In his anger, Butch turned and slashed his claws across the closest thing near him, which happened to be a post. Four marks were left, drawing a frown of disapproval from Brick. The inventor scowled irritated at him. Butch turned to glare at the man before storming outside with a loud slam that rattled the frame of the house.

Boomer dropped his eyes as he sighed heavily. Brick kept his head up, before turning to the inventor. "I must apologize for my brother's behavior."

"DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR ME!" Butch yelled from outside. His outburst was followed by growls and low mutterings under his breath.

Ignoring the almost rabid animal that was his brother, Brick continued speaking to the inventor. "As much as you oppose the idea, I think it would be best if they came to the castle. There would be more than enough guards to keep watch. A personal guard assigned to each one if need be. Resources at their fingertips. Whatever they'd need or could want would be handed to them."

"Are you offering protection or a proposal?" John asked Brick with a scrutinizing look. "Even if I were blind, I could see that you care more than is fathomable after only two meetings."

Clearing his throat more for the awkwardness rather than the actual need to, Brick sat up straighter in his seat. "You're right. I do hold a great amount of…admiration for them, particularly Blossom. She saved my life in more ways than she can comprehend. However, that doesn't mean I'm ignorant of the needs of her and her sisters."

One didn't need Boomer's ability of reading minds to see the earnestness of Brick's declaration. Boomer himself felt admiration for his savior, and believed he'd do anything for her. Like Brick he wanted to protect them, but not at the expense of their happiness. He could tell that the girls wouldn't exactly be happy to find themselves confined to their castle. Hell, even he and his brothers found their constant time spent at the castle tiresome. How could they expect another to live under those conditions?

John remained silent and set about pacing again as he started to think. He'd only known the girls for five years, but five years was enough of a time for him to grow a fondness for them. Grown to care for them as they had grown to care about him. His forward way of thinking kept him at arm's length from other, but the girls had become his unexpected family. He wanted them to stay, but he wanted them to be safe more.

Still, that meant he'd never see them again. Worse yet, he wouldn't even remember them. The thought saddened him greatly.

Boomer's head turned toward John as the previous thought ran through his mind. "IS that what that bottle is for? To make you forget?"

"How are you reading my mind right now? I thought Bubbles did a spell to keep you out." John said as a way of avoiding the painful question.

"After last night, I think the spell has since dissolved." Boomer answered quickly, not wanting to be deterred. "Why do you have to forget?"

Red and blue eyes stared questioningly at the middle-aged man. A heavy sigh then broke out of John as he turned to look at the shining bottle filled with a dark purple liquid. "It's for their and my safety. If she ever comes—."

"Sedusa."

"What?" John turned frantic eyes to Boomer. "How do you know that name?"

Boomer at least had the decency to look embarrassed. "Last night when Bubbles' mind was open to me, I saw and heard the name Sedusa. She's the one that's after them, isn't she?"

John fell silent and that was more than enough of a confirmation.

"Buttercup was terrified of this woman. Who is she?" Boomer asked.

"Does that really matter right now?" Butch asked from outside the window. "Brick wants to bring them to the castle. Let's do just that, so we can at least give them a little bit of time to plan their next move."

John scowled at the wolf prince. "They're still asleep. I'd rather you didn't move them while—."

"Blossom said that a strong enough wave of magic would act as a beacon." Brick interrupted. "I don't know how long it will take for Sedusa to arrive, but I have a feeling this will be the first place she looks. The sooner we move them the better."

John couldn't argue with reason. His entire work's study was nothing but reason and logic. However, all reason and logic disappeared with the introduction of girls and magic in his life. His horizons had broadened and while he'd still have them after they left, his memory of how they occurred would be gone. A piece of him would be missing.

Running his hands through his hair, turned his back on the princes. "I need time to think." He didn't wait for a response as he turned and went to his office. The bottle left on the table casting a large shadow.

Looking to his brothers, Brick stood up and placed a hand on Boomer's shoulder urging him to follow him out of the house. "Come."

"Where are we going?" Butch asked as he joined his brothers outside.

"Back to the inn. We need to pack our things." Brick informed him.

Sparing a glance at the upper window of the house, Butch caught Noir in the window looking down at him. "What about the girls?"

"We'll come back for them later." Brick said as he too spared a backward glance. "He needs time."

"For what?"

"To say goodbye." Boomer said sympathetically. "He doesn't have anyone else. Never had anyone else."

Butch looked between his brothers and begrudging let some of his irritation with the man go. He was grieving as he wouldn't be able to later. He and his brothers knew how hard goodbyes were. He's had to say it more times than he cared to remember.

The sun began to set all too quickly for John. He'd spent the rest of the packing the girls' things and placing them in his wagon. He could leave no trace of them behind. Even if Sedusa began her search at his home, she'd find nothing that would give away what they were working on. He tried to be mindful to not disturb anything. The last thing he needed was to accidently blow himself up or have his form changed. Both have happened and were equally unpleasant.

As he was packing the last of their things onto his wagon, he felt something brush against his legs. Looking down, he saw Noir sitting next to him. He whined softly as he looked up at John.

"Things will be fine, Noir. The girls will be living in a heavily guarded castle and you can get all the fresh fish you want." John told him as he tied down the girls' things. Noir jumped up onto the cart and started scratching at the ropes John had just tied.

"Noir, stop that." John said without too much bite in his tone. He then reached for the cat only to be evaded when he ran to another piece of rope and started to claw at that. "Noir! I said to stop that!"

Noir turned to look at the inventor with a glare, before sitting down with downturned ears. The dejected air about the panther cub had John sighing as he leaned against the wagon. "Noir, you're going with them. What are you so sad about?"

Casting him a sad green stare, Noir walked over to John and nuzzled against his cheek. John pet Noir on his head as he tried to purr comfortingly. "I'll be fine Noir. I was alone five years before and was fine. I'll be fine after."

Noir continued to try to comfort himself and John, when his ear flicked in the direction of the road leading to the town. He then jumped down from the wagon and ran to the front of the house. He tried to change from, but all that happened was a small swirl of green magic. When he tried to change form again the same outcome occurred. He looked panicked for moment, before growling at the four young men on horses.

"What's the matter with him?" Mac asked as he stayed behind the princes with Jojo on his shoulder. "The last time we came he changed form." Jojo chattered nervously as he eyed the predator before him.

Butch looked at the cat as he couldn't help but smirk at the slight magic spark around him pitifully. "Not as ferocious as I've grown to know you to be without your other form, aren't you Pussycat?" Butch taunted before jumping off his horse.

Somehow knowing that he was being made fun of, in a fit of anger Noir ran up to Butch and bit him in the leg. Butch jumped and tried to shake Noir off him, but Noir's claws clung tight to his boot.

"Get off me!" Butch yelled, before raising his claws. He was going to slice the cat in two, if it was the last thing he did.

Just before he brought them down onto Noir's back, John shouted. "Don't you dare! You hurt him, and I'm sure Buttercup will skin you alive. Noir, come here."

With one last bite to Butch's leg, Noir released him and ran back to the wagon. He continued to scratch at the ropes holding the girls' things to the wagon. John quickly picked him up and held him in his arms. Butch growled low in his throat as he examined the damage made by the cat.

"Damned cat." Butch growled after seeing the ripped state of his pant leg. "I'm going to throw him in a bucket of water first chance I get."

"Do that, and I'm sure Buttercup will throw the bucket at you." Boomer informed him. "Shouldn't you be trying to not upset her?"

Brick spared a glance at Butch and shook his head. "He's right. I imagine the girls are not going to be all that pleased when they awake. Hopefully that will be in after we get to the castle, in more comfortable settings."

"Prime Minister Henry isn't going to be overly thrilled about this development." Mac stated as he got down from his horse to help John with the wagon.

"His Imperial Majesty is just going to have manage with our decision." Brick commented as he walked toward the house. John opened the door for him to enter and to follow him to the girls' room.

The girls were much how they left them the night before. Breathing shallowly with little to no movement. Brick walked over to Blossom's bed and sat down beside her. He brushed his fingers along her brow to move the stray strands of hair from her face. Her skin was icy to the touch, and his warm hand left a trail of light pink in its wake.

"Why is her skin so cold?" Brick asked. "It is her powers doing this?"

"Their magic fluctuates in this state." John said as he let Noir down.

The familiar quickly ran over to Buttercup's bed and nuzzled into her side. When she didn't move or react to him being near, he curled in on himself and whined softly. He disliked seeing his lady like this. Usually she'd be awake by now, but as he couldn't transform her magic must be extremely low.

"How long will they sleep?" Brick asked as he stood up from Blossom's bed.

"As I said, I'm not sure. They've slept as long as three days before. It all varies on the spell they use." John took Bubbles' hand in his own, before giving it a tight squeeze and setting it atop her stomach. "Which brings me to ask. What spell did Blossom use last night? I've never seen them do anything like they did last night."

Brick looked up from Blossom at the inventor. "Blossom needed to use the power she gave me, so she created what she called a bridge between us. The magic between the two of us was…overwhelming. Sweet tasting. I believe Blossom made herself the buffer for the onslaught of power."

"No wonder they're still asleep." John sighed. "Or that the charm's alarm sounded. A large amount of magic was released and it no doubt alerted Sedusa to their location."

"I must apologize again for this. If we'd never come, then none of this wouldn't happened."

Placing a kiss to Bubbles' forehead, John stood up and looked at the other two girls that had made his life…more. "I wish I could say that you're wrong, but you're not."

"If it's of any consolation, the only reason we came here is because the governor's son sent a letter with the monthly reports. His mentioning of their powers drew me in like a moth to a flame." Brick told the inventor as he stood up from Blossom's side.

Staring into the red eyes of the prince, John could see the amends he was trying to make for indirectly disrupting the peace of his life. He didn't say anything as he turned around and made his way down the stairs.

Brick sighed before giving Blossom one last look. She was so still and appeared peaceful in her slumber, but he knew it to be only temporary. When she awoke, she would be angry. Not just she, but her sisters as well. They'd awaken in new surroundings with new people and new way of life. It would be jarring, and confusing. The process to get them acclimated would be trying. Getting their anger to recede would be even more so. Yet Brick had faith that the girls—particularly Blossom—would see the reason in bringing them into their home.

After returning downstairs, John saw that Mac and the two younger princes had attached the wagon to two of the horses. He stood in his doorway and took a deep cleansing breath. The more the sun set, the closer he came to a time of not seeing the girls ever again. He stepped outside the door and made his way to the wagon to secure the horses.

Mac stepped back from the full wagon and looked for a place the girls could lie. When it became evident that there wouldn't be a place for them to lie, he looked to Boomer. "How are we going to transport the girls?"

Boomer heard the question in Mac's head and voice and too wondered how they were going to travel with the girls. He thought about Noir briefly, but seeing as the cat couldn't change form, having them ride on his back were not a feasible idea. As a possible traveling arrangement ran through his mind, he realized belatedly that it wasn't his idea—but his brother's.

"Butch, must we?" Boomer groaned as he foresaw what might happen should either of them awake during the journey.

"I would be the only one taking the risk as Buttercup has claws." Butch grumbled as he glanced at John. He cleared his throat and awkwardly scratched at his beard. "We should get going. The night will be upon us soon."

"Wouldn't it be more prudent to wait until first light the next morning?" John asked.

"I know you're trying to have more time to say goodbye, but we'll be more conspicuous with the cover of night." Boomer told him, having read the reasons for the wanted delay in his mind.

John shot an annoyed glare at Boomer. "I preferred it when you weren't in my mind."

Boomer had the decency to look chastened. "I apologize."

John nodded his head, before swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat. "Yes, well if you want to leave before nightfall, then we should get the girls."

The bitter smell of sadness hit Butch's nose and Boomer held an arm out to stop him when he looked to say something. He shook his head slightly as John inhaled sharply. "Give him a moment."

The next half hour was the hardest John ever lived through. He went to Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup and placed a kiss on each of their foreheads. Whispered words of how his life had changed for the better and wishes of luck were said. Whether the girls could hear them in their hibernation state or not, he was unsure, but he hoped that it reached them somewhere.

The princes one by one went up the stairs and carried their wards down. Noir made it no secret that he was upset with the idea of the princes touching and moving the girls. He scratched, bit, and hissed at them all hoping that they would leave the girls alone. John at risk to his own safety picked up Noir and held him as he struggled to hold onto Noir. Mac observed in silence the sad display before him, only coming forward to help his princes become situated on their horses with the girls in their laps.

"You give me your word as a prince, that nothing will happen to them." John inquired.

Brick held Blossom close to his frame as he looked down at Blossom's face. Her breath was cool against his heated skin. "You have our word."

"You'll keep them safe?"

"With everything we have."

The princes urged their horses toward to edge of the town. John followed them until they passed the edge of his property. He watched until they disappeared from sight, before heading back to his now empty house. The silence seemed to surround him, as he made his way through his home. Everywhere he looked, he relived a memory of them being in the space. Blossom writing notes in her grimoire. Buttercup playing with Noir. Bubbles standing at the stove cooking, be it dinner or a potion.

All the memories that brought him joy now caused him pain. The bottle that sat upon the table stared back at him ominously. Just a single sip, and he could forget everything. As much as he didn't want to, he knew it was for his own protection. He couldn't leave anything behind that would give away the girls' location. His memories would not be used against them.

Taking a deep breath, he picked the bottle of purple potion off the table and held it up to the light. "To remember is to put you in danger. To forget is to protect you."

Uncorking the bottle, John brought it to his nose and sniffed the contents. Its smell was strong and full of mixed herbs. Sitting down, he brought the bottle to his lips and tilted his head back. The liquid slid down his throat smoothly while leaving a bitter aftertaste on his tongue.

He could feel when the potion started taking effect. Blossom. Bubbles. Buttercup. Their names faded from his mind. Their faces with pink, blue, and green eyes disappeared. Red, yellow, and black hair vanished from his consciousness. Smiles. Frowns. Laughter. Crying. All gone from his mind.

While all memory of the girls fell from his mind, he stumbled into a chair and sat down. He fell into a deep sleep with his face pressed against the wooden table.

The sun had descended quickly after leaving the inventor's house, as did silence. It was heavy and awkward and pressed heavily on the princes. With the weight of the wagon, their progress was slower than their arrival to the small town. At the rate they were moving, they wouldn't arrive back at the castle until daybreak the next day.

Even the two animal companions journeying with them were quiet. Jojo remained on Mac's shoulder as they traveled, while keeping an eye on Noir. Noir sat on the wagon with fully dilated pupils and ears pinned back. While he kept his eyes on each of the boys holding his lady and her sisters, he made sure to keep special eye on Butch. He could the smell the dog on him, and it grated on his instincts to see him holding his lady so tightly.

When Butch shifted and adjusted his hold on Buttercup, he heard a growl come from behind him. Turning around, he glared at the cat that seemed intent on disliking him. He growled back and let a small bark escaped him. Noir's hackles rose as he shifted into a crouch ready to pounce on Butch if needed.

Jojo having heard the aggressive growling screeched loudly in fear and moved from Mac's shoulder to his head. He pulled the young knight's hair sharply with his climbing, causing him to grunt in pain. "Jojo!"

"What is going on back there?" Brick asked, turning his head only slightly to not jostle Blossom.

"Brother, this cat is trying my patience." Butch growled. "I am not going to hurt her. She's safe in my arms."

The fur on Noir's back stood on end, as he growled. Green magic swirled weakly around him, and he grew in size but only for a moment. However, the sudden shift in weight, rocked the wagon and threw the horses off balance. Their loud whinnies filled the night air as they tried to regain their balance. Jojo jumped from Mac as he gripped the reins to regain control. The small monkey landed on Boomer's horse, startling him.

"Damn it, Jojo!" he shouted as his horse bucked. He nearly dropped Bubbles as he righted himself. Jojo gripped the back of Boomer's shirt to keep from falling to the ground.

Brick pulled his horse to a stop and turned to glare at his traveling companions. "Enough!"

"It's the damn cat!" Butch snapped at Brick with a growl in his voice.

"Butch, you've been antagonizing that creature ever since you met him. Leave him alone." Boomer suggested.

A deep growl rose in Butch's throat only to be cut short when Buttercup's body arched, and she gasped loudly.

"Buttercup?"

Suddenly her eyes opened glowing bright in the night, but rather than the green Butch had come to know, her eyes were a sickly yellow. "Where are you?" The voice wasn't sure own.

"What—?" Butch barely got his words out, before he was thrown from his horse.

Buttercup landed on the ground and stalked toward him. She grabbed Butch by the front of his shirt and lifted him off the ground. The motion shocked the others as it shouldn't be possible for someone her size. Butch grabbed at her wrist, trying to get her to release him.

"Let me go! How dare you!" Butch yelled as he tried to swipe at her face.

Buttercup's body avoided the swipe as she turned and slammed Butch's body to the ground. He grunted in pain as he impacted the ground. She looked about to claw his face, when her eyes flashed a brilliant green.

Pulling herself away from Butch, she grabbed her head and folded over on herself. "Where… Get…. are… out… you…of my head!" She screamed and sent a wave of magic flew from her, scaring the nighttime creatures from their hiding places. The horses moved uneased by the force of the wave. Buttercup's eyes fluttered closed and she fell to the ground in an ungraceful heap. The wind blew gently, a soothing touch against a violent attack.

"What happened just now?" Mac asked unsure of what he saw was real or not. However, he felt he should've been more mentally prepared for such an event given the previous days' happenings.

"I'm not sure." Brick murmured just as confused as Mac. When he looked to Butch, he saw him rubbing his throat in a soothing manner. "Are you all well?"

Butch stood up and rolled his neck with small popping sounds. "I'll be fine. She just caught me off guard. It won't happen again."

"Somehow I doubt that." Boomer interjected as Butch picked up Buttercup's immobile form. "Something strange just occurred."

Walking back to his horse, Butch with the help of Mac got Buttercup settled on the horse with Butch holding her tightly. "We know."

"No, I mean, her thoughts. I heard Buttercup, but I also heard another." Boomer's brow furrowed in confusion. "It was strange. Another voice had made its way into her head."

Green eyes with a brow set low over them turned to look at blue with a highly creased brow. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know." The youngest prince answered, not feeling assured of anything good coming from the second voice in the girl's mind.

"Whatever it means, I'd rather we discussed this back at the castle, hopefully with them awake." Brick cut in with a kick to his horse's sides. The slow walk continued with the others falling into an easy pace behind him.

Mac let a heavy sigh escape from him as they continued their nightly journey. "I never thought my life would be this…interesting."

A hum of humorless laughter escaped the princes. "Interesting or strange?" Brick asked, with a gentle look down at Blossom.

"I suppose a little bit of both, your highness." Mac answered him. "How would you say I've handed this bizarreness?"

Boomer became contemplative, as he sifted through Mac's mind. He was miffed by the unexpected surprises that came with being not only the knight of the crown but also their friend, yet took them in stride. "Quite well actually. You are of pretty sound mind."

"Hmmm."

"What?" Butch asked as the scent of nerves came from Mac.

"I just wonder…" Mac started, before a shudder ran down his fine. "Ugh…actually I don't have to wonder when I know."

"Know what?" Butch grumbled as the scent of nerves grew stronger.

Mac groaned low in his throat. "I know that Prime Minister Henry is going to combust upon out return."

A glass sailed through the air, before shattering against the stone wall. Moses Joseph closed his eyes against the harsh sound and sighed heavily. "Henry." He began.

"Don't 'Henry' me!" The irate prime minister yelled, as he paced his room in a frenzy. "Seven days. Seven days those insolent brats have abandoned me here to deal with their tasks and duties."

"Would it be too much to ask that you mind your tongue? Also, need I remind you that as regent—prime minister—you are obliged to take care of any pressing matters in their absence."

"They should not be absent, and I shouldn't be spending my leisure years picking up after children." Henry grumbled almost like a petulant child.

"They are no more children than the boys you share your bed with, Henry!" Moses rarely lost his temper, and whenever he did it was usually due to Henry's complaints about the princes. "You've never allowed them a moments peace. You push, and you push, and you push and the results of it are their complete lack of concern for what you think."

"I told you years ago, that I wouldn't coddle them." Henry spun on his sometimes friend. His face was red with anger and his eyes wild with indignation. "They have thrived under my pushing them. The council has never been so purged of deceit. Assassination attempts almost non-existent. I've done them a great service, and all I get is grief from them all. Ingrates the lot of them."

If there was ever a time Moses wished his companion Jojo were in Henry's presence. While he couldn't throttle the man, at the very least he could send Jojo to at least pull his hair. The man could be gracious at best and insufferable at worst. At the moment he was insufferable. "In the past five years, you and I have nearly drove those boys mad. It's long overdue for them to take a bit of time for themselves."

Henry's heat glare burned into Moses, who remained unaffected with his own piercing glare. "A bit of time. They along with the fledgling of a knight ran off without a word to me. Said nothing of where they were going. No clue as to how long they will be gone." He paused to take a breath. "What if something were to happen to them without us knowing? Chaos would most definitely ensue."

Moses' glare softened as he took in Henry's words. In his own way he did worry about the princes however, his worry always rerouted its way back to his own needs.

While a reprieve had appeared during the argument between the two caretakers of the adolescent princes, a frantic knocking came upon the door. When Henry called for entry, a guard came in with his face red from running. "My lord."

"What is it?" Henry asked, braced for whatever may come, yet praying it not be the worst.

The young man took a moment to catch his breath before speaking. "My lord, the princes and their knight have returned."

No sooner had the words escaped the man's lips, Henry was walking at a fast pace, almost running, to meet—or rather terrorize—the princes.

"My lord wait!" Moses and the guard followed after Henry, hoping that some of his anger curbed before confronting the princes. "My lord there is something else you must know."

"Does it pertain to where they have been these past few days?" Henry snapped over his shoulder as he descended a staircase.

"No, my lord, but—."

"Then it is of little consequence at the moment." Henry cut him off. "I will not be letting them off so easily for shirking their responsibilities."

"My lord, I must implore you to pause. There is something you should know." The guard told him as he followed closely behind the prime minister with Moses.

Henry stopped in his anger driven march to turn and glare at the guard. The young man flinched under the intense stare. "What?"

"Uh, umm—."

"Speak!"

"The princes aren't in the stables. They're heading to the east wing." The guard supplied quickly for fear of harsh verbal reprimand from the bizarre yet occasionally terrifying prime minister.

"They're obviously tired from their journey. Why not allow them a chance to rest, before you berate them." Moses suggested.

His words were deftly ignored as Henry resumed his march, but toward the east wing of the castle rather than the stables.

"Henry, please. They've only just returned." Moses tried to reason. His breath was beginning to come in short as he wasn't nearly in enough fitness to keep up with Henry's angry march. He stopped in the hall with the guard who offered his arm to him. "Where does he store the energy to keep up such a pace?"

As Henry disappeared around a corner, the guard swallowed the large lump in his throat full of nerves. "This won't end well."

"What do you mean?" Moses asked as he began his slow pursuit of Henry.

The guard grimaced in discomfort as he thought of a delicate way to phrase his next sentence. "The princes arrived with…guests."

"Guests?" A heavy brow rose as he tried to think of what could make this unfortunate news. "What kind of guests?"

"Beautiful guests." The guard answered, as a dazed look glossed over his features. He's never seen such beauties as the ones the princes carried with them today.

The vagueness of the answer worked to intrigue and worry Moses. He was intrigued as he wondered who the "beautiful guests" could be, though he worried of what Henry's reaction would be to them. The man hadn't hidden his indifference to women but was known to be discriminately cruel to the women the princes associated with without proper foreknowledge. His pace quickened so he could be there to should some of the ire that would come.

The servants remained tactfully silent as they moved to the side of the hallways while the princes passed them by with sleeping unfamiliar women in their arms. As much as they'd rather asked as to who the women were, they knew better than to inquire within such close earshot of the princes. Over the years, the servants had come to notice the range of hearing for the younger princes was uncannily sharp. Things they believed were soft whispers were often met with knowledgeable looks, if not sharp reprimands for their gossip.

Still, the curiosity that raged within them was unmatched. The princes have been known to indulge in presence of female companionship. A girl was considered lucky if she happened to grab one of their highnesses' attention if only for the night. Still, it was strange to see them with three mysterious women who didn't appear to be any more special than the girls within the castle.

Brick ignored the stared he received, thinking only of getting Blossom into a comfortable bed to rest until she awoke from the magically induced slumber. He wanted them in a room close to his and his brothers, as he knew that anywhere else would prove dangerous not just to the girls but the other castle folk. Butch's nose was slightly wrinkled as he smelled a mixed of curiosity and jealousy. Buttercup and her sisters were in a very enviable position. That knowledge came with the eventuality of one or two servant girls trying their luck with antagonizing them. He repressed a snicker at the possible results of such folly. Boomer's mind was a snarled with the echoing thoughts of those around him. Many asked similar questions of who the girls were; where they came from; how did the princes know them? He'd have to speak with Brick later was many were going ask and answers were going to have to be given. The full truth didn't have to be told, but the portion that was rational to simple minds at least had to be.

Suddenly Brick stopped in front of a door that hadn't been graced with their presence in years. The only ones who entered the room were servants with restricted permission to enter onto to clean and then vacate. Behind him, his brothers stared at the door with similar feelings of hesitation.

Swallowing down the reservations of entering the room Brick adjusted Blossom, so he could open the door. A simple twist f the knob was all it took for the door to swing open. The midmorning light streamed in from the opened curtains, shining on objects that would only appeal to a child. Stuffed animals, building blocks, a rocking horse. A weight fell over Brick and his brothers as they looked about Bear's room. Memories of their younger brother flooded their minds as they walked in with their arms full, with another precious charge.

Withstanding the heavy sadness, they moved to place the girls on the large bed. Blossom was placed in the middle with Buttercup and Bubbles laying beside her. After making sure that the girls were comfortable, they left the room with Boomer closing the door with a soft click.

"Why put them in Bear's room?" Butch asked with a tightness in his voice.

Swallowing his own pain, Brick began his way to his own room. "It's the closest to ours. Should they need anything we'll be right here."

Seeing the reason, the dark haired and yellow haired brothers forwent protest. They too found themselves tired and were making their way to their rooms. Just before any semblance of peace could settle, Boomer's head snapped up and he turned just in time to see Henry storming down the hall. "Damn it all, he groaned underneath his breath as His Imperial Majesty strode over, words just barely held back by his grimace.

"You three have a lot of nerve running off like that." He began wanting the princes to feel rightfully chastised. He grew even more angry as they only gave him bored and tired stares. "Well, have you nothing to say for yourselves?"

Butch snorted before entering his room and promptly slamming the door, effectively preventing any further conversation. Boomer followed suit, only with a gentle closing of the door. This left Brick to face the ire of the prime minister.

"Henry, I'm tired and have been traveling all night. I wish to retire now." Brick spoke with an aggravated lethargy. "I'm in no mood for your fretting."

"Considering you and your brothers ran off like the children you are, I believe I'm owed an explanation." He stated with his arms folding across his chest.

The air in the hallway grew warm as Brick's aggravation grew with the effeminate man. Turning, now burning red eyes onto piercing hazel, Brick stood up straighter—a sign of power and a confidence in his station. "I don't have to answer to you on my every whim, Prime Minister. We needed temporary salvation from your hovering. I am tired now, and wish to rest. We can discuss this tomorrow morning."

Henry had a retort ready on his tongue when a shriek drew his attention down the hall. Coming from the direction he just traveled was a bizarre looking black cat. It ran down the hall before stopping at a door and scratching at the outside. A few servants came running after the cat with the intentions of catching it and throwing him out.

Noir turned at the approaching attackers and felt his hackles raise in preparation to fight. A growl ripped from his fangs as he tried to shift again. He barely grew an inch as he was swiftly swept off the ground and held tight to an unyielding body.

"Anyone who harms this cat will answer to me." Butch snapped as he stood up from his crouch. He'd just laid down on his bed when he heard the increasingly familiar growl of a certain black cat. He didn't bother to restrain himself from using his full speed as he exited his room to save Buttercup's pet. Noir sunk his claws into his arm, drawing a growl from Butch. "Ungrateful beast. I just saved your hide."

Henry stared at Butch with incredulous eyes, before turning to glare at Brick. "Bringing in strays, are we?"

Butch turned to face Henry and Brick with no patience on his face. "I wouldn't exactly call this a stray."

"Then what do you call it?" Henry asked not in the least bit amused with Butch's sass.

Before he could answer, Noir bit Butch's arm hard enough to make him release his hold. Noir landed on his feet and turned to the closed door he'd been scratching at. Butch growled lowly in his throat but found himself too tired to truly care about retribution from the feline. Instead he opened the door and allowed Noir to enter quickly.

He was just about to close the door when Henry came up behind him and thrust the door open. Everyone present in the hall couldn't feel when his eyes laid on the three figures lying in the late prince's bed. His mild irritation quickly evolved into raging anger as he began to yell.

"WHAT ARE THREE VILE PEASANTS DOING IN THE ROYAL WING?! WHO ARE THEY? WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?" he yelled uncaring if he woke them or not. As far as he was concerned, they had no place in the castle and would be forcibly removed.

Noir stood protectively in front of the bed as he watched the noisy man yell. He growled again, and with his claws out, prepared to defend.

Before he could bark an order for someone to call the guards, he was thrust from the room's doorway by Boomer, who'd come out of his room with the rising thoughts of agitation. Brick quickly moved to join his brothers as he radiated burning silent fury. Butch's face twisted into a snarl and his eyes took on a ferocious predatory glare. Together they blocked Henry from the doorway.

"Who are they?" He hissed at the princes.

"None of your present or future concern." Brick spoke with authority. "Leave this wing."

"Your highness—."

"I said LEAVE!" he roared with fire just barely licking at his lips, startling the servants and Henry.

Having a stronger sense of self-preservation than the prime minister, the servants quickly exited the wing. Never before had they seen fire erupt from the prince with the affinity for fire. Henry was very much afraid but chose to stand his ground. "Your highness trust me when I say I only have your best interest at heart. I do not think it's—."

"I believe my brother told you to leave, Prime Minister." Butch growled in a low guttural voice.

"Do not make him ask a third time." The promise of punishment clear in Boomer's tone.

In that moment, there was nothing left for Henry to do, but to comply to the wishes of his princes. So with his head bowed in silent apology he took a step away from the guarded door and turned to leave the royal wing of the castle.

To my lovely readers; I was just struck with a lightning bolt of an idea for a third Power Puff girls/ Rowdy Ruff Boys fanfiction. Just like Coming of Age is Brick and Blossom's story and The Powers That Be is Butch and Buttercup's, this next fic will be Boomer and Bubbles' story. I have a few details figured out already, but you my lovelies need not worry for I will finish The Powers That Be and write Growing Up Is Hard before even typing one letter toward my next piece.

However, I will give the first 10 readers that leave a review a little something about my current post, three clues as to what my next story will be. To anyone that gets a close enough answer, I'll give you a title.

Love you all. Until next time.