silence
A/N: This chapter will be told from Kat's perspective, so I do apologize if this does feel a little... off.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter Six
She wakes up to shouting somewhere to the left. She sits up, only mildly surprised and annoyed. She doesn't even pull her hair up, which was the standard for guards with long hair. She gets up from her bed, finding that the source of the noise is Adam and Rocky playing a board game on the floor. Tanya is sitting close, but doesn't seem to be playing with them. Tanya is the first to notice Kat's presence, turning her head to greet her. "Kat! Did they wake you?"
"Yes, but it's fine. It's my turn to be the queen's guard for the week, and breakfast is soon." Tanya makes a face, but doesn't say anything. Kat walks back over to her bed, just as Rocky shouts an expletive. She shakes her head as Tanya tells him to be quiet. Kat pulls her hair into a ponytail, grabbing her sword from her section. She makes her way to the exit, carefully exiting the quarters.
She walks to the royal family's living area, greeting the guards at the front of the hallway. She reaches the queen's room, waiting outside the door. After several minutes, Kat decides to knock on the door. "Your highness, it's almost time for breakfast."
"Just go without me." The queen simply replies through the door.
"But-" she tries to protest.
"Just go!" The queen shouts, almost shaking the walls.
Kat backs away, as it was clear that the queen was in one of her moods. As she begins her walk back down the hallway, another door opens. Jason and the princess walk out of the latter's room. They're laughing, and he's much closer to her than he should be. But when they see her standing there, they stop laughing. And he moves away from her, while still staying close. The princess nervously says, "Kat, you're my mother's guard this week right?"
"Yes." She gives Jason a look, but he doesn't meet her eyes. "But she's not in a.. very good mood today. And told me to go on without her."
"Oh, why don't we walk together?" Jason says, placing a hand on the small of the princess's back. His hand doesn't move as the three walk down the hall for breakfast. Jason and the princess sit down at the table, servants bringing out food shortly after.
"Why don't you join us, Kat?" The princess asks.
"Oh no thank you. This is for you."
"Aren't you hungry? I mean, what do guards eat?"
"Fruits and vegetables. That's all we're provided." Jason answers.
"Please sit?" The princess tries again.
Kat opens her mouth to protest again, when Jason pipes in, "just say yes. She's not going to give up until you do."
The princess hits him on the shoulder, and Kat stifles her laughter. She sits down, checking to make sure the queen wasn't coming down yet. Grabbing some food, she flashes Jason a look, who makes a face. "What?"
"You know what?" She looks towards the princess, who is none the wiser to their conversation.
"Don't even go there. I'm supposed to protect her. Not," it almost seemed like he was talking to himself more than her, "there's nothing there."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
"I can't be distracted, and starting anything with her would be distracting."
"So you admit you want to start something with her?"
"Eat your food." He says gesturing to her plate. She slaps his hand away, but doesn't say anything else.
After breakfast, the queen never shows. Kat and Jason intended to take the princess back to her room. Hopefully, the queen would be in a better mood, and would want breakfast now. However, the queen was still refusing to leave her room when they did arrive. "Looks like I have some time free. I could get some training in."
"If you're going to train, I could use a refresher. If you're alright with that princess?"
"I'm good with that. Kat?"
"Sure." The three head to the guards' quarters' training area. While Jason trains, Kat stays behind with the princess.
"Why don't you train with him?"
"I have to protect you. And at least one of us has to keep an eye on you."
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself."
"You may be, but our purpose is to protect you and the queen. Especially now."
The princess sighs. "Sometimes I wonder…"
"What?"
"Nothing." The princess keeps her eyes forward, watching Jason intently. Kat hears something before a flaming arrow comes out of seemingly nowhere, flying straight for Jason. He sees it just in time, leaping to the side. The arrow strikes the wall, turning to ash on the ground.
The princess rushes to him, as he gets back on his feet. "I'm fine. Where did that arrow even come from?"
Kat looks to the right, seeing no entry way. And the quarters were in the basement. "I don't know. But it was definitely coming straight for you."