Nora opened her eyes.

She was on the floor of a building. Nora struggled to stand up and realized her hands were bound with a length of rope. She managed to get to a sitting position and looked around her. It looked like an abandoned warehouse. Nora could hear sounds of arguing in an office room next to her. Glancing around, she saw Ren slumped against a wall with his head bowed.

"Ren!" Nora whispered, wiggling towards him.

Ren looked up. Nora saw a large bump on his head, but other than that he looked fine. However, Ren's expression was of deep shame.

"Princess…" he whispered softly. "I am so sorry."

"What happened?" asked Nora.

"I was stupid," said Ren. "There were more than one person following us. One drugged you, and the other hit me over the head. This is all my fault."

"Don't be ridiculous Ren, you couldn't have known—"

"But I should have!" Ren exclaimed, slamming his head against the wall, wincing. "You are my responsibility and my—" he stopped suddenly.

"What, Ren?" asked Nora.

Ren closed his eyes. "No. A bodyguard cannot form emotional attachments to their employee."

Nora's face colored.

"You…like me?" she asked.

Now Ren's face colored.

"No! No, I'm sorry Nora, I meant as a, a, friend. Sorry I didn't—"

"No! I get it sorry!" said Nora, blushing furiously. "I—"

The office door flew open and several Faunus stood in the doorway. One, a woman, strode out and crouched next to them.

"Well, now this looks cozy," she said, a forked tongue slithering out between her sharp teeth. "Our two lovebirds are awake now?"

Nora was still blushing.

"Um, we aren't like, together, together," she mumbled.

"What?" asked the snake lady.

"Nothing," said Nora.

"Well, whoever you are, don't worry about us," said the Faunus. "We are going to let you go in a while. You just need to tell us who your mommy and daddy are so we can find them." She grinned. "Then, after a little negotiation, you get to leave safe and sound."

Another Faunus stepped forward. He was tall, with black hair and mutton chops. "Snake, I'm telling you, this is not a good idea."

The woman, Snake, frowned. She stood up and walked straight up to the man. Despite his height, she glared threateningly into his eyes.

"For the last time, Cat," she hissed. "You wanted to be a part of our group. You're in. If anything is going to change relations with Faunus, you need to get your hands dirty. You've done some bad things before, now you want to stop here?"

"No," said Cat. "But I don't kidnap children."

"And what about our children?" said Snake. "Are you telling me Humans are not above hurting them?"

Cat glared at her, then over at Nora and Ren. He sighed. "I don't like this."

Snake's nostrils flared. "Well it is not your choice. I am in charge. Now get out of my way."

Cat stood his ground for a moment, then walked back into the office, shutting the door behind him. Snake turned to the other Faunus.

"Anyone else got an issue with this?" There was some shifting in the group but nobody said anything. "Good. Rabbit and Rat, check our perimeter. Make sure the snatch wasn't noticed by cops. Ape, get to the roof and watch from there. Signal me with any updates." Two Faunus headed for the doors, while the third leaped onto a pile of crates and swung himself to a nearby skylight and out onto the roof.

Snake leaned down and gripped Nora by the hair.

"Now dear, what is your name?"

"Get your hands off her!" shouted Ren. Without taking her eyes off Nora, Snake lashed out with her other hand and slapped Ren in the face.

"Ren!" shouted Nora. Then she cried out in pain as Snake jerked her hair.

"Whoever you are," she said softly. "You're rich or important enough to warrant a bodyguard. Now I won't hurt him, but you are going to tell me what I want to know." She opened her mouth and Nora saw pure white fangs. "But if you don't, I just might poison him. You are the one I need. We don't need to keep him alive."

"Don't listen to her Nora!" Ren shouted.

"You don't think I will?" whispered Snake. "Well then, let's test that theory."

Snake dropped Nora and walked slowly toward Ren.

"No," whispered Nora. Snake grabbed Ren by the front of this shirt.

"No!" cried Nora. "Stop!

Snake opened her mouth wide, forcing Ren's struggling head to one side, exposing his neck.

"NO!" Nora screamed.

The office door banged open. Cat stood with a Dust Rifle trained on Snake.

"What on Remnant are you doing?"

Snake froze, her fangs inches from Ren. She slowly closed her mouth and dropped Ren facedown to the floor. "What are you doing with that rifle?"

Cat stood his ground.

"Our boss strictly said 'no bodies or torture,'" he said. "You want more cops around here? Or to tell him why you disobeyed orders?"

Snake hesitated. Then she grinned.

"Oh come on, Cat," she said. "I wasn't going to do it for real. I was trying to get them to talk. Now they know we won't hurt them, how are we going to find out who to send the ransom?"

"Soon enough, we'll hear about it," said Cat. "No family will miss their kids for long. Just wait and we'll find out."

Snake sighed. "Fine, we will do things your way for now, Cat. But our boss will hear about how you interrupted my…interrogation."

"Yes," said Cat, coolly. "He will."

Snake hissed, then walked to the office. She turned. "I'm calling the others back. We will watch the prisoners around the clock until we know who to send the ransom to. Rat," she said, speaking to her scroll. "Get Rabbit and get back here. You are on first watch on the prisoners. After an hour, take over for Ape on the roof. Cat is on perimeter. Move. Now."

Snake glared at Cat, then slammed the office door behind her. Cat lowered his Dust Rifle and rubbed his eyes. He walked over to Ren, turned him over and set him against the wall.

"Thank you," said Nora, quietly.

"Don't thank me for that," snapped Cat.

"No," said Nora. "Thank you for saving my friend."

Cat glanced over at her. "You heard her. It was all an act."

"No," said Ren. "It wasn't."

Cat's expression slipped for a moment, then became neutral.

"I am going to get you guys something to sit on. Might as well be comfortable while you're tied up. Just remember I am not your friend. I have my reasons for being in this group, and that is not going to change."

"I can understand that," said Ren. "But manners dictate a thank you anyway."

Cat grunted, pushed a couple of boxes to the middle of the warehouse, and lifted Nora and Ren onto them. Rabbit and Rat came back in and without a word, they split off, Cat leaving the warehouse, Rabbit entering the office, and Rat leaned against the wall, watching Ren and Nora.

"Are you okay?" asked Nora in a low voice.

"Are you?" answered Ren.

"I am now."

"Don't worry Prin…Nora," Ren said, glancing at Rat. "I got us into this, I'll get us out."

"No, Ren," said Nora firmly. "As my bodyguard, you obey me. And I say you will not take the blame for this, or complain that I am going to help you get us out. Furthermore, I order you to ignore that bodyguard rule thing and be my friend. Does that cover everything?"

Ren stared at her for a moment, then a small smile grew on his face. "All right then, Nora. Let's do this together."

Nora felt heat rise in her face again.

"But not like, together, together."

"What?"

"Never mind."