A/N First off, I'm sorry for the late update. I realized that I had to write a chapter that will come later on in order to get my head straight about a certain character. I also wrote a plot line! (I finally decided on an ending yay!)

I'd also like to thank OrangeDragonofDusk and sapphireredverne who reviewed! Thank you guys so much, it means a lot to me. ;)

Enjoy!

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Ghirahim looked up from his plans, annoyed at the interruption. A tall, lean demon walked in and kneeled, head bowed.

"My lord, you called for me?" He paused, and then went on.

"You might have mistaken me for someone of a higher rank. The name is common." Uncertainty edged at his smooth voice.

"And do I seem like the type of person who would make such a careless mistake?" Ghirahim's voice was full of authority, with a hint of malice. The demon faltered.

"No my lord. I, I apologize." Ghirahim huffed and flipped back his bangs with his hand, only to have them fall in the exact same spot. He stood and walked in front of his desk, leaning on it with his arms crossed.

"You may stand." The malice was gone, but the authority remained. The young demon stood, facing him with a look of respect. Unlike most demons, he was neither heavy nor heavily muscled. In demon views he was scrawny, but to an elf still intimidating. His lean muscles showed clearly through his vibrant blue skin. He had deep blue eyes that shone like the midnight sky. Two dark horns extruding from the messy black hair on his head. He wore simple tan pants that reached his knees and an open tan vest that exposed his chest. A dark brown sash wound around his hips, cradling a long vicious machete for ready access. His facial features were average, but leaner than most. Across his face was a straight, deep scar that crossed one of his eyes. Around his neck he wore a simple leather cord with a nut shell hanging from it. He stood straight and confident yet still showing the slightest hint of uncertainty.

"Actually, the reason I called you was to promote you." There was obvious shock on the demons face. The emotion turned to puzzlement, but he waited for the lord to explain. Ghirahim examined his nails as he spoke, bored.

"This will not be a… usual promotion; it is a completely unique task. And I believe that you would be perfect for the job." He smiled at that, remembering last night. After he had sent Lahnia and Konan away, he knew that a permanent job like hers would require a permanent guard. Of course he could not keep Konan as her guard; he was too skilled a warrior to look after such a weak girl. He needed someone… disposable. A useless warrior. He eyed the demon in front of him at that thought. The next morning he had went out to see his platoon captains, speaking to all of them to find out who was the best for the job.

However, it wasn't just to look for a useless demon, but also another trait. For demons, when one is born and raised a warrior, after a while of no bloodshed they get vicious. They turn into a raging killer, not caring if their targets are friends or foes, or in this case, an innocent prisoner. As he spoke to the platoon leaders, one of them pointed out this demon, for he was a skilled warrior yet the number of his kills were much less than others. They did not know why, but it seemed he always hesitated before killing anything.

"Before I tell you the job, I must ask you, do you enjoy killing things?" The demons eyebrows furrowed at the question. He was unsure, afraid it might be a test. Ghirahim's gaze bore into his eyes, almost daring him to lie.

"No." The lord smiled, apparently pleased with this answer.

"Then you will be perfect for this. The job I need you for is a guard job. We have recently acquired a prisoner who has a long term use for us. This means you will stay in the camp to guard her and will not get as much… action out in battle. Do you wish to accept this?" Ghirahim tilted his head, waiting for a response. The young demon failed at trying to conceal his smile. With a grin, he bowed.

"It would be my honor to, my lord."

xxxxx

As he followed the demon lord down the slope, he was trying to keep his smile at bay. This was just the kind of thing he had been striving for! Every time he went to battle it was like a little part of him died inside. He couldn't stand to harm any creature, but he had to. A job that required none of that was like a dream.

They arrived at a small fire with a cauldron perched over it. There was an elfin girl slowly mixing the concoction, concentrating as she turned the long stick around the thick stew. A large muscular red demon was sitting to the side, eating from a bowl. He looked up, surprise running across his face before he stood up to face Ghirahim. He glanced at the young demon briefly.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my lord?" Ghirahim looked up at him, outstretching his hand toward the path.

"Yes, you are relieved from guard duty. Return to your post and resume your previous task." His voice held the highest amount of authority, but the larger demon seemed unsure.

"I don't mind guarding her; it's no trouble at all." The lord raised an eyebrow, and looked pointedly at Konan's belly, as it had grown in the past two days.

"I think your stomach would disagree. Leave. You know the punishment for disobeying a direct order." Konan glanced at the girl behind him, who was watching with quiet interest. He then began walking away, a slight slump in his shoulders. Ghirahim then turned to the girl.

"Lahnia, this is your permanent guard. Anything you need he will be in charge of." Then, to the demon.

"You will be responsible for her. Provide her with ingredients, make sure she doesn't escape, and make sure nothing happens to her. Someone will come each night to collect her creations." He looked back at Lahnia, who was still silently observing. He nodded towards her in a goodbye and then snapped his fingers, disappearing in a cloud of diamonds.

The young demon turned to her, not moving as he watched her. She met his eyes, then quickly looked down, pink tainting her cheeks. She concentrated on the stew as he observed her. She was a head shorter than him, and her features were soft and lean. She had her long wood colored hair tied back behind her as to not get any in the food. They stayed like that for a while, and an awkward silence settled between them. Finally, she broke the silence.

"I… I don't think caught your name." Her voice was soft and pleasant, but quiet and nervous as well.

"It's Plazo" He wasn't sure how he was supposed to act, as he had never guarded anyone before.

"It's… nice to meet you…" she mumbled as she continued to stare at the soup. The uncomfortable silence ensued once again. Plazo went to sit on the stool the previous demon had been sitting on, and he could see Lahnia tense. He was to the side of her, and she could feel his unwavering stare. Her hands started to shake from her nerves. Was he good? Bad? She didn't know anything about him, and that unnerved her. She had finally been getting along with Konan and now she had to start all over again.

They stayed like that for hours, with Plazo staring at her and Lahnia nervously cooking. Not once did she glance at him. Finally, someone came to break the awkwardness. It was a stout green demon with a very pronounced belly.

"I'm here to take the soup." He did not seeming to notice the tense situation as he lumbered up to the pot.

"Oh, wait just one moment please." Lahnia turned and grabbed two bowls that were on a wooden table behind her, and ladled the stew into them.

"Go ahead." The demon took the handle, and hauled it up the slope. She watched as he struggled with the huge pot. Then she sighed. Turning to Plazo, she asked in a shaky voice:

"Would you like a bowl?" She offered him a steaming bowl, looking at him questioningly. He grunted as he took the bowl from her hands. She sat down on a stool next to him, looking into the camp while she began her supper. All of a sudden, there was a surprised gasp. She looked over to Plazo, who was looking at the soup with surprise. As she watched, he took another sip, then another. With each passing moment she could see him become more confused yet delighted at the same time. When he was finished, he turned to her, who was now smiling broadly.

"You made this?" Apparently her cooking was enough to break the silence spell.

"Who else?" He seemed to contemplate that, then nodded.

"That was amazing" She tilted her head, still smiling.

"Thank you."

A/N Please tell me what you think! =)