A/N: Ben 10 does not belong to me in the least.
Rachel frowned down at the thermometer, raising a brow, then shaking it lightly, gazing back down at it. "Hey, you sure you got it right?" A snort from the living room and she crossed her arms, looking down at it blankly. "It hasn't moved from 101.3 degrees. You sure she got hotter?" She snickered at her words. "Ah, I mean the whole, ya know, fever part."
"Yes." She gazed back down at the temperature sensing device, frowning. A shrug and she gave up, tossing it onto the table. "I'm sure. Her temperature's sky rocketing."
"Alright. I'll get the ice." And Rachel closed the front door behind her.
"SYVIN!" Meena bolted upright, chest heaving, cheeks stained red. A thin sheen of sweat coated her skin, her breathing heavy. "S-syvin?" A hand on her shoulder and she screamed, falling from the couch, knocking her head off the coffee table. "O-ow…" A man gazed down at her and she scrambled back, eyes wide. She had heard of such things, men breaking into women's apartments, attacking them. "I-I don't have much money, b-but take it! Please, don't hurt me!" She raised her arms over her face, cowering against the wall, eyes screwed shut.
"Well I know that." She didn't dare leave her position, ready to scream whilst fighting him off. "Oh... You don't… recognize me. I forgot."
"I don't know a man like you!" True, that was true. She would have remembered meeting a man with a stripe of white down the middle of his jet black hair. She definitely would have remembered meeting a man with… quills? Yes, quills adorning his face. But… wait…
She heard a noise, like… a scoff, like he was disappointed, or upset. Had she upset him? She shouldn't; he was the one breaking into her apartment. "P-please, just take what you want…" She felt the tears prick at her eyes. Hadn't her sister warned her of these sorts of things? How best to act in such a situation? Yes, but Meena wasn't prepared to shriek out a war cry and lunge at him. "P-p-please…"
"Honey? Whatcha doin' on the floor?" Meena looked up at Rachel, grocery bags looped over her arms. "Don't you want to rest still?" Meena looked quickly to Rachel, then to the man standing silently, gazing at her with one of the saddest looks Meena had ever seen. "Hm? What? You're afraid of him now? Jeez, first Mike, then Pierce. Really, Meena—"
"M-mr. Pierce?" Meena whispered, her voice hoarse. She had never wanted to see him again, knew that by simply being friends with her his life was in danger. She had been afraid of him? When? Why didn't she remember? "Miss Rachel, he can't come here, neither can you. Y-you must leave!" Her world was spinning, she felt her cheeks growing warmer. "You must leave now! I-if he finds you here—" her stomach churned and she leaned heavily against the wall, bowing her head, eyes closed tightly against the uneasiness she was feeling.
The bags fell to the floor as Rachel knelt down, placing her hands over her cheeks. Meena moved into her touch, her cold hands a relief against the heat. "Honey, you're burning up, you gotta get back into bed."
"B-but, the man…" Meena wondered why Rachel didn't seem concerned about the intruder. "He…" Reality hit her and she pushed feebly at the wall, trying to stand. "T-the windows! Mr. Ben! And Miss Gwen! Syvin was there! I'm sorry, I broke all the windows!" and she slid back down, just about ready to cry. First Syvin comes, then she breaks all the windows, then they're kind enough to drive her home and Syvin comes, and then… And now this intruder…
"The… windows?" Rachel looked at the windows of her apartment. None were broken. "What windows, Honey?" Meena felt the tears beginning to come.
"T-the diner… I… I broke all the windows… I'm so sorry…"
"Meena, Sweetie, you haven't been in the diner for over a week. When you called in to say you'd be in, and then you weren't, I came over to check on you. You were passed out in the kitchen. And Meena, this is a friend of mine, he's only here to help. Come on, Sweetie, you have to get into bed." Meena had the oddest sensation of flying, her view of her apartment tilted slightly. Through the dizzying swirl and pulsing headache, she saw the intru—Rachel's friend—carrying her toward her room. "Don't you worry, we'll take care of you, Meena."
"But, Syvin… Syvin is coming…"
"Shh, shh, don't worry, we'll take care of your boyfriend." Meena shook her head weakly. "You know who Syvin is?"
"Not a clue. Doesn't sound familiar." The comforter was pulled up to her chin, something cool placed against her forehead. "Calm down, Meena. You're gonna be alright." She turned her face away, closing her eyes against the heat and the headache. "Everything'll be alright now."
"B-but… Syvin… he's coming… you can't…" Her thoughts were clouded, her lungs burning.
Why would he go back on his promise? He had given her the rest of her time to be here, why would he be back so soon to take her home? It didn't make sense.
"Sweetie, everything is gonna be alright, don't you worry." And she let herself slip into an almost sleep, trusting in Rachel to make sure everything would be—and remain—right.
"She didn't…" Rachel pulled a box of cereal from the shopping bag, opening cupboards in Meena's apartment and placing it next to an almost identical one. "I should've known."
"Don't go and get mad at her." She didn't have to look at him to see the hurt and anger in his eyes. A package of pudding was left on the counter, Rachel fully intending on making it. She turned, peering at the teen she had known for a large portion of her life, she being one of the few he trusted and let in. "It's not her fault." True, it wasn't Meena's fault. How could she know? She watched as his hand curled into a fist. "Look, Honey, she's had a fever and she just woke up to a strange man in her apartment. She's been out for three days, shrieking and screaming most of the time. Cut her a little slack." The fist didn't unfurl.
Hm. This would be a little harder than she anticipated.
"If you hold this against her, I'll never forgive you." He hung his head further, glaring down at the carpet. "Hey, it'd be best if she didn't know. Life would just get harder for her than it already is."
There was rapid knocking on the thick oak front door. Pierce lumbered to his feet, beating Rachel to it. "Manny, I told you—" he wasn't expecting the woman to lunge at him, shrieking in a language he didn't recognize. Her nails were claws as she lashed at him, eyes filled with a fire that he recognized as hatred.
Rachel dived for her, tackling her to the floor while Pierce got his bearings. "Lady, calm down! I think you got the wrong apartment!"
"Yuall faka dafe kaller nor! A faka kir kaller dor freia!(You will not get away with this! I will fight for my sister!)" The woman obviously had no qualms with attacking a girl. Rachel hissed, her own nails digging into the aggressive one's skin.
"Look, Lady! Calm down!" Pierce wasn't sure if he should intervene, blood already drying on his cheek. "I don't know whatever you're saying, but it's obvious you're in duress!" The woman barred her teeth, flipping Rachel over, rolling free and lunging to her feet. The temperature in the room plummeted and Pierce felt the familiar cold seeping into his chest, the icy fingers pulling at the new scar. A hiss and he shuddered. The woman paid him no mind, the cold gathering into her upturned palms, her eyes dark.
"Yuall faka dafe kaller nor…(You will not get away with this…)" Rachel breathed as the woman, who obviously had powers of some sort, stood in the middle of Meena's apartment, gathering the energy around her like a cloak. "Yuall faka dafe holl dor freia!(You will not take my sister!)"
"Rasavas, please, no…"
Meena held herself against the wall, clutching at it for dear life. The woman, Rasavas? dropped her hands, her expression changing as she reached out a slow hand. A moment and she rounded on Rachel once again. "Yuall taimo dor freia!(You hurt my sister!)" She shrieked, the energy returning with a force, knocking Meena back, her unbalanced form collapsing to the ground.
"Forta, Rasavas! A-a colla har…(No, Rasavas! I-I got sick…)" Pierce slipped by the angry brunette, dropping down by Meena.
"Hey, you alright?" She opened her eyes, her cheeks flushed from the fever. Fear coursed through her and he was about to pull away when something shifted behind her eyes.
"I-I'm fine…" Her voice was hoarse. "T-thank you. I don't… I never introduced myself…"
This was turning oddly into their first meeting.
"Mirna?" Meena looked up at the woman, her dark eyes showing relief at her calm exterior.
"Rasavas, I didn't think you would come to see me…" The woman flipped her shoulder length hair back, huffing as it returned to its place.
"Please. After Syvin told me about his stalking-slash-vatching thing? How could I leave you to his and Fitori's mercy?" Her voice was commanding, her tone demanding attention. There was a thick accent to her words. German? Russian maybe? "How could I keep avay? Covron vanted to come, but he's tied up at the moment." She smirked and Pierce felt Meena shudder.
"A-ah…" Rachel eyed the woman warily.
"Hey, Honey, she safe?" Rasavas flashed cold eyes toward Rachel, who hissed in return. Meena struggled up, holding out her hands in an effort to calm the two dueling bodies.
"M-miss Rachel, t-this is my sister—"
"Ranna Calin." Ranna stuck her hand out like Meena had—was it only two weeks ago? Rachel raised her lip, but shook it all the same.
"Rachel Calico." Ranna eyed her, then looked to Pierce.
"And you. You who have seemed to come to my sister's defense so quickly. Who are you?" Pierce looked down at Meena, who looked up at him expectantly.
She really had no idea who he was.
"I'm a Plumber." Ranna raised a brow, gazing at him calmly. "Pierce Wheels." Ranna smiled lightly, noting Meena's rather perplexed expression.
"I see. Meena. You know how this illusion is cast. Don't look so surprised." Meena turned her face away. "Very well. Syvin, get in here, you dolt." Pierce watched as Meena faltered, eyes going wide. "Oh please. It's not like he's going to attack you. Besides," She winked at Pierce, who was very much confused, "you can take him easily."
"I beg to differ." A man entered, leaning lightly against the wall. Rachel grinned, eyeing the new boy and comparing him to her current boyfriend, Mark.
"Heya guy, what's your name?" Ranna rolled her eyes. "I'm Rachel." The man gave her a level look.
"I'm known as Syrus Battle." Pierce noticed the lack of a common last name between the lot of them, but said nothing, watching as Meena eyed this man warily. "Mefaalis, don't act so timid." Ranna scowled. "Sister, calm yourself. I gave you my word, and so I shall keep it. I'm here only at Rasavas' request." Ranna seemed to be struggling against the desire to smack him.
Pierce noted the differences in given names as well, Ranna also going by Rasavas and Syrus going by Syvin. Meena apparently was Mefaalis. "Oh? You've noticed something?" He looked to Ranna, who had her head tilted lightly to the side in thought, a small smile on her lips. "Do share." Meena looked up at him, wondering what her sister could mean. "Go ahead. You will gain no ill favor from my brother." Syrus looked to him in curiosity. Rachel's fingers twitched, sensing that he didn't want to share his findings, whatever they were, yet.
"Aren't you late for an assignment, Wheels?" It was a lousy excuse, but she hoped he would take it and run. These people…
They weren't normal.
"Stay, Pierce." Ranna's green eyes lightened, intent on getting an answer from him. Meena looked to Ranna, eyes narrowing.
"Sister, Mr. Pierce has his own life to live." Meena's voice was soft, not uncommon for the girl, but there was something about it that was different than normal.
"Ah, of-course. My apologies." Pierce gave a nod, then looked to Meena. Her cheeks were still red, sweat coating a thin layer on her skin.
"Meena, you need to get back to bed." She swayed where she stood, a hand going to her head.
"I'm fine, really…" Rachel let out a huff, stalking towards her and yanking her hard toward the back room. Pierce saw Syrus tense, but relaxed slightly when Ranna shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sister, Brother…" So this was the man who had spoken so coldly to her before. Syrus shifted his own gaze to him, looking at him calmly. "Miss Rachel, you needn't—"
"Hush up." The door closed and Pierce was left with her siblings. Ranna grinned brightly.
"Come again. I'll be here for awhile." Syrus stood with his arms crossed. "He's leaving. Soon." Pierce gave a nod. "Hey, thanks for taking care of her."
"I'm just returning the favor." Syrus' eyes narrowed sharply on him. "I'll see you around."
"See ya later, Pierce." He stepped past the two, walking through the still open front door. "He seems nice, doesn't he?"
"I'm not sure I like that description, Rasavas."
"Come now, she can have a little crush. She's only got a few months left. Let her live a little, Syvin." Pierce shook his head, not wanting to bother with the mystery and headache Meena Strong and her family was at the moment.
HA. Well, I bet ya'll have no idea what's going on here, do ya? That's okay. Neither do I. I just know its fun~ I'm seeing a pattern with Ranna's speaking parts though…
Ah, well, until the next time~