A/N: Ben 10 does not belong to me in the least.
Syvin braced his elbow against the arm of the chair, holding up his head with a fist. "Fitori. Report." The man he charged with guarding and protecting his sister bowed slowly, raising his eyes after a moment. "All is well, I assume?" The man straightened, clasping his arms behind his back.
"No." Syvin raised a brow and the shrunken figure of the man continued to stare straight ahead. Syvin waved at the guards by the doors and they too gave a bow, leaving him alone, closing the doors behind them.
"Please enlighten me." He gazed coldly at the hologram of their bodyguard.
"She was targeted by human traffickers." Syvin snorted, shaking his head. His eyes were still cold. "They were dealt with by an outside force and she forbade me from taking further action against their leader."
"How close were you to the situation, Fitori?"
"I had his life in my hands. But she allowed him mercy." Syvin let out a breath, closing his eyes and massaging his temple. "Aside from a few bruises she also forbade me from healing, and a laceration resulting from fleeing her pursuers, she is alright." Syvin opened his eyes. Fitori gazed up at him, remarkably calm. "The laceration spans the length from her knee to her ankle, Sir. It's not very deep, but it is painful when pressure is applied." His fist tightened. "She refuses my assistance. I don't believe she'll fix it herself, let 'nature take its course', as they say here."
"Fitori. I told you to protect her."
"Correction, Brother." Syvin hissed, swinging his eyes around to take in the man to his left. "You told him to keep his distance, just check in every few days."
"A mistake in hindsight, Covron." The teen grinned. He returned his sight to their soldier. "Fitori, watch her closely. No more mistakes." He said nothing and Syvin straightened. "Is there something else you'd like to tell me, Fitori?" The man looked pained as he shifted his stance, licking at his lips and swallowing.
"Sir, I…" He trailed off in an exhaled breath as he shook his head. Syvin leaned back, returning to holding his head up with a fist, waiting for him to continue. He knew the risks of living among people, but surely Fitori was limiting himself. Too much contact and… His eyes narrowed dramatically.
"Fitori, has she…" He couldn't say it. Surely she knew the danger. She didn't have time for such a thing.
"She says she forfeits our laws." He hissed in contempt while his idiot of a brother let out a soft whistle, something he picked up from observing Rasavas. "That she will remain in Bellwood, that she will not return home. Because you went back on your word, Sir." His eyes narrowed on Fitori while Covron glared at him.
"Syvin, you didn't…"
"Covron, this is not the time." His brother threw up his hands, stomping around briefly and muttering rapidly under his breath.
"Syvin, you idiot!" Syvin covered his eyes with a hand, restraining himself from lashing out at his younger brother. "You had a deal with her! How could you do that?!"
"Covron—"
"No, you listen to me!" Syvin lifted his head, glaring at his brother. The temperature in the room dropped dramatically. "Don't think you can intimidate me like Mefaalis." Covron looked to the hologram of their bodyguard watching on calmly. "Fitori, she wants to stay there? In… Bellwood?"
"Yes, Sir." Covron looked back at Syvin, eyes still narrowed.
"Then tell her our brother made a grave error in judgment and revokes his claim. She has her time back." Syvin rose from his seat. Covron didn't back down. "Syvin, I'm fixing your mistake. Revoke your claim and she'll come home in due time. She's rebelling because you went back on your word."
"My word is law, Brother. She will come home when I say she will." Covron crossed his arms over his chest.
"From what I've gathered, she's under the protection of some of the Plumbers." Syvin said nothing. "If she goes to them and asks of them to keep her safe… She will never come home, not in a month, not in four months, not ever. We will not see her again." There was silence as the two brothers glared at each other.
"If I may, Sirs." Covron looked to Fitori and Syvin scoffed, looking away. "She is honor bound. If you revoke your claim, Sir, she will revoke hers. And return in due time." Covron looked to his brother, raising a questioning brow.
"Syvin."
"Fine. I revoke my claim." He didn't look at Covron. "Fitori, you can keep her safe?" Fitori bowed his head, knowing what he was asking of him to do.
"Yes, Sir." Syvin nodded and the man's hologram disappeared.
"Well, I'm going." Syvin hissed at his brother. "Look, just cause you got showed up doesn't mean you can get all mad at me." Covron wandered towards the door. "I just saved you from explaining that little disaster to Father."
"Covron, if you ever dare cross me again…" Covron shrugged, disappearing through the doors.
"Meena, Honey! What're you doing here?!" Meena smiled at Rachel, waving.
"Hello, Miss Rachel." She was seated behind the counter on a high stool. She was helping out Cook and Mike, taking the plates from the window and giving them to the customers at the counter or passing them off to the other waiter on staff, Lyle. "Lyle? Table… Six, right?" The man pushed up his glasses, walking over and taking the plates from her.
"Yes." Rachel frowned at him, shooing him away. "And hello to you too, Calico." She stuck her tongue out as he left.
"Honey, you're on crutches. Crutches for God's sake! You should be at home, on the couch, cuddling up and watching a movie with Pierce!" She blinked and Rachel smacked herself in the forehead.
"Why… would I do that, Miss Rachel? Mr. Pierce has his own couch, I've seen it myself." Rachel growled out something unintelligible. "And I'm sure he has his own movies."
"Kid, you went through a traumatic experience with the boy! You bonded over a common event! Heyo, Mike, back me up here!" Mike shook his head.
"Meena's far too young to be dating, you know that, Rachel." She hissed at him and Meena folded her hands on the counter, making sure her crutches were still upright against the counter beside her. Bandages were wrapped tight around her leg and she had to hobble around for a few days until she could put weight on it again.
"Besides, Mr. Pierce is suffering from a concussion. I very much doubt watching a movie would be comfortable for him." Rachel gave her a blank look and she smiled. "But I am glad he's doing much better." Helen had been in the day before to give them a status report and Rachel had visited Meena to spread the good news. Meena hadn't seen him since he woke up briefly, Fitori having whisked her away to her apartment and posting himself on her couch to answer her every beck and call. She escaped while he was out getting groceries. "Of-course, it's not really surprising. He's remarkably durable." Rachel rolled her eyes, giving up and tying on her apron. "Oh… I never really properly thanked you and Mr. Jamie. Thank you, Miss Rachel." Mike patted her head and went back into the kitchen as Rachel gazed at her briefly.
"For what, Kid?"
"You were concerned for me and probably saved my life. And Mr. Pierce's." She bowed her head lightly and Rachel waved her off, shaking her head.
"Please. I didn't do nothin' anyone else wouldn't have done. 'Sides, Fitori got there pretty quick. You would've been fine." Meena raised her head and smiled sadly at her.
"But he would have left Mr. Pierce there. Because you and Mr. Jamie were there, he didn't want to make a scene. You truly saved his life." Any hint of goodwill towards the man who had briefly stalked the girl disappeared from Rachel's mind.
"If I ever seen that jerk again, I'll—"
"Calico." She hissed in contempt as the bell rang and a man dressed casually appeared in her sight. Meena ducked her head. "You seem in fine spirits this afternoon." He shifted his eyes to Meena and they narrowed slightly in distaste. "Meena." Rachel twitched and Meena got her crutches, rising to her feet. "I'll thank you not to slip out when I leave briefly for food and medical supplies again." No longer did he wear the hat and trench coat, but jeans and a dark button down. Rachel admitted he wasn't bad looking, but his attitude made him worse.
"You would have left him to die?" Her voice was a hiss and Meena hopped past her slowly. He blinked at her, taking a moment to understand her words. Recognition and he gave a single nod.
"My priority is Meena. Everything else is meaningless." Meena turned before Rachel could lunge at him, blocking the older girl's path. "Meena?"
"Miss Rachel, please. It all worked out." Rachel gazed down at her darkly, but her rage wasn't directed at the brunette. Meena looked away for a moment, thinking, then raised her eyes to the window, peering out it curiously. Another moment and she looked back at her bodyguard. "Fitori… Is that…?" He turned his eyes to the window, then closed them. A crash outside sent a small wave of energy through the diner, plates and glasses wobbling from the force.
"Yes." Rachel looked behind them at a figure crouched on the ground, a crater formed around them.
"What in the name of God is that?" She watched as the figure rose, stretching, as it a fall from such a great height was nothing for them. She stepped forward and Meena pulled at her wrist, eyes pleading. "Hey, Kid, let go, alright? I can han—"
"No, Miss Rachel!" The figure shook themselves, putting hands on their hips and looking around. Rachel tried shrugging her off, but she held tight.
"Shall I handle the situation, Meena?" Fitori asked curiously.
"N-no!" He stopped, going no further towards the door. She let out a strained breath, letting go of Rachel and hopping forward on her crutches. "No, I can… Let me." Rachel walked behind her, sending Fitori a dirty look as they passed. "Miss Rachel, please don't—"
"Yeah, you ain't going out there alone, Kid. Don't know why you're going at all." Rachel pushed open the door and the figure turned their head towards them. Rachel saw red hair, more a coppery color, a little on the longer side for a guy. "Sweetie, I really don't think you should be out here in your condition." Meena continued steadily towards him, the man never moving. "Meena…"
They drew closer and Rachel saw he was older than them, but not by much. Copper hair and violet eyes, oddly enough. Dark jeans, a deep violet button down, and a dark brown vest. He crossed his arms, a smile on his lips. "I knew I'd find you here, Fitori." Rachel twitched, looking over her shoulder to see that, yes, Fitori was following calmly behind them.
"Just following my orders." The man shook his head.
"Bet that's been fun for you, eh, Meena?" Meena stopped a few feet away from him and Rachel stopped directly beside her. He gazed at her and she kept her expression level. A smirk and he looked back at Fitori. "You said she was trouble. I didn't know this was what you meant." Fitori rolled his eyes, looking equal parts disgusted and annoyed. He reached out a hand to her. "I'm Connor Whitaker. You must be Rachel." She eyed him for a moment longer before taking his hand.
"Yeah, but what's it to you, pretty boy?" Meena cleared her throat and Rachel let go. He was still smiling, obviously smitten with her. "Fine, I'll play nice. Pleasure's all mine, Whitaker."
"Miss Rachel, this is… ah, this is my brother. O-other brother," she amended at the dark look Rachel sent her way. "Older brother." She let the glare fade and she looked at the timid girl beside her in surprise.
"Your…" She eyed him. "What the heck are you? Superman? Falling from the sky like that and getting up like it's nothing? Are you some sort of crazy?"
"That's what Syvin says anyway. But enough about me." She scoffed. "You going steady with anyone?"
"Please, Honey. I'm outta your league." Meena looked mortified and Rachel was amused by his bold attitude. "But, maybe with a little work… Oh, but I do like Mark a lot. You'll have to try harder." He raised a brow, the smirk still there.
"Challenge accepted."
"C-Covron!" He looked at her, surprised.
"What? I'm making friends."
"N-not with Miss Rachel you're not!" Rachel wrapped her arm around the younger's shoulders, pulling her closer and half hugging her. Meena looked up at her, a little pained.
"Don't worry. I can take him, Kid." Fitori let out a breath, like dealing with hormonal teenagers wasn't a part of his original job description but was becoming increasing common. "I'm mean, that's where all the fun is, right?" Her eyes darkened as they shifted to take in his form once again, showing her teeth as she smiled. "The chase."
"I have a feeling you're pretty good at… 'Cat and Mouse', is it?" Meena narrowed her eyes on her brother. "Would that be the correct term?"
"On more than one account, Whitaker." Rachel hugged Meena a little closer, leaning down a bit. "Hey, now we can double date. That is, if he can catch me." She straightened, releasing the invalid and crossing her arms, shifting her weight to one leg, her tail twitching in amusement at the red creeping onto Meena's cheeks. "I know exactly who I'll call for you, Honey. A certain dark haired pin cushion who owes me a few."
"M-Miss Rachel!" Her brother stepped up, standing almost nose to nose with the golden eyed cat girl. He had almost a head on her but he turned his face down towards her while she looked up with a brow raised.
"Sounds like fun."
And there we have some love sprouting~! Let me just say, of all her siblings(which you have now met) Connor(Covron) is my favorite~ He's like… cocky and arrogant and thoroughly enjoys annoying Syvin to no end and one-upping him when he can. He can also act childish or his age(19) or be mature. He's at an awkward stage in his life…
He's very much a ladies' man, but doesn't chase after six girls at once. But he'll back off if she really is showing no interest. But Rachel's flirting with him and likes freaking Meena out. But she really is serious about the double-date~
'Cat and Mouse'. Get it? Get it? I thought it was rather brilliant~
Well, thank you for reading and until the next time, ciao~!