Bedtime
The agents never thought they would see a reenactment of the Armageddon, especially one where the weapons of mass destruction were food.
"Hit the deck!"
The males ducked, hitting the floor. At the table, the little devils were at it again, giggling evilly. Small globs of food fell around them, sometimes hitting their intended targets. Everything was swiftly becoming one big mess.
Only Tres remained standing; the girls were wise not to aim at him. Despite the hail of edible ammo, he kept a straight face, not programmed for the fight of the food.
"Are you crazy, Tres? Get down!" Leon growled, covering his brown head from the sticky, but delicious onslaught.
William stirred next to him with an idea; he looked up, "No, wait! He's perfect. He's the only one that can stop them," He insisted before glancing over at the android, "Tres, see if you can,"
Gunslinger looked over at the Professor and nodded, "Positive…" before approaching the charges, "My ladies, I suggest you surrender quietly or else action will be taken,"
The girls seemed worried; Amber practically hid behind her older cousin, "Kwisa…"She whimpered.
The older blond quite near hissed at the new, intimidating threat; she didn't seem ready to give in just yet. Her icy blue eyes scanned the kitchen for an escape route. An evil grin came to her seemingly innocent features.
The android scanned the young life forms, searching for the cause of the sudden change of expression. Unfortunately, he would find out first hand.
Without warning, Kisa tensed and before he knew it, a body lunged at his face, "Holy crap!" Tres exclaimed in utter surprise, the curse obviously from 'hanging out' with Father Leon.
Small feet soon connected with his face before the child they were attached to used him as a human, err, mechanical springboard. The force knocked him to the ground, and with their last hope down for the count, his fellows could only watch as the demons escaped from the kitchen to do who knew what.
"Damn it! They got Tres too!" Leon exclaimed with rising frustration.
The three men, previously flattened, climbed to their feet. William hurried to help Tres to his boots.
"Fucking brats…" The android murmured, almost too quietly for the nearby ears, with aloof anger.
The others stared at him in shock, "Did Tres just-?" Leon started numbly.
Havel stopped him," No, no, it was just…just the wind. Either that or the girls are literally driving us mad," He reasoned just as numbly, " Yeah, that sounds good. Fawn madness for the sake of not accepting the impossible and keeping our sanity,"
Dandelion seemed to agree with him, "You're preaching to the choir, brother!"
"Father…"
"Whatever!"
How to torture the babysitters next? Kisa's parents would be home soon to rescue the survivors, and so would Amber's, who were coming to pick up the growing heir from her cousin's. Playtime would soon be over…
"Kwisa, what do ee do now?" Amber murmured uneasily, "Uncle Awel and auntie Awta will be home soon…"
Kisa fidgeted, her mind working like clockwork. A sudden and wild snarl that echoed distantly through the mansion made her smile devilishly.
"Follow me…" She breathed cheerfully.
Amber ran after her, beginning to enjoy pranking the babysitters, although she was being brought up so that she could rule the Empire should anything happen to her mother, and was taught to behave as a lady. A shiver of a mixture of excitement and fear rippled through her as they headed to Binas' room, which had been locked for the babysitters' safety. Who was Binas, you ask? Well...
"Here, kitty, kitty. Dinner time!"
The brats were missing, again…
The mansion was oddly quiet, no giggles or the pitter-patter of demon feet. The men searched the house cautiously, expecting a booby trap at every corner. Yet, nothing had occurred…yet…
"Maybe we should just let the ladies do what they want," William suggested, "Their parents will be home soon and the girls don't seem to be up to anything,"
Leon whirled on him, "Are you kidding! Of course they're up to something!" He snarled with paranoia, "Those brats are evil incarnate! Who knows what they're plotting…"
The others just stared as the burly agent's eyebrow twitched and his eyes shifted almost madly; Leon was obviously on the brink of insanity. And they wondered why he didn't like working with children…
Havel broke the awkward silence with an attention-catching cough, "I think Father Leon might be right; it's best if we find the girls…"
William looked kinda ruffled by the fact that his idea was not stuck with, but continued along with his fellows. Yet, unbeknownst to them, they were being stalked…
An orange form crept quietly amongst the furniture, growling softly as it followed its prey. Amber and Kisa strolled after their secret weapon, giggling, hardly able to contain themselves. Once the family pet was within pouncing range, the girls hid behind a corner as Binas settled down on her powerful haunches and waited…
Meanwhile, the agents continued to look for their charges, not knowing all they had to do was turn around.
However, they were getting a chilling feeling that they were being watched, and by inhuman eyes. Yet, they ignored it and dismissed it as being paranoid, especially when they swore they heard something and would turn to catch the source only to find nothing there.
"This is getting ridiculous. They could be anywhere! This place is huge!" Leon finally huffed.
William just gave him a 'told ya so' look, "Very odd coming from the person who suggested we keep looking…" He remarked coldly, still steamed from his idea being pushed aside.
Before an argument could start, Tres suddenly interrupted, "Detecting movement and life forms. Confirmed: two identified human…" He stated. Relief, from the fact that the girls were nearby, rippled through the agents only to be replaced with surprise and a growing fear sparked by the android's next words, " One identified feline. Specifications: Bengal Tiger. Suggested course of action: Get the hell out of here!"
"EH?"
"See! I'm not the only one those devils are messing with!" Leon protested, "Now, you heard the man, err, android! These brats have found a furry weapon of mass decapitation!"
"What the-?" Was all Havel, who was a little too close to the last hall, could mutter before he was drag off his feet and around the corner by great paws, "Help me! It's got me!"
The remaining whirled around in surprise to find their fellow father missing. They were obviously too late in their retreat; one man was already cat food.
"Havel!" William exclaimed, instinctively running to save him, while the others ran to stop him.
"You idiot! Get back here!" Leon snarled yet was surprisingly left behind.
"Agreed. Pursuit is highly illogical and is not suggested for this situation," Tres advised, "A swift retreat is the best course of action,"
Despite this, the Professor kept after and turned the corner. Leon followed only to run straight into William, who had stopped short mysteriously. Tres followed suit and stopped behind Leon.
"Requesting reason for sudden halt of previous course of action…"
Leon looked over William's shoulder, and it wasn't long before he burst out laughing, "Hey, Havel, I think she likes you…" He jested, "No fair! I wanted a girlfriend first!"
"Very funny…"
The previously screaming father was held between the big cat's great paws, his chin resting on his palm with no amusement. The tiger, on the other hand, seemed very content as she practically licked away the flesh on the man's face, all the while purring contently. Behind the feline, their targets could only watch as their plan backfired.
"No, no, Binas! You weren't supposed to lick them! You're supposed to…I don't know…eat'em or something!" Kisa declared to her family's pet in dismay and frustration. She then crossed her arms and looked away, "Hmph…But what can you expect from a house tiger…"
As expected, Binas paid the little girl no mind, and kept on bathing her prize. Meanwhile, the free and dry agents just stared on, amused beyond words. Havel didn't seem in very good humor though; he glared at his comrades between licks.
"Well? Don't just…stand there…! Do…something!"
Leon chuckled and shook his head ruefully, "Alright, keep your robe on. I'm coming…"
Arrogantly, the brunette strolled right over to Binas and got a good grip on his comrade. To his surprise, the tiger only gave a small fight, digging her claws into Havel's shoulders, before she allowed her prize to be taken from her. The once captured priest climbed to his feet shakily and rubbed his face, which was dripping with cat saliva, and fixed his mused hair. He stretched gratefully in his freedom. However, that freedom was seemingly short-lived:
Binas wanted her chew toy back…
The great cat rose to her paws, growling with growing aggravation; her slender tail twitched forebodingly. The agents received a bad case of the chills immediately; instinctively knowing they now had to run for their lives. A fearsome roar escaped the tiger and the men split in terror, the cat and kits on their tail.
"Now this is more like it!" Kisa declared at her pet's heels, her cousin at hers, "Get' em, Binas!
The first thing the AX headed for was a conveniently open door, which they had no clue belonged to the thing chasing them. They dashed inside, the cat after them. Before they knew it, the door was closed behind them and locked, mischievous giggles echoing beyond it…
"I'm serious, young lady…"
"But mama…I really don't know what happen to them. We fell asleep and they were gone…"
Kisa trailed after her mother meekly, fearing her 'captives' would be discovered. Afterall, Asta was steadily approaching the 'prison' and looked suddenly determined that what she sought was behind that certain door.
"Sure…let's just see what Binas has to say…"
The duchess grasped the doorknob, noticed briefly it was locked and quickly changed that. Just then, her father came over to them, obviously worried about his old teammates' whereabouts.
"Have you found them yet? Please tell me you at least got the bodies…"
Asta smirked at her husband's comment before turning to the door, "Don't worry, Binas may look fierce but she's really more like an overgrown tabby…"
The concern did not vanish from Abel's pale face, "I know, but still…"
"Relax, I'm certain they're in here…"
"In Binas' room? That's strange, I swore we locked it before we left…"
Kisa resisted the urge to whistle innocently and avoided her parents' knowing looks, trying not to look guilty. Sensing the jig was nearly up, Amber had left her own parents to take her share of the heat, like a good princess should.
Following their daughter, Ion and Seth came by as well, wondering what the commotion was about. They only had to take one look at the scene to figure out what was going on.
"Did you find them?" Ion questioned softly, "They are still in one piece, aren't they?"
The empress, on the other hand, gave her heir a parenting look that was countered by a killer pair of puppy dog eyes from Amber. Unable to stay mad at her own flesh and blood, Seth sighed and smiled before scooping up the young girl and situating her in her arms.
"We'll just have to find a way to keep you at the palace from now on, huh?"
Amber, loving her huge 'castle', as any five-year-old would, nodded happily. Her mother just smiled gently down her before facing forward towards their present problem again.
Meanwhile, Asta finally got around to opening the door. Everyone waited as the room was bared to them. Inside, as the duchess had expected, the four men dwelled, along with their new 'girlfriend'. Their hair and clothes were ruffled and they looked far from happy.
"Well, at least they got their bath…"Abel commented lightly.
"Very funny…" Replied a voice within the room.
Asta put one hand on her hip and glared down at the men inside, "Alright…everyone out…now…"
The only protester was Binas, who only gave an obedient yawn towards her mistress. Otherwise, the trapped men wiggled out of the tiger's paws and trudged out to the two couples. They were more or less unharmed, if not a bit traumatized.
"I am never babysitting again…" Leon grumbled as he marched out, followed by his fellow bruised and rattled agents.
Ion was a little skeptical, obviously having never seen Kisa's demon side and doubting his precious daughter could do much harm herself, "Ah, come on. It couldn't have been that bad…"
The priests looked down at the new couple, realizing for the first time they were in presence of the country's rulers. Of course, William was the first to greet the Empress and her husband. He bowed to Ion and then sought Seth's small hand before kissing it as any 'gentlemen' would.
"Greetings, my lord and lady. Such an honor,"
Not quite interested in formalities, Leon snatched the Englishman by the scruff of his uniform and dragged him off, "Come on, I don't want to stay in this crazy country for much longer,"
As if agreeing in some strange way, little Amber yawned cutely in her mother's arms. Her parents then exchanged knowing glances before following the agents towards the front door.
"We should be going too. Bye, Abel, Asta…" Ion called after his in-laws.
The owners of the mansion gave their quick farewells to their relatives; the two smiled warmly at Ion while Asta gave a respectful bow to the empress and Abel gave her a quick, brotherly peck on check, after kneeling down greatly just to reach her, of course.
There was an overall sleepy mood to the mansion now. The babysitters were exhausted after looking after the two growing demons, and the nobles after attending their party. The rulers and the fathers were practically out the door. Kisa was so tired, the little schemer, that she had passed out on a couch. On the other hand, Amber was on her way out with her parents. However, Leon wasn't ready to leave yet. Well, he had been, until he noticed how Abel and his woman were approaching their bedroom, the glances their shared suggestive, as were their movements.
"Well, Abel…Kisa is asleep and the babysitters are gone. How about we…" Asta leaded seductively, practically pulling the ex-priest into their room.
Leon grinned to himself at his luck and quietly snuck after the couple. Unfortunately, his comrades noticed his path, and in turn, snuck up behind him in time to catch Dandelion sneaking a peek into the lord and lady's bedroom. On the count of three, the three remaining dragged their perverted friend away from the scene by his ear.
"Come on. This is no place for peeping…" Havel growled.
However, Leon fawned innocence, "What'd I do?" yet gave up, especially when he noticed a certain brat was missing from the couch. The four jumped when the door they were heading to, open from the previously departed who expected to be followed shortly, closed violently and locked, "I think we should have left when we had the chance…"
A.N: Hope you enjoyed this little short. Please review…