He stirred in his bedsheets, cracking open one eye as he glowered at the blaring alarm on his clock that stirred him from his peaceful rest. He pushed the off button, very hard to show how angry he was at the darn thing. He then got up and did his usual routine, got out of bed, and walked straight for the bathroom to shower himself clean. Several minutes passed as he walked back to his equipment that was set aside on a chair.

He grabbed his clothing first, which had large propulsion boosters attached to the hip. It was a suit that was carefully repaired. Slipping it on the shoes and gloves were the next to come on. He then turned to look at the helmet and breathe very slowly. This new job wasn't going to be easy, but it was best to avoid the more harsher punishments. It all happened last night.

---7-10 hours before---

Na'ari Azura was captured. He put up a long and strenuous fight against the army. But in the end, he had no choice but to give in to his injuries and the remaining force. He felt embittered at what it all means. Trial, verdict, death. He was the only son in his family, which means the branch of the family tree he was budding would be snipped off, and the chance the Azura line would be extinct in the male line would be very likely.

"Na'ari Azura XII. The charges are as follows, resisting arrest, the destruction of several places of businesses an-" drooled an officer who was listing his charges.

"Destruction of places of criminal intent. Correct that. And drop the twelve, the only reason I was named The twelfth was because I lucked out of a more simpler name due to my resemblance to my forefather." the accused interrupted and walked forward in his cell but was stopped by an electric chain strapped to his waist. "You're simply causing a disease to run rampant in the Galaxy."

"You are a disease Mister Azura. We will be happy to remove you permanently off this Gala-" the officer was interrupted by the approach of someone highly important. Na'ari could only sit back and watch the approach. It appeared to be a woman, but what was a woman doing here?

"A little lost are we? The visiting areas are that way." Na'ari stated as he pointed in a random direction. "You're in the holding cells, why come here and visit a guy about to be torn apart by the Chancellor?" His joking mood shifted from joking to serious as he asked his question. He didn't care who the woman was he just wanted to be rid of her as soon as possible. But he knew he shouldn't joke. He was on Valsir, the Capitol of the Galaxy. His home planet, it would be likely that he might die on the planet that spawned him. But it seemed deep in heart he knew that, and was trying to put humor into his imprisonment.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

The glare of the twin suns that evening was almost too much for the Chancellor to bear. She ran her fingers slowly through her hair as she strode seductively, as she always did, down the metal floored corridors of the containment building. They claimed to have caught a rebel. . . My, how quaint. She thought, pursing her lips as the warden gave her a debriefing. It was mainly protocol things, so naturally she tuned it out completely.

"Diana, I mean, Madam Chancellor. Please allow me to deal with the scum I assure you he will be dealt with seve-"

"I see you doubt my skills in this matter Warden Altuios." The man was about to speak, but was cut off yet again, only this time by the daintily gloved finger of the Chancellor upon his lips.

"Not a word. I can handle this, I can be very tough. Trust me Warden, I'm not just a pretty face." She faked a wonderful smile and even a soft chuckle. The warden nodded and stood by the door. As she pressed the button to release the locks on the door she had expected to see some burly man, instead she saw, at least to her standards, a scrawny boy. She smiled pleasantly, if you didn't know her, and of her venomous ways, she would look like any other gorgeous woman.


"A little lost are we? The visiting areas are that way." The boy stated as he pointed in a random direction. "You're in the holding cells, why come here and visit a guy about to be torn apart by the Chancellor?" Diana smiled a pitying smile as two guards rushed in, practically falling over one another, placing a very comfortable looking chair down. Diana nodded to the men and they left the room, locking it behind them. She slowly took her seat, her eyes closed peacefully as she righted herself. The inhaling deeply she spoke in a kind voice.

"Why, I'm not lost." She pulled out a small holobook and looked it over. "Na'ari? Na'ari Azura correct? I do believe I was scheduled to come in here and . . . How did you put it? 'Tear you apart?' Oh doesn't that sound like oh so much fun?" She smiled, tilting her head to the side. This was a sweet looking gesture however, her guards weren't here, she didn't bother hiding the terrifying intent.

"Oh silly me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm such a ditz sometimes. . ." She laughed grabbing the bridge of her nose and shaking her head before looking back up happily.

"I'm Chancellor Valorum, but you may call me Diana."

Na'ari's eyes widened slightly as men rushed in to give the woman a chair. She then silently pulled out a book to look over. "Oh I'm not lost. Na'ari? Na'ari Azura correct?"The man slowly nodded as she continued regardless. "I do believe I was scheduled to come here and. . . How did you put it. 'Tear you apart?' Oh doesn't that sound like oh so much fun."

At that statement Na'ari not only widened his eyes at the sudden realization, but almost turned red at the statement she said after repeating his exact words. This was the Chancellor! Na'ari felt a buffoon, what's more the smile she gave was not a pleasant one. She gave him a smile that was almost menacing, making him feel, despite his strength, look weak.

"Oh, silly me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm such a ditz sometime. I'm Chancellor Valorum, but you may call me Diana."

"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!!! I'm in for it now!" the thought raced in his head millions of times. He sighed. This would not be a pleasant day. "Well, if you're here to do just that then get on with it. I'm sure you got an important dinner to attend whilst the far corners suffer at the grips of Mob Bosses and Syndicate Crime lords. But I'm unsure of the time at this very moment since I was so. . . pleasantly, invited over to this cell and have the belt and chain." Na'ari stated partly with sarcasm. He wanted to probably see if he can try to match wits with a chancellor before the hammer came down.

The thought also paraded in his mind. "How in the name of my ancestors did some bombshell of a woman become chancellor?!?" like the last thought it twirled around in his head dozens of times. It actually almost gave him a headache due to how his mind was. He leaned on the wall to listen to her.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Diana grinned a mannerly grin, like one would expect from someone with perfect breeding and political training. Listening to the boy speak she had to stifle a giggle.

"Well, if you're here to do just that then get on with it. I'm sure you got an important dinner to attend whilst the far corners suffer at the grips of Mob Bosses and Syndicate Crime lords. But I'm unsure of the time at this very moment since I was so. . . pleasantly, invited over to this cell and have the belt and chain."

Oh, he's trying to be clever. How cute of him. This may be fun after all. Adjusting the rather short hem of her dress and slowly crossing one leg over the other, exposing a black lacy garter on her upper right thigh and black and red stilettos.

"Well Na'ari, mind if I call you Nari? I'm going to call you Nari. I love this sarcasm you have. Nice job, I almost mistook it for intellect, or bravado even. Unfortunately for you, this is not my first standoff with a cocky youth like yourself." Clearing her throat Diana then placed her head on one of her hands, leaning on the arm of her chair. Her sweet smile never wavering. She wanted to test this boy's loyalty and his mental prowess. But how?

"Alright Nari, so tell me your side of this story. If you can tell me about the rebels overall plan I can guarantee a safe and happy life for you, oh and if you have any family for them too." She leaned forward, her chest becoming more prominent as she did. "I'm not the bad guy here, I can help you out Nari. I like you." She did like him, that much was true. Honestly though, she was going to kill him once she received what she needed. Although, she could be won over to lightening that penalty. . . If the boy played his cards right that is.

Na'ari held his tongue as she seemed to think over his statement. She then began to. . . Wait, what was she doing?! Na'ari watched as she adjusted her dress and moved one leg over the other. Redness slowly enveloped his cheeks as he almost didn't catch her speaking.

"Well, Na'ari, mind if I call you Nari?" Na'ari was about to open his mouth in protest of what she just asked, only to hear her voice continue, "I'm going to call you Nari. I love this sarcasm you have. Nice job. I almost mistook it for intellect, or bravado even. Unfortunately for you, this is not my first standoff with a cocky youth like yourself."

Youth?!? Na'ari gave a silent glare at the jab. He was in the age of manhood, and if the chains weren't on him he'd argue that fact non stop. He then watched her lean on an arm and watch him, never dropping the smile. "Alright Nari, so tell me your side of the story. If you can tell me about the rebels overall plan, I can guarantee a safe and happy life for you, oh, and if you have any family for them too. I'm not the bad guy here, I can help you out Nari. I like you."

His ears couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Tell her his side of the story, tell what the rebels were planning? Provide him a safe and happy life, and that of his sisters and mother. Na'ari could only tremble in his hands as his mind bordered on a meltdown but he kept his face calm.

"My side? You butcher my name, a sacred name in my superstitious family by abbreviating it, and you ask me for a side of the story you clearly already know?" he stressed the last word as he heaved a sigh. "I decimated the Wolf's fang syndicate at fifteen! I'm bloody twenty one I'm a full grown adult! The only reason I took up what you call 'rebels' is so that way no child, be it son or daughter, could feel the loss of a mother or father, and feel the pain I felt! I'm not the bad guy either, but unlike you, I love the people of this Galaxy, and your predecessors made life for them even harder!"

Na'ari panted, his green eyes began to gleam a bright emerald color. "Why should you help a stupid boy, who's only agenda was to help protect people from the crime syndicates this current string of Chancellors ignore? I'll tell you nothing, so you can take whatever your like. My sword, my life. . . Or my arse." he then turned his body to the side to face the wall, so he can only see her from the corner of his eye.

He made his counter offer, and even though he didn't like it, he made sure he didn't mention his sisters. His eldest just had her first child. At least they'd be safe. He can let fate decide on his behalf from here on.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Her smile turned into a sad little pout as Na'ari spoke.


"My side? You butcher my name, a sacred name in my superstitious family by abbreviating it, and you ask me for a side of the story you clearly already know? I decimated the Wolf's fang syndicate at fifteen! I'm bloody twenty one I'm a full grown adult! The only reason I took up what you call 'rebels' is so that way no child, be it son or daughter, could feel the loss of a mother or father, and feel the pain I felt! I'm not the bad guy either, but unlike you, I love the people of this Galaxy, and your predecessors made life for them even harder!" Pursing her lips in a childlike pout she rubbed a strand of hair between her thumb and index finger. Then he continued his heated rant, internally she groaned. He was being stupid and obnoxious now to boot. Bored now.


"Why should you help a stupid boy, who's only agenda was to help protect people from the crime syndicates this current string of Chancellors ignore? I'll tell you nothing, so you can take whatever your like. My sword, my life. . . Or my arse." The last one, she had to hold in a full blown laugh. It was hard.

"Oh? Your ass huh? I may have to take you up on that one." She added with a wink and a giggle. Which quickly faded. Her face twisted into a look of sadness. Her eyes welled up with tears. Sniffling lightly she looked away.

"Oh Nari. . . I didn't want it to come to-*hic* this. Why c-couldn't you have just agreed? I want to change the wa-way Chancellor's are seen. I'm a good person Nari. Hon-honestly." She pulled out her holobook once again and frowned.

"Azura, Na'ari." She spoke confidently and a wall of information appeared.
"Oh no. . . I can't. . .But- but I must." Full-blown tears now falling.
"Now look what you're making me do. . . Oh, a baby too. Nari, you can't let this tragedy befall them. They didn't do anything to deserve this. . . " Diana stood slowly walking to the far side of the room where there was a phone. She began dialing and once it answered she spoke.

"Hello? General Balnor? Yes, Chancellor Valorum. How is the visage of the Azura's coming? Oh? Is that right? How sweet. . . Oh but I have a. . . " She became choked up and she glanced over at Na'ari before continuing. "Tragic. . .Development. Standby for Operation Alpha six. I know. Yes. One my command, stay alert." With that she hung up, beside herself she went back to the chair and plopped down.

"I hate to do this Nari, I really do. . . We had some men sent out to your family's location. I'd hate to give the kill order. The baby is so precious. . ." Diana smiled, her eyes scanning Na'ari for a reaction.

"But, I have one final offer. Come be my personal guard. With me twenty-four seven. No pay for the rest of my life. If you do this, I promise your family will be protected. I swear on my life Nari." She placed a hand over her heart and smiled sweetly.

"Oh, but it would be worse than just a kill order. . . They'd all be punished for treason. . ." Her smile never faded as she smiled a deeper more sinister smile. It didn't take a genius to know how horrid some of the punishments were for treason. Especially lately.

Na'ari smirked inwardly, hoping that would stump her. Instead, she struggled to hold in her laughter. She then began to talk of several things. Then she did the unthinkable, open up all the personal information on him. "A black book?! No!"

I hate to do this Nari, I really do. . . We had some men sent to your family's location. The baby is so precious. . ."

"NO! YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!!" he cried in a mix of anger, sadness and a desire to break the chains on him, but it only served to give him an electric shock. "But, I do have one final offer. Become my personal guard, with me twenty four seven, no pay for the rest of my life. If you do this, I promise your family will be protected. I swear on my life Na'ari. Oh but it would be worse then just a kill order...they'd all be punished for treason..."

Na'ari knew he had painted himself to a corner when he got angered, the tears pouring down his face were apparent enough. What could he do? Tell her to leave them alone completely and she could have him. No... He does that and he'll probably doom them more. He had a choice...he had to take it.

"If you swear by your soul, that you'll spare them a punishment, and that on pain of death that you'll leave my family alone...then... I Accept... Until my end." He was humiliated. The shock had sent him on his knees, left with no choice but to have a tear streaked face and quivering. He had no choice but to accept. But somewhere, deep in his heart he knew, his fire wasn't destroyed yet. So, within his heart, he kept that fire locked.

Oh, but how he felt like a fool.

---

Na'ari snapped out of his silent thoughts as he looked at his helmet again as he grabbed it and pulled it on his head. He put all thoughts of his family aside, for good or ill, he hoped Na'ari Azura, The Forger ancestor and the first man to wield the name, would aid his family to be preserved. He then grabbed his dual pistols and holstered them on his thighs, and silently grabbed the blade on the table last.

He pressed his forehead upon it and gave a small Valsirian prayer for safety and luck before sheathing it on his back. He then walked to where he was instructed to walk to await for Diana Valorum to awaken. His new, forced life, was about to begin. His lip twitched as his visor closed to cover the lower half of his face. At least he can do this much. He didn't want her to see his whole face, not after how she painted him to a corner.

"Mistress better wake up soon. I don't want to stand outside this room all day. . ." he muttered.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Yawning softly as she got ready for the day. Looking in the mirror Diana laughed out loud, a high pitched cackle of a laugh one wouldn't expect from someone who looked as she does. Her laugh would easily be heard by the guard-dog posted outside. You sure got him, you got that fool so good. Yay me! She fluffed her hair and grinned before striding out of the bedroom to see her new guard. Standing there, all suited up. She had won round one of the battle with this boy.

"Oh why hello Nari dearest. You look awful, if you had a nightmare you could've come and slept by me. I would've kept you safe." She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned on him smiling.

"Are you ready for the day? I have a meeting with the board. Yuck." She stuck out her tongue. Adjusting the slinky black gown she was wearing. It showed off her shapely legs amazingly. She took Na'ari by the arm and leaned on his shoulder.

"You're much cuter now I get a better look at you. Sturdy too. . . " Then softer she whispered.
"I can feel your hate towards me. . . Anger and humiliation. . . You wanna kill me don't you? I dare you to try." Then she smiled tilting her head and walking with her new toy. She placed her other arm around his lower-back as they walked. She was going to have a great time messing with this boy.

He heard her cackle. He didn't like her cackle. It didn't suit her. Not a woman like her anyhow. He rolled his eyes but then he heard the door open.

"Oh, why hello Nari dearest. You look awful, if you had a nightmare you could've come and slept by me. I would've kept you safe." She then leaned on him. "D-darn it!!" he was glad he had his visor on. She was the first woman outside his immediate family to lean on him the way she's doing. His cheeks were flaring red! She then grabbed his arm to lead him down the hall.

"Are you ready for the day? I have a meeting with the board. Yuck." she stuck a tongue out to emphasize these meetings must be boring. You're much cuter now I get a better look at you. Sturdy too. . . I can feel your hate towards me. . . Anger and humiliation. . . You wanna kill me don't you? I dare you to try." She then snaked her other arm on his back. The redness of his cheeks flared even more.

"Oooh....this woman wants to mess with me! I will not give in to temptation! A man does not give in to temptation!" he thought. She wasn't wrong either. The thought crossed his mind several times. But it was wrong to strike a woman down, even a woman like her. Besides there would be long term consequences if that were to occur. "I only live to preserve your life. . . Milady." he added that last part simply because he wanted to say something, whilst at the same time state a fact that he wasn't planning on listening to any 'dares'. Like he said at the prison. He was an adult, not a child.

Well if that was the case, he could stop blushing at any time.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Diana smirked as she felt her new toy tense up. He was flustered by that of all things? This was going to be easier than she had originally expected.

As they walked together, she leaned on him. It was nice, having someone who didn't freak out at her touch or, have some sort of angle. Well, she supposed Na'ari did have an angle of sorts, but he seemed fairly content. The closer the duo got to the board meeting the more anxious and uneasy Diana became. Placing a manicured hand on Na'ari's chest to stop him, she glanced left and right. Noticing a janitorial unit coming out of a closet Diana grinned shoving herself and Na'ari inside. A soft giggle escaping her she was pressed up against him in the dark, close quarters of the closet.

"Isn't this exciting? I need you to do me a teensy weensy favor. . . " She said in his ear. She decided then and there that the board meeting was stupid and she didn't want to go. They could get on without her today, she wanted to have some fun.

"I need you. . . " She paused, taking a deep, slow breath.
. . . To play hooky with me. It'll be like I'm a kid again. Just like you." She smirked and grabbed Na'ari's chin winking at him. Her bright-cat eyes glowing in the dim-lighting of the closet. Alluding that perhaps she wasn't altogether human at all.

Na'ari simply kept his visor closed as Diana lead him towards where the Board would be at. The closer they got, however, he noted that she looked more and more uneasy about going. So much so that finally she stopped him and looked around and then promptly shoving him into a cleaning closet.

"What the feel is going on?!" it was dim lit, and almost crowded. He could feel her presence actually close to him, eyes fixated on him. "Isn't this exciting? I need you to do me a teensy weensy favor. . ." He simply raised an eyebrow as he said nothing but her talking close to his ear gave him unwanted chills to cause him to not think right for a moment or two. "I need you. . ." she paused. Deliberately, one would add, and took a deep breath. "To play hooky with me. It'll be like I'm a kid again. Just like you." she then grabbed his chin in a seductive way.

The slight pressure on his chin whilst his helmet was on caused his visor to open up again, to display the surprised look on his face. "First of all, I'm not a kid. I'm twenty one years old. By natural standards that makes me an adult. Secondly. . . Secondly. . . he saw the way her eyes glowed, and looked more catlike. Na'ari has seen several near human alien species before, so it wasn't a complete surprise. But the way her eyes looked on her made her look more exotic, and desirable. Quickly regaining his wits he cleared his throat. "Secondly, what would we do? We can't spend the whole time in this closet and I'm most definitely sure possible angry mob bosses or something will want your head if we take one foot outside the schedule."

He had to hold his ground, so his visor slid closed again. "So therefore, I ask again. What shall we do other then stay in a cramped closet?"

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Puffing out her cheeks as Na'ari spoke, Diana groaned. She was hoping for something more fun than him being all "Mr. Rulebook" but then again, she half-expected this. He began lecturing her, blah blah, mobs, blah blah this. Her mind snapped out of tuning him out when his visor slid closed. Too bad, he has a nice face too.

"So therefore, I ask again. What shall we do other then stay in a cramped closet?"
"Well Mr. Stick-in-the-mud, I propose we go explore the gardens. They are private. Only for me, no one else can get in. Doesn't that sound like such fun?" She smiled sweetly taking Na'ari's hand and leading him out of the closet.

Beginning her quick pace towards the gardens she was stopped by one of the Board. He bowed curtly and spoke in a gruff tone.

"Chancellor? Why, what are you doing! Coming out of closets with m-men looking as you do!" It was true, her hair seemed tousled, the straps of her gown were slid down, allowing it to expose more of her. Diana laughed wrapping her arms around Na'ari's neck, still facing the Board member. Her eyes glowed and her appearance changed into a blonde, with plain features. The Board man's eyes glazed over.

"Wh-where am I?"

"Lord Tulin, Chancellor Valorum is ill, she won't make it. Her private guard is on duty caring for her. No worries!" Leaning up and giggling at Na'ari Diana snatched his hand yet again and took off.

___

They ran down corridors and down winding staircases until finally they reached a metal door. Entering a code it opened to the most stunning garden ever. Plants from all over, small extinct creatures, and rarities filled it. Pure light streamed in through a glass sunroof. Her appearance changing back to her bombshell look, Diana turned around removing Na'ari's helmet.

"I say, we play here." She held his helmet in her arms as she observed his face. In here it seemed her eyes were totally feline, her K-9's had even become pointed. It was as if her true form was slowly revealing itself within this chamber.

"Well Mr. Stick-in-the-mud, I propose we go explore the gardens. They're private. Only for me, no one else can get in. Doesn't that sound like such fun?" She smiled that smile of hers before grabbing his hand and leading him out of the closet, only to run into a board member it seemed. But he witnessed her shift to another woman entirely as she somehow manipulated the man's mind before continuing onward with him.

"What in the name of heaven just happened?!" he thought to himself as she lead him.

---

It felt like forever as they rushed down corridors and stairs till their chosen destination was reached. When she opened the door his eyes nearly opened wide in amazement, it was as if all the natural habitats were melded into one large ecosystem of a garden. He couldn't tell where the other side of the garden was but then he felt movement, in terms of his helmet. "Hey! Give that back!" he shouted in a shocked and peeved tone.

"I say, we play here." She looked her usual self at this very moment, but now, the animal like features became more provident. Just what species of near human was this Diana Valorum?!? "Play? Why, you say that as you look more. . .kittenish for no reason and. . . Ugh fine, have it your way. What do you intend to do or play here?" he knew he was protesting at nothing, hence the way he gave up. Though he would have liked to eavesdrop on a board meeting and see what was there to discuss.

He had to put all that aside and other then the strange change in her schedule, he wondered if there was anything else on her list for today. He hoped he'd have to deal with anyone threatening her life, or something more exciting on those lines.

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

She laughed, her head tilting back happily. It was as if here she was freer, more relaxed. Clutching his helmet Diana twirled and rushed off towards the faint sound of running water. She wondered briefly what he actually thought of her. . .
"Play? Why, you say that as you look more. . .kittenish for no reason and. . . Ugh fine, have it your way. What do you intend to do or play here?" She heard Na'ari call after her, she turned to face him and tossed his helmet to the ground carefully.

"I intend to play however I please. I'd like for you to play with me Nari." She thought momentarily about the meeting she had later, by her knowledge that wasn't for another three hours. She rushed over to Na'ari, grasping his hands, looking him over, then she wrapped herself up in his arms. She leaned her head back onto his shoulders. Closing her eyes she sighed.

"Your arms make me feel safe Na'ari. . . " She whispered sincerely. Then she opened her eyes, realizing what she had said, she broke free and walked over picking up his helmet. Holding it under her arm, Diana motioned for Na'ari to follow. She ducked into a small area with a pond and bright flowers. Laid before the pond was a blanket. Diana placed the helmet down and laid down. She patted the space beside her.

"You coming?"

She bolted off with his helmet. She seemed very unrestrained in this garden. He didn't know why. "I intend to play however I please. I'd like for you to play with me Nari." She then rushed back to him and grasped his hands. "Huh? M-Milady-" he was flustered now, as she eyed him up and down and then wrapped herself with his arms. She leaned back and sighed, as if in a daydream.

"You're arms make me feel safe Na'ari. . ." she whispered. Na'ari's eyes widened when she said his full name. That was the first time she said it the way it was meant to be properly said. She opened her eyes, realizing what she said apparently and broke free. The possible sentimental side immediately reburied. She grabbed his helmet again and motioned for him to come follow her. He sighed as he had no choice but to oblige her. After all, she had his headgear! He would need that to not only protect his head in this new job, but conceal his identity to others.

He followed her until they reached the pond and that's when he stopped. There seemed to be a blanket and witnessed her setting his helmet down and laying down on the blanket. She then patted beside her. "You coming?"

That singular question, made him hesitate for a moment, but trying hard not to show his probable fear. He walked slowly to the empty space beside her and lied down and stared up at the skies. "I haven't been in a quiet place like this since. . . I was thirteen. . . I'm twenty one now. . . Has my life been chaotic for that little amount of time?" he mused out loud.

He realized what, and who he was saying it in the presence of. "Shit, I said that out loud. . . She's gonna rail on me for sure."

---

╔╗╚╝

---

---

Laying there beside Na'ari, here in her personal haven. Diana was reminded of her happiest days, back on her homeworld. Far, far away from here. . . A content smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her own train of thought was interrupted by Na'ari's musing.
"I haven't been in a quiet place like this since. . . I was thirteen. . . I'm twenty one now. . . Has my life been chaotic for that little amount of time?"

To Diana it seemed he hadn't meant to say it out-loud. She propped herself up on her arm and gazed down at Na'ari.

"Really? That's truly sad. . . " She looked down and then out at the pond, the water sparkling in the bright lights. Then with a gasp she practically pounced on top of Na'ari, her palms braced against his shoulders, her legs straddling him, her long dark hair falling around his face.

"Say, Na'ari. Do you like it here? I feel like at least you don't hate it. . .This is my favorite place ever. I had it made custom just for my needs but, I can bring you here whenever you want to come. We can lay here together just like this for as long as you wanna!" She grinned, it appeared by her ears were faint patches of honey-colored fur.

"Really? That's truly sad. . ." Na'ari couldn't help but nod slightly in acknowledgement. It was then she let out a gasp of some kind and then, with the very definition of a feline, pounced on Na'ari. "Gah! What the-?!" he shouted in surprise. She was on top of him. More then that, her palms were against his shoulders so he couldn't get up as easily. He could feel his cheeks heat up and take a small pink hue against his pale skin.

"Say, Na'ari, do you like it here? I feel like at least you don't hate it. . ." the young adult slowly nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Yes, I like the place. . ." he admitted, it was quiet and it felt comfortable, like a meadow he knew of back near the hotel all of his sisters worked in and ran. "This is my favorite place ever. I had it custom made to my needs but, I can bring you here whenever you want to come. We can lay here together just like this for as long as you wanna!"

"Who is this woman and what has she done with Chancellor Diana Valorum??" Thought Na'ari. This side of her seemed nice, friendly even. He then noticed the patches of fur on her ears and he slowly realized she was slowly donning her true form. A shape shifting feline-like species? Na'ari's mind struggled to figure out what near human species would do that, but it's right at the tip of his tongue. . .

He only slowly nodded about the offer she made. If he said no or made her mad in some way it'd be on his head. "I'd like that. It would let me relax my mind. Thank you." he said it with honesty, because he felt like he was actually at peace in this place.

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Watching Na'ari, Diana nodded happily as Na'ari told her this place put him at ease. Rising to her full height, a long puffy tail swayed behind her. She seemed to be looking off into space, her voice was almost a whisper when she spoke.

"Do you know what it's like. . . Being so lost that you forget you ever were. You forget you were even lost until you're reminded of it, the fact cruelly whispering in your ear until. . .Until you remember you are long lost." Diana wiped her eyes, her hair swayed softly in the breeze. On top of her head were two pointed ears like a Lynx. She turned around, her face looked as though it was in the middle between human and cat. She has whiskers and her eyes were somehow more catlike. The tufts of fur were now covering her. No skin was left. Her slender hands were now clawed, and covered with fur, yet they didn't look like paws.

"I am the last of my people Na'ari, I'm the only one." Diana's eyes welled up with tears, her tall form shaking slightly as she stood before him.

"I don't even know how. . . How I got here, I've been here for years now, so far from my homeland. I'm not the woman I used to be. . . I'm crueler and I have power, the younger wide-eyed virgin girl, believing in everything and trusting everyone. . . She's gone now. What's left of me?" Diana asked quietly, her green feline eyes sparkled like the inside of a geode when you shine light on it.

Na'ari watched as she smiled and got off of him, standing to her full height. He sat up and witnessed more of her change bit by bit, honey colored fur covering her skin and gaining more and more cat like features.

"Do you know what it's like. . . Being so lost that you forget you ever were. You forget you were even lost until you're reminded of it, the fact cruelly whispering in your ear until. . .Until you remember you are long lost." Na'ari drew to his own full height as she spoke, the look on his face a puzzled one at why she would think on such things. She then turned around, showing him her true form in its glory. Na'ari's mouth dropped in amazement.

"I am the last of my people Na'ari. I'm the only one." her eyes filled with tears as Na'ari immediately reacted by trying to move his hand and pat her shoulder, but his hands refused to move, his own nervousness of her reaction working tirelessly against him.

"I don't even know how. . . How I got here, I've been here for years now, so far from my homeland. I'm not the woman I used to be. . . I'm crueler and I have power, the younger wide-eyed virgin girl, believing in everything and trusting everyone. . . She's gone now. What's left of me?"

The question struck Na'ari's heart as her talk finally moved him to shed a few tears of his own. "You're not alone now though. This part of you that you hide with the you that the Galaxy sees, you've shared it with me. I felt like this position you put me in was forced upon me, but now I wish to say this." he smiled after wiping his cheeks with his hand before placing a reassuring hand on Diana's shoulder.

"I will be your bodyguard, and I will protect you with my life if need be. I will be your friend when you need me to be a friend. This vow I make to you Chancellor Diana Valorum. I, Na'ari Azura the Twelfth, direct descendant of Valsir's greatest heroes, do make this vow, by the sword Draconil, which I bear. You have my sword and service."

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As Na'ari spoke to her, Diana felt a deep stirring inside of her, it was like some sort of attachment was forming toward her little bodyguard. He then swore his loyalty to her, something she had not expected. Her ears twitched in surprise, happy tears streamed silently down her cheeks as she threw her arms around him. Nuzzling his face and neck like some sort of animal ritual. This garden, this place made her into the woman she was born to be, a loving Dzathan female. Her heritage was that of a kind and docile race, however they could also be fierce warriors. Knowing this, people raided her homeland when she was young and stole many children away to train them to be assassins. She had been among them.

Now here, in this place all the cruelness and hate she bore just melted away, leaving only her true self behind. She wondered briefly if Na'ari thought less of this kind side of hers, she knew once they left the garden she'd go back to how she was before. Then would Na'ari hate her still?

"I am honored by your service Na'ari." Diana purred as she kept nuzzling him, once out of habit she licked his cheek. Then just laid her head on his shoulder.
"I thought you hated me. . ." Diana trailed off as she twirled his hair around her finger.

Na'ari reacted in slight surprise when Diana threw her arms around him. She was crying tears but they felt more like happy tears, but the wetness of them were felt on him. She nuzzled him almost in an affectionate manner, he didn't know how to react or if he should react. A part of him knew that she liked the vow he made and that would prove to be a boon of some kind in the future. Or he could try and help her out in the more hairy meetings and figure out the more vicious syndicates, and knock them down a peg or two in the progress.

"I am honored by your service Na'ari." Na'ari felt an unnatural chill go down his spin as she purred the words and licked his cheek. Then she laid her head on his shoulder, playing with his hair. "I thought you hated me. . ." He hesitated in speaking at those words. He had a feeling this side of her will go away and she'll go back to the conniving seductress that was his Chancellor and the woman forced to step into corruption. He didn't know what to say, but it seemed his mind and his heart were working against his will.

"I may not like who you have to be as a Chancellor, but I will bear that side, as I will bear this side. Because I am your guard. But Diana the woman, and Diana the Chancellor, will have me. I may not like what you'll say and do, but I must and will bear it, if that is possible. But. . ."

He awkwardly rubbed her back silently. "I will be here. If you need me for anything, either in here or out there, you'll have me." He spent the next two hours in this comforting position with Chancellor Valorum's fragile, almost care free, side.

----

Nearly two hours later, his helmet was back on his head, visor closed, as he walked with Chancellor Diana Valorum to her personal transport. She had a meeting with a delegate from the solar system of Zaleos. He had heard of Zaleos before, a crime syndicate was known to trade drugs and weapons throughout the system. He only knew this outfit as simply the Silver Moon, nothing else.

As he let Diana in first before entering the transport himself and the driver began to drive to the meeting, he simply looked at Diana with a look of concern. "Milady. Do you think the delegate has connections, and if so, should I prepare a suitable exit strategy if this delegate has something more then 'trade propositions' in mind? I will understand if you are confident in the meeting to go smoothly." Na'ari then looked out at the window to see the city bustling with activity as the day progressed. "Other than that, it is good to have fresh air." he commented.

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As Diana made her way confidently striding up to the meeting she heard Na'ari's words and couldn't help but make her scoff.
"I do believe Mr. Terex has many connections. Yeah, he has his hands in many delicate situations. Although I know how to handle a gross man like him." Diana unbuttoned the top two buttons on her blouse and fluffed up her hair as she applied crimson lipstick. She turned to Na'ari and lightly bit down on her lower lip.

"How do I look?" She fidgeted with the short hem of her black pencil skirt. She then turned and pushed open the doors to the meeting, as they opened a cloud of smoke filtered out. Choking her, but she restrained her urge to cough.

"Mr. Terex, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you again?" The weaselly man stood up, he was oily and his beady brown eyes were practically playing over his lustful thoughts clear as day.

"I came with a proposal from ma boss, but I m-mean if ya' wanna make another little deal with me. . . Off the record then. . ." The man said practically drooling as he rubbed his hands together. Diana cringed internally at the hinting nature of the man. "Also, we're good friends. . . You can call me Hue." Diana smiled and made her way over to Hue, her hips swaying seductively. She knew these criminal types were more apt to listen if you the attention of all their heads. She also noticed Hue's four burly goons. None of them exactly human.

"Hue? Wonderful, now, let's talk of your boss's proposal. I'm a very busy woman after all." Diana said sitting and crossing one leg over the other.

"Right, the boss of Silver Moon says, he'd like you to pass a law for freer trade routes in our system. Lay off on the patrolling and and stopping. . ." Hue smirked. He was awfully confident.

Na'ari flushed red when she began to doll her up. It would seem even when she was having fun, or simply wanting to do business, her behavior was as seductive and feline Esque as the next person. He could only hide his redness under his visor and watch. "How do I look?"

"Stunning Diana." he answered as he walked out of the transport with her. He noted the group of people that awaited her. He watched the four goons as well and looked around in case there was any tricks abound in the next few moments. He watched the area as they conversed, his eyes scanning for any trouble.

Right as he heard the man trail off at the start of his offer, he knew partially what it meant. Either this was turning into an offer or proposition that made even Na'ari the First himself feel sick, or something really bad was about to happen in the next few minutes.

"And Stopping right what you are doing interfering with our businesses with black market weapons. What with the Head of the Wolf's Fang squeezing the top brand weapons of Azura Inc. We at the Silver Moon are a little light on security at times." Stated a fifth man who walked into the group, he was almost as tall as Diana and had a beam sword strapped to his belt along with a blaster. He seemed to bed a top underling in the Silver Moon. "Do that, or we will just have to take you on a little. . .trip."

Na'ari begun to lose himself to his overprotective senses. His hand moved to one of his guns carefully and watched for anything in Diana's eyes to signal him if needed.

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The emergence of another man caught Diana slightly off-guard.
"You boys realize you're threatening the Chancellor?" Hue laughed a disruptor pistol glinting at his hip.
"Yeah, cause everybody knows you're a frail woman who ain't gon' do nothin' about it. 'Sides ya' don't want a scuffle with the Silver Moon do ya' sweetcheeks?" Diana narrowed her eyes and in two swift moves she had disarmed Hue and grabbed him by the throat, hoisting him a few inches off the ground.

"I'll not just roll over to a bunch of second-rate criminals like you," a wicked smile played on her lips.
"Have you boys heard of the Shade?" Hue's eyes widened.
"A-aren't they that gang of killers who r-run an entire system?" Diana's smile turned into a dark grin, evil seemed to radiate from her form.
"Good, glad you have. Do you happen to know that their specialty is ridding the galaxy of second-rate gangs like the Silver Moon? Did you also happen to know who their current leader is?" Hue's face went white.

"Holy shit. . . N-no way." Hue began choking as Diana's grip tightened on his throat, her eyes glowing slightly as the light in the room dimmed. "A-all I k-know is. . . It's so-some chick known as-" Diana flicked her wrist and Hue's neck was broken. Looking at his four goons who were now approaching her, weapons drawn, she held up a hand and spoke calmly with a smile.

"I have a proposition for you boys now, just wait. Ahem, now that Hue is gone. . . You four need employ? Yes? Well I'll happily pay all four of you handsomely to disappear." She scanned their faces to gauge if they were considering it. She let out a soft sound that seemed to make their vision blur, once she did that she shifted forms. Now she looked like a smaller woman, chubby, with red hair and brown eyes. One of the goons gasped and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Nala. . . How dare you invoke my wife's image you wretched beast!" He charged Diana and all she did was smile and extend her arms.

"Welcome home dear." The man stopped, seemingly in a daze he hugged her tightly. She hugged back and patted him. The other goons attempted attacking but the one she had charmed began fighting back, as he was the biggest one. Diana shifted back to normal and while the others were fighting, she turned to the fifth.

"You seem like a smart man. . . Come work for me instead won't you?" Diana smirked, tilting her head back slightly holding her hands in front of her chest. Yeah, this meeting had gone badly but it helped her maintain her reputation as the leader of the most feared criminal body in the current world.

Na'ari couldn't believe his ears. The Shade? They were the most feared criminal outfits in the Galaxy. He shut his ears, refusing to believe the Chancellor was a part of it. All he could do was watch the woman he swore to protect kill a man, and then send the four goons into a frenzy on one against the other. That left only the last one. He will have to fight that one, no doubt. He had a look in his eyes that screamed I won't comply to new bosses.

"You seem like a smart man. . . Come work for me instead won't you?" he watched Diana make her offer and he looked at her like she was insane. He looked practically ready to beg her to reconsider. "No. Silver Moon has a policy. Follow through with the Job." the man reached for his gun but Na'ari shot the pistol out of his hand, the laser's heat causing the man's pistol barrel itself to melt. The man looked at the man and only chuckled as he pulled out his beam sword and activated it.

Na'ari drew Draconil and attacked, the two blades clashing with no apparent problems of being damaged from Draconil's end, the weave and the technology helped to repel the laser of the opponent's blade. The Man suddenly distracted Na'ari and gave a glancing wound to his side, the blade burning his side.

"That hurt? Alas, my friend, you're clearly outmatched. Admit defeat or I will be forced to kill you. Either way doesn't matter to me." Na'ari's only response was to growl as his eyes gleamed an emerald gleam, and headbutt the man before slicing his sword hand off. Na'ari then glared. "Wolf's Fang. Give me the head's name."

"Gah! His name is...he's some Zankora Cultist named Zianro Aurelis! B-but he didn't do nothing to her man!" the Man's eyes widened in fear as he thought he saw Na'ari's eyes gleam further.

"No." He replied, as the man screamed a blood curdling scream before it was cut off by his head flying off. Na'ari sheathed his blade emetionlessly. "But he's squeezing my family." He then turned to Diana and checked to make sure she was okay. "We should head back to your manor Lady Chancellor." he remained silent after saying those words, as if some sort of spell came over him, even all the way back to the Manor.

---

Na'ari was in his room, it was almost lunch time but he decided to not eat as he took off his armor, revealing a topless form in skin tight pants and began to do push ups. For his scrawny look, the young man was surprisingly muscular, giving him a wiry look about him. He kept doing his push ups as he began to hear thoughts in his head.

"This is all your fault! You should have been with Dad yet you weren't! Because of that he's dead you idiotic fool!"

He was on nearly twenty push-ups before another wave hit his mind. "It's because of you!!" Na'ari collapsed on the floor panting. He stood up, wincing in pain from his bandaged injury and walked to a mirror and looked at himself.

"Life's getting a lot more hectic then I thought. . . Screw me. . . I'm nothing but a stupid fool." he buried his face in his hands. He was about to break down, but he didn't want anyone to see him like this.