Crimson Rose

»♥« Sette: Protecting Her

Rei POV

I have to admit right now I'm very proud of Scarlett. From Shawn to Hunter, she showed such remarkable power. One of the reasons why I insist for Scarlett to join these boys is because more powerful monsters have appeared. I don't want her to get hurt. It's not like I don't trust her or anything, I'm just so worried for her safety. You can say that these boys are top 5 the best team in Black Op.

Besides, I want Scarlett to make friends. She like a lone wolf. She rather people despised her than like her. I didn't like she keep getting bullies from other Black Op agents. They thought I don't know about that, thanks to Scarlett they still have their job. When I suggest for her to reveal The Slayer identity, she didn't even speak or acknowledge me for a month. It was hell.

To keep her from getting bullied I asked her to only come to the headquarters to receive mission exclusive from me. The other envy her because of that.

If you are wondering why I do this for her. It's simple. I know both her parents. Even though I may have had a crush on her mother. But don't tell her that. Her father and I were like brothers. I treat her like my only daughter. I promise to keep her safe for her parents. What happened to her parents? That's a story for another time.

Right now I'm watching Scarlett fighting with Xavier. Hearing his comment almost makes me want to make him into a human kebab. But I know he is special from the rest of his group. His red eye. I know he can see it and I don't like it at all. Scarlett always worries if someone found out about it.

"This is the first time in my life seeing such a raw aura like yours Scarlett. It was...I can't put a word to it...There something surrounding your body...".

I knew what he meant by that. I panicked when he was about to continue speaking but glad that Scarlett cut him off. But her next word made my blood run cold.

"If there is light, there is also darkness. The opposite of light hear my plead. Lurking in the shadows to find its prey. Give me your power creatures of the night." She only uses that when she is desperate because of the side effects are bad for her body.

When I heard Scarlett chant those word. I knew something not good will happen. I start to go to the door and tried to open it. But the door is locked.

"Why is the door locked?" I look at Hunter for an answer.

"When the simulation room is in use it will lock the door automatically. To prevent any outsider from entering" he answers.

I punch the door. "Dammit! As soon as they are finished I want this door open" I barked.

"Is there anything wrong Director Rei?" Shawn asked with concern in his voice.

"It's about Scarlett-chan" that's all I said before the door open. I quickly ran the Scarlett. "Scarlett-chan!!" I yelled to get her attention.

I almost got to her when she fell to the ground. Putting her head on my lap I took a pill bottle from my coat, then gave Scarlett one of the pink pills.

"Swallow it, Scarlett-chan" when she swallowed it I gave a sigh of relief.

I look around and realize her scythe turned back into a hair pin. I asked one of the boys to take it for me. I start to stand up with Scarlett in my arm. I carried her bridal style.

"Where is the guest room?" I asked no one particular while walking to the door. My eyes focus on Scarlett that's in my arms.

"Follow me, Sir" Bennett said walking in front of me.

We all walk out of the simulation room. Following Bennett, we arrived at the second floor. I walked in when he open door. All the boys didn't say anything. I spot the bed at the corner of the room. Placing her there I turn around.

"Which one of you are good with medical stuff?" I ask with authority leaking from my voice.

The boy with a bird on his shoulder raised his hand, Luca. He then walked out of the room and return with the first-aid kit. He gives some signal but I just raised my eyebrow.

"He said that he needs to change her clothes because it was dirty" Hunter translates for me.

I just nod my head. "Everyone except him out" I was the last one to walk out. I turned around and look at Luca in the eyes. "No funny business or you'll be a handicapped person".

I close the door. I was thinking about something that had to do with Scarlett when someone interrupting my thought.

"I'm sorry sir. If anything happens to her because of the poison I'll take responsibility" Xavier just bow his head at me.

I smile and pat his shoulder "You don't have to worry. This happens to have nothing to do with the poison. I can assure you 100% this is not your fault" Because I know what caused this.

The sound of a door being opened made us look at the door. Luca poked his head out and motion for us to come in. Without being told twice I walk to the bed. I saw that Luca changed Scarlett into a large turtle neck shirt. No doubt it's his. Haft of her body was cover with a comforter.

"So what wrong with her?" he gave me signal then pull the end of the comforter up showing her left bandage leg.

I look at Hunter to translate. "Luca said she has a few scratches but don't worry it was not too deep for stitches. The poison is out of her system. She has a hair size fracture on her left leg" Luca signal something again. Must be from the fall with Hunter "Um Director Rei...uh Luca said that her body was not normal. He said it not me" Hunter justify himself.

"What did you mean by that Luca?" did he notices it.

"For an average human, it takes around 6 to 8 hours for Xavier's poison to get out of the system. Not only was her body poison free but she has the symptoms of someone who has blood lost. Her face was pale and her body was cold. But when I checked her blood pressure it was normal" Hunter finish translating with confusion all over her face.

I took a deep breath. I just hope Scarlett didn't get angry when she learns I revealed a tiny little bit of her secret. "You guys please, sit down first then I'll tell you about Scarlett. The thing that I'll tell you is one of the reasons why I want Scarlett in this team". "I just want you guys to be open minded for what I gonna tell you and no interruptions which meant no question asked throughout my explanation".

Bennett's POV

"What I said will stay in this house. If I heard anyone talking about it outside this house you guys will be punished. And trust me It ain't pretty" Director Rei warned us.

We just nodded our head quickly without missing a beat. I was quite shocked when I saw how playful Director Rei was being with Scarlett. He was always serious. Let's recap what happened yesterday.

----------------

|Flashback|

We were assigned to deal with a group of middle-rank monster that was killing women. As soon as we arrived home, I got a call from Director Rei himself. He never interacts directly to someone; his assistant always does the job for him. So, getting the call is a shock.

"Hello?".

"Hello, this is Director Rei of Black Op speaking. Is this Bennett Vlac?" he said with authority.

I gulped "Eh...Bennett Vlac speaking...sir...what can I help you with?" Are we in trouble?

"I'll be blunt. I want someone to be on your team".

Huh? Say what? "But why sir?".

"Did you hear what happen to the headquarters a few days ago?".

"About some agent got possessed by a monster and going rampage on the HQ, right?" I heard about that from Xavier who has a friend there when it happened.

"That's right. I also establish a new rule. Do you know about that?" he asks.

"If it's about everyone should be in a team...then I know about it" we are already in a team so there is no problem for us.

"Because of the new rule, I want this person to be on your team. It's an order".

"If you say so, sir. I'll accept it".

"I'll come tomorrow with the person".

"I'll be waiting Sir".

With that, he hangs up. I was so tired that I forgot to inform the others.

----------------

I never thought that our new teammate would be a girl. Even less Scarlett Drachen a.k.a the loser. All I know about the loser is that she always fail her missions. No one knows what she fully looks like because she always wearing a hoodie that covers her face.

But when I saw her face to face, I was shocked. I didn't know that she was quite a sight to behold. She has short dark red hair that almost looks black. Big hazel eyes. But let's not forget about her pink plump lips. Being attracted to her was understandable.

Seeing Director Rei and Scarlett display affection make me jealous. I want to be like that with Scarlett. I wanted Scarlett in the team so when the guys said Scarlett should win 3 out of 5, I disagree and changed it to 2 out of 3. Not that the guys seem to disagree.

I was in awe when I saw her fight the guys. Why did people call her the loser? She was magnificent. The way she moves and uses her power calling her the loser didn't do justice. She defeated the guys without difficulty but when Director Rei started to make a fuss, I panic. Is Scarlett okay? That was the first thing that popped up in my mind.

I almost beat Xavier, I thought that he used an overdose of poison on her when she collapsed. I want to hold her, to check if she's alright but Director Rei snatched that opportunity when he held Scarlett bridal style to the guest room.

Luca was our medic. I panic when I heard that she was injured. When Luca said something is wrong with Scarlett my heart drop. I don't want anything to happen to her. Luckily, Director Rei will explain to us. But the way he warned us made the hair on my back raise.

"When she was still a newborn, something happened to her..." What actually happened to her? "... I won't go into detail here. You have to let Scarlett tell you herself. Those things are personal to her. You just need to know that the thing that happened to her was something awful. It made the hell monsters attracted to her".

Is that why I'm attracted to her right now? But I'm not a hell creature.

"I have protected her from the hell creatures since she was small. I didn't even know why they were attracted to her. I tried to investigate but it didn't turn out well" He had a sad expression on his face. "Are they going to eat her? Use her body? I didn't get any answers. Scarlett knew that those vile creatures were after her and going to use her like a tool but she...still tried to live a normal life" his eyes full with adoration.

The way he spoke like a lover made my heartache. I dare to say that I was jealous because he spent so much time with her before. I want to be the one to protect Scarlett from any danger.

"You guys notice that the hell creatures are increasing lately? More powerful creatures appeared" he asked but his eyes still on Scarlett who laying on the bed.

"Yes. Some of my friends complain that he has too many missions. There also guys who barely make out alive finishing the mission. Do you know the cause of this Director Rei?" Xavier said. If you didn't know, Xavier he is a social butterfly. So he has many connections so to speak.

He took a deep breath and turned around to face us. "Yes and no. I just know that the monsters are getting more stronger and determined to take Scarlett away. But I don't know why. I realize that recently they come to her like crazy. It's like they are desperate".

"So you are telling us that we need to protect Scarlett?" Shawn asked looking at Scarlett then Director Rei.

I'm not complaining. I would love to protect her myself. Keep her away from this world for myself. Protect her from getting any injury, yeah, I would love that job but I know that Director Rei wants us to protect her not only me.

"Well, she can protect herself. I just want to make sure she is under my radar" his short reply.

"But why us?" that was Shawn again.

"I want you guys to look after her. Your team is on the top 5. I also think your characteristics will be perfect with Scarlett's. But just remember if anything happens to her you guys will answer to me. Understand?".

"Yes, Sir" we said in unison.

He smiled at us before directing his attention to Xavier. "Now Xavier tell your teammate what you saw when you fought Scarlett earlier".

I look at Scarlett sleeping body. She looks so peaceful.

"Well...you see...".