I continued to follow Frank through the dark colluseum, Tellka's claws clicked quietly behind me as we went. There had been many fights between now and when we had left the armory, and I was begining to feel a bit more confident in my fighting skills. I had landed a few hits.... when I wasn't busy hiding behind Tellka or Frank, but something just wouldn't leave my mind. Everytime we got into a fight, Frank used that time to charge up his newest Persona, and that had really been making Tellka's mood worse. I was fingering the ring Frank had given me and thinking about this.

*Watch her, Kate. You know how Tellka can get in bad moods.*

I almost stumbled in my step at hearing my mom's words. You caught me off guard.. what do you think she'll do?

*Tellka's unpredictable, Kate.. I'm just glad you never developed that side of her.* I felt my mother sigh and a small grin formed over my face. I remembered back to the arguements Tellka and mom would have. Tellka isn't one to back out of a fight. *Just look out for Frank. He's a nice guy, Kate. Sometimes you're going to have to make sure nothing happens to him.*

I will... I glanced back over at Tellka. Her ears were flattened in anger, and her tail was twitching angerly. This could be interesting... I sighed quietly.

We finally made it too the door leading to Redwing's private room. I tensed a bit. A part of me wanted to get this over with, and a part of me wanted to just go back to the armory.

"Are you both ready???" Frank turned to Tellka and me. Now or never... I managed a small nod. Behind me I could hear Tellka growl.

"Tellka?" Frank asked in confusion.

"What?!" Tellka snapped. I turned to her a gave her an odd look. Tellka.. please don't do this.. Another growl was my only response. Frank looked over at me with a question in his eyes. I just shrugged. He doesn't have to know...

"...Nevermind... It probably wasn't important anyway." Frank said quielty. Tellka growled again.

"Alright... This is it... let's do it...." Frank said in his best leaderlike voice. He slowly opened the door and entered, I followed close behind with Tellka trailing me. Frank looked around and unsheathed his rapier, but.. Redwing was no where to be found.

I felt a click in my mind. Oh no... There was a flash of red infront of my eyes as Tellka's anger flooded through me.

"WHERE IS HE?!?!" Tellka half growled, half screamed. She gazed around the room before turning and glaring at Frank with an icy look. "HE'S NOT HERE!!!!! I BET YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS!!!!!!!!"

"What??? How.... How could you say that? After all I've-" Tellka cut Frank off.

"I BET YOU DID THIS JUST TO GET CLOSER TO KATE!!!! I OUGHT TO...." Tellka spat out and moved toward Frank with a wild look in her eyes. I watched in horror.

Tellka.. please don't..

"Tellka, I did nothing of the sort. I don't know where you're getting these ideas... But please stop..." Frank said as he backed up. He ran out of room and stood with his back against the wall. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact from Tellka's staff.

*Kate, don't just stand there, DO SOMETHING!* Mom snapped me back into reality. I raced over and slid infront of Frank.

If you want him, Tellka, you have to go through me first...

Tellka stopped infront of me. I could tell by the look on her face that she was throughly surprised. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Kate???" I heard Frank behind me. I didn't turn to look at him.

"Move, Kate... So I can deal with him!" Tellka hissed at me.

"Tellka... Please... calm down. I'm not going to let you hurt him. How can you say those things, after all he's done? He's saved my life, he healed you, ad he helped that injured Windian... Why Tellka? Why?" The words tumbled out of my mouth and I could feel myself on the verge of tears.

"I don't care WHAT he's done for you.. How do you know it's not all just a scam?"

Please Tellka..... I could see Tellka's eyes soften a bit. She took a few steps back, but kept her gaze on Frank.

I heard Frank breathe a sigh of relief. "Thanks... I owe you one... What was that about?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure myself... I should have told you this earlier... but Tellka has a grudge against all Woren except for me."

Frank's eyes went wide. "Wha... why???"

"It's a long story..."

"Not one he needs to know about!"

I wasn't going to tell him....

"Kate... I'm going to try something with Tellka... Ok?" Frank said quietly.

"Frank... Watch it. She's not in the best of moods at the moment." I looked at him and studied his eyes for a moment, trying to find a hint of what he ment to do. Suddenly, I leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Wha... What... was... that for???" Frank stammered out and I noticed him start to blush.

I smiled. "It's for all you've done so far.. Saving me... helping that Windian... healing Tellka... and that ring..."

"Does it work?" Frank asked. I glanced down at it.

"It does. Mom told me to keep an eye on you incase Tellka gets angry." I said quietly.

"When?" Frank asked.

"Before entering this room... she noticed Tellka's attitiued to you and... Well... I'd better let you try what you were going to do."

Frank nodded and looked at Tellka. "Tellka... may I please talk to you?" Frank asked hopefully. Tellka growled and didn't seem to give any answer to his question. Frank shook his head slighlty.

"Maybe you'll listen to me then..." A different female voice said. Tellka and I turned to look. My mouth dropped open and I heard Tellka gasp.

Standing beside Frank, and leaning on his shoulder, was the spirit of Katt Chuan, twirlling her staff lightly as she looked at Tellka in amusement.

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com