Partners in Hentai: Part Seven - The Wedding

by Beloved Shadow Dragon Dagger

It was the day before the wedding and Karasu was just a bundle of knots with worry about the what ifs and the preparations. She and Sage meditated more often but try as she might she could not get her mind to calm down. She was almost sick to her stomach now and it took most of Sage's pressure point techniques to get her to sleep at night now. She was ready to crack and as Rene, Shary and the Date family kept reassuring her she took scant comfort in their words.

This was her wedding and even though everything was ready to go for tomorrow she was scared out of her mind and body that something would go wrong. Today she had worried herself into throwing up her lunch and everything she had eaten after that. Sage was worried about her but was leaving her to the care of Shary and Rene for the night while he and the guys went out for his bachelor's party.

Shary and Rene had thought about giving a Party to Kasu for the night before, but decided against it when they saw what a wreck she was turning into.

Shary sighed and with some struggling to get up, went over and gave her friend a gentle, yet firm shake of the shoulders. She was worried for her and knew that this wasn't healthy for her. Not to mention Sage was getting nervous about her. So she decided to try and help her out some.

"Kasu-san please relax. I know that this is your big night and all but this should make you happy. Not sick in the stomach. C'mere." Wrapping an arm around her shoulders she lead her to the couch and sat her between herself and Rene. She squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled warmly at her.

"Now take it from two used-to-be brides. We know exactly what you're going through since we went through it once. But all this worrying... it isn't healthy. Every time you eat something you end up throwing it back up. We want to help you in any way we can. Please. Tell us what we can do to relieve some of the stress or anxiety."

Kasu's voice was a little raspy from all the acid stripping her vocal chords, but she had managed to get some honey tea down to help that along. "I am just so scared that something is going to go wrong." She looked at Rene, then to Shary. "Shary, you know what my dreams were for my wedding day. I just want it to be perfect." She sighed and looked a little green before she regained control over herself and managed to keep it down this time.

"I know Kasu. I know." Squeezed her hand and soothingly rubbed her back. "We know where you're coming from. Right Rene?" She smiled at her friend, smiling some. She remembered that on the day of their wedding there seemed to be so much chaos in trying to get everything set up and ready for the wedding and reception afterwards. Everyone was on pins and needles but in the end all went splendidly.

Rene smiled comfortingly. Over the months of planning with the Date women and with each other about the wedding Rene got to know Shary's high school friend and came to like her well. "Kara, if nothing else you have Sage, and after tomorrow he will be officially off the market." She chuckled at the dirty look Karasu gave her.

"Oh I know that he was off the market the night you two got together. But most of the women around town that knew Sage didn't and quite a few of them were taken by surprise when they called him and he told them that he was engaged." She grinned almost wickedly as she remembered the talks she and Sage had over that little subject.

It seemed that the women of Sage's past were trying harder than ever to win his affections away from the woman who had claimed his heart and soul. Those women were soundly rebuffed when he continually turned each of them down firmly telling them that he was an engaged man and that he was not going to hurt his beloved by cheating on her.

Rene, Cye and Sage all protected Karasu from their forms of retribution in their own ways and they knew that Sage was glad of their help in the matter since he couldn't bring himself to tell her about the women's advances.

Cye had talked to her about it and she knew about the situation and she was relieved that Sage was faithful to her since she knew that some of the women Cye had told her about were rather beautiful in ways she would not be. She had lost her heart and soul to Sage and she felt her own feelings for him swell even greater when she found out that the same was true for Sage.

"So you know Sage is more loyal to you than a hound dog and that nothing is ever going to come between the two of you. And rest assured that with all of us behind you there is nothing that could go wrong tomorrow. So... unless you have another worry you should relax and calm down. And maybe keep something in your stomach this time. Can't have the blushing bride faint from hunger halfway down the aisle." Shary softly joked.

Kasu chuckled as she thought about feinting. It wasn't a pleasant thought and it had crossed her mind a few times. But she knew all the tricks on how to avoid feinting so that was one less worry to think about.

"I've been having dreams again." She finally admitted softly. Rene looked quizzically at Shary, as she did not know about her newest friends dreams. Most of the ones she remembered were prophetic and Rene hadn't been told yet about them.

Kara's eyes were looking at the ground and had turned dark with worry as she thought about the dreams she had been having. She did not know if these were her prophesy dreams or if they were dreams of a troubled mind about the wedding, but they scared her.

That caused her to grow quite serious. But she knew she had to explain it to Rene first. "You mean like those visions again? Kasu, tell us everything you can about them." She tried to not sound worried but this was scaring her also. They had to figure this out and soon.

Kasu closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she started to recall the dreams that left her shaking at night and she usually woke Sage up with her reactions.

"It is the day of the wedding and everything is just beautiful when the clouds darken. They are black and as the lightning struck, it was focused at the wedding. Sage got hit and he couldn't call on the power of his armor to help him. An invisible force was restraining me as I felt his life force get sucked away. By the time I was able to break through the shield, He was dead and the clouds were gone.

I couldn't save him and I wasn't wearing my armor cuffs. There was nothing I could do to save him. No one else was hurt, but my beloved was dead in my arms as I caught him as he fell."

Her almost black eyes turned fearfully to Shary. "Is it just my worried mind coming up with this or is this for real. I could feel the evil but I couldn't tell who it was. Oh Shary, Rene, I hate to dump on you like this, but I am so scared." Kasu curled up as she sat on the couch and stared out into the living room that had been furnished well since she and Sage had moved in.

Both girls wrapped their arms around their friend in a protective embrace. No wonder she was so worried. She was afraid of losing Sage. Her soul mate, heart mate, her life bonded. Maybe it was just all the stress getting to her but maybe it wasn't.

"Kasu-san if you think it'll help any we can ask Kayura to use her staff and maybe use the armors to protect everyone, you and Sage included during the wedding. And about Balance." She lifted her hands up to reveal the bands that were still on. "Trust them. Believe that they will protect you AND Sage. Am I helping at all?" she asked softly.

Karasu sighed as she was reassured and nodded. Maybe talking to Kayura wouldn't hurt; it would sure make her feel more at ease about everything that was going on. She hadn't taken the Silver bands that held the halves of the armor of balance off since she received them except for when she was in the shower.

She had planned on taking the bands off for the wedding since it was a day that she should not need them. But with the way her mind was churning lately, she wasn't so sure that she should take them off.

"Thank you guys. This has not been easy for me to endure and I thought I was going to crack from those dreams." Her mind calmed down a bit but she was still in hyper mode and it was evident in her shaking hands. She asked in a small voice. "Do you think we could talk to Kayura now?"

She still did not know the warlords and Kayura too well and she did not know if it would be ok to disturb the last ancient this late. The Warlords were out with Sage and the others but Kayura had elected to stay in the Dynasty for the night. Now Kara looked to her friends for guidance.

"I don't see why not. In fact, I think now is a good time as any. What do you think Rene?" she asked the other girl. She always wanted to ask the opinions of everyone connected with the situation.

"If it gets hyper-bot here to settle down some then I say we do it and get her calmed down. She needs to eat and with the state she is in, she won't even get a peanut down let alone the meal she needs." Rene was blunt, but as always in situations like these, correct about the state Kara was in.

"Thought so. Well Kasu, try to call her through the bands since you're the only one here with armor." She smiled some. "Just ask if she can come here to your apartment."

Kara looked a little nervous but tried to collect her focus for a link through the armor to the last ancient. It was a weak link at best since her concentration was scattered but it was there. Kayura-san, could you come to my apartment please?

No worded message was sent but a feeling of surprise and then of agreement. As Kasu released the link a soft light appeared in the middle of the room and soon it took the form of a young woman.

"Lady Kayura. We need your help." Shary said softly.

"I can see. What can I do to help?"

Kasu took over as she shook all over. "Lady Kayura, I know this is a rather selfish reason for asking this, but, could you please use the staff tomorrow to protect the ceremony?" She shook even harder as the memory of her dreams came flooding back full force at her again. She was finally shaking so hard that she couldn't continue with the explanations of what she had seen.

Shary wrapped her arms around her and comfortingly rubbed her back. She nodded to Rene to continue.

"Kasu told us that she had a bad dream that's been keeping her on edge this whole time." she said in simple terms.

"I understand. Kasu I will use the staff and make sure the ceremony is well protected with the staff and the armors' powers. No evil will get through without one of us knowing it ahead of time. Will that help ease your mind?" she asked with concern in her voice.

Her shaking eased a little as she nodded. When she was finally able to speak again she whispered. "I am just so scared that I am going to lose him."

"We know Kasu. He's the other half of your soul. But don't worry. You're not going to lose him." Shary smiled at her as she hugged her shoulder. "Promise."

Kasu's color started to improve again as she was reassured by the three women in the room. "I never thought that I would feel this way about anyone. Then Sage walked into my life and everything got a new meaning. Including love. I have learned so much about it in the last few months that at times it is frightening that I could have fallen for anyone that fast. But you're right about one thing Shar. He is the other half of me and I know that I would never be as happy with anyone else."

Her eyes warmed as she started to talk about Sage and how she felt. She was scared but that was because all of this was new territory for her, and this was something that she and Sage had to explore on their own. Each day Sage showed her is some small way how he felt about her and she did the same for him.

She had integrated into the Dojo classes quickly and as she taught the students that weren't responding to the more traditional teaching mannerisms, she found that she was learning more and more about the traditions and the forms of Bushido and Kendo.

Sage had taught her the basic forms and the stances so that she could help the slower students in the class learn them properly when she wasn't taking students out back of the school into the bamboo forest to learn the art of meditation. She would always start with the traditional forms of Bushido meditation, but as the students either progressed to the higher levels, or made no progress, she would help them to focus their young minds with her own forms of meditation.

Sage usually took on the adults of the classes for meditation since they were already able to focus some. It was easier for him to teach them and it was a small fault he had that he was not as patient with the younger students. It was one of her strengths though and as they worked together Sage's grandfather remarked on one occasion that they balanced each other well, their individual strengths supporting the other's weaknesses.

They had been to one tournament in the time that they had been together and as they entered the sparring competition as a couple he knew that she still had much to learn in the empty handed styles, but her agility, speed and her own specialized skill with the sword made them unbeatable in tag team combat.

The women smiled at her story. Clearly this was a very good match between her and Sage. They were meant for each other. Kayura departed saying that she was going to get everything ready for the protection spell she would place over the ceremony tomorrow.

"I think Kayura has the right idea. Eat and rest up for the big day. C'mon Kasu. You're finally keeping something in your stomach." She smiled and struggled a bit to get to her feet because of her swollen belly.

"Shary Faun. How many times to I have to tell you that we can help you up so that you don't start something early. You know as well as we do that you are close to your due date." Rene scolded her mildly as she smiled at Kasu.

"Yes, Heaven forbid you go into labor tomorrow. That would be stealing my spot light." Kara smiled at her friends and headed for the kitchen that looked almost like two different worlds meshed there.

Sage's more traditional cooking had its utensils and Kasu's herbs and preparations had their spot in the kitchen. Looking at one of her preparations she winced then smiled as she remembered the massive case of rug burn she had to deal with the next morning after she and Sage signed the lease on the place.

Looking in the fridge she grabbed some bread and some cheese as well as a bottle of lemon soda. Looking at her friends she smiled. "Cheese sandwich? It's about as neutral as I can get in here considering both Sage and I like spicy foods."

She grinned as she remembered the night they each cooked their favorite foods for each other and discovered the tendency. It was fun as she found out that she usually cooked spicier than Sage did. But once he learned her tolerances, he grew to like her cooking and they remembered to tame it down a little when they had company over.

"Sounds good to me. Oh I forgot how tiring it was just sitting and then getting up." Bracing her back with one hand, rubbing her neck with her other hand before sliding it down to caress her swollen stomach.

"When's the doc got you pegged for hitting the hospital Shar?" Kasu smiled softly as she made a few sandwiches and handed them out.

"Oh another week or so. Kento bee's hovering around me like everywhere, waiting for the bomb to drop." She took a sandwich and began to nibble at it. "But the baby will probably decided to come early or late. Who knows?"

Rene and Kasu giggled at Shary's description of Kento. He did hover and as a first time father they all should have expected that reaction, as it were, they didn't and it was amusing to the women of the circle to watch him fuss over her.

"Just remember that I want details hon about this. I would like to have a small clue as to what to expect should Sage and I decide to have little ones of our own." Kasu was starting to relax now that the focus wasn't her or the big day.

She teased Shary only mildly knowing that some day Sage would probably get her into the same position. Smiling softly at that thought she looked at her friends as her eyes lightened from the near black color to a light grey.

"Oh that's easy. He pampers you, does everything for you, obeys your every whim and then hovers near you fretting about whether or not it's time to go to the hospital or not." Shary laughed and leaned against the counter. She still found it hard to believe that she was carrying a miracle of life inside her.

Rene chuckled. "Is the Catering to the whims before or after he learns about the evil temper?" Rene had been regaled about Shary's less pleasant moments after Cye had gotten off the phone with Kento when he called for advice on the woman he loved driving him out with her lightning fast temper changes.

The situation was finally resolved when Rene called Shary and told her to start meditating for the sanity of everyone involved. Kasu smiled as she heard all of this later and wondered what Rene would be like or herself for that matter.

Shary laughed softly and shook her head some. "Oh around the middle. As first it was okay but he was smothering me. I couldn't even sneeze without him being there to wipe my nose for me. I know he means well but a girl can take so much."

They all smiled at the reaction and nodded. Finally Kasu looked at them. "Well if you both are going to be as decent as I am supposed to be in the morning. I think we should all at least TRY to get some sleep." She smiled, as she knew that she wouldn't get much, but just resting would help them all.

Rene piped up. "Yeah, probably a good Idea that we told the boys to stay at Ryo's place or something tonight. I can just about imagine the reaction they would get from us if they came in drunk and loud." She laughed at the vision of Cye getting drunk and then taking a bath. Last time it happened it was just too funny.

Shary laughed also. When Kento was drunk he was a lot hungrier than usually. One time he literally cleaned out the fridge and half the freezer. "True true. Okay ladies. Bedtime. Funny. I still feel weird sleeping on my back."

"Still can't get used to not sleeping using Kento as a Body Pillow?" Rene teased her friend, as they all got ready for bed. Kasu started turning out the lights and left the one over the stove on so that the other two could find their way around. She chuckled and then waved good night as she and the others went to bed.

In the middle of the night long after they all called it a night Kara woke up screaming out Sage's name as she shot up in her bed reaching out to him. Rene was in her room in an instant with the lights turned on and Shary wasn't too far behind her.

"Kasu! What happened? Are you okay?" She sat next to her, rubbing her back soothingly as she watched with greatly concerned eyes.

Karasu's eyes started to focus into the here and now and as her wild look of terror started to recede she looked at her friends that were at her bedside watching her as she came out of the nightmare. "It, It was that dream again. Only so clear I swore it was real. I couldn't tell the difference." She started shaking again knowing now that she would be on her guard at the ceremony later that day. But she would not tell Sage about the dream. This was her fight to deal with.

"Hey it's okay. We're here and nothing is gonna happen." hey both hugged her tightly in a double embrace like before. Friends to the end they would help her all they could.

"Sage, Where is he….." she trailed off as she searched for the familiar mind that had always been there since they joined for the first time. She heaved a sigh of relief as she felt him there. Very drunk and passed out, but still there.

A single tear fell as she finally gave release to the fear that had been holding her, not knowing that it was that same fear and release that woke Sage every night to comfort her wordlessly.

The girls knew she must've reached for him and found him safe and sound. They gently laid her back on the bed but didn't leave her. Wordlessly they piled in the bed and all slept together like that.

As the sun came up Kara was up and meditating in front of the large east window long before the other girls were up. It had been a restless night of sleep and she figured that the only way she would be able to get any rest for the day was when she forced herself into it.

So crawling out of bed she set up for meditation and was pleasantly surprised to find Sage, a little worse for the wear, on the astral plane as well. "Oh love, today is the day."

"Oh yes. I can't wait for the wedding to start." he smiled at her, careful not to make any sudden movements. He slowly walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "I love you Kasu. So very much."

"And I you my love." In his embrace she started to cast her healing spells and wove them around him to help him handle what the guys had done to him the night before. As she cast she chuckled slightly. "Cale really pulled a number on you didn't he."

"Yes. Oh I'm going to make him pay. Later." he sighed and rested his chin on her shoulder. Her touch soothed away the hangover effects very well but he was still weak in the knees. "Now I need something to settle my upset stomach."

"I think you are focused enough to draw on Halo for this." She got an evil grin and looked at her love. "You know what the ultimate payback would be my love?"

"Oh please tell me my darling." He smiled, looking down at her.

Kasu chuckled as she started to tell him. "Be up, Cheerful and Hangoverless before the others. Do all the annoying things cheerful people do in the morning. Whistle, cook breakfast, and leave them with their aching heads and upset stomachs for a few hours at least as you wake them up…" she trailed off letting him get the picture.

Sage smiled and nodded his head but groaned and stopped. "It'll be hard but I'll do it. Serves them right too." he smiled at the reactions he'd probably get from them.

"Heal yourself Sage. I do not want a formerly drunk fiancée at the alter. I want my loving soon-to-be husband there so that I can be a very happy bride." She smiled as she chided him lovingly. She had started his healing and all he had to do was finish it. There were going to be some unhappy armor bearers this morning and the thought of their various reactions made her giggle.

"Okay. I have to go. Someone's stirring." He kissed her lovingly, taking his time in doing so and smiled at her. "See you at the alter."

As she and Sage faded out of the astral plane she felt much better about the day and set about making breakfast for the three of them. It wasn't anything big because she had a case of the nerves, but it was enough to feed them all so that they could get through the day.

Once finished with the meals the two girls began to get the bride ready. The dress and make up were already laid out and such. They did her hair and make up first, taking their time and making sure that they had done everything well. In about an hour and a half Shary and Rene stepped back. Kasu looked just stunning in her wedding gown. Sage was going to fall in love all over again.

Kasu stepped in front of the mirror and smiled. "You guys are miracle workers. It looks terrific!" Her black hair with its stripes accented the dress as it was pulled up into a variety of braids and held in place by the headpiece and veil.

She couldn't wait to see Sage, the thought of him and today put the butterflies back into her stomach as she looked around and sighed contentedly. Her eyes were a crystal blue and that was accented by the makeup that her friends had cleverly applied.

The girls smiled at her. "Sage will fall in love with you all over again." Shary said honestly and Rene nodded in agreement. "Now let's get ourselves ready and then head to the group."

The group hurried and prepared and a while later there was a knock on Kasu's Door. Rene got up and answered it while Shary kept Kara back in the bedroom. Rene's cry of surprise brought Shary to the living room, and there in the middle stood Dais, Rowen, Cale and Sekhmet. Rowen smiled at Shary and explained the unannounced visit.

"Hope you don't mind, but Sage mentioned that Karasu was a little nervous about things and so the guys and I decided that we would be present as an honor guard of sorts. We are to escort her to the ceremony and make sure that nothing happens." He smiled to one side as the glint in his eyes told the two women in the living room that they had done this for Kara.

"That has to be the most wonderful thing I've heard." She smiled at them. They did care about her and this was going to be great. Nothing would get by them.

"Forgive me for asking who will be walking Miss Kasu-san down the aisle?" Dais asked. That was a good question.

"Grandfather Date is going to. He said it would be a great honor if he did so," Rene stated. The she smiled. "He already thinks of her as close family."

"The groom is waiting and jumpy as all get out. Shall we gather up the Bride and get this show on the road?" Cale smiled as Dais slugged him in the arm, Hard.

"Sage would not be nearly as jumpy if you hadn't decided to try to scare him with doubts. Now you and Sekhmet are going to behave for this or I will let Karasu beat you both senseless." Dais had his hair pulled back into a neat ponytail for the occasion and so was able to glare quite effectively at both of his comrades.

Rowen stared just over Dais' shoulder with his jaw almost to the floor at the beauty that stood in the entry to the living room. Dais and the others turned to look and were equally stunned at the sight they beheld.

Karasu stepped regally into the living room and smiled at the Warlords and Rowen before looking at Shary and Rene with questions in her eyes. "I know I heard my name, why are you all here?"

Shary went to her friend and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Kasu-san, meet you honor guard for the wedding." She wished she had a camera right now for the guys' reaction and pictured what Sage would look like when he saw her.

Kasu smiled softly and bowed to them. "Well then. I can hardly deny the honor." She tilted her head to one side. She wasn't sure how Sekhmet got roped into the duty, but she did know that over the months that they had time to get to know each other, Sekhmet's antipathy towards her eased somewhat and they were on the uneasy start of a friendship.

She wasn't going to question things right now because if they didn't get going, they were going to be late, and Sage would flip his wig if that happened.

"Okay people let's get going!" Rene declared and they all piled into the limo outside. It was something the guys pitched in for the wedding, making it a type of present. They got in and were soon driving to the place of the ceremony.

Karasu took a deep breath as they got underway and let it out only to feel Cale's hand on her shoulder. Looking at him and Dais who were next to her and Sekhmet who was flanked by her friends she was finding herself reassured by their presence.

Cale did care and though he was uncertain of how to deal with the women warriors when they weren't busy kicking his butt in sparring practice, he was trying to help her settle down so that things would go easier for them all when they got to the mansion.

Shary looked out the window softly humming 'Going to the Chapel' as the scenery went by quickly. All too soon they arrived at Mia's mansion where the wedding and reception would be taking place. The guys got off first, making sure Sage was nowhere around and the girls took Kasu up to the den so she would be ready when it was time.

Everything was set up and all of the families were there as well. There were some hired servants around making sure everything was in order and Kayura was there with the staff watching over everything. She had double-checked everything, making sure the protective barrier was still up and connected to all the armors.

As soon as she stepped onto the land Karasu could feel that Kayura had been good on her word. There were wards and shields up all over the place defending Mansion and grounds for the wedding. Relaxing a little more her mind turned to other things. Like how scared she was about this wedding. Grandfather Date had reassured her many times in their confidential talks that she would be fine and that there would not be anything that she would not be able to handle.

Sighing slightly she trusted him as he had taken her under the Date family wing so to speak and started teaching her some of the family legends while Sage's mother started to train her in the ways of the Date matron. They were important steps as Sage was set to inherit the Dojo from his grandfather when the time came. But Kara would be the one that ran it. It was the way things had been done for many generations and Sage's mother was going to make sure that everything was done properly.

Kasu's respect for the old ways and her own quiet ways put her in good stead with the older Dates and as she learned she started to mature more and everyone could see that she was going to be a calm and authoritive figure when the Dojo was passed on.

Thinking about all of this she was startled when there was a knock on the door. Rene checked on who it was and opened the door enough to let the Elder Date Matron in. Kara looked at her and smiled. "Thank you for coming."

"It is an honor to see Sage so happy and soon to be married to one that is so obviously the match for him." She paused and then continued. "Lin-san is down stairs and seated and it is almost time. Grandfather will be up shortly to walk you down, are you ready?"

Kasu had her fears but her eyes were steady as she nodded. "I am as ready as I can be for this. I can only hope that all goes well."

"You are considered one of our family already. There is nothing that will change that Kasu. Relax and enjoy your day with Sage." Sage's mother bowed slightly and exited the room as Grandfather walked in.

Looking at her he smiled gently. "It is time Granddaughter. We will let your friends get seated and then we will go down to start. My grandson is waiting for you and is quite nervous. I will say this. I am proud of you both."

Rene had already lead Shary out of the room so those words were said in private. Karasu smiled softly and nodded. "Arigato Grandfather." They waited a few more moments and headed down to the back of the aisle.

Once everyone was seated the music began to play and everyone looked at the matron of honor and best man, Mia and Ryo, came down the aisle followed by the bridesmaids and their escorts. They were all smiling and were lined neatly along the altar. Then the ring bearer came down. He looked uncomfortable in his little tux but held the pillow that carried both rings. Soon he reached the altar where the groom stood. Next was the flower girl, Sage's youngest sister. She happily threw the petals down and stood in front of Mia. Then the moment of truth came.

As the music changed into the march everyone stood up and watched as Sensei Date came in with Kasu on his arm. People gasped at how pretty she looked and Sage looked... dumbfounded.

The fact that Sensei Date did not object to he Honor guard following in behind them in formation spoke volumes to her. She smiled softly under the veil as She stepped down the aisle quietly. She was still uneasy about something but at this moment she refused to let it spoil her moment. As she looked at Sage she couldn't help but smile, as he was absolutely stunning in his tuxedo.

They made it to the front of the gathering and as the honor guard split off to their positions everything was ready for the ceremony to commence.

Everything was perfect. The ceremony was proceeding well and Kasu was starting to relax when a warning spiked her. Moving instantly she shouted out "NO! Look out!"

Everyone wondered what was wrong when she forcibly shoved Sage out of the way. Everyone was absolutely shocked at her sudden actions but less than a split second later understood why she had reacted. A large bolt of lightning struck where Sage had been standing less than a moment before.

As everyone watched the lightning Karasu was already in her armor and running out of the clearing in the back and up to the top of the house to find the source of the lightning.

It was her nightmare turned reality as she watched the black clouds come in low and seem to pass right through Kayura's shields. "Ronin's To Arms! I am not about to let this completely ruin my Day!" Karasu was pissed now. She had managed to save Sage, but her wedding was all but ruined by this interloper's attempt to spoil her happiness.

As she felt about for the source of the energy she found that it was coming from within the shields. One of the hired help was now glowing practically on a visible scale a black and brown deformed aura. Drawing her sword she cornered the woman and questioned her.

"Why?" She hissed out. "Why are you trying to ruin my day of happiness?"

"Why?" she smirked. "Because Sage was mine. You walked in and stole him. You are not the only caster in this place and I am here to make sure that if I can't have him, then no one will ever have him!" The woman's rage manifested into another set of lightning strikes but this time Kayura was there to protect Sage. This was lightning that even the armor of Halo could not protect him against.

In an instant all the Ronins and Warlords were in full armor. All the people were quickly led inside since it was the safest place to be right now. The Warlords and Kayura continued to protect Sage from the lightning, making sure he was not stuck down. The Ronins joined Kasu in fighting their new enemy.

"Well Halo, I always knew an ex-girlfriend would come back and get you," Cale said sarcastically and then regretted it when everyone glared at him. "Gomen."

Lisa had donned her casters armor and as she threw the other ronins back she glared lethally at Kasu. "Karasu Lin, First Caster of the Lin Clan. I, Lisa Alma, First Caster of the Alma Clan, challenge you to a fight of our abilities. Damn she who yields."

Kara was trapped. There was no way she could back out of the fight now. Her friends couldn't help her, as this was an exclusive battle of Casters. Everything she had learned and knew up to this point would be put to the test. She felt her mother's support and strength flood into her as she reinforced the shields that would keep Lisa from delving into her mind as they fought.

"One of us will die Lisa. What is it about Sage that means so much to you that you are willing to die for?" Kara was desperately trying to find a way out but she had already gotten a good look into the other woman's eyes and had seen that there was no way out but through her.

"Do you think I care about that? I will be back in my next life. And You. Well let's just say that I have much uglier plans for you little caster. Your Caster armor will not protect you from where you are going Karasu Lin, and I will see to it that the last thing you see in this world is Sage walking away with me."

"Liar!" The Rage had taken her mind and it was her darkest secret. There were times in her life when the darkest emotions would engulf her mind and she would be given over to that thing known as the Rage.

Karasu exploded into action, and as she made her way to Lisa, her steps were unslowed and determined as she walked through Lisa's castings. The woman that was in her sights now was using her most powerful spells and they were barely slowing Kara's steps as she kept moving determinedly towards the woman that threatened her life and happiness.

Out side of the Shields that were put up for this fight the guys looked in and were all scared to a man at the look in Kara's eyes. There was nothing remotely human about them anymore as they took on a more demonic look as she had already judged the woman she was advancing on. What scared them even more was that the armor of Balance was changing shape with Karasu. Her form grew larger and more draconic. The scales of the skin that showed were blacker than the night and her white streaks in her hair changed to matching streaks down the long sinuous neck of the Dragon that now took up most of the casters circle. As she spoke, her voice was that dual tone that was strangely melodic as she pronounced sentence on the dark caster.

"For you who wishes to take a life and refuses to see love for what it is. That you can not learn to live and let live…" the pause was taken up by Lisa's scream of terror as she was picked up by a large clawed foot and brought close to the Dragon's face.

"You who wishes to take life for no better reason than you were scorned by a man…" she rumbled as she stood on her hind legs and spreading her wings bellowed. As she finished the eerie yet deafening call a black gate opened. "GATES OF THE DAMNED, TAKE THIS WOMAN AND KNOW THAT SHE IS WORTH YOUR TIME."

As she opened up the gates of hell she pronounced her sentence. "You who take life, I now sever your ties to this world and to the circle that binds you to it. If you ever regain your humanity and your soul is again clean. You will be reunited with that which binds us all together. TEMPERENCE, SEVERENCE, DANMATSUMA!"

As she threw the Lisa towards the Gate, the demon spawn that lived in the gates itself grabbed her and dragged her screaming unendingly into the realms of hell. When the gate closed and the sky cleared Karasu dropped back down to her four feet and then started the painful change back to her human form.

Once there, the shields dropped and she collapsed in her armor to the ground.

"KASU!" Sage broke through everyone and ran directly to his future wife. Dropping to his knees he threw his helmet off and gently pulled her own off. "Kasu..." his voice choked with tears he held her in his arms. "Please... open your eyes..." Kayura was at his side in an instant, the staff still in her hands as well.

Sage's Grandfather calmly pushed through the press of people around Sage and Kasu. Fearing the worst he laid his hand gently on the girl's forehead and after a moment nodded. "Take her inside Sage. She is weak but still alive."

What he didn't say was that he had felt her expend her energy to a dangerous level. If she did not come around soon she would be in danger of losing her life. After Sage picked Karasu's limp and unresponsive form up and took her inside he looked at Kayura.

"Miss, set a ward around my Grandson and Granddaughter. They need to do this together if she is to make it." His tone brooked no argument and his face was more serious than even his daughter had seen in a very long time.

Kayura nodded and went inside to do so. She was worried, about the both of them.

With the same authority everyone helped put everything back together and then relaxed some. Luckily no one was hurt but they were all very shaken up. Some of the people there were amazed at the armors and such. Shary went up to Kento and squeezed his hand as Cye went over to Rene and hugs her tightly.

"That was way too close," Rowen said softly. "Way too close."

Ryo and Mia who were standing close to Rowen over heard him and nodded. "What was that thing she turned into? I was more afraid of it than I was of Talpa when we were fighting him off." Ryo was a little confused at this latest turn of events.

Kara had not needed her caster abilities during the months between finding the armor of Balance and the wedding and so no one else other than Sage knew about her shifting abilities. Those that had not seen Kara's change it was probably for the best, whereas the Ronins and Warlords were all in shock as to what had just happened out there.

None of them had ever seen her that upset before, and the fact that she broke just about every tenant she believed in to sever the woman's ties to the circle shocked every one of them to their very roots.

"The armor." Everyone looked at Shary. "I did some research and one of the guardians of the armor is a dragon. That and Kasu, when pushed too far has been known to slip into something she called the Rage."

"Will she be alright though?" Mia asked worriedly.

"I don't know. But I hope so." For Sage's sake as well as ours.

Lin-san came up to the warriors and nodded to them. "Shary-san is right. My Karasu slipped into what she calls the Rage. After she loses herself to the Rage there is nothing to be done but to stay out of her way. The only sense she has in that state is that of justice. And goddess help whoever has pushed her over the edge.

Shary and Sage were on Sage's old room upstairs from the days when he and the others stayed at Mia's. Kayura had warded the room and left them alone to do what they needed to do. As she came down stairs she looked questioningly at the elder Date and Lin-san, but held her peace.

"Kayura, how are they?" Mia asked with concern. Ryo slipped his hand into her own and squeezed it tightly.

Kayura looked at them all and shook her head. "I won't lie to you. The fact that she made it this far amazes me. Sage will find out very soon that he has a very hard task ahead of him to bring her back from the edge." Her eyes were troubled as she looked at Lin-san.

"Please, what happens to her after she slips into the Rage Lin-san."

Kara's mother shook her head as she pondered the question. "I am not entirely sure. She has only done this once before, but it was never to this severe a degree when it happened. But when the darkness claims her mind, I am no longer able to touch her being.

The Last time, she did not even change shape, but she left a boy comatose in the hospital after she found out that he raped an innocent girl that was one of her classmates. To this day I know that he has not come out of that coma yet for fear that he would run into the Demon that seared his mind as badly as she did.

Kasu's already wired emotional state about the wedding, and her Dreams may have lent itself to the change and severity of the Rage. All I know is that she is on the edge of death, teetering in a precarious balance. I pray that Sage can bring her back."

"He will. I have faith in my grandson," Sensei Date said with firmness.

Sage was in the Astral Plane, searching for his love or the raven or anything that dealt with her. "Kasu! Raven! Please hear me! It's Sage!"

As Sage looked around, there were feathers. Inky, black, tattered feathers. As Sage examined one of them it started to glow faintly and then the glow died out. They lead in a direction and as Sage followed them, it began to get darker until he could not see in front of him.

There was a pulse in the air around him like a heartbeat and soon he came upon the twin armors. They had separated and they only glanced at him before returning to their guard position over a battered and broken raven.

"Kasu!" he rushed to her but the armors stopped him. "Please! I need to help her!"

"We are the guardians of the bearer and none may go near her," the black armor spoke.

"But I love her! She's my future wife and I need to help her!" His eyes grew soft as he looked at her form. "Please. I can't lose her now that I've found her. She means so much to me." A silent tear crept down a pale cheek.

The white armor looked at him and seemed to cry himself. He beckoned him in and took a step back. Sage slowly knelt next to the raven and slowly cried. "Kasu... my love..." He gently laid his hands on her form and called on all the power of Halo. Please, he sent a silent plea. Help me.

It wasn't Halo's power that responded but the Armors of Heaven and Hell. As they flanked him they each touched a shoulder and gave him their strength and balance. "She is the Child of balance and in need of the man she loves." The White armor spoke.

"She hears you, but can not call to you. She battled the Rage back and it left her like this." And the Black armor gestured to the Raven.

"Call her back, Sage of the Halo." They chimed together as they worked together to hold back the darkness and shine a light into the area they were all in. Sage would see every broken feather, and every shattered bone clearly. Her mind wished for death to stop the pain she was in. But her heart held her back waiting as long as it could for the one that would come for her.

Sage focused everything he had in calling her back. Halo's power surged through her body, bringing bones together, healed torn flesh. He poured his heart, body, mind and soul into it.

Kasu... my love...

As he entered her mind, it was almost as dark as the realm outside of her body. The only light was a small spark of hope that refused to go out, no matter how much pain she was in. He soon found her mental self curled up in a corner of her mind, scared and singed from the Rage that had torn her mind to shreds in the moments that she had changed.

Her mental self was barely breathing but was alive and as Sage looked down at her face, her eyes were wide open in shock and terror over what she had done and stared into the nothing.

"Oh Kasu..." He knelt down before her and gently touched her face with gentle fingers. He caressed her skin, stroked her hair, and did everything to try to get her to open up to him. When her eyes finally focused on him he smiled softly and leaned down to softly kiss her. His arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace, afraid of letting go of her.

Kasu was very weak, but she still tried to speak. "You…hate me? For what I have become?" She finally rasped out. She looked at him; her eyes still black and unnerving, as if she were still fighting back the Rage that had consumed her mind.

"No! Never! I love you so much." He smiled at her and continued to hold her, stroking her hair some more. "Kasu-san... if I didn't care about you I wouldn't have come here. As for what you've become, I was scared yes but also amazed that you stood up for me. Now I really know that you love me. And I love you. Nothing will ever come between us." He linked hands with her, squeezing them. "You are my soul mate. Now and forever."

"What of Grandfather, and the others. Can they live with the monster? I may bear the armor of Balance, but can they handle it if I am pushed over the edge in the future? Would they hesitate to do what needed to be done if I lost to the Rage?"

She coughed, weakly as her body tried to fight back and regain it's strength. Her voice was very soft as she spoke with Sage. Her fears plagued her and she knew that if she lost to the Rage. It would be her destruction. She won her battle this time, but it was by far narrower a margin than anyone would ever know.

"Grandfather has accepted you and once he has it'll take more than that to distrust you. And the others, you were challenged into the casting. It was a duel of honor. They understand." He tightened his arms around her. "But if they didn't I wouldn't care. I love you."

Her fears started to subside as she looked into his eyes with her own tear filled ones. "Oh Sage…" was all she could whisper before her mind became active again and brought them both to the astral plane where the Twin Armors stood watch.

Sage held the Raven close and as she began to waken she looked up at him and with a great amount of effort shifted to her human form. "Sage…" She whispered Tears falling from her eyes.

"No need to cry anymore, my love. I'm here and I'm never letting you go." he gently brushed the tears away while still holding her in his arms. He looked up at the armors and nodded to them. "Domo arigato." he said softly.

"Thank you. Because of you, the Child of Balance will remain as such. Keep her safe." The armors merged and merged with Kasu again. With their return she felt stronger almost immediately. She was still weak, but she was at least able to control herself better and could leave the astral plane again.

As she remembered what was out there in the real world she started crying again. Shortly after her tears started she disappeared back to the mortal realm. As Sage followed her he found her curled up on his bed in her sub-armor sobs wracking her body.

"My love, don't cry." He sat next to her and held her body in his arms. Soothingly he ran his hands up and down her back and stroked her hair soothingly. He kept telling her how much she meant to him as he waited for the tears to stop. He would wait as long at it took. She meant that much to him.

She gulped back a sob as she tried to get herself back under control. "Sage, We were to be married today, it was supposed to be a perfect wedding. But now because of the fight and my shift, my dress is no longer a dress, but shreds of cloth and all I have now is my armor."

Sag was about to open his mouth when the door was knocked on and then all the women: Mrs. Date and his sisters, Shary, Rene, Mia and Kayura came in and merrily chased him out the room. Shary and Mrs. Date sat on either side of Kasu and helped her relax some.

"We don't have a lot of time Kasu so let's hurry." Kayura held her staff over her and whispered some words. Soon she found herself in her wedding dress, all in one piece and the subarmor reverted back to her armbands.

"Kasu-san, today is suppose to be the happiest day of your life." Mrs. Date said as she dabbed the tears away. "So let's see you smile some."

"We know that you must feel bad, but that girl had what was coming to her. She was too blind to see that you and Sage have a powerful bond," Mia said as she picked a brush up and began to do her hair.

"Besides, everyone is just glad she's gone. She was a party pooper. Go like this." Shary applied some lipstick to her lips and then added some blush. "They're all anxious to start the wedding."

"And there's someone else who would like to talk to you." Mrs. Date got up and opened the door. In stepped in Sensei Date as the boys tried to get Sage ready once more.

Kasu looked a little worriedly at the elder Date but as the finishing touches were straitened out again the women left the room to touch up on themselves quickly before the ceremony could start again. She didn't know what to say now as she looked at the man she respected deeply.

Sensei Date slowly sat down on the chair next to the bed and looked at her for a long time. He cleared his throat and spoke in a low, soothing voice. "Are you alright?"

Karasu closed her eyes and with a large amount of effort restrained the tears that threatened to fall again. "I am not certain, this morning I was happy and nervous. Now I feel down right terrified."

He reached over and held her hand in his own, squeezing it some. It was the first time he showed emotions before to her. "Tell me, what are you frightened of? The threat is gone and everyone cannot wait for the wedding to begin again."

"I fear the future. Or rather, what could happen. Not everyone has a son, or daughter that bears an armor bent on saving the world. And far fewer would be able to understand who I am and what it is that I can do. I revealed myself to the wrong people before and had to go into hiding. I do not want to submit Sage or our children in the future to that sort of life." She sighed and sat down on the bed next to the elder Date.

"Have you even known that kind of terror? That completely seizes your mind into circles and you aren't certain of anything anymore?"

"Yes. I have at one point. But you must not let it control you." He gently tilted her face up to look at him. "The future is what we make of it. My grandson, Sage, has told me how you acquired your armor and what he knows about it. Understand that he will never betray you or allow such a being to try to bring harm to you and the family, he will do his best and use everything to make it right again."

He brushed some of her hair from her eyes and gave her a small smile. "You know that if you ever have a problem and you need someone to talk to I will be there for you. You are part of the Date Clan... my granddaughter."

The reaffirmation of her place in her fiancée's world eased her mind and she smiled softly at him. "Domo-Arigato Grandfather." She spoke softly.

There was a sharp rap on the door and Rene poked her head in and was reassured to see Kasu smiling. "The Guests are seated again and the Honor guard are waiting for you to make your entrance." She ducked back out of the room and she could be heard clattering back down the stairs to get seated again as Kasu looked over at Date-san.

"It is time." She stood and as Date Sensei led her down the stairs, his mask of impassivity fell back into place. Just before they could be seen again he adjusted her veil and nodded. "This is your day. Make it into something spectacular."

Rowen, Dais, Cale and Sekhmet fell in behind them as she walked down the aisle a second time. She relaxed and her mind was at ease with nothing to mar the occasion further. Looking at the front of the Aisle she smiled as she saw Sage again looking absolutely splendid, as the guys had worked a minor miracle with getting his tuxedo straitened about again.

As she walked down the aisle on Grandfather's arm she positively glowed and it was commented on that she looked more radiant than ever as she made her way to the front.

Sage smiled and couldn't help but wonder how lucky he was to have met and now marry Kasu. They were meant to be together and he would do everything in his power to make sure she was happy. Sensei Date gave her up to his grandson, nodding to them and went to his seat. As the bride and groom faced the priest everyone sat down.

There were a few people weeping at the beauty of it all, including Sage's oldest sister and mother. Hard to believe that he was finally settling down but they were glad. Some say the best is saved for last. They completely agreed.

Kasu could not have been happier as things got underway. They said their vows and exchanged the rings. As the Priest pronounced them man and wife Sage got an extra sparkle in his eye as he kissed his wife, long and passionately to the point where he had the priest blushing.

The Ronins all hooted and everyone else cheered. Karasu looked at the now very red priest and whispered with a smile on her face. "You did say kiss the bride."

He just nodded and everyone cheered. It was now official. As the new couple went down the aisle the others followed them. This was a splendid wedding and everyone was happy for them.

Everyone pitched in at the party, taking turns watching the food and talking to the happily involved couple. Sage and Karasu had eyes only for each other for most of the night. Dances were had and Toasts and stories were shared, much to the embarrassment of all gathered.

As the late evening started to wind down Karasu stood up. "Ok ladies. You all helped me with my wedding, Time to see who takes the plunge next!" Laughing, the single women of the party grouped together and watched as Kara turned her back.

Looking back at them she had to laugh to herself as some of them looked ready to spring for the bouquet. She smiled, as she knew where it was going to land. She and Sage had agreed on this before hand as justice for the Ronin's kindness.

As she tossed the flowers over her shoulder she gave it a little nudge and just as Rowen had extended his hand to make a point, the Flowers landed smack in to his palm. Listening to the laughter at Rowen's shocked look she turned around to look and started laughing too, and wished she had a camera for the stunned look on his face.

"Yeah Rowen! Now you can ask Rachel to marry you!" At the sound of her name Rowen's lady freind blushed as did Rowen. Everyone once more laughed and teased him.

"Well done." Sage whispered to his wife, kissing her cheek. he never felt so happy.

Karasu smiled and turned into the kiss so that they were soon engrossed with each other again. The hoots began again and the teasing was in fun, but they didn't care. Sage had Karasu and there was nothing that was going to change that now.

Karasu had a place in this world that was unshakable now and she smiled at her mother. Her mother was proud of her and was glad that Sage was unshakable in his devotion to her.

Sage and Kasu ran the gauntlet out to the car and as they pulled away for their honeymoon at a hot springs not to far north of there Sage's Grandfather smiled again. This time it was because he was the only one who knew where the happy couple was really going and it would be over his dead body that they would get the information to disturb the pair. It was clear that they weren't going to do much but pamper each other.