"So who the hell was that?" Bryan asked when they were all seated together at the small table in Kami and Kai's small room. The others who had only just been clued in watched the fuming panther cautiously reading to scatter if she blew.

"My grandparents." she answered in monotone keeping her eyes closed.

"So I take you guys aren't exactly on good terms then hmm?" Tala leaned forward his elbows on the table, head resting in open palms.

"They hate me." she sighed rubbing her eyes with shaking hands. "Always have, always will. That's just how things are so you should just drop it."

"They seemed pretty fond of Micah from what I picked up." Bryan's lilac eyes watched his friend with curiosity trying to evaluate the situation.

"Haven't you heard? He's the perfect child." she spat out venomously her light violet eyes clouding with darkness as black as Macoah's attack.

"Yeah well I don't know about the rest of you but I'd pick ebony or ivory any day." Spencer smirked, his deep voice drumming in their ears.

"So now that it's settled that we have the best and prettiest panther around it's time to go out." Tala announced draping an arm over the younger while pretending not to notice the glare Kai was sending him. "We have a full day planned and you're going along with all of it. It's the ritual you know, so don't even think of crappin' out." (a/n like my damn trampoline!)

"Tal and I have to make sure everything else is done but you two stay here with our birthday girl and wait for her to get ready." Kai finished sliding his chair out with a loud 'screech' and moving to the door. "We'll be back in half an hour be ready by then." he finished with more of a command than a request. Standing Kai shifted his glance to Tala who nodded before the two stood and left leaving the remaining three in an awkward silence.

"So you heard em' get moving." Bryan looked up locking eyes with the silent form of the other.

Knowing all to well the embarrassment she would have to endure if she went along Kami stalled. "I think I'm just gonna go take a nap or something. All the excitement is killing me." Giving a nervous smile she stood and without warning ran for the door trying to shift past the two larger without being caught.

"I don't think so kitten!" Using cut throat movements Bryan wrapped an arm around Kami's waste throwing her over his shoulder like a simple sack of potatoes. "Hey Spence grab some clothes will ya, I've kinda got my hands full!" Bryan yelled over his shoulder heading for the bathroom. Hearing the sound of Spencer sitting still he whipped around effectively knocking Kami's head on the bathroom door.

"What the hell Bryan!" she hissed wincing in pain.

Ignoring the struggling cargo he looked at Spencer who was currently giving him a, you've-got-to-be-fucking-kidding-me look. When Bryan's gaze only hardened he sighed and stood dragging himself over to the others bag and fumbling with his zipper. Pushing the top back he snorted a laugh, "Ain't much of a color choice now is there?" he thought aloud his eyes scanning over the reds, grays, and blacks.

"Hurry up will you! She's not going to be in a fucking beauty pageant!"

Spencer glared at Bryan before grabbing random stuff, standing he started off behind Bryan who was impatiently waiting for him in the center of the room. The other nodded and started to the bathroom stopping when the shuffling noise of the other faded and eventually stopped. "What now?" he asked through clenched teeth noticing the other who seemed frozen in place.

"Well I-I was thinking and t-then I realized that um..." faltering he looked away his face gaining a small blush that darkened with every passing second.

"Spit it out dammit!" Bryan yelled losing his short temper.

"She'll need a fucking bra!" Spencer shouted back trying to avoid eye contact.

Slapping his forehead Bryan felt his own cheeks getting warm, "Oh boy."

"Somebody kill me now." Kami whimpered bringing her hands up to cover her face which was needless to say extremely flushed.

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

Bryan carried Kami all the way to the small bathroom and carelessly dumped her into the bathtub. "Hey Spence hurry up we don't have all day!" Bryan hollered through the doorway.

After listening to much of Bryans insistent yelling Spencer appeared in the doorway clothes in hand. Reaching out he dumped them over the panther's head only stopping to ruffle her hair. "Now hurry and get cleaned up, we'll be back in half an hour or so." Spencer stated turning to walk out with Bryan.

"No." she spoke coolly giving them a challenging look.

"Well that's just to bad because you're not leaving this bathroom until you're ready." Bryan smirked at the smaller before slamming the door shut pushing a chair under the knob.

"This doesn't even match!" Kami yelled through the door holding the clothes in her hands.

Sighing Bryan smacked the others head, "Spencer." he growled glaring at the taller Russian. Stomping back to the main room he grabbed the black bad throwing it over his shoulder in the similar fashion he had done with Kami. Entering the bathroom again he turned the bag upside down and let all the contents fall heavily onto the younger's head. "I'm sure you can find something now."

"Yeah thanks a lot." she growled pushing through the clothes her hair sticking every which way.

Shrugging the two exchanged looks before the older Russians left the other to prepare making sure to secure the chair under the door before sitting down to watch t.v. and work on their already perfected blades.

Hearing the t.v. being switched on Kami jumped out of the tub untangling a pair of pants that were entwined with her left leg. Using her shoulder she pushed hard on the door trying to get free, realizing she indeed wasn't going anywhere until she was done she glared at the pile in the tub. Falling to her knees she scooted close and began sifting through the bothersome mess, the first thing that caught her attention was a shirt. She wasn't planning on wearing it but still it brought back memories, it was black and read, 'Blitzkrieg Beauty' in red lettering. Tala had it custom made when they had first rejoined as a gag gift, Kai of course had disagreed with it. His anger fueled at the fact that Tala had even dared to think about her in a way more than a friend. Eventually she had convinced him it was just a joke and that she and Tala were only friends, although he had never really let it go. Shaking her head she through it aside and reached in and pulled out a set that were balled together in a tight wad, pulling them apart she groaned. It was a bra and pair of boy short underwear, undoubtedly the one Spencer picked out. No others would've fell out when Bryan dumped the bag because they were in a separate zip up compartment. The boy shorts were black that said, 'Stop Looking at my Ass.' on the butt, spider webs hanging off the lettering. A matching bra was black with small read spiders on it. "Sure Spence can't pick out an outfit but he had no problem with matching the underwear...ass." Settling on a pair of loose cargo pants with random zippers and pockets strategically placed and a black shirt that read, 'The only thing worse than being alone, being with people' in grey italics.

Gathering all the remaining articles of clothing she threw them aside in a messy heap before reaching for the tub faucet. Turning first the cold then the hot she evened the two out testing the water with her index finger before deciding it ready. Pulling her shirt over her head she slipped her pants off her hips easily her belt falling to the floor along with them. Sliding her socks off her feet and then moving to her jewelry, although she wasn't very her usual effects because she had gotten dressed in lounging clothes this morning only going out for coffee. First was the red leather collar with the studs and then her silver ring, next was her black stone bracelet. Reaching to her neck she latched onto her last necklace tracing her fingers over the picture of the sun, the black sun. She had never understood it fully; maybe it meant that instead of light she shone darkness. But that didn't mean it was an evil force, not all that lived in the dark where evil. Blind people lived in everlasting darkness and yet nobody considered them wrong. It wasn't fair that she should be scorned over something she had no control, she loved her mother and Macoah but she didn't ask for either. It was in the hand she was dealt at birth and although some hated her for it she accepted them and if she had to choose again she would still pick them over any other. They were the things that made her, and ultimately without them she was false. She would deal with any problems that being like this presented; of all the things she felt not one of them was regret. Never would she regret, learn from her mistakes but never grieve for them. It just wasn't in her nature to do so, besides why should one be woeful when really they earned wisdom from their error.

Snapping back she let go of the artifact and continued with the task at hand, the necklace remained on. She would only remove it for a battle but never otherwise. Reaching out she pulled the small knob switching the flow from the main faucet to the shower head. Stepping into the shower she let her head fall back the water rinsing over her lithe form, the memories flooding her. Her grandparents had surprisingly come to the funeral, but it hadn't been to cry. No. It had been like a celebration.

/FLAHSBACK/

People were crying, some even breaking down into loud sobs. Who were these people? Kami hardly recognized any of them yet they seemed to be extremely unnerved over the situation. Some even were so bold as to approach her and apologize for her loss. They were idiots. The whole lot of them. Why should they be sorry? It's not like they killed her, not like they cared. Life would go on for them, but for the young panther it felt like life would be stuck. Frozen in a block of ice. The substance being as thick as the cold coating around her heart. She hated them, she envied them all. Why should they get to be so damn happy? Looking around she noticed some even smiling. How dare they smile, how dare they even dream of being happy.

Deep inside the girl felt the darkness of Macoah trying to calm her, trying to comfort her. She didn't want to be calmed, didn't want to be soothed and then locked away. She wanted her mother back, but it was impossible. Then if she couldn't bring her back she wanted to die. To join them in their heaven, flowing with rays of sunshine and happiness. But she couldn't have that either, she had promised her mother that she would live on. Why would she make her promise something like that? Something so futile. What had she ever done to be punished like this? To be stuck in this GOD forsaken world. Bound by a promise. Actually now she was bound by two. That of her mother and that of her new found master: Kai.

Hearing the sound of a voice she looked up her look changing from stoic to a death defying glare. What were they doing here? They didn't care, they hated her mother. Hated her. What could they possibly want now, what more could they do to her. They had taken away everything, ruined her small life. Stomped it to the ground.

"Ah, Kamia how are you my child?" the first spoke his voice old and withered. He was 5'8" about 52, brown hair littered with white, cold blue eyes and a strict face. He held a slender figure; actually it was more like starved with brittle bones and a creepy way of walking. Skulking was what he did.

Looking away Kami cringed seeing right through their fake little act, the same they had used when addressing the public. She could still detect the spurn in their voice, the bitterness. "Fine." she replied a solemn look gracing her fair features.

"That's good. You know you really are better off now. Maybe now you won't grow up so corrupted, like you would have if she would've raised you. You have already taken on some of her detestable qualities I see but that can be fixed with a good strong beating." the other joined her voice getting an extra kick at the mentioning of a beating.

Turning her violet eyes Kami fixed them with a hard glare, one that she had mastered well. The elderly woman was about 5'2", 53, pure white hair and dull green eyes. Her face was thick with more of a snout then a nose, matching her portly figure. That was what she was. A pig. The older backed away slightly instantly feeling unnerved by the child's look her eyes gleaming with the darkness of hatred.

"Don't you ever speak about my mother that way again. Or I swear to GOD you will be on your back staring at the roof of the church. There will be no comfort for you grandmother, just death." she spoke with a quiet tone free of any emotion.

People who were talking stopped, all attention drawn to the small orphan who was sending a bone chilling look to the elderly couple. The two in question were shocked, the woman's mouth even slightly agape. When she finally found her blood curdling voice the words were even crueler than her first set. "Why you wretched little brat. How dare you speak to me in such manner. That nasty attitude is obviously a quality from you witch mother. You have some nerve threatening my life like that. I am com-"

"Your so called 'life' means nothing to me, and if you still insist on keeping in that direction you'd better pick out a coffin because that's were I'll be lying your corpse if I haven't already thrown you face down in the river." she retorted her glare only darkening as she tried to refrain from physically attacking the woman. Even at four years old she had a nasty temper and an even nastier tongue.

"I won't tolerate that from the likes of you!" the woman all but screeched leaning forward she slapped the girl across the face: hard. Her head snapped in the opposite direction the force of the blow almost sending her to the ground.

"And I will not tolerate you touching my goddaughter." A new voice joined the conversation as two forms stepped up both casting an imposing shadow over the couple. Voltaire himself stepped up at Kami's side his body language pushing away any doubt that he was in a good mood. "Or about Miss Mimoray. I can assure you she was twice the woman you will ever be madam and that is a fact. Good day to you." with that he turned leaving Kai to usher an angered Kami along with them. It was amusing to say the least the astonished look plastered on her grandparent's faces. Her only wish was that she could've had a camera to capture their attitude forever.

Sighing she nodded a quick thank-you to Voltaire before looking to the grave, turning back she gave a questioning look to her new guardian. He followed her gaze and then nodded to her silently giving her the permission to go. "Be quick." he added when she started to walk away.

Stopping she knelt down her hands reaching out to sift through the newly turned dirt, the color was darker than usual it being still moist. It wasn't like you imagined, the grave wasn't evened out but just piled up in the shape of the coffin. Underneath was her mother and in the grave to her left was her little brother. She sat in-between the two shifting her gaze from one to the other, the first one had a smaller tombstone to match the small body that lay just underneath the ground. It read.

IN LOVING MEMORY

JERROD KASKI KOTAI

'RUSTY'

1989-1991

LOVING BROTHER AND SON

HIS EYES WERE GENTLE, HEART WAS KIND

HE WILL LIVE ON, WITHIN OUR MIND

It was red with golden writing engraved in small italics, a picture of a fox below the wording. It matched his bit beast perfectly, the one Kami still carried with her, but would never use. He himself had never really got to use it much but it still was his and she would always cherish it. The one to her right was newly made, pure black with white words that read.

IN LOVING MEMORY

MIMORAY BASJIK KOTAI

1973-1991

LOVING MOTHER

THIS SWEET ANGEL WAS TAKEN AWAY TO FAST

HER CHILDREN WILL TAKE HER STONE TO CAST

This was ridiculous but it was what her mother had ordered and now they had no choice but to do as she wished. Her mother had told her that if she ever felt lost that Macoah would guide her just as she had asked him. This stone was a constant reminder of what she had to do. Why she was still living, and why she must keep fighting. There was a space between the two graves that was just big enough for another, and then space to the left of Jerrod. Enough to fit two others, Kami knew why it was set this way but she refused to think of them now. She knew that her mother and brother were better now, they felt no more pain. If anybody she should grieve for herself but that was another thing that wasn't of her nature she wasn't raised to wallow in self pity. Still the heartache raged on leaving her with one last thing to say as she looked over the grave.

"Why did you have to leave? I was still here. What about me." A single tear streaked the pale face falling from the now defeated looking eye. It was followed by more drops, the sky was crying. Mimoray loved the rain, as did Kami. Now GOD was blessing them with rain on such a day.

/ENDFLASHBACK/

Stepping from the shower she turned the water knobs cutting off the flow completely. Dressing quickly she pulled on the fishnet fingerless gloves and then all the items needed for her attacks. Her belt was last and then she was done. Sitting on the toilet she waited, while running a comb through her towel dried hair.

'Why?'

A/N

Damn I keep meaning to do the party and stuff but then the evil creepy grandparents showed up and what could I do? It's coming soon though first the day out with the team and then the hellish day with her wayward grandparents, brother, and a special guest. Care to take a guess? Although I'm sure everyone will get it right away. Oh and two polls first,

Should the team go with Kami to the party?

a. Hell no leave her alone

b. of course they have to be there to put those snotty jerks in their places

c. I don't really read what you write so um...yeah

Second poll...

Who should raise victorious in the battle between Kami and her grandparents?

a. The grandparents of course, put that annoying baby in her place

b. Let the panther tear those snobby bastards to pieces and show them not to insult her family

c. ...I didn't read this and just want you to update soon and shut the hell up

d. somebody else steps in and helps to retrieve the victory

Well that's it everybody, this chapter is longer than the others lately so yea! Anyway I gotta go cause my throat still kills...Catcha' later.

This is Tawnie making the salt water -gargling noise-