Unexpected Consequences
Chapter Twenty-Five

Disclaimer: Look it up in the dictionary.

It had been exactly one week since the ball in Germany where the group of mystical armored heroes laughed, danced, and had a wonderful time. Time passed by so fast after the ball that everyone had lost track of time. It was until Rowen mentioned something about Mia that Rekino realized that, back at home, she had a little nephew to spoil rotten. After a talk with the group, everyone decided that it would be best to go home and today just happened to be the day.

Rekino was in the room she shared with Rowen, packing up their things while the Strata warrior helped.

"Do you think that the others'll be pissed that we stayed gone for so long?" the raven haired girl asked her fiancé.

Rowen shrugged. "Nah, not too bad, but I'm sure they'll complain about not getting a vacation."

Rekino laughed and kissed Rowen's cheek gently. He gave her a sloppy grin and pulled her close. "How's Hana taking the whole 'leaving Thunder' situation?"

"Not well," a sigh escaped pink tinted lips. "She doesn't want to leave him, but she knows she has a duty back home, and our first semester of college in less than two weeks. For the most part, she's happy that at least she's getting to spend time with him now."

"I couldn't imagine being over two thousand miles away from you," the blue haired genius murmured into Rekino's hair. "I'd die."

"Pshit," Rekino replied, grinning. "You'd just be so sex deprived you'd start humping furniture."

Rowen gasped playfully, eyes widening as he flung a hand to his forehead dramatically. "Oh, woe is me. Inanimate sex partners."

A small smack was heard as the Wildfire Guardian slapped her lover on his stomach. "Shut up and finish packing."

The two soon erupted into mirth filled laughter, making snide remarks back and forth as they continued to pack.

Thunder held onto Hana as they stood within his room. Neither wanted to let go, and yet both knew they would need to. Hana had college in two weeks and her duties as a Lady Guardian, and Thunder had to go into proper education on dealing with Germany and how it was properly ruled.

"I can't believe the time went so quickly," Hana said as she laid her head on his chest. She felt his hand brushing her hair back as his other hand was on her hip. "I wish I did not have to leave."

"I wish I could go with you," Thunder replied. A wistful sigh escaped his lips as he reminisced their times together. He could not believe the very woman he had been afraid of was the one he had fallen in love with.

Hana lifted her head to gaze into his eyes. She was touched. Truly he was a caring boy. She could see the love and tenderness in his eyes and her heart soared. She was truly in love with him. "You're so sweet," she breathed softly.

"Not as sweet as you," Thunder replied. He bent his head further and their lips met. Hana could feel her loins burning and she had to force herself from exclaiming, take me now! She knew that it was better to wait until they both felt ready, and she sincerely hoped that marriage would come out of it as well. She wanted to spend the rest of her life as his wife.

Sage ran a hand through his hair as he studied the contents of his suitcase. He had packed so much stuff that now it was extremely difficult to close the lid. He grunted. Thinking of an alternative, he unpacked and decided instead of folding his clothes he would roll them. Doing it this way, he found he had saved more space into his suitcase. Finally finishing he stood and stretched.

Looking toward the window he viewed the outside. It was cloudy and no doubt it would rain later this evening. A thousand thoughts entered his mind. 'I can't believe what happened. At times I still feel guilty for allowing myself to be taken over like that. I feel horrible for almost killing Hana. I know I've been forgiven, but it's not easy. Hana and I will have to live in the same house. How will she able to see me each day?'

He had no answer to that question, but would take each day as it came. There was no point in worrying about it now. For now he wanted to finish getting ready and find Flash. He picked up his suitcase and turned and walked out the door.

Going down the hall, he passed a few servants and nodded in greeting to them. Coming to a door, he politely knocked. Moments later the door opened. He smiled at the one who had answered. "Hello."

"Hi!" Flash exclaimed brightly as she opened the door wider and stepped back to give him room to enter. He went inside and followed her further into the room. He saw one suitcase packed and smiled.

"Already packed, I see," he said as he set his own suitcase down.

"I finished not long ago," Flash replied as she ran a hand through her hair and surveyed the room. "I feel like I'm forgetting something though."

"Like what?" Sage asked.

Flash shrugged as she continued to look around the room. Her hand instinctively went to her neck and she frowned. Her hand had reached bare skin. "Well, I know what's missing now."

"Your necklace," Sage supplied as his eyes went to her neck. "I'll help you look."

"Do you know what it looks like?" Flash asked.

"Golden cross right?"

"Yes."

The two began a thorough search through the room. The carpet was checked, table drawers, the bedding, the closet. Neither spoke to one another during this time. Sage hoped that either he or Flash would find her necklace as he knew how much it meant to her. It had been one of the gifts her mother had given to her just days before her murder. He knew if she did not find it she would become upset and he did not want her to feel that way.

A thought ran across his mind. Should he switch to Second Sight to help her find it? Or would that be considered cheating? He struggled with this inner turmoil as he felt it would be cheating, but also sacrificing for breaking the rule to help the woman he loved. Just as he decided to do it anyway, his eyes caught something glinting and he looked toward his left underneath the bed frame. A smile came to his lips as he reached his hand out. He grasped the necklace and pulled it out. "I found it."

Flash immediately turned with relief in her eyes. She watched as he stood and he handed it to her. "Thank you, so much!"

"You're welcome," he said. He helped her put the necklace on and stood back to admire it. "That is beautiful."

"Thank you," Flash replied with a smile. "I know it's old, but I've never lost it. Well, except for a few minutes today."

Sage nodded and then looked at the time. His eyes widened. "Hey, it's almost time to leave. We better get going." Flash followed his look to the clock and quickly went and grabbed her suitcase. Sage grabbed his own and the two walked out the door together.

Scorpio and Shades were waiting in the hall. Shades was impatient and wished the others would hurry up. She was tempted to leave the rec room to go after them.

Scorpio sighed to himself. How had he ever gotten stuck beside an impulsive person? He glanced at Shades and shook his head. "Would you relax? I'm sure they're coming."

"They better come on," Shades grumbled in reply. "I'd like to get there as soon as possible."

"You never were for patience were you?" Scorpio asked.

"Shut up," was Shades only answer.

"Don't get yourself into an uproar," Rowen said as he finally entered the room with Rekino beside him.

"Well, it's about time!" Shades exclaimed.

"Ah, shut up, Shades!" Rekino said as she made herself comfortable on the couch.

"Make me!" Shades retorted with a smirk.

"Don't worry about her, Shades," Rowen said. "She's a bit antsy about the trip return home."

"I have every right to be!" Rekino cried. "First, Kayura halted us in mid air… then when Blaze teleported us here, I came face to face with a spider, and not just with any spider, a tarantula! And those things can kill you!"

"Contrary to belief, a tarantula cannot kill a human being," Flash said as she and Sage entered the room. "The only way it might is if the person is severally allergic to the spider."

"How do you know?" Rekino demanded.

"I took biology a year ago," Flash replied with a shrug.

"Looks like she's got you there, Rekino," Sage said with a small chuckle.

Rekino's only answer to Sage was her middle finger.

Rowen shook his head and brought her hand down. "You're so polite," he stated sarcastically. Rekino smiled innocently at him and he chuckled. How much he truly loved her.

"Okay, so now we only have to wait for Hana," Flash stated.

"She's probably still locking lips with Thunder," Rekino said.

"If she doesn't come on, I swear I'll go and drag her ass out here!" Shades threatened.

Rekino laughed as if it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. "I'd pay see to that!"

"Oh yeah?" Shades turned and marched out the door.

"Oh boy," Flash muttered.

"She's really going to do it, isn't she?" Sage asked.

"When Shades gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her," Flash replied.

Josephine fluffed Cye's pillow as he stared up at her. They had been home for quite a while now, and she had insisted on taking care of him. No matter how much he protested. His injuries, though not life threatening, were still serious and bed rest was in order.

"This isn't right," Cye insisted. "I should be taking care of you. After all, you're going to have our child."

"Cye, this baby isn't coming around for a while, you know. So quit complaining and just relax. Or am I gonna have to make you?" Josephine showed him her fist as she looked him squarely in the eye.

Cye stared at her for a long while, then at last sighed acquiescently. "Alright, fine. I'll rest. But when I get better, the tables will turn!"

Josephine smirked and nodded. "We'll see about that!" She did not want to admit, but she was afraid that Cye may be right. What if she really did need help later on in the future? She was used to being independent, taking matters into her own hands, and standing up for whatever she believed in, and defending those weaker than herself. She had even taught people how to stand up for themselves, just by hanging around them. She did not want to be considered weak, but she wondered if perhaps deep down she was. In truth she was afraid of having a child. She had seen the pain Mia had gone through and had witnessed Mia's own near death in which she and Amaya had quickly jumped to action to save her and Hiroshi. Would that happen to her?

On the other hand she was thrilled at having Cye's baby. She wondered how it would turn out. Would it be a boy or a girl? She wasn't sure which gender she'd preferred, but would it matter? She would love it all the same, wouldn't she? Her main concerns were important ones, however. Would it be healthy? Would it inherit Cye's or her traits and powers? Would it be good, or evil? She shuddered to think it would turn out evil. It was one of the things she feared more than anything and she would do everything in her power to keep that from happening.

"So how are Amaya and Kento?" Cye asked, changing the subject.

Josephine shrugged. "Well, they're talking things over, but Amaya still feels hurt. I know because of our link. I know Kento didn't mean to say the things he said, but as I've said before actions speak louder than words. He's such a clout. But Amaya loves him and I know he loves her. He needs to learn how to show it better."

"Kento's always had a hard time showing that emotion. Amaya's the first girl to ever fall for him. Usually the girls go for Sage or Ryo," Cye answered in Kento's defense.

"Heh," Josephine said with a small smile. "Kento could win more girls if he'd show more politeness and charm rather than acting like a pig and wanting to fight all the time. How do you think I fell for you?"

"You were a guy before?" Cye teased.

Josephine smacked him playfully in an uninjured area. "You jackass."

Kento and Amaya sat side by side on the sofa. They were alone in the living room and neither had spoken. Kento felt awkward as he kept his head down and his hands folded, but rubbed them against one another. From time to time he would glance nervously at Amaya.

Amaya did not look at Kento. Her heart was in two. She had felt genuine concern for him when he and Cye had the crash, and though injured, she had not attempted to force Kento into bed as Josephine had done with Cye. But on the other hand, she still felt hurt from his words. How would she ever forget them? She knew deep down he loved her, but why could he not show it more effectively? She did not want to admit, but she felt envious of Cye's and Josephine's relationship. Why could she and Kento not have the same?

But then she realized it was because they were not the same. They were completely two different couples. Perhaps Kento only needed to be shown how to be more loving toward her. Or maybe she had never given him a chance to properly show it.

The silence was bothering Kento. Why couldn't either of them say anything? Finally he raised his head to look at her. She really was beautiful, and so fragile. At first when they had gone out together he had been afraid to touch her, afraid she might break. But she had shown him just how strong she could be. But now her facial expression showed more than just strength. It showed pain.

"Amaya…" Kento began slowly.

"Yes?" Amaya replied as she half glanced at him.

"I..." Damn it! Why was this so hard! Kento kept an inner growl of frustration within himself. He truly wanted to apologize to her and make it up to her, but how could he? Was he really that stubborn as to not say a simple: I'm sorry, please forgive me?

Amaya blinked, then sighed a bit impatiently. "Kento, whatever's on your mind, say it already."

"I'm trying to," Kento said, defensively.

"You didn't have any trouble with your words from earlier," Amaya said, quietly.

Ouch. That hurt. Kento flinched and looked away from her. The guilt of causing his beloved pain was worse than any blow he had felt from Talpa. He wanted to argue and defend himself as he normally would have done so, but now wasn't the wisest time to do so.

Sighing to himself, Kento stood up. His heart was torn in two and he hated to see the pain in her eyes. Unable to face her or even say a word to her, he turned and walked away.

Amaya watched him go as tears appeared at the corners of her eyes. Didn't he love her? Why had Josephine ever prevented her from going back to France? She would have been better off. Unable to control her emotions any further, she stood up from the couch and rushed to her room.

Mia jumped when she heard the slam of a door. She winced and quickly looked toward the couch. Ryo was lying on the couch with Hiroshi in his arms; both were asleep. Satisfied that neither had awoken, she wondered who had been upset. She was about to find out when Kento walked into the room. Seeing his sad disposition, she hesitated, then spoke softly, "Kento?"

"I blew it, Mia," Kento said with a disgruntled sigh. He leaned against the wall near the doorway and stared at the floor. His injuries did not bother him as much as the pain in his heart. He kept his eyes to the floor.

"What do you mean?" Mia kept her attention on him as she could about guess what had happened. She knew that Kento was never big with words, but she would help him in any way she could.

Kento could not tell Mia either, and it was a struggle within himself. He had never been a man able to say what was on his mind. Rather he preferred to be a man of action. But this time action may not help at all. "Amaya," he said at last. There. He had said something at least.

Mia put two and two together. "You two are having trouble?" Kento nodded without speaking, and Mia did some thinking. "Kento, I know at times you have a difficult time saying how you really care. That's your main point. You don't have a hard time throwing insults, because that's what you're used to. You'll have to start training yourself to say nice things to people. I mean, think about it, you tell Cye he can cook really well. And you tell Ryo he's a great leader."

"That's different," Kento muttered.

"Tell me how it is a different," Mia countered.

Kento shrugged and could not answer her.

Mia took a moment to do some reflective thinking, then had another idea. "Kento, what do you truly think of Amaya?"

Kento looked up at her now, a bit surprised she had asked that question. He was about to answer when Mia held her hand up, suggesting he take his time. He lowered his eyes to the floor and really thought of how he felt about his fiancée. He then began to see just what he thought of her. "Mia, I love her. She's kind, gentle, stands up for what she believes in. She's outgoing. She's not afraid to try new things, and she doesn't care all that much for her looks."

Mia nodded her head. "Anything else?"

"Yeah.. When someone has a problem, she listens to them. And she gives good advice." Kento smiled thoughtfully at that.

"See, was that so hard?" Mia inquired.

"I guess not," Kento said with a sigh.

Mia glanced toward Ryo who had muttered in his sleep. She watched him momentarily until he had settled down again. Ryo had not awakened. She turned back to Kento. "Kento, what are the things you dislike about Amaya?"

Kento again took time to think on this one. A few minutes later, he shrugged. "To be honest, there isn't all that much. Well, except maybe one."

"And that is?"

"How she gets hysterical whenever someone cusses. I mean, I cringe each time she picks up a butcher knife and throws it at someone. I know she has good aim, but still…"

"I can see your point in that," Mia said with an understanding nod. "Kento, other than Amaya's emotional outbursts with the cussing, and the way she's acting now, you're both going to have to realize that some changes are in order. It takes two people to make a relationship work, not just one. My advice to you would be, if you can't speak the words, write them down. And be present when she reads them. This way she will know and understand how you really feel. Perhaps by doing so, you'll gain more encouragement to speak out."

Kento thought about what she said and nodded his head. A small smile and a grateful look overcame his face as he looked at her. "Thank you, Mia. I'll do that right now."

Mia watched him go and smiled. She was glad to have been able to help someone at least.

Kento closed the door behind him as he stepped inside Mia's studio. He did not come here often, but felt this time it was right. Searching the desk drawers he found what he was looking for. Laying the stationary and pen on the desk, he sat down in the chair and began to write.

'Amaya, I know I hurt you very badly that day. I wish I could express in words from my mouth how truly sorry I am for hurting you. I've always had a hard time expressing how I truly care for someone, because I am so used to giving insults out to people I don't like. Mia suggested I train myself to be the opposite, but it's hard. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing. Like I did today. Maybe you could teach me. You're so sweet and gentle and caring. Only one thing gets on my nerves, and that is your obsession with people cussing. I guess I can understand it, or at least attempt to. But it may take time for me to learn. For now, all I can say is: I'm sorry for hurting you. Will you please forgive me? Love always, Kento.'

Kento folded the letter in half and looked for something to tape the edges together. He found no tape, but he did find heart stickers. Shrugging to himself, he took one and used it to seal the envelope. He then wrote Amaya's name on the front. Sighing, he stood up from the desk and left to find Amaya. He could only hope she would truly forgive him.