dis-claim'er, noun: a denial or disavowal of legal claim: relinquishment of or formal refusal to accept an interest or estate; b: a writing that embodies a legal disclaimer; c: a statement made to save one's own ass.

To Lament

After Ryo and Mia disappeared, the remaining eight people had no clue what to do. Invidya, brought to tears by the display, had covered her face with her hands while she leaned into Rowen as he pulled her closer to his embrace. Josephine was whispering to Amaya in an attempt to calm the other down. Kento and Cye exchanged sorrowful and confused looks.

Hana had let go of Sage's hand like she had been defeated. How could the fact that her friendship with Rekino established in the past slip her mind. She felt so stupid! If only she had realized a small inkling of what would happen she would have told Sage she needed to return home to study or some other excuse. The scene with Ryo had been luck based on the fact she was able to pretend to be shocked while playing off his own emotions.

"Is something wrong with her?"

Hana heard Cye's gentle voice pique up. She turned around just as Josephine said Amaya's name. The French native's brown eyes were wide, her hands pressed on her ears as if she was blocking out any sound. The other two Lady Guardians knew exactly what this was.

"She's crashing," Hana said in a calm manner, which was something she had not displayed tonight. "Where is it, Jo?"

"I dunno! Her bag maybe?" Josephine crouched in front of the panicking female. She put her hands over Amaya's in order to bring the girl's gaze up. "'Mya, it's me. It's all over now. Don't go into that place."

That was when slight pandemonium occurred. Kento was suddenly trying to push Josephine aside so he could talk to Amaya while Josephine was pushing back against him so he wouldn't interfere with what was already going on. Hana had moved to the other side of the room rummaging through the bags and purses that were hanging on the coat rack. She cursed when she was unable to find the item.

But why would she put it in her bag? The blonde moved towards the gathering group, waving her arms in a flowing motion.

"Back up and give her space. Jo, it's in her dress pocket."

"I'm a little busy right now!" The Hardrock guardian was still trying to prevent Kento from pushing her aside.

Hana gave Sage a desperate look as if saying 'help me!'. The Kendo master shrugged off his dinner jacket, waved at Rowen, and the two each grabbed one of Kento's arms. Cye had snuck in behind the strongest Ronin Warrior and wrapped his arms underneath the other's shoulders to help pull him back. Despite his pure intentions, Kento didn't understand what his emotions were doing to the French girl.

"Got it!" Hana had retrieved Amaya's rosary. Josephine, tapping into her reservoir of strength, pulled the brunette's hands away from her ears, which caused the female to immediately start crying.

As Josephine brought the hands down between them, Hana placed the religious item in one of Amaya's hands while Jo put them together as if in prayer. The two Lady Guardians both began to softly and quietly repeat a stanza from what seemed like a prayer. They repeated it over and over in a constant unwavering tone. Amaya appeared to be calming down with each repetition of the phrase. She went from a hyperventilating cry to silent tears. Suddenly, her breathing started to even out as her body slouched forward. Josephine supported her friend's weight without breaking the stanza.

Slightly pleased with the situation, Hana stood up from her kneeling position and turned to the four males and single female watching. She straightened her back, running her hands through her hair to calm down the frizz. She looked at Kento with sharp midnight colored eyes.

"I need you to calm down now," she cleared her throat. "I'm not one to tell someone else's personal business, but Amaya is an empath."

Kento jerked free from his comrade's hold, "What the hell is that?"

"It means," Cye backed up a little, "that she can feel emotions."

Rowen pursed his lips, "Empathy is just a term in sympathizing with people. From a scientific and medical standpoint, to be an 'empath' isn't a true condition. It's something people use as an excuse."

Josephine stood up so fast it almost made Hana dizzy. She walked up to the Strata warrior, shoving a finger in his face. She was almost as tall as him. The blonde had never seen her friend in such a state of rigid anger.

"Let me tell you something, smarty pants," her granite eyes narrowed in semi-controllable rage. The tip of her finger was millimeters away from the tip of his nose. "I don't care what your bullshit scientific facts or whatever-the-hell you wanna site is. Amaya feels things on another level. She can't be in large crowds for a long time because it makes her sick. Physically sick to the point of barfing."

"What just happened," Hana said softly, trying to lighten the mood, "was unprepared for. When we go out or she goes to work, Amaya prepares for the…possibility that she may experience a lot of things at once." She moved her in a circle. "This whole display was just one big mixing pot of emotions. She will be fine."

Josephine curled her nose up at Rowen, "So don't talk about my friend like she's some kind of liar. She is what she is. Sometimes science isn't going to find all the answers."

With that being said, Jo pivoted and returned to Amaya's side. Rowen stood next to Invidya in complete shock and the inability to form any sort of retort. The sight of that anger in that particular female was horrifying. If facts could back it up he would swear it could probably move mountains.

After several minutes, Amaya recovered. She stood up and bowed deeply to everyone in the room, apologizing profusely and with grace.

"Girl, no," Hana grabbed the other girl's arms, "it's all my fault. The thought that Ryo would even remember me didn't cross my mind. I hadn't thought of R-Rekino in so many years." She reached inside her clutch and pulled out a wet wipe. "Let me fix your mascara. It's all runny."

Kento waited until the blonde was finished before he approached Amaya. He tentatively put a hand on her upper arm, "You don't hafta apologize. You fixed all the food and a party for me. So what if a little accident occurred. It's nothing we can't fix."

"Well," a tinge of pink appeared on her cheeks, "I suppose it is a good thing that the dish I chose to serve could be eaten at room temperature."

Everyone chuckled at the statement. Light conversation between everyone resumed. Rowen apologized to Josephine for disregarding Amaya's condition. Hana apologized to Sage for the display that had taken place to which the Halo warrior said wasn't a big deal that no one could have thought about it. A door opened and closed somewhere upstairs. Everyone looked up to see Ryo and Mia descending the stairs hand-in-hand. The young male looked like he had just gotten done crying only to rush out the door. Mia looked much better, but anyone could tell she had also shed tears along with Ryo. No one spoke until the two were at the bottom on the steps.

"Kento. I'm, ah, I'm sorry for ruining your party, bud," the black haired warrior smiled sheepishly.

Not one to continue hashing things out, the Chinese descendant shrugged his shoulders and held out his arms, "Nothing to apologize for, bro. The party's just begun! We can party until the sun comes up."

"Uhm," Amaya squeaked, "I have never 'partied' like that."

"No time like the present!" Kento wrapped an arm around Amaya's shoulder.

Ryo laughed then cleared his throat. His voice was slightly hoarse from crying. He turned to Hana apologetically, "Sorry about all that. I know I'm not the only one that misses her."

Hana gave him a small, understanding smile, "Everyone copes and heals in different ways. Sometimes the best way to do that is to truly lament."

Josephine clapped her hands, "I'm not one to stop anything meaningful, but I'm getting rather hangry. Can we do this over some food, please?"

Kento fist bumped his cousin. Cye rolled his eyes, "You two are definitely related."

The group moved into the dining room. The males sat on one side while the females sat across from them almost in perfect pairings. There were only four people that were currently single, and it was very debatable for a certain two. Once everyone was seated, Amaya stood up.

"I want to thank everyone for coming. I know it was very last minute. Not much planning was put into this, but I, personally, put my heart into what was made tonight," she reached over to lift the lid of the big, silver serving dish. "The main dish for tonight is slow-roasted salmon topped with French herb salsa paired with a salade niçoise, which happens to hail from my hometown of Nice. I have brought a nice, smooth red wine. Of course, that is optional."

"Birthday boy gets first dibs!" Kento waited for no one as he made his plate. He had been rather

Hana laughed, "It's a good thing Amaya made plenty of food. Maybe there will be some left for the rest of us."

Several hours passed by quickly. Everyone laughed, told jokes, and got to know one another. Hana commented on how the weather in Germany was crazy and unpredictable. Josephine and Kento shared family stories. Amaya spoke about how she had given up all of her worldly possessions in hope to become a nun, but that God had let her know that she was meant to do something more. The only one who didn't speak much was Invidya. She mostly kept to herself only laughing when something funny was mentioned. When she abruptly cleared her throat, everyone stopped talking.

"Hana," the red head wiped at her mouth with her napkin, "what did you mean early when you said 'lament'?"

The blonde paused with the wine glass to her lips. She lowered it back down to the table, "To mourn or express deep sorrow or regret for something or someone lost. You mean as smart as you are you don't know what that word means?"

Invidya smiled, "I thought it was purely a biblical thing."

Amaya spoke then, "Lament is a tool that God's people use to navigate pain and suffering. It is a vital prayer for the people of God because it enables them to petition for God to help deliver from distress, suffering, and pain. Lament prayer is designed to persuade God to act on the sufferer's behalf. 'Lamentations' is also a book in the bible that expresses the humiliation, suffering, and despair of Jerusalem and her people following the destruction of the city by the Babylonians in 587 BCE."

"I have learned that prayer does no good. The only way to change anything is by choice and action," Rowen said matter-of-factly. "I apologize if that offends you, Amaya."

The French girl nodded to Rowen, "Accepted. I have found that not everyone shares my beliefs and also learned to accept it. I cannot change anyone's mind. I can only pray."

"In this case," Mia put her fork down onto her plate, "I think what Hana meant was for Ryo to talk about his pain." She reached over and took her lover's hand. "I believe she's right. You've never really had a conversation around Rekino."

"It's hard," Ryo's tiger blue eyes looked around the table. He was among friend's, he realized, when everyone smiled at him. "But…I'm willing to try."

"What was she like?" Cye leaned forward in his chair.

The Wildfire bearer pursed his lips in thought before smiling, "Loud. She was full of energy. Idolized me and everything I did." Once he began talking, everything he remembered about his younger sister started pouring out of his mouth. He was laughing and animated as he told everyone stories and facts about his past life with his sister.

"One time she refused to go into the bathroom because she saw a spider. She was deathly afraid of them," he snapped his fingers. "She was obsessed with brushing her hair. She swore she would never get a haircut."

Hana laughed with him, "She was. I bet if she was alive her hair would be as long as she was tall."

Amaya didn't speak. She wasn't one to lie, and this entire conversation was nothing but a fabrication. She gave Hana a look over the rim of her glass, which the blonde returned. Josephine merely nodded as she continued to eat her food.

"She sounds lovely," Sage said.

That was when Josephine choked. Amaya's eyes widened at the action. She quickly patted her friend on the back. The scene went overlooked by everyone else except for Mia and Hana. They both understood why she was choking.

Ryo continued, "She was feisty and stubborn. Had a hell of a temper. She got in trouble at school for punching another girl in the nose that called her weird."

"Yeah, that happened," Hana took a quick drink of her wine.

Mia smiled at her fiance, "Do you feel better?"

"Yeah, actually. I do," Ryo gave Hana an appreciative smile. "Thanks for the suggestion. The hurt is still there, but it's a little less."

"Keep praying for her return," Amaya said softly. "God has a way of answering prayers in mysterious ways."

Normally when she was upset in any way she would kick or punch something repeatedly until that feeling went away, but all Rekino really wanted to do after her breakdown was soak in a tub of hot water. That meant water so hot that normal people would think that their skin would peel off at immediate contact. What she truly did in that water was called hydrotherapy. The act was used in the medical field often, but she was taught to use the water and heat as a catalyst not just for her mind, but her body as well. She could do it in cold water as well, but really preferred not to unless it was absolutely necessary.

Rekino had showered before filling the porcelain tub with water. The benefit of being the bearer of the guardian armor of fire was that she never had to suffer from lukewarm baths! She had found out by accident that if she held her orb under the water and poured her own energy into it that it would generate heat. This was probably one of the perks of being a guardian she immensely enjoyed. The other was that she now had friends.

Well, friends who were currently having dinner with her older brother who happened to think she was dead.

"Kitty!" Rekino lifted her head up from the towel she had folded to use as a pillow. Her almost five feet of black hair was up in a super messy bun. She looked over at her companion. "I think you're my only friend."

The munchkin cat meowed from her place on top of the toilet. The Lady Guardian reached for her pet who jumped on the side of the tub. She was particularly protective of her "baby". Not only was she cute, but Kitty was a dwarf cat which made her even cuter. Josephine had said that Rekino and Kitty were "cute, tiny, and deadly".

"You wanna take a bath with mommy?"

The feline made an obscure noise and flicked her fluffy tail twice. Rekino knew that meant "hell no" in cat language. It was only close to the water so it could be near her owner.

"I think I'm going to take a cheat day tomorrow," Rekino said to her cat. "I'm going to sleep all day, be lazy, and eat what I want! Everyone else is getting to party while I'm stuck at home." The feline meowed and swiped at her. "No, I'm not upset I'm stuck with you! Don't be a bitch kitty, Kitty."

There was a sudden heaviness in the air that filled Rekino with unease. She attempted to get track of her thoughts, but the feeling wouldn't subside. Sighing, she reached to pull the plug from the drain proceeding to get out of the water. As she dried herself off, a wave of nausea crashed into her like nothing she had ever experienced. Kitty made her discomfort known by becoming very vocal.

"I'm fine," she leaned against the vanity. What was this and where was it coming from?

The room started spinning. Her vision started to blur. Rekino felt like her energy was leaving her. The towel dropped to the floor landing on top of Kitty who yeowled in protest. The kunoichi's forearms hit the vanity with a loud slap. Her whole body was leaning against it as it was the only thing that was keeping her up. Kitty jumped up on the porcelain counter calling out to her master.

"I'm okay…" Rekino whispered, but she knew that was a lie. She couldn't move any part of her body. Even blinking made her want to barf.

Some sort of melody started flowing through the air followed by a whisper. Her amethyst eyes looked into the mirror. They were unfocused, but after several seconds her vision started to clear. She started to make out shapes and colors, but to her horror she realized the sound was coming from someone behind her. Fuck. She was as helpless as a newborn baby in this position. If she had any strength she could easily defend herself. When the entity behind her became clear, she gasped in surprise.

The man from her dreams was here. The ones she had been plagued with for months. His long, starch white hair went all the way down to his waist. She could see the tips of his slightly pointed ears that were visible from his long mane. His eyes were of the lightest blue she had ever seen. A jewel that twinkled and swirled with energy rested on his forehead. He was dressed in some sort of weird white and silver tunic.

Was he here to hurt her? In her dreams, he was always talking, but she could never make out what he said. Sometimes he would kiss her. Other times, he just disappeared in a powerful gust of wind.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. His voice was like a song. "The effects of my power are causing you to be like this."

Rekino, with all the power she could muster, twirled on her left foot ready to deliver a strike with her right hand, but she failed. Her naked body would have crumbled to the floor if not for the mysterious man in the room. When he caught her, she could feel the warmth from his body penetrate her skin. His embrace was gentle yet firm. He moved her chin with his thumb to look into her eyes. The gaze didn't break even when he reached for the towel to cover up her bare body.

"Who are you?" She whispered weakly.

"A man," he said in a humorous tone.

His lips unexpectedly met hers. They were soft and the kiss was gentle. She could feel the nausea subsiding as well as the return of her strength. The small display of intimacy made her realize he wasn't there to hurt her, but why was he there at all? She got mad then. With her returned power, she pushed him back into the wall. Returning to her feet, she held the towel over her protectively.

"Wh-what the hell?!" She growled. "Do you always surprise innocent girls when they get out of the shower?!"

He smirked, his elongated canines made a heat swell in her abdomen. "You aren't exactly innocent."

"This is sexual assault. I'm naked! I don't know where you come from, but where I come from you don't just portal into the bathroom with a naked girl, cause her to almost faint, then kiss her!"

Kitty's tail swished rapidly from side to side. She jumped off the vanity and landed at the unknown man's feet. With a tiny meow, she stretched her body up his right leg. The man smiled and picked up the feline affectionately.

"I know, tiny cat," he scratched under Kitty's chin. "She is quick to anger." He returned his gaze to the Wildfire Guardian. "Go get have much to discuss."

Rekino secured the towel around her. She glared at her pet, "Traitor." She angrily stormed out of the room. She had to put on some clothes. She shut the door to her bedroom a little too hard as the frame cracked from the pressure. She threw the red towel onto her bed and hastily dressed. If she were a normal girl this situation would be way too much. She, sadly, had become accustomed to people just appearing out of thin air.

But those people didn't kiss her either.

Having put on a pair of pajama shorts and an oversized shirt, she came out of the bedroom while putting on her socks. The uninvited guest was now in the living room feeding her cat something.

"What are you giving her?!"

He waved her off, "It is harmless and will lengthen her life."

"Who are you?" She demanded.

He motioned for her to sit on the couch. Despite her better judgment and training, Rekino sat on the other end putting as much distance between them. This also put her close to the side table that had a dagger tapped to the bottom. There was also a katana underneath the couch she could reach if things got bad.

"I know about all of your hidden weapons. You don't have to worry. I'm not here to harm you."

Kitty jumped from the man's lap right into Rekino's. She was purring loudly to let her master know she was happy and content.

"So?" The guardian of the armor of fire unconsciously started petting the feline. "That still doesn't tell me who the hell you are."

The man turned towards her, "I am known as The Balance."

It's him!

The not so distant memory of the fight on Mt. Fuji rushed through her brain. Those lizard men. This was the person they were looking for. She could think of a hundred ways to defend herself if this went bad. She had several weapons hidden in every room of the house. Even if he said he wasn't there to hurt her she had to make sure she could defend herself. She also had her armor if that is what it had to come down to.

"You're popular," she managed to say. She had to keep her cool. "Some lizard jerks came trampling all over my volcano looking for you."

"The Zendlar," he stated matter-of-factually. "They are the first of many. You and your friends need to be prepared."

"Is that all you're here for? To warn me of upcoming danger?"

"Most people would consider this a boon. You would rather be unknowing?"

Rekino scoffed, "What kind of shit is that?"

"The kind of shit that happens," he moved his body to a more lax position where he could face her. "I can't control everything. I can only do so much, little flame."

"Jesus," she ran her fingers over her face in frustration. "I'm so confused. You still haven't told me who you are!"

"I didn't?" he curled an eyebrow. "I specifically remember telling you my name."

She narrowed her amethyst eyes, "I hate you."

"That's not nice," he winked at her. "I find you rather cute. Like a rabid bunny."

"Get out of my house if all you're going to do is make fun of me."

The air in the room became stiff and filled with power. "I'm in charge of keeping the balance throughout the cosmos. I keep the scales even. Too much good on one side means things have to change. I've done many things over the centuries, seemingly good and bad, but I can't stop what has come and is coming to this planet."

Rekino didn't look away from The Balance as he spoke. Kitty had curled up in her lap by this point and was sleeping soundly.

"The power I possess will be passed onto someone at the stroke of my ten thousandth year of reigning. The problem lies in that there is no one worthy of this power. I'm here because this planet is the only one of hundreds that possess people with the ability to help me find my successor and protect me until that time comes."

"Riiight," she trailed off. "You mean to tell me no where else has mystical people? Magical people? Warriors? Shamans?"

"Not strong enough to do what needs to be done."

"I'm not buying this," Rekino huffed. "You're basically telling me that you're God-"

"No, I'm not God, but everyone has impersonators."

"So, not only are you overly pious, but you're also pathetically deluded, too," she laughed under her breath as if displaying the fact she didn't have time for this. She leaned back onto the couch and cocked her eyebrows as if to mock him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that someone who was a self proclaimed 'ninja' would relish the fact that someone needed their skill set. That is if you don't have that skill set," he leaned back and mimicked her prior movements.

That was when she exploded. Kitty jumped out of her lap when Rekino vaulted off of the furniture, "Let me tell you something. You don't know what I can or cannot do. Don't come in here disrespecting me when you obviously need my help."

The Balance didn't move, but his lips pursed in amusement, "I'm not disrespecting you, but if I wanted to I would tell you that your cornbread isn't done in the middle based on your accent. Or I would say that I hope your cast iron skillet rusts. Small hillbilly child."

Rekino stood there flabbergasted. He had just literally insulted her three times in one breath. Telling a Southern woman that her cornbread wasn't done on top of the rusting cast iron was the equivalent to not only insulting her, but her heritage. Then he called her a hillbilly on top of that. Her mouth just moved without making noise. She couldn't come up with a response to that.

The Balance sat up, crossing his legs, "I suggest you sit your ass down so we can talk. I'm here to help you save your world and cosmos."

Still unable to form a coherent phrase, Rekino pursed her lips and did as she was told. She gracefully lowered herself on the couch with her back straight and legs crossed femininely. Kitty climbed on top of the cat tree to watch the two humans. The Balance smiled happily, clasping his hands together.

"How about some coffee?"

Next chapter: The After Party

Author's note: If you enjoy this fic, please share with your friends! I have worked on this for almost twenty year and it's my pride and joy. Thanks and blessed be!