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.

The Morning After Party

—

Hana Utano's eyes instantly opened before the sun peeked over the clouds. She knew without looking that it was right before or a little after 5 A.M. T'was one of the pros of being raised in a military household, but also a con because even on her off days she couldn't sleep in. That wasn't to say she wouldn't take a nap later in the day. She told people that she was known as the "Queen of Naps".

She rolled to the right and was graced with the shirtless form of Sage Date. His back was to her, but she could see every muscle outline in his back as he slept. Being respectful of Mia's home, they had decided not to have sex that night despite both of their desires. Hana was, in every sense of the word, respectful, but it was still a bummer; though, she knew they had plenty of time to do things - lots of things - in the future.

Hana moved her body closer to her partner's to inhale his scent. Sandalwood. She closed her eyes, listening to the rhythm of his breathing, and smiled. He was a sound sleeper. Pressing a tender kiss to the middle of his back, she smiled when she heard him sigh in his sleep. The Halo Guardian skillfully got out of bed without rousing the other occupant. With one last look at him she got dressed, grabbed her cellphone, and headed downstairs.

She opened her phone and quickly went to Rekino's contact. The phone trilled in her ear as she went down the stairs. Mia and Amaya were both already in the kitchen with coffee and tea brewing. When the call went to voicemail, she closed the device with a frown on her face.

"Who are you calling so early?" Mia inquired as she blew the steam coming from her cup.

Hana poured a cup of coffee, "'Candace'. She's normally getting ready to run at this time."

Amaya got up to put her teabag in the garbage, "Perhaps she is just sleeping in. She did say it was her weekend off."

"Maybe," the blonde sat down at the island in the kitchen. "Did you give the birthday boy a good present?" She wriggled her eyebrows suggestively at Amaya. The smirk was partly hidden by the coffee cup at her lips.

The French Catholic girl's cheeks became as red as the Wildfire armor, "Hana! Have you no shame?"

"Nope," followed by loud slurping of the coffee.

"Really," Mia laughed, "how could you ask such a thing? Both of you!"

"Josephine and I shared a room together last night. I-I will have you know my maidenhood is intact."

Hana crossed her legs elegantly. The silk, forest green pajama pants swished at the motion.

"All I'm saying is that it can happen. You and Kento seem to be getting pretty close. Before long it could be getting closer while naked."

Amaya's blush deepened. She pointed at Hana, "You need to go to church. Read your Bible."

Mia opened her laptop with one hand while continuing to drink her coffee, "The Bible doesn't say that you cannot have sex."

"Only after marriage," the brunette corrected. "I was ready to give my life to God at one point. As I told Jo, I am devoted to Him, and only through Him can we know true love."

Hana sipped her coffee loudly, "What if he's directing you to true love by sending you Kento?"

Amaya's light brown eyes seemed as if she was looking somewhere far away. She sighed, "I will admit that I feel differently about him than I have about any other person I have met. I find I am physically attracted towards him, as well, but I will never disregard my vows. I will be married before I give myself to anyone."

Mia giggled, "It's old fashioned, but super sweet that you are saving yourself for someone special."

"Not just special," Hana piqued, "but he has to be 'the One'. Like Neo from the Matrix."

Mia and Hana laughed. Amaya frowned, but she knew that they were playing regardless. She put her elbow on the island surface and waved her hand back and forth.

"Better than one night stands and sleeping around with scumbags who don't deserve me."

Hana scowled, "Are you taking a jab at me?"

When the French girl shrugged, Mia laughed loudly. She slapped the table while doing so, "That's it. Kento has to be 'The One'. I have never heard her joke on anyone."

Amaya smiled as she sipped on her tea, "It is almost quite refreshing. I should do it more often."

Hana rolled her eyes while folding her legs to sit Indian style in the chair, "I'm so happy I could be your first, 'Mya. I'll make sure to mark it in my calendar." She opened her phone attempting to call Rekino again. It was odd that she wasn't answering the phone. Maybe Amaya was right, but one thing she knew for sure was that Rekino always answered her calls.

Maybe it was nothing, but Hana couldn't help but feel that something just wasn't quite right.

—

The tiny rays of sunlight came through the blinds in the room giving off a soft illumination. Rekino opened her eyes, blinking several times as she did so to adjust her vision. Her brain felt foggy as she found it hard to gather her thoughts. She sat up and stretched her arms above her head, yawning loudly. Kitty was asleep on her left side next to the wall. She flung the covers back and put her feet on the floor.

It was going to be a good day, she declared. It was her weekend off. She was going to have a cheat day as she had said to Kitty last night. Rekino put on her black sports bra, a red form fitting tank top that stopped above her pierced belly button. As she put on her purple leggings and socks, Rekino manifested positivity in her mind. She wasn't going to let that crazy dream she had last night affect her day.

It was ridiculous, she thought, that some supernatural, cosmic being called The Balance would show up and tell her all kinds of ridiculous things. Beings from other universes, jewels of power, invaders coming to Earth. Yeah, last night had to be a dream. That was the only thing that made sense. Lizard people, shadow monsters, dragons, giant cats…

Rekino walked out of her room doing another stretch. When did she go to bed, anyway? Oh well. It didn't matter how or when. She was going to make herself breakfast and probably do a small set of punching drills. Despite declaring her cheat day, Rekino couldn't go a day without doing some sort of training, be it big or small. She might even do a little bit of weapons training. It had been a while since she had practiced with something other than her Wildfire Swords.

Despite her affirmations, all of her hope and joy drained from her body when she walked in the kitchen and saw that man, The Balance, wearing a purple apron, holding a wine glass. He gave her a bright, cheery smile.

"Good morning, cupcake!" He waved his hand towards the kitchen table to reveal two plates with what looked like two halves of an English muffin topped with meat and an egg of some sort. "About your Benedict...do you pair hollandaise with Reisling?"

Rekino was dumbfounded and flustered. What was going on? Was this really happening? It had to be a dream. This couldn't be real. In her shock, she dug her fingernails into her palm. Pain. Nope. It wasn't a dream. The cosmic, supernatural, Godlike being from her 'dreams' was standing in her kitchen wearing a ridiculous, fluffy purple apron offering her breakfast. That meant last night was real.

What…goddammit. Fuck. Why?

Taking her silence as an answer, he sat down at the table, "Chateau Ste Michelle it is then." The small gray puff of smoke that appeared from Rekino's head caused him to raise an eyebrow, but his fascination disappeared as he took a large swallow of the glass of German Auslese that he paired with his eggs. He snapped his fingers as the chair beside him pulled out for her to sit down.

This can't be happening. Rekino thought as she fell into the chair like she had no energy and hope. She stared at the dish in front of her then moved her eyes to The Balance. He was smiling so happily it was as if he had sparkles around his face. She frowned.

"Do you not like it?" He questioned. "What is it you kids say? Oh yeah! You can't knock it till you try it."

She couldn't form words or thoughts. Rekino felt like this was all a big joke. Like the universe was giving it to her and laughing at her misfortune. She could feel her lips moving, so she uttered the only word that formed in her mind.

"Why?"

"Hmm?" The Balance looked confused. "I thought it would be nice to have you breakfast ready after our talk last night. You were hungry before you went to bed, but I made you go to sleep."

She wanted to flip the table over, "Why me?"

"Because when I'm out of coffee I need something bittersweet in the mornings, so I naturally thought of you."

It was a battle of the tongue and wits then.

"Why don't you bother the Prime Minister? I hear he has the day off."

"I already went there. For your information, he's out of coffee, too."

Fuck. Rekino slouched in the chair as if her body was made out of liquid. She closed her eyes. She wanted to scream and throw things and punch him in his perfect fucking face that she somewhat found attractive.

"I hate you."

He scoffed, "And here I was being nice making you a good breakfast. I had your nutritional value in my mind, you know. Even on your cheat days you need to intake a lot of protein to keep that body of yours in peak condition."

Something snapped. She jumped up out of the chair and flailed her arms around wildly while pointing at everything and nothing at the same time, "You…don't tell me how to maintain my body! I know how and what to eat! I don't even know what this is! How about some biscuits and gravy or somethin' like that!"

The Balance blinked in non-amusement. With a small wave of his hand Rekino's plate changed to the American Southern breakfast she had just mentioned. He rolled his eyes at her.

"You really are a country bumpkin," he swirled the wine in the glass before finishing it off in one swallow. "And for your information, Eggs Benedict is a very hearty and filling meal."

Rekino plopped down in the chair, but almost lost it again when she heard him speak.

"Your accent really does get deeper when you're angry or flustered." When he smiled at her, a little heart appeared above him. "It's really cute."

She said nothing. Taking the fork, she stabbed it into the food. The glare she gave him as she put the whole biscuit in her mouth only made him smile wider. She was trying to be defiant. When the taste buds on her tongue came alive, Rekino's amethyst eyes widening in surprise.

"It tastes just like my mawmaw's-"

"You're welcome," the cosmic being pushed away from the table to stand. "I have left you plenty to eat. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do, people to talk to, and all that jazz." The purple apron disappeared to reveal his normal clothing. He went to turn away, but stopped. "Oh. I kept your phone so you could rest. No need to thank me. I'm too nice, I know."

When The Balance disappeared, Rekino's Samsung phone appeared on the table flashing that she had four missed calls from Hana. As much as she wanted to talk to her bestie, Rekino decided to finish her breakfast instead. Despite wanting to punch his face in, The Balance comforted her soul a little with the taste of her grandmother's food.

–

By 9 a.m, everyone in Mia's house had woken up, gotten out of their pajamas, and dressed to start the day. Amaya started making breakfast an hour earlier. Cye had woken up shortly after she had prepared the kitchen and volunteered to help. While the two Torrent's were cooking, everyone else was engaged in conversation. Josephine and Kento were talking about sparring after eating. Mia, Invidya, and Hana were setting the table while Ryo, Sage, and Rowen were watching the morning news.

Hana jumped a little when her phone started vibrating and ringing loudly. Seeing who it was, she moved away from everyone to get some privacy before answering, "Girl. I have been worried about you."

Rekino laughed cynically on the other end, "You've barely spoken to me in two weeks. Now you're worried?"

"Don't be a bitch."

"Yeah, well I've had a shitty twenty-four hours," Hana heard some shuffling on the other end. "I had a 'visitor' last night of the cosmic kind."

All of Hana's nerves electrified "The Balance?"

"Wait…how did you know?"

"Long story. What did he say?"

"A lot of insane shit. So, everyone needs to get home like as of yesterday, but can't make it weird or anything. All of you over there cohorting with the enemy that really isn't the enemy, except Mia. She kinda lives there."

"Girl. Stop," Hana laughed. "Amaya and Cye are making breakfast. She said something about making Eggs Benedict this morning. I don't-" she jumped abruptly when what sounded like the phone being dropped followed by Rekino screaming and making sounds she couldn't decipher. After about thirty seconds it stopped.

"Sorry about that. Fucking bastard. He probably thinks it's funny or some shit."

"Are you for real okay?"

"Don't worry about it. Just, come home. I'm going to enact violence."

Hana sighed worriedly, but also annoyingly, "I'll come up with a plan. Just don't break anything. Love you."

Rekino grumbled and mumbled something, but replied, "Love you too," before ending the call. Hana put the phone back in her pocket. Running a hand down her face, she straightened her back and walked back into the room with everyone else. How in the hell was she going to do this without raising suspicion or it sounding weird?

—-

Rowen noticed Hana as she came back into the room. He could tell that something wasn't right. The look in the blonde girl's eyes resembled confusion. She was nervous about something that he could tell by the way she ran her hands down the front of her pants then waved at his girlfriend to say that the call was nothing.

The Strata bearer returned his attention to the conversation his friends were having, but still kept a watch over Hana. He laughed at something Ryo said just as Hana pulled out her phone. It looked like she was sending a text message. After she put the phone away, Amaya and Cye entered the dining room when synchronized noises went off from multiple cell phones. No one else noticed that as soon as Hana put up her phone, the devices belonging to every female except Invidya went off. As if it was almost synchronized, Josephine, Amaya, and Mia reached for their phones. He watched as each of their faces reflected confusion then went back to normal.

Suspicions confirmed. Something was definitely going down.

"Breakfast is ready!" Cye announced to the group.

Kento jumped up from the chair he was sitting in, "I'm so hungry that my stomach was about to start eating itself."

Hana made a face, "Medically that isn't possible. Your muscles would start to break down and your body would use that until nothing was left."

"That was kinda morbid," Ryo laughed as he pulled out Mia's chair then took his seat beside her.

The conversation was light and cheery. Rowen took notice of every time a females phone - minus Invidya's - went off and it was always simultaneously. He wiped his mouth with a napkin deciding it was time he said something.

"You girls seem to have a lot going on."

Hana lightly laughed, "It's just Candace. She's lonely. Upset that she's missing all of the fun."

Rowen continued, "She's the one with the long black hair, ne?"

Kento looked up from his plate long enough to say, "I still think that it's fake."

"Oh no. It's real, alright. That girl spends more time brushing her hair than anyone I know," Josephine laughed. "But it is as long as she is tall, which is a lot but not. She looks like she's twelve."

"Don't be rude, Josephine," Amaya scolded.

"That sounds like something Rekino would do," Ryo said softly. He smiled. "Funny how someone else doing something can bring back memories of people not even associated with them."

Amaya cleared her throat loudly. Rowen took notice of the look in the French girl's brown eyes. It was almost as if she was trying to keep herself from saying something, or that she felt remorse.

"Candace is the one I told you studied ninjutsu," Mia sweetly told her fiance.

"Oh?" Ryo took a bite of his toast. "What's her rank?"

"Fifth degree dan," Hana piqued up. "And she will not let you forget that she worked hard for that."

The Wildfire warrior laughed, "It's not easy to achieve that rank. I'm nowhere near close to her skill."

"Well, Candace does say that a belt rank has nothing to do with skill," the blonde Halo Guardian replied. "She has seen green belts take down black belts."

"She sounds like someone I would like to meet."

That was it. Rowen could see the same look in all of their eyes. It was like looking in a mirror. They all seemed to recoil quickly, however, and return to casual conversation. Invidya grabbed his hand causing him to look at his girlfriend.

"What are you guys talking about?"

He laughed sweetly at her, "Ninjutsu is a type of martial art."

"Yeah," Kento slurped his drink loudly. "We all practice some form of fighting. I'm sure you know nothing about that."

Rowen's temper almost got the best of him, but when Invidya laughed at the comment he calmed down. Was she a fighter?

"You think because I'm a 'nerd' that I can't fight?" Her laughter turned from funny to sarcastic. "My sister and I are both black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A woman who cannot defend herself is a target."

Amaya seemed to be interested in the comment, "My elder sister was sexually assaulted when I was young. Despite the fact that I wanted to become a nun, I took it upon myself to learn to defend myself. All of my siblings and I started studying after that."

Invidya continued, "The only sin in learning how to fight is to hurt innocent people. God gave us the ability to defend ourselves from evil in any form."

Amaya was absolutely glowing. She clapped her hands like a giddy school girl, "Rowen, you must always bring her around if we continue to meet like this."

The Strata Warrior grabbed Invidya's hand, smiling, "I had planned on it unless she has a different idea."

Josephine grumbled, "All this religious talk makes me uneasy." She swallowed the rest of her food. "I'm atheist."

Hana held up her hands, "My daddy taught me there are two things not to talk about in public: politics and religion. Personally, I'm Christian, but I don't hold it to others to believe in what I do."

"As a history scholar, I have seen many different forms of religion. Some have caused the demise of great nations. Historically, blood has been spilt in the name of some God or another. My grandfather did raise me in the Shinto religion, however," Mia sipped her coffee.

Cye and Ryo both replied that they were Shinto believers while Kento answered the same as Josephine. Rowen, as a scientist, was naturally an atheist. He had no reason to believe that there was an omniscient higher power that would let this world be ravaged by war where children die for no reason. He was just about to speak when the sound of the phones went off again.

"It seems that is our cue," Hana put her phone away.

Sage frowned, "Is your friend that clingy?"

"Yes," the female blonde started, "but it's because she's never had any real friends before. I can proudly say that I'm her best friend."

Ryo looked at Hana, "If my sister was alive would you still be her friend?"

There was that look again, but it wasn't just with Hana. All of them had it, even Mia. What was with this group of girls?

"Yes, Ryo. She is my eternal best friend. Nothing will ever change that."

Everyone stood up and said their goodbyes. Amaya and Kento had a small, personal conversation which ended in a hug and her giving him a kiss on the cheek. Ryo and Hana shared a long, intimate hug while exchanging numbers. Hana told Sage that she would ride with Amaya and Josephine to get her car at the apartment. Rowen could see in Mia's eyes that she wanted to go with them, but he didn't understand for what reason. After the three girls left, he put everything he gathered in storage and would wait until he was alone to piece it all together.

—

By the time Josephine, Amaya, and Hana had returned home, they found Rekino outside in the backyard sitting cross legged in a meditative state. She had seven crystals surrounding her as well as incense burning inside and outside the home. Some type of serene temple type music was playing in the house. It was almost like they came home to a different house.

"I'm so glad I wasn't lying somewhere bleeding to death," Rekino was in a very sassy mood. She stood giving them all her best resting bitch face. "It's been like three hours."

Hana waved her off, "Oh, stop being a drama queen."

"For real, bro," Josephine pulled out a chair to the porch furniture. "You got all this zen shit going on and you are so not being zen."

"Well, why you guys were living it up at Mia's party house, I was being sexually assaulted in our bathroom."

Amaya seemed taken aback, "I beg your pardon?"

"It's time to talk shop!" Rekino said cheekily. "And I made some of my momma's sweet tea for this occasion."

Next chapter: The Blues of October

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for taking time out to read. Hoping to bring a little bit more action and romance in the next chapter. As always, review and share!