CH 31

In work clothes and boots, Kaede was helping to extend the 'Roman' style road from the castle. It was a family effort, Duncan was selecting the stone that Inari cut into stone blocks, Nana loaded them onto Kouta's truck who took the stone to Kaede to fit them in place. Ahead of her, Richie had a front loader, making the solid base for the road. Amanda and Roberta took on the meal making duties. Mayu tended to and played with Kanae.

Placing the last block from Kouta's last load, Kaede noted they had made sixty yards of new, flat road. Dad had planned well. Even though the road base and top stone was eight feet thick, it was even with the ground mostly, not following the rises and dips, but was a straight, flat surface. She took a mental rest while she waited to the next load to arrive. Her phone rang. Digging into her jeans pocket, Kaede pulled out her phone and answered it.

"Kaede."

Mr. Seagrave's cheerful voice came on. "Greetings, Dame Kaede, this is Mr. Seagrave. I have your itinerary for your visit to London."

"Itinerary?" Kaede asked. "Ya make it sound complicated."

"Quit simple, really. At 9 Am on the 22nd, a plane will pick you up at the local airport outside Glen Finnen. It will fly you to Heathrow where a Limo will take you to your hotel. On the 24th at noon, a limo will arrive to take you to Buckingham palace, and wait there to return you to your hotel. The return trip to Glen Finnen will be on the 26th. The limo will take you back to the airport to catch your 1 PM flight back to Glen Finnen."

Kaede had imagined that Kouta was going to drive them to London to their hotel. They had planned on some private time with no one else around. "We was drivin, nay flyin," she replied.

"That will not do at all," Mr. Seagrave told her. "This is for your security. Only a select few will know of your arrival and departure. This meeting is not a public event. Nor one to be advertised."

Kaede frowned. "Aye," she replied, not happy about missing a long drive with Kouta. "I suppose ya can't tell me why I'm goin ta this meetin?"

"I do not have that information. I only get you here and get you home."

Kaede saw Kouta coming with the next load of stone. "I'll find out when we git there," she said with a sigh. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Seagrave, I gotta git back ta makin a road."

There was a pause, then Mr. Seagrave asked, "Someone of your stature is involved in road construction?"

"Aye. Gotta git back ta work, Thank ya fer the info, Mr. Seagrave." Kaede told him, then hung up. She then guided Kouta as he backed up to the end of their new road so she could put down more stone.

.

In Mr. Smith's office, Mr. Seagrave turned to Mr. Smith with a puzzled look. "Dame Kaede is working in road construction. That is hard to imagine."

Mr. Smith sported a brief smile. "Not if you know her. I have studied Dame Kaede. Yes, she can do amazing things. She is also not afraid of getting her hands dirty with common work. Her priorities are home and family. Everything she has done, has been to support and protect her home. The Tidal Bay massacre was a prime opportunity for us. Not only did she do us a big favor by wiping out those terrorists, it gave us the means to coax her into working for us. Facing deportation unless she agreed to work with us has been very beneficial to our goals."

"Dame Kaede is a citizen, not subject to deportation," Mr. Seagrave noted.

"She is now. She still holds American citizenship also," Mr. Smith explained. "We help keep her home and family safe, and she removes threats we have a bugger of a time dealing with. Keep it friendly with Dame Kaede, and she will keep it friendly with us."

Mr. Seagrave raised an eyebrow. "Believe me, Sir, I have no intentions of raising Dame Kaede's wrath. I am not suicidal."

.

Done for the day, Kaede and Kouta looked at the 90 yards of road they put in. It was straight and flat, and the truck running on it with the last full stone load proved it could carry weight. They were proud of their achievement.

"Good work everyone!" Duncan heartily said. "Time fer dinner, I'm hungry."

"Yeah, food time!" Ritchie agreed.

Kaede's phone rang. She picked it up. "Kaede."

"Greetings, Kaede, this is Mr. Henderson. There are many new stations in the US eager to talk to you. They have been chomping at the bit to know where they can come meet you. I would not divulge any information about you. I only told them I'd ask if you wanted to speak with them."

Kaede rolled her eyes. "What they wanna talk about?"

"Truthfully, whatever they can get you to talk about. Think of a facet of your life, and I'm sure they will want to know about it. One hot item is when you went to Seattle into a poor area of the city and talked to the children there," he explained.

"Why me? Doan anyone else talk ta children?"

Mr. Henderson laughed. "Because you came all the way from Scotland to do it, or so they think."

"Press conferences ain't my thing, Mr. Henderson," Kaede stated.

"Here, there's a rumor going around that our government is keeping you silent, keeping you from talking to anyone."

Kaede let out a snort. "Like anyone could do that."

"It's rampant too. The Reporter Randi McFarlan has been hounded about you to the point she broke down. She still refuses to say anything that was not in her broadcast. That has added to the rumor the government will do anything to keep details about you out of the news. Many think you're an alien as well. Some even claim you're here to take us all over."

"They kin think what they want. I ain't talkin to no frantic reporters lookin fer a story to spread."

"Can I get you to talk to the President's press secretary? Kaede, I'm under pressure to get someone to speak with you," he said firmly.

"Then it's gotta suck ta be ya," she replied. After a pause, Kaede relented, "OK, I'll come see one member of the press. In London, on October 23rd, at the parkin lot outside the American Embassy. If I see lots-o people waitin around, I doan show."

"But , if people see you and come over…"

"Then they do. If I see a crowd or lots-o cameras a'for hand, I'll nay be showin," Kaede stated. "I kin remember yer government tryin ta grab me kids a few years ago. I ain't got much trust in any of ya."

Mr. Henderson let out a sigh. "I know. I'd like to change that."

"Then keep yer word and doan make me not trust ya again."

"Can I be there, to make sure your conditions are met?"

"Aye, if ya want. Right now, gotta go git me some dinner, Talk ta ya later." Kaede hung up. Kouta was watching her. She offered a tiny smile and said, "We're gonna be busy in London. Visitin the Queen an Mr. Henderson, the American wants me ta talk to some folks. It appears they are nervous."

"They must want something," Kouta noted.

"Aye, they always do. They just ain't sayin what," Kaede agreed.

Kouta opened the passenger door to his truck for her and said, "Just be careful."

"Aye, I will."

.

"She wants to talk to us in a parking lot in London?" the producer asked.

"That's what she said," Mr. Henderson told him. "I can see part of the reason. Before she shows up, I'm sure she will be studying who's around. Look, Kaede trusts no one. She is very protective of herself and her family. From what I know, she's had people come after her family before. "I'm sure you heard of the Tidal Bay Massacre."

"No, I haven't. When did this happen?"

"A few years ago, someone was after her father. To get to him, eight or nine terrorists beat Kaede's husband bad and kidnapped Kaede's daughter. Those men with automatic rifles in a castle ruins with a long field of fire were waiting for her father to show up. Kaede dropped out of the sky, no plane or helicopter in sight, and slaughtered them all before they could even fire a shot. The place looked like a bomb hit, every corpse found was mutilated."

"Jesus! She came armed?"

"No weapons, just herself. Remember, we're talking the same woman who slaughtered all those aliens when no one else could even get close to them."

"K, hold on … this was the same Kaede who came to Seattle to talk to those poor kids?"

"That's right."

"We'll send someone. You said on October 23rd? Any chance for a change of the date?"

"I doubt it. Kaede said be there, and if she sees a large group hanging around, she'll walk away. I have learned she means what she says."

"Did she give a time?"

"Ahhh, no. Can I have her call you?"

"Yes! By all means. I would love to speak with her."

.

Upon the irritating phone call to ask what time the interview was, Kaede only said to give her the phone number of whoever was going to interview her in the morning of the 23rd. When she had the number that day, she'd call him. The information was passed on.

Kouta, with his new tux and Kaede's new black dress in garment bags, and their other fancy wear in a suitcase, they went to the airport at the prescribed date in normal clothes. The plane was a dual engine prop plane that looked much like Duncan's Cessna. A pair of dark blue suited guards were also accompanying them on the trip.

Upon landing in London, Kouta and Kaede got in the limo out on the tarmac and were driven to the fancy hotel.

Looking at the place, Kouta said, "Seems no expense was spared. We're not paying for this, are we?"

Kaede grinned, "Nay, it's on the Queen. She wanted me here."

A well dressed footman opened the door. Kouta got out and assisted Kaede. Kaede had a plain shirt, jeans and her SEAHAWKS wool hat on. Going inside hand in hand, they found Mr. Seagrave and Mr. Henderson were both in the lobby. Upon seeing them, both men beamed smiles.

"Kaede, it's good to see you," Mr. Henderson said.

"Greetings, Kaede, Kouta. I must ask about this interview you agreed to," Mr. Seagrave said.

"Ain't yer business, lad," Kaede replied flatly. "Twill be private an recorded only, or it ain't happinin. Doan worry, I ain't sayin nothing I shouldn't be. Any proddin on something I doan wanna talk about, an it's over."

"I see," he said in a meek tone. "Well I'm happy to see you arrived. The Limo will pick you up day after tomorrow at noon."

"I know, but thanks fer remindin me," Kaede said with a false smile. Going over to the desk, the attendant already had their room number and gave Kouta the key card for their room.

.

When Pete found out he was to have an interview with the now famous and mysterious Kaede Kikumura, he immediately dove into everything he could find out about her. The first place he went was to Seattle into the area known as 'The Zone' where she'd been seen talking to children.

The place was an old factory complex taken over by the homeless. Unlike the chaos of most mainly homeless areas, the place was patrolled by police and volunteers. They had a clinic, a school and when he met with Asia, the medic/unofficial leader of the area, he sat down and talked with her. She told him plenty about the Zone, how it had started out lawless and pretty bad, and was turning into a very poor, but fairly safe area. When he asked about Kaede's visit here, all she said was, "Yes, Kaede came to give some encouragement to our young."

"How did she know to come here?" Pete asked.

Asia cast him a grin. "Her father helped clean this place up by getting rid of the drug dealer who was running the place."

"A policeman?" he guessed.

Asia paused and said. "No, a hero. Kaede will have to fill in any details."

"Is there anyone else I can talk to?" Pete asked.

"Brenda and her husband Charlie know Kaede. She might tell you something. She's got classes now, over at the main factory, second floor."

.

Pete went over to the building, but stayed clear and waited for the run of kids to come pouring out. Seeing another black woman coming out with a Latino woman and a man, he asked, "I'm looking for Brenda? Are you her?"

"Why you lookin for Brenda?" the Latino woman asked in a hard tone.

"I wanted to talk to her and Charlie about Kaede Kikumura's visit here," Pete explained.

"Haven't seen her." the black woman stated flatly.

"I'm supposed to interview Kaede, that's why I'm asking," Pete explained. "Is there anything you can tell me about Kaede?"

"If you want to know about Kaede, ask her yourself," the black woman stated. The three went on their way.

Pete felt blown off. Kaede was here, she talked to people, but no one would talk to him about her visit. It was like they were protecting her. Why would someone who could handle herself as well as Kaede seemed to do, need protecting?

Going to the local news station that had covered Kaede's visit, he discovered Kaede had lived here when she was young. He also discovered she had been kidnapped, and the girl and woman with her at the time had been shot and killed. Going through old papers, he found Kaede's father, Duncan McLeod, had gone to Japan and rescued her, only to have those men return to try to take her again. The survivors of that kidnapping attempt had been captured.

Survivors? Apparently, when those men came back, the McLeods were waiting for them.

The more Pete looking into Kaede, the worse her young life was looking. It wasn't long after that second attempt that Duncan and Kaede disappeared. He went to the police station to find some records of these events, but there were none of either incident. That was strange as well.

Pete did finally get something useful. Duncan McLeod still owned a workout place listed as his address. He went there hoping to find Duncan. He did find the second floor Do-jo. It was a basic workout and training facility on one floor. He went into the office to find a middle aged black man behind the desk.

"Hi, my name's Pete," he said as he held up his press badge to the man.

The man snorted. "Let me guess, You're here to find out about Duncan, Inari or Kaede?"

"That's right. I heard you might know something. I am trying to get some information on Kaede's past. Is Duncan around?"

The man sat back and shook his head. "Pete, right? The only thing I can tell you is, you're better off not knowing. Go back and tell your boss I don't know anything. I sublet this place and run my business. I haven't seen Duncan or any of them for quite a while."

"Please," Pete pleaded. "I know Kaede was kidnapped when she was young, Duncan went to Japan and rescued her, then the kidnappers came all the way from Japan to try again. I know they lived here. I'm just trying to find out a little more about them."

"Can't help you."

The phone rang. The man picked it up. "Desalvo's." He then glanced at Pete. "Yeah, he's here … You sure? He's a reporter … Ok, I'll ask him." The man eyed Pete and asked, "You the one whos's going to interview Kaede?"

"That's right."

"He is," the man said. Then handed him the phone.

Pete took it. "Hello?"

"Who are ya lad?" a female voice said in a heavy Scottish accent.

"Pete Henseth, and you are?"

"I'm Kaede lad. Ya leave Charlie there, and the rest of me friends alone. Ya got questions, ya ask me. Understood?"

"Yes, I was just trying to get some background …"

"Anythin I want ya ta know, I'll tell ya. Just be where ya supposed ta be. Doan let me hear any more bout ya poking around bout me til then."

Pete looked at Charlie. He was friends with Kaede. They all had been. "Can you tell me about your life? I've seen some pretty terrible things."

"Drops in the bucket, Lad. Put Charlie back on."

Pete handed the phone back.

He listened then said, "Ok, Kaede … right, I'll call if I have any problems. Say hi to your parents for me … Will do, see ya."

After Charlie hung up, Pete said, "Obviously, you know Kaede pretty well. Charlie, please tell me why Kaede is so secretive? I know she's had a very rough young life. Does she feel she has to hide?"

Charlie regarded him and said, "At one time, I asked Duncan what was up with him. Why he seemed to live so close to the edge. He told me, Charlie you really don't want to know. You know what? He was right. Now, I wish I didn't know. Trust me, Pete, you're better off not digging too deep. You know the way out, right?"

"Yeah, thanks," Pete replied. He left, realizing there was something about the Mc Leods, possible dark secrets that they were keeping under wraps except for those they trusted implicitly. It made him nervous to find out what those secrets might be. Kaede had said what he'd found out were drops in the bucket. He had to wonder just how big this bucket was. Grabbing a plane to the east coast to Kennedy to catch his follow on flight to London, He wrote some noted down about the few things had had discovered.

.

In their fancy hotel room, Kouta looked at Kaede's worn wool hat. "Hon, I think we need to but you a new hat. This one's beat. Strings are coming undone."

"It's me favorite," Kaede replied as she finished unpacking. The garment bags she hung up in the room's closet.

"It's ratty."

"I love me hat."

Kouta had to grin at her. "You will need a new one eventually."

Kaede sighed. "Aye, but nay right away."

"We should get you a new one anyway, I doubt the Queen will want to see you in a ratty old hat," he reminded her.

Kaede rescued her hat from her husband and frowned at him. "I ain't wearing it ta go see her, just around town. We're going out, ain't we?"

"We are, I saw a pub not far away. Looked like a good place to relax. Of course no one here in England will recognize you with your Seattle Seahawks wool hat on," he teased.

"It's only the team emblem."

"That most people know because they've seen you in it."

"Bethcha they doan even notice," Kaede countered.

Kouta cast her a smirk. "Ok, what you wanna bet?"

Kaede thought for a moment, then said, "How bout this, if the pub has karaoke, the looser has ta git up an sing."

Kouta chuckled, "And if it don't?"

Kaede grew a wicked grin and said, "The looser still has ta git up an sing."

Kouta laughed. "You're on! Let's go see who has to make a fool of themselves!"

.

Pete and his cameraman Dave got to London and hailed a taxi to their hotel. One thing Pete notice right away was the number of young women walking on the street with pink haired wigs topped with triangular white horns. He counted a dozen of them on the way to the hotel.

"I haven't noticed this many of those since I was in Seattle," Pete noted.

"What's that?"

"The pink wigs with horns on them. I guess Kaede is real popular here."

"She's poplar everywhere," Dave reminded him. "You do know, as soon as this interview gets out, that will make you popular too. Every friggin reporter in the world will be jealous of you."

"Hey, we do broadcast the truth and go after braking stories. I'm just hoping this one turns out good," Pete told him.

The taxi driver laughed. "Mate, you planning to interview Kaede? You gotta have some grit, or you're looney."

Pete eyed him. "Why do you say that?"

"Know a guy who worked for the Sun. He tried to get an interview with her. Found himself upside down and getting dipped in a bog. Said Kaede was gonna kill'im for askin too many questions. He convinced her he wasn't, so she let him live. Get head down in a bog, they might find ya in a couple centuries. Crapped his pants, he did, and put out only the story she told him to."

Dave eyed Pete, then asked, "So, Kaede is violent?"

The driver chuckled again. "Mate, violent isn't the word for what Kaede is if you get on the wrong side o her. That bird will make you disappear like you never was. Heard she's done it a few times. Terrorists are afraid of her. Heard she send some IRA people back to North Ireland with their tails tween their legs. Hope your life insurance is paid up fore you go see her."

"What did he ask to get her angry?" Pete wondered aloud.

"Didn't say. Only that now, he firmly believes in witches and he's never goin back there. He quit the Sun when they wanted him to go back and try again. Got a job working with a movie studio."

Pete thought for a moment. "That reporter, McFarlan, who did that piece on the aliens talked some about Kaede. From what she indicted, it was a hair-raising trip she went on, but she didn't give many details. I'm thinking she too, only said what Kaede allowed her to say. Everyone in the world has been looking for that bar McFarlan showed. No one's been able to find it."

"I bet the only people who know where it is, aren't saying anything," Dave added.

"They are protecting Kaede," Pete agreed.

"I'd wager themselves too," the cabbie added. "Ere's your hotel guys. Be careful talkin to Kaede."

Pete paid the man and headed into the hotel with Dave. He had much thinking to do about this mystery woman, and had a few clues about her. He was getting people knew her well, or not at all. The ones who did know her well, were very tight lipped about her. He wanted to find a quiet place to sit and think about what he was finding out.

Getting their rooms then heading out, Pete and Dave looked for a local pub to grab some food and relax. The place they picked had a karaoke contest gong on. Those could be fun to sit back and watch.

.

So far, Kaede was winning the bet. They did get a corner booth so they were out of the majority of people's attentions, which helped. Four other pink haired women were also there, helping to keep attention off her. Nearly done with their steak and potato pies, Kaede asked, "So, sweetie, what did ya plan on singin?"

Holding up the quarter of his meal, Kouta replied, "We're not done yet. And the contest hasn't started."

"Didn't say nothin bout lasting here all night," Kaede reminded him.

"We did plan in a few after dinner drinks," Kouta reminded her. "And I'm thinking something for desert."

"Kouta, you cheatin on me?" Kaede asked in a mock gasp.

Kouta chuckled, "Nay Lass, we came to relax, didn't we?"

"Yer hopin ta win," she accused him.

"Yup! As you are," he pointed out.

Kaede grew a grin, "So ya gonna sing something fer me?"

Returning her grin, Kouta replied, "I was wondering what you're going to sing."

"Nay, lad. Sing me something sweet, dear," Kaede teased.

A tall blonde man walking by stopped and said, "Wow, a Seahawks fan here? That's the last thing I expected to see in London!"

Kaede frowned at him. Kouta laughed.

The man took a better look at Kaede, then backed up a step and announced, "Holy Christ! Do you know who you are!"

Kouta laughed louder and clapped.

"Dave!" another man called from a couple booths down. "Calm down."

Dave backed up another step and pointed to Kaede. "Pete, she's HERE!"

Kouta fell to the side in his seat, chuckling helplessly.

"Keep it down, you're making a scene," Pete said firmly and got up to come lead Dave back to the booth. He then saw the woman eyeing him. At first he thought it was just another pink haired woman. Then he noticed the Seahawks emblem on her wool hat, and the red eyes. Kaede was from Seattle. This wasn't a Kaede-pretender. This was her.

Quickly, he grabbed Dave's arm and told her, "I'm terribly sorry, I think he's has one too many."

Kouta struggled up to ask, "So, do you know my wife?"

Dave hissed loudly, "That's Kaede!"

Kouta leaned on the table, grinning broadly at Kaede. "So, my dear wife, what will you be singing?"

"Ugh!" Kaede grumbled and face palmed.

Pete shifted his gaze between them. Kouta explained, "We had a bet. I insisted someone would recognize her, My dear wife insisted no one would, So we made a bet. Whoever lost, had to go up and sing."

Pete grinned. "Sounds fair to me. I'm Pete Henseth, this is Dave Southworth. Please to meet you. Can we talk?"

"First someone has to choose what's she's going to sing," Kouta told him, grinning.

Kaede lifted her head. "Nay interviewing tonight. Work tomorra."

"No interview, just sitting an talking," Pete said. Glancing at Kouta, he grinned and added, "And to hear what you're going to sing."

"You're fault, hon," Kouta told her. "I knew your hat would give you away."

Kaede let out a sigh and moved her plate and drink over by Kouta. "Move over, hon. Go git yer things guys."

By now, many people were looking Kaede's way. Cell phones came out to capture the moment. Kouta moved over, noting this as well. "Got a song planned?" he asked.

Kaede slid in the seat beside him, giving him a hip-check. "Lemme git some nerve up first."

Pete and Dave came back and took the now empty seat. In a meek tone, Dave said, "Sorry, I was just shocked to see you here."

"Doan worry bout it," Kaede replied.

A pink haired teenager came over to the table with a list. "Dame Kaede," she said reverently, "This is a list of songs you can select from."

Kaede took the list. "Thank ya, lass." Relenting to the fact she was going to have to sing, Kaede read down the list. OK, yes, here was the song her mother sang. She liked that song and knew that one by heart from watching the video of her mother every now and then.

She looked up at Pete. "How was yer trip? Ya made it here pretty quick."

"I got a chance to do a big story," he admitted. "I feel honored I got picked to do it."

"Me too," Dave added, gazing at Kaede.

Pete said, "I have to ask. That guy from the Sun that came a few years ago, I heard you weren't very nice to him."

"Nay lad," Kaede agreed. "He came lookin fer me and botherin everyone, even me Mom. I'll tell ya all about it later, but I was seein'im as a threat. I doan deal with threats very nice."

"So got your song picked out?" Pete asked.

Kouta leaned towards Kaede, grinning at her. She eyed him and stuck her tongue out at him. Kouta chuckled again. "Ain't telling," she replied.

"Aww," Kouta pouted. "We'll hear it anyway," he coaxed.

The way he said it made Kaede chuckle. "Aye, but yer gonna hafta wait."

"Did you come here just to meet us?" Pete asked.

"Nay, gotta see the Queen," Kaede told him. "Since I was here anyway, may as well git this interview done with while I'm at it. Then we kin go home. We flew in taday too."

"Yes, the Queen Knighted you." Pete said.

"Aye, basically fer savin the world, and of course, England. Doan mean we live here."

"So, you're royalty?" Dave asked.

Kaede burst out in a laugh. "Lad, I'm bout as far from 'Royal' as ya kin git!" Seeing Pete grinning, she noticed his forearm tattoo. "Pete, ya got 'people' tattooed on yer arm?"

Pete pulled his sleeve back. "We the People," he said, showing her the whole tattoo.

"First three words of the Declaration of Independence," Kaede said.

"It is," he agreed. "Something I think everyone should remember."

"Aye Lad. Though, yer politicians should remember that as well," Kaede told him.

Pete chuckled. "I couldn't agree more. Tomorrow, can we talk about your time in Seattle?"

Kaede nodded. "We kin talk about many things. What I woan say nothing about is where I live. Too many folks willin ta hurt me family. I also can't say a few things bout the aliens, but we'll git ta that." Seeing the waitress heading their way, Kaede waved her over.

Kaede and Kouta ordered double single malts in a half glass of water (anything beginning with Glen). Pete ordered Guinness, Dave ordered bourbon, which earned him a frown from Kaede.

A man got up on the small stage and announced the beginning of the contest. Right away, a pudgy white haired and bearded man got up to start the show. He sang the Beatles 'When I'm Sixty Four', and did it well, getting applause. Next, a middle aged woman got up and did Bonnie Tyler's 'I Need a Hero.' She was followed by a young man who sung a love song to his wife.

As the singers went on, that's where everyone at the table's attention turned to.

Kaede downed the last of her Scotch and let out a loud huff. "Guess I should git up there fore I lose me nerve."

"You'll do fine," Kouta assured her.

Kaede went over to the stage at the other end of the room. On the way there, she was now in better lighting. One woman cried, "It's Kaede! It's really her!"

Before Kaede got to the stage, people were applauding. Kaede waved an went up to select her song. Taking the mike, she said with a blush, "I hope I kin live up ta yer expectations," which caused more cheering as well as every phone in the place pointed at her.

"Now, I'm really nervous," she said. She nodded for the man to start the music. He did. Kaede sang in a smooth, clear voice.

Such a feelin's comin' over me

There is wonder in 'most ev'ry thin I see

Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in me eyes

And I,

Woan be surprised if it's a dream

.

Everythin I want the world ta be,

is now comin' true especially fer me

And the reason is clear, it's because you are here

Yer the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

.

I'm on the

Top o the world lookin' down on creation

An the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around

Yer love's put me at the top o the world

.

Somethin' in the wind has learned me name

An it's tellin' me that things are not the same

In the leaves on the trees an the touch o the breeze

There's a pleasin' sense o happiness fer me

.

There is only one wish on me mind

When this day is through I hope that I will find

That tamorra will be just the same fer you an me

All I need will be mine if you are here

.

I'm on the

Top o the world lookin' down on creation

An the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around

Yer love's put me at the top of the world

.

I'm on the

Top of the world lookin' down on creation

An the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around

Yer love's put me at the top of the world

The last chorus, many of the patrons sang with her. At the end of the song, a thunderous applause rose. Quite a few people stood up. Kaede blushed again and bowed. Her "Thank ya," was nearly drowned out. Pointing over the crowd, she called, "That song's fer me husband, Kouta!"

Kaede stepped down and bowed her way along as the applause kept up. Kouta was standing by their table also clapping heartily for her until Kaede came up, then they met in a close hug and a kiss, which caused more applause.

Pete took note there was more to Kaede than he thought. In the interview tomorrow, he was going to try to bring that out.