A/n: Here I am, finally back with an update! Sorry for the long wait. I've had a lot on since last year, including getting married and dealing with stress and frequent doctors trips to find out if something was wrong with me.

I do finally have some art to show now, so keep tabs on my Tumblr (or my deviantart) if this is something you're interested in ^^

Lullaby-of-the-Lost - Deviantart
syntheticsorrow - Tumblr

I can't link unfortunately.

Thank you for the reviews!

Estella Dorada:

It was too easy for sure, that's why Stitch is suspicious about it still. He knows that the only way for it to die was for HIM to die (and yes, he did) but still, something does seem off about it to him. This is indeed the calm that precedes the chaos, so keep on reading to find out why you feel that way ;)

He doesn't look bad, but he utterly hates it. He just feels like more of a monster and wants them gone. Lilo on the other hand, thinks he looks cool. XD His alternate form (the one that Nani saw) looks a little like Chopsuey, just different. He can change his shape but he just prefers to stay himself. What he did change into set off his stress a lot. The power-cell is responsible for making him giant enough to destroy cities, while his Metamorphosis is tied to his genetics. Without the cell he can change his form, but not grow huge. I hope that clears that up!

You'll find out soon, but yes, he does have PTSD now, as well as anxiety. He's been through hell. I've tortured the poor boy enough as it is but it's not over for him yet. XD 621 does have a unique ability, I'll get to that soon! And I'm glad you like his name! I figured Jumba would have some sentimental meanings tied back to creating Stitch ^^

She is, and like him her love for him is deep. He changed her life in so many ways, and she did the same for him. ^^ Lilo will never forget what he's done for her, and she wants to go back to the moon with him haha.

Stitch's speech is improving, now that he knows about Mitch, that's what has helped him speak more fluently.

I'm really glad you liked that segment. I thought it would be fun to have them visit there at least once, for Lilo's sake! (And yes, she absolutely loved it and it was a dream come true for her.)

Exactly. He just did it for her to make her happy because he knows she's been through a lot, and there is potential now for things to get worse. She had to have something to look forward to. Lilo is smart, and will not be influenced by him. She knows that he appreciates her. Not to worry, they won't be caught and the guards and the police that were there wouldn't be able to figure out what it was anyway. Most of the adults they ran past thought they were in costumes. Well, Lilo was at least. XD

Oh he is. XD I did do a sketch of them running away from Graceland that I haven't finished, and you can see how he looks with those features there, but any art I will do will be over on my Tumblr in the near future. ^^ And yes, he's very insecure about it. He finds it hard to believe that Lilo can accept him despite everything, so he's constantly trying to tell himself she means what she says. He doesn't have to worry though, because her also dressing up to make him feel better is her way or proving to him she accepts him as he is. She doesn't see or think he's a monster at all, even if he looks different. To her he looks cool. And yes, he hates it.

Hehe, I'm glad you loved this part ^^ I wanted a cute, beach scene with them. She will eventually find out what it means, but that will be in a hard way. Stitch knows that Lilo is a little more mature than other girls her age due to her circumstances, but above all he just wants to respect her. He is serious about wanting to be with her and he knows that something will have to change for that to happen. He can wait a lifetime for her if he has to.

I don't really like Keoni either (and admittedly I'm not the biggest fan of Angel). XD Chopsuey will be around now, yes :D There is reason for that though, and as I get to the end of this story you'll see why. ^^ Nani's doing okay. But thing's are going to get rocky.

Thanks again for the review. Of course, I'll be finishing this story as promised, so please don't worry and thanks for keeping tabs on me. I'm just sorry to keep you waiting so long!

Miss/Liz: Thank you! I'm happy you've been enjoying the chapters ^^

Warmal: Thank you! It will take a while, so it won't be something I'll be doing too often, more so when I feel up to it. I think it's cool that you can put art on there. I wish had that option. I didn't think of it like that, tbh, but after you pointed that out I was like... yeah, that's exactly it! There is a reason for it, which he'll soon enough but now that Mitch is there too, he knows he's gonna have all sorts of emotions. Glad you liked the Graceland sequence, I love writing scenes like that, just the two of them ^^

The NaturalLlama3: Sorry for not updating lol. I probably won't do that sorry as I do not like alcohol myself.

Guest/SimeonKo/Floremartin:

Thank you! :3

Anyway, I hope you like the rest to come and I hope I don't disappoint you all after coming this far lol. ^^; Thanks for sticking by me with this fic and I am looking forward to the finale, which will be coming soon.

I remained quiet throughout the scan and tests. I was far too embarrassed to say to my father how exactly I'd destroyed his pillow, so I kept my mouth shut whenever he asked. Afterwards he picked me up and put me down in front of his computer and that was how I spent most of the morning—it took me about two hours to find a similar pillow (we couldn't remember the manufacturer name of the original) with him rambling into my ear non-stop about how many good sleeps he was going to not be having on account of NOT having his favourite pillow anymore. The new one would arrive in two weeks time.

Somehow I doubted he'd ever get his pillow.

"There. Hasihk?"

He scowled. He was in a terrible mood. "Don't be starting with me 626, you will be covering extra shipping costs of new pillow by cleaning up my ship to compensate."

I scowled back at him. "Why can't pa just use another pillow?"

"Maybe if other pillows didn't make Jumba's neck stiff I would be doing so 626, but maybe if certain little blue pain-in-the-kiester hadn't of destroyed the ONLY pillow Jumba found comfy, he–wouldn't–be–IN–this–position!" He poked my stomach repeatedly in time with his words. "I've WARNED you about going into my quarters, multiple times yet you still do not listen! Perhaps you are needing good kick up the patookie!"

"Stitch already said soka!"

"Still does not excuse you breaking what isn't yours and defying my orders."

"It's JUST a PILLOW."

"IS BESIDES POINT 626!" he yelled at me and I flinched. "Pillow was only thing that helped Jumba's bad neck. Was special pillow to me if even if just nothing but silly pillow to you!"

"Got new one, tisa yuuga naga chita coota! Gaba more do you want me to say?"

He sighed. "Is nothing you can say."

I just glared at him at that. "What about tests?"

"Will take another hour to get results. Be patient."

I growled. "I said I was sorry!"

My father deadpanned at me. "Point is, you need to learn to stay out of my room. I've been too lenient with you. You already disobeyed me with transporter and pictures. Pillow was final straw. From beginning you were not allowed in there, remember?"

"..." I looked at the floor. "Gaba ika tasoopa?"

"About?"

"About the room!" I exclaimed. "Always so protective and jumpy 'bout Stitch going in there. Why?"

"..."

"Well?"

"It's none of your business, 626."

Yeah... he was in a bad mood. I would have rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"Whatever?! Why can you not just respect my private space, 626? It's not that much to ask is it?"

"It's weird!"—he looked furious at that— "...well... it is! I naga get mad at you when you come into my room!"

"Just STAY OUT of my ROOM 626. For Rofplar's sake."

I didn't know what else I could do at that point. I didn't think the pillow was that important but apparently it had some type of other-worldly thing about it that nothing could top it. Imagine getting this mad over a pillow.

Jumba was crossing his arms at me by that point. There had to be some other reason why he was this angry about it. I think I knew what it was.

"Did Gamada have something to do with that pillow?"

He froze slightly at that.

"Well?"

"Just get out, 626."

I raised a brow at him. "Stitch detaka. Should not be fighting now."

He clenched his fists at that but then pointed at the door after facing away from me. I just shook my head, before jumping down from the chair and leaving.

My father and I normally didn't fight with each other. It was rare. The fact he'd froze up like that once I mentioned his ex-wife though... perhaps that's why he was so bothered about it.

I knew he held onto his memories of her, despite how horrible she'd been to him. I felt sad that my father couldn't move on from her and I knew it was a very touchy subject. He'd been scared of me remembering my past when seeing her jewellery in his bedroom. He'd kept it near those pictures I'd gone through and I wondered why he held onto those memories so tightly. Maybe it just reminded him of a better time that he didn't want to let go of. When he was actually happy.

But he'd always told me he was happiest when I came into his life. Surely that outweighed the negative past he'd had on account of her? Of course there were many things I still didn't understand about my father, but I'd never pried. He had his quirks and he had reason for doing the things he did. If he didn't want me in his bedroom again I'd just have to respect it. I liked sleeping in his bed, though. It was comfy. It made me wonder why he was okay with Lilo in there with me that time but I just concluded he was seeing red about the pillow and in due time he'd be okay with me in there again.

I knew Jumba's temper. While it was bad, it never lasted. He knew there were far more important things to worry about. Though I wondered if at that point something else was bothering him because it likely was from how he was being.

Right now I had a lot to worry about. Demon 626 had unveiled my identity to Yuki, Elena and Aleka. How were they going to react to me after that incident? I'd probably never be allowed back to class with Lilo now and I thought about this as I trudged back down to the house. Another thing was predominately on my mind though—Mr Kuakini.

Now he knew there was more to me and my past. He was aware that I was a monster. But now I had true evidence I was Mitch and it wasn't just a feeling or fleeting memories. I would have to talk to him about that and what had happened in limbo, but... he was going to ask questions and I would have to tell him the truth. I wasn't sure how how much detail Nani and Jumba had gone into about my past, but I'd likely end up telling him everything. About who I was and what I was. What I'd done... and what I could still potentially do.

Because I had a nagging feeling I couldn't shake that despite dead, Demon 626 wasn't finished with me yet.

My angel watched me as I pulled on some of my clothes. I used a beanie to conceal my horns and pulled on the jacket Mr Kuakini had given me on our day out, covering up my vest and tank top.

"How did the tests go?" she asked me, before giggling. "Did you... find another pillow?"

I wanted to laugh but after what had happened between us before, I couldn't. "Ih, but not same. Pa very mad at me."

Lilo noticed my mood shift. "Well... what about the tests?"

"Wouldn't tell me..." I told her. "I meant it when I said he is mad at me."

She sighed, coming over to hug me. "I'm sure if he's mad he doesn't mean it Stitch... he's been through a lot. It's hard not to feel angry sometimes when everything is just bad all the time."

"I know," I responded to her softly. "But right now I have other things to worry 'bout."

She gave a nod. I didn't have to tell her as she already knew what I was referring to. She cupped my cheek. "Don't worry about Moses and the other girls too much. Nani and I will talk to them again soon and reassure them. Mertle already knows about you and she kept your secret so maybe the others will do the same."

"Those brats?" I sneered. "Lilo, do you really think Aleka will? You and I both know what she is like."

"I don't want to go to class alone again," she told me sadly. "None of this was your fault."

"I know, but that's not how they will see it. I already destroyed the speaker. Now I hurt people. I can acknowledge I am dangerous, Lilo."

She stared at me for awhile at that. "Stitch... you've never spoken to me this clearly before."

That made me pause. I reached up and put my paws on her shoulders. "Mitch."

She looked confused. "That was Mitch?"

"I–" I paused. "Ih. He is reason I can speak better. Before Stitch couldn't. Was like... once memories came back, things became clearer. I learned to speak better, but at same time I felt like I just could naturally too."

She looked confused.

"I unlocked new part of mind," I tried to explain. "Is like you said, I'm Stitch and Mitch together. When was... talking to your parents... I could speak to them. When Mitch left me, I spoke like I used to."

She just stared at me. "Are you Mitch?"

"Yes, but I'm still meega."

"You met him didn't you... with my parents."

I nodded. "Ih, Lilo."

"I... actually remember him. Sort of."

I tilted my head at that. She continued, holding my paw. "Like... when I saw him last he was in that chair. There were times in the past Nani and I would be in Mr Kuakini's store and he was there. Maybe once or twice. And before all of that when I broke my wrist, I remember seeing him in the same hospital I went to. He was being treated for something and that's when he started using that chair."

"Had disease. Ruined legs."

She looked down. "Since finding out about you and him... I've felt bad."

"Gaba? Aka ba?"

"Because he was there and then he was just... gone. I do remember now Stitch. It was big talk around the town when he died. I never really got to know him, but it was an odd feeling. I already knew what coping with death was like as my parents died Stitch, but seeing pictures around and such... I remember seeing a little card at school, on the window with his picture on it. I also think I did speak to him briefly, at the hospital, but it's blurry. I can't remember what I said. I was five. I just remember he stood out due to his hair."

I just rubbed at her arms.

"I don't know... it's just weird to think now that you're him."

"Isa weird for Stitch too," I told her. "But Stitch content with it and accepted that he me now. Nothing needs to change, Lilo just retcha that."

"..." She just looked at me as I pulled on my jacket. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Something I need to do..."

"Oh... should I come?"

I leaned over and kissed her on the head. "Naga. I'll be back a bit later."

She looked after me sadly as I left, heading down from the dome and out of the front door.

I didn't have to head very far. It turned out that Mr Kuakini was on his way up to the house and I came across him at the end of the street leading up to our driveway. He paused and we both stared at each other for a few moments. He looked a little scared and I knew why.

"It's me..." I told him quietly.

His expression furrowed at that but he kept his distance. I reached into my jacket and pulled out the journal, holding it out to him.

"Really..."

Finally his expression relaxed, and he walked up closer to me to take it and stared at it, running a hand over the withered cover.

"..."

I really had no idea if he wanted to talk to me or not at that point. I had a suspicion that things wouldn't go back to how they were between us before. Feeling like there was nothing more I could do or say at that point, I turned to head back home, only to feel a hand on my shoulder. I paused, turning back around slightly.

"Don't leave."

"..."

He stared at me quietly before holding out his hand in gesture. Hesitantly, I turned back to his direction. He had no expression on his face.

"Let's talk."

We walked slowly, heading back up the street and towards town. The weather was cooler again today and I kept my hands buried deep in my pockets. There was construction work going on around the road that had the massive hole in it now, and I peered over as we passed by, as did Mr Kuakini. Cars were being redirected. I remembered how close David had been to driving into that hole not that long ago. At least they were finally doing something about it now, as it had been sitting like that for the past few weeks.

But now they also had to clean up some of Demon 626's mess too. I felt a little apprehensive passing by the townsfolk as we walked, glad that I had my clothes on. I think Mr Kuakini sensed how I felt though because when I noticed a few people staring at me and commenting, he just pushed at me a little to walk faster. I thought we might be going to his store, but instead he passed by there and shook his head at me when I looked up at him. He led me around to his car at the back instead, and opened the door for me to climb in before getting in himself and starting the engine.

"Where are we going?"

He didn't answer me as he started driving. I couldn't see out the window fully at my height so I sat and stared down into the foot-well. There was an awkward silence between us and I was about to speak again when I heard the car crunch against gravel and come to a stop. He looked at me before unbuckling his seat belt and climbing out, coming around to my door to let me get out of the car.

Upon stepping out I had to blink a few times. I knew this place. Lilo had buried her fish here not long ago.

We were in the parking lot of Kokaua Town Cemetery.

Mitch's grave wasn't too far from Lilo's parents. It had a beautiful marble headstone with a picture of the boy in the centre and a tribute engraved around it in elegant looking font. Fresh flowers were on either side of the grave.

"I come here once a week." Mr Kuakini had the journal in his hands again. "It gives me peace."

A very strange and unsettling feeling coursed throughout me at that point as I realised I was basically standing and looking at my own grave. I'd felt this strange sensation before in limbo, looking down on Earth and seeing my father trying to resuscitate me, but now I was experiencing it again, only it was much stronger in reality.

I felt a wave of sadness followed by a wave of deep, almost burdening guilt and I realised those feelings weren't mine, but Mitch's. He hadn't wanted to die and leave his family so soon. Right now, since we were basically one entity I felt his presence inside of me the strongest I'd ever felt it. Being in limbo had clarified one thing to me—that I was never truly my own alien from the start. Seeing it from that perspective made me start to wonder if Stitch WAS actually the result of me being Mitch. Lilo calling me Stitch and it sounding similar had been a coincidence of course... but why? She could have picked any other name for me. It really made me start to wonder if who I was now was just an extension of Mitch himself in a different dimension. I did have my father's DNA and I had clarified to myself I wasn't a monster, but I did also wonder what would have happened if I returned here without Mitch being inside of me. How things might've been different. I probably would never have met Lilo and I'd likely actually be Demon 626. Lilo would have had no impact on my life nor would she have changed me. I shuddered to think about it.

I could live knowing that I was actually somebody else if it meant Lilo was a part of my life as the result.

Since I'd learned about my former life I'd wondered if I truly was who I thought I was. But standing here and seeing a grave with my name on it, and knowing I was standing there to see it, was a little foreboding to me. It made me realise there was so much that was still not understood about how time and space worked. How dimensions worked. Life and death.

There had to be a reason why Mitch had come back to life as me. Why he'd been pulled into that dimensional plane as I'd been created. It could have been anybody else and it could have gone any other way, but it had gone this way. I was confused while at the same time, I felt like I was in turmoil. I had to sit down, feeling a little breathless and I couldn't stop myself tearing up. The question of 'who am I' kept resurfacing in my mind. It felt like being hit in the face with a freight train.

Mr Kuakini sat beside me. "I originally never intended to bring you here. It's hard for me and it will be harder for you I imagine but..." he trailed off softly. "I wanted to see how you'd react to this place. After what Jumba and Nani told me about you because I... I just don't want to believe it's true."

I was quiet. I couldn't look at him.

"You... were created as a monster and Jumba's original intention was to kill..."

"..."

"...And you did..."

I swallowed slightly and my eyes narrowed. This was it.

"Ih. I was," I told him, standing up to face him now. "And I was forced to. Because I didn't want to... and when I did, I wiped out an entire planet and razed it to the ground."

He just stared at me.

"I mutilated others," I continued in a flat tone. "Slaughtered and killed thousands of helpless aliens. Famalees."

"..."

I pointed to the grave. "THAT is where I belong."

His eyes widened at that. He flinched before letting out a shout and banging his fist against the grass. "NO! MY SON WAS NOT A MONSTER! DAMN IT!"

"He wasn't..." I said angrily. "But is now."

Mr Kuakini eyed me furiously at that, looking like he was about to hit me in the face. I stood my ground.

"I. Am. Mitch."

"..." He clenched his fists. "You said just then, you didn't want to do it."

"Naga. I didn't."

"Then you're NOT a monster because if you were, you WOULD have wanted to!" he yelled at me. There was another couple near us now visiting a grave and they looked over in alarm at hearing the shouts but I didn't care.

I knew he would try to justify every reason that Mitch wasn't a monster. And he was right, he wasn't. But that didn't stop what I'd done. Mitch had become the alien that HAD been created as a monster. He had no choice in the matter, just like I had no choice of him being me and not me being my own alien. Mr Kuakini just stared at me, heaving slightly before letting out a noise of frustration.

"What did you mean...?" I looked at him, ears rising up slightly behind my head as he addressed me. "You 'are' Mitch. I thought we already figured this out."

"I figured out memories," I told him after a few moments of silence. I wrapped my arms around my knees. "But something else happened. Got proof."

"What?"

"Had heart attack. I died again."

He looked mortified, almost unable to process what he was hearing. He reeled back and stood up in complete disbelief, nearly tripping over the grave. "W-w-WHAT?!"

I nodded. "Ih. Demon 626. The... thing in meega... we had big fight for control. My body gave up on me, I thought was trapped forever. In here... in my head." I said into my knees. "Heart gave out. I ended up in weird limbo area. Naga alive but naga dead either. I met Lilo's parents, but Mitch actually came out of Stitch too. And when that happened, for first time I was actually myself. Felt... different in a way. I learned I was never kaphong. And felt like 'cuz Mitch in me for so long, I was Stitch because of him. Not Stitch because Stitch BORN Stitch."

He went dead silent. I looked up at him.

"Lilo's parents explained isa reason why I can talk so well now. Isa why I remember so much... he went into me as Jumba created me. More dimensions exist. So memories were because I started remembering former life once I met you that day, when you mean to Lilo. Is why I felt compelled to go back, ask for job. 'Cuz something drew me back. Retcha more, that I could talk and was human once—just took long time to unlock it. We only separated because I was nearly dead and he is dead, but he said... he wanted to stay. Also 'cuz if he didn't, I would not be meega anymore. Would be evil kaphong. Thing in head."

Mr Kuakini went into a small state of shock. I could see tears in his eyes.

"Soul exists in me—he came back 'cuz wasn't ready to detaka. Just like you naga ready to let go," I said quietly. "I can accept that who I am now... Stitch... is result of Mitch being in a new life. New body. But my life IS Stitch now and Jumba is my father."

He couldn't bring himself to say anything for a few moments. "So you ARE truly Mitch then. And right now I'm actually speaking to my son."

I closed my eyes. "Ih."

He looked at the picture on the grave before looking back at me and I noticed him do this a few times. He reached up to my head, brushing his hand through my fur parted over my face. "I can see you."

I just looked at him. He looked at the grave again. "You're not... actually in there."

"I'm looking at my own grave." I simply said.

I saw him shudder at that. He looked slightly dizzy and out of concern I held him steady, helping him sit down. He put his head to his hand and I stood up, going over to pick up the journal.

"Didn't want you to read this."

Mr Kuakini just stared at me. "Well... I honestly thought you were gone. I don't regret what I did."

I looked away from him.

"Why didn't you ever talk to me about how you truly felt? When you were alive?"

"You wouldn't understand..." I told him.

"And what wouldn't I understand?"

"..."

He put his hand on my shoulder at that and stared deep into my eyes. I looked down after a moment or so.

"Do you feel better talking to me as Stitch, or as Mitch?"

That made me look back at him. It was hard to put into words how I felt. I didn't want to keep speaking to him as though I was Mitch because I was me. And 'me' was a mixture of both Stitch and Mitch mixed into one. I'd kept telling my father I wasn't Mitch... but now I couldn't deny it any longer after physically having the boy's soul come out of me. I didn't WANT to lose my identity. The one that I'd grown up with. Stitch existed because Mitch couldn't remember who he was straight away and his memories were locked. It was like destiny that I was supposed to end up on Earth, meet Lilo and then eventually go on to meet Mr Kuakini, so those memories COULD unlock. Though part of me wondered if this contributed to why my father had been mad before.

Often there was an underlying reason for Jumba's tempers, or general anger. I'd seen how he'd reacted to Mr Kuakini being there in the ship when I was in the holding cell, despite being friendly with the man, and his expressions over me telling them about how Mitch and I had separated. I knew as much as he didn't want to, he HAD to accept that there were other forces beyond our control at play when it came to my existence. I was unnatural, but Mitch wasn't. He was organic. And I wondered if it was because I was unnatural that other forces had a say over who I was when I was created because I was created outside of a plan. And from what I had learned about humans THEY believed they were created according to God's plan, which I'd never believed in being an alien. It seemed so cruel that a single deity they worshipped who'd never given a single solitary piece of proof of his existence, or saved innocent people that suffered, could control who lived and died. But yet here I was with a human inside of me.

If I had Mitch in me... if I WAS Mitch, then did that mean that Chopsuey was also similar? Was another soul inside of him as well? Or was he just as synthetic as he was supposed to be? Because we were polar opposites.

It made my head hurt to think about it. I couldn't answer him for a moment or so but he noticed my confusion.

"I..." I started, and he focused on me again. "I'm Stitch. Stitch is Mitch and meega together."

His brow arched slightly, and I could see him trying to make sense of what I was saying.

"Lilo thinks I'm fusion. Alien me, and Mitch. Isa best way to put it," I explained. "Kinda like... imagine twins. Each twin same, but has own personality. Is own self. I'm like that. Stitch is Mitch born as somebody else—won't be exact same as before 'cuz new life, Mitch naga remember old life straight away and I became me... but I am Mitch."

"I just want you to put it to me straight," he said abruptly to that. "ARE you Mitch. THE Mitch." He pointed to the grave.

I paused. "...Ih. That's me."

"You're MY son."

"Was."

"Are."

"Was," I repeated, gesturing to the grave. "While I'm still your son, I have new life. I will not cast that fact aside. I AM Stitch now, Stitch IS Mitch. You can either accept that is how it is now or not."

He looked away from me at that. "When you say that you sound just as stubborn as he did."

I had nothing to say to that. He crossed his arms.

"I do accept it. I'm just glad to have another chance with you. From the moment I found out the truth I was thankful. More than you could possibly imagine."

I sighed at that.

"So.. back to the subject. What makes you think I wouldn't understand?"

I rubbed at my eye. "Because weird to naga want to be human anymore. Naga salsa. I—MITCH—wasn't expecting to come back as something else. Made wish in journal," I put my paw over my chest. "Wanted to have something better, naga suffer all day long. He wanted that. Live normally."

Mr Kuakini stared. "And you thought I wouldn't understand that?"

"Why would you accept me if I wasn't your son?" I asked him. "Didn't want to be son anymore?"

"There have been times I've wished to be somebody else, you know," he told me, sitting down again and crossing his arm over his leg. "I wondered why I was given this life, and not the life of a famous celebrity. Or somebody that is born into a rich family and never had to experience what it's like to live day by day. I wondered why I had to be the one to end up with a shattered ankle, struggling to keep a roof over my head while others breezed through life. Why YOU had to be the one to die," he told me. "And why my luck was that bad... but even so, after all this? I wouldn't change that for what I do have and what I have achieved. Because I have my wife and daughter, and they made everything bad in my life worth suffering through. I HAD that time with you, and I treasured that every single day. I couldn't let go and I still can't."

I looked down again.

"So... like I said before, I don't care about who you are now. Or what you look like. All that matters to me is that YOU are my son, Mitch, and that I have a second chance with you."

"I'm a mass murderer." I said flatly.

He closed his eyes at that, but looked angry. He went to stop me but I raised my paw to his face, putting a claw against his mouth to silence him.

"Listen to meega. If you want to accept me as your son. As Mitch... then you HAVE to accept that life AS alien has been different to gaba was before," I spoke slowly but I was glad what I was saying was coming out clear. Mitch was persistent and I could feel it. "You HAVE to accept there is blood on hands. I'm not same Mitch I was before... even if I AM him in this body... because Stitch will never be him again."

He glared at me but I saw his eyes falter as I pointed at the grave.

"'Cuz if you cannot accept that, then you need to call meega Stitch from now on. Never Mitch again."

It took him a long time to answer me after that. He gave a shuddering sigh.

"What you did in your past does not reflect on who you are today. If you say you're not a monster, then you don't need to justify that to anybody but yourself. I can see you're not. And I'm pretty sure your family can to. Because I know that you were forced into doing what you did on account of Jumba. The Mitch I know would never have wanted that, you were MY son when you were human and I know you better than anybody else." He pulled my paw away from his face. "If you want to keep telling yourself you're a mass murder, or alien terrorist, or demon... then you keep telling yourself that. Because I'll never believe it."

"Evidence."

He shook his head. "There can be all the evidence in the world, I don't care. It does not mean that I believe you did it because you wanted to. I just cannot fathom you would WANT to be a monster for the sake of you WANTING to be a monster, Mitch."

I thought about that for a moment before reluctantly pulling off my beanie. He watched me for a moment before doing a double take. I saw his jaw drop a little.

"What... on earth are those? Are those... are those HORNS?"

I nodded bitterly, also unfurling my longer tail from being hidden. I saw his expression falter again.

"But... didn't you..." he trailed off, and I could see him watching it as I flicked it into view. "H-how is that possible?"

"What if told you Stitch wanted this?" I said to him and he looked utterly perplexed. "Tried to makea happen... it happened. So naga only isa kaphong, now I look like ugly demon."

"But why?"

I sighed, pulling back on the beanie forcefully. "Jumba created me with ability to change form. I have... lots of DNA of all different creatures. Not just his DNA. Wanted to test it, because Demon in head looked like this..." I explained. "Could change his features. Said I could to. But... got stuck like this."

I paused. "I didn't want to. Want to go back to normal."

"Can you?"

"Naga. Every time I try, it hurts."

He looked saddened and I saw him thinking it over. "Well... even if you have those features, it still doesn't change anything."

"...?"

"Like I've told you multiple times now, you're not a monster, Mitch."

I just sighed, but he made me face him again. "Well, maybe we can try something."

"Like what?"

He looked at my tail. "Well... is there something blocking it all? That you can't change back?"

"Pa said it was stress."

He gave a nod. "Understandable. Stress can make things hard and you've been through the works lately. Look at my hair."

I did. It was grey.

"It went like this after you died."

I looked back at the grave again at that. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him when Mitch had died. "Was I... am I down there?" I asked him quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"My... body. Human body."

He looked a little distressed at hearing that. I probably shouldn't have said it but I was genuinely curious.

"Yes." Was all he said. I didn't push any further.

"..."

Awkwardly, I walked right up to him and put my paws against his knees. "Lucha. I am here now, okeytaka?" I told him, and he looked at me with another teary gaze. "Call meega Mitch if makes you happy. Stitch don't mind... and I don't mind speaking as Mitch to you even if isa awkward for me, because I'm Stitch now. But if makes you strong, I can do it for you. I am Mitch... I KNOW I'm Mitch. But you need to accept me as Stitch. Because that's the next version of who I was."

He gave a nod after a moment or so, before pulling me down to sit in his lap. "I do."

I let out a short breath. "Gutak..."

He looked down at me for a moment or so before I saw him look at the grave again. He sat like that with me quietly for a good ten minutes or so. I couldn't tell what was on his mind.

"What... is it like for you now?"

"Hm?"

"Not being human anymore. I guess it would feel odd for you."

"A little..." I told him. "Feels no different to me. Born this way."

"But... do you remember what it was like being human?"

"Naga... just that it was painful..." I told him. "Remember the pain mostly. Leg's occasionally feel like jelly—like Stitch can't walk."

"You drew those pictures in the journal," he told me and I flinched. "Of your legs being cut off."

I nodded. "Is why I did not want you to ever see journal, think I was psychopath."

He laughed. "No. We all deal with pain. You had it far worse."

"Ih..." I paused. "Will stay between us?"

"What? The journal?" he asked.

"Ih... Never wanted you to find it. Even as Stitch, never wanted it either."

"I needed to read it. Like I said, I thought you were gone. I thought you were just being nosy but you actually had a good reason to read it that night. You wanted to unlock answers."

I nodded. "Room confirmed a lot to me. Brought back lots of memories."

"It confirmed a lot to me too, but one thing above all..." he smiled, and I turned to look up at him.

"Gaba?"

"That even with fur you're still covered in a million freckles."

I bit my lip at that. He laughed.

"You got that from Alanna's side. Well... as hard as it is to be here... and to know that you're six feet under, it does help me a lot knowing that you're right here in my lap. That I can at least hold you again."

I felt eased hearing that. "Makes Stitch hasihk too. Finally have answer."

I felt him rub my ear. "I wonder what Alanna and Kalia would think if they knew who you were."

"Are you going to tell them?" I asked.

"I... wasn't planning to but ultimately it's up to you. They'd probably think I'm crazy. I'll respect whatever you want me to do." He stood up, setting me down. "I'm not going to stop coming here though, nor am I going to stop being a part of your life. Jumba will have to accept that."

He looked down at me. "I hope... you want the same."

"I do, ih," I told him. "Like being with you."

He gave a nod. He started to head away from the grave after picking up the journal again, and I followed him quietly. A few people stared at me as we passed when I realised my tail was still visible and quickly hid it. Mr Kuakini led me back to the car and opened up the door for me before getting in and resting his hands on the steering wheel.

"You are welcome to visit... your grave." He sounded a little awkward. "If you want to."

I shook my head frantically at that and he nodded in understanding, thankfully not continuing on that subject. I... really didn't want to go back to it. It was far too weird for me and I felt a deep sadness from it.

As we drove away from the cemetery, he asked me another question. "So... that other alien. The tall green one that looks a bit like you. He was the one you told me about before, correct? Who exactly is he again?"

I sighed. "621. His name is Chopsuey. Isa like a 'cousin' to me. He's an experiment. Kinda like me, but he is not biologically related to Jumba. I am 'n he hates Stitch for it. Daba hakkiah ikata meega."

He looked confused. "Uh... some words you say I cannot understand, sorry."

"Soka. I say he was one to attack me," I repeated.

He looked perplexed.

"Well... is that why you have a number for your name?"

"Ih. But name isa special to Jumba even if just number."

"So where exactly did the name Stitch come from?"

"Lilo named me that. When she adopted me. Before knew I was alien."

"How did she take it when she found out?"

"Not too well..." I told him, looking down. "Weega... blew up their home and I... put her in danger. Jumba was after me."

"Why?"

I sighed. "Long story."

"I have time. I want to hear it from you."

I looked up at him before reluctantly starting to explain the rest of my past. I just wanted it off my chest at that point.

He ended up pulling the car over and that's how we remained for the next hour or so, just sitting in the car as I explained to him about how I'd been born, how Chopsuey had tried to kill me and what exactly had happened with the Metamorphosis programming after the missions and how I'd done them to make Jumba happy, but then what Jumba had done and killed me for not wanting to obey him. The fall and electrocution and the cell and how that had activated due to Chopsuey and the 6-26B's tracking me down and trying to kill me. The tension with the family and Nani turning on me and pulling the gun on me as well as saving me from killing myself. My love for Lilo. Demon 626 and what had happened in my head and why I'd wrote that letter to him. Pretty much everything. All in it's macabre detail.

And then I told him what I was currently afraid of. That the cell wasn't truly dead and soon enough I probably would destroy Kauai. I started crying when I told him this and saw the mortified look on his face. Hearing it all out in the open made me realise just how much I'd been through and I had unpacked a LOT on him.

He was quiet, but eventually he picked me up and put me into his lap to hug me.

"After all of this, you can be rest assured that I still do not view you as a monster. It pains me terribly to hear that you've been suicidal and experienced so much pain and death, even IN a new body. I'm glad you came to talk to me those few times you did."

I looked up at him and sniffled slightly. "Why? How can you not?"

"Because you're my son, that's why."

"Wa—"

"Shh," he put his finger to my mouth this time. "Not 'was'. You ARE."

"No..." I shook my head.

"YES."

My eyes narrowed. "NAGA. Jumba is my father!"

"You can deny it all you like, Mitch. But you know yourself you're in there."

He was right. Mitch was literally inside of me so I had to accept it.

"Well... it won't sit well with Jumba if you say that."

"I know," he replied a little angrily before sighing deeply. "I just... miss you. I want you back with me. But I can't have that. All I can do now is just visit you. Jumba... is your father and the Pelekai sisters are your family."

I nodded. "Can visit you everyday if you want. Just cannot go back to how it was before."

He looked at me directly. "That day we went golfing, I sat in the car for nearly an hour afterwards. I couldn't bring myself to leave. It was hard. Hard to see my son being carried away by another who is his biological father now. You were taken from me just like that... and I wondered if I was... better off not knowing the truth."

I was startled to hear that. "Gaba?! Why?"

"Because it hurt like HELL, Mitch. You were gone for so long. You had died. And now, that you're back I can't have you. You're not MY son anymore, even though you are. It's not fair."

I rubbed my arm at hearing that. "...Perhaps is just how is meant to be," I told him. "In exchange for me being here, you cannot have me back as human 'cuz that life passed. Had to come at some cost."

He looked upset at that and looked out of the window again.

"Isa like you said... have to cherish what have. Even if I'm like this and don't belong with you anymore, and Alanna and Kalia never know who I am, I can still be a part of your family. Ohana."

"..."

"Would you feel better if they knew?" I asked him quietly. I could tell it was really bothering him.

"Of course, Mitch. They are your mother and sister."

It still felt weird for me to hear that. I'd grown used to the idea now of Mr Kuakini being my father... but still. I couldn't help but feel out of place.

"They were once..." I told him. "But I don't... feel that now. I can't. Soka"

I thought he would try to protest that, but instead he just nodded. "I know. It was me that wanted you back the most."

"Did they not want me back?"

"No, it wasn't that at all..." he told me. "They simply moved on. They could just... handle your death better like that I guess. It took us all a very long time to heal after the funeral. But for me, it was constant ongoing grief. The deepest kind of pain imaginable. I felt like half of my soul was gone. Even when I was finally happy again and starting to finally accept you were gone, when I was alone I was utterly broken. So many nights I purposefully stayed back at the shop late, to avoid being at home and being surrounded by your pictures. The memories were everywhere and that's why I shut your bedroom door and never opened it again until you slept over. They let you go because it was easier for them to accept that you had gone. That you weren't in pain anymore."

I knew now that was why I felt that disconnect. Mr Kuakini had a very strong bond with Mitch and they lived for each other. Mitch ultimately came back because of Mr Kuakini needing him. But he hadn't wanted to go, either. The journal made a lot more sense to me now.

I gazed sadly at him. "You loved Mitch. Very much."

"I still do."

"I know..." I told him. "Isa why I'm like this now."

He looked at me and I put my paw against his hand. He took it, observing the differences.

"Both wanted to not let go..." I told him. "Yuuga couldn't. He couldn't. He wanted to stay. And I can't explain why it happen," I told him. "But he exists in me now. And Stitch kali ashol eech, because I've been able to remember who I was and know now why am way I am. Not what Jumba wanted me to be."

Mr Kuakini stared at me for the longest time at that. "For three years straight I prayed for a sign. For something... anything to see you again."

"Well, it worked."

He looked a little troubled at hearing that but then started to smile and laugh. I was glad that made him feel better.

"I still have... road ahead of me. Naga know what will happen..." I told him quietly and he stopped laughing. "But kali ashol eech Stitch got to see you again."

"Don't talk that way. Whatever does happen we can get through it together." I couldn't answer him at that. I felt him pull off my beanie and run a finger up one of the horns. "And we can start by working on this."

"...?"

"You're stressed, right? So why don't you come over and spend a few hours with me. We can relax and watch your favourite movies again, just like we used to. Maybe you can help me understand some of those words you speak now too."

I gazed at him at that. It did sound very appealing. And with Jumba being moody with me right now, I didn't really feel up to going home yet. Especially to Chopsuey taunting me about how I looked.

"O-okeytaka."

He gave me a soft smile, and pulled away from the side of the road. We'd been there for over an hour and a half.

Kalia was there when we got to Mr Kuakini's home. She stared at me in surprise as we entered but she was delighted to see me again.

"Hi Stitch!"

"Aloha..." I said to her. She was sitting at the dining table with a photo album and looking through it. A bunch of other photo albums were there as well. Mr Kuakini observed this, asking her what she was doing.

"It's for school. I have to find photos for the year book," she explained. "They are doing a collage of things this year and wanted us to get some photos of us as kids."

"I... I see..." Mr Kuakini said to that. "What photos were you thinking of using?"

"I was going to pick some from these.." she gestured to a small pile. "We get them back, of course. They will just copy them."

Mr Kuakini took the pile and sifted through it. I saw him pause at one photo and look at me. By that point I had climbed up to sit beside her at the table. When he put the photos down I could see why. It was a photo of Kalia and Mitch. I drew it across to look at it.

"Are you going to use the one with your brother?"

"I was, yeah..." she looked at him. "That okay dad?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"I promise I'll be careful with it. And it's a double, if that helps."

Mr Kuakini rubbed her shoulder before leaving the room and heading into the kitchen. Kalia looked at me. "He's kinda protective of these photos. He doesn't really like me going through them."

I gave a slow nod, looking at the albums. I pulled one forth and flicked through it curiously and I could see Mr Kuakini watching me from the kitchen as it had an area that looked over the living room. I could tell a lot was going through his mind at that point.

There was a lot of photos of Mitch when he was younger. Before he was in the chair. But then I was startled to find something I wasn't expecting to see.

Lilo was in one of the photos, in the shop. It looked like a new version of Mr Kuakini's store—there was hardly anything there apart from what looked like a few old orange carts to the side. Mitch was sitting on what I recognised as the front counter, though it looked very different. It was blue back then. Lilo was in the background, and her back was to the camera, but she was very small. She looked incredibly young, probably a toddler. Mitch looked about six if I were to guess his age.

I wanted to show Lilo that photo. I wondered if Mr Kuakini would let me.

Kalia noticed me looking at it.

"That was just before he was diagnosed," she said, looking a little sad, yet I heard a hint of lost nostalgia in her tone. "I took that photo. Dad had just refurbished the store."

I gave a nod. She went back to looking through the other albums as I continued looking through the one beside me. It felt weird to me seeing snippets of a life I once had but never knew about until recently. Some of the places in the photos I recognised, as though I'd been there. It was like déjà vu again, just like in the bedroom. More surging feelings erupted from within and I knew Mitch had fond memories of the places he'd gone in the photos.

Seeing Lilo in the photo made me wonder if we were always connected in a way, even before I was created.

After a while I sat with my chin in my paw, just watching Kalia pick out photos until Mr Kuakini came back out to us.

"Aha!" Kalia voiced. "I was looking for this one."

"Is that all of them then?"

"I think that's enough for now." She smiled. "I'll go through them with Chelsea. See what she thinks."

"Alright. Don't stay out too late."

"I won't dad. Bye Stitch."

She kissed her father goodbye before taking the photos and picking up a backpack and leaving. I watched her go before Mr Kuakini sighed and my ears perked up. Quietly he gathered up the albums to put them away.

"Wait!"

"What is it?" he asked me. I pointed to the album he was holding and he handed it to me. I flipped through it and pointed to the photo I'd been looking at before.

"Can I show this to Lilo?"

He looked confused, but took the photo out and looked at it. "Oh... I never realised she was in this one."

I nodded.

"Of course, Mitch. Keep it if you like. In fact, feel free to take any of them back home with you."

I hadn't expected that. "Oh. Okeytaka. Dougabba."

He stared at me before carrying the albums away and putting them back. As I jumped down from the dining table and walked over behind him I thought I heard something, but brushed it off. Eventually he turned back to me, holding out some videos. "Which one?"

I smiled. One stood out to me instantly.

"Earth vs the Spider."

A little while later we were snuggled on the couch, watching the movie.

"I don't know why you always liked this one so much..." he said to me, looking at the VHS cover. "I thought it was silly."

I just snorted.

For the majority of the movie I saw Mr Kuakini looking at me, in deep thought. I had taken off the beanie and jacket and was relaxing as a full alien. A few times he would push aside one of my antennae to feel a horn. When the movie was almost halfway, he spoke up again.

"Perhaps I could give you a massage."

I looked at him in wonder. "Massage?"

"Yeah. That might relieve some tension."

I blinked. It was actually quite a good idea. I didn't even think of it. He gestured to his lap and I lay flat on my stomach across his legs. Gently he worked his fingers into my head, around the base of my ears and across the back of my skull. It was a little tender where the chip had been and I flinched, causing him to recoil.

"Naga, it's okay." I reassured him. "Just sore."

He nodded and continued. The massage felt nice. When he started going towards my back I instantly retracted my spines, save for the ones on my arms which were still stuck there. He avoided them but took up each of my arms and rubbed them. I could feel myself drifting to sleep as I tried to focus on the movie but I was too relaxed. He dug a little harder into my back, and to my surprise he actually managed to work out a lot of tension in my spine and I even felt some pops as he released some knots.

"Good grief you're stiff," he told me. "Just relax."

I tried to. Eventually he stopped and I wondered what he was doing before I felt him run a hand along the full length of my tail. I turned to look at him.

"How do you feel? Want to see if you can change them back now?"

I sighed, and sat up. I was apprehensive. "It really hurts..."

"Give it a try at least."

I nodded. I closed my eyes and focused on my head. A surge of pain presented itself and I felt my heart sink. I was about to reach up to feel the damage I'd done this time and how much blood had come out as a result only I paused when I heard Mr Kuakini cry out.

"It's working!"

What?!

I opened my eyes at that and reached up to feel the horns. They'd gotten significantly smaller.

"I don't know what you're doing, but keep doing it!"

I was ecstatic and quickly focused intently on my head. Please disappear... I don't want to be a demon anymore...

I felt a small pop, and then... nothing. I reached up and to my disbelief my skin was back to normal. The horns had finally gone. I had a few small drops of blood on my claws but that was about it.

I let out a gasp from my shock. Mr Kuakini grinned at me. "Try the rest!"

I did just that. Soon enough the spines on my arms disappeared as well. However my tail wouldn't change, no matter how hard I concentrated.

"Don't overexert yourself..." he told me, seeing how frustrated I was getting and reaching out to stop me from lashing it angrily. "You can try again later."

I sighed. He put a hand on my shoulder.

"You know it works. You don't have to worry about it now, because you can and WILL change back to normal."

I looked up at him before returning his smile. His reassurance helped a lot, though I shuddered.

"I hate it... I hate Metamorphosis..."

He just looked at me sadly and it was quiet between us for a little while again as the rest of the movie played. I wasn't paying very much attention though. I never wanted to change like that again.

There was nothing cool about being a monster.

To distract myself I started teaching him some basic Tantalog and Mr Kuakini put the blanket back over me.

A little later on as evening approached, Alanna arrived back home from work and was as delighted as Kalia has been to see me. I ended up staying there for dinner after we watched one more movie.

Kalia arrived back home as we were sitting down to eat. I was glad I didn't have to wear the beanie or hide my arms anymore, though I did keep my tail hidden away as I really didn't want them asking questions about why I looked like a devil.

Mr Kuakini kept his gaze towards me as I ate. Alanna and Kalia didn't really seem to notice or pay as much attention to me. I knew why Mr Kuakini was doing it, though—it was the first time in years he'd been able to have dinner with Mitch again.

If Mitch had any particular dinner habits, I was probably imitating them exactly because I saw Mr Kuakini smile and shake his head a little at a few things I did.

"Salt, then the tiniest amount of pepper possible that there wasn't a point to it, and then too much butter before exactly one small sip of milk."

The others looked confused at hearing him say that. Only then did I realise I had literally just done what he'd said in that exact order. I was still even holding the glass of milk.

"Uh... what dad?" Kalia asked.

"Never mind.." he said, laughing a little. He looked extremely happy. I felt myself go a little red and put the glass down.

The rest of the dinner was mostly quiet. They had the TV on and were watching the news, and there was a report about on going maintenance around Kauai with the roads being repaired. I was a little scared they might report about what Demon 626 had done, but thankfully there was nothing.

Mr Kuakini didn't seem very surprised to see that I left a few scraps of food on my plate. Alanna cleared off the table.

"So what did Chelsea think?"

Kalia looked at her father. "She liked the ones I picked. She showed me which ones she's using. They'll look great in the yearbook."

"When is your graduation?"

"In a month. It's still sinking in that school is finally over."

I tilted my head slightly. She looked a little sad.

"It... would have been great to have Mitch there..." she sighed. "I know you and mom will be there but... it's not going to feel the same."

Alanna gave her a sad smile. "Hon, I'm sure he's always watching down over us."

Mr Kuakini looked at me at that. I saw him give a deep sigh and he looked very troubled. He stood up and left the room. Kalia looked saddened at that. "Sorry..." she said quietly. "I know he hates me bringing it up. I was hesitant enough about the photos..." Sighing, she stood up at that and left the kitchen.

Alanna just looked at me with a gentle expression. I stared back at her, knowing deep inside that she had been my mother once, as Mr Kuakini said. I could feel that longing sensation again as I thought that. But there was nothing I could do. It was very clear to me they were still hurt, including Mitch. I almost felt like an impostor for a moment or so, sitting there as I was. Like I was keeping something they longed for the most from them.

As Stitch, I just couldn't see her as my mother.

I got down from the table and headed out to find where Mr Kuakini had gone.

It didn't take me long to find him with my nose. He was sitting out in the garden on a bench out the front, looking into the distance. I walked over to him quietly, looking around before finally deciding to say something I never thought I'd say. I swallowed my pride for a moment or so and let Mitch fully through, no longer feeling bad or weird about it.

"Dad?"

His eyes widened at that. He looked at me in astonishment, making me feel awkward. But I knew it was what he needed to hear and had longed to hear for a long time.

He didn't say anything. He just gave a sigh and looked back out at the road.

"This is why I feel like they should know."

I sighed, climbing up beside him. "Well... what do you want to do?"

"I... don't know, Mitch. I really don't. Part of me still thinks they'd call me crazy. But at the same time, I don't know if I can hold something like this back. Just like when you were gone it will eat at me. It might make them happy again, and Kalia could actually have you there at her graduation."

I stiffened slightly at that. I still had a bad feeling about things.

"..."

He looked down at me and put his hand against my cheek. "I never thought you'd call me that again."

I looked away slightly. "I do want to be there," I told him. "But I don't know what will happen to meega. I'm scared."

"I know," he told me. "I do just want to cherish that I have you back, above anything else."

I nodded. "I... should be heading back home," I told him and he looked sad, although he gave a nod.

"I will take you back then. Go in and say goodbye."

I nodded, heading back inside to say goodbye to the rest of the family. Alanna said goodbye to me in the kitchen, although Kalia walked out with me to the car, wanting to see her father.

"I'm sorry about before dad..." she said. "I know it's hard to talk about him."

He looked at her before sighing. "I know. It's alright," he rubbed the back of his head. "Can't be avoided forever."

I just looked between them. He continued, saying something that made my ears perk up.

"How would you feel about Stitch coming along to your graduation?"

Kalia looked surprised. "Uh... Stitch?"

"Yes."

She looked stumped. "Oh... um. I-I don't know, dad I'm sorry. Your little helper is very cute but I don't think.. animals would be allowed in there. I know he's not really one of those but still..." she said awkwardly, avoiding looking at me.

I looked away at that. I could see Mr Kuakini's expression falter and there was a twitch in his eye. I'd often seen Jumba react the same when people called me a dog in front of him and I could understand why he was reacting that way. Mitch was his son and HIS pride and joy, and he didn't like seeing me treated like this.

I wasn't mad though. I couldn't blame how she reacted. She had no idea about what had taken place or that her brother was actually right beside her due to some dimensional pull. It would be up to Mr Kuakini if he wanted to tell her the truth about me. It just made me feel out of place.

"That reminds me though..." Kalia said suddenly, interrupting my thoughts. "I heard you call Stitch Mitch before as I was heading out. I forgot something."

Mr Kuakini looked startled at that. I looked at her in alarm as well. Then I remembered I'd heard a noise.

"I... did?"

"Yeah," she told him, rubbing her arms from the cooler weather. "Slip of the tongue perhaps?"

Mr Kuakini went quiet at that. I continued to feel very awkward.

"I suppose. Sometimes I get the names mixed up. Similar sounding, you know?"

"Careful dad," she sounded worried. "It hurts you enough as it is, but doing something like that might make it worse."

"..."

"Anyway... it was nice seeing you again, Stitch."

She looked at me before heading back inside. Mr Kuakini just gave a deep sigh, but said nothing as he opened the door of the car for me to get in.

I predicted the trip back home would be quiet. It was. Mr Kuakini only spoke to me when he pulled up at the driveway.

"I... knew I shouldn't have asked. I knew it would seem strange but... I couldn't help myself. For a moment I was imagining you there with us, as it should have always been. Being there for important events."

"I understand..." I told him. "It's okay."

"It's a milestone and there have been so many other things you've missed on account of you..." he sighed, trailing off. "But now you have a chance not to miss this one and I want to make the most of that."

"I know," I told him. "But you would have to tell truth about meega. Can you handle knowing I'm Mitch but having to keep secret from family? She thinks I'm... well. Like everyone else thinks of me, just a dog or animal."

He looked at me at that. "I didn't like hearing that from her."

"She naga know, cannot be mad at that," I said. "Jumba deals with this nearly all the time."

He looked at me curiously at that. "Huh?"

"When we go places," I explained. "I'm viewed as 'dog' and often not allowed in and it angers my pa to see Stitch treated like that. Not as sentient being. I'm his son."

"How do you feel about it?"

"Annoys me," I told him. "Naga dog or animal, I'm an alien. Just happen to look like dog on this planet."

"I... just can't see you as that. Not anymore."

"I know. See Mitch in me. And I know it's hard for you," I continued softly. "But even if I miss out, I'm still here now."

"You have your own milestones to celebrate with... with your own family." He looked pained. I reached across and gripped his hand but he just sighed. "You should... go back into them."

I gave a nod. I went to open the car door but I paused before I reached across and hugged him. He returned it and I knew he was struggling to hold it together at that point. It had been a long day and I'd unloaded a lot about my past onto him. It was probably starting to fully hit him now.

"I'm here..." I muttered into his shirt. "If you need me, I will come. Stitch truly don't mind if you want to tell them Mitch back, alive in me. But as I said this is my life now. I cannot change that and is just how it has to be for meega to be here again."

"I know, Mitch. But I will always miss how things used to be."

"Ih..." I replied sadly, sliding across the seat to climb out. As I was about to shut the door, he looked out the window distantly.

"Love you..." I offered to him in an attempt to make him feel better and he blinked but didn't face me.

"...Goodbye."

"Bye."

I shut the door and watched as he pulled out of the driveway. This time, he drove away for sure. I noticed he didn't look back at me at all. Giving a sigh I turned and headed back up the driveway to my own house, ready to deal with my own family.

An obnoxious Chopsuey, a worried Lilo, a concerned Nani and a frantic Pleakley that David would have to try and calm down.

And of course, my moody father.