According to Angel: Part Nine

I woke up the next morning with Kara's stinky feet in my face. I scrunched up my nose, and pushed her off the bed. Then I slapped myself over the mouth and gasped.

"The soccer game!" I yelled. Kara grunted and woke up, and Chino snored loudly. I jumped out of bed quickly, and began rummaging around in my drawers. I pulled out my dark red and black jersey. It had number 15 on the back of it, right below TAKAISHI. On the front, then name "Samurais" was written in huge, Rockweller writing.

I pulled out a pair of black shorts, and my knee high soccer socks. Chino turned over sleepily just in time to see me rip off my pajama shirt.

"Oh, shit!" we cried out at the same time. He flipped back over, and I ran into the closet and slammed the door. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. I silently cursed myself, and continued dressing. When I stepped out, Kara had her hands on her hips and a funny looking smile on her face. To my surprise, she was already dressed in her soccer uniform, cleats and all. Yokomon was sitting on her head.

"So Chino got a peek at what a girl looks like in a bra, huh?" she said, trying to muffle her giggles. "And his cousin! Shame, shame, Angel."

"It'd be just like looking at you in a bra," I said, sitting down on the bed to put on my shinguards. "We look exactly alike. Same size, height, weight...everything. You know how people are always passing us for twins. Same green eyes...same thin lips...same blonde hair, haircut..." I grunted, lifting my leg up to tye a cleat, and fell backwards. "Only a couple of differences...genetic mapping...and I can play a decent game of soccer."

"Why, you...!" Kara said in mock anger. She tackled me, and we both fell to the floor. Yokomon went flying off her head, squealing. We wrestled for a minute, giggling, rolling around the floor, almost rolling over Yokomon and Salamon.

"And we thought their parents were nuts," Salamon whispered to Yokomon, jumping out of the way.

"You said it," she whispered back.

We continued wrestling and giggling for a few minutes. Kara and I didn't notice the eight shadows standing in our doorway.

Mom, Dad, Aunt Sora, Aunt Teresa, Uncle Matt, Uncle Tai, Chino, and Brad were standing there, the most bewildered looks on their faces.

Kara and I stood up quickly. "We can explain," she started. We scooted over in front of Salamon and Yokomon so they wouldn't see them.

"Save it," Dad said. "You have a soccer game in half an hour. Come on, Angel, get your soccerball." He took Kara by the shoulder, and started to lead her out the room.

I put my hand over my mouth, so they wouldn't see my smile. Chino squinted at me as if he was trying to determine whether I was Kara or Angel, and Brad grinned. Mom raised her eyebrows. Teresa mumbled something to Tai in Spanish. He looked at me, then at Kara, then back at me. He laughed.

Dad and Matt, of course, were oblivious to the whole thing. Sora was giving Matt the evil eye, dropping subtle hints at who was who.

"Dad?" I said, trying to catch someone's attention.

"Yes?" they both said turning around. They looked a bit shocked, then confused.

"But, she--"

"I thought--"

"No way!"

"Which is which?"

That did it. We all burst out laughing. Matt and Dad were both blushing furiously. Tai slapped Matt on the back, and he stood up straight.

The only person not laughing was Mom. She looked genuinely disturbed at the fact that Dad and Uncle Matt had gotten us mixed up.

"Lighten up, Kari!" Teresa said, smiling. "It's not like it's a big deal or anything."

Mom scowled. "I'm going to start the car." And with that, she left the room.

Dad sighed heavily. "Cut her some slack," he told us. "She's been under a lot of stress."

I rolled my eyes. Typical.

*~*

Kari was pretty upset. TK couldn't even tell the difference between his daughter and his neice. What kind of a father does that?

Well, she thought, they do look a lot alike. And several people have gotten them mixed up.They could pass as twins if they needed to.

Kari shook that thought out of her mind. Still, it's no excuse. TK ought to know the difference between Kara and Angel. It's commen sense.

But, still...there were a lot of similarities.

No! Kari thought. There was a tiny little voice in the back of her mind that was screaming, "Don't forgive! Don't forgive! Don't forgive!"

Kari groaned. This can't be happening. Why me? Why now?

If this had happened at any other time, when she was NOT pregnant, Kari would have been more understanding. She might have even thought it was funny. But since her hormones were raging out of control, her emotions were getting harder to handle. It was easier to be mad at her husband than happy and forgiving.

Kari sighed, and hit her against the steering wheel, just as TK climbed into the passenger seat. He shut the door, and the two of them were silent for a moment. Finally, she asked, "Where's Angel?"

"Inside," he replied. "She'll be out in a minute."

Again, there was silence. TK cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry."

Kari glanced over at him, and nodded. She still wasn't ready to talk.

"I--I should have been able to tell Angel from Kara. It was dumb of me. And...and I want you to know that--that it will never happen again. I'm so sorry."

Kari was still silent.

"Kari, please say something!" TK begged. "Just last night, we managed to get all of our problems worked out. And now, here we go again! What's with you? Have you found a newfound love of picking fights? You haven't been this touchy in--"

"Ten years," Kari choked out. "Last pregnancy."

TK looked down at his hands, which were folded in his lap. "God, Kari, I--I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring her up. Kari...Kari, please don't cry..."

Too late. Kari's hands covered her face. TK rolled his eyes so far back in his head that he probably had a pretty good view of his skull. He awkwardly put his arm around her, and she leaned over to him. They hugged, and TK knew all was forgiven.

She leaned back, and TK wiped her tears away with his thumb. "There, all better now, right?" he said. Kari gave a small smile. She nodded.

"You want me to drive?" he asked. Kari nodded again, and they both climbed out of the car, and switched sides. When they were back in the car, TK leaned over and gave her small peck on the cheek. He patted her belly, and suddenly, Angel flounced into the car.

"So are we going or what?" she asked, smacking her gum.

"Sure," said TK, turning the key in the ignition. "So, how was your evening? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah," Angel said slowly. "I was showing Tony my bottlecap collection, and we had a little...accident. Then we made pizza, and played on the computer, and his grandfather and Uncle Tai and Aunt Teresa thought there was a burgler in his apartment, and they came in and ruined our game of Monopoly. I was winning, too."

"Tony's grandfather?"

"Yeah, I didn't meet him until last night, either," she said absently, looking out the window. "Appearently, his parents died in a car crash when he was only a couple of weeks old. He's been in the care of Tony ever since."

Kari and TK exchanged a glance. "What's his name?" TK pressed.

"Uh...Gennai Tanishi. He's a really old, really short guy with a funny looking beard. He's about four feet tall. And he and Uncle Tai and Aunt Teresa seemed to know each other really well."

TK was fuming. He's been living three doors down from us for over fifteen years...and we never knew!

Kari was just as angry. Tai knew all this time! And he didn't tell us...Ooh, I'm gonna have to open up a can of whoopass on him....

The drove in silence for awhile. After a few minutes, they reached the soccer fields. The three of them got out of the car, and Angel got on TK's shoulders to locate her team.

"I think I see them," she said. She got off of his shoulders.

TK kissed her on the top of her head. "Score me two points."

"I'll score you FIVE points! Bye!" she yelled, and started to run across the field.

TK linked arms with Kari, who layed her other hand on her stomach. "Let's go find a place to sit on the bleachers, shall we?"

Kari smiled. "Let's."

*~*

I was psyched for this game. And I didn't even eat breakfast!

Kara, Mari, Tina, Lei, and the other girls were already there before me. After we finished stretching, I cornered Mari on the other side of the duffel bags.

I held up her little gold necklace. "Missing this?" I asked.

She gasped, and reached for it, but I pulled it away.

"What were you doing at Tony's house last night?" I asked, eying her.

She looked down guiltily. "Promise you'll believe me."

"You have to promise me you'll believe what I tell you after the soccer game."

"After last night, I'll believe almost anything." She played with the end of her soccer shorts. "Okay. Last night I called you to get your history notes, but no one answered. I was a little worried, because usually at least you or one of your parents are home at night. So Sam and I took the train down to your end of town.

"When we got there, all the lights were on in your apartment, and we saw Tony's door half open, and figured you were there. We went in, and all the lights were on, and the computer had a screensaver on. Sam hit a button on the keyboard, and a swirling thing popped up. It looked like some kind of portal.

"Sam touched the screen. It suddenly started sucking his arm in! We spent a good ten minutes trying to pull him out of the computer, when it finally just spit him out. We went flying across Tony's living room, knocking some furniture over in the process. When we got up, we screamed, and ran out of the apartment. I guess sometime when we were over there, I lost my necklace. I...I really hope you'll believe me."

I nodded, and handed it back to her. "I believe you," I said. "But I have something even bigger to tell you after the game." I pointed to her necklace. "You might want to put that in your duffel bag. No metal shall be worn during a game of futbol," I quoted from the game manual. She smiled, and dropped the necklace into her duffel bag.

"Okay, ladies, let's get ready," Brad, the coach said, calling them into a huddle. "Today, we play the second-best team in the league--the Stallions. Angel, regain your position as striker."

"Right."

"Mari, take the left side of her. Nina, right side. Block number 8, she's a killer."

"Got it."

"Lei, I want you on left fullback. Claire, center fullback. Rhea, right fullback. Stephanie, I want you on right midfield. Kara, center. Jana, left. Tina, your my sweeper. Protect Lei, she's our goalie today. I want Miranda, Liza, Erin, and Marissa as subs. Flag me down when you need one.

"Okay, let's play hard today, girls! Remember, Samurais kick butt!"

The referee blew his whistle, and we got into our positions on the field. We were kicking off, and I hovered over the ball slightly. The ref blew his whistle again, starting the game. I lightly tapped the ball to Mari, and ran forwards at full speed. Mari back kicked the ball to Nina, and Nina kicked it to me. I was halfway to the goal when the ball reached my feet.

I heard the shouts of the other girls not far behind me. Kara, Steph, and Jana were right on my heels. I was almost to the goal when...

She stole the ball.

Number 8 stole the ball from me.

Ooh, she's gonna pay.

I turned around and started chasing after her at full speed. I was right on her heels, and she was almost to the half field mark. Suddenly, I thrust my foot out under her, and kicked the ball ahead.

Steph caught it, and number 8 tripped under my foot, and fell backwards. Steph dribbled a little ways, about ten feet, when she passed it to Jana, who passed it back to me. I dribbled it forwards, then kicked in the goal, at the same time, losing my balance and falling on my side.

The Samurai fans cheered loudly. I could hear my dad somewhere in the bleachers. I knew his voice anywhere.

"Angel, you ROCK! GO, BABY! WOO WOO WOO!"

I flushed with embarrassment. Brad was laughing, and number 8 on the other team looked at me like I was some kind of weirdo.

I went back to the middle of the field, with Mari and Nina at my side. Number 8 tapped it to their left offensive, who kicked it backwards lightly, and the ref blew the whistle.

"No backwards passing!"

Number 8 stared at the girl with daggars in her eyes. "What the hell was that for?" she shreiked. "Do you know what you just did to us?"

My mouth dropped open. How could she be so mean to her own teammate?"

The ref blew his whistle again. "Yellow card!"

Samurai fans cheered. Number 8 was escorted off the field, and the Stallion's coach ushered a new girl onto the field, whose number was 19.

She must have been about six inches taller than me, and twenty pounds heavier. She had a greater muscle tone, and had her hair pulled back in a tight bun, and she looked like she was wearing too much eye makeup.

This girl was going to cause a problem.

It was our kickoff. I passed it to Nina. Nina tried to pass it back to me, but number 19 stuck her foot out, and kicked the ball forward, causing me to trip. She jumped over me, and ran down the field with unbelievable speed.

I was angry. I stood, and without brushing myself off, I ran after her as fast as my legs could carry me.

As their new striker approached, Tina looked frightened. Best defender on our team, she wasn't afraid of shit. I looked up at her, silently commanding her to snap out of it. She did, and ran forwards, ready to steal the ball. She was womped right in the front. Both of them cried out, and fell backwards. Rhea ran around, and stole the ball. The defense kicked it around the field for a little while, having a few laughs while they kept it from the midfielders of the opposing team who were, thankfully, not very good players.

Until I ran through. Claire passed me the ball, and I ran straight through the field, my midfielders and offensives behind me and in front of me, blocking everyone. I ran straight for their goal, and kicked that ball into the net.

Number 19 never knew what hit her. She was dumbfounded, still our goal, her mouth open wide...half shock, half anger.

I knew she was going to cause me trouble in the future.

*~*

Kari sauntered up to her brother, who was standing next to the bleachers. "Those Kamiya genetics worked out really well, didn't they?" he said, grinning. "Went right through the generations. You have one hell of a daughter, Hika."

Kari paid no attention to his compliments. "Why didn't you tell me that Gennai has been living three doors down from us for the past fifteen years?"

The question caught Tai offguard. "How--How did you find out about that?" he stuttered nervously.

"I heard about your little run in with Angel and the others last night," Kari said, angrily. "Why didn't you tell me? You knew all along, and you never told me!"

"Kari...It was for the best..."

"How? Tell me, Tai, how could keeping the location of the only person who could restore peace to the Digital World a secret be 'for the best'? Hmm? Tell me that!"

Teresa walked over to us. She put a hand on Tai's shoulder. "It's not entirely his fault, Kari," she said softly.

Kari eyed her. "You knew, too, Teresa? Did everyone know? Was I the only one?"

"No! Please, just let me explain," Teresa said. "I was the only Lost, or as you prefer, Indirect DigiDestined left. Caitlin, Leruki, and Hiroki are dead, and Gwen divorced Davis, so that leaves me. It was our job to keep Gennai's location a secret. When we married, I promised Tai I would never keep a secret from him, and Gennai told me it was alright to tell Taichi, since he was the leader. I don't know if Davis and Cody knew. But I can tell you, Kari, this was not Taichi's fault! It is no one's fault, except my own. I slipped up last night, permitting us both to enter his abode when there were impressionable chidren of DigiDestined in there! So if you should be yelling at anyone, it is me."

Kari was silent for a moment, then she cleared her throat. "No," she said. "I'm sorry. You were only doing your job. And don't worry--you're secret is safe with us."

"Us?"

"TK and I."

"As long as he tells no one, you may tell him."

"Thank you. And like you, Teresa," Kari said, "I don't like keeping secrets from my husband."

Teresa nodded. Kari turned around, and headed back to her seat on the benches between Yolei and TK.

"What was that all about?" TK asked.

"Tell you later. Right now, let's just watch the game."

Suddenly, the entire crowd on the Samurai's side booed. Number 19 had scored another goal, causing the Stallions to be tied with the Samurais and a four girl pile-up. TK noticed, with a groan, that Angel was on the bottom.

*~*

You do not know pain until you have had three girls piled up on your back. Mari, Claire, and a girl from the Stallion's team were all piled on top of me, and my leg was bent into a position it shouldn't have been in. A ref and a medic came out onto the field quickly, and examined us. Mari, the other girl, and I were all okay, but Claire had sprained her wrist. Everyone clapped as she was led off the field, and Marissa ran in to take her place.

We took our positions on the field. Number 18 was stationed in front of me. I tapped the ball to Mari when the whistle blew. Mari tried to to pass it back to me, but the other striker stole it, and ran straight forwards, kneeing me hard in the groin, and knocking me over onto me back. As she ran past me, she stepped onto my ankle, and I could hear and feel the spikes on her cleats crunching my bones.

"EEEEE!" I yelped.

"ANGEL!" I heard Mom and Dad yell.

"ANGEL!" Tony and Chino yelled from the sidelines.

"ANGEL!" I heard a familiar voice cry. I rolled on my side, and saw Chino kick the duffel bag that was next to him, and something moved inside of it.

I couldn't believe he brought Gatomon and the others to the game. The last thing I remember was Brad standing over me, putting his sunglasses in front of my mouth and nose to check my breathing. And then everything went black.

*~*

Kari and TK ran out onto the field, followed by Tony, Chino, the refs, and the medics. Number 19 was issued a warning, then sent to sit with her team.

The other girls in the game had taken a knee. Teresa was shouting incoherent Spanish across the field to Brad, who was testing the unconsious girl's heart rate. It appeared to be normal. TK knelt down next to her, and lifted her head.

"Angel baby?" he said softly, using her nickname. "Angel, are you in there?"

Her eyes fluttered open. She spoke softly. "What happened?"

"You were knocked out. The doctor is going to check out your ankle, and if all is well, you can still play if you want to." He helped her sit up.

"I want to play."

"He has to check you out first--"

"No, you don't understand. I want to play. I need to play. I. Want. To. Play."

TK rolled his eyes, and spoke sternly. "We'll see."

The doctor rubbed Angel's foot for a minute, then rolled it around. Angel cried out in pain. The doctor then took her foot, and snapped it in the other direction. He loosened her cleat, and tested the blood flow.

"Put some weight on it and see how it feels," he instructed.

Angel did as she was told. She groaned. "It feels fine."

"Then why did you groan?" Kari asked, worriedly. She was standing right behind her.

Angel rolled her eyes. "Because you're digging your fingernails into the back of my neck."

"Oh," Kari said, blushing. She took a step back.

"Try walking on it," the doctor said.

TK helped her up. Angel stood, then took off walking. She took a few steps, then walked back to her parents, perfectly balanced.

"I don't see anything wrong with letting her play," the doctor said. "But it's up to you, Mom."

Angel looked up at Kari. "Mom, please, can I play?" she asked. She got down on her knees, clasped her hands, and made puppy dog eyes.

TK then got down on his knees. "Yeah, Mom," he begged. "Can she play?"

Kari rolled her eyes, and grinned. "The correct word is 'may,' and the answer is yes."

"Woohoo!" Angel shouted. The entire crowd cheered as she jumped to her feet.

Before he left the field, TK saw Tony lean over to his daughter and whisper, "I'm glad you're okay."

Angel couldn't hide how red she had become, and ran to her position. The other girls stood. "Welcome back!" Mari said.

"It's good to be back," she replied. "Now let's kick some horse butt!"

*~*

The ref blew the whistle, signaling to the Stallions that they needed to hurry up. They sent in a new striker, who looked like she wouldn't be much of a problem. Her hair was pulled into a french braid that went down past her butt, and had nails about as long as my pinky toe.

He blew the whistle again. The new striker, number four, kicked the ball forwards, the stupidest move in the striker's handbook. I stole it easily, and my offensive players and I dribbled it down the field. One of their midfielders stole it, and we ran back down the field.

Over the next five minutes, we managed to get caught up with the Stallions. Then suddenly, the first half was over. We collapsed on the sidelines, and listened to Brad give our pep talk.

"Okay, girls, you're doing great. Awesome comeback, Ange'. Keep it up, but don't strain yourself. Tina, no more stomach smacks."

Tina rolled her eyes.

"Lei, great job in goal, but I want you to dove for the ball more," he continued. "There's a reason why those pads are in that shirt, and it's not to make you look good in front of Sam."

Lei glared furiously at Brad, and folded her arms in front of her chest. She blushed.

The ref's whistle blew to let them know they had to get out on the field. We took our positions. They must have gotten sick of the sucky striker, because they put the first girl in again. We exchanged a few words before the second half began.

"Did you have a nice trip?" she asked sarcastically.

"You can't keep me down for long," I replied, spitting out my gum out next to her cleat.

She frowned. The ref blew the whistle again, and she kicked the ball to her teammate. They dribbled down the field, and we stole it every now and then, but the striker finally kicked in the goal.

It went on like this for sometime. They would score, then we would score. Finally, it was down to the last ply of the game. We were tied, eight to eight. They had made the last goal, so it was our kickoff. I tapped the ball to Jana, who kicked it to Mari, who kicked it back to me. We made our way around their front line, and Jana was left to battle the midfielders.

"Jana! Pass it here!" I cried. She kicked it up to me, and I went for the goal. I was halfway down their end when I felt number 8 on my eight. She stuck her foot out underneath me as I kicked the ball. I slid to the ground, and she came down with me.

But her efforts were to late. The ball went into the goal. Everyone on the Samurai's side cheered.

I stood, and offered a hand to number 8. She took it, only to pull me back down with her.

Suddenly, I heard a voice inside of me. It was a voice that sounded so familiar that I trusted it immediately. I let the voice tell me what to do.

"So is that it, then?" I let it speak for me. "Whenever you don't win, or you don't get your way, do you always resort to fighting?"

Number 8 stared at me with daggers in her eyes. I continued to let the voice inside my head speak.

"You don't know when it's time to talk, and when it's time to fight. Now would be a good time to talk...but it would also be a good time to fight!"

A deep power came from within, and seemed to spring from my fingertips. I jumped her, and wrestled her to the ground.

"What the--" she exclaimed. I threw a punch, and my fist hit the ground instead. The ref came over and seperated us.

"Number 15 Samurai's suspended!" he exclaimed. "Now get in line to slap hands!"

The two of us glared at each other, then we both got in line behind our teams. We were supposed to slap hands saying "Good game," but I accidently made it sound like I was saying "Gay" over and over again.

After we got back to the sidelines, I got a lecture from Brad. "What is with you, Angel?" Brad yelled, dropping his clipboard. "First you have an amazing recovery in five minutes, right in the middle of the field, and then you tackle the opposing striker and get suspended from the next game! What happened out there Takaishi?"

"I don't know!" I said helplessly. "She pushed me down, and something inside me told me that I had to make her pay."

Kara gave me a sideways glance.

Brad sighed exasperatedly. "Mari, I want you on striker for the next game. Marissa, I want you to take her place."

I looked down guiltily.

About thirty minutes later, I was in the backseat of the car again. We rode in silence. My father was extremely tense, and I had a feeling it had something to do with my little outburst.

When we got back to the apartment, Dad didn't say anything except, "Get ready. We're leaving for the concert in an hour, so we can pick up Tony, too."

*~*

TK sighed dramatically. He collapsed onto the couch, and hid his face in his hands. Kari looked at him for a few seconds, and he looked up at her.

"Don't you see?" he said. "It's happening! What she said to that girl out there on the field today were the exact same words that I said to Ken right before I punched his lights out when were like, twelve!"

Kari remained silent, letting TK do the talking.

"And this isn't the first time it happened! A couple of days ago, she experienced the exact same thing that you did when you were a teenager. She's becoming us! Sooner or later, she's going to find out what happened in the Digital World."

"I know," Kari said. "But we have to protect her. We can't let it take her, too."

"There has to be a way we can keep her safe. But how?" TK said, letting his head drop back into his hands. "This is like major deja vu. But how long can we keep it a secret?"

"We're just going to do what we do every time something like this happens," Kari said, trying to remain calm. "Come up with a reason as to why she heard the voice, and pray that she believes us."

"She's not five years old, anymore, Kari!" TK said. "She didn't draw a picture of a white cat with purple ears and a ring on its tail! Or ask for us to tell a story about a wolf that breathes ice or a bird that exhales fire!"

"I know, I know," Kari said, exasperated. "But we're her parents. And we have to do the best we can."

At that moment, Angel stepped out of her bedroom. She was showered and dressed, makeup and all. "Ready to go," she said.

"Okay," TK said, standing. He and Kari stole a quick glance at each other before they followed her out the door.

*~*

We got to the concert hall about twenty minutes early. Mom and Dad went to sit with the Izumis, Aunt Sora, Uncle Tai, Aunt Teresa, the Ichijoujis, Mr. Hida, Dr. Kido, and Mr. Motomiya. I took my seat between Mari and Tina.

"What were you going to tell me?" Mari asked, once I had seated myself.

"Tell her what?" Tina asked, leaning over.

I sighed. "Tony, Kara, Chino, and I went on a little adventure yesterday. This actually affects all of you, and it would be better if I told you all at one time."

"Alright," Tina said, leaning back in her seat. "Hey, where are Kara and Chino anyways?"

"Chino's down near the end of the aisle between Brad and Jason," Mari said, pointing. "And Kara...well, I don't know where Kara is."

"Hmm..." I was stumped. Suddenly, Tina whipped out her laptop, and began typing furiously.

"Why the heck did you bring that thing with you?" I asked.

"I'm trying to finish up that report for Mr. Yukato," she said. "Then I can get started on the extra credit."

I rolled my eyes. Typical.

After a few more minutes, the lights dimmed. Everyone in the audience cheered as Uncle Matt led the Lone Wolves--once known as the Teenage Wolves...but, hey, people grow up--out onto the stage. Matt plugged his guitar into the amplifier, strummed a few chords, and began singing their signature song, the one that they've been singing for about twenty-five years: I Turn Around.

Matt sang loud and clear. He really does have a good voice.

You've got a boy
You've got a girl
Sittin' underneath a tree.
They sit there everyday.
And even though,
You may think
This is the way that things should be,
It may not always be that way.

You can't take nothing for granted
You gotta live life today.

I turn around,
I can see what's behind me,
I turn back around to see what's ahead.
And if you don't believe,
I'll be here all along.
Just turn around, just turn around.

Yeah, I know
That it's not
Gonna be easy from here on
But I'm gonna stick around
Don't you know that we're
Two in a million,
This perfect love that we found

You can't just take it for granted
You've gotta live life today

I turn around,
I can see what's behind me,
I turn back around to see what's ahead.
And if you don't believe,
I'll be here all along.
Just turn around, just turn around.

OH! When I turn around, I swear I will find you,
You can turn right around, I'll be holding your hand!!
I promise I'll hold you,
And that I'll stand by you
You can turn right around, turn right around

I turn around,
I can see what's behind me,
I turn back around to see what's ahead.
And if you don't believe,
I'll be here all along.
Just turn around, just turn around

Uncle Matt finished off the song. Everyone clapped and cheered. To me, it's an oldie, but it's still good.

Matt continued the concert with some of his other songs, a remake of Jerry Lee Lewis's "Go, Johnny, Go" a song he wrote about a year ago, "Spirit," two more old ones, "To You I Belong," and "Diamond in the Rough."

After he played those songs, he pulled out a stool, set his guitar on the stand, and sat down in the stool. "This next song," he began, "is one I wrote about my wife. I--I hope she understands why."

I snuck a peek at Aunt Sora. She was smiling.

Matt cleared his throat in the mike, and the keyboardist played a few chords. Matt began to sing.

When the road gets dark
And you can no longer see
Just let my love send a spark
Have a little faith in me

When the tears you've cried
Are all you can believe in
Just give my loving arms a try
Have a little faith in me

Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me

Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me

When your secret heart
Cannot speak so easily
Come here child, from a whisper start
Have a little faith in me
When your back's against the wall
Just turn around, and you will see
I will catch you, I will catch you when you fall
Have a little faith in me

Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me

Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me

Kara was right. It was a pretty song. Everyone applauded, and Chino stood on his chair and whistled loudly for his dad.

Uncle Matt stood up. "We have a guest singer with us tonight!" he exclaimed. "She's pretty, she's smart, and she has a voice like an angel! Please welcome my own daughter, Kara Ishida!"

I was surprised. Kara was singing? So that's why she wasn't with us!

All of us in our row clapped loudly as she came out on stage, fiddle in tow. She stood in center stage, Matt right behind her with the electric guitar. The drummer gave her an introduction, and she began to play lightly on her fiddle. After a few chords, she began to sing.

"May the Lord rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face, now
May the rain fall soft upon your fields

"And until we meet again
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

She played some more chords on her violin, and everyone in our aisle stood up and cheered loudly. Even from our seats, we could see the bright shade of red her face had become.

Truth be told, I had no clue that Kara could sing. I've never heard her sing before. Since I sound like a dying cow when I sing, I figured she did, too. I was obviously wrong. She had taken after her father.

"May our children and their descendents
Be the ones to find a lasting peace
May their hopes and dreams become united
May the past be left for those who hate

"And until we meet again
And until we meet again
May love and trust find a way to take a stand
May love and trust find a way to take a stand."

Kara was awesome! I couldn't believe this was my cousin. It was so weird. Let me put it this way...Kara and I have been like sisters since we were born. We have shared everything at least once, even toothbrushes. It wasn't like her to keep something like this from me. It was strange.

"May the Lord rise up to meet you
May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
May this world and all its wonders
Be a home to all humanity
May the people find a common purpose
May we help one another to survive

"And until we meet again
And until we meet again
May Mother Earth pour her heart into our land
May Mother Earth pour her heart into our land."

Kara and the rest of the song faded out slowly. Everyone in the concert hall cheered loudly for my cousin. All six of the guys stood on their chairs, stomped their feet, and whistled loudly until the security guard came over and silenced them.

Kara put her violin down, and picked up the electric guitar. She sat in a stool and strummed it quietly. She began to sing quietly.

"This is the place where I sit
This is the part where I love you too much
This is as hard as it gets
'Cause I'm getting tired of pretending I'm tough.

"I'm here if you want me
I'm yours, you can hold me
I'm empty and achin'
And tumblin' and breakin'

"'Cause you don't see me
And you don't need me
And you don't love me
The way I wish you would
The way I know you could."

I recognized that song. It was from a movie that Kara, Tina, and I had gone to see that spring...Oh, what was it called? Josie and the Pussycats. I remember, now.

"I dream a world where you'd understand
I dream a million sleepless nights
I dream of fire when you're touching my hand
But it twists into smoke when I turn on the lights

"I'm speechless and faded
It's too complicated
Is this how the book ends
Nothing but good friends?

"'Cause you don't see me
And you don't need me
And you don't love me
The way I wish you would
The way I know you could
."

I could only imagine who she was singing about. I stole a glance down the other end of the aisle at the guys, who were all watching her with fascination.

"This is the place in my heart
This is the place where I'm falling apart
Isn't this just where we met?
And is this the last chance that I'll ever get?

"I wish I was lonely
Instead of just only
Crystal and see-through
And not enough to you

"'Cause you don't see me
And you don't need me
And you don't love me
The way I wish you would
'Cause you don't see me
And you don't need me
And you don't love me
The way I wish you would
The way I know you could
."

Kara was fantastic. As soon as she finished, the entire auditorium erupted in loud applause. Kara blushed, took a bow, then tore off the stage.

The concert ended about twenty minutes after that. We all gathered backstage to congratulate and conjugate.

"You were great!" I sqealed, wrapping her up in a bear hug. She grinned.

"Why didn't you tell me you could sing? You were awesome!" Mari said.

"Oh, come on, I wasn't that great," Kara said, blushing.

"Was, too."

"Was not."

"Was, too."

"Was not."

"I think that's enough of that," Uncle Matt said, stepping in gracefully. "Come on, guys, we have to go home now." He wrapped his arm around Kara and started to lead her away. She turned around and waved at us.

"Bye, guys! See you Monday!"

"Bye!" we waved back.

We didn't stay long. Before long, the only people left were me, Tony, Brad, Brad's parents, and mine.

"We need to talk, Brad," I whispered. "All twelve of us. It's very important."

"Why?" he asked. "What's going on?"

"You're not going to believe us," Tony warned. "But we're not crazy."

"What is it?" Brad asked. "Whatever it is, you can just tell me."

Tony and I exchanged a glance. We pulled him into the other room. I took a deep breath, then began the story.

*~*

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