"Let's see… first on my list is find out what is up with Abby's little psychic session…" Hoagie muttered to himself, as he waited for Michelle to get on the bus. He looked up to see her smiling face.
"Hey Hoag, what's on your mind?" she asked, sitting down next to him.
"Well, my friend, she's been acting really weird lately. Like, yesterday she just randomly said the bell was going to ring and sure enough, it did."
"That's mondo weird!" Michelle said, putting her hand on her chin to think. "Why don't you ask your parents? They are former KND agents, you know."
"They are? How come I didn't know about it?" Hoagie inquired.
"Well it's not like they would remember, but all of your parents were in the KND, yours, Nigel's, Kuki's over in Japan, Wally's in Australia, and Abby's here were all in it. Even mine were in it, that's how we know who to recruit, it's by family."
"Whoa, that's detailed. I just figured it was because we all were good at something in particular."
"It didn't hurt that you all specialize in a different element. That's the reason you were all placed in Sector V, and despite what Fanny says your sector isn't as dysfunctional as she thinks."
"Thanks… what were we talking about?" Hoagie asked, blushing slightly.
"Abby's psychic moment?" Michelle suggested.
"Oh right. So I should ask my parents?"
"Yeah, they'll know best." Michelle said, giving Hoagie a smile.
"It's a good thing they got back from their trip a couple weeks ago."
"Where'd they go?" Michelle queried.
"Mine and Abby's parents went on a tour through Europe. Kuki's went to Japan to visit their relatives. We've all been staying at the treehouse."
"This is my stop." Michelle noted, standing up. "I guess until tomorrow?"
"Yeah, thanks for the advice." Hoagie said as she stepped off the bus. It was only until she was out of sight that he kicked himself for not asking her to hang out. "Great job Hoagie." He muttered.
"Happy Thirteenth Birthday!" Abby shouted as she doused Kuki with confetti. Now that Kuki was 13, they could officially become the first ever Teenagers Next Door. Kuki laughed and hugged the closest person to her, which happened to be Wally. He blushed deeply but found himself giving her an awkward hug back. Kuki found herself crying on his shoulder as they hugged.
"Eh, Numbah 3…" he started, but a voice from below interrupted him.
"Kuki, we're going to miss the plane!"
"Plane?" Wally asked, turning to the Asian.
"We're going back to Japan so they can get me ready for the matchmaker. That's the reason they went back to Japan last summer. It's been a tradition for years, but I didn't want to say goodbye." Tears fell from her face as she backed up into the elevator. "And now I have to."
"Wait!" Wally yelled, lunging for the door. He had barely made it in when the door slammed shut. Once he'd picked himself off the floor he turned again to Kuki. "You are not going to Japan. I won't let you, you hear me? You mean too much to… the team."
"I'm sorry, but I have to. All girls my age are supposed to be getting ready for their arranged marriages." Her voice reflected the droplets that were still falling from her eyes. Wally brushed them from her face and said softly, "Yeah, well they have those in Australia too, and I know a good way around it."
"You do?" she sniffled.
"Yeah, just you wait. I'm sure I can get you out of this matchmaker thing." Wally confidently whispered. Kuki flung herself at him and cried thanks into his sweater. He ran his hand through her hair gently, as if to remind her he was there.
"Kuki!" Kuki's mother said in shock as the elevator doors opened. Kuki and Wally separated instantly, but he took hold of her hand. He took a few steps and looked up at Kuki's mother, feeling a lot more confident then he really was, and said, "Ma'am, I want to marry your daughter."
Kuki and her mother both looked at him stunned. "Wally?" Kuki whispered as her mother looked him over and said, "Are you sure? This is a large responsibility, not some kind of game."
"Never been more serious about anything in my life, Ma'am. I want to marry Kuki, but only if she stays with me in America."
"My daughter means a lot to you, I can tell." Mrs. Sanban said, placing a loving hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Yeah, so?" Wally replied bluntly.
"By shaking my hand your putting yourself in a promising situation, you know that, right?" Kuki's mother ventured again. Wally chuckled softly and put his hand out. Mrs. Sanban took it warmly in hers and turned to her daughter. "I'm going to need to get in touch with your parents."
"Kuki has my phone number and address."
"Good, then I'll call them and tell them of your decision." Mrs. Sanban said while taking her leave. "Kuki-kin, I expect to see you at dinner."
"Yeah." Kuki managed, finding her voice. As her mother disappeared, Kuki looked at Wally with astonishment. "How… why did you do that?"
"There's no way I'm going to let you leave us, Kuks. We need you."
"But you know this means we have to get married when we are old enough, right?" she asked, looking down at her hand clasped in his.
"I do, and trust me, I'm alright with that." Wally smiled and turned back to the elevator to hide his blushing cheeks. "Come on, I think we'd better tell the others what we've done."
"Ok." Kuki replied, joining him in the trolley.
"Oh," Wally whispered, remembering the present in his pocket. He cautiously reached down and pulled it out, carefully placing the chain around Kuki's neck. She looked up at him with questioning eyes as he held up the charm that was on the necklace. "You gave this to me last year when I broke my arm. You said it would bring me good luck, and now I give it back to you. Hopefully it will give us luck."
"Us?" Kuki's voice trembled as she pulled her hand to her neck. The shiny penny was smooth in her hand and she fingered it as she waited for his reply. It had been flattened and the impression of a koala lay on it.
"Yeah, us." Wally murmured, taking her hand from her neck. "If you ever feel alone or afraid, rub this and know that even if I'm not there I'll be thinking about you."
A/N: I've had that waiting for some time now, I absolutely love Kuki's 13th birthday. It was the first thing I wrote, my favorite thing I've ever written,the central theme of my story, but I think the story has evolved past the subject and has become something more. How about you? Your writing extrodinaire, Signy