Saturday August 7, 2004
Ebacusta: Hello all. I've been busy teaching myself the opening songs to Full Metal Alchemist. I already know Melissa, and am now teaching myself L'ArcenCiel's READY, STEADY, GO (they look so cool!) and Cool Joke's Undo. I've also been trying to forget that school looms ever closer, (NOOOOOOOO!) and that means that I've got to get my butt in gear and finish off my fics before the school year. They'll be piling on the homework this year (or so I've heard). I have reread this chapter many times this week, since I finished it on Tuesday. But, even so, they're might still be some spelling errors. Thus, if I find more, I'll correct them when I put up the second part. Anyway, ... will be assisting us today.
...: Right, so ebacusta would like to thank:
ArchSeraphimon- thank you. I'm really glad you like the story. TK's paranoid side was actually created by my hate for homework, which takes up the time I like to spend writing.
Kari- Hello beep. Thank you. The first chapter was long and took me weeks to complete especially since I was doing it during the school year. Well, I've heard her hair described in many different manors. I myself prefer the lilac approach, but thank you for trying to help. And on the spelling front, we all make mistakes.
MistiWhitesun- I'm glad you like it. I already told everyone that English isn't my best subject, and I've asked them to forgive me for any grammar mistakes. I admit that when I reread it a week ago I found some mistakes, but I was too lazy to go and fix them. Anyway, the only thing I use italics for is emphasis, things written inside the fic by a character in it, and songs that play in the "background" of the story. Concerning thoughts, when I took a writing class with a published author last year, he told me that except when in first person, thoughts should be in quotation marks unless you have a really special and easy way of fitting it in otherwise. Thus, I've tried to use that method in this and my other fics as a way to prepare me for editors, because I really would like to get a book published.
I really see nothing wrong with my editor. My dad does a wonderful job editing my stuff. He points out spots where it doesn't make sense, and he'll point out some misspellings though for the sake of trying to teach me the art of editing, he constantly advises me to read over it a few days after I've finished reading it to find mistakes. It's my fault that I chose to put up the chapter before those few days have passed.
The murder actually has nothing to do with the Digital World. Humans, unfortunately, are just as capable as doing a thorough job as digimon. In the first chapter when I was asking for 5 more reviews to post, I really was trying to see if that method worked as I've seen many authors do it. To be honest, I posted some of the parts when I only had three or four reviews.
Anyway, thank you for the comments.
Famksantiago- thank you for the compliment. Fake smile? Am I not worthy of a real one? Lol, just kidding. Here is the next chappy!
...- when they explain what? I mean the deaths or what? And they are together! Party!
Sweetkitty9691- Thank you. I pretty sure no one but me and my bro know why the DigiDestined died. No problem. As for other fics I've written, there's Try, Try, Try, Again (Digimon section) and Life Loses Its Meaning (Sailor Moon section). And my newest fic A Mistake Can Last A Lifetime (Digimon section). But, you might have to wait a day before that one shows up. To get to them, just click on my username link.
LiLTakariGirl aka Yami Aro- It's okay aRo-cHaN. I was on vacation as well, so, it doesn't really matter. I'm just glad you came and reviewed this one. Anyway, thank you. Yes, in the present TK's gone as well, and, as far as I know, no one has flamed this story. Not even Cloaked Fox [Spirit of Virtue and Ebacusta start laughing together.] Anyway, flaming because of the coupling is stupid. If they don't like the coupling they shouldn't have read it in the first place.
Taky Glue- Thank you. I'm really thankful for the compliment about my story. Well, not having a pen name is okay, it doesn't really matter what your name is or anything, just that you're alive and well right? Once again, thank you.
P.S. I was going to ask but then you told me not too, so I guess I won't.
Guardien of the Evenstars Light- Interesting name. Confusing? I guess I should make clear up some of the mysteries.
1. Kari and TK both arrived in the future by a column of light and wind that surrounded them and lifted them off the ground. From there they passed through a time wall (the invisible wall that Kari slammed into that shattered [chapter 2]) and were dropped off at this specific time. Why? You don't know yet.
2. As far as the time rules go, none were actually broken (aside from the law of time travel, but that happened against Kari and TK's will). In the present they've only been gone for a few weeks, in the future (where they appeared) they've been dead for years. So, the only thing that would actually mess up time is if young TK and Kari actually stayed in the future, because then, neither Tina nor Kei would be born at the right time and then they'd disappear. The same thing applies to what you're saying. If they disappeared, everyone would only say they've been missing for years if in three years they don't get married and have kids.
3. They got married when they were 20, and had kids after they got married. So, if they return back to there own time period, then time proceeds like normal, and then when they're 20 they get married and have kids.
Does that make sense? Because I tried my hardest to explain it to you in a way that would make sense. If it still doesn't, don't worry it will still make sense by the end of the fic. Thank you.
Shippo9113- Thank you.
Moonlight- Miko- I'm glad you love the story. Well, I didn't mean to freak you out with the "Help Me TK" thing. And I hope I didn't hint that it was written in blood.
Kari151- Thank you.
Fox of Light- lol. Here's another chappy! Just for you guys! Inner child huh? I'm always in touch with mine. . I hope this was soon enough.
Emma- Thank you. This one probably wasn't that funny was it? Sorry. Absolutely. Thank you. I hope this was fast enough for you.
Rayless-Demon- Thank you.
Pikachu-dude- What's up? Haven't seen you in a while. Thank you, I was hoping I could pull off the newspaper article thing, because I can't really see myself writing all straight-laced, you know?
Lynn-Minmay- Ha ha ha. You didn't! But, you know, now that you mention it, I could- [Mimi: (smacks ebacusta on the head with a chair) Shut up.] Absolutely. I was hoping the people I used wouldn't hate me because I didn't really ask permission. I think Gennai's Apprentice might have left because of that. But if your still here: I'm sorry! I really should have asked first! Please don't stop reading! And please don't hate me!
Mary-anne- They're mine too. Thank you.
RogueSummersLover- Thank you. Oh, I know what TTYL means. Thank you for telling me in case I didn't know what it meant. It's okay. I tend to make spelling mistake when I type. Lol. Hope this was soon enough. Peace in! [ebacusta: (starts doing this wheezy laughing thing) I crack myself up. (Everyone stares at her funny.)]
Spirit of Virtue- Ha ha ha. I love you spirit. You're cool. (Of course so are all my other reviewers!) How's Missy? Do you still need to talk to me, or have you got that covered?
Miaow227- Ha ha. Not anymore. At least not right now. Thanks for your concern though. Ha ha. You went on a roller coaster. I wouldn't be caught dead on one of those things. Ugh. I'd be so sick afterwards. But, I hope you had fun going on it.
P.S. I'm just curious. You have reviewed almost every Takari out there, and you're one of the first reviewers and you tend to review every chapter. How many signed reviews do you have? You don't have to tell me. Just wondering.
Ebacusta: Okay, I call Mary-Anne to the front! For this very important Takari lover announcement.
Mary-Anne: Argh. What do you want?
Ebacusta: Okay, you know the drill. Just read off that screen over there. [Points at a TV screen.]
Mary-Anne: Thanks, to Mica the Cat Kid for this information. Mica told ebacusta that in the Japanese version of the last episode of Digimon 02, TK and Kari did get married. Which means that from this point on, the American version stinks!
Ebacusta: :p
Mary-Anne: Ebacusta is currently looking for the Japanese version of the episode, so that she can find out if this wonderful bit of information is a dream come true.
Ebacusta: Thanks Mary-Anne. Now, miaow227! Come on up here you, kitty.
Miaow227: Yes?
Ebacusta: You'll do the disclaimer.
Miaow227: Ebacusta does not own Digimon.
Ebacusta: Thank you. I have to say that I realized a time mistake I made in Chapter 4: Seeing Things, so if you want this chapter to make sense, I suggest you go back and reread it. I've fixed the mistakes. And now, RogueSummersLover!
RogueSummersLover: Oh dear lord.
Ebacusta: You and TK.
RogueSummersLover and TK: Fic time!
RogueSummersLover: Peace Out!
Ebacusta: Peace in! [wheeze wheeze wheeze] (everyone stares at her)
You Could Save Me If You Really Wanted To
By ebacusta
Chapter 8
Part 1
The Truth Will Set You Free
-------------------------------------------------
"It's okay," Tina said, some what quietly as if scared that Kari would lose her temper again. "Um, I was wondering..." she trailed off. Kei wondered around the corner.
Kari backed over to where TK was, and kicked him into a standing position as she said, "I have a someone, I'd like you to meet..." She stepped aside. TK was still reading his manga, but Tina and Kei's face lit up.
"DAD!" they yelled in unison. TK lowered the book instantly.
"Dad? Who's dad?" he asked as they jumped on him.
Tina grabbed Kari and pulled her into the hug. And when she pulled away, for the first time, Kari noticed tears running down her face.
"Finally, I have a family, again."
-------------------------------------------------
Kari couldn't help it. Emotion swelled in her chest and she wrapped Tina up in a warm hug. "Tina, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it."
TK was confused. "Dad? I'm not a father. I don't have any kids. None what so ever. Uh-uh. I haven't done anything like that. Kari I promise I haven't."
Kari looked at him and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" TK asked.
Kari silenced herself to giggles, and finally she was able to speak. "TK, this is the year 2024. We got married, and had kids. This is Tina Satsuki, and this Tom Kei, TKT." TK blushed, which got Kari laughing again. People were glaring at her, but she couldn't silence her self. She stumbled out of the shop to laugh on the sidewalk. Tina and Kei were bombarding TK with all kinds of things.
Finally, Kari came stumbling back into the shop, her shoulders still shaking with laughter. She came over to TK, Tina, and Kei.
"Kari, are you okay?" TK asked, since she was leaning heavily on him, and shaking. She just nodded because she knew if she opened her mouth she'd start laughing out loud again.
Tina stared at Kari and then said, "Dad, you were the best writer ever."
"Writer?" TK asked.
"You know my favorite book of yours?" Tina asked, her blue eyes, begging for his attention.
"Um, no," he said. Kari lifted her head. "Kari, are you sure you're okay? You're crying. And it sounds like you're whimpering."
Kari tried to hold back her laughter. Her eyes were tearing up from it. She nodded, and her mouth formed a big smile. She was letting out little giggles where she failed to stay firm to her resolve. Tina let go of his hand and disappeared behind one of the bookshelves. Suddenly Kei exclaimed, "Let's meet at the Bow Tie Café!" Then he rushed out sight after Tina.
TK dragged Kari out of the bookstore, "Kari, what is your problem?" Kari shrugged her shoulders. "Would you say something?" Kari opened her mouth and burst out laughing. "Not that again."
"I ... can't ... help ... myself," Kari wheezed in between her bouts of laughter.
TK and her stopped beside a fountain. She leaned into his chest, tears streaming down her face. She muffled her laughs in his shirt. "Would you stop? People are looking at us like I made you cry."
"I'm sorry," Kari said. "I'm sorry. I'll stop, I promise."
Two women passing by saw the scene. One with short curly black hair said, "Awful boy. The girl's promising to stop and he still looks like he doesn't want her."
The other women with long straight brown hair nodded. "She crying her soul out."
"See Kari," TK whispered fiercely.
"I'm sorry," Kari repeated. "I can't stop."
"Oh my god," TK said. He picked Kari up so her head was resting on his shoulders. She was still laughing harder than ever. He walked into a convience store and went up to the woman at the counter.
"Excuse me ma'am," TK said. The woman turned around and stared.
"Is she okay?" the woman asked.
"Yes, she's fine, she just can't quit laughing," TK said. "Could you please tell me how to get to the Bow Tie Café?"
"You don't know where the Bow Tie Café is?" she asked in disbelief.
TK turned red. "Well, it's been 17 years since I've been here so."
"Oh, well, that explains it. The Bow Tie Café is relatively new. Built three years ago and still as popular as ever. If you walk down the street and then cut across the park, you'll see it right across the street," the woman said pointing.
"Okay, thank you," TK said. As he left he whispered to Kari, "Have you stopped yet?"
"Yes," she gasped. "Yes, I've stopped." She seemed to be catching her breath. "My ribs hurt."
"Yeah, I wonder why?" TK said sarcastically.
"Shut up," she said. She slid out of his grip and the two crossed the street, and ran across the park. But suddenly Kari stopped. TK stopped beside her.
"What is it?" he asked.
Kari pointed, "That looks like Jake."
TK squinted, "It does." Jake was sprinting through the park.
"JAKE!" Kari yelled after him. "JAKE!" She and TK began running after him. "JAKE!" He didn't stop or turn around.
"Maybe it's not him," TK said.
"Maybe," Kari replied.
TK suddenly grabbed Kari's arm. "Kari! I have a wonderful idea! Let's go see our future home."
"But we don't know where we live," Kari said.
"We'll look it up in the city records," TK said. "Come on!" He began running in the opposite direction dragging Kari with him.
"But TK," Kari said, "what about Tina and Kei? They'll be waiting."
"If they really want talk to us they'll wait!" TK exclaimed. "This is our chance to find out about our future selves!" He ran across a street crossing.
Twenty minutes later, TK and Kari found themselves panting outside the Hall of Records. They pushed open the door and welcomed the blast of air conditioning that hit them.
"TK," Kari said suddenly pulling him aside. "How do you propose we find the records. Climb through a vent?"
"No," TK said, "we'll ask."
"Oh, so we're just gonna walk up an go, 'Hi my name is Hikari Yagami, yes, I'm the 17 year old form of Hikari Takaishi. Well you see, I don't know where I live with my husband Takeru. Would you mind telling me so I can go see?'" Kari said skeptically.
"No," TK said.
"Oh, so then the, 'We're out of town friends of Hikari and Takeru Takaishi. We know they're dead, but we want to go see their apartment.' approach?" Kari asked staring at him.
"NO!" he whispered fiercely.
"Then what are we going to do?"
"Pretend we're doing a report on them for school," TK said. Kari bit her lip.
"But what if they ask us what school we go too?" Kari asked. "Maybe we should do this tomorrow."
"Why Kari?" TK asked.
"Because then we'll have school uniforms," Kari whispered.
"No," TK said. "I have something to do tomorrow. We'll get the address today, and go check it out today. Now come on." He pulled her towards the desk where a man with pale eyes and glasses sat.
"Hello," he said when they approached. "Can I help you?"
"Um," Kari said.
"Yeah," TK said with a warning glance at Kari, "we're doing a report on Takeru Takaishi for school. And we were wondering if you could tell us where they used to live before the unfortunate..." he trailed off. He didn't know how they died. Car accident? Plane crash?
"...murder," Kari said jumping to his rescue. His eyes widened. Murder? They were murdered?
"Ah yes," the man said. "Sure, hang on a second." He swiveled around in his chair and then disappeared into a room behind a door. TK turned to stare at Kari.
"You never told me we were murdered," he said to her.
"Well, I thought you'd figure it out," Kari said looking at him. "I told you we died, and the other digidestined were murdered protecting our children."
"We could've died in a car crash, plane crash, bomb, an I don't know what, and the others could have taken in Tina and Kei and been murdered," TK said.
Kari looked at him fearfully, "Yeah, but, I figured you would wonder why the others were murdered for protecting our children. Doesn't it seem kind of weird that we would die in a car crash or something, and then someone would be out to murder our children?"
TK stared at her. She had a point. "Okay, fine." They were silent as the man came back out. TK and Kari smiled at him.
"Well," he said putting a file on the desk and pushing it towards TK, "since you two are doing a school report, I copied some other things that might be helpful for you."
"Thank you," TK said as he picked up the file.
"The address is on a post-it just inside the folder," the man told them.
"Okay, thanks for your help," Kari said and followed TK out the door. They went into an alleyway and opened the folder. They looked at the violent pink post-it that held the information that could clear up a lot of mysteries for them.
"TK," Kari said. "Maybe we should call Tina and Kei and tell them to do something else. Meet them at six or something."
"Six is a bit late don't you think Kari? I mean you have to be home in time to cook dinner for the family," TK looking at her.
"Yeah, I guess, but how long do you think this search will take?" Kari asked.
"An hour at max," TK said. He looked at his watch. "Schedule it for four o'clock."
Kari pulled out her cell and called Tina's. "Hello?" Tina's voice answered. Her voice was its usual icy tone.
"Tina?" Kari asked.
"Mom." Kari could hear the instant change in Tina's voice.
"Yeah, um, TK and I are going to be a while. Something concerning our jobs, so, how about we meet you at the Bow Tie Café at four?"
"Oh, okay," Tina said. "We'll meet you at four."
"Sorry," Kari said.
"It's okay," Tina said and hung up. TK was looking at her expectantly. Kari nodded.
TK closed the folder and looked at Kari. "Something wrong? I thought you'd be excited to learn about our future."
"Well, it just seems kind of sad, that the younger version of our future selves are going to see into the lives of our future selves that's all," Kari said. She knew she was making no sense. "Never mind," she mumbled.
"It'll be okay Kari," said TK. He took her hand in his and they walked together towards the address. They had stop ask where the neighborhood was, but when they reached it they stared in awe at the two story home before them.
"Oh, my, god," Kari whispered, her fears slipping away. She and TK climbed the fence and sank to the ground when they were securely hidden by some bushes. They opened the folder once again and TK pulled out a piece of paper and showed it to Kari. It was a floor plan.
"We should probably go in the back way in case there are nosy neighbors who might spot us and call the police thinking we're thieves or something like that. You feeling okay Kari?" he asked.
Kari's face was pale and she felt sick to her stomach, but she swallowed and nodded her head slowly.
"Okay," TK said. "Let's go." Kari followed him through the bushes and across the yard. They slipped around the side of the house and then snuck to the back door. They tried it. It was locked. TK pulled out the clip in Kari's hair and picked the lock. They slid open the door. The alarm went off.
TK looked sick all of the sudden. "An alarm? We're dead."
But Kari was thinking. She suddenly went over to the alarm and pressed a sequence. It stopped. TK stared at her with amazement, "Kari, how did you know what it was?" He asked her.
"Tina had a purple post-it note in her locker that had a number on it. At first I didn't think anything of it, but I think she and Kei visit this place from time to time," Kari said. "Now let's go. They might come visit it since they have an hour before they have to meet us." TK nodded and the two walked through the living room. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, except when Kari looked closely at the couch.
Since the lights were off, and the curtains drawn, Kari could barely make out a brown stain in the seat of the couch. She felt her heart jump into her mouth. She really didn't feel good. She averted her gaze as she followed TK up the stairs and they passed the kitchen. She didn't want to see anything.
"Let's split up here," TK said. "I'll take this side of the hall and you take that side." Kari nodded, and departed for her first door. She peeked inside and saw the bedroom of a boy. She slipped in. This must have been Kei's bedroom. She looked through the closet. Some clothes hung up inside.
She went to his desk and looked through it. Good student. She saw pictures on his desk of him and his sister smiling with their mother at the beach or in the park with his dad. Kari felt a feeling in her stomach. Her throat constricted. She wanted to get out of here. This was too much.
She left the room and went to the second door. She peeked inside and saw a girl's room. This was Tina's room. Kari entered and looked around. It looked like a normal girl's bedroom. There were clothes in her closet too. Kari looked though her nightstand, and then moved on to her desk. She opened the first drawer and saw a book inside of it. She pulled it out and turned it over. On the cover in golden lettering were the words: My Memories.
Kari opened it. It was a photo album. She looked through it. So many pictures of a blonde girl smiling for all she was worth. Kari felt her eyes water. There was a note from Kari to Tina. A lunch note, wishing her daughter a good day. And a birthday card from TK, wishing her a happy life. Kari wiped away a tear that started to fall. She turned the book back over to put it back in the drawer when a something fluttered to the ground from it. Kari put the book on the desk and bent down.
It was a picture. (A/N. This is the picture from the end series.) She looked at it closely. Something was fading in and out of view. She squinted at it until she saw it. It was her. She was fading in and out of view, and then she faded out completely. Then Tai and Sora faded out together. Then Matt, Davis, and then the others in sequence. Kari flipped it on to the back and saw Tina's neat little writing. It was a list:
1. Takeru Takaishi
2. Hikari Yagami Takaishi
3. Taichi and Sora Yagami
4. Yamato Ishida
5. Koushiro and Mimi Izumi
6. Joe Kido
7. Daisuke Motimiya
8. Ken and Miyako Ichijouji
9. Iori Hida
Kari flipped the picture over again. There she was again, struggling to stay in the picture but then again fading out of sight. Then Tai and Sora together. Then Matt, and Izzy & Mimi. Joe followed, and Kari didn't have to see the rest to know what the list meant. The order in which the DigiDestined had died. TK was first and then her, and then Tai and Sora, and then the others. She looked on the back of the picture once more and saw that each entry was written in a different color ink, representing the fact that these had been added as time went by. Kari choked.
She put the picture on the desk beside her and for the first time noticed a laptop and printer hidden beneath some papers. She moved the papers aside and booted up the laptop. She saw another mass of papers and brushed them aside. She saw a scanner. She looked through the files on the desktop until she came across a file named Sentimentals. Taking a deep breath, Kari opened it and opened the first file inside. It was the same picture she held in her hands but she saw that all the DigiDestined were in it, smiling.
She looked at the next one, and saw that she was missing from that one, and then he next one had Tai and Sora missing, and on it went. Kari highlighted all of them and set them to print. Kari was amazed. The printer was absolutely quiet and printed quality pictures at a speed that was unheard-of in 2004. She took the papers from the printer and the picture, shut down Tina's laptop, covered them back over with papers, put away the album, and snuck down the hall. She peeked into the two rooms that TK was looking at. The second one must have been older TK's office.
She saw a printer, and keyboard, but there was no monitor. She walked over and pressed a button on the keyboard. A monitor faded into view. She tried to touch the screen, but her hand went right through. A holographic computer screen. Interesting. She pressed that same button again and the screen faded out of view. She left the study and walked down the stairs in search of TK. As she reached the landing, she heard TK's voice.
"Kari, come in here." She turned and followed his voice and her heart sunk when she saw it was the kitchen. She saw TK staring at the refrigerator. He turned to look at her, beckoning her into the room. She took one look at the floor and ran. She couldn't take this. She could feel her lunch making its way up to her mouth. She passed though the living room and passed the sliding door, and across the yard. She threw herself over the wall just in time to throw up into the neighbor's bush.
She slid back down the wall, so she was staring at the house. TK came running out of the house over to her. He was holding the file. "Kari, what's wrong?" TK asked. Kari's eyes were watering fast. She was trying to blink back the tears but they leaked out anyway. Her skin was pale and her eyes watery. Her lips looked unusually thin.
"What is it?" TK asked.
"The blood ... was on ... the floor," Kari gasped between her quieted sobs.
"Huh?" TK asked.
"My blood was still smeared all over the floor. The words I love you, were still written there!" Kari yelled at him. Her head was spinning. This was ... this was too much. TK pulled her into a hug.
"7782," she whispered into his ear. "Go arm the alarm and let's go." She could tell TK was fascinated with his future home and didn't want to leave, but he went back into the house, armed the alarm, locked the sliding door, and closed it. Kari had her hand over her mouth, trying to keep the rest of her lunch in her stomach. TK helped her up and together the two left, heading for the Bow Tie Café.
- - -
2024: TK and Kari
- - -
TK and Kari entered the café to see Tina and Kei waving at them energetically. TK looked at Kari and saw she didn't look like she was in a very festive mood. She and him went and sat in the booth across from them.
As soon as they ordered, Tina and Kei burst out into excited speech. When their orders arrived, Kari drank her drink slowly listening to Tina.
"Dad, you know my favorite book?" Tina asked excitedly.
"No," TK said glumly, feeling responsible for the way Kari was feeling.
She pushed it across the table. Kari and TK looked at it. "A Family Secret," TK read aloud. He looked at Tina's excited face before adding in an astonished voice, "By ... Takeru Takaishi." He looked at Kari and opened the book to the dedication page.
"To my sweet heart and number one daughter, Tina Satsuki. I will be with her forever," he read. He turned the page. "This is a picture book," he said.
"Yeah," Tina said. "You wrote it when I was twelve." With one last look at her, he began to read:
"Rita was excited. Today, was the day of the festival, and her parents both promised to take her to it.
"Rita!" her mother called. "Come downstairs! It's time to go!"
Rita ran down the stairs and climbed into the backseat with her older brother, Henry.
On the way there, Rita could hardly sit still.
When they got there they rode everything.
The carousel,
The merry-go-round,
And even the teacups.
But when Rita got off the train holding her mommy's hand, she realized something was different.
And when the hand let go of hers, it didn't stop to look at who's hand she was leaving behind.
"Mommy!" she called. "Mommy!"
Rita began to wonder around the festival.
She walked until her little feet were tired, and her little tummy was rumbling.
She sat down and cried.
And then, she heard her mommy's voice. "Rita! Rita!"
"Mommy!" she exclaimed.
Her mommy ran over to her and picked her up in her arms. Her father and brother were not far behind.
"Rita," her mom said, "I was so worried."
"Mommy," Rita said.
"Rita," her dad said taking her from her mother's arms. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Daddy," Rita mumbled. "I was scared you wouldn't want me."
Her mom and dad were shocked.
"Why would you think that?" her mom asked.
"You left me at the train station," Rita replied.
"Aww, honey," her dad said hugging her. "We always want you."
"And no matter where you go, mommy and daddy we'll always be here for you," her mom said, stroking her hair.
"You promise?" Rita asked looking at her parents with her big eyes.
"We promise," her parents said."
TK looked up at her. "This is your favorite book?" he asked.
Tina nodded. "It's the book you wrote for me, saying you be with me forever, and, of course through something beyond your control neither you nor mom could-" Tina said, but Kari interrupted covering her mouth.
"Excuse me." She slid out of the booth and left the café.
"Mom," Tina called after her.
"What's wrong with mom?" Kei asked looking at TK.
"She's not feeling very well," TK said. "Here's some money to pay for our food, excuse me. Maybe we can get together some other time." He slid out of the booth and followed Kari out.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
This was a 42 paged chapter, so like the first one I spilt it into parts. Review, review, review, and I'll put up the next part soon.
ebacusta