A/N: The name of this chapter follows the prase of the first chapter, so all together, these two chapters go together to say, "For every season there is a time, a time to live, and a time to die." That is Ecclesiastes-3:2. My favorite verse ever, along with some others that you will probably learn later. This verse in particular goes on, saying there is a time for everything, like a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing, a time for peace, and a time for war, etc. It's a good little couple of verses. Anyway, here's chapter two.

Disclaimer: I don't own KND.

Chapter Two A Time to Live and a Time to Die

December 2, Sunday evening

Kuki couldn't believe what everyone was telling her. That Wallabee Beetles liked her. It seemed so unrealistic that the boy she had liked since she was ten would like her back. Almost impossible. Almost.

Even Abby was saying he did. Abby would know, she had just gone on a date with Nigel Uno, Wally's best friend.

Kuki was lost in the daydream for almost an hour when her mother came home. That snapped her back to reality. She immedietly came to Mushi's room and warned her. Tonight Mrs. Sanban was probably going to be mad, Kuki knew that, Mushi should too.

"Girls!" came the high-pitched screech of Mrs. Sanban's strict voice. "Get out here this instant!" Kuki's face paled. She'd forgotten to put the dishes away. This was it. They were dead.

"Yes, Mother." the girls replied in unison as they walked down the hallway, standing up straight, the way Mrs. Sanban had trained them to.

"What is this mess?" Mrs. Sanban asked. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, slight gray streaks were coming through. She had high cheek bones which deepened her strict stare. Her eyes were black and emotionless. She was tall and slim, a perfect figure in a man's business suit. Mrs. Sanban was without a doubt beautiful, and yet she was too hard. Not a graceful beautiful, a forceful beautiful.

"I am sorry, Mother." Kuki said softly, looking her mother straight in the eye, trying not to look at the ground, as her mother hated her to do. "I lost track of time. I thought I..." Kuki realized she didn't have an excuse other than her daydreaming. How could she tell her mother she had been daydreaming about Wally? Mrs. Sanban despised the Beetles family, she said they were all a bunch of troublemakers.

"You what, Kuki?" Her mother's lips were pursed and white. Kuki cringed. She couldn't possibly tell her mother the truth.

"I...I was doing homework. I have a big project due." she lied. Mrs. Sanban stared for a long time, then decided to let it go.

"Just remember what your father did for you. It's about time you sraightened up. Honor your father. Do not waste him." Mrs. Sanban said, softening as she remembered her husband.

"Mother..." Kuki said softly.

"I miss him so much..." the strong woman fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Kuki. Kuki felt tears run down her cheeks as she stroked her mother's head.

"I know, Mother." she replied, "So do I."

"Me too!" cried Mushi as she put her arms around both Kuki and Mrs. Sanban.

"We know, Mushi." sniffled Mrs. Sanban, "We all do. I am sorry that I am so hard on you two. I just...it's so hard...without him. I can't stand it. They will pay one day, you know that, don't you girls? They will pay." Kuki felt a lump grow in her throat, painfully. She hated to see her mother like this. In ruins. She hated them. They would pay for doing this to her beautiful, strong mother. It was their fault. And they would pay. Kuki would make sure of it.

A/N: Sorry this was such a lousy chapter. I should be doing better, I know, but I will get my act together. Promise. Anyway, that was it for now.