Disclaimer: I own NOTHING except this computer

I'll write because if Wings Of Speed gets impatient and sends the racing drone hybrid after me, after she called it of. (Thank you very much), no one would know what happened to Shirako... I'm so sorry, my dear creature... so quiet and sexy...

Shirako: ANYWAYS. Here's the new chapter, and only because of me and has nothing to do with Kawaii- (typing in the background) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! My head! It hurt! Kawaii stop hurting me! (More typing, thinking: Damn, there's the racing drone hybrid!) Thank you!

Wings Of Speed: Yeah, heard you updated. Read it, GOD IT'S GOOD! But why is it Shirako? Why? As in, what's going on? Hope you update soon too! And yes, that is seriously ironic... I'm updating only because of the hybrid you know that right? And the fact that I can't stand to see Shirako in sooooooooooo much pain...

Alexandria Sherazade: You live in North York? That's so cool! I lived there till last year, and then I moved to Brampton! I love North York! Well, I updated early, I haven't got 5 reviews but that's ok... Shirako's hurting, and it's my entire fault! (Tear tear)

MoonRavenX: Thanks!

Luna: Yes, Flame is Dr.Tezla's daughter… she's important in the adventure/Action part of this story… but remember, this is a main Karma/Taro fic, with all the other couples minor… and yes, there is a mysterious third person… and yes, it's her fault that Shirako's dying… yes dying…. Please don't tell the others, they'll hurt me!

Southernlady: Thanks! Here's the chappie, P.S.- I've read all your fics, and they're GREAT!

Okay, in this Chapter, everyone's age might become confusing so here it is:

Teku:

Karma-24Shirako-19½ Kurt-23 Nolo-21Vert-22

Tone was 21 when he died, and Karma was 20.

Metal Maniac:

Taro-24½ Wylde- 22Tork-25Pork Chop-26Monkey-24

Ch.4 Memories

Shirako opened his eyes and saw that he was lying on a white bed with little Sakura Blossoms twirling from it… The room was entirely Sakura Blossoms themed. A jolt of pain flashed through his head. Then, his head began to hurt; it felt like his head had cut open or something. He tried to move his hand to support his head, and then realized that his hand was attached to an IV. "Shirako." A soft shaky voice whispered; it was Karma.

"Karms…"

"I got to call Dr. Tezla… now that you're awake…" She kissed his forehead and then smiled. "I thought… that I was going… to lose you…"

"Like before?"

"Yeah…"

Karma, Shirako and Nolo had known each other since they were young… since they were babies even, with, of course Tone… (All the Maniacs were there too, except for Markie… And Monkey wasn't really a Maniac…)

Anyways, they had known each other all their lives.

Including the time when Shirako was forced off the road and hit his head right into a tree. That was 3 years ago, when he was 16 he was in a coma for 6 months. Karma had lost it worrying over him.

Karma walked into Dr. Tezla's office, smile on her face, "He's awake." She whispered.

Shirako tried to sit up in bed. He loved the Sakura Blossoms… so many memories… the happy, the sad…

Flashback Shirako age 8

Little Shirako ran down the riverbanks of Takutse River, beside the Sakura Trees in Shizuoka, Japan. " Shizuka-chan? Where are you?" He desperately called out to his sister, who was a year older than him. Visiting Japan for the summer had not been a good idea after all.

"Shirako-kun! Help me!" He heard a scream, and ran that way, only to reach his sister… and see her get pulled away… by a Yakuza hit man. (A/n: for people who don't know what the Yakuza is, think Mafia, only more Power. You'll see why some Yakuza would want Shizuka.)

Shizuka Takamoto was never seen again.

End Flash back

Then… there were much happier times…

Flash back Shirako age 6

"Shirako-kun and Shizuka-chan, lets go to the Sakura trees for a picnic today!" Ayako Takamoto told her two children, Shirako and Shizuka. "Hai" They replied happily, going to the Sakura trees was always fun, especially in Shizuoka, where the children visited their mother every summer.

An hour later, the family minus Shinjii Takamoto, their father sat down on a chequered picnic blanket and ate Wasabi and Teriyaki as they wrote down their wishes for the Sakura festival.

Shirako wrote down:

I hope that Shizuka and me will always be together.

In his 7 yrs old best print.

"What did you write?" His mother asked. "It's a secret." Shirako told her, smiling.

End Flash back.

But those were like remembrances of a woman and sister long gone…

Flashback Shirako Age 8 ½

"Daddy, where's mommy?" Shirako asked his father.

Shinjii's eyes were cold and hard. "She's dead."

"What happened?" Shirako asked, afraid. "I killed the bitch, you got a problem with that?" Shinjii threw the French knife at his son. "Get out of my sight." He snarled. Shirako, with his injured arm, ran out, into the nice neighbour, Ki yo Higurashi's house.

"Sweetie, what happened?" The young woman asked. But before he could answer, he collapsed into Ki yo's arms.

End Flash back.

(A/N: if that was confusing, I'm so sorry, but you'll see soon that his family is very important in this fic. Just had to add Shirako in. Well, Karma and Taro have a main point to play in it as well…this is a Karma Taro fic)

Shirako ran his fingers through his hair, trying to pull the pain out. I don't have a lot of time… yes, time is definitely running out… I'm so sorry... that I have to leave… them forever… it's just how life is… "Everyone dies"

"What do you mean by that?" Nolo had come into the room, followed by the Tekus and Metal Maniacs. "Oh, nothing much…" Shirako answered softly. Karma sat on the bed, beside him. "How are you?" She ran a hand on his forehead that was sweating badly. Shirako winced, pain jolting through his head. Karma pulled back, confused. "What's wrong?"

Dr. Tezla interrupted, "Shirako, if I may ask, did you ever live in Hiroshima or Nagasaki?" He inquired.

"No… it's not Leukemia…"

"Then what is it?" Lani asked softly. Shirako looked at Karma, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to hurt you more that you were before…"

"Shirako, make sense already what's the matter with you?" Kurt yelled exasperated.

"I'm… I'm dying… and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it okay? Happy now? I've got brain tumours, malignant ones…" There were tears of sorrow in the Asian Oriental's eyes.

"What?" Karma whispered. "No… Ko… I… no." I'm not losing him… I've already took the pain because of Taro… I can't take the pain of losing him… just like Tone… no…

"No… I refuse to believe it…" She said softly. "No." This time more firmly.

Nolo's eyes widened, in realization. "Karms…" He put a hand on her shoulder. I get it… just like Tone…He wrapped his fingers around his necklace. "Karma…"

"No!" Karma ran out, without realizing it, Taro ran after her.

Markie moved to get Taro, but Kurt held his little brother back. "No.. she needs to deal with it… on her own"