Chapter 2: The Challenge of Upcoming Bankruptcy

Hearing that the Kanzuki Zaibatsu was facing bankruptcy immediately devastated Karin. Just seconds after she heard this terrible news, she rushed up to her room in tears. Daikenjuro bowed his head down with shame as Shibazaki held Link in his arms. The yellow alien frowned with sympathy as Shibazaki spoke.

"I don't really know how this happened, but I'll do the research on it right away." He said to Daikenjuro.

"Thank you, Shibazaki." He replied. "I hate to see my only daughter cry. Since this is about to face bankruptcy, I guess I should tell her about how we can stay in check until our stocks come back. She ran upstairs too quickly for me to explain… and Link needs to come with me."

"Sir? You… you're not saying that…"

"Yes. Give him to me." Daikenjuro snatched Link from Shibazaki, cuddled him in his arms, and headed upstairs into Karin's bedroom. Curious as cute little Link was, he just had to ask.

"Daiken?" Link started, nearly startling him.

"Ah! Oh, you can talk, huh? What is it?"

"Why do you need to take me upstairs with her? Can I cheer her up by myself?"

"You can, but this is for an additional fact about the bankruptcy. She doesn't know this and you don't know this either. It is important that you two should hear this. It's a team effort here."

"Ohhhhh, okay. You do talking?"

"Yes."

"Okitaka."

In Karin's bedroom…

Karin was laying down face first in her pillow, crying like a baby within it. Her only support of keeping her family was on its way to crashing down and, at an age of twenty, she wasn't quite experienced with what to do with crashing stocks. She slowly lifted her head up from the pillow to show her drenched face with a frown as she spoke.

"I… I'm losing my family." She moaned to herself. "And I had such a great time with Kunimitsu, Stitch and his ohana, and those adorable experiments. It's like all the negativity of Kunimitsu's glitch rubbed off onto me! I might as well go ahead and accept this coming defeat." After she said this, three knocks were heard from her door and she reluctantly wiped her tears dry and answered it. "What do you want, Father?"

"Karin, I know you're upset about this, but at this rate, there's really nothing your steward and I can do right now." Daikenjuro started as he walked inside the room and closed the door behind him. "We're doing the research as we speak, but until we can find the problem, I do know one thing…" Daikenjuro paused as he handed Link to his daughter, who took him and gave him a desperate hug. Link embraced her in return with the same mood as Karin's father continued. "…Link… provides the shield."

"What?"

"Gaba?" Link exclaimed at the same time Karin made her exclamation. Daikenjuro bowed his head with a serious face as he continued.

"Yes. According to the official Extraterrestrial Bluebook, many of Dr. Jumba Jookiba's experiments are extremely expensive… having Stitch being the most valuable."

"…But, how can innocent extraterrestrials cost so much money? Do we sell them for it?"

"No. We profit from them."

"………………"

"…meaning that we just keep them as personal pets. Link is like a walking bag of approximately eight hundred and fifteen million dollars. If you keep him and allow him to defend for himself, our stocks will stay at a moderate level until we can get them back up again."

"So, what you're saying is that as long as I take good care of Link, we won't get bankrupt."

"Yes… but be careful. The slightest scratch can make some money fall out of this precious bag of our savings. Keep that in mind." After that, Daikenjuro left the room, leaving Karin and Link alone to think long and hard in silence about that last statement.

Karin sat down on her bed with Link in her lap as they still continued to think. Karin was happy that Link was the key to keeping her family together, but she soon became worried on the outside about Link's chances of getting hurt. This fact was a great opportunity to develop a friendship between the two of them and this made her smile on the inside as she hugged her little friend.

"Well, Link…" She started as she held him before her face. "…I guess this is where our friendship officially begins. I must protect you at all cost, if I don't want my zaibatsu to go down into the pit of death. Even though something as tiny as a painful pinch can make some money leave your soul, I won't let that happen. You will be a good boy and take good care of yourself, right?"

"Ih." Link replied with a nod. "Meega be very careful."

"Good. I knew I could count on you. Now, it's still early in the day. I haven't met Derryk yet. Stitch didn't send me this e-mail for nothing. Let's go."

Five minutes later…

Karin was driving her beautiful blue gradient designed Jaguar XJ220 to the grocery store where Derryk was located. She kept her confidence alive through the whole ride, due to her brave smile. Link smiled along with her, giving her the directions from her cell phone in his car seat in the back. On the inside, Karin was a little nervous. At his height of seven feet tall, she will expect Derryk to be a gentle giant.

"He's almost as tall as Birdie, Sagat, and T. Hawk." She observed to herself as she was almost at the store. "Those three are inches taller than him, but I'm sure he won't be aggressive. Judging by his traits, he shouldn't be. I just hope his looks are as impressive as these stats. I'd hate to turn away from an offer that Stitch doesn't want me to refuse. I helped him, so I'm accepting his assistance in return."

"Why don't you just accept somebody just for being themselves?" Link asked. Karin sighed as she spoke.

"Because… as a Kanzuki, I can't walk around with someone who looks like he could be my servant instead of my boyfriend. If I want him, I have to see him internally and externally simultaneously. Then, I'll let the judging be my conscience."

"O…kay… I guess."

Ten minutes later, in the Ziiva Supermarket parking lot…

Link unbuckled himself from his seat before he climbed into Karin's lap as she sat there, staring at the huge building before her through the front window. She was still nervous about meeting Derryk. She was asking all sorts of questions in her head.

What if he doesn't like me?

How will he treat Link?

Will he accept me?

Will he accept Link?

Will he accept both of us?

These questions kept her worry machine running, but on the outside, she gathered her confidence, gently carried Link in her arms, grabbed her purse with her car keys inside, stepped out the car with Link holding the purse, closed the car door, and bravely walked into the store. She was sweating bullets all over her face, but she kept her face free of any sign of fear as she continued to walk towards the store's entrance.

Two minutes later…

Karin and Link just got inside and she was already getting attention from both the customers and employees, thanks to Link. They were all muttering comments and complaints under their breaths, but that didn't matter to Karin. She just wanted to see Derryk. As she started to explore the store, one male employee caught her eye and stopped her by grabbing her shoulder. She froze, looked at the young man behind her from over her shoulder with a cold stare, mentally telling him to let her go before he got kicked in the balls. The brown haired Caucasian American immediately obeyed as his baby blue eyes showed a look of fear, backing away from Karin as he spoke.

"Easy, easy, babe." He reassured in a surfer boy's tone of his handsome voice. "Just wanted to say hi."

"Well, maybe you should say that verbally, then." Karin threatened. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"The name's Gary. Gary Constance. You're Karin Kanzuki, right?"

"Yes."

"I knew it! So… why in the hell are you holdin' one of Stitch cousins? I thought you didn't give a damn about aliens."

"I didn't… at first… but then, I helped Kunimitsu with this glitch and-"

"Say no more! I know what you mean! Great fight, girl. You really kicked that demon's ass back to Hell where he came from!"

"Thanks. Now, can you help me? I'm looking for someone."

"Sure. Who are you lookin' for?"

"I'm looking for somebody named Derryk Jaymes Williams. Do you know him by any chance?"

"Oh, hell yeah! He works here, but he only works in the storage department."

"Do you work in that department?"

"Yeah. You wanna meet him now?"

"Yes, please."

"Ohhhh, damn."

"What?"

"Derryk's dad has a thing about women meeting him while he's on the job. He thinks it's a distraction to get him sleepin' on the job. Ya know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I get it." Karin immediately frowned as she said this and was about to walk away until…

"YO, WHOA! HOLD IT!" A gruff voice called out from the distance. Karin looked behind her and saw an elderly African American man that seemed to be in his sixties. She smiled as she turned her whole body back around and walked up to him and Gary, who looked nervous. "Gary! Why you gotta lie about me, boy?"

"My bad, Mr. Williams." Gary replied, immediately rushing towards the freezer aisle. Karin walked up to the kind elder and shook hands as he spoke.

"Well, well, well… Miss Karin Kanzuki… in the flesh. How are ya, girl?"

"Fine, thank you. What's your name?" Karin smiled again as she said this. Link smiled with her as he listened to the conversation.

"The name's Vancogh Williams. I'm the owner of dis here sto'."

"You're the owner? What's with the name Ziiva then?"

"Ziiva is the middle name of my deceased wife, Karolyn. Ever since she passed away with a stroke, I've been keepin' her beautiful spirit alive, especially since she's Japanese… like you."

"And these people didn't mind?"

"'Bout what? My relationship with a Japanese woman?"

"Yes."

"Nope. They didn't mind it at all. They actually appreciated the relationship. My only son, Derryk, was so happy 'bout it when he heard the news. He didn't mind bein' two completely different races in one and that makes him a motivational speaka fo' sho."

"I see. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I've been looking for a man to spend the rest of my life with ever since I started Street Fighting. I try to be nice to them, but they just run away from me because of this street fighting status."

"Well, dayum! That explains everythang! How 'bout I let ya meet my son? He hasn't had a girl since middle school."

"Well! I don't feel so bad then."

"Hell, naw… but befo' ya meet him, who is dis lil' fella?"

"This is Link, or experiment 251. I have to keep him for a very important purpose, but I can't tell you what that purpose is… not here. I don't want these commoners to get him hurt."

"Ooooooh. It's a money issue."

"Yes."

"A'ight. Follow me. Ya can meet Derryk and tell both of us 'bout your issue privately. Usually, I don't let people go beyond those double doors, but you are a walkin' highlight reel, girl! I'll let you come back here as many times as ya like from dis day on. How 'bout dat?"

"That would be just wonderful, Mr. Williams."

"Ohh, please, girl. Call me Vancogh. Mr. Williams is my fatha."

"Right."

Thirty seconds later…

"Hey, boys. Look who's here, ya'll!" Vancogh announced as he, Karin, and Link walked inside the storage garage. "Meet Karin Kanzuki and her lil' friend, Link."

"HEEEYYYYY!" All of the men greeted together. Karin blushed with a smile as she felt welcomed. Link giggled with the same happiness as Vancogh spoke.

"Already! Ya gettin' respect. Ya'll seen Derryk?"

"Yeah." One employee replied. "He's in the break room."

"Excellent. That's exactly where I want him. Let's go, Karin and Link."

Seconds later, in the break room…

Karin, Link, and Vancogh just walked inside and, while Vancogh was closing the door, Karin froze in her steps as she finally saw Derryk. He was sitting in a lounge chair, sipping some coffee. He looked exactly like how Stitch described: tall, extremely muscular, and at peace. His face really made her heart race. He had the cute face of any male angel, showed more African American heritage than Japanese in the skin, and the glowing hazel green eyes showed the Japanese side. He had long black hair that stopped at the middle of his thighs as he stood up and he wore a white tank top with blue jeans and brown boots. Overall, he was more attractive than Karin expected as she kept herself from fainting. Vancogh grabbed three chairs as he spoke.

"Derryk, I want ya to meet Karin Kanzuki. I suppose ya know 'er." He said as he took his seat. Link jumped out of Karin's arms as he headed for his seat. Karin then reluctantly sat down as Derryk spoke.

"Yeah, I know her, Dad. I use her on Street Fighter Alpha 3 all the time." He replied in a deep and sexy male voice, making Karin's heart melt. "What's she doin' here?"

"Ain't it obvious? She wants to meet ya, son! She's been lookin' fo' a man just as desperately as you've been lookin' fo' a woman."

"Fo' real?"

"Yep. Have a seat, boy. Get to know her."

"A'ight." Derryk sat down in his respective seat as he continued. "Who's da lil' alien?"

"I'll let Karin answer that. Karin?"

"Huh?" Karin babbled as she snapped herself out of her daze. "Oh, uh… this is Link, or experiment 251. He's one of Jumba's experiments, if haven't heard of them."

"Yeah, I've heard of 'em." Derryk replied. "You earned him afta killin' that damn demon that was eatin' Kunimitsu's sexy ass, right?"

"Sort of. I bought him from Stitch and his family after the fight."

"Oh. You paid for him, huh? How much did ya pay, girl?"

"Seven hundred and eighty million dollars."

"DAMN!" Vancogh and Derryk exclaimed together by accident. Karin blushed.

"Yeah, I know. It is a lot of money for an extraterrestrial, but actually, Link is worth a lot more than that, according to the Extraterrestrial Bluebook."

"There's an alien bluebook now?" Vancogh asked with sarcasm. "What are the odds?"

"How much is he worth?" Derryk asked.

"Tell them, Link. You heard my father back at the mansion, didn't you?" Karin asked her little friend, who smiled with confidence.

"Ih." Link replied.

"Ohhh, he can talk, huh?" Vancogh asked. "I knew he would. Go ahead, lil' Link. Tell us."

"Okitaka. Meega is worth eight hundred and fifteen million dollars."

"Glory to God…"

"…Damn." Derryk muttered with shock. "So, let me get dis straight… and stop me if I'm wrong, baby girl. Your zaibatsu is goin' on its way down the tubes and, in order to keep it alive, you have to keep Link at all costs and take good care of him along da way. You can't get him hurt because every cent goes down with any form of pain, even if it's a small pinch. In other words, you have to develop a strong friendship with him."

"……………………" Karin was speechless. Derryk just reflected her problems right back at her in the same form she was about to explain. Link fainted after a silent two minutes, knocking Karin and Vancogh out of their shock. Derryk picked up the unconscious alien as he continued.

"I'm… guessin' I'm exactly right… 'bout everythang… right?"

"……y…yes… yes, you're exactly right about every last detail." Karin finally spoke. "Are you a psychic or something?"

"Naw. Just had a feelin'."

"Uh, huh. I see. So, can you help me out? Since you're an extraterrestrial scientist as well, maybe you can-"

"HOLD UP! How do you know about his other career?" Vancogh asked.

"Stitch e-mailed me about him on my cell phone. You can see it for yourself, if you still don't believe me."

"Hand it to me. Lemme see." Karin obeyed as she handed Derryk's father the phone and he took a good look at the message. While he was reading, Derryk decided to ask the big question.

"Karin, are you a virgin?" He asked randomly, making Karin turn towards him with extreme surprise.

"Excuse me?" She asked in return with shock. Derryk remained confident.

"Are you a virgin?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"I'm just askin'."

"Huh! Just asking, he says. Sounds like you're onto something to me. I refuse to answer that question."

"I was gonna tell ya that I'm a virgin myself. Now if that doesn't change yo' mind about answerin' me, nothin' will."

"………………I… I'm a virgin as well."

"Okay. That's all I wanted to know."

"Okay."

"Wow. She's right!" Vancogh exclaimed as he finished reading the message. "Stitch got every last detail about Derryk in here! Amazin'! I guess you two can start a great relationship along with gettin' Link to warm up to ya, Karin. Is that a'ight with ya?"

"As long as Link doesn't get hurt, yes. Still, I can't believe that your son asked me that."

"What? About whether you were a virgin or not?"

"Yes."

"Well, he's just startin' this new relationship wit ya. Let 'im ask these questions. It's da first step at gettin' to know ya and personally, I think that was an excellent first question."

"Hmm! I guess so."

"Besides, he's asked that question first to many other girls he met back in middle and high school."

"And I bet they had the same reaction as mine."

"Yep! In fact, that question… is what sent those previous bitches runnin'!"

"………oh, no…… but then again, I'd take that back. I didn't run when you asked me that, didn't I, Derryk?"

"Naw." Derryk replied. "But you were thinkin' about leavin', weren't you?"

"…yes, but I like you, Derryk. As long as there is some way you can help me with my stock crisis and respect me all at the same time, then I don't have a problem with your mannerisms."

"Thanks, baby."

"You're welcome."

"Awww, look at dis now. Ya'll are startin' already." Vancogh commented as Link just woke up from his short coma. "Derryk, why don't ya go home early, eh? I'll fill in da rest of yo' hours while you, Karin, and Link have a good ol' time together."

"That's cool, Dad. Thanks." Derryk replied as he stood up, gently carrying Link in his strong arms, making Karin sigh with passion in her head. She was so happy that he was a gentle giant towards little Link. "Can I show her our secret lab?"

"Sho' ya can, but don't let Link touch anythang. Ya don't wanna get him hurt, rememba?"

"Don't worry." Karin reassured. "I'll hold him throughout the whole tour."

"Good. Ya'll have fun now!"

To be continued…