Oi vey. Chapter 5 is here. Now time to spread some action!

I own Hale, Kari, and Marie. Yep. That's pretty much it.

Nawt's POV:

We rushed as quickly as we could to the amphitheater, with Bang carrying Bugs like a sack of potatoes. I had no idea what Daffy was really getting at, but it got me as he mentioned about a 'special performance'.

I had my doubts, but for some odd reason, I felt as if this was something I had to see. It's like I was being called; my heart was being called.

'Kari..? Are you here?'

Sensing that my intuition was right in more than one way, I kicked in the footwork I have developed on my own and ran even faster. She must be here. She has to be!

Hearing loud music starting up from just beyond the hill we were arriving to, my pulse began to race even faster than before. As we all arrived to the top and onto the top of the amphitheater seating area, we all gaped in disbelief. I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing... at all.

"Well, would you look at that? They're back!" Bugs said happily.

Pound had his jaw hanging at the sight. "They are back!"

Bupkus rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't just seeing things and gawked at the figures below on stage.

Bang, like always, was about to start the waterworks. "I can't believe it's them!" He held tight to his tears, not wanting to gush everywhere.

Blanko stared completely stupefied. "But.. they're older and bigger... and they look kinda different."

Pound looked at Blanko with a sarcastic look. "Nah, really? That's what happens when six years go by, Blanko. People age. Well, except us." Blanko shrugged. "Just sayin'."

I ignored them as I made my way down the steps and towards the stage. None of them seemed to have noticed me wandering further into the crowd and towards the stage.

In all honesty, I didn't care about the rest of the Monstars at the moment. I didn't care about the Tunes, or anything else at that matter. Even seeing Hale up there on that stage along with that new female friend of theirs didn't interest me!

My eyes, ears, and heart were set right on the woman behind the mic and holding the guitar. Yes, Kari is now technically a woman.

'She's not so little anymore. She's a woman now; no longer the tiny girl who was thought as a joke. But she's still the one saved me from my crushing death and from our servitude to Swackhammer. She's mine. My Kari..'

I stepped up until I was standing a bit further from the front row seats and near the stage itself. The first song ended, as she looked up at the cheering crowd. She obviously couldn't see me from where I was standing, but before I could make a move closer, she spoke.

"We have one more number to perform for all of you guys. However, this one in particular is for someone I hold dear to me, and truth to be told... it's about how I felt the night after the talent show. I hope you will all appreciate it."

My heart felt ten times more filled with joy and overwhelmed longing for her. I held steady as she commenced the next song, and as she soon spoke the words, that's when I also realized that Kari was suffering too.

'She was suffering just as much as I was... Oh, Kari..'

Tears formed and began to leak from the corners of my eyes, streaming down my cheeks. If only I knew about how she was feeling this whole time. In a way, I felt like it was partially my fault. I had to make it up to her for sure. I had to let her know it's no longer some nightmare to wake from over and over again.. and truth be told, I needed the reality check just as badly.

The second song then ended, the crowd drowning the silence with their loud roars and cries. I think I heard Bang wailing somewhere from far behind me, but I left that as it is.

I glanced up to her; she started to break. I took a deep breath and began making my way up to the stage itself.

'No more tears.. for both of us. The wait is over.'

I stood in front of her and brought my arms around her petite frame, not caring if her brother and her friend were watching; if anyone was watching for that matter. I brought her into a close embrace, her head resting on my chest.

"It's okay. I'm here."

She gasped slightly and looked up at me, her large hazel eyes growing wide in disbelief. I gave her a smile of endearment, the tears streaming down both of our faces. She immediately wrapped her arms around me, holding on for dear life as if I was about to fade away from existence. I knew exactly how she felt and embraced her with equal force. I stroked her back gently, hushing her sobs.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I've been waiting too. Now the waiting's over... for both of us."

'Finally.. after all this time.. I have her again. Never again will this happen.. EVER.'

Unable to hold in my urges and happiness to have Kari back in my life again, I gently took her chin by my forefinger and thumb and tilted her head up so I can meet her gaze. We briefly looked into each others eyes, and the next thing I knew, I brought my lips down to hers in a loving kiss. She happily kissed back, her hands gripping on my jersey tightly.

I felt like I was on cloud nine, for certain. In pure honesty and belief, with the higher power as our witness, we were both sharing our first kiss. In front of everyone, even in front of Hale.

I hope he doesn't dare interrupt or break us apart at all; I don't care if he's Kari's older sibling, I will send him straight to hell if he even tries... or anyone else for that matter! Call me selfish, I don't care; I missed my girl too damn much and this is too good to pass.

After what seemed like an eternity of lip-locking, we finally broke apart for some air. She glanced up at me with a warm smile. That 1000 watt smile that sends shivers up my spine.. among other sensations.

I grinned back at her, thanking every deity known out there for bringing this wonderful girl in front of me into my life.

Kari then began to stifle a laugh. I raised a brow, then turned around when she pointed right behind me.

All of my teammates: Pound, Bupkus, Bang and Blanko were boggling at us with their eyes almost the size of basketballs. I grinned at them cheekily. "Problem?"

Pound opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and just shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Bang grabbed a tissue from out of nowhere and blew his nose loudly like an elephant. Bupkus winked at us and gave a thumbs up, as if saying 'way to go, lovebirds!'

Blanko smiled and nodded in approval, then moved his gaze over to our right. Kari and I glanced over and saw hers and Hale's friend blushing while looking back at Blanko with equally mild interest.

Blanko shyly waved 'hi' to her and she reciprocated the motion. Kari and I then looked back at one another and we chuckled. We had the same thought cross our minds.

'Guess they're next.'

I looked over at Hale, who was giving me a slight glare but nodded his head in greeting. I waved at him in correspondence, then brought my attention back to Kari.

I pulled her into another hug and whispered in her ear. "Do you know how much I missed you?"

She sighed. "I missed you just as badly. Waiting was ridiculous."

I chuckled lightly and kissed her cheek. "I know, but it was worth it." She nodded as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I had my arms wrapped around her waist; the both of us just standing there holding each other in one anothers' arms.

We heard some crunching from behind us and turned to see who it was. Bugs was standing there, munching on a carrot.

"You knew the whole time, huh?" I gave him a look, but it wasn't threatening. Bugs shook his head. "I had a hunch, but I wasn't so sure. I asked Yosemite to try to round 'em up, and he did. It's a miracle that he got the right people." Kari smiled at him and went over to him, hugging him gently. "Thanks, Bugs. We missed you guys so much!"

The hare chuckled. "We missed ya both just he same! Hey, Yosemite!" He called over to the miniature cowboy with a large mustache. "Yeah?"

Bugs grabbed his hand and shook it. "Thanks for bringing them back, doc! You did everyone a favor here, all right!"

Yosemite smiled bashfully. "It was nothin', really. We all missed 'em, so might as well, you know?"

I had to thank Sam later myself by treating him to some brownies later, as well as Bugs. Finally, I felt all sanity return back to me.

"Uh, hey Nawt?" I glanced over to my left and saw Blanko bent down next to me. "Who's that?" He pointed at the raven haired girl that was playing the keyboard.

Kari took note of this and smiled. "This is my friend, Nada Sampson. We met back in middle school, so we've been friends ever since. Nada, come here a minute."

Nada walked over nervously, her face obviously red. "Y-yeah?" Kari smiled at her and nudged her shoulder. "I like to introduce you to Blanko. Blanko, Nada. Blanko is a cool guy, and a really nice person too. I think you guys should get acquainted, wouldn't you agree Nawt?"

I nodded my head with a sly grin. "I agree. The two of you should get to know each other better. Well, Kari and I will leave you two at it." I took Kari's hand in mine as we got off the stage, leaving a bewildered Blanko and nervously stuttering Nada. They glanced at one another and gave each other shy smiles, then started talking to one another.

"Aw, how cute! I think they would go well together." Kari cried happily. I had to agree with her. Just like the two of us, I believe Blanko and that girl will get along very well. Hale was talking to Bang,Pound and Bupkus, who were baffled at what just happened there with Blanko and Nada. I thought to myself with a smile.

'Eh, give it some time. They'll find their pairs eventually.'

Speaking of pairs...

I pulled Kari a little closer to give her another kiss..

Until my ears caught the sound of something whirring in the air.

"Kari, move!" I pulled her down with me as we landed on the floor. The loud sound of something sharp hit the floor, making a hole in the concrete. We looked up and to our horror, a large four bladed weapon was sticking out of the ground. The crown screamed in panic, majority of them fleeing. Hale rushed over to us, checking on his sister. My friends looked around in alarm, and Blanko had a protective hold on Nada, the both of them also panicking.

We waited awhile to see if the attacker would strike again. Thankfully, they didn't. Hale and I helped Kari up to her feet. Pound walked over to the earth bound weapon and pulled it out.

"What the hell just happened?" He asked aloud, looking over at each of us. I shrugged, taking a tight hold of Kari's hand in mine. She squeezed back, obviously scared out of her wits.

'Yeah.. just what the hell did happen?'

I growled angrily. Someone wanted to hurt us. I glanced at the blade and looked closer at it. My face dropped in fear. No. Not us. Pound noticed the look on my face and flipped the quad-bladed weapon over. He gaped at it in shock.

Someone wanted to hurt Kari. Hers and Hale's names were written on the center ring, clear as day.