Family Obligations

Part 3

Honor

By Nick Maro

::Writer's Note: [ ] Indicates speaking in Japanese::

Pizzazz knocked on the door frame of the room Kimber was staying in. "Mind if I come in?" she asked sweetly. Kimber looked a little startled at the lead sing of the Misfits. It wasn't long ago that she and Pizzazz were constantly against each other. This act of kindness felt out of place, yet somewhat welcoming.

Kimber turned back at the item she had in her hands. It was a ring case that David had given her. Inside the case was one of the most beautiful rings she had ever seen. The ring had about ten diamonds embedded into the band. It was the last thing her boyfriend had given her. He had just lost a duel of honor and was going to be forced to marry another woman as the result. "I don' care," Kimber mumbled miserably. She closed the case before her boyfriend's twin could see it.

Sitting on the bed next to Kimber, she pushed a loose lock for her green hair out of her face to the side. "Believe it or not Kimber I do care about you. You've grown on me." Pizzazz smiled. "David is a very smart man. He'll figure a way out of this." She looked out the window. The noon day sun was starting to peek out from the storm clouds with the rain slowly stopping. "What do you have in your hand?" Pizzazz asked curiously.

"Nothin'." Kimber said quietly.

"Please let me see?" Pizzazz tried again. Kimber shook her head, sending her red hair flying. She heard Kimber start sobbing again. Without thinking about it she hugged Kimber tightly. Kimber wrapped arms around Pizzazz and cried harder.

Kimber broke the comforting embrace and looked up at Pizzazz. "He-he-he was going to ask me to marry hi-hi-him," she said through her sobs. Pizzazz seemed shocked at this news. "He g-gave me th-this before he l-left." She opened the case.

Pizzazz's eyes went wide. "oh my god," she said quietly. "When did he plan on asking you?"

"The night I-I was shot at," she said with her sobbing slowing down. She pulled the ring out and slipped it on her ring finger. It fit almost perfectly. "I love him, Phyllis." She looked up into Pizzazz's eyes. "I love him so much. I told him last night as he was getting into the car." The tears started to well up again. "He didn't even react."

She reached out and lifted Kimber's head by pushing under her chin with her fingers. "Kimber, believe me when I say that he does too. It's just a very difficult and weird situation we're all in. And right now we can't just sit around and cry all day. Put it behind you for now; come back to the pain if you fail. When you succeed, it will vanish. I say when because I know you, Kimber. You always find a way past a problem usually with ease. Now what are you going to do?"

"Push aside the pain and find a way around the problem," Kimber said with little enthusiasm. Pizzazz shook her head no. Kimber said it again this time believing it more.

"I'm proud of you, Kimber," Pizzazz said through her smile. It actually felt good to help her. "Let me see that ring again." Kimber held her hand up and showed it to her. I've seen a ring like this before. I don't remember where though.

"I don't feel right wearing it," Kimber said softly and put it back in the case. The velvet cardboard that held it in place was coming out a little. She paused from replacing the ring. The last words that David had spoken to her came back.

'I wanted to give this to you last night, before we were attacked. Now inside you'll find something I have to give you.'

"now inside you'll find something I have to give you," she said quietly repeating his words. "It wasn't the ring he was giving me last night," Kimber said suddenly. "David hid something inside. It could be a clue or something." She pulled the cardboard piece out easily. There folded up in the case was a note. She pulled it out and unfolded it.

It read:

Kimber,

If you're reading this, it means I lost the duel. You probably found the ring case on the night stand. I have to find evidence that Hiroki Bayushi killed Hiroshi Ikari. That means right now I'm at Hiroki's house searching. I'm going to try and avoid getting married to Kyoko. I think I know of a way. I don't want to say it, because I don't want to worry you.

I let Techrat place a tracking bug in my bag. Yes, I knew it was there. I waited until he was asleep before sneaking out. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you follow me. If I'm not back in two days time, use the bug to find me. Please wait two days. I don't want you in any danger. Hopefully, I'll see you soon.

I wanted to say this the other night but I was afraid to. It's amazing how brave you get on paper. I love you, Kimber. I'll see you shortly.

Love,

David

Kimber yelped in joy. "He loves me!" She hugged Pizzazz tightly who returned the hug but not as tight. Kimber replaced the cardboard in the case and replaced the ring as well. She grabbed the case and note as she ran down the stairs. She yelled for everyone to go into the dojo. She waited for everyone to show up and read the note out loud.

David sat in the window and bandaged his various injuries. The stitches in his upper arm itched. He had just put antibiotics on it and a fresh bandage. He looked at his left forearm, the cut was barely a scratch. He was thankful that he knew how sharp the blade was. Having put the medical supplies back into the first aid kit, David sat back and sighed while looking at the flower garden below. After putting his headphones back on he turned on the MP3 player he had requested. He closed his eyes and tried to relax in the sunlight.

The light scent of lotus petals wafted his way. He reached down turned the volume down on the player. "[Hello, Kyoko,]" David said without opening his eyes. "[Don't stand in the doorway all day you can come in. Slide the door shut behind you please.]" He turned off the music altogether and opened his eyes.

The beautiful, young Japanese woman walked towards him. She wore a pair of jeans and a red t-shirt with the character Hello Kitty on it. Her hair was braided down the back. She sat on bench next to David. "[I just wanted to talk,]" she said softly. "[To get to know you better. I can tell you have no interest in me but that still doesn't mean we can't become friends.]" She turned and looked at him. "[You look tense. Turn around with your back facing me.]"

"[What are you going to do?]" David asked cautiously before slowly doing as she requested.

"[You're tense and need to loosen up.]" Kyoko started to massage David's neck and back. He moaned softly as the tightness in his back and neck vanished. "[When was the last time you had a massage? It feels like a while back here.]"

David groaned. "[About a month ago, one of Kimber's friends, Aja, is a certified massage therapist. It was her way of thanking me for saving her life.]" He chuckled to himself. "[It sure beat a thank you card.]" He was beginning to relax. It was only the night before that he had lost a duel of honor. Now he was honor bound to marry this woman rubbing his neck.

Kyoko stopped massaging and patted his upper back. "[That's enough for now; I can finish the job later. Come, I want to show you some place special to me.]" She got to her feet and held her hand out for him. David accepted and walked out of his room with her. She let go when she sensed he didn't feel comfortable holding her hand. Kyoko led David out to the flower garden that was below the window of his room. "[I grew most of this myself.]" She was showing him a side of her that obviously not many knew of. "[I'm very proud of my work here. They're almost my children.]"

"[It's a beautiful garden. Ever think of opening a greenhouse? You'd be very successful,]" he asked while slowly looking the flowers over. After a few moments they sat down on a secluded bench out of the way. "[I take it we're safe to talk freely here.]"

"[Yes, even though I chose the room you are in I suspect it is bugged. My father is a good man. He loved my mother until she passed away from cancer.]" She looked at David sadly. "[Don't worry I've cried all the tears possible after her death. If we are to be friends like I hope, I wanted to show you the thing I'm the most proud of.]"

David sat and thought for a moment. "[Maybe when this is all over we can be friends. Right now that isn't possible.]" He looked at beautiful young woman next to him. "[We're not enemies though I'm not sure what we are.]"

"[Allies,]" Kyoko said softly. "[David, please tell me the reasons why you think my father killed Hiroshi Ikari and attacked Mariko.]"

Looking away in thought of how to word the story, he finally turned back around. "[Very well,]" David said quietly. He told her the story Mariko had told him a little over thirty-six hours ago.

After he was finished, Kyoko sat there quietly watching an insect on the ground. She kissed his cheek. "[I'll do what I can.]" She stood from the bench and turned back to David. "[Explore the house and grounds. You are not a prisoner after all. It's my wish that you not act like one. Will I see you at dinner?]"

David thought for a while. "[Yes, I'll be there.]" Kyoko began to walk away. "[Thank you.]" She just smiled and walked down the path.

She slid the door open to the house; Kyoko suppressed a yelp of surprise when she found Shin standing there. "[Shin! You startled me,]" she said to her father's young assistant. Shin moved out of the way for Kyoko but gently grabbed arm when she tried to walk past. He silently led her to down the hall. "[Where are you taking me?]" She asked a little nervous. She looked up at the man, he was about her age and she thought he was very handsome.

"[I have something I must tell you.]"

"Kimber! Are you insane?!" yelled Stormer while following her friend like a shadow. "You read the note. It said everything short of 'Don't try rescuing me!' Just wait the two days like David asked."

"Keep your voice down, will ya?" Kimber said while she smeared dark greasepaint on her face.

"You look silly, y'know," Stormer said flatly. "Do you even know what you're doing? Why don't you ask Clash to help you?"

Kimber stopped putting on the camo paint and looked in the mirror. "Fuck me, you're right." She turned in her seat to face Stormer. "I look like a damn fool. I'll wash it off." She smiled at her friend who then started giggling. She walked out of the bathroom fresh-faced. "Did you get the tracker from Techrat's stuff?"

Stormer held the device up. "Yup, it was easy. Techrat and Clash are at that club we were at a few nights ago. Techie is trying out a new prop for our show. Before you ask I got the van keys. Pizzazz isn't as clever as she thinks she is most of the time." She winked at her friend. Her voice turned more serious. "You sure you want to do this?"

"Will you stop asking me that? Now, let's go before I come to my senses." Kimber sighed. She was wearing all the dark clothing could find. She told Stormer that she's seen enough spy movies to know this was how you dressed. "I still say I should wear the face paint," she said as an afterthought. She and Stormer walked quietly but quickly out the front door to the van.

"Kimber, you are insane," Stormer whispered quietly opening the van door. She opened the passenger side for Kimber. Before she started the van Stormer asked Kimber which direction. The tracker gave a northwest direction. "I haven't said this yet, Kimber, but be careful." Stormer parked a few blocks past the house David the device located his tracker. "Y-you're my best friend. I don't need a dead b-best friend."

Kimber hugged her tightly. "Yeah, you're mine too. I'll be very careful in there. If anyone asks, tell them I went for a walk. That lie won't last long but it'll last long enough." She took one final look in the mirror. It still took her by surprise to see her red hair to be replaced by dark navy blue. Dark colors she thought. She opened the van door and jumped out. "See you later, Mary."

Hiroki had his maid clear the table. While she did so, he turned his attention to David. "[I've decided that you will marry Kyoko tonight. I really don't see why we should wait anymore. I did notice that you went out to the garden earlier with my daughter. Just like her mother Kyoko has a gift for life.]" He paused to take a sip of his tea. "[Now on to the wedding Shin will bring you to the dojo. Let's say at midnight. But I must first make the arrangements for tonight.]" He rose and bowed deeply to David and left the room.

Kyoko waited until Shin followed her father out of the dining room. "[David, I may have found a way out of this for you,]" she whispered. "[Meet me at nine in the garden.]" She handed him a note. "[This will tell you the rest. After reading it burn it in the fireplace in your room.]" Kyoko left David alone in the dining room.

Getting up from the table David left the room slowly. On the way back to his room he heard a noise come from what he thought was a guest room. He slid open the door without knocking. "[Hello? Someone in here?]" He thought he saw movement in the low light.

"[I'm sorry. Father rearranged my room I'm still getting used to it,]" came a light female voice. "[Are you a friend of my father's?]"

Father? David thought to himself. "[I'm to wed Kyoko. My name is David. Who are you?]"

"[My name is Ayumi, I'm his daughter. It's very nice to meet you, David. Please come in. Turn the lights on if you wish. I'm blind so there's no use for me to have them on.]"

David entered the room and found the light switch easily. He closed the door behind him and turned back to her, he was stunned. She looked like Mariko just without the silver in her hair. She looked so much like her it was frightening. "[Hiroki or Kyoko never mentioned you. May I sit?]"

"[Please forgive my manners I've been painting all day. I can't paint in colors for the obvious reasons.]" She told David as he sat in a chair. "[What do you think?]"

Around David was some the most amazing paintings he'd ever seen. He could hardly believe it was done by a blind woman. "[If you're blind then how could you do such lovely work? I mean no offense; I'm just curious about your process. There's such fine detail.]"

"[I wasn't always blind,]" she began explaining. "[I was blinded at fifteen in an accident. I was in chemistry class and a beaker of chemicals exploded blinding me. I paint from my memory of the details. Each work takes a long time to complete. I have to wait for the paint to dry, I then trace the lines I paint with my fingertips so I know where to go next.]"

"[Have you always lived with Hiroki?]" David asked, suspecting that he knew the coming answer.

"[No, Father adopted me when my parents passed away. He said they were in a car accident,]" she said sadly. "[I was only three at the time. He is a good man to me and Kyoko is my best friend. So I'm glad you'll be my brother-in-law. You sound very kind but sad. Aren't you happy to be marrying my sister?]"

David sighed, he knew he accidentally found Mariko's child. She was so sweet and talented. He the next words he used he chose carefully. "[I would be happy to marry her however I'm in love with another woman. This is a marriage by arrangement. I can't walk out on wedding her without being dishonored.]" David stopped before telling her anymore. "[What about Shin? You didn't mention him.]"

Ayumi sat across from David. She spoke softly. "[Shin has many times admitted to me that he loves Kyoko. Shin and I are close friends. He's almost like a brother.]"

David looked at the time he decided it was time to leave. "[I must leave, but it was a pleasure meeting you, Ayumi. I know I'll see you soon.]"

"[Yes, I know, I have a feeling you will. Good bye, David,]" she replied as he slid the door closed.

David made sure no one had seen him leave Ayumi's room. He quickly made his way back to his room and read the note.

By the bench, pull the third brick from the bottom. Press the button. A door on the other side will open, go down the stairs. See you then. K.

David looked at the clock. It was eight forty-five. He sighed and ran his fingers through his green hair. He burned the note in the fireplace as requested. He quickly made his way to the garden to meet with Kyoko.

She had finally found an open window, the light was on but no one was in the room. Kimber carefully dropped to the floor with barely a sound. Looking around the room she saw hidden masterpieces of art. "outrageous," she whispered.

"[Misato, is that you?]" A voice came from another room. "[Have you come to clean up?]"

Oh shit! Somebody's here! Gotta hide! But where in a lighted room!? Kimber thought to herself. She ducked behind the nearby couch. She was hidden from both the other room and the door to the hall.

"[Hello? David, did you come back?]" The voice asked.

Kimber made out the name David. She slowly stood up and tried to remember the greeting for good evening. "Konban wa," she said slowly remembering the phrase. Kimber hadn't heard the young woman standing before her enter the room. She could've sworn it was a young Mariko.

"Hello. I am Ayumi," she said very slowly in English. "You not speak Japanese? Excuse me, my English is not good."

"Hi, I'm Kimber. I heard you say David's name."

Ayumi smiled. "David is nice. He left about half hour. He talk about how he is in love with you."

Kimber felt the blood rush to her face as she blushed. It was at that moment that she realized that the woman was blind. "Would you mind if we talked because I would really like to."

Ayumi and Kimber sat together on the couch and started talking. Kimber chose her words carefully and tried not upset Ayumi. It was an hour later that Ayumi heard footsteps approaching her room. "quick, hide behind couch again," Ayumi whispered. Kimber did without question.

The door slid open and Shin entered, he scanned the room from the doorway suspiciously. "[Why is the light on? Is somebody here with you?]" he asked politely.

"[Misato must have forgotten to turn it off again. What time is the wedding?]" Ayumi covered for David's mistake.

"[It's at midnight. Did you want to attend?]"

"[No, I'm very tired. I've been working on a new piece,]" Ayumi said. She pulled the painted canvas out and showed Shin. "[It's the legendary Bathow-sai. You know how much I love legendary ronins.]" She smiled as she showed off her painting.

"[Breathtaking as always. If you change your mind it's being held in the dojo,]" Shin said going out the door and switching off the light.

Ayumi waited a few minutes before whispering to Kimber behind the couch. "He is gone."

Kimber stood and let her eyes adjust to the light coming through the rice paper walls. "What did he say?" Kimber asked hopefully.

"Midnight in the dojo is the wedding." Ayumi told Kimber. She gently grabbed Kimber's hand and led her to the door. "You safe here now. Wait here until midnight then go to dojo, okay?"

Kimber agreed and Ayumi led her back to the couch. Kimber helped teach Ayumi to speak better English.

David made the final adjustments on his kimono. It was fifteen minutes before midnight. He hoped Kyoko's plan would work. Shin signaled to David that it was time. He was still a mystery to David. He was loyal to Hiroki but was in love with Kyoko. He hoped that when the time came his loyalties fell to the right side. David stood in the doorway of the dojo as Hiroki turned to face him. "[It's almost time for your agreement. You wished to speak to me]"

David cleared his throat. "[Hiroki Bayushi, I David Ikari, challenge you to a duel of honor to the death!]"

Hiroki looked bemused. "[Very well said but on what grounds.]" All amusement was now gone from his demeanor.

"[For the murder of your best friend Hiroshi Ikari. For the sexual assault of Mariko Akiyama, the mother of Ayumi Bayushi. I now hearby accuse you of kidnapping Ayumi from her adoptive parents.]" David stared at the older man standing before him. "[Grounds of the duel are this: You fight me. One on one. We use katanas. No practice swords. It's to the death. No one can interfere. Refuse and I walk free and clear. Accept and we fight. What is your decision?]"

Hiroki thought for a moment. "[If I win this duel?]"

"[You gain the Ikari School and all honor is restored to you. If you lose I go free with no wedding. That's it.]" David was nervous but he didn't let it show.

"[Duel accepted,]" Hiroki said quickly. "[When shall we fight.]"

David had expected this answer but it was the one he feared. "[We fight now. Shin and Kyoko will gather our weapons. I choose Kyoko to retrieve my katana while Shin shall get yours. Is this acceptable?]"

"[Yes,]" Hiroki answered. "[While they are gathering our katanas I suggest we have a cup of tea, a final drink between foes.]"

To refuse would be an insult and Hiroki knew this. David knew that Hiroki wouldn't trick him. He had no time to prepare. "[I would be honored.]"

Kyoko and Shin returned with the swords. David and Hiroki finished their tea and took their positions. "[To show no trickery has been involved I will cut my right forearm with the blade that Kyoko has brought me.]" David cut his forearm and fresh blood flowed from the shallow cut.

"[Very well.]" Hiroki sliced into his forearm, about halfway he screamed in agony. "[It's like white fire! What have you done Ikari!?]" David looked just as shocked as Hiroki.

"[Hiroki, I swear, I didn't tamper with your sword,]" David dropped his weapon and began to rush to the man's aid.

Kyoko stepped forward. "[It was I, Father. What you feel now is the effects of the blow fish toxin that you used to kill your best friend, Hiroshi Ikari. Don't look so surprised, Shin told me all about it. He also told me that you have admitted in your drunken states about attacking Mariko Ikari. You never did say rape did you? You also told him that you were indeed Ayumi's father and the mother was Mariko Akiyama. Shin says you described it as a night of passion. It was rape, Father. You have dishonored the name of Bayushi. I am restoring the honor to our family. It calls for your death. I knew David never could do it so I had to do it. Father, beg for forgiveness now and I'll grant it and give you an honorable burial. I'm sorry, Father, I love you, but this is how the old ways truly are.]"

"[Kyoko, I am an old fool,]" Hiroki wheezed with ragged breaths. "[It's only now that I realize the wrong I have done to the Bayushi and Ikari name. Please, David and Kyoko, forgive me.]"

"[In time I hope I can forgive you, Hiroki Bayushi. But today is not that day. I hope Hiroshi Ikari and yourself reunite together as friends. I now restore the full honor to the Bayushi name but not to your name,]" David said to the man lying at his feet.

"[Father, I forgive you. I'm your daughter, how can I not?]" Kyoko said as she crouched over her father.

Hiroki Bayushi smiled. "[thank you, Kyo—]" he said with his final breath.

David closed Hiroki Bayushi's eyes with a heavy heart. He looked up at Kyoko who was holding back her tears. "[It's okay to cry. Let this be the start of our friendship.]" David hugged her trying to comfort her.

Shin walked to Kyoko and took her into his arms. She cried on his shoulder as she hugged him tight. David heard someone clear their throat. "hi," was all Kimber could say.

"kimber." David's heart raced he tried to run to her but his legs felt stuck in place. "I love you." Was all he could say to her with a lopsided grin.

"I love you," Kimber said before breaking into a full run. She wrapped her arms around David and cried tears of joy for a change.

"Kyoko, Shin, meet Kimber," David said to what he hoped would be his new friends. He looked at Kimber's hair. "What happened to you?"

Kimber giggled against his side while shaking their hands. "I'm your rescue party?"

Despite herself Kyoko laughed but then she turned very serious. "We need to call an ambulance and say my father suffered a heart attack."

After the ambulance came and picked up the body of Hiroki, Kyoko extended the offer to stay the night. David accepted and explained to Kimber what she had heard. Kimber and David each took separate rooms.

"Stormer! Where did you take Kimber?" Pizzazz yelled. "I know you took her someplace."

"I-I-I can't say, Pizzazz," Stormer stuttered. "J-just give her till noon, o-okay?"

Pizzazz sighed in frustration and paced the room again. "All right noon, then you will tell me."

"Pizzazz, she's right here," a familiar voice came behind her.

Stormer and Pizzazz spun around neither had noticed David standing there with his girlfriend by him. "David!" They both yelled at the same time each taking turns to hug him and Kimber.

David gathered everyone in front of Mariko's house. He opened a limo door and spoke to the person inside, "[We're here and you can come out now.]" A young Japanese woman stepped out of the car slowly.

Mariko covered her mouth with her hand. The girl looked almost like her twenty some odd years ago. "ayumi," she said quietly. She looked at David. "How…..where…?"

"Tell you later."

Mariko slowly walked up to the young woman. "[Hello, Ayumi.]"

"[Hello. Who are you?]" The woman asked. Mariko let her feel her face and Ayumi smiled. "[Mother.]" She hugged her long lost mother for a long time.

"…now the Bayushi family and Ikari family are friends again," David explained to the members of Pulsar. They were backstage of Nakanoshima the civic center that was the Misfits first stop for their tour with Pulsar opening for them. "In fact I've asked Shin to teach the Ikari style of martial arts again since Hiroki had taught it to him."

His friends in Pulsar found his tale amazing. "And you always said David was dull, Ken." Hitomi joked with her older brother.

"Is Ayumi single?" Eiji said kiddingly to David.

"Yeah and I'm keeping her away from you!" David smirked.

"David?" Kimber stood beside him. Her hair was back to its normal shade of red. "Before we were attacked and you wanted to give me the ring. Were you going to propose to me?"

David looked at her and smiled. "Kimber, I do love you very much. But it's too soon for marriage. I was going to give it to you so could have something of mine to hold on to. That ring was Evelyn Gabor's engagement ring. It was one of the only things I have to remind me of my biological mother. During the quake I pulled the ring off as I fell."

Kimber looked relieved. "I'm glad it wasn't a proposal. Had too much trouble with those," she said with a wink. She was quiet for a few minutes. "David. I've been thinking of doing something. It's the toughest choice in my life, but I've been thinking of quitting Jem and the Holograms. I have enough songs written to make ten albums stacked in my closet."

"That's your choice to make," David said after a few minutes.

"David, three minutes till the curtain opens," Roxy told him.

"Okay, Roxy." David called back to Kimber. "Gotta go, hon."

"I know. Break a leg." She kissed him as he ran up to the stage.

"The usual?" Ken asked.

"Nope. Let's do what we rehearsed earlier."

The stage lights hit the curtain as they parted. Eiji started playing the slow piano beat, David began singing. Kimber and Stormer grinned as the recognized their first hit song I'm Okay. Before the chorus David waved Kimber on stage, she joined him for the rest of the song.

TO BE CONTINUED IN

FAMILY OBLIGATIONS: EPILOGUE