Family Obligations

Epilogue

The Gift

By Nick Maro

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

"You're offering us what?!" an astounded Kenshiro exclaimed. He was still a little tired from opening for the Misfits the night before. Nakanoshima, a stadium in Osaka, Japan was a packed house.

"I'm offering you a contract with Misfits Music, Ken," explained David Gabor. "Sometimes you have to give yourself the big break." He smiled. "But I can't be lead singer or guitarist. I have responsibilities to The Misfits and Misfits Music. This is my last tour with you for awhile."

David looked at his three friends and band mates of the Japanese rock band, Pulsar. Kenshiro played with his tea cup not knowing what to say. Hitomi sat next to her older brother, it was one of the few times David had ever seen her calm. Eiji listened to the conversation as he leaned back in his seat. "Who will take over lead vocals and guitar?" he asked.

"Haven't thought that far yet," David said quietly. "But I know I can't do it." His tone changed back to being cheerful. "So what do you guys say we worry about that after you sign?"

Ken started to open his mouth. "I say hell yes we do it!" Hitomi said excitedly. She looked at Eiji who was now smiling.

"Theres some beautiful women in the States, so let's do it." Eiji opened his eyes and looked at Ken.

"Oh, all right! We'll sign! But on one condition," Ken looked up at David. "You have to stay until we find a replacement. I'm not asking to go on a hundred city tour or anything. Just one album or until we get a replacement; deal?"

David chewed the inside of his cheek as he thought about it. The Misfits were due for a new album anyway. He could arrange for Pulsar to record around the same time. "That's actually a good idea," David said with a smile. They shook hands and left the dojo.

Inside the house of Mariko Ikari, David found Kimber waiting for him. "So did they sign?" she asked impatiently.

David nodded and let a wide smile cross his face. Just a little over twenty four hours ago he almost lost her forever. He'd lost a duel and was bound to marry the daughter of a rival of his adoptive father. Through a chain of events it was lifted and he was free to pursue Kimber. "Yeah they did. I just have to do find a replacement for myself."

The five friends walked into the living room to tell the others the good news.

Mariko gave Pizzazz and Stormer several picture albums full of pictures of David from eight years old and up. "Mary," Pizzazz started. "I'm not good at this sort of thing. But I was pretty shitty to you growing up. David helped point this out to me. So I just want to say I'm sorry for being so mean to you. I also want to say thank you for being a friend." She glanced up at her longtime friend. "God, I felt like such a wimp saying that."

Stormer didn't even try to hide her happiness. "That took more guts to say than you think. Those types of things aren't easy for anyone to admit. I don't think David wants you to save the world or anything. Just be more true to yourself. Look at Roxy for example. She's much nicer to people in general, but she still has her edge. What he meant to tell you was don't lose your edge.'"

"You may a have point there," Pizzazz said thoughtfully. "David was right about one thing. We have to focus our energy into the band. We may say we gave up on making Jem and the Holograms look bad but now we have to follow through. I say we start on a new album once we get back."

"Way ahead of you I've been working on new songs the whole trip. I even have an album name. Rebirth. Like it?" Stormer asked with a proud grin.

Pizzazz hugged her half-sister quickly. "You really are the spirit of the band."

Roxy helped Jetta load the tour bus. "So Jetta," Roxy began while loading a suitcase in the cargo hold. "You and Eiji an item or what?"

Jetta laughed as she dropped a suitcase. "Not bloody likely. He's a nice guy and all just not me type. I don't want a one night stand. Besides I just don't think he could keep up with me." She winked at Roxy laughed. "What about you? Waitin' for Mr. Perfect also?"

"So long that I'm used to being alone. I'm still young. I don't need anyone right now. I have my music and I'm happy with it." Roxy shrugged and tried to lift a steamer crate. "What did Pizzazz pack in here? Fucking bricks? Help me out here, Jetta?"

"Sure thing luv." Jetta set her bag down. "Ooof, feels more like she filled it with concrete." Jetta and Roxy lifted the crate and loaded it on the tour bus. "On second thought, it was probably one of Techrat's things. At least he doesn't yell Dooooon't touuuuccchh meeee! anymore," Jetta said in her creepiest voice. "That always got on me bloody nerves."

"Mine too. I need to take a break. Better yet let's go recruiting. We need help here. David and Pulsar should be helping us." Roxy stretched backward cracking her spine a little. She began walking towards the house.

"Hang on, I'll join you." Jetta quickly caught up with the bassist for the Misfits.

The bus pulled away from the house making its way to Tokyo. Mariko, Ayumi, Shin and Kyoko all waved as the bus faded into the distance. Inside the lead bus, Techrat and Clash went over stage ideas for the Tokyo Dome concert the next night. Roxy and Jetta sat next to each other and talked for a longtime. Eiji and Stormer were in the back of the bus playing fighting games on the bus' television unit. Pizzazz wanted to play the winner. David was asleep in the back with the noise not bothering him. Kimber had his head in her lap, while he slept she listened to music and watched out the window. Hitomi and Ken sat in the front discussing ideas for Pulsar.

David stepped off the bus when they had arrived at their hotel. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went inside to pay for the rooms. Kimber hurried to join him. Inside He filled out all of the necessary paperwork and grabbed the three hotel keys where he met everyone in the lobby. "Okay, our baggage can stay on the bus. Bring in the overnight bags if you want. Sleeping arrangements are: Guys in one room. Ladies, you have two rooms. I made sure you got the connecting rooms. There's an indoor swimming pool. If anyone wants an extra key ask at the front desk. I think there's only three extra for each room. Any questions? "

"Are you restricting us to the hotel, Dad?" Roxy asked sarcastically, she smirked when everyone laughed softly.

"Keep up that tone young lady and you will be." David smirked and chuckled. "Remember you're in a country that doesn't speak English as a primary or secondary language. Hitomi, Ken, and Eiji this sure as hell doesn't apply to you. But Misfits if you do go out try not to get into any trouble, okay?" They all nodded and agreed. David gave Pizzazz a room key and Jetta the other. Roxy, Kimber and Ken went to the desk to ask for the extra keys.

"You sounded like a real manager back there, David," Pizzazz said to her twin while waiting for the elevator. "Much more than Eric ever did, so do we have spending money on this trip or what?"

David smiled at her compliment, it really meant a lot to him to hear it from her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash. "Thanks for reminding about that, I'd almost forgotten," he said climbing on the elevator. He pulled out an envelope with her name on it. He reminded himself to pass out the money to the others when he saw each person. David, Pizzazz, Jetta, Stormer and Eiji got off the elevator and went to their rooms.

"So who do you want to share a bed with Techrat or Ken?" Eiji asked flopping down on the mattress behind him.

"I'd prefer it being with Kimber but I guess I'll share with Ken," David said searching in his overnight bag. "I found out sharing a room with Techrat that he kicks in his sleep." He found what he was searching for, a necklace for Stormer. He'd never thanked her properly for letting him move in. It wasn't anything fancy, just a gold chain with a pendant of a dolphin on it.

"Who's the necklace for?" Ken asked coming in the door. "Kimber?"

"Nope, it's for Stormer. A thank you gift," he replied. "By the way, Ken, you're the sharing the bed with me."

"Where do I sleep?" Techrat asked kind of nervously.

"You can have the bed if you want. The floor is good for my back." Techrat nodded and Eiji was thankful that he wasn't going to be kicked in his sleep.

"I'm outta here." David gave Techrat his envelope. He explained to Ken and Eiji that he didn't expect them signing with Misfits Music. He was relieved that they were more than understanding. David could've sworn that he heard Ken cough cheap bastard a few times.

David knocked on the doors the Misfits were in and gave them their envelopes. Jetta immediately challenged Roxy to a drinking contest which they made their way to the closest bar. David gave Stormer the necklace. She hugged him and put it on right away then hurried into the bathroom to put on her new bathing suit. Pizzazz and Clash came in through the adjoining room in their suits. They joined Stormer as she went to the pool area. Hitomi had already rushed down to get in the pool. That left David and Kimber alone.

"There's someplace I want to show you," David said. "It's within walking distance of the hotel."

"Okay." Kimber grabbed her purse as they headed out the door.

After walking for about fifteen minutes they were in an upscale shopping area. "This is the area that I lived with my mother when we first came to Japan," David explained. "Of course," he said with a chuckle. "It sure has cleaned up since I was last here."

"Wow," Kimber said in amazement. "I'm glad you brought me out here. Seriously it means a lot to me."

David stopped in front of an old apartment building. He could tell it was renovated into a high priced unit. "Life moves fast, doesn't it?"

Kimber squeezed his hand affectionately. "Yeah it sure does. Let me guess the apartment building you lived in. Sure looks classy now." She smiled at him. "I thought you said you couldn't remember how to get back home after the earthquake."

"When I was eight I couldn't. I'm older now. Guess it was just instinct." He smiled sadly at her. "I dunno. Let's get back to the hotel. There's a hot tub with my name on it there." They began walking back to the hotel when a store caught his eye. He stopped and looked through the window. The sign said it was closed. Something told him to stop in before he left Tokyo.

"You have that damned faraway look in your eye again," Kimber told David pulling him away from the window. "Let's go before you get kidnapped by mutant ninjas or you have to marry into the President of Japan's family."

"Emperor," David told her slightly distracted. "Japan has an emperor."

"Who cares! Let's just get back to the hotel. We'll pamper ourselves silly with room service." She pulled him by his arm.

"All right! I'm goin'! I'm goin'!" David said with a grin. "Not that much room service and stop yanking my arm. It hurts." Kimber giggled. They were back at the hotel quicker than either realized.

The next morning Roxy slowly woke. Her head felt like someone poured cement in it, her eyelids were like lead. She felt someone stir under her. Oh God! Her brain yelled at her. Let whoever this is be cute and have something for my aching head. The sensations her fingers were telling that her hand was on some soft, yet firm. Just my luck a fat guy. Gonna kill Jetta. Her damn dumb idea to have a drinking contest. My fault for accepting the limey's idea. She blinked her eyes open and looked at what her hand was on. Oh my God! I didn't, did I? Her panicked mind raced. Please let whoever this is be cute. She closed her eyes and braced herself. When she opened them she screamed. It was the last thing she had ever expected.

Jetta laid there in the sunlight with her head throbbing relentlessly. Oooo, me head. I feel like I lost the contest. To the victor, the spoils, my arse. Whose head is this? And why is their hand on my boob? Jetta opened her eyes and looked to see a head moving to look up. Their eyes locked at the same time.

Roxy and Jetta both screamed. "Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" was all Roxy could say. "Oh my head!" she finally said.

"Get the bloody hell outta my bed, Yank!" Jetta screamed at Roxy as she weakly attempted to push Roxy away with her legs.

"We didn't, did we? I mean, I'm just not that way," Roxy said panicking while trying to cover her body with a bed sheet.

Jetta stopped pushing Roxy. "I'm not sure," Jetta said slowly and looked down. Her underwear was still on and so were Roxy's. She looked back at Roxy and shrugged.

Roxy was hit square in the face with a pillow. The force flung her off the bed and onto the floor with her arms flailing in the air. "No, you two didn't. Now will you two stop your fuckin' yelling?!" Clash screamed at the two half naked women. "All I know is that Stormer heard the door open. She found you both half conscious in the doorway. Kimber and Hitomi helped her move your carcasses to separate bathrooms. There you paid homage to the Toilet Goddess, but you also disrespected the Textile God by puking on yourselves. So they stripped you naked and put you in bed together. It was Hitomi's idea to remove your bras. If you're gonna kill someone, it's her. By the way Jetta, killer tattoo." With that said Clash covered her head with a pillow and went back to sleep.

Roxy looked at what Clash was talking about. On Jetta's right breast there was a black tattoo of a knife surrounded by blue fire. "That is pretty cool," Roxy told Jetta. "Have you always had it?"

Jetta started search her bag for bra. "Yeah," she said quietly. "It's a…gift from an old boyfriend. Been meanin' to get it removed. Now quit sittin' all naked like! Get dressed," she told Roxy. "ooooh me head."

Roxy heard Jetta catch herself about the tattoo. She put it aside mentally and started getting dressed. "So, when do we kill Hitomi?"

"Sooner the better, especially if she took pictures." Jetta grinned evilly. Roxy laughed softly.

David had been standing in front of the store for ten minutes. He'd told Kimber where he was going and if anyone asked he'd be there. Finally summoning the courage to enter he opened the door. A little chime rang as he entered. It was a nice little store. It reminded him of a corner drug store. He was looking at the decorative knives when a woman's voice spoke from behind. "[May I help you, sir?]"

"[Just looking, tha—,]" he said turning around. He stopped in mid-sentence and took a step back in disbelief. The woman did likewise.

"david?" she whispered. "oh my god, david."

"mom?" he said regaining his composure. There stood before him was Evelyn Gabor, the real Evelyn Gabor. This time it wasn't any actress. She looked much better than the actress who impersonated her. Her hair was still blonde and she looked a lot younger as well. David walked towards her slowly. They hugged tightly reunited after fifteen years.

"David, where have you been?" she asked smiling.

"That's a question easier to ask than answer." David laughed. "What about you? I'd thought for sure you would've gone back to the States."

Evelyn took a deep breath and sat on a stool. "After we got separated I searched for you endlessly with the search teams. I didn't give up until two years after the quake. But in between searching for you in that two year time period I was saving up money to open this shop. It's something I always wanted to do. Once I accepted that you were either gone, went back to the States, in a foster home or dead, I stopped searching as hard. I met a man and we fell in love. I married him three years after that. We just had our tenth anniversary. His name is Yuji Yamada. He's an investment banker. After you and Phyllis I didn't have any more children. So what about you? What have you been up to?" She made a face at the awkwardness of the question.

David told Evelyn everything that had happened up until coming into this store. "If you want to see Phyllis I could go get her," David offered.

"No, that's okay," Evelyn said quietly, she turned away from her son. Unsure if she'd ever be able to face her daughter. "I'm just not ready yet."

"Okay. Well, I do have a band to manage. That includes getting them to the concert hall on time." He pulled out his wallet and gave his mother a card. "It's my business card. Been passing these out to everyone lately it seems. Now if you ever want to talk, call me. Also here are two tickets and backstage passes to tonight's show. Come and see what your daughter is like. Please?" He handed her the two passes and tickets he carried for emergencies.

"We'll see. I'm not promising anything but we'll see," Evelyn said sweetly.

"I'll keep an eye out just in case," David said hugging his mother again and not wanting to let go. "I have a feeling the day isn't finished with surprises."

David was about to enter the hotel when he heard a familiar voice. "Excuse me, do you know where Furinkan High is?"

He looked around and saw it was that same strange boy from the mall in Osaka. "Yes, let me show you where," David offered.

The boy's face brightened. "You mean it?! Finally I will have my revenge!"

David knew the school was a short walk from the hotel. But he remembered the way the boy got lost before. "Well, let's go." The boy almost got lost even following David. They talked while making the trip there. They arrived to the school within a half hour. "Here you go. Take care, kid."

"Thank you, sir! I won't forget this. I'm in your debt!" the boy called back.

As David walked away he heard another young man yell. "Oh great! You found your way back!"

"Prepare to die!" The boy yelled. David heard water splash and then a pig squeal. He resisted the temptation to look over his shoulder.

The Misfits were wrapping up their final set on stage to a sellout crowd. He noticed that The Misfits, Clash and Techrat were starting mesh together. They were vastly improving as a band and as a team. David was happy with everything going on. He caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. He told Kimber he'd be right back. When David got to where he thought he saw movement all he found was one of the decorative knives he was looking at his mother's store.

"What is it?" Kimber was now standing next to him.

David looked at her and smiled. "Just a gift from an old friend. Come on let's go see The Misfits off the stage." They walked back together to where his family and friends were coming down.

TO BE CONTINUED IN

THE MISFITS INVADE THE U.K