Six Months

Part 3

Rebuilding the Future

By Nick Maro

Pulling through the gates of the Gabor Estate, Hitomi looked at Kimber. "You still haven't told me where you disappeared to the other night." She parked her car and turned off the engine. "Well, I guess my brother and Eiji are back. Otherwise why else would Pizzazz call us together?"

Kimber straightened her jacket and looked into the wind. "Honestly Hitomi, I don't know. What I do know is that Jerrica wasn't too happy to hear from her." She sighed and shook her head. "I swear she's acting like a complete ass. It was David who hurt me, not Phyllis or the other Misfits. I hold nothing against Phyllis." She turned toward the mansion and stared at it.

"Hey, I know you don't blame The Misfits. I don't either. Let's just get this over with." Hitomi and Kimber walked up to the door. She rang the doorbell. "I was thinking its time that that Suzaku got back together. We've each had time to think and relax."

The door opened before Kimber could respond. Pizzazz opened the door wide for the two young women. "Roxy was just wondering when you two would arrive. Everyone is waiting out by the pool house." She hugged Hitomi and Kimber as they entered the mansion. "It's wonderful to see you both again. I think you'll enjoy what we have in store for tonight." She winked at Kimber and smiled.

Kimber led Hitomi to the backyard as she spoke over her shoulder. "I think I know what we're in store for tonight and as for where I went the other night. Well, let's just say it helped me see things for what they really are."

"Damn, you sounded like David just now." Hitomi followed Kimber out into the backyard. "I just wish Phyllis wasn't being so damn cryptic about this. You'd think that it ran in their blood."

"There's Roxy and Sheila. I haven't seen them in so long," Kimber said mostly to herself as she approached the pair. "Uh, hey long time no see." She looked at Hitomi. "Or something like that. I'm sorry I never called. I just wanted to shelter myself from everything that reminded me of David for awhile."

Roxy and Jetta smiled at their one time rival. "Don't sweat it, Kim. Sheila and I had a feeling you were trying to do something like that. You would've come around sooner or later." She turned to Hitomi. "You look great, Spazz. You got rid of that blonde crap in your hair, huh?" She gave each woman a tight hug.

Jetta continued leaning up against the wall while reading a book with no title on it. She looked up after Roxy lightly backhanded her. "Oh hey, you two. Sorry, I was readin' this book I picked up. It's on some interestin' theories about energies and how they're converted and redirected into other tangible forms." She smirked and put the book away in her jacket. "And I can tell you're not very interested that."

Before either Kimber or Hitomi could respond, Pizzazz walked up to them followed by both Techrat and Clash. She stood with the four women and watched a balcony that faced the backyard. Hitomi smiled and waved to Clash and Techrat, then gave a confused look and shrug to Pizzazz. She motioned with her head to watch the balcony.

Everyone's attention was on the darkened balcony when the back doors swung wide open. Ken and Eiji stood in the double doorway. Eiji had his hands in his pockets while Ken threw his arms wide and had a big smile on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, the prodigal sons have returned. I, Ken, and my partner in crime, Eiji, are finally back to enterta—"

Ken's speech was cut short by a light coming to life on the balcony. Three silhouettes appeared in the windows. All eyes turned from the two friends back to the balcony. The doors opened slowly. The three figures, two female and one male, walked out. Their faces stayed in shadow until they were slowly revealed by the light below. Pizzazz smiled to herself at the gasps of shock.

David stood straight and carefully brought his gaze over the people below him, his friends and family. The very same people he had hurt deeply. Kyoko placed her hand on his shoulder as a tear of joy slid down her cheek. Yukio stood stonefaced, not showing any emotions. David gave a single nod. He and both women climbed on the edge of the balcony railing and did a single back flip in unison. They landed perfectly and straightened slowly.

"Well, if our grand entrance was to be upstaged, it would be David who would do it," Ken mumbled to Eiji.

"I asked Phyllis to call everyone I consider family here tonight," David began quietly. "I just wish my mother could've been here, but she's dealing with business in Tokyo." He stopped after scanning the group a moment. "Mary needs to hear this as well." He opened the door to the pool room and Stormer walked out to greet her family and friends. "Now then, allow me to apologize to everyone for how I reacted to Mary's attempted assassination. I ran away because I felt that it was an attempt to get to me. That I was bringing pain and misery upon my family."

David walked up to everyone individually as he spoke. "I was a coward. I freely admit that. I should have realized that Mary would have known there was an attack. She blamed herself for my leaving and fell into a deep depression. She's been in a hospital for the past few months blaming herself while I blamed myself. It wasn't her fault. It wasn't anyone's fault but my own. All I can ask is that I prove myself worthy of everyone's respect and trust. That is the only forgiveness I can ask." David stood with Yukio and Kyoko.

"You may be wondering where I've been for these four months. Yukio and Kyoko joined me in staying with the Arashikage Clan while we hunted for the assassin. We have stumbled upon a new threat called The Crimson Sons. From what the Arashikage Clan can tell us, they're a new group. They're possibly renegade Matsuura Clan members." David waited for the questioning murmurs to die down. "Instead of running, I decided I would do what I have done in the face of danger. I'll protect my family and in the end my family will survive. Are we in danger? Possibly. Will we over come it? Yes. Will I run away again? Hell no!"

Regaining his composure, David paced again. "Now, I do have one other piece of business to address, the damaged reputation of Misfits Music. I called a few stadiums around the country and they're wary of booking anyone from the company. We were called unreliable and a possible financial risk. Starlight Music felt a minor effect of this because of Kimber." David picked up a glass of ice water and sipped it. The group continued to pay attention to him. "I propose the main goal of Misfits Music is to regain our credibility at all costs."

Pizzazz pulled David aside and spoke softly. "Speaking of Misfits Music, I have some reports I want to show you that concerns Eric Raymond, but it can wait until tomorrow, okay?"

"No problem." David looked back at the crowd of friends and family. "That's about it everyone." He turned to re-enter the mansion and almost walked into Jerrica and The Holograms. Rio stood beside Jerrica. David blinked in surprise.

Jerrica frowned. "So I take it that we're not considered family to you?"

Still in mild shock David smiled. "You are its just, well I kinda figured you were still kinda pissed at me is all. We've been through so much together that it's hard not to think of you as family." His smile faltered when he saw Rio frown further.

"You know," Aja said quietly, "it's about damn time we got our chance to shock you, Gabor." She began to chuckle. "Phyllis called us today and said to surprise you. We heard the whole speech and we forgive you, but you'll have to prove yourself."

"That's what I thought." David led Jerrica, Rio and The Holograms fully into the backyard. The gathering of friends talked and caught up with each other on the four months they missed.

Nervously, the messenger knelt before the large red cloaked man. The slender woman who sat before his leader shifted in her seat. Her face was kept hidden in the shadows. "[Pray that you bring good news to me this time,]" the larger man rumbled deeply.

"[I've just been given what could be seen as a lead, my lord.]" The messenger looked up. His leader gave a single nod and he rose to his feet. "[The gaijin has left Japan and is now in America. I have not been able to pin point his location, but intelligence says he may have gone back to Los Angeles. There is a group of five Crimson Sons ninjas there now searching as we speak.]"

There was a long moment of silence. The messenger stood nervous in the fact that he may have given his feared leader bad news. A bellowing laugh erupted from the leader of the Crimson Sons. It echoed in the large room making the guards all flinch instinctively. The messenger urinated in his uniform and flinched. The leader laughed louder and harder upon seeing him do such an act. He clapped an arm around the messenger and led him down a hallway.

"[You have nothing to be worried about, my friend. Your news is just what I needed to hear. Come. Tonight you are a hero of the Crimson Sons.]" The leader snapped his fingers and two women waiting to the side rose to their feet. They waited with their heads lowered, looking at the floor. "[Take our new hero here and clean him up. Show him a good time. Tonight is his night. Do whatever he wishes.]"

The two women bowed as one and spoke in unison. "[Yes, my lord.]" They wrapped their arms around his and led him down the hall a bit further and into a room.

The leader of the Crimsons Sons returned to his chambers. The woman sitting in the throne next to his was frowning. "[The hero of the Crimsons Sons can't control his bladder.]" She motioned at the spot he had urinated on.

"[Yes, I see.]" He snapped his fingers again. Two crimson grabbed ninjas dropped from the ceiling next to him. "[Have someone clean up this filth and take care of our hero.]" The ninjas bowed and disappeared silently. "[Taken care of, my dear, now let us begin our planning the destruction of the hated gaijin and his cohorts.]"

The light rain fell steadily as the black van pulled up to the mansion. It was parked next to a black stretch limousine and a gray sedan. Pizzazz climbed out of the van and looked at the sedan with a slight frown. She shrugged her shoulders and went up the steps to the front door. A woman with light blue hair streaked past her. "Pardon me," she said quickly.

Pizzazz watched the woman without replying get into the sedan and drive away. She turned around and walked face first into the chest of Richard Xanthos. Pizzazz stumbled back a step and smiled up at him. "Have I told you that I hate it when my brother sneaks up on me like that?" Her grin widened and she kissed him gently on the lips. She looked back to where the sedan was on impulse. "So who was that?"

"Just an old family friend," Richard said in his European accent. "So, what can I do for you, my dear? I'm sure you didn't show up five hours early for our night out just for kicks."

"No, I have some news that you may or may not be thrilled about." Pizzazz followed Richard to the intimate living room after quickly drying off. She sat next to him on a love seat but a little ways apart. "A couple days ago my brother came back and Mary has checked herself out of the hospital. Last night, we had sort of an intercompany meeting with Starlight Music. However, David brought up a valid point last night. Misfits Music and Starlight Music have gained a reputation of being unreliable in keeping a commitment."

Richard watched her a moment then poured her a glass of ice water. "I'm happy to hear that Mary is out of the hospital. I'm also glad to hear that David has returned. You seem happier now that you mention him. What other news do you have for me?"

Pizzazz sipped the water and sat up straighter. "You know how Jerrica likes to throw a free concert each year on Christmas Day. I was wondering if we could host it in your back yard. I just think it's time for the world to remember who The Misfits and Jem are. David is talking to a few stations to put this on live television, maybe even making it into a benefit concert." She shifted in her seat a bit nervous. "What do you say?"

Smoothing his eyebrows in thought, Richard sat forward a bit. "I have an idea. Jem and The Hologram can perform here, while you and The Misfits do a sort of live feed interruption. The question now is where do you perform at?"

"You've given me an idea. I'm going to talk to Jerrica and see if The Misfits could perform atop the Starlight Music building. Do a whole fake rival band thing."

"I really like that. Use the phone in my study to call Jerrica if you want." Richard watched the smiling Pizzazz sprint to the private room and pick up the phone. She turned and waved at her boyfriend as she dialed and waited. Richard waved despite having his mind on the blue haired woman who had left and the news she had given him.

Considering the fact the house had been unoccupied for nearly four months, David and Stormer were amazed at how clean it was. They each put their boxes down in their former rooms. Yukio entered the house and simply shrugged when saw the lived in look it retained. She dropped her boxes off in the room that Stormer had built just for her.

Roxy and Jetta brought in some more boxes and each wore a proud grin. Roxy waited until Stormer and David were in the room before speaking. "Sheila and I decided that the house shouldn't be dusty and dirty as hell when either one of you decided to come back. So we came in once a week and cleaned. Good thing you gave us a spare key." She winked and exited quickly before the initial shock could sink in.

"Well, thank you both. It was very nice of you to do something like this." Stormer followed Roxy outside to lock up her car. "It was also a good idea to pack up all of our valuables and keep them at your place for safe keeping."

"Not a problem," Roxy smirked and put her arm around the younger woman. "We just figured it would be something that you or David would do. Except neither one of us could figure out how you fed the birds. I mean there's just so many kinds of seed out there, that we got confused. No big deal though." She led Stormer into the house and out of the rain.

"Thanks again," Stormer said in her quiet voice. Her eyes went wide when saw David holding a little statuette. She ran towards him. "Be very careful with that! It was a gift to me from my grandmother." Stormer stood by her half brother's side and ran her finger along the wing of the bird. "I've had this since I can remember. It's very special to me. I hope to pass it along to my daughter one day."

David smiled at her. "It's very pretty." He handed it to her carefully. "You can go put it where it belongs. I have all of my stuff to unpack." He peeked in Yukio's room. "Need any help in here? I can get one of those no good friends of ours to help you." David heard Roxy yell an objection.

Yukio grinned and giggled. "No thank you, David-san. I'm quite alright. I'm just missing Nekobaka. I know he's okay with the Arashikage Clan. Plus it's temporary that he lives out there." She lifted a few wrapped objects out of the box and looked up at David. "You need help with anything?"

"I'm fine. Just being the chivalrous male that I'm always accused of being." David flashed a smile and began to unpack his own boxes and arrange his room. He came out to get a drink two hours later. He heard Roxy and Stormer talking in her room. Yukio was still arranging her room. He didn't see or hear Jetta.

David knocked on the molding of Stormer's door frame. "Where'd Sheila vanish to?"

Roxy moved the bottle of beer from her lips. "She took off about an hour and half ago complaining about not feeling good and wanted to rest. After she helped with the boxes she spent her time reading that book of hers, the one on the energies and shit. I dunno. It would put me to sleep." She shrugged and took a sip from the bottle.

"I was going to order a pizza. Go see what Yukio she wants on it." Stormer continued arranging some porcelain figures. She turned and smiled at him.

David left and returned a few minutes later. Stormer ordered the pizza and the four friends continued working until the pizza arrived an hour later. They then sat and talked about past stories.

"So what do you say, Jerrica? Is that a good idea or what, huh?" Pizzazz smiled wide and full of hope.

Jerrica looked at The Holograms and Rio. She made a few facial gestures that Pizzazz couldn't see or read. She finally turned around and kept her face blank. "I dunno, Phyllis. This might work, this might not. I mean the whole rivalry bit has been played out. How about this idea instead, The Holograms and The Misfits play at Richard's estate, while Suzaku plays a surprise set atop Starlight Music or Misfits Music? How's that sound?"

Pizzazz stood and began pacing in the living room of the Starlight House. She pulled out her cell phone and called David. She told David the idea, rolled her eyes at what he said and hung up. She then dialed another number. "Hey Kimber, your sister had an idea that I wanted to throw at you." Pizzazz told the younger musician the idea. She listened then gave Jerrica and the others a big grin.

After hanging up her phone, Pizzazz sat back down in the chair she was sitting in. "David just told me to ask Kimber rather than ask him. He says that he's not a direct part of Misfits business anymore." She hooked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Kimber thinks it's a great idea. She and Suzaku are coming over." Pizzazz took a sip of her water. "Let me tell The Misfits to meet us here also."

"I'll go tell the Starlight Girls that we're about to have guests," Aja said heading up the stairs.

"Call up your brother and tell him to bring Kyoko and Yukio as well." Pizzazz started dialing before Rio could make the suggestion.

An hour later the group of friends had gathered again for the second time in a few days time. They talked and discussed their ideas for the benefit concert late into the night. David eventually made his way out to the backyard and played with the Starlight Girls dog, Karma.

Hitomi walked out alone and watched David for a few minutes before whistling softly and throwing him a bottled water. "[Thought you might be thirsty.]" Karma ran up to her, wagging his tail happily. "[I also realized that you and I haven't had a talk in a long, long time. I've missed you, David-kun. More than I let on at times.]"

David took a quick sip of the water and walked up to Hitomi, scratching Karma behind the ear. "[That crossed my mind too.]" He sat in a lawn chair; Hitomi sat on his lap and just giggled. "[I'm very sorry I left like that. I broke a vow to you that I'd always be there to protect you. I've always been there for you.]"

"[Aww David-kun, you never broke your vow. You came back and that's what really matters. I think of you as my guardian angel, best friend and brother in spirit.]" She kissed his cheek. "[Ever since you saved me from Ryo in that alley way I've loved you and I'll never stop. I understand you better than you think I do. Running away wasn't selfish of you. It was you finally putting your needs first. You have to start doing that.]" She poked him in the chest. "[It's called being human.]"

"[Geez, it's not like I haven't heard that speech before,]" he said jokingly. Hitomi giggled on his lap. They changed subjects and talked about what they had been doing for the past four months. A couple hours later, Hitomi was asleep on David's lap. He looked up when he heard Ken walk up to where they were sitting. "Spazz is finally calm. She's asleep." Ken let out a soft chuckle and smiled.

Two crimson robed figures slipped out of the ventilation system. They both landed quietly. The first person motioned at the door facing them. The second nodded and unlocked the door. Once inside he reached into the duffel bag and pulled out a small package. He flipped a switch on the side and a row of LED lights came to life. He set the timer and stood.

After shutting the office door they went to another office and entered. They left another package in the office. Silently, they left Misfits Music through the ventilation system. They emerged on the roof of the building a few minutes later and stood in the cool Christmas morning air.

The morning sun hung low in the sky. Each of The Misfits were tuning their instruments and chatting quietly. Pizzazz saw Jem and The Holograms pull up with Rio and Jerrica in Rio's van behind them. The Misfits set their instruments down and helped The Holograms unload their equipment and instruments.

Richard Xanthos pulled Techrat and Rio to the side to discuss the technical details of the show. Jerrica and Pizzazz made small talk while sound checks were being made. Aja broke from her conversation with Roxy when she saw Mrs. Bailey drive up with the Starlight Girls. Jem helped her keep the Starlight Girls entertained. Jetta waited on the sun deck and read her book while Stormer waited in the aviary with Shana and Raya. She taught them about the habits and natures of birds. Clash checked the sound with Video.

"Are you getting a clear feed from David's end?" Clash asked making final adjustments for The Misfits equipment and sound.

"Kyoko and Yukio are sending beautiful images. Those remote cameras Techrat designed are amazing. You said they send a remote signal for over five miles?" Video finished her last adjustment and walked over to her cousin. Clash nodded. "So who did he design these for? The news media and military?"

"He designed them for himself, also, to see if he could do it. We're not one hundred percent sure what the range is. It's probably more than five miles since he's tinkered with it." Clash straightened up and smiled at her cousin. "We're ready to go."

Video smiled in return at her cousin. "Great." Together they went and told each band to take their places for the broadcast.

David carefully watched the monitor as The Misfits played their last song of the set. He looked up and watched Kimber and the rest of Suzaku finish their tune ups. "Okay, guys. Get ready, The Misfits are about to wrap up." The members of Suzaku watched David for their cue and he nodded to Kyoko and Yukio. They lifted the cameras to their shoulders and focused on the band.

Suzaku was ready to play on top of the Misfits Music building. Pizzazz wanted them to play as a surprise to show that all three bands were not gone and forgotten. David flipped a few switches and gave the signal for Yukio and Kyoko to begin broadcasting. A few minutes later he gave Suzaku their cue and the band started into a brand new song.

Kyoko kept her camera focused the band, but motioned David over to her. She pointed at the four hang gliders equipped with small cameras on the front that were perched on the edge of the roof. "They're supposed jump in those things and glide down to the park at the end of the set? I still say it's a stupid idea. How are we supposed to make sure they're okay?"

"Don't worry about it. They've been practicing every day for the past couple of weeks. It's safe. I trust them." David flashed his smile to ease Kyoko's worrying. She just frowned and started following Kimber on the stage with her camera. David went back to the control boards and watched the broadcast feed from there.

Suzaku finished their last song and ran to the hang gliders. Kyoko and Yukio stayed where they were and followed the band with their cameras. The building rocked with a sudden powerful explosion. Ken and Hitomi grabbed Eiji and Kimber who both lost their footing and were at the edge of the roof. Eiji tried not to look down.

David, Kyoko and Yukio, still carrying the cameras, ran towards the band. A second, more powerful explosion rocked the entire building. The three friends and the rest of the viewers watched in horror as Suzaku fell off the building's edge and out of sight.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "NO FUTURE"

PART 4 OF SIX MONTHS