For Whom The Bell Tolls

Part 2

I Don't Like Mondays

By Nick Maro

From what David and Pizzazz could tell about Yuji Yamada, was that he was about average height for a Japanese man. He looked younger than what his true age was and he looked better in person than he did in his photos. David and Kaori stood and formally bowed to him. Yuji returned the bow and chuckled. "No need to be so formal, David. I'm a friend that's all, nothing more. Maybe one day we will be family."

Pizzazz got up and looked at her mother then at Yuji, she smirked and laughed softly. "Well, it's about time you made your way out here to meet us, Yuji." She gave him a playful wink then hugged him tight. "We were wondering when Mom was going to introduce us to you. It seems that each time we would meet, something would come up."

Evelyn made the proper introductions and then went to the kitchen to make tea and coffee. Kaori joined her so that David could get to know him with The Misfits. Kaori fidgeted with a lock of hair while Evelyn filled the tea pot with water. "Um Evelyn, could I ask you something personal about David?" Raising an eyebrow Evelyn nodded. Kaori cleared her throat and spoke softly. "I was just wondering what he's told you about me. About my past and everything."

"He told me that you had a few things in your past that might be seen as questionable. But it wasn't anything that would be of major concern. Why?" Evelyn handed Kaori a cookie from the platter she was bringing out to the entertainment room.

"I don't know. I just feel like I should tell you." Kaori took a bite of the cookie and smiled. "I'm twenty-eight years old and divorced. That's my big secret." She looked shyly away from Evelyn.

Letting out a small laugh Evelyn put the platter down and hugged her. "Oh that's no big deal, I thought you were going to say you were in prison or David liked to dress in women's clothing and hang around in bars." She kissed Kaori's cheek. "When the time is right I know you'll make a wonderful daughter-in-law. Hell, I already think of you as one."

Kaori's smile beamed as she helped Evelyn with the tea and coffee. She just winked when David gave her a questioning look. When she was finished helping, she sat next to him and kissed the tip of his nose and smiled at him in her special way. She listened to Yuji talk and got to know The Misfits and David. She finally felt accepted by Evelyn and Kimber. For awhile now that had been bugging her. Kaori slowly drifted to sleep listening to everyone talk.

The early morning sun shined down on the Starlight Mansion. Kimber got out of her car and used her key to enter the mansion. She found some of the Starlight Girls sitting around the table eating breakfast before they went to school. She spotted Cyndi out of the corner of her eye helping with the dishes. Cyndi was in reality the holographic computer Synergy in an android body. The robotic race known as the Autobots had helped them disguise Synergy from any kind of detection.

Kimber hugged the android from behind and startled her slightly. She and all of The Holograms have been helping Synergy adapt to being known as Cyndi and to becoming more human in her actions. "So are you helping Ashley with the dishes because you were asked or because you wanted to, Cyndi?" Kimber whispered.

Cyndi waited until Ashley was called to get in the van to go to school before answering. "I wanted to. I see people helping others around here all the time and I want to do that myself." She washed and dried her hands off. She leaned against the counter top and smiled. "For so many years I watched yourself and Jerrica help others. I wanted to be able to do that myself, but couldn't. Now I can."

"Well, it's gonna take some getting used to seeing the most sophisticated holographic computer helping do the dishes." Kimber giggled then looked around the kitchen. "So is my sister around? I have some papers she wanted me to bring."

"I believe she's still in bed. She had a late night and was very exhausted. If you want I can wake her."

"No, that's quite alright. I rarely get a chance to wake her up anymore. I'll talk to you later, Cyndi." Kimber left her to finish the dishes and went up the rear stairs. She walked up to her sister's room and knocked lightly then opened the door without waiting for a reply. Kimber held back a yelp of shock and a giggle. Standing before her was an even more shocked looking Rio putting his pants on and Kimber giggled to herself. "Partially naked Rio, yikes! I'll be in the hall." She shut the door and burst into laughter.

About five minutes later Rio came out of Jerrica's bedroom. He looked at Kimber, trying to look mad at her, but could only blush. "At least you didn't see me fully naked." He chuckled when she laughed harder. Rio rolled his eyes and left down the hallway.

Kimber went into her older sister's room trying her best to hide her smirk. Jerrica tried to give her best annoyed glare, but couldn't hold it for more than a few moments. "Well, I'm just glad you knocked before just opening the door. So did you bring the papers?"

"I brought everything you asked me to. I talked this over with Evelyn and she agreed that I would still be a silent CEO. And that she would discuss decisions with you and me before going through with them." She handed Jerrica the folder with the legal papers in them.

"I'm going to be meeting with her on Monday afternoon to do the signing and hand over. I want you there. You more than deserve it."

"Oh trust me I wouldn't miss this for anything."

The plane began its descent as Kyoko glanced over her shoulder casually again to see if the man behind her was watching her again. She told herself it could've been her paranoia or maybe it was the Crimson Sons following her. She wasn't sure. She was now on her way to tell David the news about the Crimson Sons that she had learned. The Arashikage Master had told her to find David and tell him in person.

Kyoko's injuries had healed a thousand fold over the past week. Her ribs were only bruised and not broken as originally thought. Her black eye was gone while her arm was still in a sling but was almost healed. Most of all she felt a hundred percent better. She still walked with a cane in case she was being followed. The cane held a thin sword blade in case of an emergency. It would easily get by customs without a problem.

The man that Kyoko was watching began gathering up his belongings and putting them in his briefcase. She was having trouble reading his actions. She turned around and started putting her belongings in her backpack when the plane bounced for the first time on the landing strip. The plane taxied up to the terminal and Kyoko finished. She undid her seat belt and waited for the man to pass her. He paused when he saw her cane. "[You can go first.]"

"[No thank you, I'm waiting to go last so I don't slow anyone up.]" Kyoko gave him a kind smile. He shrugged his shoulders and walked down the aisle. She put on her back pack and a stewardess helped get her carry on bag down from the overhead compartment. Kyoko exited the plane, walked down to the terminal and went through customs. She spotted the man from the plane just ahead of her.

He headed down to the baggage claim and Kyoko followed despite not having any. All of her luggage was in her carry on. She still had a lot of clothing at the Gabor Manor. Kyoko watched him from a distance she noticed that he didn't have any of the marks a Crimson Son normally did. She chastised herself for being so paranoid. It was beginning to appear that he was just a normal guy. Kyoko discretely slipped out of the airport and found an available taxi. She gave the Gabor Manor address and relaxed in her seat.

Kyoko arrived at the Gabor Manor a half hour later. She got her luggage out of the taxi's trunk and she paid the driver. The taxi drove out of the gates as Kyoko walked up to the mansion. She checked the door it was unlocked. She entered the mansion and left her bags near the door. Walking with the cane now out of habit, Kyoko looked around the mansion for who was home. She found Kaori and David in the pool house.

The constant splashing drowned out the sound of the pool door opening and closing. David and Kaori splashed water at each other while laughing like kids. "[So, this is what you guys do when no one is home? What are you? Prudes?]"

David caught Kaori as she jumped back into him startled by Kyoko's sudden appearance. He chuckled and began to blush slightly as he hugged his arms around Kaori's chest. "[Actually, we're kinda naked in here. If you had been here five minutes earlier, then well—]"

"[We would've had our suits on is what he's trying to say.]" Kaori wiggled her way out of David's arms. "[We were just having a nice swim when David decides that it would be funny to steal my top and it all went downhill from there.]" She swam to where her top was resting on the side of the pool and put it back on. She then pulled herself out of the pool and grabbed a towel. "[It's great to see you, Kyoko.]"

"[What happened to you? Get into a fight?]"

Kyoko watched David slip his trunks back on in the pool. "[More like I crashed.]" She told the two lovers of how she evaded the Crimson Sons to get back to the Arashikage Clan home. "[The reason I'm back, David, is that I have some information for you about the Crimson Sons. It seems that they've started recruiting and training members of the Yakuza. None of the members of my Uncle's family of Yakuza, mind you, but smaller families in Tokyo. Master Arashikage has been told and asked me to tell you. He just wants us to be on our toes in case anything happens.]"

David nodded and dried himself off while in thought. "[I was starting to wonder what the hell they've been up to. We can tell Yukio when she gets back with Mary and Phyllis. They took her out for a day at the spa. I can only imagine her reaction to the body waxing and pampering.]" He chuckled with Kaori.

"[So is it okay that I stay here?]"

"[No ex-wives, sorry!]" Kaori giggled at her own joke.

"[I'll take that as a yes. I only brought a few bags with me. I'm not too sure how long I'll be staying.]" Kyoko stood and left the pool house with her friends.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Craig Phillips stood over the last crate The Blue Bloods needed unloaded from their truck. They were wrapping up a small tour of Europe after they had just finished recording a benefit album. Craig looked up when Lord Mason Hawthorne yelled for Craig to get out of the way. He turned and saw a missile coming toward him. Craig ran and dove over a stack of speakers.

The missile exploded, destroying the crates and gear where Craig was standing previously. The stack of speakers fell on top of Craig burying him beneath them. After a few moments, the pile of speakers stirred and slowly Craig's arm could be seen shoving them off of him. He stood up and looked to where the missile had been fired from. No one was there as he had expected. Sharp pain shot through his left arm. He knew right away it was broken. The Blue Bloods gear was destroyed, however.

Jetta woke to the sound of the phone ringing constantly. She answered the phone in a tired, scratchy voice. "H'llo?"

"Yes, I'm looking to speak to a Sheila Burns," a lightly accented German female voice asked on the other end.

"Speakin'." Jetta sat up and looked at the time. It was almost a quarter to eight in the morning. Roxy was still sound asleep. She slowly stood up and hid her yawn as she walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

The woman on the other end cleared her throat and spoke again. "My name is Katja. I'm calling because we share an acquaintance in Stevie Blackwell." Her voice noticeably cracked. "Well, I'm calling to inform you that she," Katja sniffled and let out a soft sob, "that she's been murdered." She began crying openly now.

Shock hit Jetta instantly causing her to sit down without thinking. "Wot? When? H-how?" She now felt her own tears begin to well up.

"I-it was earlier th-this week. From wh-what the police know she had hydrochloric acid splashed in her face. No one knows who did it or why." Katja broke down again. "I'm just calling to tell you y-you're invited to the funeral."

Jetta absentmindedly nodded and talked with Katja for two hours with her. They consoled and got to know the other. By the end of the phone call, they were laughing at stories they shared about Stevie. Eventually they hung up and Jetta pulled out her old photo of Stevie. She rubbed Stevie's image with her thumb and started to cry all over again.

"Hey! It's almost ten thirty! I thought you said you set the alarm last night!" Roxy yelled as she walked into the kitchen. She then saw Jetta sitting in her chair hunched over staring at the photo crying. She knew immediately that something was seriously wrong. Roxy lowered her voice to a soft whisper, "Baby, what happened?"

Looking up with bloodshot eyes, Jetta hugged Roxy's waist and started crying hard. "J-just hold me. Just ho-hold me and never let me g-go." She slowly followed Roxy to the living room and sat on the couch. She then let her emotions flood out on her girlfriend's shoulder who comforted her with soft whispers and light kisses.

The twin red clad forms prowled along the rooftop to watch inside the office of David Gabor. The smaller of the two brought out a pair of binoculars to their eyes and focused on the window. They swore softly as glare from the rising sun momentarily blinded them. They sat back and waited with their companion until they could see into David's office. Their instructions were to be followed to the letter.

Sitting in the recording studio of Clashing VideoRat's, Stormer played out a few keys to one of the songs she and Kimber were working on. It was one of the rock ballads they had planned on putting on no matter what. They had decided that they each would have a solo song on the album. This was to be Kimber's solo while Stormer played the music. The other songs they'd switch as the lead singer while the other sang back up. Stormer personally didn't care as long as she was playing music.

Chip tapped her on the shoulder causing her to jump slightly. He let out a small chuckle. "It's just me. Your brother is on the phone. He sounds kind of worried."

Stormer rolled her eyes. "When doesn't he?" She picked up the phone and tried to sound cheerful. "Hi Craig! It's great to hear from you."

"Is everything okay there, Mary?" Craig tried to keep the worry out of his voice.

"Yeah, I had my cell phone off. I was in the studio perfecting a song for the new album that Kim and I are doing. I didn't tell you about this yet, did I? It's called Naked Ambition. Kim and I are going to be naked on the cover, but have our hands covering each other. It's kinda arty, but it's tasteful and I like it. Kaori sketched out an idea that Kim and I might try also. Then there's the new Misfits album that I'm starting on after this." Stormer finally paused to take a breath. "So how's the tour?"

Despite himself Craig chuckled. "You sound busy there. I just called to see if you were okay and all. I know how crazy your life can get at times. It's a relief to hear you're not getting whisked off to far off lands and worlds." He had decided not to tell his sister about the missile and cause her to worry. "A stack of amps did fall on top of me before the last concert. I broke my left arm but I'm fine otherwise. We'll make up that last show another time. I was thinking that I might come out to visit for a few days. Last time I was there we really didn't get any brother sister time."

"That would be great. Kimber met a guy in Chicago, by the way. Long story short, she has a major crush on him and he'll be coming out here in a few weeks. Or so she says." Stormer sat back in the office chair and let out a yelp of surprise as she fell backward.

"Mary! You okay?"

"I'm fine," Stormer said laughing. She threw a paper ball at Chip and gave him her best angry face. "Just someone here forgot to tell me the office chair is busted. I sat back and fell backwards. I think I bruised my ass on that. I'll talk to you soon, Craig. Love ya, too." Stormer hung up the phone and turned her deadly glare to her boyfriend. "You! You coulda told me the screw was missing."

Chip backed up with his hands up defensively. "Hey! I'm sorry. I tried to warn you, but you kept waving me off. But now I think I hear Clash or Techrat calling me. Oh hey! Is that the time? I have a dentist's appointment." Chip backed up until he was sitting in the chair. Stormer kept coming toward him. She couldn't hide the laughter of the fun she was having. She finally tackled him, sending them both backwards and giggling on the studio floor.

David quietly walked into the bedroom he shared with his girlfriend and carefully sat on the edge of the bed. He watched her take a late morning nap. Her sketch book and pencil were on the night stand. He picked up the book and started flipping through the pages. He loved seeing what new ideas she was working on and her notes on what inspired them. Kaori was now a few months ahead of schedule with her current book giving her an excuse to take some time off. Somehow he figured her fans wouldn't complain if she was late.

Rolling over and giving David a sleepy smile, Kaori laid her head on his leg. He instinctively began to stroke her hair softly. She let out a low moan and nuzzled his leg. "[So what do you think of my ideas? Think any of them will work when I wrap up Gaijin Samurai?]" She gave David a small smile full of pride. "[I just finished up the final issue. Now I'm looking for a new project, but I want to do something different. What do you think? You get to choose my next book.]"

"[I didn't know you were going to be ending the series. You never mentioned it.]" David sat in mild stunned silence as he flipped through her sketchbook. "[Shouldn't the decision be up to you? I mean you're the one who will be writing and drawing it. Just doesn't seem right that I should be the one to decide.]"

Kaori lightly shoved him and chuckled. "[You should know by now I'm more stubborn than you are. So yes, I'm sure I want you to decide. Just be glad I love you so much that I put up with your crap.]" She rubbed her eyes, sat up and leaned against the headboard. "[Do we have to go to the signing? It doesn't involve us at all. I mean Phyllis isn't going so why should we?]"

"[We're going so I can learn a bit more about business. I want to see this transaction take place in case I do follow my father's footsteps in the business world.]" He looked over at Kaori and grinned. "[It's not like being a ninja actually pays.]"

"[No, but it is fun to say 'my boyfriend is a ninja rockstar, what does yours do for a living?' at conventions.]" Taking the sketchbook from David, she flipped through it slowly. She stopped at a page that David had previously missed. It was a group drawing of The Misfits that was different from the one David saw her working on in Chicago. It was in a more realistic style. "[I finished that other pic you saw at the convention. This one is for us.]"

David studied the picture quietly, taking in each detail. "[When you're done with it I'll get a frame so we can have something to put up in our new house. That's something I've been meaning to discuss with you. Are you sure you want to move here?]" Kaori just gave him a look that he read as she had her mind set on it. "[I guess after the signing we can go look at houses again. I want to find someplace close, but not too expensive.]" He gave his girlfriend a small smirk. "[Come on. Let's go take a shower before we go to the meeting.]" She grinned and started stripping her clothes off as they raced for the private bathroom.

Holding on to the bar above the passenger side door, Jerrica looked nervously back at Kimber in the backseat. She was holding on an identical bar above her door. The Starlight Girl, Lela, had just gotten her driver's license and was driving Kimber and Jerrica to the transfer signing for the rights and ownership of Starlight Music to Evelyn Gabor. Aja was also in the back with Kimber. The agreement for Lela to drive downtown was that she has an adult with her until she was comfortable with driving. This was a time that Jerrica was dreading. The Starlight Girls were beginning to drive.

The Starlight Girls Becky and Delaree were both taking driver's education classes in high school. She knew that the two girls would be fine with driving, but it was Deirdre and Ashley that she had a feeling who would be trouble. Deep down she wondered how her father would have handled a situation like this.

Jerrica pointed to a parking garage a block from where they were. "Now Lela, put on your signal and merge right. Remember to drive defensively. Someone will let you in."

"And if they don't give them the finger and call them an asshole." Jerrica shot Kimber a glare as Lela giggled. "That's what I do."

Lela merged to the right and turned into the parking garage. The security guard let her pass when he saw Jerrica in the passenger seat. She parked the car in front of the doors leading into the Misfits Music building. She looked at Jerrica with a wide grin on her face. "I told you I could drive downtown, Jerrica, but I'm glad you came with. The more I practice, the more I'm gaining confidence in my ability to drive."

Leaning into the car after getting out, Jerrica returned a proud smile. "Good. Now Aja will drive back with you. She's the one who taught me how to drive, actually. So you're in excellent hands. Give me a call when you both get home, okay?" Lela and Aja nodded.

Kimber got out of the car and stretched. She made a mock scared face at Aja who was stretching also. Aja chuckled and shook her head. She got into the passenger side of the car and rolled down her window. "Are you sure you don't want us to stick around? It's no problem."

"Nah, that's okay. I'm going to the office afterwards anyway. I have to show Evelyn around and that kind of stuff. Kimber is heading out with David and Kaori. I want Lela to drive as much as she's comfortable with." Jerrica straightened her dress jacket in the reflection on the car.

Aja and Lela waved and she pulled away slowly. Kimber watched the new driver take it easy and slow as she drove. She caught up to Jerrica and entered Misfits Music with her sister. "I'm sorry for what I said in the car back there. I just forget that the Starlight Girls are your responsibility. What it's like being twenty-five and having eleven kids. I'll watch my mouth better." Kimber got in the elevator with her sister.

Jerrica let out a soft sigh and smiled. "It's okay. Lela is sixteen and I'm sure she's said much worse. Just watch your mouth around the younger girls. The older girls are becoming adults and we should try to treat them as such. In fact, now that the older girls will be driving, that's more time that The Holograms and I can devote to the band and find replacements for you and Shana. It'll be nice to actually go on a real vacation with Rio, too." The two sisters exited the elevator car when it got to their floor.

"I'm starting to feel old now. How quickly the girls have grown up on us." Kimber looked at Jerrica with a bittersweet smile as they entered the meeting room. She waved to her friends in the room. David, Kaori, Yukio and Evelyn sat on one the side of the table with their backs facing the window. Yuji sat on the opposite side looking over the papers for the transfer of ownership.

"Yuji, I'd like you to meet Jerrica Benton. Jerrica, this is my husband Yuji Yamada." Evelyn stood as she made the proper introductions. Jerrica and Yuji shook hands he then shook Kimber's. "Now before we begin can I get anyone something to eat or drink?" Everyone shook their head no. "Well then, Yuji here is going to conduct over the signing. We can begin at anytime."

"Just show me where to sign," Jerrica said a bit nervous. Yuji pointed out on the contracts where for her to sign and to initial. He showed Kimber where she needed to do the same as her sister. Yuji looked over both set of papers then showed Evelyn where to sign and initial. He then looked over her papers and gave a nod to Jerrica. "Congratulations. You're now the new owner of Starlight Music." Jerrica shook Evelyn's hand then smirked. "The money is in a private account, right?"

Evelyn chuckled and smiled sweetly. "Yes, I transferred it this morning. I had faith that you wouldn't change your mind." She gathered up her papers and put them in her briefcase. "So, are you going to give the grand tour of Starlight—" Her sentence was cut off as she felt a sudden pain in her back. She looked down and saw the shaft of an arrow sticking through of her chest. She turned around to look at the window to find a small hole in it. She didn't see the second arrow as it struck her between the eyes killing her instantly.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "END OF THE WORLD"

PART 3 OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS