Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way

Part 1

Stand Up and Fight!

By Nick Maro

The mid-July weather was humid and uncomfortable more than usual. David continued doing his morning exercises without realizing he had acclimated to the weather. Kaori watched from her studio window and smiled as she drew the next issue of her new manga series: Rejects of Rock. The series was loosely based on The Misfits from stories she was told by various members. So far it had proven to be a huge hit in Japan. Light glinted off of Kaori's wedding band making her smile even wider.

David finished up his katas for the day. He grabbed the towel from the chair on his patio and wiped his face. He was sweating harder than he had realized. Throwing the towel over his shoulder, he headed into his home. He leaned down and kissed Kaori on the cheek, making her pull back a little. She looked up at him and giggled. "[You know the rule, shower first then you can kiss me. You're all sweaty and stinky.]"

"[This is man stink. I made it by being a man.]" David flexed and posed for his wife.

"[You smell like lawn and a locker room. How that was possible I have no idea. Go shower now.]" Kaori pointed up the stairs with her drawing pencil. She smirked as David faked sulking as he went up the stairs. She turned back to her table when she heard the water start running. The storyline she was working on was influenced by the rivalry between The Misfits and Jem.

The ringing of the doorbell, made Kaori curse under her breath in annoyance. Taking a calming breath she set her pencil down and looked out the window next to the front door. Ryo and Maiyumi gave her a small wave. Kaori opened the door with a confused look. "[I thought you both were in Japan for the time being. What brings you by?]"

Ryo cleared his throat and gave Kaori his best smile. He knew how much she hated having David deal with Arashikage Clan business. Kaori felt that they could handle things without him just fine, but didn't want to stand in the way. She knew how important these were now. David also swore that was the last time he'd have anything to do with them. The Bayushi Yakuza learning from the Caustic Brothers was the last thread he would tie up for the Arashikage.

"[I take it David is in the shower?]" Ryo entered the house when Kaori nodded and stepped aside. "[We were asked to come and talk to him. Kyoko and Yukio are leading search teams for Kyoko's uncle.]" He sat on the edge of the recliner and rubbed his temples. "[Sorry, just tired from the flight.]"

Maiyumi laughed softly to herself. "[Poor Ryo had a kid behind him on the flight who kept kicking his seat. He'd turn around and glare at the kid who would just point and laugh. I expected Ryo to finally snap and strangle the brat. But he kept his cool and took the seat kicks.]" She rubbed his back as he leaned against her legs.

"[It's great that Ryo has learned to keep his temper in check.]" David came down the stairs while pulling his t-shirt on. "[Let me guess still nothing on Soun Matsuo?]" The former rivals both shook their heads. David looked at Kaori and sighed. "[It'll be over soon, hon, and then we can concentrate on starting our own family of ninjas.]" He grunted softly as Kaori backhanded him.

"[That's not even remotely funny. I'm not raising our kids to be ninjas.]"

David rolled his eyes. "[It was a joke. No ninja kids, I swear.]" He mouthed the words ninja kids to Ryo and Maiyumi behind Kaori's back. He gave a big grin and thumbs up.

Ryo stood on wobbly legs and headed for the door, Maiyumi holding on to his arm for stability. "[We'll be on our way. By the way, congratulations on the wedding, Yukio showed us the pictures. We just felt we'd be out of place there.]"

Kaori stepped forward and went to Ryo's other side. "[Why don't you two take our guest room? That's what it's there for.]" Maiyumi thanked Kaori as David took his wife's spot and helped the man to the guest room. Ryo passed out as soon as he was laid on the mattress. Maiyumi let him sleep and joined Kaori and David in the kitchen. The newlyweds told her about the wedding and their honeymoon plans while Ryo slept.

Jumping back into the plush office chair, Kimber let out a loud giggle as the air escaped from the cushions. She looked up at her boyfriend and did it again. They both let out loud laughter as the air hit the leather upholstery. Kimber yelled from her sister's home office, "Hey Jerrica! Your new chair farts! You finally got a farting chair!" She got up and flung herself back into the chair. That was when she felt something snap under her. "Uh oh," she said under her breath while getting up slowly.

Looking under the chair, Alan discovered that Kimber broke the tension spring. "Looks like the spring snapped. That really can't be fixed." He sat up and gave Kimber a serious look. "You're in trouble!" Kimber backhanded him lightly as he chuckled.

"Goddammit, Kimber!" Jerrica came rushing into her office to see what had happened. The office chair sat back limply. She glared at her younger sister. "I told you to not to do that! I just bought that chair last week!" Jerrica rubbed the bridge of her nose in thought. "I have a receipt maybe if I tell them it was just defective they'll make an exchange." She gave Kimber a disappointed look.

Kimber opened her mouth to say something, but quickly shut it. She quietly went to her purse and pulled out her debit card. "I'll buy you a new one. I'm sorry, I was being immature. I should have stopped when Alan told me to, but I didn't. I had to keep pushing things. Let me buy you a new one."

Jerrica took her sister's card and looked at it then at her sister. "I'll exchange this one tomorrow, but you're buying me a new one for Starlight Music. I'm going to take Dad's approach on things." She handed the card back to her sister. "Oh man, could you imagine his reaction to you breaking his office chair? He'd probably kill you."

"Actually, I did break Daddy's chair when I was about ten. I was bored and I was bouncing the seat back and forth. I felt something break under me, I got scared and ran out of his office. I didn't tell anyone. I let him sit in the chair and he thought he broke it. I always felt a little bad about that." Kimber gave her little smile and took a deep breath. "Well, at least I'm admitting this stuff now."

"My dad would have just beaten me with his belt. He's not an abusive man just that was discipline in my family. It worked for the most part." Alan gave a shrug. "That's all I've got. I'm just here because Kimber asked me to come with. She said you had something important to discuss and felt that I should be a part of it." He sat in one of the chairs off to the side.

Sighing softly, Jerrica looked to her office door and closed it. "I was hoping Rio would be here for this, but I guess he's stuck at the studio again." Jerrica started to pace the room and chewed on her thumbnail. Kimber knew Jerrica only did this when it was something serious and bothering her. She glanced at Kimber out of the corner of her eye. "I haven't told anyone but Rio this. It's just something I'm only considering doing. I wanted to talk to you about it first." Jerrica took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm thinking of retiring as Jem."

"what?"

Turning around to look at the shock on her sister's face gave Jerrica the motivation to explain why. "It's just time for me to stop. I love being her and performing, but I don't have the drive anymore. I'm married now and the Starlight Girls are growing up so quickly. I want to spend more time with them while I can. Also there's Starlight Music and the Foundation that I pretty much run by myself. It's just so hard to do all that and be on tour." She put her arm around her sister's shoulder. "There's a saying that goes it's better to out on top, than to be forgotten."

Kimber thought about what her sister had said and just nodded slowly. Alan looked at the two sisters. It was great that they shared this level of closeness. He was brought out of his personal thoughts when the office door opened. Rio just looked at Jerrica and Kimber and he knew she had told the young redhead the news. Kimber spoke softly and quietly, she was trying her best to hold back the tears, "Whatever you do I know you'll do what's best for yourself. I trust you."

"That's all I ask, Kimber."

The energy of the audience caused the blood and adrenaline to rush through The Misfits veins. They hadn't felt this good since they could remember. Everything that had happened in the past few months seemed to just wash away. The power of music bathed each woman in a catharsis. The stress, depression, fear, and anxiety left as soon as they walked on stage. Pizzazz sang and performed with a renewed passion that she hadn't felt in a long time.

The stage lights went out for the first encore which gave the stage hands time to set up new instruments on the stage. The spotlight came on and only highlighted Pizzazz. She smiled and waved to the screaming audience. Sweat dripped from her face and soaked her shirt. Her makeup was running down her cheeks and face. She didn't even notice. "Thank you! I guess you want more, huh?" The crowd roared back its approval of the encore. Pizzazz just smiled and laughed. "No, no, I think we're done here."

Pizzazz began to walk off stage as the crowd booed its disappointment. She stopped before leaving the stage and partially turned around. She mouthed the word 'More?' and the crowd cheered. She stood and thought for a moment then thrust her arm out of the spotlight. Pulled back a guitar and put the strap over her shoulder. "More more more! Man, you guys are an insatiable group." Pizzazz did a quick tune check on the strings and smiled, then immediately began into a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Stand on It.

The stage lights came on revealing Jetta on the sax and Stormer playing the piano. Aja had joined the band on drums. David came out and joined his sister on guitar and backing vocals. The song went by quickly, so Pizzazz extended the guitar playing with her brother. They both looked they were having the time of their lives. The song finally ended with the siblings hugging.

Pizzazz lifted David's left arm and showed the audience his wedding band. "So a few weeks ago, my asshole brother goes out and gets himself married. Of course, I was there. But the point is I finally have a sister-in-law to torment!" The crowd cheered and Pizzazz laughed as David turned red from blushing. He left the stage giving her the finger and smiling wide. The Misfits finished performing thirty minutes later.

Heading backstage, The Misfits were greeting by congratulations from various stage hands and workers. They just smiled and wiped the sweat from their faces as they thanked them. Madison stood by the dressing room door with the Gemini Twins. Andrea and Amanda had just finished filling in for a band and decided to work with Madison on a possible new band. Madison and the Twins followed The Misfits into the dressing room. She caught a bottle of beer that Roxy tossed her.

"If this is a sign of how your tour is going to be, it's probably going to your best yet." Madison used her shirt to twist the cap of the beer bottle off and took a long drink. "You'd think you haven't gone on tour in years with how the crowd was acting. Illegal Limit could never get that kind of reaction."

Andrea smirked and chuckled as her sister just rolled her eyes and took a seat on the couch. The Gemini Twins were no longer moving in sync as much. Amanda accepted a glass of juice from Stormer as she relaxed. "Well, Illegal Limit was formed out of spite. Nothing good was going to come from that."

Jetta nodded her agreement. "Amanda is right. If you were to play together now, it would be quite different."

"Well, Kaori and I need to head home. We still have to pack for the tour. Last second, I know." David picked up his guitar case and put the strap over his shoulder. He said his separate farewells and headed for the door. He gave Madison a tight hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you came out. Phyllis needs more friends. Take care." Kaori smiled and waved as they left together.

Pizzazz looked at the clock and finished wiping the leftover make up off her face. "We should get out of here too. I need to make a quick trip to the Misfits Music office. Then make sure I have everything I need packed up." She threw the used towel into the pile of towels near the washroom. Getting up she poked Madison in the belly which made her giggle slightly. "So, are you coming with on tour?"

"I dunno, Phyllis. I'd feel like a fifth wheel and all." Madison chewed her inner cheek and looked at the Gemini Twins. They were talking with Jetta and Roxy. She turned back to Pizzazz with a small smile. "Okay I'll go for a few concerts. Not the whole tour though. I have stuff here that I need to get done. This will be my vacation."

Soun Matsuo paced as he watched his men train with the legendary Caustic Brothers. A faint smile crossed his lips as these men made his Yakuza more powerful. He was already choosing which men would become his personal guard. There were at least five that showed the most improvement. His niece and David Gabor would pay for turning their backs on him. A messenger ran up to Soun and bowed quickly. Soun turned to the messenger with an arched eyebrow. "[Yes?]"

"[Sir, this letter was left on the doorstep.]" The messenger handed the Yakuza boss the blank envelope. "[No one saw who delivered it. The security cameras didn't pick anything up as well. Genma is looking into things. He'll have a report by the end of the day.]"

Opening the envelope, Soun just nodded. Genma was the head of his security at this compound. Soun furrowed his brow as he read the letter twice. "[Have security doubled at once. Someone is watching us. I'm uncertain if its friend or foe.]" He folded the letter up and put it in his pocket. Soun turned away from the training and entered his mansion. He went to his office and called the number on the letter. He cut off the answering voice. "I don't know who you are. Friend, foe, or other, but I'll have a representative meet yours in a week's time. I'll let know where an hour beforehand. This is non-negotiable."

Hanging up the phone Soun left his office. He quickly strode down the corridors of his mansion. The door to his destination opened before he could reach it. The heavily built head of security shut the door behind him and gave a quick bow to Soun. "[I was just coming to find you, Soun. I just finished analyzing the security footage from the past twelve hours. I spotted a disruption of sorts in the video. It may be something it may be nothing but a glitch.]"

Genma opened the door to the video room for the security cameras. The room was colder than others to help cool the servers the room held. Genma sat down at one of the monitor stations and brought up the suspicious footage. Soun stood behind him and watched the footage a few times closely. Genma pointed out the discrepancies as they watched. There was a slight flicker and jump in the video. He slowed the video down even more that showed a distorted form. Soun frowned deeply and put a hand on Genma's shoulder. "[Triple security around the perimeter, I want nothing to make it past the gate without me knowing who or what it is.]"

The Misfits reveled in the reaction the audience gave them. Their tour was a complete sell out for the past three nights in Los Angeles. Pizzazz hoped that the rest of the tour would be like this. The energy and atmosphere was addictive. She felt like that she could play at this level all night. During one of Roxy's guitar solos she jogged off stage and grabbed a quick drink. She ran back out on the stage joining Roxy and Stormer in the guitar work.

They played non-stop for another two and half hours making this concert their longest ever at a little over three hours. They played their new album in its entirety. They also played all of their hits and a few covers. At the end of their last song, Roxy fell to the stage in exaggerated exhaustion. She got up with the help of Jetta and Stormer. Roxy shouted her thanks to the audience and left the stage with her arm around Jetta's waist. Stormer hugged Chip as he came running on stage. He lifted her up and spun her around. They left together as Stormer waved to the audience.

Pizzazz was the last to leave. She bowed and thanked the audience for coming. Walking off stage she mindlessly strummed her guitar to the melody of Universal Appeal that played over the amphitheater's sound system. As she walked off stage, a pair of arms hugged her from behind. Pizzazz let out a squeal and a giggle as Riot hugged her in surprise. She turned around and kissed him deeply. After breaking the kiss she looked around spotted a few stagehands watching. She led him to The Misfits' dressing room.

"I keep forgetting that people don't know we're a couple," Pizzazz said as she shut the door and took her guitar off. She casually stripped out of her sweat soaked clothes and put on a robe. "How did the recording session go?"

"Not too bad," Riot sat in one of the plush chairs in a corner. He waved his hello to the rest of The Misfits. "Phoebe and Ingrid want to try a new sound. Not sure what, but I'm open to it. We spent most of the time in the studio just discussing ideas, probably not going to start recording for another few weeks." He gave a lazy shrug and caught a beer that Jetta tossed him.

Pizzazz stepped behind a changing screen and toweled off the sweat from her performance. "Take your time with it. You don't want to force your comeback. Let it flow naturally and it'll work better, especially if you're doing a new sound." She finished changing into her street clothes and packed her stage clothes into a suit case. She looked at the case and made a face. "Not sure if I should wash these or burn them."

"I don't think you can kill it, Phyllis," David said coming into the dressing room. "I believe you've discovered a new form of life." He gave his twin a big hug and smiled. "You guys were amazing tonight. I have a great feeling about this tour. It could be your best ever. I still think you're crazy for wanting to travel by bus for the whole tour, but whatever. Not my place to complain." He stopped for a moment and began to speak again.

Stormer threw a sweat soaked shirt at him, which he caught on instinct. "Oh no you don't! You don't get to be the new Eric Raymond. I know for a fact that we can afford to travel by bus. And besides it'll be nice to see the country for a change. Always flying over it isn't the same. It's going to be a long needed vacation for all us."

"You really must not have gone on many family vacations, luv," Jetta giggled to herself. "All of the family vacations I went on were a bloody nightmare. Mum and Dad always fightin' and not agreein' on where to eat or stay. Mark me words you'll be wishin' we took the jet."

"Well, that's why we'll have two buses, right David?"

David looked up from talking with Riot about The Stingers' new album. "Yeah, about that," he said slowly trailing off, "One of our buses is in the shop for maintenance. It hadn't been used in a while so when the driver started it up and the engine seized up, but we'll have a limo following the bus on the tour. The second bus will join the tour after the Chicago show." He gave an apologetic smile and shrug. "These things happen."

"We'll still be staying in a hotel, right? Not camping out in the bus?"

"Of course we will. We're not savages." Pizzazz took the handles of her two wheeled suitcases and headed for the door. Her guitar was strapped to her back. Riot grabbed one of the cases as he stood up. "Well, I have laundry to do tonight and hell of a lot more packing to do. I'll see you ladies tomorrow night. Next show is in Las Vegas!" She chuckled as Roxy and Jetta shuddered at the memories associated with Las Vegas and Jerrica's bachelorette party.

Stormer picked up her cases as Chip helped her out. Roxy and Jetta started to gather their gear. David was the last person out of the dressing room. He turned off the lights and watched the various roadies scurry about. They were quickly and carefully packing up The Misfits instruments and sound equipment. He smiled to himself in thought that this was how The Misfits were meant to be. This is what made them each happy. He knew after he was finished with the Caustic Brothers, he'd have to find a way to make this happiness permanent.

The elevator doors opened giving Stormer a surprise as Kyoko and Yukio boarded the car. She let out a soft laugh and smiled at her friends. "Sorry, you both startled me. I was either deep in thought or just zoning out from the lack of sleep." She looked away for a second, "Maybe both. Anyway, going to see David also?"

"Yeah, he asked us to stop in the office before we headed back to Japan." Kyoko put her hands on the base of her back and stretched back a bit. Her spine popped loudly and she gave a relived sigh. "I'm telling you, with the amount of travelling we do between here and Japan I'm surprised I can remember where I am. The jet lag is killing my sleep schedule."

Yukio just studied her fingernails as the elevator came to a stop. "I'm used to it. One of the things I learned early on was to adapt my internal body clock." She smiled as she left the elevator. Making her way to David's office, she knocked on it lightly and let herself in.

David looked up from his computer monitor and took his glasses off after looking at the clock. "Damn, didn't realize it was noon already." He closed the file he was working on and stood up. He hugged each woman and sat back down at his desk. Stormer noticed how tired and exhausted he looked. The past few months were starting to take a toll on his well being, even if he wouldn't admit it. "I guess I double booked things here. Mary you wanted to talk to me, go ahead if you don't mind doing so in front of Yukio and Kyoko."

Stormer shook her head no. "Oh of course not, I just wanted to tell you that I've been getting those headaches again. You know, the ones that happen before there's danger. The medication I was prescribed ran out and I don't know who to talk to about it. Also, the mental exercises I was told to do aren't working like they did before. I mean, what if these are trying to warn me of something huge?"

"If you want, I can try and help you Mary. I know some techniques that might work for you."

"That would be great, Yukio! Thank you so much." Stormer turned for the door, but turned back. "I'll be at my place doing last minute packing and checklist tonight. Come by and I'll make you dinner. We can start then, okay?" She smiled and exited the office when Yukio nodded.

Waiting a few moments before speaking Kyoko lowered her voice. "[Now why did you want to see us, David? And you look like shit, you know that right?]"

Rubbing the bridge of his nose David groaned in annoyance. "[It's just been a long few months. I'm getting sick of all of the attacks surrounding myself and everyone I love.]" He looked each woman in the eye for a long time. "[I want you both to come with on this tour as bodyguards. The fact that the Caustic Brothers are out there training the Matsuo men really concerns me. Add in the fact that I haven't heard from Ryo or Maiyumi since they returned to Japan is also a cause for concern.]"

"[May always checks in when says she will.]" Yukio had a look of concern in her own eyes. "[She's always has been the most punctual person I've known since we were kids.]" She knelt before David, her eyes pleading before she could even speak. "[Please David-sama, let me go to Japan and find her. She's my sister. Kyoko is more than capable to watch after The Misfits alone.]"

David nodded slowly and kissed Yukio's forehead. "[Go ahead. I know that she means a great deal to you. Call me every day with updates.]" Yukio hugged David and Kyoko then ran out of the office, eager to get her start. David looked up at Kyoko. "[I've only seen her that worried once before. That was when I was injured in the explosion.]"

"[I know. I was there and I felt the same way.]" Kyoko sat on the edge of the desk she folded her arms across her chest. "[So, show me the tour schedule so I know where the weak spots are.]" David chuckled and brought up each arenas lay out. Together they worked out the new security plans for the tour. David began to feel better about things.

The week went by quickly. Soun Matsuo found himself waiting in the private courtyard surrounded by the five men he handpicked that were trained by the Caustic Brothers. It was past the agreed time and he was getting impatient. He checked his watch and growled to himself. "[I'm giving this bastard ten more minutes. Waste of my time.]" The men around him remained silent.

Watching from the shadowed tree line was the man who had sent the letter. He watched and observed the Yakuza lord and his men. He then turned around and joined his guardsmen. "I've seen enough. We're ready to go back to the base." The man and his guard left Soun to wait for the mysterious man who would not arrive.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "BROTHERS UNDER THE BRIDGES"

PART 2 OF NOTHIN'S GONNA STAND IN OUR WAY