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[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A NEW DESTINY - BOOK 2
Part 8: Snowy Calm


Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters save for King Robert/Blue Goblin.

Previously: Despite not being at full strength, TK proved more than a match for Akuma. Their fight led them outside the city, where TK's Hadou Sempu Kyaku/Super Hurricane Kick, a move that Burter had taught him long ago, blocked Akuma's Shungokusatsu/Raging Demon. In a final shootout of ki bolts, TK's one-handed Kamehameha defeated Akuma's Massatsu Go Hado. Wolfgang Krauser showed up at the last minute to finish off Akuma before TK blacked out, thinking of Kari...


Genma smiled at the blonde teen that just walked into Ucchan's. He stopped sweeping the floor. "TK, my boy," he said. "It's good of you to drop by."

TK hugged Genma briefly. "Hello, Uncle Genma. You're looking a little slim. Are you... training again?"

"Just standard exercises, TK. There's no reason for me to continue the way of a martial artist. That reminds me, how goes your training?"

TK put a hand to the back of his head. "To be honest, I've slowed my training down a bit since I fought Akuma."

Genma felt a small urge to berate TK for being lazy. A voice in his head then stopped him. TK was not his student. He was not his son. Besides, TK was already the strongest human alive. There was a chance he could now rival the strength of even Cell.

Then, Genma had another idea as to why TK was lax in his training. He grinned. "Been spending more time with Kari since then, have you?"

TK's cheeks flushed. "Well... yes... uh, how'd auntie doing?"

"You can ask her yourself."

TK and Genma looked to see Ukyo Kuonji at the bottom of her steps. She pointed behind her as light footsteps were heard from upstairs. Slowly, they saw a woman with copper-red hair standing beside Ukyo. She smiled warmly at TK and patted her stomach, which had grown a little in the past 3 months.

"Hello, Takeru! I thought I heard your voice from upstairs."

"How are you, auntie?"

"We're just fine. I went to see Kasumi the other day, and your cousin is very healthy. She and Dr. Tofu ask about you as well. It would be nice if you stopped by their home if not their clinic."

TK smiled at this. Then, he remembered something he had in his bookbag, and took it off to open it. "I have something for you all," he said, rummaging through his bag. Finally, he pulled out three Christmas cards and three small boxes of candies before giving them out individually. "They're from the folks, Matt, and me."

Uyko smiled as she accepted her card and candies. "Playing Santa now, are we?"

Genma gave his box to Nodoka. "I don't want to become a glutton again," he said before pocketing his card and went back to sweeping.

Nodoka then said, "TK, have you spoken to Davis Hibiki lately?"

The question surprised TK. "No, not for a long time. He's been keeping his distance from Kari and I ever since that incident with Stryker three months back. Why?"

Ukyo pulled over a chair and made Nodoka sit in it. "He stops by here about once every two weeks. I think he started that sometime after that business with the symbiote. Anyway, he comes in and is the exact opposite of what he used to be."

"He's very polite to your uncle and I," Nodoka finished for Ukyo. "He always asks how I am and if the baby, your new cousin, is healthy. When he leaves, he says that he doesn't want Akane to find out he's been here seeing us. If I didn't know any better, I'd say everything Akane and Ryoga put into his head about us Saotomes means nothing to him."

[I hope so,] TK thought. [I never asked for him to be my rival in the first place.]


***************************************************** ***************************


As TK exited Ucchan's, he noticed it was snowing lightly. "Looks like it'll be a white Christmas after all," he said to himself as he tightened his heavy coat around himself. Walking down the street, he hoped silently that it would also be a peaceful holiday, for him and everyone. December 25th was only a week and a few days away.

After the battles with Akuma and Stryker, the city had peace for about three months. The Mega Avengers covered up what really happened as best they could, considering that the showdown between TK and Akuma had caused a huge lightshow for the whole city to see.

TK still couldn't believe that he had beaten Akuma. True, he had help at the end from Wolfgang Krauser, but he had held his own against the man who had killed Ryu with the dreaded Shungokusatsu. He had even blocked the Shungokusatsu with the move Burter had taught him long ago.

His thoughts moved on to what happened right after, when he woke up. He gently touched his left cheek, recalling a hard sting he felt after being slapped there.

[I still can't believe that she slapped me...]


****************************************************** **************************


"...Think he's waking up..."

"...K, can you hear me..."

"...Kid, say a few syllables..."

"...a couple of adjectives, too..."

First, then there was a bright whiteness. Then, the whiteness faded for TK. He found himself looking up at faces surrounding him. There was Cell, Rusty, ALF, Queen Mercury, and a large man about Burter's height but with a gold breastplate and purple hair.

TK slowly sat up, realizing he was lying in a bed. He was back in the Mega Mansion. "Hey, guys," he said simply. "I thought I heard familiar voices."

"You had us worried a little, kid," Rusty said first. "You've been out for hours. It's about one in the afternoon."

ALF was next to speak. "You're lucky to be alive after going up against Akuma like that, TK. Rob was ready to strangle you before he found out you were injured."

Realizing something, TK looked at his left arm. He could move it and his fingers. Yet, didn't Akuma break it with his Raging Dark Storm? "How'd Dinobot heal my arm so fast?"

Cell smiled, crossing his arms. "He didn't. I went to get Dende while you were moved back here to rest. It was too risky to teleport you to him, so I teleported him here and he healed you."

"Dende? Oh, you mean the new Kami that Piccolo once mentioned to me." TK then looked at the man he didn't know. "And I take it you helped defeat Akaum, right?"

The man bowed. "Wolfgang Krauser, at your service. I was a friend of Burter's, and came here to visit him when I found out about your fight with Akuma. I would have helped sooner, but I have to admit, you were spectacular with that one-handed attack!"

Queen Mercury's smile widened. "One-handed, you say? My husband will be speechless when I tell him this. He's still in shock that you defeated Akuma, TK. That's also why he didn't try to bite your head off when you were brought back here. Still, I'd avoid him for a while until we calm him down. He has quite a temper, you know."

"He's not the only one," TK said. His words were reluctant to come out. "I lost my head after Stryker kidnapped-. Auntie Nodoka!!! I forgot all about her-!"

Cell gently forced TK back into bed when he tried to get up. "She's just fine," he assured him. "The baby, too. And so is Davis, although he was strangely silent after he was freed from Stryker's possession.

"We've spoken to Principal Kuno and he expects you, Davis, and Kari back by Friday or Monday, whichever you guys prefer. Right now, you should get some rest."

TK then asked, "How are my folks? And the Kamiyas?"

Rusty gave one of his toothy grins, which was rather scary unless you really knew he was friendly. "They're fine. Your mom's gonna ground you, though. We can't help you there. As for Kari, we had to give her a sedative after-."

"WHERE IS HE?!"

Rusty and the others cleared away from the bed as Kari barged into the room. All eyes were on her as she entered, an angry look on her face. Setting her eyes on TK, she rushed over to him. Her right hand blurred as she slapped him across his left cheek.

ALF and Rusty winced at this. TK would definitely be feeling that for a while, Super Human or not.

"What the hell were you thinking," she said, almost screaming. "Getting yourself taken over by that... that monster, and then going off to fight in a weakened state?!"

TK sat there in bed, shocked by Kari's actions. She had never hit him before in all the years they had known each other. Not like that, at least.

Before anyone could move or say anything next, Kari quickly leaned forward. She wrapped her arms around TK in a bear hug and kissed his lips hard, her eyes shut tight. TK was still frozen for a moment, but quickly returned both the kiss and hug, closing his eyes as well.

Krauser decided to leave at this. He would speak with TK later about Burter's death, after he had rested. Not saying a word, he walked out of the room, his cape flowing behind him.

Mercury gave a sympathetic smile at the kissing teens. That was exactly how she had greeted her husband after he came back from chasing Stryker last night. "We should leave them alone for a moment," she whispered, ushering everyone else out the door.

The kiss felt so good to TK. After all he had been through yesterday, he wanted to tell Kari his true feelings or else never get the chance again.

Kari broke off first and buried her face in TK's shoulder. Her tears began to soak his shirt. "I was so afraid," she sobbed. "I was so very afraid that I'd never see you again."

"You almost didn't. Akuma almost killed me last night. He broke my left arm, as crazy as it sounds... I was sure I'd die before I could... then I heard Burter yelling at me... from beyond... to fight back. And I did."

TK then lifted Kari's face to look at him. He had to tell her now. "Kari... we've been friends for almost ten years... but there's something I have to tell you now, or I know I'll never have another chance." He paused, starting to cry himself. "...I love you, Hikari... I really love you..."

Kari's tears were running faster now. "I love you, too... Takeru... For so long... ...kiss me again..."

And so he did, gladly.


***************************************************** ***************************


"Just the man I've been looking for!"

The familiar voice snapped TK from his thoughts. He slowly turned to see Ryoga to his right, smiling at him while holding three roses in one hand. It disturbed him somewhat. "Look, Ryoga, I'm not looking for trouble-!"

"Good," Ryoga replied. "After September, that's the last thing you and I need. You going to see Kari right now?"

TK raised an eyebrow. He was on his way to meet Kari at the park to exchange gifts before going to the Nekohanten for a date. He still hadn't decided what to give her yet. If Ryoga was aksing, did that mean he and Akane were planning on Davis beating TK to Kari?

Knowing he wasn't going to get an answer, in fact he expected none at all, Ryoga pulled out something from his coat pocket. "Give this to her," he said, tossing it at TK.

After catching it, TK examined it carefully. It was a golden locket shaped like a heart. Inscribed on the one side were the words "Together, always and forever."

"It was something Ranma hid in his room, planning to give to Akane just before she rejected him. Don't know how he afforded it, though. I didn't want it to go to waste, so I held onto it until now."

TK looked up, and Ryoga was walking away, waving. "I-I don't get it-!"

Ryoga didn't look back or slow his pace. "Consider it a peace offering from me. I'll try to keep Davis and Akane off your back."

TK watched him walk away, stunned. Ryoga, giving him a peace offering and offered to keep the wife in check? What would happen next, Akane blowing him a kiss?!

Before walking off for the park, TK wondered if Ryoga still had his curse of getting lost?


******************************************************* *************************


[It's a good thing Akane helped me break my curse of getting lost,] Ryoga thought as he made his way through the cemetery. He no longer got lost when he went out on his own, which was good considering he didn't want Akane to know he made annual trips to the cemetery.

After a few minutes, he found the right tombstone. He had to wipe away the snow to make sure the name was right: Ranma Saotome. It was Ryoga's first time here since TK had come to Nerima. He stood a few feet back from the stone.

"Hey, Ranma. Sorry it's been a while. I meant to come on your anniversary, but I had to keep Akane and Davis from flipping out after Kari quit the Dojo. They've been on edge since we found out TK moved here, causing him a lot of trouble. I had a hand or two in it as well, I'm sorry to say. You know, though, that I had to play along. I love them both just as much as you loved Akane and TK.

"Remember that tattoo I once used against you, 'the Mark of a God?' Well, I gave it to Davis once so he could prevent TK from going out with Kari one time. It didn't do him any good, though. From what I've seen of TK, he's far surpassed either of us. You'd be very proud of him. I know that Cell is, just by the way he looks at him.

"I made peace with TK earlier today. At least, I hope I did. I gave him that locket you meant to give Akane at the right time, so it wouldn't go to waste. It's a good thing you told me about it in your lats letter to me."

Saying this, Ryoga recalled the letter he had hidden from Akane six years ago, saying he had destroyed it. He knew it by heart, having read it numerous times:

"Ryoga,

I really meant what I said at the Dojo: the best man did win in the end, and it was you. Akane loves you; so count yourself blessed after pretending to be her pet pig for two years. Whether it's good or bad to you, I won't be able to attend your wedding.

I love Akane, too. I always have, though I never showed it much. That's why I've chosen to commit suicide. I can't imagine life without her, Ryoga. The other girls, they mean nothing to me compared to my feelings for Akane. I'm just thankful she'll be in good hands now.

Despite everything that's happened between us, you'll always be my best friend. You helped kept me in shape by always challenging me. Hell, if you hadn't learned the Shi Shi Houkodan, I may have never learned the Kamehameha Wave. Let's not part as enemies, but as friends.

That's why I'm about to tell you this next: under my mat is a golden locket. It's heart-shaped and opens up so that you can place two small pictures inside both halves. I meant to give it to Akane when the time was right. Now, that'll never happen. If you give it to her, tell her it's from you. I know she'll really like it then.

I just want one last favor: lover Akane with all your heart, as I wish I could have from the start. Be true to her always.

Goodbye, old friend. We'll not meet again.

-Ranma"

Ryoga knelt down, placing the roses in front of Ranma's stone. "Merry Christmas... old friend..."

Suddenly, the wind blew hard and Ryoga was pelted with snowflakes. It was enough to act like he was being splashed with cold water, and triggered his Jusenkyo curse.

The small black piglet that had once been Ryoga crawled out of the pile of clothes. The yellow bandana still hung around its neck. It blinked at first, then smiled as it chuckled softly, if pigs could chuckle.

Ranma had gotten back at him from beyond the grave.

Again.

[Good one, Ranma! Never saw it coming!]


**************************************************** ****************************


Another webline connected to one of the taller buildings as Rusty webslinged his way across town. Christmas was one of his favorite holidays, especially since he got to deliver donations from the Mega Avengers. He had dropped off numerous toys for children at the local "Toys For Tots" station first before stopping by Robert and Mercury's palace to see how Robert was doing.

Earlier that week, Queen Mercury had broken the news that she was going to have a baby. It would be her first child.

Robert fainted dead on the spot after she told him. His head hit the table behind him and gave him a good-sized bump at the back of his head.

Now, Rusty was on his way back to the mansion, feeling happy at the weather.

He loved the feel of snow beating softly against his body as he swung. It was nice to get out of the hot lab and into the crisp, cool open sky. He was happy enough that he hummed Christmas songs as he went.

Just as he was in the middle of "Feliz Navidad," he looked down below and saw someone standing around the park, under a tall lamppost. He recognized her right away.

[Kari! Waiting for TK, no doubt!]

Rusty quietly hopped down until he was atop the lamppost Kari was standing by. Lucky for him, his metallic body parts and limbs had built-in silencers so that he could still sneak up on someone. He noticed she had a present wrapped in green paper with gold ribbon.

['Wonder what she got for him? 'Wonder what he got for her, too?]

Oblivious to her observer, Kari checked her watch. "Sometimes I hate being early," she muttered. She shook her head. She couldn't let TK see her angry. He wasn't late, anyway. He still had five minutes.

"Kari!"

Rusty and Kari looked to see TK walking towards them, or at least to Kari. They still didn't know they were being watched.

TK asked, "Am I late?"

Smiling, Kari shook her head. "You're early, but not as early as I was."

"I was dropping off presents for my aunt and uncle."

"Speaking of presents..." Kari held out the green and gold package. "Here's yours."

Rusty watched as TK opened the present carefully. He put the ribbon in his pocket before undoing the paper. He reached in and pulled out a blue scarf with his initials written in white letters.

"Kari... did you make this yourself?"

Kari couldn't help but laugh. "I wish! I had it made for you a while ago after your mom told me you needed a new one. Do you like it?"

TK wrapped the scarf around his neck. "I love it... but not as much as I love you." Then, he remembered the locket Ryoga had given him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out and held it towards Kari. "Sorry I didn't wrap it. I just got it today."

Rusty's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. He recognized the locket as the one Ranma got Akane long ago. He had been there with Ranma when he bought it. [How the hell did TK get that?! Well... at least it's being put to good use.]

Kari gasped before taking the locket. "Takeru... this must have cost a fortune! You shouldn't have-!"

"Hikari, you're the girl I love, and we've been apart for about five years. You're worth spending so much on."

Kari hugged him tight. "You crazy fool. But, you're my fool."

Rusty watched as TK helped put the locket around Kari's neck. They made a lovely couple. Suddenly, he got an idea. He pulled out some mistletoe from a storage compartment from his one arm. [Heh, heh, heh!]

Both Kari and TK heard a faint "Thwpp" from above them. They looked up together. Some mistletoe was hanging above Kari from the post. TK noticed that it was hung by a webline. [Rusty! Why am I not the least bit surprised?]

"Takeru."

TK looked to see Kari with her eyes closed and her lips puckered. [I'll thank/get Rusty later.] Slowly he leaned forward until his lips met hers, and stayed there for what seemed forever.


**************************************************** ****************************


Cell watched the two teens from atop a nearby building. He had seen it all, including Rusty hanging the mistletoe. "He'll get an earful from TK later," he chuckled.

"Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop on others?"

Cell turned to face the blond woman behind him. She was wearing green dress pants, a white button shirt and green vest to match the pants.

He smiled at her. "I'm sorry, baby," he said before kissing her cheek.

The woman smiled. "Nice. However, I expect better under the mistletoe."

"Good evening, Cell, Miss King!"

King and Cell looked to see an ice-blond man walk up to them. He wore a black trench coat and was carrying a bottle of root beer and three wine glasses.

"Glad you could make it, Knives!"

"Party pooper."

Knives laughed gently. "I'll be out of your hair in a moment, King. Then you can have Cell all to yourself, again." He set the glasses on the ledge of the roof before pouring root beer into each glass.

King sighed and shook her head. "Couldn't we have champagne?"

"You know I can't hold my liquor," Knives replied before handing out the glasses. "This is the first time the three of us have gotten together in a while."

Cell took his glass. "Since the last anniversary of our team-up against Dabura, which was about two years ago. What happened to you, Knives?"

Knives held up his left arm, which appeared to be mechanical. "Lost my arm... and my woman... Vash caught up with me and took both of them from me. Been hunting him ever since."

King then said, "Cheer up, guys! It's Christmas, time for good cheer and all that. Let's toast and then grab some dinner back at my place." She raised her glass. "To happy times and better times to come."

Knives gave a toast next. "To old friends both here... and long gone."

Cell looked back down to where TK and Kari were once standing. They had gone now. Cell turned again and raised his glass. He knew what his toast would be.

"To new beginnings... and the promise of everlasting love."

[For you, TK.]



End Book 2

Author's notes: Well, that's it! Book 2 is now closed. The past of the Mega Avengers has been explored a bit, Ryoga appears to be on TK's side, and TK and Kari are now an official couple. Hope you liked the added surprises I put in, including Cell's new girlfriend, King from "Art of Fighting" and "King of Fighters."

However, this does NOT end New Destiny at all. There's still the scene at the end of Book 1, chapter 6 I have to bring in after all. Not to mention the side story involving Cell, King, Knives, and Dabura. As for Knives, you'll see him again in the next two books, because he's connected to whoever it was in Book 1, chapter 6.

So, what happens in Book 3, you ask? TK ends up making an accidental trip... about 7-8 years into the past. There, he must team up with old friends who have yet to meet him in his time against a threat from space...

Lord Slugg has come to Earth.

However, Book 3 will be on the backburner until I get caught up with my other series. Now, onto BOYZ!!!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Please read and review!