Disclaimer: Dragonball Z is copyrighted by Akira Toriyama and Birdstudios. The idea of the story and all original characters are copyrighted by me, Mikomi. Don't use them without permission.

Dragonball Spirits

01 - Sensation of Love

Metallic. The taste of blood inside my mouth. I know it pretty well. All the times I've been hurt throughout the fights I've been involved in. Others would be scared, for me it's just normal. I'm a Saiyajin, born to be a warrior, a hero. My destiny is to fight until the day I die. Wounds or broken bones, they don't make me stop, they never did. But now that I feel pain in every fibre of my body I'm regretting it a bit. For being so careless with my own precious life. Still, if I wouldn't take it all upon me the earth might face its end. Once again. The only difference is that it's not Son Goku who's going to rescue it, this time it's me, the son of his maybe greatest rival. A prophecy said that I was the only one who could beat this monster who called itself Seth. Truth or lie? If I was the only one to rescue this world then why am I lying here on the stony ground, all beat-up covered with my own blood? Every breath is hurting, feeling like pure fire. Every move is causing immense pain. Without really wanting it I have to think back to the day when I gave my life for the one of my father. I died and was brought back to the living shortly after. But I'll never forget the short moment when I felt myself dying. Should this really happen again? And then I feel it. A soft breeze which carries the scent of roses and jasmine over to me. Two hands which touch my shoulders and start shaking me. First softly, then more and more demanding. A sweet voice shouting at me, full with panic.

"Trunks, you liar! You promised not to die!!"

I don't know why but suddenly I can feel my will to live and all of my senses coming back. Clear and fresh as if nothing had happened. How can this be? The hands stop shaking me. Instead I hear someone sobbing silently and feel an additional weight on my chest. Soft hair brushes over my lips, the scent becomes even more intense. Red like the sunset. I don't need to open my eyes to see the color of the hair. It's burned inside my mind just like every little detail, important and unimportant. Of the girl who holds my heart, forever. A new wave of pain breaks down over me, only this time it's the pain I feel for making her worry like this. Once again. All the time I saw her cry, every tear of her caused me more pain than any broken bone. I would give the world for making her smile, for giving her all she wants, all she needs. I would even give my own life. But wouldn't that cause the exact opposite? A whisper breaks my thoughts. Simple words which nearly make me cry. Barely a whisper but clearly hearable for me.

"Don't die, please, don't."

Now I notice that the fabric of my shirt is soaked with her tears, right there where the armor was. All these tears she shed ever since she met me, they could easily fill an ocean. Only a fool would make a girl like her cry. A fool like me. As much as it hurts, I force myself to give her a sign, to show her that I'm still alive and not ready to go. A deep breath. My chest raises and falls noticeable. Biting on my tongue, I suppress the pain and raise my arms to embrace her. Hold her close to my heart, trying to ease the pain on this way. Hers and mine. She gives in, melting like ice in my arms. And I feel at peace, comforted and loved.

"Cherry, I won't go."

Now that I said it I believe it. I'm not ready to die yet, to leave this world and the people I love behind. It might sound strange but just the feeling of holding her close brings back all the strenght I've been missing. Carefully, she moves in my arms. Opening my eyes, I see her looking at me, intensely, questioning. Bluegreen eyes hold mine, forcing me to tell the truth.

"Promised?"

"I would promise you the stars from above if you asked me to."

A faint smile plays with her lips and I feel less guilty. We both know that I might not be able to fulfil this promise, there's no illusion about it. We both know how it's like to live in a constant fear that the next fight can actually be the last.  Now that I think about it, a normal girl wouldn't understand that. She does since she's a material artist just like me. She can assess the seriousness of the fights and knows how much they mean for me as a Saiyajin. Telling me to stop and lead a normal life, she would've never done that. Another thing why I love her this much, more than anything else. I pull her closer, ignoring the pain a few bruised or even broken rips cause me. My eyes never leave hers, seeking for this one emotion and finding it immediately. Pure love. The emotion that keeps me alive right now. And that makes me saying the truth, opening my heart and showing her how I truely feel. Even if I'm sure that she knows of my thoughts on her and emotions, I feel the urge to say them aloud.

"Never. I could never leave your side. For this ...."

My lips softly touch hers. Their taste is as sweet as honey. Only this time with a light flavor of salt from her tears. It's like a butterfly's touch, not a real kiss but enough to make me shiver with passion. Why can only she make me feel like this? It's a real miracle.

".... I love you too much."

Tears slip down her cheeks once again, no tears of sadness, tears of joy. I never told her that I loved her even though she had to know that I did. Our lips melt together into a passionate kiss, a kiss which shows us the deepness of the emotions we feel for each other. Emotions which make me forget about pain and guilty, which make me believe that I can reach everything I want. The only motivation I need in my life. My eyes close, my mind focuses only on the feeling of love, the warm sensation that takes over control of my body. But I still notice the faint white glow which forms between our bodies. A glow sent from the pendant she wears. The light grows stronger, brighter, embracing us both. And it eases the pain I feel, making me feel as if I'm just reborn. The healing light is giving me a new chance. To prove her that I'll keep my promise. For her.