Hey there! Like I said, if you thought I would leave Zari out there like that you're nuts! Besides, I left Desdelona out there too, and the 7000 years she promised have expired. Also, a little FYI, this takes place after the Buu saga and I'm pretty much ignoring the GT series.

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ but I do own the characters I make up.

Prologue: Longing

I can't stand it anymore!

"Just calm down. He'll come."

Oh shut up! If he wanted to find you he would have done so by now! It's been seven fucking thousand years. And he's the Supreme Kai! He'd have found you by now if he wanted you back.

"I won't listen to you."

Then listen to yourself!

"I only listened to you in the first place because I was bored out of my skull. It's not because I enjoy your company."

Then why do you still talk to me?

"Have you even stopped for breath to look at where we are?! We're in the middle of nowhere! There is no one else!"

Uh huh... but you remember who put us on this godforsaken rock in the first place. Don't you think he would have made it easier for us if he was going to come for us?

"Since when has it been 'us?' I'm the one who finds what little food there is here. I'm the one who found the shelter-"

And you're the one who wanted to keep the child. You're the one who forced his hand to singe that mark on your breast.

"Shut up," her voice began to hush.

We could be living in happiness if it wasn't for you...

"I said shut up," she growled.

What are you gonna do? Bang your head against the wall to get me to shut up?! You remember how that worked last time. No, I guess you wouldn't. You're still unconscious!

It might have been true. As she reached up to touch the side of her head, her brain suddenly throbbed and pounded like it would split itself in two. Still she lightly brushed the skin on the side of her face. There was something thick amidst the sea of sweat.

See...?

"I said shut up..."

You know as well as I that anything you say is an empty threat.

"Shut your trap!"

Or what?

"Just leave me alone."

Heh... how can I? I am you...

"No... you're the secret hatred in me. I've given you a voice to speak with, just as I gave fear, self-loathing, and regret their voices. You are my demon... now leave me to myself... ALL OF YOU!"

Heh... have it your way. We'll be back...

"I have no doubt."

Wether her eyes were opening or closing at that moment she didn't know. Her body felt heavy and awkward. The rocky ceiling above her was fading in and out of focus as her eyelids fluttered up and down. Her head ached but she pushed it aside, focusing her attention on willing her sickly limbs to push back up against the wall. Her arms moved clumsily, forgetting their former graceful gestures. Her legs lagged behind her like dead logs fastened to her torso by a towrope. With the last of her determination, she pushed her body up into a sitting position then panted for breath.

Have you forgotten me Kalilo? Have you forsaken me? Tears welled up in her eyes then slowly dribbled down her cheek. She tilted her head so they ran back to the corners of her mouth where her dry swollen tongue could reach them. She let her head roll and flop over her shoulder to stare out at the vast wasteland. The sun had yet to come out but it was still steaming from the previous day. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the baskets on the opposite side of the cubbyhole she had called home for centuries. The food basket was empty except for one piece of fruit, left over from her last trek across the plains, and it was as shriveled as she was. The water in the other basket had evaporated down to the last inch. Even now she didn't have the strength to let her head fall in to drink. Looking back out across the land, she saw the last glimmer from the distant pool. Its waters were her only survival. But it would be gone before the day's end.

I've exhausted almost everything I have. Her eyes searched the spiky horizon line. The jet black of night was already giving way to the scorching red sun of this barren planet. The sun will be up in a matter of moments. I have to... Her thoughts stopped as she focused her mind on forcing strength back into her arms and legs to make herself stand. Her knees shook violently and her arms were useless. Quickly convincing herself to save her energy she dropped back to the sandy floor. I have to... Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the basket; willing it to move. Not so much as a quiver.

The light suddenly grew; the shadows disappearing in the dark cracks of the cubbyhole. She gasped as a jolt of fear gripped her mind. Her eyes widened as the tip of the red disc peeked up over the horizon. Its ultraviolet rays touched the soil, making it hiss and steam. Fear be my strength! The light crept nearer like a wave washing up on the shore. Dammit! She glared at her legs. MOVE!

Suddenly an unknown strength surged through her legs and she kicked off the ground and threw herself back. She landed on her back, looking up at the reddening ceiling. Her mind screamed and ran in so many directions she didn't notice the sand beneath her shoulders was giving way. She sank down, her legs still sticking up above the sand. She drew sharp, quick gasps as her head went under. Closing her eyes she heard the sands sizzle inches from her feet. Come on faster!

Wave upon wave of heat built up on the skin of her legs until the skin began to melt. Her face went under and slowly her lower half followed; sand grinding in the sores.

She fell through empty space; screaming amidst a chorus of reptilian hisses. Her legs were on fire. Her skull pounded and threatened to split. Her throat burned.

The hisses grew louder until one sound out screamed them all. She fell hard on a bed of hard sand. The air was stolen from her lungs. She laid there in the dark, moving her mouth to try and capture mouthfuls of air.

The hisses became piercing shrieks and squeals.

She flopped over on her back and coughed; sand spraying from her mouth and dusting her face. She gasped madly for breath between whimpers. The raw flesh on her legs stung and the sand was like salt in the wound. Kalilo... please... GOD! Ledena send him to me. Send him to me. Send him to me. Send him to me...

Those same words ran through her mind as her senses shut down one by one. First her useless sight, then the agonizing sensation faded. The smell of burnt flesh subsided as the hideous sound of the reptilian shrieks died away. All that was left was the blurring image of his face in her mind.

He could feel his strength waning. His mind was exhausted to the point where he felt he wouldn't be able to hold himself up in the air. The rocks swirling around him in wide rings began to slow and rotate in sluggish orbits.

"Come on pick up the pace!" the elder yelled as he shook his fist. "I'm supposed to be the slow one. You move like you're older than I am!"

"Sir," he said slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. "I have been working for days on end. I have a right to move slowly now."

"A right?" he retorted. "Listen kindergarten Kai, you were fused together with that Kibito fellow. You have more than enough stamina to keep up the pace."

"There is plenty of land that has been pieced back together if you wish to take that nap you wanted," he said lowly. "I have an important errand I must see to."

"Oh!" he shouted as he shook his fist wildly. "And what's more important than putting our home back together?!"

"Your home maybe!" he snapped. "I denounced it long ago!"

He fell back on his haunches. "You what?"

"That's right. I denounced my rights to my title when I burned the Code of the Kais." The rocks began to spin rapidly again. "But fine, if you want me to piece together this sector, okay!" He raised his hands then let them drop to his sides. The rocks sped toward the ground, arranging themselves in random formations. He sighed and floated to the ground. His knees buckled under him and he collapsed; panting. "I think I'll just rest here," he whispered then fell flat on his stomach.

The elder crossed his arms. I've often wondered... why was that boy chosen to be a Supreme Kai? He's pathetic! He can't even go five days without collapsing from exhaustion. And he alone was in charge for seven thousand years? I'm amazed the universe didn't crumble around him. And why the hell did he burn the Code of the Kais?! He shook his head and slowly stood up, favoring his aching back. "Oh well," he muttered. "There must have been something redeeming in him." He took a couple of steps then stopped; staring at the grass. There's only one thing that would make a man give up his duty to anything... He peered back over his shoulder at the sleeping fusion. And that's love... He walked down the hill, leaving Kibitoshin (real original name huh? 'Kibitoshin') to rest. I just hope she was worth it.

Wake up. Shin's voice whispered in his mind. You have other obligations besides your duty as a Kai.

"Zari..." he whispered in his sleep.

You won't find her. You know this.

"You're... wrong..."

...sigh... At least you can visit the memorial like you promised to do before you left, but conveniently forgot as I recall.

His eyelids cracked open. The nearby trees were a blur of green and the rustling of their leaves was muffled to his ears.

Get up and pay your respects.

Slowly he staggered to his feet and looked east. Through the wall of jagged rock he could see the carefully reconstructed stone face where Zari once lived. He had devoted all his nightly hours at work to lay each stone by hand and weaving the budding vines around the stone balcony. Then, beneath the balcony and in front of the fragrant curtain, he had carved a short, narrow, square faced monument of white marble with her name detailed with silver inlay. Beneath it were written the words:

Her delicate flame still burns...
Somewhere enduring a badgering wind.
Entrusted by Ledena...
She was sent to guard the lives of five...
One survived.

For her duty she surrendered all...
For her beliefs she would bleed...
For her love she would be sent into exile.
Three days were promised,
and yet an eternity she waits.

As had become his custom, he knelt before the monument, white rose in hand, pendant exposed against his chest, and tenderly traced the silver inlay of her name. Why can't I find you? I have searched the remote moons of Keneta, the taverns of the Cozar system, every settlement up to the bustling cities of Pampu. Where have I overlooked? What have I missed?

He pressed his forehead against the space above her name. "I have been put to the test these past millennia, and have failed miserably with every task. My strength frayed when the door closed. Ever since that tiny crack in me has become a gaping void." Tears brimmed the edge of his eyes then fell as he closed his eyes. "I'm nothing without you. I'm empty. I'm weak. My only strength lies in the hope that I might see your face again or live to hear your voice haunting my dreams.... What is there left to protect if it be naught of love?"

He clenched the pendant around his neck and pressed his lips to the closed fist. Ledena, I beg of you. Let me set this right. Let me take back what I have so unjustly done. Send me to her. Send me to her. Set my feet to follow the path that will lead to her. Send me to her. Send me to her...