Mirai landed finally on top of a plateau on the mountain. It was as high as he wanted to go seeing as how the air would get thinner if they went any higher and while he could handle it Maeve couldn't. Also he could feel her grip getting weaker and knew she was getting tired from having to hold on so it was also a good time to stop. He let go of her legs and she slid down his back the few inches he was taller than her before letting go of his neck. He heard her take a deep breath and stand stretching.
Maeve shook out her cramped arm muscles and turned to face him. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked
"I'm good just a little stoved up. Do me a favor and let's just fly down I don't think I can hold on like that again." she huffed
"No problem. We made it go ahead and look." Mirai said with a smile pointing to the view behind her.
Maeve turned and no lie her breath caught in her throat as she stared wide eyes at the vision that lay before her. The clouds rolled away from the mountain range and showed luscious green landscapes. There were little clusters of house here and there literally seeming to only be specks that were towns. Dirt roads and paved roads barely looked like thin lines crisscrossing over the land. What impressed her most was the view of the ocean which had to be hours away she could see it and the sun shown down on all of the scenery giving it a glowing view.
"Wow...its beautiful." she breathed in a soft voice
Maeve didn't pay attention as she got dangerously close to the edge to mesmerized by the beauty that lay out in front of her. Mirai's eyes widened and he reacted instantly as soon as the edge of the cliff crumbled he caught her about the waist and pulled her back. Maeve had blinked and one second she was standing on the edge of the cliff the next she was pressed against Mirai's body. She looked down at the solid arms wrapped around her waist below her breasts before turning and looking over her shoulder at him.
"Um..." she said unsure
"You almost fell. Look at where you were standing." Mirai said and Maeve turned her gaze back towards the ledge. Her eyes widened seeing a good chunk of it where she had been standing was missing now and crumbled.
"Oh. Thank you." She said with a sigh
"You're welcome." He said and they stared at one another. Mirai thought at how nice it kind of felt to have her in his arms. She certainly wasn't as curvy and solid as Isabelle, his former lover, had been but her body was still very much that of a woman's. That and his strong sense of smell picked up the faint scent of peaches. It must have been a body wash or shampoo.
"Um you can put me down now." Maeve said hands resting on his forearms.
Mirai smirked watching her flush with amusement "Can I? Or will you try to walk off the edge again?"
Maeve frowned rolling her eyes "Ha-ha-ha. Very funny put me down please."
There was a small part of her that instantly came to life at the contact of his firm body pressed hers. It had been so long since anyone had held her so intimately even though he had not meant it that way. Still it felt nice to be held like this and for once she didn't find herself mentally cringing at being touched by a man. The short amount of time she had become comfortable in his presence surprised her especially given their not so good first meeting just a little while ago. Mirai complied with her wish and she soon found herself set down but he still stood close to her. Maeve closed her eyes and felt the wind blow in her hair she smiled feeling light as a feather. The sun was warm on her skin making it tingle.
Mirai watched her with a smile on his lips. Her brooding and wary expression for he had seen on her for the first few times they met had seemed to melt away today. She was so relaxed and content he was happy to see her that way. There was a six year age gap between them but due to the weight of her emotions Maeve seemed to him much older.
"So can you teach me a few self defense moves?" the question brought him out of his thought process and he looked at her
"Hm? What?" he asked curious
"Self defense. Nothing fancy just how to get out of a hold or throw a punch..could you teach me?" Maeve asked curious smiling. She didn't want to become a martial artist, she was too old really and didn't have the time or potential Chica had but that didn't mean she couldn't learn a few basics.
"Sure. Have you ever taken any martial arts before?" he asked wondering if he would have to explain things in lamens terms to her or be a little more advanced in his terminology
"Well...there was this little course I learned in college it was like an hour thing. For when someone grabs you from behind SING or hit them in the solar plexus, instep, nose, and than groin." she explained
"Oh an acronym to help you remember. That's pretty basic but let me show you what to do if someone grabs you in a different way." he offered
Maeve nodded and he motioned her to come towards him facing him. Over the next few minutes Mirai showed her what to do if someone grabbed her wrist or grabbed her by the throat. He also showed her easy week points on the body that with little force could hurt someone. Than he showed her a basic jab punch and front kick. Maeve kept wanting to tuck her thumb into her fist and and she wasn't locking her elbow out so he ended up physically showing her.
Mirai than noticed that she had long slender fingers as he grabbed her wrist gently and opened her fist explaining to her that if she punched with her thumb inside she could break it. Once that was corrected he came behind her and told her to throw a punch. When he saw her elbow joint not being locked he came up behind her lying one hand on her shoulder and sliding the other down her arm he leaned down to her ear. He explained to her she had to lock her elbow or her punch's power would not be significant enough and she could damage her wrist. As he stood behind her he could hear her heart beating earractically and the strong scent of peaches hit his nose again. Being the gentleman he was though he kept his mind focused but the distraction was still there.
Maeve didn't think anything at first when he repositioned her hand it was pretty common when being instructed. When he came behind her low and leaned down to her ear speaking directly into it she felt a surge of heat travel through her body. She swallowed but noticed he was barely touching her and everything about his mannerisms was nothing but benign. Somehow she survived and berated herself mentally for being so weak to a man's touch. When had she become so sensitive? It was moody old pain in the butt Mirai for crying out loud. Still though he was attractive and he was smiling more at her in fact he was standing in front of her smiling now.
"Earth to Mae. Hello." He was waving his hand in front of her face. She jumped blinked wide eyes looking at him.
"Oh sorry I spaced out. What's up?" she asked curious
"You got the form down I want you to hit me." he said point to his face the blow of course wouldn't hurt that much but it would give her and idea of how to actually hit someone.
"Huh? Hit you you're not serious are you?" Maeve asked curious
Mirai rolled his eyes at her timidness "Maeve just do it so I can see if you really have it down if not than you will need more practice."
"Okay, okay." she huffed and watched as he came close to her and out of habit took a defensive stance. Maeve took a deep breath closing her eyes and pulling her fist back and half heartedly throwing it forwards before jerking it back. "Ah! I can't do it. I don't want to hit you."
Mirai stood straight looking at her perplexed. "Maeve come on its not like you can hurt me anyways."
She watched him smirk cocking his head to the side "You're a woman plus your human believe me I've taken way harder hits than...oof!"
Maeve felt irritation and anger surge through her and without a second thought as he bragged about how she couldn't hurt him she cocked back her fist and let it fly. Mirai was officially caught off guard and she popped him right in the nose and to his surprise it actually hurt a little. His vision blurred and his eyes watered and he blinked several times looking at a horrified Maeve. It didn't last long though as she grabbed her hand with a yelp.
"OW! God what are you made of stone?!" Maeve whined feeling pain shoot up her hand.
Mirai chuckled reaching fowards grasping her hand "Let me see."
"No don't touch it!" she snapped whining in pain as he looked on amused her and despite her fussing let him touch her hand.
Sure enough the knuckle was had been jammed and it was a bright red and it would probably bruise a little but otherwise no damage done. He was snickering as he looked over her hand and Maeve frowned. "Its not funny you asshole!"
"You have a pretty decent punch actually I felt a little pain. You're hands going to be okay just a little bruised." he said grinning at her letting go of her hand
Maeve blushed looking at him seeing him smile. She cleared her throat before quickly looking away "Anyways, thank you and sorry I hit you."
"Don't be sorry that was a good punch. Imagine if you actually hit someone without my ability like that you'd do some damage." He said a bit proud at the fact the slim woman could hurt someone
Maeve smiled at that fact looking back down at the landscape. She sat down and reached inside her bag taking out her cellphone and using it to snap a few pictures. Mirai without a word sat a little ways away from her and they just both sat enjoying the peace something both in their lives had rarely known.
Chica was terrified at what had just happened. She had gotten mad at Trunks and she felt the power recently discover inside her errupt with a vengance and strike out. Not only had she hit Trunks but she had practically tried to drown him! Also inside she felt sadness at what Trunks had said that Goten didn't like her as trivial as it sounded it did hurt. Everything inside her was so mixed up and she just knew she had to get away. She had to get away before he hurt someone or herself.
She felt her lungs burning soon and her legs cramping from the exertion and soon she tripped over her own feet falling face first. Chica curled up on her side bringing her knees to her chest and immediately the tears came. Her chest heaved as she felt memories swirling inside her head. She remembered Trunks angry gaze and than the angry smirk he gave her. Following that she had a thought of Maeve yelling at her the other day when she went flying with Goten and Trunks. After that came some memories of her mother than her father and she grabbed the sides of her head trembling as the memories rushed.
Soon the purple aura surrounded her quivering body and her eyes opened the blue depths glowing violet. The trees and foliage around her started to whip back and forth as an invisible force moved them. Chica's ki exploded and she gave a scream as a bright purple vortex errupted. She couldn't control it all she knew was that it hurt. The voices and images in her head were pounding.
"No! Please!" she screamed trying to fight it but it was no use the lid had exploded off the well of her power.
Suddenly strong arms enveloped her and a brilliant gold swirled with her own aura. She was drawn into a tight embrace against a broad chest. Her power lashed out but the hold on her did not budge.
"Easy now. I've got you." Came a voice.
Chica was lifted off the ground and she opened her tightly closed eyes looking up. Her eyes widened seeing a tall muscular man with spiky golden hair and brilliant green eyes. He had a worried expression on his face but also a curious one.
"Please leave me alone. I don't want to hurt you."
"You're not gonna hurt me." The man said smiling at her and his aura increased and pushed more against her power. She suddenly felt warm and was cocooned in the brilliant gold. Even though the man was a stranger, large, and muscular she felt at ease and a gentleness brushing against her mind. "That's better now close your eyes and take a deep breath."
Chica did was she was told "Good now imagine that power you feel is like something you have to put in a box. Put in the box and close the lid and seal it tight."
Chica imagined just as he explained it too her. Slowly she felt her power fading and in a few moments it was gone. Trembling she opened her eyes against looking at the golden man. "Atta girl. Good job. What's your name kiddo?"
"Ch-chica Vasquez." she whispered enamored by the stranger.
He gave her a bright smile and she watched in surprise as his golden hair and green eyes suddenly changed color fading. His hair turned black and fell from the upright spikiness to a familiar spiky style and than of course his eyes turned a deep dark brown. He reminded her of Goten.
"You look like Goten." she said observing him closely.
"Yep that's cause he's my son. I'm 're gonna be all right now." Goku said looking at the cute little girl who only a few moments ago had displayed such awesome power. He had sensed it all the way from King Kai's and immediately came home to investigate to find her. Luckily with his immense power he was able to overwhelm her powerful tirade and coax her into calming down in order to regain control. To think such a sweet and cute face hid such talent.
With that Chica's eyes welled with tears and she wrapped her arms around his broad neck and sobbed. Goku was startled a moment but smiled gently following and rubbed her back with a large hand. Soon her sobbing quieted down and she hiccuped slightly until her heavy eyelids closed and she fell asleep head resting on his shoulder. With that he walked out of the foliage carrying Chica much like a small child but to him she was tiny. This was the girl that Goten had told him about that Mirai was going to train. He had know idea she had such and incredibly power and momentous potential. He soon came onto a path just as two worried demi-saiyans crashed through the treeline. Trunks opened his mouth and stuttered a syllable before Goku put a finger to his lips signaling him to be quiet.
"Shhh...she's okay. Let's go to my house and you guys can tell me what happened." Goku said his eyes narrowing at the two.
Trunks looked down guilty and Goten ignored his father coming over and checking on her. Goku smiled seeing his younger son's concern. He shooed him away soon after though and the three jumped into the air and flew to the Son household.
Somehere between all the quiet and peace Mirai had sat cross legged and crossed his arms closing his eyes to meditate. For the first time in awhile his soul felt at peace. He didn't know if it was coming to Mt. Paozu that did it or being in the presence of Maeve. Either way he wasn't going to question it and just try to bask in the rare moment that didn't include guilt, anger, and turmoil. Maeve had watched him a moment curious to how the meditation helped them. She had read about it in a sports blog or something once. Curious she mimicked his pose and took a deep breath closing her eyes. Soon though she grew bored and found herself nodding off. Her chin drooped onto her chest and than she fell asleep.
Mirai's eyes snapped open as he felt a weight on his shoulder. He looked to his left and saw to his surprise Maeve's head resting on his shoulder. She had fallen asleep? He immediately at seeing her jumped causing her head and relaxed form to slide down his arm and promptly fall. He panicked and quickly caught her head in the palm of his hand and slowed her descent so her temple wouldn't slam into the rocky ground. He lifted her back up and she resumed her position leaning on his shoulder sighing softly her breath tickling his skin. He thought to move her and lay her down where she could use her backpack as a pillow but she looked really peaceful. Also she had been up really early this morning and despite already having a nap it seemed she was still tired so he was going to let her be. He smiled slightly content and resumed his meditation.
Maeve rested peacefully and for the first time in a long her her dreams weren't full of nightmares. What most didn't know, only her mother, was she took sleeping medication to help her sleep. However that didn't mean she still didn't dream. The dreams consisted sometimes of needles from the cocaine she had shot into her system. Or her looking into a mirror seeing her face slowly transform into a skeleton. She would often times wake up in a cold sweat breathing hard. This time she felt warm and protected. Maeve snuggled in to the warmth greedy for the comfort she felt as her mind started to waken. Something felt a little off this wasn't a warm blanket or sheet it was in fact skin. Her eyes fluttered open and she realized she was lying against Mirai's shoulder and was practically hugging his upper arm. Her whole face lit up and she blushed furiously especially since two amused azure eyes were looking intently at her with a small smile.
"Have a nice nap?"
Instead of freaking out she calmly let go of his arm and sat back relaxing taking a deep breath. Her face was still on fire but she knew it was no use being childish about it. Clearing her throat she looked at him and he was still gazing at her waiting for her reply smiling.
"Um. I'm sorry for..."
"Snuggling me?" He asked cutting her off and buried her face in her hands
"You're never going to let me live this down are you?" Came a small muffled voice from her palms
Mirai grinned leaning back on his palms "Nope."
Maeve dropped her hands glaring at him to which he only continued to grin. The moment was broken as literally a man Maeve had never seen before appeared out of nowhere. Maeve let out a scream as a tall, muscular, and dark eyes and haired man came out of thin air standing literally foot in front of them. In instinct she grabbed Mirai's arm and in turn he jumped readying a ki sphere in his hand staring wide-eyed at none other than Son Goku.
"Whoa! Whoa! I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Goku said Mirai let out a deep sigh dropping his guard and letting the ki sphere disappear before glaring at Goku.
Maeve still terrified looked at Goku than back at Trunks than back to Goku. With that she stood angry and despite not knowing the man she glared at him furious. She literally had almost peed herself.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack you asshole!"
"I'm sorry! You must be Maeve." Goku said smiling sheepishly
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" Maeve snapped
Goku actually took a step back from the angry young woman and Trunks sighed standing quickly to stop Maeve's tirade. "Maeve this is Goku."
Maeve's anger faded slightly as she looked at the man. She recognized that hair and those eyes and realized this was Goten's father. "You're Goten's dad?"
"Yep that's me. He's at the house with your sister. I came here to get you."
Instantly panic struck Maeve "What happened? Is she all right?"
"She was upset but she's fine for now. I need you to come to my place though before she wakes up. I explain what happened one we get there." Goku said reaching out and grasping her shoulder. Mirai knew that Goku was going to teleport and barely managed to grab Maeve's hand before they all three disappeared.
