SSSS: Some of you might spark a tear in this chapter, others probably not. For the most sensitive, it'll be a bit disappoint- ow! -Gets hit with cigar butt-

Kage: -Distant- Get on with it!

SSSS: -Sigh- The dance WILL go on, I tell's ya. BELIEVE me when I say that I had no thought to cancel it. But just because the dance ends doesn't mean my FanFic does. That's right; I'm extending it beyond it's supposed ending point. I want to aim for at least 20 chapters. -Laughs- It's because people like it so much!

Kage: -Sighs- Comment from a Guest... "ProjectSSSS123, if you don't update faster, then I will have you reported and banned."

SSSS: I don't buy it. And fans, neither should you. These false reports of me being banned is nothing more than fangirls who have little patience. 'Nuff said. You ready? Alright, let's roll!

Kage: -Crosses arms- That sounds familiar...

Chapter 10: The News and The Stars

After everyone went to bed to get a good, well-deserved rest, their chests clear of any worries, the only one that lay awake was Bardock and Katt. Katt still had a couple wounds to heal, but Bardock, to her surprise, had a very quick heal rate.

It must be the zenkai kicking in...she purred to herself. She finally drew her claw from his back, done at last. She placed a paw on his shoulder.

"...'ya sure you don't mind the scar? I'm sure someone can heal it or something like that..." She pondered out loud.

Bardock cracked a smirk. "Nah, I'm sure I want to keep it." He rubbed his left cheek where the scar was, but it hurt because it was still partially raw skin. "It'll grow on me when I get older."

"I see..." She sighed in relief. "Well...you won't be moving tomorrow, but in your condition, you'll be on your feet the day after tomorrow. Lucky you." She felt his back one more time. "And also, you've got a zenkai kicking in, so you need to rest so it can work." She urged.

"...alright..." The boy grunted, laying back down onto his stiff back. He shuffled to find a more comfortable position but ended up turning on his side to face the window.

"You need anything else?" Katt asked.

Bardock held his hand up and and a wave with it to signal Katt to leave.

"Could've been nicer about that..." She hissed, walking into the next room and shutting the door.

Bardock let his hand droop and then fall to the bed with a muffled thud. Even though it was two crescent moons tonight, they still shone brightly on a hill with a lone sakura tree. And underneath that tree appeared to be a kid. He had his arm up and was staring at the moons. He then sat up and shook his head, stretched, and layed back down.

The wounded Saiyan rubbed his head in thought (and a bit of pain.) What would a kid be doing off campus in dusk?

Ah...I don't need to worry. He yawned. I only need to look forward. Nothing bad'll happen...right?

With that thought, and the stars shimmering into the window, his eyelids fluttered and he slowly but surely drifted off into sleep.

Meanwhile...

Naira gave a deep and weary sigh as she collapsed onto her bed, completely exhausted. She was stiff all over and her eyes showed sleep deprivation.

But she couldn't get the one sole person she loved the most out of her head. With that, she placed her head into her hands and gave another sigh.

"Alright." Fasha spoke from below. She swung her head to the top of the bunk bed, looking down to Naira. She couldn't fall asleep because she knew Naira was worried about Bardock down to the bottom of her heart.

And she honestly couldn't sleep with Naira sighing all the time.

"What's up?" She asked Naira.

"I'm worried about him."
"When are you never worried about him?" Fasha asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What if..." Her eyes sparkled with worry. "What if he doesn't wake up tomorrow?"

"...you're joking, right?" Fasha sweatdropped. "Look, I've known the kid since we were little, alright? He's dealt with a lot of crap in his life, what, between his father leaving him and torturing him-"

"What!?" Naira gasped, sitting up. "His father did what?"

Fasha could feel herself slipping off the head, so she held up a finger for Naira to wait. She swung her head back up and jumped onto the top bunk, her tail following close behind her. She swung herself around and sat next to Naira.

"'Ya heard me correct. Bardock's father didn't give two shits about him or how he fought. It was all because his mother is a second class and his father was a second class. He had high expectations for his son, but he was only born with a power level of nine, or so he's told me." She looked out to the window overlooking the waterfall.

"Wait!" Naira interrupted. "I thought you only just met him this year!"

Fasha shook her head. "In fifth grade I went to his battle school, and we were friends for a little while. Now let me finish. Anyways, now look where he is. He took on an elite and single-handedly killed him. An elite whom was way out of his power level range, but yet he managed to kill and escape alive." She put her arm around Naira in a friendly way. "My point is that you have no reason to fret over him tonight. He'll live. I guarantee it." Fasha said all she could say, but Naira's eyes still held a cloud of worry.

Fasha sighed. "Would it make you feel better to go see Kage-sensei tomorrow? Remember, you don't have classes on a doyobi day (JPN for Saturday). He's always free tomorrow. I'm sure he'll check on the kid for you. Besides, Kage-sensei wants him to do homework he missed." She ended. Naira seemed to be cheered up now, but weariness rang in her eyes.

"...'kay, I'll do that tomorrow." She agreed. "Can I sleep now?" She looked to Fasha, who shrugged.

"I don't see why not." And with that, she hopped off of Naira's bed and onto her own, turning out her makeshift light she formed.

Naira rolled her head onto her pillow and faced the window outside. Nothing bad will happen, right? She yawned. I don't need to worry. And with that, and the crescent moons bringing a dim light into the room, she slowly drifted off into a deep and relaxing sleep, her chest clear of any worry.

The next morning, Naira sat up in her bed and stretched. She figured she would have to go to Kage, so she jumped out of bed, left the dorms, and began to wander the labyrinth of classrooms, looking for the one that this teacher was in. After some searching, she found the place. Upon ducking inside, she saw the young man in heated training. It looked rough as hell; he was charging immense ki in his palm, probably trying to perfect the technique that he had taught Bardock. He closed one eye in pain and it appeared that the energy took a strain on his entire being.

Stepping in, the girl spoke up. "Um...Kage-sensei?"

The teacher glared at her for a moment, and staggered away from his routine. After gaining strength for a second, he responded. "WHAT do you WANT kid?"

She twiddled her thumbs. "I..I just thought you could maybe check on Bardock...y'know...give him his homework."

Kage just looked at her. "You are one bitch of clinger, you know that?" He picked up some papers from a desk next to the doorway. "I'll go, but only 'cause I don't want him R-tarding out in my class."

The teacher stalked down the hall, and Naira turned to go back to her room. Right before turning a corner, she saw it. A poster. "Freshman Dance, Tomorrow!" It read. The girl's heart jumped in her throat.

Kage stopped in front of the door and rapped on it. No answer came, so he just decided to open the door by himself.

When he walked in, however, he was greeted by the boy. He wasn't resting or anything, he was instead balancing himself on the ground with one finger. A large bead of sweat rolled down his forehead and he appeared to be in pain. He was also snarling.

"You're gonna kill yourself." Kage spoke, raising an eyebrow.

"N...no!" Bardock snarled. "Not until I go...all the way!" He was at the point of shaking now. He looked ready to pass out.

"You better rest your arms, you know. And your legs too. Don't you know what's tomorrow?"

Bardock's eyes widened, and he lost his balance, collapsing to the ground in a weary heap. Relief washed over his entire body from the strain he had put on it just a few seconds back. He panted. "What's tomorrow?"

Kage facepalmed. "There posters for it ALL over the school? HELLO?"

Bardock was still puzzled. "What?"

"UGH!" Kage practically shouted in exasperation. "The damned Freshman Dance, dumbass, the dance is tomorrow! And if you don't stop straining yourself, you'll still be debilitated for it!

Bardock shot up, shocked. "WHAT!? I forgot all about the stupid dance…" He groaned.

Kage slammed some papers down on Bardock's desk. "Yeah, why don't you stop killing yourself, and put yourself to some use, m'kay?" And with that, the man walked out of the room, leaving a speechless teeenager in his wake.

As soon as Kage left, Bardock slammed his head on the ground in anger. "Damnit!" He shouted to no one in particular. "Why can't I just..." He staggered to get up, but failed. Stop myself...

Naira was running to get to Bardock, just to make sure he's not dead or anything, and as she turned a corner, she slammed into none other than Kage.

In an instant, Kage rounded and pinned her to the wall, but instantly let go, realising who it was. Without a word, he turned tail and began to walk away.

Naira ran after him with no question. "PLEASE!" She shouted, a tear falling to the ground. She grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

Then all fell silent.

"Drop the attitude please!" She begged. "I just want to know if he's fine!"

Kage was debating whether or not to knock the girl in the face and run or not, but, after thinking, his elbows dropped and turned his head to look at the girl.

"'Better go check on him if you want to know so bad." He answered, removing the girl's hand from his wrist.

Naria wasn't finished. "I want an answer to another question. I asked you this before and I want to ask you again."

"...what?" He asked.

"Can you revive someone?" She pestered.

Kage turned his head back around. "If I could...I would've saved a very important life to me...back when I was on a simple mission. It was on a planet famous for most Saiyan deaths. And my brother was part of it. It all started when we raided one of the villages. He rushed in...and was knocked out almost instantly. I then rushed in...but he was close to death. Before I knew it..."

H...HIKARI!

"...he was dead." Silence persisted.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Naira answered, but she wished she could've taken it back instantly.

Too late.

Kage swiveled around and pinned the girl hard against the wall by the neck. "Listen up! MY BROTHER died that day and I couldn't bring him back. You have NO IDEA how much pain that caused me." He pressed a bit harder. "You'll NEVER understand!" He snarled.

"Kage, stop!" A voice shouted from down the hallway. Both heads turned to notice one person standing at the end of the hallway, Tora, and behind him, Fasha. "You're gonna kill her!" He shouted to Kage.

Kage looked back to Naira. He squinted his eyes and let his hand go. He turned around and began to walk away. And then...

"Sorry about that." He unexpectedly spoke.
Naira got on her feet. "I forgive you. We all get over our heads sometimes. Now please, is Bardock alright?" She softly asked.

"Yes. But he was straining himself." He stood in the hallways, unmoving. "I'm afraid that's he's injured his arms more."

Naira gave a gasp, and a tear rolled down her face.

"But..." Kage turned his head around. "He'll be able to dance tomorrow." And with that, and a honest smile, he stalked through the hallways and turned the corner.

Fasha gasped. "Holy crap! I forgot all about the dance! She buried her face in her hands. "UGH!" Came her muffled voice. "And nobody's even asked me!" At this comment, Naira noticed Tora looking very uncomfortable.

He scuffed his foot on the ground and blushed. "Well..." His voice trailed off. "There's one guy I know who could ask you..."

"Really...?" She asked. "Who?"

"Um...umm...just this guy who likes you...a lot..."

"Who is it, Tora?" She asked, getting all up-close and personal. "What's his name?"

"Erm...he's..." Tora took a deep breath. "He's me, Fasha. I want to go to the dance with you."

Her face flushed bright red. She had no idea what to say, she liked Arso, but she hadn't spoken with him all year. Besides, Tora was nice, and handsome and funny. She really did like him. Why not give him a chance?

She thought she would do some dramatic acceptance, but all that came out of her lips was "Okay... sure...I'll go...with you.."

"Ah!" Naira realised in shock. "I forgot; I haven't asked Bardock yet!" She took down the hallways to Katt's dorm and knocked on the door. Katt answered and she came in to find Bardock wincing in pain and Katt healing his arms.

"What happened?" She asked in shock.

"The little fool was trying to balance himself on one finger." She turned back to him. "You're a baka, you know that?"

"Yeah. A baka who knows that nothing can stall him from training!" His Saiyan pride burned.

"Even death?" Katt laughed.

"...besides that..." Bardock sweatdropped.

"Anyways..." Naira calmed down. "I want to ask Bardock something...in private..."

"Yeah, I don't see why not." Katt answered. "Just make sure he doesn't hurt himself or anything. I just bandaged his arms."

"Yep." Naira confirmed. And with that, Katt left the room, leaving Naira alone with Bardock. Just his injuries almost made her cry, but she maintained herself and walked up to him.

"Hi, Bardock…"

He smiled. "Hey Naira. Listen, I wanna ask you something-"

"Me first!" The girl exclaimed.

Bardock shook his head. "No, me first. I know I already asked you, but we're still going to the dance together, aren't we?"

Naira looked at her feet. "You...you deserve better than me...I may be second class, but I'm weak, I don't even plan on being a fighter when I'm older..."

Bardock merely laughed. "Come on Naira, you don't need to be anything. I like you how you are."

The girl's tears could no longer hold back, and she let loose a few tears, making her look defenseless.

"It's...I don't deserve this!" She sobbed. "I don't deserve to be in love with the strongest Saiyan in school!"

Bardock tilted his head to the side. "Yes you do; stop punishing yourself for something that's not true...!"

"B...but..." She had a swirl of emotions captured inside of her. She couldn't believe this. What did she deserve?

"Naira..." Bardock began softly, "Listen. I don't know what happened to make you upset, but I want you to know something." He rubbed his scar. "I didn't just get this for some crazy reason. I got it for you. I got it protecting you. Had it been any other reason, I would've not cared for the damned thing at all." He pulled her closer. "I care for you. I want you to be safe. Seeing you upset..." A shadow cast on his face. "Makes me remember my father..."

Naira looked up at Bardock. "Your...father?"

"That bastard...one day I'm gonna find 'im and kill him." He turned back to her. "You have no reason to worry about me, Naira. I'm not the little defenseless kid I was with my father anymore." He slowly drew her into a hug, in which she accepted without question. "I'm the one...who will continue to protect you..even in my time of dying."

Locked in a warm embrace, Bardock's lips found Niara's, and they just stood there for a moment. A state of suspended animation. Suddenly, nobody else existed, just two young Saiyans, together, protected by the other's affection. As long as they had one another, they couldn't be harmed.

And they sat there, sharing emotions and a comforting hug that seemed to last forever. They entwined with each other and at once, the girl began to cry again.

"You're not weak." Bardock softly whispered to comfort her. "You're a wonderful girl." He drew her head away and took a hold of her arms.

"Naira...will you go to the dance with me?" He finally asked. He broke into a half smirked. He knew that, instead of looking goofy this time, he looked like a true warrior.

Naira subconsciously rubbed her eyes. "Y...yes...!" She grabbed his hands. "Yes! I will! I will take you to the dance!" Her eyes grinned out loud.

Nothing could have ruined the moment at all. Connecting thoughts and hopes, sharing despairs of childhoods, the two talked for what seemed like hours, until Naira looked out to the sky to notice the sun dipping into the sky. The stars also started shimmering in the sky as well.

"Ah!" Naira gasped. "I better get back to my dorm!"

"What's the rush?" Bardock chuckled.

"Fasha wanted me to show her how to heal. I told her I'd meet her at six." Naira stood up and started for the doorway, but not before stopping in it.

"...thanks..." She spoke, blushing.

"...no...problem..." Bardock blushed. He rubbed his head in a confusion sort-of state. "Love you."

"...yeah..." She responded and, without another word, took down the hallways in a quiet pace.

Bardock layed back down in bed, taking a deep breathe. He hadn't expected such a vivid life story from Naira at all. He turned his head to the right to notice the papers that Kage had slammed onto his desk. He took the first sheet off, and it appeared that it had Kage's writing scribbled onto it. He read it to himself.

Kid, listen. Tomorrow, an hour before the dance, go to the cliff by the waterfall. There's someone I want you to meet.

カゲ

PS: You and Naira are goin' places kiddo.

"Heh..." Bardock cracked a smirk. Kage might be a great fighter, but he was smooth sometimes. Laying the papers back onto the desk, he looked out to the now starry skies. And once again, that kid was laying down beneath the sakura tree.

Who is that...? Bardock pondered to himself. Well, he was about to find out. Sitting up, he slunk out of his bed quietly and made his way out of the dorm and down the halls. He went out the nearest door and scanned the area. Up the hill was the sakura with the boy laying down on the ground. He was holding his hand up to the solo half moon tonight.

Bardock made his way slowly up the hill and finally, he caught the attention of the boy.

"You must be that kid I keep seein' in the window." he pointed to Bardock's dorm's window.

"...yeah." Bardock looked awkwardly at the kid. Unlike the normal Saiyan armor, he was wearing a light blue robe, kind of like Mizu, but it couldn't be; the kid was way younger.

"Come. Lay down." He patted the patch of grass besides him. After Bardock didn't move, the kid laughed.

"I won't hurt 'ya. C'mon." He patted the ground again. Reluctantly, Bardock laid down, but not before wincing in pain.

The kid noticed this. "You hurt?" He asked, notching his head to the side. "Looks like your arms, n'eh?"

Bardock didn't speak. "You can tell...?"

"Well sure. I'm a healer. I'm training to be an archivist. I can heal it if you want."

"Not necessary." Bardock denied. "I'll be fine." He looked up to the moon. "What're you doing?"

"Ah..." He sighed, "It's been a habit of mine to cover and uncover the moon with my thumb. It helps to slow down the pace of life." He turned his head towards Bardock. "My name is Tenso by the way."

"Why is your voice so..."

"Soft?" Tenso finished. "It's just natrual." He looked back up. "See that star over there? That big bright one?" He pointed to one of the larger stars in the sky. "One day, that start's gonna be called the 'Tenso Star.' They'll have named it after the great scholar who worked so hard for his planet."

"Huh..." Bardock sighed. "Do you just..." He put his hand out, beckoning to the star, "Lay here are watch the sky?"

"Sure. It's comforting. It helps to slow down life."

Bardock gave a heavy sigh, one that he's been wanting to let out for some time. "Yeah...It does, doesn't it...?"

"Yep." Tenso smirked. He felt himself nodding off. "Cold? I bought a sheet for me, but you can use it." He beckoned to the light sheet beside himself.

"Thanks...I guess." Bardock took up the sheet. He covered himself with it, wiggled to find a better spot and, laying under the stars and the moon, felt himself slowly but surely dozing off.

SSSS: Can you hear the fangirls rage guys?

Tenso: No, why?

SSSS: I'll sum it up perfectly. MY FANFICTION. MY SHIPING. If I want to put Bardock with an OC then that's my own kami-darned business. And if I want to put Fasha with Tora, don't pester me about it.

Tenso: Anything else?

SSSS: Nope. Bye. -Waves-