Thank you my lovely, gracious readers for asking about the events of my month. It is such an honor to write for you AND be in your thoughts. And for your wonderful attitude toward my tardiness and sweet words of comfort for my ill-fated prior six weeks I figured a quick update and exciting chapter was well overdue.
Enjoy! Thank you to everyone who reads and a special shout to those who review! BTW, I noticed in my stats (I just recently discovered stats and I love it!) that this story had roughly 105 hits for the first day of chapter 24, 48 people have it on alert, 56 have it on favorites. So, where are you guys? I only get 12 - 15 reviews at most for each chapter. Not that I'm complaining, I'm happy with what I get. But doesn't anyone else have anything to say about the story? I'm really curious now about what all my readers are thinking of this so far? I'm so happy with 30,000 hits! 418 reviews! I never had any idea so many people were reading this!! ^_^
Warning: This and the next few chapters are why this story is rated 'T'. So if you don't want romance and Piccolo to mix, or death and destruction, this is not this story you need to be reading.
Chapter 25
"If you love something let it go;
if it comes back it's yours,
if it doesn't it never was."
- Anonymous
Piccolo sat lotus style by his waterfall, as usual. It was quickly becoming late morning and still Konna had not showed up for training. She knew the unspoken routine and yet she was not there. He shirked off his growing annoyance at being kept waiting and tried to relax his mind again. He would need to exert some patience.
Another two hours passed until he lost what was left of his dwindling fortitude and decided to go retrieve her. Now it was nearly noon and she had not even given off a spark of ki to indicate she was on her way. If she was not going to show up for training she should at least have told him so yesterday.
It was official: the day was destined to be a bad one.
He was irritated when he finally arrived at her home after waiting as long as he intended to wait. Before, he would have shirked it off and seen her another day. Before, it would only have bothered him that she forgot for a few fleeting minutes, then he would have meditated. But that was before he had become so attached to her.
No. Attached was not the right word. Desperate for her was more accurate. Needful. Fixated. Infatuated.
How pathetic.
Nevertheless, irritation left him and he was livid the moment he realized she was not home. According to ChiChi she had left that morning just after breakfast for a long walk. She then told her mother she would be with Piccolo the rest of the day so not to worry. So, ChiChi hadn't.
However, Piccolo's angry stroll into her kitchen demanding to know Konna's whereabouts put her into a frenzy. Goku was much less alarmed and Goten found it amusing that she could possibly go missing.
"It's not like anything out there could hurt her." Goku pointed out. "Come on, she probably stopped to take a nap and hasn't gotten around to wakin' up yet."
Goten yawned largely at the aforementioned nap. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Goku patted his son's head and walked into the living room with him. Both bounded up onto the couch in a show of who could land the noisiest. Piccolo rolled his eyes at the double display of Son immaturity. Obviously, idiocy was a genetic trait.
"For goodness sakes. Our daughter goes missing and you aren't even the least bit bothered?" ChiChi half screeched.
Goku eyed her and had to keep from grinning at her in response. "I know she went off toward the lake. But that's all I got out of her. She took a couple of bags with her and, um, something that looked like a big sheet off her bed."
At that Piccolo's muscled eye ridge shot up. "A bed sheet?" He repeated dubiously.
"Yup. I think." Goku shrugged. "That's what it looked like. So, I really think she's taking a nap."
"Or having a picnic." Goten suggested enthusiastically. "She always takes a sheet to put the food on when we go on a picnic."
Goku nodded and ChiChi's face became thoughtful.
"How strange." Was all that ChiChi could say before Piccolo was out of her kitchen and taking flight only three short feet away from her door.
Piccolo was in the air and flying toward Konna's ki immediately. It was faint because it was far away…very far away. Far enough that he had to hone in on her whereabouts every few minutes to make sure he was still traveling in the right direction. He couldn't imagine she had walked this far even with her incredible speed. In fact the trail her ki left went over a large lake so there was no way she could have done that without flying.
She must have taken the flying nimbus. All of this was very peculiar and Piccolo could not figure out her motives. Why take nimbus when flying was faster? Was it to try and hide her trail? Was she trying to keep a secret from him? If so, what secret would be so important and personal that he couldn't know about it?
All this plagued him as he caught up to where she was after a very long flight. He could see in the distance the Sumri Forest and outlaying cherry blossom trees that surrounded it. He remembered immediately why he recognized this place, it was the area he had stopped at after retrieving Konna from Dr. Wheelo.
He hated cherry blossoms. She knew that. Why in the name of all the Kais was she way out here?
He landed smoothly on a pile of pink pedals that were covering the ground. He was disgusted at the fluttering plants everywhere. This day was simply not going to be a good one no matter how much he tried.
However, once he gave Konna a good look over he noted she looked very…beautiful. Not that she wasn't always attractive. This was different. Her hair was more tame and shone in the sunlight. Her face was painted, her eyes bright, and she wore the green dress she knew was Piccolo's favorite.
Piccolo was suddenly far less agitated and much more appreciative. Still, what was she doing?
She smiled up at him from on the ground where she sat on a large, square sheet. It was the bed sheet Goku had seen her take. She was sitting with a book open in her lap, looking up at him like he was who she had been waiting for.
"Hello Piccolo-chan." She crooned. He could tell she was talking far more sweetly than usual. "I wondered how long it would take you to come find me."
Piccolo scoffed at her and walked closer. "Just what are you up to?"
She let out a very soft giggle and pointed to the empty containers. "I was eating. And now I'm reading."
Piccolo felt himself get exasperated with her. "I can see that." He said lowly.
She did not give any further information. He could feel her being anxious, not necessarily in a bad way though. She was waiting for something. He didn't know what and couldn't even begin to guess.
"Why are you out here?" He asked.
"I like the cherry blossoms." She said simply.
Piccolo narrowed his eyes at her. "Stop being vague. Why are you out here?"
He could tell she was forcing herself to stop smiling at him. "I just wanted to be somewhere special. I wanted to be somewhere I haven't been in a long time."
Piccolo was lost again. She was talking in riddles he couldn't figure out.
"And you knew I would come?" He asked skeptically.
She shrugged. "I was pretty sure you would. But then, I wasn't positive. That's why I have all the books…just in case you didn't."
She closed her book and put it onto the edge of the sheet beside three others.
"Come and sit with me." She said, patting the place beside her.
Piccolo wore a face of practiced indifference. "Why?" He asked plainly.
She shrugged again. "I thought it would be nice."
Piccolo debated for two seconds until she scooted down the sheet and laid on her back. Her hand went under her head to pillow it as she let her hair cascade across the top of the sheet. She looked up at him and smirked, like she knew she was about to win the battle. His debate was then over.
His weights were thrown several feet away. From the impact a swirl of cherry blossom petals was let loose and blown toward the two on the sheet. Piccolo had no more than sat down next to her when he was lightly pelted with them from all over. He growled and roughly tried to dust them off.
Konna was leaning up the next moment picking off the tiny flowers from his shoulders and arms. He had shielded her from them and the irony of it caused her to laugh. She wouldn't have minded in least being covered in the lovely blossoms.
"Oh, my Piccolo." She sighed. "Always grumpy."
Piccolo huffed and tossed the last of the intrusive pieces onto her. "Not grumpy, just irritated."
She frowned at him for the first time that day. "Why?" She asked, a waver of nervousness in her voice.
She actually sounded hurt by his declaration and he was taken aback.
"Well first you give me no indication that you wouldn't show up for training." He said cautiously, trying to avoid letting his tone become menacing. "I waited all morning until I finally had to track you down." He looked at her for any more signs of being hurt.
She looked down to her lap. "Oh, okay." She mumbled.
He waited for more but after thirty seconds of silence he realized she wasn't going to say anything else. She seemed even more let down, he could feel her disappointment.
"It doesn't matter." He said quickly. "We don't have to train."
She shot her head up and stared at him wide-eyed. It took her another five seconds to begin smiling at him. "Why, I believe that's the first time you've ever said that to me."
Piccolo was confused but said nothing more. If his statement made her happy that was all he needed to know.
"So you have no idea what's going on today?" She asked, leaning herself against his side. "It's okay if you don't. As long as you aren't mad or irritated at me anymore."
Her intentional emphasis on the word made him smirk at her.
"I'm not irritated." He started. "But I didn't know of any plans you had for today."
Konna snickered at him and took his arm in her hands. Her two hands barely wrapped around his upper arm and he noted she looked so very tiny compared to him.
"Well, I'll give you a hint. As of today, something very important happened exactly six months ago." She ran her right hand slowly up his arm and slipped it under his gi to rub his shoulder.
He nearly sweat dropped at the statement. Today was it. Today was their anniversary she had reminded him of only a week ago.
"I see." He said, not knowing what he needed to do to make amends. He had never celebrated anything before, especially never an anniversary. He was again in uncharted territory, as he always was with Konna.
"It's okay. I know you forgot." She reached her hand up to touch his face. "But that means you owe me."
He saw through her serious face to the smile she was trying to hide. "And what exactly is it that you want?"
She pulled his head toward her so she could kiss him. It was not an urgent or fiery kiss as some they had shared, but it was firm and full of passion.
"Just you." She said after pulling away and then laid down beside him. "I don't mind if we just lay here. But I want to be with you."
Piccolo looked her over for a moment and scooted himself down easily to lay beside her. She rolled over until she was up against his side with her arm draped across his chest.
"Hm. Thank you." She said, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck. She breathed out deeply and the feel of her very warm breath on his skin made a chill run up his spine. She had the most amazing affects on him.
"That is why you are dressed like this?" He asked, taking a handful of her dress' skirt into his hand.
"Yes." She said. "Do you like it?"
He felt himself breathe out a very light chuckle. "Yes."
She hummed against his neck and kissed him there. "Good."
They laid beside each other for a long while and both lost track of how much time was spent simply laying still together. He assumed she was looking up at the clouds as he was, they had done this before when mid-day training was too hot.
Until Konna began to reach up and touch his chest, almost as if by accident, and absentmindedly run her hands up and down his torso. She traced his jaw line with her finger and ran her thumb over his lips.
It was intoxicating. He ignored the best he could so to keep his Box shut tight. It was a downward spiral and his resolve faltered with every minute. She moved up so she was nose to nose with him and wrapped her right arm around his head in a hug. When she started kissing his cheeks and touching his antennae it was over. He knew he had lost the battle.
He was sure if she cared to look she would see the effects only she had on him. Nothing and no one else in the world stirred him like she did. He took his arm and wrapped it around her waist to bring her closer to him. It was easy to do since she was eye level with him, her middle was exactly even with his sides.
"I love you." She whispered very quietly near his ear. He could tell she was saying it as softly as she could manage but still it was loud to him.
It was his favorite sentence in the world. He could never hear her say it enough.
"Again." He nearly spat out. He didn't mean to sound so rough but he couldn't help it. His throat felt parched but not for water this time. This was what happened when the desire to kiss her became too strong. His body literally craved her.
"Hm?" She asked.
"Say that again." He told her, this time a little less gruffly than before.
"Gladly." She cooed, then repeated with deliberate slowness: "I. Love. You."
"Again." He ordered, rolling over swiftly to pin her beneath him. He tried to stay mindful of his Box and not to open the lid. Not to get too carried away.
He hoped it would work. But he had to hear her say it again. It was like a drug his system was responding to. He was riding on his natural high. It was euphoric.
"I love you." She squeaked out as he surprised her with his move. He looked down to see if he saw her disapproval but all she was giving off was desire. Same as him.
"I know." He managed to say before his dry throat honed in on her lips. That was the end. He had never thought that kissing could be a relief more than a pleasure. But then, he had never thought much about kissing in general.
He understood the human fascination with all things physical. It made sense to him now.
He noted right away as he pushed himself up against her that something was different then before. He could feel how warm she was. Everywhere. In one spot in particular. He brought himself up as if he were drowning and breathed in deeply. He could even smell her more distinctly. It was like a veil had been taken down and his every sense was being assaulted at once.
He groaned in frustration as he looked down to realize that her dress had come up. Now all his eyes could lock on was her long legs and the very bright, deep crimson colored underwear she was wearing. She had her legs wrapped around his middle because to be eye level with her he had not moved himself up.
He did a push-up and scooted himself to his knees. He looked to her face and could see her blush plainly. Apparently she had not intended to show so much, he had caught her more by surprise than he had first thought. He should have gotten off her, given her the chance to cover herself, or let her tell him 'no'.
But he didn't. His mind focused on her naked legs wrapped around both of his lower sides. He leaned himself over on his left arm and used his right hand to touch her kneecap. He had never had such a close view of her legs before. The most he had ever seen of her uncovered, aside from in that bathing suite from a distance, was only up to her knees during hot training days.
He smirked as his hand skimmed over the smoothness of her shin and down to the tops of her feet. Her heart beat rose and continued to quicken as he made his hand turn on her heel and travel up the back of her leg. Across her calf muscle and the bend of her knee. He felt her chest rising and falling quicker, her breath he could hear coming in shorter intakes as he made his way up farther.
He made it to the point that her leg ended and her bottom started. He couldn't yet feel the fabric of the underwear but any higher and he would have. It was a small piece of clothing that did not cover much. He had to admire her. She was perfect and flawless. He had never felt anything more smooth than her skin.
He moved his hand to her inner thighs, which was more difficult because his own body was pressed against her there. She moved and spread her legs farther apart so he could reach her more easily.
He heard her whimper slightly, it was a strange sound he did not recognize. He looked up at her face and saw she was biting her lip with her eyes closed tightly. He couldn't help but smirk at his handiwork. It felt good knowing he effected her just as much as she did him.
"Say it again." He told her.
She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice and formed a weak smile.
"I love you." She half whispered, the words came out too raspy and short to be considered normal. He felt her urgent desire for something then but she wasn't showing him what it was. Whatever it was she wanted him for she was driving him crazy with the need for it.
He finally growled at her for shielding him from it. He wanted to make her happy and not knowing what she needed was making him insane. And curious. And combining her need with his own was explosive. Even dangerous.
"What is it you want?" He asked, again he could not stop his voice from sounding so stern.
"Just you." She said again.
"You've got me. What else do you want?" He asked more directly.
She leaned up so her hands could reach his face, when they did she pulled him down into a powerful kiss. It lingered and he could hear her begin moaning into his mouth. He was careful not to put all his weight on her, which he knew would be uncomfortable. That was about the only coherent thought he had inside his head at the moment.
He could hear nothing else besides her all around him. He felt her tighten her hold both on and around him so he did the same, not knowing what it was she wanted. He needed to make her happy. He had to please her. It wasn't a choice. That was his need.
She was suddenly begging him to touch her, both vocally and mentally. The urgency in it was downright tangible so he pulled her closer and held on tighter. Still she asked the same thing repeatedly until there was no way their bodies could have been any closer.
Well, almost.
He wasn't sure what she meant because he was already touching her, he was holding her as tightly as he dared without crushing a bone or two. Still she pleaded, this time the prolonged emphasis on her words made her outrageous longing very obvious.
He swallowed his pride that moment. He wanted nothing more than to give in and give her what she wanted. But he couldn't figure out what it was she required so desperately she had to beg for it.
"How?" He asked, more of a muffled syllable than a word. "Show me." He added and mentally commanded her to stop blocking him.
She did. The mental images were self-explanatory. He understood.
He pulled away from her and was suddenly caught in a zone he fervently did not want to be in. A limbo, so to speak. He wanted to be with her. He did, incessantly so. More than anything. But he knew this was the exact line he had been trying desperately to walk but not cross.
This would be the point where he stepped over it if they continued. He would have no self control left if he pushed himself any further.
He couldn't do that to her. He knew it was frowned on…more than that even. Maybe not by all, but by many. He couldn't do it. Not if there was a chance that anyone would look down on her for it. He knew the name they called women that had sex without being married. They called them whores. He would have to kill the person who ever dared call her that.
And he would not be the selfish jack-ass that made her one. Not that he could ever think of her that way. No. But he couldn't put her in the place where someone else might. She was too good for that.
"Konna." He said and leaned away. He could feel it all around as she realized he was not going to follow through and refusal made her emotions plummet.
He felt her shield go up immediately and he knew what she was trying to hide from him. Either guilt or rejection or something else equally as horrible. And he would not allow it.
"No." He chastised. "Don't you dare. Stop that."
"Sorry." She said, trying to roll over away from him but couldn't. He was on top of her and pinning her to the ground. For now. If she truly got it into her head that she wanted him off he would be across the field in the blink of an eye.
"Don't be sorry." He coaxed, he was up off her the next moment and pulling her skirt down to cover her. "You have nothing to apologize for. I do."
Konna nodded again and scooted to a sitting position. "Its okay. I got carried away again. Just…just relax and enjoy the afternoon."
She leaned over and gathered up her books. The containers that had carried the food she also picked up. Once she stood she moved off the sheet and waited for Piccolo to get up as well.
"Well, keep the sheet and bring it back when your done." She said, her voice a forced monotone.
"Konna, stop this." Piccolo said, standing and grabbing up the sheet. "This is not how our…" he stopped before the word anniversary could come out. For a reason he couldn't explain his voice refused to finish the sentence.
She waited only a second more before starting to walk away. "It's okay Piccolo. It's been a nice afternoon. Please, let's just enjoy the rest of it at home."
Piccolo let out a long breath of air and realized he did not want to spend any more time today in this field.
"Yes, I know. You hate the cherry blossoms." She said, and there was an edge to her words Piccolo did not like. Yet, he knew better than to comment on it.
"Konna." He started again. This time she did not turn or answer him, she powered up and took flight. He watched after her for several seconds, still holding the sheet in his hands. He put his hand on his head and rubbed his thumb across his forehead. It was meant to relieve the headache he now had but it did nothing.
He was such a fool. He would never come close to deserving her. And soon enough she would figure that out.
XxXx--
He eventually made it back to the Son home a few hours after Konna. It was nearly dinner time when he got there and so he sat at the table to join them as usual. Konna came down from her room long enough to eat her meal quickly, without so much as a glance toward Piccolo. She returned to her room as soon as she was finished and did not come out again.
Piccolo ground his teeth together in aggravation…at himself. He'd made her mad again. He'd swore never to do it and now she was angry with him. He had hoped she would cool off quickly, like normal, but things did not go so smoothly.
He meditated on their couch that night to stay near her. He did not try to talk with her in any fashion but he still remained close. He wanted his presence to remind her that he was not going anywhere. No matter how many mistakes he made he would always try to fix them.
To err was human, right? So why not let that logic apply to a Namek as well?
Another day passed without much more than a few glances in Piccolo's general direction. She ignored him thoroughly for almost an entire day until after dinner the second night. She touched his shoulder and asked him mentally to follow her. When they went outside and away from the listening ears of her family she finally spoke to him.
"Piccolo, listen, I don't want this turn into a problem for us. But I need some space. I just want you to go somewhere else for a little while and let me get my head on straight again." She looked up at him for understanding.
He nodded, though he did not completely understand. He would give her whatever she wanted.
"Thank you." She said, then touched his arm briefly and walked away from him.
"I'm sorry." He said to her back. He meant it. He honestly didn't know what was wrong with him. Aside from being completely inept.
"Don't be." She said, turning and using his own words against him. Then she smiled faintly and he had no choice but to frown at it. That meager smile was a mockery of the one he loved on her. "Two heart-felt apologies in six months. I think that's a record, Piccolo."
Piccolo wanted to spit back a witty reply, maybe make her laugh. He also wanted to drop to his knees and beg her to forgive him. Tell her he was an immense idiot. That he needed her more than air and water and a good fight.
He said nothing and remained silent. She turned back around and walked inside the house. He didn't even bother grabbing up his weights. He shot off toward no direction in particular. If he gave her the space she wanted and the time alone she needed, surely she would want him back.
He was not sure what she meant by 'clear her head' but he tried not to think about it too much. He would drive himself insane trying to figure it out.
Konna, however, was much less conflicted. She was sad. After feeling rather than watching Piccolo leave she made her way to her room and sat on her bed. Large tears rolled down her face as she realized that this was probably never going to work. He did not want her. A part of him. A small part of him, perhaps, but enough that he would not give in.
Or perhaps he couldn't give in. Both were unbearable.
Something about how she looked or tasted or felt, since she was a half-breed that would make sense. She didn't know what it was about her he might not find desirable. She would change it in a heartbeat if she could. But all day the only thing she could think of was the conversation she had with Piccolo so many years ago. He had told her that intimacy with a human disgusted him. That the thought made him nauseous. He would never marry a human.
She was not what he wanted. Well, she was and she wasn't. He loved her so much it was unbearable when she thought about it. The night they spent in the cave had confirmed it for her. She knew then that he loved her more than she had ever known.
Which meant he would do anything to make her happy. He would do anything to keep her. Now she wanted a lover and Piccolo was doing his best to play that role too. And she was making it completely unfair. And selfish. She was trying to make him something he didn't want to be…even if he didn't know it yet.
She had to let him go. She didn't have a choice. She couldn't hurt him by pushing him into a life he obviously did not want. As much as she wanted it for them both she loved Piccolo enough to give him what he needed.
The terrible part was she didn't even think he knew what he was doing. He didn't realize he was pushing her away. Perhaps it was all done subconsciously. She wanted to be angry at him but found she was only angry at herself. She should have known better than to try so hard. They weren't even the same race. They were different in every way.
It would simply never work.
Then she buried her face into her pillow and cried until she had no more tears. She fell asleep exhausted from sheer grief. She was swallowed up in sadness.
Konna jerked awake before four in the morning the day of the tournament. She had been far too restless all night to get more than an hour of sleep at a time. It was just too much. She was nervous and excited all at once to the point that she could barely contain herself. She wanted a sparing session and she wanted one now.
She flung the covers off herself and began a quick dress into her gi. Her hair was pulled into a tight knot onto her head, she knew it was a hazard if kept in a ponytail. Opponents could grab it and cause some serious pain, even with just human strength.
She was out the window and flying toward the East a few minutes later, leaving behind her still-sleeping family. Not even breakfast interested her this early and with so many butterflies in her stomach. She had never been in the World's Martial Arts tournament. This would be a whole new experience for her. Her father, mother and Piccolo had been much less enthusiastic.
Piccolo was already halfway to her when they met above a dense forest. It was still pitch black out and the sun was another two hours away. It was obvious that Piccolo was more than a little interested about her sudden desire to be awake at such an early hour. Normally it was far more trouble to rouse herself from bed at such a time.
He did not ask about her mood though. They were still on strange terms that even she could not quite patch up just yet. She had only seen him once since telling him to give her space. He had been respectful and absent.
"You're an antsy thing today." He said less than a minute after their meet-up. His attempt at lighthearted banter made her half smile.
She sighed and let out a deep breath and realized just how much she had been fidgeting.
"Yeah, I know. Sorry. But I'm nervous. This is my first tournament." She ground her teeth together without realizing it. She did not add that their strange truce also had her on edge. She was still trying to find the right moment to talk with him about their…situation. She had not found it yet.
"Being nervous is a waste of time. You already know you're the strongest person on the planet." Piccolo began flying toward the east and Konna followed him.
"Yes, yes. I know." She said, then added very lowly: "Still doesn't help."
Piccolo chuckled softly and eyed her from across three feet of open air. He could tell she was not herself and very distracted. He had to admit that he, too, was nervous. Not about the tournament, of course, but of something far more difficult. He did not yet know how to speak with her about this matter.
It was the same thing he had been mulling over for several days. How to deal with the other senshi now that he and Konna were together. He doubted ChiChi would be able to go the entire weekend without spilling the good news. And even if she could he knew without question that Son couldn't.
So how to deal with everyone knowing was one of Piccolo's problems. Bigger than that was how to tell Konna that he was having an issue with everyone knowing. And the ultimate dilemma was telling Konna that, not only did the idea of their affection becoming a public display cause him outright fear, but that in the same breath he also longed to mark her.
That is, if she ever forgave him.
Mark her. Such a base and animalistic term. He still didn't know a good or right way to say he wanted to own her. To make her his and off limits to all other men. He guessed there must not be a good way to address the issue and, though the idea had crossed his mind, he decided against going to Dende with the matter.
He could not put his taloned finger on it but he did not want Dende any more involved in his relationship with Konna than he already was. He did not hold any grudge against the young Kami, not even from the…misunderstanding they had. He even liked the younger Namekian rather than simply tolerated him, unlike most.
Still, he could not bring himself to present his questions to Dende. He even thought about asking Popo but still wished to keep his relationship with Konna between only the two of them. He still felt stupid for saying the things on his mind. Very stupid.
"You're awfully distracted." She said to him, pulling him from his mulling. "A penny for your thoughts."
He smirked over at her and closed the distance between them to mere inches rather than feet. She did not move away and that was a good sign. He had been trying to both keep up his attempt to give her space while simultaneously getting a little closer everyday.
He did not think she realized how much staying away from her literally caused him pain.
"Nothing of importance" He lied.
She shrugged at him and looked ahead toward where the sunlight was coming from. They were chasing the sunrise. Once they were far enough to the east that it was morning Piccolo floated to the ground with Konna no more than half a second behind him.
"Ready?" She asked, crouching down into her pose.
"Always." He remarked before springing at her with a powerful roundhouse kick.
She dodged him and swung her body gracefully around and come within centimeters of landing her elbow into his back. He spun on his heels and caught her arm, throwing her a good twenty feet in the air. All of this took roughly half a second to perform and then Konna powered up while airborne.
She came crashing to the ground with her feet hammering into the Earth hard enough to cause a slight tremble beneath Piccolo's feet. His excitement tripled and he lunged at her again to land a punch.
One hour passed.
And then another.
When the third hour of constant sparing began to creep up on them it was Piccolo that held up his hands in a sign to stop. Konna had to dig her heels into the ground to keep her body from slamming into him. She eyed him warily, not sure of what might be up his sleeve, only to frown as he took several steps back toward the surrounding forest.
"You'll wear us both out before the Tournament even begins." He smirked highly at her. "Then we'll both be useless."
She relaxed and grinned apologetically.
"You're right." She said, meandering slowly over next to the trees where he stood. "I guess I was just full of extra energy."
He couldn't help but fight a smile when she pushed into him and hugged him. He leaned into the hug and nearly covered her head with his hands. He was amazed that such a small person, small at least compared to him, could hold such power. With a soul that could outshine the sun itself.
His life was in darkness before her. He was the darkness. It had been a part of him, eating away at his impure soul from the time he was born. No one, not even Konna herself, would ever truly know the depths of nothingness from which she had pulled him. Utterly alone he had started his life but now he had a family. Her family was his. He had meaning in his life and a purpose.
And she was completely unaware. It amused him how ignorant of her own importance she would forever be. He certainly could never tell her how much he obsessed about her. How unhealthy his reliance was. Certainly it would frighten her or worse, turn her away. No one wanted an infatuated formerly-evil stalker.
He kissed her forehead out of habit and sheer need. He had not felt her for days and he was in withdrawal from his drug. He needed to just chop his legs off at the knee and be eye level with her. It would make his life less painful, she certainly couldn't get any taller and his back protested any prolonged attempt at kissing her. At least while standing.
Her forehead was the nearest exposed skin he could reach without too much strain but, even then, it was a least a foot of difference he had to make up for.
"I know, I need miracle grow." She joked, standing on her tiptoes to accent her need for more height.
"No." He said. "There is no use in wishing for changes that can't be made. We will simply deal."
She sighed and pressed her face into his chest. She was silent for several seconds and Piccolo waited to see if she protested the closeness. She didn't and he was intensely thankful.
They stayed like that for several minutes. They were holding one another and nothing more, so Piccolo cleared his throat and attempted to begin a very dreaded topic. He did not intend to give her more than necessary to think about before the tournament, she was pint up enough as it was.
But before they walked into that stadium together he needed to know what to expect from her. He needed to know the rules he would have to follow when facing the others.
"Konna." He said, getting her attention easily. When her eyes were on him he could not keep up the gaze, he looked beyond her to a tree several feet away.
"What is it?" She asked, already sounding concerned.
"It is nothing to worry about. I only have to…clarify a few things." He explained.
"Oh." She said, and he could tell her concern had shifted to curiosity. "Okay then. What is it?"
He took a shallow breath and narrowed his eyes. He had not practiced this conversation and he should have.
"I need to know how we will…behave…as we meet with the other senshi." He asked.
"Oh." She seemed surprised. Probably because she had not thought of this particular situation until now.
"Well, I can see why you need to ask me about this." She offered nicely, patting his arm. "Hm, do you want to say anything to them or just keep our distance. I'm sure mom and dad will tell them but if we ask them not to, you know they wont."
Piccolo nodded. "I know." He paused for a long time and watched her face carefully. He did not want his words to hurt her. "I do not care if they know. I'm prepared for whatever they might say."
Konna's eyebrows knotted together. "You're sure?" She asked, then added quickly. "I want you to be comfortable. I'll do whatever you want."
Piccolo nodded again. "I know. I'm fine with this. I just do not want you to expect any…displays like this (me motioned to their closeness). This affection is for you alone."
Konna grinned up at him. "I know. I didn't expect you to start making out with me in the fighting ring, Piccolo."
The way she so lightheartedly tossed his callousness aside made him soften again. As if it were possible to be any more attached to her, which he doubted. She suddenly seemed older than just seventeen. A little wiser. He even felt his respect for her grow.
He touched her face with the knuckle of his index finger as she leaned her head back to face him. He did not mind these caresses and displays that were meant for only her. Touching had always been a step off his carefully placed line but now things were different. He wasn't exactly sure where or when they had altered, but things certainly had changed.
"There is one more thing." He added, feeling encouraged by her open acceptance of his strangeness. "I'm not sure how to word this."
"Then don't." She offered.
He knew what she meant as soon as he felt that familiar tug. It barely took a conscious effort to open their link. It was so second nature to him now that being without it would have felt completely abnormal.
Rather than speak or attempt any words at all he let himself give her a small portion of his desire for her to, somehow, be his. He tried very hard not to let her pull any more from him than he was willing to give. He let her feel his need to have her away from other men, to have her want only him, to be with only him.
He caught her smirking mid-way through his revelation and felt slightly relieved.
"Jealous." She whispered in disbelief. "Not what I expected. But, nothing you have to worry about."
Piccolo let himself half smirk at her. "Good to know. But that was only one part of the question."
Konna thought for a minute and finally had to shrug at him. "I'm afraid this is just the name of the game. There are very few things that would really mark me as yours."
Piccolo believed he felt his face darken with humiliation. So she had caught more of his original desire than he had thought. He would have cursed had she not been standing right next to him.
She frowned immediately at him. "Piccolo stop that. Don't feel that way."
She nearly took him to the ground with the force of her hug, digging her head into his chest. "Never think that something you want will make me angry. I want to make you comfortable and happy."
He let out a growl and bit back a snarl. "I shouldn't want it."
"I don't mind. Really. It's just…" She started and did not finish.
"What?" Piccolo nearly barked. He could already hear the reprimand that she would probably give him for wanting something so outlandish.
"Are you absolutely sure you want that?" She asked. "Don't say it because you think it's what would make me happy."
Piccolo scowled and pulled her slightly away to arm's length. "Why would I say that just to make you happy? You should be offended by it."
Konna scowled her own self and look up at him. "It's a very affectionate thing to want. That's why people get married, so they can belong to each other. Why would I be offended?"
Piccolo shook his head quickly. That thought had never occurred to him. Marriage as a means to mark someone as a mate. That did make sense.
"I assumed wrong." Piccolo said, looking down at her more softly than before. "I tend to do that a lot lately." He added in an attempt to amuse her.
"Hmph." She grunted, less amused than she was troubled. She did not want him to do and say all these things that would only end up hurting them later.
"What?" Piccolo nearly doubled over as that last thought hit him squarely in the face. "How would it hurt us?"
He immediately thought of her not wanting to be marked by him. Given all the mistakes he had made lately he could definitely see that possibility.
"Piccolo, I've been meaning to…" She stopped and pulled away, turning around so she was not facing him.
If she looked at him she would cry. If she cried he would get angry. She didn't want either.
"I was thinking that, maybe, we might need to take a break." She said. "We've tried our best and so far things have not really…well, they're good and all - oh crap, I just can't word this right." She stumbled and added quickly: "We gave this six months and really tied at it. That's…good, I guess. We shouldn't expect the impossible."
Piccolo stiffened and clenched his fists tightly. His jaw hung slack for a moment in his utter shock. What in the name of all things holy was she saying? Whatever it was, her tone and words seemed to suck the air right out of his lungs.
He watched her turn only her head enough to see him. He could clearly see the redness of her eyes before she quickly looked away.
"What I mean Piccolo, is maybe we should just call it like it is. We didn't work out." He heard her voice waver on the last sentence and she took several deep, calming breaths before continuing. "I think, maybe, we're just too different. We want very different things and…we…we're trying to make something…we're trying too hard. Or I am. Maybe you haven't given it much thought."
Piccolo still did not make a sound. His brain was rolling her words around his head and making them echo repeatedly inside his skull. He couldn't fathom her meaning. He had thought this was going well, considering it was their first attempt at anything intimate. He needed more time to figure this out. He wasn't going to turn into a human and instantly know what to do or how to react to all these situations.
But he didn't say as much. He could not find his voice yet.
"Piccolo, say something." She begged, not yet turning around to him. "Don't you see it? I want a family, and a home, and so many things you don't. I know you'll just end up resenting me for it later. We both know it isn't what you want."
"No." He said stubbornly. He had not seen this coming, not yet. He was still trying to learn, he needed more time. Was she was ending this? Why?
"Yes." She countered. She felt the tears swell up in her eyes but refused to let them enter her voice. "We tried, but you and I are so very different. We wont be able to…we cant…" She faltered and felt her breath hitch. "I mean - we can't keep up a charade."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes and bore his teeth to her back. "Charade." He repeated.
"Yes. We're just kidding ourselves." She continued, this time biting back a sob. "You said so before and…I believe it. You can't be with a human…it disgusts you and I'm…I'm close enough to human."
She breathed in several ragged breaths and finally gave up the battle. She held her arms around herself for support and began crying.
"You are trying to end this." He stated flatly. "You are trying to end us? Being together?" It was more a statement than a question.
"I…I…" She couldn't continue through the sniveling. She just nodded. "It's for the…best."
Piccolo's nails jutted through the skin of his palms and he could smell the metallic scent of his own blood. Strangely, he felt no physical pain. But his heart, that was a different story. It was tearing in two.
"Then why all the water works?" He spat at her. Desperate to make her see just what she was doing to him, to let her hear the venom she was putting into him.
She couldn't answer right away. She had to wait and catch her breath. "Because it's not what I want. It's just…best."
"Best for who? Why is this the best if neither of us want it?" He heard his voice rising. He did not think he had ever truly yelled at her…nor did he believe he ever would have.
She began trembling with the force of her cries. She tried to stay silent but the hiccups and sniffing were still loud enough. He couldn't stand it. He went to her and turned her around to face him. She was a mess. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, body wracking with sobs, even her lips couldn't stop trembling.
He picked her up and kissed her with hard, rough, unyielding lips. Her own had to stop quivering as he did so. The kiss was urgent and lasted several seconds until he finally pulled away and let her down. He did not completely let go, he held her by her arm like a parent might grab a misbehaving child.
"You say the best thing for us is to be apart. I don't believe you." He said. "You love me. You told me so."
She nodded her head and leaned against his strong arm. His hand was steadying her, otherwise she could have very well fallen over. She was in no condition to even walk.
"Say it." He said lowly, almost meanly. "Say it again."
"It doesn't matter." She said. "It doesn't. I love you but-"
"No buts. Just say it." He ordered, this time it was a full-out shout.
Konna's eyes widened and she had to recover from being yelled at. Piccolo had never yelled at her, not like that. Not face to face and in such a personal setting. Across a battlefield or in a spar perhaps…but not in a conversation. Not even in arguments.
"I-I…" She started and then clamped her mouth shut.
"You tell me right now, woman. You say it. Unless you've been lying." He straightened his back rigidly and turned her arm lose. "If you've been lying then just go. I don't want it."
She had half a mind to admit to a lie rather than confess the truth. It was a painful truth that would only hurt them.
Still, she could not bring herself to lie.
"I love you." She whispered.
"Louder." He growled. "Like you mean it."
She ground her teeth together and, for the first time in her life, screamed directly into Piccolo's face. "I LOVE YOU!"
She pushed him hard and sent him several feet back with his ears still ringing.
"Happy now?" She yelled. "I hope your ear's fall off. Why do you want me say it? Huh? Does it make you happy? Do you get a thrill from it? Well there. I freaking love you. So much it hurts. So much I think I'm ruined from it. I'll never be able to even look at another man as long as I live! Oh but you," She pointed a finger at him as he started making his way closer to her.
Still she shrieked at him. "You just don't want to lose me. You just want me to stick around so you aren't lonely. You don't want someone else to have me. That doesn't cut it. You don't want me like I want you. That's why we aren't going to work. We can't…I mean, I want things that you…don't."
Piccolo's anger changed to heartache in the blink of an eye. She was right, of course. He could never give her all the things she would want out of life. She wanted a family with him, though given enough time he would be willing enough to try, it was not a guarantee. There was a very good chance they could never make a child.
She would want a home. Living a normal life among the humans was probably number one on her list. He would be willing to live in a house…but wouldn't she want near her college or job? That he couldn't do for long. He could not completely leave the forest and desert forever. He could not live among the humans. He would try, for her. He would do anything for her.
But reality hit him hard enough that he felt the pricking of something foreign behind his eyes. He shut his them tightly and bit down so hard on his teeth he was sure his fangs would break in half. His already wounded hands were balled into fists at his sides. A very disturbing truth crushed his spirit to the point of nonexistence. He felt his insides ripping apart.
He would have been willing to try anything she asked him to do. He would live in a house with her. He would try to create a family with her. He would have moved closer to the humans for her. If there was the slightest possibility of being accepted he would have mingled with the humans on occasion if necessary. Whatever it took to keep her, to give her what she wanted.
The truth of the matter was that she was right. It couldn't work. The humans would never accept him and even if they did he would never be comfortable living near them. Eventually something would have to change or they would end.
Two sides of the same coin were always close but never together.
So, with a resolve he was not even sure he possessed, he nodded toward her. Better to end this now and sever the strings that attached them before it was too late. It would hurt more if they continued down this road. He knew it to be the truth and yet he felt as though his life was coming to an end as well.
"You're right." He finally said, turning away from her. The unfamiliar stinging of his eyes would only worsen if he tried to look at her. His resolve might waver. He couldn't let that happen. He needed to finish what she had started.
"You want things I will not be able to give." He said.
He heard her voice hitch and the sobs start again.
"So we agree this should end?" She asked breathily.
Piccolo found that his mouth was too dry to form words and his brain had suddenly lost the ability to operate his voice box. He nodded instead and started a slow walk in any other direction. He needed away. Now.
Konna watched as he left and tried very hard not to say anything to his retreating back. She couldn't see clearly through the tears. She couldn't breathe properly from the hiccups and sobs. She was shaking so badly her legs gave way and she landed on her knees with a thud. She buried her face in her hands and noisily crumbled in on herself.
The tournament was forgotten. Her parents were forgotten. The college fund she wanted the prize money for was forgotten.
All that either could do was try and keep breathing. Piccolo's ki shot off into the distance and Konna's plummeted to hide her location from everyone. She couldn't handle much more than the inhaling and exhaling of air. She couldn't even think of how hungry she was. She couldn't remember how to stand nor could she hear the wails she was creating in her sorrow.
It was the first time in her life that she believed death would have been a relief.
X-x-X-x-X
Videl
She had spotted Konna walking among some of the other contestants in the temple. She never would have guess to see her at the tournament but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless. She followed the crowd she was in, recognizing several of them from their graduation, and waited until she could catch up with her to greet her.
Videl walked over to her and, in her excitement, did not notice at first the forlorn way she both looked and spoke. She took her friend to her father's suite and they used one of his empty exercise rooms for privacy. It was the first time she had seen Konna since just after graduation and, though she would probably not have said so to her, she was thrilled to be around her again.
But it was instantly obvious that something was not right with her. She was too quiet. Her face was not happy. That incessant sparkle in her eyes was gone. It did not take long once in the solitude of the work-out room that Videl asked Konna what was wrong.
She did not answer her.
"I didn't know you were entering the tournament." Konna said. Her voice was blank. There was no emotion in it.
Videl was surprised by the change of topic.
"Uh, yeah. Dad figured it was a good idea. Publicity and all." She shrugged the notion off.
"Konna, what is it?" She asked again. "I wouldn't ask so much but you've got me worried."
Konna's eyes slipped away from her as she stood up off the leather bench and walked to the window. Videl scowled at her friend. Something was very wrong. She wished she knew what it was.
"Okay, listen. You don't have to tell me. But are you okay?" Videl walked up behind her and tried to face her.
She saw the tears that were quickly filling Konna's eyes.
"I…" Konna started, but she shook her head and took several deep breaths. "I haven't talked to anyone about it yet. Well, expect my parents. But they don't know details."
Videl crossed her arms and leaned against the window seal. "It might help talk about the details."
Konna nodded and sighed loudly. "Maybe. Won't change anything, though."
"Maybe. But whatever it is, a fresh set of eyes never hurt." Videl said. "Or ears, in this case."
Konna breathed out a soft chuckle in response. She had never known Videl to speak so kindly or exhibit so much patience before.
"Piccolo and I have…ended our relationship." She said and Videl noticed her bottom lip began to quiver.
"I'm sorry." Videl said, putting her hand on Konna's shoulder. "Breaking up is rough."
Konna slid out from under her hand and leaned herself more fully on the window seal.
"I don't know if I can fight today. I should, I need to. But I don't think I can remember how."
Videl scowled at her and cleared her throat. "So it was a bad breakup, then. When did it happen?"
"This morning." Konna answered dully.
"Eew, girl. That's terrible. Did you guys have a fight?"
Konna actually laughed at that. "Fight. We fight all the time. It's what we do. Do you mean an argument? I guess you could call it that. I yelled. He yelled. Then we both decided it was over."
"Just a lover's quarrel. You'll be back together in no time." Videl said. "That is, if you wanna be. Do you want it to be done?"
Konna shook her head again and Videl saw the tears leave her eyes and slide down her cheeks. "Never."
Videl smirked at Konna and playfully hit her arm. "Aw, girl, you know men. They're hot and then cold. Off and on again. If you want him back I'm sure a few days to cool off is all he needs."
Konna shook her head again and her irritability was becoming evident. "You don't understand. Nobody does."
Videl crossed her arms again and gave Konna a loud "humph" of annoyance.
"I would if you explained it to me. You can't get mad at my advice if you wont tell me the situation."
"Sure. I guess you're right." Konna said, this time sounding defeated. "You saw him, he's different."
"Yeah, so are you." Videl pointed out, smiling at her. "So that's a plus for you both."
Konna couldn't bring herself to smile back. She only looked out the window and eyed the quickly filling stadium below.
"Only if we both could be different in the same ways. I'm different but not like he is. He doesn't want a family, he isn't attracted to humans, he doesn't want anything to do with humans more than necessary. And let's face it: I live in the human world. He's…outside of it. He doesn't want to be a part of it."
Videl knew her expression was giving her away. She was stunned. It wasn't everyday she had a conversation about the love life of two aliens.
"Well, that clears a few things up." She offered. Words of encouragement and endearment were not exactly her strong points.
"Good. But, it doesn't fix anything." She scooted back and walked away toward the door.
"We should get downstairs. The others will be wondering where I am." Konna said.
Videl shot up an eyebrow and looked skeptical. "So do your friends know about this?"
Konna's eyes widened and she gave Videl a look of near-fury. "Absolutely not. And they won't find out about it, either."
Videl knew Konna probably did not mean to come across as so abrasive but, still, she found herself acting defensive in return.
"Well I'm sure not saying anything." She shot back. "But don't your parents know?"
Konna's eyes were downcast immediately. "Yes. And they also know it's over." Then a nervous, almost eerie laugh proceeded from her the next moment. "Yeah, that was a fun little conversation."
Videl walked a little closer and stood only a foot away. "How so?"
Konna rubbed her hand on her head in an obviously nervous outlet of energy. "They were shocked. Dad was downright angry. Mom was confused. Goten's clueless. He just knows not to breathe a word of anything to…anyone."
"Your dad's angry at you?" Videl asked, not remembering her father well enough to know if he was the overbearing type.
"Not at me, exactly. Just at the idea of Piccolo being alone again." She opened the door and started walking away.
"What's it to him if Piccolo's alone?" She asked.
Konna had to stop and turn to look at Videl. "I don't think you get how involved Piccolo is…was in our lives. My dad considers him one of his very good friends."
"Gotcha." Videl answered. "So what's really bugging you is that you think breaking up with Piccolo has ruined his connection with the whole family?"
The rise at the end of the sentence made it more of a question than a statement. Konna only shrugged offhandedly. "No. It bothers me. But Videl, he's been in my life for thirteen years. Don't you see? I don't know how to live without him. I love him. I always have. I'm in love with him and I always will be. But we're too different to be together. That's why I'm not myself now."
"If you're not yourself then who are you?" Videl asked, intending for it to be funny and lighthearted.
Konna stopped and looked Videl squarely in the eyes. She was serious as a heart attack. Her demeanor was rigid and abrupt.
"That's the scary part. I don't know." She said, looking up toward the sky and closing her eyes for several seconds. When she looked back at Videl she seemed more sad than Videl had ever seen her.
"Without Piccolo I really don't know who I am. He's such a big part of me that I don't feel whole." She explained. "If I am North he's my South. He is my other half and I don't know how to live without him yet. I hope I can figure it out."
Videl watched as Konna began walking away and toward the stadium. She followed after her in silent contemplation. Videl had never loved someone in that way, so totally and all-consuming. How could Konna honestly mean what she was saying? It wasn't possible to need someone that much. Surely. Otherwise, breakups and crushes would kill people. No one would ever survive dating.
Videl stayed on the lookout for Piccolo throughout the tournament but never caught a glimpse of him. As she stood alongside Konna with her family and friends in the temple between matches she noticed the way everyone picked up on Goku's silence. He would jabber when talked to or smile when necessary but otherwise he and Konna remained against the walls close by each other. Both just staring at the ground or around the room aimlessly.
She felt her heart jump in her throat when she heard the short man with black hair ask: "So where's Piccolo? I figured he would be here."
Videl watched both Goku and Konna look like the grim reaper had showed up to carry them away to the afterlife. Goku was the first to recover and he said carefully: "I don't think he's coming, Krillin."
Krillin shrugged and did not press the issue with him. Later though the man with spiky black hair, who oddly referred to Goku as Kakarot, eyed Konna carefully and waited for Goku to have his turn in the ring to ask her about Piccolo.
Videl had not left Konna for more than a few minutes the whole afternoon. Aside from when the two were in the ring in other fights there were together. She was silent and seemed deep in thought but at least she was not doing anything stupid or harmful. Videl had worried that such a bad experience might make her do something to hurt herself.
She waved that thought aside quickly. She knew Konna well enough to believe her incapable of self detriment. She was a smart, beautiful girl who would eventually get over this.
"So where's your Namek at, girl?" He asked.
When the man with spiky hair began talking Videl did not realize at first that he meant Piccolo. She didn't recognize the term "namek" but eventually put the pieces together from the conversation.
"I don't know, Vegeta." Konna answered.
The man grumbled something and then stated more than asked: "So you two had a fight then?"
"It's none of your business." Konna spat back at him.
Vegeta smirked at her. "Did you blast him into outer world? That would have been a good fight to see."
Konna pushed herself off the wall and began walking away. The man didn't follow her but Videl stayed close at hand. She walked behind Konna for several minutes while she made her way up the stairs, out of the temple, and walked along one of the railways. There were several people up there walking from stand to stand or trying to get a bird's eye view of the stadium.
"I needed out of there." She said quietly and stopped only for a moment to lean against the railing. There was at least a hundred foot drop on the other side. Small crowds of people passed by as she looked into the stadium below.
"Did you know I'm stronger than my dad?" Konna asked her.
Videl looked puzzled for a minute at the strange topic. "No. That's…cool."
Konna smiled wistfully. "I know this might scare you but, as far as we know, I'm the strongest person on the planet."
Videl's eyes bugged and she looked over at Konna seriously. "And my dad…he didn't beat Cell did he?"
Konna again had to laugh at her for her charming display of bluntness. "No, he didn't. My dad did."
Videl gulped and nervously drummed her finger on the metal rail. "I kinda figured dad didn't do it. I've had my suspicions for a while. But your dad…I didn't see that one coming."
"No, I guess you wouldn't. We try and stay secretive." Konna turned and began walking again.
"So if your stronger than your dad why didn't you beat him?" Videl asked. She couldn't help that her voice was laced with curiosity.
"Because I died and dad was the only one able to do it." Konna said so matter-of-factly that Videl had to stop and stutter.
"D-Died. As in dead. Like ashes to ashes?" She asked.
"Yes. I died and I was wished back with the Dragonballs." Konna turned and tried to give her friend a smile. "Piccolo went to fetch me and helped bring me back to life. I owe him…so much."
Her smile faded and she turned back around to start walking away again. She was making her way through the crowd with Videl not far behind when something happened. There seemed to be a leery silence that fell over them all. Videl didn't realize it at first and nearly walked directly into Konna's back. She had stopped in mid-footstep and was not moving.
Videl started to make her way around Konna, thinking perhaps she was about to step in something on the ground. But in front of her were two men looking, well, disgusting. They were bulky with muscles and their foreheads were tattooed with a matching "M".
At first she thought they were looking at her but she realized they were eyeing Konna. They had a large white contraption in their hands that Videl did not recognize, a jug maybe. The two had been in the tournament already. She recognized their faces but could not remember their names. Milovich and Yamu…something like that.
There were two other men far behind them that they could see. Men with pointed ears, strange clothes, and very odd skin colors. One was very tall and one was very short, the shorter one Videl also recognized from the tournament. He was called Shin. She remembered because he had gone up to face Konna and forfeited his turn against her.
She had been very impressive and, at the time, Videl figured she was just too intimidating for the little man to handle. But now he was looking on them expectantly. She thought at first all of them were somehow together and blocking their way. But the closer she looked the more she got the distinct impression that the strange, ugly "M" fighters did not even realize the others were behind them.
The next thing happened so fast she could not react to it. First, Konna began powering up. Videl only knew this because she recognized the way her hair would turn from jet black to blonde. She had only seen it happen once but it always impressed her.
Once Konna did this the two men jumped toward her at the same moment. Videl wanted to help. She tried. But before she knew what had happened Konna picked her up and tossed her far over the railing and toward the stadium ring below. The first thought running through her mind was that she was going to die.
Then a wave of heat and blast of fiery wind shot her even faster down toward the unforgiving concrete. It made coherent thought nearly impossible and she let out a scream of fear in her panic. She was spinning nearly out of control now and flailing her arms around wildly despite her intensive training to always stay calm. It felt like someone had lit a match behind her and a propane tank had exploded. And just like a rocket she shot off and was now at the mercy of gravity.
She didn't think about why Konna had done that. She didn't question her friend's motives or attempt to somehow look back toward her. All Videl did was concentrate as hard as she could to make her ki surround her. She had practiced so much the past few months that she was flying, in her opinion, very well. She would never be as agile or fast as Konna could but she could out-fly a small plane on her good days.
She finally found the will and concentration needed to pull herself forward and stop mid-air. She knew she had just terrified about half a million people with the display but that didn't concern her. As soon as she had her bearings straight she flipped herself right-side up and stared unbelievingly up at the spot she had just come from.
The entire top of the stadium in that section had exploded. Something, someone, somehow had taken out the highest three rows and at least thirty feet of concrete in all directions. She could smell the smoke and could hear the crowd's shouts of alarm and fear. There were still sparks and small fires trying to be put out by the people that remained too close.
It was chaos for several seconds and Videl couldn't wrap her mind around the concept that she and Konna had just been standing in that very spot. There were burnt bodies of the audience laying on the outskirts of the ring of black, most dead but some still vainly struggling to get up and away. But anything closer was completely gone. Not even dust or ash was left behind.
Videl's mind went into overdrive the next minute as she flew closer to the epicenter of the destructive blast. She knew it without actually knowing. That had been the spot Konna was standing in. Videl somehow couldn't seem to draw breath. Her face and chest was heaving in and out but she couldn't feel any air getting through. Her face and chest felt flushed and on fire. Her whole body went into a cold sweat.
"Konna." She whispered as she landed on the blackened parts of the walkway still intact.
All around her medical personnel and fire safety workers were doing their jobs. Below her the tournament had been postponed and the fights all stopped and put on hold. She wondered in her mind about why Konna had used those last crucial seconds to save her life and throw her down toward the ring. She wondered if Konna had known what was going to happen or that she would die because she had taken the time to save her friend.
Videl dropped to her knees and felt the tears come up from deep inside her. There was an ache already forming in her chest from knowing that Konna could not possibly have survived that kind of explosion. And worse of all Konna had used her last few moment of life to send Videl plummeting toward her salvation.
"Konna!" Videl bellowed loudly, then her voice trailed off into a sob that caught her body by surprise. She had never cried so hard in her life.
In fact, she could not even remember the last time she had cried. Now she couldn't seem to cry enough.
How pathetic.
Evil of me? At least I updated quickly.
And in case you didn't notice I am completely altering the DBZ timeline…yet again. I hope you enjoy it.
Please readers, tell me what you think. I want your feedback in a review, PM, email, telegraph…smoke signal. Whatever. I just really want to know what you think so far. I'm afraid my new addiction to my stats page might not bode well for you. Now that I know more people are reading this than I ever imagined I really want you guess to tell me something about the story. Even if it's something you would change or even hate about the story! Give me constructive criticism.
Until next time pals. Thanks for humoring me with your indulgence. I appreciate it more than I can express.
Ciáo
~Amiko-san