The Difference between Love and Lust part 8
Disclaimer: Yeah yeah yeah we all know what this says. I don't own DBZ never have never will. Do I make any money from these fics? No. Do I love DBZ? Yes! Anyway not that we are finished with that. Lets get on to the real fun. The fic. :
Only a soft hum broke the complete silence of the dark gravity room. Vegita stood unmoving within the shadows. His arms where crossed over his chest in his usual regal pose but his head was bowed and his eyes where closed in thought. A deep frown burned over his brow as he stood in the dark and silence. His goal had escaped him yet again and somehow that did not matter. A great devouring void had entered his chest causing a pain and longing stronger then that of achieving Super Saiyajin. This new hunger confused and disturbed him. In the past he had been able to destroy all other emotions that entered his heart keeping them from clouding his vision. The only three that he had ever allowed to remain had been hatred, anger, and fear. But this new emotion he could not erase from his soul no matter how hard he tried. Every day it seemed to grow, distracting him from his training keeping him from his sleep. And it all seemed to revolve around that annoying woman Bulma.
Vegita's lips twisted into a snarl as visions of the blue haired hellion suddenly flooded his thoughts unbidden. He could not continue like this! He must find a way to destroy this hunger but how? How could he fight something he did not know?
Suddenly his black eyes opened a diabolical glimmer in their shadowy depths. Of course that was the solution. He would learn more of this emotion and how to overcome it. First he must learn what this emotion was called. Turning off the gravity machine he left the training room a small confident smile forming on his lips. Soon he would be free of this distraction.
As he stepped out of the gravity room he tripped over a rock stumbling to catch his balance only served to speed his fall to the ground. Laying face first in the dirt Vegita groaned he seemed to have lost all sense of balance. All day long he had been bungling around with as much grace as that baka Kakorrot. "What the hell is wrong with me?!"
Bulma sighed as she sat back in her chair. Rubbing her eyes, she looked over at the half repaired training robot. Keeping up with Vegita's destruction was not easy. If she wasn't repairing robots or the Gravity Room, she was replacing furniture and walls. She had learned long ago not to let the Gravity room be down from more then a day after a restless Vegita had loosed his frustration on the living room leaving everything a smoking rubble.
A loud thud followed by an angry curse interrupted Bulma's thoughts. "Now what is he up to?" Bulma muttered as she went to investigate. She found him in the library buried under a pile of books. Shattered pieces of wood that where once a bookshelf lay scattered about him. Bulma moaned leaning heavily against the door frame. "What in the name of Kami do you think you're doing!?" Bulma yelled at the fallen warrior.
Vegita grunted as he pulled himself out from under the books and stood only to stumble over a small stack of books. Bulma gasped in surprise as she watched him stagger backwards struggling to keep his balance only to fall back into the pile of books he had just escaped. She hurried over to his side suddenly worried that he might be ill. She lifted an open book off his face and gasped at the look of frustration and rage painted over it. "Are you okay?"
"Of course I am!" he snapped not even turning his head to look at her. He had apparently given up on trying to rise to his feet. Instead he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the ceiling with enough rage to burn the whole room down.
Bulma bit her lip in confusion trying to understand what was going on with him. Reaching out her hand she placed it on his brow still worried she would find it hot with fever. He jerked away his eye falling on her wide with utter shock. "Oh get over yourself." Bulma scolded putting her hand back on his forehead. Her hand shock a little as her skin touched his. A memory from her dream flitted up from somewhere deep in her mind and she could almost feel the warm touch of his lips on hers again. "Hmm you don't feel like you have a fever."
"Why on earth would I have a fever?" He snarled glaring at her but amazingly not pulling away from her touch again.
Bulma smiled as she began to lift a few more of the books off his prone body a soft blush touching her cheeks as she wondered if he was as good a kisser as in her dreams. "Well you have been acting very weird today. Besides falling over your own feet six times since breakfast you have also been strangely agreeable."
"How nice of you to notice." He muttered his voice dripping with sarcasm as he resumed his angry stare at the ceiling.
Bulma clenched her fist in frustration just about ready to give up on him. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. "Are you sure your okay?"
"I said yes! Are you deaf or just too stupid to understand? Now stop pestering me, woman!"
"Well excuse me for worrying about you!" Bulma yelled her own anger growing quicky. She crossed her arms unconsciously imitating the man before her.
They sat there in silence for a moment Bulma glaring at Vegita, Vegita glaring at the ceiling. It was then Bulma felt something soft and warm wrap around her ankle. Looking down in curiosity she let loose a sudden scream. Vegita leapt up into the air and Bulma cried out again as she was dragged up along with him by her leg. She felt a painful tingle run threw her as the Saiyajin warrior powered up preparing to protect himself from whatever had frightened her.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Bulma screamed at him from where she hung upside down. Vegita's tail unwound quickly from her ankle letting her drop in a painful heap on the ground. She leapt to her feet to confront the astonished prince.
"Where did THAT come from?!" she yelled pointing at the furry appendage as it wrapped around Vegita's waist. A sick feeling filling her stomach as she realized what the return of his tail could bode for Goku.
"Well that explains some things" Vegita muttered before landing back on the floor. Bending down he picked up a book from the floor and began to thumb through it. "You may leave me now." He waved Bulma away completely dismissing her presence.
Anger flashed through Bulma as she watched him. How could he so carelessly accept the return of his tail? If she had grown a tail over night, she would have been shocked. She shuddered remembering the feeling of it wrapped around her ankle almost like a soft tickling caress. "Don't you EVER touch me with that... that THING again! Do you hear me?!" She yelled
Slowly his head turned till his eyes meet hers. "If not controlled consciously, the tail has a mind of it's own. Trust me woman, if I had realized that it had grown back I would never have allowed it to be so defiled as to have touched you."
Pure rage filled her entire being as she glared into the calm face of the saiyajin prince. A small smile curled the corners of his lips. 'Arrrgg, he's doing this on purpose!' Bulma though and purposely got her anger under control. She would be damned if she let this bastard get to her. How could she even have entertained the thought of kissing the jerk?! Thank Kami he had returned to his normal annoying self to remind her why she hated his guts.
Turning she stormed out of the room before he could bait her again. Leaving him to whatever mess he was making in the library.
Vegita watched her go, a sudden disappointment rushing through him. Damn he had wanted a good fight. He needed one right now. He threw down the book in his hands reducing it to ash moments later with a well-aimed ki blast. What was the point of reference books that gave meanings to words but not words to meanings? His frustration had just about reached its peak when he had tripped over a pile of books he had stacked on the floor during his search. He had tried to steady himself by grabbing onto the bookcase only to pull it down on top of himself. To compound the insult to the injury that woman had to walk in and find him like that. He glared down at his tail that was now wrapped snugly around his waist. "Traitor" he hissed at it.
A shiver ran through him as he remembered how his tail had found its way around that woman's ankle. Tail twining was a sign of affection among mated saiyajins. What in the name of Kami was his tail doing twining around her! He forced his mind from such thoughts deciding instead to concentrate on his search. He was sure that this to had something to do with that strange emotion that was eating away at him. The answer however would not be found in these worthless books. He would have to ask someone. But who?
Kakorrot was, of course, out of the question. He could not admit this weakness to his greatest foe. And his mate was just as bad if not worse. Not only would she tell Kakorrot anything he told her she would also tell it to Bulma. And that he defiantly did not want. So that excluded Bulma as well. Bulma's mate was an imbecile and completely lacking in any sense. And thought Gohan was smart thanks to the constant studying that Kakorrot's annoying mate forced upon him, he was too young to understand this thing. Piccolo would be a good choice but he would probably be as confused at the emotion as him perhaps even more so. So who did that leave?
Suddenly a smirk found its way on Vegita's face. Of course he would surly know.
Yamcha stood in the midst of the most wondrous garden he had ever dreamed of. Flowers of every color and description where placed in carefully tended rows beneath branches heavy with fragrant blossoms. The path he was standing on decocted with a breathtaking mosaic of intertwining dragons and lead to a pillared shelter. Thick vines being purple and blue blossoms shadowed the interior but Yamcha could make out the figure of a woman standing between two pillars. Frowning he began to walk toward her.
She was dressed in a long flowing white gown that seemed to dance about her in a nonexistent wind. Her long red hair was pulled back and woven into a flaming rope that fell down to drag behind her on the marble floor. Soft golden wings arched from her slim back the soft feathers shimmering as they caught the suns light. He could not quite see her face as she was turned slightly away from him and her head was bowed. He looked over her shoulder and watched in fascination as long delicate fingers moved over the velvet petals of a golden rose in a light caress.
"Welcome to my garden Yamcha." Her voice was as soft and gentle but touched with sadness. She turned to face him and Yamcha's breath died in his throat. Her beauty was flawless and of a purity beyond that of newly fallen snow. Deep golden eyes shined with a soft tenderness with a touch of mystery as if inviting him to search them for secrets only she could ever know. And soft full lips promised the sweetest of kisses if one could ever be found worthy of such paradise. Yet Yamcha felt nothing but the purest of admiration for the woman.
He gazed in wonder upon her perfect untouchable beauty till he realized he had stopped breathing he blushed as he gasped for a quick breath of air. "Who.. Who are you?"
She smiled softly stunning him as her face seemed to shin with a soft golden light. "Whom do you think I am?"
"You have to be a Goddess." He whispered breathlessly.
"Yes." He voice was so calm as she admitted to such an impossibility.
"I... I must be dreaming." Yamcha stuttered still completely captivated by her beauty.
"Yes you are. My garden lays in the land of dreams." She reached up to tuck the golden rose behind his ear. "I have brought you here for a reason Yamcha. There is something I must ask of you."
Yamcha blinked in surprise wondering what a god could want of him. "You need my help?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yes. I need your help. But understand what I will ask of you will not be easy. It will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do. No danger you will ever face will compare to this task."
"I would do anything for you." He said knowing in his heart it was true. He could deny her nothing. Not because of her beauty, thought her beauty was beyond compare, but something deeper in his soul that told him it was right to do as she asked.
A soft smile touched her lips at his words. "You are a good man Yamcha. Good men do the most wondrous things in my name. The saddest truth of reality is that few people appreciate it when they do." She reached up to touch Yamcha's cheek. "But I know and I always remember. Come with me. I must show you something." Turning she led him into the shelter.
There in the center stood a gilded cage atop a marble pillar. Within it sat a bird of beauty that seemed a close reflection of the goddess at his side. Its feathers where a soft sky blue banded with gold and tipped with lavender. A glorious cascade of feathers twice as long as its body made that birds elegant tail and a crest of white and lavender plumes graced its head.
"She is truly beautiful. Is she not?" Her voice held a sadness to it that touched his heart deeply.
Yamcha nodded. "She is an incredible creature."
"Her song is the most beautiful sound. It is so soft so pure it is almost painful to listen to. It makes even me weep. But she does not sing."
"Why?"
"She has a spirit as strong as the sea and as eternal. No creature like that can live in a cage. No soul can sing when it is not free."
Yamcha stepped forward, bending to look more closely at the bird. As he neared the cage he heard an angry hiss from above. Looking up he saw a dark bird perched in the vines above. It spread its wings as it puffed out its chest proudly displaying its size and beauty. Its feathers where as dark as midnight banded with red and tipped with silver. The undersides of its wings where a stunning display of purple, blue and silver. A long graceful tail of dark blue and purple fathers grew to a length three times its body and a silver and purple crest formed a crown on its head.
"Never mind him. He's overly protective of her." The goddess sighed as she shook her head at the other birds arrogant display.
Yamcha nodded stepping back away from the cage anyway just to be safe. He would hate to have his eyes peeked out. "Why don't you just let her out of her cage?" He asked turning back to the Goddess.
"I cannot." She hung her head in sorrow. "I do not have the key. But you do."
Yamcha looked down at his closed fist seeing small rays of light escaping between his fingers. Slowly opening his hand, he stared in shock. There laying in his palm was a golden key.
He looked up at the goddess and she nodded smiling encouragingly. Yamcha moved to the cage and place the key in the small lock. He felt an intense pain in his chest as he slowly turned the key. The door feel open and he steeped back a tear sliding down his cheek. He was letting the bird go even though he wanted to keep her forever.
The bird just sat huddled against the bars of her cage staring blankly at him. "What's wrong? Why won't she fly away?"
"She has been in there so long she is afraid. The world to her seems very large and threatening. Although she longs for freedom, she is too frightened to take it. She is terrified of being alone."
Yamcha looked up at the dark bird in the shadows. "But he's waiting for her. He will take care of her."
"Yes. But she does not know that."
Sighing Yamcha reached into the cage and gently took the bird into his hands. Lifting her out he held her for a moment his fingers running lightly over her soft blue feathers feeling how silky they were. Gently he tossed her into the air watching as she flapped her gorgeous wings as her instincts told her to fly. She did not fly far however as she landed on the top of her cage and began to coo softly in fear and confusion.
Yamcha moved forward reaching out wanting to comfort the frightened bird but a sudden violent flash of dark feathers drove him back. The second bird landed on the cage and turned to face him his wings flared out in an angry threat as he hissed venometly at Yamcha. When he was satisfied at Yamcha's retreat, he folded his wings and turned to the other bird. Slowly silently the dark bird inched toward the lighter one siding up to her cautiously. She lifted her head and looked at him and hissed threateningly. He stood his approach and began to preen seeming to have forgotten about the female for a moment.
"She is stubborn." The goddess sighed a soft smile playing on her lips. Yamcha only nodded still struggling to swallow the pain in his chest. He felt a gentle hand on his wrist and looked down into the eternal golden depths of her eyes. "Do not fear. I will not forsake you."
Yamcha nodded slowly before returning his gaze to the bird. The male had again begun to sneak toward the female his head turned away to stare intently up at the vines above. Yamcha couldn't help but smile as the female carried out with her threat and pecked the approaching male. The dark bird spun to face her and began to shriek loudly in annoyance his wings spreading slightly. The female turned from him pretending to ignore his anger and began to preen herself as he had earlier. The male stood there as if in shock his crest raised and wings partially spread. Finally he folded his wings and turned his back on her making a small muttering nosie. Yamcha chuckled despite his heart ache. "They deserve each other." He admitted seeing how stubborn they both were.
The goddess smiled softly taking his hands and turned him to face her. Yamcha blinked as the world seemed to swim about him. Distantly he could hear a bird begin to sing. Its song eased the pain in his heart making him feel whole again even as hot tears ran freely from his eyes.
"I am sorry Yamcha but it is time for you to go." The goddess's soft voice seemed to become part of the bird's song so liquid where the tones of both their voices. "Promise me you will remember what I have asked of you. Promise me."
His vision became blurred and began to darken. He tightened his grip on her hands but still he began to slip away. "Promise me Yamcha." She pleaded softly as her hands slipped from his grip.
"I promise." He whispered struggling to stay with her. "Just tell me. What is your name?"
Her last words reached across the void that had rose between them. "I am Love."
Yamcha gasped in shock as he jerked awake. Icy cold water rained down stinging his skin. With a pain-filled cry he leapt from the shower. Slipping on the wet floor, he fell hard on his rear. "Ouch!"
Standing he rubbed his bruised behind. A feeling of confusion settling over him as he turned to look at his reflection in the mirror. "I must have fallen asleep. Man what a strange dream!"
Disclaimer: Yeah yeah yeah we all know what this says. I don't own DBZ never have never will. Do I make any money from these fics? No. Do I love DBZ? Yes! Anyway not that we are finished with that. Lets get on to the real fun. The fic. :
Only a soft hum broke the complete silence of the dark gravity room. Vegita stood unmoving within the shadows. His arms where crossed over his chest in his usual regal pose but his head was bowed and his eyes where closed in thought. A deep frown burned over his brow as he stood in the dark and silence. His goal had escaped him yet again and somehow that did not matter. A great devouring void had entered his chest causing a pain and longing stronger then that of achieving Super Saiyajin. This new hunger confused and disturbed him. In the past he had been able to destroy all other emotions that entered his heart keeping them from clouding his vision. The only three that he had ever allowed to remain had been hatred, anger, and fear. But this new emotion he could not erase from his soul no matter how hard he tried. Every day it seemed to grow, distracting him from his training keeping him from his sleep. And it all seemed to revolve around that annoying woman Bulma.
Vegita's lips twisted into a snarl as visions of the blue haired hellion suddenly flooded his thoughts unbidden. He could not continue like this! He must find a way to destroy this hunger but how? How could he fight something he did not know?
Suddenly his black eyes opened a diabolical glimmer in their shadowy depths. Of course that was the solution. He would learn more of this emotion and how to overcome it. First he must learn what this emotion was called. Turning off the gravity machine he left the training room a small confident smile forming on his lips. Soon he would be free of this distraction.
As he stepped out of the gravity room he tripped over a rock stumbling to catch his balance only served to speed his fall to the ground. Laying face first in the dirt Vegita groaned he seemed to have lost all sense of balance. All day long he had been bungling around with as much grace as that baka Kakorrot. "What the hell is wrong with me?!"
Bulma sighed as she sat back in her chair. Rubbing her eyes, she looked over at the half repaired training robot. Keeping up with Vegita's destruction was not easy. If she wasn't repairing robots or the Gravity Room, she was replacing furniture and walls. She had learned long ago not to let the Gravity room be down from more then a day after a restless Vegita had loosed his frustration on the living room leaving everything a smoking rubble.
A loud thud followed by an angry curse interrupted Bulma's thoughts. "Now what is he up to?" Bulma muttered as she went to investigate. She found him in the library buried under a pile of books. Shattered pieces of wood that where once a bookshelf lay scattered about him. Bulma moaned leaning heavily against the door frame. "What in the name of Kami do you think you're doing!?" Bulma yelled at the fallen warrior.
Vegita grunted as he pulled himself out from under the books and stood only to stumble over a small stack of books. Bulma gasped in surprise as she watched him stagger backwards struggling to keep his balance only to fall back into the pile of books he had just escaped. She hurried over to his side suddenly worried that he might be ill. She lifted an open book off his face and gasped at the look of frustration and rage painted over it. "Are you okay?"
"Of course I am!" he snapped not even turning his head to look at her. He had apparently given up on trying to rise to his feet. Instead he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the ceiling with enough rage to burn the whole room down.
Bulma bit her lip in confusion trying to understand what was going on with him. Reaching out her hand she placed it on his brow still worried she would find it hot with fever. He jerked away his eye falling on her wide with utter shock. "Oh get over yourself." Bulma scolded putting her hand back on his forehead. Her hand shock a little as her skin touched his. A memory from her dream flitted up from somewhere deep in her mind and she could almost feel the warm touch of his lips on hers again. "Hmm you don't feel like you have a fever."
"Why on earth would I have a fever?" He snarled glaring at her but amazingly not pulling away from her touch again.
Bulma smiled as she began to lift a few more of the books off his prone body a soft blush touching her cheeks as she wondered if he was as good a kisser as in her dreams. "Well you have been acting very weird today. Besides falling over your own feet six times since breakfast you have also been strangely agreeable."
"How nice of you to notice." He muttered his voice dripping with sarcasm as he resumed his angry stare at the ceiling.
Bulma clenched her fist in frustration just about ready to give up on him. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. "Are you sure your okay?"
"I said yes! Are you deaf or just too stupid to understand? Now stop pestering me, woman!"
"Well excuse me for worrying about you!" Bulma yelled her own anger growing quicky. She crossed her arms unconsciously imitating the man before her.
They sat there in silence for a moment Bulma glaring at Vegita, Vegita glaring at the ceiling. It was then Bulma felt something soft and warm wrap around her ankle. Looking down in curiosity she let loose a sudden scream. Vegita leapt up into the air and Bulma cried out again as she was dragged up along with him by her leg. She felt a painful tingle run threw her as the Saiyajin warrior powered up preparing to protect himself from whatever had frightened her.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Bulma screamed at him from where she hung upside down. Vegita's tail unwound quickly from her ankle letting her drop in a painful heap on the ground. She leapt to her feet to confront the astonished prince.
"Where did THAT come from?!" she yelled pointing at the furry appendage as it wrapped around Vegita's waist. A sick feeling filling her stomach as she realized what the return of his tail could bode for Goku.
"Well that explains some things" Vegita muttered before landing back on the floor. Bending down he picked up a book from the floor and began to thumb through it. "You may leave me now." He waved Bulma away completely dismissing her presence.
Anger flashed through Bulma as she watched him. How could he so carelessly accept the return of his tail? If she had grown a tail over night, she would have been shocked. She shuddered remembering the feeling of it wrapped around her ankle almost like a soft tickling caress. "Don't you EVER touch me with that... that THING again! Do you hear me?!" She yelled
Slowly his head turned till his eyes meet hers. "If not controlled consciously, the tail has a mind of it's own. Trust me woman, if I had realized that it had grown back I would never have allowed it to be so defiled as to have touched you."
Pure rage filled her entire being as she glared into the calm face of the saiyajin prince. A small smile curled the corners of his lips. 'Arrrgg, he's doing this on purpose!' Bulma though and purposely got her anger under control. She would be damned if she let this bastard get to her. How could she even have entertained the thought of kissing the jerk?! Thank Kami he had returned to his normal annoying self to remind her why she hated his guts.
Turning she stormed out of the room before he could bait her again. Leaving him to whatever mess he was making in the library.
Vegita watched her go, a sudden disappointment rushing through him. Damn he had wanted a good fight. He needed one right now. He threw down the book in his hands reducing it to ash moments later with a well-aimed ki blast. What was the point of reference books that gave meanings to words but not words to meanings? His frustration had just about reached its peak when he had tripped over a pile of books he had stacked on the floor during his search. He had tried to steady himself by grabbing onto the bookcase only to pull it down on top of himself. To compound the insult to the injury that woman had to walk in and find him like that. He glared down at his tail that was now wrapped snugly around his waist. "Traitor" he hissed at it.
A shiver ran through him as he remembered how his tail had found its way around that woman's ankle. Tail twining was a sign of affection among mated saiyajins. What in the name of Kami was his tail doing twining around her! He forced his mind from such thoughts deciding instead to concentrate on his search. He was sure that this to had something to do with that strange emotion that was eating away at him. The answer however would not be found in these worthless books. He would have to ask someone. But who?
Kakorrot was, of course, out of the question. He could not admit this weakness to his greatest foe. And his mate was just as bad if not worse. Not only would she tell Kakorrot anything he told her she would also tell it to Bulma. And that he defiantly did not want. So that excluded Bulma as well. Bulma's mate was an imbecile and completely lacking in any sense. And thought Gohan was smart thanks to the constant studying that Kakorrot's annoying mate forced upon him, he was too young to understand this thing. Piccolo would be a good choice but he would probably be as confused at the emotion as him perhaps even more so. So who did that leave?
Suddenly a smirk found its way on Vegita's face. Of course he would surly know.
Yamcha stood in the midst of the most wondrous garden he had ever dreamed of. Flowers of every color and description where placed in carefully tended rows beneath branches heavy with fragrant blossoms. The path he was standing on decocted with a breathtaking mosaic of intertwining dragons and lead to a pillared shelter. Thick vines being purple and blue blossoms shadowed the interior but Yamcha could make out the figure of a woman standing between two pillars. Frowning he began to walk toward her.
She was dressed in a long flowing white gown that seemed to dance about her in a nonexistent wind. Her long red hair was pulled back and woven into a flaming rope that fell down to drag behind her on the marble floor. Soft golden wings arched from her slim back the soft feathers shimmering as they caught the suns light. He could not quite see her face as she was turned slightly away from him and her head was bowed. He looked over her shoulder and watched in fascination as long delicate fingers moved over the velvet petals of a golden rose in a light caress.
"Welcome to my garden Yamcha." Her voice was as soft and gentle but touched with sadness. She turned to face him and Yamcha's breath died in his throat. Her beauty was flawless and of a purity beyond that of newly fallen snow. Deep golden eyes shined with a soft tenderness with a touch of mystery as if inviting him to search them for secrets only she could ever know. And soft full lips promised the sweetest of kisses if one could ever be found worthy of such paradise. Yet Yamcha felt nothing but the purest of admiration for the woman.
He gazed in wonder upon her perfect untouchable beauty till he realized he had stopped breathing he blushed as he gasped for a quick breath of air. "Who.. Who are you?"
She smiled softly stunning him as her face seemed to shin with a soft golden light. "Whom do you think I am?"
"You have to be a Goddess." He whispered breathlessly.
"Yes." He voice was so calm as she admitted to such an impossibility.
"I... I must be dreaming." Yamcha stuttered still completely captivated by her beauty.
"Yes you are. My garden lays in the land of dreams." She reached up to tuck the golden rose behind his ear. "I have brought you here for a reason Yamcha. There is something I must ask of you."
Yamcha blinked in surprise wondering what a god could want of him. "You need my help?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yes. I need your help. But understand what I will ask of you will not be easy. It will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do. No danger you will ever face will compare to this task."
"I would do anything for you." He said knowing in his heart it was true. He could deny her nothing. Not because of her beauty, thought her beauty was beyond compare, but something deeper in his soul that told him it was right to do as she asked.
A soft smile touched her lips at his words. "You are a good man Yamcha. Good men do the most wondrous things in my name. The saddest truth of reality is that few people appreciate it when they do." She reached up to touch Yamcha's cheek. "But I know and I always remember. Come with me. I must show you something." Turning she led him into the shelter.
There in the center stood a gilded cage atop a marble pillar. Within it sat a bird of beauty that seemed a close reflection of the goddess at his side. Its feathers where a soft sky blue banded with gold and tipped with lavender. A glorious cascade of feathers twice as long as its body made that birds elegant tail and a crest of white and lavender plumes graced its head.
"She is truly beautiful. Is she not?" Her voice held a sadness to it that touched his heart deeply.
Yamcha nodded. "She is an incredible creature."
"Her song is the most beautiful sound. It is so soft so pure it is almost painful to listen to. It makes even me weep. But she does not sing."
"Why?"
"She has a spirit as strong as the sea and as eternal. No creature like that can live in a cage. No soul can sing when it is not free."
Yamcha stepped forward, bending to look more closely at the bird. As he neared the cage he heard an angry hiss from above. Looking up he saw a dark bird perched in the vines above. It spread its wings as it puffed out its chest proudly displaying its size and beauty. Its feathers where as dark as midnight banded with red and tipped with silver. The undersides of its wings where a stunning display of purple, blue and silver. A long graceful tail of dark blue and purple fathers grew to a length three times its body and a silver and purple crest formed a crown on its head.
"Never mind him. He's overly protective of her." The goddess sighed as she shook her head at the other birds arrogant display.
Yamcha nodded stepping back away from the cage anyway just to be safe. He would hate to have his eyes peeked out. "Why don't you just let her out of her cage?" He asked turning back to the Goddess.
"I cannot." She hung her head in sorrow. "I do not have the key. But you do."
Yamcha looked down at his closed fist seeing small rays of light escaping between his fingers. Slowly opening his hand, he stared in shock. There laying in his palm was a golden key.
He looked up at the goddess and she nodded smiling encouragingly. Yamcha moved to the cage and place the key in the small lock. He felt an intense pain in his chest as he slowly turned the key. The door feel open and he steeped back a tear sliding down his cheek. He was letting the bird go even though he wanted to keep her forever.
The bird just sat huddled against the bars of her cage staring blankly at him. "What's wrong? Why won't she fly away?"
"She has been in there so long she is afraid. The world to her seems very large and threatening. Although she longs for freedom, she is too frightened to take it. She is terrified of being alone."
Yamcha looked up at the dark bird in the shadows. "But he's waiting for her. He will take care of her."
"Yes. But she does not know that."
Sighing Yamcha reached into the cage and gently took the bird into his hands. Lifting her out he held her for a moment his fingers running lightly over her soft blue feathers feeling how silky they were. Gently he tossed her into the air watching as she flapped her gorgeous wings as her instincts told her to fly. She did not fly far however as she landed on the top of her cage and began to coo softly in fear and confusion.
Yamcha moved forward reaching out wanting to comfort the frightened bird but a sudden violent flash of dark feathers drove him back. The second bird landed on the cage and turned to face him his wings flared out in an angry threat as he hissed venometly at Yamcha. When he was satisfied at Yamcha's retreat, he folded his wings and turned to the other bird. Slowly silently the dark bird inched toward the lighter one siding up to her cautiously. She lifted her head and looked at him and hissed threateningly. He stood his approach and began to preen seeming to have forgotten about the female for a moment.
"She is stubborn." The goddess sighed a soft smile playing on her lips. Yamcha only nodded still struggling to swallow the pain in his chest. He felt a gentle hand on his wrist and looked down into the eternal golden depths of her eyes. "Do not fear. I will not forsake you."
Yamcha nodded slowly before returning his gaze to the bird. The male had again begun to sneak toward the female his head turned away to stare intently up at the vines above. Yamcha couldn't help but smile as the female carried out with her threat and pecked the approaching male. The dark bird spun to face her and began to shriek loudly in annoyance his wings spreading slightly. The female turned from him pretending to ignore his anger and began to preen herself as he had earlier. The male stood there as if in shock his crest raised and wings partially spread. Finally he folded his wings and turned his back on her making a small muttering nosie. Yamcha chuckled despite his heart ache. "They deserve each other." He admitted seeing how stubborn they both were.
The goddess smiled softly taking his hands and turned him to face her. Yamcha blinked as the world seemed to swim about him. Distantly he could hear a bird begin to sing. Its song eased the pain in his heart making him feel whole again even as hot tears ran freely from his eyes.
"I am sorry Yamcha but it is time for you to go." The goddess's soft voice seemed to become part of the bird's song so liquid where the tones of both their voices. "Promise me you will remember what I have asked of you. Promise me."
His vision became blurred and began to darken. He tightened his grip on her hands but still he began to slip away. "Promise me Yamcha." She pleaded softly as her hands slipped from his grip.
"I promise." He whispered struggling to stay with her. "Just tell me. What is your name?"
Her last words reached across the void that had rose between them. "I am Love."
Yamcha gasped in shock as he jerked awake. Icy cold water rained down stinging his skin. With a pain-filled cry he leapt from the shower. Slipping on the wet floor, he fell hard on his rear. "Ouch!"
Standing he rubbed his bruised behind. A feeling of confusion settling over him as he turned to look at his reflection in the mirror. "I must have fallen asleep. Man what a strange dream!"