By dawns early light Trunks rose a little achy from sleeping on the couch but rested none the less. He always woke up at the crack of dawn, it was in his blood and in his genes. His mother never slept and his father had been about the same so he found four or five hours of deep sleep more than adequate.
He sat up and stretched every muscle in his lean form then rubbing his aqua eyes trying to rid them of any left over sleep he stood. It took a moment for the dizziness to pass, he stood to quickly, before the room came into focus. Tip toeing through the small house he gathered his things and headed for the bathroom to ready himself for his morning routine.
Nothing stood in the way of his morning routine. It was his time. Everyone was for the most part still asleep so he always had this moment to himself so he could focus and take some time to gather his thoughts. So many people rushed a bout life but he knew if you just took a moment, at the beginning of the day, to just focus then things would fall into place.
He had showered the night before after Andora was off in dreamland so he just needed to go through the basics. In only a few minutes he was dressed and outside by the little creek, then into the woods and beyond that a small clearing where there was space enough to move. And Trunks stood for a moment, eyes closed and taking in deep breaths, this was a good morning, clean, crisp air, clear skies and peaceful.
After his moment passed he stretched once again, better safe than sorry, and then he started. There was nothing like a good round of shadow boxing to start the day. He could feel every muscle working, toning and filling with the blood that coursed through him as his heart beat quickened with every motion. Shooting a few ki blasts into the air then throwing himself in front of them he easily knocked them away. Speed and strength, speed and strength, never more of one than the other or the balance, the precious delicate balance would be thrown off.
Trunks floated above the Earth for a some time just regaining his composure before he landed and headed back to the house.
Still nothing. Not a sound in the house. He could feel her energy though so he knew she was home. Still he needed to make sure. So he walked quietly, like a ghost floating across the floor, to the bedroom door, which has been left slightly open. He eased it open further and saw a mound of blankets and from the top peeked those strawberry curls. She had pretty much buried herself in the blankets and he had to wonder when she last slept or had slept well for that matter. He doubted someone as proud as her would sleep this late if they were not truly exhausted.
Stepping back and easing the door back in place Trunks moved into the kitchen to start a large breakfast. Kami was he ever famished. But then again he always was.
Andora woke slowly. The sun was far to bright so she burrowed deeper beneath the warm blankets and she was so comfortable. Never had she felt so incredibly warm and relaxed then again she had never slept in an actual bed in her entire life. But she also didn't feel as on edge, still a bit unnerved but not feeling the need to be constantly on her toes. Part of her knew why, she knew she was protected but the more stubborn part of her didn't like that idea. No, she was just fine thank you on her own and didn't need anyone to take care of her. No one! Not even that purpled haired fellow, who, yeah he was gorgeous so what, saved her from an interesting fate.
But despite her comfort she couldn't fight that nagging in her stomach when she smelt something. Damn did it smell good, that boy must be cooking again. He could cook well. Mother must have raised him right for him to be, well, what most would call perfect.
And Andora's stomach screamed at her and she groaned, he body protesting the idea of getting up. But in the end her stomach won out and besides once these cuffs were off she would be on the road again and lord knew how often she would eat after that.
So she stood, two small bare feet on the cold floor. She didn't much like that feeling at all but heck, it was better than sleeping out in the cold all night without knowing where you were headed in the morning or if morning would ever come. Then again sometimes you stayed up all night just waiting for morning. Always on your toes, the only way to be.
Yawning and stretching she moved to the window and looked outside into the sun that glistened between the leaves of the trees outside. This was going to be a beautiful day. Clear and perfect.
She shuffled out of the room, down the hall and into the kitchen where Trunks was diligently at work. "What time is it?" She yawned.
Trunks had felt her coming, always on your toes, the only way to be. And he turned to her with a smile. "About 10:30...I figured I'd let you sleep, we have a ways to get to my house and I don't want to jet there." He turned back to the food trying hard to shake the almost sad image of Andora from his mind.
But she knew he was saddened at her appearance. As cute as she might have been standing there in boxers and an oversized guys nightshirt and despite her overwhelming beauty she still had those silvery steel cuffs on her making her look the part of a slave in bondage.
Andora took a seat at the table and watched Trunks move about. "They hurt like hell you know."
And Trunks looked up at her when he set the last of the food on the table and took a seat across from her. "Excuse me?"
"These cuffs...I tug at them because they hurt even without the shock." She pulled at the band on her neck. "They itch too...I'm almost afraid to see what happens when they come off...probably nice and irritated."
Trunks frowned. "Sorry...we'll get them off as soon as we can."
"You seem pretty sure mommy can get these fu...darn things off me." She dished some food out and started to eat like there was no tomorrow...and there might not be.
"Once she sees you I'm sure she'll drop everything to get those off. She's a bit independent and I know she'll flip when she hears about you. I have no doubt she's heard of the auctions." Trunks explained.
"If she can get these things off me I'll never curse again!" She laughed.
"I'm holding you to your word."
"You would."
"What's that mean?"
Andora simply shrugged and smiled. They ate in silence till there was nothing left to eat. And then Trunks moved to clean and Andora stood to help him but he motioned for her to leave him to the cleaning. "Uh...dude, you forked up 500 thousand for me, fed me, clothed me in the clean sense and gave me a place to sleep. At least let me do something. I hate sitting on my ass doing nothing."
Trunks paused and looked at her for a moment. "I'll wash and you can dry then we'll both put them away."
This seemed to please the green eyed girl and they set to work slightly clumsily at first but then getting into a flow. "How long till we get to your place?" Andora asked curiously.
"Well, I figure a couple days if we pace ourselves. Depends how much ground you can cover with those bands on." Trunks said but regretted it realizing this must have sounded insulting.
And it was a bit offensive but not for the reason he thought. Andora snickered. "I can fly ya know."
Now this caught Trunks off guard. "With the cuffs?"
She nodded. "But, like you said, we'll see how much ground I can cover...damn things have knocked my power down to next to nothing." Her head shook sadly and she sighed.
Next to nothing? She could crack wood with her fingers even with the controller set against her. "We'll see..."
They finished up and Andora disappeared into the bedroom to change and get ready for their little travels. When she emerged Trunks thought it funny how their personalities differed so and yet she wore an outfit that he would have chosen. Jean shorts, tank top and sleeveless jean coat with sneakers on her feet. They dressed very similar and Andora would agree but what struck her as odd was how Trunks preferred blacks and Andora preferred blues, dark blues but blues.
Capsulizing the house and pocketing it they took off with Trunks going slower than normal while Andora got used to flying with minimum energy output. They had flown for hours when Andora stopped abruptly in midair. Trunks too stopped and looked at her, the way her eyebrows came together in thought and she looked around, her fists clenched.
"What is it?" He asked.
She didn't look at him but continued to look for something on the ground. "Listen..." She whispered.
Trunks strained his ears for some time till he heard it. A small cry that sounded like an animal but how could she hear such a small sound while flying? His hearing was heightened greatly but what did this mean for her? "I hear it...but what is it? He asked.
"A dragon...a baby...they are trying to capture it...it's frightened." She darted swiftly down through the forest of trees and Trunks followed not understanding how she knew exactly where to go. But the sound became louder so she truly did know where she was going. "There." She stopped short and he came to rest beside her.
His blue eyes followed he gaze and sure enough there was a group of men all trying to capture a small dragon. Small was an interesting word considering baby dragons were nearly as big as a grown man. "Well I'll be..."
Andora didn't waste anymore time. She moved out of the trees and into the open. Immediately the men turned their attentions to her their mouths open slightly. It was hard to tell if it was her beauty or the cuffs that caused them to stare. Perhaps it was both but either way Trunks didn't like the way they looked at her, like the men at the auction had.
"Missy, you best be moving along...that is unless you'd like to come along with us too?" One of the men, an older fellow with a long brunette ponytail grinned and winked.
Trunks stepped forward next to Andora and glared at him. If looks could kill..."What are you doing to that dragon? It's illegal to capture them."
Another man laughed, this guy was younger but no less sleazy. "I suggest you stay outta this buddy or you'll be very sorry. There ain't no one near here for miles..."
"Is that a threat?" Andora asked. "Because really you don't know who...or what you are messing with boy."
"Boy? You callin' me boy girly?" He snapped back.
The man with the pony tail stepped up, a third party remained silent just staring at Andora with a stupid grin. "Now, now...missy why don't you be a good pretty little thing and leave us to our work. Then no one gets hurt. Keep this up though and your buddy may be in some trouble and we can make room for you in the truck..."
"She stays with me." Trunks fists were not clenched.
Andora smirked. "And if you think you can get passed him you're dreaming. Been smokin' something good?"
The man looked over Andora with renewed interest in the cuffs it would seem. "How much you pay for her boy? Bet she is worth every cent...would you consider selling her?" He asked Trunks.
Andora stepped forward in anger but Trunks held her back. "She is not for sale. She is free and I am taking her to get the cuffs removed if you must know...you're sick." He said in pure disgust.
Now Andora really smiled at the site of the man's face turning into a look of shock. "Set her free?" The third finally spoke. "Man if I had me a bitch like that I'd..." He never had the chance to finish.
Trunks had him by the throat holding him above the ground and it was clear the purple haired youth was angered as his ki glowed around him like a yellow fire. "Say it and I will break every bone in your body one by one very slowly and very painfully. She is not a slave and will not be treated like one. Understand me you fucking prick?"
The third nodded as best he could trying to wriggle free from Trunks hold. Trunks released him letting him fall to the ground gasping and Andora now stood in full shock. She did not believe Trunks to have such a streak of pure aggression in him but there it was. And he didn't hide it when he turned to the other two and gave them a look far worse than before. How could someone be so gentle and fierce at the same time?
Not a work was spoken. The men scattered scrambling into their truck and taking off. Instantly Trunks went from angry to calm when he noticed the poor dragon, blue scales and blue eyes only it's small front foot was crimson.
Andora knelt before the small creature and took it's paw. Now Trunks was the shocked one as he watched the dragon hold her gaze like he was speaking to her. And she smiled and it stopped crying. Placing one of her hands beneath his paw and the other on top she continued to stare directly into those big blue eyes then she removed her hands and with a bandana she had in her pocket she cleaned the blood.
Trunks knelt down as well and the dragon looked at him warily. "It's okay fellow...Trunks is a friend."
And the dragon seemed to take this to heart as his licked Trunks face. "Ah...could have lived without that." He laughed as did Andora. "Where's his wound?" He asked not seeing where the crimson had once flowed from.
"Gone." Andora replied finishing her cleaning.
"Gone? But how?" He looked at her as the dragon nudged his hand looking to be pet and he did.
She nodded. "No sense in returning him home injured so I took care of that." With that said she stood.
"You're a healer?" Trunks whispered.
Still she looked in the distance and not at him. "Yeah well...you learn new thing everyday heh?" She sighed. "Lets get this little guy home...he has a mom and dad who miss him." This seemed to sadden her slightly.
If Trunks didn't know any better he would say he saw longing in those wonderful eyes of hers. "Where is home?"
"That's my question." She joked in a hurt way. "Above that ridge. There is a cave and his parents are about home now."
Trunks was still petting the small dragon contently. "I'll save the question of how you know that for another time." He said and she finally looked right at him and smiled. He returned the smile then turned his attentions to the baby. "Come on fella. Time to go home."
"I'll help." Andora came to one side of the baby and together they lifted him.
He sat up and stretched every muscle in his lean form then rubbing his aqua eyes trying to rid them of any left over sleep he stood. It took a moment for the dizziness to pass, he stood to quickly, before the room came into focus. Tip toeing through the small house he gathered his things and headed for the bathroom to ready himself for his morning routine.
Nothing stood in the way of his morning routine. It was his time. Everyone was for the most part still asleep so he always had this moment to himself so he could focus and take some time to gather his thoughts. So many people rushed a bout life but he knew if you just took a moment, at the beginning of the day, to just focus then things would fall into place.
He had showered the night before after Andora was off in dreamland so he just needed to go through the basics. In only a few minutes he was dressed and outside by the little creek, then into the woods and beyond that a small clearing where there was space enough to move. And Trunks stood for a moment, eyes closed and taking in deep breaths, this was a good morning, clean, crisp air, clear skies and peaceful.
After his moment passed he stretched once again, better safe than sorry, and then he started. There was nothing like a good round of shadow boxing to start the day. He could feel every muscle working, toning and filling with the blood that coursed through him as his heart beat quickened with every motion. Shooting a few ki blasts into the air then throwing himself in front of them he easily knocked them away. Speed and strength, speed and strength, never more of one than the other or the balance, the precious delicate balance would be thrown off.
Trunks floated above the Earth for a some time just regaining his composure before he landed and headed back to the house.
Still nothing. Not a sound in the house. He could feel her energy though so he knew she was home. Still he needed to make sure. So he walked quietly, like a ghost floating across the floor, to the bedroom door, which has been left slightly open. He eased it open further and saw a mound of blankets and from the top peeked those strawberry curls. She had pretty much buried herself in the blankets and he had to wonder when she last slept or had slept well for that matter. He doubted someone as proud as her would sleep this late if they were not truly exhausted.
Stepping back and easing the door back in place Trunks moved into the kitchen to start a large breakfast. Kami was he ever famished. But then again he always was.
Andora woke slowly. The sun was far to bright so she burrowed deeper beneath the warm blankets and she was so comfortable. Never had she felt so incredibly warm and relaxed then again she had never slept in an actual bed in her entire life. But she also didn't feel as on edge, still a bit unnerved but not feeling the need to be constantly on her toes. Part of her knew why, she knew she was protected but the more stubborn part of her didn't like that idea. No, she was just fine thank you on her own and didn't need anyone to take care of her. No one! Not even that purpled haired fellow, who, yeah he was gorgeous so what, saved her from an interesting fate.
But despite her comfort she couldn't fight that nagging in her stomach when she smelt something. Damn did it smell good, that boy must be cooking again. He could cook well. Mother must have raised him right for him to be, well, what most would call perfect.
And Andora's stomach screamed at her and she groaned, he body protesting the idea of getting up. But in the end her stomach won out and besides once these cuffs were off she would be on the road again and lord knew how often she would eat after that.
So she stood, two small bare feet on the cold floor. She didn't much like that feeling at all but heck, it was better than sleeping out in the cold all night without knowing where you were headed in the morning or if morning would ever come. Then again sometimes you stayed up all night just waiting for morning. Always on your toes, the only way to be.
Yawning and stretching she moved to the window and looked outside into the sun that glistened between the leaves of the trees outside. This was going to be a beautiful day. Clear and perfect.
She shuffled out of the room, down the hall and into the kitchen where Trunks was diligently at work. "What time is it?" She yawned.
Trunks had felt her coming, always on your toes, the only way to be. And he turned to her with a smile. "About 10:30...I figured I'd let you sleep, we have a ways to get to my house and I don't want to jet there." He turned back to the food trying hard to shake the almost sad image of Andora from his mind.
But she knew he was saddened at her appearance. As cute as she might have been standing there in boxers and an oversized guys nightshirt and despite her overwhelming beauty she still had those silvery steel cuffs on her making her look the part of a slave in bondage.
Andora took a seat at the table and watched Trunks move about. "They hurt like hell you know."
And Trunks looked up at her when he set the last of the food on the table and took a seat across from her. "Excuse me?"
"These cuffs...I tug at them because they hurt even without the shock." She pulled at the band on her neck. "They itch too...I'm almost afraid to see what happens when they come off...probably nice and irritated."
Trunks frowned. "Sorry...we'll get them off as soon as we can."
"You seem pretty sure mommy can get these fu...darn things off me." She dished some food out and started to eat like there was no tomorrow...and there might not be.
"Once she sees you I'm sure she'll drop everything to get those off. She's a bit independent and I know she'll flip when she hears about you. I have no doubt she's heard of the auctions." Trunks explained.
"If she can get these things off me I'll never curse again!" She laughed.
"I'm holding you to your word."
"You would."
"What's that mean?"
Andora simply shrugged and smiled. They ate in silence till there was nothing left to eat. And then Trunks moved to clean and Andora stood to help him but he motioned for her to leave him to the cleaning. "Uh...dude, you forked up 500 thousand for me, fed me, clothed me in the clean sense and gave me a place to sleep. At least let me do something. I hate sitting on my ass doing nothing."
Trunks paused and looked at her for a moment. "I'll wash and you can dry then we'll both put them away."
This seemed to please the green eyed girl and they set to work slightly clumsily at first but then getting into a flow. "How long till we get to your place?" Andora asked curiously.
"Well, I figure a couple days if we pace ourselves. Depends how much ground you can cover with those bands on." Trunks said but regretted it realizing this must have sounded insulting.
And it was a bit offensive but not for the reason he thought. Andora snickered. "I can fly ya know."
Now this caught Trunks off guard. "With the cuffs?"
She nodded. "But, like you said, we'll see how much ground I can cover...damn things have knocked my power down to next to nothing." Her head shook sadly and she sighed.
Next to nothing? She could crack wood with her fingers even with the controller set against her. "We'll see..."
They finished up and Andora disappeared into the bedroom to change and get ready for their little travels. When she emerged Trunks thought it funny how their personalities differed so and yet she wore an outfit that he would have chosen. Jean shorts, tank top and sleeveless jean coat with sneakers on her feet. They dressed very similar and Andora would agree but what struck her as odd was how Trunks preferred blacks and Andora preferred blues, dark blues but blues.
Capsulizing the house and pocketing it they took off with Trunks going slower than normal while Andora got used to flying with minimum energy output. They had flown for hours when Andora stopped abruptly in midair. Trunks too stopped and looked at her, the way her eyebrows came together in thought and she looked around, her fists clenched.
"What is it?" He asked.
She didn't look at him but continued to look for something on the ground. "Listen..." She whispered.
Trunks strained his ears for some time till he heard it. A small cry that sounded like an animal but how could she hear such a small sound while flying? His hearing was heightened greatly but what did this mean for her? "I hear it...but what is it? He asked.
"A dragon...a baby...they are trying to capture it...it's frightened." She darted swiftly down through the forest of trees and Trunks followed not understanding how she knew exactly where to go. But the sound became louder so she truly did know where she was going. "There." She stopped short and he came to rest beside her.
His blue eyes followed he gaze and sure enough there was a group of men all trying to capture a small dragon. Small was an interesting word considering baby dragons were nearly as big as a grown man. "Well I'll be..."
Andora didn't waste anymore time. She moved out of the trees and into the open. Immediately the men turned their attentions to her their mouths open slightly. It was hard to tell if it was her beauty or the cuffs that caused them to stare. Perhaps it was both but either way Trunks didn't like the way they looked at her, like the men at the auction had.
"Missy, you best be moving along...that is unless you'd like to come along with us too?" One of the men, an older fellow with a long brunette ponytail grinned and winked.
Trunks stepped forward next to Andora and glared at him. If looks could kill..."What are you doing to that dragon? It's illegal to capture them."
Another man laughed, this guy was younger but no less sleazy. "I suggest you stay outta this buddy or you'll be very sorry. There ain't no one near here for miles..."
"Is that a threat?" Andora asked. "Because really you don't know who...or what you are messing with boy."
"Boy? You callin' me boy girly?" He snapped back.
The man with the pony tail stepped up, a third party remained silent just staring at Andora with a stupid grin. "Now, now...missy why don't you be a good pretty little thing and leave us to our work. Then no one gets hurt. Keep this up though and your buddy may be in some trouble and we can make room for you in the truck..."
"She stays with me." Trunks fists were not clenched.
Andora smirked. "And if you think you can get passed him you're dreaming. Been smokin' something good?"
The man looked over Andora with renewed interest in the cuffs it would seem. "How much you pay for her boy? Bet she is worth every cent...would you consider selling her?" He asked Trunks.
Andora stepped forward in anger but Trunks held her back. "She is not for sale. She is free and I am taking her to get the cuffs removed if you must know...you're sick." He said in pure disgust.
Now Andora really smiled at the site of the man's face turning into a look of shock. "Set her free?" The third finally spoke. "Man if I had me a bitch like that I'd..." He never had the chance to finish.
Trunks had him by the throat holding him above the ground and it was clear the purple haired youth was angered as his ki glowed around him like a yellow fire. "Say it and I will break every bone in your body one by one very slowly and very painfully. She is not a slave and will not be treated like one. Understand me you fucking prick?"
The third nodded as best he could trying to wriggle free from Trunks hold. Trunks released him letting him fall to the ground gasping and Andora now stood in full shock. She did not believe Trunks to have such a streak of pure aggression in him but there it was. And he didn't hide it when he turned to the other two and gave them a look far worse than before. How could someone be so gentle and fierce at the same time?
Not a work was spoken. The men scattered scrambling into their truck and taking off. Instantly Trunks went from angry to calm when he noticed the poor dragon, blue scales and blue eyes only it's small front foot was crimson.
Andora knelt before the small creature and took it's paw. Now Trunks was the shocked one as he watched the dragon hold her gaze like he was speaking to her. And she smiled and it stopped crying. Placing one of her hands beneath his paw and the other on top she continued to stare directly into those big blue eyes then she removed her hands and with a bandana she had in her pocket she cleaned the blood.
Trunks knelt down as well and the dragon looked at him warily. "It's okay fellow...Trunks is a friend."
And the dragon seemed to take this to heart as his licked Trunks face. "Ah...could have lived without that." He laughed as did Andora. "Where's his wound?" He asked not seeing where the crimson had once flowed from.
"Gone." Andora replied finishing her cleaning.
"Gone? But how?" He looked at her as the dragon nudged his hand looking to be pet and he did.
She nodded. "No sense in returning him home injured so I took care of that." With that said she stood.
"You're a healer?" Trunks whispered.
Still she looked in the distance and not at him. "Yeah well...you learn new thing everyday heh?" She sighed. "Lets get this little guy home...he has a mom and dad who miss him." This seemed to sadden her slightly.
If Trunks didn't know any better he would say he saw longing in those wonderful eyes of hers. "Where is home?"
"That's my question." She joked in a hurt way. "Above that ridge. There is a cave and his parents are about home now."
Trunks was still petting the small dragon contently. "I'll save the question of how you know that for another time." He said and she finally looked right at him and smiled. He returned the smile then turned his attentions to the baby. "Come on fella. Time to go home."
"I'll help." Andora came to one side of the baby and together they lifted him.