Disclaimer: If you're reading this, chances are that you are a die-hard DBZ fan. Therefore, you will notice that with the first sentence this is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE fic. Whatever is not from DBZ I made up. It's as simple as that. I don't own anything that is actually DBZ nor do I make any cash off this fic. Anywho…
Prologue
Mother calls Darkl'nta the "Darkland," and with good reason too. It is a continent to the extreme south of our planet, Kintalis, and its soil sees daylight one day of our 47-day month. Did I mention days were only 14 hours here? Anyway, Darkl'nta is virtually uninhabited because of its large predators; animals big enough that one could feed a large Saiyajin family for weeks. So it is to there that we flee. How funny that I've come to call this planet home only after a week. We won't stay long, though. Mother says we must leave for Chikyuu in a couple of weeks.
Nicole closed the dusty book and tossed it casually into the fireplace. Trunks raised a questioning eyebrow at her from where he sat on the other side of the metal box from her.
"50 diaries and I only wrote the important stuff in one of them. The rest is absolutely worthless," she explained.
The platinum-headed warrior continued her search, grumbling and cursing, until only two books remained. The first she picked up was covered in strange markings and designs, and Trunks came to her side, staring in curious interest.
"It was my handbook from school. It tells you how a young Saiyajin lady of elite class should behave. Our society was incredibly strict when it came to the habits and behavior of higher classed individuals. I've almost forgot how to read Saiyajin, it's been so long."
"It figures," said an amused voice from the doorway. A young woman with raven-colored hair, equally black eyes, and well-tanned skin walked in and sat by Nicole. Trunks noticed how well they complimented each other; the girl's dark features setting off Nicole's pale skin and hair. Even their eyes, which were the same color, were totally different. The visitor's held a scream of intensity and challenge in them, while Nicole's friendly eyes were kind and quiet.
"So, have you found it?" the girl asked Nicole.
"I was about to pick it up when you came in," she admitted, reaching for the last book. "Here you are MRS. SON!" Nicole chimed, mischeif practically bursting from her. The girl blushed, giving Nicole a glare that could burn the phoenix in its anger.
"Oh, come on Nicole," said Trunks, ever the peacekeeper, "leave Amanda alone."
The two girls sat on the couch, flipping through the book. "So many memories," Amanda murmured. From the middle of the book, a small object fell out.
"What's this?" Nicole picked it up. It was a small stone shaped into a star, attached to a thin rope.
Amanda laughed. "Oh, don't you remember anything? You made these when we were like four!" She pulled out a matching one that hung on a chain that was tucked into her gi. "My wrist outgrew mine long ago, though."
Trunks looked at his wife in amazement. "You made that?"
Nicole blushed. "Yeah. It took awhile, but I did it."
"Amazing!" Nicole's blush grew crimson, and she busied herself by tracing words in the book with her fingertip. She looked up at Amanda. "Do you remember Atalya?"
"Yeah…" A lump formed in Amanda's throat and she swallowed it back. To think we all found each other again, except for her," Nicole whispered as she stared out the window.
"Whatever. Not everyone make it here, so what?" Amanda stood up angrily, and stalked out of the house, taking the book with her.
"What's with her?" Trunks asked as he scooted over to sit by his wife.
"Memories. Atalya was identical to Amanda, except for coloring, and her parents never made it to Chikyuu. At least her dad didn't. Her mom…well, that's a long story."
~*~
Amanda took a long look around as she flew home. The plains opened up in front of her in grasses of greens and golden wheat grew up in perfectly square patches. A few wild horses shied away to the sides of her as she barreled past them. How many years had it been now? It was hard to believe that she and Nicole were only 24. Not when they had children that were 7 and 8 years old. It had been 20 years since they had arrived on Chikyuu and 21 since they'd last seen their home planet. They had left to go look for their exiled Prince and 9 since they had found him. I've had a screwy life.
She landed at her house and walked in, setting Nicole's big diary on the table as she headed for the fridge. After her "snack" of five sandwiches and 3 gallons of milk, she laid down on the couch and stared at the ceiling, thinking back to what had been the happiest time of her life.
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