[B-chan the editor's notes: Umm... methinks the commas are becoming rebellious... oo;;;]
Goten laughed a bit and swiped the towel from his sister's out stretched hand, then climbed out of the barrel he had washed in, wrapping the towel around his waist.
"The coast is clear now, Amai," he said.
Amai carefully peeked through her fingers before removing her hand.
"I really wish mom wouldn't make me do that."
Goten laughed and playfully pushed his sister as he walked inside. "The tub's all yours."
Amai looked to the barrel and wrinkled her nose in disgust. I'm not going to take a bath in the same water Goten took one in, she thought. So she took her towels and headed toward the lake; At least there she would get some privacy, and the water would be Goten- sweat-free.
After only a few minutes of walking, Amai reached the lake and took a swift look around before removing any of her clothing. She then climbed into the cool lake, began to scrub the sweat and dirt she had acquired from training earlier that day, and started to talk aloud to herself to get rid of the heavy silence.
"Now just what am I going to say to Piccolo?" she said, scrubbing the bottoms of her feet. "I mean I doubt he'll know anything... But Goten and Trunks seem to trust that he does. So I suppose that I'll g-" the part- Saiyan cut off her last thought and narrowed her eyes. Someone was coming.
"Why do I always have to take a bath in the lake?" came a slightly angry boy's voice.
Amai panicked. She recognized that voice! It was...
"Trunks!"
Trunks blinked, "Amai! What...?"
Amai dropped down underneath the water so that only her head was showing. "What are YOU doing here? You pervert!"
The boys face went bright red as he turned away from her. "I'm sorry, your mom said that you'd be bathing in the barrel ... so I had to go to the lake!"
"All right, whatever... I'm done anyway! Just no peeking!"
Trunks nodded and tried to keep his eyes facing forward.
Amai grumbled as she climbed out of the lake, quickly wrapped the towel around her, and grabbed her clothes. "Okay, you can turn around now."
Trunks turned and placed a hand behind his head. "I'm really sorry, Amai ... but maybe you should have told someone you were going to the lake."
"Well, I didn't think anyone was going to come out here!"
"Well, you thought wrong then!"
Amai gave a angry sigh and trudged off toward her house, holding her towel up. "Boys!" she muttered, then blushed. "I hope he didn't see anything..."
When the young girl finally reached her house, she could hear the clinking of dishes, and Goten yelling for more rice. At least I didn't miss dinner.
"Oh, Amai dear, is that you?!" her mother yelled to her as she stepped through the door and slammed it shut.
"Yes, mother!" She replied rather angrily.
Goten raised a brow. "What's gotten into you?"
Amai raised two fingers, "Just two words, Goten: Lake and bath."
Bulma laughed. "You mean you were taking a bath at the lake?!"
The girl nodded. "Yes, I didn't feel like taking a bath in ... sweaty water."
Chi chi turned from the stove waving a spoon at Bulma. "I told you not to send Trunks down there!"
"You said no such thing, Chi chi! You TOLD Trunks to go to the lake!"
"I most certaintly did not!"
Amai rolled her eyes and went to her bedroom to change. At least THERE she could do whatever she wanted without being bothered.
After changing into some comfortable clothes, she returned to the table to get her share of food. Soon after, Trunks came through the door, his purple hair still wet and clinging to his face. The two part saiyan's eyes met for a breif moment, but were quickly averted to other things. A heavy silence followed and was broken by Goten.
"Hey, Amai? You want to train with us tomorrow?"
Amai played with her rice, lifting one piece with her chopsticks and placing atop of others. Ugh, why did I feel so weird just then? I mean he is just a boy after all... A stinky no good boy. Who happens to look really good when he's wet...
"Amai?" Goten poked her. "Earth to sis..."
The girl blinked and looked around, "What? Huh?"
Goten smiled. "Do you want to train with us again tomorrow?"
"Oh, um, no thanks, Goten." she looked down to her rice bowl. I can't with Trunks being there...I might look stupid. "I have to go and see Piccolo tomorrow..." Why do I care if I look stupid in front of Trunks? Ugh! What's wrong with me?! "But maybe afterwards?"
Goten nodded his mouth full of rice. "Ofay wit youf, Thrunks?" ("Okay with you, Trunks?")
Hearing his name Trunks jumped and looked up, "Huh? Oh, yeah, that's fine. Maybe you could try going super again, Amai."
Amai nodded. I just hope Piccolo can help me.
"Okay, kids, it's time for bed!" Chi chi said, waving her spoon.
"Chi chi, is it all right if Trunks and I spend the night tonight?" Bulma asked rising from the table carrying numerous empty bowls.
Chi chi thought for a moment. "Yes, you and Trunks can stay. You can sleep with me, Bulma, and Trunks, you sleep in Goten's room."
Trunks nodded and slipped out of his chair, following Goten back to his room.
Amai soon followed, though she went to her room instead, shut her door behind her, and flopped on her bed. The feeling's gone. That's good... Now I can think about more important things.
Sleep did not come to Amai easily that night. She slept fitfully, falling in and out of the same dream over and over. She soon gave up any hope of resting and donned her training clothes. The sun would be up soon, and maybe today she could get a fresh start.
After a quick breakfast of leftover dinner, she practiced various moves and punched the air as fast as she could, followed by kicks.
When she stopped to take her first breather, the sun had started to peak over the horizon and colored the sky a beautiful tint of orange and pink.
"Wow..." Amai sighed.
"Dawn is always pretty."
Amai whirled around to see Trunks standing behind her, a towel and a glass of water in his hands.
"I didn't mean to scare you..." he said. "I couldn't sleep, and I heard you out here, so I thought you might like some water and a towel."
The girl blinked. The feeling was back again.
"Um, thanks Trunks," she said, forcing a smile. "That was awful nice of you."
Trunks grinned a blushed a bit and handed her the towel and glass of water he held.
She took it gratefully and downed the water, and then wiped the sweat from her face.
"Thanks a lot! I feel much better."
Trunks nodded and took a seat on the ground. Amai soon accompanied him, sitting crosslegged the towel wrapped around he neck.
"I am really sorry about last night." Trunks said quietly, looking down to the ground. "If I had known..."
Amai grinned, "It's okay, just call out next time."
The boy nodded. "I will!"
Amai blushed, "Um, you didn't ... see anything did you?"
Trunks blushed furiously, "Well, not much..."
The girl part-saiyan punched her friend in arm. "You mean you looked?!"
Trunks placed his arms up in defense. "No, I didn't look! It was when you jumped underneath the water... it was just a few breif secon- Ow!"
"Trunks Briefs, you are the most perverted boy I know!" Amai yelled at him, standing up.
Trunks rubbed his arm where Amai had kicked him. "You're the one that jumped!"
The girl fumed and turned on her heel. Ugh! I'm feeling like this over HIM!! I must be sick or something!