Different Hearts, Same Dream

Part Seven

A DragonBall Z fanfic by Hana Noir

The time seemed to pass in an eternal second. Kyrie rested in their hideout, letting her bruises and scratches heal. It didn't take them very long. In the meantime, Piccolo worked with her on hand to hand techniques, concentrating on improving her speed and accuracy.

"You're never going to be very strong," he cautioned her as they sparred. "But you can make up for it with your speed and flexibility." She nodded, blocking and darting around to hit him from behind. He stumbled, then recovered his footing, grinning. "Very good, just like that. And remember, anger can blind you. Keep your mind clear and you're ahead of the game." He stepped back, dropping his ki, signaling an end to their practice. She reached for the bottle of water leaned against the wall, gulping down its contents.

She wiped her forehead on the sleeve of her shirt, frowning slightly. Last night, she'd experienced another of what could only have been Piccolo's memories. She had awakened in the middle of the night, crying out at the pain, only to find it was a dream. Even now, it made her blood run cold. She'd tried to ignore the phenomenon, but it was not all that easy. There had been a person in that dream, a young boy with dark hair. Someone important enough to die for…

"Piccolo, who's Gohan?" She clapped a hand over her betraying mouth, but it was too late. The words were out and there was no calling them back. Piccolo stiffened slightly, turning slowly to glare down at her.

"What makes you ask me that?" he growled, arms crossed over his chest.

"I—um… Well, it's just that…" She floundered for several seconds before stammering out, "Well, I was just wondering, that's all, and I…" She sighed, hanging her head. "I saw him last night, in a dream I had, only…" She looked back up, meeting his eyes. "It wasn't MY dream!"

Piccolo blinked, trying to hide his shock and dismay. He had dreamed of Gohan last night, reliving the last moments of their fight with the invading Saiyajin. How had she known? He looked down at the disturbed face turned up to him, and felt an irrational anger building. How dare she invade his mind like that?? "What were you doing?" he snarled, leaning in toward her. She flinched, but held her ground. "Why were you where you had no business being?"

Kyrie had been startled when he had rounded on her, but righteous anger soon had her bolstered. She shot to her feet, getting right back in the Namek's face. "ME?? I didn't do a damned thing! I don't want your memories, you know. I have enough trauma to deal with carrying around my own, thank you very much! I don't need any more misery in my life. Keep yours to yourself!"

With an incoherent snarl, Piccolo took off from the ledge, leaving her quickly behind. Running again? came that mocking voice in his mind.

"JUST SHUT UP!!" he shouted, the wind ripping his voice away. He accelerated again, the landscape blurring around him. Why am I running away, anyway? he asked himself. When have I ever ran from a challenge? I need to get to the bottom of this. If she's picking up on my memories, there must be a good reason why. He paused, taking stock of his surroundings. He was over the deserts south of the mountains. He'd put a lot of distance between himself and the girl. And she could get into quite a bit of trouble in the time it took him to get back. That thought being the foremost in his mind, he poured on the speed to get back to the mountains.

By the time he made it back, it was almost dark. The cave faced to the east, so it was completely shrouded in shadows. He landed on the ledge, glancing around for the girl. There was no sign of her. He checked the inside room, but it was empty. She couldn't have… He strode out, heading for the crumbled remnants of the pathway.

He narrowed his eyes and stared down the mountainside. After a few seconds, he spotted a small figure making its way down the rock face. That insane child, he thought, taking to the air. She's lucky to still be alive. He reached her easily and hovered as she ignored him and dug her fingers into another outcropping. "What are you doing?" he asked.

She bared her teeth at him in a sarcastic grimace. "I'm tap dancing. What the hell does it look like I'm doing?" She tossed her head, flipping locks of her loose hair out of her face. "I'm not staying anywhere where I'm going to be bullied and intimidated. It's not fair of you to make me the scapegoat." She reached out for another foothold, swinging across a tiny opening in the rock.

"You're right," Piccolo surprised himself by saying. "I'm sorry."

She paused, looking back up at him, green eyes wary. "Really?" There was a vulnerability in her face that made him feel even guiltier. He held out his hand, waiting, his eyes never leaving hers. Finally, she nodded, reaching out for his hand. At the moment that their hands touched, the spur of rock beneath her feet gave way and she, off balance, fell. Right into Piccolo's waiting arms.

"You always manage to catch me," Kyrie said, a hint of laughter in her voice. "Thanks." He blinked, unsure of what to say. She merely smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Later that evening, after Kyrie had eaten and bathed, they sat out on the ledge, staring up at the stars. "It's pretty out here at night," she commented, stretching out on her back. "The stars are so bright. They look almost close enough to touch."

"Hm," was his only reply. A bright streak of white fire danced across the sky and Kyrie laughed, delighted.

"Wish upon a falling star," she said softly, closing her eyes. Piccolo relaxed his mental shields enough to hear her unspoken words. I wish… I wish I could be free to live in peace. He also felt something odd. Her emotions were unsettled where he was concerned. He hastily re-enforced his shields, a bit disgusted with himself that he was stooping to mental eavesdropping.

"I'm going to call tomorrow," Kyrie said, her words shattering the illusion of peace between them. "I'll arrange to meet Adam where my house used to be."

Piccolo was unable to control the angry snarl pulling at his face. "I had hoped you would let me show you a few more ki techniques."

Her answering smile was both melancholy and wistful. "I would like that. But I don't have the time left. All my instincts are telling me now is the time. And my instincts are pretty reliable." She glanced over at him. "Would you mind taking me back there in the morning?"

It was on the tip of his tongue to refuse to aid her, but he couldn't do it. If there was one thing he understood it was taking your destiny in your own hands and refusing to let anyone else have control. "I will," he said gruffly.

Her hand found his where it rested on the cool rock and gave it a bit of a squeeze. It surprised him that she touched him so easily, but it was even more of a surprise that he let her. In a way, he actually enjoyed it. "Thank you, Piccolo." With her hand on his, it was almost impossible for him to ignore her thoughts. There was more in her mind than she had said aloud and it made him want to smile. Thank you for being my friend, thank you for caring about me in your own way. If only…

Yeah, he thought, staring back up at the stars, if only…

********************

Despite her misgivings, Kyrie managed to sleep, and had no disturbing dreams, her own or otherwise. She woke suddenly, with none of her usual muttering and attempts to doze back off. Sitting up in the sleeping bag that was her bed, she felt her heart begin to speed up in anticipation of the day's events. At the same time, however, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

I can't hide forever, she thought resolutely, gathering her clothes and getting dressed. By the time she had picked up everything and stored it away in her capsules, Piccolo was standing out on the ledge, arms folded and face expressionless.

"G'morning," she said, blinking slightly at the bright sunlight. His reply was a muffled grunt. Kyrie sighed; it seemed he was going to be difficult. "I know you're not crazy about my plan, but—"

"Plan?" he interrupted. "Last time I checked the definition, a plan required thought."

She could feel her temper rising and started to snap back, but something made her hold her tongue. He's actually worried about me and he doesn't know how to express it, she realized, shocked by the idea. She smiled suddenly, unbelievably touched. Well, that makes two of us that have that problem.

Piccolo eyed her suspiciously when she smiled. He had been hoping that she would say something equally cutting and then they could have started an argument that would make her give up the suicidal path she was about to take. "What?"

She shook her head, still smiling. "Oh nothing. I just realized something, that's all." She looked down at the cellular phone in her hand and sighed. "I guess it's time."

Piccolo frowned, beginning to say something, then he too sighed and he shook his head. "I can't stop you, I suppose." She gave him a sad little smile and began to dial.

Adam was quite surprised when the cell phone in his pocket began to buzz. The only person with the number was the Doctor and he had said all he had to say earlier in the week. He pulled the phone out and pressed the button. "Hello?"

"I give up."

His eyes widened when he recognized the voice on the other end. "What a pleasant surprise, Eve. I won't bother asking how you got this number, though."

"Magnanimous of you," she replied, voice dripping with restrained sarcasm.

"Think nothing of it," he replied in a similar tone. "What do you mean by 'give up'?"

There was silence on the line for a moment before she answered. "I'm ready to surrender myself."

Adam smiled rather viciously. "How nice. What changed your mind? Your little reception in town earlier in the week?"

"Among other things," she replied, still sounding a bit angry. He couldn't help but to laugh.

"What did you have in mind?" he asked, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel of his aircar. "Surrender to the authorities?"

"No. That might lead to questions neither of us would want to answer. I was thinking you could meet me where my house used to be."

"I could do that," he said slowly. "But how do I know that you won't be waiting there to ambush me?"

"You don't," she replied smugly. "It's a question of how badly you want me, isn't it? Because this is a one time deal. A limited time offer of sorts."

He hesitated, then thought of the punishments the Doctor would have for him if he failed in this assignment. He shuddered. Nothing she could have waiting there for him would be as bad as what the Doctor would do. "All right. When?"

"I'll be waiting there for you. Oh, and if I see anyone with you, deal's off."

"Fine," Adam snarled, feeling as though he had just lost a fight. "I'll be there soon." Before she could reply, he stabbed the button, terminating the phone call. His finger hesitated over the button as he considered whether or not he should alert the Doctor. No, he thought. Not until I have her in custody.

Kyrie disconnected the line, then tossed the phone over the edge. It tumbled, bouncing several times before shattering on impact with a large boulder. She glanced over at the still silent Namek and shrugged. "I don't want them to trace it."

Piccolo nodded impassively, trying not to frown. His acute hearing had heard every word of the conversation on both ends. Adam was not a happy person. He was worried about what would happen when Kyrie was alone with him. His lip curled as he thought about the beating he would give the boy if he dared to harm her.

"Piccolo?" He quickly looked up when she said his name. She was standing in front of him, her hands on his forearm. "Don't worry about me," she said, smiling bravely. He blinked. Since she was touching him, he could sense her thoughts and emotions even more clearly than before. She was lying to him; deep down inside she was terrified. He reached out slowly, uncertainly, and threaded his fingers through the loose hair at her temples. She stiffened at first, then relaxed, leaning into his hand. "I like it when you do that," she whispered, so softly that even with his hearing he could barely make out the words. "No-one's ever touched me like that before."

And no-one else had damned well better, Piccolo thought fiercely, an acute pang of something he finally identified as jealousy stabbing at his heart. Stunned, he tried to rein in the strange emotions welling up in his psyche. Where did he get off being jealous? He had no right to at all! What was wrong with him? But he didn't drop his hand.

The moment was finally broken when Kyrie stepped back. Her eyes were regretful when she looked up at him. "Will you take me back?" she asked softly. "I want to get there before him." And I don't want him to see you. That way you'll be safe, was the unspoken end of the phrase. Piccolo's eyebrow ridge twitched slightly when he caught her thoughts. He only nodded, however, and wrapped an arm around her waist. He silently savored the contact as she slid her arms around his neck, but the trip was made harder by the tears she was keeping inside.

They both noticed the aircar approaching as Piccolo gently touched down in the deep forest near the clearing where Kyrie had once lived. The scent of burned plastics and metals still hung in the air and they could see the charred remnants of her little house on the other side of the clearing. She turned away resolutely, avoiding the sight.

"There's not much time left," she said. "He's almost here. I've got to go."

He caught her arm and held her fast when she went to move away. "Let me help you." He knew her answer, but he had to make this one last effort.

She smiled, oh so sadly, and shook her head. "I can't let you do that," she whispered, her voice slightly choked. She glanced back at the clearing then turned back to him, head bowed. Her bangs hung down in her face, obscuring her eyes. "But thank you for everything, Piccolo." Without warning, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Her warm lips found his unerringly and startled, he stared at her closed eyes. A bright silver teardrop managed to escape and slide down her cheek. Its salt only added to the poignancy of the kiss.

"Thank you," she whispered again, pulling away. Piccolo was amazed at how empty his arms now seemed. Frozen, he could only watch as she ran out to the center of the clearing.

Seconds later, the aircar landed and a young man stepped out. He walked over to Kyrie, holding out a hand to her. Piccolo gritted his teeth at the negative energy he exuded; it was all he could do to keep from blazing into the clearing and beating the hell out of him. Kyrie ignored his outstretched hand and walked over to the passenger side. As the door opened, she glanced in his direction and their eyes met. He could feel her pain at leaving and he tightened his control over his emotions. She smiled again, then slid into the car. The boy glanced over as well, but didn't seem to notice anything amiss. The car lifted off and shot off into the distance. Piccolo waited only seconds before following.

(Author's Notes: Aauuggghh!!! Don't you hate that?? Cut off when it was just getting good! I am a bad bad fangirl. ::evil grin:: Don't worry though, part 8 is already in the works. For some unknown reason, part 7 was naughty and messed bady with what passes as my mind. This was a really hard part to write. I have trouble with transitional parts . Give me an action scene or a character development scene and I'm fine, tho… ::sigh:: Anyway, enough of my complaining. Write a review!! Let me know what you like, or don't like. All flames will be used to heat my computer room, however, and since my heater is more fuel efficient… don't bother! Just kidding. ^_^; Let me know what you honestly think. Ja, minna-san!)