Mind Games – Part Three
Sequel to "Sharing the Dream"
A Dragonball Z fanfic by Hana Noir
Looking back, she was never sure if their time in the Room passed quickly or slowly. In the eternal whiteness, there was no day or night. Meals were eaten when hunger could no longer be denied and sleep was taken when the body refused to go any further. Kyrie was a bit surprised that the Room never seemed to cause her to feel claustrophobic, but there was no darkness, maybe that was why. She and Piccolo sparred constantly, and her body was firm and muscled by the constant usage. All seemed to be going well until she made the mistake of spending too much time looking out into the vastness of the Room.
Piccolo had been meditating when a sense of… wrongness had pulled him back to consciousness. Kyrie was seated beyond him, her head tilted slightly to the side. She had been meditating along with him, but something had disturbed her, brought her out of the quiet state. Her eyes were wide, staring blankly out into the unending distance.
"Kyrie?" he called her name as he scrambled to his feet. There was no response and as he came around in front of her, he realized why. "Oh, no," he growled, grasping her by the shoulders. "Don't you do this to me!" He shook her, making her head rock back and forth slightly, but got no response. Her eyes were as lifeless as those of a corpse. He pulled her up and carried her into the bedroom to lay her out on the bed. "Wake up!!!" he shouted, shaking her again. She seemed like a fragile doll, lying discarded by a careless child. He sat on the edge of the bed and grasped her face in both hands, holding it firmly. He took a deep breath and lowered his head until his forehead was touching hers, then closed his eyes and sank into her unguarded mind.
Kyrie… his call went unanswered and he navigated deeper into her mind. Memories were flashing by at an impossible rate, almost as if someone where riffling through them. With a sinking sense of dread, Piccolo recognized another presence in her mind. Whatever it was, it was devoid of emotion, utterly empty.
Who's there? he called out, challenging the unseen presence. His breath caught in his throat as it suddenly surrounded him, grasping his mind with an overwhelming strength. He struggled as it invaded his mind, searching out his memories with chill precision. NO! My mind is my own!! He fought harder, feeling his astral body being buffeted by bizarre pressures. He continued to re-enforce his mental shielding, pushing the presence farther and farther away until his mind was free. He opened his eyes to see a shimmering orb hovering at arm's length before him.
What are you?? He gasped, trying to regain mental equilibrium.
I Am… came a deep resonant voice. No-one had ever denied me before, Namek. I do not understand… You risk your own mind for this female. Why?
Never mind why, Piccolo snarled, fists clenching tightly. Give her back to me. You're destroying her mind.
The entity hesitated. I mean no harm. I merely wish to understand. She left her mind unguarded and I took advantage of the opportunity.
What ARE you?? Piccolo asked again, growling slightly.
I am… the consciousness of the Room. I have existed here forever and yet no time at all. I have learned and forgotten more than any mortal shall ever comprehend. But I have become curious about the entities that travel here from time to time. When the girl's mind was open, I thought to learn more about your kind.
She's young, not fully trained, Piccolo argued. She's unable to stop you. What you've done is a violation, no better than rape.
I need to understand, it replied calmly. Her mind was available.
Release her mind, Piccolo said, never hesitating. And I'll let you into mine.
You would risk your own sanity for this girl? Ah, but I see here that she gave her life for you once. Perhaps you feel a burden of debt?
Piccolo's teeth bared in a vicious snarl. Don't concern yourself with my feelings. Do you accept or not?
Very well then. I accept your offer, Piccolo. I will release the girl. And I will make amends with her as well. The rush of images around them slowed and disappeared. Soon nothing was left but a body curled into a tight fetal position.
Kyrie… Piccolo knelt next to the body. It was only a mental projection, her mind's representation of form, but it still wrenched his heart to see her like this. The orb floated over until it was hovering over her. Silver tendrils writhed from it, dangling down to touch her head. Piccolo tensed but waited, having no choice but to trust this bizarre apparition. When it was finished, it withdrew, bobbing idly as it waited.
She stirred slightly, eyelids fluttering, then she gasped and struggled to sit up. Piccolo? Her mental voice was weak and thready, but audible. Relief flooded Piccolo's soul and he rose to his feet, cradling her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, still trembling. There was something in my mind…
I know, he replied. But it won't bother you again. Now, go back. I'll join you shortly. She nodded and the light weight in his arms disappeared. Piccolo turned to the patiently hovering orb and nodded. Let's go.
Kyrie blinked eyes that felt like they were full of sand. She couldn't focus properly so she blinked again. Something was obscuring her field of vision. Something… green? She raised hands that felt like fifty-pound weights and managed to rub the sand out of her eyes. Squinting against the water that was running from the corners of her eyes, she realized the green thing in front of her face was nothing other than Piccolo himself. His forehead rested against hers, his antennae brushing against her hair. You found me… she thought affectionately, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and closing her eyes again.
"Piccolo?" she asked, her voice sounding slightly raspy. There was no answer. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Piccolo??" She stared up at him, noticing the beads of sweat that were gathering on his forehead. "Oh, no… you didn't?" She squirmed her way free of him and he collapsed over onto the bed, face buried in the fat pillows. Kyrie grabbed his tunic and managed to roll him over onto his back. She crawled in next to him, exhausted by the small effort and snuggled up against his side, pillowing her head on his broad chest. Hopefully, he would wake soon.
Piccolo was barely able to hold on to his own identity as the thing insinuated itself into every corner of his mind. It wasn't painful in a physical sense but the feeling of violation was agonizing in itself. It seemed like an eternity before it was done.
Curious. I have examined every part of your mind, and yet I find myself no closer to understanding you then before. But you fulfilled your half of the bargain. I will not disturb you or the female again. I need time to reflect on what I have learned today. Something akin to humor colored its' voice for a moment. I will also gift you with the knowledge that I bestowed upon the female. She will need you to teach her how to use her new gifts.
Piccolo gasped as new knowledge poured into his mind. Several new techniques were clear to him as well as something called a "Soul Cage". He considered that one for several seconds. It might come in handy in the battle they had yet to face.
Which is why I gave it to you. Perhaps when I have come to understand what I have learned here, we will meet again, Piccolo. Then we may be able to understand each other without fear. Farewell. The presence withdrew completely, disappearing without a trace. He remained for a while, contemplating this odd experience.
Thirst finally drew his mind's attention back to the body. He groaned slightly, starting to sit up when he noticed a weight on his chest. Opening his heavy eyelids a crack, he discovered Kyrie curled up at his side. Her head was on his shoulder and a slender arm was thrown across his chest. Her fingers were still gripping the material of his tunic tightly. He quirked a fleshy eyebrow at the still sleeping girl and wondered how he was going to get away without disturbing her. His dilemma was resolved when she stretched her bare legs out to their full length, her spine curving as she reached full extension.
"Mmmmmmm…." she murmured as she woke, pushing herself up on an elbow to look down at him. "You're awake, too?" She shivered, closing her eyes. "I don't know what happened… I was meditating and I came out for a drink… I swear, I only looked out into the Room for a second. And the next thing I knew… It was awful… My mind…" She buried her face into his tunic and he put his arms around her. He couldn't blame her; he'd experienced it as well and there were no words for the way it felt when that thing entered your mind.
"You," Piccolo said with fond exasperation, "are a trouble magnet. It seems like no matter where we are, it heads straight for you." She looked up at him, eyes wide in disbelief. Then a tiny grin pulled at the corners of her lips, causing him to grin as well.
"I don't mean to be such trouble, honestly. It just happens…" she said in a small voice.
Piccolo chuckled. "It's not a problem. Before I met you, I was worried that life was going to be boring. Guess I don't have to worry about that now."
"My hero," she murmured, just a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Don't hurt yourself being too noble."
He snorted. "Nobility has nothing to do with it. You don't think I've gone it all the bother of wishing you back, bringing you here and training you all this time out of the goodness of my heart, do you?"
"Not really, no," she replied, running her fingers idly over the fabric of his tunic.
"Damn right," he shot back. "I can't stand being bored, and I figure chasing after you for the rest of my life should keep me well away from boredom." She pushed herself up again to stare down at his face. She looked completely stunned. He couldn't resist the pure shock on her face and he ran a hand up the back of her neck, tangling it in her hair. She didn't even stiffen when he pulled her head down and caught her lips with his own. His free hand made its way under the hem of the baggy white t-shirt she was wearing and found bare skin. She sighed as his fingers began to caress her back, then pulled away.
"What?" he asked, puzzled by her actions. Usually she was the aggressor and he the reluctant party. He had thought that she would be all too willing.
She eyes him severely for a moment. "What do you want?"
He blinked, now completely confused. "What do you mean?"
The serious look faded to be replaced with one a bit more softer and vulnerable. "Do you want me? In a physical sense?"
For the first time in his entire life, Piccolo knew what it felt like to blush. It was like a line of uncomfortable warmth moving from his neck up to his forehead. Scowling, he gave her the best glare he could muster. "Now who's thinking too much?"
She didn't even blink. "It's not that—" He interrupted her by flipping them over, looming over her. The utter shock in her eyes made him grin slightly.
"Be quiet." He lowered his head slowly, until their lips were a breath apart. "We're going to 'find out what all the fuss is about', as you so delicately put it."
"oh," she said in a very small voice. "okay…" Then she exhaled softly as he ran his mouth over hers, skimming her lips and nibbling lightly at the slim line of her neck. She tugged at his tunic, pulling it free of the sash that he used as a belt, and her cool hands explored the surprisingly soft skin it concealed. She could feel his muscles rippling beneath her hands as he moved and she closed her eyes, relying solely on her sense of touch. He paused for a brief second to tug off the bunched up shirt and tossed it away. It hit the wall on the other side of the room and landed in a wad on the floor next to the door.
Piccolo couldn't contain the growl that rose in his throat as he grabbed the neckline of the t-shirt that separated their bare flesh from contact. The scream of the distressed fabric seemed to echo all around the room as he ripped it down her chest.
Her eyes went wide with amazement. "Whoa, wild man. I don't have a lot of those, you know." Her head fell back as his hand splayed across her stomach, only centimeters away from the waistband of her shorts.
His black eyes seemed to stare straight into her soul. "Are you sure? I won't ask again," he said, his deep voice rough with desire.
She smiled wickedly, lacing her fingers together behind his neck. "Yes," was her simple answer. He shivered at the trust in her voice and eyes. Kami knew he hadn't done anything to deserve such blind, pure trust from anyone, but now that he had it, he damn sure wasn't going to lose it. Now or ever. He felt as though his heart was going to burst as he sought her lips again, drinking in the sweetness of her. She was his now, and he, well, he didn't mind being hers at all…
(Author's Note: I'm trying to keep this fic at a PG-13 rating in deference to some of my readers. However, if you're disappointed by this, make a note in a review. If enough ppl ask, I'll post a deleted scenes fic for ya! How's that for a compromise? Thanks for reading!!)