Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ just my own characters.

: : -denotes character's thoughts

Wherever You Will Go by Shelly

CHAPTER TWENTY


Shira's new power coursed through her, fueled by her rage at Trunks' death. She heard Karik laughing, and it made her all the more furious, making her dig deeper within her and find more energy. She unleashed it in a golden burst of light, speeding towards Karik in the blink of an eye. He seemed surprised that she had appeared so quickly in front of him.

He recovered from his surprise, taking in her transformation. Her hair had turned gold and her eyes were solid green, but it was her power that had risen so dramatically that let him know what she had become. It was the same power that had destroyed Frieza, and for the first time in his life he felt the first stirrings of fear inside him.

Shira leveled her gaze on him, full of contempt and hatred. In her mind she kept seeing Trunks lying on the ground, and that gave her all the more energy she needed to keep the same thing from happening to Goku's family. "You're going to pay for what you did to Trunks, Karik. I'm seeing to it personally that you never make it off this planet alive."

Karik chuckled. "Such idle threats. Too bad you can't back them up."

"We'll see about that," she growled. Karik swung his arm towards her face, but she ducked and kneed him in his stomach. He gasped and bent over, exposing his back to her elbow. Soon he was rocketing towards the ground, the speed of his descent reducing a small mountain into rubble as he crashed into it. She immediately followed with a stream of energy blasts that she rained down upon him.

Suddenly she was so exhausted, and for some strange reason the left side of her chest hurt terribly. She saw Karik rise from the rubble, his clothing torn and blood spotted his fur in some places. She growled and tried to increase her power, charging a ball of energy and releasing it, but it didn't get that far before it dissipated. She was in agony now, her hand clutching her chest above her left breast. :What is happening to me?: she wondered.



Goku sensed Shira's dwindling energy and finally used his instant transmission to arrive at the battlefield. He saw Trunks lying on the ground unconscious and flew over to him first. He pulled a senzu bean from the pouch in his hand and pushed one inside Trunks' mouth. "Come on, Trunks. It's a senzu bean."

The younger saiyan finally began chewing it and swallowed it down. He slowly rose to his feet, leaning on Goku for support. He found Shira and his eyes widened in amazement. "She's a super-saiyan?"

"Yeah. Isn't it incredible? But something's draining her energy. She shouldn't be this exhausted."

Trunks looked a little closer. "No! It can't be!"

"What is it?" Goku asked.

"It's the heart virus I told you about. She's been infected with it. Goku, I need you to give me the rest of the senzu beans. You take Shira back to your house and give her some of your medicine. I'll finish up here."

"If you're sure," Goku began, then looked up as they felt Shira's power fade completely. Her hair was back to its normal color and she was no longer surrounded by the golden aura. What was worse, Karik was taking advantage of this and was gathering his own energy to attack.

Goku handed the pouch to Trunks and disappeared, reappearing behind Shira and catching her before she fell. Karik released his energy in a huge blast, but it never hit as Goku had transported Shira to his house already. Trunks took the opportunity to move in behind Karik, who sensed him and turned to face him, his eyes widening in surprise.

"I thought you were dead," he said, backing away slowly from Trunks.

"It would take more than that to kill me," the saiyan sneered. "You see, I'm the one that defeated both Frieza and his father so you don't stand a chance against me."

Karik laughed. "You have got quite a mouth on you, boy. I hope you have the power to back up your boasts or this time you really will be dead."

Trunks smiled and braced his feet, summoning forth his enormous power as the area around them trembled from his energy, suddenly breaking apart as a whirlwind of golden light surrounded him. Just before the dust settled to the ground, he drew his sword and rushed Karik in a golden burst to plunge the blade deep into his stomach. "That's for Shira," he growled as he looked into Karik's shocked gaze. "And all the other lives you forced her to destroy to further your own plans of domination." Then he yanked the blade from Karik only to bring it back to slice his head off of his shoulders, watching dispassionately as it rolled to the ground. Drifting slowly into the air, he readied a blast that he sent streaking towards the earth, leaving no trace of Karik's body to be seen.

He stayed long enough to give Vegeta and Piccolo a senzu bean, Vegeta grudingly taking one as he felt his pride was wounded enough by Shira's ability to transform into a super-saiyan while he could not. Then he blasted off towards Capsule Corporation where he was determined to train until he reached that most cherished level of power himself.

Piccolo stepped near Trunks, both of them watching Vegeta as he left. "So Shira's a super-saiyan now," he pointed out. "What happened to her?"

"She's been infected with the heart virus," he began then said no more as he clamped his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. "I forgot only Goku knew about this."

The barest hint of a smile tugged at the edges of the Namek's mouth. "I already know everything, Trunks."

Trunks started as an embarrassed flush crept across his face. "You do?" he asked.

Piccolo nodded. "The others know about the heart virus as well. I've kept the secret of who your father is to myself."

He let out an audible sigh of relief. "Thanks, Piccolo. Now I need to get back to Goku's to see how Shira's doing. You're welcome to come along."

Together they blasted off towards Goku's house, Trunks soon outdistancing Piccolo in his hurry to see his beloved.



By the time they arrived, Shira had already taken her first dose of the medication Trunks had given Goku. Now he would have to return to his time to get another to replace it.

Standing by her bedside, he took her hand in his and kissed her, feeling the heat from the fever that raged through her. He turned to leave and saw Goku in the doorway. "Goku, I need to leave and return to my time long enough to get some more medicine. I'm leaving her in your hands for the time being."

"Don't worry, Trunks. We'll take good care of her." He stepped inside the room and shut the door behind him. "I also want to apologize for what happened yesterday."

"You don't need to do that, Goku," he replied. "Shira explained everything to me in a letter she left for me."

"She did?"

"Yeah. Although I'm sure she still has a place in her heart for you."

"Hey, I don't even stand a chance. And I should probably say it's a good thing there are no other saiyans around in your time or else you'd have your hands full."

Trunks was confused. "I don't understand."

"When a saiyan female comes near more than one saiyan male, chances are every one of them will be wildly attracted to her and will fight over her if necessary. In Shira's case, you, me, and Vegeta are all attracted to her."

"My father?" Trunks asked, shocked.

Goku nodded. "It's a primal urge that is hard to resist. In your case, it goes a little deeper than that. You and Shira are beginning to develop what is called a bond, and it is a very powerful bond that develops between two saiyans. All that is needed to complete it is for you both to mark one another."

Trunks smiled. "I understand it now. You can count on that being the first thing I'll take care of when I return. Take care of her for me." Then he leaped out the window and disappeared.

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Next chapter's the last one so your torment will end! ^.~ Vegeta makes an appearance and makes Shira an offer. Thanks for reading and please review!