Hello again, everyone! I hope you all understood what happened in the last section of chapter 8. Seemed like some of you didn't exactly get the implication. Lookie! I finally picked up on this infernal html, and I don't even need an editor! Yay! hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Still not as funny as others; more of a seriousness, but we'll get back to my humor in the next chapter.
Chapter IX - Coming Up For Air
Marron opened her eyes slowly. She wasn't sure where she was. Everything was so dark; all of the space around her, completely void. Suddenly a smokey, white ray of light appeared.
"Where am I?" her voice echoed. "Hello? Why am I here?"
"To decide," a voice called back.
"Decide? Decide what?"
"Whether to live or die."
"Why do I get to decide? That shouldn't be a person's choice."
"No, but your death was caused by the spirits. They're willing to give their freedom for your life."
"Why?"
"Because your death is their fault."
"No. They didn't turn on the gas. They didn't make Trunks love me. They were just trying to save me from a life of unhappiness."
"You wish to go back?"
"I can't take away the spirits' chance of redemption."
"They can still be redeemed, if their mission proves successful."
"They can?"
"Yes."
Marron finally recognized the voice of Dende. "Dende-sama?"
"You wish to return to Earth?"
"Yes."
"You can only be saved this one time."
"I understand. Forgive me."
Trunks whistled as he floated (not actually floated, but walked as though on air...you get the idea) to the studio. He frowned when he noticed the CLOSED sign, but immediately brightened as a soft melody began to play on the piano. The song was short, and he listened to it, then heard an unceremonious thump. He decided to see what kind of mischief Rayne was getting herself into this time, and fished around for his key to the studio. He had somehow "forgotten" to return it to Rayne.
He opened the door, and was bombarded with the smell of 'Gas?' "Rayne?" He felt her ki nearby. "Rayne? Where are you?" He went farther into the studio and started checking the classrooms. "Rayne!" He started picking up on another ki. It was so faint, but strangely familiar. "Marron? Where are you guys? Hello?" There was still no response. He remembered the piano, and went back into the music classroom. He walked all around and finally saw a frail body, lying on the floor. "Oh Kami! Rayne!" He rushed to her. "Rayne? C'mon, Rayne, wake up." No response. No sounds, and barely any breathing...
Trunks became angry, and in a quite Vegeta-like lapse of judgment, made the mistake of flaring his ki...in a room full of gas. He realized his folly, grabbed Rayne, and was out of there like a...a uhh...cat that was just attacked with water...yeah!
He flinched as a loud squealing sound assaulted his ears; the studio ignited, and exploded into flames. He didn't have time to worry about it. He rushed to CC, with the unconscious woman in his arms.
"You guys were willing to sacrifice your second chance on Earth for me?"
"Of course."
"Both of you?"
"You've kind of grown on me, girl." Epica smirked, her arms crossed Vegeta style.
"What are you guys doing in my dream?"
"Making sure that this is truly what you want."
"Of course I want life. I just experienced a momentary lapse of judgment."
"Marron, there's still a possibility that you may forever be stuck as Rayne," Elese stated gently. "If you experience another 'lapse of judgment,' the consequences will be irreversible."
"It's okay, you guys. I understand. I'm ready. I can do this."
"Good, because we have a plan."
Bura looked at her best friend with tears in her eyes...well actually, she didn't appear to be her best friend, but she knew better. The ghostly image of Rayne before her, hooked up to three different life support machine didn't help.
Her lungs had been right on the verge of collapsing when Trunks had arrived with her at Capsule Corp. Mansion. Her body had apparently gone into automatic shock a few minutes before. In other words, her nervous system wasn't responding correctly, her pulse was too slow, and her breathing too shallow.
Bura watched her brother brush some hair away from the face of her sleeping friend. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Marron had been in love with him for years; he had never known it, or at least never chosen to acknowledge it, and now, he was the one who was hopelessly in love.
Marron had explained earlier at some point that all her "love" had just been some silly infatuation, which had barred her from pursuing the life she really wanted. Bura just could not bring herself to believe that. It was simply impossible that Marron had been lusting for years. Bura knew what true love was. She had always thought that the two would somehow end up together; that in the end, her best friend's wish would come true. Trunks just needed time to realize how much he cared. Now he finally had, and Marron's love for him was completely gone? It just didn't make sense.
'What if the spirits haven't been telling us the whole truth?'
It seemed plausible. They had just somehow forgotten to tell Marron that the Rayne thing could become permanent. There was no way of knowing what else they had left out.
Marron moved slightly, and the two siblings jumped to attention.
"Rayne?" Trunks whispered, as though her eardrums were the endangered organs.
She gave no verbal response, but her heart beat immediately started to improve, and the breaths grew deeper.
Trunks took note of the difference. "What's that mean?"
"I think she just came out of shock and went to sleep, but Mom will have to make the final diagnosis." She heard Trunks's relieved sigh.
He picked up Marron/Rayne's hand delicately, and kissed it.
The motion of Marron's fingers caught Bura's eye, and she looked up, to find Rayne's eyes opened.
"Trunks? Bura? What happened?" It was barely audible.
Both of the demi/semi/WHATEVER-Saiyans brightened.
"You're awake? So soon?"
"Yeah," she replied to Bura. "What happened?"
"There was a gas leak at the studio."
The recent events began to flood her memory, and she sat straight up. "Gas! How'd I--"
"I found you and brought you here."
"You...?"
"Yes, Trunks saved your life."
Trunks blushed, for what had to be the first time in his life. (Remember, this is Trunks, not Mirai Trunks.)
"Thank you, Mr. Briefs."
"Yeah, well, don't be so quick to thank me."
"Umm--uhh, Trunks, I don't think this is the right time."
"No time better than the present."
"For what?"
"Well, the studio--it uhh, well, it sort of blew up."
"Sort of?"
"As in completely."
"Everything?"
"Gone," he said softly.
She relaxed, and closed her eyes solemnly. She shook a bit as a few sobs tore through her body.
Trunks put an arm over her shoulders. "It's okay. Marron will be alright. The studio will be rebuilt. Don't cry."
"Trunks, maybe we should let Rayne rest. I'm sure she's very tired."
"That's a good idea, Sis. Call us if you need anything, okay?"
"Alright." The two left, and she buried her head in the pillow.
"I hate to see her like this," Elese whispered to her sister.
"She'll be okay."
Marron watched curiously, as the short, prideful Saiyan Prince, with gravity-defying hair, entered the lab.
He looked at her, and seemed puzzled. She could tell he was trying to work out something in his mind.
"Hello, Vegeta."
"Hmph," was his response. He placed a gloved hand on his chin, in thought. "So, my son has fallen for the daughter of an android and a human?"
She nearly fell out of the bed. "Wh-What?"
"I said--"
"I heard you. How...?"
"What, do you think I'm blind?"
"Well, I mean..."
"No, my son and most of the others can't tell, but that's because they've never been dead."
"Never been..." She wasn't following.
"I was once a spirit, so the spirits can't fool me."
"But how did you know?"
"You'd be surprised how much of a gossiper Piccolo can be. Like a giddy school girl."
"What are you going to do?"
"Tell my son what's going on, of course. I'm not letting you make a fool of my brat." He turned to go. "You're going to have a lot of explaining to do."
"Epica, Elese! Stop him!"
They both jumped into his body.
Vegeta skipped around the lab, found a lollipop, began to suck on it, and sang "I'm a little tea pot."
"You guys, I don't want to die, remember?"
"Oh, right."
The spirits jumped out of his body, and stood before the Saiyan Prince.
"We won't let you do anything to harm her. If you tell Trunks, or anyone else, she could find herself in peril."
He glared. "Don't ever do that again," he grit out menacingly.
Marron giggled, and he looked sternly at her. "Sorry."
"We won't, as long as you keep your mouth shut."
"I won't have her dragging the Saiyan name through the mud."
"Listen, Vegeta, I want Trunks to fall out of love with me as much as you do. I just haven't figured out how to make that happen."
"You had to choose a Saiyan, didn't you."
"Sorry," she apologized to him again.
"You agree to aid us in getting your son's mind off Rayne, and we won't tell anyone about your gossip sessions with Piccolo."
"THEY ARE SPARRING MATCHES!"
"Whatever you say, Vegeta. You know we can still take over your body whenever we want. We can make you hug hmmm, what's that you call him? Kakarott?"
"You wouldn't!"
"Try me," Epica stated defiantly.
"Alright, but one word goes beyond this room, and things will be blown up!"
"Fine, fine," Marron waved. "Now get out, for now. The spirits will notify you when your assistance is needed."
He stood there for a moment, gaping at the girl who had just dismissed him, then narrowed his eyes, and marched out of the lab, hands on hips.
TO THE REVIEWERS:
Pink Rabbit - Hehheh...chocolate *winks*. So, you're going to do...something to me?? Gee, I'm running for the hills. *Looks over shoulder* Glad you enjoy!
Lily - I don't know what will happen. *tries to hold in laughter*. Is one okay for now??
Legolas Luvr - Interesting translation. I'm proficient in gibberish, but I'm not too sure how you derived that...
Burned Vamp - Is that S.O.B.S.?? or sobs?? No wait--I see the bawls. Don't be too hard on Trunks there. It was her decision. Well, actually mine, but don't blame me either. I started re-reading LOVE TO...smooth air. LOL!
Tainted Fire - Not saying one word...stay tuned! Thank you! :o)
Yoka - Like one of the only people who even got past the Rayne thing--thank you!
shygirl133404 - Welcome to the party! Thank you so much for your compliments! I do quite enjoy them. "Absolutely great," huh?? Aragato!
Coolfighter18 - Another new comer! Thank you! Glad you enjoy.
band_flag_nerd - OKAY!
More to come soon, you guys, so STAY TUNED! Oh yeah, and go read LOVE TO HATE YOU by Burned Vamp. Sweet, people, very sweet.