Chapter Seven
17 looked up at Ava with shock. She had knocked him on his ass.
"You've got some nerve, Android," she stood over him with one hand clenched, arm bent at the elbow.
She looked exactly like Vegeta, how, he had ever missed it, he would never know.
"After all the preparation I've done! You DARE throw it back in my face!"
She swooped down suddenly and shoved her face in his.
"If I didn't already belong to you, I would KILL you for this insult!"
She glared at him for a heart stopping moment before she straightened, stalked away from him, and started brutally gutting her fish.
The first thing 17 did was check his nose to see if it was broken. He gave a small sigh of relief when he found it was only tender.
"Why are you so mad? And what do you mean you belong to me?" He questioned softly but with determination.
Ava growled as she ripped the bones from the fishes tender flesh, her tail lashing angrily as she threw the flesh into one container and the bones into another.
"Ava?" 17 got off the ground and went to her placing a hand on her shoulder.
She stiffened but didn't pull away as she continued to clean the fish.
"What?" She snarled as he knelt next to her.
"Why are you mad at me?" He asked, his voice was still soft. He had to find a way to combat her fire.
"You insulted me." She glared at him, her hands never stopped, the pile of fish was growing smaller.
"How?" 17 asked blandly.
Ava's gaze softened slightly as she rinsed her hands in the river.
She sighed, more to herself than to him. "You don't know, do you?"
"No, I don't. I never tried to date a saiyan before." He gave her a small smile as he thought, finally some progress!
"Date?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she gave him her full attention, "Is that what you think you're doing with me?"
"Yes, why else would you mark me?" 17 was a bit put off when she started chuckling.
"A temporary mark for a temporary relationship," she shook her head almost sadly. "You don't even realize..."
"Realize what?" 17 became alarmed.
"Go back to your own kind, Android," Ava smiled at him sadly. "I will still prepare for the full moon, maybe by then, you will figure out what you want."
She leaned toward him and nuzzled his nose with hers.
"But know this, Android, nothing is temporary with a saiyan."
Ava stood up and capsulated her fish. She turned to look longingly at him for a moment before she disappeared into the trees.
17 made no attempt to follow, only because he knew she didn't want him to.
**
Ava was home in record time. She looked over her retreat with a critical eye and shook her head. He wasn't going to like her cave and she knew that she couldn't stand to live in a metal shell.
The wall confinement had made her slightly claustrophobic and weary of metal. She was much happier in her stone chamber. She leaned against the wall, laid her cheek against the cool stone, not that she would ever admit such a thing.
From almost every angle this union appeared to be doomed. He just didn't understand her and she was hard-pressed to comprehend him.
She straightened, she didn't have time for doubts. She had to prepare for his arrival and their union. He was a clever one, he would find out all that he needs to know.
She sighed. "I belong to him like his blue eyes belong to him."
She frowned. "I need a stronger claim. I might as well say I own the wind, it would be the same if I said he was mine."
She cocked her head to the side in thought. "I will challenge him again after the consummation of our union... After the feast as well... I will need the energy, he is stronger than he looks."
She smiled and nodded to herself, completely confident that 17 would find his way back to her for the full moon.
**
What am I going to do? Was 17's first thought, as he wandered back to civilization. Probably for the first time in his life he was without direction or easy way to find it.
"She said she belonged to me," 17 said in a confused manner. "But if that is so then why would she send me away?"
Flashback. "Yeah, well, saiyans speak their own language." End flashback.
17 frowned. If Bulma can understand then I will understand. There must be clues.
Flashback. "I will still prepare for the full moon, maybe by then, you will figure out what you want." End flashback.
"Ok, so the full moon is my deadline to figure out what I want." 17 tilted his head. "So the first logical step is to find out when the full moon is."
He nodded to himself and pulled out his cell phone to call the one person he trusted most.
Ring. Ring.
"Hello?"
"When's the next full moon?" 17 demanded.
"Well, hello to you too, 17," 18 replied dryly.
"Come on, 18, answer me," 17 frowned.
"How am I supposed to know?" 18's frown was in her voice.
"Can't you look on a calendar or something?" 17 suggested trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, it wouldn't do him any good if he got 18 mad at him.
"Why are you suddenly fascinated with the moon?"
"Damn it, 18," 17 nearly growled when something hit him. He narrowed his eyes with suspicion. "You knew who she was, didn't you?"
"Who?"
"Don't act dumb, 18, I know your programming!" 17 gritted his teeth as he heard her chuckle.
"I knew who she was," 18's voice was smug.
"Why didn't you tell me?" 17's voice was annoyed.
"I guess I wanted my perfect brother to squirm."
17 winced at the harsh tone she had taken.
"Remember, 17, when you laughed at my indecision and doubt? I do. I also remember you saying that it would never happen to you. The full moon is tonight. Good luck!"
Click.
17 looked at his phone with panic.
**
"What is going on, 18?" Krillin frowned at her. "You've been laughing evilly all week, and every time I ask you, you brush me off."
18 looked at her indignant husband and let herself soften.
"I am just giving 17 what he deserves, Krillin, nothing to worry about."
"Oh, ok," Krillin smiled. "You had me worried for a moment there."
18 tilted her head to the side. "When's the full moon?"
"In about three days, why?" Krillin looked at her curious.
18 smiled. "No reason."
**
The full moon is TONIGHT! 17 cursed in his mind as he started pacing back and forth.
"What am I supposed to do?!" 17's blue eyes were darting back and forth as if he could some how spot the answer in the forest if he was fast enough.
Flashback. "Maybe by then, you will figure out what you want." End flashback.
What do I want? 17 stopped and for the first time analyzed his feelings.
When he had first seen her, she was something interesting when he had nothing else to do. Sure, he had been attracted to her but nothing beyond the usual. She was also a mystery to be solved. There was nothing he loved more than to solve a puzzle.
The second time, she fought with Yamcha, thus intriguing him with her skill and giving a small insight to her character. She did not want to be protected like almost all other girls he had seen and she wasn't all talk like the other half he had met. She was nothing like anyone else he had met, and he loved that.
Then, came the whole Trunks issue. He had become enraged at the thought that she was already taken. He showed almost insane jealousy. He admitted than that he wanted her, at least in the physical sense, and that he would kill to have her, whether she liked it or not.
The third time he had seen her he had almost killed her, not that she minded! 17 shook his head. He had beat her within a inch of her life and she marks him! He never knew how she was going to react, others were almost laughably predictable, even her brother, but her... She punched him over chocolates and marked him after a beating... Go figure
The fourth time she had thrown herself at him showing that she wanted him as well despite knowing he was an android. However he screwed that one up with his jealousy.
Then the last time, she states that she belongs to him, confusing the hell out of him, and asks him to leave. But still the real question is do I want her?
17 looked up to see a raven starring at him almost knowingly before turning to fly away.
17 shuddered, remembering the poem from Edgar Allen Poe, if the answer is no then will she become my lost Lenore?
No, I will not become you're next victim. 17 nodded to himself. All logic and facts suggested that he was in love with Ava and who was he to tempt fate?
**
Bulma frowned as someone knocked on the door. Great!
"Mom, can you watch Trunks for a minute?" Bulma looked at her mother who turned and smiled.
"Sure, honey, you know I never mind watching my gorgeous grandson!" She giggled.
"Thanks," Bulma mumbled as she started for the door.
She sighed, straightened her appearance, opened the door, and gasped.
"What are you doing here, 17?"
