Chapter One: Until We Meet Again

The stench hung in the air; it was the noticeable smell of death. Blood covered them, even the moon seemed to be stained by unforgettable color. The amazons slowly made their way to their small village. Marei supported Amber on her soldier for the deep gash in her friend's leg disabled her walking. By glancing from face to face, pain was evident and reassured by each step. The battle seemed to replaying its self in their minds.

The female warriors, amazons, had been around for hundreds of years. No one was sure how or when the warriors came about. The Namek amazons tried to make life better for the not so fortunate by delivering food and giving money. The money had been stolen from the nobles earlier, of course.

Tonight's battle was for the same reasons, except instead of the swift giving out of rations, they were met by a troop of Namek soldiers. Almost immediately blood was split by ki beams and hand to hand combat. Marei preferred two ki swords and Amber a ki staff. The two diminished almost half of the troop. More troops were called in. Ki beams were blocked yet some had made contact. Amazons and soldiers are dead and more wounded. Marei saw Amber get hit with a huge ki ball and rushed over to her in time to take the next ki ball in her side, but saved her friend's life. She saw the elite who fired the ki beams and shot three at the Namek soldier. Marei's anger overflowed and shot ki beams at the castle wall making it fall on the soldiers. The amazons left the soldiers to clean up their dead, wounded and their castle.

Soon, the amazons entered their village, which was a little more than tents scattered around a fire like marbles. Children and elders gathered to take the seriously wounded and the dead. The wounded were healed by the children or with their own healing powers. Marei healed her side with the help of her sister, Ryika.

Marei flew down to the river to wash off. She dived in, clothes on, and let the water wash the blood off her skin and clothes. She swam down to the waterfall and let its cold water fall down on her. She closed her eyes and thought back and remembered when she was in this spot years ago.

Earlier that day her and her sensei sparred for hours and every muscle ached. She came upon a waterfall and it was the perfect place to relax, she decided. She let herself slide back into the space between the water and the cold rock.

"This spot, is just so perfect except it's a little small. Eh, no problem." Marei whispered to herself as she used her ki to enlarge the spot. "Perfect."

No sooner than she opened her eyes a strong hand tighten around her throat. Her eyes flew open and her ki power up and she gave him one those get-the- hell-back glares. His ki powered up to a bit higher than hers, indicating she was not a threat to him. She let a small growl escape her lips.

"Who are you?" he said releasing his hold to look up and down her naked body.

"Eep!" she yelped as she did her best to cover herself. "Forget who I am! What the hell do you want?"

"Nothing.yet. I felt your puny ki and noticed it was unfamiliar. "

"Mine! Yours isn't much higher!"

"Humph!"

"Now.you're an training soldier, right? And I am an amazon! The two just don't match so we are not starting a conversation! If you leave right now and forget this ever happened, I'll spare your life."

"Ha! Good one! Hmm. I leave but you're going to have to do something in return."

"Like what?!"

"Don't know.yet."

The rest of the day Marei spent under that waterfall with a training soldier. Mostly talking about life and what they want to become, but as nightfall was approaching;

"I want you to kiss me." He said so matter-of-factly.

"What?! No! That's absurd!"

"Well, I never been kissed before and I know you haven't either."

"What stupid reason."

"Well, let's see, I bet I can have about five troops here and kill your entire village in-"

"No! Don't! Fine, you win!"

Marei gently kissed his lips. When she withdrew he grabbed her arms and tightly pulled her up against him. Pulling her into a deep passionate kiss. He parted his lips enough for his tongue to slide out and force open her mouth. Marei's entire body went tense as a warm feeling inside her began to appear. His tongue explored her mouth. Marei's mixed emotions were a true burden on her but once he caressed her breast, she let herself go. She slowly, unsure began to kiss him back in the same manner. As he stroked up her back and down her chest, her skin tingled with the sensation of his touch. Marei let her hands glide over his hard chest. Her nails raked the exposed skin of his tattered training suit. The wind blew and a long black piece of her hair flew across her face. He stopped kissing her and gently swiped it away and tucked behind her ear. Marei's face blushed furiously and she couldn't look in him in the eyes. He grasped her chin and bent down to kiss her nose.

"I must go. The night is approaching and my sensei properly wants to spar." He whispered.

Marei opened her mouth to protest but he kissed her lips before any sound came out.

"Shhhh, this is only the beginning. I must have you, but I have to prove myself. Wait for me and I will come fight you at the Orin."

"B-But how.will I know.its you?" Marei barely made out.

He bent down and picked up a black and red shell. Marei had never seen anything like it, looking down she saw there were no others like it. He used a tiny ki beam to puncture a hole and slid it though a chain he wore around his neck.

"Wear this, and we'll find each other. Until we meet again, this is goodbye." He said. She went to respond but he had already flown off.

Marei awoke from her memories. 'How foolish I am! I've been to several of the Orins and wore that same stupid shell and nothing! No one. ever came.' She thought as she sighed to herself. Marei slowly walked back to her tent. She found many others had already gone to sleep. She looked up; the altars were still burning.

"May the dead rest in peace." She whispered to the breeze.