Chapter Two: Tempers

Marei looked at the central fire; her grandmother is there along with many young children. Marei walked over and embraced her grandmother with a quick hug and a kiss on the nose.

"Ah, my Marei. Sit down and warm up. Now, what is today?" her grandmother asked with a tint of something Marei couldn't place.

"Gramie," she started, "Today is the night before last. Ok, don't give me that look, tonight is the last night of the cold season, so?"

"The Orin! It is approaching and our tribe as been asked to fight! Training must begin at first light!" Rotia shouted with a deep voice.

"Rotia. shut up. The Orin is no big deal. We've done this before. A bunch of blah, blah." Marei spat at her, "Gramie, tell the young ones here about it so they try to pinch details off me." Marei teased and ruffled up a girl's hair.

"Of course. The Orin was set upon the Amazons because the royal and peasant women fled from their husbands, fathers or masters. They fled to the forest in hopes of finding a tribe to join. Few made it. Some died looking, some gave up hope, and some were caught, but many, many females tried. The royals and warriors grew angry and called upon a meeting of amazons and elites. When the amazons refused to meet an agreement, many battles were fought, finally when they murdered a small girl named Orina, and the fighting stopped. An agreement came to pass; the Orin, named after the young girl that died. It reads; Once a year, the day the warm season begins, one Namek amazon tribe may be summoned fourth into a Orin. The Orin will consist of fighting, one on one basis. To indicate a match, a slap on the face of the opponent is required. The victor over the match has total say over the one who is defeated. The following marks can be made; if one wishes to enslave one must cut a mark of a 'S' in the basis of the throat, if one wishes to kill one must do so, and if one wishes to claim as a mate one must bite into the neck. If the amazon wishes to claim him and be a willing mate she shall do the same."

"What a way to die!" a young girl said.

"Sounds boring." Marei's sister mumbled. Ryika was almost the spitting image of Marei, same tone as well.

"Ryika, let's go! Time for bed." Gramie stated, "Either sleep with me or Marei."

Marei was already walking towards her tent to unroll the extra bed, for if Ryika were asked she would always sleep in the same tent with Marei. Even though they were sisters, they never fought like them. Marei had never met her sister till she was older; Ryika was more like a friend with family bonds to her.

As Ryika came into Marei's tent and found her blanket already spread out. She looked over at Marei. She was unwrapping something that was in white rabbit furs.

"What is it?" she asked, sleepily.

"Just a shell necklace."

"Its red and black, that means it's rare. Where did you find it? Why does it have a metal chain? Where did you get a metal chain? Why is it wrapped up? Were you trying to hide it? Why?"

"Ryika, why must you know! It was a gift!" Marei snapped.

"Oh, sorry."

They both turned away from each other and went to sleep. Marei awoke during the night turned to face her sister's back and wrapped an arm around her. Which always meant, "All is forgiven for all is well". Ryika opened her eyes slowly and gave a half smile, this was the way her sister showed that she loved her. The night passed quickly and when the sun began to rise over horizon, many were already up. Marei awoke with the sent of burning wood. She arose and smiled at the newly fires and small girls chasing one another. Marei entered one of the tents to greet her grandmother with tender kisses on the cheeks.

"Morning Gramie, how was your sleep?"

"Fine, fine. Marei.today is the Orin."

"I know, Gramie, don't worry, I've never lost a fight yet."

"Marei, don't be so egotistical. Look over there, in that old white bag."

Inside the bag was a black outfit. Marei handed the bag to her.

"No, Marei. Pull it out, it's for you. I made it for your last Orin fight."

"What do you mean my last?"

"Nevermind, put it on."

Marei put the outfit on and turned towards her grandmother. The outfit was very pretty, it tied behind neck and showed of her chest above her breast and part of her back. It reached mid thigh and also came with boots that reached up under her knee. The entire outfit was black, leather- ish material.

"Oh, Gramie! Thank you, it's wonderful!"

"Oh, quit! Go now and train!"

"Right." Marei sighed having a strange feeling deep inside of her.

Outside, it was another morning, sunshine and a cold breeze from the east. Marei ate a few fruits for breakfast. Amber was already starting her warm- up. Marei was quick to join her. They did not engage in any heavy sparring for their real fight would be soon. The hours before the Orin passed like sand in the wind, quick yet painful.

The Amazons were not the first to arrive in the location for the Orin; many soldiers and young boys were there. One boy seemed to be healing a wounded bird with an old Namek with a stick.

Piccolo saw the Amazons come into view, he smirked as he hopped off the boulder he was sitting on. The two enemies approached each other. Tempers flared.