((greetings faithful readers!! I was amazed how quickly I got reviews! I
should make more cliffhangers and more often at that!! I'm so evil, that I
am. Well, those of you who have been hoping (and wishing and praying) for
some lemony freshness won't have to wait much longer. Either in the next or
the one after that. Or maybe the one after THAT! Or- *gets smacked by
Vegeta*
V: I would prefer you not mention my sex life at all, thankyouverymuch.
A: but it's interesting!
V: T_T you've GOT to be kidding me.
A: NO! All those sexy little otaku girls visualizing that it's them in her place... you can't just deny them that, can you?
V:...... well, when you put it that way.... alright, I'll allow a little. But if you write about that one time Radditz and I- ah........ nevermind. "_";;
~~Oh, and mister Toriyama, do I own DBZ?
Akira: FUCK NO, crazy amerikagashugokou gai-jin onna...
There you have it. Case closed.
-Chapter Nine-
Transition
I'd forgotten exactly how terrifying it was to witness the transformation. They seemed to die while standing, and from the corpses emerged the demons of the true saiyan soul...
I had to look away while my own keera sprouted fangs. Turles crushed the creature in his grasp; fluids spurted. We three took cover while the giant apes began their rampage.
I leaned back against the small rock wall, gasping and coughing in the dense atmosphere. It had to happen eventually. And they would never remember the first few transformations. Hell, some never recalled anything even after years of frequent transformation. I prayed that soon they would be able to control themselves, for Icaduei's sake. And when the hell would the moon set?? How much longer would I have to endure this reeking planet???
I looked to Shiromi who looked like she was near to fainting. I put an arm around her shoulders and let her rest her head against my chest. She coughed lightly, shuddering a bit as she looked up at me weakly.
"Don't worry, Shiromi-duja... cho nai sume` rei kaei...1" I said, pitying the poor girl. She never took alien planets well. I wondered if it was a medical problem, adjustments and all. Maybe allergies? Who knows.
"I know..." she coughed harder, looking up at me once more. Oh, please don't do this to me. Not here. Not now. I really didn't feel like getting all "mushy" in front of both Nappa and Radditz. I refrained, instead gazing at the dirty horizon, face devoid of all thought. This planet was weakening me. Weakening all of us. Freeza probably wouldn't get that pretty penny he was hoping for. Who in their right mind would buy it? I was about to suggest packing up and going home when something tumbled over our natural barricade and landed in my lap. It looked up at me with tired, emerald eyes.
"Keera! Doko zuburu ne jue`ra??2"
Shiromi sat up with a jolt, looking at our little Keera as if she were a specter.
"Zuuu.buru...?...3" the child replied sleepily. She coughed once, then slumped forward, immediately slipping into unconsciousness.
I looked over the edge of the sheer depression, hearing Turles moan painfully. This was not good. I looked to the sky, only to see it had darkened from its bowel brown to a deep, slimy black. I gasped, then hacked forcefully when I realized what was happening...
These were not clouds overhead.
These were the natives.
"Keera!! Keera!! Paure`, numio!!!4" She didn't stir. The air was poison, and it was eating away at our strength. A dull drone could be heard from above. The beating of insect wings. We needed to get off this God-forsaken planet while we still could-
"PAURE`!!! NUMIO!! NUMIO!!!" my comrades struggled to their feet, as I held Keera tightly. We started to run for the pods. Shiromi stumbled and fell, crying out lightly.
"Shi-.. paure`, choshuva!5" I gasped breathlessly. My knees started to become weak. Still I strived to get to her...
My vision swam before me. My head became increasingly light, while my limbs kept getting heavier. My legs gave out from under me, Keera dropped lifelessly from my arms, I fell...
No....
.....no...
I coughed, trying to move. The din from above kept getting louder; I heard Radditz scream... it was pain and helplessness and utter terror I heard in his voice.
Shiromi...
....Keera!
I forced myself to stand. My muscles strained, and I felt a stabbing pain throughout my body.
Still, I strived to power up. I could not- no, I WOULD NOT be obliterated on some remote, fetid rock by anything or anyone. I was the prince of all saiyans and I would not let my race be lost to weaklings again.
My body was suddenly engulfed in seething white. The energy burned with a life of its own, for I knew not how I had gathered the strength for it. It burned at the toxic gasses around me, it fed on them. My muscles no longer burned in pain, my limbs were practically weightless as I moved them. I quietly thanked Icaduei for my unexpected fortune, drew a deep breath, and powered still higher. My feet left the ground.
I saw them suddenly. All around my newly-summoned aura, they hovered, dripping with the selfsame mauve-colored filth they were probably conceived in. They had four sets of long and sharp mandibles, insidious-looking razors for limbs, (which each had seven of) and three pairs of large, netted wings. Their eyes were large and faceted, glowing a faint burgundy in the light of my energy.
My eyes narrowed.
I drew back, gathering all the strength I could, and snapped into stance, arms outstretched, the heels of my palms touching. As I closed my eyes, I felt them closing in.
A single flash of blinding light, probably the brightest ever seen on this dim planet. Everything became silent, still, empty..... the light dimmed, the silence prevailed. I slowly opened my eyes, taking in the scene around me. All threat had vanished.
To this day, I still can't imagine for the life of me how I did it. I've never been able to do it again. Perhaps it was the lethal air around me? Perhaps it was a fluke. Whatever it was, I was alive, and had no thoughts beyond that at the current point in time.
Wait- Shiromi!
I flew to where I had left her- imbecile for leaving her at all, I berated myself. Damnit... gawdamnit... if she's dead-
She lay exactly where she fell, facedown in the depraved muck, motionless. Next to her, my sister, prostrate as well. No... not both of them...
If you're dead, ill never forgive myself.
Please no...
Keera's face flinched momentarily- so quickly in fact, I wasn't quite sure if I'd actually seen it. I kneeled down, grazing the back of my hand to her lips, feeling for breath. It was there, faint, but still there. I quickly pushed Shiromi onto her back, cleaning her face of the sludge and feeling for the movement of air. She wasn't breathing. I pressed my ear to her chest, listening attentively for the faintest heartbeat. I heard it, weakly, slowly fading.
"Kuware`, tono dei dui...6"
I would have given her my own life if I could, and if it would save her. I would have given anything. Anything. I couldn't lose her yet, not yet. I hadn't told her. Why hadn't I told her???
"Shiromi..." a painful sob stuck in my throat as I felt tears cut through the film of dirt on my face. "Dui.......
........ dui namto doko rai ....7"
If she wouldn't breathe, I would breathe for her. It was a last resort, and an irrational one at that, but I had to do SOMETHING. I breathed deep and leaned over her, placing my lips to hers, exhaling down her throat. Drawing back, I pressed down on her chest, causing her to breathe out. I shuddered, as it reminded me of my mother...
I repeated this again, cursing when it didn't work. Breathe, damnit!! I WILL NOT let you die!! Wake up, damn yo-
She gasped, her body heaving to life. She looked up at me with wide eyes, breathing heavily for a few moments before frowning and hitting me roughly.
"Doko- *gasp* shure` *gasp* nandui *gasp* orta ne` *gasp* doh!!!8"
I threw my arms around her small frame, embracing her tightly. I vowed then and there never to let her go.
}~*~{
I gazed through the glass of the re-juve tank at the peaceful face of my sister. I wished I could have told her I was sorry. I had caused her so much pain, so much trauma. Oh, maybe not that much trauma, I thought, smiling. She is my sister after all. She's a tough little soul, just like Xansha.
She opened her eyes suddenly, startling me. I smiled warmly in at her, explaining through my eyes that everything was all right now.
The look I received was intense.
In fact, id only ever before seen that deep, fixed stare from one other...
Xansha...
Surely, if Icaduei smiled upon me, at least a little piece of Xansha lived on in Keera. I hoped she would grow up to be just like her in every way.
Exactly how much of Xansha resided in Karasahi I would not yet realize.....
}~*~{
Shiromi staggered out of the medical unit, giggling lightly. I gave her a slightly disturbed glance, letting her lean on me for support.
"The rejuvenation tanks,... they have side effects after extended use."
"uh-huuuuhhh." She acknowledged, snorting with suppressed laughter.
"You should lie down."
"Naaah. I'm fiiine."
I gave her a flat look. "I seriously don't think you are."
She pushed me away weakly, swaying and making her way down the corridor.
"Immma big girl. I can walk by myself, shhhhhhhei`o."
She stumbled and fell on her knees. I tried to be polite and not laugh at her, but this was too much.
"Shiromi, I really think you need to lie down for awhile..."
"So, did you really kill all those... whatevers? All by yourss-self?"
"Yes, but we really need to get you in-"
"and then you kisshed me. Kedunazzhhen!"
I sighed.
"No, I was breathing for you. Your lungs were blocked. You would have died had I not 'kissed' you."
She raised an eyebrow at me, then looked away smiling, making a stubborn "hmf" as if she knew otherwise.
"Oh, right, like I'd really kiss you, especially unconscious with who-knows- what all over your face. That just sounds so romantic."
"I know, doesn't it?" she grinned, tripping over her feet and falling. I caught her in time, but she was hanging on me. How uncomfortable.
"Doko nai namto ei dui, doko shui na me`.9"
My eyes widened. Had she heard me? I was speaking in utter despair at the time, thinking she was dead! I didn't even know what I was saying! Maybe she was just taunting me, and hadn't heard? How could I be sure?? I was then severely ill at ease. Damn kojuma.
I dropped her, stepping over her body and walking calmly down the hall.
"Oh, I see how it is."
I kept walking.
"Fuck you too, then."
Oh, Shiromi, you'll never know how much you meant to me. I wish I had told her. Then maybe she'd have stayed.
V: I would prefer you not mention my sex life at all, thankyouverymuch.
A: but it's interesting!
V: T_T you've GOT to be kidding me.
A: NO! All those sexy little otaku girls visualizing that it's them in her place... you can't just deny them that, can you?
V:...... well, when you put it that way.... alright, I'll allow a little. But if you write about that one time Radditz and I- ah........ nevermind. "_";;
~~Oh, and mister Toriyama, do I own DBZ?
Akira: FUCK NO, crazy amerikagashugokou gai-jin onna...
There you have it. Case closed.
-Chapter Nine-
Transition
I'd forgotten exactly how terrifying it was to witness the transformation. They seemed to die while standing, and from the corpses emerged the demons of the true saiyan soul...
I had to look away while my own keera sprouted fangs. Turles crushed the creature in his grasp; fluids spurted. We three took cover while the giant apes began their rampage.
I leaned back against the small rock wall, gasping and coughing in the dense atmosphere. It had to happen eventually. And they would never remember the first few transformations. Hell, some never recalled anything even after years of frequent transformation. I prayed that soon they would be able to control themselves, for Icaduei's sake. And when the hell would the moon set?? How much longer would I have to endure this reeking planet???
I looked to Shiromi who looked like she was near to fainting. I put an arm around her shoulders and let her rest her head against my chest. She coughed lightly, shuddering a bit as she looked up at me weakly.
"Don't worry, Shiromi-duja... cho nai sume` rei kaei...1" I said, pitying the poor girl. She never took alien planets well. I wondered if it was a medical problem, adjustments and all. Maybe allergies? Who knows.
"I know..." she coughed harder, looking up at me once more. Oh, please don't do this to me. Not here. Not now. I really didn't feel like getting all "mushy" in front of both Nappa and Radditz. I refrained, instead gazing at the dirty horizon, face devoid of all thought. This planet was weakening me. Weakening all of us. Freeza probably wouldn't get that pretty penny he was hoping for. Who in their right mind would buy it? I was about to suggest packing up and going home when something tumbled over our natural barricade and landed in my lap. It looked up at me with tired, emerald eyes.
"Keera! Doko zuburu ne jue`ra??2"
Shiromi sat up with a jolt, looking at our little Keera as if she were a specter.
"Zuuu.buru...?...3" the child replied sleepily. She coughed once, then slumped forward, immediately slipping into unconsciousness.
I looked over the edge of the sheer depression, hearing Turles moan painfully. This was not good. I looked to the sky, only to see it had darkened from its bowel brown to a deep, slimy black. I gasped, then hacked forcefully when I realized what was happening...
These were not clouds overhead.
These were the natives.
"Keera!! Keera!! Paure`, numio!!!4" She didn't stir. The air was poison, and it was eating away at our strength. A dull drone could be heard from above. The beating of insect wings. We needed to get off this God-forsaken planet while we still could-
"PAURE`!!! NUMIO!! NUMIO!!!" my comrades struggled to their feet, as I held Keera tightly. We started to run for the pods. Shiromi stumbled and fell, crying out lightly.
"Shi-.. paure`, choshuva!5" I gasped breathlessly. My knees started to become weak. Still I strived to get to her...
My vision swam before me. My head became increasingly light, while my limbs kept getting heavier. My legs gave out from under me, Keera dropped lifelessly from my arms, I fell...
No....
.....no...
I coughed, trying to move. The din from above kept getting louder; I heard Radditz scream... it was pain and helplessness and utter terror I heard in his voice.
Shiromi...
....Keera!
I forced myself to stand. My muscles strained, and I felt a stabbing pain throughout my body.
Still, I strived to power up. I could not- no, I WOULD NOT be obliterated on some remote, fetid rock by anything or anyone. I was the prince of all saiyans and I would not let my race be lost to weaklings again.
My body was suddenly engulfed in seething white. The energy burned with a life of its own, for I knew not how I had gathered the strength for it. It burned at the toxic gasses around me, it fed on them. My muscles no longer burned in pain, my limbs were practically weightless as I moved them. I quietly thanked Icaduei for my unexpected fortune, drew a deep breath, and powered still higher. My feet left the ground.
I saw them suddenly. All around my newly-summoned aura, they hovered, dripping with the selfsame mauve-colored filth they were probably conceived in. They had four sets of long and sharp mandibles, insidious-looking razors for limbs, (which each had seven of) and three pairs of large, netted wings. Their eyes were large and faceted, glowing a faint burgundy in the light of my energy.
My eyes narrowed.
I drew back, gathering all the strength I could, and snapped into stance, arms outstretched, the heels of my palms touching. As I closed my eyes, I felt them closing in.
A single flash of blinding light, probably the brightest ever seen on this dim planet. Everything became silent, still, empty..... the light dimmed, the silence prevailed. I slowly opened my eyes, taking in the scene around me. All threat had vanished.
To this day, I still can't imagine for the life of me how I did it. I've never been able to do it again. Perhaps it was the lethal air around me? Perhaps it was a fluke. Whatever it was, I was alive, and had no thoughts beyond that at the current point in time.
Wait- Shiromi!
I flew to where I had left her- imbecile for leaving her at all, I berated myself. Damnit... gawdamnit... if she's dead-
She lay exactly where she fell, facedown in the depraved muck, motionless. Next to her, my sister, prostrate as well. No... not both of them...
If you're dead, ill never forgive myself.
Please no...
Keera's face flinched momentarily- so quickly in fact, I wasn't quite sure if I'd actually seen it. I kneeled down, grazing the back of my hand to her lips, feeling for breath. It was there, faint, but still there. I quickly pushed Shiromi onto her back, cleaning her face of the sludge and feeling for the movement of air. She wasn't breathing. I pressed my ear to her chest, listening attentively for the faintest heartbeat. I heard it, weakly, slowly fading.
"Kuware`, tono dei dui...6"
I would have given her my own life if I could, and if it would save her. I would have given anything. Anything. I couldn't lose her yet, not yet. I hadn't told her. Why hadn't I told her???
"Shiromi..." a painful sob stuck in my throat as I felt tears cut through the film of dirt on my face. "Dui.......
........ dui namto doko rai ....7"
If she wouldn't breathe, I would breathe for her. It was a last resort, and an irrational one at that, but I had to do SOMETHING. I breathed deep and leaned over her, placing my lips to hers, exhaling down her throat. Drawing back, I pressed down on her chest, causing her to breathe out. I shuddered, as it reminded me of my mother...
I repeated this again, cursing when it didn't work. Breathe, damnit!! I WILL NOT let you die!! Wake up, damn yo-
She gasped, her body heaving to life. She looked up at me with wide eyes, breathing heavily for a few moments before frowning and hitting me roughly.
"Doko- *gasp* shure` *gasp* nandui *gasp* orta ne` *gasp* doh!!!8"
I threw my arms around her small frame, embracing her tightly. I vowed then and there never to let her go.
}~*~{
I gazed through the glass of the re-juve tank at the peaceful face of my sister. I wished I could have told her I was sorry. I had caused her so much pain, so much trauma. Oh, maybe not that much trauma, I thought, smiling. She is my sister after all. She's a tough little soul, just like Xansha.
She opened her eyes suddenly, startling me. I smiled warmly in at her, explaining through my eyes that everything was all right now.
The look I received was intense.
In fact, id only ever before seen that deep, fixed stare from one other...
Xansha...
Surely, if Icaduei smiled upon me, at least a little piece of Xansha lived on in Keera. I hoped she would grow up to be just like her in every way.
Exactly how much of Xansha resided in Karasahi I would not yet realize.....
}~*~{
Shiromi staggered out of the medical unit, giggling lightly. I gave her a slightly disturbed glance, letting her lean on me for support.
"The rejuvenation tanks,... they have side effects after extended use."
"uh-huuuuhhh." She acknowledged, snorting with suppressed laughter.
"You should lie down."
"Naaah. I'm fiiine."
I gave her a flat look. "I seriously don't think you are."
She pushed me away weakly, swaying and making her way down the corridor.
"Immma big girl. I can walk by myself, shhhhhhhei`o."
She stumbled and fell on her knees. I tried to be polite and not laugh at her, but this was too much.
"Shiromi, I really think you need to lie down for awhile..."
"So, did you really kill all those... whatevers? All by yourss-self?"
"Yes, but we really need to get you in-"
"and then you kisshed me. Kedunazzhhen!"
I sighed.
"No, I was breathing for you. Your lungs were blocked. You would have died had I not 'kissed' you."
She raised an eyebrow at me, then looked away smiling, making a stubborn "hmf" as if she knew otherwise.
"Oh, right, like I'd really kiss you, especially unconscious with who-knows- what all over your face. That just sounds so romantic."
"I know, doesn't it?" she grinned, tripping over her feet and falling. I caught her in time, but she was hanging on me. How uncomfortable.
"Doko nai namto ei dui, doko shui na me`.9"
My eyes widened. Had she heard me? I was speaking in utter despair at the time, thinking she was dead! I didn't even know what I was saying! Maybe she was just taunting me, and hadn't heard? How could I be sure?? I was then severely ill at ease. Damn kojuma.
I dropped her, stepping over her body and walking calmly down the hall.
"Oh, I see how it is."
I kept walking.
"Fuck you too, then."
Oh, Shiromi, you'll never know how much you meant to me. I wish I had told her. Then maybe she'd have stayed.