Chapter 11: Fragile Mind
"It's finished, then. You won't follow me around and you will not seek me out, nor will you try to contact me," Kari stated definitively, eying Yamora with a skeptical gaze.
"I won't come near you again without your permission, I swear," he answered with a tired sigh, returning her stare with one of equal strength. "But, do you have to be so stubborn about all this, Kari? You could make this much easier on both of us if you would just come back..."
"No, Yamora. It's over, and it's been over for a long time. Things didn't work out then and they never will. It's as simple as that," Kari held firmly, looking up at him defiantly.
"Well, I can see your mind is made up, and I respect that. I guess all I can say to you now is.good-bye, Kari. I know that it's over, but I will miss you," Yamora confessed, seemingly heartbroken.
"Good-bye, Yamora. I can't say I'll miss you, but I do wish you the best of luck," she replied honestly. "Good-bye."
The two parted ways and Yamora left the swarming hall and stood outside on the marble balcony, which overlooked the lush woods behind Capsule Corp. Kari headed for the bathroom, desperate for some time to herself to think and recall the night's events.
She had at long last truly freed herself from the face that had haunted her waking and unconscious dreams for the past three years.
Kari entered the bathroom and found it to be nothing short of enormous. There was a plush lounging area, a separate spa room complete with hot tub, and large stalls in the back. Seeking solitude, she headed for the deserted spa and took a seat on the tiled edge of the whirlpool. She closed her lavender eyes and breathed a deep sigh, one that released all the agony, pain, and tears of the past three years. Recalling those memories of times past caused her great suffering in the remembrance of the fear and anxiety in which she had once lived. Those days were nothing short of excruciating. Then, like the sun dispelling the clouds after a fierce storm, a face appeared in her mind and cleared away all the strife of her past.
Trunks.
She knew now, beyond any shred of doubt, that she loved him. He had always been beside her. He talked to her when she needed counseling, listened to her when she needed comfort, and provided a shoulder to cry upon when she was in pain. He had shown her how to face the bad times and learn from them, rising out of the ashes of sorrow on newfound wings of strength. He was her rock, her foundation, her strength.
It had only been about a year since they had first met that fateful night in the park, but that encounter had changed her more drastically than anyone, especially she, could have ever imagined. She trusted him completely and utterly. He would never hurt her, never cause her pain. But what she knew most of all was she loved him more deeply than the stars could love the heavens that embraced them, and she was finally able to admit to who she was and let the barrier she had been holding up for so long crumble to the ground. She knew she had found the one to make her necklace glow like the distant embers in the sky, but only if his feelings for her were just as strong in return.
She had to tell Trunks how she felt about him. And, she resolved, it must be done tonight.
As she rose to leave, though, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her. She had to sit down to keep her head from spinning off her shoulders and prevent the room from whirling about her. But she was as determined as a warrior in battle, and she soon picked herself up and headed for the door. Her mind, and heart, were set on Trunks.
* * * *
As Trunks was dancing with Aya, he began to grow exceedingly anxious. He hadn't seen Kari since she and Yamora had left together, and his trepidations were growing rapidly. Thoughts of the vulnerabilities the night presented and the atrocious transgressions that could be committed under such a darkened cover reeled through his mind. He didn't know what he would do if anything should happen to Kari.
She was the most remarkable person he had ever met and his love for her was immeasurable even by of the deepest oceans or highest mountains. She had lived the hardest life anyone could ever dread to live, and yet she had the strength and courage to continue a happy existence despite her unbearable history. She had befriended him the first time she had met him, and she had entrusted him with her deepest and most valuable secret. She had listened to him grumble about his family, commiserated with him when his dad flew out of control, and had taught him that the bonds of friendship can never be broken, no matter what the obstacle. She was the strongest, most spirited person he knew, and he cherished her.
He loved her truly, madly, deeply, and he would never allow any injury to befall her again.
"It's a really nice party, ne?" commented his blonde dancing partner.
"Uh...yeah. It's really nice," Trunks replied absently, pulled partway out of his reverie by her voice. What's her name again? he struggled.
"It's even better because I'm dancing with the most attractive guy in the whole room. Wouldn't you say the same?" the girl continued, eyeing him slyly.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," Trunks responded automatically, scanning the room for a certain face and not really intent on what she was saying.
"Really? You're so sweet. You deserve a reward," she replied seductively.
Before Trunks knew what was happening, her lips had closed over his and he could feel her tongue make its way into his mouth. He tried to gently push her away, he didn't wish to hurt her, but she continued to hold him tight and persisted. Desperately attempting to free himself of the voluptuous girl, he failed to notice the face that had just appeared in the on looking crowd, crying at the sight.
* * * *
Kari made her way out of the bathroom and began searching for Trunks. She pushed and shoved her way through the milling crowd, standing up on tiptoe to get a good look around the room. Through the sea of bobbing heads she spotted Goten not too far away and began to force her way through the throng once again, but was continually inhibited by eager guys seeking a dance with her. After much jostling and declining, though, she finally made it to Goten and tapped him lightly on the back.
"Hey, Kari! I'm guessing the whole thing with Yamora went well," Goten assumed as he embraced her.
"Yes, it's all done now. I don't have to worry about him anymore. But, actually..." Kari began, then ceased as her head started spinning. What is wrong with me?
"Are you feeling well?" Goten asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," she said, brushing off her sudden fatigue and his anxious expression. "I was actually wondering if you knew where I could find Trunks. I really need to speak with him."
"Of course! He's over by the stairs, I think. If he's not there come find me, and I'll help you track him down," he offered with a smile.
"Arigatou, Goten. You're the best," Kari thanked him as she turned, heading for the stairwell area.
Suddenly, Goten saw just what Trunks was doing and endeavored to call Kari back, but it was too late. She was a good thirty feet away before she looked up, but even from that distance she clearly witnessed the scene that sent her heart crashing to her feet.
Trunks was kissing another girl.
All the emotions she had kept bottled up inside for the past few months quickly broke free and rapidly turned to tears as soon as they reached her incredulous eyes. Instantly, she ran the opposite direction towards the balcony and the outdoors as fast as she could, her heart leaving shattered fragments with every woozy step she took.
"It's finished, then. You won't follow me around and you will not seek me out, nor will you try to contact me," Kari stated definitively, eying Yamora with a skeptical gaze.
"I won't come near you again without your permission, I swear," he answered with a tired sigh, returning her stare with one of equal strength. "But, do you have to be so stubborn about all this, Kari? You could make this much easier on both of us if you would just come back..."
"No, Yamora. It's over, and it's been over for a long time. Things didn't work out then and they never will. It's as simple as that," Kari held firmly, looking up at him defiantly.
"Well, I can see your mind is made up, and I respect that. I guess all I can say to you now is.good-bye, Kari. I know that it's over, but I will miss you," Yamora confessed, seemingly heartbroken.
"Good-bye, Yamora. I can't say I'll miss you, but I do wish you the best of luck," she replied honestly. "Good-bye."
The two parted ways and Yamora left the swarming hall and stood outside on the marble balcony, which overlooked the lush woods behind Capsule Corp. Kari headed for the bathroom, desperate for some time to herself to think and recall the night's events.
She had at long last truly freed herself from the face that had haunted her waking and unconscious dreams for the past three years.
Kari entered the bathroom and found it to be nothing short of enormous. There was a plush lounging area, a separate spa room complete with hot tub, and large stalls in the back. Seeking solitude, she headed for the deserted spa and took a seat on the tiled edge of the whirlpool. She closed her lavender eyes and breathed a deep sigh, one that released all the agony, pain, and tears of the past three years. Recalling those memories of times past caused her great suffering in the remembrance of the fear and anxiety in which she had once lived. Those days were nothing short of excruciating. Then, like the sun dispelling the clouds after a fierce storm, a face appeared in her mind and cleared away all the strife of her past.
Trunks.
She knew now, beyond any shred of doubt, that she loved him. He had always been beside her. He talked to her when she needed counseling, listened to her when she needed comfort, and provided a shoulder to cry upon when she was in pain. He had shown her how to face the bad times and learn from them, rising out of the ashes of sorrow on newfound wings of strength. He was her rock, her foundation, her strength.
It had only been about a year since they had first met that fateful night in the park, but that encounter had changed her more drastically than anyone, especially she, could have ever imagined. She trusted him completely and utterly. He would never hurt her, never cause her pain. But what she knew most of all was she loved him more deeply than the stars could love the heavens that embraced them, and she was finally able to admit to who she was and let the barrier she had been holding up for so long crumble to the ground. She knew she had found the one to make her necklace glow like the distant embers in the sky, but only if his feelings for her were just as strong in return.
She had to tell Trunks how she felt about him. And, she resolved, it must be done tonight.
As she rose to leave, though, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her. She had to sit down to keep her head from spinning off her shoulders and prevent the room from whirling about her. But she was as determined as a warrior in battle, and she soon picked herself up and headed for the door. Her mind, and heart, were set on Trunks.
* * * *
As Trunks was dancing with Aya, he began to grow exceedingly anxious. He hadn't seen Kari since she and Yamora had left together, and his trepidations were growing rapidly. Thoughts of the vulnerabilities the night presented and the atrocious transgressions that could be committed under such a darkened cover reeled through his mind. He didn't know what he would do if anything should happen to Kari.
She was the most remarkable person he had ever met and his love for her was immeasurable even by of the deepest oceans or highest mountains. She had lived the hardest life anyone could ever dread to live, and yet she had the strength and courage to continue a happy existence despite her unbearable history. She had befriended him the first time she had met him, and she had entrusted him with her deepest and most valuable secret. She had listened to him grumble about his family, commiserated with him when his dad flew out of control, and had taught him that the bonds of friendship can never be broken, no matter what the obstacle. She was the strongest, most spirited person he knew, and he cherished her.
He loved her truly, madly, deeply, and he would never allow any injury to befall her again.
"It's a really nice party, ne?" commented his blonde dancing partner.
"Uh...yeah. It's really nice," Trunks replied absently, pulled partway out of his reverie by her voice. What's her name again? he struggled.
"It's even better because I'm dancing with the most attractive guy in the whole room. Wouldn't you say the same?" the girl continued, eyeing him slyly.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," Trunks responded automatically, scanning the room for a certain face and not really intent on what she was saying.
"Really? You're so sweet. You deserve a reward," she replied seductively.
Before Trunks knew what was happening, her lips had closed over his and he could feel her tongue make its way into his mouth. He tried to gently push her away, he didn't wish to hurt her, but she continued to hold him tight and persisted. Desperately attempting to free himself of the voluptuous girl, he failed to notice the face that had just appeared in the on looking crowd, crying at the sight.
* * * *
Kari made her way out of the bathroom and began searching for Trunks. She pushed and shoved her way through the milling crowd, standing up on tiptoe to get a good look around the room. Through the sea of bobbing heads she spotted Goten not too far away and began to force her way through the throng once again, but was continually inhibited by eager guys seeking a dance with her. After much jostling and declining, though, she finally made it to Goten and tapped him lightly on the back.
"Hey, Kari! I'm guessing the whole thing with Yamora went well," Goten assumed as he embraced her.
"Yes, it's all done now. I don't have to worry about him anymore. But, actually..." Kari began, then ceased as her head started spinning. What is wrong with me?
"Are you feeling well?" Goten asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," she said, brushing off her sudden fatigue and his anxious expression. "I was actually wondering if you knew where I could find Trunks. I really need to speak with him."
"Of course! He's over by the stairs, I think. If he's not there come find me, and I'll help you track him down," he offered with a smile.
"Arigatou, Goten. You're the best," Kari thanked him as she turned, heading for the stairwell area.
Suddenly, Goten saw just what Trunks was doing and endeavored to call Kari back, but it was too late. She was a good thirty feet away before she looked up, but even from that distance she clearly witnessed the scene that sent her heart crashing to her feet.
Trunks was kissing another girl.
All the emotions she had kept bottled up inside for the past few months quickly broke free and rapidly turned to tears as soon as they reached her incredulous eyes. Instantly, she ran the opposite direction towards the balcony and the outdoors as fast as she could, her heart leaving shattered fragments with every woozy step she took.