Yep, I have this thing updated. Yay! I really wanna get this fic
rolling, I'm just not motivated enough. (. Well, to those who read this,
enjoy.
The Dream
The death seemed to surround her. It was so thick she could smell it. It made her sick to her stomach. A seventeen-year old Serina looked around, shaking feverishly, trying to figure out where she was. All she could remember was an explosion. She couldn't stop shivering. People lay motionless in puddles of their own blood. Serina covered her eyes in horror. What had happened? A darkness that she could not speak of over came her and she fell to the ground in frustration.
"Why?" she asked herself quietly, "why couldn't I have been here for these people . . ." she made a quick glance to a child lying near her, her blond hair disheveled and her face distorted in a silent cry. Tears were still on her face, as if she was still alive. She couldn't have been more then five.
Serina screamed out, the pain in her chest grew. She brushed the tears off the small child, only to get blood on her own hands. Serina balled her bloody fist and hit the ground, sending little cracks for a good half a mile.
"Damn them," she spat out, "This is too much, she was only a child . . .how much more of this can I take?"
"If you wish to survive, I suggest you stop displaying so much pathetic emotion." A cold voice said from behind her. Her eyes widened in realization. Serina turned to see a boy with black hair, and a girl who looked almost identical with the other, save that she had blond locks. Serina felt her heart stop; she couldn't breath, she couldn't even think.
"Oh, look, she's scared." The blond one exclaimed as she leaned on a broken lamppost. Serina looked on and said nothing. She was paralyzed in fear.
"Weren't you just "damning" us?" Serina continued to stare, not daring to speak.
"Hey, are you even listening?" the blond one said in annoyance, " How rude, just like the little girl we killed, the blond one. She kept saying that "people have hope, and hope will make things better" or something. It didn't do too much for her, now did it? She was an idiot, just like all humans. Hope is nothing but for the weak who have the stupidity to uphold it."
At these words, Serina looked up at the androids, or the "evil duo" as the people who suffered under their oppression called them. Her fear was suddenly replaced by anger. Her hands itched with the want to make contact with their bodies.
"Why do you not speak?" the black haired one asked, "Perhaps you are too afraid to end up like your friend?"
Serina's eyes flashed dangerously at that remark.
"I do not speak because I do not have anything to say to you," she said bitterly, "I don't like to converse with those who kill so willingly."
"Oh, so she can speak." The blond one jeered, "What else can she do? Judging by her appearance, not much. But she does look familiar, is she related to someone that we've killed off?" she asked her brother. He shrugged.
"Eighteen, you know as well as I do that I've lost count of the people we've killed, what makes you think I'd remember what they looked like?"
"Eh, no matter. He was probably some dumb ass in my way." She replied.
Serina soon found her feet. Anger was throbbing in every muscle; her blood pounded threw her ears. She jumped into the air and lunged for Eighteen's neck and gripped tightly.
"What? You can't remember the one man who came close to defeating you?" Serina screamed out, choking her violently, and surprisingly Eighteen couldn't do anything as she wheezed painfully, "You can't remember my brother, Gohan? Well here's a reminder for you!" and Serina punched her in the face, sending her flying into a nearby building. Eighteen's eyes widened in shock. She took her hand and felt her face. Her lip bled profusely. She scowled.
"You bitch!" she screamed, "Look what you did! Oh, you're in for it now. Seventeen get over here!"
Seventeen followed her order with an amused expression.
"Seems we've got a feisty one here." He said with a smirk imprinted on his face, "So, what should we do with her?"
"What else? Kill her you idiot!" she screamed. He cracked his knuckles.
"What ever you say, dear sister." And they were off like a cannon after Serina. All she could do was watch as they came. Serina stood in a battle stance. She would not let them kill her without a fight.
The evil duo slammed into her, snapping a rib or two, and Serina let out a pained filled scream She stumbled around like a wounded animal for a moment before regaining her composure. But they attacked her again. It felt as if they were hitting every inch of her body. Serina's blocking seemed hopeless to the god-like speed of her challengers. But she tried anyway. She couldn't fail that girl; she couldn't fail her brother.
However, Serina was getting weaker. She used a lot of energy when she was trying to kill Eighteen. That happened a lot with her. She would blank out when she was upset, and the next thing she knew, she would power up to a much higher level of power. But it would leave as soon as it came, and it left her a little drained.
This situation was no different.
"What now?" Eighteen laughed as they stopped beating her for a moment, "Where's all that anger?" Serina spat out some blood, which conveniently landed on Eighteen's shirt. Serina would have laughed at her if it weren't such a dire circumstance. Eighteen looked at her shirt in horror.
"Kill me if you like . . . but that won't solve your problem. I know there's someone who will defeat you. If not me, then someone else will. You are only machines, incapable of knowing any greater purpose then to kill. You can only last for so long." Serina smirked. 'That'll give them something to think about.'
This time it was Seventeen's turn to scowl.
"How about we shut her up forever? I'm sick of her ramblings." He exclaimed.
"I couldn't agree with you more." His sister replied. They pummeled their fists into her once more, the crunching of her already broken bones satisfying their lust to kill. Soon, however, they grew tiered of this and decided to finish her off.
They threw Serina into a building and began to fire off what seemed to be millions of energy attacks. All Serina could do was let it happen. Her body screamed with agony. She couldn't move anything, and to top it off her arm was bent the wrong way.
And despite of what she had said to the androids about having someone more powerful than she was step up to the plate, she felt disgraced that she couldn't have held up against them any longer then five minutes. Tears of shame streaked down her face as she made an oath to herself.
"I won't ever let myself be beaten like this, I won't be so thick again. I will be prepared." She whispered to herself to help heal her humiliation.
But that was only if she survived this ordeal. Oh, how foolish she was! But next time . . . next time she would be ready. She would not fail again.
But despite that notion, she began to close her eyes and loose her battle with the darkness. She knew that she was going to die. However, something held her back, and she had begun to see something. It was as if it was a memory . . . but it couldn't have been, she had no recollection of it at all. An image of a boy showed against her closed lids, his innocent face seemed familiar, and then suddenly the boy changed into a man. He called out to her. He had lavender hair and intense blue gaze, but his face was obscured by some kind of fog.
"Don't give up yet, not when you have so much to live for." He told her softly, his voice washing over her like warm water, calming her frenzied mind.
"Who are you?" she asked weakly. She could make out that the man was smirking. He seemed recognizable.
"You'll find out soon. As of now, I am just a memory. Now don't you give up, not when the world still needs a hero. Promise me that you won't let go just yet."
Serina looked on in amazement, and then muttered, "I don't know what strength is in me still, but I'll try, ok? I can promise you that much. Now will you tell me who you are?"
"I know you well, I've been in the back of your mind for twelve years waiting for you to remember."
Serina gave a bemused look. What the hell was he saying?
". . .Remember what?" she asked at last. He let out a little laugh at the remark. His voice was sweet, not taunting, and Serina found herself smiling. His laugh was beautiful.
" I can't tell you *everything, now can I?" he exclaimed lightly, "All you need to know is that you lost something a long time ago. If you don't forget everything, you can get it back . . . get me back . . ."
"Huh?" she questioned stupidly, but before she could say anything more, she felt herself being pulled back. The man's face disappeared and Serina fell into the shadows.
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"AHHHH!!!!" Serina screamed out, waking with a start. Doused with sweat, she grabbed her arm and inspected it thoroughly. What the hell was that? A dream? She could faintly see the scare where her bone popped out. The doctors thought that her arm was broken beyond fixing. Amputation was definitely what they were going to do. Luckily, Roshi broke her out and got her a sensu bean.
"That's right," she thought aloud, "that happened only about a year ago. God, what a nightmare. . ." she wiped her forehead, "I've been dreaming a lot lately, but this one's different. I couldn't remember much from that day at all. And that guy . . . was that Trunks?"
Serina shook her head, trying to shake off the confusion. That dream meant something. . . something that had been plaguing her for a while now. But what was it? Was it the promise she made to the man? Why couldn't she remember what he said to her earlier? She wouldn't forget that easily. It had to be some form of Trunks. Who else would it be? But what was the dream trying to tell me? Was it just some memory? Or was reminding her of the oath she had made to herself?
"'I won't ever let myself be beaten like this, I won't be so thick again. I will be prepared.'" Her own voice echoed in her head. With sudden realization Serina new what was bothering her so much.
"Of course," she cried, slamming her head into her fist, "I haven't been working hard enough in my training! I should've realized it before, all this worrying about not seeing much improvement. Training a few times a week isn't good enough. Having a hectic schedule isn't a good excuse!"
With that notion, Serina threw off her covers and grabbed an elastic band. She put her hair up in a hasty ponytail and ran out the door with her panda jammie bottoms still on and made her way towards Trunks' dorm.
**
Serina knocked heavily on Trunks' door but received no answer. Deciding that he wouldn't wake up for anything, she walked through the doorway and waltzed into his bedroom. Trunks was asleep with his mouth wide open. Small snores escaped his mouth and his limbs were spread out all over his bed. His purple hair was scruffy, sticking up in all directions. He looked . . . rather adorable.
If only she had a camera.
She let out a small giggle as he muttered something incoherent and rolled over. But she had come here for a reason, and nothing was going to stop her from going for that reason. She walked to his bed and began to shake him lightly.
"Trunks, wake up. I need to speak with you." She called out quietly. He only slapped her hand away and rolled over once more. Serina gave a sigh and shook her head.
"I don't wanna have to do this . . ." she went on, and walked over to the window and opened it. The cold breeze made Trunks shift uncomfortably and he desperately tried to seek out his warm blankets. Serina began to giggle madly as she grabbed an icicle that was forming on the windowpane, "Hmmm. . . ok, maybe I do." She muttered with an evil smirk.
Preparing her self and took in a breath of air to stop her from laughing, and she quickly stuck the ice down his pants. Trunks screeched loudly as he shot out into the air. He jumped around wildly as he tried to get the ice out, then running into the wall with a deafening "thud" and landed on the ground. Serina hovered over him with a slightly mocking face and gave a little snort.
"Oh, honey, you ok?" she asked sweetly as he scowled at her.
"Shut up!" he bellowed. None the less Serina held her hand out to him, " What are you doing here, it's only about two!"
"Well, I needed to talk to you." She said in a rather sheepish voice. Trunks rubbed his head, which was throbbing painfully. He let out a small sigh and attempted to look at her.
Well, the two of her.
"What is it, are you feeling ok?" he asked, leading her over to the mini couch to sit down. She crossed her legs and faced him. "I had a dream." She began. Trunks quirked an eyebrow.
"A dream?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice. She woke him up for that? She gave him an angry look and continued.
"It was of a memory. It was a year before you killed the androids. I had gone into town to shop, and there was an attack . . ."
Serina continued to tell Trunks of the dream, and even about what she thought was him sending her a message. Trunks' eyes widened as he listened intently.
"What does this mean?" he asked, a little more to himself then anything else. Serina shook her head a little and began to speak again.
"However, that's not the most important thing right now. I came to ask a question."
"Well, go for it." He told her. She was acting quite strange.
"Tell me the truth. Have you seen any improvement in my fighting skills over the last couple weeks?" she asked slowly, having the feeling that she already knew the answer.
". . .The truth?" he asked nervously. Why did he have the feeling that this wasn't going to end well?
"Yes, I think that's what I asked for." She replied.
"Nnn . . ." he looked dead into her face so she could see that he was indeed speaking the truth, "The truth is . . . you haven't made much improvement, only about a 15% increase over the last month and a half, and I know you could do better. It's not that you're not strong already!" He rushed the last part, covering his head. Serina could get quite violent when she was upset over something. After a few moments without being attacked Trunks looked back at her. She sat very still, looking quite disturbed.
"You didn't tell me this?" she asked softly, he gaze drifting to the floor. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I didn't want to worry you. I know how you get sometimes."
"What!?! Trunks, you have to tell me these things, you idiot! This isn't just some stupid boy problem in freakin' junior high! It's the fate of the freakin' world! THE WORLD, DAMN IT!!!" she screeched, and hit him over the head a couple times.
"Serina! I'm sorry! I just didn't want you to be upset. Stop hitting me, PLEASE!" he called out despritly. She ceased after another hit or two and sat back down.
"Sorry, I just feel a little confused right now," she told him awkwardly, "but I have another question."
"Will I get hit again?" he asked unsurely. She gave him an annoyed look.
"No." she said simply, "Trunks, have we been training enough?" Trunks looked at her in a surprised manner, but then asked himself the same question. Were they?
"No." his deep voice said with seriousness, "At the rate were going, we won't make much progress. Two to three training sessions a week won't cut it."
The pair sat in silence for a moment, lost in deep thought. School was going to get a little harder to keep up with. And not to mention the ballet thing was soon as well. But that wasn't important, not like this . . .
"We're just going to have to train more," Serina said at last, turning to face Trunks, "Everyday."
"You're asking a lot," he sighed, running a clumsy hand through his hair, "When would we have the time?"
"That can't be our concern." She cried out in frustration, "We have to come up with excuses, take time from lunch, anything to get us training more."
"You sure you can deal with it? It's gonna be a pain to handle." He commented softly. She looked at him quickly.
"If you had seen the way that girl looked. . . you would be jumping to train too." She exclaimed in a haunted voice.
Trunks looked down in shame as she scooted closer to him. Serina didn't want to make him feel bad. She lifted his chin until his eyes were level with hers. She gave him a soft smile and placed her head on his chest.
"Through out all the time we've known each other, trust me now. We will get through this." She said in a comforting tone, and he draped a drowsy arm across her shoulder.
"If you think so." He said softly
"Then we start tomorrow night." She said happily.
"Of course. But it's kinda late, and a wee bit nippy. You really should stay here, in my bed . . .OW!" He screamed out as she bit him hard.
"Fat chance, Trunks," she exclaimed sarcastically, "Jake has more of a chance with me then you do."
"Oh whatever." He said, though kind of disappointedly, "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah," she said as she got up to leave.
Just as she reached the door, Trunks called out, "You wouldn't really choose Jake over me . . . would you?" Serina pondered on that notion. She gave a bright smile.
"I donno. . . depends who's better at making out." She said in a rush and hurried out the door before he could say anything more.
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The next night, Serina met Trunks in his dorm and they took off out through the window. She had a determined look on her face as they quickly rushed over the waves of the water. She couldn't let everyone around her down. With the thoughts of that little girl still fresh in her mind, they landed on the soil softly.
"We don't have too much time to do the training in the day," Trunks said, "All of our major sessions have to be during the night. It will be stressful on your body."
"I can take the stress," she cut in, "Do you give good back massages?"
"Sure?" he replied doubtfully, "Why?"
"You'll be doing a lot of those when we get through with these "sessions.""
Trunks smiled and gave a short laugh.
"Alright then. Lets get this thing going."
The pair started off with some simple stretches to warm up and moved over to some open area. They both sank into battle stances and smirked at each other.
Suddenly, Trunks bolted forward and slammed a fist into Serina's face. She in return punched Trunks in the stomach and threw her arm along his back. He fell to the ground and kicked her legs from under her. She landed with a loud "thwap" but jumped up anyways. Trunks also flipped himself up and they got into the fighting mode once more.
After a while of sparring, Serina started to back Trunks into a corner of the woods. Trunks was running out of space and options. Her speed had no problems, she could compete with Trunks in that department any day. It was her strength that needed work. (Though it seemed he was having trouble with that, too. ;) ) She was doing a great job, and it didn't seem like she was going to give up soon. ' Seems like the dream scared her to become stronger,' he thought, ' She's freakin' kicking my ass. . . but it gives me an excuse to power up.' Trunks smirk deviously.
"How about we kick it up a notch?" he exclaimed over the noise of their fighting and he powered up to Super Saiyan.
"Wh-what? Why'd you do that?" screamed Serina as she tried to dodge a punch as quickly as she could.
"I thought you'd like a challenge." He yelled out as he kicked her in the side and sent her flailing towards a patch of forest. He then dashed behind her and hit her back. She landed on the ground face first.
"Seems like the challenge was too much for you." He exclaimed indifferently, but in a mocking tone all the same.
"Ahh, sshut va helll hup." she said with a mouthful of dirt. She spat it out and leapt up to attack him. He jumped back in surprise buy quickly returned the assault
The two were at it again. Trunks had the upper hand the whole time, however it wasn't hard to believe. He was a legendary Super Saiyan after all. Serina fought a good fight, but it was inevitable.
Her ass was being kicked.
Before she knew it, Serina flung helplessly to the ground as Trunks did the final blow. It was over. Trunks landed swiftly next to her and squatted down. Serina looked up at the still Super Saiyan Trunks. Something was different about him. Something. . . about his power.
"You've been training separately. . .haven't you?" she asked as soon as she found her voice.
"What?" he asked after a moment.
"I mean," she continued with a slight crack in her voice, "I couldn't have expected to be up there with you. I'm just not strong enough to be your sparring partner."
"What are you babbling about?" he asked in confusion. She shook her head to fight the feeling of uselessness.
"Trunks, tell me the truth. You've been training alone because I can't keep up with you."
Trunks remained silent for a moment.
"Yes, I've been training alone." He said quietly.
"Why didn't you tell me? For crying out loud Trunks, I have a right to know if I'm wasting my time or not."
He gave a little laugh as her anger grew. What the hell was he laughing about? Was he laughing at her? She had half a mind to yell at him before he cut her off.
"Serina, you don't understand, I never said anything about you not keeping up with me," he began, still giggling, "don't you see? Yes, your strength has not been improving, and that's something to be worried about, but you pick up things on a whim. It doesn't take you long to learn moves and incorporate them in to your own style. If I hadn't been training, there wouldn't have been any way you would've improved, you following me?"
"Like a faithful hound." She said sarcastically.
"Anyways, if I hadn't been increasing my own strength, where would that leave you? You would have no room to improve. You gain strength by learning from your opponent, you see?"
"Uh. . . huh?" she asked dumbly. Trunks sighed.
"Basically, if I kick your butt, then you learn from it, and if you kick mine, I learn from it, right?"
"Yeeeaaah." She replied with somewhat understanding, "God, I wish I could compete with you, Trunks. I feel so weak, like I'm dragging you down."
"Serina," he said seriously, "I would not be out here for nothing. You're helping me so much, you couldn't possible be anything but wonderful."
"You sure?" she questioned softly. He looked at her sternly as she sat there gripping her hands.
"Look, you've learned a lot in these past months. You're about as strong as I am when in my normal stage. I didn't even achieve that status until I became a Super Saiyan. I have this feeling. . . it won't leave me alone. I feel that there's something in you, something that will make you the strongest of us all."
Serina was speechless. No, Trunks was wrong. There was no way she could ever be as strong as he was.
Never. . .
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Ok, I finally finished this chapter. Whoooo! Now please be good boys and girls and review?
The Dream
The death seemed to surround her. It was so thick she could smell it. It made her sick to her stomach. A seventeen-year old Serina looked around, shaking feverishly, trying to figure out where she was. All she could remember was an explosion. She couldn't stop shivering. People lay motionless in puddles of their own blood. Serina covered her eyes in horror. What had happened? A darkness that she could not speak of over came her and she fell to the ground in frustration.
"Why?" she asked herself quietly, "why couldn't I have been here for these people . . ." she made a quick glance to a child lying near her, her blond hair disheveled and her face distorted in a silent cry. Tears were still on her face, as if she was still alive. She couldn't have been more then five.
Serina screamed out, the pain in her chest grew. She brushed the tears off the small child, only to get blood on her own hands. Serina balled her bloody fist and hit the ground, sending little cracks for a good half a mile.
"Damn them," she spat out, "This is too much, she was only a child . . .how much more of this can I take?"
"If you wish to survive, I suggest you stop displaying so much pathetic emotion." A cold voice said from behind her. Her eyes widened in realization. Serina turned to see a boy with black hair, and a girl who looked almost identical with the other, save that she had blond locks. Serina felt her heart stop; she couldn't breath, she couldn't even think.
"Oh, look, she's scared." The blond one exclaimed as she leaned on a broken lamppost. Serina looked on and said nothing. She was paralyzed in fear.
"Weren't you just "damning" us?" Serina continued to stare, not daring to speak.
"Hey, are you even listening?" the blond one said in annoyance, " How rude, just like the little girl we killed, the blond one. She kept saying that "people have hope, and hope will make things better" or something. It didn't do too much for her, now did it? She was an idiot, just like all humans. Hope is nothing but for the weak who have the stupidity to uphold it."
At these words, Serina looked up at the androids, or the "evil duo" as the people who suffered under their oppression called them. Her fear was suddenly replaced by anger. Her hands itched with the want to make contact with their bodies.
"Why do you not speak?" the black haired one asked, "Perhaps you are too afraid to end up like your friend?"
Serina's eyes flashed dangerously at that remark.
"I do not speak because I do not have anything to say to you," she said bitterly, "I don't like to converse with those who kill so willingly."
"Oh, so she can speak." The blond one jeered, "What else can she do? Judging by her appearance, not much. But she does look familiar, is she related to someone that we've killed off?" she asked her brother. He shrugged.
"Eighteen, you know as well as I do that I've lost count of the people we've killed, what makes you think I'd remember what they looked like?"
"Eh, no matter. He was probably some dumb ass in my way." She replied.
Serina soon found her feet. Anger was throbbing in every muscle; her blood pounded threw her ears. She jumped into the air and lunged for Eighteen's neck and gripped tightly.
"What? You can't remember the one man who came close to defeating you?" Serina screamed out, choking her violently, and surprisingly Eighteen couldn't do anything as she wheezed painfully, "You can't remember my brother, Gohan? Well here's a reminder for you!" and Serina punched her in the face, sending her flying into a nearby building. Eighteen's eyes widened in shock. She took her hand and felt her face. Her lip bled profusely. She scowled.
"You bitch!" she screamed, "Look what you did! Oh, you're in for it now. Seventeen get over here!"
Seventeen followed her order with an amused expression.
"Seems we've got a feisty one here." He said with a smirk imprinted on his face, "So, what should we do with her?"
"What else? Kill her you idiot!" she screamed. He cracked his knuckles.
"What ever you say, dear sister." And they were off like a cannon after Serina. All she could do was watch as they came. Serina stood in a battle stance. She would not let them kill her without a fight.
The evil duo slammed into her, snapping a rib or two, and Serina let out a pained filled scream She stumbled around like a wounded animal for a moment before regaining her composure. But they attacked her again. It felt as if they were hitting every inch of her body. Serina's blocking seemed hopeless to the god-like speed of her challengers. But she tried anyway. She couldn't fail that girl; she couldn't fail her brother.
However, Serina was getting weaker. She used a lot of energy when she was trying to kill Eighteen. That happened a lot with her. She would blank out when she was upset, and the next thing she knew, she would power up to a much higher level of power. But it would leave as soon as it came, and it left her a little drained.
This situation was no different.
"What now?" Eighteen laughed as they stopped beating her for a moment, "Where's all that anger?" Serina spat out some blood, which conveniently landed on Eighteen's shirt. Serina would have laughed at her if it weren't such a dire circumstance. Eighteen looked at her shirt in horror.
"Kill me if you like . . . but that won't solve your problem. I know there's someone who will defeat you. If not me, then someone else will. You are only machines, incapable of knowing any greater purpose then to kill. You can only last for so long." Serina smirked. 'That'll give them something to think about.'
This time it was Seventeen's turn to scowl.
"How about we shut her up forever? I'm sick of her ramblings." He exclaimed.
"I couldn't agree with you more." His sister replied. They pummeled their fists into her once more, the crunching of her already broken bones satisfying their lust to kill. Soon, however, they grew tiered of this and decided to finish her off.
They threw Serina into a building and began to fire off what seemed to be millions of energy attacks. All Serina could do was let it happen. Her body screamed with agony. She couldn't move anything, and to top it off her arm was bent the wrong way.
And despite of what she had said to the androids about having someone more powerful than she was step up to the plate, she felt disgraced that she couldn't have held up against them any longer then five minutes. Tears of shame streaked down her face as she made an oath to herself.
"I won't ever let myself be beaten like this, I won't be so thick again. I will be prepared." She whispered to herself to help heal her humiliation.
But that was only if she survived this ordeal. Oh, how foolish she was! But next time . . . next time she would be ready. She would not fail again.
But despite that notion, she began to close her eyes and loose her battle with the darkness. She knew that she was going to die. However, something held her back, and she had begun to see something. It was as if it was a memory . . . but it couldn't have been, she had no recollection of it at all. An image of a boy showed against her closed lids, his innocent face seemed familiar, and then suddenly the boy changed into a man. He called out to her. He had lavender hair and intense blue gaze, but his face was obscured by some kind of fog.
"Don't give up yet, not when you have so much to live for." He told her softly, his voice washing over her like warm water, calming her frenzied mind.
"Who are you?" she asked weakly. She could make out that the man was smirking. He seemed recognizable.
"You'll find out soon. As of now, I am just a memory. Now don't you give up, not when the world still needs a hero. Promise me that you won't let go just yet."
Serina looked on in amazement, and then muttered, "I don't know what strength is in me still, but I'll try, ok? I can promise you that much. Now will you tell me who you are?"
"I know you well, I've been in the back of your mind for twelve years waiting for you to remember."
Serina gave a bemused look. What the hell was he saying?
". . .Remember what?" she asked at last. He let out a little laugh at the remark. His voice was sweet, not taunting, and Serina found herself smiling. His laugh was beautiful.
" I can't tell you *everything, now can I?" he exclaimed lightly, "All you need to know is that you lost something a long time ago. If you don't forget everything, you can get it back . . . get me back . . ."
"Huh?" she questioned stupidly, but before she could say anything more, she felt herself being pulled back. The man's face disappeared and Serina fell into the shadows.
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"AHHHH!!!!" Serina screamed out, waking with a start. Doused with sweat, she grabbed her arm and inspected it thoroughly. What the hell was that? A dream? She could faintly see the scare where her bone popped out. The doctors thought that her arm was broken beyond fixing. Amputation was definitely what they were going to do. Luckily, Roshi broke her out and got her a sensu bean.
"That's right," she thought aloud, "that happened only about a year ago. God, what a nightmare. . ." she wiped her forehead, "I've been dreaming a lot lately, but this one's different. I couldn't remember much from that day at all. And that guy . . . was that Trunks?"
Serina shook her head, trying to shake off the confusion. That dream meant something. . . something that had been plaguing her for a while now. But what was it? Was it the promise she made to the man? Why couldn't she remember what he said to her earlier? She wouldn't forget that easily. It had to be some form of Trunks. Who else would it be? But what was the dream trying to tell me? Was it just some memory? Or was reminding her of the oath she had made to herself?
"'I won't ever let myself be beaten like this, I won't be so thick again. I will be prepared.'" Her own voice echoed in her head. With sudden realization Serina new what was bothering her so much.
"Of course," she cried, slamming her head into her fist, "I haven't been working hard enough in my training! I should've realized it before, all this worrying about not seeing much improvement. Training a few times a week isn't good enough. Having a hectic schedule isn't a good excuse!"
With that notion, Serina threw off her covers and grabbed an elastic band. She put her hair up in a hasty ponytail and ran out the door with her panda jammie bottoms still on and made her way towards Trunks' dorm.
**
Serina knocked heavily on Trunks' door but received no answer. Deciding that he wouldn't wake up for anything, she walked through the doorway and waltzed into his bedroom. Trunks was asleep with his mouth wide open. Small snores escaped his mouth and his limbs were spread out all over his bed. His purple hair was scruffy, sticking up in all directions. He looked . . . rather adorable.
If only she had a camera.
She let out a small giggle as he muttered something incoherent and rolled over. But she had come here for a reason, and nothing was going to stop her from going for that reason. She walked to his bed and began to shake him lightly.
"Trunks, wake up. I need to speak with you." She called out quietly. He only slapped her hand away and rolled over once more. Serina gave a sigh and shook her head.
"I don't wanna have to do this . . ." she went on, and walked over to the window and opened it. The cold breeze made Trunks shift uncomfortably and he desperately tried to seek out his warm blankets. Serina began to giggle madly as she grabbed an icicle that was forming on the windowpane, "Hmmm. . . ok, maybe I do." She muttered with an evil smirk.
Preparing her self and took in a breath of air to stop her from laughing, and she quickly stuck the ice down his pants. Trunks screeched loudly as he shot out into the air. He jumped around wildly as he tried to get the ice out, then running into the wall with a deafening "thud" and landed on the ground. Serina hovered over him with a slightly mocking face and gave a little snort.
"Oh, honey, you ok?" she asked sweetly as he scowled at her.
"Shut up!" he bellowed. None the less Serina held her hand out to him, " What are you doing here, it's only about two!"
"Well, I needed to talk to you." She said in a rather sheepish voice. Trunks rubbed his head, which was throbbing painfully. He let out a small sigh and attempted to look at her.
Well, the two of her.
"What is it, are you feeling ok?" he asked, leading her over to the mini couch to sit down. She crossed her legs and faced him. "I had a dream." She began. Trunks quirked an eyebrow.
"A dream?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice. She woke him up for that? She gave him an angry look and continued.
"It was of a memory. It was a year before you killed the androids. I had gone into town to shop, and there was an attack . . ."
Serina continued to tell Trunks of the dream, and even about what she thought was him sending her a message. Trunks' eyes widened as he listened intently.
"What does this mean?" he asked, a little more to himself then anything else. Serina shook her head a little and began to speak again.
"However, that's not the most important thing right now. I came to ask a question."
"Well, go for it." He told her. She was acting quite strange.
"Tell me the truth. Have you seen any improvement in my fighting skills over the last couple weeks?" she asked slowly, having the feeling that she already knew the answer.
". . .The truth?" he asked nervously. Why did he have the feeling that this wasn't going to end well?
"Yes, I think that's what I asked for." She replied.
"Nnn . . ." he looked dead into her face so she could see that he was indeed speaking the truth, "The truth is . . . you haven't made much improvement, only about a 15% increase over the last month and a half, and I know you could do better. It's not that you're not strong already!" He rushed the last part, covering his head. Serina could get quite violent when she was upset over something. After a few moments without being attacked Trunks looked back at her. She sat very still, looking quite disturbed.
"You didn't tell me this?" she asked softly, he gaze drifting to the floor. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I didn't want to worry you. I know how you get sometimes."
"What!?! Trunks, you have to tell me these things, you idiot! This isn't just some stupid boy problem in freakin' junior high! It's the fate of the freakin' world! THE WORLD, DAMN IT!!!" she screeched, and hit him over the head a couple times.
"Serina! I'm sorry! I just didn't want you to be upset. Stop hitting me, PLEASE!" he called out despritly. She ceased after another hit or two and sat back down.
"Sorry, I just feel a little confused right now," she told him awkwardly, "but I have another question."
"Will I get hit again?" he asked unsurely. She gave him an annoyed look.
"No." she said simply, "Trunks, have we been training enough?" Trunks looked at her in a surprised manner, but then asked himself the same question. Were they?
"No." his deep voice said with seriousness, "At the rate were going, we won't make much progress. Two to three training sessions a week won't cut it."
The pair sat in silence for a moment, lost in deep thought. School was going to get a little harder to keep up with. And not to mention the ballet thing was soon as well. But that wasn't important, not like this . . .
"We're just going to have to train more," Serina said at last, turning to face Trunks, "Everyday."
"You're asking a lot," he sighed, running a clumsy hand through his hair, "When would we have the time?"
"That can't be our concern." She cried out in frustration, "We have to come up with excuses, take time from lunch, anything to get us training more."
"You sure you can deal with it? It's gonna be a pain to handle." He commented softly. She looked at him quickly.
"If you had seen the way that girl looked. . . you would be jumping to train too." She exclaimed in a haunted voice.
Trunks looked down in shame as she scooted closer to him. Serina didn't want to make him feel bad. She lifted his chin until his eyes were level with hers. She gave him a soft smile and placed her head on his chest.
"Through out all the time we've known each other, trust me now. We will get through this." She said in a comforting tone, and he draped a drowsy arm across her shoulder.
"If you think so." He said softly
"Then we start tomorrow night." She said happily.
"Of course. But it's kinda late, and a wee bit nippy. You really should stay here, in my bed . . .OW!" He screamed out as she bit him hard.
"Fat chance, Trunks," she exclaimed sarcastically, "Jake has more of a chance with me then you do."
"Oh whatever." He said, though kind of disappointedly, "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah," she said as she got up to leave.
Just as she reached the door, Trunks called out, "You wouldn't really choose Jake over me . . . would you?" Serina pondered on that notion. She gave a bright smile.
"I donno. . . depends who's better at making out." She said in a rush and hurried out the door before he could say anything more.
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The next night, Serina met Trunks in his dorm and they took off out through the window. She had a determined look on her face as they quickly rushed over the waves of the water. She couldn't let everyone around her down. With the thoughts of that little girl still fresh in her mind, they landed on the soil softly.
"We don't have too much time to do the training in the day," Trunks said, "All of our major sessions have to be during the night. It will be stressful on your body."
"I can take the stress," she cut in, "Do you give good back massages?"
"Sure?" he replied doubtfully, "Why?"
"You'll be doing a lot of those when we get through with these "sessions.""
Trunks smiled and gave a short laugh.
"Alright then. Lets get this thing going."
The pair started off with some simple stretches to warm up and moved over to some open area. They both sank into battle stances and smirked at each other.
Suddenly, Trunks bolted forward and slammed a fist into Serina's face. She in return punched Trunks in the stomach and threw her arm along his back. He fell to the ground and kicked her legs from under her. She landed with a loud "thwap" but jumped up anyways. Trunks also flipped himself up and they got into the fighting mode once more.
After a while of sparring, Serina started to back Trunks into a corner of the woods. Trunks was running out of space and options. Her speed had no problems, she could compete with Trunks in that department any day. It was her strength that needed work. (Though it seemed he was having trouble with that, too. ;) ) She was doing a great job, and it didn't seem like she was going to give up soon. ' Seems like the dream scared her to become stronger,' he thought, ' She's freakin' kicking my ass. . . but it gives me an excuse to power up.' Trunks smirk deviously.
"How about we kick it up a notch?" he exclaimed over the noise of their fighting and he powered up to Super Saiyan.
"Wh-what? Why'd you do that?" screamed Serina as she tried to dodge a punch as quickly as she could.
"I thought you'd like a challenge." He yelled out as he kicked her in the side and sent her flailing towards a patch of forest. He then dashed behind her and hit her back. She landed on the ground face first.
"Seems like the challenge was too much for you." He exclaimed indifferently, but in a mocking tone all the same.
"Ahh, sshut va helll hup." she said with a mouthful of dirt. She spat it out and leapt up to attack him. He jumped back in surprise buy quickly returned the assault
The two were at it again. Trunks had the upper hand the whole time, however it wasn't hard to believe. He was a legendary Super Saiyan after all. Serina fought a good fight, but it was inevitable.
Her ass was being kicked.
Before she knew it, Serina flung helplessly to the ground as Trunks did the final blow. It was over. Trunks landed swiftly next to her and squatted down. Serina looked up at the still Super Saiyan Trunks. Something was different about him. Something. . . about his power.
"You've been training separately. . .haven't you?" she asked as soon as she found her voice.
"What?" he asked after a moment.
"I mean," she continued with a slight crack in her voice, "I couldn't have expected to be up there with you. I'm just not strong enough to be your sparring partner."
"What are you babbling about?" he asked in confusion. She shook her head to fight the feeling of uselessness.
"Trunks, tell me the truth. You've been training alone because I can't keep up with you."
Trunks remained silent for a moment.
"Yes, I've been training alone." He said quietly.
"Why didn't you tell me? For crying out loud Trunks, I have a right to know if I'm wasting my time or not."
He gave a little laugh as her anger grew. What the hell was he laughing about? Was he laughing at her? She had half a mind to yell at him before he cut her off.
"Serina, you don't understand, I never said anything about you not keeping up with me," he began, still giggling, "don't you see? Yes, your strength has not been improving, and that's something to be worried about, but you pick up things on a whim. It doesn't take you long to learn moves and incorporate them in to your own style. If I hadn't been training, there wouldn't have been any way you would've improved, you following me?"
"Like a faithful hound." She said sarcastically.
"Anyways, if I hadn't been increasing my own strength, where would that leave you? You would have no room to improve. You gain strength by learning from your opponent, you see?"
"Uh. . . huh?" she asked dumbly. Trunks sighed.
"Basically, if I kick your butt, then you learn from it, and if you kick mine, I learn from it, right?"
"Yeeeaaah." She replied with somewhat understanding, "God, I wish I could compete with you, Trunks. I feel so weak, like I'm dragging you down."
"Serina," he said seriously, "I would not be out here for nothing. You're helping me so much, you couldn't possible be anything but wonderful."
"You sure?" she questioned softly. He looked at her sternly as she sat there gripping her hands.
"Look, you've learned a lot in these past months. You're about as strong as I am when in my normal stage. I didn't even achieve that status until I became a Super Saiyan. I have this feeling. . . it won't leave me alone. I feel that there's something in you, something that will make you the strongest of us all."
Serina was speechless. No, Trunks was wrong. There was no way she could ever be as strong as he was.
Never. . .
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Ok, I finally finished this chapter. Whoooo! Now please be good boys and girls and review?
