Ah, the next installment of Shadow of the Past. This one took awhile
to make sure all the glitches were extracted, and there still might be
one or two.... ah well, such is the life of a writer.
A few disclaimers. (All you guys know the obvious ones, I don't own,
yadda yadda yadda.) I took a few liberties with attacks. There are
some attacks that are the "American" version, but the majority I
*think* are Japanese style. And I spelled Goku's original name,
'Kakarotte' the best I could. I did my research and checked around
to various sites, but everyone had it spelled different. Hey, I have a
liscence for being random, and it allows me to do it. Uh huh, sure
it does.
But please, I would love comments and all that good crap. It's always
nice to hear from people, be it complements or flames. Hey, at least
I know you're reading the story!
I've decided to do this blackmail style. Mua ha ha ha ha! *Evil cackle*
If I don't hear back from at least 1 person, then I shall post no more!
Don't worry, I have faith in you guys. It's just after writing this
rather lengthy chapter, I like to know I'm appriciated.
Oh, and if you guys have time, and you like funny funny stories,
check out my random stand-alone story "The Day the Scouts Just Coudn't
Handle - An Episiod that Will Never Air in the US or Japan!".
Funny funny!!!
Send that shinny penny to the save a chicken foundation!!!
More action coming up next chapter too! And some stuff explained...
Yadda yadda yadda. BRING ON THE STORY!!!!!!!
The Queen has spoken.
So it is written, so it shall be!
~*~
Chapter 8: The Training Continues.
Lita smiled contentedly. She and the other Senshi had just
gotten off the communicator with Serena. Haruka, Michiru, Serena,
Artemis, and of course Darien would be coming soon. All they had to do
was take care of one or two stray youma's and they would be on their
way. Serena had said in a week the remaining Senshi would be there to
help, and Lita couldn't wait. She had missed her friends dearly,
especially Serena.
Just then, Lita ducked to avoid an unidentified flying object.
She looked behind her to the rock she had been leaning on, which was
now nonexistent. "Hey, come on guys. Try to be a little more careful.
I *am* on your side ya know," Lita said, exasperated. She knew it was
no use; everyone was training especially hard.
Lita smiled as the other Senshi came to sit by her.
"Don't worry Lita, we'll protect you from those fools. Some of
them just don't know how to aim," said Rei with a smile, looking straight
at Piccolo.
"That was a close call Lita. Someone should teach the guys how
to actually hit their target," Ami said in an uncharacteristically hard
voice. "They might have hit you," she finished concernedly.
Just then Gohan walked up. "Hey Lita," he said and hugged her.
"Hey Ami, how about you and me go a few rounds? I just heard you say
that someone should teach us how to actually hit our targets. Why don't
you show me?" he said teasingly.
"Ok then, let's do it," said Ami, and Gohan looked at her
stunned. "What did you expect? You just gave me a challenge, and I do
believe I just answered it."
"B-but I was just joking!" he said earnestly. "I don't want to
hurt you." Gohan winced right after he said it. He knew he had made a
grievous mistake, but there was no way to rectify it.
"So you're saying that you would hurt me? You think I can't
match your power?" said Ami, who was getting fed up with his attitude.
She was normally passive, but when Lita almost took that hit, it shook
her up. Even though Gohan hadn't thrown the blow, Ami was still inclined
to answer his challenge. After all, Ami might not show it that much,
but she could fight pretty well when she put her mind to it.
Gohan was stuck, and he knew it. Everyone had stopped their
training and cleared the area for them to fight. Gohan walked out on
the field and waited for Ami.
Ami looked at her friends a little nervously. Now that she had
issued the challenge, she wasn't sure if it was the best of ideas. Lita
noticed her uncertainty and comforted her.
"Don't worry Ami, you'll do fine. You need to train some more
anyway. Besides," she added with a wink. "It'll teach Gohan a lesson,
and help you to hone your powers even more. We all know you can kick
his butt, so change into Sailor Mercury, and do us proud." All the
girls nodded in agreement.
"Thanks Lita, that means a lot to me," said Ami as she pulled
out her transformation wand and thrust it into the air.
"Mercury Crystal Power! Make up!" she said, and water streamed
out from the pen and surrounded her. It fitted her with a skintight
white body suit trimmed with a dark blue mini skirt and collar. The
water also formed light blue bows on her chest, and back, white gloves
and high dark blue boots. Lastly, it formed a dark blue choker with a
gold star on it and a tiara with an aquamarine set into it. Sailor
Mercury had arrived. As she walked out to meet Gohan, she heard Lita
and friends cheering for her in the background, and she felt better.
"Okay Gohan, what are the rules to this. As challenger, you
have the right to choose," she said.
Gohan blinked. He didn't think she knew anything about challenges.
He was beginning to learn a lot about her, and liked all of it. "The
basic ones. This is a martial arts/energy attack/magical attack fight,
I guess. There will be no attacks that will seriously injure or kill
the opponent. First one off of their feet looses, and of course jumping
doesn't count."
Mercury nodded and the fight was on. Gohan immediately went on
the offensive punching and kicking almost faster than the eye could
follow. Mercury was startled and it was all she could do block everything
that was coming at her. Finally, she realized what was happening and
used a trick that Lita taught her. She jumped up, and leaped off Gohan's
head to a considerable distance away to catch her breath. Gohan looked
up and then behind him to where Mercury landed with admiration in his
eyes. Then he started throwing energy balls at her and Mercury found
herself having to dodge more than a hundred of them. After Gohan had
finished throwing them, Mercury got an idea. She stood and faced Gohan.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" she said, a thick fog covering the
fighting area. She knew that the fog would not thwart Gohan for long,
so she used the time wisely. Mercury touched her ear and a blue visor
formed. As she read the readings, the fog cleared, and she looked
beside her knowing what she would find. Because she was forewarned,
Mercury was able to dodge the attack, which would have probably knocked
her unconscious.
"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" she said and she sent the freezing
mist to Gohan, which he easily dodged. "Come on Mercury, I know you
can do better than that," he taunted, and something inside Mercury
snapped. She was going to win this fight and prove to Gohan that she
was just as good as he, that she was his equal. Somehow, it was very
important to her. Just then it seemed that Gohan disappeared, and
appeared a few seconds later right in front of Mercury. She started,
but got away before he could get her. 'Come on Mercury, get a hold of
yourself. There must be a logical explanation for that; he couldn't
have simply disappeared. Find it and use it against him,' Ami thought
to herself. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Mercury Bubbles Blast!" she
said and the clearing was again shrouded in mist. She scanned the area
earnestly. Just when she thought it would do no good, she picked up
on Gohan's body heat, moving fast, but in a definite line. "Got ya!"
she said happily. "Shine Aqua Illusion Freeze!" she said and it struck
Gohan just he became visible in front of her.
The crowd held their breath, and as the mist evaporated, they
saw a very happy Mercury, and a Gohan-sicle lying on the ground.
"You did it Mercury! You beat him!" said Lita as she hugged her
friend. Gohan himself came over to congratulate Ami, after he defrosted
of course.
"You are indeed a very worthy opponent. Only a couple other
people have actually beaten me, and in only a few minutes!" he said,
and Ami blushed with pride.
"You are very good yourself," said Ami. "I would like to learn
how you moved so fast sometime," she said very quietly, looking at the
ground.
Gohan grinned and grabbed Ami's hand. "Come on then! You can
show me how you found me in the mist, twice," he said as he pulled a
very surprised Ami after him deep into the forest where they could
train. And be alone. No one saw them for the rest of the day.
Lita grinned knowingly as Ami was hauled away. She had known
Gohan as a little boy, and had known Ami for the last 3 or 4 years, and
she could tell that their personalities clicked. Looking at them now,
they would seem the exact opposites; Ami mostly a book worm who loved
her computer and always got the highest score on tests, and Gohan the
rugged fun loving, ass kicking guy, forever ready for a fight. But she
remembered a time when all Gohan could think about was school and books,
and just now Ami had shown that even she was capable of fighting and
did her share of ass kicking. Perhaps they were more suited for each
other than it seemed...
Lita was brought out of her little world by Rei's bragging. Lita
groaned inwardly.
"Ha!" said Rei happily. "That shows you guys that we're pretty
strong too. Maybe you'll think twice about challenging us now," she
added a little haughtily. She wasn't speaking to just one person, but
the whole group of guys.
"Oh please," came the nonchalant reply. "The only reason your
friend won was by cheating. She used a computer to find Gohan."
Rei looked to see who had spoken, and found herself looking at
a dark green man leaning against a nearby tree. Somehow she was not
surprised in the least. "How dare you imply that Ami cheated. She
used that computer validly because that computer is part of Mercury's
power. Her greatest power lies in her mind. But then I wouldn't expect
you to understand that. You probably wouldn't even know how to use your
brain if your life depended on it, providing that you have one in the
first place."
Piccolo was just a little insulted by that comment. "What? You
dare to insult *my* intelligence? How *dare* you! You don't know anything
about me. You cannot even attempt to insult me."
Mars smiled. "And like you've known Ami all your life? What
gives you the right to call her a cheater? You've maybe known her for a
week at the most, yet you insult her by saying she used her power
underhandedly."
Piccolo gaped. This girl somehow caught him between a rock and
a very hard place. "Whether she did or not is of no consequence to me.
But it is my *opinion* that she shouldn't have used her computer. And
it is my *opinion* that she wouldn't have won without it. I am still
allowed to have my *opinion*, right?"
Rei scowled inside. 'Boy could this guy mince words. Still,'
she thought to herself as she smiled in his direction. 'This is turning
out to be rather fun. And I just might get a workout in the process.'
"Well okay then, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Stupid. It is my opinion that you
just insulted my friend. And it is my opinion that by doing that when
she is not here to defend herself, I'll have to defend her honor.
Basically, it is my *opinion* that I am going to challenge you. So, do
you accept? Or do you take back what you said about Ami?"
Piccolo looked Rei up and down and attempted to hide his utter
amazement at her boldness. 'What can this girl be thinking? I'll tear
her apart,' he thought to himself. Still, he was never one to back
down from a fight. Ever. "Very well then. It's your funeral."
"Ha, you wish. Come on Greeny, lets do this," said Rei as she
led the way onto the battlefield. "Mars Crystal Power!" she called out
and Piccolo's breath caught as he witnessed the beauty of the
transformation. When she was done, they faced off and prepared to
fight.
Across the way, Vegita, Bulma, Goku, and ChiChi were watching
everything unfold. Vegita turned to Goku with an amused look on his
face. "You know *Kakarotte*, I think that Piccolo might have just met
his match."
"Yeah, *Veggie*, I think he just might have underestimated Rei,"
said Goku.
"I thought I told you never to call me that!" Vegita exclaimed.
"And I though I told you that my name is Goku!"
"Children, can we please watch the match. I want to see it
without you two bickering!" said Bulma.
"Yes, otherwise we you both will go without dinner, as fits two
unruly children," said ChiChi. That shut the two up quickly. All four
turned back to the fight at hand.
Piccolo was looking at Mars intently, and Mars was staring right
back. They had agreed on the same rules as the previous fight, and it
looked as if neither was willing to make the first move. Just then,
Piccolo leaped high into the air, and Mars had to scramble to avoid
the series of energy bolts that rained down from the sky.
"You'll have to do better than that, Greeny," Mars taunted,
although she was shaken by the onslaught she had received. Piccolo
just sneered and leaped again, this time Mars could not avoid being hit
by a few of the bolts. Her Sailor fuku was visibly singed. "Ok, that's
it, now I'm mad," she said, and then took the offensive. When Piccolo
leaped into the air, Mars jumped and met him. "Fire Soul!" she screamed.
Piccolo could barely block the blast, and he took it head on. He was
knocked from the sky, but landed on his feet, if still a little shaky.
"That was a cheap shot," he yelled at her.
"Yeah right! What do you call leaping in the air and bombing
someone?" she yelled right back while circling him.
Piccolo said nothing but started to power up. Mars watched him,
and wondered if she should attack. But she never had the chance,
because at that moment Piccolo was fully powered up, and he let loose.
"Special Bean Canon!" The beam of intense energy sped toward Mars and
she avoided it just barely.
Someone from the audience shouted, "What are you doing? You are
not supposed to do any attacks that could seriously hurt anyone!"
The two opponents however took no heed. "Oh so you want to play
it that way huh? Ok then Greeny, let's do this," said Mars, and Piccolo
grew a little nervous at her tone.
She gave him a wicked smile, and then pulled out a piece of
parchment with Chinese writing on it. "I call upon the power of Mars.
Akuryo taisan!" she said and threw it at Piccolo. He didn't try to
avoid it because he remembered what happened in the forest when they
were fighting together.
"That won't hurt me. You said yourself it is only to stun evil,"
he said, but then was effectively silenced when the paper hit him and
he couldn't move.
"Wrong again. You think you know everything don't you? Well
guess what? You don't. I can have my charms do what I want. Like
right now you can't move," she laughed, and it chilled him to the bone.
He resisted the charm with all his might and somehow was able to
disintegrate it, but only at great cost to his energy reserves. Piccolo
glanced at her and powered up quickly. "Super Special Bean Cannon!" he
screamed and Mars gasped at the amount of energy that came speeding
towards her. Just when it was about to hit her, she regained her
senses.
"Mars Firebird Strike!" she cried. A bird of flames sped
towards Piccolo's energy. They hit head on and the bird was able to
disperse the energy. It flew towards Piccolo but he simply stepped out
of its way.
"Ha, you'll have to do better than that, Pyro!" he mimicked her.
She smiled and he frowned. Just then, the bird hit him from behind,
and he howled in pain. He dropped to the ground and rolled around to
put out the flames, with Mars laughing and laughing at him.
"Well Mr. High and Mighty, how does it feel to lose to a girl,
hmm? Now take back that stuff you said about Ami."
Piccolo picked himself up off the ground. He winced in pain as
he turned to Mars. "Fine, I take back everything I said about your
friend. Happy?" Piccolo was in a considerable amount of pain, but he
would never admit it. But Mars saw this and her gaze softened somewhat.
"I'm sorry I used that attack but if you'll remember you did
use a particularly strong attack as well. Hotaru, do you think you can
help him?" she asked her small friend, feeling a little guilty that
Piccolo seemed to be in so much pain.
Hotaru walked over to where Piccolo was standing and asked him
if he would kneel down for her.
"I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help," he said,
but little Hotaru could see the pain in his eyes. The normally quiet
girl looked him in the face, and she spoke so that only he and Mars
could hear.
"Listen, I do not mean to offend you in any way, but you are
being a stubborn ass. I am here because my friend asked me to help you.
I see that you are in pain, but you still insist on playing macho man
and refusing my help. Please, if not for yourself, than for me, and
for my friend. I cannot stand to see people in pain. And I know she
did not want to truly hurt you."
Piccolo looked down at this strange, quiet little girl. He
looked into her compassionate purple eyes, and then into Mars's
passionate purple eyes so similar and felt something inside him answer
the question hidden in their depths. Piccolo saw the purity of Hotaru's
meaning, and he saw the pain and guilt hidden so well within the elder
girls' eyes. He knelt in front of the small girl and watched as she
laid her hand on his forehead, and then she started to glow. He felt
his wounds started to heal miraculously, and all of a sudden they were
gone altogether. Mars had to catch Hotaru as she fell.
"What's the matter, is she alright?" asked Piccolo, somewhat
surprised at himself, for he was truly worried about her.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. Its just that she used up all
of her energy healing you," said Mars as she lifted Hotaru in her arms.
"I'm going to bring her back to the house so she can rest." She said
turning and addressing the others. She closed her eyes and her street
clothes replaced the sailor suit. Sailor Mars was once again replaced
by Rei. She was about to head off, when she hesitated and turned back
to Piccolo. "I really am sorry I hurt you, I didn't mean to," she said
with feeling, not daring to look at him.
Piccolo saw that she indeed really meant it. He could read it
in the way she was acting. He grunted and said, "I am sorry as well;
I never meant to throw attacks that would hurt you. I guess I did it
without thinking. Besides," he added gruffly. "I kind of have to
admire someone who can fight as well as you in high heels."
Rei looked up and met Piccolo's eyes. It seemed a truce of
sorts was formed between the two. Silently, Piccolo accompanied Rei as
she carried the sleeping Hotaru to the house.
Mina watched the pair walk away and she smiled to herself. As
the Senshi of love, she could feel the undercurrent between the two.
Just like Serena, it seemed on the surface that Piccolo got on Rei's
nerves and visa versa, and that the two didn't get along very well. But
also like Serena, beneath the surface each harbored love for one another.
But unlike Serena's love, which was purely on a friendship level,
Piccolo could be much more to the moody priestess...
Suddenly, Mina was jerked out of her thoughts as she realized
that a face was hovering just inches from her own. She immediately
realized who it was, and tried to swat Yamcha like a fly. Yamcha,
however, refused to be thwarted.
"Did it hurt?" he asked with the widest grin on his face.
"Why, whatever do you mean?" she asked, a smile playing on her
lips.
"When you fell from heaven. 'Cause someone as beautiful as you
has to be an angel," he said and he took her hand and kissed it.
She laughed, and Yamcha swore to her that it sounded like a
thousand tiny bells chiming. "Oh really?" she asked, and he repeated
his comment, embellishing it more. She laughed again and dipped her
head in a mock bow. "Why thank you kind sir," she said in her best
southern belle accent.
"If I were a knight of old I would ride around and protect you
from all harm," stated Yamcha.
"And why exactly would you have to ride around and protect me
pray tell?" asked Mina, raising a finely trimmed eyebrow high into the
air.
"Why because you would be the damsel in distress, and I make it
a point to rescue damsel's in distress," he told her plainly, and even
he seemed to sense he had gone a bit far.
Bulma was sitting next to ChiChi and she poked her softly. "He's
shit out of luck now. Watch, she's gonna kick his ass ," Bulma said
with a cheery little laugh.
ChiChi smiled. "Yes, he gotten himself in deep trouble. And
if she follows her friends' lead, then Mina will certainly put a leash
on that 'little doggie'." They shared a deep laugh and the guys sitting
next to them just sighed. Females could be too much sometimes.
Mina eyed Yamcha with tightly held anger. "So, Pretty Boy, what
makes you think that I would be a damsel in distress? Do I look like I
would need someone to periodically save me?" she asked just a little
bit peeved.
"Well... um, I..." Yamcha faltered and somehow he knew he was
in for it this time.
"Well you, um, what?" she demanded.
"Well, you see I just meant that maybe I could, you know, just
save you from whatever comes along, I guess. Like monsters and dragons
and things like that." He smiled and prayed that she would leave it.
Mina did not leave it. "Excuse me? I'll have you know that I
have been fighting monsters and demons for almost seven years now.
*Seven*. I was the first one to start fighting the Nega-verse, and I
did it alone! I only had Artemis for company. So you'll forgive me if
I see what you say as a challenge," Mina said, looking straight at him
the whole time. "So sweetie, here's the deal. Put up or shut up."
Yamcha, ever the sweet talker, tried to get out of his precarious
situation. "But I wouldn't want to do anything to damage something as
beautiful as yourself."
"Crash and burn. That guy is beyond redemption," said the
ever-watchful Lita to Setsuna sitting next to her. Setsuna smiled,
and laughed freely. Tien found himself watching her more closely. He
noticed how the smile lit up her face.
Yamcha had done more harm than good with his statement, and
there was no way Mina was going to let him get away with it. "Alright
Pretty Boy, I gave you a chance and you blew it. Now I am going to
have to kick your ass, Venus style," she said rising.
Yamcha still had his pride. "What do you mean you're going to
kick my ass? If anything, I'm going to knock your beautiful behind to
the ground," he said also getting up.
"Well then, let's do this. Right now, center field, same rules
as everyone else," said Mina, and Yamcha took his place on the field.
Mina thought for a moment and then got a wicked grin. She got ready to
transform.
Yamcha watched interestedly as the tendrils of light rapped
around her and created her uniform. But he sensed something was
different this time. When Mina was done she leaped out and landed
about 10 feet in front of Yamcha. He looked at her in surprise and
said, "Who are you? You're in a different suit!"
"I'm surprised you noticed Pretty Boy. Well, I might as well
introduce myself," she said watching him with an amused grin. "I am
the original Sailor Scout. I fight for love and beauty, and I don't
stand for chauvinistic males like you. So prepare to get beat down
boy! I am the Pretty Suited Soldier Sailor V, and the V stands for
Victory!" she said and she did her pose, her fingers forming a V in
front of her eyes.
Yamcha stood gaping for a few seconds, and then with a firm nod
of his head, the fight began. They began to use only physical attacks
on one another, each trying to find a weakness in their opponent.
Finally, Sailor V decided that enough was enough. After Yamcha finished
throwing a round of punches, she started to gather energy around her.
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she screamed, and a beam of pure light
headed towards a surprised Yamcha. He quickly regained his senses and
jumped out of the way. Yamcha decided it was time to act.
He tried to sidekick Sailor V, but she leaped back and landed
about ten feet in front of him. This was exactly what he wanted, and
Yamcha started to focus his power. When it reached its peak, he said
nothing, but released all the energy. Sailor V was unprepared, and so
she barely managed to get out of the way in time. However, her arm
caught the tail end of the blast, and she faltered, but still kept her
footing.
"You're going to pay for that, Pretty Boy," she said, and her
smile chilled Yamcha to the bone. They faced off, each determined that
they would win the fight. They both began to power up, and the crowd
waited anxiously. It seemed as if the two competitors were trying to
see who was the stronger.
Finally, Sailor V let out her attack, "Venus Meteor Shower!"
just as Yamcha sent out his. "Energy Sphere!" his attack sped towards
Sailor Venus. The two attacks missed each other, and headed for their
intended targets. Sailor V stepped out of the path of the ball, and
Yamcha was able to avoid the meteors. Just then, the energy ball
turned around, unknown to Sailor V. It hit her squarely in the back
and she almost fell, but held her ground. Yamcha laughed and said,
"Ha, see, I told you I would beat you!" As the last word left his mouth,
the meteors hit him from behind full force. He teetered and fell. But
at the same moment Sailor V lost her battle with gravity and she
toppled over.
Everyone watched the fallen bodies with dread. They were about
to rush the field when they heard laughing from the field. Mina and
Yamcha picked their embarrassed carcasses off the ground, and stood up
shakily.
"Well, I suppose you really don't need a knight to follow you
around everywhere to save you. You throw some mean meteors," said
Yamcha, a bit sheepishly.
"I'm glad you finally noticed, Pretty Boy," said Venus. "But I
guess you can handle your own in battle. Maybe you're not all talk
after all," she conceded.
The two smiled at each other their best dazzling smiles.
Whatever arguments had taken place before were soon forgotten. They
agreed to train together, and headed off to do just that, leaving the
rest of the bemused spectators behind.
Setsuna smiled a knowing smile as they walked off. She could
sense the bond between the two growing even now, although it struck her
as strange that the Senshi of Love couldn't even detect the strand that
bound her and the 'playboy' together. But as always, we refuse to see
what's right in front of us...
Setsuna was startled out of her thoughts by an all too familiar
bald head.
"If you're hear to make a stupid comment and then challenge me
I suggest you go home. I am not in the mood right now," said Setsuna
a bit moodily. The Senshi of Time did *not* like being sneaked up upon.
Tien smiled and feigned hurt. "You wound me with your words,
fair maiden. I just came over here to bid you good day, and here I am
being attacked. Oh woe is me, woe is me! What have I done to deserve
such harsh treatment from such a beautiful lady? Please, gods, tell me
what I have done to have such an awful fate bestowed upon me!" he said
to the green haired goddess sitting in front of him. His voice was
utterly serious the entire time, but not once did his smile fade.
The crowd of bystanders watching the scene unfold couldn't help
but smile. To watch the always aloof and stunning Setsuna cross swords
with the witty and unrelenting Tien was a sight, and everyone was
enjoying it immensely.
Setsuna looked at the dramatic three-eyed man in front of her
and uttered a loud and expressive sigh. "Alright, okay, I'm sorry.
Just stop it with the drama queen act, place," she said, exasperated.
Some people could just be too much sometimes.
With a big grin Tien sat down next to Setsuna and proceeded to
talk about anything and everything. Setsuna learned that he had an eye
for designing clothes (go figure), and was surprised to find that in
just a short while she and Tien were actually, *gasp*, having a good
conversation.
Lita looked at the two, and was nothing but happy for them.
'It's about time Setsuna got herself a guy,' Lita thought to herself.
'She spends too much time by herself, and not enough looking for that
special someone who ought to be in her life.'
A pang pierced her heart, and suddenly Lita felt like she
wanted to be alone. She got up and walked into the forest, wandering
aimlessly for awhile until she found a nice, flat rock to sit on.
Behind her she felt a presence, and turned to see a familiar
figure take a seat to her right. Lita's heart did a summersault, though
she chalked it up to nerves. "Hi Trunks," she said with a small smile,
but she could feel the butterflies dashing madly around in her stomach.
'This is silly. I'm sure he has a girlfriend, though probably more
like ten thousand, so why do I feel so strange every time he is near
me?' she asked herself silently. Lita tuned her inner voice out,
however, because she had a feeling that she didn't want to hear the
answer.
"Hey Lita. How are you doing?" he asked, cursing himself after
the words left his mouth. What, he couldn't find a better question?
She muttered something to the effect of she was alright. Lita was
looking the other way, away from Trunks, and he took the chance to
study her a little more intently. Her brown hair had streaks of dark
red and light blond in it, so that when the sun was on her hair, it
had the effect of creating a kind of fiery halo around her. Her eyes
were such a dark, rich emerald that Trunks felt he could spend all day
and still not be bored staring into their depths. It was almost as if
he knew those eyes from somewhere before...
Trunks had to physically shake his head from his thoughts,
which had gotten away from him. 'What am I doing? I know better than
to get attached, and besides, she is so beautiful she probably has
thousands of guys lined up for her back in Tokyo. I don't have a
snowball's chance in hell.' Trunks' mood quickly shifted from happy to
deflated. Damn, life did suck sometimes.
Trunks shifted a little, as he toyed with the idea of getting
up. Lita heard the sound and turned... to find her face stopped just
inches from his. Both of the froze in their place like deer in the
headlights. They didn't move for what seemed like eternity.
The wind blew gently around them and wisps of Lita's hair were
loosened from the prison of her ponytail and flew wildly around her
face. She didn't even bother to right them, though; she was too lost
in Trunks' eyes. They were a startling shade of blue that could put
the clearest ocean to shame, and she felt quite happy drowning in them.
His hair caught the dappled sunlight and shone like new fallen snow,
and Lita longed to run her hands through it.
Unbeknownst to her, Trunks was feeling the same way. He was
caught unawares when she turned to him, and he felt like the full
force of her intense gaze would do some irreversible damage somehow if
he didn't break contact. Still, he could not bring himself to look
away from the eyes that were so strong, yet so vulnerable. It seemed
a lifetime later Trunks finally saw that Lita's ponytail had been torn
to shreds by the wind, and so he automatically reached out to push the
stray strands out of her face...
The sudden contact of his skin to hers was like the first time
only more acute. It seemed as if lightning had struck them, and a
feeling of recognition was mirrored in both their eyes. Lita and Trunks
reached for each other at the same moment, and when their lips met, it
made the electric sensations only intensify, if that was possible. It
seemed to both that this was what they had spent their whole life
waiting for. It felt so right, but perhaps they were just not ready
for the truth...
They pulled away at exactly the same time, and felt such a deep
loss that it was almost crippling. They didn't dare look at one another
for fear of it happening again, and Lita felt an overwhelming desire
to get the hell away from there, otherwise there was nothing to stop
her from launching herself into Trunks' arms and never letting go.
"I'm sorry, I-I have something to do right now," she said
hurriedly, and then dashed away as fast she could. Trunks readied
himself to go after her, and then thought better of it.
'I suppose it is better this way,' he thought to himself, and
for the rest of the day, each tried to forget what had happened, or at
least put it out of their mind.
Neither of them succeeded.
to make sure all the glitches were extracted, and there still might be
one or two.... ah well, such is the life of a writer.
A few disclaimers. (All you guys know the obvious ones, I don't own,
yadda yadda yadda.) I took a few liberties with attacks. There are
some attacks that are the "American" version, but the majority I
*think* are Japanese style. And I spelled Goku's original name,
'Kakarotte' the best I could. I did my research and checked around
to various sites, but everyone had it spelled different. Hey, I have a
liscence for being random, and it allows me to do it. Uh huh, sure
it does.
But please, I would love comments and all that good crap. It's always
nice to hear from people, be it complements or flames. Hey, at least
I know you're reading the story!
I've decided to do this blackmail style. Mua ha ha ha ha! *Evil cackle*
If I don't hear back from at least 1 person, then I shall post no more!
Don't worry, I have faith in you guys. It's just after writing this
rather lengthy chapter, I like to know I'm appriciated.
Oh, and if you guys have time, and you like funny funny stories,
check out my random stand-alone story "The Day the Scouts Just Coudn't
Handle - An Episiod that Will Never Air in the US or Japan!".
Funny funny!!!
Send that shinny penny to the save a chicken foundation!!!
More action coming up next chapter too! And some stuff explained...
Yadda yadda yadda. BRING ON THE STORY!!!!!!!
The Queen has spoken.
So it is written, so it shall be!
~*~
Chapter 8: The Training Continues.
Lita smiled contentedly. She and the other Senshi had just
gotten off the communicator with Serena. Haruka, Michiru, Serena,
Artemis, and of course Darien would be coming soon. All they had to do
was take care of one or two stray youma's and they would be on their
way. Serena had said in a week the remaining Senshi would be there to
help, and Lita couldn't wait. She had missed her friends dearly,
especially Serena.
Just then, Lita ducked to avoid an unidentified flying object.
She looked behind her to the rock she had been leaning on, which was
now nonexistent. "Hey, come on guys. Try to be a little more careful.
I *am* on your side ya know," Lita said, exasperated. She knew it was
no use; everyone was training especially hard.
Lita smiled as the other Senshi came to sit by her.
"Don't worry Lita, we'll protect you from those fools. Some of
them just don't know how to aim," said Rei with a smile, looking straight
at Piccolo.
"That was a close call Lita. Someone should teach the guys how
to actually hit their target," Ami said in an uncharacteristically hard
voice. "They might have hit you," she finished concernedly.
Just then Gohan walked up. "Hey Lita," he said and hugged her.
"Hey Ami, how about you and me go a few rounds? I just heard you say
that someone should teach us how to actually hit our targets. Why don't
you show me?" he said teasingly.
"Ok then, let's do it," said Ami, and Gohan looked at her
stunned. "What did you expect? You just gave me a challenge, and I do
believe I just answered it."
"B-but I was just joking!" he said earnestly. "I don't want to
hurt you." Gohan winced right after he said it. He knew he had made a
grievous mistake, but there was no way to rectify it.
"So you're saying that you would hurt me? You think I can't
match your power?" said Ami, who was getting fed up with his attitude.
She was normally passive, but when Lita almost took that hit, it shook
her up. Even though Gohan hadn't thrown the blow, Ami was still inclined
to answer his challenge. After all, Ami might not show it that much,
but she could fight pretty well when she put her mind to it.
Gohan was stuck, and he knew it. Everyone had stopped their
training and cleared the area for them to fight. Gohan walked out on
the field and waited for Ami.
Ami looked at her friends a little nervously. Now that she had
issued the challenge, she wasn't sure if it was the best of ideas. Lita
noticed her uncertainty and comforted her.
"Don't worry Ami, you'll do fine. You need to train some more
anyway. Besides," she added with a wink. "It'll teach Gohan a lesson,
and help you to hone your powers even more. We all know you can kick
his butt, so change into Sailor Mercury, and do us proud." All the
girls nodded in agreement.
"Thanks Lita, that means a lot to me," said Ami as she pulled
out her transformation wand and thrust it into the air.
"Mercury Crystal Power! Make up!" she said, and water streamed
out from the pen and surrounded her. It fitted her with a skintight
white body suit trimmed with a dark blue mini skirt and collar. The
water also formed light blue bows on her chest, and back, white gloves
and high dark blue boots. Lastly, it formed a dark blue choker with a
gold star on it and a tiara with an aquamarine set into it. Sailor
Mercury had arrived. As she walked out to meet Gohan, she heard Lita
and friends cheering for her in the background, and she felt better.
"Okay Gohan, what are the rules to this. As challenger, you
have the right to choose," she said.
Gohan blinked. He didn't think she knew anything about challenges.
He was beginning to learn a lot about her, and liked all of it. "The
basic ones. This is a martial arts/energy attack/magical attack fight,
I guess. There will be no attacks that will seriously injure or kill
the opponent. First one off of their feet looses, and of course jumping
doesn't count."
Mercury nodded and the fight was on. Gohan immediately went on
the offensive punching and kicking almost faster than the eye could
follow. Mercury was startled and it was all she could do block everything
that was coming at her. Finally, she realized what was happening and
used a trick that Lita taught her. She jumped up, and leaped off Gohan's
head to a considerable distance away to catch her breath. Gohan looked
up and then behind him to where Mercury landed with admiration in his
eyes. Then he started throwing energy balls at her and Mercury found
herself having to dodge more than a hundred of them. After Gohan had
finished throwing them, Mercury got an idea. She stood and faced Gohan.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" she said, a thick fog covering the
fighting area. She knew that the fog would not thwart Gohan for long,
so she used the time wisely. Mercury touched her ear and a blue visor
formed. As she read the readings, the fog cleared, and she looked
beside her knowing what she would find. Because she was forewarned,
Mercury was able to dodge the attack, which would have probably knocked
her unconscious.
"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" she said and she sent the freezing
mist to Gohan, which he easily dodged. "Come on Mercury, I know you
can do better than that," he taunted, and something inside Mercury
snapped. She was going to win this fight and prove to Gohan that she
was just as good as he, that she was his equal. Somehow, it was very
important to her. Just then it seemed that Gohan disappeared, and
appeared a few seconds later right in front of Mercury. She started,
but got away before he could get her. 'Come on Mercury, get a hold of
yourself. There must be a logical explanation for that; he couldn't
have simply disappeared. Find it and use it against him,' Ami thought
to herself. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Mercury Bubbles Blast!" she
said and the clearing was again shrouded in mist. She scanned the area
earnestly. Just when she thought it would do no good, she picked up
on Gohan's body heat, moving fast, but in a definite line. "Got ya!"
she said happily. "Shine Aqua Illusion Freeze!" she said and it struck
Gohan just he became visible in front of her.
The crowd held their breath, and as the mist evaporated, they
saw a very happy Mercury, and a Gohan-sicle lying on the ground.
"You did it Mercury! You beat him!" said Lita as she hugged her
friend. Gohan himself came over to congratulate Ami, after he defrosted
of course.
"You are indeed a very worthy opponent. Only a couple other
people have actually beaten me, and in only a few minutes!" he said,
and Ami blushed with pride.
"You are very good yourself," said Ami. "I would like to learn
how you moved so fast sometime," she said very quietly, looking at the
ground.
Gohan grinned and grabbed Ami's hand. "Come on then! You can
show me how you found me in the mist, twice," he said as he pulled a
very surprised Ami after him deep into the forest where they could
train. And be alone. No one saw them for the rest of the day.
Lita grinned knowingly as Ami was hauled away. She had known
Gohan as a little boy, and had known Ami for the last 3 or 4 years, and
she could tell that their personalities clicked. Looking at them now,
they would seem the exact opposites; Ami mostly a book worm who loved
her computer and always got the highest score on tests, and Gohan the
rugged fun loving, ass kicking guy, forever ready for a fight. But she
remembered a time when all Gohan could think about was school and books,
and just now Ami had shown that even she was capable of fighting and
did her share of ass kicking. Perhaps they were more suited for each
other than it seemed...
Lita was brought out of her little world by Rei's bragging. Lita
groaned inwardly.
"Ha!" said Rei happily. "That shows you guys that we're pretty
strong too. Maybe you'll think twice about challenging us now," she
added a little haughtily. She wasn't speaking to just one person, but
the whole group of guys.
"Oh please," came the nonchalant reply. "The only reason your
friend won was by cheating. She used a computer to find Gohan."
Rei looked to see who had spoken, and found herself looking at
a dark green man leaning against a nearby tree. Somehow she was not
surprised in the least. "How dare you imply that Ami cheated. She
used that computer validly because that computer is part of Mercury's
power. Her greatest power lies in her mind. But then I wouldn't expect
you to understand that. You probably wouldn't even know how to use your
brain if your life depended on it, providing that you have one in the
first place."
Piccolo was just a little insulted by that comment. "What? You
dare to insult *my* intelligence? How *dare* you! You don't know anything
about me. You cannot even attempt to insult me."
Mars smiled. "And like you've known Ami all your life? What
gives you the right to call her a cheater? You've maybe known her for a
week at the most, yet you insult her by saying she used her power
underhandedly."
Piccolo gaped. This girl somehow caught him between a rock and
a very hard place. "Whether she did or not is of no consequence to me.
But it is my *opinion* that she shouldn't have used her computer. And
it is my *opinion* that she wouldn't have won without it. I am still
allowed to have my *opinion*, right?"
Rei scowled inside. 'Boy could this guy mince words. Still,'
she thought to herself as she smiled in his direction. 'This is turning
out to be rather fun. And I just might get a workout in the process.'
"Well okay then, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Stupid. It is my opinion that you
just insulted my friend. And it is my opinion that by doing that when
she is not here to defend herself, I'll have to defend her honor.
Basically, it is my *opinion* that I am going to challenge you. So, do
you accept? Or do you take back what you said about Ami?"
Piccolo looked Rei up and down and attempted to hide his utter
amazement at her boldness. 'What can this girl be thinking? I'll tear
her apart,' he thought to himself. Still, he was never one to back
down from a fight. Ever. "Very well then. It's your funeral."
"Ha, you wish. Come on Greeny, lets do this," said Rei as she
led the way onto the battlefield. "Mars Crystal Power!" she called out
and Piccolo's breath caught as he witnessed the beauty of the
transformation. When she was done, they faced off and prepared to
fight.
Across the way, Vegita, Bulma, Goku, and ChiChi were watching
everything unfold. Vegita turned to Goku with an amused look on his
face. "You know *Kakarotte*, I think that Piccolo might have just met
his match."
"Yeah, *Veggie*, I think he just might have underestimated Rei,"
said Goku.
"I thought I told you never to call me that!" Vegita exclaimed.
"And I though I told you that my name is Goku!"
"Children, can we please watch the match. I want to see it
without you two bickering!" said Bulma.
"Yes, otherwise we you both will go without dinner, as fits two
unruly children," said ChiChi. That shut the two up quickly. All four
turned back to the fight at hand.
Piccolo was looking at Mars intently, and Mars was staring right
back. They had agreed on the same rules as the previous fight, and it
looked as if neither was willing to make the first move. Just then,
Piccolo leaped high into the air, and Mars had to scramble to avoid
the series of energy bolts that rained down from the sky.
"You'll have to do better than that, Greeny," Mars taunted,
although she was shaken by the onslaught she had received. Piccolo
just sneered and leaped again, this time Mars could not avoid being hit
by a few of the bolts. Her Sailor fuku was visibly singed. "Ok, that's
it, now I'm mad," she said, and then took the offensive. When Piccolo
leaped into the air, Mars jumped and met him. "Fire Soul!" she screamed.
Piccolo could barely block the blast, and he took it head on. He was
knocked from the sky, but landed on his feet, if still a little shaky.
"That was a cheap shot," he yelled at her.
"Yeah right! What do you call leaping in the air and bombing
someone?" she yelled right back while circling him.
Piccolo said nothing but started to power up. Mars watched him,
and wondered if she should attack. But she never had the chance,
because at that moment Piccolo was fully powered up, and he let loose.
"Special Bean Canon!" The beam of intense energy sped toward Mars and
she avoided it just barely.
Someone from the audience shouted, "What are you doing? You are
not supposed to do any attacks that could seriously hurt anyone!"
The two opponents however took no heed. "Oh so you want to play
it that way huh? Ok then Greeny, let's do this," said Mars, and Piccolo
grew a little nervous at her tone.
She gave him a wicked smile, and then pulled out a piece of
parchment with Chinese writing on it. "I call upon the power of Mars.
Akuryo taisan!" she said and threw it at Piccolo. He didn't try to
avoid it because he remembered what happened in the forest when they
were fighting together.
"That won't hurt me. You said yourself it is only to stun evil,"
he said, but then was effectively silenced when the paper hit him and
he couldn't move.
"Wrong again. You think you know everything don't you? Well
guess what? You don't. I can have my charms do what I want. Like
right now you can't move," she laughed, and it chilled him to the bone.
He resisted the charm with all his might and somehow was able to
disintegrate it, but only at great cost to his energy reserves. Piccolo
glanced at her and powered up quickly. "Super Special Bean Cannon!" he
screamed and Mars gasped at the amount of energy that came speeding
towards her. Just when it was about to hit her, she regained her
senses.
"Mars Firebird Strike!" she cried. A bird of flames sped
towards Piccolo's energy. They hit head on and the bird was able to
disperse the energy. It flew towards Piccolo but he simply stepped out
of its way.
"Ha, you'll have to do better than that, Pyro!" he mimicked her.
She smiled and he frowned. Just then, the bird hit him from behind,
and he howled in pain. He dropped to the ground and rolled around to
put out the flames, with Mars laughing and laughing at him.
"Well Mr. High and Mighty, how does it feel to lose to a girl,
hmm? Now take back that stuff you said about Ami."
Piccolo picked himself up off the ground. He winced in pain as
he turned to Mars. "Fine, I take back everything I said about your
friend. Happy?" Piccolo was in a considerable amount of pain, but he
would never admit it. But Mars saw this and her gaze softened somewhat.
"I'm sorry I used that attack but if you'll remember you did
use a particularly strong attack as well. Hotaru, do you think you can
help him?" she asked her small friend, feeling a little guilty that
Piccolo seemed to be in so much pain.
Hotaru walked over to where Piccolo was standing and asked him
if he would kneel down for her.
"I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help," he said,
but little Hotaru could see the pain in his eyes. The normally quiet
girl looked him in the face, and she spoke so that only he and Mars
could hear.
"Listen, I do not mean to offend you in any way, but you are
being a stubborn ass. I am here because my friend asked me to help you.
I see that you are in pain, but you still insist on playing macho man
and refusing my help. Please, if not for yourself, than for me, and
for my friend. I cannot stand to see people in pain. And I know she
did not want to truly hurt you."
Piccolo looked down at this strange, quiet little girl. He
looked into her compassionate purple eyes, and then into Mars's
passionate purple eyes so similar and felt something inside him answer
the question hidden in their depths. Piccolo saw the purity of Hotaru's
meaning, and he saw the pain and guilt hidden so well within the elder
girls' eyes. He knelt in front of the small girl and watched as she
laid her hand on his forehead, and then she started to glow. He felt
his wounds started to heal miraculously, and all of a sudden they were
gone altogether. Mars had to catch Hotaru as she fell.
"What's the matter, is she alright?" asked Piccolo, somewhat
surprised at himself, for he was truly worried about her.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. Its just that she used up all
of her energy healing you," said Mars as she lifted Hotaru in her arms.
"I'm going to bring her back to the house so she can rest." She said
turning and addressing the others. She closed her eyes and her street
clothes replaced the sailor suit. Sailor Mars was once again replaced
by Rei. She was about to head off, when she hesitated and turned back
to Piccolo. "I really am sorry I hurt you, I didn't mean to," she said
with feeling, not daring to look at him.
Piccolo saw that she indeed really meant it. He could read it
in the way she was acting. He grunted and said, "I am sorry as well;
I never meant to throw attacks that would hurt you. I guess I did it
without thinking. Besides," he added gruffly. "I kind of have to
admire someone who can fight as well as you in high heels."
Rei looked up and met Piccolo's eyes. It seemed a truce of
sorts was formed between the two. Silently, Piccolo accompanied Rei as
she carried the sleeping Hotaru to the house.
Mina watched the pair walk away and she smiled to herself. As
the Senshi of love, she could feel the undercurrent between the two.
Just like Serena, it seemed on the surface that Piccolo got on Rei's
nerves and visa versa, and that the two didn't get along very well. But
also like Serena, beneath the surface each harbored love for one another.
But unlike Serena's love, which was purely on a friendship level,
Piccolo could be much more to the moody priestess...
Suddenly, Mina was jerked out of her thoughts as she realized
that a face was hovering just inches from her own. She immediately
realized who it was, and tried to swat Yamcha like a fly. Yamcha,
however, refused to be thwarted.
"Did it hurt?" he asked with the widest grin on his face.
"Why, whatever do you mean?" she asked, a smile playing on her
lips.
"When you fell from heaven. 'Cause someone as beautiful as you
has to be an angel," he said and he took her hand and kissed it.
She laughed, and Yamcha swore to her that it sounded like a
thousand tiny bells chiming. "Oh really?" she asked, and he repeated
his comment, embellishing it more. She laughed again and dipped her
head in a mock bow. "Why thank you kind sir," she said in her best
southern belle accent.
"If I were a knight of old I would ride around and protect you
from all harm," stated Yamcha.
"And why exactly would you have to ride around and protect me
pray tell?" asked Mina, raising a finely trimmed eyebrow high into the
air.
"Why because you would be the damsel in distress, and I make it
a point to rescue damsel's in distress," he told her plainly, and even
he seemed to sense he had gone a bit far.
Bulma was sitting next to ChiChi and she poked her softly. "He's
shit out of luck now. Watch, she's gonna kick his ass ," Bulma said
with a cheery little laugh.
ChiChi smiled. "Yes, he gotten himself in deep trouble. And
if she follows her friends' lead, then Mina will certainly put a leash
on that 'little doggie'." They shared a deep laugh and the guys sitting
next to them just sighed. Females could be too much sometimes.
Mina eyed Yamcha with tightly held anger. "So, Pretty Boy, what
makes you think that I would be a damsel in distress? Do I look like I
would need someone to periodically save me?" she asked just a little
bit peeved.
"Well... um, I..." Yamcha faltered and somehow he knew he was
in for it this time.
"Well you, um, what?" she demanded.
"Well, you see I just meant that maybe I could, you know, just
save you from whatever comes along, I guess. Like monsters and dragons
and things like that." He smiled and prayed that she would leave it.
Mina did not leave it. "Excuse me? I'll have you know that I
have been fighting monsters and demons for almost seven years now.
*Seven*. I was the first one to start fighting the Nega-verse, and I
did it alone! I only had Artemis for company. So you'll forgive me if
I see what you say as a challenge," Mina said, looking straight at him
the whole time. "So sweetie, here's the deal. Put up or shut up."
Yamcha, ever the sweet talker, tried to get out of his precarious
situation. "But I wouldn't want to do anything to damage something as
beautiful as yourself."
"Crash and burn. That guy is beyond redemption," said the
ever-watchful Lita to Setsuna sitting next to her. Setsuna smiled,
and laughed freely. Tien found himself watching her more closely. He
noticed how the smile lit up her face.
Yamcha had done more harm than good with his statement, and
there was no way Mina was going to let him get away with it. "Alright
Pretty Boy, I gave you a chance and you blew it. Now I am going to
have to kick your ass, Venus style," she said rising.
Yamcha still had his pride. "What do you mean you're going to
kick my ass? If anything, I'm going to knock your beautiful behind to
the ground," he said also getting up.
"Well then, let's do this. Right now, center field, same rules
as everyone else," said Mina, and Yamcha took his place on the field.
Mina thought for a moment and then got a wicked grin. She got ready to
transform.
Yamcha watched interestedly as the tendrils of light rapped
around her and created her uniform. But he sensed something was
different this time. When Mina was done she leaped out and landed
about 10 feet in front of Yamcha. He looked at her in surprise and
said, "Who are you? You're in a different suit!"
"I'm surprised you noticed Pretty Boy. Well, I might as well
introduce myself," she said watching him with an amused grin. "I am
the original Sailor Scout. I fight for love and beauty, and I don't
stand for chauvinistic males like you. So prepare to get beat down
boy! I am the Pretty Suited Soldier Sailor V, and the V stands for
Victory!" she said and she did her pose, her fingers forming a V in
front of her eyes.
Yamcha stood gaping for a few seconds, and then with a firm nod
of his head, the fight began. They began to use only physical attacks
on one another, each trying to find a weakness in their opponent.
Finally, Sailor V decided that enough was enough. After Yamcha finished
throwing a round of punches, she started to gather energy around her.
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she screamed, and a beam of pure light
headed towards a surprised Yamcha. He quickly regained his senses and
jumped out of the way. Yamcha decided it was time to act.
He tried to sidekick Sailor V, but she leaped back and landed
about ten feet in front of him. This was exactly what he wanted, and
Yamcha started to focus his power. When it reached its peak, he said
nothing, but released all the energy. Sailor V was unprepared, and so
she barely managed to get out of the way in time. However, her arm
caught the tail end of the blast, and she faltered, but still kept her
footing.
"You're going to pay for that, Pretty Boy," she said, and her
smile chilled Yamcha to the bone. They faced off, each determined that
they would win the fight. They both began to power up, and the crowd
waited anxiously. It seemed as if the two competitors were trying to
see who was the stronger.
Finally, Sailor V let out her attack, "Venus Meteor Shower!"
just as Yamcha sent out his. "Energy Sphere!" his attack sped towards
Sailor Venus. The two attacks missed each other, and headed for their
intended targets. Sailor V stepped out of the path of the ball, and
Yamcha was able to avoid the meteors. Just then, the energy ball
turned around, unknown to Sailor V. It hit her squarely in the back
and she almost fell, but held her ground. Yamcha laughed and said,
"Ha, see, I told you I would beat you!" As the last word left his mouth,
the meteors hit him from behind full force. He teetered and fell. But
at the same moment Sailor V lost her battle with gravity and she
toppled over.
Everyone watched the fallen bodies with dread. They were about
to rush the field when they heard laughing from the field. Mina and
Yamcha picked their embarrassed carcasses off the ground, and stood up
shakily.
"Well, I suppose you really don't need a knight to follow you
around everywhere to save you. You throw some mean meteors," said
Yamcha, a bit sheepishly.
"I'm glad you finally noticed, Pretty Boy," said Venus. "But I
guess you can handle your own in battle. Maybe you're not all talk
after all," she conceded.
The two smiled at each other their best dazzling smiles.
Whatever arguments had taken place before were soon forgotten. They
agreed to train together, and headed off to do just that, leaving the
rest of the bemused spectators behind.
Setsuna smiled a knowing smile as they walked off. She could
sense the bond between the two growing even now, although it struck her
as strange that the Senshi of Love couldn't even detect the strand that
bound her and the 'playboy' together. But as always, we refuse to see
what's right in front of us...
Setsuna was startled out of her thoughts by an all too familiar
bald head.
"If you're hear to make a stupid comment and then challenge me
I suggest you go home. I am not in the mood right now," said Setsuna
a bit moodily. The Senshi of Time did *not* like being sneaked up upon.
Tien smiled and feigned hurt. "You wound me with your words,
fair maiden. I just came over here to bid you good day, and here I am
being attacked. Oh woe is me, woe is me! What have I done to deserve
such harsh treatment from such a beautiful lady? Please, gods, tell me
what I have done to have such an awful fate bestowed upon me!" he said
to the green haired goddess sitting in front of him. His voice was
utterly serious the entire time, but not once did his smile fade.
The crowd of bystanders watching the scene unfold couldn't help
but smile. To watch the always aloof and stunning Setsuna cross swords
with the witty and unrelenting Tien was a sight, and everyone was
enjoying it immensely.
Setsuna looked at the dramatic three-eyed man in front of her
and uttered a loud and expressive sigh. "Alright, okay, I'm sorry.
Just stop it with the drama queen act, place," she said, exasperated.
Some people could just be too much sometimes.
With a big grin Tien sat down next to Setsuna and proceeded to
talk about anything and everything. Setsuna learned that he had an eye
for designing clothes (go figure), and was surprised to find that in
just a short while she and Tien were actually, *gasp*, having a good
conversation.
Lita looked at the two, and was nothing but happy for them.
'It's about time Setsuna got herself a guy,' Lita thought to herself.
'She spends too much time by herself, and not enough looking for that
special someone who ought to be in her life.'
A pang pierced her heart, and suddenly Lita felt like she
wanted to be alone. She got up and walked into the forest, wandering
aimlessly for awhile until she found a nice, flat rock to sit on.
Behind her she felt a presence, and turned to see a familiar
figure take a seat to her right. Lita's heart did a summersault, though
she chalked it up to nerves. "Hi Trunks," she said with a small smile,
but she could feel the butterflies dashing madly around in her stomach.
'This is silly. I'm sure he has a girlfriend, though probably more
like ten thousand, so why do I feel so strange every time he is near
me?' she asked herself silently. Lita tuned her inner voice out,
however, because she had a feeling that she didn't want to hear the
answer.
"Hey Lita. How are you doing?" he asked, cursing himself after
the words left his mouth. What, he couldn't find a better question?
She muttered something to the effect of she was alright. Lita was
looking the other way, away from Trunks, and he took the chance to
study her a little more intently. Her brown hair had streaks of dark
red and light blond in it, so that when the sun was on her hair, it
had the effect of creating a kind of fiery halo around her. Her eyes
were such a dark, rich emerald that Trunks felt he could spend all day
and still not be bored staring into their depths. It was almost as if
he knew those eyes from somewhere before...
Trunks had to physically shake his head from his thoughts,
which had gotten away from him. 'What am I doing? I know better than
to get attached, and besides, she is so beautiful she probably has
thousands of guys lined up for her back in Tokyo. I don't have a
snowball's chance in hell.' Trunks' mood quickly shifted from happy to
deflated. Damn, life did suck sometimes.
Trunks shifted a little, as he toyed with the idea of getting
up. Lita heard the sound and turned... to find her face stopped just
inches from his. Both of the froze in their place like deer in the
headlights. They didn't move for what seemed like eternity.
The wind blew gently around them and wisps of Lita's hair were
loosened from the prison of her ponytail and flew wildly around her
face. She didn't even bother to right them, though; she was too lost
in Trunks' eyes. They were a startling shade of blue that could put
the clearest ocean to shame, and she felt quite happy drowning in them.
His hair caught the dappled sunlight and shone like new fallen snow,
and Lita longed to run her hands through it.
Unbeknownst to her, Trunks was feeling the same way. He was
caught unawares when she turned to him, and he felt like the full
force of her intense gaze would do some irreversible damage somehow if
he didn't break contact. Still, he could not bring himself to look
away from the eyes that were so strong, yet so vulnerable. It seemed
a lifetime later Trunks finally saw that Lita's ponytail had been torn
to shreds by the wind, and so he automatically reached out to push the
stray strands out of her face...
The sudden contact of his skin to hers was like the first time
only more acute. It seemed as if lightning had struck them, and a
feeling of recognition was mirrored in both their eyes. Lita and Trunks
reached for each other at the same moment, and when their lips met, it
made the electric sensations only intensify, if that was possible. It
seemed to both that this was what they had spent their whole life
waiting for. It felt so right, but perhaps they were just not ready
for the truth...
They pulled away at exactly the same time, and felt such a deep
loss that it was almost crippling. They didn't dare look at one another
for fear of it happening again, and Lita felt an overwhelming desire
to get the hell away from there, otherwise there was nothing to stop
her from launching herself into Trunks' arms and never letting go.
"I'm sorry, I-I have something to do right now," she said
hurriedly, and then dashed away as fast she could. Trunks readied
himself to go after her, and then thought better of it.
'I suppose it is better this way,' he thought to himself, and
for the rest of the day, each tried to forget what had happened, or at
least put it out of their mind.
Neither of them succeeded.