13. No Matter What

Leela looked in the mirror. A sweater which actually belonged to Trunks, but he gave it to her so she wouldn't be dressed in rags all the time because of the training. Underneath the sweater she wore a simple grey shirt. She had blue baggy-pants and sneakers. All was Trunks' (except for the shoes), so she had to roll up the sleeves of the sweater and the trousers because they were too long. Who knew, maybe she would start a trend?

She walked to the kitchen and sat down at the table. She was the first one to come out of bed. It was only five in the morning, but she couldn't get back to sleep. What happened yesterday messed her up bad. Knowing her true past made her feel glad that she wouldn't be tortured by headaches whenever she thought about it anymore, but finding out who she actually was, was still hurting. After all, it was her family that was brutally murdered. Most of her grief went to her little brother.

She was glad she shared part of her past with Trunks. When she embraced Trunks for comfort yesterday, she felt so safe. She felt as if nothing in the world could ever make her sad again. But when Trunks had left the room, she felt alone again. She knew now how badly she needed his friendship, almost desperately. She weakened whenever he was near her. Was that a bad sign?

She noticed Trunks coming into her mind often these days, even if she had no reason to think about him. She had a friend, a wonderful friend. And she wasn't about to lose him again. She would do her best to remain close to Trunks, for he had done many things for her…though he did want to kill her not too long ago…

"Let past remain past." she muttered, thinking it had been a difficult time for both of them. She'd better focus on how to destroy the androids. There always was this thing Bulma made. But when it would be activated and she happens to be 16 feet within range, the radiation would finish her too.

She sighed, taking a look at her wrist. Though it wasn't hurting anymore, she couldn't risk taking the bandages off, not yet. Luckily her creators gave her a quick healing-ability. But why didn't they give her unlimited energy to fight? She could fight the androids forever without getting tired, they had it, but she didn't. Wasn't really fair, but then again, why should anything be fair these days?

She sighed again, staring outside, not knowing what today would bring. As she looked, she caught the beauty of nature; a beautiful sunrise between the fallen buildings and smashed cars. Surprised to have noticed it, she loved it. All was so beautiful all of a sudden, so quiet, so…peaceful. And she decided: no matter what, this peace had to return to be captured by all other humans, no matter what. The androids had to go, no matter what. If the moment came to use the device Bulma had made, she would use it…

"No matter what." she said determined, narrowing her eyes at the thought of the androids hurting the planet in any way they could, just out of boredom.

"Morning." Trunks had come into the kitchen.

Leela turned around to face him. "You're up early."

"I couldn't get back to sleep. How about you?"

"Same here."

"How do you feel?" he asked worried.

She gave him an encouraging smile. "I'm fine. You?"

"Hmm." he kept standing in the doorway. "Tired."

Leela smiled at him, then turned back to the window.

Trunks drew her attention again. "Lee, I was thinking, what do you want to do?" he was hesitant.

"I'm sorry?" she looked at him questioningly.

"About the device my mom and her friend had made. You know it can kill you when you're too close."

"Actually, I just thought about it and I say we use it anyway. When I'm too close or not, use it." she stood up.

"I don't know if I can." his eyes filled with sorrow and though he tried to hide it by turning away from her to make some breakfast, she knew.

"You have to. If you don't, I will." she said. "We must." she added. "You know that."

Trunks wanted to grab the milk from the refrigerator when she said that. He paused, feeling the coldness of the fridge on his arm, the coldness of the milk on his fingertips. He closed his eyes, knowing that once Leela had made up her mind, there was no way of stopping her.

He sighed, grabbed the milk. It was no or never, he had to tell her how much she meant to him. He just had to. Maybe, just maybe that would change her mind.

Trunks turned to face Leela… but his eyes gazed at the empty spot where Leela had stood. She had left the kitchen. He looked down in disappointment. He would lose her, he knew. Though she was prepared to die for a good cause, it would break his heart. But he knew his heart could never weigh up to the fate of human-kind and therefore he had to respect her wishes…

…no matter what…