Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ as I've said endlessly. You all know that by now don't you? Ah well…. As usual insert the standard disclaimer here.

Author's notes: Well it seems fan fiction net has recovered from its latest illness so here we are.

"Double quotations indicate conversations."

'Single quotations in italics indicate thoughts.'
Asterisks indicate telepathic conversations

Glossary :

Ohayo: Good morning

Baka: Idiot

Kuso: (Generally) damn or shit.

Hai: Yes

Otousan: Father

Katana: literally a Japanese sword, generally refers to the typical samurai sword.

It was cold. A still, white mist filled the valleys and spilled over the ridges. Damp and eerie it unfurled itself down the lawn in an unending ocean of white. The animals appeared as ghostly apparitions. The trees towered above, dark monoliths that clawed at the gloomy sky, with long, twisted fingers. Moisture dripped ceaselessly from their tips. Now and then, cold, wet droplets would land on Saffron's head.

The mare shook her mane in irritation. The bit jangled, her footfalls were almost silent on the damp leaf litter. Her small black tipped ear strained, her eyes followed the group of young horses on the other side of the trees. When the mist parted, they wheeled away manes and tails streaming and snorting in mock terror. then Saffron snorted too but in disgust, much like an old lady grunting in disaproval. Maya watched quietly. She smiled at the mare's reaction. The youngsters too, seemed to be enjoying the cold. Sometimes they were visible as faint shadows swirling in the mist, but now and then they appeared as clear and sharp as cut glass.

Maya watched their light, dancing, playfulness with a certain level of detachment. Tomorrow Kuririn, Burma and Gohan were leaving. 'I don't know whether to be angry or not, it seems madness to take a child on such a trip. Still it's not my place to interfere, if Chichi feels that it's acceptable.' She shook her headthe problem was Maya wasn't entirely sure that Chichi did approve. 'When they go it will just be Yajarobe and I left. Gokou's in no fit state to fight.' It was a frightening thought. Perhaps history would repeat itself. Frustrated she thrust the thought away and focused her energy on checking the fences. Two hours later, the mist had started to dissipate. The fences and animals looked fine. It was time to go.

Maya turned Saffron off the thickly grassed lane way and on an earth track. The track ran from the far edge of the farm down to the Son's. As it did so, it twisted through the forest. The mare went willingly, trotting where she could. Her hoof beats rang out hollowly on the half frozen, hard packed ground. Only the drum beat of Saffron's hooves and the subdued jangle of keys invaded the silent trees. Maya patted her pocket in amongst the tightly compressed bundle of keys was one to the Son residence.

It seemed an age since Chichi had given it to her. So much had happened, and so many old wounds had been reopened. Guilt tore at her. Maya cursed herself freely it wasn't as if anyone had time for the grief and despair that she still carried with her. 'It's the here and now that counts the past can't be changed. Poor Chichi didn't deserve any of this.' Hot tears burnt at the back of her eyes. She pulled Saffron up in the blue, shadow of the trees. Maya trembled, she drew on all her strength and courage. All the strength and courage that had sustained her for so long. Saffron craned her neck around and nuzzled the toe of Mayas boot. With difficulty, Maya restrained her tears. She didn't want anyone to see her this way. Vulnerable, alone and somehow desperately afraid.

Maya forcibly got hold of herself and rode on. The house was silent and still. The birds sung, the creek chanted, the wind tugged at Saffron's mane. The sunlight reflected off the windows, bright and sharp. Saffron stood very still her ears pricked. They listened, and felt with every hair. They were visible only when the wind swept the trees aside and the sun shone of Saffron's coat. Maya exhaled and the mare relaxed. 'Good.' Saffron stood and waited. Under a tree her ears alive to every vibration in the air from vigorous scrubbing to bird song.

Chichi's normally immaculate home, was barely presentable. Dirty dishes sat stacked in the sink. The laundry remained undone. It was so out of character. There was no doubt in Maya's mind that Chichi had enough to deal with. Still she felt that if she cleaned Chichi's home it might go part of the way to making things up to her. It was all she could do. So Maya scrubbed, swept, washed and polished until the house was up to it's usual standard. All the while Saffron stood, resting each hind leg in turn. It took Maya some considerable time to finish, but it was worth it.

Noon was long gone by the time Maya gathered up Saffron's reins and departed. Light sparkled off the faintly ruffled surface of the creek, but it was still painfully cold. Maya drove Saffron into a trot to warm up. Saffron was bored. She flung her head down and sprang forward before Maya could stop her. In a moment, they were cantering. Maya felt the shock waves running up Saffron's legs as each hoof hit the hard ground. The mare unrepentant surged forward.

Saffron's hooves drummed on the hard ground. Eddies of white steam emanated from her nostrils. Before long the stone wall that marked the boundary of Maya's farm, appeared as distant greyish gleam in the woods. Maya's eyes searched for the gate. She had no intention of stopping. The small wrought iron gate matched the two big ones at the end of the drive. Tall and narrow an old hunting gate, brown with rust and age. An exultant fire ran through their veins. Saffron pricked her ears, as Maya checked her. The mare's stride lengthened and her hind legs came under her. Her energy coiled itself. Her sharp, pointed, little ears flicked back then forward as she tucked her forelegs up and jumped. Then suddenly while she was still airborne Saffron saw something move out of the corner of her eye. In a desperate panic, she flung herself side ways before her hooves even touched the ground. Her nostrils flared, her eyes bulged from her head.

Maya's initial reaction beyond staying aboard was flight. Every twitching nerve, every instinct was geared towards it. Her heart thudded against her chest adrenalin flooded her veins. Even after so many years, it was a hard habit to kick. After a moment she controlled her fright and registered Gohan's presence.

"Sorry Maya-san I didn't mean to frighten you." The small boy hung his head. Maya covered her fright as best she could. When Saffron settled she let her stand with her dark muzzle between her knees. The mare rattled the bit against her teeth restlessly.

"Never mind. What are you doing out here?" Maya regarded Gohan curiously. 'What on earth is he doing out here? Surely, he's meant to be with Kuririn?'

"Muten Roshi was watching TV. I got bored so I thought I come and see you." Gohan perked up considerably as he finished his explanation. Maya smiled faintly 'I'll bet the old pervert panics when he realises Gohan's gone!' She grinned a bit more. The occasional brief encounter left both Roshi and Maya decidedly edgy.

"Well then I guess you had better come with me then." Gohan grinned, and stood next to Saffron with his arms held up.

In a single well practiced movement, Maya had Gohan seated in front of her. She pulled Gohan against herself securing his weight against her body. The mare champed the bit, and at Maya's biding walked off taking small careful steps, slowly progressing to a canter. Years of training had made her steady even an odd shy didn't damage her obedience for more than a moment. Gohan gripped Saffron's mane tightly it was rare he was allowed on Saffron even like this and he had no intension of jeopardising another ride by falling off. Saffron's stride lengthened and with it Gohan's grinned broadened.

It wasn't far to the house and to Gohan's disappointment the ride was over quite soon. The mare dropped back to a walk as they approached the edge of the lawn. The wisteria had started to shed its leaves there were gaps in the green canopy. The stretch of pavers was awash with light. Socrates lay sprawled in a patch of pale sunlight. Maya smiled to herself when she saw Yajarobe sitting on the back step next to the old cat. She was startled at the bright joy that ran through her at the sight of him.

Yajarobe was rubbing Socrates cheek, who as usual had found the warmest possible place. The samurai's mind was elsewhere. Maya watched Yajarobe, she was sure he hadn't noticed them. A wicked thought occurred to her. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. Maya grinned to herself and carefully backed Saffron into the trees. As she threaded the mare though the trees Gohan piped up.

"Where are we going? Aren't you going to say hello to Yajarobe-san?"

"Of course we're going to say hello to Yajarobe." 'No doubt thinking about that will keep him quiet.' Gohan frowned in confusion.

The young boy felt Saffron's tension as she took soft, careful steps. Her pale sandy coat blended in with the red and gold leaves and the pale limestone soil. She disappeared into the scenery. Maya guided her on to plies of damp leaf litter. Where her footfalls were muffled and quiet, were she left no track. Maya's eyes twinkled her hands guided Saffron with all the subtlety she could muster. It was something they'd done before and it showed. They progressed through the trees almost soundlessly.

If Yajarobe had been paying any attention, he would have sensed their approach. Have heard them or sensed their ki.

"You're not trying to steal my cat are you?" Maya struggled to keep her voice stern. Yajarobe jumped a bit and his heart attempted to escape through his chest. His face went various shades of white to bright red. Gohan started to giggle, Yajarobe glared.

"That's not funny!" Yajarobe growled, halting suddenly in mid sentence. He scowled at Maya, furious. Maya smiled at Yajarobe her eyes twinkling and went about lowering a giggling Gohan to the ground.

"That Yajarobe depends entirely on where you are standing." Yajarobe was furiously embarrassed. 'Great warrior I am. Hmf I didn't even notice a horse creeping up on me.' Even so, he was well aware that Maya meant no harm. Despite her teasing, Maya's voice was warm and gentle. As Yajarobe fought to regain his composure Maya tried not to laugh. Her eyes twinkled with well restrained mirth. 'Hmm, very cute Yajarobe! You do get worked up don't you. ' After a moment she dropped from Saffron's back and briefly buried her face in the mare's dark mane. Maya stayed there for a moment trying not to laugh.

Her amusement cooled abruptly when Yajarobe remained annoyed.

"Gohan does Roshi know where you are?" Maya searched Gohan's face thoughtfully.

"I guess so." Gohan looked up at Maya with uncertainty. 'Which of course means no.' It was onlyafter Maya had rung Roshi, she felt little more inclined to relax. She took care of Saffron leaving Gohan talking to Yajarobe.

The small dark hair boy sat down on the step next to Yajarobe. He looked at the flustered samurai curiously. Even he had noticed the way Yajarobe looked at Maya. Gohan like most small children found it hard to keep quiet.

"Socrates is really old, isn't he?" Yajarobe quite frankly didn't know, and at that moment, he didn't particularly care.

"I guess he's pretty old but you'd have to ask Maya." Gohan looked at Yajarobe thoughtfully. The samurai just continued to scratch the cat's chin he still felt a little angry and embarrassed.

"Oh okay. Err Yajarobe-san Maya's pretty isn't she?" Gohan sounded perfectly innocent. Yajarobe groaned inwardly. 'She's beautiful. Strong defiant, and at times very nasty to say the least. Still I can't deny the attraction. But…'

"She's pretty I guess." Gohan looked pleased, but Yajarobe for all his air of indifference was angry to find himself embarrassed again. 'Embarrassed! Embarrassed all because of something a child said. What's the matter with me?'

"I think she is. Maya-san's smart too she knows a lot of things." ' Good for her. What is this the Maya appreciation society.'

"Hmm." Yajarobe did his best not to get drawn into this particular conversation.

"Who knows a lot of things?" Maya paused and crouched down between and behind Yajarobe and Gohan. Her bare forearm brushed Yajarobe's as she reached out to stroke Socrates. Yajarobe froze, his heart pounded in his chest. He watched Maya as she rubbed Socrates cheek with a single crooked finger.

"You do." Gohan responded. Maya smiled a little, at Gohan's earnest expression.

"Oh I see. Well you know Gohan I don't really know all that much."

"You don't?" His eyes grew very wide in apparent disbelief.

"No. I don't, there are lots of people who know more than I."

"There are?" Gohan looked doubtful, and Maya had to restrain her amusement. 'Hmmm what's Gohan up to? He knows better than that.'

"Yes there are. Like Yajarobe here he knows all sorts of things." Yajarobe groaned inwardly, he seemed to be doing a lot of that. Maya clapped his shoulder cheerfully. The samurai's face started to colour again at the contact.

"Don't you Yajarobe?" Yajarobe gave Maya a non committal grunt.

"See what did I tell you. Now why don't you stay here and talk to Yajarobe while I make us something to eat. Are you going to join us Yajarobe?" Yajarobe frowned at her but nodded the affirmative. Maya stood up and went to leave.

"Maya your really pretty." She looked back at Gohan in a mixture of amusement and startled surprise.

"Thank you."

"Yajarobe thinks you're pretty too." Honestly, Maya was sure her heart stopped. Her eyes slipped over to Yajarobe of their own accord. He fidgeted under her gaze. She knew she had to do something. She crouched down next to Gohan.

"Gohan why don't you go let the puppy out?" The small boy gazed at her in a moment's confusion. Suddenly he understood and nodded disconsolately. Maya gave him the briefest squeeze and sent him on his way. The young Son went slowly looking back over his shoulder until Maya shooed him on.

"He didn't mean it you know, he just doesn't know any better." Maya said shuffling forward so she could sit on the step next to Yajarobe. As soon as she stopped moving Socrates climbed into her lap. Maya drew the cat up into her arms but never took her eyes from Yajarobe's face. She knew he was embarrassed, and uncomfortable. 'I don't know why I'm hardly pretty it's all right for Gohan say things like that he's just a boy. But Yajarobe's a gown man. Honestly, I wonder what goes on in his head sometimes.'

"I know, he's just a kid." Maya smiled at Yajarobe holding Socrates in her arms. Her eyes twinkled. Somehow, Yajarobe knew he wasn't going to like what came next.

"You don't really think I'm pretty now do you Yajarobe?" Her voice was strange somehow. Yajarobe was too caught up in his own emotions to notice. He was mute he could hardly breathe. 'What the hell is she doing to me?' Unwillingly he looked up at her. Mayas eyes were strangely bright. A warm flame flared up behind them. They were deep and warm the colour of melted chocolate interspersed with flecks of gold. Only her eyes revealed her age, and the immensity of all she had seen. Yajarobe dropped his eyes. They trailed down to her small hands half buried in Socrates fur. He found it hard to believe that those small white hands hand the power to wield a sword and yet retain their delicacy.

Yajarobe was procrastinating more to the point he knew it. His courage all but failed him. His heart drummed against his chest. 'What on earth was I thinking?' He was strong and perfectly capable of looking after himself but with Maya he felt uncertain. She was strong, stronger he suspected than he was. In mind heart and body. He had his own quiet dignity it had always held him in good stead. 'But she's something else entirely.' He couldn't drag his eyes away. He fingered his katana.

"You're beautiful." He looked away embarrassed by the words that had escaped almost against his will. Maya hadn't the faintest idea what to say. Her doubt surfaced. She buried her hands ever more deeply into Socrates fur. 'Why are you so upset it's what you wanted?' She didn't knowshe only knew that it frightened her. Left her weak and afraid. That anxiety rose up in side of her, everyone she had loved had died in such a disastrous way. Her eyes were worried.

"Yajarobe, I don't want to hurt you. You're a good man, but I'll tear you to shreds." Subconsciously she clenched her hands deep into Socrates fur. Socrates growled and clawed into her shoulder. Repentant she released him. Her heart ached. 'I suppose I should have seen it coming, but I never expected Yajarobe to act on his feelings.' She didn't trust herself to resist him. She was so very lonely.

"I'm not a coward. You either feel something or you don't." The samurai watched her and she clenched her fists into her lap. Maya looked down in a fit of insecurity and embarrassment. 'It's sounds so easy. He hasn't the faintest idea.' Mostly she was embarrassed but Yajarobe's words stung.

"No, you're not a coward. And of course I care about you, but it isn't that easy." Maya raised her head and looked at Yajarobe. Her gaze was level, her eyes very clear. Her hands closed around each other, betraying the fear and tension she felt. Hesitantly Yajarobe reached out and untangled one of her tense hands. Then gently held it in his own. Her hand was smooth and cool a hard callus ran down the central dip of her palm. Just as it did down his, own. She didn't fight him, but Yajarobe felt a dull shudder go through her. He tried to catch her eye.

"You make things difficult." Doubtfully Maya looked up at Yajarobe through her lashes. An equal measure of uncertainty and hope filled her. She craved human contact but at the same time, she was afraid of hurting Yajarobe. 'It's enviable that I'll die fighting one day. I live by the sword in some ways.' Yajarobe squeezed her hand determined for an answer. Maya looked at him slowly coming to some unspoken agreement. 'There's a price for everything. And there's risk in everything. Where did excessive caution ever get me…Maybe it's time to take a risk.' When Gohan's feet sounded on the stairs.

(2002)