In Search of Amity

Period 31: A sign of the times


Weeks passed like a river that never over flooded or dried, training had resumed and everyone worked harder than ever before, Savarnas strength was increasing rapidly as she often trained with Vegeta.
"Good, now the other one." He ordered, his arm up broking her routine roundhouse kicks, a good way to keep her flexibility up since her ki was no where near as strong as that of the others, this was the best training method for her.
"I need to it to be higher, I can't feel the back thigh muscles stretching enough" she said stopping, Vegeta scowled.
"You can squat down on the other foot, this is not going any higher," He stated regarding his arm.
It had been almost a week after Gohan and Videls blessing was given, Trunks finally asked Pan to be his girl, she was surprised and delighted when he came into her room and asked her, it was the perfect place and the quietest setting, making it truly special. They talk frequently, taking time away from training to find quiet places to get to know one other.

Always sitting on the floor facing one another, his wrist always draped over her shoulder or fingers gently caressing her hair. He spoke of ordinary things and about home, about the cafes, stores and islands they would he would take her to visit, she would stare into his eyes adoringly with a gentle smile across her lips, dreaming of those times to come.
Things were slowly in the beginning and went no further than long winded conversations, he tried many times to kiss her and always she refused, stating the time was not right to fall in love. However, weeks passed and Pan found herself unable to hold back her true feeling toward this man, this man who she admired and thought of from afar for much of her teenage years, she now dared to fall in love with him.


Piccolo staled in the upper levels, Gohan's heart broke from watching him sink lower everyday, trying to ignore it made him feel guilty, he would sit several metres away watching for signs on life, speaking to him as though he were in a coma and unable to answer.
"Do you remember when you saved me from Broly, that was the closest of all calls when he launched that attack, inches away from destroying me and you came, all the way from earth, do you remember?" He conversed but to no evil.
Piccolos stayed in his trance with his back to Gohan and his head bowed, hands in his lap, with eyes staring out the small porthole before him, Gohan would bring him water everyday but only occasionally was the glass empty when he returned.
"I miss you Piccolo, really miss you" he said, wiping his watery eyes with his sleeve, the sorrow was too much to bare and he stands to leave, hoping Piccolo will break from his trance to call him back, but he doesn't.
"do you delight in wasting my time girl?" Vegeta yelled, sprinting across the chamber floor until was inches from her, karate chopping at her neck she ducked in time and rolled away.
He landed on his feet, turning toward her.
"Too slow Dammit, haven't you remembered anything I taught you?" He cursed.
"I'm trying, I can't go any faster." Savarna replied, rolling to her feet and standing.
"Forget it, you wont get any better at this go train with Bra, she's closest to your level." He opened the gravity door for her to leave, disheartened she walked out, and the door slammed shut behind her.

Leaving, she passed by the viewing window lounge and spotted Goten inside reading.
"Hiya uncle" she called walking in, her clothes loosely fitting and comfortable as she slung down onto the couch opposite him.
"Finished training with Vegeta?" he asked, his eyes constantly locked with the pages of his novel 'The Power of One', it rested in his left hand.
"Not exactly, he dumped me for the chamber" she frowned, staring at her wiggling toes propped up on the armrest.
"Don't worry, your a lot stronger now than when we left home, we are proud of you and Vegeta, he just makes it harder than it has to be, shake it off." He mumbles with eyes still locked with the on the page, his other hand cradling the back of his head.

Trunks enters the room looking for a place to read his own material, without acknowledging them he sits upon the recliner beside Savarnas couch.
"How long have we got left?" Goten enquired.
"Mmm, 2 hours and we meet them down stairs." Trunks mumbled with his attention on a book about planet Namek's history.
Savarnas eyebrow rose.
"What's happening in two hours?" she asked
"Sparring session, everyone is welcome, didn't anyone tell you?" Trunks asked looking up.
"No… I wasn't and im sure I know why." She said with spite.
"Why?" Trunks asked
"Because I don't have any saiyajin or Namekian blood in me, too weak to hold my own, a waist of space and a hold up to the rest of you." She muttered with a sour frown.
"Sav don't let what Vegeta said get to you, its nothing personal, isn't not that right Trunks" Goten passed.
"What did he tell you?" Trunks asked.
"He dumped her for the chamber" Goten informed, Trunks nodded understandingly.
"Its true, he still tells me im not good enough or fast enough, but I don't let it get me down." He abbreviated.
"Its not the same, they know you have the potential, I don't and they make it clear to me." She retaliated.
"Who's they?" Trunks asked.
"Your dads, Gohan and Piccolo…I hate being left out." She admitted looking down at the floor, hot tears lingering in her chest.

Trunks shook his head and with a nasal chuckle, placed his book down on the coffee table, standing he walked to an open space nearby, Goten watched with interest.
"Ok, you think you should be given a fair go right." He directed at Savarna.
"Yeah I do" she replied.
"Well… let's go then." He stated standing with his feet apart and hands fisted by his side, Savarna stared at him unsure if he was serious.
"He's being serious Sav, if you think you can take him, go for it." Goten informed, Savarnas eyebrows cowered together at Goten then turned to Trunks.
"No way, it isn't going to happened you will crush me." she stated bewildered.
"That's not the point, the point is im giving you a go…now throw something at me." He ordered.

Savarna blinked twice and stood up.
"I cant do that, this a joke isn't it" she chuckled and Trunks stamped his foot.
"Now charge, c'mon!" he shouted.
Pressured she walked toward him lifting her fists up around her face protectively, and then charged. Trunks avoided her first punch, she threw another and again his face moved out of the way, then a roundhouse kick that hit him square in the hip, his eyes widened slightly at the impact.
Holding up his palm he blocked a jab from her right fist, then left first with his other, closing his fingers around them he lifted her off the floor, spinning several times with her in tow he tossed her across the floor to the opposite wall, she managed to slide to a stop, avoiding injury.
Trunks waited, an emotionless expression upon his face and his body relaxed yet ready, she stood up and slitted her eyes at him, he wasn't laughing so perhaps this wasn't a joke after all, she attacked again racing up with her fists taunt. Trunks blocked her several punches and kicks as she threw them, his feet planted and eyes blink less.
"Show me something else, use your ki," He said amongst her attacks, she stops
"I have none, it doesn't exist in me," she said while puffing.
"Untrue everything has ki, without it you couldn't even breathe, eat or walk," he revealed and Savarna attacked again, her knuckles dry yet painless as they affected his firm skin.

He found her weak point while blocking attacks, he watched her fist rise up toward his eye and darted to the side, lifting his arm high he bent at the elbow and lowered it down onto the space between her shoulder and neck.
He his her, Savarna fell to the floor moaning from the pain, Trunks looked down horrified he did not realise he hit her so hard.
"Sav I didn't mean to hurt you! " he uttered kneeling down by her side, suddenly her face down body spun around and her elbow connected with his jaw line, he was thrown several metres to the right.
"Whoa way to go Sav!" Goten jumped his buttocks up and down on the couch cheering her, Savarna stood up wincing from her saw shoulder and neck but kept her eyes focused with Trunks. He stood with a respecting smile upon his lips, she had indeed fooled him and she deserved to know it.
"That was a good move, really got me off guard, but it might not work on all opponents." He said rubbing his jaw, Savarna dropped her guard and took a deep breath walking over to Goten's couch, and she sat down bowing her head to massage her neck.
"You did real good Sav." Goten supported, moving her hands aside he massaged the space where Trunks hit her.
"I think Ill miss the sparring, I have other things to do, and I need to rest this anyway." She said, solemnly, Trunks noticed.
"Look Sav, I didn't challenge you to make you see that you cant compete, I just wanted you to have a chance at…" She did not allow him to continue.
"You don't need to explain anything, I get it ok, im the poor human with no ability so lets make her feel better." She snapped, standing up she brushed past him and left the room.

Trunks mouth hung upon in dismay.
"What did I do, I just wanted to make her feel better about not being able to fight, give her a chance to show what she's got." He presented, Goten frowned standing up.
"That was her whole point man, she doesn't want special treatment because she doesn't have the same power." He explained, picking up his book and leaving Trunks alone in the room.


Two hours passed, the gathering of warriors took place in the centre of the ships lower level, Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Pan, Trunks, Dende and Goten were there.
"Alright, ill explain what's going on, we have trained for a long time and its time to put it to the test." He explained, standing in the centre of the group.
"Wait we only have seven, we need one more to be even." Gohan pointed out, Goku looked around saw it was true.
"Hmm, I guess we can't do anything then." He said rubbing his chin in a pondering manner.
"Maybe I can even up the odds." Piccolo uttered, floating down from above them and he landed softly amongst them, everyone turned to him unsure of what to say, some looking to Goku for reassurance.
"Always, take a place." Goku indicated, the Namek approached a spot opposite Goten and everyone stood straight up, Goku was up with Trunks, Vegeta with Pan and Gohan with Dende.
"One pair at a time for one minute each, face off then fight without ki, no one steps outside the large circle on the floor." Goku announced.

The first pair was Dende and Gohan, the rest moved out of the circle and to the sidelines to watch, the pair stood feet apart and bowed their heard respectfully, each took on their unique guarding stances.
The room was silent.
"GO!" Goku shouted.
Gohan attacked first, throwing several punches as he went, Dende ducked away and sent a few side kicks to his opponents ribs, getting in several hits until Gohan low blocked and brought a roundhouse kick around hitting Dendes head and cheek.
The namek went flying to the right of the circle and dug his heels in instinctively, stopping himself from slipping out, landing on his hands and feet.
Looking back at Gohan with a crooked smile he charged with his body close to the ground, head bowing he crashed against Gohan's abdomen sending him flying across the floor, the saiyajin stopped himself from leaving the circle with his feet planted against the ground, both skidding to a stop with Gohan still in the circle.
Head butting Dende against his antenna, the Namek pushed back covering them in pain, Gohan attacked, karate chopping Dende across the shoulders and neck, the Namek fought back, blocking with one arm and punching through with the other, landing one in right Gohan's chin.
"Time!" Goku called and the two fighters stood down, smiling to one another they left the circle abruptly for the next pair to begin.
"Not bad guys, a lot of fighting spirit in there, Dende I think you just need to work on something to help with your antenna, maybe a turban like Piccolos will help." Goku suggested.

The next pair to fight was Vegeta and Pan, Pan understandably was nervous.
Savarna sat with Bra who preferred to watch, their lags handing under the railing on the above level they commented on each contest.
"I wonder what Piccolos going to do, he's next up with Goten." Bra pointed out, her feet swinging gently as though there were a gentle breeze blowing through. Savarna wondered the same thing, watching her father intently as he stood motionlessly, waiting his turn in the ring.
"I have a weird feeling something's going to happened, not today but soon." She alerted, Bra turned to her confused.
"Sav, I know about intuition, but how can you knows the day it's going to happened?" she asked.
"I don't know, forget it I must be getting crazy… I hope what dad has that it isn't contagious" she mumbled, looking to her wrist she noticed the three stones on the bracelet had discoloured, instead of their usual bright blue and white they were tainted with grey markings.
"You would think Namekians had real jewels, that's a real fake if I ever saw one" Bra commented, watching Savarna fiddling with it she couldn't help herself, jewels were one of her best friends and even on the ship on non training occasions, she downed herself with them from head to foot.

Piccolo was up, he stood awaiting Goten's ignition, Goten did the same and their was a brief pause in movement, Goten attacked throwing a punch at Piccolos chin, the Namek blocked, Goten tried again, kneeing Piccolo in the stomach and chest but he also blocked those.
Goten was confused, Piccolo blocked but made no attempts to fight back, he backs away instead.
"C'mon Piccolo throw something at me, this isn't a staring match!" He shouted, heading in again he attempting an uppercut that Piccolo interrupted with a left fist at Goten's face, his arm extending like a rubber band until Goten left the circle, mashing against the opposite wall with Piccolos fist still imbedded in his cheek.
"…. K.O!" Goku shouted after a pause of surprise, Piccolo didn't move, his fist stayed against Goten's cheek, its as though he was mentally blocked, unknowing what to do next.
"Pic, its over get your fucking fist out of my face" Goten mumbled through his scrunched up lips.
Piccolo seemed to listen, slowly he pulled away as though checking that he had heard right, then pulling his arm back into its socket he took a spot outside the circle.
Goten pulled away from the wall, rubbing his bruised cheek he looked with confusion to the Namek.
Savarna had seen it all and now she knew something was gone, it just was not him in there anymore.


After numerous switcheroo of sparring partners and countless rounds it came to an end, the bone crunching sounds of body impacting seized and each took their time away from one another, Namek was at least four months away and they were making excellent progress.
Trunks walked from the shower room, his hair almost dry, his skin feeling fresh, and spirit rejuvenated. Pan had already showered and wore her hair in a towel so it would not get wet, fresh and dry she stood outside waiting for him.
"You did real well, what are you doing for the rest of the day." She asked, he walks up beside her and snakes his arm around her shoulders.
"I have something planned" he stated, there was a pause and pan turned to him.
"And?" he persisted, noting the cheeky smile upon his lips
"And what?" he replied.
"Your up to something, what is it?" she smiled with a giggle and Trunks threw his head back trying to suppress the smile on his face, this made Pan want to know more.
"I can't tell you, your going to have to see." He said with an outer gentleness that she found most appealing in him, his smile was one of the most beautiful she had ever seen.

Slipping his arm down from her shoulder he took her hand into his, she looked down to their linked hands and followed as he led her away, through the hallway that led out of the great hall and toward the less frequented rooms. She was intrigued but also nervous at what awaited her, the sweet side of this man made trusting him easy.
"Can I take a guess at what it is at least?" she asked but he did not answer, ducking down as they passed a broken pillar, now she was a little afraid but still she trusted him.
"Watch your step here," he said, watching her walk over another fallen pillar, whatever this whole business was about it must be special to him, for him to be so thorough.
"Ok, wait here for a minute" He asked as they stopped at a dead end door, it was rusted with cracked edges and dirt collecting at its base, he disappeared inside leaving it ajar, his fingertips disturbed the dusk around its rim, creating perfect fingerprint markings.
She waited as he went to open the door, remarkably, it opened with great ease, and he disappeared inside.
"Come on in Pan." He called.


thankyou for reading