Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z. All DBZ characters belong to Akira Toriyama. Darkreign & Evangel created this story, and I am posting it up for them. They have decided to not continue this story, but Darkreign has given me permission to finish it for him. I plan on getting the rest of the chapters up and I WILL, so don't think that I'm going to stop after what Darkreign and Evangel did. They were the ones to who inspired me to write in the first place!
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"Sayonara, Good-Bye" (A New Beginning)
Chapter Six
"Where have you been, half-breed?" Teppo shouted enthusiastically as Trunks emerged from the foliage. "It's time for me to teach you how to really fight!"
The blue-eyed warrior chuckled. "Let's see what you got!" he said as he went into a fighting stance. Taking the offensive, Teppo began a flurry of punches.
Even though they weren't as fast as Bandeku's, Trunks was still having trouble avoiding them. [Damn it!] Trunks thought to himself. [This headache isn't helping me at all.] While he was distracted, Teppo feinted a punch. Still hung-over, Trunks fell for the trick and was swiped off his feet by his opponents legs.
"Hahahaha...." Teppo snickered. "I thought you were better then this. I guess I was mistaken. Hey Bandeku," he turned his head to look at his former leader, "it seems you need to work him out more! You got to get rid of his human weaknesses." [Okay, that's it!!!] Trunks blazed. Standing up at break neck speed, he began a barrage of blows at the pre-occupied man.
"Whoa..." Teppo said as he stumbled back. Trunks was pulling his punches mere
millimeters away from Teppo's exposed face, but the wind it caused blew leaves in every direction. The agitated man was going faster then his opponent could keep track with so Teppo had no choice but to retreat until he found an opening.
Unfortunately, for the temperamental man, he stumbled on a rock jutting out from the ground. Trunks saw his chance and gathered himself for one final strike. The force it caused sent dust and debris flying away from them as if hurricane winds powered them. But Trunks never laid a single blow on Teppo.
With an unceremonious grunt, Teppo finally went off balance and landed hard on his butt. In the background, sounds of nearly hysterical laughter could be heard. "Did you see that!?!" the most easy-going of the group, Jeiron, stated. "He didn't even touch him!"
"Looks like ONE of you has to practice more," Shin said with a slight grin on his face. The rest of the group continued to chuckle as Teppo grouchily picked himself up. "I was caught off guard," he explained with a fake sneer as he dusted his armor. "Now he's trying to make up excuses," Jeiron laughed good-naturedly. "What will he do next, call time-offs to catch his breath?"
Trunks watched all this with no outward show of emotion. Internally, however, he was laughing his head off. [Man, when he fell, he looked like a suffocating fish! I wish I had a camera. It was definitely a Kodak moment!!!]
His reverie was interrupted when Zeri's scouter began to beep. "I almost forgot," the owner of the machinery, said. "It's a good thing I set my alarm."
"What is it?" Bandeku asked calmly. Zeri's moustache twitched as he smiled wanly. He was the most dutiful of the squad and was usually the one to remind them of their duties or obligations.
The Saiyan was almost as tall as Bandeku except his hair wasn't peppered with white as much. Zeri was also a little broader, and his skin was a darker complexion.
"We didn't come here so Teppo could get beaten up," he explained.
"Hey, what did you say!?!" the subject of the comment snapped.
"Zanko has called an emergency meeting. He wants us to attend," Zeri continued as he ignored the outraged man. "Is it about me?" Trunks questioned. "I don't know; he didn't say. Only that it was imperative we go," the Saiyan answered.
"So why did you have to set your alarm?" Shin asked.
"I knew Teppo would get in a fight, one way or another. I turned on my alarm so we could drag him away before we would be late for the meeting."
"Good," Bandeku gave a curt nod. "We better leave."
"You guys go," Trunks waved his hand negligently. "It'll only bore the Hell out of me anyway."
"That should be okay," Zeri spoke before Bandeku could rebuke Trunks.
"Zanko said only senior members could come."
"Have fun, gramps," Trunks snickered. "I'm going to practice some more."
"You better," Teppo smirked. "Next time I won't be so easy to defeat."
"Whatever," Trunks gave him an easy smile. He started imperceptibly. [Hmm..,] he thought. [I guess I'm starting to like these guys. Yeah, I suppose so; they're okay.]
"Gramps. Hmphf, I'm probably not that much older then him," Zeri muttered.
"Don't mind him," Bandeku said soft enough that only Zeri could hear. "You'll eventually get use to his impertinence."
"Che," Zeri snorted before flying away.
"Behave yourself," Bandeku warned Trunks.
"Really? Darn, then I guess I can't set the forest on fire," Trunks said sarcastically. "I'm already over 20 years old, Bandeku. Give me some credit."
"The way you talk makes me want to smack you sometimes," Bandeku whacked him
upside the head. "But I mean it. Don't get in any trouble if you can help it. I didn't get to live this long by trusting Zanko."
"I can handle him," Trunks said confidently. "Now go before they get too far for you to catch up!"
"Insolent whelp," Bandeku sneered but there was no fierceness in it. Without another word
the older Saiyan flew up into the heavens.
Trunks smiled to himself as he watched the retreating form of the person he unconsciously accepted as his new friend and mentor. He stood that way for awhile, letting the sunshine soak his face with warmth. A sudden rustling from the bushes grabbed his attention. Frowning slightly at the unseen intruder, Trunks cast his senses out like a net. It touched the ki of the.... person
hiding.
"You might as well come out because I know you're there," he called out as he crossed his arms. A slim figure reluctantly emerged from the cover and slowly started walking in his direction.
The tailless man was surprised to see a female Saiyajin sauntering towards him. He took the time to look her over. The girl was a little shorter than him and had the characteristics of all Saiyajin: sharp features, black hair and piercing eyes, and a brown furry tail. She stopped a few feet away and stared at him. An uncomfortable silence, at least for him, hung in the air.
"Kinu, isn't it?" he finally broke the quiet. The softness of his tone surprised even him.
"Hai," she barked back, then had the decency to look a little contrite.
"And what are you doing here?" he started walking around her.
"I saw you the other day in the Arena," she answered while looking straight ahead. "I wanted to see what you were so I followed you."
"You slept in the woods at night?" he asked incredulously.
"It doesn't bother me," she said slightly smug.
"Then let me answer your question. I am part Saiyajin and part Human. Now go away," he stated irritably. [What is it with these guys?] he thought to himself. Trunks walked past her and
headed for his new home.
"That's not the only reason I came," she snapped out. The lavender-haired boy stopped in his tracks and whipped around.
"So why are you here?" he snarled. The hangover was still bothering him so he was not in the best of moods. Trunks waited impatiently as she marshalled her courage.
"I want you to train me," she blurted out.
"What?" he whispered.
"I said I want you to train me," Kinu spoke as if he was deaf.
"I heard what you said, but why do you want me as your sensei?" he retorted.
"Well," she uncurled her tail from her waist and began to stroke its fur, "I saw you fighting with that other man just now. Your ki level rose exponentially during the finish. You might not know, but Saiyajins believe you can only reach a maximum power level, and you can never exceed it."
"Yeah, so?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Uh..." Kinu blushed slightly. Trunks squinted at her to see if he was seeing right. [Is she....nervous? Papa said that female Saiyajins were just as tough as males. I don't think he would have blushed like that. Well, maybe alone with my mother...,] he mused.
".....so that's why I want you to help me get stronger." Trunks gave her a blank look. "Err....sorry I was thinking. Could you repeat what you just said?" he stated bashfully. Kinu scowled as her tail swished angrily behind her.
"I said," she replied through gritted teeth, "I've reached my maximum level, but people still consider me too weak for my rank."
"So you're the weakest in the whole colony?" Trunks gave her a pointed look.
"NO!" she shouted out. "Just the people I associate with. You know, like my father or Kokoro."
"You're doing this to impress him?" Trunks went on.
"Che," she snorted. "I'm doing this so I can beat the living crap out of him. That way he'll stop pestering me."
[Hmm,] a wicked grin crossed Trunks' face. [That bastard does need to be humbled...]
"Okay, I'll help you," he nodded. "But one question. Why me?"
"Two reasons," she smiled happily at his acceptance. "One: I can trust you not to tell everyone in the colony what I'm doing, especially my father."
"What if I did?" he challenged.
"The I'll deny it. Most people will believe me, not you 'cause you're new and a half-breed," she answered coolly.
"Gee, thanks a lot. So what's the second reason?" he rolled his eyes.
"Reason number two: you have tainted blood, but you still managed to beat full-blooded Saiyajins. That means you learned how to go beyond your maximum level."
"True," he closed his eyes. "Okay, those answers were reasonable." [Sort of.] "When are you free to start?"
"Any time, but how about now?" she said with a tinge of eagerness.
"Now is not a good time," he winced a bit at the dull throb of his head.
"We'll go tomorrow."
"Alright," she let the disappointment show. "I'll meet you near the mountains, then we can go somewhere more private to train."
"Why can't we go to the Arena?"
" It's because I want this to be a secret. My father would not allow me to consort with low class warriors such as yourself."
"Oh really," Trunks smirked. [If only she knew...]
"Anyway," she smirked as well, "I want to see the surprise in Kokoro's face when I kick his ass!"
"Fine," Trunks nodded curtly. "Tomorrow at the mountains. Ja ne."
"Hn," she grunted before shooting off across the sky.
* * * *
A fire crackled merrily in the center of the room that had become Trunks' home. He lay on his futon with both hands tucked behind his head.
"So what was the meeting about?" he asked Bandeku merrily. The hangover was finally over, and he for one was glad it was.
"Something strange is going on here," the older man said from his pile of furs. He had used that for a bed since Trunks had long ago appropriated his futon.
"What do you mean?" Trunks said fuzzily. Sleep was stealing over him, and he covered his mouth as a yawn almost escaped. Trying to stave off slumber, he propped his head in his arm and stared directly at Bandeku.
These nightly talks had become a treasured routine in Trunks daily life. Bandeku got right to the point, and often had insightful comments about whatever subject they had decided to talk about. The latter was a rare trait among the race of space warriors.
"Yesterday night, a Hebi-jin spy was found snooping near the colony," Bandeku explained.
"What did he say in the interrogation?" Trunks yawned again.
"What interrogation?" Bandeku frowned.
"Never mind. What made you guys all worried though?"
"The Hebi-jin was discovered to be carrying a long range transmitter. He was
most likely sending information about us to an unknown source."
"Maybe I should talk to him," Trunks offered. "No offense, it's just that you guys aren't exactly good at questioning people."
"Corpses can't talk," Bandeku huffed.
"Should have known," Trunks mumbled to himself. "Well we have no choice but to wait," he said louder. Bandeku nodded his agreement, then started another topic for discussion. The two had become true friends during the long months, and there were only embers in the fireplace before the duo had finally fallen asleep.
End of Chapter Six.
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"Sayonara, Good-Bye" (A New Beginning)
Chapter Six
"Where have you been, half-breed?" Teppo shouted enthusiastically as Trunks emerged from the foliage. "It's time for me to teach you how to really fight!"
The blue-eyed warrior chuckled. "Let's see what you got!" he said as he went into a fighting stance. Taking the offensive, Teppo began a flurry of punches.
Even though they weren't as fast as Bandeku's, Trunks was still having trouble avoiding them. [Damn it!] Trunks thought to himself. [This headache isn't helping me at all.] While he was distracted, Teppo feinted a punch. Still hung-over, Trunks fell for the trick and was swiped off his feet by his opponents legs.
"Hahahaha...." Teppo snickered. "I thought you were better then this. I guess I was mistaken. Hey Bandeku," he turned his head to look at his former leader, "it seems you need to work him out more! You got to get rid of his human weaknesses." [Okay, that's it!!!] Trunks blazed. Standing up at break neck speed, he began a barrage of blows at the pre-occupied man.
"Whoa..." Teppo said as he stumbled back. Trunks was pulling his punches mere
millimeters away from Teppo's exposed face, but the wind it caused blew leaves in every direction. The agitated man was going faster then his opponent could keep track with so Teppo had no choice but to retreat until he found an opening.
Unfortunately, for the temperamental man, he stumbled on a rock jutting out from the ground. Trunks saw his chance and gathered himself for one final strike. The force it caused sent dust and debris flying away from them as if hurricane winds powered them. But Trunks never laid a single blow on Teppo.
With an unceremonious grunt, Teppo finally went off balance and landed hard on his butt. In the background, sounds of nearly hysterical laughter could be heard. "Did you see that!?!" the most easy-going of the group, Jeiron, stated. "He didn't even touch him!"
"Looks like ONE of you has to practice more," Shin said with a slight grin on his face. The rest of the group continued to chuckle as Teppo grouchily picked himself up. "I was caught off guard," he explained with a fake sneer as he dusted his armor. "Now he's trying to make up excuses," Jeiron laughed good-naturedly. "What will he do next, call time-offs to catch his breath?"
Trunks watched all this with no outward show of emotion. Internally, however, he was laughing his head off. [Man, when he fell, he looked like a suffocating fish! I wish I had a camera. It was definitely a Kodak moment!!!]
His reverie was interrupted when Zeri's scouter began to beep. "I almost forgot," the owner of the machinery, said. "It's a good thing I set my alarm."
"What is it?" Bandeku asked calmly. Zeri's moustache twitched as he smiled wanly. He was the most dutiful of the squad and was usually the one to remind them of their duties or obligations.
The Saiyan was almost as tall as Bandeku except his hair wasn't peppered with white as much. Zeri was also a little broader, and his skin was a darker complexion.
"We didn't come here so Teppo could get beaten up," he explained.
"Hey, what did you say!?!" the subject of the comment snapped.
"Zanko has called an emergency meeting. He wants us to attend," Zeri continued as he ignored the outraged man. "Is it about me?" Trunks questioned. "I don't know; he didn't say. Only that it was imperative we go," the Saiyan answered.
"So why did you have to set your alarm?" Shin asked.
"I knew Teppo would get in a fight, one way or another. I turned on my alarm so we could drag him away before we would be late for the meeting."
"Good," Bandeku gave a curt nod. "We better leave."
"You guys go," Trunks waved his hand negligently. "It'll only bore the Hell out of me anyway."
"That should be okay," Zeri spoke before Bandeku could rebuke Trunks.
"Zanko said only senior members could come."
"Have fun, gramps," Trunks snickered. "I'm going to practice some more."
"You better," Teppo smirked. "Next time I won't be so easy to defeat."
"Whatever," Trunks gave him an easy smile. He started imperceptibly. [Hmm..,] he thought. [I guess I'm starting to like these guys. Yeah, I suppose so; they're okay.]
"Gramps. Hmphf, I'm probably not that much older then him," Zeri muttered.
"Don't mind him," Bandeku said soft enough that only Zeri could hear. "You'll eventually get use to his impertinence."
"Che," Zeri snorted before flying away.
"Behave yourself," Bandeku warned Trunks.
"Really? Darn, then I guess I can't set the forest on fire," Trunks said sarcastically. "I'm already over 20 years old, Bandeku. Give me some credit."
"The way you talk makes me want to smack you sometimes," Bandeku whacked him
upside the head. "But I mean it. Don't get in any trouble if you can help it. I didn't get to live this long by trusting Zanko."
"I can handle him," Trunks said confidently. "Now go before they get too far for you to catch up!"
"Insolent whelp," Bandeku sneered but there was no fierceness in it. Without another word
the older Saiyan flew up into the heavens.
Trunks smiled to himself as he watched the retreating form of the person he unconsciously accepted as his new friend and mentor. He stood that way for awhile, letting the sunshine soak his face with warmth. A sudden rustling from the bushes grabbed his attention. Frowning slightly at the unseen intruder, Trunks cast his senses out like a net. It touched the ki of the.... person
hiding.
"You might as well come out because I know you're there," he called out as he crossed his arms. A slim figure reluctantly emerged from the cover and slowly started walking in his direction.
The tailless man was surprised to see a female Saiyajin sauntering towards him. He took the time to look her over. The girl was a little shorter than him and had the characteristics of all Saiyajin: sharp features, black hair and piercing eyes, and a brown furry tail. She stopped a few feet away and stared at him. An uncomfortable silence, at least for him, hung in the air.
"Kinu, isn't it?" he finally broke the quiet. The softness of his tone surprised even him.
"Hai," she barked back, then had the decency to look a little contrite.
"And what are you doing here?" he started walking around her.
"I saw you the other day in the Arena," she answered while looking straight ahead. "I wanted to see what you were so I followed you."
"You slept in the woods at night?" he asked incredulously.
"It doesn't bother me," she said slightly smug.
"Then let me answer your question. I am part Saiyajin and part Human. Now go away," he stated irritably. [What is it with these guys?] he thought to himself. Trunks walked past her and
headed for his new home.
"That's not the only reason I came," she snapped out. The lavender-haired boy stopped in his tracks and whipped around.
"So why are you here?" he snarled. The hangover was still bothering him so he was not in the best of moods. Trunks waited impatiently as she marshalled her courage.
"I want you to train me," she blurted out.
"What?" he whispered.
"I said I want you to train me," Kinu spoke as if he was deaf.
"I heard what you said, but why do you want me as your sensei?" he retorted.
"Well," she uncurled her tail from her waist and began to stroke its fur, "I saw you fighting with that other man just now. Your ki level rose exponentially during the finish. You might not know, but Saiyajins believe you can only reach a maximum power level, and you can never exceed it."
"Yeah, so?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Uh..." Kinu blushed slightly. Trunks squinted at her to see if he was seeing right. [Is she....nervous? Papa said that female Saiyajins were just as tough as males. I don't think he would have blushed like that. Well, maybe alone with my mother...,] he mused.
".....so that's why I want you to help me get stronger." Trunks gave her a blank look. "Err....sorry I was thinking. Could you repeat what you just said?" he stated bashfully. Kinu scowled as her tail swished angrily behind her.
"I said," she replied through gritted teeth, "I've reached my maximum level, but people still consider me too weak for my rank."
"So you're the weakest in the whole colony?" Trunks gave her a pointed look.
"NO!" she shouted out. "Just the people I associate with. You know, like my father or Kokoro."
"You're doing this to impress him?" Trunks went on.
"Che," she snorted. "I'm doing this so I can beat the living crap out of him. That way he'll stop pestering me."
[Hmm,] a wicked grin crossed Trunks' face. [That bastard does need to be humbled...]
"Okay, I'll help you," he nodded. "But one question. Why me?"
"Two reasons," she smiled happily at his acceptance. "One: I can trust you not to tell everyone in the colony what I'm doing, especially my father."
"What if I did?" he challenged.
"The I'll deny it. Most people will believe me, not you 'cause you're new and a half-breed," she answered coolly.
"Gee, thanks a lot. So what's the second reason?" he rolled his eyes.
"Reason number two: you have tainted blood, but you still managed to beat full-blooded Saiyajins. That means you learned how to go beyond your maximum level."
"True," he closed his eyes. "Okay, those answers were reasonable." [Sort of.] "When are you free to start?"
"Any time, but how about now?" she said with a tinge of eagerness.
"Now is not a good time," he winced a bit at the dull throb of his head.
"We'll go tomorrow."
"Alright," she let the disappointment show. "I'll meet you near the mountains, then we can go somewhere more private to train."
"Why can't we go to the Arena?"
" It's because I want this to be a secret. My father would not allow me to consort with low class warriors such as yourself."
"Oh really," Trunks smirked. [If only she knew...]
"Anyway," she smirked as well, "I want to see the surprise in Kokoro's face when I kick his ass!"
"Fine," Trunks nodded curtly. "Tomorrow at the mountains. Ja ne."
"Hn," she grunted before shooting off across the sky.
* * * *
A fire crackled merrily in the center of the room that had become Trunks' home. He lay on his futon with both hands tucked behind his head.
"So what was the meeting about?" he asked Bandeku merrily. The hangover was finally over, and he for one was glad it was.
"Something strange is going on here," the older man said from his pile of furs. He had used that for a bed since Trunks had long ago appropriated his futon.
"What do you mean?" Trunks said fuzzily. Sleep was stealing over him, and he covered his mouth as a yawn almost escaped. Trying to stave off slumber, he propped his head in his arm and stared directly at Bandeku.
These nightly talks had become a treasured routine in Trunks daily life. Bandeku got right to the point, and often had insightful comments about whatever subject they had decided to talk about. The latter was a rare trait among the race of space warriors.
"Yesterday night, a Hebi-jin spy was found snooping near the colony," Bandeku explained.
"What did he say in the interrogation?" Trunks yawned again.
"What interrogation?" Bandeku frowned.
"Never mind. What made you guys all worried though?"
"The Hebi-jin was discovered to be carrying a long range transmitter. He was
most likely sending information about us to an unknown source."
"Maybe I should talk to him," Trunks offered. "No offense, it's just that you guys aren't exactly good at questioning people."
"Corpses can't talk," Bandeku huffed.
"Should have known," Trunks mumbled to himself. "Well we have no choice but to wait," he said louder. Bandeku nodded his agreement, then started another topic for discussion. The two had become true friends during the long months, and there were only embers in the fireplace before the duo had finally fallen asleep.
End of Chapter Six.