AN: YAY! UPDATE! Sorry for the lateness. I'm doing my best but I guess that's not enough... ((sigh)) I will finish though. This story is my baby and I will finish it because I need to write other things. That, and because people will kill me if I don't update. So please, review! For my sake, PLEASE!

Disclimer: All rights reserved.

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Chapter 18: Championship Part B

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The first match was done, and had tipped the scale in favor of our rookies.

However, one match didn't ensure victory.

And one victory didn't promise a past friendship to rekindle.

Uubu had been taken to be treated, and everyone was sure he was fine. Getting knocked out wouldn't kill him and they knew Marron would never intentionally hurt her former master. The attack was quick and would surely leave scars as a painful souvenir, but nothing that would leave him handicapped. Marron's heart had been too kind, especially during that fight.

Now, the next round had been called, and Bra took her steps to her destination. Goten had walked beside her, his confident aura never bearing down on her own confident self, both could even be called arrogant. Each conflicted with the other, without really knowing.it. Their fighting spirits danced with their partner with no boundaries to their strength, power rolling off their very bodies. The call for go was all they awaited, and it was all they needed.

So when the announcer sounded, Bra and Goten weren't so idle.

Feet blurred as they circled the center of the ring. Black eyes never left their blue counterpart. However, space was depleting between them as they met again. Strike after strike was thrown, met with not only sparks of power but an attraction that would never leave. Legs and fists collided, ruthlessly blocking and striking with only the intention of hurting the other.

But, despite the onslaught of techniques, their eyes never left the heartstopping gaze. Something between them screamed to stop, halt this match because this wasn't just some bet or a petty championship. Their futures were hanging on the line, but neither was willing to give up either. Neither one of them would leave their friends because of a feeling, a feeling to stop what had already begun.

After all, weren't feelings what dragged them into this in the first place?

Bra and Goten were held to their responsibilities, not only to their teammates, but to their hearts. Finishing this match would hinder the scale. That was how it had to be done. If their thoughts and hearts wouldn't agree, then force was the only way, no matter how much their souls protested. You can't save yourself from everything, they had learned that one year ago.

Because love was too strong to be held back. When one was ensnared in it, the other was left to deny such feelings. The other always spurned the heart of the one who loved them most, settling for something less, thinking they're content. But, when the heart of someone you really cared about and loved, finally leaves, you're left empty, without purpose. Eventually, your heart catches up to you, whether its broken or trying to hide, it always finds you again.

Bra had left her broken heart in Goten's care, thinking it would never catch her again. She thought it would never attach itself to her soul, but it had followed her, never left her alone. For the longest time, she could never figure out why it hadn't left, why it kept its hold. Why was it holding onto her because she had abandoned it long ago, in the arms of a one-sided lover? And then, she finally realized it.

It followed because he followed.

Goten had been so caught up with running, hiding from the girl who meant everything to him, he never even asked himself of what he wanted. He had worked so hard to keep himself locked from her, so bent on chasing her away when, in reality, she wasn't the one chasing him. He had always been following her, holding onto her innocence, wishing never to taint it. He had worked so hard on pushing her away, even though he held onto her hand so tightly.

In the end, he had wanted her all along, even more than she had wanted him. He clung to her whimsical smile and carefree attitude. She had been everything he needed, everything that could make him happy. But, he pushed it all away in hopes of keeping her high on a pedstal that didn't exist. He wanted to protect her so much that he even held himself from her. However, Bra wasn't the type to sit around and let things happen. No, she was the one that made things happen.

As Goten pushed himself away from Bra, her raging aura fighting his own, she had jumped away as well. However, he wasn't going to let her get away. One mistake was more than enough, two would simply be moronic. He wouldn't let go, not this time. The only way to have her heart was to defeat her. He had to hurt what he wanted to protect most. As much as it hurt him, he let himself charge up enough energy and released as fast as he had taken it in.

"KA-ME-HA-ME-HAAA!" He let the energy roll off into the air, taking apart the very oxygen around either of them.As soon as the ball was close, though, Bra took it into her hands and pushed it back with everything she had. She fought so hard to keep it from taking over her body and destroying her physical apparition. But, that energy would not be swayed. It would complete its path, even if it meant taking Bra along with it.

As the power became too much, the beam split into several smaller beams as each made their way past Bra. It continued to combat against her calloused hands until she couldn't take it anymore.

It exploded.

As hundreds of the beams that hadn't escaped, imploding on each other instead, Bra felt the pressure on her arms send her flying. Her own chilling scream was heard when the energy pushed her back, and then she was silent. She had been blown into the wall of the stands.

And out of the ring.

"The match is OVER!" the announcer yelled excitedly, before quickly talking at the speed of light. His words were one huge sentence that made little sense over the crowd's cheers and hurrahs. Even as the paramedics came to get Bra, Goten had never let her eyes drop his gaze. He had approached her when his victory had been declared and he watched with sadness at what he had done. He had hurt the woman who he had always protected, even though it was his choice.

He regretted it even more when he noticed her eyes were waterring, and a tear slid down her smooth cheek. He didn't want to meet her eyes then, but she held him there as well, trapped in their own contest. As Bra was lifted onto the stretcher, he saw the smile that he had never thought he'd see again, spread on her lips. It was forgiving, as were her eyes. The love that once shone so brightly was replaced by something else though. It wasn't the same emotion, but it was just as strong, just as caring as before.

She looked thankful.

In that one moment, he knew exactly what she meant. That one grin helped clear all his thoughts, and he returned it with his own. He was thankful too, after all.

He had never fought her like this before, fought with her like a real fighter. He was always so afraid she'd get hurt, so he kept making sure everything was easier for her, never letting her break her neck over something she really wanted. She was a porcelain doll to him when they trained. He was just too fragile when it came to handling her, thinking that her spirit would break if her body did.

How ironic it is that, when he had been trying to protect her, he was the one who had broke her very soul.

She had thanked him for finally seeing the adult, the woman, she had become and faced her like an opponenet, regardless of who or what she was. He also thanked her because, when she finally proved herself, he felt no more need to hold onto her, keep her out of every branch and stone's way. He didn't need to because he learned she could be a woman of her own devices, with her own heart and head to listen to.

As he turned away, his small smile never left his features. The stinging in his eyes only slightly faded as he took his seat on the bench. He heard nothing from Trunks, though he did get a strange and confused glance. But, Goten was grateful for not having to explain. The tears that had once pierced his eyes were fading now, his ebony orbs becoming strong again.

He was proud of the little china doll he had protected once.

And, in the end, she was proud of his ability to finally let go.

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AN: AAAHHHHHHH! I AM SOOO SORRY! You don't even know! I have been so busy with my new fandoms that I haven't been writing for this one. AAAHHH! I'm so sorry! I promise to work harder (though that's kinda hard for me). ONLY TWO PARTS TO GO AND I'M DONE! YAY!

Please review, even if you hate me right now, okay?

Well, till next time!

Much love,

Adobo-chan