Author's Comments – Okay, this is pure madness, I know. I can't stop writing! Hehe, but I love it. Had some troubles with the second chapter, considering I wanted to edit something right after I uploaded. -- Of course, XD. And it takes so long for changes to be made! Well anyway, the changes were slight, and I'm just going to hope that no one happened to read before the changes were made. . Like I said, it was just a few lines, nothing serious. I'm updating the third chapter now, though I know some people would suggest that I not update so soon, despite having another chapter done. But I can't help myself! I'm impatient, and don't want to keep people waiting. So here is the third chapter! Oh, and after some consideration, I think this will in fact be the average chapter size. Not as large as I was intending to make them, but still long enough, and this way I can update more often. So, in closing, I hope you enjoy the third chapter! (Oh and on a side note, I wonder if it would be comfortable or uncomfortable lying on your back when you have wings? O.o Maybe they would help support? XD)

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Chapter 3 - Realizations

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The shots rang out clearly through the heavy air. Her dark blue eyes stared, unblinking, unable to accept the reality of what was happening. Her father's body slumped against her, and she could feel the warmth of the blood soaking through the fabric of her shirt.

This is all a terrible dream…

She sunk to the ground, shaking uncontrollably and gripping him fiercely. "Father!! FATHER!"

He looked up at her, eyes half closed, and smiled sadly. "I'm sorry Zoa… I-"

His gaze went blank, and she could feel his body go limp. She started to shake him hard, barely able to see through her tears. "No….. NO!"

Behind her, she could hear the screams, the sound of angry voices demanding money. But they all seemed so far away. Suddenly, she was pulled to her feet, and felt the cold metal of the gun pressed against her temple.

"Give us the money in the register, or I'll blow this girl's brains out!"

She stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Her sight was stuck on her father's lifeless form. Am I going to die too, Father…?

Suddenly, in less then an instant, another figure was beside her. The man with the gun cried out in pain as his arm was broken, the gun discarded, bent and misshapen. A young man who looked no older then she was threw the robber effortlessly into the nearby wall, and then gestured to her.

"Get down!!"

She obeyed, crouching down and watching as the boy ran, no… almost flew, towards the other thief, sending him sprawling to the floor in what looked like some kind of explosion. Zoa shook her head in disbelief. Everything about this was becoming more and more unreal by the second.

The two men knocked out, the young man took a moment to recommend to the store keeper that he call the police. The elderly man nodded quickly, racing for the phone. The teen returned to where she was kneeling on the floor, and looked at her with caring and concerned eyes.

"Are you alright…?"

She nodded slightly, turning to the sight before her. "…M-my father…"

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Zoa sat up quickly, awakening from the dream. Yes… just a dream this time. But not then… The memories of her father's death appeared often in her dreams; or nightmares rather. Her hands moving along the fabric of her shirt, for a moment it was almost as if she could still feel the blood on her. A tear rolled down her cheek.

It was early morning, and was still dark. The fire still flickered weakly, giving off a soft orange glow. It was the fifth day now, only one more night before the day that Gohan was set to arrive on. She looked over at C, who was lying on his back and staring up at the sky. His face looked so serious as he gazed up at the stars. To first see him, what mostly stood out was the strange metallic armor he was clad in. Not to mention the odd coloring of it. But on closer inspection, she had noticed he was really quite handsome, with such dark, brooding features, and striking eyes.

He must have felt her eyes on him, for he looked over at her and frowned as he noticed her quickly wipe the tear away.

"What's wrong?"

She shrugged, smiling back at him. "Just had a bad dream, that's all."

She waited a moment before shuffling along the ground towards him. Stopping by his side, she lied down and looked upwards as well. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." He replied, "Just the sky."

She turned on her side to face him, propping her head up with one arm. "My father was killed too."

He looked over at her, his expression hard to read. He decided to humor her. "How did he die?"

Her gaze moved past him into nothing, her eyes glazing over slightly as she continued. "We were buying some groceries in town when some armed men came in demanding money. They started shooting, and he ran in front of me to protect me. He was shot in the back."

C didn't move or say a word as her eyes moved back to meet his. "So, what are you planning to do if you avenge your father?" She asked.

He frowned, and turned away. "I'll finish what he started."

She was quiet for a while before answering. "Oh, so you want to destroy the earth too, huh? Geez, I didn't think it was that bad of a place." She smiled, leaning over towards him. "You don't seem like such a bad guy. Why would you want to kill so many innocent people?"

He sat up, turning to her, his voice raised and heated. "What do you know about me!? You think I'm such a 'nice guy'?! Why?! I'm holding you captive! And I intend to brutally kill your friend, as well as eradicate the rest of life on this stupid planet!"

She said nothing, just stared unnervingly back at him. What is it about him, anyway…? I'm not sure. It's some sort of strange feeling, intuition. These last few days he's acted so tough, but he's never done anything to harm me, aside from maybe tossing me to the dirt when I tried to make a break for it. He just seems so sad…

Quite suddenly and unexpectedly, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him in an awkward hug. He straightened up, pushing backwards, and yelled at her in a demanding voice.

"What the hell was that?!"

She gave him a look as if to ask if he was being serious. "It's called a 'hug'! I thought maybe you could use one!"

"Well apparently you failed to also 'think' of the fact that I'm not some pathetically emotional idiot like you!" He shot back, reaching forward and grabbing her by the neck of her shirt.

"Oh no!?" She demanded angrily. She was getting frustrated enough already with his little act, so she decided to call his bluff. "Then hit me! Punch me; right in the face! If you have no emotions, there should be NO reason you'd be unable to do so. So DO IT! HIT ME!"

He stared at her, their noses almost touching, and one of his eyes twitched slightly. After a few minutes, he released her and got up, turning away. "I don't take orders from you, weakling."

She let out a small breath, looking up at him. She had won that round, and many of her questions had just been answered. He wasn't evil like his father. Just full of anger, and more stubborn then anything. There was some good in him… If only she could make him admit that, maybe she could stop the upcoming fight from taking place. Convince him to stop this madness.

She sighed. It would be a lot more difficult to pull off then it sounded…

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