Chapter 8: Starting over

A young girl could be seen walking out of a hospital for the first time in three months. She had been sent to a hospital in California because her hospitals at home couldn't help her injuries. She didn't even know how she got there; the last thing she remembered was the sound of a blade being thrust into someone. Vegeta was walking along side of Rena, for when he finally found her, he had brought her a sensu bean to heal her.

"I'm glad I found you; your moms been going crazy since you left."

"Vegeta…what happened? How did I get here?…have you seen Hiei or Tiguoro at all?"

"Not sure who Tiguoro is but Hiei hasn't been around. In fact, there isn't anything left of his house."

"What?"

"Some one must have blown it up which would explain why you had all those severe burns."

Rena felt her head and then realized something.

"O my gosh my hair! What happened to it?"

"The fire...it singed youre hair…but if you dyed it, Ill bet no one could tell."

He noticed Rena's eyes start to water

"…It would have been better if I had just died the first time he tried to kill me."

Vegeta stopped walking and stood in front of her.

"Hey, don't you ever say that! Your still alive for a reason so don't think like that you hear!"

Rena just stared at him while tears fell from her eyes.

"Look…the sooner we get home the better. Come on"

He started walking again, but Rena grabbed his arm.

"Vegeta, let me stay."

"Stay? You mean stay here? Why?"

"Just let me stay here for a while. I'm sure I can manage on my own."

"Rena…what really happened three months ago?"

"I-I don't know, but it's too painful to go back right now."

"But what will I say to Chi-Chi? You know she won't be happy."

"Don't."

"So you just want me to tell her that I couldn't find any trace of you?"

"Just tell her you've found traces that I'm safe, but don't tell her I'm here…please."

"But I came all this way to find you and bring you home."

"I know and I'm grateful, especially for the sensu bean, but I just need to start over in a place where I can't be reminded of my past. I found out some things…things I'm not ready to face yet. Please understand I'm not going to live here the rest of my life, but I am staying for now, I've already decided that."

Vegeta sighed. "Very well, if that's what you want, I wont tell anyone I found you."

"Thank you Vegeta."

She reached up and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug and whispered in her ear.

"Take care of yourself."

"I will, oh and one more thing…please don't come up and check on me. I'll come home when I'm ready."

"…Deal…"

He kissed her forehead and flew off. Rena turned around to look at her new home for now. She really hoped Tiguoro wouldn't come looking for her, and she definitely didn't want to see Hiei either. As she walked through town, she promised herself she would forget about all that had happened and start a new life. Starting with her hair; Vegeta was right, she would definitely have to dye it. She saw how bad it looked as she passed a glass window, so she found a barbershop, and walked into a place that would make her one wish come true.

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A dark figure ran through the woods, breathlessly, trying to escape from a certain demon chasing him. He finally collapsed on the ground, because he had no more strength, and his flesh wound was not helping him gain it back.

"Well it looks like I found you" Tiguoro snickered as he walked up to Hiei.

"Time to take you back home where you belong. It looks like we'll have to inject you some more too."

"…Rena…" was all Hiei could whisper.

"Yep its definitely time I teach you a little lesson on respect. I got to admit though, you got away from me for three months, I mean that's a record, but of course that just means I'm going to beat you up three times harder when we get home. You better say your prayers kid."

That was the last thing Tiguoro said as he and Hiei evaporated into the sky.

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On a sunny afternoon, a young 18 year old could be seen in her house packing her things into brown boxes. She was trying to pack so quickly, she finally had to rest and take a break. Sitting on her bed, Rena began to think about how she had started out here. Just one year and nine months ago, she had come here with nothing but the clothes she wore. Today, almost two years later, she was one of the wealthiest fashion designers living a life she had only dreamed bout. It all started when she walked into a barbershop fifteen months ago. She was getting her hair done and had been telling the lady doing her hair how she used to want to design clothes, and there happened to be a designing agent who was looking for new designers and insisted that he interview her. She came up with some quick designs in her head, went to the interview a few days later, and got the job almost immediately. But that day was only the beginning of her successful career. After she started designing, in less than a month, she was known all over California as 'The future designer today'. Rena didn't mind the fame, but she never got bigheaded over it either. She just went where she pleased and ignored any cameras. She even made quite a few friends, one of those, whose name was Jake, seeming more than just a friend. Her friends all said she lived the perfect life, but she just saw it as starting a new one, and she hadn't really thought about her past…until today. Today she had gotten the most unexpected visit from someone she had not seen in two years. Trunks…he had finally found her, but luckily he did because he told her there was a new set of dragon balls on earth and he was going to search for them so they could wish Goku back. When Rena thought of being able to see her father again, reality crushed her new little world as she found herself sitting on her bed looking at all her dreams she was packing up and would have to leave behind. Trunks was waiting for her at the airport, since he was aggravated that she had run off for two years and not told anyone. Rena decided as she packed up the last few things that she wouldn't tell anyone she was leaving. She knew the best thing to do would be to just leave, even though she would almost miss being a designer, but right now her dad was much more important. With that last thought, she got in her car and drove to the airport. She would simply send a truck with all her stuff to her house back home. She reached the airport just in time and with one last look at her old home, she got on the plane and sat next to trunks. The trip was awkwardly quiet as the two sat in silence until Rena spoke up.

"How did you find me?" thinking that Vegeta had told him.

Trunks didn't say anything, but handed her a newspaper that had her picture in it.

"You didn't do a very good job at hiding yourself. Though I have to admit, I almost didn't recognize you."

"I wasn't trying to!" she snorted back "but I just couldn't go back; I couldn't face the pain and hurt that was waiting for me there... "

"And you think we didn't feel any pain! No one knew where you were; we thought you had died!"

Rena noticed his eyes water and she couldn't help but start to cry herself.

"I'm sorry ok! I'm sorry…for everything. You were right about Hiei and you're right Now!"

She then put her face in her hands and began to cry more.

"How could I have been so stupid back then?"

"You weren't stupid, you were just blinded by the truth."

Trunks then put his arm around her and held her close, and whispered in her ear

"Hey, its ok…I understand why you left…and you were right…I was jealous."

Rena picked up her head and smiled at him; he smiled back.

"Lets just go home," he said as silence fell once again while the two drifted off to sleep.

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A week later Rena was home once again, safe and sound back in her old room. She was sitting on her bed eagerly waiting for trunks and her to leave. They would be leaving as soon as Dr. Briefs finished the space ship to search for the Dragon Balls and revive Goku. As Rena sat on her bed, she thought back to when she came home. Her mom had really almost gone insane worrying about her. Rena laughed to herself; it was kind of funny actually, and she hadn't got the chance yet to thank Vegeta for keeping his word. She would have to do that before they left. She had also gone to Hieis old house out of curiosity, but of course, there was nothing there. In fact, it had been so long now that new grass had started to grow. Rena got up to get a snack out of the kitchen, when she heard something hitting on the door. She was about to open the door when she realized that no one she knew would actually knock on her door, so she figured it was some reporter who had found her. She was about to walk away when she sensed a feint power level outside, and not because it was weak, but almost like it was fading. Her curiosity got the best of her as she turned back around and opened the door. When she did, she saw the most horrific sight. There… right in front of her was none other than Hiei. Rena gasped as soon as she could catch her breath. I must be dreaming, she thought.

"W-what happened to you?"

Hiei was struggling to stand up, for he had cuts and bruises all over his body, and his skin was barely visible because it was covered in blood. There were two huge gashes on his sides, and one that seemed to stick out cause that's where he was loosing most of his blood. It looked like he had been stabbed in the stomach…many times. The only part of him she could see was his face, which didn't seem to be damaged at all. When he finally supported himself against the wall, he looked at her with a confused look on his face

"Re…na?"

She then realized that he probably didn't recognize her, because she looked so different now.

"I-I don't have time for this right now…"

She turned to head back inside, but Hiei grabbed her arm.

"Rena, I would hate myself forever if I never got to see you again… without doing this."

While Rena was trying to figure out what that meant, Hiei grabbed her shoulders and jerked her towards him where he firmly pressed his lips against hers. He had finally done it; his first kiss, and he seemed to enjoy it. He pulled back before giving Rena the chance to return the kiss; in fear that she wouldn't. Rena couldn't believe what just happened but she held herself together.

"Hiei…you cant just expect me to forget all that has happened."

"But Rena…you don't realize…you're the first person who ever taught me to love, and I will only share it with you; now and forever."

Rena was so shocked at this that she couldn't speak so he continued talking.

"Rena…I've spent two years trying to get back to you so I could see you at least one more time. I probably wont live much longer…but you had to know…the truth…I never knew Goku was your father I swear, but wouldn't you feel revenge if you were told he killed your parents before you even knew them?"

"But I can't believe he would do that. Not unless he was being threatened and he had to."

"I know…besides the fact that I wasn't going to kill him anyway after I found out who he was…Tiguoro…he lied to me. He killed my parents and made me watch…and…"

"Hiei why are you doing this to me? Look trunks and I are…"

"No listen…and he injected me with poison to brainwash me, so he could train me to kill Goku, because Tiguoro hated him, but he was no match for him and he knew it. He thought if he told me that my parents were dead because of him then I would get stronger and be able to defeat him. It was just all one big set up meant for me, and I got you involved, and Rena Im so sorry…so sorry…I never wanted to hurt…you."

"But you did! Why didn't you just tell me who you were when I met you? I understand that you knew I hated demons, but not telling me only left me the one looking stupid, hurt, and scared…"

"I didn't tell you because you would have looked at me like you are now!"

"Like what?"

"Like I'm some kind of freak! Deformed or something…and I couldn't bear to see you look at me like that. I mean really…were not…that different…."

Rena relaxed a little as she thought about how what he said was kind of true.

"Rena, I don't know all these emotions I'm feeling, but I do know that I need to be with you…"

Rena began to smile a half smile as she spoke his name.

"…Hiei…"

Hiei could only whisper now.

"You had to know…the truth…"

Hiei said that as he then passed out from too much blood loss. Rena quickly caught him; not letting his head hit the ground. His blood quickly began to cover her, but right now she didn't care. He needed a doctor…and fast.

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Hiei awoke the next morning in a room unbeknownst to him. His eyes carefully scanned the room until their gaze fell upon a figure sitting in the shadows. He realized it was Rena, as she noticed he was awake. She walked over to him and spoke quietly as he tried to sit up.

"My brother, Gohan, is a doctor, so I had him clean you up a bit. He said your wounds are quite severe and that you should probably rest a few more days."

Hiei struggled to get up a few more times, but eventually gave up and laid back down.

"You expect me to just lay here?"

"If you would like to live longer."

Silence fell between the two until Hiei spoke.

"Sorry about what happened yesterday, I guess that was real out of character for me huh?"

"I suppose."

"Yea I don't know what got into me."

Rena heard this and headed towards the door to leave.

"Well then I'll just leave you to rest."

A hint of anger was in her voice, but as she got to the door Hiei whispered her name.

"Rena."

She turned around and faced him.

"About yesterday…what I said…when I kissed you…it didn't just come from my mouth…it came from my heart; not because I was trying to get you to believe me."

Rena looked into his eyes with sadness.

"Hiei look, besides that fact if my family found out who you were they would kill me; I've been thinking, and we are two completely different races meant to do completely different things. Yall kill… we protect… that's just how it is."

"But…I thought…"

"Demons and Sayians just don't mix!"

Rena realized she had just yelled at him so she sat down in a chair and lowered her head.

"Sorry…I didn't mean for it to sound that harsh."

"Oh no…I get it…"

"…Hiei…"

Hiei rolled on his side as best he could and sighed while he thought to himself of how stupid he was. Rena could tell what he was thinking so she walked over to the bed and sat on it.

"Hiei…after you left, I spent the next two years a ways from here because I wanted to forget what happened, and for a while, there, I did; but what I didn't realize was that I was only running away from it. You see, what I'm trying to say is, I just need time to except all of this, and I'm just not ready to yet. I don't expect you to understand that, but I still need time to ok?"

"Well, will three days be enough?" he said sarcastically.

Rena just laughed as she sat there. Before she could grab his hand or kiss him on the cheek, but it seemed so weird now because he wasn't human. Still she tried to forget that, after all he did kiss her, and that was quite some contact right there. Hiei snapped her out of her thoughts when he spoke.

"So am I supposed to starve to death then?"

"No, silly, if you want some food, just ask. What do you like?"

"Well I'm sure its nothing you have."

"HA…ha…not funny!"

"Sorry…I-I don't care really; just whatever."

"Hey don't you worry ok? I'm going to take care of you."

"Yeah…thanks. Oh…Rena, when I was talking to you yesterday, you said 'trunks and I'… but you never finished, and I was wondering what was that all about?"

"Trunks and I were going to look for the dragon balls so we could revive my dad."

"Oh…when are yall leaving?"

"Well he left yesterday with my brother."

"Why didn't you go? That's your dad you're going to get to see. I don't want to be in the way of that."

"Actually I'm glad you came. I've been away from home so long; I really just wanted to rest a bit before I went searching the world. Plus, I don't want to be disappointed if something happens and he's not allowed to come back. You know, I'd rather be surprised. That and I don't think you would have survived without me."

Hiei smiled as Rena laughed.

"I'll be back soon. You try to get some rest ok?"

Rena left the room, and Hiei tried to 'get some rest' as he began to think about all that has happened in the last three years. He remembered how he was so strong then, but now he was some weakling to be taken care of. Back then he would have never dreamed that he would think of Rena as anything more than just bait. He had even planned that she would be his slave, but now that she kind of was, he felt bad about it. What's happening to me, he thought, is this really my fate? To fall in love with a Sayian? She even missed being able to see her dad come back just to save me? He just sighed as he tried to fall asleep once more.

The next morning Rena went to check on Hiei, but found him walking around the room as if looking for something.

"What are you doing? Your not even supposed to be able to get out of bed!"

Hiei seemed to ignore her comment and continue his search. Finally, he came walking up to Rena in flannel pajamas and a t-shirt.

"What the heck am I wearing? And where are my clothes?"

"You mean what's left of them?"

She held up two rags, stained with blood and had holes all over them.

"Oh…right…"

"Hiei…what are you doing? Please go back to bed; you will never heal this way.

You need to rest incase Tiguoro finds you."

"I know…that's what I'm worried about…that's why I have to leave."

"Leave? What are you talking about? Your in no condition to go anywhere!"

Hiei came all the way up to Rena and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Rena…." He began, "I fought two years to come back here, because I had to know that you were alright, and I thought that if I told you how I really felt, you would forgive me and we could start over. But now that I know who you feel…"

"Hiei I didn't mean that you couldn't…"

"Listen Rena…Tiguoro is going to find me, he knows I'm here its only a matter of time before he finds me and kills me and…"

"Hiei don't say that…"

"No, you don't understand, he will stop at nothing till I'm dead, and that's why I have to leave…I don't want you hurt again."

"But he wants to kill me too, you can't just abandon me, when you know I can't beat him."

"I'm sorry, but if I don't leave soon he will cause more trouble than you could imagine. He wants me dead because of what's happened the last two years; you know he can hold a grudge forever, but he still thinks your dead so he wont even bother to come after you since I'm the one he wants."

"So you were just going to leave without saying bye?"

"Well actually, I didn't want to get talked out of this, and frankly, I knew you were the only one who could."

"Hiei…just tell me…what happened…two years ago, after I was shot?"

"Well…if you really want to know…Tiguoro was trying to get me unconscious so he could take me back to Jargon. I tried to stab him, but him being faster than me, turned it against me and I was stabbed instead. He brought me into some woods, when he had to take care of some business for a second. Since he was busy beating up someone else I made a run for it, which gave me about a day's head start. Well I kept that up for about three months, but after that I was too exhausted and faint from loosing too much blood, so that's when Tiguoro found me collapsed on the ground and transported me to our home world…"

"Your…home…world?"

"Yes… I live on planet Jargon…home of the demons…"

"Oh…right…should have known that …"

"Yea well it's pretty hard to run when you have an opened wound causing you to loose a lot of your blood."

"You mean to tell me your wounds never healed?"

"Yea the poison they gave me infected my skin, not allowing it to heal, but thankfully I found an antidote to flush most of it out before it left any internal damage. I tried to pretend it worked but its really hard obeying someone who killed your parents, so after about a year I couldn't take it anymore and he found out. After he beat the heck out of me, he imprisoned me to spend the rest of my life in jail."

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be. I probably deserved it, especially after what I did to you…"

"Hiei..."

"Rena, I believe I was able to escape only because I had such a drive to see you again. A friend of mine, Kurama also helped, but I know it was because of you that Im still breathing."

"Hiei…please don't leave…you cant…"

"Rena, I have to do this, but just know…I do love you…"

Hiei kissed her cheek and began to walk away. Rena tried to grab his arm, but he ran off before she could; leaving a lonely blonde standing alone in the room with tears falling from her eyes. A few minutes later, Vegeta walked in and placed his arm on her shoulder.

"You know…if I chose to stay with a man I hardly knew over my dad that I love so much, I wouldn't let him get away that easy."

He turned around and walked out. Rena stood there thinking, and then she finally decided that out of all her loved ones she had lost, she wouldn't let this one get away too, and she would give her life if she had to to make Tiguoro pay.