I'm Alive (Mana's Story)

I couldn't get much higher.
My spirit takes flight,
'Cause I am alive.

The girl stared despondently into the pond, her dark hair spilling into her face like black streaks of velvet. She noted with mild interest, the occasional flurry of orange and white koi. She gently ran a hand through the water, creating a tiny cascade of ripples. The closest fish swam away fearfully, and when the ripples evened out into calm, still waters, she was able to once again see her own reflection in it.

"So it seems the stock prices have gone through the roof. I'm thinking we ought to start investing in oil. That's definitely where the money is in this economy."

The girl turned her head towards the voice. She frowned.

"Yeah, but I'm telling you. If we just alter our numbers a little, no one will notice a thing."

Her eyes widened as a tall, brawny, bald-headed man in a black suit strolled along the foot path. He regarded the girl with a smirk, his mouth framed by a wire-thin moustache.

"Oh, Mana, you're here?" he asked casually.

"Yes, father," she responded in a slow, measured tone, eyes darting between her father and the man beside him, some corporate lackey. She slowly came to a stand, her head bowed. "I guess you're here to talk business. I'll be leaving then."

"It's fine If you wish to stay in the garden," her father said reassuringly. "It was designed for you and your mother, after all."

Mana shook her head, not waiting for a reply before heading inside. She hated hearing her father talk business. She hated it because everything he did was shady. Thinking about whatever it is her father and his sort did to climb the ladder of success made her insides crawl. She didn't want to know. She preferred not to know. Rather, she simply awaited the day when she would hear the news about the inevitable market crash and her father being led away in handcuffs…

Mana came in through the backdoor of large house. She walked briskly until she passed the tea room, its wooden paper doors wide open. Her mother faced outwards, dressed in a silk yukata as she knelt on a tatami mat, preparing tea in a ceremonial fashion. She regarded her daughter with dark, almond-shaped eyes.

"Care to join me?" she asked.

Mana gave a short nod and found a spot across from her. She reached for the pot, and gracefully poured into her mother's cup, then her own. Her mother's dark red lips became a cool, half-smile.

"I trust you are well. You're engaged in suitable activities at school? Your grades are good?"

Mana gave a polite nod, the small cup resting in her hand as she blew at it lightly to cool its contents.

"What about Briefs-kun?" her mother asked.

Mana didn't answer right away, but then she spoke softly, "He's fine as well."

"I see," she uttered similarly in tone. "I know you are still young but perhaps, in the future you might consider him as a match, then?"

Mana deliberately avoided her mother's eyes. "Perhaps," she said.

The room was mostly quiet as they continued to drink, though Mana's mother would occasionally remark on trivial things, like the weather or something she had seen on television.

Mana allowed her thoughts to roam…

It was her week off from school, but it felt as though she was carrying about her days as though she were in a dream. She was Retasu Mana, the beautiful only child of a wealthy family that had further amassed wealth through investments. Sometimes through legal means and sometimes more questionable, though most folks would be none the wiser to the fact. Her father had been a close associate of Trunks' father, and Trunks himself was part of an elite family. Well of course, the Briefs' wealth far surpassed her own. It was no wonder her parents wanted nothing more than for her to become friendly with the precious Capsule Corp. heir. In fact, everyone seemed to think they were a good match. Maybe in the years to come when she was old enough to seriously date, they could decide to get married. Mana was a dutiful daughter. She always did as she was told.

But doing what she was told was the thing she hated most.

Mana had no interest in Trunks. In fact, she'd always despised him for everything he represented. So for her entire life, she always felt like she was floating, merely existing. She busied herself with studies, earning excellent marks which ensured her entrance into top high schools when it was time to apply. She also excelled in martial arts where she had become among the best fighters in the junior division. Still, none of this was ever enough. None of this ever seemed to excite her. But it was at one martial arts tournament when her dojo was faced off against the Turtle Hermit School. It was then that she caught sight of an interesting elderly master known as Kamesennin and one of his star pupils: Son Goten.

The next time she would see Goten was at Tomodachi Sweets, when he had been with some classmates along with Trunks himself. She'd seen him again at last, that boy with those wide, sparkling eyes, that casual charm, that honest smile and that wild, spiky, black hair… The first boy she ever liked, her first crush. So how was Mana to feel when it turned out that Goten was also Trunks' best friend from a different school? Or that he came from a poor family? Even so, she wanted to get close to Goten any way possible. So, she would befriend Trunks at least, holding onto the hope that one day when he spends time with Goten, she might be asked to come along too.

It was a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless.

"Mana-chan, it seems the pot is empty," Mana's mother said suddenly.

Mana quickly got to her feet. "I'll get some fresh water."

"Not to worry. We have guests coming. I will inform the maids to make preparations. I'd been setting up but I got a bit carried away, ne?"

Mana blinked confusedly. "More guests?"

Her mother nodded. "Yes—Kyabetsu-san and Furuta-san. And their wives and sons."

Mana frowned, her lips thinned into a line as she watched her mother turn and leave the room, the sleeves of her yukata billowing lightly at her sides. So Kabuto and Matomo were paying a visit...for business, of course. Mana sighed as she lowered her eyes, staring dully at a shallow bowl of dried tealeaves. She recalled clearly when they had all last spoken …

The sun had begun to set, and classes had finished for the day. Kabuto stared as though in a trance, his face set in a severe scowl as the three stood in the courtyard. Matomo seemed to share a similar sentiment of agitation as he regarded his friend.

"You felt that too, didn't you?" Matomo said, in a low voice.

"Yeah. The minute she touched me, I felt it," Kabuto muttered."It's bothered me for a few days."

"What the hell? What does it all mean?" Matomo groused. "Like, it is her, isn't it? And us—we're…"

"Of course it's her!" Kabuto barked, angrily folding his arms. "And that bastard is involved somehow."

Trunks Briefs.

Matomo rounded on Mana, his eyes narrowed. "What about you?"

Mana had been silent the whole time. She fiddled nervously with her fingers, noticing her already fair skin was now ghostly, paper white and paler than its usual tone. "I don't know what to say. But I guess if we all agree, it's really like this, then."

Matomo turned his head, swearing angrily under his breath. "This is so messed up!"

"I'll tell you what's messed up," Kabuto growled. "That bastard's got the edge on us all over again. After everything we went through—he still wins. With Capsule Corp, now he's the Prince of Japan!"

Once Mana had finally managed to clear the used teacups, she left the room for the main foyer to wait for their guests to arrive. It would be any minute, but she wasn't sure how she would face Kabuto and Matomo again. Her heart felt heavy. What did it all mean? Now, thinking about either Trunks or Goten made her feel something she couldn't comprehend. Grief? Guilt, possibly? And Chibiusa. Chibiusa was absolutely in the middle of it all just like before. The truth was hard to accept. Amidst these revelations, Mana felt like there was something that needed to happen, some kind of purpose left to be fulfilled. She didn't want to repeat history with the same mistakes. She wanted things to be different.

Regardless of who they were or their places in society, she wanted Goten to know how she really felt.

Romana, the only daughter of the general, Nappa, and leader of the Saiyan rebellion had returned as Mana, the beautiful only daughter of the Retasu household, a girl who was quiet and obedient.

Now knowing the truth, if there was one thing Mana needed to do, it was rebel once more.

Diana's head teetered back and forth as she watched Chibiusa pace the room, a hand behind her back and the other at her chin. The pink-haired girl had gone ahead and confronted Trunks, trying to convince him to not deny his feelings. She had been quite clever in her methods, but the boy was stubborn as ever. So Chibiusa had spent the next couple days scheming and plotting, trying to think of what she could do next. After all, today was the last of the short week of holidays and school would be resuming soon. Chibiusa stopped pacing and stood stock-still, her eyes wide in realization.

"Diana! You said you met Trunks' mother, right?"

Diana gave a puzzled nod.

Chibiusa slammed a fist into her palm. "That's it! There's only one thing left to do," she announced.

"Wait until Monday?" Diana asked curiously.

"No, not that. I have an idea. It's crazy, absolutely insane, but I think it's worth a shot."

Diana tilted her head. What could Chibiusa possibly have in mind?

I will make you see
All the things that your heart needs to know.

The woman gazed at the photo frame between her fingers. There she was, standing before a beautiful natural landscape of trees and dandelions. Her face was aglow with a smile. Her haircut was absolutely stunning that day, as well. These were happier times. She regarded her son in the centre of the photograph, his tiny arms out, waving eagerly. To her left was that man, his face harsh, cold and distant as usual, but she was certain if she only looked hard enough, if she squinted … she could see the smallest hint of a smile on his lips. He wasn't really a terrible person, was he?

"Vegeta…" she breathed.

After another minute passed, Bulma got to her feet, at last taking a break from two hours work in the soundless and lonely chambers of the laboratory. She clambered up the stairs and strolled down one of its many halls. She could get something to drink, she supposed. She wondered what her son was up to.

"Look, Miss, I don't know who let you in this far but you have to get out of here!"

"It'll only take a few minutes!"

"This is private property! Leave at once!"

"Hey, Mister! Let me go!"

Perplexed, Bulma walked towards the source of the commotion. Something was happening at the front gate. She recognized the voice of her security officers.

"What's all this?" Bulma asked, throwing her hands up in the air.

"This girl was trying to get in," explained one of the men. He and the other man parted, revealing a petite girl with pink hair. The girl's face had been set in a scowl, but it melted away when she saw her.

Bulma placed her hands on her hips, and lifted a brow. "Eh? This little girl is causing all this trouble?"

"I'm not just some little girl," she said with an air of confidence. "My name is Chiba Usagi, Briefs-sama. I'm a classmate of Trunks-kun."

"Huh? S-Sama? Trunks-kun?" Bulma stared in surprise. She wasn't sure what startled her more—the overly formal way she addressed her, or the fact that she knew her son well enough to address him so casually. Bulma passed a scrutinizing eye over the girl. She seemed of simple means, but she was a pretty, intelligent-looking girl. Could it be … did her son have a girlfriend? Or worse, a stalker?

"Wait. What is your relationship to my son?" asked Bulma in a stern tone.

The girl smiled, shooting a single finger in the air. "Ah! He is a dear friend, a very dear friend. He's even saved many lives, including mine. But I guess that's understandable. Your son is a hero!"

Bulma was taken aback. "He saved your…?"

"But that's not why I'm here, Okasan. I'm here to find out about my cat, Diana-chan. You see, she ran away some time back. Trunks told me very recently that he found her stuck in a tree and promised to give her back to me, but then he disappeared. He won't even talk to me. He never explained what happened. I'm worried he lost her and is keeping it a secret."

Bulma couldn't believe what she was hearing. Ignoring with great effort the fact that the girl had now suddenly addressed her as "Okasan"— mother— she considered what she had said about "Diana-chan". The grey cat that had been prowling in Trunks' bedroom belonged to her? Bulma felt a small pang of guilt. It had never occurred to her that the cat belonged to someone else. It didn't help that she too had enabled Trunks by feeding the cat, instead of asking more about its origins. She hadn't been too keen. But wait! Her son knew better!

Taking things that didn't belong to him? Pulling disappearing acts? Didn't she raise him better than this? It couldn't be—he was just like his father.

"Diana-chan, you say? Well, I'll call him right now and make him apologize!" Bulma called to a member of her house staff, instructing them to bring Trunks at once. She returned her eyes to Usagi. "I'm sorry that my son was so irresponsible. I'll make sure he explains himself. Do know we have no issue with reimbursing you for the trouble."

The girl looked alarmed. She clutched her hands together. "Oh, no, no, Okasan! Don't be mad at Trunks-kun. I know he didn't mean it." She lowered her eyes, looking sad but thoughtful. "After all, he's very lonely. I think he just wanted the company, you know? Diana-chan is very cute so anyone would grow attached to her. So…don't punish him. He's a good person. I'm sure he didn't mean anything bad."

Bulma faltered. This girl was so thoughtful even though Trunks had been so mean to her! Trunks needed someone like this in his life to change him. This girl was really his friend? She was lovely. In fact, the more Bulma looked at her, the more she thought she was very, very suitable.

"How cute…" Bulma sighed softly, smiling. "Usagi-chan, is it? Come inside."

The girl dipped her head politely as she followed into the mansion behind her. It was at that precise moment that Trunks came tramping into the foyer, sleepy-eyed as he ran a hand through his slightly tussled, pale purple hair. Bulma frowned.

"Mother? What's—"

"You! You are going to apologize to Usagi-chan, right now!"

Trunks wrinkled his nose. "Usagi?"

Bulma folded her arms. Of course he would play dumb. "This cute girl came all the way here because you lost her little Diana-chan! I think you have some explaining to do."

Trunks stared dumbly. He lowered his head slowly. He then stumbled back once noticing her, lashing out an arm, he pointed shakily.

"H-HER! WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?"

Bulma inched forward and latched onto Trunks' ear. He yowled.

"That's very rude. Is this how we treat guests? Now if you don't mind, I have business to take care of. So you two better sort this out." She released him and walked off.

Good. She thought. Time alone to talk with that sweet, innocent girl would certainly give him an ounce of well-needed decency, for once.

Trunks waited until his mother and her wait staff left before rounding on Chibiusa. By now she had found her way to a sofa and made herself comfortable there. He stomped over.

"My house? You came to my house?" Trunks seethed through clenched teeth.

Chibiusa regarded him with beady eyes. Completely unmoved, she sighed, "It's true. Your mother really does look like your past mother."

Trunks glared."Hey you! Aren't you listening? What was that just now? You told her I 'lost' your cat?"

Chibiusa giggled, gingerly rubbing the back of her head. "Oh yeah, that story worked better than I thought it would. I'm a little surprised she bought it myself."

"And who the hell is 'Usagi-chan'?"

"Excuse me, how rude! And well my name actually is Usagi! Didn't I tell you already?" She finally lost the innocent act and began to look annoyed.

Trunks groaned. "Ugh. What are you doing? Why won't you just stop already?"

"Will-power," she said, crossing her arms.

"Huh?"

Chibiusa leered. "You said it yourself. You don't give up. You'd never give up even if it would kill you. You said it back then. What happened to that Saiyan fighting spirit? It's still there within you, isn't it? So don't quit because I won't either!"

Trunks shook his head exasperatedly. "There is no 'Saiyan spirit'! How many times do I have to tell you? We're not them!"

"We're not them but they're still a part of us. So what use is there denying it? Just accept it!" she snapped.

Trunks stared disbelievingly. This girl was impossible! But she was right. Prince Vegeta III was a part of him, even if he refused to acknowledge it. He watched her closely. By now she wasn't just defiant, but she had that look in her eyes again, like she was trying to figure him out. She wasn't going to let go. She seemed so certain of "this", whatever it was between them. But why? How could she be so certain? Was it just because he kissed her?

Trunks lowered his eyes to the floor.

"You asked me if I would have liked you if I didn't remember? I guess the truth is, I don't know. But how about you? Up until I… you know… you hated me like the others, didn't you?" Trunks looked up, feeling suddenly very vulnerable. He wanted to know the truth. "Would you have liked me? Or would you have liked Erishi Hiro?"

Chibiusa slowly she rose to her feet from the sofa, her footsteps measured, gradual and light as she approached him. Trunks looked downwards. The top of her head reached only his chin. She tilted her head and met his gaze. He felt his heart skip a beat. There was a slight dampness in her eyes. She spoke quietly, "Hated you? I never hated you. As for Erishi, I only thought I liked him because he liked me. I was just excited to be dating someone, but…" she took Trunks by the wrist, her touch soft and gentle as she clasped his hand and pressed it flat against her chest. Trunks' face burned. He noticed the red in her cheeks as she finished, "my heart only does this for you."

Trunks felt the trashing of her heartbeat against his open palm. Her heart beat for him, now—just like his heart beat for her. This had nothing to do with the past. It was all happening now.

"Trunks-kun! Usagi-chan!"

Trunks jumped. His mother was calling from the next room. Conscious of the "suspicious" placement of his hand he recoiled with a fluster. He felt his face bead with sweat, mere seconds from being caught. "M-Mother?"

Bulma poked her head out from around a corner. "Usagi-chan is staying for dinner, right?"

Trunks was speechless, twirling his head to gape at Chibiusa. Chibiusa smiled weakly.

Bulma chuckled. "Oh, how silly of me to ask. Of course you will! Don't worry. We will prepare a wonderful meal for you!" Beaming, she disappeared.

Trunks blanched. "Seriously?"

Chibiusa giggled to herself. "It seems Okasan loves me!"

Trunks glared. "Ok-Okasan? Okay, wait a minute—I don't know what you're thinking. There's still one huge problem. We have nothing in common!"

"That's not true!" Chibiusa insisted.

Trunks sneered, "I don't collect things with rabbits on it."

Chibiusa scowled. "Not that! Video games."

"Wha? I don't believe you!" Trunks stuck his hands on his hips.

She dittoed him, also placing her hands on her hips as she argued. "Who do you think my mother plays with? And who do you think always wins?"

"Are you saying you're good at video games or that your mother is terrible at them?" Trunks taunted.

"I'm saying I'm better than you," she exclaimed, boldly.

"Prove it!" Trunks dared.

Chibiusa laughed. "I will. And when I win, you have to take me out on a date—properly this time."

Trunks paused. What kind of crazy challenge was that? Oh well. She was way in over her head. He smirked, holding his hand out to shake hers.

"Deal!"

When you call on me,
When I hear you breathe...
I get wings to fly.
I feel that I'm alive.