ME: Please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: Do I really have to say 'I don't own anything'?"
WARNINGS: Rated T for a reason. Also, those that don't like Dende/OC stories, please don't read this.
I am Dende
Dende glared at the pages of the book he was reading. Outside his door, Piccolo stood guard. After the little kissing incident, the older Namekian had taken upon himself to make sure the Earth's Guardian was confined to his chambers. It had been almost a week since the party and Dende hadn't been able to go to school or visit Gohan. Piccolo had announced that he'd taken him out of school on Monday. Dende's reply hadn't been a good one.
"Master Dende?" Mr Popo knocked on the door.
He walked into the teenagers room, holding a tray with a single glass of water. Dende took the glass, not saying a word.
"Master? If I may. . ." Mr Popo looked back at the door, making sure Piccolo was out of earshot, he spoke to the young namek. "I could distract Piccolo for an hour or two for you to check on that girl you seem so fond of."
Dende jumped up, knocking his book clean on the floor, "You would? Mr Popo, you're the best! But why?"
Mr Popo looked taken aback by the sudden burst of happiness, "Because I've never seen you sound so happy when you talk about the young girl. Even when you're angry, you have the same expression with her."
Dende's grin stretched from ear to ear, "Thank you, Mr Popo."
Mr Popo smiled, then left the room, "You only have two hours at the most, young master." And he closed the door. From his room, Dende could hear Mr Popo complaining about something in his garden. Then their footsteps gree fainter as they walked away. Climbing out his window, Dende hurried out the back out the Lookout. He dived headfirst through the clouds and soon the city came into view. He flew over the buildings till he saw Mana's neighborhood. He dropped into the garden and walked to the large, front doors. He rang the bell and the door was opened by a stout woman in a maids outfit. She took one look at him, frowned, then ushered him inside.
"Who is it that you would like a conference with, sir?"
"Uh, Mana." He said, feeling a little stupid.
The woman gestured him to sit on a leather couch in the large, spacious lounge, then left to find her mistress. A few moments later, Mana jogged into the room in a pair of sweatpants and a baggy shirt.
"Dende! You're alright!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "You little idiot! I thought you said you were given permission to come!"
Dende chuckled and hugged her back, but then he grew serious, "Uh, Mana? Last week at the party, what you saw. . .ummm."
Mana pulled away. She was no longer smiling, "Yeah, I saw you. . . . Flying."
"Yeah, I think you were a little confused and were having illusions and-"
"Dende, I know what I saw."
The Earth's Guardian sighed, "Sorry. Look, I know you want an explanation, but I can't."
"I understand. If you don't wanna tell me, don't. It's ok for people to have secrets." Mana said.
Dende looked at her and thought, 'Maybe I can tell her. Piccolo wouldn't be too happy but. . .'
"Mana, I want you to see something." He took her hand and pulled her outside. They went around the back of the house and Mana looked at him questioningly, "Hold on tight and don't let go."
Mana opened her mouth to ask him what he meant, but all that came out was a shrill scream. Dende had grabed her around the waist and pulled her close against his body. He leviatated off the ground then shot up. Mana wrapped herself around Dende as she peered down at her disappearing house. She didn't notice Dende's blushing. Mana had wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck was pulling her closer than Dende ever thought posssible.
When all they could see was fluffy white clouds, Dende stopped and let Mana gaze at her surroundings. She turned to look at his face, "Who are you, Green?"
"I am Dende, a born Namekian from the planet Namek. I am a healer that has saved lives in the past. And I am the Earth's Guardian."
Dende watched Mana's face as she took all that in, "The Earth's Guardian?"
"I watch over and protect the Earth with help from my friends."
Mana looked down at their feet, "Do you think telling me about yourself is going to make me leave you?"
Dende blinked. The purple haired girl leaned forward and brushed their lips together, whispering, "Well, maybe I'll like having an. . . Earth's Guardian as a boyfriend." Dende smiled and pressed their lips firmly together.
Pulling away, Dende said, "Thank you Mana. But there's one more thing I have to show you." Dende tightened his hold on Mana and flew in another direction. The clouds parted to get a view of a large platform with a white building on it. "This is where I live."
Mana's mouth dropped open, "Wow! You and your dad must love it."
"Uh, Piccolo's not really my dad, he's. . .um. . .sorta like a brother, mentor, bodyguard and friend all wrapped up together. Like the salad nacho cheese taco."
Mana gazed over at the building before turning back to Dende, "I have one question. . . When can you teach me to fly?"
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