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.

A Name To Remember

"Come on!"

Dende grunted as he tried to drag Mana outside. The purple haired girl was clawing at the ground whilst being dragged across the floor, in a half sitting position. She dug her feet into the ground at every opportunity she got.

"You are being childish about this, Mana!" Dende let go of her wrists and walked around her till he stood behind her. Then he hefted her over his shoulder and stumbled outside with Mana smacking his back.

"Let go! Let go! Let go!" She screamed all the while.

When they eventually got outside onto the white, stone platform of the Lookout, Dende dropped his burden onto the steps and stood back to watch what she did.

Mana glared at him, "Dumbo." She stuck her tongue out at him, before resuming her sulking pose.

Dende let out a weary sigh, "I swear you're acting like an immature brat."

"And you're acting like an over-protective bag of peas. Just like the size of you're brain!"

"Well, that's better than having a measley grain for a brain!"

"Dumbo!"

"Brat!"

"Moron!"

"Baka!"

"Green!"

Dende froze and stared at her. Had she, just said his nickname? She was oblivious to what she'd said and was now glaring at her scuffed tennis shoes. Feeling a little cautious, Dende squatted next to her, clad in his usual white robes.

"What do you want now, Pea-brain?" Mana rolled her eyes and turned her back on Dende.

Dende cocked his head to the side, just like Mana used to, "You called me Green."

"Yeah, so?"

"That was the name you gave me."

"Point?"

Dende, discouraged, stood up. "You're not happy here aren't you." He stated.

"Quite the observation."

"Um, excuse me, Master, Miss Mana." The two looked up at Mr Popo. The genie looked uncomfortable but continued,

"Master, I just had another idea."

"Oh, ok."

Leaving Mana to sit by herself on the steps, Dende and Mr Popo walked to the side, "What is it, Mr Popo?"

Glancing a few times back at Mana, Popo explained, "What if you did things with her? Things that you did before the spell took place. Like, a certain way you held her or a date."

"Thats the best idea I've heard. I'll give it a try, but. . . ."

"Master? Is Miss Mana supposed to be trying to escape?" Mr Popo said bluntly, pointing behind Dende.

Whirling around, the Earth's Guardian caught sight of a purple blur jetting towards the edge of the Lookout. Barely a second past before Dende was running after the escapee. When the girl caught sight of the other, she let out a tiny squeak and pushed her legs to go faster.

"No, no, no, no!" Mana squealed to herself before something heavy pounced on her. She fell onto the stones with Dende on top of her, breathing heavily.

"You are really fast." He said, panting slightly.

". . . . My head. . ." Was the soft reply. Dende leaned closer and looked at Mana. Her face was slowly crumpling, and tears built up in the corners of her amythest eyes. It wasn't long before the waterworks started and she began sobbing. On her forehead, a dark bruise was already showing. A small stripe of blood appeared on her forehead and ran down the side of her nose. Feeling the warm, sticky red, Mana whimpered loudly.

"I'm dying! I'm dying."

"You're not dying!" Dende hurriedly rolled off her back, and pulled her into sitting. He placed his hands on her forehead and soon the gash was healed. Mana sniffed and rubbed her eyes, and Dende felt his heart ache. Slowly, he gathered her into his lap and rocked her slowly. To his surprise, she didn't shake him off. Instead, Mana leaned her head against his chest and inhaled.

"Drakie never did this. Drakie never smells like this either."

Dende smiled, "A good smell or bad?"

"Hmm, good. You smell good."

"What did Drake and you do then?" He asked.

Mana wrinkled her nose as she thought, "He liked kissing and putting his arm around me. He never. . . . just held me."

"Does it feel nice?"

"It's strange. It just feels, right." Mana's head slowly turned to the side, "Green."

I'm so sorry about the long wait. It's been so hectic for me lately. Hope this makes up for it, please rate and review.