Authors Note: As of 8/26/13 I have once again updated Chapters 1 - 4, changing much of the descriptions, character interactions, and my OCs' names and features. It has been a while since I posted a chapter to this story, so it might not be bad to go back and read the chapters again if you want. OC character's new name = Asteri. Reminder: GT Trunks is called Trunks, and Future/Mirai Trunks is called Mirai. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 5: Where I Follow, You'll Go
Mirai sat in the front passenger seat of the moving car, fuming. Why did he continue to hang out here? He didn't know. He could easily jump out and fly back home. Why did he stay? This was pointless. The back of his brain tugged at him, and he didn't want to admit or accept the reason he stayed. And the reason sat in the seat behind him. He couldn't see her, but just the fact that she was near him kept him in the passenger seat. He shook his head. No. He would not get involved in her life. It would be best for both of them if he did just fly away back home. But he still couldn't move. Trunks was driving and Pan sat in the middle between himself and his "other" self. In the back sat Goten, Bra, and Asteri.
Asteri.
He thumped his head against the car window. I need to get her out of my mind, and out of this car.
Before he had the chance to move, the car pulled to a stop outside of a tall dark building. The ornate flashing sign above the doorway read, "The Falling Star."
As the valet drove the car away, Trunks exclaimed, "Bra, why the heck did you ask me to drive here? Mom asked for us to spend time to get along, how are we supposed to do that at The Falling Star? I've been here a couple of times, and this is hardly the place to - well, you can barely hear yourself think, let alone talk in there."
Pan eyed Trunks suspiciously, "You've been here a couple of times? I've never been. When did you come here?"
Bra interrupted and happily spun in a circle, "Anyone who's anybody hangs out at the hottest club in WestCity."
Pan groaned, "A Club? Really?"
Bra frowned, "And what were you thinking? To go to an all-you-can-eat buffet? Gross."
"I wouldn't mind that!" chimed Goten.
Mirai did not want to be a part of the discussion, so he kept quiet, and stood off to the side to avoid detection.
"What do you think Asteri?" Bra asked, "You're new to the area, where would you like to go?"
Mirai perked up at the mention of her name, and listened for a response.
Asteri looked at the bright sign and smiled, "I've...never been to a...uh...what was it? Club? What is club?"
Bra excitedly answered, "Well, firstly, there's lots of people. Plenty of opportunities to socialize."
"And food I hope. There better be food," Goten added.
"Yes, and food," Bra continued, "And there's music that pulses through your veins, and there's dancing. Have you ever been dancing before Asteri?"
"Dancing…" Asteri looked lost in thought, as if she was trying to figure out what the word dancing meant.
"You know, dancing." Bra swayed her hips and moved her feet to imitate dancing.
Asteri's eyes glimmered, "Ah yes! Dancing!" She then grabbed hold of Goten's hand, placing her other hand on his shoulder, and began to twirl him in circles as if she was in a grand ballroom. Her movements swift and graceful.
Bra purposely bumped into Goten, flinging him away from the twirling Asteri, and said in an exasperated sigh, "Yes, I suppose you could call that dancing. C'mon. Let's get inside before more people start staring."
As they walked in, Goten scratched the back of his head and muttered to himself, "Man, that girl is pretty strong. I thought I was gonna spin into a tornado, but boy it was fun."
Mirai clenched his jaw. For some reason he felt the urge to punch Goten in the face.
Arriving inside validated Trunks' earlier statement. You really couldn't hear yourself think. The music boomed so forcefully that you could literally see the sound waves.
Bra leaned in toward Asteri, "Isn't this great?" she said in a shout, her voice attempting to drown out the pounding bass.
Trunks grabbed Pan's wrist and yelled to the group, "Back here guys. Follow me, there's a V.I.P. booth this way."
The group began to weave their way through the dense crowd. Mirai noticed Asteri stopping periodically to admire the scenery and people, causing her to lag behind. He fought his way over to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. He leaned down to her ear to speak to her, and when he did, the scent of orchids and starlight filled his senses. He couldn't describe the beauty of it. He want to stay there and savor the feeling. He felt himself leaning in closer to her. He quickly shook his head to right himself and told her, "C'mon. Hold my hand, I'll lead you through this mess."
She gently took hold of his hand, and the warmth of her melted him. He didn't know how she affected him so.
He swiftly lead her behind the red velvet curtain Trunks had ducked behind earlier and found the V.I.P booth the others sat in.
When they slid in with the others, Goten was already ordering enough food to feed 20 people, Trunks was staring at the drink menu, while Pan and Bra whispered to each other. The music was much quieter in here, and a lot less people.
Mirai sighed in relief, his stomach roaring in protest. He forgot how hungry he was. Goten, hearing the stomach growl, told the wide-eyed waitress, "Make that triple."
The moment the food arrived all three boys went to town like wild pigs. Pan had to restrain herself from acting the same, but still devoured her share of the food. Bra sighed, "This is boring. Let's go Asteri. I want to go dance." Before the girl could respond, she was whipped from the booth and back onto the booming dance floor.
They twirled/dragged their way into the middle of the floor, feeling the heat of the crowd. Bra was so caught up in her dancing that she didn't see the crowd shift their way in between her and Asteri. Now Asteri was alone in the middle of a dancing, sweating crowd of people she had never seen before. She spun her head around to see if she could catch Bra, but couldn't find the cerulean locks. She then weaved her way through the crowd and sat down at the nearby bar.
Asteria looked out at the dancing crowd, scanning the floor for her lively friend. This wasn't dancing she thought to herself. At least not the kind of dancing she used to do … or at least she thought she did. Truth was she didn't remember specifically dancing in her life, only flashes of distant memories. In fact she couldn't remember anything of her past. But the harder she tried to think about her past, the more the memories drifted away from her. When she had woken up earlier that day, the only thing she remembered was her name. All she knew was that where-ever she was now, it was not her home, and she also remembered … him. His piercing blue eyes, his strong arms, and soft violet hair. She remembered him bandaging her wounds, and tenderly caring for her bruises. Trunks.
But how did she receive those wounds? Where was she from? How did she get here? Why was she here?
"Hey there," said a booming voice next to her, distracting her thoughts, "can I get you a drink?"
She blinked her eyes at the person addressing her. He was tall, with short dark hair, rugged build, and stubble caressed his jaw. He was attractive enough, but reeked of spirits and smoke. Asteria crinkled her nose at the stench. How she longed for the scent of mountain and sweet spices of Trunks, the man who helped her. Trunks.
The man next to her asked again, "What kind of drink would you like?"
She was kind of thirsty, "Um, I don't know what drinks are offered here. I suppose any would be fine. Thank you."
This man must be similar to the lady Goten shouted his food order to. 'Waitress' I think he called her.
"Alright," he continued, "I like a girl who allows the man to please." He winked at her. She felt herself shudder. What was that supposed to mean?
"Bartender!" he shouted, "Long-Island iced tea for the lady here, and ah...a just a beer for me. Thanks."
He turned again to Asteri, "So what's your name?" He handed her the drink and scooted his chair closer.
She picked up the amber liquid, and drank the entire glass in one go. The drink surprisingly burned down her throat, but was refreshingly cool at the same time.
He motioned to the bartender for another, and continued the conversation, "You have a healthy appetite. Let's say you and I go out on that dance floor?"
She immediately responded, "Ack no! That is not dancing. I do not know what that is."
"Alright, alright," he continued, "I get it."
Asteri grabbed the next glass and downed it as fast as the first. Wow, she was thirsty.
He leaned in close to her face, "Hey, you wanna get out of here?" The smell of him was making her feel nauseous. Yeah she wanted to get out of there. He smelt bad, and her head was now starting to spin. She nodded to him, got up from the table, and proceeded to the back exit sign, not realizing that the man had followed her outside.
She spun on him, "Hey, why did you follow me?" Her head was now swimming, and she tried to maintain balance. What did I drink?
"What do you mean?" he pleaded, "You said you wanted to get out of here. So we are." He stalked closer to her, and she began to back away from him, but was stopped by a wall.
"Hey you stop right there. Don't come closer." She knew she'd be really sick if she had to smell him again.
He just smiled, and inched closer, "Aw, c'mon baby. Don't be like that. I promise you'll like it."
Like what? What is he talking about?
His hand glided down her shoulder, and his nose was inches from hers. She cringed at his touch.
This man is seriously creeping me out.
She punched her fist against his chest to get him away, but her strength was waning from effects of her drink. "Don't touch me you brute!" She felt faint from the noise of the club still pounding in her ears, the smell of stink permeating from this man, and the contents of the drink swirling noxiously in her stomach.
He grabbed at her wrists, "I like em feisty." His knee edged along her thigh, and she felt herself slowly blacking out.
Trunks! Her mind screamed. Trunks!
Where did she go?
Mirai had been searching for Asteri among the bouncing crowd for a while now, and he was getting anxious. He shouldn't have let her go with Bra. The girl he claimed as 'sister' was flighty and selfish. He thought that if Asteri left him there at the booth, he could get over her, and detach himself from caring for her. Getting close to someone only leads to heartache, and he had enough of that for a lifetime. No. He was determined to let her go. But she didn't leave his mind. Her absence only intensified his need to protect her. Asteri didn't know this area, this planet. Now she had disappeared before him, and he felt the familiar sting of guilt.
Then he saw a flash of dark blue in the corner of the club exiting the building.
There she is, but where is she going?
Then he saw a large man chase out after her, a man with a smile on his face and desire in his eyes.
Mirai's Saiyan rage almost whipped him to super, but he needed to restrain himself. There were too many people here. His chest puffed up and down from the heat of his anger, while his fluctuating ki billowed around him like a cloak. People around him naturally began to move away from him.
He couldn't walk fast enough, he needed to get to her. He couldn't live with himself if that man… no. I won't let him touch her.
Then he heard it. As clear as day in his mind. She had called for him. He heard her call his name. He rushed forward in urgency.
She's in trouble!
When he reached the door he saw a strange blue glow radiating from underneath, coming from the outside.
What the…?
Mirai pushed the door open and stepped outside. He peered to his left, then to his right, and he saw her.
Not a damsel in distress like he expected, but rather … an intense bright jewel, like a glowing goddess of the stars. He froze at the strength and beauty of her.
The tattoos along her body illuminated a shimmering white glow and her eyes mirrored that light, no longer the dark blue depths. Strength and power flowed around her, visible, palpable. Her hair whipped around like blue flames, her face and body stoic, rigid, and fierce. What happened to the sweet, naive girl from earlier?
Her powerful gaze was locked onto the man that had followed her out of the building, his feet inches above the ground. He was three times her size, but now hovered above her, desperately clutching at his neck, trying to remove whatever invisible force that was choking him, killing him. Fear etched in his face.
Mirai realized that it was Asteri causing this man's pain. As much as he hated this man for even thinking about touching her, he couldn't bear watching this frail innocent woman kill another.
He yelled to her, "Asteri! Stop! You're killing him!"
She was unmoved, possessed by the force inside of her.
"Asteri! It's me, Trunks! Please listen to me!"
She couldn't hear him, couldn't see him.
He started toward her, but her energy pushed him back. The strength of it surpassing his own. He raised his ki levels, higher and higher, but still he couldn't get near her. He felt his body pulse to Super Saiyan, his hair gleaming gold, and his eyes bursting blue.
He fought his way closer to her, desperately trying to reach her, to touch her. Inch by painstaking inch, he struggled to reach her. His hand stretched out toward her, fighting the strength of her ki. His fingers grazed her arm and he clutched harder for her. Finally grabbing hold her shoulder, he yanked her body toward him, and embraced her. Immediately the strength left her, the glowing stopped, and she slumped weightlessly against him. The man that hovered dropped to the floor in a heap.
Mirai released his ki, and held her in his arms, panting from the exertion of strength. The man on the floor groaned, but stilled again. At least he's still alive.
The woman in his arms began to stir, and Mirai looked down at the weakened Asteri. Her eyes fluttered open at him, and were once more the deep blue depths of beauty and sorrow. She softly spoke, "Wha...what happened?" Her gaze darted around her, memories taking hold. Her eyes began to glimmer with tears, her body trembled, and her voice was broken and shaky, "I...I…"
He clutched her tighter, "Shh...it's ok. It's me. I'm here."
The door to the club burst open, and out jumped Pan, Goten, and Trunks.
Seeing Mirai, Pan called out in a rushed tone, "What the hell was that? I felt an extreme ki surge, and ran towards it. It came from out here. Something I never felt before." All three were panting, trembling with adrenaline, and ready to fight whatever source gave that energy.
Goten looked down at the unconscious man on the floor, and furrowed his brow, "What happened? Are you two alright?"
Mirai replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. Take this man inside and get him some help. He's uh...had a bit too much to drink. Asteri is … not feeling well. I'm going to take her back home. I'll meet you guys there later."
They nodded, carried the man inside, and disappeared.
Mirai kicked off the floor and flew away from the club towards the house, rising higher and higher in the sky. He peered down at the now sleeping Asteri.
Who is this beautiful, powerful, complex woman in my arms, and why does she have such a hold on me?
I need to let her go. Every person I care about dies, I can't risk her too. I need to get out, and I need to do it soon. Before it's too late.
END CHAPTER 5