Nina looked around cautiously, making sure no one was up and about making sure she was in bed. She was starting to hate that stupid bed just as much as she hated Jarvus. And that was not a good sign. Nina just didn't like bein' cooped up in one spot too long. She had to move around otherwise she was going to lose it! She opened the door carefully, hoping not to wake the others. It was after midnight and this was the only time she could actually sneak out of the house. Nina had to use the window down the hallway because the one in her room got bolted shut after her 4th attempt of trying to escape from the hospital wing. On her way out she grabbed a light jacket. It was Trunks' Capsule Corp. logo jacket, but he didn't mind. It was a bit chilly tonight and he left it there for her because he knew she was going to try and get out again. Trunks usually helped her on Nina's grand escapes, although they weren't truly grand if Bulma or Vegeta caught her climbling through the windows again. Nina slipped on the jacket over her black Nike sports bra and slipped on some black and white sneakers. She was planning on wearing some wind pants over her gym shorts but figured they'd make too much noise. Vegeta didn't eat heavy this evening so he didn't sleep quite hard which would put her at a disadvantage for he could hear everything.

She tiptoed lightly down the hall and went straight to the window. Suddenly Nina heard a doorknob turn from Bulma and Vegeta's room. She felt the ki and knew it was Vegeta. Nina focused her energy and teleported into the room closest to her, just when Vegeta stepped out of the room in his black boxers stroking a hand through his hair. On the other side of the door, Nina placed her ear against it to hear the sounds. When she felt Vegeta's power go farther away, she decided to wait till he went back to bed. Probably getting a midnight snack. Bulma wasn't going to like that if he didn't brush his teeth afterward! Nina looked around the room she had teleported in and saw that it was dark except for the moonlight that emitted from outside. Fortunately for her though, Vegeta had removed her tail. Nina was furious about it for that was the one thing she treasured most but he said it had to go. This was one time she was thankful Vegeta had pulled her tail off.

Nina went to the window and decided to fly through it when she heard a groan. She froze dead in her tracks. Man! Tonight just wasn't her night! First Vegeta and now this mystery guy. But who's room was she in? Nina stepped away from the window, making sure she didn't block any moonlight that streamed in through the window. The face asleep was revealed. It was Trunks!

Nina covered her mouth from the shock she recieved when she noticed he was looking dead at her. She tried to hide herself in the shadows but Trunks had already seen her. He smiled softly and motioned for her to come to him. She hesitated, then sauntered slowly to his rather large bed. She stood over him, not bothering to sit down, although that's what she wanted to do, along with holding him in her arms and never letting go.

"Nina?" he said softly.

She fell out of her trance and blinked a few times. "Y-yeah?" she replied uneasily.

She'd never been alone with Trunks in his room. Usually Goten, Bra, Pan and her brother Sam were together. Trunks patted the bed and she knew he wanted her to sit down.

"Sit down Nina."

She nodded. "O-okay." she mumbled.

She did so and they just sat there in the quiet. Nina would glance at his well toned

torso and manly features, then she could feel her cheeks grow hot and would turn her gaze away. Trunks wanted to hold her and caress her hair but he didn't think she would let him. He was actually surprised she sat on the bed with him. After all, they had never been alone in a room together. Trunks admired at how nice she looked even in her night clothes. She looked even better in his Capsule Corp. jacket.

I think I ought to give her that jacket. Trunks thought to himself. She looks so good in it, and I can always get another one.

"You sneakin' out again Nina?" Trunks asked, even though he knew the answer already.

She smiled and gave a nod. "Yeah, I can't stand that hospital bed! I nearly got caught in the hallway by your dad had I not teleported in here." Nina complained.

Trunks smiled back. "You think you'll be able to get out?" he asked.

Nina chuckled sofltly, trying not to laugh out loud and give herself away. "Getting out is the easy part. Getting back in, now that's the problem!"

Trunks stood up and unlocked his bedroom window. She looked at him confused. He gestured his head toward the window. "Go on. I'll leave this window unlocked so you can get back in, but be sure to come back before dawn. That's what time my father wakes me up on school days."

Nina nodded and stood up, then she walked to the window, but before she left, Nina gave Trunks a light peck on the lips. His eyes widened and he touched his lips. Trunks looked back up to Nina and she was on the window sill. She winked at him and then floated in the air.

"See ya before dawn." she said

Trunks nodded to confirm. "Yeah, see ya." Trunks replied.

Then Nina waved and flew off into the night, heading straight towards the moon's light and shape. Trunks closed his window and made sure he didn't lock it. Then he climbed into bed, covered himself with the sheets and covers, then placed a hand on his lips.

Wow. She kissed me. I'm growing quite fond of her! Trunks thought, as a grin began to form on his lips.

* * * * * *

Nina flew out of the window and began twirling in the air as she flew. She yelled out with glee and did loop-da-loops in the air. She shot straight up, then down, then up again. Nina inhaled the cool night air and couldn't believe she was out of the house. "Yaahoo! Free at Last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty! I'm Free at Last!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs as she soared through the sky and over the clouds. Nina could feel the adrenaline coursing through her each time she breathed. She'd been stuck in that hospital wing for so long she forgot what fresh air smelled like. Before they bolted up the windows, everytime Nina got out of bed, or just wanted to stare outside the window, Bulma would sneak up on her and yell at her for not staying in bed. This thought just made Nina hunger for more of nature's gifts and was glad Trunks was on her side because had it not been for him so many times, she'd still be in that crazy room. With a burst of ki, Nina jetted off in high speed winds and headed for her home in Koga.

When she got there, she decided to check up on her brother and see if he was okay. Nina stopped in front of his window, floating up 2 stories high and peekd inside. Samuel was sitting at his desk, typing on his laptop and the only light that lit up the room was a dim candle burning beside him. Nina sighed and her thick banes fell in her eyes but that was the last thing on her mind.

Samuel's probably working on that spread sheet he kept talking about that was due in a few days for the big company he's working for. Oh Sam, if only I could do more than just protect you. You've always provided for us, putting food in our mouths, clothes on our backs and keeping the payment on the house at bay. My dear brother Samuel, I love you for it to this day. If only I could do more. Nina thought, full of guilt.

A small tear rolled down her cheek and she couldn't believe what was happening. This was the first time she ever shed tears when she wasn't thinking of her Mother or of her Father. That's the only time she cried and she only cried once in front of someone and that was Trunks and Goten. But she wasn't really paying attention to them in the first place. Nina felt the hot moisture fall into her mouth and the bitter taste made her cringe. She spat out the water and flew away high into the sky.

I'll pay you back one day Sam, one day I'll do something for you to repay you for all that you've done for us. Nina smiled. Mom and Dad would be so very proud. They would Sammie.

She flew over the city for awhile and was about to go back home when she heard a scuffle happening in the alley way. Nina stopped in mid flight and the scuffle continued to get louder.

Just then a girl ran into the dark alley and she tripped over a garbage can. She tumbled to the ground head first and gave out a muffled yelp. She turned to look behind herself from the ground and the beam of the street lights hit her face, revealing her light brown hair and brown eyes, tan skin and she wore it in a short spiky ponytail. She also had on a grey Tokyo University sweatshirt and a black body suit underneath along with faded brown boots that fit tightly and were a little bit below the knee. The girl got up and ran as four other dark figures followed her into the dark alley.

Nina decsended from the sky to get a closer look. The men chased the girl through the streets and into a park field. One of the men threw a rock at the girl and it crashed into her face, but she didn't stop. One of the men managed to catch up to her and grabbed her then dragged her down into the grass. She struggled to get up and began to elbow the guy in the ribs. "GET THE HELL OFF ME YOU...!" she screamed.

The man covered her mouth and her screaming gradually died down. The other men walked slowly up the hill and grinned wildly. One had a club in his hand, another had a chain and was swinging it by his waist and finally, the last guy had a gun. Nina, still floating in the air at a considerable distance, was completely disgusted.

"You have nowhere else to run now." the guy with the gun said.

"Yeah, why do you always run when you know we'll hunt you down? You're the only one we can have a good time with and not pay y'know." the guy with the chain agreed.

Nina's eyes narrowed. What a bunch of jerks! How *dare* they take advantage of a girl like that? Forget about the girl part! She isn't a girl, she's a grown woman!

The girl's eyes blazed with anger and she was about to unleash her potential. "C'mon now, you know the routine. All right, who's first this time?" asked the man with the gun.

"I'M FIRST!" a voice yelled from the sky.

Everyone looked up, including the girl who was pinned to the ground. She saw a girl a few years younger than she was fall from above. Her dark brown wavy hair flamed upward as she decsended. Her short purple jacket collar flapped with the increasing winds and she had on what appeared to be a black sports bra, black gym shorts and black and white sneakers. The girl landed on the ground and instantly got into a fighting stance.

"Well, well, well! Who's this?" one of the men asked.

The girl spat at the ground. "You guys think you're so bad because you chase down a woman who can't fight back? Let's see how tough you are when you fight a woman who can fight back!"

The girl pinned down groaned. She hated being called someone who couldn't fight back. It's not like she couldn't because she could, she just didn't want to. She lifted up a leg behind her and hit the guy on top of her where the sun didn't shine. He yelled in pain and rolled off of her. She got up and dusted off her knees. "Let me see if this girl needs help or not."

Nina had already knocked down 2 jerks and was about to get rid of the 3rd when an energy beam shot out of nowhere and it went straight through the guy's heart. He fell on the grass, dead. Nina went out of her fighting stance and looked in the direction the beam came from. It was from that girl who they were chasing.

would've made my job alot easier. But it wasn't like these guys were a big threat anyhow. Their power was so pathetically low. Nina grinned as this thought went through her mind.

"So, if you could fight, why didn't you?" Nina asked as she placed a hand on her hip.

The girl shrugged. "So I like getting rid of idiots in the quiet and in the clear. Not my fault y'know. You didn't have to come and help me, I had everything under control."

Nina smirked. "I see."

The girl walked up to Nina and smiled. She didn't extend her hand but introduced herself. "My name is Kino." she said.

Nina figured she ought to do the same. "I'm Nina."

Kino's eyes widened. Nina? But that's the same as...could she be...no she couldn't be! Kino looked at Nina. But she looks so much like her, at least what I remember of her. I may just be mistaken.

Nina turned her gaze to the pile of bodies out in the field. "So what are you doin' that's got jerks like them chasing after you?"

Kino sat on the grass and pulled off her boots showing that the body suit stopped at the ankle.

"I'm homeless so I gotta make money somehow."

Nina sat down next to her. "You mean you'd give up your innocense just for money?" Nina asked, feeling a bit of shame toward the young girl.

Kino laughed and shook her head. "No! I make them think that! Besides, that's what they heard! What I really do is knock them unconcious, steal their money, and go about my business."

Nina nodded to show she had gotten the facts straight. "How long have you been on the streets?" Nina asked.

"10 years. 10 long, grueling and ravenous years." Kino said flatly.

"10 YEARS?!" Nina shrieked. There was a pause then she answered. "But why...how?"

Kino sighed. "I have been looking for my brother and sister since I was 11." she answered.

"You're 21? Wow, you're an adult. I'm only 18. How old would your brother be?" Nina inquired.

Kino began to pull grass from the ground and twirled it in between her fingers. "He'd be 26 right now and my sister would be your age too."

Nina picked a small purple flower. "You wouldn't mind telling me your story would you?"

Kino shook her head and grinned, then she looked into the sparkling stars. "No, of course not."