It was dawn, the earliest time in which to start out the day. The air was cool and crisp, the slight gust of wind was heard echoing through the mountain side. Nina looked over the landscape from her window. Suddenly, she felt a ki energy approach and quickly latched her window, shutting it tight and pulling down the blinds. She didn't want anyone talking to her at the moment, all she wanted was peace.

After she had come out of unconciousness, Nina went straight home and layed in her room, locking her doors and pulling down the shutters. She forbade anyone to enter her room and she hadn't answered the phone. She had gotten her own phone line a few days ago and so far her answering machine was clogged with messages from at least 1 of the young Z fighters and even some of the grown-ups, most of which were from Trunks. It had been nearly 7 hours since the battle between the 3 foes had happened. It had started around 10 at night, had it really been that early? It seemed so late in the night, but yet it was 7 hours ago.

Nina returned to her bed and layed on it, hands behind her back as she stared blankly at the ceiling. She had felt a since of emptiness since the battle and wanted to isolate herself from other lifeform. Had the spacepods under the house been maybe in the backyard or something, she would've used them to fly from Earth and maybe float in space for eternity. But even so, she would have to leave the confinement of her room and Sam or Kino would be waiting to snag her before she could get away. Nina didn't feel like flying out of her window because she could always sense a ki energy behind the shutters. Every hour it would either be Trunks, Goten or Lei near the window. Trunks was mostly there though, always watching at the black shutters from the tree limb he sat on, keeping close watch for the blinds to open up. This really annoyed him because Nina always used to have her window unblinded, heck, they were even unlocked! But today, no, not today.

After Nina could sense that Trunks had given up and gone home, she quickly put on a change of clothes. She took out a black turtleneck shirt with tight longsleeves and put it on. She pulled on a dark blue jean skirt and tucked the shirt inside it. Then she slipped a brown belt with a silver buckle through the loops. Nina pulled some socks on and then laced up her black boots. She walked over towards her window and unlatched it, then lifted up the blinds. Nina sighed as the wind caressed her cheek and brushed her banes to the side, revealing her empty, brown eyes. She jumped off the window ledge and soared into the sky.

Her thoughts were beyond complexed, but more inatimate and sullen. She really didn't know what to think. Her brother just died and yet she felt empty, as though the feeling that was supposed to come never showed up yet. She looked over at the birds that were flying next to her and they churpped in chorus. Nina gave a weak smile towards the frail creatures and burst into red ki flames which seemed to scortch the sky. She flew off towards the mountain range as a rainbow decorated it overhead.

* * * * * *

Trunks had just left Nina's place, or rather her tree. He had been there for what seemed forever. Goten and Lei had left him about 3 hours ago while he continued to look on with wonder. After about an hour he left to go get some food and to also let his mom know that he was alright. After all, she hadn't seen him since he came back from school Friday. He was about to leave right when he gathered a sandwhich or two, but Bulma insisted that he at least get a shower and an hour of rest.

When he came back, he could tell Nina was looking out over the horizon. He had tried his best to cloak his ki, but she still sensed it and shut the windows sharply in front of her. Trunks cursed at himself for being so careless and knew she wasn't going to open the blinds. He waited for about half an hour and then gave up. He just decided that maybe she needed some time alone.

Just as Trunks was about to head back home and get some more sleep, he sensed Nina's ki speed off towards the Northern direction. Without even bothering to figure out where she was headed, he burst into green ki flames and charged on after her.

* * * * * *

Nina landed with a gentle pat on the green grass and sighed as she looked around her, at the lush green forests and the sparkling trench that flowed from the fountain she had created herself nearly 5 years ago. It had speckles of bird droppings on it, but it still looked as beautiful as ever. She decided to clean off the mess later and work on the inside of the cottage first.

As she walked by, twittling with the 2 stones around her neck, she noticed the many trout swimming in the trench and smiled. Too bad Sam wasn't here with her. They loved catching fish together. They hadn't been to Rainbow Mountain in about what seemed like a year. They skipped last summer because they spent that summer looking for Goku and Vegeta. Not only that but they had to train. It didn't take her but a few minutes to hack into the school registration file, although she had to admit that they had good security on the data banks. But they just couldn't keep her out.

Nina looked around her one more time and noticed a large patch of grass that seemed to be sinking. She walked over towards it and recognized it as the hole she had made when she smashed Jarvus into the ground for hurting Samuel. The overturned soil was now covered by little blades of grass. Nina kneeled down in the grass and suddenly both the stones around her neck began to glow and a memory flashed in her mind.

It was Jarvus, his hair loose and free as the wind blew his silver hair aside. The same torn clothes and the silver rod gleamed in his hands. His dark, violet eyes glimmered with mischief. The image soon faded and Nina now clutched her head in pain, whimpering to herself.

She shook off the sobs, the very thought of tears were pushed far back into the depths of her mind and she got off the ground. "I won't cry! I won't do it!" Nina growled and then raced into the cottage, slamming the door behind her.

Nina leaned on the door and then placed the back of her head against it, lightly hitting it on the door. She mouthed to herself, 'Why?', wondering why this had to be happening to her? Why couldn't she live a normal life like other people? Why did she have to be a descendant of the Saiyan race? But most of all, why did her brother have to die for someone so unworthy as herself?

Nina held her head, feeling a sudden pain sweep over her. "Why'd you do it Jarvus?! Why?!" she mumbled, then she looked up at the ceiling. "TELL ME!" she screamed, but it was no use. No one was there to answer for her.

Nina slid against the door onto the floor and placed her arms on her knees while her head went in between them. She shook her head fiercly and sobbed. "Jarvus." Nina whispered, her voice quite shaky. Then, she drifted off to sleep.

* * * * * *

Pan sat in her chair, her arms propped up on the back as she rested her chin on them. She looked at the sleeping Marron, so young, so innocent. While in Pan's case, Pan looked like a thuggish street girl with no sort of pains in her body. But she had one particular feeling that made her sigh in disgust with herself. That whole time last night, Pan was of no use to anyone. Nina had saved her life twice and she had done nothing to help her. She'd told her mother about how she felt and Videl comforted her by saying no one else could've helped her out, even if they tried. But Pan told her that Gohan had helped by stopping one of the assasins long enough to get hit by Nina's Kamehameha wave.

Pan sighed. "I'm so useless." she muttered.

"No you're not Pan." a voice said to her.

Pan jumped out of her chair, knocking it to the floor in the process. She looked around her and saw that Marron was awake, blue eyes sparkling with innocence. Pan gave a breath of relief and picked up the chair.

"Gosh Marron, you scared me." Pan replied to the small child who was now sitting up in Pan's bed.

"Sorry Pan." Marron apologized.

Pan shook her head. "Nah, no sweat kid." She sat back in her chair. "So what did you mean I'm not useless? Did you sense what was going on last night?" she asked.

Marron shook her head. "No, I didn't sense it. I could see it all, as if I were there." she replied.

Pan arched an eyebrow. "So you saw everything?"

Marron nodded. "Uh-huh. Feel really sorry for Nina."

"Why's that?" Pan asked.

Marron looked out the window and smiled at the birds singing on the tree branch. She looked back over at Pan, a sorrowful gaze expressed in her eyes. "She's lost a part of herself that she never knew was there, but she's afraid to admit it."

* * * * * *

Nina slowly opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the light. She felt a sudden stingy feeling in her arm and knew that it was asleep. She lifted herself off the floor and shook the numbness out of her arm. Then she crawled onto her bed and looked at the photo next to her. There were 2 different pictures, one of her and one of Sam. Nina smiled at how she had changed so much since she was little. Before she really cared whether guys would like her or not, and now that she had gotten older, it never phased her anymore because it seemed like all the guys were throwing themselves at her feet. But she was never arrogant about this. Sam had grown more handsome since they were both thirteen and she felt bad. He never had time to go out on dates because he always had to work right after school.

Suddenly, another memory flashed through her mind. It was dark out, the stars shining overhead. Nina and Sam were spread across a blanket when they heard a ridiculing laugh. They looked up in the sky and saw a young man with gleaming silver hair, the moon full in the background. The memory slowly faded just as the man was about to speak.

Nina sat up, fists balled tightly near her sides. "I gotta get outta here before I lose it!" she stated, and walked to the door.

Just as she opened it, Trunks was on the other side and it looked as though he were about to knock. They both blinked, shocked at seeing the other. Trunks put down his arm and placed his hands in his pockets while Nina moved her gaze to the floor.

Her brows twitched in annoyment. What's he doing here?! How'd he find me?! she asked herself. Then she knew, and cursed herself for being so careless.

Trunks' cheeks turned a slight pink. "Uhh...Hi Nina." he stammered.

Nina lifted her gaze from the floor and glared at him. "What?" she snapped.

Trunks flinched at the roughness in her words. "I was just seeing how you were. You didn't return my calls." he explained.

Nina sighed in aggrivation. "You followed me, and I didn't return anyone's calls." she said through clenched teeth. Why couldn't he just go away?

Trunks' eyes narrowed. "You can't hide yourself forever Nina."

She smirked, yet the gesture had no feeling in it. "Oh no? Just try me!"

Nina then tried to slam the door in his face, but Trunks simply put his arm up and stopped it instantly.

Trunks' expression didn't change in the least. "He doesn't blame you for his death Nina."

Nina's eyes widened in surprise, but then narrowed back down. "You think I don't know that?!" she yelled, voice quavering as she spoke.

Trunks removed his hand from the door, but then placed his foot in front of it just to be safe. "Then why are you hiding?!" he yelled back.

"That's none of your concern! Just leave me alone!"

She tried to slam the door again, but Trunks' foot was to well in place. "Nina, why won't you tell me what's wrong?"

Nina balled up her fists, they trembled with anger. Who did he think he was, prying into her affairs? "Because my brother just died for me and what have I done for him?! I've hated him all my life Trunks! But you wouldn't understand a thing like that now would you Trunks?! That's why I'm not telling you what's wrong!" she snapped at him.

Trunks grabbed a hold of her wrist. "Why wouldn't I understand?!"

"Because you don't have someone making you grow up to hate them just so you could get stronger than themselves! You don't have someone doing something like that, even though they know you'll grow up hating them forever! You don't have someone sacraficing themselves and all their moralities just to keep you alive and on your toes! You don't have someone dying for you, knowing that when they pass on to the other side that you've hated that person all your life and the sudden misery it'll cause after they've gone!"

Nina bit her lower lip and then jerked her hand free. "Damnit! You don't know how it feels! You don't know anything!" she yelled.

Trunks pulled back and slapped Nina in the face, not hard but enough to make her see. She turned her head and held her cheek, sobbing at the feeling of getting struck by someone you cared for the most. Nina turned her head to look at him and saw the pained expression now on his face.

Trunks' eyes were now sullen, full of pity. "Enough Nina! Stop living in your past! What do you think you're doing here?! Stop shoving me away!" he pleaded to her.

Whatever holds she had on her emotions, the ones she didn't know how to express now began to blur her eyes. Into her tears. One slowly trickled down her left cheek, and then down her right. Trunks sighed and grabbed her wrist again and Nina didn't pull away, letting herself get pulled into his arm as she buried her face in his chest. Trunks wrapped his arms around her and she clutched him close, sobbing into his shirt.

"T-Trunks...I'm so sorry." she said, voice a bit muffled in his shirt.

Trunks let his fingers run through her silky, dark brown hair and placed his cheek on her head. "Don't be, I'm not." he said.

Nina pulled her face from his shirt, cheeks tear stained. He brushed the moisture off her cheeks and smiled. "And I'm sure Jarvus isn't either."

She gave a weak smile in return, but Trunks lifted her chin up and kissed her softly on the lips. Nina wrapped her arms about his neck and engrossed herself in the kiss, enjoying the taste of his lips, the touch of his body so close to her own. She had wanted to be close to him again like she had that night, but was scared to lose him as well.

Trunks felt weak in the knees, but kept himself upright, holding Nina up against his chest as she pulled him into the kiss. The tenderness of her lips caused a chill to shoot up through his spine. A sensation that made him long for more of her, the touch of her lips and body couldn't satisfy his needs. But it had to be something she wanted as well.

.........It was.

Nina pulled him towards the bed, both of them in a sweet embrace as they shared the passion of their lips locked together as one. Nina sat on the bed and Trunks soon was on top of her, arms wrapped about her waist. He gently kissed her neck and caused her to tremble with pleasure as his gentle kisses took their course. Trunks then kissed her on her eyelids oh so gently and caused her eye lashes to flutter with excitement.

Trunks soon stopped, wishing he didn't have to. "Nina, are you sure..." he started, but was cut off by Nina's fingertip as it pressed gently against his lips.

Nina smiled. "Trunks, I love you."

Trunks returned the smile. "And I love you, Nina."

* * * * * *

Nina opened her eyes slowly and layed her head on her lover's chest. She had given up her innocence to the one she loved, and he to her. Trunks' arm was wrapped around her waist and she simply curled up next to him. Her banes were damp and stuck to her face, exhausted by the first time. She looked up at Trunks and saw his face was covered in sweat as well. Nina gently brushed a strand of lavender hair from his forehead and then kissed it, not bothered by the bitter taste of his sweat. He pulled Nina closer to him after she pressed her lips onto him.

Nina looked over the room and saw that it was now flooded with rays of the sun as it gleamed in through the window. How long had they been asleep? She looked over at the clock and saw it was getting close to noon, then she heard Trunks' stomach growl as well as her own. She blushed silently and saw that Trunks' blue eyes were now open. His face was a slight red as well.

Nina chuckled at his embarrasment. "I think it's time we ate don't you think?"

Before Trunks could answer, Nina lifted up the sheets and grapped her turtleneck shirt laying on the floor. She slipped it over her head and it went down, just a bit above the knees. She looked over herself and realized that it could've been a dress, but shoved the thought out of her mind. Nina went to the bathroom and put on some underclothes and then into the kitchen. She glanced into the bedroom and saw that Trunks had put on his jeans, not bothering with his shirt which showed his rippling torso.

Nina smiled to herself as she looked in the fridge. Man, he's so attractive! she thought.

She pulled out 4 eggs, 12 strips of bacon and turned on the rice pot. Nina then looked in the cabinets and searched for her frying pan. Suddenly she felt some arms around her and she tensed up quickly, but then relaxed after she realized that it was Trunks. He turned her around and smiled, kissing her on the forehead. She hugged his neck and then kissed him on the cheek.

Trunks entwined his fingers behind her back. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Nina winked at him. "Im feeling great. You?"

Trunks winked back at her. "Even better."

Nina reached behind her, finally feeling the frying pan and picked it up. "Well, I'll get our brunch ready okay?"

Trunks released his hold on her, but stayed close. "You need any help?" he asked.

Nina scrunched up her nose in thought. "Hmm...well you could fix us some sandwitches. The bread is in that cubbord over there and the sandwitch meat is in the fridge along with some lettuce and mayo." she explained.

Trunks hugged her. "I'll get right on it."

Then he picked her up and swung her around as she screamed in delight. She was truly happy, and so was he.