The next morning, strangely, Kione woke up with an aching body. She groaned and pulled back the covers only to gasp loudly at the sight of her legs. They were both checkered with bruises, small and large. She glanced at her arms and found they too had a couple bruises, with one particularly large one on the back of her right shoulder. She had hit the pavement hard right there and could only imagine the bruises she must have given Hayama. She practically crashed down right on top of him.
“I can’t believe all these marks! I never bruised this easily before......” she muttered to herself softly while thinking, confused and little nervous. “Goten’s smacked me around plenty of times, and a lot harder then what happened last night, and I walk out of it just fine. I’m thrown across the road once and my whole body hurts. What’s the deal?” Kione decided to slip on a pair of pajama pants before going down stairs. The last thing she wanted to do was cause another scene.
“Hey Kione.” Goten said lazily, as he met her after walking out of his room. He yawned and stretched.
“Morning,” she replied, “wow, don’t you look hot.”
“Huh?” her brother asked and looked into the hallway mirror. His hair was sticking out in all sorts of ways, much like as if he had taken a fork to a plug socket. “Thanks.” he added. She smiled and both headed towards the kitchen.
“What a day that was, huh?” Goten remarked as they walked.
“No kidding. First we’re in the middle of a brawl and then I’m almost hit by an insane motorcyclist. For some reason, I don‘t think the odds were in my favor yesterday.”
“Neither do I.”
“I think I have rotten luck......”
“Well, sucks to be you then.”
“Thanks, Goten.”
“No problem.” he replied as they entered the kitchen. As soon as they walked in, the aroma of all different kinds of breakfast foods washed over their senses and the two smiled at the heap on the table. It was covered with plates of pancakes, waffles, sausages, bacon, and strawberries and other fruits on the side in tiny little dishes. ChiChi must have went all out to prepare a “fell better” breakfast for the twins after their little escapade the night before.
“It’s about time you two woke up, I was afraid I’d have to wait another hour before I got to eat anything.” Gokou said as he popped through a hallway door entrance.
“This looks great Kaasan! You shouldn’t have made so much.....looks like you’ve been up since dawn.” Kione complimented as she took a seat.
“Oh no, don’t worry about me, I’ve only been up for an hour and a half. Everything’s still hot, so eat up before it all goes cold.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining. My motto: live big, eat bigger.” Goten said and piled a portion of everything onto a plate. Kione smirked and their father agreed with Goten’s motto. It suited the two very well. After the huge feast, all sat at the table, full, and feeling very satisfied.
“That was excellent.” Kione said and the others around the table nodded. ChiChi smiled.
“Thanks honey.”
“Well, I’m gonna go take a shower.” she said to no one in particular and walked over to the sink to clean her plate then headed out. While walking down a hallway she began thinking about her bruises again and stopped, studying one on her arm. “Do I always get bruises after Goten and I train?” she asked aloud, “Yes. Yes I do. But....it’s never like this. At least I don’t remember it ever being like this. Hm, how weird. Whatever, I’m not going to worry my head off about it. I’m sure it’s nothing and I’m just overreacting.” she finished, forgetting about it, and continued down the hall.
Later on, the twins headed towards Capsule to get Trunks and then picked up Suzuka. The group was on their way to Hayama’s, they were all worried about him, Kione being the most concerned, and were going to make sure he was alive and well. The minute they entered the house, Kione was at her friends side.
“Are you sure you’re not in any pain, Hayama?”
“I’m positive Kino. If I were, you’d know, trust me, you’d know.”
“We’d all sure know all right. The only thing he ever does is complain about either a head ache or some other kinda pain he says he’s in.” his little sister, Umi, said. Hayama rolled his eyes and the little girl stuck her tongue out. “I’m telling! Mom!” she hollered and ran off. Hayama sighed heavily.
“I feel your pain man, at least I will, I have a little sister too and when she’s old enough to talk I’m sure it won’t be pleasant.” Trunks said.
“No way, Bra will never be a brat. She’s too cute.” Kione protested.
“Yeah, that’s what they all said about you and look what happened.” Goten teased and avoided a smack from his sisters hand.
“Grow up, Goten.”
“I’ve tried. Didn’t work.”
“We’ve noticed.” Trunks said. The others laughed as Goten made a face and soon smiled himself. Suzuka fell into the back of the couch and sighed.
“I can’t believe we have to go to school on Monday.”
“Yeah I know, seems like every year it just gets worse and worse.” Kione agreed.
“I just hope our schedules don’t suck.” Trunks said.
“Mine did last year. I had math first thing in the morning with Mrs. Kovach.” Goten complained.
“The crazy one?” Trunks asked.
“Yeah, she’s insane.”
“I had her! She liked me......but I don’t think everything was on upstairs......ever. We spent half the time correcting her” Suzuka said.
“No kidding.”
“You think she would have gotten a hint when everyone failed the midterm.”
“We all failed the final too.”
“What’d you get?”
“Forty-five.”
“You beat me! I got a thirty-three, and damn proud of it.” Suzuka said.
“I better not get her again this year. She teaches all kinds of different math’s.”
“Knowing your luck, you probably will.” Trunks said.
“Yeah.........I know.” Goten whined.
“You guys, I’ve got an apple pie ready to eat, come on in here if you’re hungry!” Hayama’s mother called from the kitchen. The group looked at one another and made a beeline to the kitchen. Trunks was last to enter and seeing Kione was already seated, crept up behind her and slammed his hands down onto her shoulders, saying “Boo!” . She tensed in surprise and winced in pain. Trunks leaned forward and turned his head so he could see Kione’s face. He and the rest blinked at her reaction.
“Did I hurt you, Kino?”
“No, you scared me, you twit.”
“Oh, ok, sorry.” he said, unconvinced, and slid her shirt to the side slightly as he let go, letting his eyes widen at the sight of part of the bruise that covered her right shoulder. He was definitely going to ask her about it later. Afterwards, the group had eaten the entire pie and was disappointed to find there wasn’t going to be any seconds. Umi had grown angry they hadn’t saved her any but quickly got over it once her mother offered a bowl of ice cream, bragging it was better then any stupid pie.
They had spent the rest of the day at Hayama’s, it being their last one of vacation, and when the sun began to set, the other four decided it was time to go. All said their good byes and promised to meet each other in the school the next morning. The twins and Trunks accompanied Suzuka home and then headed towards Capsule. Wanting to get Kione by herself, Trunks was glad when Bulma invited the two in and struck up a conversation with Goten. He pulled her aside and spoke.
“Ok, where’d that bruise come from?”
“What bruise?”
“That one.” Trunks said, pulling her shirt to the side again.
“Hey!” she said, covering her shoulder up.
“And what was that, a beauty mark?”
“It’s nothing, it doesn’t even hurt.”
“Right, I bet it doesn’t.” he replied, tapping it again. Kione jerked her should away, narrowing her eyes slightly in pain.
“I’m fine. I guess I just hit the road a little hard last night.”
“Yeah, I think you did. Maybe you should put some ice on it when you get home.”
“I will.”
“I’m only trying to help, Kino. It doesn’t look good.”
“I know, I didn’t mean to be nasty. I just don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“I understand, I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to.”
“Thanks.”
“Kione, let’s go!” Goten called.
“Coming.” she answered and walked over to her brother, Trunks following behind.
“Good luck tomorrow you two.” Bulma said as they walked out the door.
“Thanks Bulma.” Goten said.
“Yeah. See ya tomorrow, Trunks.” Kione added.
“Later.” Trunks replied. The twins waved and disappeared into the horizon. Unfortunately, before they knew it, it was morning already and Goten’s alarm clock went off at 6:30 a.m. In response to the music, he slammed his hand down onto the clock, shutting it off, and rolled over, groaning in annoyance. Kione was already up and by 6:40 began pounding on Goten’s door.
“Goten! Get up!” she shouted. He said nothing and threw a shoe at the door. Kione rolled her eyes and walked in. “Come on sleeping beauty, rise and shine.” she said.
“Ugh....the sun’s not even up yet.....”
“Yes it is.” she said, pulling up the window shade. “Come on, let’s go, school’s waiting.”
“Great.” he whined and Kione pulled back his covers. Ten minutes later he was finally up and dressed but ended up missing breakfast. He complained again and begged Kione into stopping to get something on the way. She agreed and when the clock read 7:00, the twins were by the door. ChiChi reminded them how important it was to pay attention and Gokou wished them luck. They grinned and left, bought Goten his four doughnuts, and then headed off to school. They arrived on time and were glad to see Trunks, Suzuka, and Hayama already there.
“Hey guys!” Hayama said as the walked over.
“I so don’t wanna be here.” Goten whined.
“Complaining already?” Trunks asked.
“He was complaining the minute he woke up.” Kione said.
“Figures.” Trunks replied. Goten rolled his eyes and shoved the last bit of doughnut into his mouth.
“I’m still hungry.”
“You’re such a pig.”
“I know.” Goten said as the bell rang.
“Well, guess it’s time to go. See you all later. Have fun learning!” Hayama said and the others called out their good byes. Goten and Kione headed towards their homeroom. Being in the same one was always a guarantee for them, considering their last names were the same. They never had to worry about walking alone during the first few minutes of school. There, they were given their schedules and were relieved to find they weren’t all that terrible. Goten was especially glad he hadn’t gotten Mrs. Kovach again.
The five friends would also be seeing each other a couple times during the day as well. The twins had biology together, Kione and Suzuka had history, Goten and Trunks had math, and Suzuka would be seeing Trunks in a computer class they had both signed up for. Suzuka was thrilled. Trunks, however, was nervous. All five would be seeing either during lunch. They could always count on being together during that period. The lunch you were assigned freshman year was the one you would have all four years. Time flew by and soon all had gotten into the swing of things, knowing when to pass each other in the hall and exchange a few words when one was visiting his locker.
The school days added up and before long it was already the middle of October. Since school had started, Kione had gone through a series of colds and seemed to be constantly sick. With the autumn months approaching cold weather was soon to follow. Though, it wasn’t appreciated by everyone.
“Ugh, I’m freezing!” Kione complained, rubbing her hands together. She, Suzuka, and Hikaru, a friend since kindergarten, were all standing outside in the schools courtyard during their lunch period.
“Freezing? It’s only 60.” Suzuka said.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting another cold. You’ve had more in the past month and a half then I do in a year. Don’t tell me you’re getting another one?” Hikaru said.
“Eh, who knows, maybe I am.” Kione replied.
“Sounds like you don’t care either.”
“No, not really.”
“Hey, look!” Suzuka interrupted, “They’re having a talent show for Christmas. Let’s enter!”
“What? No way. The only talent I have is kicking someone’s ass.” Kione said. The other two girls laughed.
“No, you have a nice voice too. Sing something.”
“But...”
“No buts. Now what could you sing? Um.....well, we can figure that out later. Hikaru, let’s do a little duet thing. I play some song on the piano and you can dance.”
“I don’t think....”
“I know you don’t, that’s why you have me to do the thinking for you.”
“Well, nice to know I have you to do that for me.” Hikaru said as Suzuka grinned.
“It’ll be great. We’ll all get to show the school how wonderful we are. Let’s go sign up, come on!”
“Why does she always get us involved in these kind of things?”
“I have no idea, Kino.”
“Come on!” Suzuka repeated and took hold of Kione’s hand, pulling her along. Then ran down a hallway and came to a stairwell that lead to the cafeteria. Suzuka dragged the two girls down them but was jerked back when Kione came to a sudden halt. “Gah! Kione, you almost ripped my arm off. What’d ya........” Suzuka started but stopped when she turned to look at her friend. Kione’s face had grown pale and was breathing deeply. She grabbed hold of the stair railing to keep herself up as her eyes shook with fear and confusion. This sudden shortage of breath and tiredness had never happened before and the panic quickly overcame her, causing her knee’s to buckle and slide down on the step to sit.
“Kione...what’s wrong?” Hikaru asked, leaping to her side.
“I don’t know!” she gasped, trying to catch her breath.
“Don’t get upset, stay calm. It’ll be ok.”
“Should I get someone?” Suzuka asked, growing a little shaky herself.
“No. I’m all right now.” Kione answered as her breathing returned to normal.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I guess I just ran down the steps too fast.” she said reassuringly.
“Was that an asthma attack?” Hikaru said.
“Nope, I don’t have asthma.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Suzuka asked again.
“Yeah. Would I lie to you guys?”
“No.”
“See. Come on, the bell’s gonna ring soon.” Kione pointed out. The three girls walked the rest of the way and after they had signed their names, the bell rang. The friends departed and Kione met Goten on her way to biology. They entered the room and took their seats. During most of the time in class, Kione didn’t pay attention. She kept going over and over what happened on the stairs, retracing every step from the courtyard to stair she sat on, and in frustration of finding no answer, slammed her fist down onto the desk. Goten glanced at her after the sound but returned his attention to the teacher after being called on to answer a question. He left himself a mental note to ask her about it later.
Unfortunately, Goten had forgotten all about asking after class ended. As he walked out the door, a young girl who had caught his attention a few weeks ago stopped to talk to him. As Kione walked passed the two she whistled. Goten blushed and the girl, who’s name was Asuka, smiled and took hold of his arm and walked down the hallway with him. “They must be in the same class” Kione thought, and grinned, happy her brother had found someone to play footsy with during class.
School ended two periods later, marking the beginning of the weekend. The twins walked out of the building and a shout from Suzuka called to them before they left.
“Hey Kino, don’t forget to pick out a song!”
“I already have one!”
“What’d ya pick?”
“Luna’s Boat Song from The Silver Star Story!”
“Aw, that’s so cute! Good choice! See ya Monday!”
“Kay!” Kione shouted back and turned back to walking.
“What was that about?” Goten asked.
“Suzuka entered herself in the December talent show and dragged me and Hikaru with her.”
“Talent show? What talent do you have?”
“Besides kicking your ass, lots.”
“Kicking my ass? I think you’re mistaken on that one my dear, dear sister.”
“Well then, I‘ll just have to show you.”
“Yeah, how?”
“First by beating you home, then by beating you into the ground when we get there. Ready.......set go!” she shouted and sped off.
“Kino!” Goten yelled and followed. She giggled, glancing back at her brother, and went faster, leaving Goten in the dust. Once they reached home the two sprang at one another.
“They’re home.” ChiChi said, looking out the window as soon as she heard yells coming from the yard.
“And at it again.” Gokou pointed out.
“Yes, and who’s fault it that?”
“Eh....it’s not all mine. Besides, they know what they’re doing.”
“Oh sure, and will that always be your answer? Don’t worry about them, they know what they’re doing. Those two probably won’t even live passed their eighteenth birthdays because they’ll end up killing each other some day! We’ll just bring their presents to the cemetery!” ChiChi rambled on, flailing her arms about. Gokou nodded and returned his eyes back to the window, smiling as the twins disappeared and reappeared all over the yard.
However, the game had stopped being fun a little while ago when Kione began to get short of breath again. She sensed herself growing tired, each limb becoming heavier and heavier to lift, and growled in frustration.
“Uh oh, somebody losing?” Goten asked in a sing song voice.
“Yeah, you!” Kione replied, kicking at her brothers side with all her might. The attack was blocked much to her dismay and a second later she hit the ground. Kione laid in the grass for a moment, filling with anger. She wasn’t mad at Goten, but at herself. Why was she becoming so tired all of a sudden? Why were everyday things such as running down some steps or sparring with her look a like partner so difficult all of a sudden? Had she had this kind of trouble before but never stopped to notice? She couldn’t remember now and jumped to her feet, leapt off the ground, and flew at full force towards Goten. In return he prepared to counter attack but the speeding Kione disappeared once it was inches away from his face. He quickly spun around, finding no one behind him and then realized too late the fuzzy body nearing in on his right. Goten struck the ground with force and Kione stared down at him, her chest heaving.
Goten’s response was turning the game up a notch and once he was on his feet, burst into that familiar aura of golden light. Kione gasped as Goten flung himself upon her. His movements were too much and keeping up was impossible, leaving no time for Kione to undergo her own transformation. Goten’s speed overwhelmed the exhausted girl and once again, she hit the ground. Although she knew she hadn’t the strength, there on the ground she had the time and wasted none of it. Once on her feet she staggered slightly, blinking her new turquoise eyes hard. The bright aura that surrounded her tried body changed to a dim glow as she jumped back into the air.
Goten blinked in confusion at the way his sister was acting and lowered himself downward, seeing she had stopped and hovered unsteadily in mid air.
“Kino.....what‘s wrong?” he asked. Kione’s eyes widened and the color from her cheeks left her face, leaving her as pale as she had been on the stairs. She gasped for air, feeling as though she were almost choking, as tiny beads of sweat began framing her face. Goten became nervous and he quickly descended as quickly as possible, feeling a knot growing in his stomach and the need to help his sister. Kione lifted her head up and locked her shaking eyes with Goten‘s. She blinked once, then again, and finally they closed as she fell backwards, plummeting towards the ground.
“Kione!” Goten screamed, dropping down and dashed over to her. He fell to his knees and scooped her lifeless body up into his arms. The dim aura of light disappeared, leaving her hair back to its natural black. “Kione, answer me!” he screamed again, his voice shaking with fear. There was no response to either frantic call of her name. Kione was unconscious.
