Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dende's Love ❯ This Kiss ( Chapter 5 )

"talk" ; 'thought' ; *telepathy* ; ~dream, flashback~ ; ----time passed----

Dende's Love

Chapter Six: This Kiss

Dende felt something- no, 2 somethings- approaching the lookout, and went to go see what they were. When he saw Gohan, he felt happy, but when he saw Linden flying slightly behind Gohan, he felt ecstatic.

Curbing his enthusiasm, or trying to, he walked closer so he could greet them when they landed.

*Hi guys,* he said telepathically, and even then you could hear a smile.

Linden sped up, and landed before Gohan. *Hi Dende. Could I talk to you alone for a few minutes?* she asked. By this time, Gohan had landed, and was walking towards them

"You guys go on ahead. I'll wait out here," he replied to her question, and Dende's questioning look. He grinned at his green friend, and winked, causing Dende to blush slightly.

Dende led Linden to his room on the lookout. When they reached it, Linden turned to him, and looked into his eyes as she spoke.

*I am sorry for how I left you. I....... I didn't want you hurt. Doquenis is good for his threats, too good. And-* she looked down at her hands *-and I care about you.* She looked back into his eyes, which were warm and happy. *Gohan said that you and someone named Piccolo could help me train for when Doquenis comes.* At this, she looked at him hopefully.

Dende smiled softly as he looked down into her eyes. *I'd be honored to help you. And Piccolo will help. Well-* he paused, his brow furrowed, *-if Gohan asks him to he will.*

Linden laughed, *Yes, Gohan said that too.* Her tone became more serious. *Thank you Dende.*

Dende continued to look into her eyes, which were now pink, green, and blue. He was unsure of what to do, but what he really WANTED was to kiss her.

He took her hand in his, and bent to kiss her on the cheek. Linden kissed his while he was there, and, removing her hand from his, snaked her arms around his neck, hugging him.

Dende wasn't expecting this, but he brought his hands around her tiny waist, and held her to him. She pulled back slightly, and gazed into his wonderfully dark green eyes for a moment. Then, she tilted her head up slightly, and he brought his lips to her's, just brushing them lightly, and they both felt a jolt down their spines.

They broke away and smiled at eachother. Then Dende said, *We'd better get back out to Gohan.* He bent and kissed her once more before taking her by the hand and leading her out.

Gohan was sitting where they had left him earlier, and when he saw them coming out hand-in-hand, he grinned. He looked pointedly at Dende, slid his eyes to Linden, and then went back to looking curiously at Dende.

Dende blushed, but he grinned. Linden cocked an eyebrow at Gohan, and he just shrugged.

"Well you guys, I'd better head off and find Piccolo. I'll explain the situation to him, and-" he was cut off.

*We know, he'll agree if you ask him.*

"We know, he'll agree if you ask him."

Gohan looked from one to the other, grinning sheepishly. "Okay, so I take it I've said this before?"

"No, actually, it's just common knowledge," Dende answered back playfully.

Gohan laughed, and said with a wink, "Well, you two kids behave while I'm gone. No more than smooching! I'll be back tomorrow morning with Piccolo."

Linden and Dende both laughed, semi-nervously and blushed. But their hands stayed clasped together, Dende's thumb running over the back of her hand and knuckles.

Gohan flew off with a wave, and Linden sighed with relief. *Well, if THAT wasn't embarrassing!* she exclaimed.

Dende chuckled, *Well, THAT would be Gohan's intention. As usual.*

Linden turned to look at him, a teasing glint in her eye. *So, he embarrasses about you kissing girls often?*

Dende burst into laughter at that. *Lord no! I've never really liked a girl in my life, let alone been kissed by one.* and his tone turned half serious, half surprised. *Except for you.*

Linden grinned. *Well, aren't I glad for that.* She reached up, and turned his face towards her, where she then proceeded to kiss him again.... and again..... and again.

"Mmm," Dende murmurred. *That feels wonderful.*

Linden smiled softly. *Same here. But we only have 178 Earth days left before he gets here. Well, 177, since it's pretty much night now. I trained today though.*

*Well then,* Dende began, *let's go to bed. We have a few guest rooms.*

Linden smiled wider. *Thank you very much.* And more softly, *For everything.*

They walked in silence to the room right next to Dende's. It was not a large room, but neither was it too small. It looked perfect and comfortable to her.

*If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask me for it,* Dende said warmly, sliding his hand slowly out of her grasp.

Linden smiled, put her pack down, and replied, *Again, thank you.*

She hesitated for a moment, and then, making up her mind, turned to him, got onto her tip-toes, and kissed him firmly on the mouth, her hands at the back of his head.

Dende almost expected it, and had his hands tangled in her semi-damp, thick hair. Apparantly she hadn't yet rebraided it, and it was soft and silky.

Their lips parted, but they stood there, embracing eachother. Dende felt a hot tear drop onto the back of his neck.

*What's wrong?* he asked softly, keeping one hand rubbing comfortingly on her back, and one massaging her neck, making sure to keep some of her silky tresses touching his hand.

*I just don't want anything to happen to you. To anyone else either.* she responded.

Dende sighed. *Don't worry. You're not doing this by yourself. We'll win.*

She drew away, and her eyes searched his. *Promise?*

His heart clenched, both at the vulnerable look in her eyes, and the pleading in her telepathic voice. *I promise.* he said, kissing her forehead, and when her eyes closed, her eyelids. Then her cheeks, and finally he brushed her lips one last time. *Now, go to sleep. And don't worry. If you need me, for any reason, call, or come into my room. Good night, Koneko.*

Linden gave him a shaky smile, and turned, walking to her bed, smiling at the tug as he drew his hand through her hair.

She lay down on her stomach, her eyes shutting almost immediatly, in a light sleep.

Dende watched her for a few minutes, and then, quietly shutting her door, made his way to his own bed to sleep.

-------a few hours later--------

*NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!* Linden screamed, as she saw Doquenis kill Dende in her dream.

Dende practically flew into her room, Linden now on her back, tossing around.

"Linden! Linden, wake up!" Dende shouted in his real voice, shaking her awake.

Linden's eyes flew open, and she looked around. Seeing Dende, she latched onto him, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Shhhhhh...." he soothed, rubbing her back. "Everything is alright. It was only a dream."

Quieting down to sniffles, Linden stayed in his arms. Finally she sighed, and drew away. She brought her hands to her face and wiped at her cheeks and eyes.

*I-I'm sorry. I'm not used to having nightmares.* Linden said shakily. *I didn't mean to get you up.*

Dende shook his head, his expression serious, but tender. *It's alright. I've had them before myself. Why don't you try to go back to sleep?*

Linden's gaze shot to his face. *Please don't leave me alone.* she said in a pitiful thought-voice.

Dende gave her a small smile. *I won't. Turn that way, onto your side.* he instructed.

Linden did as asked, and jumped a little when she felt him behind her. He brought her head, back and shoulders against his chest, and his knees behind hers. He put one arm around her, rubbing his thumb gently across the smooth skin of her tummy. His other arm was angled under his head, with his hand reaching just to the top of her head, and he proceeded to run his nails softly along her hair where he could reach.

Linden relaxed into him, and brought her top arm to rest over his, rubbing her own thumb over his pink muscled skin. Soon, her breathing evened out, and she fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Dende, now that Linden had finally fallen asleep, finally felt comfortable with doing the same.

Alrighty! That's it for this chapter folks! Hope you like it, really I do! Please remember to review!!!!!!!!!!!!