Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Piccolo's Embrace ❯ Kindred Spirits ( Chapter 4 )

They stayed on the floor of her living room, the hardwood beneath them warm from their extrusion. After a moment, Alaura stood up shakily and leaned on Piccolo as she steadied herself. "You're completely exhausting, do you realize that, Green?" She whispered, still not quite recovered, "I can't even stand up on my own and I have a class in less than an hour."

Piccolo had nearly forgotten about that. She had mentioned something, earlier in the week about holding a dance class for poor children who wanted to dance but whose parents couldn't afford to put them into an expensive class. Alaura did not dance professionally and never had, she had a love of the dance that came from within and, when she danced, it was only for herself or someone very special. But, she could teach. He thought it was a very kind and noble thing for her to venture into. And who, knows, One of those children in her class may end up having some serious talent that the world would be deprived not to know of it.

"I have to go get ready for the class." She said, kissing him on the cheek and stroking his ear playfully, yet lovingly, "Why don't you go for a walk in the forest for a bit and meditate, Mon vert chéri un ?" (My green cherished one.)

Nodding, Piccolo, kissed her softly on her ear and left her, floating from her towards the thick mahogany door that lead to the thick, dark peacefulness of the wilderness outdoors. His heart ached to leave her, even if it were only for a few hours. He'd never felt this way before about anyone. This sensation that he would die if he did not have her in his arms at all times, he felt as if he needed her as he needed water and sunlight to survive.

He came to his favorite place in the forest. It was a few miles from Alaura's house, though he was able to get there quickly by flying rather than walking, easily missing the densely growing trees by phasing in and out, thus avoiding a collision. He landed soundly on the ground, feeling his feet sink a bit into the soft forest loam. The sight of the small crystal clear pool of water and gently trickling waterfall always brought a smile to his lips. It was the perfect place for meditating.

Piccolo floated upwards, over the sparkling water, feeling the sunlight as it streamed in a cross-hatch pattern through the trees and drinking in the warmth thoughout his entire being. He folded his long, powerfully built legs under himself and closed his eyes, beginning the initial deep breathing of his inward reflection. His breathing slowly became softer and more even as he passed into the alpha state of consciousness, swiftly everything around him faded into the background. Even as his surroundings seemed to dissolve around him, Piccolo kept a tiny part of himself alert to any dangers that may present themselves and an internal warning sense would rouse him instantly from whatever altered state he may be in in the event something was not right.

He wondered, with a smile and a pang in his chest that he came to understand was the feeling of yearning for someone, for Alaura, Just how her class was going.

Alaura greeted the children and their parents and or guardians as they arrived at the door. She lead them to the large, walk-in closet, which had been made especially for the children in her class, in the hallway across from her room. She had them shed their coats and hang them up on the hooks that had been placed low enough for children of five and six years old to easily reach.

The parents and guardians kissed their children good-bye and made their way outside. The sound of cars and the ruckety- coughing sound of pickup trucks outside her house filled the area for a while, assaulting the peacefulness of the forest for a while. Alaura was glad when they finally left and the bird's outside began their songs once more.

"Okay, Children, come downstairs with me to the studio." She said as she lead them past the living room, her heart jumped a bit in her chest and she gasped as she thought of what that room had seen not too long ago. She smiled inwardly, all ready wishing for this class to be over and done with. Well, she thought to herself, time enough for that later. Right now I've got work to do, so focus, Alaura.

The children were polite, probably a product of some heavy handling in their rearing by parents who followed the old 'spare the rod' adage with a passion. She frowned at the thought of anyone hurting any of these little ones who followed her so eagerly. She knew that if she had a child and anyone laid a hand on him or her, they wouldn't be long for this world.

They came to the studio and Alaura instructed them to sit on the floor in a circle. "We'll start with introductions." She smiled as she walked around the room, adjusting the four tall black lamps in each corner of the room so that the children had light enough to see and work yet not so bright that her eyes and head began to ache.

"Miss. Flaxen?" A small girl, hair like midnight and eyes just as dark and wide, asked, holding up her hand as she sat down on the floor of the room that had been constructed into a spacious dance studio, complete with hard wood floors, a long barre placed against one wall and mirrors behind it. Since she did not play the piano, she had a record player sitting on a shelf filled with ballet records of all styles just waiting to be played and fill the room with the music that just begged to be danced to.

"Yes.April?" She looked down at the girl's nametag and smiled at her, "Is something wrong, Dear?"

"I forgot to ask my Mommy to buy me new dance shoes." She sniffled and her face screwed up into the sure sign that tears were about to flow. "I-I don't have.have any to wear, M-Miss Flaxen." She hiccupped, trying to keep from crying. She knew how the other kids would laugh at her and poke fun if she started to bawl on her first day of dance class! Since her cousin, Gabbie was also in the class, it wouldn't be long before it got back to her family and then her older brothers would have a hey-day!

A few of the children snickered, but Alaura shot them all; Hush-up-right- now-if- you- know -what's good- for- you looks and they quieted down. "It's all right, April." She said in a voice she hoped was assuring and smiled at the girl, willing her to be comfortable and most of all, not to cry, "I keep spares in the changing room right over there." She held up one small, delicate hand to point to the other end of the room where there was a small door off to the side and the other's followed where she was gesturing. "Find a pair that will fit you."

"T-Thank you, Miss Flaxen." She said, shyly, folding her small hands in her lap.

After the introductions; There were seven children in her class this year, six girls and one..well, one Namek, she was pleasantly surprised to see, They changed into their uniforms, (leotards and toe shoes) and did warm up stretches and exercises at the barre for a while. Alaura walked back and forth in front of them, her own black leotard felt sticky against her skin and the long, loose dark floral skirt she'd donned after Piccolo had left over her leotard fluttered in the wake of her movements, as she instructed them in series of plies (knee bends) as she counted off in French.

After the class, which lasted longer than her classes normally did, but that was to be expected as this was the first class of the year, She knew she had a lot a work to do with them over the course of the next three months and looked forward to every minute of it, The diminutive Namek child approached her as she was in the kitchen fixing the children some orange juice and sliced bananas for a snack as they relaxed in her the living room she had quickly put back together before they had arrived. She heard the sound of their high-pitched voices chattering away like squirrel talk and smiled to herself.

"Tae?" She asked, recalling his name with ease. The little one had been a joy to watch. She sensed that he had an inner need to learn the dance just as she did when she was young. Watching his tiny face twist in concentration as he struggled to learn some of the steps she tried to teach them made her feel as if he were serious about the class and wasn't just there to get out of someone's hair, as many of the girls' there were. She knew that in less than a month, she would be surprise if were more than two, she knew her class would dwindle down to just a few as those who took this class as a fun way to get out of doing chores at home lost interest. Alaura did not mind. She'd rather teach those who sincerely wished to learn.

"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Flaxen." He said and she smiled at his precise, slightly clipped accent as if he were trying hard to speak properly and like an adult. She found it charming and had the overwhelming urge to pull him into her arms and cuddle him against her. She did nothing of the sort, of course, keeping her poise as she looked down at him kindly, "But I Wanted to ask you.Would you consider allowing me to take private lessons?"

"Well, Tae, don't you like your classmates?" She asked, "No one's being cruel to you, are they?"

He shook his head, the robes he had changed back into were customary for the people of his race on his own planet of Namek, rustled a bit when he moved, "No, nothing like that. All the girls are very nice to me."

She breathed a sigh of relief. She knew how horrid children could be to someone who was different than they and boy! Where Nameks ever different! She was glad that little Tae was getting along well with them, so far. At least she hoped so.

"I want to learn more, Miss Flaxen." He continued, his small green hands folded gently in front of him as he glazed up at her, "I want to be a dancer.like you." The adoration in his eyes touched her deeply and she couldn't resist any longer. She bent down on one knee and opened her arms to him, hugging him tightly when he came willingly into her embrace. She kissed his nose lightly before letting him go and standing up once more. "I think we can arrange something, Tae." She said at last, "And take my word, you will be a dancer."

He grinned at her and jumped a little in the air, clapping his hands together, "Yay! Thank you, Miss Flaxen!"

She stopped him before he could run out the door of the kitchen and held out a cup of water for him. "Don't spill it!" She warned laughingly as he walked carefully out the kitchen.

She had the sudden feeling, deep inside her heart, that that little Namek was a kindred spirit, she knew her feeling to be honest and true. That little one felt the dance deep inside just as she did. She knew they would get along well and she looked forward to watching him blossom and grow into the fine dancer she knew he would someday be.