Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ THE TRUNKS AND ALANNA SAGA ❯ The Tribute ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Thirteen

"The Tribute"

More weeks passed and Alanna wasn't seen at all. One night, Shauna was sitting on the couch by the fireplace, reading. She had come to visit Vegeta and he was off getting a snack.

"You want anything while I'm in here?" He called from the kitchen. Shauna declined and Vegeta returned with a huge bowl of assorted food. Shauna watched him stuff his face until there was only one grape left. Vegeta picked it up and started waving it in Shauna's face. "Mmmm, yummy grape! Yum yum! Fooood!" He coaxed, bringing the grape closer and closer. Shauna cocked an eyebrow and snatched it with her teeth, biting his finger in the process. Vegeta made in indignant noise as she chewed and swallowed.

"Mmm. You were right, nummy!"

Vegeta made a pouty face and pretended to nurse his finger.

"Awww, poor baby!" Shauna said mockingly.

He whimpered like a puppy.

Shauna took his finger and kissed it gently. "All better." She said, and Vegeta purred with a grin. "You've gone fruity." Shauna remarked as she scratched him under the chin.

He frowned. "I am not a fruit!" He declared.

Shauna laughed and cuddled under his chin. "Ooo, beef!" She cooed, and started to rub his broad, muscular chest.

Vegeta chuckled. "Indeed." He smirked.

"More beef than anyone else."

He drew himself up proudly.

Shauna figured he didn't get many ego strokes and decided to do it herself. "Beefy Vegeta! My favourite Saiyan. Hehe, nummy beef! And a pretty taaaiiill!" She snatched his tail up and started to pet it. Vegeta sank down into the couch, purring loudly. Shauna crawled into his lap and curled up.

About an hour later, Shauna was still curled. She had fallen asleep in Vegeta's lap. He didn't mind, only watched her, thinking. He wanted to do something for Shauna...not corny like flowers...just...something. He turned to look at the newspaper on the table beside the couch. A movie? He scanned the titles playing. There wasn't anything she would like. He picked up the paper and flipped through the ads. There was nothing concerning horses. He wondered if God must be laughing at him, for when he actually wanted to do something nice, he couldn't. It was at that moment that he saw it, a small box in a corner. It was perfect.

Alanna walked over to her mirror and studied her appearance. Tonight was the night, she knew, but what could she wear? Then it came to her. Of course... She crept down the hall. Alanna paused at the door, then opened it slowly. Tears immediately stung her eyes, Trunks' room reminded her so much of him. She went to the drawer and sifted through it. She finally found what she was looking for, Trunks' jogging pants and sweatshirt. She changed where she was, then curled up on his bed to wait.

As Alanna lay on Trunks' bed, she was lost in memory, time spent there, curled up with him. She felt grateful when it was time to leave; it was hard to stay there and think of him when he was gone. She walked quickly from the room and closed the door.

The club, "Enigma," was packed that night with singers and those who wanted to see who would be the next Celine Dion, Nickleback, or Brittany Spears. Open mike night was very popular. Vegeta stepped through the door, then Shauna was beside him.

"This place is cool, Favourite!"

Vegeta smiled at his new nickname and looked around. Enigma was painted all black with lights all over and chairs and tables of white. He led her to sit at a table near the back. It was all he could find and he looked at her apologetically.

"It's a great spot." She said. "As long as you're here."
Vegeta smiled and waited as the din subsided and the first artist took the stage.

The night was full of great music with no shortage of standing ovations. Then Shauna nearly fell off her chair as Alanna stepped up. Some looked curious because she was wearing a jogging outfit, but Shauna understood.

"What's she doing here?" Vegeta muttered.

Shauna shrugged. "Singing, I guess."

Indeed, Alanna stepped up to the mic. "This," she said, "is my tribute. It won't make much sense to you, but it's for someone I love and lost.

"Some say love it is a river

That drowns the tender reed.

Some say love it is a razor

That leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love it is a hunger

An endless, aching need

I say love it is a flower,

And you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance

It's the dream afraid of waking

That never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken,

Who cannot seem to give

And the soul afraid of dying

That never learns to live.

And the night has been too lonely

And the road has been too long.

And you think that love is only

For the lucky and the strong.

Just remember in the winter

Far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed that with the sun's love,

In the spring, becomes a rose

_______________________________

I don't need a lot of things,

I can get by with nothing

Of all the blessings life can bring,

I've always needed something

But I've got all I want

When it comes to loving you

You're my only reason,

You're my only truth

I need you like water

Like breath, like rain

I need you like mercy

From Heaven's gate

There's a freedom in your arms

That carries me through

I need you

You're the hope that moves me

To courage again

You're the love that rescues me

When the cold winds rage

And it's so amazing

'Cause that's just how you are

And I can't turn back now

'Cause you've brought me too far

I need you like water

Like breath, like rain

I need you like mercy

From Heaven's gate

There's a freedom in your arms

That carries me through

I need you

oh yes I do

I need you like water

Like breath, like rain

I need you like mercy

From Heaven's gate

There's a freedom in your arms, yeah

That carries me through

I need you, oh yes I do

I need you

I need you, oh

____________________________________

I pray you'll be my eyes

And watch him where he goes

And help him to be wise

And help me to let go

Every lover's prayer

Every loved one knows

Lead him to a place

Guide him with your grace

To a place where he'll be safe

I pray he finds your light

And holds it in his heart

As darkness falls each night

Remind him where you are

Every lover's prayer

Every loved one knows

Need to find a place

Guide him to a place

Give him faith so he'll be safe

Lead him to a place

Guide him with your grace

To a place where he'll be safe

When I think back on these times

And the dreams we left behind

I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed

To get to have you in my life

When I think back on these days

I'll look and see your face

You were right there for me

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky

In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life

I'll keep a part of you with me

And everywhere I am there you'll be

And everywhere I am there you'll be

Well, you showed me how it feels

To have the sky within my reach

And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me

Your love made me make it through

Oh, I owe so much to you

You were right there for me

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky

In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life

I'll keep a part of you with me

And everywhere I am there you'll be

Cause I always saw in you my light, my strength

And I want to thank you now for all the ways

You were right there for me

You were right there for me

Always

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky

In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life

I'll keep a part of you with me

And everywhere I am there you'll be

And everywhere I am there you'll be

There you'll be

____________________________________________________________ ___

How do I,

Get through the night without you?

If I had to live without you,

What kind of life would that be?

Oh, I

I need you in my arms, need you to hold,

You're my world, my heart, my soul,

If you ever leave,

baby you would take away everything good in my life,

and tell me now

How do I live without you?

I want to know,

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go,

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

Without you,

There'd be no sun in my sky,

There would be no love in my life,

There'd be no world left for me.

And I,

Baby I don't know what I would do,

I'd be lost if I lost you,

If you ever leave,

Baby you would take away everything real in my life,

And tell me now,

How do I live without you?

I want to know,

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go,

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

Please tell me baby,

How do I go on?

If you ever leave,

Baby you would take away everything,

I need you with me,

Baby don't you know that you're everything,

Good in my life?

And tell me now,

How do I live without you,

I want to know,

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go,

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

How do I live without you?

How do I live without you baby?

How do I live?"

Alanna stepped back. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. She blinked as the people cheered and clapped. "Thank you." She whispered, then leapt down and fled the building.

"Should we go after her?" Vegeta asked.

Shauna shook her head. "I know her, she'll want to be alone...in his room."

Vegeta nodded in understanding.

Shauna took his hand. "Just enjoy the night, Alanna's tough, she'll be okay."

Vegeta nodded and kissed her hand smoothly with a dashing grin.

Shauna blushed. "Where'd you learn that one?" She asked, and Vegeta smirked. "A prince has to be charming, I took lessons. Yes," he said to her raised eyebrow, "they took the time to teach me how to be impressive, majestic and charming. I, of course, was a natural."

She shook her head. "Who'd have guessed? No wonder Trunks grew up so sweet. Are you...proud of him?"

Vegeta nodded slowly. "Yes...every day...I just couldn't show it...I wish I had."

"Do you still hate Alanna?"

"No...I can see why Trunks protected her so...you were right...I've so many regrets."

Shauna sighed. "But you can still change, you have changed..."

Vegeta nodded and leaned back in his chair to enjoy the show.