Dragon Ball Z: A Visitor From Another World

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Shaking his head, Nexus laughs inside his mind, while the look on his face remained that of a huge grin. "Nope, not a clue." Sitting down next to Bardock, he nods to what was stated by Bardock. The confused look on Goku's face was pricless, and it was taking all his effort to keep from cracking up in laughter.

 

"Well, people change. Maybe it's a new thing you've accidentally developed? You oughta get that checked on." Nexus grins at Bardock, noticing the wink. This was fun, picking on Goku definitely had it's amusements, and his clueless reactions were the best part.

 

His attention was distracted from picking more fun at Goku when Gracie came into the room. Nexus smiles even more, his grin less goofy and more sincere. "Hey hi Gracie." He laughs softly when he was hugged, and hugs her back, pulling her up into his lap. Hearing her request, he nods, his eyes twinkling. "Of course we can go. Since I wasn't able to last time, I feel bad. So today is for you, okay?"

 

He tickles her sides, and laughs again. "But I kinda need to take a shower. I smell terrible..." He proceeds to take a whif of his shirt, and goes cross eyed, making a comical face, sticking his tongue out, for the first time revealing what appeared to be a small hole in the middle of his tongue, and pinching his nose. "Yeah, that's bad..." He puts his face back to normal, before looking to Bardock. "That okay with you?"

[Bardock]

Gracie giggled at the face Nexus made, shaking her head, nestling in his lap lovingly. "Today is great and it's so pretty out!! Oh I can show you my moves later!!"

 

Bardock looks a bit confused but smiles at the two, "Wait, your moves?"

 

Gracie glances at Bardock and nods, "Yeah! Watch it, it's super cool!!" She sighed, closing her eyes to relax, then opens them again. She places her hands in front of herself, as if holding an invisible ball. Gracie doesn't move for a few minutes and everyone in the room: Bardock, Goku, Gohan, and Krillen (and Nexus) have their eyes on her. Finally, the cup in front of her shakes slightly. Her mouth opens in a little 'o', showing her excitement. The cup moves again, this time an inch. She giggles softly, then concentrates some more.

 

As if it read her mind, the cup flings across the room, sending Goku to his feet in shock, "Whoa, dude.."

 

Gracie laughs hysterically at Goku's shocked expression. Bardock looked surprised himself, looking back at her, "How did you do that??"

 

Gracie shrugs her shoulders, "Me and Goten noticed it last week. I guess I got a little nervous, and... things moved."

 

Krillen's eyes narrowed slightly, while smiling, "What were you so nervous about, exactly?"

 

Now Gracie had a soft blush on her cheeks. She cleared her throat a little before messing with the sleeve of her shirt, "Oh, um... nothing. Just a, uh... ahem, a kiss. Anyone thirsty?"

 

Bardock held up a hand, "Whoa. Wait a minute. You kissed Goten??"

 

Gracie got a little tongue-tied trying to defend herself, "Y-Yeah, well, you kissed Nyx!"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Nexus watched as Gracie showed them all a rather interesting sight, his eyes widening a bit at what he saw. It was impressive, actually. He'd never thought that sweet Gracie would have some unlocked potential, but then again, like he'd told Goku moments earlier, people change.

 

"That's really cool Gracie." Hearing just how she'd found out about it made Nexus grin, and Bardock's reaction to this information was amusing in a way, and he hugs Gracie again. "She's got a good point. You DID kiss me. Hmm...I know..." setting Gracie down he gets up off the chair, and leans over, kissing her cheek. "It's even now." He stands straight and grins a bit more.

 

Taking a deep breath, he stretches, and moves to the doorway, and looks back at them all. Then, to Gracie in particular, a smile on his lips. Raising a hand, he places it palm up in front of him, a swirling flame appearing. He stares at it, and it bends and changes shapes, and eventually turns into a tiny bird, that flies all around them, before disappearing in a puff of wind.

 

"Well, I am going to head back to the house to get changed. Thanks for allowing me to stay here, Gohan, Goku. Tell Vegeta thanks as well. I owe you big time." With that he leaves, after a quick, blush forming kiss was given to Bardock, he exits the house, pausing as he stepped outside, and looking up at the sky.

 

He takes a deep breath of air before heading home, and once there he automatically heads to the bathroom, and takes a shower. Thankfully, in the shower, he doesn't need to wear gloves.

 

Once finished, he pulls on some clean clothes, which was just a plain black long sleeved shirt and and black tie pants, similar to the ones Goku and the other's wore, and of course his gloves. He stares into the mirror, and reaches for his pouch, and pulls out a tiny silver bar with small balls at either end. Unscrewing one, he sticks his tongue out, and slips the bar through the hole in his tongue, and screwing the ball back on. "Much better..." he murmurs. He'd forgotten to put it back in ever since arriving on earth.

 

Placing his dirty clothes where they belong, he goes to the front room, passing through, and goes back outside, waiting for the Bardock and Gracie to return, so he could take Gracie to the museum.

 

As he sat on the front step, he distracts himself, pulling off one of his gloves, and then slowly unwinding the bandages covering his hand, revealing the skin beneath, which was flickering with flames. He stares at his hand, and tries to make the fire vanish, but only manages to make them dim slightly. "Damn.." He mutters, before concentrating again, his brows furrowed, a frown on his lips. He tries at least four more times, getting the same result. His arm begins to tremble, and he grits his teeth. But to no avail, the flames would not go out.

[Bardock]

The kiss made Gracie blush and she giggled again. She glanced back at Nexus, gasping in excitement over the flames dancing before her eyes. He was right, they were kind of the same. She watched as Nexus gave a firm, sweet kiss to Bardock and she smiled largely, resting her chin in her hands. Bardock had a blush come over his face as everyone said their goodbyes. Once . He was out of sight, Goku began the teasing, "Ooohhh is LOVE in the air, father?"

 

Krillen laughed a little, smirking, "I don't know which is redder: my shirt or Bardock's face."

 

Bardock smirked, nodding his head, "Yup, yup. Laugh it up, all of you. That's the best you got?"

 

Gracie smiled as well, "We can keep him, Papa?"

 

Bardock laughed again, looking at Gracie. He was about to tell her that Nexus wasn't a dog. Nut he saw the look on her face, the smile, and he didn't even correct her when she called him 'papa'. Usually he did, thinking she should show more respect by calling people by their names. But Bardock smiled softly, "Yeah, Gracie. We're keeping him."

 

-----------------------

 

Piccolo watched Nexus from the trees, studying him as he tried to control the ability of his body. He smiled softly, his arms crossed over his chest as he saw the flames flicker and then dim slightly. Four more times it happened, each time, he got closer to it being out.

 

"Why are we watching?" A curious teenage Dende looked at Piccolo from under his blue baseball hat, turned around backwards on his head. He wore a loose-fitting white t-shirt and dark pants, much like the ones Piccolo wore.

 

Piccolo didn't take his eyes away from Nexus, "You learn to be the shadows. In order to carefully observe, you must keep your energy low, and stay hidden. " he smirks softly, "You wanted to meet him, right? Let's go."

 

Piccolo and Dende jumped to the ground, soft as a cat, and they both stared at Nexus from behind. Piccolo was still in his dark Gi outfit, that showed off the bite mark on his shoulder slightly. "You're getting better.."

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Just about to try a fifth time, Nexus takes a deep breath, and concentrates once again, the flames dimming to almost going out, until he hears Piccolo's voice, and his concentration as broken, and the fire flares up again. Nexus doesn't turn around at first, just nodding a bit. "Yeah...I guess." He sighs softly, before finally turning to face Piccolo, surprised to see someone with him.

 

Raising a hand in greeting, he smiles a little, before he realizes which hand he'd risen, and sets it down, scorching the front step, which thankfully was made of stone and not wood. "Oops.." He mutters, staring at the charred hand print he had left on the rock, before looking up again.

 

Proceeding to wrap his hand again, he looks to Piccolo. "And who is this? Is he the Dende you mentioned to me earlier?" Finished with the 'bandages', Nexus pulls his glove back on, pulls the sleeve of his shirt down over the glove, and stands up, placing his hands in the small of his back and stretches, hearing his spine make small popping noises. When he was done, he places a hand on his hip, and walks over to where the two were standing.

 

"So...what's up?" He asks, glancing at the mark on Piccolo's shoulder, before looking up at his face, a small smile on his own.

[Bardock]

Piccolo nodded, placing a hand on Dende's shoulder, "He'd felt your energy earlier, and wanted to meet you. So I allowed him to do so."

 

Dende nodded, waving with a hand, "It's nice to meet you. I barely get a break from my studies anymore. I'm the new Guardian of Earth."

 

Piccolo nodded softly, "And now, he needs to get back to his studies."

 

Dende made a face at Piccolo, but nods, "I should. See you guys later." He pressed two fingers to his forehead and disappeared from sight.

 

Once Dende left, Piccolo smirked, taking Nexus by the arm and pulling him close to his chest, "Did you enjoy your morning?"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Nexus nods his head in acknowledgment to Dende, keeping his questions to himself for now. There were quite a few things he wanted to ask about this 'guardian of the earth' business. It was one thing that was truly starting to interest him every time he heard about it.

 

It was only a few moments until Dende leaves, so it was just Nexus and Piccolo there. Nexus smiles when he was pulled to Piccolo's chest, and wraps his arms around him, resting his head against the other. "Yeah...my morning was...enjoyable in a way..." Blushing, he just smiles more.

 

For a few minutes he remains like this, before tilting his head back to look up at Piccolo's face. A sudden idea sparks in his mind, and he grins a bit wider. "Hey, I'm taking Gracie to the museum this afternoon, but this evening I'm not really doing anything. Would you be willing to help me with my training? Controlling my curse I mean..." He was determined to get his flames under control, and whatever time he could use, he would take and use it training himself.

 

Looking down he continues. "And sometime today I need to ask Bardock if he'll spar with me..." he mainly mutters this last bit to himself, before looking back up at Piccolo. "So? What do you say?"

[Bardock]

"The museum, huh? She'll like that." His arms rested upon Nexus' shoulders. "Yeah, I'm well aware how much fun you had." He laughed softly, "I wasn't aware you were into that lovey dovey, making love stuff. Don't look so surprised. With my ears, I can hear anything going on in the universe." He softly kissed Nexus' neck, where he'd bitten, "I'll be glad to help. I taught Gohan and Goten how to control their energies."

 

Just as if on que, Bardock landed on the ground, with Gracie flying beside him, "You're getting very good at flying, Gracie."

 

Gracie smiled and giggled, "I've been practicing. Hey Mister Piccolo."

 

Piccolo smiled at Gracie then smirked, staring at Bardock for a moment. Bardock felt the eyes on him and his face heated up slightly, "Okay, weirdo, that's the second time you've stared at me. Gracie, go on and get your shoes."

 

Gracie nodded again, going inside to find her shoes. Piccolo smirked then, reaching over and quickly grabbing Bardock's tail. Bardock gasped in shock, his body feeling weak, "B..Bastard!! L-Let go..."

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

His face becomes a dark red as he heard what Piccolo says. "Yeah, well, I didn't know I did either. N-not that you should have listened!! I mean seriously?!?" He couldn't stay upset though, as he felt a kiss to the spot on his neck, making him weak in the knees. "Anyways... thank you. It means a lot to me."

 

Just then Gracie and Bardock appear, and Nexus backs away a few steps. His eyes following as Gracie went inside the house. "Bardock, I have something I wanna..." He was turning his head as he says this, stopping mid sentence as he saw Piccolo grab Bardock's tail, his eyes growing wide. "Ask...you.." he finishes, his voice quiet.

 

Hearing Bardock's whimpered complaint, Nexus growls in the back of his throat, surprising himself at the sound he'd made. For some reason for a moment, seeing Bardock like this...he felt somehow...protective. Stepping forward, he looks to Bardock, then to Piccolo, then to Piccolo's hand, which had a firm grip on Bardock's tail. "What are you doing?"

 

Reaching forward, he places his hand on top of Piccolo's, as if about to try and pry Piccolo's fingers off of the tail.

[Bardock]

Piccolo took Nexus' hand with his other hand, "Did you know that Saiyan tails are highly sensitive?" He smirked softly, letting Nexus' hand go asbhe went to one knee, "If handled wrongly, they're their greatest weakness, but handled right.."

 

Bardock knew where he was going with this already, and he trembled softly, "Bastard!! Let go of my-aaahhhh!!" He cried out again as he felt Piccolo tighten his grip, sinking more into the ground.

 

Piccolo smirked again, using both hands to softly stimulate his tail, moving them up and down. Soft cries and moans were coming from Bardock's mouth, "S-Stop it.... I-I'll kill you.."

 

Piccolo chuckled softly, running his hands up and down faster over his tail, "That so? I doubt, by the way you're moaning, you really want me to stop. Am I right?"

 

Bardock groaned softly, then gasped when he heard the door opening, "N-No.. don't let her see me like this.. not Gracie.."

 

Piccolo smirked again, but let go. Bardock immediately pushed away from Piccolo, unable to really stand at first. His face was red, flushed, but angry as well.

 

"I suppose we could finish later." Piccolo teased, rising to his feet. Bardock glared at Piccolo, angry for being made to look weak, "Bastard..." he gets to his feet, then glances at Nexus, his face slightly pained and he walks into the house as Gracie walks out. She stops, then blinks as the door slams, "Is he okay?"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

His eyes widen even more at the scene unfolding before him, and all he could do was stand and stare, rooted to the spot, unable to move. He could tell, that even though it was stimulating for Bardock, he didn't like Piccolo doing it, but couldn't manage to step in and stop him.

 

The door opening was what saved the day, and Piccolo let's go of Bardock's tail, backing away a few steps. Nexus watched as Bardock stood, wanting to apologize, but couldn't find the words to say. The look on Bardock's face as he looked at him made his heart hurt, and a soft frown forms on his lips, his eyes filled with apology. His head turns as he watched Bardock retreat to the house, just as Gracie steps outside, wincing at the door slamming.

 

She walks over to him, and Nexus nods at her question. "Yeah...he'll be fine..." his voice was quiet, and then he turns to look at Piccolo, his face hardening, and his eyes narrowing, brows pressed together. "That...was NOT necessary..." He grabs Gracie's hand, and without a sideways look, flings out his other arm, his hand curled into a fist, and strikes Piccolo straight in the gut, moving as quickly as a viper, unannounced, and just with that one hit, sends Piccolo flying, crashing into the tree trunk across the lawn, and making it topple over, leaves and sticks scattering everywhere.

 

"Come on Gracie, let's go. I'll see YOU later." He calls back to Piccolo, before leading Gracie to the sidewalk, his hand still holding onto hers, and walking away, heading towards the museum, ready to learn things alongside Gracie. He smiles at her, and takes a deep breath, it really was a nice day. He was learning so much that day, and that in itself, was good. Plus the weather was nice.

[Bardock]

"You deserved what you got." Bardock folded his arms over his chest, practically shoving the ice pack against Piccolo's head. Piccolo grunted, holding the ice pack, "Did he have to hit so hard?"

 

Bardock sat on his bed. He was exhausted from cleaning up the broken trees and debris, "Because you grabbed my tail.... asshole." He messed with the paper from a straw, looking down at it, "Why did you do that, anyway? To make me look stupid? To show I'm weak?"

 

Piccolo looked up at Bardock, "You surely know I didn't do it for that."

 

"Then why?" He didn't look at the other, but his voice showed he demanded answers.

 

Piccolo sighed softly, taking the rag away, "I.. wanted to see why he likes you so much. I thought, maybe... if I could make you feel good.."

 

Bardock stared at Piccolo now and then glared at him, "You're so full of it. Tell me the real reason, asshole."

 

"I don't know what you want me to say, alright? I'm sorry I grabbed your tail." He rubbed his forehead, "Look... I had no business doing it. Next time, I'll ask before touching it. Okay?"

 

"Yeah, right. You're never touching my tail again, dick." It was quite obvious that Bardock was still pissed off. And Piccolo decided he had every right to be.

 

-------------------------

 

Gracie pulled Nexus' hand, giggling softly as she ran up to the karge aquarium inside the museum, "Oh, Nyx... they're all so prettu!! Which fish is your favorite?" She looks up at him with a quizzical look on her face.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Staring at the aquarium, Nexus smiled wide, and hears Gracie's question, looking down at her, before looking to the tank again. "Hm..." He then spots one, and points at it. It was a brightly colored tropical fish, with blue, red, and several other colors. "I'd say that's my favorite. I like how it's not afraid to swim to it's own beat. What about you? Which is your favorite?"

 

He grins, and waits for her to answer, before moving on, and looking at all the other exhibits. He actually had a small amount of money, from doing some odd jobs like run errands, fix a fence, and mow lawns, so ends up buying Gracie a gift from the small shop inside the museum. Also, he gets her a snack, and something to drink for himself. Nexus enjoyed the time he was spending with Gracie, it was a lot of fun.

 

And unfortunately, time flies when you're having fun. Before he knew it, three hours or so had past, and it was now late afternoon. Glancing up at the large clock inside the museum, he then looks to Gracie. "Hey, it's getting late. You want to head back to the house now? I have some things I need to ask Bardock. If you want, we can get something to eat on the way back."

 

He hoped Bardock wasn't too upset anymore, the look on Bardock's face when he'd looked at him making Nexus frown a little. He'd never seen that expression on Bardock's face before. Nexus wanted to make sure he was alright.

[Bardock]

Gracie nodded to Nexus, smiling at the aquarium again, "Do you think we could visit the museum again sometime, Nyx?" She glanced up at Nexus at the mention of Bardock, "He looked really upset when we left. Nyx.. what did Mister Piccolo do to Bardock?" She shook her head, "And don't sit there and tell me it was nothing. I have lived with Papa for going on four years, and when he gets upset, something made him that way. I'm eight yeats old and not a toddler anymore. I want to be informed. I have the right to know."

 

Gracie clutched the gift Nyx got her to her chest, but the other hand fell to her hip as she waited. It was obvious that Gracie meant what she said, and she wouldn't budge an inch from that opinion.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"Sure, we can come back here again. I promise." He turns to leave, but notices that Gracie wasn't moving. Facing her again, the smile drops from his face at her question, and for a moment he remains quiet, thinking what to say. After a few minutes, he takes a deep breath and answers.

 

"You may not be a toddler anymore, but you're still a child. You have the right to know some things, and not others. I never intended to lie to you, but I doubt Bardock would want me to tell you what happened." He pauses, and turns around again, his back to Gracie. "But I will say this. Piccolo did something stupid, and is going to get punished for what he did. I'm not going to accept what he did lightly."

 

He was internally thinking of this as a warning for Piccolo, if what Piccolo having told him about being able to hear anything in the universe to be true. "Now then, let's go. If I have to, I'll carry you home. But you don't want that." He glances back at Gracie and smiles, holding his hand to her. Once she'd taken it, they leave the museum, and after getting a quick bite to eat, head back to the house.

[Bardock]

Piccolo opened his eyes, sighing softly, "They're on their way back."

 

Bardock had his arm over his eyes and nods softly, "Alright." He didn't move from his current position, however.

 

"May need your help to calm him down when he gets here."

 

"And why the hell should I do that?" He takes his arm away from his eyes.

 

Piccolo looked up, "You'd let him?"

 

"What's wrong, Piccolo?" Bardock's voice singed with anger, "Scared of looking WEAK in front of your mate? Your friends? A child? When Nexus looks at me, he sees a strong person. Someone with no fears, and a lot of power... and you TOOK that away. God..." he covers his face, "I don't even want to know what I look like now..."

 

Piccolo stared at Bardock in disbelief, "You think one weakness makes you less of a man??"

 

"Real warriors don't have weaknesses."

 

"EVERY warrior has a weakness."

 

"WHAT'S YOURS?!" he stands now, staring at Piccolo, "Every warrior has one, then what's yours, huh?! Show it to me!" He waited and several agonizing seconds pass by, "Yeah. Didn't think so..."

 

Piccolo watched Bardock for a few minutes, taking in what he'd heard. Then, he sighed softly, "Nexus... is my weakness. Well, him and you."

 

A small blush forms on his face, but before he could say anything, the door opened and Gracie ran inside, pulling on Nexus' hand. "HI!"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

They return home, and the moment Nexus stepped through the doorway, it was obvious things were going to turn sour, really quick. At first the look on Nexus' face was pleasant, a smile, sparkling eyes, the whole works. Even as he greeted Bardock, his voice was light and cheerful, but when he turned his eyes on Piccolo, it was as if Death itself had walked into the room, even though he still had that same smile on his lips.

 

"Gracie, can you leave the room for a bit? I need to talk to these two alone." He waits for her to leave before turning his attention back to Bardock and Piccolo, smile still in place, head tilted slightly, looking like he was the most luckiest guy in the world. You'd think the world could explode and he'd still be smiling.

 

"Well, I had fun. I think Gracie did too." He goes on to tell them what they did, what they saw, on and on. It was like the calm before the storm. And there definitely was going to be a storm.

 

"I assume you got...along...while Gracie and I were gone?" He asks, his words sounding a bit TOO cheery, laced with hidden poison. "I hope so, or I might get angry. And trust me." He drops the smile, his voice losing it's happy tone, instead gaining an edged, sharp tone, a slight growling sound in the back of his throat "You DON'T want to see me get angry."

 

He takes a deep breath. Closes his eyes. And then bares his teeth, and opens his eyes again. It was as if someone brought a loudspeaker into the house, and hooked Nexus up to it.

 

"WHICH IS WHY YOU DON'T EVER PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT AGAIN YOU HEAR ME? I WILL NOT FUCKING TOLERATE SHIT LIKE THAT! NEVER, EVER DO THAT AGAIN, OR I MIGHT END UP DOING SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST YELL AT YOU! IF YOU THINK THIS IS ME ANGRY, THEN YOU ARE IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE!!!" Another deep breath. And continued, for nearly five minutes.

 

"DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND ME?!?!" Somehow his voice was even louder.

 

Taking deep breaths, he closes his eyes again, trying to calm himself down. He was trembling, and his hands were curled into fists. He just wanted them to get along. He forces his eyes open, and takes another deep breath. Hot, angry tears were falling down his cheeks.

 

His eyes look straight at Bardock, and he smiles, his lips trembling a tiny bit, walking over to him and kissing him softly. "I love you..." he murmurs, before looking to Piccolo again. He raises his hand, and, as if to strike him, swings his hand forward, but at the last moment stops, and gently places his hand on Piccolo's cheek. "Please...I just want this to work. I'm asking you now...don't do something like that again. I was...I was so...upset." he then embraces Piccolo, and Bardock.

 

However, it wasn't just Piccolo. If Bardock ever did something to Piccolo, the same result would come around. Even though Nexus didn't say it then, he was still going to kick Piccolo's ass in a short while, just for extra insurance, and to make sure he never did that again.

[Bardock]

Piccolo watched as Gracie left the room and when Nexus proceeded to scream and yell, he jumped slightly. His eyes slightly wide, he nodded his head. He understood what was being said to him. But when he saw Nexus kiss Bardock, whispering that he loved him, nearly sent him over the edge. Piccolo didn't allow his face to reveal any emotion, but inside he was seething with jealousy over the fact Bardock had gotten the first 'I love you'. He studied him a moment before looking away, and crossing his arms over his chest.

 

Piccolo didn't move a muscle as Nexus' hand swing to strike him, and he slowly glanced at Nexus. He felt the embrace, and he hugged the other back, smiling softly, "We're fine now. Bardock forgave me, didn't you?"

 

Bardock glared at Piccolo, "Die a painful death."

 

"Ah, yes. Still whispering sweet nothings." He gave up, sighing softly, "How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

 

"Until you're blue in the face."

 

"That's a hard color to get to from green." Piccolo shrugged, "Come on.. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Nexus rubs his forehead with his fingers, a comical look of annoyance on his face. His eye twitching, and his teeth gritted. He growls softly, and looks to Bardock, his eyes cutting daggers. Without any warning, he reaches forward and grabs both of them, and knocks their heads together.

 

Letting them go, he takes a few steps back, hands on his hips.

 

"Bardock, Piccolo...please. If you don't stop, I might just end up giving both of you something painful. Just quit it already." Sighing, he simply shakes his head, and turns around. "Ugh...I have a headache now..." He then proceeds to rub his head again, one hand covering his eyes "I love you both dearly, you mean everything to me. So, I'm begging you, just stop."

 

He looks over his shoulder at Piccolo. "You can make it up to ME by getting your ass up and helping me train." He proceeds to walk to the front door, then looks to Bardock. "Hey, tomorrow, I want to spar with you. It's been a while. The last time was when? Hmm...oh yeah, when I knocked you to the ground in two hits." He smiles, and leaves the house, waiting for Piccolo out on the lawn.

[Bardock]

Bardock rubs the spot where he knocked heads, then was about snap a comeback. He then just closed his mouth and walked outside to watch them. He looked at them both while taking a seat on the ground, his hands placed on his hips.

 

Piccolo stood in front of Nexus. His arms at his sides as he cracked his neck, "I assume you wanted help controlling the fire?" His eyes glanced at Bardock sitting down. He needed to see how powerful Nexus' power was.. to really understand what he would Be helping to control. And unfortunately, it seems as though that Bardock was the quickest way to his power.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

His eyes glance over at Bardock, but then look to Piccolo again. He was a bit nervous, but manages to keep his nervousness under control. Nodding at Piccolo's statement, he proceeds to first roll up his sleeves, then take off his gloves, both of them, and toss them aside. Taking a deep breath, he then unwinds the bandages from his hands, revealing the flame covered skin underneath.

 

It wasn't just his hands that had flames, but his entire forearm area, though the hottest part was indeed concentrated in the part of his hands, the epicenter being his palms and fingertips. With each breath he drew in, the flames grow, and when he breathes out, they shrink, and with each heartbeat they pulse gently.

 

He looks to Piccolo, after staring at his arms, which were raised out in front of him. "This is as far as I can get..." He takes another deep breath, closes his eyes for a moment, before concentrating hard, his jaw clenched, eyes narrowed to mere slits, brows furrowed, a frown on his lips. For a few seconds nothing happens, but ever so slowly the flames begin to dim, until they almost flicker out, but at the last moment, they flare up again, much hotter than before but return to normal eventually. "It's frustrating."

[Bardock]

Piccolo watched carefully as the flames flicker, almost die, and then poof up again. He nods silently, then smiles, "You're tensing up. To you, this is still a curse."

 

He lowered his arms, "Remember what I said. Stop thinking about it as a curse. If you do, it will always control you. You have to tell yourself that YOU are in control. YOU will defeat it.. and unfortunately, we need to do something drastic."

 

Piccolo motions for Bardock to come closer and he pulls out a small tube. Bardock, confused and wary, gets up and walks over to him. Piccolo unscrews the lid, "Hold out your hand."

 

Bardock pulls his arm away, "Why?"

 

"Trust me.." Piccolo still had his hand out, as if to take his hand. Bardock hesitates, but then holds it out. He makes a face when Piccolo squeezes the contents of the tube in his hand and rubs it all over. After tossing the tube aside, Piccolo crosses his arms over his chest, "Now take Nexus' hand. And don't let go until I say. The stuff is flame retardant gel. But it's only flame-proof for three minutes at a time. Nexus, your goal is to NOT burn Bardock."

 

Bardock stared at Piccolo, "And if it doesn't happen in three minutes?"

 

Piccolo looked at Bardock again, "Trust me."

 

Once again, he looked hesitant, but at the last minute, he grabbed Nexus' hand, holding it tightly.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Nexus nods at the things that were told to him, it was true. He did indeed still think of the flames as such a thing, knowing Piccolo was saying exactly the things he felt.

 

Watching wearily as Piccolo gestured to Bardock to come over to them, he frowns, wondering what was going on. He glances at the gel like substance was wiped onto Bardock's hand, and what he heard next made his eyes widen, and shake his head.

 

"No."

 

He tries to back away, but his hand was grabbed by Bardock. Nexus tries to Yank away his hand, but Bardock's grip was firm, and he couldn't pull away. The flames grow as he panics, his heart racing, images of all the people he'd hurt flashing in his mind. "Dammit let go! I said let go!" But he knew, deep inside, that he had to try.

 

Taking a shuddering breath, he closes his eyes, and wills himself to calm down. Telling himself the flames were his own, they didn't control him. He controlled them. Imagining in his minds eye, using these very flames he despised to protect Bardock, and Piccolo, and all his other friends.

 

The time flows by, trickling like the sand in a hourglass, seconds ticking by. And still Nexus remained as he was, eyes closed. "Come on...." He mumbles, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. Two minutes were up. He slowly opens his eyes a little, staring at the hand in his own. Fire licking at it, but not burning him. Yet. Thirty seconds. "Come on!!" He grits his teeth, heart pounding, breath shallow.

 

It was nearing the time line when, he feels different, and stares at the flames. He growls, and, as ten seconds become five, four, three, two...the fire dims, shrinking, and almost disappears completely, but as the last second of three minutes passes, the flames flare up again.

 

"LET GO!!" He screams, yanking at his hand again, managing to pull away, not wanting to burn Bardock. "DAMMIT!" Tears of frustration and anger form in his eyes, as he yanks at his hair.

[Bardock]

Piccolo watched as Nexus fought to gain control. He was so close, but at the last second, the fire flared up and he pulled his hand away. Bardock cringed softly, shaking his hand and flexing it. Opening and shutting his hand, Piccolo looked at him, "Did he burn you?"

 

Bardock raised his head, "No.. it got a little hot.. but didn't burn."

 

Piccolo nodded, grabbing the tube again, "Let's try it again." As he rubbed the gel over Bardock's hand, he looked at Nexus, "You're too worried about what could happen. You need to focus on what you're doing. Stop worrying about everyone else and think about yourself for once. Do you really think I'll allow Bardock to be harmed?"

 

Bardock stared at Piccolo, confusion in his eyes, "Stop..."

 

"Stop what?"

 

"Acting like you care about me. It's really annoying."

 

Piccolo still had Bardock's hand in his, and when the other tried to pull it away, he pulled back on it, "I do care. And I apologize if I made you think differently. We can talk about this later. Take his hand again."

 

Bardock stared at Piccolo, that questionable look still in his eye, but he did what he was told, and grabbed Nexus' hand again, squeezing it for reassurance, "Shh... be strong, Nyx."

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Tears continued to fall down his cheeks as his hand was taken yet again. Like before, he struggles to pull it away, crying out, telling Bardock to let go. He may not have burned the other, but had come close to it. And that was more than enough to set him on edge.

 

Trembling, he attempts a second time, taking Piccolo's advice in mind. To think about himself. Not others. Nexus wanted to protect the others...but why? Then he realizes...it WAS for himself. Without them, he was nothing. Without Bardock, or Piccolo, or any of the others, he was just a random outcast. Thinking this, he takes a shaky breath, closing his eyes again.

 

It took three more tries, three more screams of frustration. Three more times hearing Piccolo's guidance, and Bardock's encouragement. Each time he almost gave up. But somehow he stayed where he was. He knew, that if he wanted to, he could easily run off, but did not.

 

Sweat began to mingle with the tears on his face, his concentration so focused it was literally making him sweat. The countdown begins once more, and this time, he was determined. His whole body strains, as he forces his curse to abide by his rules, and not it's own.

 

The fire begins wavering, flicking from side to side, pulsating and flaring, but then, as the minutes pass, and they were at mere seconds again, they flash for a moment...then go out. As if someone had snuffed a candle out, or poured water on it.

 

Nexus sighs softly, parting his lips a small bit, but does not open his eyes. He was scared to open them, afraid if he did, he'd see the fire again. "So...did...did it work?" He whispers, before carefully opening his eyes, and looks down, feeling his heart skip at the sight. Staring at his hands as if he'd never seen them before. A new sight, foreign to him. A wave of relief washes over him, and he staggers where he was standing, almost falling to his knees.