*@* Dragonball SU *@* It Begins

[Kuro Espeon]

Backing up just a bit to get a final (substantial) HTC Kura post in.

Heald: You got her close enough. Thanks for asking.

Kura:

After the ordeal with Basawe had been resolved and Kura had given herself a short time to rest, she quickly returned to the outer depths of the Chamber to continue her training. She knew they didn’t have much time left before their time would be up and the other group would come in. A few days at most. She had already increased her power level dramatically. She couldn’t tell what it was exactly without a scanner, but she knew that training the harsh environment of the HTC had pushed her far beyond her previous limits, even just in 2 ½ weeks. She couldn’t imagine what a whole year would be like…

Through a flurry of punches and kicks, Kura began to question herself. What was she really doing here? What was her real goal? Was it just about Kabu, or was it something else entirely that was driving her now? It wasn’t pride. No, that emotion was lost to her when she cut her ties to her Saiyan heritage. Nor was it affection, for her new-found comrades or for this planet. She had decided long ago to fight for herself alone. So she wouldn’t have to deal with that kind of guilt again… But was that really what she wanted?

The remaining time continued to tick away and Kura’s training continuously without breaking. However, by the time there was only about a day remaining, she could feel her sanity waning. As if calling to her from another world entirely, a mysterious voice broke through the silence of the chamber.

‘Kura…’

Kura spun around several times, trying to locate the source of the voice.

‘Kura…’ It called again. It sounded so familiar, so warm. She finally saw something out of the corner of her eye, a figure slightly shrouded in mist. As the mist began to clear and the figure came into better view, her heart giving a small, hopeful leap. “K…Kabu?”

However, as she turned to face the smiling visage, it quickly faded from her view and was replaced by another familiar form - A tall, muscular Saiyan in full armor, his ragged black hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. His face was set in a sneer and his eyes full of avarice. The most recognizable feature, however, was a long, jagged scar that stretched from the bottom of his right eye, across the bridge of the nose and down the left cheek.

“You!” She cried out, a old flame of rage from the past bursting to life within her.
“What’s the matter, Kura? Feeling…helpless?”
“Spinak!” she growled, her fists clenched and her muscles twitching instinctively. “I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!” She launched herself forward, flying at the form of Spinak with murderous intent; but when she reached him, he simply disappeared and her fist hit nothing but air. He reappeared behind her, levitating several feet in the air.
“And how are you going to do that? You couldn’t even protect your own husband. How could you possibly defeat me if you’re that weak?”
“Shut up!” Kura spun around and fired a blast of energy straight at Spinak, but once again the phantom disappeared and reappeared elsewhere.
“Just face it, my dear. You can never win! You’re too afraid of your own weakness to succeed! You’re of no help, no consequence. You can’t protect anyone, not even yourself!”
“I said… SHUT UP!” Kura leapt into the air, arching her back and bringing her arms back in preparation for another attack. The gathered energy between her hands swirled in a melancholy blue. “Aishou-ken!!”

This time the attack connected. The vision of Spinak appeared to evaporate and dissolve into thin air, this time not coming back. Breathing heavily, Kura touched down and lowered her arms. She still stood on her guard for a good minute to make sure the phantom wasn’t going to appear again. So when a light tap came on her shoulder she instinctively spun around with her fist prepared to attack. Zaito Zhin managed to lean back just in time to avoid the Saiyan’s punch, stumbling back in surprise.
“Whoa! Hey!”
Kura paused, taking a moment to realize who it was.
“Oh, it’s you, Zaito…”
“Er, sorry I startled you. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to spar, seeing as we have less than a day left in here. I figured it would be a good way for the two of us to test how hard we’ve trained.”
Kura grinned. “I suppose. Though I should probably go easy on you. Wouldn’t want you to die before we even face Rothax.”
“Heh. Sure thing.”

****A short while later****

"Am I too strong for you, human?" Kura yelled, her arms digging into Zaito’s as her power level subsequently rose.
"Kura, the enemy is out there! What are you trying to prove?" he replied. Kura sensed a hint of anxiousness within him.
"My strength will get me my Dragonballs, and with them I can get back what's mine!" She wasn’t sure why she was talking so much, especially to Zaito. She supposed that her recent encounter in the chamber had left her a bit shaken and unsure, and now she was trying to confirm her intentions out loud, not just for her current opponent but for herself as well.

They were interrupted by the voice of Kuji.
"Zaito, Kura, your time is up, and you are needed urgently."
Kura powered down as she and Zaito looked around for Kuji. As if answering their unspoken question he spoke again. "I am at the rest area, communicating telepathically. I'm afraid our old friends the Kwalis are back."
Needing no further incentive, Kura and Zaito headed back for the rest area.
"Lucky for you, looks like I get to kill something else instead of you," she dryly chuckled. Zaito smirked, obviously taking the joke.
"Yeah, it'd be good to see how my new power compares to those clowns now."
"Keep that confidence, human. You're going to be needing it."


Sorry to end it in the same place that Heald did, but I ran out of time for now and I wanted to at least get this portion posted. I'll include encounters with the Kwali's in my next post. @_@