The faint glow of the rising sun awakened her. She inhaled slowly, savoring the scent of the warm body next to her, mingled with the crisp dampness of morning. Takira resisted the urge to move, to open her eyes, choosing to enjoy the moment a little longer; to pretend it could always be this way, his arms around her, his breath warm in her hair.

'To have and to hold...from this day onward...'

"No." The dream was over, and it was time for her to leave. Gingerly she pulled away, careful not to wake him, and wriggled into her familiar outfit, fitting the scabbard snugly. Swallowing the knot in her throat, she looked down at Trunks. He lay on his back, hair forming a tousled halo around his peaceful face. A touch of a smile graced his lips as he stirred sleepily, then relaxed with a tiny sigh.

Takira blinked away a thin film of tears, trying to memorize every detail. This image would have to last her a long, long time. Kneeling beside him, she pressed her lips lightly to his.

"Goodbye," she whispered. "Perhaps someday you'll forgive me for this." She rose slowly into the air until she cleared the trees, then shot away. She'd be gone before he realized it, so she hoped.

'...because after this, I will never be able to face him again.'