Light Of Willpower [Future Trunks x OC]

22: Overwhelmed

(January, 781)

A few days had gone by, and Niya hadn't been able to sleep much. She busied herself around the house with cleaning more often and cooking and other chores. She wouldn't let her thoughts be stuck on Lapis, because she knew if she did... well, she would burst into tears.

Her father and Aunt would curiously stare at her work away.

"Ah, Niya?" Natu interrupted. "You doin' okay?"

The saiyaness was outside, scrubbing a shirt clean. "I'm doing great," she replied without looking up from her work.

"Hm," Natu stared. "Hm. Sure. Maybe. But, um, your Aunt and I, we don't think you're doing so good."

"Huh?" Niya finally looked up. "Why--Why not? What's wrong with doing chores?"

"Nothing! There is nothing wrong with that," Natu held his hands up.

"Then?" Niya wiped her brow.

Natu felt unsure how to proceed, "Uh..." At his daughter's expectant look, he could only laugh nervously. "Nothing! Carry on!" He waved and hurried inside the lodge, shutting the slider door. He sighed and leaned against it.

"Well?"

Natu jumped at the short woman's voice. He looked down at his nearly one-foot shorter sister-in-law.

Ken-La's emerald green eyes, too, gave him an expectant look. She had her arms crossed.

The taller saiyan laughed sheepishly, "Well--"

"Natu!" Ken-La scolded him.

"I'm sorry! I'm no good at this!" Natu apologized profusely.

Ken-La sighed. "I'll take care of this," she told him. "Go visit your Granddaughter to lift you spirits."

"Oh, my little Noemilla!" Natu gushed and hurried out the front door.

Ken-La couldn't help but chuckle at him. She turned to the sliding door and took a deep breath before going outside to her niece.

"Yes, Auntie?" Niya once again didn't look up from her scrubbing.

Ken-La placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Relax, sweetie," she told her. "Relax."

At last, Niya stopped. She wiped her wet hands in her deep green apron. She deeply sighed and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders trembled.

Ken-La wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. "You're going to be okay. Your father and I are here for you," she rubbed her back.

Niya's breath hitched as she cried.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ken-La gently asked after a while.

"No," Niya sniffled.

"Okay, okay. That's fine," her Aunt patted her back. "But you should go inside and have some tea. I'll finish this, alright?"

Niya didn't want to stop her cleaning, but she felt so tired and now with her crying... She knew it wouldn't stop for a while, so she nodded. "Okay, Auntie. Sorry. And thanks."

Ken-La gave a light smile, "Don't worry about it."

Niya wiped her eyes before going back inside the lodge. She did settle on making some tea. She sat down at the small table and drank the steaming beverage.

She looked into the tea and saw familiar cool blue eyes in the water. "Lapis," she whispered his name. She needed to see him.

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