Quick reminder... to figure out what set up the events in this fan fic read Trails and Tribulations: A Hidden Saga. Read on, enjoy, and review.
Goten sat on the couch in the living room soaking in as much television as he could before the big get together soon. Everyone was supposed to be coming and Goten wondered how it might affect Laurel. They've only had two of these since the fight and every time Laurel got a nasty look or two.
Goten pulled Laurel in tighter and massaged her arm with his arm that was draped over her shoulders. She laid her head against his shoulder and sighed. Goten couldn't tell whether it was from relief or whether it was from stress.
"Are you okay?" Goten asked, but not taking his eyes off the television.
"I'm fine… just worried about tonight," Laurel answered.
"It's going to be fine, I promise," Goten said and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Goten really hoped that everyone would accept her. They were beginning to make her extremely uncomfortable and Goten wasn't taking too kindly to it. Out of everyone it seemed like the person who was there the least, Krillin, took it the best. He had always been extremely nice to her and even managed to make her laugh on a couple of occasions.
"Goten, you'll protect me won't you?" Laurel asked, worry surrounding her words.
"Why do you say that?" Goten asked, intrigued.
"Your family… especially Vegeta; it feels like they're all just going to lash out one day and throw me to the curb.
Goten softly guided her chin to him, letting their eyes connect. Goten then, for a brief second, took in the beauty of her green eyes; the faint glow was still there. "They won't do that. You just… you tried to kill us… that's all. Everyone will see soon enough that it wasn't you that did it," Goten explained as reassuringly as he possible could.
Laurel smiled and briefly pressed her lips against Goten's; a kiss he had gotten a thousand times, but had never gotten tired of. Laurel pulled away and softly stroked his cheek; the sensation traveled throughout Goten's body and sent shivers down his spine.
"I love you… with all my heart. I never want to lose you," Laurel said, her eyes beginning to glass over.
"Baby, it's okay. I love you too… and you won't lose me… everything will be fine," Goten said, his words putting a smile on her face. She finally nodded and let her head rest back on his shoulder.
Goten finally turned back to the television and almost change the channel; there were too many damn commercials on these days. Though, before he could reach the remote, saw a commercial for something he hadn't taken part in for a very long time.
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Chichi glanced up at the ceiling from her place in the bathtub. She sighed and wondered where her beloved husband was at… this time. He had been stranded in space, died, died again, everything that could've happened did happen to him.
Chichi finally shook her head of the thought and slowly got to her feet; the hot water from the tub slowly running down the length of her bare body. Chichi grabbed a towel from the rack next to her and began slowly drying herself off, thoughts of Goku still creeping into her mind.
The truth was that she never stopped thinking about him. She loved Goku with all her heart and now he was gone… again, but this time… no one knew where to. Chichi finally wrapped the towel around her body and exited the bathroom. She quickly made her way to her room, but in her haste bumped into someone.
Chichi scrambled as the towel slightly fell from its original place; revealing a lot more than she wanted it to. Chichi, her face red, glanced up to see who she had bumped in to.
Yamcha stood in front of her; his eyes still lingering at her chest which moments before had been exposed. "Yamcha, just what in the hell do you think your doing!?" Chichi yelled, angry at his valueless actions.
Yamcha jumped back and began scratching the back of his head, "Ha… I just a… you know… wow."
Chichi shook her head disgusted and was about to tell him off when she had heard the word "wow" escape his lips. "Wow? What's wow?" Chichi asked, wondering what his little "wow" was about.
Yamcha laughed nervously while obviously thinking of an explanation. "I… uh… just… wow," Yamcha said while gesturing to what must have been Chichi's body.
Chichi didn't know what to feel at the moment. It was nice have someone compliment her on how "wow" she was… and on the other hand it was disgusting to have someone rudely gawking at you and invaded your personal space.
"Would you like to see more?" Chichi asked, seductively playing with her towel.
Yamcha's face lit up like it was Christmas morning as he slowly moved in closely to Chichi. "Well, I won't say no," Yamcha said as he moved in closer.
Chichi then whipped around and began walking back towards her room, "Don't think so, buddy!" Chichi quickly entered her room and slammed the door, a smile stretching from ear to ear. It was lovely to get a compliment on her body, only Goku had given her compliments before… and those were rare. Although, it was creepy to finally get a comment and get it from Yamcha.
Chichi, bewildered by whatever had just taken place, locked the door and walked over to the closet wanting nothing more than to be clothed once again.
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Laurel knew all too well it was going to be awkward. She had only been at the strangely long dinner table for more than five minutes and had already gotten nasty looks. Vegeta had given her a nasty look first, but he always looks like that so it's hard to tell. Yamcha was next in line to give her the look, then Tien, then Videl. Master Roshi had given her the last nasty look at the table; although, his seemed more perverted than anything else.
Laurel glanced over at Goten who was shoveling away his meal and then noticed that all the Saiyans were doing the same. Everyone seemed to be talking about something, but Laurel could only hear bits and pieces as thoughts kept entering her mind.
"Laurel? Hey… Laurel," Someone was calling her name.
Laurel looked up and Krillin was looking at her, the biggest grin on his face. "So tell us humans what it's like to be on the Super Jinteki level," Krillin said.
Laurel smiled, "I really don't remember much."
Yamcha quickly stood from his seat, "Don't lie. You slaughtered your little boyfriend over there, you must remember that."
Laurel was shocked by the statement, but manage to catch the barrage of shouts thrown Yamcha's way by the entire table. "I'm not proud of it, okay? Besides, I was under some kind of spell, I couldn't control myself," Laurel explained, hoping to take some of Yamcha's heat off of her.
Yamcha pointed at her in a fit of rage, "What says you won't fall under this spell again? This time we might not be prepared and we might all die!"
Goten finally jumped up beside Laurel with his hands curled into fists, "Shut your fucking mouth, Yamcha."
"What are you going to do, runt?" Yamcha retorted. Laurel closed her eyes and tried to shut out everything… needless to say it didn't work.
"Guess what's happening next week?" Goten asked, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Hopefully it's your funeral," Yamcha quickly snapped at Goten.
Chichi was now out of her seat, "Don't talk to my son that way!"
"You stay out of this," Yamcha said to Chichi.
Now Gohan was up, "Don't talk to my mother that way!"
The entire place had turned into a mad house and Laurel didn't know when it would end. She repeatedly tried to shut it out, but every time it just got louder and louder.
"Silence! You're all acting like a bunch of idiots. Now sit down before I blast you all into oblivion," Vegeta stated matter-of-factly. Everyone did as they were told and sat back in their seats. Finally, silence washed over the room. "Now Goten, as you were saying," Vegeta said, motioning for Goten to speak.
"Next week, they are holding another World Martial Arts Tournament. I was just going to let Yamcha over there know about it," Goten said. Laurel watched the look they gave each other; pure hatred.
"I'm glad you decided to share that with us. Now, if you'll excuse me, the gravity room is calling," Vegeta said and quickly left the table.
Bulma looked over at Goten and Laurel, "Good job guys. Now, everyone hates each other and I won't see my husband until the day of the tournament!" Bulma jumped up from her seat and prepared to leave the room. "I'm surprise the baby even slept through the mess you started!" Bulma yelled and left the room, undeniably going to where Alexia was sleeping.
Laurel covered her eyes with one hand and began to sob. She quickly felt Goten's warmth surround her and almost immediately she felt safe.
"You guys just need to grow the fuck up!" Goten yelled out and Laurel felt herself being pulled from the table. She quickly followed Goten's lead and left the room with him, not wanting to even get a peek at the daggers being stared right into her.
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Goten, on his bed with Laurel, held her until finally the sobbing began to die down. He was now convinced that his entire family was against them. He was definitely going to win the tournament and with the prize money treat Laurel to the best wedding she could imagine.
"Goten?" Laurel whispered as she broke away from his embrace.
Goten looked at, smiled, and took her hand in his, "What is it, baby?"
"I want you to train me," Laurel said, sternly.
Goten couldn't really believe she was actually asking to be trained. If anyone else had heard her say that then she'd never hear the end of it. "I don't know if that's such a good idea," Goten replied.
Laurel hugged him tightly and pushed him onto the bed, "Please, Goten, please. I have to show everyone that I'm not a monster and I have to show everyone at the World Tournament."
Goten raised a confused eyebrow, "So you want to show everyone you're not a monster by beating them up?"
"Exactly; I'll show restraint," Laurel said with a smirk.
Goten nodded; a smile creeping across his face, "I think you've got a pretty good point."
"See, now please let me train with you," Laurel pleaded.
Goten gave her a playful pat on the back, "I won't be able to help you in that department. We need to go to Vegeta."
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Sorry, another one of those "buildup chapters". anyway, enjoy it because the action filled chapters are coming up soon.