Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or anything related to the series. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I do not make the first dime for my work (and I don't want to.) Thank you!

Chapter 1

Goten's uneasy gaze rested on the beautiful view of the setting sun saying its farewell of the day; he had not seen or heard from Bra since their spontaneous encounter on New Year's Eve. Despite several, thorough washes of his bedclothes, her scent remained in his residence. He felt as though it was a reminder that a piece of his soul had gone with her when she had returned to the capsule corporation. The New Year 's Eve party had replayed over and over in his head, constantly searching for what had possibly possessed him to do what he had did.

Even he did not feel as though he was the same person since he shared this deep, burning intimacy with her. His soul was raging, roaring stronger than any fire that could occur on any of the land on earth. He recalled the birth of his beautiful niece and Pan's brush with death; Bra was merely feet from him on many occasions and he had felt as he always did. Why that night? Why Bra? What was happening to him?

They have had this bond since the moment their eyes met... There's nothing any of us can do about it! He absorbed his brother's advice on that day that he had learned of Trunks marking his niece; His innocent niece that he had held in the tiny bundle of blankets just moments after she was born. The anguish he had felt when his best friend had destroyed her innocence and had impregnated her with a child that nearly killed her.

It wasn't him that marked his niece. It was the Saiyan heritage in the works. That damned heritage of his.

He remained in his home ever since that day, which was uncommon for him. He felt as though he had too much reflecting to do. He asked himself on many occasions if he had regretted the encounter; he still had no answer.

He picked up the phones and stared at the buttons for what seemed like an eternity. He could always call her, but could he face her after what they had done? Would she be willing to face him? Instead, he dialed a different number and held the receiver up to his ear. He waited for several seconds for an answer. "Hello?"

"Hey, bro…" He ran his fingers through his thick, black hair. "Are you home?"

"I am. Why?"

"Is it all right if I come over…?"

"Sure! Why wouldn't it be? … Are you okay?"

Goten paused, watching the snowflakes delicately fall from the sky. "I don't know. I'll be over."

Before Gohan could push the conversation further, his younger brother hung up and looked through the window again, preparing for the grueling conversation ahead of him; the oldest brother was the only one he felt he could trust, and possibly understand, what had happened. Without bothering to grab a coat, he simply walked out his door. The bitter cold of the air that filled his lungs had numbed his entire being; just what he needed. He walked, hands in his pockets and eyes to the ground, northeast of his home, allowing the falling snowflakes to decorate him. His mood was too deep to think. The snow crunched quietly underneath his feet, feeling the light moisture seep into his shoes. He could care less about the weather.

He had arrived at Gohan's house and knocked on the door. Gohan nearly immediately answered, as though he was standing there, waiting on him. "Where's your coat?" Goten continued staring at the 'Welcome' Door mat that was underneath his feet. "…. Come in. You're freezing, my brother!"

Without looking at the man of the house, he had entered his home, instantly feeling the warm heat from the fireplace welcoming him. He looked up only to watch the flames dance, which he felt had lit the passion that he previously felt. He suddenly imagined making love to Bra in front of this fireplace. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shun the imagery from his thoughts. "Where's Videl?"

"She's in the bedroom, reading," Gohan pointed to the staircase, not taking his eyes off of his younger sibling.

"Good." He plopped on the large couch in front of the fireplaces, continuing to observe the flames flicker in front of him.

"Goten… you can tell me anything," Gohan sat beside Goten, who slowly closed his eyes. "Can you tell me more about the Saiyan's mating mark?" After a few seconds of silence, Goten finally looked up, only to be met with an incredulous stare. "What –"

"Gohan, cut the bullshit. I just want to know."

Gohan folded his arms, secretly weighing his chances of prying Goten of his reasons. "The mark…" he started. "It was slightly different for me, since Videl is human, but the outcome is still the same. It is basically where your soul connects to someone. It's like your entire purpose in life changes."

Goten raised an eyebrow. "Elaborate."

The older brother clicked his tongue. "This does not occur until after you…" he paused, lowering his eyebrows. "Make love. After you do so, your emotions are tied with the partner for life. As far as I know, you cannot break the bond." Goten shook his head as though he remained confused, keeping his eyes on the contained fire in front of him. "Trunks nearly killed himself when Pan almost died during childbirth… That is a good example of the mark. Why do you ask? Did something happen?"

"I don't understand…" Goten trailed off.

"What don't you understand?"

"I've slept with other women. Nothing happened."

"It happens at random, I think," Gohan shook his head. "I have plenty of questions myself, but this is all I know." He watched Goten tense. "So you think you..."

"I think so… What do I do?"

Gohan rubbed his fingers through his hair, gazing at his clearly-miserable brother. "Simple; you give her all the happiness you can."

Thank every God in existence for Gohan.

He was relieved that he did not press for more information than what he did; The load that had been gradually weighing him down, heavier and heavier by each second, crushing him to the point of asphyxiation, had been lightened; he did not carry this burden alone. His father had endured this, his brother, his best friend… with his niece. And now himself… with Trunks' sister.

In order to make her happy, he would have to face her again.

After leaving his brother's residence, he leapt into the sky and levitated in the air. Despite the progression of the snow storm that was unleashing in his area, he flew at full speed towards the city. It had gotten late, therefore Goten had concluded that Bra would likely be at home. He was un-phased at the snowflakes that had made an attempt to obstruct his vision; nothing, and nobody, could keep him from her. He was still in the process of comprehending the mark from his ancestors, but it felt good. Damn good.

He stopped when the Capsule Corporation was in his sight. He filled his lungs with the fresh air in an attempt to find her specific scent. It had thrilled him when his findings were faint. He followed his instincts and had found her bedroom window, on the right side of the large, dome-shaped residence. He had then seen her, placing a subtle, fake eyelash on her eye in front of the large mirror that was built into the wall. He watched her closely, drinking in her beauty. And she was his.

When he saw that she was finished, he gently tapped on the glass that had separated them. She jumped momentarily, until she saw the source of the surprise noise. Her perfectly-sculpted eyebrows were wrinkled at his spontaneous visit. She looked towards the door to ensure that no one else had witnessed this and came running to the window to open it quickly. "Goten?" He floated merely inches from her, exposing a heart-melting grin. "What are you…?"

"You're so beautiful." He then kissed her soft lips without warning. She quickly wrapped her arms around his torso to pull him into her bedroom. He gripped onto her neatly-groomed hair to pull her closer. The embraces of his lips had spread to her round cheeks and to the side of her neck. A moan of approval had erupted from her throat when she felt his fingers sneak under her dress, caressing her thighs.

"Goten… Mmmm… no… no… stop." The man instantly froze, leaving his lips on her collarbone. "We can't do this…"

He lifted his face to meet her beautiful, blue eyes. "What?"

"We can't do this," she repeated. "I'm sorry."

"Do you want to come ov—"

She took a deep breath to sooth her nerves. "We can't be together." He stared into her eyes for a long moment as she explained. "Goten… I don't know what happened on New Year's Eve. You're my brother's best friend. This just wouldn't—"

"He knocked up my niece, Bra. What's wrong wi—"

"I'm seeing someone." He was immediately silenced, which gave him the opportunity to take the endless plunge into heartbreak. "Goten… You're an amazing person. Incredible." She slowly reached out to touch him, but he swatted her hand away. "I'm so sorry." He closed his eyes to break his view of her. He turned around to open the window and without a second thought, he flew away. After realizing what she had done, she ran to the glass barrier and quickly opened it. "Goten, wait! Come back! No!"

He was already gone.

Fuck it. She brushed off her short, black dress and thick, brown leggings. She grabbed her leather jacket and swung it over her shoulders, roughly placing each arm through the sleeves. She took her purse and left her room, walking down the long flight of stairs. She opened the front door and met with the cold again. She looked up to see a black sports car parked by the entrance with a man exiting, whose chin was covered with stubble and with a toothpick between his teeth. "Hey sugarplum. I got a bottle of the good shit with your name all over it. You ready for tonight, baby?" Scowling, she grabbed the man's wrist and escorted him back to his car. "Ooh, you're ready all right." He cackled when he watched her get in the vehicle.