~Sorry for the absence! I had to take a break. I pumped out so many chapters and so many new stories I burnt myself out. Plus the holidays. Thank you for the reviews and I look forwards to the continued feedback!~
Merilee lay on the bed asleep as Trunks kept a silent vigil over her. For the moment she was resting peacefully but the demi-Saiyan could see the translucent quality to her skin it was more pale than usual. He reached forwards resting a hand on her cheek feeling her skin concerned it was cold. He reached down pulling the covers up on her more tucking them under her chin. Out of instinct she snuggled into them and for a moment his worry eased as he smiled seeing how cute she was.
"Hey man."
Trunks looked up and saw Goten walking through the door. He looked worse for wear. Like himself it looked like someone had put a heavy weight on his shoulders. His crisp white button up shirt with his Architectural firm's logo on it was wrinkled and his hair was messier than usual. Trunks didn't say anything too him as he came over to the bed and looked down at the small woman sleeping in the bed. He let out a long sigh and sat on the ground crossing his legs Indian style leaning his chin in his open palm and propping his elbow on his knee.
"What are we gonna do?" Goten asked
"Whatever we have too." Trunks said leaning on his own knees
"This is all of our fault. Merilee could…could…" Goten said not able to say the words
"That's NOT going to happen." Trunks snapped cutting him off.
Goten looked at the hard blue eyes and the determination in them. Goten set his lips in a firm line and nodded. "You're right whatever has to be done I'll do it."
"Good. I don't know exactly what's going to happen but we might have to do something drastic here that is going to break her heart I'm afraid."
"I know but what choice do we have if it comes to that? She's not just going to die she's going to cease to exist all together." Goten said
"That's why I'm going to do whatever it takes to make this right. We were careless Goten and she's having to pay the price."
"Well I'm with you buddy." Goten said smiling softly
Trunks smiled lightly opening his mouth to say something but Merilee took that moment to awaken. She stretched yawning sitting up rubbing one eye. Trunks looked back at her to see how she faired as Goten stood and came over to the bedside.
"Well hey there sunshine." Goten said warmly
Merilee blinked a few times getting the sleep out of her eyes "Goten?"
Goten was surprised as the timid girl literally launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him. He froze a moment but relaxed feeling that she was extremely anxious she was just glad he was here and a familiar face. He smiled wrapping his strong arms around her.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay." He said gently as he felt her trembling
Merilee pulled back eyes teary and cheeks flushed "S-sorry I'm just really glad to see you."
"No problem." He said as she sat on the bed beside Trunks
Goten sat down rather dramatically making the bed bounce. Merilee gave a surprised cry as she practically rose a few inches from the sudden dropping weight of the large male beside her. Trunks' arms shot out pulling her back down and he shot a glare at Goten. Merilee couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up in her chest at the other man's goofy grin. It was nice to have him here Goten never ceased to make her laugh. He was a good friend and she had missed him.
"So Beerus filled me in on everything. Never thought you'd meet a god did ya?" Goten asked Merilee.
"No. Never I'm still waiting to wake up and find out all of this is a dream." Merilee said
"Beerus has the power to destroy a whole planet." Trunks said to her
Her eyes widened and she swallowed feeling nauseous "Can we just stop with all the 'Let's see how shocked we can make Merrilee' for a little while."
"Sorry just want you to know so you don't shoot off that mouth of yours like you tend to do sometimes." Trunks teased her
She glared at him "Well obviously it hasn't done much good because you're still around."
"Okay children let's play nice." Goten teased
Merrilee sighed "Sorry just a couple weeks ago I was living a normal life and now I'm in the palace of a god."
"Hey we've dealt with weird stuff all our lives and things like this still surprise us." Goten assured her
"I know but having super human powers makes it a lot easier to deal with I bet." Merrilee said
"Yes and no. Beerus can still wipe us out with the flick of his pinky if he wanted too." Trunks told her.
Merrilee suddenly gasped grabbing her chest and doubling over. She shook gasping for air. Trunks gently grabbed her shoulders worriedly.
"Merrilee...what's wrong?" he asked softly
She couldn't reply just watch as she looked down at her hands and they literally started to flicker becoming transparent. Tears dripped down her cheeks as she stood worriedly backing away from the bed in a panic. Goten stood up following her watching in shock as her hands were see through.
"Merrilee calm down." Goten asked her
"What's happening!" she gasped before crying out again and stumbling. Goten rushed forwards catching her she weakly looked up at him.
"Gotenks is here." Trunks said coming up beside him. Before he couldn't sense Gotenks but he could now and what alarmed him even more was that he couldn't feel Merrilee. Her Ki was fading fast.
Goten knelt scooping her up as she continued to tremble and whimper in pain. "Yeah and if I could guess he's pissed and probably fighting Beerus."
"We have to stop him! He's going to kill her!" Trunks snapped and turned towards the door. Goten with Merrilee in his arms followed closely behind.
Beerus had been reading his new collection of scrolls gifted to him from the guardians of several new planets that were only several thousands of years old. He liked to keep a collection and recollection in his vast realm worlds. If gave him a better understanding of their races and cultures. It also gave him a scale on which to measure their growth and also made it easier to judge when a certain planet was due for a rebirth. Long ago he had lost he ability to really get an emotional connection to any one planet since it was his duty to oversee his realms existence. It was tedious and in his thousands of life times the duty had weighed heavily upon him so he didn't have a biased sense of judgment.
Although he would have to admit Son Goku and his precious earth had reignited something in his old soul and also this lovely young woman under his protection.
Merrilee wasn't special in any sense. She lacked any kind of alluring beauty even by her species and world's standards. She also had no power of her own that would make her special. She was simplicity at its finest and for that the god was somewhat enamored with her. He could sense the goodness and kindness in her heart and the purity of her soul. It had been such a long time since he had been in the presence of a non-jaded soul. There were others like her but none that had caused him to pay any special attention to. He thought after this ordeal he would walk more physically amongst Earth's inhabitants so he could feel this alluring pureness in the souls of the planet under his protection. Far too long had he been around beings of tarnished souls or ones who held such great power despite their pureness, like Goku for example.
Speaking of the Saiyan man he felt him coming long before he popped up in his study uninvited and unannounced with the fusion hybrid. Goku tried to restrain the younger Saiyan but failed to do so as the young man promptly powered up to Super Saiyan 2 and jumped forwards towards Beerus. Beerus merely smirked disappearing as the man's fist smashed into the desk sending his scrolls and books flying everywhere.
"WHERE IS SHE YOU ASSHOLE!" Gotenks yelled
"Gotenks! Calm down!" Goku cried rushing forwards trying to restrain him.
Gotenks shook him loose sending him flying into the wall. Goku crashed through with a cry landing in the stairwell. Gotenks turned sensing a fist flying towards him. He barely ducked as Beerus' fisted sailed a hair's width from his temple. He tried to send a round house kick to the God's side but only hit air again. Beerus shadow boxed with Gotenks as Goku looked on from the hole in the wall. He rolled his eyes feeling it was better he let the God put the young Saiyan in his place.
Wiz appeared in a bright flash of light giving a feminine shriek at the disarray of Beerus' study. He frowned looking towards the god and his opponent. Beerus was teasing the boy and it was only making him angrier which in turn was only causing more destruction in their wake.
Wiz slammed his staff on the ground and a shock wave of power blasted through the air knocking all three of the room's occupants on their rearends. "THAT is quite enough all of you! You will settle down this instant before you make me quite angry."
Beerus rolled his eyes picking himself up from the floor and dusting himself off. Gotenks sat a few feet away looking at the god in shock his green eyes wide in shock. Goku walked up grabbing the back of his Dogi causing him to cry out as he was held up by his scruff like and obstinate child. "What did I tell you Gotenks! Power down RIGHT now."
Goku very rarely ever got angry and yelled at anyone but when the earth and an innocent life was at stake he didn't have time to waste. Gotenks crossed his arms and powered down as Goku set him down none too gently making the man stumble. He stood placidly but angry by his father's side. Beerus let out a laugh "Well that was more fun than I've had in ages. Never have I been attacked in my own home much less my study."
"I want my girlfriend back you hairless freak or so help me...MMPHH!" Gotenks was cut off as Goku slapped a hand over his mouth
"Lord Beerus what he MEANS to say is that he is sorry for his outburst he is quite concerned over Merrilee." Goku said grinning and bowing forcing the young man to bow as well as Gotenks wrestled with the strong hand over his mouth.
"I know very well why he is here and there are a few visitors who would like to see you." Beerus said and not a second later a portal opened on the cieling and Goten and Trunks descended with Merrilee in Goten's arms.
Wiz errected a barrier knowing the young man would rush forwards to his young woman out of Goku's grasp almost out of animal instinct. Gotenks cried out as he rushed forwards only to run into an invisible wall. He beat his fist on it as he faced the two scowling Saiyans who had created him. Wiz went about cleaning up the mess the God and Gotenks had made as Beerus tended to his business.
"Let me through! I need to see her!" Gotenks cried desperately.
"YOU are going to stay away from her is what you are going to do." Trunks snapped
Gotenks growled teeth bared as his eyes flickered to green again. A soft gasp came from Merrilee in Goten's arms. She let out a strangled breath curling tighter into his chest as if in pain. Gotenks watched in shock powering down and as he did so the pain hit him as well. He dropped to his knees grabbing his chest much how Merrilee had done before. Goku came to his side looking at him and than Merrilee his eyebrows knitting.
"I think everyone needs to calm down." He said
"Yeah guys cut it out." Goten snapped looking pointedly at Trunks
Gotenks glared at the lavender haired Saiyan still shaky and weak standing again. "F-fine but don't say another word to me." he threatened
"Fine by me." Trunks snapped
"Wiz if you please." Beerus said to his teacher and attendant. Wiz let the barrier down and Gotenks came forwards looking at Merrilee. He looked at Goten who nodded and handed her over. He watched Trunks tense but Trunks knew Merrilee would be safe with all of them there.
Beerus walked forwards and touched Goku's forehead and than Gotenks passing on the information. A few moments later Gotenks stood in shock pale from the knowledge of the fact his very existence was killing the woman in his arms. The woman he was falling in love with. A somber mood settled over the room and no one knew what to say.
Goku swallowed heavily "I think Gotenks and Merrilee need some privacy."
"Of course they have much to discuss." Beerus said waving his hand and a portal appeared once more in the cieling "You will find all your accomadations met in this room but you only have 48 hours there before I need you to come to a decision."
Gotenks nodded gravely "I understand. Thank you and sorry about before..." He said
"No apologies necessary I myself once too had a great love." Beerus said making the boy blush.
Goten grabbed onto Trunks forearm in a tight grip as the young Saiyan tensed as Gotenks flew through to the quarters above. It closed behind him as he entered through leaving the three Saiyans with the God and his attendant behind.
