Hey everyone, sorry for the delay. Admittedly, it was a tough chapter for me to write so it took so long. I'm also invested in other writing projects so that's been chewing up a lot of my time too. I've been having less ideas with this too so there's that as well. Hopefully you guys have been hanging in there with the virus and everything. Stay safe everyone. Hope you enjoy the update.

Chapter 28 Hot Blooded

(Kaze residence)

Her curiosity was typically a harmless but addictive thing to indulge in. But on this night, Lark's nosiness had backfired immensely. The young teenager wished that she had simply gone to bed and not eavesdropped. Now, she couldn't sleep. Now, she was haunted.

The girl had retreated up into the upper loft of the barn, wanting to be alone with her thoughts and try to process the horrible information she heard with her own ears. Her only company consisted of the resting goats and sheep in their pens on the lower level. A single kerosene lantern was hung up on a nearby wooden post, granting her some light in the otherwise dark barn. There was also the light of the moon that shone in on one of the open skylights, giving her more visibility.

Lark knew her grandmother would've certainly slapped her for her eavesdropping. She would chastise her behavior and sternly remind her to mind her own business. Other people's relationships and lives were their own affairs and theirs alone. She really, really should've minded the advice of her elder.

None of it made sense. Lark simply couldn't understand how Sleet's friend was supposedly Cell's child. She looked nothing like him. Yes, she could fly and she was powerful but that was the only similarity she shared with the world's terror. Desperately, she wanted to disbelieve everything she heard. It had to have been some sort of prank. Or maybe she was very tired and was mishearing things?

Lark stared up at the wooden roof of the structure, trying to make sense of it all. She had to admit, she was a little suspicious of Orey. Something about this woman didn't seem right. Yes, she seemed nice and polite but there was something about her that seemed so wrong. The girl couldn't shake off this feeling and now that she heard what she and Basil were talking about, it made perfect sense.

She was more than familiar with Basil. She had seen the Woodsman many times over the course of her life. He was a dear friend of her grandmother's. But to learn that his daughter was so intimately connected to Cell disturbed her immensely. And now Basil swore to keep it a secret and not tell anyone? She knew she couldn't look at Orey or him the same ever again.

"Cell forced her to have Cixi?" Lark visibly shuddered as she recalled that extremely private conversation. "What a monster. What a horrible freak. I can't believe those cultists worship him. And Orey has been a prisoner for all these years?"

Lark felt pity for Orey. She could only imagine the torment, pain and misery Cell had put her through over the years. She could sense and hear the tension and terror in Orey's voice when she spoke to Basil. But the girl knew she would never be able to look at her the same way again. It would be impossible to speak to her without thinking about Cell looming right behind her. Her perception of Orey was forever distorted.

And then there was Cixi. Lark knew how many people loathed Cell and wanted revenge on him for what he did. If they found out about Cixi, she had a sinking feeling they'd try to kill her. It would be an eye for an eye. Yet she knew that no average person could kill her. She wouldn't forget how Cixi had broken the cult leader's wrist so effortlessly. She could certainly hold her own against any earthly threat.

It suddenly made sense why Cixi seemed so reluctant with her previous offer of letting her stay with her family. Like her mother, Cixi seemed a little off. Now Lark understood why. At this point, it was so obvious. But now she also wished she'd never learned about this whole ordeal.

Lark gasped when she heard someone climbing the ladder which led up to the loft. She sat up, rising from the bed of straw she was previously laying on. Her stomach clenched, feeling nervous and hoping it was either her brother or grandmother.

She deflated when she saw the blue face of Sleet poking through the hatch frame seconds later. His golden eyes almost seemed to glow amidst the darkness of the warm, late spring night.

"What're you doing up here?" he pressed. "I sensed you were up here."

"I have to talk to you, Sleet," she instantly confessed.

Lark was desperate. She had to talk to someone about this. In the beginning, she was tempted to discuss this with her grandmother but she felt it would backfire more than anything else. That and she feared she would disbelieve her and scold her for saying such slanderous lies about their guest.

"What's wrong?" The Arcosian joined her on the pile of hay. He sat down, his tail curling up around his body as he sat cross legged. "You look a bit freaked out."

"I-I don't know where to begin," she exhaled. "Sleet, you'll never believe me…"

"Oh, try me."

"It's about that woman you brought here."

"What about Orey?"

"I overheard her talking to Basil." She rolled her eyes and sighed, looking guilty. "Okay, I shouldn't have done this, I know it was wrong. But I couldn't resist… I listened in on their conversation. Cixi is Cell's daughter!" Lark covered her mouth with both hands for a few seconds, then pulled them away. "You probably think I'm lying or crazy."

"I knew about it, Lark."

"Wait, you did?"

"Yes. I found out months ago. And I believe it wholeheartedly."

"How can it be? How is this possible? Why isn't Cixi's mom dead? Better yet, why isn't Cixi dead?"

"Cell needs both of them, that's why." Sleet's face turned grim. "They're his prisoners just as much as I am. He keeps Cixi around so he can have a challenger and sparring partner for the future. As for Orey…" He shook his head. "I'm not sure exactly why he hasn't killed her yet. But I find myself wondering if she's on borrowed time. I don't understand it."

"What is she like exactly? What does Cixi think about all of this? How can she have that freak as her father?"

"Your blood relatives aren't necessarily your option. She wishes she wasn't his daughter. The only thing she sees as a positive thing is the fighting prowess she inherited from him. He gave Cixi her strength and power. She loathes him and wants to destroy him. In fact, she and I have decided to train together and work towards helping each other getting stronger. We both want to kill Cell. She…she's my friend. I shunned her and distrusted her in the beginning but I saw past that. She didn't choose to be born. She didn't choose her parents. The only logical thing to do is to forgive someone for something they have no control over."

Lark nodded her head. She pulled her knees to her chest and sighed quietly. These were indeed strange times but they were all that she had anymore. It was the reality she had to live with and that was set in stone.

"Her life must be awful," she said. "And Orey's life?" She shuddered in disgust. "I couldn't live with Cell like she did... I couldn't do it. I think I probably would've killed myself if I were her."

"You shouldn't say something like that," the alien boy said sternly. "You're stronger and better than that."

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"How did you end up on Earth? Why do you want Cell dead so badly?"

Sleet knew the truth would've been out of the bag sooner or later. He was reluctant to talk about such a horrid and wretched tale but it was time. Lark and her family did indeed open their sanctuary to him. Despite his obvious differences, they treated him as an equal and welcomed him willingly and warmly. The least he could do was tell them about how his tenure on Earth started. Besides, it wasn't every day that a being from beyond the solar system walked upon Earth's surface.

"I was kidnapped," he began. "Cell used me as bait to lure my uncle to me. You see, my uncle and his comrades came to Earth in secrecy to do some investigating. They did it while Cell was absent so they could avoid detection. But Cell was smart. He found out about the operation and he hurried back to Earth to confront my uncle and his teammates. He killed every single one of them, including my family member."

All too easily, Lark picked up on the heartbreak and woe in his tone. In the light of the kerosene lantern, she could see tears pooling up in his eyes. Her heart melted at the sight and she was moved to pity and compassion for him.

"He tortured him," Sleet revealed. His voice was wavering. He cleared his throat and swallowed roughly, trying to regain his composure. "He tortured my uncle. I tried to comfort him in his final moments and I was so broken I was ready to die with him. But she…but Cixi scooped me up at the last moment and forbade me from joining him in the dust. I will never, ever forgive Cell for what he did. My uncle raised me and took care of me my whole life. Another monster somewhat like Cell took my mother and father from me a long time ago and I don't even remember their names or faces. My uncle, his name was Cero… He treated me like I was his own son and I looked at him like he was my father. I loved him. I still do. That heartless bastard took my last relative from me and I will make sure he pays for what he did."

"I lost my parents after Cell destroyed everything," Lark admitted. "But I guess I'm lucky. I…I remember them. He didn't kill them but other people did."

"People like those cultists?"

"No. They didn't worship Cell. They were just folks who preyed on other people. They were trying to survive just like the rest of us but they were greedy and didn't care about hurting or killing others." She wet her lips and sighed. "Sleet, I'm sorry. I can't even begin to imagine..."

"Save it. It's done." Sleet said those curt words but his inflection wasn't hostile or defensive. Instead, it sounded tired. "He can't come back. I will get stronger and I will make sure Cell is eradicated no matter what. My uncle will be avenged."

"Look, I know that you may not have a family anymore but you did save my life. I'm eternally grateful for it. I know my brother and Grandma are too. I know that we're two different species but I don't care. You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want. From the beginning, I know Grandma always taught me to help others and be there for each other." She scoffed but she smiled. "She said people need to be kind to each other now more than ever. There'll always be a place for you with us. You can always join our family."

Sleet said nothing. He only stared back at her. The tears he tried to hold back finally broke free and coursed down his cheeks.

Lark scooted closer to him and then she wrapped her arms around his small but strong shape. The Earthling hugged the frost demon to her and held him to her snugly, letting him know that it was alright. She rubbed his back soothingly, wanting to calm him down. But if he needed to cry, if he needed to let it out, she would let him.

She could feel his tail wrap around her waist, anchoring himself to her. He rested his forehead against her shoulder and silently wept. Lark was surprised by this but she said no word. The Earthling girl only remained silent and let him cry on her shoulder. Perhaps he was as vulnerable and as scared as everyone else.

(Desolus)

She didn't remain face down on the ground for too long. Cell thought he administered a defeating blow by driving her into the rocky, dry soil. The impact certainly looked brutal and painful but it proved to not be enough.

The young fighter's white aura flared up abruptly, brushing against his face and causing him to flinch for an instant. Cixi took advantage of that momentary weakness and drove a taut and tense fist into his abdomen. The power she had channeled into her fist was jarring and utterly ferocious but it wasn't enough to incapacitate him. If he hadn't unleashed more of his power, he probably would've been stunned. Cell glanced at her eyes, seeing the fury burning brightly in him.

In this moment, he was looking into the eyes of a Saiyan. Although her Saiyan blood was quite diluted, it had taken control of her during this confrontation. It was giving her the strength and motivation she needed. That reluctant, meek child was gone. He had seen this phenomenon happen a few times before and this was yet another occurrence. Her pain and anger had forced her to delve deep and drag out what was lurking beneath.

Cell snarled at her but she remained unwavering. She didn't flinch and stared right back at him defiantly. Cixi was undeterred and welcomed the challenge. Nothing could force her to back down. Instead, she forced her fist deeper into his belly, fully intending to lance him.

The larger fighter let out a hearty yell, calling upon more power from the vast reservoir that lay within him. Their respective auras still flickered and they overlapped one another. Gold and white intermixed, creating a whirlwind of power around them. Neither budged.

"Perhaps you're not as pathetic as I've assumed," Cell smiled maliciously. "But let me tell you something, kiddo… You will never get the better of me!"

He maintained his vile smirk and silently drew more of his might out. His aura grew larger and it began to envelope his opponent's. The white was swallowed up by the gold within a few seconds.

Despite these odds, Cixi refused to back down. She braced her entire body and let out a loud cry, trying to scrounge up any more power she might've had hidden away. Faint wisps of her aura appeared but were choked out by the all-consuming gold around her. Whatever might she had was being shamefully overshadowed by the bio-android.

Cell's hand clamped around her face and with his available hand, he returned a punch to her. He watched as her form went limp. Hardly any noise was made from her and her body shuddered, reeling from the powerful, direct blow to her abdomen. He could feel her power plummeting, sensing her strength leaving her due to the hefty punch.

When he struck her again, then he finally got a more explicit reaction from her. A loud but strangled cry slipped past her lips. She was trying to mask her pain but when he hit her a second time, she couldn't hold it back. She was cracking.

But he had to see more. He had to experiment further. He had to see what he could put her through.

With a scoff, he punted her up into the air. She flew upwards at a dizzying rate and was powerless to catch herself. Her pain still had a firm grip on her, incapacitating her. His debilitating punch was too much for her.

This only lasted a few seconds as she felt both of his fists come down between her shoulder blades. Whatever wind she had was knocked out of her and for a split second, her whole body went numb. It even felt like her heart stopped in that instant.

Then she was sent speeding towards the ground below.

"I failed already?"

She felt nothing as she crashed, unprotected, onto the baked earth. Her whole body was encapsulated by agony and she didn't even have the strength to move. Her breathing was shallow. Her reward was defeat.

Terror suddenly flooded every single cell in her body when she felt a pressure on the back of her skull. She couldn't move and she was firmly held in place. Her eyes were wide and she remained still, trying to evaluate what was happening. She didn't want to waste any more strength than what was necessary.

"You have to have more power locked away, right?" Cell asked.

Cixi could feel panic creeping into her. She could literally hear the wicked smile in his voice. Her fingers dug into the scorched ground beneath her.

"This is simple," he resumed. "All you have to do is move my foot off your head. And I wouldn't waste much time because if you don't, I'm going to crush your skull like a rotten piece of fruit."

As soon as the final word was spoken, he began to apply pressure. It was slight but Cixi could definitely notice it. Her anxiety skyrocketed and her thinking was starting to cloud up. Her strength was already depleted and his punches almost felt like they literally sapped the power from her body. She knew she couldn't afford to panic and flounder around blindly but at the same time, some primal, more Human part of her was becoming more prominent.

She was facedown and her breathing was already labored. Now that he was actively placing pressure on her cranium and pushing it further into the ground, it became that much more difficult. Whenever she inhaled, soil and dust seeped into her lungs. She forcefully tried to cough out those particles in some vain effort to intake clean air but it was impossible. It became increasingly difficult to breathe and her body desperately needed to respirate.

Steadily, he increased pressure. When he first started it, it was merely uncomfortable. But as time dragged on and he added more pressure, it was evolving into pain.

It reminded her of her first time on Desolus. A flash of green eyes appeared in her mind's eye. She remembered the creature she fought to the death. He was hardly a sentient being in her belief. He tortured her and had definitely almost killed her. But she emerged victorious from that deadly bout.

He was crushing her skull just like that boy did. The pain and the memory immobilized her. She felt like she was reliving that fight all over again.

Though she couldn't even breathe, she screamed. It was muffled as the very earth served as her muzzle.

"You better break free!" Cell scolded. "You're not going to last much longer!"

Without a doubt, he could sense her turmoil. He could smell her fear. But Cell persisted, fully and consciously intending to see this through. He cared nothing for her insecurities and fears. He would force her to overcome them. There was no room for weakness. It had to be mercilessly weeded out.

"Don't you dare quit!" he yelled. "Break free! Do it!"

Her vision was starting to black out. She still couldn't breathe. She knew her skull would only last so long against his foot.

"I can't die!" she thought. "I can't but I… he's too strong!"

"NOW!" he roared.

Cell noticed her aura start to build up. It started off slowly for a few seconds then it grew exponentially in no time at all. He was confused when it seemed like her aura began to pulsate or fluctuate somehow. He blinked and studied it closely, baffled by this occurrence.

As time went by, he could've sworn, somehow, it seemed like the white was changing into a different color. There was a light hue to it. As he looked closer, he saw it was flickering between gold and white. His eyes widened in astonishment, disbelieving what he was seeing.

While he was preoccupied, he temporarily forgot to monitor her. He was brutally reminded of her surging might when he was abruptly knocked off his feet. Cell fell backwards, landing on his rump.

He audibly gasped when his eyes beheld her shape. Her aura still looked like it was primarily white but it would flicker gold for a fraction of a second. Although her hair was cut short, it looked like it was substantially spikier and was sticking upwards. The color of her hair remained black however. Her eyes were still the dark brown color he knew but he could tell they were stormy and filled with wrath. It also somehow seemed her muscle mass slightly increased. Her chest rose and fell, finally getting in fresh, unobstructed air into her neglected lungs.

In all honesty, Cell had no clue what he was looking at. All he could do was stare back at her. Clearly, she was in the midst of some sort of transformation or state but he had no idea what it was.

Her eyes narrowed and she vaulted towards him. She moved faster than she ever had in her life before. Cell moved just in time, leaping up onto his feet and doing a back flip to evade her. Where he had sat only an instance earlier, her fist hit the ground, creating a crater.

Despite missing her target, she wasn't deterred. She glared at her father and sped after him, determined to catch and punish him. She made no cry or noise as she pursued him. The only thing on her mind was intercepting him and crushing his skull in return. This influx of power that she managed to dredge up from the wellsprings of her being was something she was intending to use. There was no way she was going to neglect this ripe opportunity.

"It looks like a Super Saiyan but it's not," Cell commented to himself. "She still isn't as strong as one... What the Hell did she turn into? The hair is sticking up but it's not gold. And her eyes are the same. Yet I can see some of than Saiyan energy peeking out of her aura…"

He engaged in a game of keep-away with Cixi, more intent on observing her than fighting her for now. Cell was truly mystified by this update. She was a conundrum and he knew it would take some time to truly decode her. She was a strange creature. While she was mostly an Earthling, her other parts were all too noticeable whenever she was in the middle of a fight. Maybe this transformed state she unlocked was some weird amalgamation of all that various DNA. Like a Saiyan, however, her power exploded when the right need and time arose. The need, not the desire or want, was the catalyst.

She stretched forth a hand and sent out a flurry of energy blasts at him. Cell either dodged or batted them aside, leaving himself unscathed. The child was relentless in her pursuit. She was fast but he kept himself a little quicker than her, keeping her away for the moment.

"Fight me!" she finally spoke. "Fight me, you coward!"

Cell growled at her taunt. He stopped in midflight, allowing her to catch up to him. Both of them snarled at one another, neither showing any intention of backing down. Only one was going to walk away with their dignity intact.

"You don't like it when people land a hit on you!" she said, raising a fist and poising to strike him at any moment. "It sucks, doesn't it?"

Cell felt his blood boil at her words. She was purposely trying to invoke his wrath. And it was working.

Cixi's fist connected with his left cheek. She smiled when it made contact, feeling pleased and accomplished she managed to land a hit on him. She had no idea of her physical changes as she was so devoted towards beating him into a pulp. But the girl did sense that she suddenly seemed stronger out of nowhere. Regardless of this abrupt influx of power, she wasn't going to complain about it. It was a gift and she wasn't going to squander it.

But when she hit him, he didn't react negatively. Instead, he only smiled and let out a chuckle. Her hit had been totally rendered ineffective by his greater power.

"Wipe that look off your ugly face!" she demanded.

That smile melted away instantly and Cixi was mercilessly backhanded by him. She was sent careening to the ground below but she managed to stop herself before she could make impact. Her entire face stung painfully and she clutched the cheek that had been smacked.

When she turned her head up to face the spot in the sky where he lingered, she saw Cell was gone. She growled and looked around, searching for him. She could sense him but his energy felt like it was everywhere. Cixi couldn't home in on him and figure out where he was coming from. All that she knew was that she was a wide open target and he was going to brutally strike her again.

At the last possible moment, she felt him directly behind her. Cixi spun around, launching a kick as she swiveled. She caught sight of a flash of green, indicating he had vanished again.

"Shit!" she swore.

Cixi let out an exasperated growl and turned her head to look over her shoulder, sensing him behind her once more. She charged up an energy wave in one hand, intending to launch it at him when she finally got a clear shot.

The energy in her hand dissipated when she felt her opponent's fist lodge itself in her stomach. Cixi let out an agonized moan and she fought to maintain her focus so she could remain afloat in the air. The hybrid never got a look at him and for this negligence, she was rewarded with a harsh jab in her lower, left back. Blood sprayed from her mouth with this second attack.

With the second blow, Cixi felt all of the energy she accumulated leave her. Her aura fizzled out and she was left helpless and battered. Internally, she panicked. She buckled over, clasping her hands over her abdomen in a pointless effort to combat the pain that held her body hostage.

She looked up when she sensed him in front of her again. With blood staining her teeth, she glowered at him, fuming at the sight of his smug and victorious expression.

"Know your place, kid," he mocked her.

Cixi didn't say a single word in reply. Instead, she intentionally coughed deeply and heavily. Then she spat at him, splashing his face with her own blood.

He snapped.

Cell hit her left temple with such a mighty force that her head twisted roughly to the side. When that happened, there was a loud crack. The light in her eyes went dull and it was almost like a plug was pulled. Her body went limp and she lifelessly began to fall to the ground below.

His anger had blindly controlled him. He had to punish her for her blatant disrespect and defiance. As her mentor and father, he dealt with her disobedience as he saw fit. Cell wanted to make her hurt, make her regret treating him with such disregard. All he wanted to do was roughly correct her for her misbehavior.

But when he saw the blankness on her face, he knew something was amiss. Her whole frame was limp and seemingly inanimate. Her energy had totally diminished.

Cell watched as she unceremoniously crashed to the ground below. She lain in a heap on the uncomfortable, hot soil, unmoving.

Indeed, he heard that snap when he hit her, and in his anger, it didn't register to him. But as he continued to study her still shape, that noise was playing back inside his head. It was loud and too obvious.

"Cixi!" he yelled from above. "On your feet!" She didn't reply, let alone even move. "Enough of your tricks, get up, now!"

There was nothing.

Slowly, he descended to the surface. He watched her the whole time, making sure she wasn't possibly trying to deceive him. She had a knack for pulling the wool over his eyes in order to gain the upper hand in a fight. But as he tried to sense her energy, he realized it was practically nonexistent.

"Cixi!" he said, trying again. "Okay, that's enough for now. I'll let you take a break for a day or two." He paused, deciding to try something. "I'll take you back to Earth for a little rest before we resume our training."

He still received no response.

His feet finally touched the ground. He knelt down at her side and set a hand on her back. Then he turned her over, wanting to look at her face.

Her eyes looked like they were glazed over. They were open and yet he could see that they weren't focusing on anything. They were lifeless and dull. The expression on her face was vacant and hollow. Blood was trickling from nose and it looked like her color was turning pale.

This wasn't a trap set by her. He hit her too hard.

A cold wave of dread washed over Cell. His eyes widened and his breathing turned shallower and faster. For the first time, in a long time, he wasn't in control of a situation. He was now powerless and unable to navigate it the way he wanted. He didn't know what to do.

"No, no, no, no, no," he said, shaking his head. "None of that! Get up!"

Cixi remained immobile. Her unblinking, dim eyes stared back at him. Cell could see his own reflection in her orbs. He felt himself choking on his own breath.

The bio-android's attention was drawn from her body when he heard some very small squeaks made by tiny feet approaching him. He turned his head sharply to the left, seeing Cobalt creeping in.

"Get out of here!" he yelled at the Junior.

Cobalt could only look on in shock. He had witnessed the entire fight from afar and had watched the grim and brief finisher as well. The miniature, blue creature was astonished that Cell had actually done this. He never would've predicted that his father would've broken his sister's neck like this.

"Dad, you killed her," he said solemnly. "You snapped her neck like a twig!"

There were no Senzu beans left to replenish energy reserves or dramatically speed up recoveries. The Dragon Balls were rendered useless; they could no longer bring back the deceased. Death was permanent. These were the unwritten laws he established when he claimed his victory over a decade earlier. Not even he was immune to his own rules and circumstances.

"She's not dead, shut up!" Cell seethed. "You make a suggestion like that again and you'll end up as the dead one!" He growled loudly. "I didn't kill her! I didn't hit her that hard!"

Cobalt swallowed roughly. He kept his distance but refused to back off. He surveyed the situation, still in disbelief that this actually happened. His father forbade him to kill Cixi. Now Cell had went back on his own word.

"Get up, Cixi!" Cell commanded. He scooped her up into his arms and cradled her to his chest. The longer she remained unresponsive, the more panicked he became. "Shake it off!" Lightly, he shook her, trying to jostle her awake and stir her. "Up and at em', kiddo!"

Cixi heard everything but she could do nothing. She was a prisoner within her own body.