RepSarah

Elizabeth Knight

Chapter 6

Later that night, tiered of fighting her conscience for sleep, Zantha snuck down stairs. It was amazing he was still breathing, even if it was shallow. He was tossing his head back and forth in a nightmare. He looked pale and his face was slightly different than it had been earlier. Zantha reached out to touch his forehead and saw the fierce beast attacking a woman.

"Stop it!" someone screamed, and she watched the boy rush towards them. "You leave my mother alone!"

"No!" Zantha screamed, rushing after him, but watched in horror as the animal swiped at him and he stumbled. He got back up and attacked the animal again. This time he shoved his claws into the boys chest and tossed him aside. Zantha felt large tears roll out the sides of her eyes, as she watched the boy stumble back up to his feet, clutching his chest and wheezing. She gasp stunned to watch the boys eyes flash and something come out of him. Overtaking him like a metamorphoses, the slightly larger creature flew at the native, pulling him from the woman, and ripping him apart.

Zantha snatched her hands away from the boy, tears streaming down her face. They were vicious! How could they attack these babies? She wouldn't let him die! Zantha uncovered his chest and gently pressed her fingers to the wounds in his ribs and closed her eyes concentrating. She felt the warmth leaving her body and after a moment the boy took a deep breath and his eyes flew open. They were unseeing at first as Zantha watched a strange, alien face come forward. With her own eyes she watched the transformation take place. The creature in front of her on the couch wasn't one she recognized as a native of the planet, nor any of the aliens she'd ever been faced with. A large black hand shot up from his side, and razor sharp claws came at her. His hand grasp her wrist and his flashing eyes flickered to her own. Two equally high pitched screams pierced the air. The boy scrambled away from her, quickly morphing back to normal. Zantha turned to flee, but only made it halfway up the stairs when she ran into a rock solid chest.

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Trunks' eyes flew open when he heard the scream, his blood turning to ice. He dashed out of the room throwing on a robe as he ran down the hall towards the stairs. He stopped half way watching Deirdre come tearing up them. Trunks stepped in front of her, but she hadn't seen him there, and they almost fell backwards with the impact. He steadied them by placing one hand on her side, then forced her chin up. Tears shimmered upon her cheeks flowing from....golden eyes? Trunks couldn't believe his eyes. He shook his head and looked again, but they were green now. As another scream erupted from the livingroom, she broke free and ran past him up the stairs. He dashed into the livingroom, flipping on the light and looked at the boy. His face was ashen and eyes huge. Trunks came forward to have a closer look at him. The scratches on his chest bled a little from the scabs breaking open from his quick movement, but the wounds in his ribs were gone. Not healed but gone. Completely. No scar of any kind. He reached out to touch the smooth flesh and noticed the blood on his fingers. The light bluish color glistened slightly on his finger tips. Trunks looked up at Goku and ChiChi, who were next down the stairs.

"What's wrong with him?" ChiChi ask.

"A bad dream." Trunks told her, listening to the boy stutter about a monster touching him.

"Her fingers were glowing and her eyes were terrible!" he panted.

"It was just a bad dream." Trunks said, pulling the boy back down and covering his chest before anyone else could see it. He looked the boy in the eyes then down to his healed skin. The boy followed his gaze and gasped looking back up at Trunks. He placed the bandage back on and told him again in a stern voice, "It was just a dream." The boy lazed back and nodded his understanding.

"I'll take care of him now, Trunks." ChiChi said taking his place at the boy's side. "How are your wounds doing?"

"Much better. I'm just tiered. I'm sorry I woke you."

"That's alright, young one." she told him as Trunks rounded the corner.

Trunks slipped back up stairs and into Deirdre's room. She wasn't there, but there was a light on in the bathroom. Going over to it, he knocked softly calling her name. She opened the door just a crack, to look at him.

"He was just having a nightmare. Are you ok?" he ask, watching her face closely.

"Yes. Fine." she whispered, looking pale.

"Fine? Fine as in nothings wrong?"

"Yes." she repeated. "Fine."

He held up his fingers to the light and the blue blood glinted in front of her face. "I don't think so." he said pushing his way into the bathroom. He grabbed her arm and turned her to the side so he could see the back of her nightgown. There was nothing on the back, and when he touched it, it was dry.

"You must have touched something else." she snapped and turned to look at him. Trunks shook his head not understanding what was happening. Where had it come from? He let her shove him out the door, and just stood there dumb founded for a moment before he left to investigate.

Zantha sighed in relief and picked up the bloodied gown off the floor from beneath the counter. Moving slower this time she stripped out of the clean gown and turned to inspect the seeping wounds on her back. It would take a several hours to heal, but it was worth it, she thought with a shaky smile. She had no idea what he was, and she wasn't about to go around telling everyone what she new, but she believed that she had done right by the boy. He didn't deserve to die....She hoped.

She'd have to be more careful if she didn't want to be caught. When Trunks had come to the bathroom door, her heart had leapt into her throat, and when he'd held up his bloodied hand she had almost fainted out right. Good thing she'd already changed gowns. There was another knock on the door and for a split second before she heard Goten's voice she thought it might be Trunks again.

"It's open." she told him kicking the bloodied gown back under the counter and grabbing a towel to wrap around her and hide the bandages she'd just put on.

Goten came in but turned his back to her when he noticed she wasn't dressed. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. This must be upsetting to you."

Zantha's eyes misted again at the memory of the boys nightmare. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Strong arms encircled her and pulled her against a warm chest. Zantha let her head rest on his chest and let the tears pour from her eyes. His hand tilted back her head and Zantha felt warm lips comforting and imploring on her own. It was a slow lazy kiss to comfort, not to inflame. Zantha pressed closer and the arms tightened around her. She sighed into his mouth and let him deepen the kiss as he slipped his tongue past her parted lips.

Someone cleared their throat behind them and Goten gave her lips one last swipe with his tongue before he lifted his head away still looking down into her face. Zantha's eyes fluttered open slowly and she kept them heavily hooded. He smiled a lazy smile at her and kept her enfolded in his arms as he turned his attention to their uninvited guests.

"Well..."Videl chuckled from behind Gohan.

"If you're finished seducing our guest, dad would like a word with us. He thinks there was an intruder in the house. He found native blood on the carpet in front of the couch." Gohan told him. Goten released her to follow his brother and Videl out of the room. It took a few minutes to realize she still wasn't alone. She glanced in the mirror in front of her and jumped as she noticed Trunks glaring at her from his position in the bedroom. A shadow fell across half his face and she wasn't sure what expression it held.

"Seducing the guest? More like the guest seducing the host, I'm sure." he purred from in the bedroom. Then as he came toward the bathroom and Zantha. He hissed, "What game are you playing?"

"I'm playing no games." she breathed almost unable to speak as she pulled the towel tighter around her.

"What happened to your gown?"

"I was...." she thought for a good excuse, "going to put my day dress back on since everyone was up."

"Day dress? Everyone is still in nightgowns and robes." he told her pointing to his own robe that hung open and exposed a good amount of his muscled chest. "Why change?" he asked coming up right behind her. Little shivers ran up and down her spine and butterflies leapt in her stomach. She opened her mouth to say something but she couldn't get the words out as her eyes traveled down his body in the mirror. He wore only a pair of short tight cotton shorts and the robe. She stopped breathing as she noticed his evening wear left little to the imagination since it molded to his form like a second skin. He grabbed her so quick, pulling her back against him, that she let out a small squeak of surprise.

"Unless you want more than what you've bargaining for I'd keep your eyes in more modest places and look less like your thoroughly enjoying what you see." he kissed in her ear. Then, "Do you like what you see?" He turned her to face him and placed her hands on his chest. His skin burned and his eyes sparkled dangerously. Zantha gulped down her surprise as her heart thundered away in her chest. It was beating so loud she could hear it. "Do you like what you feel?" he whispered, pulling her closer to mold her body to his own. Her eyes closed and her breathing was shallow as he tipped her face upwards.

"Poor Goten. Were you imagining his arms around you were mine, and his lips mine with your eyes closed." he whispered next to her ear. Then his voice sounded harsh, "I'll teach you the difference and you'll never mistake them again."

Her eyes flew open, and she fought against him, but he only purred his pleasure and pulled her up for his fierce kiss. Electricity flew between them, shocking them both. He released her quickly, breathing heavy and scowling at her. "Just who are you?"

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Zantha stared at where Trunks had been standing and touched her finger tips to her lips. She was trembling, and when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her cat-eyes and clawed paws glared back at her.

"You're careless." someone hissed behind her. Zantha glanced behind her and watched a figure materialize in front of her. Zantha's mouth was working, but nothing was coming out. "White Fang sent me for a report from you since Kyle couldn't get close enough to speak to you all day."

"What are you?"

"Interesting question that. I'm a reptilian chameleon changeling, some what like you, but way more powerful."

"I thought Kyle was supposed to come get the information from me."

"I already told you he hasn't been able to. For a Runner that's unusual."

"A Runner?"

"Kyle is a Runner for the council. That's his job, collecting information from inside contacts to relay to the council. You," she said pointing at Zantha, "are what we term a Shadow. Your job is to discreetly gather all information possible from your source. You're supposed to get close enough to gain their confidence. You've been chosen for Trunks because he seemed to take an interest in you. That gives you an advantage."

"Are you a Runner too?"

The creature threw back her head and laughed. "Not even. Amongst other things, I'm a Key, meaning I hold a position inside the city. It gives me more freedom to come and go as well as a cover story. I'm also one of Saiyan City's enforcing executioners, meaning I hunt down targets and shadows alike who threaten our masquerade."

"What is your purpose here now? As a Runner for White Fang or the executioner?"

"My presence here doesn't concern you."

"What's your name?"

"RepSarah, and you're Zantha. Tell me, are they always so touchy, feely?"

"Almost always."

"You don't mind?"

"Sometimes."

"Does he know what you are? Trunks? I think perhaps he suspects. That makes him dangerous. We may need him out of the way."

"No! He doesn't know anything. Besides, he's a good cover for me to use."

"Don't you mean lover?" Zantha shook her head at RepSarah. "Good. It'll be easier if you keep it that way. For both of you. Watch yourself, Zantha. I'd hate to have to kill him to keep your alliance. By the way, it doesn't look good when you save the aliens we're trying to kill. Although I thought for a second I recognized something, but that can't be." RepSarah disappeared as quickly as she had come, leaving Zantha with a feeling of dread.

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Trunks lay on the couch staring up at the ceiling broodingly. For a moment he thought her eyes had lightened in color, but it must have been a trick of the light reflecting off the mirror, for when he turned to look her in the eyes they were green again. This not knowing was going to drive him nuts. Every time he closed his eyes he saw his golden eyed goddess, but when he opened them it was Deirdre in his arms. And Goten was trying to sweetly woo her under Trunks' nose. He needed to know who she was before he accidently murdered his best friend over a fake. He didn't know what drove him to tell her tell her what he had about Goten. Desire had ripped through his body so uncontrollably he'd run from her room.

"Trunks? Are you sleeping?" Goten ask him quietly.

"Almost."

"Well wake up. I have some questions I need answered."

"What?"

He paused and Trunks could hear him sitting up. He didn't think he wanted to answer what ever it was Goten was getting ready to ask. He turned to look at Trunks from across the room. "I want an honest answer." he paused. "What's going on between you and Deirdre?"

Dread filled Trunks. How was he supposed to answer that? He didn't' even know if she was the right woman. HE answered honestly. "I don't know."

"I thought so." he snickered.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I thought perhaps there might be something between you just by the way you've been acting around her."

"How's that?"

"I noticed the look you gave me tonight in her room, and the fact that you didn't leave right away."

Trunks sighed, "It's not her...." Trunks stopped.

"Finish. There's been something you've been holding out on me. I didn't ask before because you were so grumpy. I want to know now though. Do you know Deirdre?"

"No. I don't think so anyway."

"What do you mean, you don't think so?"

"The night of the raid, father and I chased two natives out of the city. One of them had bitten him and I shot her with an arrow. We followed a blood trail to an outcropping of rock. Vegeta took off after the other one and I found a feather and some blood. Close to the top there was a cave and I found her inside."

"What did you do?" Goten asked, sitting up higher in the bed.

"I pulled my arrow out and left her there."

"I see why you didn't tell anyone. Vegeta would kill you for not handing her over. Is she alive?"

"Yes"

"How do you know?"

"Because I went back the morning you found Deirdre. She wasn't in the cave."

"How do you know the other one didn't come back for the body? They always carry out their dead in battle."

"Because I heard her the other day."

"You heard her the other day?"

"We chased a woman with red hair down an alley. Dad said it wasn't her....but a few minutes later I heard her call my name. I think I'm going crazy. Dad said he didn't hear anything. My mind is probably playing a cruel joke on me."

"Or she's telepathic and sent the thought to you."

"Why didn't I think of that? I think she may also be a shape shifter. If she is, there's a possibility that Deirdre is her."

"And you want this native?"

"I can't get her out of my head."

"Your attracted to her then?"

"She's just unusual. She's driving me crazy."

"That's not all."

"There's really nothing to it. She's just unusual."

"Your attracted to her."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"You are. Admit it."

"Fine, yes. Alright." he finally admitted.

"How are you going to figure out who she is? Just because she had red hair and so does Deirdre doesn't mean it's her."

"I know. If I could get her to shift, I could prove the blood we found tonight was hers. I know it was."

"How do you know? How can you be so certain?"

"I don't really know. I just...I can feel it."

"Feel it?"

"Yeah."

"Like when you see someone else and you know by sense that it's her."

"Exactly. You sound like you're speaking from experience."

"I..." he didn't get to finish his sentence. Something else momentarily distracted him. "Do you feel that."

Trunks shook off all thoughts of Deirdre and concentrated. He felt the slight power shift for just a second. Both boys bolted out of their beds. Trunks leapt in front of the window while Goten went for the door and the light. He flipped it on and they both searched the room with their eyes. Nothing. They could see nothing.

"I feel her. She's in here somewhere." Goten looked at Trunks and he nodded his agreement. "Where?" Trunks shook his head and lifted his shoulders. Goten moved away from the door to the far wall but didn't quite make it before a face seemed to come through that exact wall. One long slender arm appeared and then the other. Trunks was speechless as he watched Goten approach, mere inches from the native.

Green reptilian eyes flashed open inches from Goten's face and a reptilian tongue flashed out leaving a spray in the air. Full blue lips spread in a smile and a hand reached out for him. He took it and pulled her the rest of the way out of the wall. Slowly leaning forward over his hand she whispered to him and then kissed it. A moment later Goten crumpled to the floor and she was gone.

Trunks was paralyzed! He couldn't move or scream or anything. He'd watched it all as if it had occurred in slow motion. He turned to look Goten's body on the floor and his mind screamed in frustration and terror over and over again. The bedroom door swung open and Deirdre came in holding her hands over her ears. She looked at Goten's body on the floor and then her eyes searched the rest of the room. Quickly she leaned down and placing her lips to the bite on Goten's hand. He watched her eyes flash and her fangs rip open the bite marks that had swollen on his hand. A dark liquid oozed from it. She glanced up again looking for something.

She was looking for him! He could feel her panic rising in his chest.

*Over here!* She swung around to look at him. He'd thought it and she'd heard him! But how? Her lips were moving, but he couldn't hear her.

*It's alright. You'll be fine.* He knew that voice! It was her! She reached behind him to open the window. When she came back around to stand in front of him, it was his golden eyed goddess. She placed a hand on both sides of his face and her lips over his own. As she began to suck the air from his lungs, he fought, but she turned him around and stuck his head out the window. Trunks gulped in a deep breath of cool fresh air, and he could move again.

"Deirdre? What's wrong?" ChiChi stomped into the room and collided with Deirdre.

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