Flowers
Chapter 9
Elizabeth Knight
Outside Zantha took a breath of fresh air and exhaled it slowly, letting it calm her frayed nerves. Zantha walked away from the prison, leaving Trunks and all the horrible images behind her. She wasn't sure where she'd been going, but she came upon a field of grass with just a few trees and a small lake. It wasn't natural but made by the humans. She kicked off the boots and buried her feet deep in the thick green grass. It felt good to be touching the ground again with no restraints.
Trunks slammed the door shut behind him and heard the electric lock slide into place. He was seething. Where had that brat gone now? His mate indeed! He took off into the air and looked around. He thought he saw a flash of red between the trees in the park so he headed that way. As he drew closer he noticed the bright orange outfit and knew it was her. He quietly landed watching her pull off the last boot and wiggle her toes in the thick grass. She had dainty feet with high arches. She'd look good in a pair high heels most women ware to make them look taller. It defined their legs too, and she had long legs. This fact he was well aware acquainted with. This thought was taking a dangerous turn of mind.
"Why am I not surprised to see you found the park?" It was as good a distraction as any. The moment she opened her mouth he was assured to be angry again.
Deirdre turned to throw him an ugly look. Yep. That did it. Now he was angry again.
"I was expecting that too. Perhaps I shouldn't have let you see so much. Goten informs me that women apparently are much more sensitive to...."
"Sensitive, Trunks? I don't think that's the word for it. How about Horrified, or Monstrous? Like you. It isn't my sensitivity that makes me hate it. It's my disgust for everything affiliated with it."
"Disgust?" Trunks narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me that I disgust you, Deirdre?" He advanced on her slowly.
"Don't touch me you.....monster!" she hissed backing up.
Trunks stopped to look at her face and knew she meant what she said. It wasn't his fault they were torturing natives. He had taken her to see it though and that was his fault. Trunks nodded his acceptance. He'd own up to being the guilty party in this scene. "Are you ready to go back to ChiChi's?"
"I'd readily be anywhere that got me out of your filthy presence. I don't think I could endure it much longer."
Trunks grit his teeth and marched off in the direction of the house. Great! What a muddled mess it had turned out to be. Nothing seemed to be going right. Did he want to scare her off, or get her caught, or what? He wasn't sure what he wanted to happen to her. Trunks pushed the thought from his mind as his house came into view. The flowers! He had almost forgotten he had promised ChiChi he would bring them back.
Well his balcony was right there. Trunks made up his mind. Leaving Zantha, he took off for it and landed quietly on the deck. He opened the balcony doors and went inside. The book was under his bed, but for a moment he stood staring at the massive four-poster. He gaped at the image of Zantha's hair wildly strewn over his pillows and her golden eyes full of rapture. He couldn't move for a moment. Soon, he promised himself. Soon she would be there. He reached down under the bed to grab the book as he wiped the thought clear of his mind. The moment he retrieved it he left his room in all haste.
"Mom!" he yelled back into the livingroom. "ChiChi invited us to dinner again!"
"Tru...." was all he heard before the front door closed and he was off to ChiChi's.
ChiChi opened the door and Trunks walked past her heading for the kitchen. He heard Brandy squeak and looked up to watch her jump into Deirdre's arms.
"Did you enjoy your lunch?" she ask Brandy.
Women!! Were they all against him today or what? "Brandy!" he called to get her attention. "Flowers?" He smiled as he watched her climb down and dash into the kitchen. She came to a screeching halt in front of him. He sat there looking down at her for a second before he scooted away from the table to allow her to climb up into his lap. Trunks opened the book of smashed flowers of all kinds, and grinned at the oohs and aahs he heard.
"Come have a seat and look with us." ChiChi invited as she sat down in a chair next to Trunks. He waited, not knowing if she was going to or not. He hid his smile, when she came over after several seconds, to take the other chair next to him.
"That's a Daisy, isn't it Trunks?" ChiChi ask, pointing at a small white and yellow flower.
"Yes, and this one," he indicated a blue and white one, "is a blue bonnet."
They went through pages of dandelions, blue-bells, baby's breath, forget-me-nots, and pansies. Brandy pointed at a rather large bearded iris and said, "Pretty!"
Trunks snuck a peek at Deirdre, and the look on her face took his breath away. It was a look of sheer pleasure and wonder as she openly admired the flowers. He turned the page and caught sight of a white rose. Pointing at it, he told them, "These were supposed to be a sign of innocence, and these were friendship." He pointed to a light pink rose.
"And what about these?" Deirdre ask, pointing to a large scarlet rose.
Of all the flowers to inquire about she would have to choose the one he wished to avoid. When it became apparent Trunks wasn't going to answer, ChiChi took over. "That one my dear is a sign of true love."
"Something like wedding rings?" ChiChi gave a small laugh and nodded at her. "Does Goku bring you roses?"
"He would if he could, but they're rather hard to come by here." she answered. Deirdre smiled and Trunks couldn't finish. He closed the book and handed it to ChiChi.
"I have to go report to my post. You girls will just have to finish it without me."
"But you don't have to report for duty for another hour, Trunks."ChiChi protested.
"Come sit in my lap, Brandy." Deirdre told the little girl. Trunks let her go unwillingly, but before she left, Brandy gave his cheek a quick kiss. He glanced over at Deirdre who seemed almost as uncomfortable as himself, then left.
"That's strange of Trunks. I wonder what's wrong with him?" ChiChi mused aloud.
"Yea, me too. He's been really moody lately." Bra chimed in from the kitchen door.
Bulma stood behind her holding the baby and looking at Deirdre. "I wonder..." she began and ChiChi looked between the two women.
ChiChi nodded wisely now. "Yes. I could see that. After all, my son seems quite taken with her as well." Deirdre flushed scarlet.
"I bet you'd pay good money to know what I do." Bra smiled at them. Deirdre bit her bottom lip and turned pleading eyes on her. "Of course, I swore I wouldn't tell."
"Looks like it's going to be interesting around here." ChiChi told Bulma. She chuckled and added, "May the best man win."
Bulma joined in with her, but didn't' say anything.
"What's all the commotion about?" Goten ask the laughing pair as he caught sight of a blushing Deirdre. He winked at her and both women erupted in a peel of laughter as Deirdre's face grew warmer.
"See what I mean?" ChiChi ask Bulma. She nodded "Did you see Trunks on his way out?"
"Looks like it's going to be a long night for his crew. He's been kind of touchy here lately." Goten stated, looking thoughtfully at Deirdre as if he thought it was funny.
"Well if his best friend wasn't trying to move in on his territory, maybe he'd be more pleasant." Bra laughed.
Goten picked up a piece of fruit and took a bite out of it. "It's not his till he claims it." he purred, tossing the rest of the fruit to Deirdre." I'll see you lovely ladies in a few minutes. I have to go shower. Any takers?" he ask, wiggling his eye brows at the two younger women.
"Get out of here, you tease." Bra playfully slapped his rump as he dashed past her and out of the kitchen. "Looks like a juicy piece of fruit there. You ought to finish it."
Deirdre stared at it for a moment then held it out to Bra. "If you insist." She finished it off in a few quick bites then tossed the core in the trash.
Dinner was set and ready to eat an hour and a half later. They were all seated and finished up when Videl came in. She walked in to do a turn or two before asking, "What do you think?"
Gohan buried his face in his hands as his brother and father pounded him on his back. "Looks like a new fad has been started. I'll have to lock my cloths up now." Goku laughed.
"Someone ought to kill you for this Goten." Gohan glared at his brother. "And what are you laughing at?" he ask Goku.
"Better you than me, son."
"Actually," Videl reached into her shopping bag and pulled out another outfit. "ChiChi had me take in a uniform of yours to be altered too, Goku."
His mouth worked, but nothing came out as another round of laughter erupted around the table. "I think perhaps we should kill him now, Gohan."
"I'm going to put this little one to bed." Bra told Deirdre, who was glancing at the little girl asleep in her plate.
"Give me a minute to finish and I'll join you." Zantha told her. She gobbled down the last few bites and left the kitchen. She hadn't noticed Goten following her, so she jumped when he grabbed her arm to stop her at the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm really sorry about this afternoon, Deirdre. Not all of us are as hostile as Trunks can be. I'm not really at liberty to say why though, but I hope you won't judge him too harshly."
"No permanent harm done? It wasn't your fault anyway. I don't really understand why he's so hateful to me."
Goten looked down for a moment and then pinned her with his gaze. "You probably won't understand this, Deirdre, but he's mean to you because he wants you and he doesn't want to."
"Wants me, Goten?"
There was a short scream from upstairs and they both jumped. "I had better get upstairs and help her with Brandy." He nodded, letting her go. Zantha opened the door slowly and stepped in calling, "Bra?"
Brandy sat in the middle of the bed, pointing to the door as she told Zantha, "Kitty!"
Zantha whirled around to see Kyle hiding behind the door with a shocked Bra pulled back against him. He smiled at her over Bra's head.
"I wasn't expecting you to have company. I see you've healed quickly from the raid." Kyle stated. Zantha nodded. "And the rest of your people?"
Zantha's eyes widened. He wasn't going to give her away. She could still give him the answers to his questions without revealing herself. "We've healed rather quickly. What's there one day is gone the next. You took a great risk coming here with so many saiyans downstairs to come running. They'd have you behind electric locks and in front of a whip master before you could blink an eye."
"You won't scream while I have your friend under such circumstances." He smiled and unsheathed his long claws. He chuckled quietly when he heard Bra's gasp of surprise.
"It might be worth it to see you get what you deserve." she told him. He was enjoying himself way too much frightening poor Bra. She looked more curious than frightened though.
"You wouldn't risk this precious life." he said reaching up to massage her neck lightly. Zantha frowned at him. What was he up to now? His other hand slid back across her stomach making her tremble as he whispered in her ear. Zantha couldn't tell what he was saying, but when he nipped her neck she paled.
"I won't have to scream. One of my friends will be up here in a moment and he'll sense you. When he does he'll kill you. Unless you quietly leave before he gets up here." She had his attention now. "Release her."
"And let you stab me in the back or cry for help?" he ask dragging Bra with him to the window. He kept a hand on her as he climbed back out the window. He turned Bra to face him since he still had a hold of her. Zantha could see his lips moving and watched Bra nod slightly before....He kissed her!! What did he think he was doing? Bra just stood there in a trance for several minutes after he left. She turned slowly, her fingers covering her lips and looked at Zantha.
"Aren't you going to scream?" Zantha ask.
"No." she sighed, slightly shaking her head. "What does he mean, meet me at the springs? I don't know where any springs are."
"I have no idea." Zantha lied. "Would you meet him if you knew what he meant?"
Bra hid her face feeling the warmth seeping into her cheeks. "No. I couldn't, but..."
"But? Don't tell me you would if you could! He's a native, your enemy, our enemy."
"I know. You won't say anything about this to anyone will you? Remember you owe me." she pleaded with Zantha. Zantha stared at her dumbfounded. Not say anything? That was supposed to be her line, wasn't it?
"I guess we're ever again. I won't say anything."
"Thank you. My father would never understand if he heard about this."
"Don't worry. He'll never know."
"I'd better go and let you two go to sleep. Mom's probably ready to go by now." Bra left quietly and Zantha shook her head. What was wrong with everyone? Was everybody going crazy? Was she? She needed sleep. That's what was wrong with her. Too much excitement and not enough sleep. Zantha crawled in bed next to Brandy.
"Kitty go bye-bye." Brandy informed her frowning.
"Yes I know. It's time for you to go night night. Close your eyes like me." Zantha closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into the mattress. They were both asleep in moments.
Trunks walked the short distance to ChiChi's, using the light in the upstairs room as a beacon. He thought it odd Deirdre and Brandy would still be up this late. Trunks climbed the stairs to the porch and used the front door for once. He locked it behind him. He stopped to check on Jacob, the boy. He was fast asleep on the couch, and Videl was asleep in a chair next to it. He must still be having nightmares, Trunks thought. Videl and Gohan had sort of adopted the kid. Where ever Gohan went Jacob followed. He was surprised Deirdre didn't' spend more time with him, but ever since he'd caught her on the stairs she'd kept her distance from him.
Trunks shrugged and took the stairs two at a time. He stopped before he passed Deirdre's door, noting the light shining under it. Trunks knocked softly on the door, but there was no answer. Opening it quietly, he slipped in. The light was coming from the bedside lamp and he could see Deirdre and Brandy asleep in the bed. They looked comfortable facing each other with their hands tucked under their pillows. Trunks came closer to turn off the lamp and saw the slight smile on Deirdre's full lips as he looked down at her. Funny, she looked rather innocent in her dreams. What was she dreaming about? Would it be the sweet Goten or scowling Trunks, he wondered.
Trunks reached down to push back the hair on her forehead and slowly sank down on the bed beside her. He turned off the lamp and looked back down at her long hair flowing out across her pillow. He reached over to run his fingers through the silky soft locks again and again. It was so soft he couldn't bring himself to let go. Deirdre turned her face towards him and he stopped. He could feel her shifting her weight towards him and her chest pressed against his thigh as she reached up to touch his chest. Heat washed through his body at her touch and his eyes darkened to a deep blue. What was he doing? His eyes locked with Deirdre's golden gaze as she pulled his face down to her own. Her long fingers sliding into his hair and her gaze was mesmerizing. He glanced down to the thick dark lips and caught a flash of long white fangs as she brushed her tongue over his lips.
"I must be dreaming." he mumbled, pulling her face up to close the distance between them. Her lips were soft and inviting, but he pulled away. "I can't." He let out a shaky breath and got up, slowly backing out of the room. Deirdre's eyes followed him out the door and down the hall. He entered Goten's room and sat down on the couch in a slight daze. Trunks shook his head to clear it. He must be more tiered than he'd originally thought. He needed sleep. BAD!