Forget-Me-Not
Elizabeth Knight
Chapter 14
Zantha hadn't seen anyone except the girl who brought in her dinner tray for several days, so she was surprised when Goten came in late one evening. She watched for Trunks to follow him in, but no one else came through the door.
"It's nice to see someone I know for a change. What's in the basket?" she inquired of the large picnic basket he held under one arm. Goten smiled and held it out to her.
"It's's nice to see that girl finally gave you the cloths my mother sent for you. Chi Chi sent you something to eat in there too from this evenings meal. Are you hungry?"
"For Chi Chi's food? I'm starved!" She answered, opening the basket up and digging in. She pulled out a long dress and unrolled it. Videl's white combs fell out of the bottom and Zantha smiled at the sight of them. Goten reached down and recovered them for her. He flashed her a smile and tucked them in her hair to reveal her long ears. He touched one softly and smiled down at her. "You're the second guy who's taken an interest in my ears." she whispered as she thought of Trunks.
"I know." Goten answered just as quietly.
Zantha turned back to the basket and pulled out a bowl of fruit pieces. She grabbed up a few and shoved them in her mouth savoring their flavor. She dug a little further and stopped the moment she spied the small bunch of Forget-Me-Nots in the corner of the basket. She didn't have to ask who they'd come from. Gathering them up she pressed them to her nose, closing her eyes, and took a deep breath. Their sweet scent filled her head and she smiled. She divided them in half to put in her hair.
"Why didn't he give them to me himself?" Zantha ask Goten. She wasn't sure if he was going to answer or not. His face dropped it's happy expression and he looked very sad.
"He's been ordered to stay away. He can't come in."
"But he's here isn't he?"
Goten nodded his head slowly. "Yes. He's supposed to be at his post, but he stopped me a few minutes ago to give me those for you." he said indicating the flowers in her hair. "If he's caught he could get in serious trouble, but I couldn't talk him out of it."
Trunks stood at the glass window watching Zantha dig through the basket. She grabbed a bowl of fruit pieces shoving them in her mouth while she dug. He knew the moment she found the flowers in the basket from the look on her face. It was one of surprise and wonder. He watched her press her nose into them and smile, then slip them into her hair. He reached out and touched the glass where she was and smiled. Then his eyes hardened as he fought his want. She had been talking to Goten before she turned and looked at the glass where he was standing. Her face softened and she walked toward the glass pulling a single flower from her hair so he could watch her kiss it's delicate petals. She touched her fingers to her lips as well then reached out to caress the window in front of his face. He jerked his face away as if he'd been slapped the pain in his chest was so great at that moment. Trunks turned on his heals and walked away. It was too hard to just stand there and watch when he needed to touch her, and she was tempting him past his limits.
Zantha knew he'd been there. She could feel his presence even if she couldn't see him there. Zantha knew too he'd seen her kiss his precious flower, but then he was gone, and she was left with the palm of her hand pressed flat against the cold glass where he'd just been. She smiled faintly knowing she could've called him back, but what good would it have done? He'd already broken his command just by coming to watch her. This wasn't the first time the last few days that she'd sensed him there eon the other side of the mirror. She'd been puzzled that he hadn't even come in at first, now she knew why.
"Goten?" she ask turning from the window.
"Yes?"
"Give this to him for me." She held out the single bloom she'd kissed for him to Goten. "Please make sure it doesn't cause him to get in trouble."
"I will. Try not to worry too much. Dad is working on the council to get you removed from interrogation. You saved that little boy's life...and mine. We owe you. This would be the least we could do. Vegeta hasn't said anything, but it's pretty obvious he's going to back dad in the proceedings. Trunks....... Vegeta ordered him to stay out of the proceedings."
"Why? Does he hate me so much?"
"No one knows about your...relationship with Trunks for the moment. Vegeta's only trying to protect him and spare him the trouble if anyone found out. If he let Trunks into the proceedings, he wouldn't be able to control what happened or what would be said. Because Trunks has status among them he would be able to speak openly and the moment he opened his mouth everyone would know how he felt about you. I know. I've heard him. I have to agree with Vegeta on this one."
"Oh." Zantha looked at the floor. "Tell your family I'm grateful to them for all their gifts and tell Goku thank you for me. I hope I'm not causing your family any grief or hardship."
"You're worth it." Goten turned and Zantha heard the door close behind him. She was alone again.
Goten shut the door quietly and turned to go.
"Goten." he heard his name being called from behind him. He turned to face Vegeta. He hadn't seen him standing back in the shadows when he'd come in, but he was there now. "Does he always come down here?"
Goten didn't have to ask who he was referring to. Looking Vegeta in the eyes he nodded his head. "Usually. He never goes in though."
"Would you say my son was on the verge of doing something stupid? Like maybe trying to break that creature out of here or something equally drastic?"
"He doesn't confide in me any plans he has for Zantha. I wouldn't put it past him to try, but I'm afraid if he did he would fail. The only way she's going to get out of here now is if she suddenly drops dead. I seriously doubt that's going to happen any time soon. "Goten said looking back at Zantha.
Vegeta's eyes followed. "Do you think she really cares? I mean it appears that way, but do you think she could be using Trunks' feelings against him for a way out?"
"I don't think she realizes it yet, or maybe she's just being like Trunks and is refusing to admit it, but I know she's not just using him. Either way it seems doomed at the moment."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
" I've seen you with her as well. You care for her too."
"I know who she wants. I might have tried to change her mind before I knew what she was, but I won't betray my best friend like that."
"You're good for my son." Vegeta told him, clapping him on the shoulder.
"I just wish I could be of more help to him. I hate to see him like this."
"Perhaps you'll get that chance in the future. I have a feeling you'll be of more comfort to him than I will."
"Anytime he needs me I'll be there. He knows that. It's a promise I made him a long time ago."
"Good. Remember that in the future." Vegeta turned on his heels and walked away, leaving Goten a little more confused. Just what was he up to? Did Vegeta have a plan to rescue Zantha for Trunks? If he did he would never be able to make it work. Their security here was too good. Goten shook his head and left.
He'd barley gotten home when he ran into a century from the prison and his father coming out of the house. They looked serious and upset. "I'm glad your home, Goten. Were you there when it happened?"
"What's happened?" Goten ask looking at the sentry. He shook his head and turned pleading eyes on Goku.
"You can go now. Remember to tell them only that I must speak to them on an urgent matter. If you can, keep this from Trunks until we find them."
"Yes sir. If you don't mind my saying so, sir, we've noticed where his attentions seems to stray and I don't know anyone with enough courage to tell him." After that the sentry hurried past Goten giving him a sympathetic look over his shoulder as Goku placed a hand on his back and guided him into the house. Chi Chi and Videl were sitting down and looking dazed and Gohan was putting on his boots getting ready to leave.
"Where are you going?" Goten ask his father and brother. Goku held up a hand and then pointed to a chair. Goten took a seat and waited. A few minutes later Bulma, Bra, and the baby came stumbling into the living room.
"We came right after the sentry left. What's going on?"
"Have a seat ladies." Goku told them. "I have some bad news."
"I'm ready. I've got everything you want." Gohan said holding up the bag.
"What about me? Don't you want me to go with you? If there's trouble you'll need me."
"No!" Gohan and Goku exclaimed in unison. "You stay here. I need you to tell Trunks and to keep him here for me." Goku told his youngest son.
"Alright, but what's the bad news?"
Zantha's head whipped around as the door was slammed open. Vegeta stalked into the room shouting and in a terrible rage. He grabbed her and shook her hard. A second later she went flying across the room to slam into the opposite wall. Disoriented, she tried to fend off his attack, but couldn't. She received a blow to her face that sent her head spinning. It seemed she was falling in slow motion towards Vegeta. She saw the ki ball as he sent it to crash a little off center of her chest right over her heart. Zantha's body absorbed the shock and she never even felt it when her body hit the floor. Vegeta reached down and felt for a pulse. There wasn't one.
Zantha's eyes flew open and she gulped in air. Her whole body ached, and when she opened her eyes she saw Vegeta leaning over her.
"You gave me quite a scare there for a second. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to revive you or not." he told her smiling.
"Re...re..revive me?" she shrieked.
"Yes. I had to kill you to get you out of there. You're fairly strong, and I was almost positive I could bring you back.
"You beat me to death?" she ask dumbly. "What do you mean almost positive?"
"I mean ALMOST. I'm hardly ever wrong."
"Why did you do it?"