The Trip

Elizabeth Knight

Chapter 8

Zantha rolled over lazily in her bed and slowly opened her eyes. She blinked once and then again. Surely there was a perfectly good explanation why two blue eyes were staring into her own, but what was it? She blinked again looking at the little girl who was nose to nose with her. Girl? Girl....Oh!! The little girl from the next town! Now she remembered. The girl smiled at her and whispered, "Kitty?"

Zantha frowned sitting up slowly in the bed to look at the mirror on the opposite wall. She was going to have to learn to be more careful in the mornings. Her hair was a mess tucked behind one ear, and since her wings were already noticeable she might as well give them a stretch. She stretched her arms above her head and her wings out to the side. A little hand reached out to pet her wing and she smiled. There was a knock on the door and they both jumped.

"Just a second." Zantha cried in alarm as she grabbed a blanket to throw over her shoulders in the nick of time. Trunks walked in the room anyway not heeding her plea. "Don't you ever listen?" she snapped at him as she turned her head away from Trunks to glance down at the girl. The little girl still smiled as she reached up to cover Zantha's ear with the hair that had previously been pushed behind it. That gave Zantha the time she needed to shift before looking back at Trunks.

"Why should I wait, Deirdre? I came up here to fetch Brandy for breakfast." he told her, indicating the little girl next to her. "I take it we'll see you in a few minutes as well since your not dressed yet."

" Actually, I'm not really that hungry."

"Just the same, Deirdre. I expect to see you in a few minutes down stairs at the table." he commanded as he picked Brandy up. Oohh he made her so mad sometimes. Zantha stuck her young out at him. He seemed surprised for a moment before he turned to go. He stopped in the door way slightly turning where only he could see her. "By the way....unless that's an invitation you want me to pounce on, I'd deep that well hidden in the future."

That arrogant swine!! He was laughing at her. Zantha jumped out of bed and into a pair of clothing that was in a chair nearby and rushed down stairs. All she needed was for him to come back to claim his "invitation" she thought sarcastically. All eyes turned on her as she entered the kitchen and just stared. Trunks who'd had his back to her slowly turned in his chair to look at her. He cocked one eye brow as he looked her up and down, and Videl made a discreet cough.

"That's a very interesting outfit dear. Where ever did you get it?" ChiChi asked.

"On a chair in the bedroom?" she asked uncertainly looking down at the bright orange pants, blue shirt, and corporation jacket she had on. The cloths had been a little big on her, but the blue sash she'd tied around her waist had helped. What was wrong with it? She glanced around the table and noticed at least two people dressed as she was. With a sinking dreadful feeling she asked, "Who's uniform do I have on?"

"I personally don't think Goten's uniform ever looked better. You even win hands down against Goten himself." Gohan teased.

"And Trunks' jacket fit's you nicely as well." Videl added covering up her smile with the back of her hand.

"Oh." she thought about it for a minute and then shrugged out of the jacket. As she passed Trunks she handed it to him and then took her seat. Smiling at everyone, she suggested, "Shall we eat now?" Their were several sniggering behind their napkins and into their plates as they began breakfast.

"By all means. I'm starving." Gohan said still smiling.

"Where is Goten anyway?" she ask.

"He had to report to his post early this morning." Trunks informed her stiffly.

"Is he feeling better this morning then?"

"Thanks to your quick thinking he's quite restored." ChiChi answered her this time.

"Can I go see him do you think?"

"Of corse." ChiChi exclaimed. "You can go with me to take him his lunch."

"I'll take her ChiChi. I have to talk to Goten myself anyway." Trunks volunteered.

"How wonderful. I can stay here and take care of the children then." ChiChi smiled at Brandy who was licking syrup off her fingers. "Maybe I'll show her your flower collection, Trunks."

"Flowers?" Brandy and Zantha asked at the same time.

"Yes flowers." You wouldn't think a guy would have such a collection, but..." ChiChi trailed off as she glimpsed the scowl on Trunks' face. "Now don't you scowl at me Trunks. It makes you look..."

*Strikingly seductive and intense?* Zantha gave a quiet sigh. She heard Trunks sputter as he chocked on his bite of breakfast.

"Perhaps not dangerous really, but..." Trunks slid his gaze over to Zantha and watched her out of the corner of his eyes as ChiChi rambled on. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to ChiChi's description of his scowl, and Zantha wondered for a moment if she'd said it out loud. No one else was looking at her strangely though. He must have picked up the thought. She'd have to remember to guard them more closely, and stay away from him. The more time they spent together the more dangers they posed to one another. The more time she spent with him the more she learned about him and had to pass to White Fang and the more danger he was in. The more time he spent with her the closer her got to figuring out who she was and that put her in great danger.

"Trunks?" she heard ChiChi say. For a moment he stared at her, but when ChiChi called his name the second time he looked up at her. "I was asking where your collection was."

"Of what?" he ask her.

"Of flowers of course. Haven't you been listening to anything I've said? I want to show them to Brandy. You'll let me won't you?"

"Of corse, but they're not here. I'll have to pick them up from my house on the way back."

"Oh Wonderful!! You can invite your family over for dinner to meet our guests."

"As you wish. Now since we've had a wonderfully late breakfast, will you go make Goten's lunch? I want to be there a little early."

"Of course. Tell that son of mine that he'd best be behaving himself. I know how the two of you are with the girls when you get together. However today you have guests."

"I promise I'll remember that."

Thirty minutes later they were out the door and on their way. They came up to a large metal structure not far from the house. They had passed the bell tower on the way there and she'd shivered in remembrance. Trunks had watched her, but made no comment on it.

"What is this place?" Zantha ask in dread.

"This is the prison, where we keep the native prisoners. Wasn't there one in your city?"

"Yes, but I've never been in it."

"Well there's a first time for everything. I'll give you the grand tour." he said holding open a steel door. They walked past several dirty cells with bars and even though the natives saw her, they didn't say anything. Her eyes watered as she glanced at them and a thought came to her from one.

*Don't cry!*

*I won't.*

*That's a girl. Pay close attention to everything and get the information to White Fang.*

*Yes I will. I promise I will. He'll rescue you!*

*He's watching you.* came a quietly whispered warning from another native.

"Is this all of it?" she ask Trunks.

He smiled and shook his head. "No. We're done with these creatures. They all go through interrogation first."

"Interrogation?"

"This way." He led her down a different hallway. These cells were different. They had glass on one side instead of bars, and there were people with the natives inside. She didn't know what to think of this until one man bolted out of his chair and slammed his fist into the native's face. Looking up at her first, the native spit out a mouthful of blood and just stared at the man with a slight smile on his face.

Hooray for her people. This one was a strong warrior who wasn't afraid of the saiyans. As they passed several more she was encouraged by their strong will and resolve not to give in, but in the last cell what she saw turned her blood to ice. They had a wear bear chained to the wall, his wings outstretched, and a woman held a whip. Zantha watched stunned, as the woman raised the whip and let it fly. She heard his roar of anger as it rattled the window, and quickly spun around to run back the other direction.

She got to the end of the corridor and went to turn the corner when she ran into a solid chest. His arms quickly wrapped around her before she fell, and he told her, "We've got to quit running into one another like this."

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Trunks watched her run down the hallway away from him, then glanced back into the cell. He let her go and walked into the interrogation room. The woman was just about to let the whip fly again when he caught her wrist.

"That's enough." he told her. She rolled up the whip and nodded to him as he backed out of the room. No one disobeyed a saiyan's orders. The beast glared at him from his chained position against the wall. Trunks grabbed a cloth and a bowl of water off the table to the side. He was cautious not to come too close as he handed them to the ware bear. He grabbed at the bowl cautiously as if he thought Trunks would snatch it back. Both of them turned to look out the door as a scream pierced the air and was silenced. Trunks gave one last look at the native before dashing out the door and down the hall.

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Through half blinded, tear filled eyes she glanced up at Goten. "Let me go!" she cried struggling in his arms. Goten held on to her confused for a moment. He glanced down the hallway she'd just left and his mouth fell open as he realized what she must have seen.

"Deirdre, stop it. I'm not going to hurt you. You're ok!"

"No!" she wailed, fighting against him. She leaned back her head to scream when his mouth quickly covered her own. He shook her gently and pulled her closer up against him where she couldn't fight. When she ceased to struggle he pulled his mouth from her's and gently caressed her face. His dark eyes were gentle and full of sorrow.

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He skidded to a halt before Goten and Deirdre. His blood boiled and his temper almost got the best of him. He was forced to cross his arms and grab the muscles so he wouldn't strangle someone. He leaned one shoulder against the wall to keep him there. He didn't' want either one with in his reach. Goten finally lifted his head and caressed her cheek. Trunks ground his teeth so hard it made his jaw ache.

"Where's Trunks?" Goten ask, still looking down into her face.

"Here." Trunks answered, pushing himself away from the wall he'd been leaning on.

"What is she doing in this part of the prison?"

"Taking a tour."

"A tour? Down here? You go to far Trunks."

"I'd say the same of you, Goten, if I didn't know where you'd spent the night. Of course you had time for practical jokes this morning didn't' you?"

Jealousy consumed him as he watched Goten smile down at Deirdre. "Are you comfortable?" Trunks clinched his fists until the knuckles turned white, when Zantha smiled up at Goten. Damn Goten. He was doing this on purpose. "What happened to the jacket?" he inquired of her.

Trunks scowled back at her as she glared at him and then told him, "It wasn't yours."

Trunks felt like vaporizing him when he laughed and then ask, "What about you? Are you mine too?" Trunks straightened and waited for her answer, but she didn't' answer right away. If she was even contemplating answering he'd beat her. He knew how she'd like to answer.

"Obviously, she isn't sure who she belongs to." He heard himself answering for her.

"I belong to no one." she snapped as she pushed out of Goten's arms and backed away from them. She'd run, he knew it, and she did.

When she was gone Goten glared at him. "You should have known the sight of all this would upset her."

"Why? I was looking for an answer."

"Why? Because she's a woman and even if she wasn't human for sure she would have reacted the same way. What answer did you want?"

"I wanted to know for sure if what I'd seen was actually real or if it was a hallucination."

"Does it matter who she is? You'd want her anyway wouldn't you?"

"It matters damn you! And you're one to talk. You're the one who made me admit I wanted the hideous beast, and now no other will do! You should understand!" he stormed at his best friend.

"Hideous beast? Is that how you really see her?"

Trunks didn't answer him. "I don't think that's an accurate description. Next you'll be telling me you wish she was in here."

"I do wish she was in here. Then I wouldn't be driving myself crazy trying to figure out where she is out there." With that Trunks walked off.

"Let me know when you decide to claim her as your mate. Until then, my friend, happy hunting." Goten called after him. When the door closed behind him Goten said, "I do understand my friend."

"Oh really? Perhaps that's because you want her for yourself?" a distinctly feminine voice sounded behind him. Her voice was rich like honey and satiny smooth. She was quite beautiful. Too bad she had such a rotten disposition. She was way too bossy and tough for his tastes. He liked his women nice and sweet. Sarah was a rough and tumble prison guard they had added about a year ago. Since then he couldn't seem to get rid of her. She was definitely a rose though, thorns and all.

"Perhaps not, Sarah. Where did you come from?"

"Interrogation. Where else?" she ask as he glanced over at the whip wielding brunet.

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