Here we go! The final chapter where everything gets wrapped up. I just hope it was worth the wait. Don't worry, it won't be the kind of ending that makes you want to tear your hair out ^_-
MAJOR SPOILERS regarding the Juunangou saga. I didn't go into too much detail, but I did reference several important facts. Read at your own risk. This chapter has more drama/angst than humor this time, but I promise the ending will be worth it.
For those of you who are still reading, I congratulate you AND thank you for your perserverance. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Dragonball, Z, GT all belong to Akira Toriyama. I just wrote the 'fic
THE WAY WE WERE
Chapter 7: Choices
Marron stared out aimlessly at the ocean overlooking the sunset from the beach at Kame House, hoping that somehow she would wake up from the nightmare she had been living through the past few days. The gentle trade winds wafted through her hair, but she felt nothing but a profound emptiness. Her beloved father had been killed because of the estranged uncle she had never known. An uncle who had hurt so many people that she cared about. Juunanagou had finally been defeated from the combined efforts of Gokou and Juuhachigou, shortly after Krillen's death. But revenge had been bittersweet. It didn't bring her father back. Their only hope now of reviving Krillen was to gather the Earth's dragonballs to summon the dragon Shenlong. But even that was of little comfort. The damage had already been done.
The past few days had been so surreal, as if she had been living in some sort of dream. The scene had played over and over again in her mind during the day and haunted her relentlessly at night in her sleep. All Marron could do was watch in horror as her family was being destroyed in front of her eyes. She had felt so helpless and weak. Not only was she racked with guilt for what happened, she was also beginning to doubt herself and who she was. If she had been trained to fight, she could have at least done something to try to stop Juunanagou. Everyone else knew how to fight, except for her. She had always been the odd one out of the whole group. She would never be like them.
"Maybe Trunks would be better off without me," she contemplated sadly.
Finally, out of physical and emotional exhaustion, she collapsed to the ground like a limp rag doll. A shadow cast over her unconscious form as she gave into the darkness.
Marron slowly fluttered her eyelashes open, trying to adjust to her surroundings. She felt disoriented as a blurry image hovered above her, urging her to wake up. The shadowy figure brought a glass of water to her lips, helping her to take a sip.
"Where am I?" she asked in confusion.
"You're at Kame House. You fainted," he answered, helping her to a sitting position.
Marron couldn't believe her ears as she recognized the voice.
"Trunks? Is it…is it really you?" she asked in disbelief. With trembling fingers, she reached over to touch his face. His hand reached up and covered her hand against his cheek.
"I came back, just like I promised Marron. I came back to you."
Without hesitation, she catapulted herself into his arms, holding on to him for dear life. Trunks returned the hug with the same enthusiasm. It felt so good to hold her again.
"I'm sorry about what happened to Krillen," he said quietly.
He remembered how devastated he had felt when Vegeta had sacrificed himself to destroy Majin Buu, but it was no comparison to what Marron probably felt. He had been spared the horror of witnessing his father's death, but she had not been as fortunate.
Marron buried her head against his shoulder.
"I miss him so much."
"Gokou will bring him back. He wouldn't let his best friend down."
"I hope you're right, Trunks. By the way, I heard that you got hurt fighting against my uncle. I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't your fault. I'm just sorry for the way I treated you when I was still under Bebi's control."
"For a moment, I really thought it was you talking, and not Bebi," she admitted.
He tensed, remembering how he had behaved towards her.
"I guess it wasn't exactly the homecoming you were expecting."
She pulled away from him.
"There were a lot of things I wasn't expecting. I've never felt so alone in my entire life."
"I'm here now, Marron. I'll never leave you again."
She paused for a moment before replying.
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
"I meant what I said," he replied, surprised at her reaction.
She got up from the sofa and walked over to the window. He didn't understand that she was not the same person he had left two months ago. Her father's death had changed everything.
"You won't be able to keep your promise, because there will always be another enemy or crisis that will take first place in your life."
"Do you expect me to just sit back and do absolutely nothing?" he demanded.
"Of course not. I know that it's your duty as a Z senshi to defend the Earth, but I won't sit around worrying whether or not the next time you leave on some dangerous mission, will be your last. I don't think I could stand it. Not again."
"What's going on here, Marron? This never bothered you before."
"I told you. Things have changed."
"Have your feelings for me changed too?" he asked quietly.
She looked at him sadly. "My feelings for you will never change," she admitted.
"Then what exactly are you saying."
"I'm saying…I don't think we should see each other any more."
Trunks felt like he had just been kicked in the stomach. Nothing could have prepared him for this.
"Are you serious?" he asked in disbelief.
"I'm afraid so."
He walked up to her and grabbed her shoulders forcing her to look into his eyes.
"You're not making any sense. Why are you doing this?"
Marron turned her head away, as tears threatened to brim over. Trunks didn't understand. He didn't need someone who needed to be rescued all the time. Someone who sat back helplessly while she watched her father die at the hands of her own uncle. She would never forgive herself for that. She would rather have Trunks hate her, than to allow him to follow a similar fate because of her weakness.
"Please, Trunks. Don't make this any more difficult than it already is."
"Don't you think I have a right?" he demanded angrily. "I know you're going through a rough time right now, but that's no reason to cut me out of your life. Tell me what's wrong, Marron. Maybe I can help."
"There's nothing you can do," she replied softly.
"So that's it? You're giving up on us just like that?"
"I'm sorry. This is the way it has to be."
He tilted her chin up with his fingers.
"I still love you Marron."
"Then let me go," she pleaded with her blue eyes.
Trunks finally pulled his hands away in defeat.
Marron slowly removed her engagement ring from her finger and held it out to him.
He stared at it in a dazed trance before taking it from her small slender hand.
"I'm sorry Trunks."
"So am I Marron. So am I."
When the door closed after him, the tears finally trickled down her cheeks and fell unheeded to the floor.
Goten walked into the lobby of Capsule Corps and sauntered lazily up to the reception desk, flashing a dazzling smile at the receptionist.
"Yes? Can I help you?" she asked, unimpressed.
"I'm here to see Trunks. Is he available?"
"Mr. Briefs is not taking any visitors. I have strict orders not to let anyone in."
"But I'm his best friend," he protested.
"Congratulations," she replied drily. "Sorry, but I have my orders."
Goten frowned. What was up with Trunks lately? It was like he had shut down completely. He wouldn't see anyone and he wasn't answering his phone at all.
"I'm sure you could make an exception just this one time," he replied coaxingly.
"I could," the reception replied. Goten's face brightened immediately.
"But I won't," she finished, as his face fell like a ton of bricks.
Well, there was more than one way to get up to the top.
Trunks stared out the window aimlessly. He was finding it difficult to adjust to life without Marron in it. Every since they broke up, he had thrown himself head long into work, trying to forget. Oh sure, he told everyone that he was fine. He even convinced himself that he was better off now, and from all appearances, he seemed indifferent. But when he was alone, that was when it was the hardest.
Trunks turned away and angrily swiped the stack of papers off his desk in frustration.
"Who are you trying to kid?" he asked himself outloud.
"It certainly isn't me," a familiar voice came from behind.
Trunks whipped around to find Goten hovering outside the window grinning happily and waving to him.
"Get in here!" he replied angrily, pulling his friend inside. "What do you think you're doing?"
Goten seated himself lazily in Trunks' chair.
"I came to see how you were doing, buddy. You wouldn't answer any phone calls."
"I've been busy," Trunks replied tersely.
"Yes, I can see that," Goten answered drily, pointing his gaze to the scattered papers on the floor.
Trunks pursed his lips angrily. He was in no mood to be civil.
"Don't you have somewhere to go?" he asked in irritation.
"Look, I don't know what happened between you and Marron, but whatever it is, you've been acting like a jerk."
Trunks looked at his friend warily.
"How did you know about Marron?"
Goten smiled knowingly. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist, you know. I suspected for a long time that you two seeing each other secretly."
"Well, we're not seeing each other anymore."
"What happened?"
Trunks proceeded to fill him in on all the details. Goten looked deep in thought after he heard everything.
"Hmmm. That doesn't sound like Marron."
"What do you mean?" Trunks demanded.
"I mean, Marron is not the type of person to turn off her feelings like a water faucet. There must be a logical explanation."
"If there is, she would have told me."
"Maybe she's doing this because of you," Goten replied perceptively.
"Goten, will you stop being so cryptic and just spill it."
"Sorry. All I'm saying is that she must have her reasons. I've known her just as long as you have and I bet she's just as torn up about this as you are."
"You really think so?"
"I'd bet my life on it."
"What could she possibly be thinking?"
"You're asking the wrong person. Now are you going to stand there wallowing in self-pity or are you going to do something about it?"
Trunks smiled at his best friend.
"Thanks, pal."
"Anytime Trunks."
"More lemonade, Papa?" Marron offered to Krillen.
Krillen accepted it gratefully. It was nice to be home again with his family. He was none the worse for wear after coming back from the dead, yet again, thanks to the dragonballs.
"You don't have to stay with me, Marron. I've told you that I'm perfectly all right."
"I'm just happy that you're back, that's all."
"You can't keep a good man down."
"I'll second that," Trunks said.
Marron tensed when she saw Trunks.
"What was he doing here?" she thought to herself. Not that she wasn't thrilled to see him. Not a day passed by that she didn't think about him.
"Hello Krillin. Hello Marron."
Marron nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Hi Trunks! Glad you dropped by. How are things?"
"Okay, I guess. They could be better, though," he replied, looking directly at her.
Marron looked away, distractedly.
Krillen looked back and forth between Trunks and his daughter.
"I...think I'll go inside for a little bit."
"Papa," she began to protest.
"You stay here and keep Trunks company. See you two later."
There was an awkward silence as they looked at each other.
"You're looking well," he said quietly.
"Thank you. So are you."
"Looks can be deceiving. I've been miserable ever since we broke up."
"Trunks, please. Let's not start anything."
"I haven't even begun to start yet. Did you really expect me to walk away after what we shared together?"
"Why are you pursuing this?
It's all in the past." Didn't he realize how difficult this was for her?
"Is it? Can you look me
in the eye and tell me that you don't want us to be together again?"
"I don't belong in your world, Trunks. I never did."
"That's bull, and you know it," he shot back. "You were going to marry me once, Marron. There was a time you could tell me anything. What changed all that?"
"I'M the one who's changed. Did you ever consider that?"
"You know, you haven't changed since we were kids. Face it, Marron. You've always sacrificed your own happiness for the sake of others. I don't know what your reasons are, but for once in your life, stop playing the martyr and fight for what you want."
She turned around so that he couldn't see the confusion on her face. Her head was spinning with so many conflicting emotions.
"What do you want me to say?" she asked.
"Tomorrow night, my mother is throwing a big bash at Capsule Corps. If there is any part of you, even a tiny part, that wants to be with me, you'll be there."
Before she could respond, he blasted off and flew out of sight.
She walked back into the house despondently.
"Was that Trunks just now?" Juuhachigou asked as Marron walked into the kitchen.
"Yes," she answered softly.
"What's the matter, Marron?"
"Mama, did you ever regret that I never chose to be a fighter like you and Papa?"
"Why would you ask something like that?"
"Please, I need to know."
"No, Marron. I never regretted that you didn't become a fighter. What's this really all about?"
"If I had been a fighter, I could have at least tried to do something to stop Juunanagou. Maybe Papa wouldn't have died if I had been stronger," she answered painfully.
Juuhachigou looked at her daughter thoughtfully. It was no wonder that she had been so withdrawn the past few weeks. She should have suspected it earlier, but Marron being who she was, always kept it to herself. The poor girl had been racked with guilt.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened. What's past is in the past. It's over now."
"I wish I could believe that."
"Marron, listen to me. I never want you to feel like you have to be someone that you're not."
"Really?"
"Really. Never doubt your worth. You are my daughter and that's good enough for me. And it should be good enough for anyone, including Trunks," the older woman finished softly.
"How did you...?"
"A mother knows," Juuhachigou answered secretively.
"I've made such a mess of everything, Mama."
"If you really love someone, they will always come back to you."
Marron smiled at her mother and gave her a quick hug before leaving the room. She knew what she had to do now.
"Awww, that was so sweet," Krillen commented from the doorway.
Juuhachigou have her husband an embarrassed look.
"How many times have I told you not to eavesdrop?"
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I just happened to be in the next room, that's all. Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Is there going to be a wedding again?"
"I don't know," she replied truthfully.
It was all up to Marron now.
Trunks threw back the glass of wine down his throat in frustration. The party was beginning to wind down, and still no sign of Marron.
"Maybe you should take it easy there, pal," Goten said, pulling away the bottle from his friend's hand.
"She's not coming Goten. I just know it. I shouldn't have given her an ultimatum like that."
"Come on, Trunks. This is Marron we're talking about. I've never seen you like this before."
"I've never been on the brink of losing the woman I love, before either," he admitted.
"Do you want me to wait with you?"
Trunks gave his friend a grateful look, but declined.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass. I've got to do this on my own."
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Just lay off the booze. Later."
Trunks spent the rest of the evening brooding and glancing at the entrance every so often. Before he knew it, he was the only one left in the room.
Marron didn't show up after all. It was really over between them. In a fit of anger and frustration, he threw an empty champagne bottle up in the air and sent a ki blast, causing it to shatter to pieces.
"Am I too late?" a soft voice came from behind.
Trunks whipped around and found Marron standing at the doorway.
"Marron," he said woodenly. She walked up to him purposefully.
"I thought you weren't coming," he admitted.
"I thought so too."
"What changed your mind?"
"I got some very good advice. And I did a lot of thinking." They were silent for a few seconds before Trunks made the first move.
"Why did you cut me out of your life like that Marron?"
"Do you remember when we went to that cherry blossom festival in the park when we were kids?"
"Sure I do. You got lost because you tried to follow me and Goten around."
"You were always rescuing me back then. I've always been the weakest one out of the whole group. Someone always had to protect me. It never really bothered me until Papa died. I felt like I should have done something, but I couldn't."
"That wasn't your fault, Marron."
"Maybe. But there was nothing I could do to help him either. I convinced myself that you didn't need someone who would always need to be protected. Someone who would never be the same level as you."
He grabbed her shoulders gently, but firmly.
"I won't let you talk about yourself this way. If I wanted to be with someone who was exactly like me, I would have. I like you just the way you are, Marron. And I wouldn't change a single thing about you. That's why I fell in love with you in the first place. Do you know what kept me going the whole time I was up in space?"
She shook her head negatively.
"It was the image of seeing your sweet, gentle face again. Marron, I've never felt this way about anyone in my life. You were the only one who even gave a damn whether or not I was happy at Capsule Corps. No one ever asked me. They always assumed that I was okay with it. But somehow, you knew the truth. You always saw through me."
"I can't understand the part of you that's Saiya-jin, Trunks. I never will," she protested.
"What's to understand? As long as you keep me happy and well-fed, there's nothing to it."
"I'm serious."
"And I'm not?" he countered back. "Look at my parents. My mother isn't a fighter, and she and my father have been together for years. As long as we love each other, nothing else matters."
He sounded so confident. Was love really enough?
"Why did you come tonight, Marron?" he asked softly.
Marron looked at him right in the eyes.
"I decided that I'd rather be miserable with you than without you," she replied in all honesty.
"Do you still love me?"
"I never stopped loving you, Trunks. I was just afraid that I wasn't what you needed in your life. So many things happened that made me doubt our relationship...and myself. But in the end, I finally realized that I loved you too much to let you go."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, as she hugged him tightly.
"I almost went crazy when I thought you weren't going to show up tonight," he admitted.
She pulled back and smiled.
"I noticed," she replied, referring to the broken shards of glass that littered the floor.
"And who was responsible for putting me into such a lousy mood?" he demanded jokingly.
Marron reached up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
"Guilty as charged, and humbly repentant. Do you forgive me?"
He responded by encircling his arms around her waist and kissed her soundly.
"I'll let it go this time. But next time, I might not be so forgiving. Sooo, can we settle into marital bliss now, or do you have any more hangups?"
"And who was responsible for my so-called hangups?" she demanded.
"I guess that makes us even then," he replied, chuckling. "I saved the last dance for you."
Marron smiled at the man that she loved, confident that he shared her love.
She placed her hand in his and held on tightly.
"I thought you'd never ask."
End of Chapter7
To Be Continued one last time
Oh, how I wish we could have gotten more character development, but I guess that's what fanfic's are all about. In the final chapter, you'll see a sneak peek at what the future holds.
Ja ne!
Written by,
Babboo
11/26/01
