Power, Deception, Lies

Part X

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Mirai cried out in pain as he lay on the bed, covered in bandages. Gohan and Videl were very quick to take him back to the village, Eighteen and Goku following behind worriedly, seeing the rapid blood flow that wouldn't stop.

He tried to sit up, but Eighteen pushed him back down onto the bed. "You're badly hurt, Trunks. I think it's best if you lie down for a while."

"No… I can't," he groaned, trying to find a position that wouldn't put pressure on the painful wounds. "I have to go. You'll have to go find the other Z warriors yourself… I can't help you anymore."

"Why?" Goku asked, suddenly turning red as he realized that wasn't what he'd meant to say. "I mean, why must you go before your wounds heal?"

"…This is where we part… there's my time as well as yours, my friends," Mirai explained. "I must protect the lands in my time from the growing darkness plaguing the earth… I'm genuinely sorry, but I must leave."

Mirai was surprised as the four sorrowful pairs of eyes watched him stand up, instead of persisting in making him stay, and realized that they'd understood. Smiling weakly, he put on his Capsule Corps jacket, and with a wave of a hand left down the dirt road with a subtle limp to look for his time capsule, which had been safely hidden around the village area.

Goku finally turned his back to the door and towards the three remaining Z warriors, who flinched slightly at the sorrowful expression on his face.

"Daddy?" Gohan asked worriedly, trying to unlock his father's feelings.

"It's a pity," Goku said sadly, turning an overshadowed face to the ground, "that we had to learn the purpose of the little green tablets by seeing one who has so stolen our hearts fall under a spell of Medusa. Marty- gentle, good, handsome, charming- the royal Prince of an entire island- lost in the handiwork of the dark side. Knowing Cell and the others, maybe they have an antidote to reverse what those tablets have done- but it doesn't matter much to me if we've still lost him through one of the most appalling ways of all."

Videl nodded in agreement, seeing the mourning, weary, sad expressions on the others. She was most worried for Gohan, though- for he seemed the most affected. Considering that in only one day Gohan managed to make close friends with the exquisite Prince, and that he had lent his bed, his clothes and his room to the poor wounded young one- it was understandable that Gohan's eyes almost blurred with an expressionless fog, a shadow from an unknown source seeming to loom over his face.

"I… think I'll go outside for a while," Gohan smiled fakely, walking towards the door. He gave Videl a reassuring look, and explained, "A walk may soothe my grief."

Gohan had always loved the village, seeing that it was built right in the middle of nature. It was covered with grass for miles around, no sign of concrete whatsoever excepting the build of the houses in the village detectable, and a tangy smell from the river nearby never failed to calm a broken heart. It did calm him a little, but his heart was still tearing apart in grief, oblivious to the one who had been watching him for some time.

"Hello," the hidden one finally revealed itself, jumping off a low tree branch. "Are you mourning?"

Gohan was frightened out of his senses for that moment at the voice that unexpectedly came out of nowhere, and almost blasted the person whose recent voice had belonged to. He sighed in relief as he saw that the person was none more than a tall girl, perhaps his age; with extraordinary beauty that emanated past her pleasant, modern-trend clothing. The girl smiled as she noticed Gohan's blatant staring; blushing with a little pride, she waited for an answer with a sweet smile, amused that Gohan hadn't even attempted concealing the fact that he couldn't take his eyes off the radiant beauty.

"Yes… for I have recently lost a friend," Gohan replied in a monotone, hardly paying attention to what he was saying. He skimmed his eyes over the appealing, sensual body of the teenager before him… long, blond hair fell upon her back, shining even at this hour of sundown, she had not a single blemish on her white skin, and her desirable curves were eye-catching… thrilling… very, very breathtaking…

Gohan cleared his throat suddenly as he forced himself to remember Videl, who had been willing to promise him her loyalty in return for his. But there was no harm in looking… or Gohan hoped. Besides, Videl could never take her eyes off Marty whilst he was there… and Gohan did try to suppress his envy, for Marty had grown close to him as a friend. Although revenge, no matter how sweet, should never be the way out.

"Poor, miserable one," the blond girl said sympathetically, in a soft voice which Gohan had never heard but from Marty. What is this current trend with the Z warriors stumbling across beautiful people recently, anyway, Gohan thought.

"Yeah…" he replied, turning a blank face to the sky. "Nothing is ever worth losing a friend. Even if you've known them for only a day… and even if you didn't manage to grow close to them, which I luckily did… a pain present in your heart will at least show that you care."

The girl looked at Gohan with an expression of worry on her face, as she attempted changing the subject. "You live in that there village?"

"Yes," Gohan snapped out of his trance, cursing himself for forgetting his manners as he held out a hand. "Sorry, my name is Gohan. And you are?"

"Cleanthe," the girl smiled, shaking Gohan's hand. "My name is Cleanthe. But please, call me Cleo."

"Pleased to meet you, Cleo," Gohan grinned, feeling a lot more light-hearted now, although guilt passing through him to know it. "What are you doing here, away from civilization? I do not recall anyone else living around this nature-filled area but us villagers, and I do not recall someone I don't know, let alone someone so attractive being a villager."

"Aww, you are so sweet," Cleo laughed, her laughter merry and rich. "I… I've lived here for a while."

Gohan gasped at that, although Cleo gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Gohan. I am happier here than I've ever been. My parents could not support me, but they would not grant me freedom either. So now I've run away, and these fields and clearings are quite nice. Sleeping in the trees are not that bad, I've discovered… unless, of course, your fellow villagers mind a homeless girl persisting around this area."

"No, not at all," Gohan declared, hoping that the villagers wouldn't mind either. "But… how would you live here? What do you eat?"

"Fish, of course. There are plenty in these waters. And look across the river, in the trees- succulent apples and oranges, not on your village's land. I am quite content living here without a home…" A shadow passed over her face, "…For the conditions are better than going back, living with my parents."

"…But you sure don't look like a homeless person."

"Sorry?"

"You look… so pampered," Gohan struggled to find the right words, avoiding offense. "Your clothes. They look so new. You are wearing some makeup although I can see only little, and expensive Swiss hand creams… I can smell it, for my friend's wife uses some," Gohan stated, thinking of Eighteen.

Cleo stiffened at that, not knowing how to respond. "I… I stole these clothes."

"Ah…" Gohan blushed, a blanket of pity sweeping over him. "How did you survive the recent monsoon, then?"

"Trees," Cleo answered quickly, before Gohan even finished asking that question. "I… was… in the trees. Climbed up a really high tree before the rain started… I survived."

"You got wet, still?" Gohan grinned mischievously.

Cleo raised an eyebrow at the nineteen-year-old, who struggled to suppress his laughter. "Yes, I did, silly one. Despite the number of leaves on the trees people usually get wet when they go out into the rain, unless they have an umbrella. Anyway, this was a very interesting meeting. Will you sit with me and tell me about yourself?"

"Sure," Gohan replied softly, as the blond beauty plopped herself down onto the feathery grass and motioned for the teen to come seat himself next to her. Gohan did so, catching his breath seeing that her luscious curves were emphasized even more as she sat leaning back with her arms behind her, supporting her. Her long hair, the flowing waterfall of golden honey, cascaded behind and appeared to adorn the tasteful body, seeming to linger even as she tilted her head backwards, the whisked movement almost making it flutter. The distinct light of her splendor seemed to shimmer from her soul, which Gohan had not seen since he had laid eyes on Marty.

Cleo smiled when she saw that Gohan was staring at her again, and shifted her head upright once more, before inclining it forward with a sweet grin, a naughty, seductive hint seeming to hide behind it. She appeared to like the way he gazed at her, Gohan mused, although he did try to hide it, and often it didn't work. Blood instantly rushed to Cleo's cheeks at the very sight of Gohan's tender, attentive gaze; he seemed to favor her, especially with the slight expression of coy fondness embedded in the gaze. Their eyes were locked together for a few moments, both pulses rapid and faces flushing, before Cleo broke the line that seemed to have been created by their fixed eyes, turning her gaze away.

"So Gohan," Cleo spoke up, her eyes still turned away. "How old are you? Do you still attend school?"

"…Nineteen. University."

"Ah. You must be an intelligent one," she teased, as if they were old friends. A silence occurred then, and Gohan began to gain a sudden discomfort of the conversation. Why does she ask him about his life, and then not tell him about hers?

"How old are you?" Gohan asked curiously, to see what her reply would be, or if she would actually reply. Although she could see that they were about the same age… maybe older, maybe younger than the other, he longed to test her security.

Cleo froze, and hesitated in her answer, taking time to do so. "I… I cannot say," she replied at last, a regretful look coming forth from her eyes. "…There have been many things which have befallen the past. Many a circumstance has brought grief and sorrow to me- even eventually forcing me here, without a roof over my head. I should not have even told you my name, I just realized- but that has already been brought about, and there is naught I could do about it."

Gohan nodded instantly and turned away, feeling a slight stab of hurt that she didn't trust him, even though he knew that there was a reason- they only met fifteen minutes ago. Cleo looked at him with an expression of regret, and sighed. "Forgive me, I mean no offense, but trust is very priceless these days. Although I am not the one to speak… for I saw you grieving earlier. Would you like to confide in me?"

"No," Gohan spoke honestly, feigning a smile that he did not truly feel. "I believe I will be fine. Besides, what is a life to lament for eternity- there is no purpose in that."

With that he stood, turning to leave. But before he could, Cleo spoke again, making him flinch for he thought she did not like him. "Gohan… I want to express my gratitude that you had come to befriend me even during your time of mourning- I appreciate that you had put aside time for me," she uttered gently, feeling a little downhearted by the truth that he was a little wounded.

"It is quite alright," he replied gently as he turned his head back, feeling a little less hurt from the obvious attempts that Cleo was trying to apologize.

"I like you," she beamed divinely, speaking truthfully. "Will you ever see me again?"

"Of course," Gohan reassured, delighted that she had asked. "I come out often. And thanks, not many people like me."

"I doubt that," Cleo shook an accusing finger. Gohan smirked slyly, raised a hand in farewell and promptly left the scene.

Cleo eyed the youthful, athletic back moving away, vanishing from sight. As soon as he had, she stood as well and strode to the nearest tree, resting a head against it, touching a white, sleek hand to her luscious lips whilst caressing the smooth trunk with the other. As she did a smile formed on her radiant face, eventually elevating into a soft laugh of satisfaction not audible to anyone or anything around her.

"He likes me…"

To be continued…

Author's Note:

To those who are unclear as to how to pronounce Cleo's full name (which I'm sure is none of you) Cleanthe is pronounced Klee-an-thee (The th in Cleanthe pronounced as the th in 'thing').

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Love, Fëaruin