Power, Deception, Lies

Part XIII

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"What, on the green grass and the firm soil of this Earth, is she DOING?!" Marty cried in frustration, shoving Frieza aside as he gazed into the crystal waters that mirrored the image of Gohan and Cleo speaking quietly together. Marty almost ungracefully shrieked in anger and swept up the large black fabric next to him, covering the dish of crystal waters with it, believing that if he saw any more he would be sick.

Cell smirked at that response. Even with a heart filled with evil, Cell knew well that Marty dearly loved his sister at all costs, wishing that she were back here by his side, doing whatever wrongs they'd desired. "Well, Marty," Cell taunted, "Look on the bright side?or in our case, the dark. At least she's still the way she's meant to be, nonetheless of her folly with falling for one who sides for the good of the Universe, a teenage brat."

"A teenage brat who killed me twice, at that," Garlic muttered, interrupting their conversation.

Marty ignored Garlic. "It matters not, you ignoramus fool! She, my sister who has the potential to be crowned the Queen of all evil, who makes great evil of all other forms bow down before her, who destroys as though there is no tomorrow, has fallen for an innocent," Marty shuddered, unable to complete the statement, before he continued. "That is betrayal. I swear that she should not do this unless she is willing to pay dearly for her deeds."

"The Queen of All Evil?" Frieza mocked with slight envy, for hardly anyone has ever crowned him the King, whilst it was true that even Marty hailed his sister as though she were the greatest power that exists in the Universe. "Well, you know what this means, then. It is a good thing that she will betray us, for even I am beginning to tire desperately of her and her dominant ways. Yet she is not dominant enough that we may be able to do what we desire with the world because she is off loitering around with someone who teams with the good of the Earth! Let us say this; this Queen of All Evil should be stripped of her "rank", I will turn permanently to stone all the other Z warriors, and rule as King."

The others turned to him and raised an eyebrow, but this time Frieza did not heed that mockery, and he stared at them with eyes shining in his wickedness. "The day comes near when the stone warriors will remain eternally so. But before then, I know that my combat with a certain blond android will come to pass."

* * * * *

Gohan and Cleo sat together, neither knowing what to say to the other.

In the past week gentle drizzles of rain had fallen, adorning the leaves of the surrounding trees with dew that shone in the moonlight. The fall was cold, and warm red and orange leaves were beginning to gather beneath the trees in damp mounds, as were the dying fruit that had arrived at the fullness of their age. It was obvious that poor Cleo had been outside in the cold, for drops of rain and dew from the trees ornamented her hair, shining like minute stars, looking so pure any who laid eyes upon her would think that it had been woven into her hair naturally. The water in her long, blond hair filled Gohan's heart with a twinge of love and desire, and he looked away, his face flushing a deep red.

Gohan hardly knew Cleo; they'd only just recently met. But with what he knew of her so far he was so certain that this young maiden was easily loved, and was a heart-stealer; she was gentle towards him, and patient, and her body was exceedingly appealing, so attractive that Gohan did not understand why she was an outcast. Although he tried to deny it, he knew for sure that he desired her; he loved her, and it was no matter the way that it was not meant to be.

He didn't want it to be this way. He didn't want to be in love with Cleo when his heart already belonged to Videl. But it was difficult not to. Cleo was kind in her heart, and so beautiful. Gohan did not perceive at that moment why she was so attractive, for he did not yet see from their similarity that Cleo was directly related to Marty.

"Is there nothing you would say to me?" Cleo asked gently.

Gohan flinched. "Sorry, there are many thoughts clouding my mind. Cleo, I may have to go now, before someone notices that I am gone and worries for me."

"No, do not leave!" she pleaded. "Stay with me, for I am lonesome."

"I cannot, as much as I would like to," Gohan stood. "It is already very late, and I am tired out. I could see you in the morning."

"Why in so much rush to go? Afraid your girlfriend will catch you or something?" Cleo said with a hint of coldness. Gohan gaped a little at that, for he had not expected such a bold statement. But nevertheless, he smiled and sat down again, making Cleo smile also.

"Now that's the Gohan that I like," she drawled, wriggling towards him.

Another brief silence occurred, until Cleo noticed that Gohan was shivering from the cold. At first she was very angry, cursing him for having yet another excuse not to stay with her until morning. But then she realized exactly what a cruel thought that was, and smiling she stood, pulling the boy up by his arms.

"Will you dance with me, Gohan?" she asked with a smile that caught his breath. Grinning, he agreed and reached for her hands, wondering at the beautiful smile that adorned her already lovely face. He had seen a smile that beautiful somewhere before, though he could not remember when, or where...

Gohan's arms encircled Cleo's slender waist, whose arms wrapped themselves around his neck. For a while as they danced in the grassy clearing, their gazes locked and a smile still present, a soft, caring smile. And all of a sudden a thought returned to Gohan's mind...

=FLASHBACK=

"Dance with me!" A younger Videl giggled, pulling a little harshly on Gohan's arm. The boy groaned, trying to pull away from her.

"I don't wanna dance! I don't know how to dance!" he complained, trying to writhe his arm free. But Videl would not relinquish her grip, continuing her childish giggles and satisfied with her cruel torture.

"Okay, I'll show you," she smirked, "but if I lead, I'll have to be the boy."

"Oh, please don't."

"Now, you're meant to put your arms here..."

"LET ME GO!" Gohan seethed, trying to avoid her. But Videl merely laughed, and pulled on his arm again.

"What is so frightening about dancing? Scaredy-cat. If you'd learn you'd actually enjoy it a lot more, rather than complain everyday that you can't do something!"

"Fine!" he grabbed her hands and danced with her with a lot of steam, making the dance strong and powerful. Not noticing as they were so engrossed in their dance, soon the crowd of dancers around them turned their eyes to them, watching the quaint yet convincing pair of dancers. As the final cadence of the song was struck, Gohan was about to storm away when a roar of applause echoed around them, and struck by awe all he could do was smile and bow as Videl elbowed him in his back.

=END FLASHBACK=

It wasn't like that now. It wasn't full of energy and annoyance, with steam coming out of his ears. Cleo was gentle, and her movements soft, very like a cat. Beneath the stars her hair seemed to gleam more golden than before, so that it looked truly gold instead of blond. The waterfall of honey moved together as she danced and shimmered so even silver was seen sparkling in her hair. Her arms were white, so white, that in the darkness she seemed to bring an Inner Light that challenged the night.

Cleo looked at Gohan and began to wonder how such an evil one as herself could fall for one who was so kind of heart. Marty was right; she was insane. But he was so handsome and strong, and it seemed like he'd known exactly how to dance. Though the thought bubbled within her at what experience he may have had, she tried to forget it all, and enjoy the moment while she still could.

They seemed to dance only a while, before Cleo stopped her gentle movements and gazed into the face of the young one who had stolen her heart. Their pulses seemed to quicken, with the excitement that surrounded them both, as they looked openly into each other's eyes. And then, she did exactly what she had secretly wished and planned for so long. She caressed his face, and moving just a little closer, she kissed him.

Gohan was surprised and pleased, but also shocked. Though he kissed her back for a while, he felt himself being taunted by guilt as he pulled away. "Cleo, I'm seeing someone, and you knew that."

"So?" she whispered seductively, moving closer to him once more. "I know you want this. Why try to avoid it?"

"I thought better of you, Cleo," Gohan uttered, immediately trudging back to the direction of the village. "I know it was my mistake too but you had this all planned out, didn't you? This is why you asked me to dance."

"You can't accuse me of that," she replied coldly, following him. "You did not respond the first few moments that I kissed you. I thought that you did not mind, and besides, I believed that we have grown far closer than you have with that wench of a girlfriend!"

"Do not call her such a name!" Gohan hissed, shooing her away. "Look, I'm sorry this has happened, but I can't see you anymore. I don't want to see you anymore..."

"Why not?!" Cleo steamed, grabbing his arm.

Gohan sighed, and wriggled his arm free. "Because I don't want to destroy what Videl and I have, Cleo. I may like you very much, but I am not one who uses people and Videl had won my heart before I met you. It's not that I do not like you that I want not to see you again, I like you very much. But I do not want to be tempted to go against what I believe is right."

"You fool!" Cleo screamed. "If you did not desire me you'd have pulled back before I could've kissed you at all. You desire me, you love me and I KNOW IT!!!"

"...No, Cleo. I dont," he called back, stomping through the mud and grass. The air seemed so cold at that moment, and the rain so unforgiving...

But hardly was that the worst part of the night, for Gohan reached the village two minutes later. Wiping his feet on the doormat to the house he shared with Eighteen, Krillin and Videl, he was about to open the door when he realized that it was already open. Cursing himself for not noticing before, he was afterwards about to step in when he was shocked by a figure that stood there.

"Videl?" he questioned softly, seeing her silhouette in the darkness of the hallway. After a few suspenseful, silent seconds Videl calmly walked forward to him, cheeks streaming with tears, and slapped him hard before running away to her room and slamming the door.

To be continued...