Hey, I got a free Panty Wardrobe from Cupid! Go me! (Sorry, I just got that lame email the other day and had to say something.)
Okay, pertaining to the Bura/Bra thing, which I forgot to address in the last chapter (whoops)... Technically, it is spelled Bra. At least that's how the GT people spell it (GT people as in Toei Animation, because they created. That's right! If you didn't already know, Akira Toriyama did not create the GT series, though I don't doubt that he hand a hand in it.) Anyway, I spell it Bura, because that is the way the Japanese say it (because they can't make the BR sound naturally). It just sounds much prettier than plain Bra. So, it's not a dubbie thing.
I've always wondered why no one romanizes Trunks "Turunks," but they do romanize Buruma, Kuririn, Bura, ect...
Also, if you didn't already know, the Japanese don't have L's, and Bulma's name is pronounced Buruma, but it's supposed to be Blooma (as in bloomers...most of Akira's DB/Z names are puns, tho some aren't meant to be humorous.)
Okay, on with the chapter!
Chapter XII - Next Stop, Blyss
Marron stared at Vegeta as he sat across the table from her. They were now in the CC mansion library. Once Vegeta had powered down, and Marron had calmed down, they had decided to go there for privacy. (Yes, privacy with Vegeta...) The spirits were, once again, hanging upside-down, and taking a bat nap.
"Alright, Vegeta, what shall we do?"
"There is one way and one way only to get Trunks to stop loving you." He stopped.
"And that would be...?" She motioned him to continue with her hand.
"Damage him."
"Damage him? What do you mean?"
"You know...what do you Earthlings call it?...'break his heart?'"
"Break his heart? I don't want to hurt him."
Vegeta leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "It's the only way, girl."
Epica opened an eye and smirked, then went back to her nap.
"No, there must be something else."
"Why do you care? Are you developing feelings for him?"
"No. It's just...it's not fair to him."
"Would you prefer to remain in you current state?"
She sighed. "Of course not."
"Then you have a better idea?"
"No..."
"Then we'll just have to rely on mine."
"Okay, so what do I have to do?"
"Trunks will discover you in a compromising position. You will tell him you're in love and plan on leaving. I'll convince him to let you go."
"That's it? That's your wonderful plan?"
"Indeed it is."
She shook her head. "And just what kind of compromising position is he supposed to find Rayne in?"
"Think about it. I'm sure among the three of you, one will have some idea. Now, I am going to train." He stood, turned, and left.
"Well, ladies?"
The sisters opened their eyes, glanced at each other, and simultaneously said, "We know what to do."
Goten slumped down on the couch as he heard the spirits' request. Were they serious? Bura seemed to think it was a good idea. She had given them the "go ahead" and everything. Now, there were four pairs of female eyes, anxiously awaiting his reply.
"Well, Goten?"
"Uhh, I'm not so sure this is such a great idea."
"What? It's perfect. I know it will work. Please, Goten," Marron pleaded.
"Really, Goten. It's okay. We have to do this now, before we lose Marron forever. Besides, you know if you don't do it willingly, the spirits will just make you."
He sighed. "Fine, I'll do it."
"Great! Now Bura, all you have to do is get Trunks to come over to my place. Tell him I was wanting to talk to him or something..."
Trunks knocked softly on the door. Bura had told him that Rayne really wanted to see him tonight. He had thought that she would be mad at him, but she apparently wasn't. He waited a minute or two, then rapped harder. Still, nothing. He checked the knob, and found it unlocked, then proceeded to enter.
"Rayne? Where are you?" 'Déjà vu,' he thought, and sniffed for gas. There was no trace of it. "Hello? Rayne, are you home?" There was no response, but he heard some rustling. "Oh Rayne?" He started through the apartment, and checked the rooms. He followed the sounds and found himself standing in front of what he gathered to be the door to her room. He knocked.
More noises were made.
"Rayne," he started opening the door, "come out, come out where ever you a..." his sentence was left unfinished as he took in the sight before him.
"Oh Reese!" (What? I happen to like that name.)
That's right, there was Rayne, in bed, with some unfamiliar orange haired guy. "What's going on here?"
Rayne froze and looked up at him. "Trunks! Trunks I--"
"No, I don't want to hear it. Not like this!" He closed the door.
Goten closed his eyes, and muttered an oath, while removing himself from the bed. He stood before her, wearing his pants and a downcast face.
"I'm sorry, Goten. I know that was hard. It would kill me to hurt Bura like that."
"Yeah, well, it had to be done. We can't have you forgetting your whole life." He tried to smile.
"I guess I should go talk to him." She sighed. "This is going to be so hard."
"Don't worry, girl. We're still here with you."
Trunks watched Rayne as she entered the living room, clutching the front of her robe as if it were her life support.
"Trunks," she began softly, "I'm really sorry that you had to find out this way."
"Find out what? That you're a two-timing slut?"
'Ouch.' She looked taken aback.
"Rayne, I--"
She cut him off with her hand. "No, I deserved that. I shouldn't have led you on." They were quiet, and she moved to sit by him on the couch. "Trunks, I truly am sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
"Then what did you mean to do?"
She sighed again. "Trunks," she paused. "I've been in love with Reese for quite some time. We used to date, and were engaged to be married, but he decided at the last minute that he didn't want to be tied down at that time. I moved here to forget about him. I thought I could begin to move on with you, but the feelings just never went away. He heard about the accident and was worried about me, and when he got here, things just...sort of happened."
"These things don't just 'sort of' happen."
"I never stopped loving him, and vice versa. He wants to get married, soon."
"What makes you think that he won't run again?"
"Nothing. I have no reason to believe that he won't leave me, but it's a risk I'll have to take."
"But Rayne, I love you. Stay here and marry me."
'What?! I never expected him to...'
"Just keep going, Marron. Seeing you and Goten gave him a big shock. Don't allow him to recover," Elese instructed.
"Trunks, you don't mean that. You can't possibly love me."
"Anything is possible."
"Please don't do this."
"You just want me to let you go? Just like that?"
"I love him," she whispered. Marron was growing desperate. This was far harder than she had expected it to be.
"And I love you." He watched her close her eyes sorrowfully. "But if I can't make you happy, or satisfy you like he does, then I won't waste my time."
She looked up. This had her stunned. Was he actually giving up? "Do you mean that?"
"I always mean what I say."
"Good."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, Trunks." She was quiet for a minute, as she saw his whole body tense up. "I--I think it might be best for you to leave now."
"You're probably right." He got up and walked to the door, then turned back for a second. "I wish you well, Miss Rayne."
"Good luck to you too, Trunks."
He closed the door behind him quietly. "I'll see you soon," he swore, as he took off for his home.
Inside, Goten came from the room, his appearance still that of Reese. "You okay, Mar?"
"Yeah. I just hope he will be."
"Don't worry. Vegeta and I will talk to him."
"Thanks for everything, Goten. You and Bura have been such a huge help."
"You're welcome. Now if Elese could just snap me back, I have a date with my girlfriend."
Trunks coughed as he hit the wall of the gravity room once again, the impact making bits of it break away.
"You're not focused today! What's got you so off key?"
"Nothing," he replied, flying towards his father, leg stretched out.
Vegeta grabbed his foot and slung him into the opposite wall. "It's that onna you want, isn't it."
'How'd he know?'
"It's always a woman."
"Well yes, it is her."
Vegeta was surprised by his son's openness, and landed on the floor. He raised an eyebrow.
"She's in love with someone else, and they're getting married."
"What business is this of yours?"
"I'm in love with her."
"That doesn't matter."
"And why not?"
"She loves you?"
"No."
"Then your love for her doesn't matter. She loves someone else."
"So I should just let her go?"
"Yes. She is no concern of yours."
"But--"
"Do not pursue her, boy. It will be the biggest mistake of your life. You'll drive her away forever."
Trunks glared. His father had a point. (A very tall point, on the top of his head.) "Why are you giving me advice? You never cared about my relationships before."
"I don't want you messing up the Saiyan reputation."
Marron washed away the tears that had fallen. There had been few, but she couldn't help being a little sad. It just felt like the end of something...like some huge event of her life. She slowly pulled herself from the cleansing waterfall that was her shower, and wrapped a towel around herself.
She stumbled over to the mirror, and wiped the fog from it. She looked a the reflection and froze. "E-Epica! Elese! Come quick!!"
The spirits materialized into he small room. "What is it, g--?" Epica was cut off by the image of the woman that stood before her.
Marron looked back at the spirits, and seeing the confirming glances, turned back to the mirror.
"It worked," Elese whispered.
TO THE REVIEWERS:
Burned Vamp - You want more?? How about I want more! Where are my updates??
BluEydMnstr - Growing perceptive?? I've actually read everything that Burned Vamp has written. Tangled Web happened to be the first fic I ever read on ff.net. How do I remember?? You'll never believe this, but there is an anime/manga store around where I live, and it's actually called The Tangled Web. Needless to say, the name just caught my attention.
I can see my professors' reactions now, and they're not pretty. That was the longest?? I dunno...Burned gave you a pretty lengthy one in LTHY. I might have dreamed in multi languages...I can speak fragments of 7 different languages (excluding English and gibberish, since I'm fluent in both). It would be pretty cool, though. Hope you enjoyed this one!!!!
BC - Love?? Number one fan?? Way beyond blushing here! Hope you continue to enjoy!
CHIBI SUPER SAIYAN GOHAN LOVER - Mwahaha! Vegeta has got to be the most versatile character. I've been told I portray him the best. Hope this was bad enough for ya!
Cim - I know what moon pies are...my dad likes them. I can't stand 'em personally, but it's always fun to give a treat to your reader! So YOU took MY icecream sandwiches! How dare you?! They're my writing fuel.
Bura - What are you doing outta my fic?? j/p...great writer?? *turns bright red* Thanks!
Legolas luvr - 13...well, you'll see. I can't say, but I think it's gonna be good! Never too cold for popsickles! But I have some cappuccino if you want some of it...
Lily - You took my icecream sandwiches too??!! Arg! Nope...Trunks is in love with Rayne. Rayne is in love with Reese. Bura is in love with Goten. Goten is in love with Bura. And Marron is in love with no one! :o)
Chocolate hearts for everyone!!!!