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Chapter XXVI - Kitten Up a Tree
Marron pressed her hand against the car window, and gazed out at the gray sky and passing scenery. Of course most of that scenery was currently being pelted by rain, but aside from that, it was quite inviting. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken a drive to Bulma's mansion.
She couldn't remember the last time she had been in a car with Trunks.
...as herself...
She leaned her forehead against the glass, closing her eyes. Things sure had changed over the past three years. The spirits had gotten her over her crush, made her into a different person; Trunks had fallen "in love" with her, and Bura and Goten had had a baby.
And here she was, with the man she had thought she wanted to be with for so long, edged away as far from him as possible, and basically trying to get out of the car, while it was in motion.
No, he hadn't made an advance on her. In truth, he hadn't even mentioned the past around her, and still something about him sent shivers up her spine, and fresh tears moistened her dry eyes.
Only minutes earlier, at the hospital, had she been in his arms, listening to his voice assure her that Bura and his nephew were fine. And once he had convinced her of this, she had promptly jumped away from him. She hadn't relished the slightly pained look, which had momentarily donned the now stony features.
'Stony...'
Marron chanced a quick glance at him, before shutting her eyes once again. Yes, stony. That was the way to describe him now. It seemed like the time in Iceland had done more than cool him off a bit.
'Focus, Marron,' she told herself sternly. 'The only people you should be concerned with right now are you best friends ad their child.'
She nodded to herself, and let her mind float back to the horizon.
Trunks starred at the endless road before him. Still, he caught the look that Marron gave him, and nearly winced. She had sized him up quickly, then wrenched the beautiful orbs shut once again, as though the vision of him had given her some kind of physical pain.
Had he really hurt her that badly? Was the rift he had created so large? Didn't she understand that he was hurt too? That both of them couldn't win?
At his sister's wedding, she had told him she was glad that he had moved one, that she wanted him to be happy.
It seemed that happiness was far out of his reach.
His mother had once told him that he couldn't fly without feathers. He had never understood what that meant. He had been able to fly since he could remember, and so he had shrugged off that motherly advice, as all teenage boys did, and pushed it back into one of his brain's tiny crevices.
For more than a decade, it had stayed there, never presenting itself, as he held heart after heart in his hands.
And then, just as another pretty face had walked into his life, and he got the ball rolling, it flipped on its fog lights, and headed straight for a crash course with his own heart. (Dude, I had the oddest feeling to write corazon...)
He had been resistant, at first, unwilling to give up his leisurely life, but at some point, during his chase of Rayne, he had given up on letting he slip out of his life, and decided that she needed a permanent position there.
Then, she had refused him, and he had thought that it was all over...
...until he found out that the woman he loved was Marron.
Sweet, innocent, feisty Marron. All that time, she had been hiding her own love for him. Why had she never mentioned it? Did she really think that he would laugh in her face?
Would he have laughed in her face?
Trunks shook his head. He didn't need to be thinking about these things. He needed to be thinking about the new plans.
Why had the spirits decided to appear again...after all this time? Why had they gone to Bura and Goten? It just didn't make sense.
But he did like Bura's new plan. It seemed perfect, almost, though something was missing in it.
Trunks pulled the car into the garage, and cut the engine.
He was sure they could figure it out, though. Between the five, well, six, including the baby, something had to work.
Right?
"Come to Auntie Marron, Vegeta Junior!" Marron grabbed the baby out of his father's arms, and held him close. (Yes...I know he isn't the real Vegeta Jr...) "He's so adorable. Looks just like you guys."
Trunks looked over her shoulder and smirked at the baby.
"Goten, get some pictures," Bura ordered from her recliner.
Goten whipped out the camera. "It's a good thing that we got one with a lifetime guarantee," he said, as he snapped away.
"Ugh, Goten! The flash is going to make me go blind if I don't get some recovery time between shots," Marron groaned.
He chucked, as dropped six instantly developing pictures onto a nearby table.
"Where're Mom and Dad?"
Bura rolled her eyes. "Mom had a convention to go to."
"And I assume Dad's hiding out in the gravity room?"
Bura nodded. "Mom's been sort of overwhelmed, taking charge of CC recently."
Trunks looked down. "I know the feeling."
Goten, who was now acting the part of a professional photographer, growled. "Trunks, the picture is too plain. Get in there."
"I don't think..." He was cut off, as his best friend took charge, pushing him closer to Marron.
The two stood there rigidly.
"Well go on," Bura urged, "put your arm around her. I want something that'll look good in my album!"
Trunks growled at the happily conniving couple, and draped his arm over Marron's shoulder. "How's that?" he bit out.
"Great," Goten exaggerated, snapping away contentedly. He suddenly straightened. "No, that's all wrong!" He glared at his models. "Trunks, stand behind her, put your arms around her waist, your chin on her shoulder, and for Dende's sake, LOOK AT THE BABY!"
A bit unnerved by his friend's sudden commands, he did them, and Goten went back to taking the pictures.
Bura smiled, "Okay, Trunks. Now I want some of you and your nephew."
Marron gave him the baby, and tried not to laugh at him, as Goten assaulted him with the bright light.
She let a few giggles slip, as she looked over the newly-developed images. She picked up one of the still orange ones, and watched it slowly develop.
She gasped as the lavender hair man came into view, and then, when she realized he was holding her, the breath lodged in her throat stayed firmly in its place, and she blinked a few times.
"You okay, Marron?" Bura asked.
Marron dropped the object, as though she were a child caught stealing a cookie. "F-fine. I just realized I had to get up early in the morning, and there are still a lot of errands that I need to tend to."
"Oh. Well, come visit us again soon."
THREE WEEKS LATER
Marron groaned. 'Anywhere but here, Bura,' she thought as she trudged into the elevator, and pressed the button for the top floor.
Bura had decided that they hadn't seen each other enough lately, so she had invited Marron out to lunch. Unfortunately, she had asked Marron to meet her at Capsule Corp.
'Of all places...it had to be here.'
The compartment dinged, and the doors slid open.
Marron's eyes widened at what she saw. There, right by her old desk, was...no, it couldn't be. Her piano? Her antique, 18th century piano that she had waited anxiously for for thirteen very long weeks, only to have it blown up a short time later?
It was impossible, and yet...there it was, beckoning to her.
"Mar-chan, time to get off," Bura chimed.
Marron shook her head, and stepped into the executive lobby. "What-how-when...?"
Bura grinned. "It's a gift."
"G...gift?"
Her friend nodded eagerly. "From my brother."
"Your...Trunks?"
As though the man in question heard his name, he poked his head out of the office, and after seeing Marron, walked into the room.
He cleared his throat, gathering the attention of the workers. "Nice to see you, Marron." He watched, as her gaze fell to the piano. "Like it? It's a perfect replica."
"You...did that for me."
He flashed his teeth and nodded.
She looked it over again, moving closer, and noticed some music on the stand. "What's that?"
He loosened his suddenly tight collar, and sat at the stool.
Bura nodded for him to go on, when he gave her a questioning gaze.
Trunks closed his eyes for a second, then reopened them, taking in a deep breath. He touched the piano keys, playing a short introduction, before leaning into the microphone, and singing, "Look at me..."
Marron automatically turned beet red, and felt like crying. 'Please, Dende. No.'
"...I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud I can't understand
I get misty just holding your hand."
'What did I do to deserve this?' she asked herself.
"Walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello that music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near."
SOMEWHERE, IN THE CONTROL ROOM...
Epica grinned as she pressed a few buttons.
"This is a bad idea, Sister," Elese warned.
"Hey, I'm just getting the rest of my revenge."
Elese sighed. "He's going to be angry..."
"He'll get over it," she countered, as she yanked out the the microphone wire, and placed it into the intercom outlet.
IN THE ELEVATOR
Bulma was conversing with some clients, when the speakers suddenly filled with Trunks's voice.
"You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you."
Bulma sweatdropped and laughed nervously, "Must be talent day again. Here at Capsule, we like to share with our employees..."
ON THE TOP FLOOR
Marron slowly edged over to Trunks. "You can stop now...it sounds great."
Trunks only grinned and continued. "On my own would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty and too much in love."
Marron had never been one to desire that the floor swallow her whole...but today was an exception. "Trunks..."
"On my own would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty and too much in love."
'Thank Kami, he's nearly done...'
"Look at me..." He finished the end quickly. "Do you like it?" he asked quietly.
That look that he was giving her... Why had he chosen that song? Did he know how it must look to his employees? She opened her mouth a couple of times to give him a reply, then finally gave up, settling for a nod.
TWO DAYS AND SIX HOURS LATER...
"Alright, you guys. Let's go back to measure fifty-six. I know we can get that line."
The kids groaned, as Marron struck a key on the piano.
"Apple, apple, fallen in the wate—" The children stopped abruptly, as the bell announced a customer for Marron.
She glared. "Can't the people in this town read?" She stood, and walked towards the front room, when someone suddenly blocked her way. "Trunks? What are you doing here?"
"Dropped by to see if the piano was working out okay."
She sighed in exasperation. "It's fine."
"Good."
The kids looked at Trunks curiously. One of the young boys stood. "Miss Marron, who's he?"
An older girl shushed him, before Marron had a chance to answer. "That's her boyfriend, DumDum."
Marron blushed. "No, Kati. Trunks is just my friend, Ty."
The little blonde boy smiled, and Kati frowned.
"Is Mr. Trunks going to stay here and sing with us?" another voice asked.
"No, I'm afraid Mr. Trunks has to be g—"
"I'd love to." Trunks pushed his way through the small doorway.
Marron narrowed her eyes. "Class, this is Trunks Briefs."
An excited little boy, anxious to get out of singing for the day, jumped up. "Mr. Trunks, will you sing us a song?"
"Mr. Briefs can't sing."
"Yes I can!" Trunks went to the piano and sat.
Marron sighed, and leaned against the huge instrument. 'Here we go again.'
"See the pyramids along the Nile
Watch the sun rise
From the tropic isle"
'Oh Dende, I thought "Misty" was bad. Haven't you tortured me enough? What kind of music has he been listening to?'
"Just remember darling
All the while
You belong to me"
'Arg! Does he have to sound so sexy?' She glanced at him, and saw that his eyes were glued to her. He had actually memorized it! And now, he was torturing her.
"See the market place
In old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Just remember
When a dream appears
You belong to me"
'Oh Trunks...you have to stop!'
"And I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too"
"Fly the ocean
In a silver plane
See the jungle
When it's wet with rain
Just remember till
You're home again
You belong to me"
'This isn't fair!' she felt like screaming, as her eyes somehow got caught up in his gaze.
Elese grinned at her sister, as she sat amongst the children, in the guise of one herself, "This is our best plan yet!"
"You're right. Endearing her...quite a concept..."
"And it seems to be working."
"Oh I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too"
Marron's eyes watered. 'How can he still do this to me? I'm over him...'
"Fly the ocean
In a silver plane
See the jungle
When it's wet with rain"
'Trunks, don't you understand that you don't really love me? That I don't really love you?'
"Just remember till
You're home again"
'Why do things have to be this way?' she asked herself hopelessly.
"You belong to me"
Marron's trance and thoughts were suddenly interrupted, as Trunks's beeper assailed the ears of all those in hearing distance.
Trunks pulled it from his waist band. "Sorry kids," he said apologetically, already halfway to the door, "urgent business."
Epica glared. "Remind me to blast the damnable contraption the next chance I get."
TO THE REVIEWERS:
I love you guys!
Bucky - Wow! Engrossing?? Thanks! I started reading the Nail fic, got through about one paragraph, and haven't had any free time since, but I really can't wait to continue with it!
Satan's Angel a.k.a. Angie - I dunno. You tell me. *grins*
Burned Vamp - WILL Trunks and Marron ever get together?? WILL you ever get off my case about mating?? Stay tuned...
Reviewer 100 - *sweatdrops* So much to do...I'll get on it, I promise, girl! What list?? Not another shit list, I hope...
BluEydMnstr - I will...you know...busy...Thanks!
alannapurple - OF COURSE I'm trying to make you fat. That's my job! And I just don't see where you guys get that that was confusing...
leelee - Lost?? Well, how can I help you??
blue fire - Oh really?? You don't think I could go to 100 chapters?? Try me... JUST KIDDING...but I just might one day, but not with this fic. I can count the remaining chapters on one hand...
Heather - Good to see you're having fun, and glad you like.
Legolas Luver - Actually, LL, I think that's you...but who knows?? I was just wondering...you aren't by any chance afraid of boiling acid, are you?? *grins* Byebye!
MinMoot - Thanks! Glad to have you addicted. Okay, I'm typing in html, so I can't put the tags in here. Email me, and I'll show you how to do it...
AGalaxiaGoddess - I LOVE Galaxia! Her, and Lethe and Mnesymone...ANYWAY...Glad you like it! Thanks!
Lily - Dude...Lil ran out of things to say. I like it better when they just say they're speechless. Makes me feel like I accomplished something...Thanks!
trunksgrl06 - Well...glad I confused you?? Thanks for reviewing!
A HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE AGAIN! And if you don't understand something...email me! --> Hotaru_no_hope@hotmail.com
Trail mix, anyone?? No?? TO BAD!!!! *Throws buckets of it at you* Enjoy! *waves*