Dedicated to Turk and our *innocent* IM conversation
Ch. 9
Usagi had been relaxing at home a few days after she had arrived. Everyone seemed to be really worked up over this new enemy, Cell. She wasn't really worried too much. He can't be more powerful than anything back home. She mentally scolded herself. This is my home, it always had been, and always will be.
She was up in a tree now, as she had been for most of the night. It was the same tree that she had healed Gohan under so many years ago. She hadn't been able to sleep, nor did she wish to. Her mind would only haunt her with dreams of her friends' deaths. She closed her eyes in pain. No I won't think of that now. Sighing she jumped down and landed gracefully on her feet. The sunrise was always different but just as breathtaking.
She had been away from home too long and as a result the relationship with her friends and family had suffered. Though everyone tried to make up for the lost time it was still painfully obvious the only thing that could heal it was time. She had too many thoughts rolling around in her head. I need to spar with someone and get this off of my mind. Who would be up at this time in the morning? the only person that she knew was always up before dawn was Vegeta.
She looked at her home and decided just to leave. She didn't think that it would take too long. Sighing she took off for Capsule Corp. A content smile crossed her lips as she felt the rising sun bathe her petite form with its gentle rays. It had been so long since she felt the clouds part before her and the colors of dawn dance around her. Before long she had landed on the front steps of the giant mansion. After knocking quietly Bulma's mother happily answered the door.
"Oh Usagi, it's been so long since I've seen you!" She gasped in shock, "Come come we mustn't have you waiting in the cold." She shivered for effect. "I haven't seen you since that day your father brought you over to go to that dreadful Namek."
Usagi nodded and smile politely. This woman was just being too polite for someone that had to answer the door so early in the morning. "Is Vegeta up?" The cheery woman stopped in mid sentence and thought about it. "Yes I think so. He's usually up by now. Bulma is always complaining about his 'training' habits. Just between me and you," she moved forward and dropped her voice to a faint whisper. After glancing around and deciding that it was safe she whispered, "I think he's got 'issues'."
Usagi cracked a smile and had to fight back the urge to laugh her ass off. Only Bulma's eccentric mother would have said something like that. She shook her head in amusement. "It was nice talking to you again Mrs. Briefs. I'll see you around." After giving a rushed bow she quickly scurried away from the over-polite woman.
Her senses immediately picked up Vegeta's since he was in his 'sparing mode'. Sensing it and actually getting to it were two completely different things. Every time she started down one hall it would always loop back around or suddenly stop. After about the fifteenth hallway she wanted to scream in frustration. Why in the hell does Bulma have to have such a big house? You have to be a rocket scientist just to know which way to go. (AN: Hey that rhymes! ^^!)
She was half way down the hall when something fell out of her pocket. It thudded lightly against the ground and slowly opened. A soft music flooded the silent hallway and forced her to stop in shock. My locket. she turned and sadly gazed down at the golden trinket. The heavenly light shined on her face as the moon slowly spun around in a circle.
She remembered the time her friends had given it to her. It was for her birthday and they all said that it was a symbol of their friendship. Tears prickled the back of her eyes as the suppressed memories came crashing down. She curled up into a ball against the wall, (hey that rhymes too! ^^!) and finally mourned the loss of her guardians, friends, no sisters.
* * * *
Trunks stepped out of the bathroom in only a pair of pants and a white towel hanging around his neck. Drops of water dripped from his now tousled dark lavender hair. Steam rushed passed him and into the cold hallway. Small beads of water littered the top of his body but he paid it no mind. As soon as his bare feet touched the cold hardwood floor of the hallway a chill washed over him.
Shrugging he was about to walk to his room and get a shirt but stopped when he heard a soft string of music accompanied by muffled sobs. Turning he found a strip of light reflecting off of the ground. As he drew closer he could make out more and more of the desperate sounds and familiar figure. Finally when he was right in front of her his breath caught.
His mind tried to rationalize the situation. There was Usagi huddled in the corner of a hallway in HIS house balling her eyes out. He looked her over and became even more worried as her sobbing became more ragged. Her silver hair streamed off of her shoulders and rippled across the wooden floor like she was a small streak of moonlight trapped in the shadows of a grand forest. Her face was buried in her arms which were resting on her bent knees.
"Usagi?" Trunks spoke hesitantly, scared that she wanted to be alone. She clearly ignored him and continued on her tear fest. He couldn't bear to see her like this for long. The soft melody still echoed through the hall repeating itself. That combined with her crying was starting to drive him insane. Looking to his right he found a golden locket spilling forth light and music. He grabbed it and snapped it closed successfully killing the little song.
A long, slender, very feminine hand made a grab for the locket. "No," a hoarse voice cracked in despair. Trunks' head snapped up and came face-to-face with Usagi for the first time since the coconut massacre. Her blurry eyes and tear streaked face looked at him with a pleading expression. He could see the sadness glinting in her eyes and wanted more than anything than to take away her pain.
"Please leave it on."
He rested his hands on hers and asked, "What's wrong?" Usagi snatched her hand out from under his and buried her face once more in between her arms. "Nothing, now leave," came the muffled reply. Trunks growled in frustration. Why does she have to make this hard?
He scooted in front of her and gently pried open her arms. He grabbed her face and tilted it up so that they were looking each other in the face again. "I'm only going to ask you this once more before I beat the answer out of you. What's wrong?" he said with a slight smile.
She gave him a watery smile. Does he even know how hot he looks? She blushed when she noticed that he didn't have a shirt on. Her hand reached up and brushed the wet lavender locks away from his face. "Give me back my locket."
Trunks grabbed both of her hands in one of his while swinging the star locket in front of her face. "Come and get it," he challenged. She narrowed her eyes at his smirking face. She yanked her hand out of his grasp and lunged for her precious locket. Trunks was surprised but yanked it out of her reach just before she could grab it. She lost her balance and fell right into his warm embrace.
Trunks smile down at her. That worked perfectly. He wrapped his arms around her preventing her escape. Usagi's eyes widened when she noticed that she was now seated in his lap being pressed against him. His bare chest radiated warmth that slowly pulsated against her skin and threatened to consume her. He's so warm.
The locket that now lay forgotten slowly opened and flooded the hall with music once more. Usagi's eyes started to water again as the memories came crashing back down. She pushed up from Trunks' chest but he tightened his grip around her waist and brought her crashing down against him again.
"I'm not letting you go until you tell me why you keep crying every time that locket is opened." Usagi looked away as tears dripped down her face. Trunks scooted next to the wall and got comfortable sensing that this was going to be a long story. Usagi studied his determined face for a few minutes before sighing in defeat. "You're too much like your father," she grumbled.
"I'll tell you about my past if you tell me about yours," she felt him stiffen but continued anyway. "You said before that many people from your home were killed. If that's true then we have very similar pasts. Tell me, what happened?" Trunks sighed and pulled her closer to him.
"Dr. Gero was an evil scientist that always had a thing against Goku. He created the most powerful, evil beings in all of creation, the androids. When I was around chibi-Trunks' age they came and killed everyone…"
Usagi watched the play of emotions pass through his face as he lost himself in his memories. By the time he was done both of they had tears running down their faces. Usagi reached up and brushed a piece of his silky lavender hair out of his eyes. She looked up at him and saw the eyes of a frightened child that had a horrible past. She hugged him as a mother might and gently ran her hands through his hair while whispering soothing words.
"It seems that neither of us has accepted the pain and loneliness of our pasts." Trunks pulled away and looked at her with gratitude. "Thank you I really needed that. Now, your part of the agreement?"
Usagi sighed and snuggled deeper in his embrace. "Are we ready for another sad story?" He squeezed her in warning, "Don't you even think about backing out now." She sighed, "Very well. I'm only going to tell you about part of my past since if I started at the beginning we might be here all day. By the time I was fifteen I had eight friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. They weren't just my friends but my guardians as well—don't ask about that," she said when she saw Trunks get a confused look on his face.
"We all fought together against a lot of evil enemies and always prevailed. We didn't fight like I was taught here we fought with magic that was fueled by our love for each other." One of her hands reached up and started to trace invisible symbols on his well muscled shoulder. Trunks stiffened in surprise and snuck a glance at her. Her eyes were glazed over with happy memories but were soon flooded with dark blue.
"One day an enemy came that was so powerful even our magic wasn't enough to protect the universe. We tried and tried but were destined to fail. They each gave their lives so that I would live. Their love for me drove them to their deaths." Usagi clutched Trunks tighter and cried as the images kept flashing through her mind.
"As they fell they willed their powers to me. I became the most powerful being in that entire universe. The enemy, Chaos, and I were equal in strength. We were both determined to win and in the heat of battle we killed everything in that dimension.
"I couldn't kill Chaos because what is light without darkness? Good without evil? Heaven without Hell? I banished him to the furthest reaches of every dimension, in a hellhole that he hopefully will never escape. I can never forgive myself for ending the lives of-of everything.
"I was so alone, so alone, as I was meant to be. Then I decided to come back here where I would be able to live until I was needed again. In my quest for peace and love I became Chaos. I am a monster."
Trunks looked down at her in shock. "You are not a monster. If you hadn't of done what you did this Chaos would have taken over and put all of their lives through hell." They both sat for hours--or was it minutes?—and cried on each other until no more tears could fall. Usagi brushed away one of her tears that was slowly sliding down Trunks' bare chest. She blushed when she again noticed that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Trunks smirked when he saw her blush.
Now that they both had a chance to grieve they were happy but at the cost of looking like shit. He scooped her up in his arms and stood in one fluent motion. His smirk widened when he heard her "eep!" in surprise. "Where are we going?" she asked while clutching him tightly. Trunks carried her into the bathroom and propped her up against the counter.
"You still didn't answer my question. What did that locket have to do with you crying?" Usagi flushed, "Well when I turned fifteen they all got it for my birthday. It's a symbol of our everlasting friendship."
Trunks nodded while grabbing two washcloths and ran them under the water. He rung one out and moved in front of Usagi. With his dry hand he started to tuck some of the pieces of hair that framed her face behind her ears. He started to gently wash the tear marks off of her red face. Usagi shifted nervously on top of the cold tile. Trunks smirked when he noticed her getting flustered.
Usagi noticed his smirk and glared at him. She grabbed the other wet cloth and started to return the favor. "One more question Usa."
"Hmm?"
"Not that I'm complaining or anything but why exactly are you here?" She smirked and gave him a little tap on the face. "I wasn't here to see you if that's what you're asking."
He faked a hurt look and threw down his washcloth in mock anger. "Well see if I ever protect you from flying coconuts again." She chuckled and threw her washcloth at him. "I came here to spar with Uncle Veggie. I couldn't sleep and needed something to help get my mind off of …things. After trying to find my way through this maze that you call a home I kind of…got lost."
Trunks snickered and glanced in the mirror noticing that their faces were back to normal. Without a second thought he scooped her up again and headed down the hallway. "Well we can't have you crying in hallways again now can we? You could have at least come to my room," he said with a mischievous grin. Usagi playfully slapped his shoulder, "Hentai."
"Who me? Noooo…."
Usagi rolled her eyes and nearly fell out of his arms when she noticed that they were in front of a door that had GRAVITY ROOM printed on it in big bold black letters. "How--?" When Trunks only winked at her she exploded, "I HATE YOU PEOPLE!!"
He set her down behind him and slowly opened the door. Without even stepping inside he could feel the gravity push against him as if in a silent warning. He stepped inside and looked at his father that floated high in the air with his arms crossed and his scowl firmly in place. "You're late brat."
Usagi squeezed out from behind Trunks and started to pout. "So I'm a brat now?" She sniffed and looked up at him with a fake hurt look. "Uncle Veggie I thought I meant more to you than that."
Vegeta glared down at her. "What are you doing here Usa-chan?" She smiled up at him, "I came to spar of course." Vegeta glanced at Trunks, "Yeah well I'm just so used to you arriving with an escort and all," he said sarcastically while rolling his eyes.
Usagi blushed, "I kind of…got lost and Trunks showed up to be my knight in shining armor." Trunks smiled at the comment and drooped an arm around her shoulders. Vegeta eyed his son suspiciously. "Especially since we have all of those shirtless knights running around everywhere."
Usagi giggled and turned to Trunks with an evil glint in her eyes, "You didn't know Trunks? Everyone is supposed to wear spandex like Veggie."
"Like that's much better," Trunks grumbled while tightening his grip on her shoulders. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "I know I wouldn't mind you wearing spandex." She glared at him while blushing, "Hentai," then after a moments pause she added, "It would definitely be a step up from my fuku." Trunks' interest peeked at that comment.
Vegeta glared down at the two demi Saiyajins and fired a ki blast at them. He did not like being make fun of and then ignored. The small ki blast knocked them out of their conversation. "Let's see how much you've improved girl."
Usagi smirked her Vegeta smirk and fell into a fighting stance, "Gladly." Inwardly Vegeta was relieved. From what he could tell she hadn't changed much form the little girl he had trained so long ago.
He decided to fight normally and surprise her later with turning into a Super Saiyajin. He gave a quick glance at Trunks and noticed that the boy was thinking the same thing. He looked back at Usagi only to find that she wasn't anywhere to be seen. Suddenly pain shot through his head as he was kicked into a wall.
"Lesson #1: Don't take your eyes off of your opponent." Vegeta climbed out of the hole, "So now you're giving lessons?" Trunks leapt into the air and shot his fist at Usagi while dodging a kick from his father. It was everyman for himself. Usagi ducked from his fist and kicked him in the side but was hit in the shoulder by Vegeta. This went on for a while as they warmed up.
Usagi sped up and started to get the upper hand. Vegeta glanced at Trunks and they both nodded at the same time. Stepping back they burst in gold flame as their hair turned gold and stood on end and their eyes turned a light green. They looked at her and were surprised when she just charged forward without powering up. Usagi smirked at their confused faces before sending them both flying.
Vegeta stopped before he hit the wall and rubbed his sore jaw. He disappeared and reappeared in front of her. They were soon dishing out attacks like there was no tomorrow. Slowly Usagi adapted to his technique and remembered all of the tricks that he had taught her. She kicked him in the head and felt pain in her arm. She had forgotten about Trunks.
* * * *
Trunks watched from the ground as Usagi and his father launched into a heated battle. He was surprised that she was fairing so well without going to the next level. He lowered his ki and waited for the right time to reenter the fight. Looking back up he let his eyes sweep over her body shamelessly. By Kami she's beautiful.
He snapped back to attention when he saw his dad go flying. There. Jumping up he kicked her in the upper arm and watched as she stumbled back a few steps. It was his turn.
* * * * *
Usagi had to be careful because she had never seen him fight before. She dropped down and knocked his feet out from under him. He just levitated off of the ground and smirked down at her. She jumped up and punched him square in face successfully wiping the smirk from his delicate lips.
After about ten minutes of exchanging attacks Usagi concluded that he had the strength and the power but lacked his father's cleverness. Soon Vegeta joined his son against her but she refused to let them win.
* * * * *
Vegeta saw the determined look in her eyes and knew that she wasn't going to give them the victory. He was delightfully surprised at how well she was fairing against *two* Super Saiyajins, but wasn't about to let his prized pupil show both him AND his son up.
After dodging one of her punches an idea came to him. He gave a meaningful look at his son and somehow they understood what the other was thinking. Usagi was oblivious. Trunks disappeared as his father charged at Usagi with a newfound passion. Trunks' departure went unnoticed as Usagi had to focus on dodging her sensei's attacks.
Usagi backed up and was about to launch some ki blasts at him when she suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her. Her attack died as she felt a bare chest press up against her back. She was so distracted that she didn't even notice Vegeta's fist coming right got her. When she realized that it was too late she closed her eyes and waited for the painful contact. After a minute she opened one blue eye and jumped back into Trunks in surprise. She stared at the fist that had stopped millimeters from impact.
"Happy birthday Usa-chan."
"Kami Veggie don't scare me like that!" After a minute she let his words sink in and blinked in surprise, "It is my birthday isn't it? I completely forgot." A deep laugh rumbled from behind her. "You really are—err were a blond." She worked an arm free and grabbed a piece of his golden Super Saiyajin hair and pulled it down between them.
"So are you."
Vegeta laughed at his son's shocked face. Usagi had obviously won that argument. "Usagi you're going to eat lunch with us since it seems that neither of you ate breakfast." Usagi's face turned pale as she gulped in fear. "Is it really that late?" When she saw him nod she started to panic. "Dear Selene, mom is going to kill me! I've got to get back right now! Oh Kami, oh kami, oh kami…" Vegeta glanced at Trunks before walking towards the door.
"Bring her."
Trunks threw her over his shoulder and carried the struggling girl sack-of-potato style down the hall. He followed his father even as Usagi started to pound on his back. "Hey go lower that feels good," he commented at the fuming girl. "Trunks if you don't let me down right now I'm going to—going to—slice you open with my Artemis sword and laugh as I watch you wither in pain while you slowly shrivel up and die." (AN: The Artemis sword was Venus's sword in the manga.)
"That sound's nice."
Usagi was about to rip his bare back to shreds when the soft aroma of food flooded her senses. Trunks smiled when she stopped struggling and gripped her tighter. "You know you have a nice ass." Usagi smacked him in the back of the head and muttered, "Hentai." He laughed and walked into the kitchen with her still slung over his shoulder.
"Bulma help me!" she cried while starting to thrash wildly. Bulma turned and laughed at her innocent looking son. "Why Usagi, I didn't know you were going to join us for lunch. Don't worry we have plenty." She looked at her son, "Set her down somewhere."
Trunks pulled a chair up next to his and plopped her down before sitting in his chair. She started to get up but he wrapped on arm around her waist and pulled her back down. "Oh, no you don't. I didn't carry you all the way here just to have you run off."
She glared at him, "Oh your poor back. I hope it breaks one day and I hope I'm the one to do the honors." Trunks laughed and pulled her as close to him as the chairs would allow. Before he could comment the food was set on the table. Bulma stood back and watched as the men went at it. She still found it hard to believe that Usagi didn't eat like she used to.
"I'm curious Usagi. Why did your hair turn silver and why are you older than Gohan?" Vegeta and Trunks slowed down their pace so they could hear. Everyone had been wondering about that.
"Well the silver hair is like a Super Saiyajin's hair. I only got it after I reached a certain level of power. The problem is I can't power down so my hair stays this color all the time. As for the age difference….well that's a long complicated story that I only want to have to tell once." Bulma nodded and they continued to chat the rest of the meal. By the time lunch was over it was already 2:30 in the afternoon.
"Bulma I *have* to go home now. I didn't even tell 'kaasan that I was coming over here today. She's probably worried sick and is going to kill me when I get home."
"You worry too much," Vegeta said from his position against the wall. Usagi raised an eyebrow, "This coming from the man that practically shits a brick everyday so that he can beat the 'third-class baka'." Vegeta growled in warning and she only smirked.
"Don't pout Veggie. You're just not used to someone actually beating you in an argument." He growled again and glared at her, "You're pushing your luck."
She grinned, "As if you would do anything to your precious 'Usa-chan'." He glared at her but kept quiet. She smiled and turned to Bulma. "I really do have to go." Bulma looked at her watch and saw that it was 3:00. They should be ready by now. "Hey why don't we join you. Vegeta needs to get out of that damn gravity room and I haven't seen Chichi since the coconut massi —err since we were at Kami's Lookout.
Usagi smiled. "OK!" She grabbed Trunks and Vegeta and proceeded to drag them towards the door. "Hold on you three. I have to get chibi-Trunks." Usagi sighed impatiently and released her hold on the two startled Saiyajins while watching the blue-haired woman scurry off.
Trunks eyed his father. "How did you survive while training her?" Vegeta smirked, "When she's beaten half to death she's a LOT quieter." Usagi glared at them both, but before she could say anything Bulma returned with a slumbering baby in one arm and a huge bag filled with diapers, bottles, baby clothes, etc in the other. "Ok, let's go!" She walked up to Vegeta and gave him a glare. He grumbled a few choice words in a couple of languages before scooping her up and walking out the door.
Usagi chuckled but gave a startled "eep!" when she found herself in Trunks' arms for the second time that day. "I can fly you know." He glanced at her, "That's nice." She crossed her arms and turned her head away, pouting. He chuckled, "Do you know how cute you look right now?" She blushed and lowered her gaze to look at the landscape below.
Bulma gazed back at them with a knowing smile. "They really do make a cute couple," she said as she shifted the baby in her arms. Vegeta grunted in response. She sighed. Did she really expect an answer?
"Do you think that they've got everything set up by now?" He shrugged, "With Kakarotto helping, I doubt it." Bulma chewed on her lip. "Don't worry woman I'm sure his mate put him in line." Bulma knew that that was his way of telling her that everything would be fine. "I hope so." (AN: Don't worry you're not supposed to understand just yet.)
They landed at the edge of the small clearing followed closely by Trunks and Usagi. "Hey I didn't know that you guys were coming!" Gohan exclaimed while entering the clearing. "Hey Gohan what are you doing out here?" Usagi asked as she was slowly set on her feet. "Oh I just got back from playing with Icaris (sp? You know the chibi dragon that he made friends with like….along time ago.) since Mom gave me the day off from studying. She said that she needed me out of the house so she could do some major cleaning."
The Briefs family shared a glace with each other and concealed little smirks that were twitching at their lips. Bulma looked over and saw Chichi in the window signaling that they were all ready. She cleared her throat loudly, "I think that we should get inside now; it's starting to get a little chilly." She watched as Gohan and Usagi continued to talk as they unconsciously stepped inside their house.
"SURPRISE!!!!"
Both the siblings jumped in surprise and fell on the floor with a loud clatter and a massive tangling of limbs. After a few seconds of hard blinking and ragged breaths they sat up and looked around in confusion. All of then Z-senshi were there; some laughing, some standing to the side, but all of them were smiling. Presents lined the chairs, couches, and tables and some birthday balloons were floating on the ceiling.
"Wha?" they said in unison.
Vegeta walked inside smirking. "You two are truly related to Kakarotto." Usagi glared at him and his snickering son behind him. "Let's see how you like being scared out of your mind. And how old are you again? I might have to start calling you Grandpa Veggie." Vegeta just glared at her and his near hysterical son before stalking over to Bulma mumbling something about "disrespectful brats".
Trunks shook his head in amusement and gave Usagi his hand when he noticed that she was still seated on the floor. When she was standing he slipped his arm around her waist and walked her over to the couch. "You knew about this didn't you?" she asked when they were sitting. He shrugged and leaned back watching everyone mingle and gossip. "Maybe." She rolled her eyes and followed his gaze around the room. "Everyone's changed." He looked at her in curiosity, "How so?"
"Well for starters your Dad is a little bit more laid back." Trunks snorted in disbelief while letting his eyes travel to his father that was currently slumping in a corner looking rather bored but none the less stiff. "No I mean it. He used to be all 'I must win, nothing else is important!'!" she finished in a deep arrogant voice that turned squeaky by the last word.
Trunks laughed trying to picture what his Dad was like in the past. "What about everyone else?" He glanced warily at her when he noticed a wicked gleam come to her sad eyes. "Gohan used to be the biggest baby in the world. Crying and whining about everything." He gave her an incredulous look. She sobered, "Ok, ok he wasn't that bad. We were twins before-"
"-and still are," Trunks pointed out.
"-and still are," she confirmed. He watched as her eyes became laced with happy and sad memories which were heavily laden with emotions. All in all, he concluded, she was absolutely beautiful. "Back then we were inseparable. We used to share secrets and he'd always help me out with jams I found myself in constantly. He was the best brother anyone could have ever wished for."
"And now he's not?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Now he seems so…reserved and…older. He's too young to be all grown up." Trunks looked at her sadly. She didn't see how hypercritical she was being right now. He decided to voice his thoughts. "You're too old for your age." She turned to him sharply. "I'm older than you think."
Before he could explore what that meant they were interrupted by Chichi and Bulma silencing the crowd. "As you know we are celebrating my children's birthdays so you better have brought gifts or you are getting kicked out."
Vegeta got a hopeful look on his face but it quickly drained away when he caught a look on his wife's face. It was the if-you-spoil-this-moment-I- will-personally-kick-your-ass-and-leave-you-out-on-the-couch-with-no-food- for-a-month-and-cut-your-starved-bloody-body-into-shreads-and-scatter-them- to-the-four-corners-of-the-Earth look. (AN- @.@ That's quite a look if you ask me!) He glanced at Goku only to find that he was whimpering and cowering under his own wife's gaze.
Bulma smiled when she saw that her husband was grumbling to himself looking rather embarrassed. "Gohan why don't you sit on the other side of Usagi and everyone can gather around." Everyone quickly complied after spying her earlier look. Trunks didn't mind in the least when Usagi was pressed against his side to make room for her brother. His arm quickly wormed its way around her waist in all of the commotion. He grinned down at her when she shot him a look. It seemed she also knew that for him to move his arm she would have to stand up and that would cause more commotion then it was worth.
Chichi stood from her position next to Goku. After surveying the room and it's occupants she spoke in an excited voice. "Now that everyone is settled, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"
Everyone looked at her silently, shocked.
She blushed a deep red and looked down at her feet that were currently digging into the carpet. "I always wanted to say that." Everyone sweat dropped and fell on the floor anime style. "Kakarotto! You need to get a new mate or keep her from uttering something you would say in my presence!" Vegeta screamed having been the first to recover. Gohan turned to his sister with wide eyes. "I never new she had it in her," he spoke with awe. She just raised an eyebrow.
The party progressed as any normal birthday would only reaching a peak when everyone caught sight of the five foot cake. When both Goku and Vegeta launched themselves at the cake Trunks loosened his grip on her waist only to slip it under her shirt to feel her skin. No one noticed. Except for her. Her head whipped around and stared at him with a shocked and indignant look.
He grinned innocently. His hand was just touching her waist, how mad could she get?
His answer came when he caught sight of her hand reaching back to slap him. He used some of his Saiyajin speed to grab it in mid-swing. He smirked when she glared. His other hand grew more daring and crept slowly to front of her stomach. He felt her stiffen and her glare grow more intense. The outside world was starting to settle down so he lowered the hands that were still in the air to rest on her lap. His grip in both places didn't relinquish. She leaned forward and whispered, "You know I could scream right now and you would probably get the shit beat out of you by more than one person."
Trunks thought for a moment, "But you wouldn't want to ruin Gohan's birthday now would you?" She glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye. Sighing she was forced to turn back to the group of friends so she wouldn't create a scene.
She barred her teeth when he started to stroke her abdomen lovingly. Her eyes closed and she took a deep calming breath. Ignore him, Ignore him, Ignore him… she silently chanted hoping that it would ease the butterflies that had decided to take hyper pills and were currently banging against her insides insanely (AN- @.@ That's a funny image.) She looked at the cake and was surprised to find that it still stood tall in all of its perfect glory. The two full blooded Saiyajins lay about a foot away unconscious. If you looked close enough you could almost see little frying pans with wings circling around their heads.
Her head came up slowly to look at her mom who was still posing dramatically. "No one, and I mean NO ONE, will ruin this birthday. DO YOU HEAR ME!" the black-haired woman yelled to the fallen Saiyajins but everyone nodded anyway. There seemed to be an echo as her voice faded into the far corners of the house.
Dead silence.
Suddenly she turned and faced her two children with a pleasant, motherly smile. "Ok, now who's up for some cake?"
Silence.
Blink.
"WHAT?!" she screamed when no one answered her.
Blink.
"Someone better start talking or they are going to be joining those two on the floor," she threatened. Everyone suddenly burst into speech.
"I'd love some cake!"
"Yeah cake!"
"That's a beautiful cake!"
"Did you make it all by yourself?"
"Heh heh heh…"
Chichi smile with satisfaction as the room came alive with the soft humming of chatter once again. "That's more like it." Usagi turned to Trunks with a scared voice. "That was just a little too weird. Her smile was so…so motherly," she shuddered for effect. Trunks chucked. Their vision was soon filled with white frosting as a huge piece of cake was thrust into Usagi's arms. "Here you go sweetie. Would you like some Trunks?" He just grinned. "No thanks Chichi. I'll just take some of Usagi's." The older woman lifted an eyebrow and smirked at the two before turning and leaving them to themselves.
Trunks tightened his grip around her and pulled her into his lap. "You are going to let me have some of that aren't you?" he asked giving the male version of puppy eyes. She gave him a huge grin before bolting from his arms cake in hand. Before she got two steps he wrapped both of his arms around her and pulled her back into his lap. "Oh no you don't. I want some of that cake." He felt her stiffen in apprehension.
"What would you do if I ate it all?" she asked while taking a big bite. Trunks gulped as he watched her take the fork from her mouth as tantalizingly slow as possible. Her mouth moved up and down in slow movements and she closed her eyes as if to savor the sweet taste. Trunks's grip around her tightened as he pulled her as close as decency would allow. His eyes shut when he heard her moan softly. Finally he relaxed when he noticed that she was done with that bite of cake. His eyes traveled to her luscious red lips as she licked them clean of any spare crumbs that might have escaped her appetite. He had been shaking up until now with desire. With that last gesture he snapped and pulled her closer intending to taste the last traces of that cake inside of her mouth for himself. Right when he was about to experience heaven on Earth she pulled back with a grin.
"Uh-uh. We wouldn't want to make a scene now would we?" His face crumpled and a whining noise rose up in the back of his throat. She laughed at the picture he made. "Payback's a bitch." He just pouted and looked down at the rest of the forgotten dessert. He looked at her like a small boy would his mother after being punished, "Can I still have some cake?" he asked meekly. She giggled and moved the fork in front of his face.
"Open wide for the choo choo, baby Trunks." He grinned and devoured the small treat and mocked her by making an overdramatic moan in the back of his throat. She playfully smacked him against the chest and glared at him. He laughed when she turned and started to pout.
* * * * * * * * *
After giving Usagi her piece of cake Chichi practically ran over to her fellow matchmakers. All conversation (more like bickering but who's counting anyway?) stopped as the couple noticed Chichi's excited and anxious face. That in itself was a feat considering Chichi didn't get jittery over anything. "What?" Bulma asked catching some of her friend's excitement. Chichi just grinned and looked at the somewhat curious Saiyajin Prince. "Look over there and see for yourself. I don't think that we are going to have to do much. Trunk's seems to have taken the initiative." Vegeta smirked as he watched the scene unfold before him.
Bulma caught sight of his grin and looked at him curiously. "I still find it hard to believe that you don't have a problem with this. You are usually so protective of her. I would have thought that you would be the first against any of this. I was convinced that you would scare off all of her 'suitors' and let her grow into an old crone with no mate."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow. And here he thought his mate knew him inside and out. Obviously not. "Woman how can you not have this figured out?" he questioned with a sigh. "Who better to mate her with than my own son and heir to the thrown? Besides, that's the only way she can be my daughter. It's either marriage or me killing Kakarotto and claiming her as part of my family. The latter would just take too long and this is much more entertaining."
* * * * * * * * * *
After having a nice little talk (more like heavy brainstorming on how they plan to get the two Saiyajin hybrids together but who's counting anyway?) with her fellow matchmakers Chichi straightened and announced that it was time for the birthday siblings to open presents. Everyone gathered around the couch and deposited their presents on the small coffee table in front of the startled two. Usagi curled up and leaned against her captor as watched her brother dive excitedly into the presents. It was refreshing to see that he hadn't lost all of his childhood yet.
Most of the presents were to him since everyone had been planning for this weeks in advance and hadn't counted on her unexpected arrival. She didn't mind personally. Just being with people again, and her family at that, was enough for her. She couldn't have asked for a better present than for her family to be back and all of them safe. It's all thanks to Trunks. she thought and snuck a glance at the purple-haired hunk. As if he sensed her gaze on him he glanced down at her and smiled. She returned the smile before turning back to her excited brother. I'm going to have to thank him sometime.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Gohan finally stopped when all of the presents on the table were in a small pile to his left and their wrapping paper to his right. Looking back at the now empty table he noticed that his sister hadn't gotten anything. Furrowing his brow he sprang from his seat and bolted to his room suddenly remembering what he had hidden something there a long time ago.
Blink.
Everyone looked at each other for a moment wondering what had caused the young boy's hurried departure. Usagi was about to follow her brother thinking that something was wrong but was stopped when he came back in the room carrying a small package. He glanced at Krillen who only smiled back while giving him thumbs up. "Gohan I had totally forgotten that you still had that," the bald man laughed nervously when everyone turned to look at him with questions written in their eyes.
"Usa this was supposed to be for you on our next birthday, but you disappeared so I kept it just incase you came back. When we were on Namek I spotted this in Guru's house and asked if I could have it. So you could say it's from me and Guru."
Usagi smiled as her brother handed her the small bundle that was wrapped in what felt like velvet that was tied together by a pair of strings that crisscrossed in the front. She shook it and wondered what it could be. Throwing all caution into the wind she broke the strings and gently lifted the soft cloth from the gift. When the dark material was removed both she and Trunks gasped at what they saw.
A delicate silver locket hung from a thin silver chain. Because of her Cosmos powers she could clearly see that magic was used in making this because a faint ice blue aura could be seen mixed with the silver. It strangely looked like a closed rose bloom that was facing outward.
"Guru said that it could only be opened by magic." Her head shot up to look at him in shock. How had he known that she could perform magic? Then it hit her. When she healed him under that tree so many years ago he found out. It surprised her that he had remembered that day.
"He also said that when it was opened it would show the three things that the holder values most."
"Three things?" she asked looking back down at the locket.
"Gohan I know that's a nice gift and all but you Saiyajins can only do ki blasts not magic," Bulma said smartly from her position on the couch. Gohan just looked at his sister with confidence and a slight smirk. Sighing Usagi looked down at the rose-shaped locket. With a wave of her hand it opened. Slowly it bloomed much like a flower would and peeled back into three different slabs with pictures on each.
The first one took shape into a family photo. They were all wearing their best and were smiling at the 'camera'. Her dad had his silly little 'I'm lost' smile, while her mom's looked kind of forced and annoyed. Gohan's looked carefree and only somewhat serious while hers looked happy and content.
The second one took shape a few seconds later. It was a picture of, lord behold, a smiling Vegeta. He was looking down at the camera with a fatherly smile and had a strange glint in his eyes.
The last one started to form. She spotted something lavender and immediately closed the locket before anyone else could see who it was. She already knew who would be on the last 'petal'. She blushed and looked down at the locket that was idly being turned in her grasp.
"Who was in the last picture?" came a soft whisper in her ear. She smirked slightly and shrugged. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Trunks' arms just squeezed around her tighter.
She giggled and tried to hook the thin chain of her birthday gift around her neck. After a moment it didn't seem to want to hook together and she was about to give up when the hands around her waist left their faithful perches. Large, powerful hands gathered up her hanging hair and pushed it all onto one shoulder. She shuddered when his hand touched the bare skin of her back just above the lining of her shirt. He took the two ends of the necklace from her paralyzed hands and brought them around her neck. She closed her eyes to savor the sensation of his warm breath dancing across her neck. When the task was finally done he blew lightly on her neck and relished in the sight of the goose bumps followed by her small shudder.
Gohan raised an eyebrow. He may be young, but he was by no means blind or stupid. After what he had just seen he had a pretty good idea who was on the other part of the locket.
Usagi suddenly stood up from the couch with flushed cheeks. She had to get away before she went crazy. She looked at her brother and gave her brother a big hug. "Thank you Gohan! I absolutely love it!" She paused for a second and looked back down at her locket. It was magic so maybe she should give her brother a gift that's magical.
Her brow creased in thought. What would he want? Looking at him she changed her mental question. What would a Saiyajin his age want? Then it clicked. She smiled. "I have a present for you too." Gohan looked at her in excitement. "Really what is it?"
She laughed, "Well you won't know until I give it to you now will you?" He pouted and looked at her with impatience. "Where is it?" She just smiled mysteriously, "You're going to have to come with me to get it," then she turned to address everyone else in the room, "I'm going to borrow Gohan for about an hour to go and get his present." Her mother was curious but nodded her consent. After a quick glance at Trunks she walked into her room followed closely by Gohan.
* * * * * * *
Once she was sure that her door was locked she turned back to her curious brother. "Gohan you're going to have to keep another secret for me ok?" He nodded and looked at her eagerly. She smiled. "Have you ever wondered why I had all of those special powers?" at his nod she continued, "Well when I was taken to that other world I found out." He nodded again and leaned forward even more anticipating a very BIG secret any moment. Usagi smiled at him again and suddenly leaned back with a shrug. "No you probably don't really care."
He jumped up in shock. "No Usagiiii," he whined, "I care! I want to know. You have to tell me!" She chuckled and leaned forward again. "Ok here it goes."
Gohan watched as she took a few steps backwards and raised her hands into the air. She mumbled a small fraise so softly that even his Saiyajin ears couldn't pick it up. A bright light suddenly shot forth from her body and surrounded her. Normally he would have looked away, but this light was different. It was soothing to the eyes to look at instead of being intense and bright as other light tended to be. If forced to describe it he would have said that it looked like the light of the first star being born among the dark, silent, emptiness of space.
Even with him looking right into the heavenly light he couldn't see through it. Before he could relish in its soothing feel it was gone. When he looked next he did a double take. He sister stood with a calm, knowing expression playing across her face. Her buns were now heart shaped and pearl clips with wings could barely be seen through her now silver hair. She wore a tight silver bodice and a very short silver skirt with a rainbow of colors flowing down in a triangle shape from a point in the center where skirt met bodice that left little to the imagination. She carried a staff that had a ball with wings at time. All in all she was breathtaking.
Gohan's jaw dropped as he looked her over. "Wow."
She giggled and looked down at him with sad eyes. "This is why Pluto, the green-haired woman, came and took me so many years ago. All you need to know right now is that I am very powerful in this form. It's only in this form that I can get your birthday present." At the mention of his gift Gohan's jaw snapped closed and he got excited all over again. "Wow it must be something if you have to go through a transformation just to go and get it."
"You're coming with me."
At that he got even more excited. "Ok! But where are we going?" She chuckled, "To a galaxy far far away."
"Really?!" When she only nodded he practically started to bounce around the room. Usagi, or Cosmos now, looked at her brother in delight. She had wanted to get him back to his normal self ever since she had seen how serious and reserved he had gotten.
"Usa?" She looked at him with a frown. He was acting serious again. "I promise that I won't tell anyone about any of this." She smiled. "Thanks Gohan. Now take my hand. We're going to teleport there." His eyes got wide. Sure he had seen his dad do it plenty of times but he bet that even his dad hadn't of teleported across galaxies before. He took her gloved hand and squeezed it tightly.
A bright flash emitted from her staff and he closed his eyes by reflex. When he opened them again he found himself looking at a dark horizon in place of a bedroom wall. He dropped his hand from his sisters and did a full 360 turn to examine everything much to his sister's amusement.
The planet was very dark. There was only a faint red sun in the distance that was on the verge of dieing. Rubble crunched under his feet as he took a few cautious steps forward. He squatted down and barely touched a palm sized rock which turned to dust under the slightest touch. Rocks and rubble littered the ground. After scanning the horizon he noticed that the landscape remained flat and very dark.
"Is it night right now?" he asked while turning to the only source of light, his sister. She walked over to him and he watched as the shadows danced with each step she took. "On this planet there is no night and day." When he only looked at her with confusion she smiled softly. "Come. What I have to show you is this way," she said while motioning for him to follow her.
After walking a little while in silence Gohan started to notice small pieces of bone now littered the ground with the rocks. "What happened here?"
Usagi debated if a boy his age should know of the horrors that occurred on this planet. After looking at him for a long moment she realized that he already understood death better than most. "Believe it or not but this planet used to be one of the most beautiful in this part of the galaxy." When she noticed Gohan's disbelieving look she explained.
"Millennia upon millennia ago this was once a very vibrant planet that knew of no hardships and no hatred. The Kami of this planet was dieing and needed to pass his throne onto a potential guardian. He chose incorrectly and let a cold-hearted deity take over. Soon this god grew bored with just watching and decided to have a little fun. He created a sword that could be good or evil depending on the wielder and that possessed immense power. The most famous of which was the ability to kill a god.
"Up until now gods were invincible and fate alone could decide when they would pass and someone new would take their place. This kami thought that he was above fate when he created the sword. It was cast out among the mortals that he guarded and created more trouble than it was worth.
"While these people were mostly peaceful, they had never found a way to express their more aggressive side to each other. The sword allowed them to do just that. So Gohan, this beautiful planet was destroyed by its own people's hatred and greed. As fate would have it a particular mortal wielded the sword against its very creator killing the god. Without a guardian the planet soon fell into chaos.
"This sword couldn't exist any longer, or so the fates had decreed. The particular mortal that had killed the god wouldn't relinquish the sword and made it apart of himself. The fates couldn't let such a powerful evil exist without an equally powerful good to combat it so they ceased the sword and split it into two thus creating the Twin Swords of Destiny. One sword, the evil one, remained with the corrupted mortal prolonging his life and feeding him more power, while the good one was sent back to this planet with countless spells cast over it to protect it.
"And here we are," she said as she finished her tale and they approached the only building left standing. It was made of clear crystal that pointed heavenward as if defying the kami of that planet.
Usagi could see all of the magic that flowed around this building. She sighed and held her staff above her head. "I am Cosmos no Senshi, Queen of the Stars, Guardian of the Universe, and the Protector of Light! I have brought a new wielder for the sword, one that is pure of heart and strong in spirit. Heavens part and allow us passage to the sword that we seek! I command it!" she yelled with a voice that caused the ground to tremble.
Gohan watched as the clouds above stopped. His jaw dropped when the crystal structure pulsated once with an intense light, the one that Usagi used to transform, he thought, the light of heaven. The crystal then melted and dissolved into the earth leaving a small pillar of light as the only thing left standing on the barren planet. They walked slowly, he more cautiously than his sister, toward the light.
"Go ahead and take it Gohan." He looked at her uncertainly. She just gave him a motherly smile that reassured him. He took a confident step forward and saw a long sword that had a sheath made of heaven's light. He chewed on his lip and closed his eyes as his hand closed around the hilt. Opening one eye at a time he looked around fully expecting some huge flash of light or a booming voice.
None came. He looked back at his sister with worry.
She laughed. "Unsheathe it," she softly commanded. When he did he saw that the blade was made of clear crystal. A surge of power flooded through his system and he stumbled back a few feet. It felt like hanging on a thread of life and suddenly eating a handful of senzu beans. After blinking furiously for a few minutes he grinned.
He turned to his sister with the big grin still in place and ran up to give her a huge. "I love it!" She chuckled. "Now listen Gohan. There is something important that you have to know. This is one of the Twin Swords of Destiny; it's the light one if you haven't noticed. Though the fates split the sword into twin swords they can still be put back together. Only when that happens can you kill a god. Otherwise it will only wound one. Understand?" at his nod she continued, "Maybe if you ask someone nicely they'll give you sword lessons," she said referring to a certain purple haired Saiyajin Prince that she had been trying to get her mind off of for the past hour.
Gohan nodded excitedly. His grin didn't falter even when they had transported back into her room and she de-transformed.
* * * * * * * * * * Meanwhile……………
The women had retreated to the kitchen saying something about dinner. Everyone else had split up into their own conversations no one daring to leave for fear of being knocked unconscious by a frying pan.
Vegeta was currently lounging on the couch sitting next to Cho-tsu (sp?). An uncomfortable silence had just blanketed their conversation.
"So, Vegeta," the clown boy asked in a squeaky voice. He got a grunt in response.
"How's life been?"
"Good, Good. And you?"
"The same." Silence.
Cho-tsu decided to try his luck again. "So how's the family? Everything ok or..?"
"Everything's fine. . . So how's work?"
"Good, good." Silence.
"So how are those hemorrhoids? Are you using the cream or..?"
"Nah, the cream was too messy. They came out with a pill."
"Really wow…I'm going to have to look for that. How did the surgery go?"
"It wasn't too bad; they just wrapped some rubber bands around them and waited until they fell of because of the lack of blood."
Chao-tsu nodded, "Yeah I've had that done a few times. You can't really sit down for a while after that."
Before anything else could be said between them Piccolo, who had been standing next to a closet door suddenly turned and flung it open. Yamcha and Tien gave two very high feminine squeaks and came tumbling out half naked. Everyone watched in shock as they tried to sort out each other's clothes and put them on.
"I always new Yamcha was gay." Vegeta heard Bulma say from the kitchen doorway. Before another word was said a grinning Gohan waltzed into the room with something behind his back. Usagi followed with a small smile. Goku started to get curious, "So Gohan what did you get?"
Gohan turned and looked back at Usagi for a minute, "Can I show them?" She shrugged, "It's yours now; you can do whatever you want with it."
Gohan grinned and pulled out the sheathed sword from behind his back. Everyone's jaws dropped when they caught sight of it. Before anyone could say anything Piccolo had moved forward and grabbed Usagi by the shirt. He lifted her a foot off of the ground but still towered a foot above her. He glared at her and tightened his grip.
Vegeta, Trunks, and Goku stood from their resting places and stood stiffly, but Piccolo paid them no mind. He continued to glare down at the calm girl he held dangling in the air. "Where did you steal that sword?" he asked in a deadly calm. She lifted an eyebrow, "I didn't steal it and it's none of your business." He lifted her further and caused Trunks to take a step forward.
"It is my business damn it! That sword could cause major damage! Don't you see what you've done?! With that thing here you've sealed Earth's fate!" Usagi glared up at him. He had no right to accuse of stealing and then say that she didn't know what she's doing.
"Having that sword here is perfectly safe," he snorted but she continued, "It only destroyed that world when it was whole and corrupted by an evil heart. As you should know it is neither whole nor in the presence of an evil heart. Gohan can learn to control it. I know he can. You don't have to worry it can't kill you or Kami."
Piccolo slowly lowered her and took a step back keeping his glare on her all the while. "I'm curious how did you get it and how do you know of its history? I wasn't aware that it had left the fortress much less have been brought to Earth."
Usagi sighed, "Gohan did I steal that sword?"
He shook his head, "No. She told the crystal building to let us in and it kind of . . . melted."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes and looked at her, "Who are you?" Usagi smile slightly, "I am many things all of which aren't important right now." Piccolo looked at Gohan from the corner of his eye, "You know don't you?" Gohan smiled while nodding, "But it's a secret."
This just caused the green giant (AN: That's funny! I could just see Piccolo walking around in nothing but green leaves going 'Ho Ho Ho' that is what he says right?) just narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. She brushed off his look and turned to her brother, "Weren't you going to ask someone something, Gohan?"
He grinned, turned, and tackled a very startled Trunks. "Trunks, could you teach me how to sword fight? Please, please, please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top?" the eleven year old asked in one breath while looking up at the started teen. Trunks looked up at Usagi with a surprised look and after staring at her for a long moment had an idea. "Sure Gohan I'd love to teach you," then he leaned in forward and whispered in his ear, "But only on one condition." Gohan looked at him curiously, "What?"
"You have to get a picture of your sister in her fuku."
"WHAT?!" Gohan screamed in a loud whisper. Trunks just smirked, "I'm sure you can do it. Just ask her to show it to you or something. I'll even supply the camera and get it developed; all you have to do is press the little red button."
"B-But…"
Trunks looked at him stubbornly. "You want to learn to use a sword don't you?" Gohan hung his head in defeat and sighed. "Fine." Trunks smiled, "Just for agreeing I'll give you a lesson anyway."
"I'm just wondering, why do you want that picture so badly?"
Trunks got a dreamy smile on his face for a minute before quickly standing, "No reason. I'm going to take a cold shower now. Bye Gohan, and thanks!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blame everything on Turk and his hentai IM conversation.
Go me this is 21 pages believe it or not! I just want all of the faithful reader of A Megami's Love to know that I now know what's going to happen in the rest of the fic, and you would be glad to know that my editor is bugging me about writing it so I might do it. I typed 15 of these pages in 2 days! I'm so happy!
Now REVIEW! Or I might take even longer to update next time. *sigh* I just hope that doesn't happen. Maybe you guys should vote on which fic you want me to finish first. A Megami's Love or Saiyajin no Oujo?
Love ya Turk and thanks!
Katlin Grace
Ch. 9
Usagi had been relaxing at home a few days after she had arrived. Everyone seemed to be really worked up over this new enemy, Cell. She wasn't really worried too much. He can't be more powerful than anything back home. She mentally scolded herself. This is my home, it always had been, and always will be.
She was up in a tree now, as she had been for most of the night. It was the same tree that she had healed Gohan under so many years ago. She hadn't been able to sleep, nor did she wish to. Her mind would only haunt her with dreams of her friends' deaths. She closed her eyes in pain. No I won't think of that now. Sighing she jumped down and landed gracefully on her feet. The sunrise was always different but just as breathtaking.
She had been away from home too long and as a result the relationship with her friends and family had suffered. Though everyone tried to make up for the lost time it was still painfully obvious the only thing that could heal it was time. She had too many thoughts rolling around in her head. I need to spar with someone and get this off of my mind. Who would be up at this time in the morning? the only person that she knew was always up before dawn was Vegeta.
She looked at her home and decided just to leave. She didn't think that it would take too long. Sighing she took off for Capsule Corp. A content smile crossed her lips as she felt the rising sun bathe her petite form with its gentle rays. It had been so long since she felt the clouds part before her and the colors of dawn dance around her. Before long she had landed on the front steps of the giant mansion. After knocking quietly Bulma's mother happily answered the door.
"Oh Usagi, it's been so long since I've seen you!" She gasped in shock, "Come come we mustn't have you waiting in the cold." She shivered for effect. "I haven't seen you since that day your father brought you over to go to that dreadful Namek."
Usagi nodded and smile politely. This woman was just being too polite for someone that had to answer the door so early in the morning. "Is Vegeta up?" The cheery woman stopped in mid sentence and thought about it. "Yes I think so. He's usually up by now. Bulma is always complaining about his 'training' habits. Just between me and you," she moved forward and dropped her voice to a faint whisper. After glancing around and deciding that it was safe she whispered, "I think he's got 'issues'."
Usagi cracked a smile and had to fight back the urge to laugh her ass off. Only Bulma's eccentric mother would have said something like that. She shook her head in amusement. "It was nice talking to you again Mrs. Briefs. I'll see you around." After giving a rushed bow she quickly scurried away from the over-polite woman.
Her senses immediately picked up Vegeta's since he was in his 'sparing mode'. Sensing it and actually getting to it were two completely different things. Every time she started down one hall it would always loop back around or suddenly stop. After about the fifteenth hallway she wanted to scream in frustration. Why in the hell does Bulma have to have such a big house? You have to be a rocket scientist just to know which way to go. (AN: Hey that rhymes! ^^!)
She was half way down the hall when something fell out of her pocket. It thudded lightly against the ground and slowly opened. A soft music flooded the silent hallway and forced her to stop in shock. My locket. she turned and sadly gazed down at the golden trinket. The heavenly light shined on her face as the moon slowly spun around in a circle.
She remembered the time her friends had given it to her. It was for her birthday and they all said that it was a symbol of their friendship. Tears prickled the back of her eyes as the suppressed memories came crashing down. She curled up into a ball against the wall, (hey that rhymes too! ^^!) and finally mourned the loss of her guardians, friends, no sisters.
* * * *
Trunks stepped out of the bathroom in only a pair of pants and a white towel hanging around his neck. Drops of water dripped from his now tousled dark lavender hair. Steam rushed passed him and into the cold hallway. Small beads of water littered the top of his body but he paid it no mind. As soon as his bare feet touched the cold hardwood floor of the hallway a chill washed over him.
Shrugging he was about to walk to his room and get a shirt but stopped when he heard a soft string of music accompanied by muffled sobs. Turning he found a strip of light reflecting off of the ground. As he drew closer he could make out more and more of the desperate sounds and familiar figure. Finally when he was right in front of her his breath caught.
His mind tried to rationalize the situation. There was Usagi huddled in the corner of a hallway in HIS house balling her eyes out. He looked her over and became even more worried as her sobbing became more ragged. Her silver hair streamed off of her shoulders and rippled across the wooden floor like she was a small streak of moonlight trapped in the shadows of a grand forest. Her face was buried in her arms which were resting on her bent knees.
"Usagi?" Trunks spoke hesitantly, scared that she wanted to be alone. She clearly ignored him and continued on her tear fest. He couldn't bear to see her like this for long. The soft melody still echoed through the hall repeating itself. That combined with her crying was starting to drive him insane. Looking to his right he found a golden locket spilling forth light and music. He grabbed it and snapped it closed successfully killing the little song.
A long, slender, very feminine hand made a grab for the locket. "No," a hoarse voice cracked in despair. Trunks' head snapped up and came face-to-face with Usagi for the first time since the coconut massacre. Her blurry eyes and tear streaked face looked at him with a pleading expression. He could see the sadness glinting in her eyes and wanted more than anything than to take away her pain.
"Please leave it on."
He rested his hands on hers and asked, "What's wrong?" Usagi snatched her hand out from under his and buried her face once more in between her arms. "Nothing, now leave," came the muffled reply. Trunks growled in frustration. Why does she have to make this hard?
He scooted in front of her and gently pried open her arms. He grabbed her face and tilted it up so that they were looking each other in the face again. "I'm only going to ask you this once more before I beat the answer out of you. What's wrong?" he said with a slight smile.
She gave him a watery smile. Does he even know how hot he looks? She blushed when she noticed that he didn't have a shirt on. Her hand reached up and brushed the wet lavender locks away from his face. "Give me back my locket."
Trunks grabbed both of her hands in one of his while swinging the star locket in front of her face. "Come and get it," he challenged. She narrowed her eyes at his smirking face. She yanked her hand out of his grasp and lunged for her precious locket. Trunks was surprised but yanked it out of her reach just before she could grab it. She lost her balance and fell right into his warm embrace.
Trunks smile down at her. That worked perfectly. He wrapped his arms around her preventing her escape. Usagi's eyes widened when she noticed that she was now seated in his lap being pressed against him. His bare chest radiated warmth that slowly pulsated against her skin and threatened to consume her. He's so warm.
The locket that now lay forgotten slowly opened and flooded the hall with music once more. Usagi's eyes started to water again as the memories came crashing back down. She pushed up from Trunks' chest but he tightened his grip around her waist and brought her crashing down against him again.
"I'm not letting you go until you tell me why you keep crying every time that locket is opened." Usagi looked away as tears dripped down her face. Trunks scooted next to the wall and got comfortable sensing that this was going to be a long story. Usagi studied his determined face for a few minutes before sighing in defeat. "You're too much like your father," she grumbled.
"I'll tell you about my past if you tell me about yours," she felt him stiffen but continued anyway. "You said before that many people from your home were killed. If that's true then we have very similar pasts. Tell me, what happened?" Trunks sighed and pulled her closer to him.
"Dr. Gero was an evil scientist that always had a thing against Goku. He created the most powerful, evil beings in all of creation, the androids. When I was around chibi-Trunks' age they came and killed everyone…"
Usagi watched the play of emotions pass through his face as he lost himself in his memories. By the time he was done both of they had tears running down their faces. Usagi reached up and brushed a piece of his silky lavender hair out of his eyes. She looked up at him and saw the eyes of a frightened child that had a horrible past. She hugged him as a mother might and gently ran her hands through his hair while whispering soothing words.
"It seems that neither of us has accepted the pain and loneliness of our pasts." Trunks pulled away and looked at her with gratitude. "Thank you I really needed that. Now, your part of the agreement?"
Usagi sighed and snuggled deeper in his embrace. "Are we ready for another sad story?" He squeezed her in warning, "Don't you even think about backing out now." She sighed, "Very well. I'm only going to tell you about part of my past since if I started at the beginning we might be here all day. By the time I was fifteen I had eight friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. They weren't just my friends but my guardians as well—don't ask about that," she said when she saw Trunks get a confused look on his face.
"We all fought together against a lot of evil enemies and always prevailed. We didn't fight like I was taught here we fought with magic that was fueled by our love for each other." One of her hands reached up and started to trace invisible symbols on his well muscled shoulder. Trunks stiffened in surprise and snuck a glance at her. Her eyes were glazed over with happy memories but were soon flooded with dark blue.
"One day an enemy came that was so powerful even our magic wasn't enough to protect the universe. We tried and tried but were destined to fail. They each gave their lives so that I would live. Their love for me drove them to their deaths." Usagi clutched Trunks tighter and cried as the images kept flashing through her mind.
"As they fell they willed their powers to me. I became the most powerful being in that entire universe. The enemy, Chaos, and I were equal in strength. We were both determined to win and in the heat of battle we killed everything in that dimension.
"I couldn't kill Chaos because what is light without darkness? Good without evil? Heaven without Hell? I banished him to the furthest reaches of every dimension, in a hellhole that he hopefully will never escape. I can never forgive myself for ending the lives of-of everything.
"I was so alone, so alone, as I was meant to be. Then I decided to come back here where I would be able to live until I was needed again. In my quest for peace and love I became Chaos. I am a monster."
Trunks looked down at her in shock. "You are not a monster. If you hadn't of done what you did this Chaos would have taken over and put all of their lives through hell." They both sat for hours--or was it minutes?—and cried on each other until no more tears could fall. Usagi brushed away one of her tears that was slowly sliding down Trunks' bare chest. She blushed when she again noticed that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Trunks smirked when he saw her blush.
Now that they both had a chance to grieve they were happy but at the cost of looking like shit. He scooped her up in his arms and stood in one fluent motion. His smirk widened when he heard her "eep!" in surprise. "Where are we going?" she asked while clutching him tightly. Trunks carried her into the bathroom and propped her up against the counter.
"You still didn't answer my question. What did that locket have to do with you crying?" Usagi flushed, "Well when I turned fifteen they all got it for my birthday. It's a symbol of our everlasting friendship."
Trunks nodded while grabbing two washcloths and ran them under the water. He rung one out and moved in front of Usagi. With his dry hand he started to tuck some of the pieces of hair that framed her face behind her ears. He started to gently wash the tear marks off of her red face. Usagi shifted nervously on top of the cold tile. Trunks smirked when he noticed her getting flustered.
Usagi noticed his smirk and glared at him. She grabbed the other wet cloth and started to return the favor. "One more question Usa."
"Hmm?"
"Not that I'm complaining or anything but why exactly are you here?" She smirked and gave him a little tap on the face. "I wasn't here to see you if that's what you're asking."
He faked a hurt look and threw down his washcloth in mock anger. "Well see if I ever protect you from flying coconuts again." She chuckled and threw her washcloth at him. "I came here to spar with Uncle Veggie. I couldn't sleep and needed something to help get my mind off of …things. After trying to find my way through this maze that you call a home I kind of…got lost."
Trunks snickered and glanced in the mirror noticing that their faces were back to normal. Without a second thought he scooped her up again and headed down the hallway. "Well we can't have you crying in hallways again now can we? You could have at least come to my room," he said with a mischievous grin. Usagi playfully slapped his shoulder, "Hentai."
"Who me? Noooo…."
Usagi rolled her eyes and nearly fell out of his arms when she noticed that they were in front of a door that had GRAVITY ROOM printed on it in big bold black letters. "How--?" When Trunks only winked at her she exploded, "I HATE YOU PEOPLE!!"
He set her down behind him and slowly opened the door. Without even stepping inside he could feel the gravity push against him as if in a silent warning. He stepped inside and looked at his father that floated high in the air with his arms crossed and his scowl firmly in place. "You're late brat."
Usagi squeezed out from behind Trunks and started to pout. "So I'm a brat now?" She sniffed and looked up at him with a fake hurt look. "Uncle Veggie I thought I meant more to you than that."
Vegeta glared down at her. "What are you doing here Usa-chan?" She smiled up at him, "I came to spar of course." Vegeta glanced at Trunks, "Yeah well I'm just so used to you arriving with an escort and all," he said sarcastically while rolling his eyes.
Usagi blushed, "I kind of…got lost and Trunks showed up to be my knight in shining armor." Trunks smiled at the comment and drooped an arm around her shoulders. Vegeta eyed his son suspiciously. "Especially since we have all of those shirtless knights running around everywhere."
Usagi giggled and turned to Trunks with an evil glint in her eyes, "You didn't know Trunks? Everyone is supposed to wear spandex like Veggie."
"Like that's much better," Trunks grumbled while tightening his grip on her shoulders. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "I know I wouldn't mind you wearing spandex." She glared at him while blushing, "Hentai," then after a moments pause she added, "It would definitely be a step up from my fuku." Trunks' interest peeked at that comment.
Vegeta glared down at the two demi Saiyajins and fired a ki blast at them. He did not like being make fun of and then ignored. The small ki blast knocked them out of their conversation. "Let's see how much you've improved girl."
Usagi smirked her Vegeta smirk and fell into a fighting stance, "Gladly." Inwardly Vegeta was relieved. From what he could tell she hadn't changed much form the little girl he had trained so long ago.
He decided to fight normally and surprise her later with turning into a Super Saiyajin. He gave a quick glance at Trunks and noticed that the boy was thinking the same thing. He looked back at Usagi only to find that she wasn't anywhere to be seen. Suddenly pain shot through his head as he was kicked into a wall.
"Lesson #1: Don't take your eyes off of your opponent." Vegeta climbed out of the hole, "So now you're giving lessons?" Trunks leapt into the air and shot his fist at Usagi while dodging a kick from his father. It was everyman for himself. Usagi ducked from his fist and kicked him in the side but was hit in the shoulder by Vegeta. This went on for a while as they warmed up.
Usagi sped up and started to get the upper hand. Vegeta glanced at Trunks and they both nodded at the same time. Stepping back they burst in gold flame as their hair turned gold and stood on end and their eyes turned a light green. They looked at her and were surprised when she just charged forward without powering up. Usagi smirked at their confused faces before sending them both flying.
Vegeta stopped before he hit the wall and rubbed his sore jaw. He disappeared and reappeared in front of her. They were soon dishing out attacks like there was no tomorrow. Slowly Usagi adapted to his technique and remembered all of the tricks that he had taught her. She kicked him in the head and felt pain in her arm. She had forgotten about Trunks.
* * * *
Trunks watched from the ground as Usagi and his father launched into a heated battle. He was surprised that she was fairing so well without going to the next level. He lowered his ki and waited for the right time to reenter the fight. Looking back up he let his eyes sweep over her body shamelessly. By Kami she's beautiful.
He snapped back to attention when he saw his dad go flying. There. Jumping up he kicked her in the upper arm and watched as she stumbled back a few steps. It was his turn.
* * * * *
Usagi had to be careful because she had never seen him fight before. She dropped down and knocked his feet out from under him. He just levitated off of the ground and smirked down at her. She jumped up and punched him square in face successfully wiping the smirk from his delicate lips.
After about ten minutes of exchanging attacks Usagi concluded that he had the strength and the power but lacked his father's cleverness. Soon Vegeta joined his son against her but she refused to let them win.
* * * * *
Vegeta saw the determined look in her eyes and knew that she wasn't going to give them the victory. He was delightfully surprised at how well she was fairing against *two* Super Saiyajins, but wasn't about to let his prized pupil show both him AND his son up.
After dodging one of her punches an idea came to him. He gave a meaningful look at his son and somehow they understood what the other was thinking. Usagi was oblivious. Trunks disappeared as his father charged at Usagi with a newfound passion. Trunks' departure went unnoticed as Usagi had to focus on dodging her sensei's attacks.
Usagi backed up and was about to launch some ki blasts at him when she suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her. Her attack died as she felt a bare chest press up against her back. She was so distracted that she didn't even notice Vegeta's fist coming right got her. When she realized that it was too late she closed her eyes and waited for the painful contact. After a minute she opened one blue eye and jumped back into Trunks in surprise. She stared at the fist that had stopped millimeters from impact.
"Happy birthday Usa-chan."
"Kami Veggie don't scare me like that!" After a minute she let his words sink in and blinked in surprise, "It is my birthday isn't it? I completely forgot." A deep laugh rumbled from behind her. "You really are—err were a blond." She worked an arm free and grabbed a piece of his golden Super Saiyajin hair and pulled it down between them.
"So are you."
Vegeta laughed at his son's shocked face. Usagi had obviously won that argument. "Usagi you're going to eat lunch with us since it seems that neither of you ate breakfast." Usagi's face turned pale as she gulped in fear. "Is it really that late?" When she saw him nod she started to panic. "Dear Selene, mom is going to kill me! I've got to get back right now! Oh Kami, oh kami, oh kami…" Vegeta glanced at Trunks before walking towards the door.
"Bring her."
Trunks threw her over his shoulder and carried the struggling girl sack-of-potato style down the hall. He followed his father even as Usagi started to pound on his back. "Hey go lower that feels good," he commented at the fuming girl. "Trunks if you don't let me down right now I'm going to—going to—slice you open with my Artemis sword and laugh as I watch you wither in pain while you slowly shrivel up and die." (AN: The Artemis sword was Venus's sword in the manga.)
"That sound's nice."
Usagi was about to rip his bare back to shreds when the soft aroma of food flooded her senses. Trunks smiled when she stopped struggling and gripped her tighter. "You know you have a nice ass." Usagi smacked him in the back of the head and muttered, "Hentai." He laughed and walked into the kitchen with her still slung over his shoulder.
"Bulma help me!" she cried while starting to thrash wildly. Bulma turned and laughed at her innocent looking son. "Why Usagi, I didn't know you were going to join us for lunch. Don't worry we have plenty." She looked at her son, "Set her down somewhere."
Trunks pulled a chair up next to his and plopped her down before sitting in his chair. She started to get up but he wrapped on arm around her waist and pulled her back down. "Oh, no you don't. I didn't carry you all the way here just to have you run off."
She glared at him, "Oh your poor back. I hope it breaks one day and I hope I'm the one to do the honors." Trunks laughed and pulled her as close to him as the chairs would allow. Before he could comment the food was set on the table. Bulma stood back and watched as the men went at it. She still found it hard to believe that Usagi didn't eat like she used to.
"I'm curious Usagi. Why did your hair turn silver and why are you older than Gohan?" Vegeta and Trunks slowed down their pace so they could hear. Everyone had been wondering about that.
"Well the silver hair is like a Super Saiyajin's hair. I only got it after I reached a certain level of power. The problem is I can't power down so my hair stays this color all the time. As for the age difference….well that's a long complicated story that I only want to have to tell once." Bulma nodded and they continued to chat the rest of the meal. By the time lunch was over it was already 2:30 in the afternoon.
"Bulma I *have* to go home now. I didn't even tell 'kaasan that I was coming over here today. She's probably worried sick and is going to kill me when I get home."
"You worry too much," Vegeta said from his position against the wall. Usagi raised an eyebrow, "This coming from the man that practically shits a brick everyday so that he can beat the 'third-class baka'." Vegeta growled in warning and she only smirked.
"Don't pout Veggie. You're just not used to someone actually beating you in an argument." He growled again and glared at her, "You're pushing your luck."
She grinned, "As if you would do anything to your precious 'Usa-chan'." He glared at her but kept quiet. She smiled and turned to Bulma. "I really do have to go." Bulma looked at her watch and saw that it was 3:00. They should be ready by now. "Hey why don't we join you. Vegeta needs to get out of that damn gravity room and I haven't seen Chichi since the coconut massi —err since we were at Kami's Lookout.
Usagi smiled. "OK!" She grabbed Trunks and Vegeta and proceeded to drag them towards the door. "Hold on you three. I have to get chibi-Trunks." Usagi sighed impatiently and released her hold on the two startled Saiyajins while watching the blue-haired woman scurry off.
Trunks eyed his father. "How did you survive while training her?" Vegeta smirked, "When she's beaten half to death she's a LOT quieter." Usagi glared at them both, but before she could say anything Bulma returned with a slumbering baby in one arm and a huge bag filled with diapers, bottles, baby clothes, etc in the other. "Ok, let's go!" She walked up to Vegeta and gave him a glare. He grumbled a few choice words in a couple of languages before scooping her up and walking out the door.
Usagi chuckled but gave a startled "eep!" when she found herself in Trunks' arms for the second time that day. "I can fly you know." He glanced at her, "That's nice." She crossed her arms and turned her head away, pouting. He chuckled, "Do you know how cute you look right now?" She blushed and lowered her gaze to look at the landscape below.
Bulma gazed back at them with a knowing smile. "They really do make a cute couple," she said as she shifted the baby in her arms. Vegeta grunted in response. She sighed. Did she really expect an answer?
"Do you think that they've got everything set up by now?" He shrugged, "With Kakarotto helping, I doubt it." Bulma chewed on her lip. "Don't worry woman I'm sure his mate put him in line." Bulma knew that that was his way of telling her that everything would be fine. "I hope so." (AN: Don't worry you're not supposed to understand just yet.)
They landed at the edge of the small clearing followed closely by Trunks and Usagi. "Hey I didn't know that you guys were coming!" Gohan exclaimed while entering the clearing. "Hey Gohan what are you doing out here?" Usagi asked as she was slowly set on her feet. "Oh I just got back from playing with Icaris (sp? You know the chibi dragon that he made friends with like….along time ago.) since Mom gave me the day off from studying. She said that she needed me out of the house so she could do some major cleaning."
The Briefs family shared a glace with each other and concealed little smirks that were twitching at their lips. Bulma looked over and saw Chichi in the window signaling that they were all ready. She cleared her throat loudly, "I think that we should get inside now; it's starting to get a little chilly." She watched as Gohan and Usagi continued to talk as they unconsciously stepped inside their house.
"SURPRISE!!!!"
Both the siblings jumped in surprise and fell on the floor with a loud clatter and a massive tangling of limbs. After a few seconds of hard blinking and ragged breaths they sat up and looked around in confusion. All of then Z-senshi were there; some laughing, some standing to the side, but all of them were smiling. Presents lined the chairs, couches, and tables and some birthday balloons were floating on the ceiling.
"Wha?" they said in unison.
Vegeta walked inside smirking. "You two are truly related to Kakarotto." Usagi glared at him and his snickering son behind him. "Let's see how you like being scared out of your mind. And how old are you again? I might have to start calling you Grandpa Veggie." Vegeta just glared at her and his near hysterical son before stalking over to Bulma mumbling something about "disrespectful brats".
Trunks shook his head in amusement and gave Usagi his hand when he noticed that she was still seated on the floor. When she was standing he slipped his arm around her waist and walked her over to the couch. "You knew about this didn't you?" she asked when they were sitting. He shrugged and leaned back watching everyone mingle and gossip. "Maybe." She rolled her eyes and followed his gaze around the room. "Everyone's changed." He looked at her in curiosity, "How so?"
"Well for starters your Dad is a little bit more laid back." Trunks snorted in disbelief while letting his eyes travel to his father that was currently slumping in a corner looking rather bored but none the less stiff. "No I mean it. He used to be all 'I must win, nothing else is important!'!" she finished in a deep arrogant voice that turned squeaky by the last word.
Trunks laughed trying to picture what his Dad was like in the past. "What about everyone else?" He glanced warily at her when he noticed a wicked gleam come to her sad eyes. "Gohan used to be the biggest baby in the world. Crying and whining about everything." He gave her an incredulous look. She sobered, "Ok, ok he wasn't that bad. We were twins before-"
"-and still are," Trunks pointed out.
"-and still are," she confirmed. He watched as her eyes became laced with happy and sad memories which were heavily laden with emotions. All in all, he concluded, she was absolutely beautiful. "Back then we were inseparable. We used to share secrets and he'd always help me out with jams I found myself in constantly. He was the best brother anyone could have ever wished for."
"And now he's not?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Now he seems so…reserved and…older. He's too young to be all grown up." Trunks looked at her sadly. She didn't see how hypercritical she was being right now. He decided to voice his thoughts. "You're too old for your age." She turned to him sharply. "I'm older than you think."
Before he could explore what that meant they were interrupted by Chichi and Bulma silencing the crowd. "As you know we are celebrating my children's birthdays so you better have brought gifts or you are getting kicked out."
Vegeta got a hopeful look on his face but it quickly drained away when he caught a look on his wife's face. It was the if-you-spoil-this-moment-I- will-personally-kick-your-ass-and-leave-you-out-on-the-couch-with-no-food- for-a-month-and-cut-your-starved-bloody-body-into-shreads-and-scatter-them- to-the-four-corners-of-the-Earth look. (AN- @.@ That's quite a look if you ask me!) He glanced at Goku only to find that he was whimpering and cowering under his own wife's gaze.
Bulma smiled when she saw that her husband was grumbling to himself looking rather embarrassed. "Gohan why don't you sit on the other side of Usagi and everyone can gather around." Everyone quickly complied after spying her earlier look. Trunks didn't mind in the least when Usagi was pressed against his side to make room for her brother. His arm quickly wormed its way around her waist in all of the commotion. He grinned down at her when she shot him a look. It seemed she also knew that for him to move his arm she would have to stand up and that would cause more commotion then it was worth.
Chichi stood from her position next to Goku. After surveying the room and it's occupants she spoke in an excited voice. "Now that everyone is settled, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"
Everyone looked at her silently, shocked.
She blushed a deep red and looked down at her feet that were currently digging into the carpet. "I always wanted to say that." Everyone sweat dropped and fell on the floor anime style. "Kakarotto! You need to get a new mate or keep her from uttering something you would say in my presence!" Vegeta screamed having been the first to recover. Gohan turned to his sister with wide eyes. "I never new she had it in her," he spoke with awe. She just raised an eyebrow.
The party progressed as any normal birthday would only reaching a peak when everyone caught sight of the five foot cake. When both Goku and Vegeta launched themselves at the cake Trunks loosened his grip on her waist only to slip it under her shirt to feel her skin. No one noticed. Except for her. Her head whipped around and stared at him with a shocked and indignant look.
He grinned innocently. His hand was just touching her waist, how mad could she get?
His answer came when he caught sight of her hand reaching back to slap him. He used some of his Saiyajin speed to grab it in mid-swing. He smirked when she glared. His other hand grew more daring and crept slowly to front of her stomach. He felt her stiffen and her glare grow more intense. The outside world was starting to settle down so he lowered the hands that were still in the air to rest on her lap. His grip in both places didn't relinquish. She leaned forward and whispered, "You know I could scream right now and you would probably get the shit beat out of you by more than one person."
Trunks thought for a moment, "But you wouldn't want to ruin Gohan's birthday now would you?" She glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye. Sighing she was forced to turn back to the group of friends so she wouldn't create a scene.
She barred her teeth when he started to stroke her abdomen lovingly. Her eyes closed and she took a deep calming breath. Ignore him, Ignore him, Ignore him… she silently chanted hoping that it would ease the butterflies that had decided to take hyper pills and were currently banging against her insides insanely (AN- @.@ That's a funny image.) She looked at the cake and was surprised to find that it still stood tall in all of its perfect glory. The two full blooded Saiyajins lay about a foot away unconscious. If you looked close enough you could almost see little frying pans with wings circling around their heads.
Her head came up slowly to look at her mom who was still posing dramatically. "No one, and I mean NO ONE, will ruin this birthday. DO YOU HEAR ME!" the black-haired woman yelled to the fallen Saiyajins but everyone nodded anyway. There seemed to be an echo as her voice faded into the far corners of the house.
Dead silence.
Suddenly she turned and faced her two children with a pleasant, motherly smile. "Ok, now who's up for some cake?"
Silence.
Blink.
"WHAT?!" she screamed when no one answered her.
Blink.
"Someone better start talking or they are going to be joining those two on the floor," she threatened. Everyone suddenly burst into speech.
"I'd love some cake!"
"Yeah cake!"
"That's a beautiful cake!"
"Did you make it all by yourself?"
"Heh heh heh…"
Chichi smile with satisfaction as the room came alive with the soft humming of chatter once again. "That's more like it." Usagi turned to Trunks with a scared voice. "That was just a little too weird. Her smile was so…so motherly," she shuddered for effect. Trunks chucked. Their vision was soon filled with white frosting as a huge piece of cake was thrust into Usagi's arms. "Here you go sweetie. Would you like some Trunks?" He just grinned. "No thanks Chichi. I'll just take some of Usagi's." The older woman lifted an eyebrow and smirked at the two before turning and leaving them to themselves.
Trunks tightened his grip around her and pulled her into his lap. "You are going to let me have some of that aren't you?" he asked giving the male version of puppy eyes. She gave him a huge grin before bolting from his arms cake in hand. Before she got two steps he wrapped both of his arms around her and pulled her back into his lap. "Oh no you don't. I want some of that cake." He felt her stiffen in apprehension.
"What would you do if I ate it all?" she asked while taking a big bite. Trunks gulped as he watched her take the fork from her mouth as tantalizingly slow as possible. Her mouth moved up and down in slow movements and she closed her eyes as if to savor the sweet taste. Trunks's grip around her tightened as he pulled her as close as decency would allow. His eyes shut when he heard her moan softly. Finally he relaxed when he noticed that she was done with that bite of cake. His eyes traveled to her luscious red lips as she licked them clean of any spare crumbs that might have escaped her appetite. He had been shaking up until now with desire. With that last gesture he snapped and pulled her closer intending to taste the last traces of that cake inside of her mouth for himself. Right when he was about to experience heaven on Earth she pulled back with a grin.
"Uh-uh. We wouldn't want to make a scene now would we?" His face crumpled and a whining noise rose up in the back of his throat. She laughed at the picture he made. "Payback's a bitch." He just pouted and looked down at the rest of the forgotten dessert. He looked at her like a small boy would his mother after being punished, "Can I still have some cake?" he asked meekly. She giggled and moved the fork in front of his face.
"Open wide for the choo choo, baby Trunks." He grinned and devoured the small treat and mocked her by making an overdramatic moan in the back of his throat. She playfully smacked him against the chest and glared at him. He laughed when she turned and started to pout.
* * * * * * * * *
After giving Usagi her piece of cake Chichi practically ran over to her fellow matchmakers. All conversation (more like bickering but who's counting anyway?) stopped as the couple noticed Chichi's excited and anxious face. That in itself was a feat considering Chichi didn't get jittery over anything. "What?" Bulma asked catching some of her friend's excitement. Chichi just grinned and looked at the somewhat curious Saiyajin Prince. "Look over there and see for yourself. I don't think that we are going to have to do much. Trunk's seems to have taken the initiative." Vegeta smirked as he watched the scene unfold before him.
Bulma caught sight of his grin and looked at him curiously. "I still find it hard to believe that you don't have a problem with this. You are usually so protective of her. I would have thought that you would be the first against any of this. I was convinced that you would scare off all of her 'suitors' and let her grow into an old crone with no mate."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow. And here he thought his mate knew him inside and out. Obviously not. "Woman how can you not have this figured out?" he questioned with a sigh. "Who better to mate her with than my own son and heir to the thrown? Besides, that's the only way she can be my daughter. It's either marriage or me killing Kakarotto and claiming her as part of my family. The latter would just take too long and this is much more entertaining."
* * * * * * * * * *
After having a nice little talk (more like heavy brainstorming on how they plan to get the two Saiyajin hybrids together but who's counting anyway?) with her fellow matchmakers Chichi straightened and announced that it was time for the birthday siblings to open presents. Everyone gathered around the couch and deposited their presents on the small coffee table in front of the startled two. Usagi curled up and leaned against her captor as watched her brother dive excitedly into the presents. It was refreshing to see that he hadn't lost all of his childhood yet.
Most of the presents were to him since everyone had been planning for this weeks in advance and hadn't counted on her unexpected arrival. She didn't mind personally. Just being with people again, and her family at that, was enough for her. She couldn't have asked for a better present than for her family to be back and all of them safe. It's all thanks to Trunks. she thought and snuck a glance at the purple-haired hunk. As if he sensed her gaze on him he glanced down at her and smiled. She returned the smile before turning back to her excited brother. I'm going to have to thank him sometime.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Gohan finally stopped when all of the presents on the table were in a small pile to his left and their wrapping paper to his right. Looking back at the now empty table he noticed that his sister hadn't gotten anything. Furrowing his brow he sprang from his seat and bolted to his room suddenly remembering what he had hidden something there a long time ago.
Blink.
Everyone looked at each other for a moment wondering what had caused the young boy's hurried departure. Usagi was about to follow her brother thinking that something was wrong but was stopped when he came back in the room carrying a small package. He glanced at Krillen who only smiled back while giving him thumbs up. "Gohan I had totally forgotten that you still had that," the bald man laughed nervously when everyone turned to look at him with questions written in their eyes.
"Usa this was supposed to be for you on our next birthday, but you disappeared so I kept it just incase you came back. When we were on Namek I spotted this in Guru's house and asked if I could have it. So you could say it's from me and Guru."
Usagi smiled as her brother handed her the small bundle that was wrapped in what felt like velvet that was tied together by a pair of strings that crisscrossed in the front. She shook it and wondered what it could be. Throwing all caution into the wind she broke the strings and gently lifted the soft cloth from the gift. When the dark material was removed both she and Trunks gasped at what they saw.
A delicate silver locket hung from a thin silver chain. Because of her Cosmos powers she could clearly see that magic was used in making this because a faint ice blue aura could be seen mixed with the silver. It strangely looked like a closed rose bloom that was facing outward.
"Guru said that it could only be opened by magic." Her head shot up to look at him in shock. How had he known that she could perform magic? Then it hit her. When she healed him under that tree so many years ago he found out. It surprised her that he had remembered that day.
"He also said that when it was opened it would show the three things that the holder values most."
"Three things?" she asked looking back down at the locket.
"Gohan I know that's a nice gift and all but you Saiyajins can only do ki blasts not magic," Bulma said smartly from her position on the couch. Gohan just looked at his sister with confidence and a slight smirk. Sighing Usagi looked down at the rose-shaped locket. With a wave of her hand it opened. Slowly it bloomed much like a flower would and peeled back into three different slabs with pictures on each.
The first one took shape into a family photo. They were all wearing their best and were smiling at the 'camera'. Her dad had his silly little 'I'm lost' smile, while her mom's looked kind of forced and annoyed. Gohan's looked carefree and only somewhat serious while hers looked happy and content.
The second one took shape a few seconds later. It was a picture of, lord behold, a smiling Vegeta. He was looking down at the camera with a fatherly smile and had a strange glint in his eyes.
The last one started to form. She spotted something lavender and immediately closed the locket before anyone else could see who it was. She already knew who would be on the last 'petal'. She blushed and looked down at the locket that was idly being turned in her grasp.
"Who was in the last picture?" came a soft whisper in her ear. She smirked slightly and shrugged. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Trunks' arms just squeezed around her tighter.
She giggled and tried to hook the thin chain of her birthday gift around her neck. After a moment it didn't seem to want to hook together and she was about to give up when the hands around her waist left their faithful perches. Large, powerful hands gathered up her hanging hair and pushed it all onto one shoulder. She shuddered when his hand touched the bare skin of her back just above the lining of her shirt. He took the two ends of the necklace from her paralyzed hands and brought them around her neck. She closed her eyes to savor the sensation of his warm breath dancing across her neck. When the task was finally done he blew lightly on her neck and relished in the sight of the goose bumps followed by her small shudder.
Gohan raised an eyebrow. He may be young, but he was by no means blind or stupid. After what he had just seen he had a pretty good idea who was on the other part of the locket.
Usagi suddenly stood up from the couch with flushed cheeks. She had to get away before she went crazy. She looked at her brother and gave her brother a big hug. "Thank you Gohan! I absolutely love it!" She paused for a second and looked back down at her locket. It was magic so maybe she should give her brother a gift that's magical.
Her brow creased in thought. What would he want? Looking at him she changed her mental question. What would a Saiyajin his age want? Then it clicked. She smiled. "I have a present for you too." Gohan looked at her in excitement. "Really what is it?"
She laughed, "Well you won't know until I give it to you now will you?" He pouted and looked at her with impatience. "Where is it?" She just smiled mysteriously, "You're going to have to come with me to get it," then she turned to address everyone else in the room, "I'm going to borrow Gohan for about an hour to go and get his present." Her mother was curious but nodded her consent. After a quick glance at Trunks she walked into her room followed closely by Gohan.
* * * * * * *
Once she was sure that her door was locked she turned back to her curious brother. "Gohan you're going to have to keep another secret for me ok?" He nodded and looked at her eagerly. She smiled. "Have you ever wondered why I had all of those special powers?" at his nod she continued, "Well when I was taken to that other world I found out." He nodded again and leaned forward even more anticipating a very BIG secret any moment. Usagi smiled at him again and suddenly leaned back with a shrug. "No you probably don't really care."
He jumped up in shock. "No Usagiiii," he whined, "I care! I want to know. You have to tell me!" She chuckled and leaned forward again. "Ok here it goes."
Gohan watched as she took a few steps backwards and raised her hands into the air. She mumbled a small fraise so softly that even his Saiyajin ears couldn't pick it up. A bright light suddenly shot forth from her body and surrounded her. Normally he would have looked away, but this light was different. It was soothing to the eyes to look at instead of being intense and bright as other light tended to be. If forced to describe it he would have said that it looked like the light of the first star being born among the dark, silent, emptiness of space.
Even with him looking right into the heavenly light he couldn't see through it. Before he could relish in its soothing feel it was gone. When he looked next he did a double take. He sister stood with a calm, knowing expression playing across her face. Her buns were now heart shaped and pearl clips with wings could barely be seen through her now silver hair. She wore a tight silver bodice and a very short silver skirt with a rainbow of colors flowing down in a triangle shape from a point in the center where skirt met bodice that left little to the imagination. She carried a staff that had a ball with wings at time. All in all she was breathtaking.
Gohan's jaw dropped as he looked her over. "Wow."
She giggled and looked down at him with sad eyes. "This is why Pluto, the green-haired woman, came and took me so many years ago. All you need to know right now is that I am very powerful in this form. It's only in this form that I can get your birthday present." At the mention of his gift Gohan's jaw snapped closed and he got excited all over again. "Wow it must be something if you have to go through a transformation just to go and get it."
"You're coming with me."
At that he got even more excited. "Ok! But where are we going?" She chuckled, "To a galaxy far far away."
"Really?!" When she only nodded he practically started to bounce around the room. Usagi, or Cosmos now, looked at her brother in delight. She had wanted to get him back to his normal self ever since she had seen how serious and reserved he had gotten.
"Usa?" She looked at him with a frown. He was acting serious again. "I promise that I won't tell anyone about any of this." She smiled. "Thanks Gohan. Now take my hand. We're going to teleport there." His eyes got wide. Sure he had seen his dad do it plenty of times but he bet that even his dad hadn't of teleported across galaxies before. He took her gloved hand and squeezed it tightly.
A bright flash emitted from her staff and he closed his eyes by reflex. When he opened them again he found himself looking at a dark horizon in place of a bedroom wall. He dropped his hand from his sisters and did a full 360 turn to examine everything much to his sister's amusement.
The planet was very dark. There was only a faint red sun in the distance that was on the verge of dieing. Rubble crunched under his feet as he took a few cautious steps forward. He squatted down and barely touched a palm sized rock which turned to dust under the slightest touch. Rocks and rubble littered the ground. After scanning the horizon he noticed that the landscape remained flat and very dark.
"Is it night right now?" he asked while turning to the only source of light, his sister. She walked over to him and he watched as the shadows danced with each step she took. "On this planet there is no night and day." When he only looked at her with confusion she smiled softly. "Come. What I have to show you is this way," she said while motioning for him to follow her.
After walking a little while in silence Gohan started to notice small pieces of bone now littered the ground with the rocks. "What happened here?"
Usagi debated if a boy his age should know of the horrors that occurred on this planet. After looking at him for a long moment she realized that he already understood death better than most. "Believe it or not but this planet used to be one of the most beautiful in this part of the galaxy." When she noticed Gohan's disbelieving look she explained.
"Millennia upon millennia ago this was once a very vibrant planet that knew of no hardships and no hatred. The Kami of this planet was dieing and needed to pass his throne onto a potential guardian. He chose incorrectly and let a cold-hearted deity take over. Soon this god grew bored with just watching and decided to have a little fun. He created a sword that could be good or evil depending on the wielder and that possessed immense power. The most famous of which was the ability to kill a god.
"Up until now gods were invincible and fate alone could decide when they would pass and someone new would take their place. This kami thought that he was above fate when he created the sword. It was cast out among the mortals that he guarded and created more trouble than it was worth.
"While these people were mostly peaceful, they had never found a way to express their more aggressive side to each other. The sword allowed them to do just that. So Gohan, this beautiful planet was destroyed by its own people's hatred and greed. As fate would have it a particular mortal wielded the sword against its very creator killing the god. Without a guardian the planet soon fell into chaos.
"This sword couldn't exist any longer, or so the fates had decreed. The particular mortal that had killed the god wouldn't relinquish the sword and made it apart of himself. The fates couldn't let such a powerful evil exist without an equally powerful good to combat it so they ceased the sword and split it into two thus creating the Twin Swords of Destiny. One sword, the evil one, remained with the corrupted mortal prolonging his life and feeding him more power, while the good one was sent back to this planet with countless spells cast over it to protect it.
"And here we are," she said as she finished her tale and they approached the only building left standing. It was made of clear crystal that pointed heavenward as if defying the kami of that planet.
Usagi could see all of the magic that flowed around this building. She sighed and held her staff above her head. "I am Cosmos no Senshi, Queen of the Stars, Guardian of the Universe, and the Protector of Light! I have brought a new wielder for the sword, one that is pure of heart and strong in spirit. Heavens part and allow us passage to the sword that we seek! I command it!" she yelled with a voice that caused the ground to tremble.
Gohan watched as the clouds above stopped. His jaw dropped when the crystal structure pulsated once with an intense light, the one that Usagi used to transform, he thought, the light of heaven. The crystal then melted and dissolved into the earth leaving a small pillar of light as the only thing left standing on the barren planet. They walked slowly, he more cautiously than his sister, toward the light.
"Go ahead and take it Gohan." He looked at her uncertainly. She just gave him a motherly smile that reassured him. He took a confident step forward and saw a long sword that had a sheath made of heaven's light. He chewed on his lip and closed his eyes as his hand closed around the hilt. Opening one eye at a time he looked around fully expecting some huge flash of light or a booming voice.
None came. He looked back at his sister with worry.
She laughed. "Unsheathe it," she softly commanded. When he did he saw that the blade was made of clear crystal. A surge of power flooded through his system and he stumbled back a few feet. It felt like hanging on a thread of life and suddenly eating a handful of senzu beans. After blinking furiously for a few minutes he grinned.
He turned to his sister with the big grin still in place and ran up to give her a huge. "I love it!" She chuckled. "Now listen Gohan. There is something important that you have to know. This is one of the Twin Swords of Destiny; it's the light one if you haven't noticed. Though the fates split the sword into twin swords they can still be put back together. Only when that happens can you kill a god. Otherwise it will only wound one. Understand?" at his nod she continued, "Maybe if you ask someone nicely they'll give you sword lessons," she said referring to a certain purple haired Saiyajin Prince that she had been trying to get her mind off of for the past hour.
Gohan nodded excitedly. His grin didn't falter even when they had transported back into her room and she de-transformed.
* * * * * * * * * * Meanwhile……………
The women had retreated to the kitchen saying something about dinner. Everyone else had split up into their own conversations no one daring to leave for fear of being knocked unconscious by a frying pan.
Vegeta was currently lounging on the couch sitting next to Cho-tsu (sp?). An uncomfortable silence had just blanketed their conversation.
"So, Vegeta," the clown boy asked in a squeaky voice. He got a grunt in response.
"How's life been?"
"Good, Good. And you?"
"The same." Silence.
Cho-tsu decided to try his luck again. "So how's the family? Everything ok or..?"
"Everything's fine. . . So how's work?"
"Good, good." Silence.
"So how are those hemorrhoids? Are you using the cream or..?"
"Nah, the cream was too messy. They came out with a pill."
"Really wow…I'm going to have to look for that. How did the surgery go?"
"It wasn't too bad; they just wrapped some rubber bands around them and waited until they fell of because of the lack of blood."
Chao-tsu nodded, "Yeah I've had that done a few times. You can't really sit down for a while after that."
Before anything else could be said between them Piccolo, who had been standing next to a closet door suddenly turned and flung it open. Yamcha and Tien gave two very high feminine squeaks and came tumbling out half naked. Everyone watched in shock as they tried to sort out each other's clothes and put them on.
"I always new Yamcha was gay." Vegeta heard Bulma say from the kitchen doorway. Before another word was said a grinning Gohan waltzed into the room with something behind his back. Usagi followed with a small smile. Goku started to get curious, "So Gohan what did you get?"
Gohan turned and looked back at Usagi for a minute, "Can I show them?" She shrugged, "It's yours now; you can do whatever you want with it."
Gohan grinned and pulled out the sheathed sword from behind his back. Everyone's jaws dropped when they caught sight of it. Before anyone could say anything Piccolo had moved forward and grabbed Usagi by the shirt. He lifted her a foot off of the ground but still towered a foot above her. He glared at her and tightened his grip.
Vegeta, Trunks, and Goku stood from their resting places and stood stiffly, but Piccolo paid them no mind. He continued to glare down at the calm girl he held dangling in the air. "Where did you steal that sword?" he asked in a deadly calm. She lifted an eyebrow, "I didn't steal it and it's none of your business." He lifted her further and caused Trunks to take a step forward.
"It is my business damn it! That sword could cause major damage! Don't you see what you've done?! With that thing here you've sealed Earth's fate!" Usagi glared up at him. He had no right to accuse of stealing and then say that she didn't know what she's doing.
"Having that sword here is perfectly safe," he snorted but she continued, "It only destroyed that world when it was whole and corrupted by an evil heart. As you should know it is neither whole nor in the presence of an evil heart. Gohan can learn to control it. I know he can. You don't have to worry it can't kill you or Kami."
Piccolo slowly lowered her and took a step back keeping his glare on her all the while. "I'm curious how did you get it and how do you know of its history? I wasn't aware that it had left the fortress much less have been brought to Earth."
Usagi sighed, "Gohan did I steal that sword?"
He shook his head, "No. She told the crystal building to let us in and it kind of . . . melted."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes and looked at her, "Who are you?" Usagi smile slightly, "I am many things all of which aren't important right now." Piccolo looked at Gohan from the corner of his eye, "You know don't you?" Gohan smiled while nodding, "But it's a secret."
This just caused the green giant (AN: That's funny! I could just see Piccolo walking around in nothing but green leaves going 'Ho Ho Ho' that is what he says right?) just narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. She brushed off his look and turned to her brother, "Weren't you going to ask someone something, Gohan?"
He grinned, turned, and tackled a very startled Trunks. "Trunks, could you teach me how to sword fight? Please, please, please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top?" the eleven year old asked in one breath while looking up at the started teen. Trunks looked up at Usagi with a surprised look and after staring at her for a long moment had an idea. "Sure Gohan I'd love to teach you," then he leaned in forward and whispered in his ear, "But only on one condition." Gohan looked at him curiously, "What?"
"You have to get a picture of your sister in her fuku."
"WHAT?!" Gohan screamed in a loud whisper. Trunks just smirked, "I'm sure you can do it. Just ask her to show it to you or something. I'll even supply the camera and get it developed; all you have to do is press the little red button."
"B-But…"
Trunks looked at him stubbornly. "You want to learn to use a sword don't you?" Gohan hung his head in defeat and sighed. "Fine." Trunks smiled, "Just for agreeing I'll give you a lesson anyway."
"I'm just wondering, why do you want that picture so badly?"
Trunks got a dreamy smile on his face for a minute before quickly standing, "No reason. I'm going to take a cold shower now. Bye Gohan, and thanks!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blame everything on Turk and his hentai IM conversation.
Go me this is 21 pages believe it or not! I just want all of the faithful reader of A Megami's Love to know that I now know what's going to happen in the rest of the fic, and you would be glad to know that my editor is bugging me about writing it so I might do it. I typed 15 of these pages in 2 days! I'm so happy!
Now REVIEW! Or I might take even longer to update next time. *sigh* I just hope that doesn't happen. Maybe you guys should vote on which fic you want me to finish first. A Megami's Love or Saiyajin no Oujo?
Love ya Turk and thanks!
Katlin Grace