A/N: Hey there back again! Yeah, I definitely watched Spirited Away like
seven times over the weekend. I have no life. And you know what? I DON'T
CARE! Because a wise man once said: "Something and nothing, produce one
another."
Cat: Are you scared? Cause I am.
AG: So why are you here and insulting me at such an hour?
Cat: It's 3:45pm
AG: I knew that. *storms off mumbling*
Cat: I think she's got her monthly, so don't be surprised if this is a particularly dark chapter.
AG: YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND GET ON WITH THE DISCLAIMER OR I WILL PERSONALLY BEAT YOU INTO THE GROUND WITH A SHOVEL!
Cat: gee, that wasn't too violent. Anyway as a wise man once said: To make a long story short don't tell it. So I wont. See the previous chapters if you need to but leave us alone! *stops for a second and re-reads the disclaimer* *gasps* Good grief! I'm using Angel's dialogue! AHHHHHHH! *runs across the floor and falls down the midnight snack express service delivery hole* @#/?%*!
***
Angel opened her eyes slowly unsure of what she'd find, and equally afraid of that very thought. Her head felt heavy, and weighted down as if someone had taken the liberty to hit her with a train. She sat up slowly and leaned on her elbows for a second, letting her eyes adjust to the dim lights.
She looked around the room, and noted that she was definitely in a different cell than she had been in before. The other one had the same door, but this room was cold, and dim. She could hear the light drip of water running down the walls and slowly tapping against the floor. The floors and the walls were made from stone; she had a hunch that these particular cells were hidden deep in the castle. The only thing modern about it was the technology they used for the door, and she guessed that Vegeta had done this purposely to save money by not furnishing these ones. Either that or to scare the crap out of anyone placed in here.
She looked down at her wrists and looked into the soft glow of the energy bands that forced her ki down to an unnatural level. She was scared of the fact that she couldn't defend herself. And in her current state, she barely had the energy to stand leaning against a wall, let alone fight. Her eyes flashed suddenly, sensing a piercing gaze glaring daggers into her back. Slowly she turned around.
"Well now, you're finally awake."
***
Trunks sat on his bed quietly in soft remorse. Tears slid their way down his cheeks, mocking him. Ever mocking him as his dad was. He wiped them away in vain as they began to come more rapidly. The soft crystals fell lightly onto the pair of capris and tank top he was holding, and he watched in numb fascination as they melted into the fabric. He played the last few days over and over in his head, looking for something to comfort him. He found nothing, not even the remembrance of her soft cherry lips on his could give him back his will to move on. He couldn't believe it was real.
He kept on thinking though, still searching for the explanation he wished he would find. His thoughts kept wandering to a certain moment, one that offered him the slightest bit of hope that she was for real.
*Flashback*
He watched her sink to the ground, grasping the counter for some sort of support. She was crying, he watched as the salty liquid dampened her face. If he could, he would banish the liquid from her face for all time, but it wasn't foreign to her cheeks. It wrenched his heart from his chest when he saw her like this.
"Krista what's going on?"
She sobbed quietly for a few more seconds before slowly shaking her head back and forth.
"I don't want to leave." She whispered.
*End flashback*
That one small sentence sparked a tiny flame of hope in his heart. He hadn't understood what she meant by that until his father had exposed her. Something told him that she had known that his father knew who she was and yet, she had stayed. But even the thought that she wanted to be with him sent a mental conflict running through his head.
Was it real or just another way to draw him deeper into some kind of trap? Did she really like him or was he just her toy, a pawn in her escape plan? Was his father right? Was she a fake? Or was she just trying to keep him out of her problems after all?
At this point Trunks didn't know what to believe, and his father's voice was echoing through his head constantly, aggravating him further. 'All is not as it seems.' His words ran through his head unceasingly causing doubt to invade his heart. Suddenly, his head snapped up.
'All is not as it seems.' The words mocked him, but they had without warning, become a vessel for his hope. His father was right about one thing; all was not as it seemed. But then, he wasn't thinking about Angel. What, what if his father was the one in fault? What if this was about more than catching a bandit?
*Flashback*
"They think mommy did something bad."
"Did you?"
"No, I didn't."
*End flashback*
His father's guards had been chasing Angel and her mother that night but--- why? He glanced back down at her clothes again. Had she lied to him about not knowing how her mother died as well?
There were too many questions and not enough answers. So he decided it was time to learn the answers, no matter what the consequences. But for now he thought, it was safer if Angel wasn't a part of his life anymore. The very thought of pushing her away made him sick, but he knew that his feelings for her would get in the way. Besides, he was afraid of being hurt again; it was better this way. He got up silently and taking her clothes with him, walked down the hall towards the dungeons.
***
Angel winced as a strong hand roughly grasped her neck. Vegeta towered over her now helpless form and raised her into the air.
"And now, what had you hoped to accomplish by seducing my son?" He sneered, clearly loving the fact that he now controlled her.
Angel remained silent; her eyes closed in an effort to summon the energy she needed to, at the very least, live through this moment. She was shaking slightly, and she knew he knew just how afraid she really was. Even if she could've answered, she wouldn't have. There was no way she could explain her actions to him in a few seconds. It wouldn't have mattered much anyway, he probably just wanted hear her try and save herself. With her pride though, that wasn't about to happen.
He smirked at her futile attempt to defy him. "A silent one eh?"
He squeezed her thin neck into his palm; she began to tremble. Her weak state of being made Vegeta want to laugh, but he wanted answers--- not humor.
"I'll ask you again," he told her quietly. "What were you planning?"
She opened her eyes slowly, and looked into his merciless black orbs. Hers were full of sadness but she held her defiant gaze with the king, and never made a move to speak. This made the king angry. He glared back and slammed her into the wall, still holding onto her neck.
She cried out and then her head fell limply onto his arm. Her brown locks covered her face, hiding the look of helplessness that was plastered over her once bright expressions. Vegeta threw her weakened body to the ground and turned to leave.
"She is as useless as her mother was," he stopped and let the guard open the door. The man took a glance past him and snickered at her defeat. Then he bowed low and moved to the side. "I'll be back to try again later, it seems that she has a little fight left in her." The man nodded and closed the door. Vegeta turned away and gloated to himself about his capture of this menace.
***
Trunks finally got the courage to go through with facing her. An hour ago his father had come back from his visit with her, with a triumphant look on his face. Part of him wanted to knock his father's head off, but the other part pushed that feeling away, and it hardened his heart to ice.
He walked down the halls silently, her clothes tucked beneath his arm. He wore a cold gaze that could have frozen all the water on the planet in the summertime. He walked steadily on down the hidden corridors he knew that his dad had reserved for the 'special' guests. When he turned the corner he nearly ran into the guards standing watch over her cell. He cursed under his breath and glared at them. If looks could kill, they're bodies would have been reduced to ash. They got the message and opened the door.
Trunks entered slowly and listened to the door sliding closed behind him. She looked up silently into his cold eyes. Then turned again, facing the ground and sighed sadly. He looked at her, with her knees drawn up to her chest, and her arms heavily lying on the ground. She bowed her head in a silent defeat, letting her hair cover her face. But he never moved.
"Why?" He asked her suddenly; not even sure of the reason he had for blurting out the question in the first place.
"Why what?" She asked quietly, her voice barely audible.
"Why me?" He retorted coldly. He was surprised at his own tone of voice, but it didn't stop him.
She raised her head a little, but didn't turn to look at him. "I don't believe that I chose you Trunks, I truly didn't know that you were the prince when I met you."
He stood still, wondering if she could be speaking the truth. He just stared at her for a few seconds and let her continue.
"When we first met, I thought you were just another guard, so if you're thinking that I did what I did for fun then you're wrong."
He looked at her again still unsure of whether it was the truth. She didn't sound like she was lying. 'She didn't sound that way when you first met her either.' A small voice in his head reminded him, and he clenched his fists at the thought. Then he remembered the other reason he was down here for. He took her clothes and threw them to the floor beside her. She looked at them confused and he watched her, letting his fathers side take over.
"Get up." He said harshly. She looked at him sadly and started,
"I don't think I---" She was cut off as Trunks took a few large strides towards her and gripped her upper arm tightly.
"I said, get up." He told her, venom dripping from his tongue.
She looked at him again, this time she was afraid. She just had enough time to grab her clothes before he yanked her to her feet. She whimpered softly, making Trunks' heart cry out with guilt and remorse, but his father's side was stronger than his heart at this point.
He knocked on the door and waited for the guard to open it before dragging her through. He never loosened his grip as they walked silently down the hall. She stumbled a few times, causing him to grip her arm harder to hold her up. He came to a halt and shoved her towards a small door. She placed a slender hand on her arm and turned to look at him.
"Get in there and change, when you come out give me my sisters dress."
She didn't argue, didn't speak, just simply turned and walked through the door closing it softly behind her.
She came out a few minutes later and handed him the dress, clearly not wanting to move. He ignored her silent plea and took a hold of her arm again. They had only taken around ten steps when she nearly collapsed and fell to her knees. Trunks, who was still holding onto her arm would have dragged her the rest of the way, but she cried out and it made him stop to look at her.
She hadn't tried to move, and the only thing holding her up at this point was Trunks powerful hand wrapped around her frail arm. He looked at her for a second confused at the fact that she was breathing as if she'd run a marathon. Then his eyes hardened and he squeezed her arm tighter again. This time, she did everything she could to pull away.
"Trunks, stop it---please, you're hurting me!" She managed to choke out, but he just pulled her closer to his face.
"You knew you'd hurt me but that didn't stop you before now did it!" He yelled at her. She looked at him with frightened eyes, then let her head drop not wanting to look at him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered slowly.
"You're sorry? You used me! How I am I supposed to forgive that?"
"I didn't expect you to, but I needed to tell you because---it's the truth."
"Oh the truth huh? Well, I suppose I can believe you now because we all know how good you are at telling the truth!"
She looked up at him with tears forming rapidly in her hurt, brown eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it tight again and shut her eyes in an attempt to hold back her emotions. But she couldn't, and Trunks watched as clear streams ran down her cheeks and neck. His eyes softened for just a moment and he allowed his grip on her arm to loosen. He tried to pull her to her feet but she wouldn't move to stand. This made him angry all over again.
"If you think that you can get out by---" But she cut him off suddenly,
"Trunks I can't! It's not an act or a plan---I just don't have the energy okay?!" She yelled, sick of his vain comebacks and sarcastic remarks.
She had never seen him like this, and it tore her up inside to think that she had done this. She had turned him into his father re-incarnate. His heart had been turned to ice and stone, and it was all her fault. She could have stayed away but no, she thought he cared. And maybe he did once, but not anymore and it had destroyed him. She was no Angel; she was a witch who cursed all who came in contact with her. And Trunks was the last person she would ever curse. It was true, because the penalty of her actions was of course death. She could escape if she wanted, but she refused to bring Pan and her family into this; it was just better this way. This way, she wouldn't be able to hurt anyone anymore.
She looked away waiting for him to start dragging her down the hall again, but he never did. Instead he glanced down at her wrists and finally understood what was happening to her. Those energy bands were keeping her naturally strong ki down to a minimum of three. Not an easy number for a saiyin to work with.
So he gently slung her arm over his shoulder and put one hand on her waist to help her walk the rest of the way down the hall. He felt her muscles tense, but only for a few short seconds. Trunks could tell she was grateful but they didn't speak again until they reached the cell. The guard looked at them funny but opened the door before the prince could question him.
He sat her down slowly against the wall and then stepped back to stand across from her. She wouldn't look at him, and he felt a slight pang of guilt in his heart. Finally, he spoke.
"Angel do you remember how your mother died?" He asked her for the second time.
"No, I told you that I didn't---why do you keep asking me about it?"
But he never answered her question, instead he thought of something else.
" One more thing, what was your mothers name?" She looked up at him once more before answering him.
"Krista."
He blinked a few times and stared at her in confusion before catching himself and moving to leave. He stopped when he heard her stand and turned to find her leaning on the wall for support.
"Trunks, do, do you need to tell me something?" She asked him in a shaky voice, clearly afraid of the answer.
"It's just---" he stopped deciding that now wasn't the time to tell her, he needed to know why it happened first. "Your flute, it broke." He muttered quickly. He watched her eyes glaze over as she slid down the wall again.
"That was my mother's," she explained softly. "It was the only thing of hers that I had left." She felt dizzy all of a sudden, and she had a headache from all the stress she had been under lately. Her face was uncomfortably hot as well. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to remember Trunks cool hand caressing her cheeks.
He watched her, letting the barrier of ice and stone around his heart fall away. But he didn't move to comfort her, or try to tell her that he would set things right. What was done was done, and he couldn't go back. So he turned and walked out the door, leaving her alone in the dark once more.
Trunks also knew her fate, and started towards the library to find some more answers. The answers that really mattered. His family's library held all the old writings of the saiyins from the very beginning of time on their planet, and new ones, records, files, almost the entire history of the saiyin race was held there. As well as his father's records of enemy's he had defeated in battle, which included criminals and violators of his laws that he had put to death. Maybe, just maybe, he could find something in there about Angel's mom. For now it was his only lead.
***
Angel sat uncomfortably on the stone floor for a few minutes more after he left. She let her hand fall away from her arm, and noticed a bluish, purple ring forming on the skin close to her shoulder. She shut her eyes in disbelief, not wanting to acknowledge the reality of it all.
/Pan?/
//Angel, what's wrong?// Pan asked her friend, noticing how weak their connection was.
/Pan, you need to listen closely 'cause I don't want to have to explain this more than once./
/They found me out Panny, my game's up./
//Wha--//
/Pan stop, don't try and help me, or break me out. I don't want you to fall into this./
//Angel, I'm your friend I HAVE to help.//
/No you don't, I want you to go on Panny, you weren't meant for this life./
//Yes I was, it's fun, and exciting, and---//
/A mistake./
//No I---//
/Panny please don't make this any harder. This is my fight and I'll finish it./
Angel knew that when she put it that way Pan wouldn't interfere. Since she was also a warrior, Pan understood when someone didn't want any help finishing a battle. As a warrior, it was only right to respect the wishes of another fighter on the battlefield.
/Send your family my thanks, and my love./
//I will.//
/Thank you for being there for me Panny, as a true friend./
//You too, but this isn't goodbye for good; I'll be seeing you around, you'll just need to wait a while.//
/Sure thing Pan./
Angel closed their link for the last time with a sad smile and laid down to try and get some sleep.
***
A/N: Well there you have it. Next time Trunks learns some interessting things about Angel and her family. Things that will make him realize his father's true motives. Dun dun da! But can he get to Angel before Vegeta does? Stay tuned!
Cat: *looks up from hammering a rather large board over the midnight snack exspress service delivery hole* Wow, this calls for some dramatic background music! *Starts playing a dramatic song on an old record player*
AG: Right--- Anyway this story is coming to a close, with maybe only two or three chapters left. So once again I thank all my loyal reviewers. *hands out DBZ plushies to all* Don't worry though, I'm sure me and Cat will be back for your entertainment. *hears a crash as Cat falls through the hole again*
Cat: *@#?//$^!
AG: Enough said.
^.^ Pease Review!
Cat: Are you scared? Cause I am.
AG: So why are you here and insulting me at such an hour?
Cat: It's 3:45pm
AG: I knew that. *storms off mumbling*
Cat: I think she's got her monthly, so don't be surprised if this is a particularly dark chapter.
AG: YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND GET ON WITH THE DISCLAIMER OR I WILL PERSONALLY BEAT YOU INTO THE GROUND WITH A SHOVEL!
Cat: gee, that wasn't too violent. Anyway as a wise man once said: To make a long story short don't tell it. So I wont. See the previous chapters if you need to but leave us alone! *stops for a second and re-reads the disclaimer* *gasps* Good grief! I'm using Angel's dialogue! AHHHHHHH! *runs across the floor and falls down the midnight snack express service delivery hole* @#/?%*!
***
Angel opened her eyes slowly unsure of what she'd find, and equally afraid of that very thought. Her head felt heavy, and weighted down as if someone had taken the liberty to hit her with a train. She sat up slowly and leaned on her elbows for a second, letting her eyes adjust to the dim lights.
She looked around the room, and noted that she was definitely in a different cell than she had been in before. The other one had the same door, but this room was cold, and dim. She could hear the light drip of water running down the walls and slowly tapping against the floor. The floors and the walls were made from stone; she had a hunch that these particular cells were hidden deep in the castle. The only thing modern about it was the technology they used for the door, and she guessed that Vegeta had done this purposely to save money by not furnishing these ones. Either that or to scare the crap out of anyone placed in here.
She looked down at her wrists and looked into the soft glow of the energy bands that forced her ki down to an unnatural level. She was scared of the fact that she couldn't defend herself. And in her current state, she barely had the energy to stand leaning against a wall, let alone fight. Her eyes flashed suddenly, sensing a piercing gaze glaring daggers into her back. Slowly she turned around.
"Well now, you're finally awake."
***
Trunks sat on his bed quietly in soft remorse. Tears slid their way down his cheeks, mocking him. Ever mocking him as his dad was. He wiped them away in vain as they began to come more rapidly. The soft crystals fell lightly onto the pair of capris and tank top he was holding, and he watched in numb fascination as they melted into the fabric. He played the last few days over and over in his head, looking for something to comfort him. He found nothing, not even the remembrance of her soft cherry lips on his could give him back his will to move on. He couldn't believe it was real.
He kept on thinking though, still searching for the explanation he wished he would find. His thoughts kept wandering to a certain moment, one that offered him the slightest bit of hope that she was for real.
*Flashback*
He watched her sink to the ground, grasping the counter for some sort of support. She was crying, he watched as the salty liquid dampened her face. If he could, he would banish the liquid from her face for all time, but it wasn't foreign to her cheeks. It wrenched his heart from his chest when he saw her like this.
"Krista what's going on?"
She sobbed quietly for a few more seconds before slowly shaking her head back and forth.
"I don't want to leave." She whispered.
*End flashback*
That one small sentence sparked a tiny flame of hope in his heart. He hadn't understood what she meant by that until his father had exposed her. Something told him that she had known that his father knew who she was and yet, she had stayed. But even the thought that she wanted to be with him sent a mental conflict running through his head.
Was it real or just another way to draw him deeper into some kind of trap? Did she really like him or was he just her toy, a pawn in her escape plan? Was his father right? Was she a fake? Or was she just trying to keep him out of her problems after all?
At this point Trunks didn't know what to believe, and his father's voice was echoing through his head constantly, aggravating him further. 'All is not as it seems.' His words ran through his head unceasingly causing doubt to invade his heart. Suddenly, his head snapped up.
'All is not as it seems.' The words mocked him, but they had without warning, become a vessel for his hope. His father was right about one thing; all was not as it seemed. But then, he wasn't thinking about Angel. What, what if his father was the one in fault? What if this was about more than catching a bandit?
*Flashback*
"They think mommy did something bad."
"Did you?"
"No, I didn't."
*End flashback*
His father's guards had been chasing Angel and her mother that night but--- why? He glanced back down at her clothes again. Had she lied to him about not knowing how her mother died as well?
There were too many questions and not enough answers. So he decided it was time to learn the answers, no matter what the consequences. But for now he thought, it was safer if Angel wasn't a part of his life anymore. The very thought of pushing her away made him sick, but he knew that his feelings for her would get in the way. Besides, he was afraid of being hurt again; it was better this way. He got up silently and taking her clothes with him, walked down the hall towards the dungeons.
***
Angel winced as a strong hand roughly grasped her neck. Vegeta towered over her now helpless form and raised her into the air.
"And now, what had you hoped to accomplish by seducing my son?" He sneered, clearly loving the fact that he now controlled her.
Angel remained silent; her eyes closed in an effort to summon the energy she needed to, at the very least, live through this moment. She was shaking slightly, and she knew he knew just how afraid she really was. Even if she could've answered, she wouldn't have. There was no way she could explain her actions to him in a few seconds. It wouldn't have mattered much anyway, he probably just wanted hear her try and save herself. With her pride though, that wasn't about to happen.
He smirked at her futile attempt to defy him. "A silent one eh?"
He squeezed her thin neck into his palm; she began to tremble. Her weak state of being made Vegeta want to laugh, but he wanted answers--- not humor.
"I'll ask you again," he told her quietly. "What were you planning?"
She opened her eyes slowly, and looked into his merciless black orbs. Hers were full of sadness but she held her defiant gaze with the king, and never made a move to speak. This made the king angry. He glared back and slammed her into the wall, still holding onto her neck.
She cried out and then her head fell limply onto his arm. Her brown locks covered her face, hiding the look of helplessness that was plastered over her once bright expressions. Vegeta threw her weakened body to the ground and turned to leave.
"She is as useless as her mother was," he stopped and let the guard open the door. The man took a glance past him and snickered at her defeat. Then he bowed low and moved to the side. "I'll be back to try again later, it seems that she has a little fight left in her." The man nodded and closed the door. Vegeta turned away and gloated to himself about his capture of this menace.
***
Trunks finally got the courage to go through with facing her. An hour ago his father had come back from his visit with her, with a triumphant look on his face. Part of him wanted to knock his father's head off, but the other part pushed that feeling away, and it hardened his heart to ice.
He walked down the halls silently, her clothes tucked beneath his arm. He wore a cold gaze that could have frozen all the water on the planet in the summertime. He walked steadily on down the hidden corridors he knew that his dad had reserved for the 'special' guests. When he turned the corner he nearly ran into the guards standing watch over her cell. He cursed under his breath and glared at them. If looks could kill, they're bodies would have been reduced to ash. They got the message and opened the door.
Trunks entered slowly and listened to the door sliding closed behind him. She looked up silently into his cold eyes. Then turned again, facing the ground and sighed sadly. He looked at her, with her knees drawn up to her chest, and her arms heavily lying on the ground. She bowed her head in a silent defeat, letting her hair cover her face. But he never moved.
"Why?" He asked her suddenly; not even sure of the reason he had for blurting out the question in the first place.
"Why what?" She asked quietly, her voice barely audible.
"Why me?" He retorted coldly. He was surprised at his own tone of voice, but it didn't stop him.
She raised her head a little, but didn't turn to look at him. "I don't believe that I chose you Trunks, I truly didn't know that you were the prince when I met you."
He stood still, wondering if she could be speaking the truth. He just stared at her for a few seconds and let her continue.
"When we first met, I thought you were just another guard, so if you're thinking that I did what I did for fun then you're wrong."
He looked at her again still unsure of whether it was the truth. She didn't sound like she was lying. 'She didn't sound that way when you first met her either.' A small voice in his head reminded him, and he clenched his fists at the thought. Then he remembered the other reason he was down here for. He took her clothes and threw them to the floor beside her. She looked at them confused and he watched her, letting his fathers side take over.
"Get up." He said harshly. She looked at him sadly and started,
"I don't think I---" She was cut off as Trunks took a few large strides towards her and gripped her upper arm tightly.
"I said, get up." He told her, venom dripping from his tongue.
She looked at him again, this time she was afraid. She just had enough time to grab her clothes before he yanked her to her feet. She whimpered softly, making Trunks' heart cry out with guilt and remorse, but his father's side was stronger than his heart at this point.
He knocked on the door and waited for the guard to open it before dragging her through. He never loosened his grip as they walked silently down the hall. She stumbled a few times, causing him to grip her arm harder to hold her up. He came to a halt and shoved her towards a small door. She placed a slender hand on her arm and turned to look at him.
"Get in there and change, when you come out give me my sisters dress."
She didn't argue, didn't speak, just simply turned and walked through the door closing it softly behind her.
She came out a few minutes later and handed him the dress, clearly not wanting to move. He ignored her silent plea and took a hold of her arm again. They had only taken around ten steps when she nearly collapsed and fell to her knees. Trunks, who was still holding onto her arm would have dragged her the rest of the way, but she cried out and it made him stop to look at her.
She hadn't tried to move, and the only thing holding her up at this point was Trunks powerful hand wrapped around her frail arm. He looked at her for a second confused at the fact that she was breathing as if she'd run a marathon. Then his eyes hardened and he squeezed her arm tighter again. This time, she did everything she could to pull away.
"Trunks, stop it---please, you're hurting me!" She managed to choke out, but he just pulled her closer to his face.
"You knew you'd hurt me but that didn't stop you before now did it!" He yelled at her. She looked at him with frightened eyes, then let her head drop not wanting to look at him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered slowly.
"You're sorry? You used me! How I am I supposed to forgive that?"
"I didn't expect you to, but I needed to tell you because---it's the truth."
"Oh the truth huh? Well, I suppose I can believe you now because we all know how good you are at telling the truth!"
She looked up at him with tears forming rapidly in her hurt, brown eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it tight again and shut her eyes in an attempt to hold back her emotions. But she couldn't, and Trunks watched as clear streams ran down her cheeks and neck. His eyes softened for just a moment and he allowed his grip on her arm to loosen. He tried to pull her to her feet but she wouldn't move to stand. This made him angry all over again.
"If you think that you can get out by---" But she cut him off suddenly,
"Trunks I can't! It's not an act or a plan---I just don't have the energy okay?!" She yelled, sick of his vain comebacks and sarcastic remarks.
She had never seen him like this, and it tore her up inside to think that she had done this. She had turned him into his father re-incarnate. His heart had been turned to ice and stone, and it was all her fault. She could have stayed away but no, she thought he cared. And maybe he did once, but not anymore and it had destroyed him. She was no Angel; she was a witch who cursed all who came in contact with her. And Trunks was the last person she would ever curse. It was true, because the penalty of her actions was of course death. She could escape if she wanted, but she refused to bring Pan and her family into this; it was just better this way. This way, she wouldn't be able to hurt anyone anymore.
She looked away waiting for him to start dragging her down the hall again, but he never did. Instead he glanced down at her wrists and finally understood what was happening to her. Those energy bands were keeping her naturally strong ki down to a minimum of three. Not an easy number for a saiyin to work with.
So he gently slung her arm over his shoulder and put one hand on her waist to help her walk the rest of the way down the hall. He felt her muscles tense, but only for a few short seconds. Trunks could tell she was grateful but they didn't speak again until they reached the cell. The guard looked at them funny but opened the door before the prince could question him.
He sat her down slowly against the wall and then stepped back to stand across from her. She wouldn't look at him, and he felt a slight pang of guilt in his heart. Finally, he spoke.
"Angel do you remember how your mother died?" He asked her for the second time.
"No, I told you that I didn't---why do you keep asking me about it?"
But he never answered her question, instead he thought of something else.
" One more thing, what was your mothers name?" She looked up at him once more before answering him.
"Krista."
He blinked a few times and stared at her in confusion before catching himself and moving to leave. He stopped when he heard her stand and turned to find her leaning on the wall for support.
"Trunks, do, do you need to tell me something?" She asked him in a shaky voice, clearly afraid of the answer.
"It's just---" he stopped deciding that now wasn't the time to tell her, he needed to know why it happened first. "Your flute, it broke." He muttered quickly. He watched her eyes glaze over as she slid down the wall again.
"That was my mother's," she explained softly. "It was the only thing of hers that I had left." She felt dizzy all of a sudden, and she had a headache from all the stress she had been under lately. Her face was uncomfortably hot as well. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to remember Trunks cool hand caressing her cheeks.
He watched her, letting the barrier of ice and stone around his heart fall away. But he didn't move to comfort her, or try to tell her that he would set things right. What was done was done, and he couldn't go back. So he turned and walked out the door, leaving her alone in the dark once more.
Trunks also knew her fate, and started towards the library to find some more answers. The answers that really mattered. His family's library held all the old writings of the saiyins from the very beginning of time on their planet, and new ones, records, files, almost the entire history of the saiyin race was held there. As well as his father's records of enemy's he had defeated in battle, which included criminals and violators of his laws that he had put to death. Maybe, just maybe, he could find something in there about Angel's mom. For now it was his only lead.
***
Angel sat uncomfortably on the stone floor for a few minutes more after he left. She let her hand fall away from her arm, and noticed a bluish, purple ring forming on the skin close to her shoulder. She shut her eyes in disbelief, not wanting to acknowledge the reality of it all.
/Pan?/
//Angel, what's wrong?// Pan asked her friend, noticing how weak their connection was.
/Pan, you need to listen closely 'cause I don't want to have to explain this more than once./
/They found me out Panny, my game's up./
//Wha--//
/Pan stop, don't try and help me, or break me out. I don't want you to fall into this./
//Angel, I'm your friend I HAVE to help.//
/No you don't, I want you to go on Panny, you weren't meant for this life./
//Yes I was, it's fun, and exciting, and---//
/A mistake./
//No I---//
/Panny please don't make this any harder. This is my fight and I'll finish it./
Angel knew that when she put it that way Pan wouldn't interfere. Since she was also a warrior, Pan understood when someone didn't want any help finishing a battle. As a warrior, it was only right to respect the wishes of another fighter on the battlefield.
/Send your family my thanks, and my love./
//I will.//
/Thank you for being there for me Panny, as a true friend./
//You too, but this isn't goodbye for good; I'll be seeing you around, you'll just need to wait a while.//
/Sure thing Pan./
Angel closed their link for the last time with a sad smile and laid down to try and get some sleep.
***
A/N: Well there you have it. Next time Trunks learns some interessting things about Angel and her family. Things that will make him realize his father's true motives. Dun dun da! But can he get to Angel before Vegeta does? Stay tuned!
Cat: *looks up from hammering a rather large board over the midnight snack exspress service delivery hole* Wow, this calls for some dramatic background music! *Starts playing a dramatic song on an old record player*
AG: Right--- Anyway this story is coming to a close, with maybe only two or three chapters left. So once again I thank all my loyal reviewers. *hands out DBZ plushies to all* Don't worry though, I'm sure me and Cat will be back for your entertainment. *hears a crash as Cat falls through the hole again*
Cat: *@#?//$^!
AG: Enough said.
^.^ Pease Review!