Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z and I'm not making any money from
this.
Chapter 15
Goku stumbled down the last set of stairs to finally catch up with Bulma. The blue haired woman stood with her hands firmly planted on her hips, her lips pressed tightly together. She was obviously far from pleased.
"Goku, hurry and light another torch. It is almost pitch black down there"
Goku nodded and took a torch from the pack strapped to his leg, slipping past her and casting a fearful glance behind him, terrified that the Lord would appear and see what was going on. Bulma sighed and pulled the heavy door shut, wincing as it creaked loudly on its rusty hinges.
"Someone needs to oil those hinges" she muttered. Goku crept down the stairs, his dark eyes studying the surroundings carefully, in case someone should be hiding somewhere in the shadows. He had never been particularly fond of the dark, though he would never admit it out loud.
"Goku, hurry up!"
The guard cringed; his companion was getting more and more agitated. But then again, who wouldn't be in her situation? She was about to see her son for the first time in almost twenty years. It was just such an awful shame that the circumstances were as they were.
He gently touched the tip of his torch to the only other one in the room, aflame with a dull red glow. His own torch flared up instantly, casting its light over the tiny dungeons. Shadows danced across the damp stone walls, and Goku quickly slipped the flaming torch into a bracket on the wall and wiped his hands on his trousers. Bulma made her way hesitantly down the stairs and Goku watched her with sympathy. He stood in front of the cell which held Trunks and bowed solemnly.
"Um, Bulma...I must let you know. Your son is not exactly in the best of health," he whispered. The nurse's deep blue eyes stared into his, a thinly veiled look of concern in them.
"What do you mean?" she asked slowly.
"Lord Krillin would not allow me to get help for him" Goku muttered lamely. He moved away so that his friend could see what he meant.
Bulma stared in shock at the form of the young man collapsed on the cold stone ground. It was Trunks, no mistaking it. Even though she had not seen him since he was a baby, she knew that the unconscious young man was indeed the son she had given away all those years ago. She could not tear her eyes away from his face. He looked so peaceful and calm, as though he were just sleeping. However, the dark patch of blood spread out around his body told her different. Her eyes filled with tears and she grabbed Goku's shoulders. The guard jumped, not expecting her to react this way.
"Goku, you have the keys to the dungeon cells do you not?" she asked desperately. Goku fumbled around in his pack and eventually produced them. He held them out towards Bulma.
"Hurry, Miss Bulma. We could get in dreadful trouble over this"
"I do not care, Goku! I don't care! Give me those keys! I will endure whatever punishment that the Lord conjures up for me. No price is too high, as long as I can save my son!"
The woman snatched the keys from Goku's hand and turned to the cell door. Her hands were shaking violently, but she ignored them and slipped the key home. Throwing open the latch, she flew into the cell and knelt next to the young thief.
"Trunks.. please!" she cried, cradling him in her arms, and ignoring the dark blood as it soaked through her clothing. She brushed a few strands of lavender hair from his face, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"You cannot leave me now" she whispered, stroking his face softly. "I have so much to tell you. And Marron...what about Marron? She told me that she was in love with you, you must not leave her"
Goku watched the scene before him with an aching heart. He could not bear to see his dear friend like this. He had to do something to help. And he would. No matter what price he must pay, he must get help for the boy.
The guard turned on his heel, swiftly closing the distance between himself and the stairs. Hesitating, he turned back to face Bulma. She was crying horribly now, her face buried in her son's chest. No, he could not hesitate. He must carry on. Turning slightly, he was surprised when his gaze locked with a pair of ebony eyes exactly like his own.
Of course. The other criminal stared at him from his prison. Why was the young man so familiar? There was something about him, but he just could not put his finger on what it was. Well, it could wait for now. The task at hand was more important. He must help. He turned back around and ran up the stairs, yanking open the huge door and speeding straight out and up the stairs to Lady Marron's room.
"Are you feeling better now, my dear?" Lord Krillin was met with a stony silence from his daughter. He smiled at Dr Lowell in embarrassment and walked over to the young woman.
"Marron, I know you have had a traumatic experience, but it will do you good to talk about it"
Marron looked up at her father, her expression impassive. She winced slightly as Lowell tightened a bandage around her shoulder, and used her good arm to brush a few golden strands of hair behind her ear.
"I wish to speak with Trunks. Take me to the dungeons." she said, anger glimmering in her eyes.
Krillin cocked his head to the side.
"Child, what are you talking about?" he asked, amused. "You wish to see that dishonourable street rat? You must be delirious from the pain"
Marron stood up, pushing Lowell away, and glared at her father fiercely.
"Don't patronise me!" she screamed. Her father took a step back, his eyes wide.
"M...Marron" he began, but she cut him off, stepping forward. He could almost feel the fury emanating from her.
"How dare you call him a...a street rat?" she cried incredulously. "He had no choice in the matter! He was given away when he was just a child! And I'll have you know that he and Goten have more honour in their little fingers than you have in your whole body! He protected me, father. It was my choice to leave this manor. Trunks protected me from the real street rats! When your guards found me, Trunks was trying to help me! He didn't kidnap me, and he didn't shoot me! You have no reason to keep him here!"
Krillin's eyes narrowed and he folded his arms, drawing in a long breath to try and keep his temper.
"Marron, you know nothing of this boy, do you hear me? He is not like the noblemen you have met over the years. He is very dangerous. And for your information, child, he is here because of two offences. The first two being your kidnap and the second being the murder of - "
Before Krillin could finish his sentence, Goku burst in, throwing open the bedroom door and almost knocking Lowell out in the process. The doctor stood up, dusting himself off, and chuckled at the spiky haired man's overzealousness. Goku glanced at him and bowed in apology, then turned back to the Lord.
"My Lord, there is an urgent matter which needs attending to immediately!" he said, raking his fingers through his hair. Now all that he needed to do was think one up.
"What is this matter of which you speak?" Krillin asked. Goku faltered, looking around as though it would somehow help him think up an excuse. He walked over to the window and almost fainted in relief as he saw Lord Seventeen and Lady Bra walking up the gravel pathway on their way to the main door. Talk about a stroke of luck.
"Um...there is someone here to see you, Sir!" he cried out jubilantly. Krillin leaned over to see who was there and nodded.
"Yes, I see. Then I shall go and greet the two of them. Bra is most likely here to see her mother, and as for Seventeen, one can never be sure" Goku laughed a little too eagerly, and the Lord narrowed his eyes at him before dismissing the matter and leaving.
Marron looked up at the raven haired guard, hurt in her eyes.
"Why did you have to find me, Goku? I thought that you understood me. I thought you knew what type of person I am becoming. I do not wish to be cooped up here. Why did you bring me back?"
Goku held out his hand and Marron took it hesitantly.
"I do understand you, my Lady. That is why you are coming with me to see him. I know that he can give you what you want."
"To see him?" Marron repeated. "To see Trunks?"
Goku nodded gravely and motioned to Lowell.
"But we need the doctor with us too. Trunks is..."
"I know. Is he going to die?" Marron asked softly. Goku opened his mouth to answer, and Lowell cut him off.
"Do not count Trunks out just yet, Goku" he said, smiling. "If I know that boy, the only thing that is keeping him unconscious is shock. He has never given up that easily"
Goku walked over, glancing sympathetically at Marron.
"Lowell, I think you are overestimating this young man's abilities. He is bleeding to death" he whispered, hoping the blonde haired woman wouldn't be able to hear him.
Lowell just gave Goku an amused glance and walked over to the door.
"Well, are we going to help him out or not?" he asked.
Goku nodded, still confused about what Lowell had said. How could anyone survive losing so much blood? But then again, he knew that Trunks was still breathing. And as long as he was still breathing, he still had a chance.
Taking Marron's hand, he led the way downstairs towards the dungeons, his heart filled with renewed hope. Maybe Bulma would be able to talk with her son after all. He just wished that he could have the same privilege. Maybe Trunks knew something about Goten or Gohan? Well, he could always dream.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this out! I hope you weren't disappointed with this chapter! Hope you enjoyed reading, and don't forget to review, okay? *grins* Thanks, big hugs, and Button Moon novelty plushies to everyone who has done so far! Ja ne!
Aerith
Chapter 15
Goku stumbled down the last set of stairs to finally catch up with Bulma. The blue haired woman stood with her hands firmly planted on her hips, her lips pressed tightly together. She was obviously far from pleased.
"Goku, hurry and light another torch. It is almost pitch black down there"
Goku nodded and took a torch from the pack strapped to his leg, slipping past her and casting a fearful glance behind him, terrified that the Lord would appear and see what was going on. Bulma sighed and pulled the heavy door shut, wincing as it creaked loudly on its rusty hinges.
"Someone needs to oil those hinges" she muttered. Goku crept down the stairs, his dark eyes studying the surroundings carefully, in case someone should be hiding somewhere in the shadows. He had never been particularly fond of the dark, though he would never admit it out loud.
"Goku, hurry up!"
The guard cringed; his companion was getting more and more agitated. But then again, who wouldn't be in her situation? She was about to see her son for the first time in almost twenty years. It was just such an awful shame that the circumstances were as they were.
He gently touched the tip of his torch to the only other one in the room, aflame with a dull red glow. His own torch flared up instantly, casting its light over the tiny dungeons. Shadows danced across the damp stone walls, and Goku quickly slipped the flaming torch into a bracket on the wall and wiped his hands on his trousers. Bulma made her way hesitantly down the stairs and Goku watched her with sympathy. He stood in front of the cell which held Trunks and bowed solemnly.
"Um, Bulma...I must let you know. Your son is not exactly in the best of health," he whispered. The nurse's deep blue eyes stared into his, a thinly veiled look of concern in them.
"What do you mean?" she asked slowly.
"Lord Krillin would not allow me to get help for him" Goku muttered lamely. He moved away so that his friend could see what he meant.
Bulma stared in shock at the form of the young man collapsed on the cold stone ground. It was Trunks, no mistaking it. Even though she had not seen him since he was a baby, she knew that the unconscious young man was indeed the son she had given away all those years ago. She could not tear her eyes away from his face. He looked so peaceful and calm, as though he were just sleeping. However, the dark patch of blood spread out around his body told her different. Her eyes filled with tears and she grabbed Goku's shoulders. The guard jumped, not expecting her to react this way.
"Goku, you have the keys to the dungeon cells do you not?" she asked desperately. Goku fumbled around in his pack and eventually produced them. He held them out towards Bulma.
"Hurry, Miss Bulma. We could get in dreadful trouble over this"
"I do not care, Goku! I don't care! Give me those keys! I will endure whatever punishment that the Lord conjures up for me. No price is too high, as long as I can save my son!"
The woman snatched the keys from Goku's hand and turned to the cell door. Her hands were shaking violently, but she ignored them and slipped the key home. Throwing open the latch, she flew into the cell and knelt next to the young thief.
"Trunks.. please!" she cried, cradling him in her arms, and ignoring the dark blood as it soaked through her clothing. She brushed a few strands of lavender hair from his face, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"You cannot leave me now" she whispered, stroking his face softly. "I have so much to tell you. And Marron...what about Marron? She told me that she was in love with you, you must not leave her"
Goku watched the scene before him with an aching heart. He could not bear to see his dear friend like this. He had to do something to help. And he would. No matter what price he must pay, he must get help for the boy.
The guard turned on his heel, swiftly closing the distance between himself and the stairs. Hesitating, he turned back to face Bulma. She was crying horribly now, her face buried in her son's chest. No, he could not hesitate. He must carry on. Turning slightly, he was surprised when his gaze locked with a pair of ebony eyes exactly like his own.
Of course. The other criminal stared at him from his prison. Why was the young man so familiar? There was something about him, but he just could not put his finger on what it was. Well, it could wait for now. The task at hand was more important. He must help. He turned back around and ran up the stairs, yanking open the huge door and speeding straight out and up the stairs to Lady Marron's room.
"Are you feeling better now, my dear?" Lord Krillin was met with a stony silence from his daughter. He smiled at Dr Lowell in embarrassment and walked over to the young woman.
"Marron, I know you have had a traumatic experience, but it will do you good to talk about it"
Marron looked up at her father, her expression impassive. She winced slightly as Lowell tightened a bandage around her shoulder, and used her good arm to brush a few golden strands of hair behind her ear.
"I wish to speak with Trunks. Take me to the dungeons." she said, anger glimmering in her eyes.
Krillin cocked his head to the side.
"Child, what are you talking about?" he asked, amused. "You wish to see that dishonourable street rat? You must be delirious from the pain"
Marron stood up, pushing Lowell away, and glared at her father fiercely.
"Don't patronise me!" she screamed. Her father took a step back, his eyes wide.
"M...Marron" he began, but she cut him off, stepping forward. He could almost feel the fury emanating from her.
"How dare you call him a...a street rat?" she cried incredulously. "He had no choice in the matter! He was given away when he was just a child! And I'll have you know that he and Goten have more honour in their little fingers than you have in your whole body! He protected me, father. It was my choice to leave this manor. Trunks protected me from the real street rats! When your guards found me, Trunks was trying to help me! He didn't kidnap me, and he didn't shoot me! You have no reason to keep him here!"
Krillin's eyes narrowed and he folded his arms, drawing in a long breath to try and keep his temper.
"Marron, you know nothing of this boy, do you hear me? He is not like the noblemen you have met over the years. He is very dangerous. And for your information, child, he is here because of two offences. The first two being your kidnap and the second being the murder of - "
Before Krillin could finish his sentence, Goku burst in, throwing open the bedroom door and almost knocking Lowell out in the process. The doctor stood up, dusting himself off, and chuckled at the spiky haired man's overzealousness. Goku glanced at him and bowed in apology, then turned back to the Lord.
"My Lord, there is an urgent matter which needs attending to immediately!" he said, raking his fingers through his hair. Now all that he needed to do was think one up.
"What is this matter of which you speak?" Krillin asked. Goku faltered, looking around as though it would somehow help him think up an excuse. He walked over to the window and almost fainted in relief as he saw Lord Seventeen and Lady Bra walking up the gravel pathway on their way to the main door. Talk about a stroke of luck.
"Um...there is someone here to see you, Sir!" he cried out jubilantly. Krillin leaned over to see who was there and nodded.
"Yes, I see. Then I shall go and greet the two of them. Bra is most likely here to see her mother, and as for Seventeen, one can never be sure" Goku laughed a little too eagerly, and the Lord narrowed his eyes at him before dismissing the matter and leaving.
Marron looked up at the raven haired guard, hurt in her eyes.
"Why did you have to find me, Goku? I thought that you understood me. I thought you knew what type of person I am becoming. I do not wish to be cooped up here. Why did you bring me back?"
Goku held out his hand and Marron took it hesitantly.
"I do understand you, my Lady. That is why you are coming with me to see him. I know that he can give you what you want."
"To see him?" Marron repeated. "To see Trunks?"
Goku nodded gravely and motioned to Lowell.
"But we need the doctor with us too. Trunks is..."
"I know. Is he going to die?" Marron asked softly. Goku opened his mouth to answer, and Lowell cut him off.
"Do not count Trunks out just yet, Goku" he said, smiling. "If I know that boy, the only thing that is keeping him unconscious is shock. He has never given up that easily"
Goku walked over, glancing sympathetically at Marron.
"Lowell, I think you are overestimating this young man's abilities. He is bleeding to death" he whispered, hoping the blonde haired woman wouldn't be able to hear him.
Lowell just gave Goku an amused glance and walked over to the door.
"Well, are we going to help him out or not?" he asked.
Goku nodded, still confused about what Lowell had said. How could anyone survive losing so much blood? But then again, he knew that Trunks was still breathing. And as long as he was still breathing, he still had a chance.
Taking Marron's hand, he led the way downstairs towards the dungeons, his heart filled with renewed hope. Maybe Bulma would be able to talk with her son after all. He just wished that he could have the same privilege. Maybe Trunks knew something about Goten or Gohan? Well, he could always dream.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this out! I hope you weren't disappointed with this chapter! Hope you enjoyed reading, and don't forget to review, okay? *grins* Thanks, big hugs, and Button Moon novelty plushies to everyone who has done so far! Ja ne!
Aerith