Disclaimer: I don`t own it...

Author`s Note:...*shakes head* I know, don`t flog me! I`ve been busy! I hope you like it!

Marron climbed up onto the chestnut horse and waited as Goten, Uub, Pan, Bra and Trunks followed suit on separate horses. She watched in slight amusement at Uub; he was a warrior, but obviously not a mounted fighter.

Once each person had gathered their bearings and was holding on tight enough, they began the ride. It was a beautiful day out; white cloud covered the sky and the temperature was warm enough so that the girls could wear tank tops.

Trunks led the way with Marron next to him, Goten and Bra behind them, and Uub and Pan taking up the rear. Trunks was leading them up a mountain trail that he had discovered while watching for any enemies. It was a good spot to be at.

He watched Marron as she took in her surroundings. She had not yet lost all of her spy instincts; she was making sure she knew what was going on on all sides of her.

She looked up and noticed Trunks gazing at her. She smirked and rode ahead of him, bringing her horse into a canter.

The rest of the group smiled and soon followed her example, urging their horses to catch up with Marron (although not nearly as graceful).

Marron came to a peak and stopped her horse quickly, causing some rocks to fly over the edge. She looked down at the valley and at the castle.

Clouds had put the castle in a shadow, giving it a dark and evil appearance. Something looked wrong.

Trunks rode up next to Marron and followed her gaze. A panic arose in his mind and he jumped off his horse.

Marron looked down at him with a confused expression. Something was wrong; she could feel it in their bond. His mind was sending out waves of... fear?

She slid off her horse and turned Trunks` face to meet her eyes. Yes, something was definitely wrong; his normally serene cornflower eyes were now grey and misty.

"What's wrong?" She looked back down into the valley again. "What is going on?"

Trunks opened his mouth to answer when Goten and the rest of the group rode up in a panic.

"Trunks, we gotta get out of here!" Goten gasped. "Ice-jins... coming up the trail... get Marron out of here..."

That was all it took. Trunks climbed back onto his black horse and pulled Marron up with him. He would take no risks with her or her life.

The group filed out of the clearing, with Goten and Pan leading the way. Trunks kicked his horse hard in the stomach to try to get it to run faster.

Marron fastened her arms as tightly as she could around Trunks` middle in an effort to stay on the horse. She had ridden before, but never so violently on the back.

Trunks and Marron became separated from the rest of the group not long after they had taken off. Marron kept both eyes open and was watching the forest around her.

Every few minutes, she would catch a glance of white moving incredibly fast by the trees on either side of her and Trunks.

She was frightened... Trunks could feel it through the bond. Her grip on his abdomen had become tighter and he was catching fragments of her thoughts.

Something is coming... If you fall off, no one will come back for you... The white things in the trees will not be as kind as the Sayjins.

Shit... that meant she had seen the ice-jins... which meant soon they would make themselves seen.

He felt Marron bury her face into his back and felt a wave of anger rush over him. Marron wasn't supposed to be afraid. Especially now that she had him to protect her.

Shortly, she looked at the path behind her and saw a white creature riding a black horse-like thing. The white thing had a round, smooth head, a long white tail and a slinky pale body. It also had red eyes, giving Marron the impression that it was a demon.

She gasped in a mixture of horror and disgust. She had seen scary before, and she had seen ugly before, but this was the worst of both worlds.

The thing made a screeching noise and Trunks took the chance to look behind him very quickly. It was a young ice-jin with an intercellular blade.

He kicked his horse in a last ditch effort to out run the monster. Thinking quicker than he ever had before, he made a sharp turn into the forest.

It was a huge risk, due to the trees being so close together, but that also meant that the ice-jin would have a harder time following them.

A loud explosion sounded not too far from them before they saw Bra flying out towards the sea. A foolish move. She had not been flying for 100 yards when a large energy beam shot her down.

Marron watched in horror as Bra's limp body fell to the ground.

Noticing a diversion when he saw one, Trunks took the chance and kicked his horse into a full out run. Marron's arms were wrapped around his middle, but he no longer felt fear through their bond.  Now it was concern.

Concern for his sister and the rest of their friends.

Trunks slowed the horse a bit as they came to the opening of a small cave.  He dismounted before helping Marron down and led her into the cave.

Where are we? She didn't dare speak, for fear of being caught.

This is a supply cave we have. It was in case something like this ever happened. He turned and looked at her, now hidden inside with the horse; it was safe to rest for a minute.

Trunks, what are those things? What's going on? Despite the lack of light in the room, he could see the questions and the thoughts dancing in Marron`s eyes.

He had to tell her, or he may never get the chance. If he didn't, it would be putting her life in danger.

A/N: Ok, I hope it was good! Please review and tell me what you thought!

Cassi