Chronicles of Fate

Chapter Six - Salvaging Hope

A/N: Allright this one was much faster than the previous one. Sort of. Studying for college and such makes me write less. Anyhow here it goes. Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate feedback.

Disclaimer: None of the Dragonball characters are mine. This story is mine though.

~*~*~

Where the land was desolate and dreary. Left to run wild in the hands of Mother Nature.

Armies of destruction. Death. Corpses lying down on the dirty ground. Where they'd remain there until Earth would reclaim them as part of the soil. Where creatures would salvage their remains of their flesh. Her pace quickened as she spotted the bleak, decaying figures on the ground. She crouched down besides one figure and turned it over to find it was her own father's face.

Pain, slowly rising to the tips of her fingers, like an unwanted disease. Tears, falling down like the rain. She couldn't take it anymore. It was like an explosion inside her. She fell on her knees on the ground and let her head hit the ground. She bit her lip while she closed her eyes, trying to shut the tears out. She heard a slithering noise. She opened her eyes slowly and suddenly something attacked her.

Her eyes flew open to vision the dark oak of the roof. Tears were creeping in her eyes. She rapidly rubbed them away before anyone would spot that she was crying. It was embarrassing. She didn't need anyone. Just herself to comfort herself. She bit her lip and closed her eyes to try to clear away the images from her mind. Her memories. She shook her head. It was just a dream. Just another stupid dream..

A creaking sound made her jump and turn her head at once towards a door opening slowly. Goten's face slowly peeked from behind the door. He smiled sheepishly at her as if he was a kid who had been caught stealing sweets. He slowly paced up till he was behind the door and he closed it slowly as if he didn't want anyone to discover he was there. She stood there silently staring at him like a statue. He walked up to her and picked up a stool and placed it on the floor besides the bed she was laying on. After a moment of pause he patted her arm comfortingly and he started talking.

"Do you feel better now?"

She kept on staring fixedly at the ceiling. Her face was difficult to read. She seemed to be just thinking about the blank ceiling. Her golden strands of hair were enveloping her face, making her look vulnerable and fragile.

Her eyes kept themselves fixed on the ceiling.

"They won't believe me."

"Believe you?" he questioned, his eyes trying find a reply.

She frowned mentally to herself. She didn't feel like explaining at all. Instead she tried getting up, supported by her hands, but they felt wobbly and she fell back with a soft thud.

Goten rubbed his head lightly and shook his head.

"You're still weak"

She shook her head weakly.

"No.. there are goblins coming here."

He froze. Without another word he strode out of the room.

~*~*~

Trunks was sitting outside gazing at the distance. His expression was unreadable. But his mind was full of thoughts. Goten appeared from the entrance behind him. He paused while he glanced at his friend. Then he walked up to him and halted, sitting down besides him.

"The rumours were true. She saw the goblins."

Trunks' eyes remained staring in the distance as if in a dream. He stood up without a glance at his friend.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Goten grinned to himself.

"You"

"Wait. I'm also coming."

Goten and Trunks turned to face a pale faced Marron.

"Nah, you'll stay here." replied Trunks, looking annoyed and grumpy.

"Whatever, you can't stop me coming. Plus you don't know where the goblins are. Only I do know."

Her eyes were fierce, she wasn't giving up, even if it meant just watching.

Trunks gave an exasperated glance at Goten. He turned around to Marron scowling.

"Fine but if you get in trouble it's none of my business."

Marron frowned back at him and merely nodded. At least she was allowed to come.

~*~*~

Marron stood in the distance observing them on Dapple's back. She saw Trunks unsheathe his sword almost regally, as knights did and then slashing a goblin as fast as a flicker of an eye. She stood there motionless for a while, gazing at him as if she was petrified. She had to admit he was rather good at fighting, better than his character was anyway. His movements were rapid and accurate. She thought he'd have made a fine knight if he had been given the chance. Goten was quite as able also. The goblins were strong fighters but they had few wits and they had been taken by surprise. She noticed a goblin creep up behind Trunks and she threw a dagger at it, killing it instantly. Trunks seemed oblivious of her action, but he had actually noticed. An hour later the goblins were totally dispatched.

~*~*~

"Trunks.. maybe we shouldn't really leave her alone here." Goten started delicately.

He merely grunted and waved his pleas away.

"She's old enough. She's not a child. She can take care of herself."

"I know..but, she helped us, and the village. She's not that bad if you think about it"

Trunks paused looked at the ground.

"I don't know. I think it's better off without her."

"I guess, but just think of her as another of the village girls around and it wouldn't be so unbearable." Goten retorted while grinning widely.

"Also it will only be temporary, till we arrive at her own dwellings." he continued.

Trunks shook his head and frowned.

"Well, sure, fine. I give in."

Goten grinned wider. He clapped an arm on his shoulder.

"You give her the good news, my friend," he chirped and left him to pretend he was taking care of Dapple.

Marron was sitting on a rock gazing at a peacock butterfly fluttering from one flower to another.

Trunks paused while looking at her for a while. He turned around.

"Are you coming or not?" She heard him mutter.

Marron's face opened up with a huge smile. She felt like an explosion occur inside her. She felt bursting with happiness. She didn't know what to do or say to release her joy. She had a sudden urge to run up to him and hug him tight, but thought better. She paced up in front of him so she could face him directly. She smiled widely to him.

"Thank you" was all she could mouth.

His face was blank for a second or two, but then his familiar scowl returned and he just walked away from her and shrugged.