Only Words

3: Family Reunion

Marron shivered under the thin blanket she had been allowed. The mattress of dried grasses was also quite possibly the most uncomfortable thing she had ever slept on. But when she really thought about it, she knew that she should be thankful for small favours. She didn't have to share a room with Pan or Trunks, which was the best thing that had happened to her since she had arrived in this god-forsaken place. Bulma might have snored a little, but she was better company that any of the others by far.

With the torches out, and the heat of the day passed, the cave had become as gloomy as most caves tended to be. The emptiness also made the most quiet noises echo throughout the entire complex, so as well as Bulma's snoring, Marron could hear Gohan, Trunks and Goten snoring, Videl calling out in her sleep, Pan and Uub murmuring together and Piccolo shuffling about somewhere. Marron assumed that he was pacing, pondering about the situation.

A tear slid down Marron's cheek, chased closely by another, and another. She remained silent though, not wanting her own sobbing to be echoed throughout the cave.

*   *   *   *   *   *

"There's no one here," Juuhachigou stated, crossly.

Juunanagou floated over and landed beside his sister. The jinzouningen were searching the same mountains that Marron had been taken to. Juunanagou raised his arms into a shrug. "She said she saw something flying this way."

"Well, she isn't always right!" Juuhachigou sneered. "You only believe her because she's got you whipped."

"Does not!"

"Does too!"

"Does…"

"Oh, shut up!" Juuhachigou snapped. "Look, we don't have anything planned. We'll just stay here, and keep watch. And if something shows up…"

"We'll have some fun," Juunanagou finished, with a smirk.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Breakfast in the cave was as cheerful an event as every other moment had been. Marron felt like every eye at the table was focussed on her, just waiting for her to give some hint that she was an enemy. Just waiting for an excuse to kill her.

She was thankful when Bulma started up conversation. "So, have anything planned today?"

"Goten and I want to go do some work on the spare cave," Trunks replied.

"And Uub and I were going to fix up the camouflage on this one," Pan added. "It's getting pretty raggy – you can almost see the light coming from inside when it's dark."

"That can't be a good thing," Piccolo mumbled.

"One of you should take Marron with you," Bulma suggested.

"Not us," Pan immediately growled. "I'm not having her moping around near me."

Marron was about to reply with an equally bitchy remark, but Goten spoke up. "She can come with us."

"That might not be the best of ideas," Trunks murmured. "If she is a spy, we don't want to show her where our other hide-out is."

"How many times do I have to tell you: I'm not a spy!" Marron cried.

"I'm just being cautious."

"Just take her, Trunks," Bulma commanded. "And that's an order."

"Yes, mother," he grumbled. Even Marron couldn't hide a smirk, seeing the mighty Trunks giving into his mother. He stood, and scraped up what was left of his pride. "Come on, we're leaving now."

Marron, who wanted to show Trunks up, quickly stood to indicate she was just as ready as he was. She had already changed into the clothes that Bulma had stolen from Videl's collection. She hated them, but believed that they were essential.

Goten shoved the last remnants of his breakfast into his mouth, and joined Trunks and Marron. Trunks nodded to the rest of the group, lead his two companions out of the cave.

"You'll have to carry her again," Trunks ordered Goten. "I don't want to touch that filthy jinzouningen."

Marron immediately regretted that Bulma had ordered Trunks to take her along. She knew that without his mother around to stop him, Trunks would be ruthless.

However, Marron was to have a saviour with her. Goten frowned at his friend. "There's no need to be like that Trunks."

Trunks got up close to his friend. "What did you say?"

"She's just a girl, Trunks. Stop being such a jerk."

"Why are you being so compassionate? You hate them just as much as I do for what they did to her." Trunks looked over at Marron, then back to Goten. "Finally putting my sister behind you, huh, Goten? Going after something new? I'm sure she's a pretty good fuck, being a machine and all. More balls than brain, as usual."

"Shut up, Trunks." Despite his defiant glare, Goten had blushed, and betrayed his thoughts.

Trunks walked away. Before taking of, he sneered, "You can have her. Hope she pleases you."

Goten shrugged at Marron. "Would you believe he's always been a fucking jerk?"

"No…" she whispered.

"You were lovers in your world, weren't you?"

Marron bit her lip and nodded.

"Do you know all of us?"

"Yes. You and I were best friends. I trusted you with my life. Pan and Uub – they had only just started as a couple the day I made my stupid wish."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you wish to never exist?"

"I got drunk, and ended up in a situation that upset Trunks, and B…your girlfriend. It's amazing how many stupid things you say when you're distraught."

Goten looked at her thoughtfully. "Who was my girlfriend?"

Marron looked away, finding his gaze unnerving. "You told me not to mention her name again."

He nodded. "I thought as much. We should get going, before Trunks gets even madder with us."

Marron let Goten scoop her into his arms. She had always loved it when Trunks had taken her flying. She tried to settle into Goten's arms and pretend he was Trunks. But Goten's scent was too familiar.

The flight was eventless, with Marron off in her own little world, not taking in any of the view. If Trunks had been worried about her blabbing about where the spare cave was, he would have been worrying in vain.

"Took you long enough," was how Trunks greeted them.

*   *   *   *   *   *

"Hello, look what we have here," said Juunanagou, spotting Goten and Marron meet up with Trunks.

"Who's the blonde?" Juuhachigou wondered aloud.

"Fucked if I know. She looks a little like you."

"No, she doesn't." Juuhachigou stood up fully, since she had been crouching. "Well, whoever she is, let's go introduce ourselves."

"Sounds like fun." Juunanagou whistled loudly, and a third figure followed after them, keeping their distance.

"What's a nice boy like you doing in a place like this, Trunks?" Juuhachigou called.

Trunks looked up in shock. Seeing the two jinzouningen, he spun around and snarled at Marron. "I knew it! You worthless little whore. I will kill you!"

"I swear, I had nothing to do with this! Maybe they saw us, or something." Marron looked to Goten for support, but he just stared back at her in disappointment and betrayal.

"Who's the broad, boys?" Juunanagou asked.

"Don't act like you don't know anything, jinzouningen."

Juuhachigou waved a finger at Trunks. "Now, now, don't yell. And get your facts straight first. We have no idea who your little bitch is." She smirked. "Or, maybe, she's your new whore, and you just don't want me to know, in case I get jealous."

Marron watched in horror as her mother made passes at her boyfriend.

"You sick bitch," Trunks hissed. "Do you think I'd want to touch you, or your filthy spawn?"

"Filthy spawn…?" Juuhachigou repeated.

"Well, well, well," Juunanagou scoffed. "The truth comes out. When were you planning on telling me about my niece?"

Juuhachigou snarled at her brother. "Idiot! He's just making it up to protect her!"

"All of you shut up!" Marron screamed, causing a general wave of shock to pass through the group. Even Marron was shocked at her own guts. She had never snapped at her mother in such a way, and this Juuhachigou was ten times more terrifying. "Yes, I am your daughter, but from a different world. No, I'm not fucking Trunks…not this one anyway. What is wrong with you people!?"

Juunanagou raised his hand. "Well, I'm a jinzouningen who wants to destroy all of humanity. I don't know about the rest of you."

Trunks ignored Juunanagou and addressed Juuhachigou. "So, you honestly know nothing about this girl?"

"Never seen her in my life." She smirked. "That doesn't mean I won't take pleasure in killing her though."

The conversation was interrupted by the distinct sound of heels on rock, and a female voice sighing, "Bored now."

Marron's eyes widened in horror. "No…it can't be…"

Behind her, Goten whispered, "No, please…anything but that. I don't want to have to face her."

"Juunanagou, why the Hell did you let her come along?" Juuhachigou snapped, irritated.

Juunanagou simply smiled. "What's wrong, Princess?"

Standing, barely metres away, was Bra. But not the Bra that Marron knew. This Bra had the slanted cat eyes of the jinzouningen. The same flawless beauty of Marron's mother and uncle. She pouted. "This is boring!"

"Sorry about that, babe."

Bra looked out from behind Juunanagou. "Who's the girl with onii-chan?"

"I told you to not call me that, you little bitch!" Trunks roared. "You're not my sister! She's dead! My sister is dead!"

With a smirk on her lips more frightening than that of her father, Bra sidled over to Trunks. Coming as close to him as she dared, she ran a hand down her side. "But isn't that a good thing? If I'm not really your sister, then you can do all those naughty, incestuous things you always wanted to do."

"Shut your fucking mouth. You're a liar. I would never think about my little sister in such a way!"

"Even if she's as sexy as me?"

"Shut up, Bra," Goten commanded.

Her eyes widened with joy. "My puppy is here too! Does puppy wanna play?"

"I said, shut up…"

Marron could see that Goten was straining to maintain his control. Tears were welling at the bottom of his eyes. She grabbed his arm, and hissed, "Let's get out of here, NOW!"

He nodded, mutely, and discretely wrapped an arm around her, preparing to take flight.  From the corner of his eye, Trunks noticed this and also prepared himself. If they ran now, they would live to see another day. If they stayed, their future would not be so certain.

"Love to stay and chat…actually, no I wouldn't," Trunk growled. "So, see ya!"

And with that, Trunks and Goten took off. Speed was the only advantage that the Saiya-jin seemed to have against the jinzouningen.

Left with Juuhachigou and Juunanagou, Bra pouted again. "No fair. Puppy doesn't want to play with me."

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