The Ghost

Chapter One:

Shanghai of the Quail

Tucking my youngest sibling into bed, I wished her a goodnight before shutting out the light. "Night, night," lazily she replied, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and within a matter of seconds, the toddler was sound asleep. I smiled at her now latent form before departing her room. Leaning against the closed door, I sighed in fatigue. Keeping five children under wraps was extremely exhausting. However, I enjoyed the experience.

I trudged down the long hallways that lead to my private room. With every step, the exhaustion of the day's activities felt more and more prominent. Earlier that day, my parents had departed home for London to straighten out some company business, leaving me the responsibility of minding their children. Why they hadn't hired a nanny this time, I hadn't a clue.

Entering my room, I dimmed the bedroom lights, causing a muted tranquil atmosphere. Journeying further in, I peeled off my day clothing and slipped into my nightshirt slung across the footboard of my bed. Yet it wasn't time to rest; I still had one more task at hand. I left my quarters, searching around the house, confirming that every door and window was sealed and lock, for I never knew when one unlock entry could lead to an intruder.

Finished my check, I quickly made my way upstairs to my bedroom, perceiving that eerie feeling again. That feeling you get when someone or something is watching you. I didn't know exactly what it was, but it was something I had been sensing as of late. Ever since my family and I had moved into the new home, I've felt the incidence but not as much as during the past few weeks. I arbitrated it was probably the ghost of some long lost soul whom passed away a long time ago on the land and wanted to communicate with the living. Even though that's the case, the thought was creepy.

As I walked through the oak French doors, which separated my room from the rest of the house, a complete stranger confronted me. My breath caught in my throat with shock as he smiled at me wickedly. I began to back unconsciously keeping my eyes glued upon the stranger clad in a skintight deep blue suite with armor that draped his torso and white boots and gloves that housed his feet and hands. However, I tried not to focus too much on his outward manifestation, shaking myself out of revulsion. Doing the first thing that came to mind, I attempted to shoulder him in the gut. Yet, I found myself pined into a corner of my room with the door shut. His hand clamped over my mouth, forbidding me to let out any sound. My mind proceeded to wonder. How he got into the house was beyond my comprehension. I would have undeniably heard him break in. Then I recognized the sensation once more. Was he the one that haunted the house? Many more questions blanketed my mind until I returned to reality. 'The bastard kissed me?!'

In a fit of panic, I pushed him with all the force I could rally. Caught off guard, he crashed into the wall across the room; a look of surprise clearly covered his face. I picked up the nearest item, which happened to be my prized chrome desk lamp. Releasing a cry of battle, I rushed to the stranger and hammered him on his head. I swung the lamp again, but only succeeded in hitting his after image. I hesitantly turned around. If I did not piss him off before, I surely succeeded now. I looked the 'ghost' in the face. His expression was calm whilst his eyes danced with exasperation. Before thinking, I swiftly lifted my knee to his groin, which he surprisingly deflected with ease.

Subsequently he violently snatched the lamp from my grasp and slapped me, knocking me into the nearby wall. Slumping down, I forever strove to keep my consciousness. I clutched the side of my face; never in my life had I been in so much pain. My back was killing me. If I had hit the wall any harder, I would have been in the next room, for I had already broken through the first layer of drywall. I willed myself to stand. I wouldn't dare sit around and surrender to the knave without a fight. Moreover, I had to keep my siblings safe; but I hadn't a clue what the man before me was capable of doing. I stood on both feet, keeping my eyes on my attacker. He watched me intently. His wicked face smirked at me; lust clouding his eyes.

Keeping my voice firm, I demanded the answers to the first questions I've been conjuring. "Who are you? Why are you here and what do you want?" I locked my fist, keeping myself from trembling. I was afraid. I dreadfully awaited his reply. Nevertheless, he said nothing; instead, he just moved in closer. I backed up a little; his action frightened me right to the bone.

"I've had enough of your bullshit. Get the hell out my house!" I launched at him, aiming for his throat. Before I could even get to him, I found myself on the floor once more. I painstakingly sat up. My neck, back, jaw and head hurt, and I was sure my left ankle was broken too. I vigilantly gazed up at him. He appeared so menacing yet so striking at once. I backed away from him until he had me cornered. The foreigner genuflected before me. Inside, raged a war between my mind and body. I didn't want to give up fighting, however, by body was in no condition to move any longer. Shutting my eyes, I appointed the worst to happen. All the while, I wondered why not anyone was coming to help me.

            Feeling a slow soothing breeze blow my way, I hesitantly opened my eyes. I began to shudder violently as I frantically scrutinized my surroundings. I was no longer in my bedroom but in some forested area. "Where am I?!" My voice uncontrollably sputtered.

            The stranger kneeling before me answered my question with a broaden smirk. He hunched down to all four commencing on approaching me as if I were his prey. My heart raced wildly. "Leave me alone… Please don't touch me." I pressed myself against the tree trunk I was leaning against as he crawled closer. I began kicking with the one good foot I had, only to have that one sprained as well; I winced in pain. "Leave me alone!" I tried hard to hold back the tears that forcefully spilled out. Never in my entire life had I felt so vulnerable. I always thought I would be prepared for this kind of a situation, but I was wrong, oh so wrong.

            After what seemed an eternity, his face finally stopped mere inches from my own. Then he tenderly kissed me again, though I wrenched my head in denial. I was going to fight until the last once of my energy diminished. However, he had other plans.

            "I was going to take it easy," he began, giving me a once over, "but you leave me no choice." Next, he pushed me to the ground. Futilely I squirmed under his grip. He pinned my arms to the ground with some device, and then moved to my feet.

            "Please… let me go." He ignored my cry and trailed kisses down my neck. He straddled my waist and his hands crept under my shirt. Intuitively, I jerked under him, which only caused him to harden more. He lifted my shirt over my head and kissed his way to my breast.

            I closed my eyes and visualized what would take place during my upcoming summer; anything to get my mind off what was transpiring. Nevertheless, it was an idea that went to waste. I bit down on my lip, opening a wound as I felt him toying around with my insides. The sensation brought chills to my spine and carried me to a world of pleasure, even though I hated to admit it. Yes, I would have enjoyed it, if only it were under different circumstances. A muffled yelp escaped my throat and lips as the contentment increased a hundred folds. As it ended, I turned my head to the side in shame. Why was he doing this to me?

            My aggressor then ascended atop me carrying a self-pleasing shit-eating grin. "You know, you taste better than any other woman I have experienced." How disgusting.  I would say he was rather satisfied in his achievement in humiliating me than actually with me.

            I was already in shame and his damned remarks didn't make matters any better. Gathering the little spite I had left, I retorted with a remark I knew would only get me punished further. Nevertheless, it was something I couldn't hold inside any longer. "Is this what you do for a living? Breaking into peoples' homes, raping women and girls?" I kept my eyes shut not wanting to see his reaction. Withal, I sure as hell heard and felt it.

            He growled and jammed himself into me. I wanted so bad to curl into a ball, yet there were restrainers that held me in place. Hence, I cried; the pain of him forcefully impaling through my barrier was more than overbearing. He plunged in and out, impelling deeper and deeper as the seconds went by, enjoying every moment of it. My provoker mockingly moaned as his thrust hardened and quickened. Again, I bit my lip breaching another flesh wound, tears escaping my eyes in a river rush.

            "Please…stop." I begged him, but he continued his assault. I managed to grab a patch of grass even though the restraints held me to the ground. The pain never receded, howbeit, the beautiful, yet immoral feeling of him being in me continued to grow. Before long, I dreadfully hit my second climax, but he didn't stop. He released the cuffs and flipped me to my abdomen. He, again, pinned me to the ground before entering me. He resumed his assault and continued to drive into me.

            In the crook of my eye, I could see his face next to mine. "How does it feel?" he taunted in-between gasps. I turned my head and clenched my lips shut, silencing my whimpers. I just wanted it to end. I shut my eyes one last time before entering the world of siesta, allowing him to do whatever else he desired with my body.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Slipping back into consciousness, I opened my eyes. The streaks of daylight splayed against the openings of the blinds, greeted me. I took a good look at my surroundings. 'Thank God!' I was in my room. I glanced down at myself, and saw that I was dressed in my sleepwear… yet I felt so empty. 'Maybe it's because it was all a bad dream.'

            Wishful Thinking…

            I draped my legs over my bedside. As soon as I applied weight on my feet, my legs gave way as excessive aches raced through them.

            "No, no, no, no, no, no." Tears streamed down my face. "What am I going to do?" What did a girl do after being raped? I didn't know what to do; weather to keep yesterday's events hush-hush or tell the first person I trusted. Still deciding on what to do, I called my brother, Tilk, then quickly cleaned my face with my sleeve before he arrived. Moments later, he entered the room.

            He was tall for a sixteen year old (anyone taller than me is tall), being one inch short of seven feet. It was not a doubt he worked out. Tilk was well built and had soft cameral toned skinned. No wonder he was considered a chic magnet. Nevertheless, he didn't let that get to him, at least I like to think not. As me, he spent most of his time on the computer. He bore onyx colored eyes and short spiky black hair with random fawn streaks. My brother and I were the only children in my immediate family with fine hair. We inherited the trait from my father's side, I supposed because my father's mother was of Pakistani decent.

            "What's up, Kaori?... I fed the kids and made sure everything was clean; so you don't have to go into a temper tantrum today." Tilk dragged in an almost annoyed- like tone, but then stopped when he got a better view of me. "What happened to you?"

            "What?" I played as if id didn't know what he was referring to.

            "You look like you've been fighting a wild dog," he answered almost childlike.

            I licked my parched lips whilst coming up with a lie, hopefully good enough to sway my naïve brother for a while. "Nightmares." I knew I could have come up with something better, but it was the best I could do at the moment.

            Tilk sat on his knees, examining my ankles, then looked to me with frustration. Even though thought to be naïve, Tilk had his moments of ascendancy. "It looks to me like you had more than just a nightmare. Mind explaining?"

            I sighed in exasperation; I really wasn't in the mood for auguring. "I don't feel like talking about it. Drop it."

            My brother stared at me flatly. "To hell with it! Something happened last night and I want to know what it was."

            I threw my hands into the air, my temper flaring. "I don't need to answer to you."

            Tilk sighed, " I'm going to find out one way or another. Stay right here and I'll get some stuff to brace your ankles and call the hospital." He stood up and walked to the door.

            "No!" He then turned around. "I don't want to go to the hospital… You know I hate needles," I added in a childish tone. I was more afraid that the doctors would somehow find out about my reprehensible situation, knowing how they always seem to uncover any and everything.

            "I don't care. If you don't get to the hospital soon, you probably won't be able to walk again." He scolded and continued to walk out the door.

            "Let me call Mom first, okay?" Tilk finally exited my room, mumbling obscenity. I was surprised he didn't notice the hole in the wall. I sighed as I debated weather or not I should tell my mother about what had happened the previous night.

            You could if you want, but it's not going to help you any. Unless it's to clear your mind.

            I nearly fell out of bed startled. "Who's there?" I asked, yet received no answer. I hysterically scanned the room; afraid it was my assailant back to get me once more. I felt a throbbing pain on the left side of my neck. Before I could reach for the irritant area though, my brother walked in.

            "Here you go." Tilk handed me one of the ace bandages in his hand and then kneeled over to examine my ankles once more.

            "Thanks, but I'm sure the ambulance people can take care of it when they get here."

            My brother continued what he was doing as if he hadn't heard a thing I said. But then he looked at me, "You know, I heard you screaming last night."

            I stared back at him confused and with growing anger. "Why didn't you come then?"

            He shook his head as if there was something he could not explain. "I don't know. I wanted to get up, but I couldn't, as if there was something holding me down. Then when I could, the screaming had long done stopped and you were already asleep… which leads me to ask…"

            I knew what he was to ask, but it was a question I wasn't answering. "Don't ask, okay," I said frustrated. "You know what, just leave. I'm gonna' call mom."

            Tilk stood and threw the bandage on the bed. "Fine! If you're not going to tell me, you better tell someone," and then he left the room.

            I watched him leave. Though I hated it, I was older than he was yet he held so much more authority… well, not over me. I picked the Tweety Bird telephone receiver and dialed my stepmother's cell number. I hadn't a clue what I was going to tell her, however, I didn't want her to panic and leave London. Then I didn't want my brother to find out for I knew he was just outside the door.

            With each ring, my heart pounded harder and harder. After the sixth ring, my father answered the phone. "Hello, Dan speaking."

            "Good morning Dad." I said with as much cheer I could conjure.

            "Good morning Kaori. I see you're up. Did you have a good night sleep?"

            I rolled my eyes, why was he always so optimistic. "Yes I did; can I speak to Mom?"

            "Sure." I heard mumbling and shuffling in the background. Probably my father was telling my mom I was on the line. A couple of seconds later, my mother answered.

            "Hello?"

            "Hi Mom," I glanced around the room, and then tensed.

            "Hello? Kaori… are you there?" my mother asked anxiously. However, I couldn't find myself to speak. It was as if my body had gone into complete shock.

            It was him again.

            He strode towards me, snatched the phone from my grasp, and brought the receiver to his ear. "Hello," he spoke… in a voice exactly matching my own, "I'll call you back." Then he crushed the receiver in his fist.

            I stared back at him and then screamed.

            However, he just shook his head. "Women. Is that the first thing that they always do?"

            After that, everything went dark.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tilk's Point of View

            Why does she have to be so stubborn? I could do nothing to fume out my anger but stomp down the hallway and down the stairs. Then when I thought the morning had gone bad, it got worst.

            I ran at full speed back upstairs and to her room as I heard her scream once more. If anything, I was going to kill whoever it was who was making her scream. Just as I set a foot in the room, I found myself flying across the hall and through a wall. Surprisingly, I felt no pain.

            When the dust had settled, I realized I was in the next room; however, I diverted my attention to the stranger before me. He loomed ten feet ahead with my sister draped over his right shoulder. Seeing this, I clenched my fist and shot to my feet. "You better let my sister go, or you're going to regret ever being born."

            "What are you going to do? Spank me?" he spoke with mirth.

            I shut my eyes to a slit and charged at him. How dare he ridicule me! As I neared, I threw a fist right for his nose. However, he simply moved his head out of my attack's path. He then caught my fist and squeezed. I could hear the bones in my hand painfully break under his grip. I twisted under him as his smirk broadened.

            "You're so pathetic. I can't even believe you're a Saiyan… and full blooded at that."

            Not only was I in pain, but also confused. Did he just call me a Saiyan?

            "Let them go Corin."

            Before I was able to see the source of the voice, my supposed target pushed me behind him, but never loosened his grip.

            "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't do that," he replied in a voice laced with ice.

            Deciding to take matters into my own hands, I twisted in his grasp then around him and booted him right in the family jewels. On impulse, he keeled over; however, never letting go of Kaori. As quickly as I could, I grabbed my sister by the waist and tried to pry her away from him. Nevertheless, even after my blow, his grip remained strong. Gaining sang-froid, Corin reached for me; however, someone pulled me from behind and away from Kaori's captor.

            "Let me go! Let go of my sister Damn it! I'll kill you!" I fought relentlessly. I needed to get my sister from that damn bastard.

            "Corin let her go!" A man, a foot shorter than I, emerged into view. He had wild black hair and wore an orange outfit with a dark blue top underneath.

            Corin cocked his head to the side. "Do you think I'm stupid?... How about this, you give me the boy, and I'll let the girl live… as simple as that."

            I halted my scuffling and watched the scene unfold. I studied the man trying to negotiate with Corin. "Why, for some reason, does that guy look like Goku?"

            "That's because he is Kakorat, idiot." I didn't even realize I had asked the question aloud. I looked to the right of me, and there was a shorter man, about two inches taller than Kaori, dressed in a suit identical to Corin's with black flaming hair. I blinked several times. "What the hell is going on?!" I commanded.

            I redirected my attention ahead as the walls crumbled to the floor. Before me stood two Super Saiyans. My mouth went agape, "My brothers and sisters." Again, I began to struggle. "Let me go! I have to get the rest of my siblings!"

            "Boy, go take this one to the ship with the lot of the ruts." As soon as my captor's grip loosened, I swiftly spun around and came face-to-face with a lavender-haired man. He grabbed my arm and we flew out of the gaping hole on one side of the room.

            "Hey! Put me down!"

            My carrier huffed. "Do you really want me to do that?"

            I glanced down to the earth below, "Hell no!" I was probably four stories in the air! Shortly after, we reached a clearing and in the middle rested a round spacecraft. Around it stood several males, one of them being green. I shook my head. What else can happen?

            He placed me on the ground several feet from the ship. I glance at him. "Are my sisters and brothers here?"

            He nodded his head in answer. "I'm Trunks by the way. You are Tilk, right?"

I sighed, "Yea," then I turned to face him, rubbing my temples, "Can you please tell me what the hell is going on?"

Trunks began for the entrance of the ship and I followed. "I think it'll be best if we wait for everyone to return."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            I leaned forward in my seat, placing my elbows on the table before me grabbing a fistful of my hair. "Tell me… what happened and where is he taking her?" I couldn't stress it enough. Everyone that was at my house arrived, that is everyone par for my sister and that guy that kidnapped her.

            "Don't worry, we will get her back," Goku assured.

            I snuffed. I wasn't sure what to do, weather to shred someone to pieces or wait the situation out. I trended back into my seat and sighed. "Just tell me what is going on."

            Kaioshin, a midget man with black eyes, a dumb-looking white Mohawk and complexion of a sissy… purple, sighed and looked up at Goku. "I will… as soon as we get your siblings to your parents."

            I furrowed my brows, "What help would that be? What kind of protection would that be if he decides to go after them?"

            Kaioshin heaved. "That is the only way we can guarantee their safety. Corin is after you and your sister, whom he already has. And it would be of no use to him to harm someone to get what he wants."

            I drooped my shoulders. There was no reason to protest. He did know more about this guy than I did. "Whatever you say, but I'm warning you. Let anything happen to them, and you'll pay…someway."

            The purple being arched a brow, and dismissed the threat shortly after. "Very well then… Goku?"

            The Saiyan nodded his head and ventured to the back of the ship.

            "Where is he going?" I asked.

            "He's going to instant transmission the children to your parents. Do you wish to say goodbye?"

            I paused and thought about it. I did, but I wouldn't be able to bear it. I couldn't. It was going to be my last goodbye, which I knew. "No, I have to keep it open ended."

            He stared at me in question. I could feel he was unaware of my intentions. "If that's what you wish." Then the Supreme Kai took a seat across from me. "Well then, I suppose I should begin with explanations… As you know, the person who holds your sister captive is Corin. He is the younger brother of Brolli; whom..."

I put my hands out to halt the Kai. "Wait a minute. Brolli has a brother?"

            Kaioshin stopped in mid sentence to answer my question, though with confusion. "You know of Brolli?"

            Of coarse I did. He was in at least three of the freakin' DBZ movies. However, I shrugged to show my indifference, "Never mind that now. Tell me the rest."

            "Well, when he discovered that Goku was the one to end Brolli's life, he came to the Earth in our dimension to seek revenge. When he saw that he was of no match against the Z warriors, he fled Earth. Soon after, he learned of the residing power of the Saiyan Gods."

            I rolled my eyes and exhaled audibly as I dropped my head to the table. Nonetheless, Kaioshin ignored me and continued with his story.

            "Long ago, there were gods whom assumed power over Planet Vegeta. However, there came a time when they abused their power. Therefore, the former Supreme Kai did away with them, but locked their powers in the depths of the universe, therefore rendering them enable to break from their prison."

            "Though he made the power accessible for what reason?" I asked rather sarcastically. "If you couldn't retrieve this so called power then why would Corin be after it?"

            The Supreme Kai shrugged and replied, "I don't now the reason. But the only way to access the power is by using the life-forces of two decedents of the Saiyan high priest or the priest himself, Kinkaarito, whom assisted in binding and putting away the gods. Nevertheless, he is long deceased. Hence, the only option that remains is the two of you.

            "And Kaori and I are his decedents?"

            The Supreme Ki nodded, "And the more power you two possess when he uses you, the more power he will ultimately gain in the end."

            "So he's going to train her so he would be stronger in the end, right?"

            "That's what we assume. Now there is debate weather or not we should aid in strengthening you." He pointed out.

            I sighed as I stared at the roof of the craft. How did I get into this? Then a thought suddenly struck me. "If my sister and I are the keys he need and also Saiyans, how come we were born in this dimension instead of yours?" I peered at Kaioshin quizzically.

            "I truthfully do not know. I wish I could provide you an answer."

            "Well, does me being Saiyan make my mother and father Saiyan?"

            The Ki simply nodded. Then there was a moment of silence, at least until a certain third class spoke.

            "Well, since that's over with, can we get something to eat."

            I rolled my eyes and glanced at Goten with malice. 'Like father, like son.'