AN: Yes I made it before the end of the month! *Cough* Two months later *Cough*
Gomen nai. Hopefully I can start updating sooner. Tomorrow's my last day of school! Whoowho! Next chapter is going to have some more stuff happening in it, this one just kinda gets the ball rolling again. I appreciate any comment, questions, ideas and constructive criticism. Please bare with the grammer, I'm horrible at it. I've got the rest of the basic plot but still lacking a little, umph. Anywho, I've taken up enough space here. Enjoy and review.
-Mizuko
(' ')
Chapter 17-On the Right Track
His face was deceitfully calm, but the angry lashing of his tail gave his absolute fury away. Zarbon flinched every time the tail connected with the floor like a whip. It could change direction at any moment. He prayed he would not be its target. Zarbon had blasted the ship or tried to but he'd been severely weakened after defending against the Prince's Final Flash, and only managed to knock the ship askew, sending it tumbling through space. Freiza was not happy.
Freiza's voice cut through the silent room like ice, "I was hoping to surprise those little monkeys but since the prince came all this way, I suppose I should return the favor. We leave as soon as the engines have been modified. Your job is simple enough and I hope you won't screw this one up," Zarbon winched at the insult. "Call back the troops, and I'd be quick about it. I leave the moment the engines are ready anyone left behind will meet the same fate as Ewajima." Zarbon was quick to follow his orders and hurry from the room. Freiza would show no mercy...
Freiza wasn't interested in the Saiyajin Empire as much as finding the Hitohi and obtaining their secret. The secret of traveling the stars unnoticed and undetected. They might be useful as servants too, a good portion of the Hitohi was made up of that obscenely weak but immensely resilient species...Humans they called themselves, (vermin was more like it; disgusting really) some saiyajin and a few others that were of no use to him what so ever. But the planet Beijita-sei... Now that was home to billions of saiyajin, they'd make excellent soldiers! From they few he had encountered he deduced that they were a barbaric, big on brawn, short on brain, type of people with one or two exceptions.
The more he thought about it the more the idea warmed up to him. He remembered saiyajin had the unique ability to increase their strength after recovering from battle. Those stupid monkeys could be the next shock troops of the universe! And he would command each and every one of them... A sinister smirk traversed the length of his dark colored lips in perverse pleasure.
*****
Videl smiled up at Gohan, "You kept your promise." He chuckled a warm hand tracing her cheek.
"Videl I'm so glad your okay....." They stared tenderly into each other's eyes; he kissed her gently on her forehead then her lips. Relief and joy ran deep in small token of affection. She missed him so much...The spell was broken by an outburst from Bulma. Videl blinked and tried to sit up, "How long have I been asleep?"
"Whoa, whoa take it easy Videl, you may be a little stiff." Then answering her question, "A long time."
Looking at her surrounding she recognized it as the same room she had been taken to before being put in stasis. Little had changed. Across from her bed was another, which had been occupied by Bulma a moment ago. Videl chuckled to herself; nothing could keep that woman down.
Past the bed was the Royal couple. Bulma was embracing a young woman. She grasped Gohan's arm and pulled herself to her feet, ignoring the light dizziness in her head. The young woman... Bra? No way that couldn't be...where was Pan? Videl gasped as her chest constricted she felt an unsurpassable need to see her little girl and make sure she was okay. "Gohan exactly how long have I been asleep?" she asked shakily.
Gohan paused momentarily, "Twenty years."
Videl's mouth drop, "Pan where is she? My baby?" The last question was misinterpreted by Gohan, but just as well, she had yet to tell him.
Sensing his wife's near panic Gohan wrapped a comforting arm about her, she did not miss the glare he sent towards the doorway. Following his line of sight, her eyes fell upon a young man who returned Gohan's glare with no sign of backing down. The resemblance was unmistakable.
"Pan was supposed to be here."
"Yes. Something happened on the way here, which is why Trunks and Pan have yet to arrive." Videl glance from her husband to her brother in law, the words carried more hostility then there should be between brothers.
"And neither is at fault." Goku suddenly spoke up giving his sons a reprimanding looks, they both shuffled uncomfortably. She'd completely missed Goku and the man- no- Neg'Vah standing near him, watching them all with a calm indifference. She'd have to find out what had happen later.
"Where is Pan?"
"And my son?" Vegeta spoke; his commanding tone had not changed in years.
"I believe she has been capture by a being named Freiza, Trunks has gone after her. But I don't think this is really the place to discuss the matter." He said with a glance at the doctor who was still in the room.
Vegeta nodded, "Yes, of course. After you get some rest." He said pointedly towards Bulma. Turning to the doctor, "have our... guests escorted to their accommodations. We shall meet an hour from now."
****
Half of him wanted to disembowel the little human, but not before removing his eyes and making sure the little weakling wouldn't be making any contributions too the gene pool...permanently The better half was saying perhaps that would be a bad thing to do...
He should give the little ogling vermin a quick painless death.
Fortunately for the said weakling, Ace got to him first, giving his friend a sharp nudge in the ribs before Trunks could burn a hole in him with his icy glare. Pan walked ahead completely oblivious along with the station commander as the group headed towards the bay. Behind her were Ace and the weakling that had been spared a world pain. He was next in line followed and flanked by more Ace's little entourage.
'Feh.' He gave a mental snort, it was so obvious they were doing everything their puny brains could come up with to keep him away from Pan and under close supervision.
Really, it was almost insulting...they really thought they could handle him. Ha!
A dangerous smirk flitted across his face as wicked glee filled him and disappeared just as fast as it had come. They were lucky he put up with them for Pan's sake. She'd get angry. Although the little she demon was pretty when angered, he rather enjoyed being on her good graces.
The group stopped in front large ship, well large for a shuttle for only three people. Pan was still conversing with the commander; he could tell from her expression that they were at a disagreement about something. The conversation was low, but not so far that he couldn't here it.
"What?!" he heard Pan's whispered hiss, "I don't need an escort much less an entire wing to watch-
"Miss Son we can not allow you to travel alone with that. It is for your own good who knows what tha-" Pan glared venomously at the officer, who taken cleared his throat an amended his words, " he may have planned-"
Pan cut him off, "He can be trusted, he risked his life and punishment to save me and I have yet to see someone show a little gratitude. 1 escort or I'll leave without."
"Fine."
Trunks inwardly grinned, although he was thoroughly enjoying watching Pan get her way
Trunks brushed none to gently past Ace and Spade, "Although your devotion to is Pan's safety is quite...touching," he sneered, "We need to leave. I didn't come all way this just to have her get killed on the way back." The station commander acknowledged him with something between shock and anger. Trunks couldn't help but add, "Beside, if anything so powerful should come along to be a problem for me. Then I can assure that you that these, 'body guards', would be little more than unless," he smirked enjoying the angered looks he was getting from the others.
With out further preamble he boarded- no swaggered onto the shuttle's lift oozing arrogance. Briefly turning around in time to see Pan rolling her eyes as the he was lifted in to the ships belly.
*****
'Someone's back to normal....' she thought rolling her eyes as Trunk entered the shuttle as if he owned it. The station commander left (more like stomped off) seeing he was going to get no where with and the rest of the wing gave her a farewell salute before exiting the bay, leaving her with Jonathan.
"You really like him, don't you Panny?" It wasn't question, more a statement, "You sure know how to pick 'em, Panny," he continued as the walked onto the lift.
She laughed, "Yeah, I don't suppose I could convince you that he's really a sweet guy deep down?" The gray-eyed man let out a rude snort, Pan had to laugh at his reaction, stepping off the lift and into the shuttle.
"Not in this lifetime, but are you sure, about that creep? Because if the media or press ever got even a rumor of you and some blue...
He trailed, lowering his voice not quite sure where the subject of their conversation was at the moment or the exact extent of saiyajin hearing. They continued forward into the tiny cockpit where they began readying the shuttle for take off.
"The chances of it getting out from a military outpost are slim."
"But all it takes is one person a guard even." He hissed back.
"What ever happens I have a feeling it'd be worse for him. Main system and thrusters on."
" Disengaging docking clamps. Don't think you understand? Your people could lose their faith in you as a strong leader."
"I don't think you understand; he's in the exact same boat. And who said I was officially going to be the next leader? All systems go"
Jonathan blinked in confusion as Pan continued, " you can't tell any of your other comrades or superiors-
"Oh God don't tell me, he is the son of some big wig elite, isn't he." Jonathan interrupted.
"Your not too far from the mark...Actually
" ...Damn. You sure know how to pick 'em. Does your father- no he'd never allow it. It's bad enough he's a blue, an elite, Pan?" Jonathan frowned distrustful, "I don't trust him Pan and I don't like him either; I don't think I'd be going too far out on a limb to say I don't think he likes me either-"
"I'm not asking you to like each other."
"Thanks. But still I'm telling you Pan, as a friend, I don't want to see you get hurt. He's a blue, not just any blue, but an elite, too close to the top if you ask me. There is always an ulterior motive where the Royal family is concerned. He could be out to lure you into a false sense of security and seduce you or kill you!"
"Jonathan!"
"I'm serious Pan."
"You don't know him. He isn't like that...I know his objectives and his reasons for being out here. He'd already landed on Beijita-sei. He didn't have to come after me. Or save me. It doesn't matter what side of the line he came from, Jonathan, he has a good heart at that is all you need to know. I'll take over at 1800 hours."
That said she stood and left the cockpit. She wanted to say she was completely sure of herself...but she wasn't. Jonathan well meaning questions had sown the tiny seeds of doubt. A little insecurity was all that was needed for them to sprout like weeds.
She needed to think about her feelings. In a way Jonathan was right, what if he was just- 'no I won't believe that.' Had it not been for the near fatal attack on the Mercushin they would have parted ways and have been happy to never see each other again. 'Or am I just being naive? Isn't kinda fast and sudden?' She wondered pausing in front of the cabin door. How long had she known him now? The Mercushin, then Zion, Old Earth, Zion again, her capture and rescue leading up to now? Nearly two months now. 'I can't believe it. So much time...' Well now she couldn't say it was too fast.
And they'd only kissed once.... and that was gre- a distraction. The memory of sent tingles up and down her spine. For the brief moment he held her, rest of the world seemed to disappear. She'd be lying if she said she didn't want it to happen again, perhaps in better circumstances. She shook her head this was no time for thinking these things Freiza was up to more than anyone knew about and she had a feeling it include more than just the Hitohi.
*****
Marron scientifically deduced that the female in charge of bringing her and her father to the palace either had a permanent case of PMS or that something really nasty had crawled up her ass and died. It was really sad but her father continued to be polite and even friendly towards the barbaric woman. Marron kept her composure, reverting back to her scientific nature, viewing all that she could observe objectively and thanking the heavens the that a stoic face was one thing she'd picked up from her mother.
This Palace was far more elaborate than she had expected the floor and walls made entirely of dark and light swirl of marble the lightest at the very top, making it seem like all the color was gracefully spilling onto the floor, in a twisted way it reminded her of blood.
The navy haired saiyajin led her and her father through quite a few of these halls to a pair of wooden double doors.
"Wait here." She snapped rudely before turning and waking away, not even bother to open the door. Marron reasoned that since it was impossible for a female to have a permanent case of PMS, then, one concluded, that something had crawled up her-
"Marron? Are you ok? Your awfully quiet." Her father said opening the door for her.
"I'm fine, just uneasy." He raised a graying eyebrow. "I fear one of my assistants may fumble up that last experiment I was working on." She lied.
'Oh and by the way we happen to be standing in a place crawling with saiyajin with out even one useless but comforting bodyguard.'
He let it go.
The room wasn't really big or gaudy there was a medium sized table with a small bowl a fruit she didn't recognize.
She sat down and at the table as well as her father and they waited, and waited...and waited...
******
It was a feeling that was strange to him.
He had never been one to be possessive of a girl in any way, shape or form. But the thought of some other man even looking at Pan the wrong way much less touching her, made his saiya-jin blood boil. He found himself want to blast anything male and near her into the next dimension.
Disconcerting, yet satisfying.
Speaking of the disconcerting how had he managed to find Pan? Freiza's ship was massive at the very least an unlike any he'd ever seen before. 'It was like I just knew.'
He shrugged out of his armor letting it fall to the ground with a thud followed by his top, before he lay down on the closest bottom bunk. He closed he eyes trying to 'feel' her again. Nothing. Probably just a spur of the moment type thing.
He let out a breath of air, 'I'll deal with that later'
"Trunks?"
Trunks sat straight up at the sound of her voice, completely forgetting he was on a bunk bed. "Ow!" He heard a muffled snort, and glared at Pan annoyed. She was standing in the doorway biting her lip in an effort to hide the giggle that was threatening to come out.
"It's not funny," he growled rubbing his head
Pan shook her head, hiding a smirk. "Well anyways, we're on are way. We'll be arriving on Beijita-sei in three days."
"Three days. I know Hitohi ships are slow, but three days!"
"2.7 actually, but if you haven't noticed. We happen to be traveling in a red ship in blue space."
"They wouldn't dare de-" He stood in front of her petite form.
"Sorry to bring you back to reality but your men tend to shoot first, no questions asked." It was funny how she looked so formidable even if she had to stare up at him. Now that he was standing he could see the fading bruise on her cheek it was faint and if the were more they weren't visible, her gray uniform covered her most of her neck and her arms and legs completely. Her touched the purple mar on her cheek lightly with his fingers. She winced. He'd kill them.
"Why? Why did they do this?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she said uncharacteristically bitter "That monster wanted our defense secrets. And I do mean our defenses. Capture Bra and me and get an easy source. Capture you and Goten and get valuable hostages." She looked away her eyes seemed far away...
"Anyways how did you find me?" she smoothly switched the subject.
He shrugged, "I just knew."
"Ah so you've began to sense ki."
"Maybe, but I don't feel anything now"
"Well, we've got three days to practice."
"Really? Well, oh experienced one, where on this spacious tug do you suggest we do that, seeing that there are just so many places to choose from."
"Your sarcasms is duly noted," she said dryly, and then with a grin, "Have a little faith in me. You may want to sit down for this."
*******
"That's IT!" She got up determined to find someone and get something done.
The door flung open making both of the rooms occupants jump. A lot of people came in; the king and princess of Beijita-sei, Hitohi leader Gohan and Ex-general Goten were the one she recognized. The over were stranger but she didn't pay to much attention as her father greeted them excitedly. Her eye immediately landed on the odd one out. Light teal hair? Or was it a foamy sea green? Her critical eye examined the new comer. He was dressed in strange garments not native to any culture that she knew of. He was good looking jaw was sharp and strong with a touch of elegance. Dark and evasive red sienna eyes noted careful details of his surroundings in silence, his dark skin It was a Neg'Vah! 'They really do look like...' He was the finest specimen she'd ever seen. (Never mind it being the only Neg'Vah she'd seen in person.) She wondered how those wings could support him, and for how long? Many curious and inquisitive questions flew through her mind, but on the outside she kept her indifferent exterior... until he looked at her. Red sienna eyes that were exactly looking at her but something in her, it made her feel uneasy. She felt something odd not a feeling but a gentle touch. She blinked turning away from the alien to where Goten beginning to speak.
********
Trunks stared in amazement at his surroundings. Or lack there of. There was endless nothing that they seemed to be standing on and surrounded by. His shock and amazement was seen clearly on his face. "Where are we?" he asked filling strange that there didn't seem to be any up or down.
"I can see why you would have trouble learning how to fly here. Do you train here all the time?"
"Yeah, this is an astral plane anyone can use. I use it to train when space isn't available," she smirked, "If you're done gawking... She assumed a defensive stance.
He grinned back this would be fun, "I've been waiting to have some fun. Show me what you've got Utsukushii."
"You asked for it"
He blinked and was nearly hit between the eyes, 'Man that's fast!' half a second later he was on his back. He leapt to his feet, barely dodging a well-aimed kick. She kept him on his toes; Trunks didn't dare take his eyes from her for a second. It was exciting and challenging. Trunks had already surpassed all of his trainers. No one was a challenge, anymore. And his father was too far past him, and didn't consider 'being soft' on his son. Goten was the only person left and they didn't't see each other personally long enough for this type of stuff.
Her style was like no other he'd seen before; it was nearly flawless. 'If she had the strength to back it up...' Afoot nearly caught him off balance. 'Then again maybe not.' She wasn't as strong as him. He could tell that with in the first few minutes but she was fast, very fast and accurate. He was having enough problems as it was. His brows darkened as she evaded his grasp again and landed two punches. 'Hold still. dammit' he mentally cursed as she struck him once more and darted of again. They didn't hurt too badly but they were beginning to add up. She tried one of her run and run tactics again, this time he was prepared. As her foot came at him at and alarming rate. He caught it and swung her bogy into the ground. She rolled just in time to miss the foot landing where her head had been seconds before. Gracefully she leapt to her feet and out of his range. If he could just get her in one spot for one second. She came at him again, lunging at him, full body.
Using her momentum, Trunks grabbed her arm causing her to spin of balance and grabbed her in a hold, locking her arms in place with his own.
"There you are speedy. Where'd you learn to fight like that?" he asked as she struggled to get out of his death grip.
"Don't tell me the great prince is having trouble catching up with lil' ol me." She did a high kick that nearly met his head; he lost his grip.
"Not at all; so quit running and show me your best Utsukushii."
"Fine Ka Me....
The blue light increase as she pulled her cupped hands to her side. "Ha…Me…HA!"
It was moving too slow, was something wrong? He was in a defense position when the wave left her fingers, but changed his mind, stepping aside at the last moment. He didn't need to be able to feel ki to tell that the energy was strong. 'Stronger than she is or should be.' The wave left a glowing trial of energy as it passed.
She was still in the same position as when she let it go.
"Too slow Pan you're going to have to pick it up if you want to hit me." He told her. She glared angrily at him. He smirked just to infuriate her further. "Don't tell me that was your best, Utsukushii." He went on hoping to get her seeing red.
Instead she smirked, "You should know better by now, you shouldn't underestimate me."
"W-" Trunks didn't have time to even turn around before the blast hit him from behind. Relative to human standards, it felt like being hit by a semi, a very heavy, burning, pain-inducing semi. 'No wonder it was so slow, couldn't move any faster packing that kind of punch.' He silently groaned peeling himself off of the 'ground'. He managed to roll over to catch his breath and thoughts. Pan stood over him looking oh so smug. "That's what happens when you underestimate me."This time he was the one glaring. "Aw, what's wrong Trunks, cat got your tongue? Don't be a sore loser." He could easily over whelm her with his strength, but where was the fun in that? He would get even with her promptly.
"Come on Trunks I showed you mine, now you show me yours. Or…is his majesty done for the day."
'That's it she's done it now.'
In a flash, Trunks had Pan's arms pin to her sides. She struggled uselessly against an iron-like grip. Unfortunately for Trunks, his whole plan of attack flew out of his head, replaced by a new tactic, as soon as his eyes met hers. She stopped struggling.
"Tru-" Her lips were just as soft and sweet as before. As he remembered. As he now desired more of. He prayed that they would never meet on the battlefield. He would lose the moment he gazed into her eyes. Suddenly he was clasping air and she was gone from this astral world or whatever it was. It took him a moment to register what had happened.
Had he shocked her so badly it had completely destroyed her concentration? She was probably on the ship and fuming, turning a lovely shade of red. He chuckle, she looked pretty cute when she was mad.
'Now how am I suppose to get out of here again?'
*****
"What kind of attack was that?!" She demanded not giving Trunks a moment to adjust to being back on the ship. They were sitting on the floor, cross-legged across from each other. She was scowling. He had a wicked grin on his face. The 'Yeah, I took the last cookie. What are you going to do about it?' grin. Had she not been sitting she'd her knees would've failed her.
"It was a good one."
"A good one what? Attack? I don't think so."
"Think again. It got the desired results the enemy was successfully stunned and weakened." Stunned and weakened!? That- that stupid, cocky arrogant…
"That shade of red is absolutely becoming of you Utsukushii," he hummed oozing smugness and self-satisfaction. "You!"
She lunged at him wrestling him to the ground, "Yes, me. So what are you going to do about it?" he smirked. Pan made her third mistake in the past five minutes; she met his intense blue-eyed glaze. Again. What was she going to do about it? "Counter attack."
Pan said immediately, brushing her lips against his. Boldly she licked his bottom lip, silently asking a question. Before she knew it she was kissing him and he was kissing back. Already the world was fading away to just him and herself. He kissed her gently,
He kissed her roughly, he kissed her desperately and she enjoyed all of them.
All she could feel were his kisses and his arms around her waist and back. She had died and was now in heaven's embrace.
*******
These are some quotes that I find really helpful. They and some of the one in the next couple of chapter come from my history teachers past experiences and thing he picked up along the way from his family and friends. It was really nice of him to share them with my class, some are kind of odd and a few require some thinking but that shouldn't be too hard, right? Without further adieu, the quotes of the week.
When life gives you a fork in the road take itLife is a journey, not a destination.
R&R-Mizuko