05 – Peace Then Terror
I came up from a dreamy haze of slumber. I was wonderfully warm and nicely wedged between pillows and a warm body; it must be Trunks. I thought how nice it felt to be so close to him and to wake up in his arms. I thought about the years of wedded bliss; waking up morning after morning this way. I lifted my control and let my ki caress his, and then I got a shock. This was not Trunks; it was Goten. All the horrible memories of the night before came flooding back, but I wasn't in the mood to be upset and so pushed them to the back of my mind. I don't know about you but I would just as soon forget that the man I loved betrayed me. I hadn't pulled my ki back yet and was slightly surprised when I felt an equal force from Goten's ki. I opened my eyes and looked around; the unconscious waves of calm and caring Goten was releasing was making me sleepy again. The last thing I remembered from last night was that we were leaning against the headboard of the bed with the pillows behind our backs; I had the blanket around my shoulders and my head was against Goten's chest. Now, the pillows were along my right side, the blanket was around us both, and my head was pillowed right beside Goten's.
I looked at his peaceful face, studying the worry lines and the smile lines that creased his smooth forehead and cheeks. The almost girly eyebrows were neatly in place and if his eyes had been open the intense dark gray would have mesmerized me. I unwrapped my right arm from around his waist and lightly traced the long scar that adorned his left cheek. I don't quite remember how he received the scar, but I do remember that it bled a lot. It scared me to see so much blood on his face, which was also the day I realized that he would die someday, as we all would. I thought about Trunks and Bra dying; then mom and dad, but my thoughts always came back to Goten. Why? As I was thinking I felt a warm hand caress mine, I looked back at Goten and found that his hand was on mine; he was obviously still asleep. Probably dreaming about Bra... What had caused my best friend to leave Goten? I mean I remember what happened, but why did it happen...
***Flashback***
It was December and Trunks, Bra, Goten, and myself were sitting around the watering hole. The surface was frozen of course but not thick enough to carry weight. Goten and Trunks used to glide just above the surface to mimic ice-skating but when Trunks fell through the last time; they quit. I was lying on the ground looking up into the afternoon sky, Bra was reclining on Goten and Trunks was asleep beside them. Bra was talking to Goten about something; I wasn't really paying attention to them. I was watching the fluffy clouds and trying to guess what they looked like, mine and Goten's favorite lazy game. Bra broke my concentration, by loudly stating the Goten never kissed her like he kissed me. I was dumbstruck and it looked as if Goten was too.
"Goten kisses Pan?" A sleepy Trunks asked; Goten nearly choked on his own tongue.
"Pan and I don't kiss!" He said angrily. I laughed; I had just figured out what Bra meant and the way it sounded was bad. I sat up and indicated for Goten to come closer. He politely made Bra move and came and kneeled beside me.
"Bra means this..." I took his face in my hands. "Close your eyes." He did, and then I lightly kissed each eyelid, then the tip of his nose, then his lips. It felt awkward to do; I had never done it to him. Goten was the one that started the tradition and every so often mom or dad would kiss me like this too, but for the most part it was Goten's greeting to me. I pulled away slightly embarrassed with Bra and Trunks looking at me. Goten's face showed recognition and then smiled at me.
"Is that what you meant Bra?" He asked her lightly. I resumed my position on the ground and he went back to talking to Bra. She wanted to know why he had never greeted her this way. "Because," Goten started, "Only family kiss in such a nonsexual way, and believe me Bra we are not nonsexual." Bra blushed and I rolled my eyes. They had been together for about a year and a half now and they already acted as if they were married; as if Bra, at the age of eighteen, would cook, clean, and do laundry for Goten. It was laughable. Bra must have picked the thought from my mind because she was glaring at me now.
"I would too!" Bra shouted, almost knocking Goten on his ass. "I would cook, clean, and launder his clothes; if we were married. But I have yet to hear a proposal." Bra said snidely eyeing Goten. He looked from Trunks to me with a curious expression. He walked over to where Bra was standing and kneeled down on one knee before her. She was still glaring but with a smile, then her face became devoid of emotion. It was like a curtain had closed over her face and it was inexpressive now. I thought it was creepy but it seemed Trunks and Goten didn't notice. Goten grabbed Bra's hands and made a dramatic show of kissing the backs of them.
"Bra Brief, would you make me the happiest Saiyan in all the world and become my beautiful wife?" I wasn't shocked at the tenderness and meaning Goten put behind each word, because everyone knew that he loved her to death. What shocked me and nearly killed Trunks was the evil smile that passed across Bra's lips.
"You know I don't think this relationship is what I need right now." Bra stated without any emotion at all, it was almost a sarcastic reply. It was so out of the blue that I believe Trunks, Goten, and myself were there with our mouths hanging open. Goten looked at her funny, I guess to gage whether Bra was joking or not. Bra looked at Goten and then the first real emotion could be seen in her face, sorrow. The look could have made Vegeta cry; of course Bra is his daughter. The depth that that showed on her face told all that she was not joking. Goten dropped her hands and Bra walked away from him, never looking back. Trunks was patting Goten on the back because the Twenty-three year old Saiyan was crying. I quickly got up to run after Bra, who I felt like beating the hell out of.
***End Flashback***
Goten stirred and I noticed that my hand was still on the scar and that his hand was still on mine. He opened his eyes and I leapt into their depths for a moment; a thought struck my mind and for another moment I knew something and it made sense, then I lost it. I lost it so quickly that I could not even describe what two elements were involved in the thought. I smiled at Goten and he smiled back, I remembered the scar and was about to ask him about it. But we both felt it at the same time, a very familiar ki, and my eyes stung with tears as I forced myself to remember the night before. The wedding was off and Trunks had deceived me. Goten's face became stormy and I was a little frightened about what he would do to Trunks. Goten sat up in the bed and pulled me gently with him.
"Good morning Pan." I smiled but couldn't say anything because I knew that Trunks would be here any minute. Goten sensed my unease, he smiled again and then leaned forward with his hands on the side of my face. I closed my eyes, as was the custom, and he lightly kissed both of my eyelids, I opened my eyes again as he was kissing my nose. The expression on his face was different this time, somehow more personal. As he leaned in to finish the pattern and kiss my lips the knock on the door stopped Goten from finishing, I think I was a little disappointed.
"Stay in here Pan and let me talk to him." I shook my head in agreement; I really didn't want to see Trunks right now. I loved him too much to hear the flimsy or, worse yet, validated excuse he would give. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom; I looked in the mirror to find a very bruised neck, that ached, and a bandage on my forehead. I remembered the cleaning of that thing, which hurt badly as well. I washed my face and decided to ask Goten if I could take a shower before I went home; AFTER Trunks had left. I went back to the bedroom and looked around, this was the first time I have been to Goten's, which is weird. How would my ki know to bring me here if I have never been here before? I think Goten tried to explain about survival or instinct or something like that last night.
I looked at his dresser, which was quite simple for a man. He had a lot of pictures on the dresser, some I remembered and some I didn't. I looked closer at one that was right beside the bed and the alarm clock; it was of Goten and me. We're at the watering hole, on the bank and Goten's about to kiss my nose in greeting. The picture looked quite humorous because Goten had his eyes closed with his lips puckered and I had my eyes open with my tongue stuck out. I tried to remember when this was. I looked about thirteen in the photo, and then it hit me. My expression and even who had taken the picture. It was the first time Goten had introduced me to our greeting, I had thought it was disgusting and Bra had taken the picture because she knew how I reacted to kisses from anyone. I stuck out my tongue.
After the reverie I looked more closely at the rest of the assembled pictures. All had Goten and me in them; some had all four of us, Trunks, me, Bra, and Goten. A couple more had Goten and Trunks and me. Those would be the most recent pictures, because Trunks and I were together. Not one picture was of just Bra and Goten, I thought this weird, but then again why would a man want pictures to remind him of the woman he once had. I could vaguely hear Goten and Trunks in the living room, because Goten had closed the door. A thought stopped me from moving; the same thought that had eluded me this morning. I had been thinking about Trunks and the wedding all morning and only once had I cried. Why was that? Why am I not a completely distraught person like all the other girls are after a break-up? I racked my brain to come up with a logical answer.
I called up a memory of Trunks and contemplated the emotions I felt when I saw him. My heart twists a little and I become very warm, ok so I do love him; but the same reaction happens when I think about my parents. What is wrong with me? I suddenly realized too late that my control had dropped while analyzing my feelings. I could feel Trunks and if I could feel him, he could feel me. I grabbed for control, but it was too late.
"Pan!" Trunks yelled from in the living room, I just now noticed that the conversation had gotten louder and I could hear Trunks rather well now. "Pan, are you here?!" I didn't know what to do. Would Goten pretend that I'm not here, should I hide in the bathroom or the closet? I decided it would probably be for the best if I just see him now. Bangs and curses coming down the hall convinced me that either way I was going to have to see Trunks. I looked at what I was wearing, white tank top, black bra, baggy pants, well not the best welcoming clothes but hey. I walked around the bed and slowly walked to the door, I really didn't want this confrontation right now, but it could not be avoided. I opened the door to see a disheveled Trunks in nothing but a pair of pants and Goten nursing a bruised eye. I was now mad.
"Trunks? What did you do to him?" I said pointing to Goten's face. Goten somehow got around Trunks in the claustrophobic hallway and was acting like a shield. I didn't really understand why. Trunks did not stop at the doorway, but advanced into the bedroom, with Goten between us; that pushed me against Goten's back.
"Trunks, calm down." Goten said as he held his arms out beside him to keep Trunks in front of him and me behind.
"Pan, what the hell are you doing here?!" Trunks yelled. I was already mad and trying to control my actions I pressed my face and body against Goten's back. At Trunks' words I looked up and into his sapphire eyes; I realized that he was hurting as well.
"I...I didn't know where else to go. I..." I trailed off; not sure what to say. Surprised that I had to explain my actions. Trunks stopped trying to get around to me; Goten dropped his arms. I let a whimper escape and Goten turned his back to Trunks and engulfed me in his arms. The thoughts about Trunks that had run through my head earlier were thrown away. I absolutely loved this man and now the wedding was cancelled. I totally lost control of my emotions.
"Pan, love, I need to explain!" Trunks said from somewhere behind Goten. I didn't care anymore; I wasn't going to act brave. I wanted to mourn the happy life I would have had with Trunks Brief.
"Trunks, I think you should go." Goten whispered.
"She has to give me a chance to explain! It wasn't my fault!" My throat was sore from crying but I was sick of hearing him. I dug my head deeper against Goten's chest and signaled a 'no' answer.
"Pan doesn't want to hear anything right now; she needs to be alone. I think it best if you leave, Trunks." Goten said while rubbing my back. The next thing I knew I was thrown onto the bed with Goten landing beside me. My neck snapped sideways and my crying intensified as the jar sent piercing pains down my spine. I was then buffeted from side to side as Trunks jumped onto the bed on top of Goten and started punching and kicking him.
"Trunks! Stop, he didn't do anything!" I yelled as I rolled off the bed. I regained my balance and popped my neck to stop the pain. I was seeing red again and yet again Trunks was the reason. Trunks had Goten pinned to the bed with his lightning fast punches. Goten wasn't hitting back; he was just defending himself with his arms pulled in front of his face. He was curled into a ball as well because every so often Trunks would kick him. The warrior part of my Saiyan blood kicked in and I jumped onto the bed. The bounce jarred Goten's defense and I blocked a punch from Trunks that was aimed for Goten's face.
The surprise was evident on Trunks' face as I sent a punch of my own his way. He easily blocked me but left himself open for Goten, who placed an all force punch into Trunks' stomach. The force of the impact sent Trunks and myself flying; we landed on the floor at the foot of the bed. Goten came after us; Trunks and I got to our feet at the same time and I positioned myself between the two angry men. Facing Trunks I could easily see the rage in his deep blue eyes, which was scarring me, but my resolve held. The look was directed at Goten, whom I could feel pressed up against my back.
What I wanted to do was keep the two off of each other, but what I realized too late was that nothing stood in the way of what Trunks desired, and what Trunks desired at this moment was to beat the hell out of Goten and I was between them. Without so much as a flicker from Trunks' eyes he backhanded me across the face with such a force that I flew into Goten's dresser. The pictures arranged on the dresser came crashing down on top of me with shards of glass going everywhere. I screamed with the new pain.
"Pan!!" Goten screamed. I was in so much more pain that I could hardly move. The tears that had left with my anger renewed their assault upon my eyes. I could see blood coming from somewhere. I looked through hazy eyes at Goten; he was crawling towards me. A big blurry shape lurched towards me as well and I knew it was Trunks. I involuntarily flinched away from him in fear. Goten jerked his head around towards Trunks with a look of pure hatred.
"You asshole! You come over here to try and make things right and you end up assaulting the woman you claim to love?!" Goten hollered as he rose off the ground and manhandled Trunks out of the room. I heard the bangs and shouts all through the house then the front door slamming shut. Goten practically flew back into the room. My vision was still very hazy; I tried to move and felt glass slice into my hand. Goten scooped me up very lightly and took me to the bathroom.
"Goten, has Trunks left?" I asked vaguely remembering the front door slamming. Goten shook his head yes and I noticed that his cheeks were wet. He laid me gently into the huge bathtub and searched in the medicine cabinet. He came back to my side with a pair of scissors. I was a little confused but my vision was clearing.
"Pan, I don't know how badly you are hurt; I need to remove your clothing. I don't want to hurt you anymore so I'll cut the clothes off." Goten said with a shaky voice; I looked at his face to notice silent tears were running down his cheeks. The scared look in his eyes was scarring me and I wanted him to know I would be ok. I used a lot of my strength to brace my arms underneath me and lean up to him. Goten tried to push me back down into the tub but I shook my head; when I achieved a sitting position I put my hands on the side of his face and brought him closer to me.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." I said with a little more courage than I felt. I placed two small kisses on his eyelids and another on his nose, as I was going to finish the pattern, he looked down and shook his head.
"I should be the one reassuring you, now let me finish it." He said in a very low whisper and looking into my eyes. The tears were spilling down both our cheeks as he leaned closer to my face. Our lips met in the traditional kiss, but I think I needed or wanted more. I opened my mouth a little and he did as well, I was then remembering the last kiss him and I had shared and the bad outcome Marron had brought that day. I pulled back, breaking the kiss and slumped down into the tub having exhausted the last of my energy. His face was a mask of pain as he took the scissors and cut the straps and right side of my tank top. After sliding the remains of the tank top off he cut up the sides of the jeans I was wearing and removed them as well. Leaving my bra and panties on he turned the nozzle to warm water and then began filling the tub.
"Pan I have to clean the wounds before I can give you a senzu bean to heal you." Goten said gently because he knew that the removing of the glass and then the scrubbing of the puncture holes would put me in enough pain to knock my ass out. I smiled and welcomed the dreamless and painless state of unconsciousness.
***Author's Note***
I hope you have enjoyed the first five chapters of "An Unexpected Union." Please email or send reviews as to whether you would like for me to continue the story. I have chapters six and seven done and am almost finished with chapter eight. I would like to finish chapters nine and ten before sending them but if I get enough reviews begging for more then I may upload early. Everyone have a beautiful and happy holiday.
I had a complaint that the wording was too close together and that it was hard to read so I hope that this spacing helps other readers.
-Seraphyne
I came up from a dreamy haze of slumber. I was wonderfully warm and nicely wedged between pillows and a warm body; it must be Trunks. I thought how nice it felt to be so close to him and to wake up in his arms. I thought about the years of wedded bliss; waking up morning after morning this way. I lifted my control and let my ki caress his, and then I got a shock. This was not Trunks; it was Goten. All the horrible memories of the night before came flooding back, but I wasn't in the mood to be upset and so pushed them to the back of my mind. I don't know about you but I would just as soon forget that the man I loved betrayed me. I hadn't pulled my ki back yet and was slightly surprised when I felt an equal force from Goten's ki. I opened my eyes and looked around; the unconscious waves of calm and caring Goten was releasing was making me sleepy again. The last thing I remembered from last night was that we were leaning against the headboard of the bed with the pillows behind our backs; I had the blanket around my shoulders and my head was against Goten's chest. Now, the pillows were along my right side, the blanket was around us both, and my head was pillowed right beside Goten's.
I looked at his peaceful face, studying the worry lines and the smile lines that creased his smooth forehead and cheeks. The almost girly eyebrows were neatly in place and if his eyes had been open the intense dark gray would have mesmerized me. I unwrapped my right arm from around his waist and lightly traced the long scar that adorned his left cheek. I don't quite remember how he received the scar, but I do remember that it bled a lot. It scared me to see so much blood on his face, which was also the day I realized that he would die someday, as we all would. I thought about Trunks and Bra dying; then mom and dad, but my thoughts always came back to Goten. Why? As I was thinking I felt a warm hand caress mine, I looked back at Goten and found that his hand was on mine; he was obviously still asleep. Probably dreaming about Bra... What had caused my best friend to leave Goten? I mean I remember what happened, but why did it happen...
***Flashback***
It was December and Trunks, Bra, Goten, and myself were sitting around the watering hole. The surface was frozen of course but not thick enough to carry weight. Goten and Trunks used to glide just above the surface to mimic ice-skating but when Trunks fell through the last time; they quit. I was lying on the ground looking up into the afternoon sky, Bra was reclining on Goten and Trunks was asleep beside them. Bra was talking to Goten about something; I wasn't really paying attention to them. I was watching the fluffy clouds and trying to guess what they looked like, mine and Goten's favorite lazy game. Bra broke my concentration, by loudly stating the Goten never kissed her like he kissed me. I was dumbstruck and it looked as if Goten was too.
"Goten kisses Pan?" A sleepy Trunks asked; Goten nearly choked on his own tongue.
"Pan and I don't kiss!" He said angrily. I laughed; I had just figured out what Bra meant and the way it sounded was bad. I sat up and indicated for Goten to come closer. He politely made Bra move and came and kneeled beside me.
"Bra means this..." I took his face in my hands. "Close your eyes." He did, and then I lightly kissed each eyelid, then the tip of his nose, then his lips. It felt awkward to do; I had never done it to him. Goten was the one that started the tradition and every so often mom or dad would kiss me like this too, but for the most part it was Goten's greeting to me. I pulled away slightly embarrassed with Bra and Trunks looking at me. Goten's face showed recognition and then smiled at me.
"Is that what you meant Bra?" He asked her lightly. I resumed my position on the ground and he went back to talking to Bra. She wanted to know why he had never greeted her this way. "Because," Goten started, "Only family kiss in such a nonsexual way, and believe me Bra we are not nonsexual." Bra blushed and I rolled my eyes. They had been together for about a year and a half now and they already acted as if they were married; as if Bra, at the age of eighteen, would cook, clean, and do laundry for Goten. It was laughable. Bra must have picked the thought from my mind because she was glaring at me now.
"I would too!" Bra shouted, almost knocking Goten on his ass. "I would cook, clean, and launder his clothes; if we were married. But I have yet to hear a proposal." Bra said snidely eyeing Goten. He looked from Trunks to me with a curious expression. He walked over to where Bra was standing and kneeled down on one knee before her. She was still glaring but with a smile, then her face became devoid of emotion. It was like a curtain had closed over her face and it was inexpressive now. I thought it was creepy but it seemed Trunks and Goten didn't notice. Goten grabbed Bra's hands and made a dramatic show of kissing the backs of them.
"Bra Brief, would you make me the happiest Saiyan in all the world and become my beautiful wife?" I wasn't shocked at the tenderness and meaning Goten put behind each word, because everyone knew that he loved her to death. What shocked me and nearly killed Trunks was the evil smile that passed across Bra's lips.
"You know I don't think this relationship is what I need right now." Bra stated without any emotion at all, it was almost a sarcastic reply. It was so out of the blue that I believe Trunks, Goten, and myself were there with our mouths hanging open. Goten looked at her funny, I guess to gage whether Bra was joking or not. Bra looked at Goten and then the first real emotion could be seen in her face, sorrow. The look could have made Vegeta cry; of course Bra is his daughter. The depth that that showed on her face told all that she was not joking. Goten dropped her hands and Bra walked away from him, never looking back. Trunks was patting Goten on the back because the Twenty-three year old Saiyan was crying. I quickly got up to run after Bra, who I felt like beating the hell out of.
***End Flashback***
Goten stirred and I noticed that my hand was still on the scar and that his hand was still on mine. He opened his eyes and I leapt into their depths for a moment; a thought struck my mind and for another moment I knew something and it made sense, then I lost it. I lost it so quickly that I could not even describe what two elements were involved in the thought. I smiled at Goten and he smiled back, I remembered the scar and was about to ask him about it. But we both felt it at the same time, a very familiar ki, and my eyes stung with tears as I forced myself to remember the night before. The wedding was off and Trunks had deceived me. Goten's face became stormy and I was a little frightened about what he would do to Trunks. Goten sat up in the bed and pulled me gently with him.
"Good morning Pan." I smiled but couldn't say anything because I knew that Trunks would be here any minute. Goten sensed my unease, he smiled again and then leaned forward with his hands on the side of my face. I closed my eyes, as was the custom, and he lightly kissed both of my eyelids, I opened my eyes again as he was kissing my nose. The expression on his face was different this time, somehow more personal. As he leaned in to finish the pattern and kiss my lips the knock on the door stopped Goten from finishing, I think I was a little disappointed.
"Stay in here Pan and let me talk to him." I shook my head in agreement; I really didn't want to see Trunks right now. I loved him too much to hear the flimsy or, worse yet, validated excuse he would give. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom; I looked in the mirror to find a very bruised neck, that ached, and a bandage on my forehead. I remembered the cleaning of that thing, which hurt badly as well. I washed my face and decided to ask Goten if I could take a shower before I went home; AFTER Trunks had left. I went back to the bedroom and looked around, this was the first time I have been to Goten's, which is weird. How would my ki know to bring me here if I have never been here before? I think Goten tried to explain about survival or instinct or something like that last night.
I looked at his dresser, which was quite simple for a man. He had a lot of pictures on the dresser, some I remembered and some I didn't. I looked closer at one that was right beside the bed and the alarm clock; it was of Goten and me. We're at the watering hole, on the bank and Goten's about to kiss my nose in greeting. The picture looked quite humorous because Goten had his eyes closed with his lips puckered and I had my eyes open with my tongue stuck out. I tried to remember when this was. I looked about thirteen in the photo, and then it hit me. My expression and even who had taken the picture. It was the first time Goten had introduced me to our greeting, I had thought it was disgusting and Bra had taken the picture because she knew how I reacted to kisses from anyone. I stuck out my tongue.
After the reverie I looked more closely at the rest of the assembled pictures. All had Goten and me in them; some had all four of us, Trunks, me, Bra, and Goten. A couple more had Goten and Trunks and me. Those would be the most recent pictures, because Trunks and I were together. Not one picture was of just Bra and Goten, I thought this weird, but then again why would a man want pictures to remind him of the woman he once had. I could vaguely hear Goten and Trunks in the living room, because Goten had closed the door. A thought stopped me from moving; the same thought that had eluded me this morning. I had been thinking about Trunks and the wedding all morning and only once had I cried. Why was that? Why am I not a completely distraught person like all the other girls are after a break-up? I racked my brain to come up with a logical answer.
I called up a memory of Trunks and contemplated the emotions I felt when I saw him. My heart twists a little and I become very warm, ok so I do love him; but the same reaction happens when I think about my parents. What is wrong with me? I suddenly realized too late that my control had dropped while analyzing my feelings. I could feel Trunks and if I could feel him, he could feel me. I grabbed for control, but it was too late.
"Pan!" Trunks yelled from in the living room, I just now noticed that the conversation had gotten louder and I could hear Trunks rather well now. "Pan, are you here?!" I didn't know what to do. Would Goten pretend that I'm not here, should I hide in the bathroom or the closet? I decided it would probably be for the best if I just see him now. Bangs and curses coming down the hall convinced me that either way I was going to have to see Trunks. I looked at what I was wearing, white tank top, black bra, baggy pants, well not the best welcoming clothes but hey. I walked around the bed and slowly walked to the door, I really didn't want this confrontation right now, but it could not be avoided. I opened the door to see a disheveled Trunks in nothing but a pair of pants and Goten nursing a bruised eye. I was now mad.
"Trunks? What did you do to him?" I said pointing to Goten's face. Goten somehow got around Trunks in the claustrophobic hallway and was acting like a shield. I didn't really understand why. Trunks did not stop at the doorway, but advanced into the bedroom, with Goten between us; that pushed me against Goten's back.
"Trunks, calm down." Goten said as he held his arms out beside him to keep Trunks in front of him and me behind.
"Pan, what the hell are you doing here?!" Trunks yelled. I was already mad and trying to control my actions I pressed my face and body against Goten's back. At Trunks' words I looked up and into his sapphire eyes; I realized that he was hurting as well.
"I...I didn't know where else to go. I..." I trailed off; not sure what to say. Surprised that I had to explain my actions. Trunks stopped trying to get around to me; Goten dropped his arms. I let a whimper escape and Goten turned his back to Trunks and engulfed me in his arms. The thoughts about Trunks that had run through my head earlier were thrown away. I absolutely loved this man and now the wedding was cancelled. I totally lost control of my emotions.
"Pan, love, I need to explain!" Trunks said from somewhere behind Goten. I didn't care anymore; I wasn't going to act brave. I wanted to mourn the happy life I would have had with Trunks Brief.
"Trunks, I think you should go." Goten whispered.
"She has to give me a chance to explain! It wasn't my fault!" My throat was sore from crying but I was sick of hearing him. I dug my head deeper against Goten's chest and signaled a 'no' answer.
"Pan doesn't want to hear anything right now; she needs to be alone. I think it best if you leave, Trunks." Goten said while rubbing my back. The next thing I knew I was thrown onto the bed with Goten landing beside me. My neck snapped sideways and my crying intensified as the jar sent piercing pains down my spine. I was then buffeted from side to side as Trunks jumped onto the bed on top of Goten and started punching and kicking him.
"Trunks! Stop, he didn't do anything!" I yelled as I rolled off the bed. I regained my balance and popped my neck to stop the pain. I was seeing red again and yet again Trunks was the reason. Trunks had Goten pinned to the bed with his lightning fast punches. Goten wasn't hitting back; he was just defending himself with his arms pulled in front of his face. He was curled into a ball as well because every so often Trunks would kick him. The warrior part of my Saiyan blood kicked in and I jumped onto the bed. The bounce jarred Goten's defense and I blocked a punch from Trunks that was aimed for Goten's face.
The surprise was evident on Trunks' face as I sent a punch of my own his way. He easily blocked me but left himself open for Goten, who placed an all force punch into Trunks' stomach. The force of the impact sent Trunks and myself flying; we landed on the floor at the foot of the bed. Goten came after us; Trunks and I got to our feet at the same time and I positioned myself between the two angry men. Facing Trunks I could easily see the rage in his deep blue eyes, which was scarring me, but my resolve held. The look was directed at Goten, whom I could feel pressed up against my back.
What I wanted to do was keep the two off of each other, but what I realized too late was that nothing stood in the way of what Trunks desired, and what Trunks desired at this moment was to beat the hell out of Goten and I was between them. Without so much as a flicker from Trunks' eyes he backhanded me across the face with such a force that I flew into Goten's dresser. The pictures arranged on the dresser came crashing down on top of me with shards of glass going everywhere. I screamed with the new pain.
"Pan!!" Goten screamed. I was in so much more pain that I could hardly move. The tears that had left with my anger renewed their assault upon my eyes. I could see blood coming from somewhere. I looked through hazy eyes at Goten; he was crawling towards me. A big blurry shape lurched towards me as well and I knew it was Trunks. I involuntarily flinched away from him in fear. Goten jerked his head around towards Trunks with a look of pure hatred.
"You asshole! You come over here to try and make things right and you end up assaulting the woman you claim to love?!" Goten hollered as he rose off the ground and manhandled Trunks out of the room. I heard the bangs and shouts all through the house then the front door slamming shut. Goten practically flew back into the room. My vision was still very hazy; I tried to move and felt glass slice into my hand. Goten scooped me up very lightly and took me to the bathroom.
"Goten, has Trunks left?" I asked vaguely remembering the front door slamming. Goten shook his head yes and I noticed that his cheeks were wet. He laid me gently into the huge bathtub and searched in the medicine cabinet. He came back to my side with a pair of scissors. I was a little confused but my vision was clearing.
"Pan, I don't know how badly you are hurt; I need to remove your clothing. I don't want to hurt you anymore so I'll cut the clothes off." Goten said with a shaky voice; I looked at his face to notice silent tears were running down his cheeks. The scared look in his eyes was scarring me and I wanted him to know I would be ok. I used a lot of my strength to brace my arms underneath me and lean up to him. Goten tried to push me back down into the tub but I shook my head; when I achieved a sitting position I put my hands on the side of his face and brought him closer to me.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." I said with a little more courage than I felt. I placed two small kisses on his eyelids and another on his nose, as I was going to finish the pattern, he looked down and shook his head.
"I should be the one reassuring you, now let me finish it." He said in a very low whisper and looking into my eyes. The tears were spilling down both our cheeks as he leaned closer to my face. Our lips met in the traditional kiss, but I think I needed or wanted more. I opened my mouth a little and he did as well, I was then remembering the last kiss him and I had shared and the bad outcome Marron had brought that day. I pulled back, breaking the kiss and slumped down into the tub having exhausted the last of my energy. His face was a mask of pain as he took the scissors and cut the straps and right side of my tank top. After sliding the remains of the tank top off he cut up the sides of the jeans I was wearing and removed them as well. Leaving my bra and panties on he turned the nozzle to warm water and then began filling the tub.
"Pan I have to clean the wounds before I can give you a senzu bean to heal you." Goten said gently because he knew that the removing of the glass and then the scrubbing of the puncture holes would put me in enough pain to knock my ass out. I smiled and welcomed the dreamless and painless state of unconsciousness.
***Author's Note***
I hope you have enjoyed the first five chapters of "An Unexpected Union." Please email or send reviews as to whether you would like for me to continue the story. I have chapters six and seven done and am almost finished with chapter eight. I would like to finish chapters nine and ten before sending them but if I get enough reviews begging for more then I may upload early. Everyone have a beautiful and happy holiday.
I had a complaint that the wording was too close together and that it was hard to read so I hope that this spacing helps other readers.
-Seraphyne