The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

--The Horror--

Two days (actually 4) and it had come to this. Her father was standing outside her window talking to none other than Goku. How had that clown of a Saiyan got to her house so fast? And undoubtedly, the conversation was about something she didn't need for them to be out there talking about. She was sure of it. So sure, as a matter of fact, that she contemplated going out there and denying it all.

But this was no time for denial. This was a time for action. This was a time to prove that she wasn't the little girl everyone seemed to think she was. This was a time to prove that she was a mature adult capable of handling hardships that might stand in her way. Of course, she hadn't really proved this when she fled like a little child in mid temper-tantrum from the library this afternoon. But that was something altogether different.... Wasn't it?

Bra stared at the two gentlemen Saiyans maybe 60 yards away from her window. This stupid place she lived in was well sealed. Every room was as close to soundproof as a room could get without being a complete vacuum. What made her think that she'd be able to hear their conversation from that far away? She couldn't read lips either. So what was stopping her from opening the window? All she needed was a little crack. What hindered her from performing such a small action?

There was a knock on her bedroom door. Great. Her mother was here to question her. This wouldn't be any fun. As a matter of fact, this would be sheer torture. She went over and opened the door.

Her mother stood there with a glass of water in hand. "Bra, I'm not here to make you talk. I just want you to know that I'm here for you if you feel like getting something off your chest."

Bra just went to her bed and sat there, giving her mother a very tired look.

Bulma joined her on the bed and gave her the glass of water. "Being a teenager is hard. I'm not gonna lie to you about that. It's full of a lot of good times and bad times too. And sometimes you're going to go through things that you think no one else in the world would understand. But there's always someone who does, if you just talk to them. Sure, your case is a little different because you're part Saiyan. But you're part human too. Just remember that."

This was her nice little way of saying, 'I understand what you're going through because I was your age once.' Yeah, right. She wouldn't understand squat about what Bra was going through now. Her mother might think she knew a lot about a lot of things, but she really didn't know anything. Not in this case anyway.

"I'll keep that in mind, Mom," Bra said with a sigh. She had no intention of talking to her mother about this. And by now, her mother should know that she had no intention of talking to her about much of anything.

She looked back out of her room window and saw that Goku was still standing there, but her father was nowhere to be seen. Goku started heading toward the door. Where had her father gone? Oh, no.... She had to find him before he killed someone. Namely Goten.

Bra rushed out of her bedroom.

"Where are you going? I thought we were going to talk," Bulma asked.

Bra ignored her. She hurried toward the front door and when she opened it, she collided with Goku, knocking her flat on her butt. Boy, the Sons had bodies like cement walls. Or maybe it was the fact that her unsuspecting body was much too small for their massive bodies. Okay, so her body wasn't as small as she was making it out to be. But in comparison, those guys had her by a long shot.

"Hey there," Goku greeted. He gave her a strange look. "Sorry about that. Are you okay?"

Like father like son. Both Gohan and Goten got their ever-so-sweet nature straight from their father. ChiChi was nice when she wanted to be, but for some reason she couldn't imagine her staying that way for very long.

Bra looked up at the smiling Son. "I'm fine." She wasn't sure what else to say. She wanted to ask him what he'd said to her father, but she couldn't muster the nerve. Especially now that her mother was entering the room. Goku helped her to her feet.

"How silly of me. Of course you're alright. Look at who your parents are," Goku said.

"Hey, Goku. Come on in," Bulma chimed.

This was Bra's opportunity to escape before Goku spilled his guts to Bulma. As Goku entered, Bra slipped out.

This day was turning out to be quite a calamity.

Bra sped through the sky searching for her father's ki. It wasn't hard to locate, since he was most likely quite angry at the time. He was flying in the direction of Trunks and Goten's apartment. What would he do when he found Goten? What would she do when she found her dad?

Stupid Pan. Why'd she have to open her big mouth? Couldn't she keep that kind of information to herself? And data leakage must have been genetic because not even an hour later, Goku was spilling the beans to Vegeta. Vegeta of all people! Her father rarely, if ever, listened to Goku when he came over to chat. Maybe he paid attention this time because it was about her. Her father HAD always had a soft spot for her. She tended to make him do irrational things at times. Of course, she doubted that it would keep the prince from annihilating the man she loved.

Bra landed at Trunks and Goten's apartment and silently prayed. She prayed that Goten was still alive. If she never saw or spoke to him again, she would die herself.

She stood at the door for a moment and listened for anything that might signify that Goten was still alive.

"Dad, I told you. I don't know where he is," she heard Trunks say. "Why are you suddenly interested in finding Goten anyway?"

"That's none of your concern!" Vegeta bellowed. "If I find out that you knew where he's been this whole time, you're next!"

A classic Vegeta threat. She was used to hearing it. The funny thing about it was that you never knew what you were next for. But with Vegeta, it was best that you NOT find out.

Just then, Vegeta came through the front door and looked at Bra. And for a brief moment, she'd forgotten why she was there. But her father just looked at her. Then as he was about to take to the skies, Bra grabbed his arm. She wasn't sure what she should say to him.

"What are you doing here?" Vegeta asked her. He furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you here to see 'him'?"

Here was the other person who could put her at a loss for words. And with a question like that, who could blame her? She resorted to this technique when the situation was dire and now was a good time to try it. She put on her saddest puppy dog face and looked her father in the eyes. "Papa--"

"You are NOT to see him again," Vegeta told her harshly. He escaped her grasp.

Her tactic hadn't worked.

"I have to!" Bra shouted. "He's my teacher." It was the only thing she could think to say. She dared not say that she loved him. That would really send Vegeta into a fit of madness. Not that he wasn't already there.

Vegeta laughed that maniacal laugh of his.

Ah, there was that fit of madness.

"Don't try to fool me, child. I know what's been going on. I've known for some time now," Vegeta said very seriously. "I don't want you to see him again. And if I have to put a stop to it myself, then so be it."

Had her father gone off the deep end? Was he really considering murder?

The whole situation was beginning to anger Bra. "Dad, I'm old enough to make my own choices! I'm not a child! And I don't need your protection or your permission! I can see who I want to see!" That probably wasn't a good idea. Her father had a reputation of having a slight temper.

Vegeta silently glared at her, then turned his back to her. "You'll have a bit of trouble seeing him when he's six feet under."

His aura flared around him and he flew off at the speed of light, leaving Bra standing in front of Trunks and Goten's door.

She turned back toward the door and saw Trunks standing there. She hadn't even noticed him. She was really slipping these days.

"So, that's what this was all about," Trunks noted. "I should have known."

Bra squinted her eyes at him. "Oh, what do you know?" She was losing patience. She had to stop her father before he found Goten. Of course, she wasn't very successful when she ran into him only a moment ago.

"Well, let's see," Trunks said, pretending to ponder the subject philosophically. "I know that Dad's really mad."

"When ISN'T he?" Bra asked, rolling her eyes.

Trunks ignored her. "I also know that he's gonna do anything within his power to keep you two apart."

"What are you talking about?" Bra asked.

"I'm talking about you and Goten. You two spend way too much time together as is," Trunks told her. "Besides, you'd have to be a complete ignoramus NOT to know that you two like each other."

"You know?" Bra asked. She'd begun to fume again. "I'll kill Pan."

"Kill Pan? What for?" Trunks questioned.

"Because she's told everyone we know about us!" Bra exclaimed.

Trunks shook his head. "I haven't even talked to Pan recently. Have you been listening to anything I've said?"

Bra gave him a strange look. "Huh?"

Trunks walked over to his little sister and tapped on her forehead. "Pay attention. I said that you'd have to be a complete ignoramus NOT to know that you two like each other. He's always looked out for your well-being. He's always put you before all else."

"And you never said anything?" Bra asked.

"Of course not. I tried not to think about it much. Nobody wants to think about his best friend and his sister like that," Trunks said.

Bra stood there confused for a minute. How long had he known about this? From the way he said it, he seemed to know years ago. Back when they were all kids. Unfortunately, she didn't have much time to sort it out. Goten's life was hanging in the balance. She'd have to find some way to stop him. And now that SHE'D angered Vegeta, it would be nearly impossible to stop him.

"I gotta go," she said to her brother.

"I'll come with you," Trunks said.

What? Her brother wasn't usually willing to help her in any way. Then again, it was his best friend who was in danger here. Maybe if they worked together they could calm Vegeta down....

"Thanks Trunks. I'm glad you've got my back on this," Bra commented.

"Hey, what's a big brother for?" Trunks said.

The two took off, following their father's ki signature as fast as they could. If they didn't catch up to him soon, there was no telling what might happen.

--End The Horror--

--Um.... Hello.... Uh.... Hello...? There you are. Some of you may remember this story. I bet you thought I fell off the face of the planet. I apologize for the extended wait on this episode. You wouldn't believe how busy I've been lately.

--Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret. Let me know what you think. As I always say, I'll try to get the next chapter out in a more respectable time period. Maybe I won't make a liar out of myself this time.

--Thanks for the reviews. And thanks for your patience.