Chapter 30

~Live for Me~

Judith lay in the crook of his arm, lazily drawing patterns on his still clad form. He had carried her to his- their bed, where he collapse them onto it. Judith had giggled (most undignified) at his antics and she swore she could see an amused grin grace Zamasu's flawless features. They had shared another long kiss before she had literally latched herself onto him, cuddling into his side. He barely managed to suppress the chuckle at her clingy behaviour, reminding him of that damn shigamitsuku plants on planet Setchaku… once they had you, they would never let go.

"Will you die for me?" Judith asked.

"WHAT!?" Zamasu blurted out into the silence. He had not expected her to ask him something as mundane as that.

Judith simply looked back into his startled eyes as she repeat. "Will you die for me?"

Zamasu studied her face as he recalled the words he had heard that night: 'She is the emblem of eternity; she confounds all notion of time; effaces all memory of a beginning, and all fear of an end.' "Yes." He answered her, no doubt in his mind.

"Dying is easy." Judith said, looking away as if staring into a distance. "Let me rather ask, would you…" she turned and met his cold silver eyes again, her heart melting at the sight. "Would you live for me?" Her voice was filled with uncertainty.

Zamasu had not expected her to ask such an odd thing. She was right off course, dying was easy and he did not fear death… but living…

"The truth Zamasu." Judith said sternly.

"I cannot answer that." Zamasu said earnestly, it was his turn to sound uncertain.

"Please." Judith said in a breathy voice. "Please try." Her eyes begging.

Zamasu starred into her cognat eyes as he considered the consequences, choices, and possible outcomes. Then he thought of a life without her and he immediately knew the answer. "Yes, I would live for you." He traced her cheek with his fingers. "But I will not live without you."

"But if you had no choice," Judith continued pushing, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "If for some reason, you had to…" she brushed her finger tips over his lips, feeling the warmth of his breath as it escaped.

"I do not like what you are implying Judith." Zamasu said sternly, grabbing her wrist in a tight grip. "And I do not wish to discuss this topic further." He rolled her over and pushed her down onto the bed, pinning her wrists on either side of her head, while positioning himself on top of her. "If I'm not mistaken," he said, looking at her seriously, "You belong to me." His eyes darted to where the mark on her chest would be and then back to her eyes. "You are mine." And as if to further proof the point his grip on her wrists tightened. "And no one will take you from me." His voice held a tone of warning and the mere thought that this god would be so possessive of her, made Judith's blood boil. Zamasu could see the fire in her eyes and smirked. "You like being owned, don't you?"

Judith blinked a few times, trying in vain to hide her arousal. This only caused Zamasu to chuckle. 'If that's how you want to play it…' she thought. Judith smiled up at him seductively as she answered. "So what if I do?" she asked in her most innocent voice. She saw Zamasu's eyes twitch at her answer. Knowing she had him hooked she continued. "Although, there is something I would like even more." She watched as desire danced behind his silver eyes.

"Oh, do tell." He said, just as he started lowering his head toward hers. Judith's eyes fluttered closed as the first strand of his hair brush over her cheek. She could feel his breath on her lips, teasing her. Zamasu decided to close the distance… but before he could reach her mouth, she cleverly manoeuvred her head to side and said in a conversational voice. "I would like you to answer my question."

Judith almost started laughing at the stunned expression on his face: eyes wide, mouth slightly agape. Sighing, Zamasu collapsed next to her on his side. "Why is this so important to you?" His eyes held her captive as she answered him honestly.

"There is something I must tell you…" she swallowed the lump forming in her throat, knowing that crying would only lead to blood stains and spoiling the mood irreparably. "But first I need you to give me this promise."

"The promise to live?" Zamasu asked pushing himself back and leaning against the headboard.

Judith tried to be as disconcerting as possible as she answered him, even though she was dying inside. "Yup." Is all she could manage.

Zamasu eyed her suspiciously. He was obviously not going to give her an answer without some sort of explanation. Judith sighed. "You truly are infuriating in your stubbornness." She said.

"Off-course I am." He answered her, as if it were the most obvious thing in the multiverse. "But would you love me if I was anything else?" His eyes never left hers as she quietly whispered her answer. "No."

Moving quickly she straddled his lap as he leaned backward, his hands immediately taking hold of her hips. "There will come a time Zamasu, that you will have to make a choice." Judith said as she placed both hands on his chest. "And your decision will cause you to suffer more than anyone else." She placed a finger onto his lips before he could speak. "When that time comes, you will know which choice is the right one. And you must promise me that you will do what needs to be done… no matter the consequences." Judith spoke, her eyes closed, every word tearing away at her heart.

Zamasu gently pulled her hand away from his mouth. "Look at me." He said. When she made no attempt to move her head, he placed his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up. "Look at me." He repeated. Slowly Judith opened her eyes to meet his gaze. Zamasu stiffened as he saw the hurt in her eyes. "What is going on?" He asked seriously, no longer caring for trivialities.

"Your answer first." Judith looked at him steadily. Zamasu opened his mouth to speak, but Judith stopped him before he could utter a sound. "Zamasu, please…" she pleaded. "Please don't make this harder than it already is. Please promise me…" she let her sentence hang in the air as she continued to plead into his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity he finally answered. "Alright." He said, his voice soft and raspy. "I promise."

Judith let out a relieved sigh, her body immediately relaxing. "I recovered my memories." She said as she laid down onto his chest. His arms immediately encircling her, holding her tight against him.

"I am willing to venture that it was not happy memories, judging by your failing mood." He commented sardonically.

Judith gave a bitter, humourless laugh as she said: "I would put in the realm of nightmares."

"Tell me." Was all he said. Judith couldn't help the sad grin that appeared at his words, remembering he had said the exact same thing the day she had told him of her dream.

… The Palace of Grand Zeno …

The Grand Minister stood waiting patiently outside the palace of the omni king, expecting Whis to arrive soon. Moments later, he appeared accompanied by Shin, the Supreme Kai of Universe 7, and the mortal in question.

"Welcome my friends and thank you for coming." The Grand Minister greeted them politely.

Both Whis as Shin spoke simultaneously, bowing deeply as they spoke. "It has been too long."

The Grand Minister regarded Goku, who for all intent and purposes had a blank expression on his face. "You must be the Saiyan Goku, how nice to meet you." He said.

Goku lifted his hand in greeting. "Yo!" He said with an almost child-like enthusiasm, only to earn him a foot stomp from Shin. Remembering Lord Beerus's face sweats he immediately stood at attention and corrected himself. "Yes Sir. Hi Sir."

Whis interjected. "We wanted to arrive as soon as possible, so please forgive this mortal's informal attire." Goku laughed nervously at the excuse.

"Don't be trifled for a moment my friend," the Grand Minister said graciously before adding, "Afterall, for you that it the most important and meaningful outfit you have, is it not?"

"You bethca!" Goku said before thinking. "Uhm! I mean, yes my sir." Forgetting all about the formality he commented, "Sounds like you're a pretty smart dude." Earning him another foot stomp from Shin.

Smiling the Grand Minister said: "Let me show the way gentlemen." He turned and walked ahead. He heard their footstep fall in behind him, Whis and Goku had a brief exchange when they finally arrived at Grand Zeno's throne. The Grand Minister bent one knee as he announced. "The saiyan Goku of universe 7 as requested sire."

"Oh, jippy, jippy!" The child-like ruler exclaimed, floating over to where Goku was standing. "I'm very happy now. Welcome funny Goku." Grand Zeno said, smiling broadly.

"Whazz-up!" Goku greeted happily and received another stern look from Shin, who was almost laying flat on the ground by now. "Oh. I mean good day and greetings." He looked down at the small being. "So what's going on with you?"

The Grand Minister regarded the two for a few moment more until he was satisfied that Goku would keep Grand Zeno occupied for at least a while and discreetly stepped closer to Whis. "Did you follow through with Lord Beerus's idea?" he asked the angel, not taking his eyes of the scene in front of them.

"Indeed, I did." Whis answered, also keeping his eyes on Goku and Grand Zeno. 'He is taking a great risk in asking after this now.' Whiz thought, shuddering to think about what Grand Zeno would do should he ever discovered the box of time rings in the Grand Minister's collection.

"Do you still feel it was the correct course of action?" The Grand Minister asked.

Whis was quiet for a moment before he answered. "I do." And then added, "Though I am afraid it will not have the desired outcome we had hoped for."

The Grand Minister sighed. "Where is she now?"

"With him, off-course." Whis answered.

They stood in silence for the rest of the meeting. Once they were once again outside, watching Goku raise Shin after he fainted sometime after Goku gave the omni king a nickname, the Grand Minister spoke again. "I had hoped it would have been different." He glanced at Whis and they shared a knowing look.

"Until we meet again, father." Whis bowed before joining Goku and Shin.

The Grand Minister cursed himself for allowing hope to creep in and tried his best to ignore the familiar feel of disappointment.

… Judith and Zamasu …

Judith watched Zamasu anxiously from where she paced in front of the bed. 'Maybe gods can go into shock too?' Little Miss Judy offered. Judith wasn't sure how she expected Zamasu to react. His grip on her had grown tighter and tighter as she spoke, his hands finally falling limp at his sides as she finished. He had been staring into space with a blank expression on his face. She had given up trying to rouse him as he was evidently not registering anything at the moment. She had considered various methods including dousing him in cold water, hitting him over the head with a heavy tome and even something more seductive, like stripping down in front of him. In the end however, she opted to wait him out, but she was growing warry of pacing the floor and her patience was wearing thin.

Judith let out a frustrating sigh, stopping mid stride. There was only one thing she knew for certain would pull him out of his stupor, but she was hoping to avoid it. 'It has to be done.' Little Miss Judy stated resolutely. Judith squared her shoulders and marched out of the bedroom, heading straight for the kitchen. "How hard can it be?" she asked herself out loud as she rummaged through the cupboards, finding what she was looking for and laying it out. "You have seen him do it thousands of times." She told herself. Looking at the assembled instruments she clenched her jaw. "It's just tea Juidth! For goodness sake." she berated herself.

The water was boiling by the time she finally found the tea leaves. With great uncertainty, she scooped a teaspoon of the leaves and added it to the water. Feeling unsure, she added another spoonful and then just to be sure, another. "Good." She said out loud again. "Now… brew baby, brew." She was feeling quite confident in her tea making abilities until she saw the colour of her maiden voyage brew.

"What are you doing?" Zamasu's voice suddenly said from behind her.

"Holy shit!" she yelled, almost dropping the tea in the process. Angrily she placed the pot on the top turning toward Zamasu, who was watching her curiously. "What in the actual hell!" she yelled, relieved to see him conscious again and instantly angry that he had sneaked up on her.

Zamasu held her gaze with his calm eyes and reached behind her. Before she could stop him, he had grabbed the tea pot. "As in, what in the actual hell are you doing?" he asked sniffing the pot, a sinister smirk appearing on his usual stoic features. "Were you attempting to brew tea?" His voice betrayed his amusement.

Judith crossed her arms defiantly as she answered him. "And so what if I was? It was the only thing I could think of that would have possible worked." She said angrily.

"Worked for what?" Zamasu asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

Judith's jaw dropped. "You were in a catatonic state!" she exclaimed, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. "I panicked!"

Zamasu laughed. "Well it would have worked if you were trying to poison me." He carefully placed the pot on the nearby counter as if it would explode at the slightest wrong move. "How many tea leaves did you add?" He asked not even trying to conceal his amusement.

Judith was brimming with anger. "What does it matter! At least I tried something!" she yelled in outrage.

"Aaah, how sweet." Zamasu continued to tease her. "The soul reaper fixing a cup of tea for the god of creation."

Judith was quick with her response. "This coming from the god of creation that owns a porcelain tea set!"

For a moment, both of them were back on Universe 10's Planet of the Kai's, bickering back and forth. The reality of the situation was quick to diminish the memory.

In an instant Judith was in his arms, clinging to him. She buried her face into his chest, breathing him in. Zamasu tried pulling her closer to him even though she was already flush against him, she still seemed to far away from him.

In one fluid motion he swept her legs from under her, cradling her to his chest. He turned and made to carry her back to the bedroom when he paused. "You know, this reminds me of the night I locked you in the library." He said softly.

Judith had her head buried in the crook of his neck. "How so?" she asked. "You left me there."

"I went back to get you." He said as he started walking again. "I couldn't wake you, so I had to carry you to your room."

Judith chuckled as she repeated his words. "Had to…"

"Wanted to." Zamasu corrected himself. He gently placed her back on her feet, neither of them attempting to move. It was Judith who spoke first.

"You know what this means?" she asked softly, barely a whisper.

Zamasu felt his heart constrict in his chest. "Yes." He forced the word out of his clenched jaw. "But I do not accept this." He simply stated.

Judith let out an exasperated sigh as she turned from him walking to the window before turning to face him again. "It doesn't matter if you accept this or not Zamasu" she spoke loudly, trying to force her voice to remain steady. "This is what fate decided for me… for us."

"Then I will change your fate and mine." He answered calmly.

"There are some things that not even the gods can change." Judith said softly, meeting his gaze steadily.

Zamasu's last bit of self-control slipped as he rounded on her. "How can you stand there and expect me to accept this like it's a written law!"

"Look at your potarras Zamasu!" Judith yelled in return. "Look at mine!" She grabbed her once pure white potarras from a pocket in her dress and threw them onto the bed. Their colour had almost completely changed to black. Zamasu looked down at his and almost choked. His once crystal clear orange ear rings had almost completely been taken over by red, he glanced at Judith's ear rings, feeling the bile rise in his throat. "Do you understand now!?" Judith asked loudly, resolutely. "Can't you see I am corrupting you?" and then more softly she added. "Can't you see I am killing you?"

With a scowl Zamazu threw his own potarras on the ground, crushing them with his boot. He looked up to where Judith stood. "The only reason why I'm still here Judith, is because of you." He said as he walked toward her. "I have made my choice." He said. "I made it when I came for you, when I brought you here." He came to stand in front of her, hesitantly he cupped her cheek as he spoke. "And I chose you." The pain in Judith's heart was almost to much for her to bare.

"This can never be." Judith said breathlessly, cupping his hand with her own. "I will be the death of you."