I don't own anything from DB, DBZ, DBGT, DB Super or Super DB Heroes.
A/n: chuckles... I'm in danger.
Chapter Eleven: All that matters
A solemn nature slipped over Gohan following the closure of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber door. The timeframe ticked away subconsciously as the exterior handle melted away and the ancient door, conflated with the pure white walls.
First of his kind, the eldest Saiyan-Human hybrid possesses no ounce of anger towards fate, the King to be of the Saiyan race nor his wife's, Videl, decision. He understood the wisdom in her actions and lowly admired, her courage to go contrary of his firm will. In the end, Gohan released a low laugh without bitterness— 'that's my wife', he thought.
The facial decor was removed from his phenotypic features, as the glasses now lay besides Gohan on the white tiling of the Lookout. He has not transpose or budge from this position, opposite the door— and Videl didn't either. The human woman stayed beside him like a pillar of strength, comforting and comprehending without a single utter. For the past day and change, a teary ChiChi would supply her daughter-in-law with platters of food in which she would nibble on and slide half to her unshaken husband. She left him for brief flicks, speckled through time to shower or use the restroom— never long for him to experience lonesome or the true weight of these unprecedented events.
As the second day stretch longer, Gohan saw in his peripheral vision as Videl drifted away on the floor. Never once complaining, he viewed as she fluffed the pillow beneath and spread the blanket above while lazing away between, all with droopy eyes. Her wedding band sparkle in the afternoon sunlight as her palm rest softly upon the pillow near her face— lips parted as they drew a quiet breath. The Saiyan heard with her heart steady, signaling her slumber.
With a deep exhale, Gohan's shoulders dropped in exhaustion. His displeasure of this circumstance was expressed in all forms but the Saiyan knew this phase must draw to a close. Time was, even more so, an essence. Rubbing his face, Gohan now fixated upon his strong wife before glimpsing the door again— he knew beyond the initial fears, Pan will be safe. That mere thought brought enough self satisfaction for Gohan to stand and gather Videl in his arms. He could not resist pressing his lips against her forehead, and the human stir but didn't awoke.
In the absence of sound, he approached the door of the chamber, placing his hand upon and mumbling words the hybrid wished he voiced beforehand. Ultimately, he promise internally, to do so when she returns.
"My daughter, you are brave. You are stronger than me. I am so proud of you."
—And finally the Saiyan trekked away from the Chamber, his wife in his grasp but not before nodding at the Namekian, who too, never once left his side.
Gohan walked swiftly towards his mother, ChiChi and Bulma clustered kis. Momentarily, Gohan thought of laying Videl in a room of their own— in which he knows, the vast quantity throughout the Lookout can suffice. Conversely, the hybrid opted for her to be around familiar faces when she arose, as he was doubtful that he will be by her side.
Rerouting, Gohan motion ahead to the women shared chambers, only pausing split secondly, to knock and to be granted permission. He smiled briefly at their forms upon entry— a consistent sight painted across his memory of Bulma, tinkering away at yet another gadget, twisting in her palm and a grinning ChiChi, feverish to learn about the invention. A tea cup and water bottles were in reach while the older women converse, eyes twinkling at each word like the old friends they've become.
All parties were pleased that Gohan and Videl were finally away from the "cursed door" as his mother colorfully called at, meanwhile Bulma snicker. Gohan however, was grateful to spot eyes of glee bouncing amongst these seemingly mateless women.
Gently, he lay Videl upon an empty bed, brushing her hair away and pulling the sheets high in a single movement. Proceeding to the nightstand, Gohan set the glasses he never required and dropped his gaze to the floor with rattling thoughts of the impending war-like episodes. He wonder how can he caress all these fragile smiles in his palm and not abuse it— not crushing it under the strenght of his hidden greed for limitless adventures and power— just like his father.
Shaking his head, Gohan hid his dark irises from the women's line of sight and breathe deeply. The weight of the world upon his shoulders yet again. The hybrid howbeit, didn't anticipate his wife supporting gaze, transfixed on him when he came to. He blink slowly, doubting it all until she spoke firmly and with an eerie calm,
"Go be the Saiyan you should always be."
Her words slithered, wrapping around his heart in an reassuring hold. Her husband buckled, enclosing her hand with his, asking, "Where should I go? Who will help me?"
"Go to Trunks," Bulma responded and Gohan sight transferred to the blue haired woman before nodding. Quickly, ahead of his next actions, Videl gripped his shirt pulling him down for a breathless stolen kiss.
"Go," the words tumble out as they smiled at each other like teenagers again. The feeling was greatly appreciated as Gohan loosen the restricted clothing, traversing to Trunks, Goten and Bulla's kis, with the memory circulating. The nerves of the future melt away instantaneously as he observed the son of Vegeta and Goku training. Nearby, he noted the Androids assistance to Maron and Bulla, in what he suppose was called, "Show No Mercy Training."
Chuckling, Gohan lips separated into a blinding grinned before calling out to group, "Hey, you guys have room for one more?"
—And all parties turned in cries of joy, beckoning him to join immediately.
Day 2 elapsed without a thought and the third year was on the cusp, in a matter of minutes. If they were within Earth's dimension, it would be nightfall now. The distant planets and glimmering moon would've accompanied them but all seen were white for miles.
Vegeta sat upon the last white step before entering the field of nothingness with Pan at his feet, facedown, her breathing slowed. The girl showed endless strength but just as him, achieving the level of a Super Saiyan was challenging for her. All attributes appeared upon her features but never coalesced. It evaded her ki and he felt her frustration, especially so as his effortless transformation—now— mocked her. But the girl didn't deter nor fear it. He contemplated ways of forcing the legendary ki out of her, but failed, as difficult as it was to admit.
"Your blood could be halting your transformation."
Vegeta spoke boldly even though he couldn't side with his own words. Never once were there a quarter breed Saiyan, but she was apart of his race nonetheless. All Saiyans can transform. He watched silently as Pan forced herself on her back, her orbs squinting at the white emptiness without saying a word. He hoped the girl don't start believing his words, so the future King communicated once more.
"But you are a Saiyan Pan, and my mate is powerful. I know that much."
She only blinked at him and turned away.
"Pan—" she sucked the words from his lips by just standing. He didn't anticipate all this energy within her still. Silently, she bend over, her face close to his.
"Maybe you're wrong about me. Maybe you should find someone else worthy of the next King of all Saiyans."
She made an attempt to leave but Vegeta grabbed her hand, tighter than he intended.
"Are you rejecting me?" It was almost a whisper of a tone; one that contrasted drastically with the voice he used before but it didn't move Pan the way it should. She only pulled her arm from his and entered the housing of the Time Chamber wordlessly.
Almost brokenhearted, Vegeta let his hand fall and as his head bowed a sound echoed through the chamber. It was now Day 3 but all he could think and say was, 'Don't reject me.'
But Pan didn't hear him. She already shut off the internal connection unknowingly, with limited understanding of the depth of her words and actions. Moreover, beyond her expectations Vegeta flee at that moment, mindlessly roaming the great white landscape in a numb bliss. His only rule broken by himself.
—And in many steps, the next King was swallowed by the mystical powers of the Time Chamber, leaving her alone and asleep.
At this particular point in time, both Father and hybrid son wonder from civilization...
Minds full yet accompanied by lost eyes. Trunks evaded his friends questioning looks, claiming to be hungry as he quickly drifted away in a scurry. What the group failed to notice, Trunks absorbed and chased. He glimpsed the Saiyan imposter, fluttering around the corners, escaping sound. Mirroring a butterfly, the individual bounced from side to side with each empty step, to only turn, flashing him a mischievous smile, and blow away.
Trunks understood prior to the pursuit, a trap was awaiting him but the hybrid persisted. As the unnamed leader of Earth's protectors, alongside Gohan, the Prince would do all in his power to protect his friends and family. Unexpectedly, the hybrid never envisioned to meet the female Saiyan look-alike at a unforeseen dead end.
Her back was pressed against the white walls, her breath was almost unheard as she observed Trunks' with the clear, gray orbs. He scrutinized her form, glancing over her curves before his stare settled on her hair, flowing from the crown of her head to her feet— in a single black waterfall drop.
The scent of her heat radiated off her physique and Trunks inhaled greedily, temporarily clouding his thoughts. Shaking his head, Trunks folded his arms, similar to his father iconic stance and asked in a gruff tone,
"Who are you?"
The woman shivered but smirked at the sensation. Instead of approaching, she removed the distance by appearing before the Prince, leaving the small space for air between the pair. With no ill intentions, the nameless woman brushed a scalding palm against his face, trailing his bottom lip with a burning index but settling her arms around his neck.
The bold woman made no attempt to harm or seduce whereas Trunks held no ulterior motives to leave her grasps. He will play prey until the information bubble to the surface. The Prince didn't have to wait long as she began to speak in a bewitching voice, one that shook him to his very core,
"I have a message from Babidi, young Prince." Almost impossibly, Trunks consistently hardened orbs, crystalized from the woman initial words but that was the single, and final emotion she recieved from the warrior. Robotically, she proceeded with the message.
"Master Babidi wanted reassurance that the 14-days deal will be paid in full and send out his henchmen to track me down." Trunks never teared his gaze away as he unfold his arms, laying it around her waist. In return, she gave a watery grin— he pondered how genuine it may be.
"Goku found me," she said emotionless, "He and his companions tortured me for days, as per Babidi's command and his own twisted nature..."
Her hands cupped his face as Trunks listened intently. "Son of Vegeta, my suffering occurred because of your connection to the Saiyan Babidi wants under his thumb. And for that I must warn you, my mate, the worst is yet to come."
—In that space of time, the woman crashed her lips onto his. Trunks' mind blazed in a raging inferno as they connected, and he saw it all. Within his sight, he relived her life and her pains but that was incomparable to the bomb-like device laced in her mind.
And in the last second, Trunks saw the countdown has already commenced.
Breaking apart, Trunks never predicted this hunt would've lead to his mate, nor her doomed fate upon the horizon. He barely recognized when she passed out in his arms with the timer still etched into his mind, as just like them, she had fourteen days.
—But not for war, but to live.
To be continued...
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