Chapter 13
Realization
For the past week, Vegeta came in and out of consciousness, not being able to tell the doctors around him what had happened. Truth was, he was still trying to figure it out himself.
His memory had just about fully returned to him, and he knew almost everything he did before the attack, with the exception of a few things. Some things were hazy to him, and others were crystal clear. The attack was one of the events that was hazy to him.
He was returning to the dark, spiraling place much less of the late now, and had started to actually drift into a deep sleep rather then be unconscious. But, when he was in that seamless void of space, he thought about the attack.
Both of them.
One part of him was angry-enraged beyond angry- at Pan. But another part of his mind was telling him not to be, that he shouldn't be mad at Pan. It was in one of the hazy parts of his mind.
He just didn't know why.
Pan, of all people, should be someone he wanted to murder with his bare hands. And he did want to-
At least one part of him did.
The other part of his mind was telling him that he was wrong; his mind very rarely told him that. He just didn't understand why he should be forgiving of Pan. Was he going soft?
No, that couldn't be it. He figured finally that he must have gotten mixed up after the attack. It was the only logical explanation.
*******
The old King of Vegeta, currently holding the position as King until his son made a full recovery, strode down the steps. His face was emotionless, as it usually was, as he descended into the darkness of the dungeons. It had been a month, and that girl had still had not spoken, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.
He ordered the torturers to slack off the torture for a bit, just so Son Pan could get her bearings. He wanted to deal with her when she was lucid.
He opened the door to the room and walked in with a challenging grace. He saw a small, crumpled form in the corner, and formed a small ki blast on his hand to see better.
When he saw her, he had to glance away.
Her body was layered with gaping gashes and horrible, gruesome black and blue bruises. A few of her bones were broken, and they jutted out of her skin in a sickening way. Her hair had turned from its black color to blackish- deep red color, for her own blood coated over and in it. Her simple clothes were torn in various places, and her slumped posture made her looked like something that was anything but saiyan. But her eyes…
Her eyes were what had caught his eye when he saw her being brought in by the guards. They had held a fierce, fiery spirit; a lively resolve flickered so strongly in them that gave her not only a determined look, but also an intelligent one as well. His mate had the same qualities, as did his son's mate, but in this female they were amplified by a thousand.
But, now, her eyes looked lost, confused. When she saw him, her eyes widened in panic in fear, like an animals'. She didn't know what was going on, who was who, and she probably didn't even know her own name, by the look of her.
But her eyes had also lost their spirit.
The fierce spirit in her eyes that had first caught his attention was gone. Her strong will and determination were gone from her eyes, despite his attempt to find them.
Oh well, he reasoned. What she did to my family is unforgivable.
But were they really? Was her remarkable will power gone? One part of his mind doubted it. She was still alive-by her own shear will.
He pushed the thought out and got his mind to task. "Son Pan."
********
She huddled into the corner, frightened and scared. The figure in the doorway studied her, and fear coursed through her veins. Why wasn't this man doing anything?
"Son Pan."
She cringed, then stared at the man. Son Pan? Who is that…? She thought in a daze.
That's me.
That's me! Her mind rejoiced. I'm Son Pan! Me! She had found herself, and all it took was two words. Memory was waking throughout her body, awakening her thoughts. Why she was there and what had happened was a thought she could remember and call her own.
"What do you want."
King Vegeta took a step back, his eyes wide with shock. How could she still speak? She spoke with a cool confidence. He looked into her eyes, and her fiery spirit was burning anew in them, though just not as strong. "I…" he stopped, then tried again. "I want to know why you did it. How."
"I couldn't tell you," she said, her voice cold, harsh. "Ask the person who did it."
The old King of Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "You've been asked time and time again. We know you did it. All I want to know is why."
But Son Pan avoided his question. "How are they?"
King Vegeta was becoming angered. She avoided his questions like she was the one who was asking the questions! This was absurd. "Answer my question, girl!" he barked.
"Answer mine."
King Vegeta gaped at her. How dare she? He slammed his fist into her cheek, sending her back into the wall. "Answer your King's question!" he snarled.
*******
Pan stared at him for a moment. It wasn't that she didn't respect her King, it was just that she felt that they should cut her some slack. Here she was, being tortured for something she didn't do. She had actually saved both the King and Trunks, and they tortured her! She just hoped that Trunks was ok so that he could tell everyone that she didn't do it.
"You answer mine, and I'll answer yours," she replied, her stubborn nature not allowing her to give in.
"Girl you are testing my patience!" he growled, but did not hit her again.
"I know," she said with a smug smirk, challenging him.
He glared at her, not at all liking the smirk she wore. "Girl, you're going to pay for what you've done to my family."
"Why don't you ask them what happened?" Pan shot back. "They're smarter then you-they'll know what happened."
King Vegeta's fist connected with her jaw, sending her back into the wall again.
Suddenly a soldier appeared behind King Vegeta. "Sir?" he said timidly.
"What do you want?" King Vegeta snapped.
"Your son is awake. He wants to talk to Son Pan."
Author's Note: Interesting, ne? I thought so too ^-^. I l know it's a semi cliffhanger, but I the next chapter will be up by tomorrow. ^-^ Yay! Anyway, I can't thank you enough for the reviews… hey, should I have a 50th review special?