I do not own dragonball z.
Over the course of her life, she found that nothing stays the same for long. The only constant thing is change and turmoil and she found her life right smack dab in the middle of both.
Bra had never seen her father as mad as he was that day, not directed at her, anyway. Not once in her life has her father ever raised his hand in anger toward her. He had never lashed out and struck her for any of the things she had done. The worst she ever received was a severe tongue lashing, but things change. She had always been "Daddy's Little Girl" no matter what. She never stopped to think about what her actions would do to her father, but she found out that day and she understood.
To put it bluntly, he beat the living hell out of her, within an inch of her life, actually. He didn't go all out, but he was so much more powerful than her that it was all she could do to defend herself. She fought back, if only for her dignity. To show her father that this would not break her. The physical pain she went through only matched the mental anguish she had been in to begin with. It had been something to take her mind off of it, if only for a while.
When they arrived at the palace, she was led first to the medical wing. Her father ordered everyone out so they didn't have to watch her disgrace. She had been confused at first, not knowing what to expect, but she never expected what he did. Most of her life she spent wanting their father to treat her like he did Trunks and that day, he did.
It had been bad, she knew. Broken bones and an obscene amount of blood and that was only the beginning. He completely lost it when he saw the mark on her neck. The mark of an old ritual that gave physical proof that she belonged to someone. Someone out there had touched his daughter, the princess, a trespass worthy of death. He stopped their fight and demanded to know who was foolish enough to touch her, who was dumb enough to mark her. She had pulled her broken body off the floor, slipping on her own blood and stood defiantly in front of him and told him to go to hell, there was nothing he could do to get the name from her lips.
This only managed to enrage him more and she received a beating worse than any she'd ever seen before. She vaguely remembered it getting so bad that Trunks tried to intervene. Their father had been on the verge of killing her. His attention went to Trunks, who was more capable of handling their father. Her father calmed down and dumped her in a tank, where she stayed for three days.
Trunks came to her after she healed, to get the name of the man who touched her. He found her alone and solemn in her room. He entered without knocking and Bra turned to him at the sound of the door opening.
"What do you want?" She asked in a hollow voice, turning away once she saw who was there.
"We were worried about you," he said as he came and sat down next to her.
Bra rolled her eyes, "Sure have a funny way of showing it," she mumbled.
"You knew what to expect," Trunks replied with no apology in his voice. When she didn't respond he tried again. "You were gone for so long and no one knew anything. Where have you been all this time?"
"I haven't been anywhere and I haven't been doing anything," she answered testily.
Trunks leaned toward her and brushed away the hair at her shoulder to reveal the small bruise that wouldn't heal and frowned. "Doesn't look that way to me," he said staring intently at her neck as if willing the evidence away. "What were you thinking?"
Bra smacked his hand away and stood facing him, "Maybe I was thinking that I was in love, Trunks. Did you ever think of that?"
"Come off it, Bra. You didn't do all of this because you were in love. You could've gotten yourself killed running off like that."
"I know that!" She responded angrily and then just as quickly it was gone, "At least, I know that now," her voice was much softer as she remembered that night. "I was so stupid to think I could waltz right out of the palace and have everyone worship at my feet. He saved me that night and then he took care of me and I fell in love with him…"
"Were you hurt?" Trunks' voice cut into her train of thought and she remembered he was there.
"No, but I might've been if he hadn't been there," she turned to look him in the eye. "And I might've been happy if it hadn't been for you and father."
"Who was it? Who did this to you?"
Bra gave a bitter laugh, "I did this, Trunks. I decided to leave, I decided to stay with him and I decided to come home. I made my own decisions."
"It's obvious that you got in over your head and he took advantage of you…"
"No, Trunks! You just don't get it do you? The only thing he did wrong was fall in love with me. You and father have a hard time understanding that I am capable of making my own decisions. No one took advantage of me, if anything I took advantage of him and then I had to leave him so you wouldn't kill him."
Trunks stared at his sister as if seeing her for the first time. Whatever had happened while she was away had changed her. If he didn't know any better, he would say that she was more mature.
"Bra, you're the one who doesn't understand. You're the one who is being selfish and you always have been. Father was going to find you a husband," at that Bra stopped and stared hard at him, "someone of noble blood who would take care of you. You're not going to be able to live in the palace for the rest of your life and now that you've gone and done this no one will want you. Even if you are the princess, no man wants a woman who has already been claimed by another man."
"That's a good thing then," Bra snapped, "what makes you think I would even want something like that? You have the nerve to sit there and call me selfish, but all I want are the same privileges that you have. Tell me, how is it fair that you were able to choose your own bride, but I have to settle for whoever father finds suitable? It doesn't even matter to either of you how I feel about it."
"Don't bring Pan into this. I fought hard for her and father wasn't happy about it."
"That's my point exactly! Father didn't agree, but that didn't stop you and he didn't even try to stop you. But I want to be able to have the same choices and I'm selfish for it? What if father had told you that he was going to choose your wife and you had no say in it?"
"I would have done what needed to be done, what was expected of me. Even if I didn't like it. That's my duty."
Bra growled, "You just don't understand because you haven't had your every move watched for the last ten years. You've always had free rein to do whatever you want. Just get out."
Trunks stood to go, "even so, Bra," he said before walking out the door, "I would never have caused all the trouble you have."
Bra's return went without much fanfare. The only thing that marked it was the release of prisoners two months after she'd been back. Her mother's precious lab, where she spent countless hours, was finally closed off. Her father did not want her to have the chance to make something else to get away with. Not that she'd leave if she had the chance. She truly had nowhere to go. The only place she wanted to be was in Goten's arms and she couldn't go back to him. Not after the way she left. He wouldn't accept her now.
There was a dramatic change in her personality since her return. The passionate, vibrant young woman was now withdrawn and closed-off. Her blue eyes that once sparkled with mischief were now dull and hollow. The only time they shined was when filled with unshed tears.
The sarcastic, demanding voice that once filled the halls of the palace was silent. She only spoke when spoken to and even then, it was barely above a whisper. There were no more jokes or pranks. No proclamation of her greatness. Nothing.
It was unsettling to be in her presence. She always seemed to be in a daze, her eyes sad and glazed, her body hunched over in depression. Even her hair fell limp and lifeless in her face, which was always drawn and pale. She looked sick, as if she were slowing dying. In a way she was. Every day was filled with torture and torment. Every day her will to live became less and less. She wanted to kill who ever said that time heals all wounds; because hers were still open and raw as the day she left him.
She couldn't eat. She couldn't sleep. Sometimes she felt as if she was suffocating, as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Nothing she would do could warm her. Not like his arms could. The night was the worst for her. Her bed was uncomfortable and far too big for just her. She piled blanket upon blanket on her at night to ward off the chill that settled upon her, only to wake shivering. She would toss and turn at night, looking for his body next to hers. Searching for his strong arms to hold her and keep her warm, his heartbeat to lull her to a peaceful sleep, his solid body to ward off the awful nightmares that plagued her dreams.
At night, she dreamt of him. He was always so angry with her that she could feel it, the intense, almost painful waves of unadulterated hate rolling off of him. All of it directed toward her. She would cry and beg him to understand, but he wouldn't listen. He hated her now.
She would awake, drenched in sweat, with his name on her lips, moments away from crying out to him. But she couldn't do that. All would be lost if she ever spoke his name. Her father was watching her, waiting for her to slip. The dream would leave her up all night with a cold sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.
The days were almost as bad as the nights, although during the day she could try to find something to occupy her mind. Some days were worse than others. On the bad days, she couldn't even leave her room.
Her family worried about her, but nothing they did helped. They didn't know what was wrong and she'd be damned before she told any of them. They tried everything that used to make her happy but none it worked anymore. She wasn't the same person as she was when she left. If only they knew how simple it could be. If only she could return to her lover, but it was forbidden.
She saw Goten everywhere she looked. His face was there every time she turned around; she heard his voice whenever anyone spoke. It was maddening, running down the halls after an image of him only she could see. She could never catch up to him and if she did, she would only find that it was someone else. It wasn't him. It couldn't be him. It would never be him.
Like a tiny boat on the black sea, she was slowly sinking into insanity. Between the crying, the nightmares, and his image she was slowly losing her mind. Every day was worst than the one before it. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed or even smiled. She took no joy in anything anymore. There was no joy without him.
The only thing she had left was the knowledge that Trunks would soon be in power. She only had to wait a few more years then her father would be gone. Trunks would let her marry the man of her choice. Why should he care? It was the only thought that kept her hanging onto what little sanity she had left. One day her father would be gone and she would truly be free. Then they could be together. If only she could wait that long.
It's been almost two years since she's seen him last. The image of his face as they made love forever burned into her mind, the peaceful smile he wore in his sleep as she looked at him for the last time. It haunted her, along with knowledge that he might have moved on; found someone to replace her in her absence. The very thought of it made her ill, though she doubted he would. He had to know she would come back for him when she could, although he had no real way of knowing that.
She clung to the one bit of news she'd heard about him since her return. She chanced upon a couple of guards gossiping about a new squad leader taking command of some out of the way planet a few months back. She didn't think much of it until they said his name. Apparently, he was the new squad leader and an impressive one at that. This bit of news made her truly happy. He finally owned up to his potential. It also scared her some, thinking that maybe this was the first sign that he'd forgotten about her.
The other bit of information she got from that discussion was his squad number, #418. Every day since then, she listened to her hyper-com link, hoping to hear something else about him, but there usually weren't reports about third class squads. They were deemed unimportant. She thought about contacting Bardock, but reasoned that it would be too risky. No, she only had to play the waiting game and hope that he would want her when she came for him.
She could only assume now that he was gone, off fighting the rebellion with the other hundreds of squads that followed her brother. It was only she and her father in the palace now. She had wanted to go. It sounded like fun, mindless bloodshed to purge the soul. They wouldn't let her go, of course. Her father said that it was too dangerous for her and that he couldn't afford to lose both heirs, he was too old to have another child. She knew it was a bunch of bullshit because if Trunks had been the only heir he'd still be gone. No, it was because of whom she was and the hold that her father wanted to keep over her.
Trunks had other reasons for wanting her to stay. He said he needed her to look after father, that her absence had put a lot of stress on him and he would crack if she left again so soon. She knew her father hadn't been whole since the death of their mother, it nearly killed him and as much as she had despised him then she didn't completely hate him and certainly didn't want him completely insane. So, she stayed without much argument.
That was more than six months ago. Six months locked away in the palace-prison with only her father for company. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. The first few weeks had been a little more than difficult. Both knew that too much had changed between the two of them to go back to the way things had been before. Her father had been who broke the ice first. It was apparent that he missed his daughter, but was at a loss of how to get things back to where they were before. Thinking to help ease her distress, he taught her how to meditate and it helped a lot more than she thought it would. She found that she could function better if she meditated when she first woke up and before she went to sleep. It didn't make the dreams stop, but during the day, she could control the torturing voices screaming in her head.
That's where she was now. In her room meditating, trying to empty her head of all conscience thought, to find inner peace through the turmoil in her heart. Yes, the months that followed the reunification with her father had been good. Too good in fact and she knew it could have only lasted for so long. She knew there had to be a price for all the privileges her father had bestowed upon her. Taking over most of Trunks' duties in his absence could only come with a price and now the bastard wanted payment.
He told her tonight what would be expected of her when they returned. Something he had obviously been plotting for some time now. She just couldn't seem to still the rage that burned through her blood at the thought of what he wanted her to do. No, what he was making her do, for she really had no choice in the matter.
Marriage. He had chosen a man and already the ceremony plans were underway. She was to be married to Kiao of all people. Bra shuddered. The thought of being with anyone besides Goten made her sick. She couldn't even contemplate the idea. It was just too revolting. For some reason Bra hadn't even thought that her father would try to marry her off, even though he had said as much before, she just didn't think he would really do it.
Bra already had a mate and it would be a cold day in hell before she ever willingly or unwillingly let Kiao put his filthy hands on her. There wasn't much she could do about it now, but she wasn't about to make it easy on them. Not while Goten was still out there. Not if there was even the slightest chance that they could be together again. It wasn't even a possibility.
She'd known from the moment Vegeta had said anything about choosing her mate that he would pick someone really fucked up. Kiao was at least twice her age and he gave her the creeps worse than Bardock ever had. She remembered the leering looks he'd given her while her father told her of the arrangements. His open desire to posses her had sent a cold, frightening chill down her spine.
He's the only one that'll have you with that mark on your neck now, girl. Her father had told her coldly. You should be grateful.
Please, father don't do this! Bra had cried out to him as he walked away.
He didn't respond as he left, leaving her alone with Kiao. Kiao stood there not even trying to disguise his eyes roaming appreciatively over her body. He finished with a nod of approval, stepping into her personal space, black eyes piercing into her blue. She had been terrified by the look she saw there. It was the same look those drunken men at the bar had given her. The night Goten had saved her, she only wished he were there to rescue her now.
Bra stared into his scared face defiantly, never one to back down. She wouldn't let him intimidate her. He only smirked at her, taking another step closer and causing her to back up. He raised his hand to her face, gently caressing her cheek.
With you, I will have everything I want. He said.
Bra smacked his hand away. How dare you touch me in such a way? She had practically yelled, outraged.
Kiao's smirk grew menacing and he grabbed a handful of hair, pulling her face within inches of his. She could still smell the disgusting stench of his breath, feeling it hot on her cheek.
You are already mine, girl. I will do with you what I want. Remember that Princess, he said with a sneer. I own you now.
With that, he shoved her away. She stumbled a little, but managed to right herself before she fell. You will never have me; she spat before running to her own quarters.
So here she was now, body trembling with the effort to keep her emotions under control. She would kill him for daring to touch her, for ever thinking that he owned her. There was only one man in the universe that could lay claim to her and he was the only man she'd ever have. It would be a cold, frostbitten day in hell before she ever lay with that man. She wasn't too worried about him trying to have his way with her. Bra knew her father would never let that happen before the marriage. Not if he had a decent bone in his body, which Bra was beginning to doubt.
There surely was only one thing constant in her miserable life and that was turmoil.
Pan started as the door to her capsule hut banged open. She had been lying peacefully in her favorite plush chair reading the printouts from the scouts on the other warring planets, waiting for her husband to return. Apparently, he was back and had company. She sighed irritably and straightened herself in the chair. She didn't know why she should be surprised, Trunks brought back his "friends" every night after a good battle and lately they've all been good. She hadn't had a night alone with him in weeks. She stood and forced a sweet smile on her face as the four men walked into the room.
"Panny-chan!" Trunks cried happily when he saw her, lifting her into a bear hug. "Tonight was a good night, but I'm afraid that their resistance is wearing down and this will be over sooner than we thought." He said grinning from ear to ear.
Pan growled. She hated it when he called her that, especially in front of subordinates.
"They should have known not to mess with the Sayian Empire, Sire." Some suck-up said.
She really hated these men. They wanted nothing more than to get on his good side in the hopes of being raised in rank or having some other benefits bestowed on them. She saw right through their little act. It was just too bad that Trunks didn't. Or maybe he did and just didn't care.
Trunks set her down and turned to the one who had spoken. "You're right, Tyji. And it was said that this planet was the one to offer the most resistance. They're nothing but a bunch of pathetic weaklings." He said, clapping the man on the back.
"Of course this would be a walk in the park for one with as much power and strength as you, Sire. They didn't even stand a chance." Another said.
Trunks puffed his chest out at the compliment, looking smugger than he had to begin with. Pan rolled her eyes, thinking she was going to be sick. These guys were pathetic! Feeding his ego like that. It was all she could do to not smack herself on the forehead, so she sat back down in her chair while Trunks went and got drinks.
She listened as the two dumbasses went on and on about how great Trunks was. If they kept this up, they'd have to get another room just to house his ego. Only one hadn't said anything the entire time, the same man who had been a constant for the last month. She looked over to the spiky haired man that stood silently against the wall. He was staring at her intently, with no regard to the others in the room. She looked away quickly, unable to stand the heat of his gaze. She didn't like him one bit and Trunks knew that, but he was always here, always staring at her.
He gave her the chills whenever she saw him. There was something not quite right about him. Something she couldn't place, but he seemed almost familiar. Goten. Why did that name sound so familiar? She was sure she'd never met him before the war. The way he looked at her was so intense, like he wanted something from her. She shuddered, still feeling his scrutinizing gaze on her. He had an ulterior motive, she knew, and that was to get to her. There could be no other explanation as to why he was always staring at her so. She tried to tell Trunks about it, but he wouldn't hear of it. Said she was just being paranoid, that she thought everybody wanted her now that she was to be the next Queen. But he never caught him staring at her like he was now. She started to get angry.
I should just blast him. She thought, he's nothing but a worthless third class anyway. I don't understand what Trunks sees in him.
She did know though. Goten had saved Trunks' life about a month back. They'd been ambushed and she'd gotten herself into trouble. Trunks was right there to save her but the natives were right on his back. The weaponry they had was astounding and they hadn't been prepared for it. Goten was there just in time. He took the blast from the neural disputer himself. It rendered him paralyzed for almost two weeks. If that blast had hit Trunks, he wouldn't have been able to fight back and all would have been lost.
The natives weren't very bright and because the blast missed its target, they had just stood around looking dumbfounded. They didn't even think to try and shoot again. It was all they needed to kill all that was in the area. There had been others around at the time, but Goten was the first to react and because of that, when he healed, Trunks invited him to their hut as a reward. That's about when you can say Trunks fell in love with him, because he was always around now. Trunks saw Goten as some kind of guardian angle and he practically didn't go anywhere without him. It was unheard of for the Prince of the Sayians to associate himself with a third class the way he did and none of the elites liked it one bit. But what could one do against their Prince and SuperSayian?
Goten did nothing more for Pan than give her the willies. She appreciated what he did and all, but this was going too far. Not to mention the way he looked at her, so intimately, like he knew her as no other did. It was disturbing and made her more than uncomfortable. She felt his burning gaze leave her as Trunks walked back into the room and she was grateful for it. He handed everyone his ale and as always Goten turned it down. That was another thing off about him. He didn't drink. She never saw him take in a drop and that was unusual because normal Sayians indulged themselves in almost everything.
She sat back, deciding to figure the mystery of Goten out later and enjoy her own drink while listening to the men go on about the battle. Every once in awhile she caught Goten casting a sideways glance at her. The hours passed quickly and Pan decided it would be a good time to retire to her room where she could have her husband all to herself. The three other occupants in the room stood with her, taking her departure as time for them to leave. That was one good thing about them; they didn't overstay their welcome too often. The two elites said their goodbyes with as many suck up phrases as they could. Goten only bowed low and turned to follow them out the door. Pan was happy to see him go. She would try again to tell Trunks about his "dear friend."
Just before Goten was out the door Trunks called to him. "Goten, stay. I want to discuss something with you."
Pan's jaw dropped. He was turning her down to chat with that . . . that . . . third class idiot! She put her hands on her hips and gave Trunks the dirtiest, most disapproving look she could muster, which he pointedly ignored. Goten looked confused but came back anyway and sat back in his chair. Trunks looked to Pan knowing he was going to get hell for this, but not caring.
"Pan, I have matters to discuss with Goten. I'll be in shortly." Trunks said sternly.
He really hated having to explain himself to her. He was the fucking Prince for crying out loud! He shouldn't have to explain anything to anyone, but he knew it was easier this way. Pan didn't really care about his title. She was too strong willed to simply be told what to do. He learned that the hard way, but it was one of the things he loved about her. Pan narrowed her eyes dangerously at Goten, who was staring at her again. She shot Trunks one last look then stormed into her room.
Goten watched Pan go, marveling once again at how she had turned out. Truth be told, he didn't really know what to expect when he saw her again. It'd been so long and they'd been so young. She turned out beautiful with a fiery spirit to match, something that he hadn't thought possible growing up in the palace. It was obvious to him that she didn't remember him at all. He wasn't sure if he expected her to or not. He was disappointed that she hadn't, but then relieved at the same time. Seeing her again had drudged up painful old memories and he wouldn't want that to happen to her. It was better if she didn't remember anything about that time in her life. She had it good now and there was no reason going back.
He turned to Trunks, who was watching him with a dangerous look in his eyes. He smiled sheepishly but he didn't budge. He shrugged it off and looked away. Prince Trunks was a difficult person to understand. The man was dark and moody and Goten had no idea why he'd taken such a liking to him. When he'd taken that blast for him it was more to save Pan than to save Trunks.
He found his first impression of the Prince to be off. After being around him for a while he saw that Trunks wasn't so bad after all. He certainly made Pan happy. He found himself actually enjoying being in his company. When he wasn't being a pompous ass, he was tolerable. And it was great getting to see his niece. He wasn't complaining, even if the others did give him shit. The son was nothing like the father, in that he had a personality of some kind. Trunks will make a good King and Goten had no problem being loyal to him.
Trunks had seen the way Goten had looked at his wife as she left the room. Perhaps there was some truth to her words after all. If so, he was going to get some answers tonight. Trunks liked Goten. He wasn't like all the other jackasses that were constantly around him, trying to butter him up for their own personal gain. Goten didn't seem to want anything more from him than his friendship. He didn't waste his breath telling him things that he already knew about himself.
It was true that Trunks had been thoroughly impressed with Goten's fearless bravery a while back. That was why he had given him the privilege of coming into his home. His personality kept him coming back. He was a good jokester and knew how to lighten his mood considerably. Trunks liked to have him fighting beside him because he was fearless. He fought like he had nothing to lose, like every battle was his last and he trusted his life with him, which was saying a lot considering he didn't really know the guy.
There was a lot more to Goten than met the eye. He could tell that there was something far more disturbing hidden beneath the friendly, carefree visage. For some reason this attracted Trunks to him. Not in anything more than platonic companionship. He'd never really had a friend before, but he was willing to make Goten his, even though it was unheard for someone of his stature to fraternize with low-levels. Goten seemed to compliment him in the opposite way that Pan did.
He knew that Pan truly despised Goten. She said there was something off about him and Trunks agreed. Of course, that was part of the draw. But as he watched Goten, earlier he began to see what she was talking about and he certainly did not like the way he looked at his woman. No one dared to look at his future Queen like she was just another girl. Trunks waited until he caught Goten's eye again before speaking.
"Do you like what you see?" He asked in a deadly whisper. The more he thought about what his gaze implied the angry he felt himself become.
Goten looked at his Prince in utter confusion. He had no idea what he was talking about. Was he talking about himself? And if so, how did one answer? He decided to take the easy route and be clueless. "Huh?"
"I saw the way you were looking at my wife, Goten. I was asking if liked what you saw." Trunks clarified for him.
Goten blinked in surprise. He wasn't exactly sure what way he had been looking at Pan, but it mustn't have been good judging by the tone of Trunks' voice. How exactly was he supposed to answer that? If he said no, he might get offended thinking he was calling her ugly. If he said yes, then he would think he was after his own niece and he certainly couldn't tell him who he was in relation to Pan. Goten suddenly found himself in a sticky situation.
Trunks took Goten's silence as submission that he wanted his mate. He power up and threw out the window the original reason he had wanted to speak to him. Instead, he was going to beat him to death for his audacity.
Goten could feel the deadly energy emanating from Trunks and knew that if he didn't say something soon he'd be a dead man. So, he decided to go with the truth. Well, at least one truth.
"You mistake me, my Prince. Your wife is lovely and I meant no harm. I am already a married man and would never dream of encroaching on something that belongs to my prince." Goten said in a rush.
Trunks stopped with the threatening power trip and looked at him curiously. He hadn't known he had a wife. Why hadn't this come up before? He thought for a moment that it was just a trick to throw him off.
"Then why do look at mine like that?" He said not really believing him.
Goten looked very uncomfortable. This was not something he had expected to come up. Trunks was looking at him expectantly, waiting for his reply. He had no idea how to answer this without giving himself away. He was sure that anything, even the truth, would earn him the beating of his life.
"Answer me, Goten, before I kill you." Trunks growled.
Goten sighed. He should have known that there would be consequences to getting this close. He just couldn't help himself. He missed his niece terribly. He wondered if he told him the truth if he would still be aloud in her presence. Trunks growled again and reached over, grabbing the front of Goten's armor and hauling him up. Eyes narrowed, Trunks raised a hand, preparing to blast him to the next dimension.
"Do you think you can plot against my wife? Do you think I'd allow you to hurt her," he yelled in his face, his temper barely in check.
Goten dared brushed Trunks' hands off of him and take a step back. Not looking at him, he answered. "I couldn't hurt Pan if my life depended on it," he sighed, coming to accept whatever Trunks would do with this information. "She's my niece and all that is left of my family. That's why I can't help, but to look at her, I haven't seen her in so long." Goten looked at Trunks and smile a little, "she looks very happy."
Trunks dropped his hand, shocked by the revelation. What the hell? "What the hell? What do you mean Pan is your niece? She doesn't have any family."
Goten grinned sadly. "No, she doesn't. Not really anyway. I am father's younger brother. I still remember the night of the slaughter that took our entire family away. Pan and I were together that night with our grandfather, that's why we survived. Not even Pan remembers, which is for the best, I suppose."
He sat down as he finished and looked to the Prince to gauge his reaction. Trunks stood stock still, letting the startling information sink in. He often forgot that Pan's father had been a third class, didn't remember the circumstances that brought her to live in the palace. And now here this man was, who had nearly given his life to protect him, claiming to be Pan's uncle. He wondered if his act of bravery had been for him or directed at Pan.
"That day . . . " Trunks began to voice his thoughts.
Goten gave a little laugh. "Sorry, your highness, but I wouldn't think twice about protecting what little I have left. It was no coincidence that I was there that day, making sure that nothing happened to her. I would give my life for her."
Trunks nodded his head and sat back down, disturbed by the news. As unsettling as it was, he found that he was very relieved to hear it. He hated the thought that Pan had been right about it him. He liked Goten enough that he wanted to bestow a great honor upon him with his friendship. He was actually relived that Goten could be trusted around his wife. More than that, he would protect her if for some reason he couldn't. Goten could see that he was having a hard time digesting the information. He too found it odd that the play of events had led him to be in the company of the Prince and Pan.
Trunks wasn't sure if Goten could still be trusted or not, if he was really telling the truth, although it wasn't the type of story that someone would make up unless they were plotting to hurt her. He would keep an eye on Goten to see if his loyalty was true. For now, he would send him off in head of the other troops to take on another warring planet.
"There is no reason for Pan to know about any of this. She is not part of the third class and has no other family. I am sending you and your squad ahead to planet Umata where the rebellion continues. I'm putting you in command of the fifty squads that will accompany yours." Trunks said at last.
Goten nodded his head in understanding. He knew that if he told the Prince his relation to Pan that he would never see her again. At least he was still alive. "It's better that she doesn't know. It will just bring back painful memories. You're right she is beyond that now. There is no reason for her to know who I am."
He stood to leave when Trunks stopped him again.
"Tell me about your wife, Goten. Is she waiting for you back home?" Trunks questioned. He wanted to know if it had just been made up or if he really was telling the truth.
A painful shadow entered Goten's eyes and he looked away, but not before Trunks caught it. Was it possible that his mate was dead? Goten sighed heavily, not really wanting to talk about it, but one look at Trunks face and he knew that he would soon be spilling his guts. He hadn't talked about her is so long . . . he hadn't seen her in so long. The pain at her sudden departure that he'd managed to keep locked away, came back in a sharp, blinding rush, almost taking his breath away. The way it did every time he thought about her. Beta . . .
"I don't know where she is." He said quietly, painfully.
Trunks nodded. Suddenly he really wanted to know what happened to her. "Go on." Trunks said. It was more like a demand than anything else. Using his power to open sore wounds was wrong, but he assured himself that he was doing it to make sure Pan was safe.
Goten sighed again and averted his eyes. "Her name was Beta and she was the most beautiful creature to ever walk in this universe. I met her a little more than two years ago, in a bar. She was snotty, rude, and arrogant and I loved her immediately. I brought to my home and we lived blissfully for a few months. One night I fell asleep and when I woke she was gone."
It was the edited version of what really happened, of how he really felt, but it was all he needed to know. Trunks' brows were raised in slight shock. Gone? What the hell did that mean? He knew there was more to the story that he wasn't telling but he didn't have the heart to force it out of him. Not after seeing his face as he spoke.
"What happened to her?" It was the one thing Trunks needed clarification on.
Goten shrugged his shoulders, suddenly wishing he had something to drink. He hadn't drank since the months after she left, hoping that by sobering up she would return to him. " She vanished without a trace. I guess she wasn't happy there with me. I've looked, but cannot find her anywhere. I'm still looking for her. It's the reason I took the position as squad commander, hoping to run across her and find out why she left."
Now Trunks was genuinely shocked. She had just left him? It was obvious that this was what Goten kept buried inside himself. It must have almost killed him to have her leave in the night. He didn't know what he would do if Pan suddenly decided to leave him. Kill her probably. It sounded good, but he already knew he couldn't do that.
"Why do you still look for her if she left you?" Trunks asked, still not ready to drop the disturbing subject that was obviously painful to talk about.
"Do you believe in fate, Prince Trunks?" Goten asked cryptically.
"Not really. I am the master of my own destiny." He answered with pride.
"I used to think the same thing until I met her. She changed my entire world in the span of a few months and I find myself asking why? Out of all the girls I have known, why her? How did she manage to make me feel the way I did? I knew it the moment I looked into those soft brown eyes. She was my destiny, we were meant to be together."
Trunks snorted. "If you were meant to be together then you would be. Fate is a bunch of bullshit."
Goten nodded his head. "I know. It is a bunch of bullshit and I wish we were still together, but we aren't and I do not know why. But it's all that I have left. When she is done abolishing the demons that haunt her dreams, the fates will bring us back together. I have to hope. It's all I have."
Trunks watched Goten drift off into his own little world, remembering a time when things were better. He thought about what Goten had said, the emotion that was barely veiled in his voice. How sad it was to hang onto some abstract dream. He shuddered. His words and tone giving him chills and he suddenly wondered how the man next to him managed to go on without this deep love he claimed to have had. He knew what he felt for Pan and that he wouldn't be able to go on without her. Is that the way Goten feels? Is that why he fights like he has nothing to lose, because he truly doesn't?
Trunks felt Goten's eyes on him and turned to look at him. Goten's despair was so strong he could feel it. He broke eye contact with Goten and stood abruptly, glancing at the door to his room where his mate waited for him.
Goten stood slowly and walked out the door and into the night, not saying a word and flew quickly to his own empty, cold hut. To lie in his tiny, cold cot alone with only the memory of her to ward off the impressing chill that enveloped him every night.
Trunks stood and watched Goten leave silently, lost in his own thoughts. It had been so awful, what he felt from him and he wished that he had never even asked. A cold gust of wind blew past him at the thought of his mate, giving him goose bumps. He shivered and went to shut his door.
At the door, he felt the warm night air and wondered where the cold wind came from. He could still feel Goten's despair weighing heavily on his chest. It was a feeling that he never wanted to feel first hand. He shut the door and retreated into his house, making his way to his room. For some reason, he almost expected to not see her there. To find that she too had taken off in the middle of the night. He sighed with relief when he opened the door to find her sleeping peacefully.
He stripped out of his worn armor and climbed into bed with her. Wrapping his arms around her he brought her close to his body, reveling in the feel of her skin pressed against his. She sighed happily and snuggled closer to him, loving the warmth his body gave her. He held her in a bone-crushing embrace, never wanting to let go. Goten's haunting words filled his mind. His mate had simply left him and it was slowly destroying him. He wondered at his speech of fate. If the fates had brought them together, why would they tear them apart?
He looked at the beauty that lay sleeping in his arms. Had fate brought them together? She had been there his entire life, was it destiny that finally opened his eyes to her? Is that why her life was tore apart at such a young age, so that they could be together? He knew if it hadn't he would never have known the love he felt for her. If she had been raised as third class, she would have been ineligible to be his mate. And yet, here she was, soon to be his Queen. As wrong as it was, he was thankful of all that had happened to bring them together.
It was disturbing to think that Goten was related to Pan, but it didn't matter. That life was behind her and she didn't remember any of it anyway. He wouldn't let Goten tear apart everything that Pan knew to be true. Trunks was all that she needed and he planned to keep it that way. She wouldn't leave him if she had nowhere else to go. No, Pan wouldn't leave him. He offered her too much and would give her even more. She would be the next Queen and it didn't matter how her life began because it would end in greatness. There was nothing in heaven or hell that would tear them apart. He would never again take his love for her for granted and would let her know everyday how much she meant to him.
He lay awake all night simply holding her close. Tomorrow he would send out his troops to the remaining planets, then crush the rest of the resistance here. When that was taken care of, he would form the new alliance with them back into the Empire. Then they would leave this godforsaken planet and continue their conquest across the galaxy. His Empire will great, far better than his father's ever was. He and his woman will storm across the cosmos, conquering everything in their path. They would do it together, ruling the known galaxy side by side. Bringing the Sayian race into a new era of wealth and prosperity unknown to any other generation before. Races would tremble at the sound of their name and everyone would know to fear and respect them. It will be good and he will do it. He will do it with her by his side.
Bra ran through the palace halls, knocking over anyone dumb enough to get in her path. Tears flowed freely down her face and sobs came unbidden and raw from her throat.
No! Her mind screamed. No, this can't be happening. This can't be true.
Her life has been one living nightmare after another. Even after her father's betrayal to that horrid monster Kiao she is supposed to marry, she had kept her hope that she would find Goten before then. She'd managed to stay away from him for the last three months and tried to convince her father to change his mind. He wouldn't hear of it so she has spent the time plotting her escape. She planned to find Goten when he returned from the war, steal a ship and get as far away from here as she possibly could. It had been all that consumed her since she found out that her father intended to marry her off. But now . . . now it could never be.
She'd been listening to the hyper-com link in hopes of contacting her brother. She wanted to know how he and Pan were doing and when they thought the war would be over, when the distress message came across. A deadly ambush had been set up on Umata, taking out hundreds of soldiers. She listened, a rock of dread forming in her stomach as he listed off all the squads that had been annihilated in the first attack. Most of the squads had been third class, the planet wasn't supposed to offer much resistance.
Everything that had held her together for the past two years shattered in an instant. A dozen tiny fragments of love and hope falling as her world came crashing down on her. As if it had been nothing, as if no one out there would give a damn, with no emotion what so ever he listed squad #418. He just went on naming off all the others that had gone with them, but Bra didn't hear him.
Goten. That was Goten's squad. How? How could this have happened? He was a strong and smart fighter. How could they have just taken him out like that? Didn't they know that she needed him that she was waiting for him? He couldn't be dead . . . He couldn't be!
Bra reached her room and burst through the doors. She didn't know what to do. In the flash of an instant her entire life, all her hopes and dreams were torn apart again. She felt as if her heart was being ripped from her chest and crushed before her eyes. She sank to her knees, sobbing like a baby. How could she go on without him? How could she live with the knowledge that no matter what she did, no matter what happened now, she would never see him again?
She hadn't felt kind of heart breaking desperation since the night she left him. Nothing. She had nothing now. All was lost. The simple plan of finding him and taking off had given her so much hope, had pulled from the deadly nose dive into her own damnation. Now . . . now she truly had nothing left to live for.