Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing the Boundaries ❯ Confrontation ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

I awoke the next morning alone, filtered sunlight trickling through the black curtains hanging protectively over the window across from my bed. In those few moments between slumber and consciousness, I tried to convince myself that it had only been a dream, but that was nothing more than a useless mind game.

As I stirred my body ached, but I ignored the feeling, quickly lifting a hand to the side of my neck. Trembling fingertips lightly brushed the spot where I'd felt him pierce the flesh, and I winced feeling the tender raised mark emblazoned there.

Panic rose in my chest as I fought to understand the meaning behind his actions. Why me? I should have been elated, but I could find no comfort in the brutal memory of the previous night. Shame flooded my conscious as I felt my body warm to the thought of his touch. Betrayal! my mind screamed silently, and I choked back a sob.

I slipped from the bed, covers still strewn haphazard over the mattress; pillows laying forgotten on the floor next to the tattered remains of my night gown. The candle had burned away completely, it's crimson wax having trickled over the edge of the dresser and onto the carpet like a pool of blood.

Quickly pulling on fresh clothing, I hurried from the room, desperate to escape the vision of his naked body glistening in the candle light. My thoughts were torn as I made my way to the kitchen. I hated him for what he'd done. Right? He'd corrupted the innocent fantasies of a love struck fan girl, but was it truly his fault that I'd been mislead to believe he was something other than what he was?

It was then that I was faced with something I hadn't yet considered. The Saiya-jin no Ouji was standing in the kitchen, his gaze fixed on some distant spot outside the window. Though his back was to me, I could see that his arms were crossed over his chest in a typical Vegeta-style pose.

My stomach turned and my legs grew weak, nearly folding underneath me with this new realization. How would the arrogant prince react to what his son had done, marking a lowly human? I was about to turn tail and run when his deep voice froze me in my tracks. " Stop right there, girl. "

I tried to distinguish the emotion hidden beneath the words, but if it was there, I couldn't find it. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I was suddenly all too aware of the tender area on my neck and quickly flipped my hair over my shoulder to hide it.

" Ignorant child, " Vegeta growled, " don't think that I can't smell him all over you from here. I know what my foolish spawn has done. This house isn't soundproof, you know. "

I could swear there was a hint of amusement in that final statement, and I blushed furiously knowing what he'd heard. At the same time, a wave of longing rippled through my body, and I swallowed hard trying to ignore it.

Vegeta turned to me then. His onyx stare cut through me like a knife; the accusations and contempt obvious in its endless depth. He would make no attempt to mask his disapproval of my unwelcome intrusion on his precious royal lineage.

The silence between us was unbearable. What did he want from me? I was being condemned for an act that had been completely beyond my control. I was the victim, hurt physically and mentally by a man whom I'd blindly adored. Why did he insist on staring at me as if the sin were my own?

I was overwhelmed by a relentless urge to slap the condescending smirk right off the prince's face. " Quit staring at me! " I screamed stomping my foot like an angry child.

He merely rolled his eyes, no doubt disgusted by my infantile behavior. He was a hardened warrior, born and bred to conquer worlds, and I was nothing. There was no need for him to say it, I could see it written plainly in his expression.

Unable to tolerate this unjust scrutiny any longer, I bolted out the front door, nearly hitting Goten in my haste. I paused long enough to catch the look of utter confusion in his eyes before shoving past him and running for the car.

The entire time I could feel his gaze following me. No doubt he wanted to know what was happening. Let Vegeta explain it to him, or better yet, Trunks. Why should it be my responsibility to announce how the young prince had raped me and marked me against my will? I had enough to deal with already!

As I slammed the car door behind me I realized that the keys were still in my purse. That was the final straw. I laid my head on the steering wheel and broke down in grief stricken sobs.

Where had the fantasy gone wrong? I'd pictured it in my mind, step by step, a million times, but not once had it turned out anything like this. It was so unfair. I had no control!

The breath caught in my throat as I felt an odd tingling sensation along the back of my neck. My pulse quickened, and I knew without a doubt that he was near. The feeling grew stronger with each passing second, and my traitorous body reacted to his approach with a surge of heated desire.

After a moment's hesitation I threw open the car door again and leapt out of the seat. Maybe I could get the keys and leave before he arrived. It was the only chance I had.

Sprinting back to the house, I was relieved to find that Vegeta was no where to be seen. Only Goku and Goten were standing in the living room speaking quietly to one another. I didn't look at them. 'Do they already know?' I wondered with a sinking feeling. Tears sprung to my eyes once more at the thought.

Once inside the room, I grabbed my purse from the dresser and began searching desperately for the keys. Too late.

Every muscle in my body tensed and trembled. I could feel his presence behind me like a tangible force, and his distinct scent permeated the air around me like a heady perfume. There are no words to adequately describe the intensity of being in such close proximity to him...it defied explanation.

The purse fell from my hands; its contents clattering across the carpet as I stood there paralyzed by my own paradoxical emotions. I feared him yet I yearned to feel his touch, and though I wanted more than all else to hate him, there existed a need for him that I could not deny.