Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing the Boundaries ❯ Laying Down the Law ( Chapter 4 )

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

This chapter is a little longer, as per request *smiles* I'm a little short on time and experiencing computer glitches to boot, so it's the best I could do. I'm truly appreciative of the reviews...my sincerest thanks. Your kind words inspire me. I only hope that you all continue to enjoy this chapter and those to come. But I digress, on to the story....

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" Look at me," he demanded, and his voice sent a chill down my spine.

Even after he fell quiet, I could hear him speaking, not verbally, but in a faint indecipherable whisper inside my mind. Under normal circumstances I would just assume that I had tripped over that hazy line been sanity and the nut ward, but these weren't "normal" circumstances.

Little by little I was experiencing the genuine affects of the Saiya-jin mark upon my flesh. 'Where does it end?' the question echoed in the back of my mind. My life...my body...my very thoughts were no longer my own.

His hands clutched my shoulders roughly, and I shouted out in surprise and fear. The vision of his cold eyes gleaming in the candlelight flashed in my memory conflicting with the jolt of animalistic lust coursing through every particle of my being.

There wasn't enough time to consider the bizarre contradiction as the door swung open banging loudly off the wall. The man behind me never flinched as I heard Goku's booming voice cut through the silence, " What the hell is going on in here? "

" Nothing that concerns you, " Trunks replied calmly his hands still clenched on my shoulders.

I could feel his agitation at Goku's intrusion, but there was nothing more than that simple feeling. No guilt. No shame. And, most surprising, not the slightest fear of how the older, stronger Saiya-jin might react. Was he really so bold, so confident?

" Come on, Trunks, get away from her, " Goten said insistently. I could sense a note of concern in his words. They obviously had no idea that it was already too late.

Trunks spun to face them without releasing his hold on me. Goku stood in the doorway with his son close behind him. Goten's face showed unmasked worry, and I found it surprising since he'd scarce said a word to me since they'd arrived.

Goku on the other hand showed an altogether different reaction. Anger radiated from those dark eyes, his lips drawn together tightly in a deep frown. It was the first time I'd seen such a darkness in him. I shivered slightly at the transformation. " We talked about this, Trunks, get your hands off the girl. "

The young prince shoved me forward a few steps and lifted one hand to brush the hair back off my shoulder, " Too late, Goku. " There was a challenge hidden in the words he spoke. It dared Goku to try and do something about the crimson mark glaring there before him.

An uneasy silence descended over the room. Goten's eyes were wide with disbelief as he stared at me, and even Goku seemed shaken by the turn of events. I wanted to hide from their arrant gazes.

They studied me intently for a short time before Goku looked up, " Trunks..."

One word. Nothing more, but I could feel Trunks' irritation give way to an almost primal defensiveness. He growled softly, his grip tightening until I squealed loudly from the pain. " It is too late, " he said again, emphasizing the last two words.

" It isn't right. You can't do this! " Goku argued. The anger was still evident in his demeanor, but the conviction in his words was lacking now, as though making an adamant plea to an unstoppable force.

I didn't quite understand it. Why did Trunks suddenly feel so nervous? His ki fluctuated slightly. I could feel it raise then lower, almost like a pulsing sensation. I held my breath waiting to see what would happen next.

Goku's hand shot forward without warning and grabbed my wrist, yanking me away from Trunks. He pushed me over to Goten who just barely managed to keep me from falling into the hallway.

Trunks leapt forward, but Goku blocked his path, " Take her somewhere else, Goten. Trunks and I are going to discuss this matter. "

Goten took my arm leading me away from the room, but not before I caught the beginnings of an argument. We walked through the house without a word as the sounds from the bedroom continued to escalate.

He finally stopped when we got out to the porch. I could still hear them shouting but couldn't make out what was being said. A feeling of dread welled up in the pit of my stomach. Nothing good could come of this situation.

Goten was watching me. I could feel it, so I stole a quick glance in his direction. He immediately turned his eyes away unable, or more likely unwilling, to meet my gaze. But the moment I looked out over the railing I felt his penetrating stare return.

A wrenching pain took my breath away as I felt Trunks' anger flare viscously. It forced me to my knees, gasping, as the unmistakable sound of shattering glass erupted from inside the house.

Was this all my own fault? I thought numbly staring down at the dull red planks of wood beneath my hands. Had I inadvertently caused this whole tragedy? A loud crash confirmed that their heated argument had become a physical battle, and I fought not to break down.

" We should have kept a closer eye on you. "

I looked over at Goten who was crouched down beside me. " I don't understand any of this, " I said quietly.

" Of course you don't, " he stated quite matter-of-factly, " you're human."

" Excuse me? If I recall correctly, you're half human, " I reminded him indignantly then gestured towards the house, " and so is he. "

" And we're half Saiya-jin which makes all the difference in the world. Saiya-jin traits are dominant, and we're still driven by the same instincts as... "

Goku reappeared just then wiping a thin trickle of blood from his lip, but hardly a strand of hair was out of place. Thankfully the fight had remained somewhat reasonable. It was mind boggling to consider what could have been if they'd gone all out. As it stood, I was reluctant to see the state of my room.

" Goten, Trunks is not allowed anywhere in her vicinity, and she is not to be left alone under any circumstances. Is that understood? "

" Sure, but... "

Goku quickly cut him off, " No exceptions. I'll tell Gohan the same when he gets back and speak with Vegeta as well. "

I looked up hesitantly as he spoke wondering if he was even aware that I was sitting there. First Trunks had taken my body with his forceful touch then my freedom with his mark. Vegeta had disregarded my worth and taken my pride with little more than a glance. Now Goku dared to stand there, with no consideration for what I wanted, deciding my fate.

" No! " I rebutted climbing to my feet, " I'm not going to be looked after like some little child! The damage is already done. Just who the hell do you Saiya-jin think you are anyway? I'm tired of you guys treating me like...like...a pawn in some sadistic game! "

I didn't realize what I was saying. If my thoughts were clear I could have seen that he was only trying to protect me. He only wanted to help. But I was blinded by my confusion, my fear, and that part of myself that craved the feeling of Trunks' body against mine once more, and that is also why I failed to see the hurt that flickered in Goku's eyes at my outburst.

" You have no idea what you're talking about, " he said evenly. It was apparent that he was trying to be patient, but his effort was lost to me just then.

" That's because no one will tell me anything! " I shouted pointing an accusing finger at his chest, " Not Trunks, not you and certainly NOT Vegeta who looks at me like some little parasite not worth his almighty attention! Do you think I asked for this? Do you think I wanted it? No one gave me a choice!

Everything I assumed was based on fiction. Until a week ago, I had no idea that any of you even existed. Now I'm so tangled up in your god damn world that I'm sick of it! You hear me! SICK OF IT! "

Goku looked at me as though he were going to say something, but instead he turned to Goten, " Keep them apart, Goten. I'm counting on you. "

He went back inside immediately leaving me staring unbelievingly after him. 'Goku, how could you?' I thought watching the door close behind him. I truly thought that I could count on him to understand, but it seemed that he was no better than the others.

" He knows what he's doing, " Goten attempted to reassure me, but I wasn't convinced.

I had channeled so much of my anger into that little tangent that I could do nothing more than look at him wearily and sigh.

It had been less than twenty-four hours since this had all begun, and I knew little more than nothing about what was happening to me. I could still feel Trunks' presence inside of me, intertwined with some deep subconscious piece of my soul. His mood had shifted away from the rage that Goku had incited, and now it was becoming something new...something desperate. I just didn't know what to make of it.

" Maybe I should have stayed out. "

Goten and I both jumped at the sound of Gohan's voice. He was standing on the porch steps with an inquisitive expression on his face and several bags in his hands. It looked as though he was honestly debating whether he should stay or turn and make a run for it.

" Can't stay away forever, " Goten offered a weak smile trying vainly to lighten the mood. " Dad's inside. He wants to talk to you about something. "

Gohan's gaze shifted from his brother to me then back. He took a deep breath and ascended the remaining stairs pausing only briefly to look at us once more before entering the house.

A moment later we heard a loud exclamation along the lines of " HE DID WHAT? ". I didn't care anymore. Gohan may as well know...everyone else did. I was just hoping that he'd stay inside the house, so that I wouldn't have to listen to them discussing my personal life.

" Do you want something to eat? "

I started laughing at the question. It was just a small giggle really, but it was so inopportune at the moment that Goten's face suddenly exhibited an almost fearful expression. He thought that I was having a nervous breakdown.

In truth, the question had just sounded so ridiculously mundane in the midst of this chaos that I'd found it humorous. It passed quickly though as I narrowed my eyes at him " Of all things to ask me, " I muttered.

" Well, I just thought that...I mean...I didn't think that you..." Goten stopped short. There was a long pause then, " I was just trying to be nice, " he huffed.

" Then tell me what's going on. What's happening to me? Why did he do it? He obviously doesn't care about me, so what's the point? Can it be undone? Will it at least get better eventually? " I hadn't meant to dump all those questions on him, but he was there. It was a simple case of wrong place, wrong time.

He laid a hand lightly on my shoulder, but moved it when I flinched against the well meaning gesture, " I don't have the answers you want. I'm not even sure if my dad knows all about it. Vegeta could probably tell you a lot if you could get him to talk, but the only one who can answer the whys is Trunks. "

There was such a sincerity in his voice that I couldn't ignore it. He wanted to help but just didn't have the resources. I was expecting entirely too much from him and blaming him for something in which he'd played no part. " I'm sorry, Goten. "

" It's all right, " he shrugged slightly, " Now come on, we' ll go grab a sandwich or something. "

I moved to follow him but couldn't stop myself from sneaking a final longing glance at the house. Goku insisted that Trunks and I be kept apart, but deep down, I wasn't sure if I could stay away.