Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Drifting Bliss ❯ It Is Not! ( Chapter 2 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Moon Star 
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 06.29.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 225 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 06.29.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 225 | Status: Completed
Moon Star
This is a Bra and Goten fan fiction... don't like, don't read.
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters.
Drifting Bliss
Chapter 2 : It Is Not!
The distinctive breeze blew in through the open doors. The loud sounds of laughter and tenacity escaped through any portal possible. The venue was full of happiness. The interpretation was that it was a pleasure that would astound you.
Bra sat in the middle of it, her suitcases already taken care of. She hadn't packed much. It wasn't as if she was going to do more than stay in the deck and maybe go swim by the outside pool that they have inside of the ship. Just enough clothes to go through the diners outside with the rest of the passengers.
All she had come for was relaxation and the less she accentuated herself with other contacts, the less she was going to do. She had a full week of nothing to do or preoccupy her. She was going to relax to the extreme. Plus, she didn't feel like it. And she wasn't a person to act for the sake of images.
They were still docked as there was still some minutes for the last boarders to board the cruise. And it was a majestic cruise.
It was much of the size of the boat and the luxury that were pressed in every corner that had made her mind spin. She was now sure that Pan had spent some money to get her such a suite. At least, what she had heard.
She'd only had three days to investigate in between moving and shopping trips. It wasn't only Pan with the idea of taking her out, but so was Marron and her brother. Pan and Marron made sure that she got out of the apartment moving business everyday by taking her to the mall to buy a pair of pants, or a blouse, or a pair of socks. Who knew?
And Trunks came almost everyday to take her to eat somewhere. Not a fancy thing or anything, but to a Chinese takeout, junk food places, anything but fully dressed. She didn't know whether to be scared of the reclusion she had in the past months that had brought all of this attentions.
It was just a sign that she needed to get away and make sure they knew that she was having an splendid time. It just didn't have to fill the bill of what they thought to be an splendid time. All she needed to do was to bronze herself and get back with dark skin. That was all the proof that she would need to show.
Looking around her, she made sure she got her bearings before turning to herself to her room. All she wanted to do now after spending more than 20 hours flying around the world, was to throw herself in her bed and close herself from everything. This jetlag was not going to go away if she didn't rest.
She passed many people. Workers and passengers to boot. All were smiling at her as she walked. She even thought that she saw a face or two familiar in between groups. She wouldn't be surprised. This was an expensive trade, she knew many people that were into these type of things.
She smiled back at another smiling face and turned to the inside hallways. Taking her entry card, she read the number. 6B. She wondered to what could have possessed her to think that she could go with the people to the decks and a tour of all six stages of the ship with the crankiness that possessed her.
She had never been one to do things without thinking rationally or her state. She had been doing that too much lately. And she sometimes didn't know why.
She suspected that it had been all because of him.
She read the plate of her room. The number blinked with the light it reflected in it's gold background. Expensive all the way. She passed the guard through the lock and waited for the entry code. She typed the number on the card that opened the locks for the first time, and then asked for the new one.
Technology truly was everything. Thinking carefully, a date engraved in her memory came. Four digits were asked for. 0521. The system beeped and the door slid automatically to the left.
Taking a deep breath, she entered. It was gorgeous. And big enough to have two normal bedrooms inside. Just the bed alone took out one fifth of the room. It was majestic. The door slid closed, and the lock clicked. She was finally alone.
She plunged to the bed and took in a whiff of the fine material. All new. Getting herself upwards, she looked at the ceiling and it's painting. They really had outdone their selves. It was the paradise that you'd always picture yourself to be in heaven. She felt it now.
Turning her head, she settled her cheek with the pillow and it's material. Her hand searched for the empty space. It was just enough to make her realize of the actual emptiness that nothing occupied. The scenery, the sounds, the room. It was too much.
A groan escaped her throat. She was so in love with those memories. Waking up at the similar bed. Her head onto his muscled chest. Her fingers gliding through the planes of his back. And him, his leg in between hers. His hands on her waist. And his breath at her ear. How could they have ended that?
* * *
He'd almost been left behind. Goten let a breath of gratitude to the man in the skies that so much liked him for not letting him miss the damn thing. It wasn't bad enough that Trunks was on his case for getting ready, but he could swear that his niece was a nagging woman.
How in the world had he survived her visits to his new apartment for the last months he didn't know. She was way too serious for her own age. That he was sure. He was about four years older and he knew more of how to have fun and waste the time than Pan.
The loud horn of departure had just wrung when he had stepped on the cruise. Never again would he stop to check on his accounts in such short notice a trip. He could have easily missed the trip, but he knew well that he wouldn't be able to survive Pan's glare and mouth.
She was intent on having him out of the country at this time. But then, it was preferably that he was away so that she wouldn't worry about him. He'd been out of the country for years working on a Capsule Corp branch in Europe. Just returned taking a side trip in which he had an affair.
Got himself half over the leaving part to find his angel right before him at his welcome back soirée. And to top it all off, Bra Briefs. The sister of his best friend, the best friend of his niece. And a girl he had practically known in her diapers.
He had wanted the earth to swallow him and to embrace and kiss his loving creature at the same time. It just had happened too fast for him. They'd met, exchanged first names. Never bothered to think of anything else. He was sure that she hadn't known either.
She'd been as surprised as he was. In fact, he had only known her for brief years in actuality before she went abroad to study in her early years. And he had left for his work some time before she actually returned.
They were right in front of one another. Trunks at his side smiling, telling him to remember his little sister and Pan at the other talking to Bra.
It had been both uncomfortable and amusing. He had seen her plenty of times afterwards. But he was sure that all of their friends had noticed their change.
It was too hard to pretend. He wasn't a great actor and he knew now that he'd never be able to hide it. Then the avoidance. Right after another night together that was. He couldn't help himself. And neither did she say no.
It was just so complicated in his eyes. And not really able to accomplish. The more he tried to avoid it the last months, the more he saw and understood of her. And she started the move to another city. He knew the reason, but was powerless to stop it.
It wasn't as if he was in love with her. But he cared and desired her enough to want her with him. He had wondered many times just why they hadn't thought of a relationship. But just being so close to each other's friends was a problem to go any deeper.
That was the only reason that he could think of that rationalized the problem. And now, he was in a cruise to forget some of the problems that bothered him.
One of the employees was leading him to his room. Him having arrived late, he hadn't time to think of anything but get settled.
"So Mark, it looks like the trip is a success," Goten said to his companion as he took in the marksmanship of the place.
"It is," Mark read once again the number of the card and turned on the hallway. "You'll be getting an awesome place. It's a room that has the greatest commodities."
"Good," they stopped in front of the door and he himself entered the lock code. "Press in a four number combination that you won't forget."
He stepped back to give him his space. The door slid open to the right. "Here you are."
Mark settled the suitcase by the door and gave Goten the card. "If you have any problems just call through the phone."
"Alright, thanks."
"Just ring if you need something," he turned and the door closed automatically after him.
"Finally alone."
* * *
"I hope you all enjoy your voyage," the captain raised his glass to a toast. All of the ship's occupants cheered and took a swing at their drinks. It was a night to be merry.
All of the vacationers had turned to the main room. It was an enormous ballroom that was made to house more than 1000 people. Just to say that it covered an entire floor of the vessel. The Angelus had started it's voyage without a hinge.
"Let's celebrate!" And the music started.
Couples graced the floor. The rhythm of the music enjoyable to the other passengers that chose to stay in their seats. Still, it was such a movement of people from one place to another, that it was difficult to notice and discover any new people around.
Bra took another sip of her champagne. Her attention captured by the hordes of children that laughed as they ran all along the floor. She couldn't help but smile at their antics and playing.
"Want a refill?" One of the waiters pressed through the crowds and tipped the champagne bottle at his hands.
"Yes, thanks Mark," Bra smiled at the young waiter. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen him before. Given, she was 23 years old, but she could guess that he was no more than 19.
"I trust it wasn't bad news." Before the activities, he had turned up at her room with a note. That's how she knew his name forehand. It was a note from Marron in which she had no idea how it had gotten there. She guessed that she might have found someone to deliver it to her.
Although the damn message was not really important. It was more of a joke that she couldn't understand. "No," she replied. "It was just something I had forgotten."
"Well, enjoy our cruise," he cheerfully pulled away to another table.
"I will, thank you," voices around them drowned in the comment. "Nice staff."
"You're telling me," a voice startled her from behind her. The young woman sat right beside her. And she was quite recognizable. "Sometimes too friendly."
"Karen?" Bra asked stupidly. She already knew who it was but the reflex of really wanting to prove it was too much. "What are you doing here?"
Karen looked from the crowd back to the other woman. Her mouth was set in a scowl. Seeing behind her, she could see a waiter smiling friendly with the women at the next table. They were flirting shamelessly in between.
"Women who cannot control their alcohol levels should not drink." Karen volunteered as she let her scowl transform into a smile. "It makes them look ridiculous."
"Right, sure," Bra needed a stiff drink right now. It was enough that the young 18 year old heiress was in the darn ship with her, but it had to be the only one that knew of her affair with Goten. Thank the gods that she wasn't one to take advantage of things. Too friendly too.
"Taking a relaxing vacation?"
"Yeah," Bra supplied. Karen drank the whole cup of champagne in one gulp. It didn't phase her appearance in any way.
"And only after three months of the interlude?" She smirked at Bra's grimace. She knew how to do what she was doing. "I didn't know you were such a gal."
"I'm not," Bra spit out. Her discomfort given away to the imp that smiled triumphant at her. "What are you doing here? A vacation yourself?" Shouldn't she be in college? Bra couldn't help but let the thought cross her mind. Although she knew well that the young woman in front of her knew too well what she needed to bother with anything else. She had the money to invest, and she invested it well. Sometimes Bra thought that she was too smart for her own good.
"No, I'm working." She announced, a little pride slipping into her voice. Karen knew that Bra would stand dumbfounded for some seconds. Working? Her? What for?
"Doing what?"
"Singing," Karen turned back toward the table again. The three women were watching carefully the movements of the waiter as he moved from table to table. Sometimes she wondered what the hell was wrong with some people. "I was hired as the entertainer of our restaurant-cafe. It's a mix in which you can go and have a quiet night drinking coffee with your friends or have a top romantic dinner."
"Still," Bra didn't know what to say.
"I have to go," Karen said swiftly. She rapped the chair and set it in it's place. "Luego amiga."
"Bye," Bra called out as she couldn't help but stare at her retreating figure. If she was to describe her 'friend', she would say too nosy. And too good looking and intelligent for her own good.
A fair complexion and a body that was to die for. Curbs in all the right places that made men turn their heads and gracefull hair that flowed at her back. Not to mention that it was at a extreme length. It reached right to below her knees.
She shook her head. It was no wonder that she always got what she wanted. She was sometimes too spoiled for her own good.
* * *
"Mark, over here!" The waiter turned around. He recognized him to be the same man that had been late getting in on the vessel. Damn, she moved fast. He was sure that he had seen her only minutes before at Bra's table.
He smiled as he reached the table. Tipping the new bottle of champagne, he refilled Goten's glass. He turned to refill Karen's, but she shook her head. "Can you get something stronger?"
"Stronger?" Mark asked, his eyes connecting with the older man's.
"Bring me a bottle of Bacardi," she ordered, taking out her card. "Put it in this tab," she looked to his name tag, but just for show. "Mark."
"Sure," he turned and disappeared from their view.
"Are you sure you should be drinking Karen?" Goten asked, his face set straight. "Aren't you a little underage?"
"Goten, you've spent years in the United States. There, you can't drink until you're 21. But, we are in the Caribbean. Plus, I'm over 18. I can do whatever I want in here at this age."
"Alright," Goten put his arms out in defeat. "Don't bite my head off."
"Wouldn't dream of it," she quickly replied at his comment. "You're too cute to bite. Now eat, that's another matter." She gave him an speculative look over.
He shifted in his seat. Two people made uncomfortable at the same day. Now that was priceless. "Don't say things like that."
"What things? Am I making you uncomfortable Goten-kun?" Her eyes glazed in a look of innocence. "How could this be?"
"Stop playing games Karen," he retreated from her teasing. "How about a dance?"
"I thought you were too old for me?" She asked as she stood up from her seat.
"13 years off to be precise, but who's counting." Both smiled and took to the floor.
Mark stopped at the table, both the card and the bottle at his hands. He looked for the dancing couple and left the items at the table. It was time to do his rounds once again.
"Oh, please," he heard the disdained tone. Uh-Oh. He turned, blocking in the view of part of the dancing couples as Bra appeared right before him. "I think those women want your attention." She said to him, signaling the table that she had been conversing once before.
"Oh boy," he dismissed it. "Need some more?"
"Sure," both stood observing the people around them. "I just hope to escape before I need to talk again."
"I wish I could." Mark remarked.
"That was nice," Karen's voice appeared behind them. She reached for the bottle, opening the top. She caught one of the small glasses and filled it to the rim. "Thanks Mark." She looked past his shoulder and found Bra. "Oh, hey. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your sweetheart."
"My sweetheart?" Bra asked taken aback. What was she talking about?
"What?" She noticed that Karen had both of her high heel shoes in her hand. One of them was missing part of the heel.
"I found it Karen," a triumphal man's voice filtered through her mind. "That should teach you the lesson to be more careful."
"Please Goten-kun," she rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"See, I hope you aren't mad." Karen smiled lightly at Bra. "Bra."
"Bra?" Goten looked past the turned shoulder of Mark and almost fell to the floor.
"What are you doing here Goten?" It wasn't a demanding question, but one she wanted answered.
"The same thing you are," Karen interrupted before Goten could open his mouth. "He's taking a relaxing time off from any responsibilities." She laced her arms around his.
Bra looked at the picture they made. The tall, dark Adonis and the fragile lady by his side. An scandalous thought filled her head and heart. "Are you here for her?"
"What?" Goten saw her expression. "No! What do you think I am?"
"He's not here with me or anything like that Bra-chan. It was a coincidence that I found him just like you. I can't believe that you are both here and didn't even know it. I thought you would be here together."
"What would make you think that?" Bra asked before she could think of the picture.
"Because of what I think." Karen simply replied as she took her shoes and the bottle. "Plus, I already have a person for myself. I don't need to be looking for someone else." With a huff, she pushed Goten to her and filled another cup of the rum. "I think I see the captain calling me." The gray-haired captain seemed to be signaling for her. "I'll see you later."
"I'll go with you," Mark said quickly, not wanting to get in the way. He took her shoes and accompanied her on her way.
"Thanks lover." She winked at him, earning a laugh from her company.
The endearment was not unnoticed by both players beside them. Now, many things made sense. Or maybe not?
"Why are you here?" Bra asked, her voice soft from the alcohol she had taken in the whole night. She too wasn't much of a drinker.
"I don't know," his eyes lingered at her face. His hands reaching for her cheeks. He trailed softly on her flush look. "But you're here. Why?"
"I don't know either," she couldn't take her eyes off of his eyes. It was just so impossible to notice anything else around them while he looked at her with such dominion and feeling. "Except." Her fingers prayed on her purse. She had Marron's note in her hand. She opened the note and reread the letter. Or note.
Bra, it's time for you to stop playing with yourself and
admit that you changed direction in your priorities. All
you need now is happiness. Take it and be happy. Your
present is open for you already, go inside of it's heart
and take all that it can offer.
Marron.
PS: You need to relax and get laid.
"Oh, god," her astonishment couldn't be hidden. Goten took the note and read it himself.
Goten looked up, part embarrassed, part enthralled with the note. "How did they know?"
"I don't know..." her voice trailed off as she looked through the crowds. She found the object of her search at the platform with the captain. Things were being set up, a microphone in her hand.
"I'd like you all to welcome," the old man smiled to the crowd as everyone gave him the attention. "The entertainer of the Sister Islands, Karen Mairan."
The crowd applauded. She took a vow. Her gaze lingered on the pair and gave a wink as she saw the letter in their hands.
"She wouldn't have," Goten said to Bra as he saw her speculative mirage.
"She's grinning," the accusation was confirmed. "I can't believe this."
"Welcome everyone," she greeted to everyone. "It's time to slow this down."
"Still," Goten took the cup of champagne on the table and drank it whole. "There's no way..."
"It makes sense." Bra sat down, Goten sitting with her. "Do you think everyone knew?"
"I don't know," Goten replied as he concentrated on her. She'd really lit the room with her dress. But more important was the appreciative glint in her persona. He knew at the moment the setup. "We were setup by our friends."
"With the motive of being away."
"And of picking off were we had left off."
"Is it working?" Bra asked her partner, feeling the tipsiness of the drinks already clouding her mind. Not that it needed more clouding from every time she saw him. She was a puddle.
"Yeah," he reached for her chair and glided it all the way to his. Now side by side. "Definitely." His mouth searched hers. Any unanswered prayers and answers being told in with the seductive movements or their tongues.
"Why do we always end up doing this when we see each other?" Bra questioned as she plunged into his caress once again.
He had no answer to the question that he had asked himself so many times in the last months. "I don't know." His hands met at her back, pushing her entirely to his lap. "But I like it."
"So do I," she uttered before brushing herself away from his embrace. She was drugged. He wasn't going to protest her moves. She looked back once before slipping away into the crowd. It was always like this.
Now the greatest reward
Is the light in your eyes
the sound of your voice
and the touch of your hand
you made me who I am
It was the light of her eyes, the sound of her voice, touch of their hands that really made him see the assertion of the song. It was too close to home.
That had been one of the factors that really had screwed it up for them. They'd never tried to take it out of the bedroom. It was perfect inside, never tried on the outside.
Why had he kissed her? Especially right now when he didn't know what he had to do.
"I care for you Bra," Goten murmured as he reached for the other glass at the table. "I never really show it, did I."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't have much to say. I hope you liked it.
Moon Star
This is a Bra and Goten fan fiction... don't like, don't read.
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters.
Drifting Bliss
Chapter 2 : It Is Not!
The distinctive breeze blew in through the open doors. The loud sounds of laughter and tenacity escaped through any portal possible. The venue was full of happiness. The interpretation was that it was a pleasure that would astound you.
Bra sat in the middle of it, her suitcases already taken care of. She hadn't packed much. It wasn't as if she was going to do more than stay in the deck and maybe go swim by the outside pool that they have inside of the ship. Just enough clothes to go through the diners outside with the rest of the passengers.
All she had come for was relaxation and the less she accentuated herself with other contacts, the less she was going to do. She had a full week of nothing to do or preoccupy her. She was going to relax to the extreme. Plus, she didn't feel like it. And she wasn't a person to act for the sake of images.
They were still docked as there was still some minutes for the last boarders to board the cruise. And it was a majestic cruise.
It was much of the size of the boat and the luxury that were pressed in every corner that had made her mind spin. She was now sure that Pan had spent some money to get her such a suite. At least, what she had heard.
She'd only had three days to investigate in between moving and shopping trips. It wasn't only Pan with the idea of taking her out, but so was Marron and her brother. Pan and Marron made sure that she got out of the apartment moving business everyday by taking her to the mall to buy a pair of pants, or a blouse, or a pair of socks. Who knew?
And Trunks came almost everyday to take her to eat somewhere. Not a fancy thing or anything, but to a Chinese takeout, junk food places, anything but fully dressed. She didn't know whether to be scared of the reclusion she had in the past months that had brought all of this attentions.
It was just a sign that she needed to get away and make sure they knew that she was having an splendid time. It just didn't have to fill the bill of what they thought to be an splendid time. All she needed to do was to bronze herself and get back with dark skin. That was all the proof that she would need to show.
Looking around her, she made sure she got her bearings before turning to herself to her room. All she wanted to do now after spending more than 20 hours flying around the world, was to throw herself in her bed and close herself from everything. This jetlag was not going to go away if she didn't rest.
She passed many people. Workers and passengers to boot. All were smiling at her as she walked. She even thought that she saw a face or two familiar in between groups. She wouldn't be surprised. This was an expensive trade, she knew many people that were into these type of things.
She smiled back at another smiling face and turned to the inside hallways. Taking her entry card, she read the number. 6B. She wondered to what could have possessed her to think that she could go with the people to the decks and a tour of all six stages of the ship with the crankiness that possessed her.
She had never been one to do things without thinking rationally or her state. She had been doing that too much lately. And she sometimes didn't know why.
She suspected that it had been all because of him.
She read the plate of her room. The number blinked with the light it reflected in it's gold background. Expensive all the way. She passed the guard through the lock and waited for the entry code. She typed the number on the card that opened the locks for the first time, and then asked for the new one.
Technology truly was everything. Thinking carefully, a date engraved in her memory came. Four digits were asked for. 0521. The system beeped and the door slid automatically to the left.
Taking a deep breath, she entered. It was gorgeous. And big enough to have two normal bedrooms inside. Just the bed alone took out one fifth of the room. It was majestic. The door slid closed, and the lock clicked. She was finally alone.
She plunged to the bed and took in a whiff of the fine material. All new. Getting herself upwards, she looked at the ceiling and it's painting. They really had outdone their selves. It was the paradise that you'd always picture yourself to be in heaven. She felt it now.
Turning her head, she settled her cheek with the pillow and it's material. Her hand searched for the empty space. It was just enough to make her realize of the actual emptiness that nothing occupied. The scenery, the sounds, the room. It was too much.
A groan escaped her throat. She was so in love with those memories. Waking up at the similar bed. Her head onto his muscled chest. Her fingers gliding through the planes of his back. And him, his leg in between hers. His hands on her waist. And his breath at her ear. How could they have ended that?
* * *
He'd almost been left behind. Goten let a breath of gratitude to the man in the skies that so much liked him for not letting him miss the damn thing. It wasn't bad enough that Trunks was on his case for getting ready, but he could swear that his niece was a nagging woman.
How in the world had he survived her visits to his new apartment for the last months he didn't know. She was way too serious for her own age. That he was sure. He was about four years older and he knew more of how to have fun and waste the time than Pan.
The loud horn of departure had just wrung when he had stepped on the cruise. Never again would he stop to check on his accounts in such short notice a trip. He could have easily missed the trip, but he knew well that he wouldn't be able to survive Pan's glare and mouth.
She was intent on having him out of the country at this time. But then, it was preferably that he was away so that she wouldn't worry about him. He'd been out of the country for years working on a Capsule Corp branch in Europe. Just returned taking a side trip in which he had an affair.
Got himself half over the leaving part to find his angel right before him at his welcome back soirée. And to top it all off, Bra Briefs. The sister of his best friend, the best friend of his niece. And a girl he had practically known in her diapers.
He had wanted the earth to swallow him and to embrace and kiss his loving creature at the same time. It just had happened too fast for him. They'd met, exchanged first names. Never bothered to think of anything else. He was sure that she hadn't known either.
She'd been as surprised as he was. In fact, he had only known her for brief years in actuality before she went abroad to study in her early years. And he had left for his work some time before she actually returned.
They were right in front of one another. Trunks at his side smiling, telling him to remember his little sister and Pan at the other talking to Bra.
It had been both uncomfortable and amusing. He had seen her plenty of times afterwards. But he was sure that all of their friends had noticed their change.
It was too hard to pretend. He wasn't a great actor and he knew now that he'd never be able to hide it. Then the avoidance. Right after another night together that was. He couldn't help himself. And neither did she say no.
It was just so complicated in his eyes. And not really able to accomplish. The more he tried to avoid it the last months, the more he saw and understood of her. And she started the move to another city. He knew the reason, but was powerless to stop it.
It wasn't as if he was in love with her. But he cared and desired her enough to want her with him. He had wondered many times just why they hadn't thought of a relationship. But just being so close to each other's friends was a problem to go any deeper.
That was the only reason that he could think of that rationalized the problem. And now, he was in a cruise to forget some of the problems that bothered him.
One of the employees was leading him to his room. Him having arrived late, he hadn't time to think of anything but get settled.
"So Mark, it looks like the trip is a success," Goten said to his companion as he took in the marksmanship of the place.
"It is," Mark read once again the number of the card and turned on the hallway. "You'll be getting an awesome place. It's a room that has the greatest commodities."
"Good," they stopped in front of the door and he himself entered the lock code. "Press in a four number combination that you won't forget."
He stepped back to give him his space. The door slid open to the right. "Here you are."
Mark settled the suitcase by the door and gave Goten the card. "If you have any problems just call through the phone."
"Alright, thanks."
"Just ring if you need something," he turned and the door closed automatically after him.
"Finally alone."
* * *
"I hope you all enjoy your voyage," the captain raised his glass to a toast. All of the ship's occupants cheered and took a swing at their drinks. It was a night to be merry.
All of the vacationers had turned to the main room. It was an enormous ballroom that was made to house more than 1000 people. Just to say that it covered an entire floor of the vessel. The Angelus had started it's voyage without a hinge.
"Let's celebrate!" And the music started.
Couples graced the floor. The rhythm of the music enjoyable to the other passengers that chose to stay in their seats. Still, it was such a movement of people from one place to another, that it was difficult to notice and discover any new people around.
Bra took another sip of her champagne. Her attention captured by the hordes of children that laughed as they ran all along the floor. She couldn't help but smile at their antics and playing.
"Want a refill?" One of the waiters pressed through the crowds and tipped the champagne bottle at his hands.
"Yes, thanks Mark," Bra smiled at the young waiter. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen him before. Given, she was 23 years old, but she could guess that he was no more than 19.
"I trust it wasn't bad news." Before the activities, he had turned up at her room with a note. That's how she knew his name forehand. It was a note from Marron in which she had no idea how it had gotten there. She guessed that she might have found someone to deliver it to her.
Although the damn message was not really important. It was more of a joke that she couldn't understand. "No," she replied. "It was just something I had forgotten."
"Well, enjoy our cruise," he cheerfully pulled away to another table.
"I will, thank you," voices around them drowned in the comment. "Nice staff."
"You're telling me," a voice startled her from behind her. The young woman sat right beside her. And she was quite recognizable. "Sometimes too friendly."
"Karen?" Bra asked stupidly. She already knew who it was but the reflex of really wanting to prove it was too much. "What are you doing here?"
Karen looked from the crowd back to the other woman. Her mouth was set in a scowl. Seeing behind her, she could see a waiter smiling friendly with the women at the next table. They were flirting shamelessly in between.
"Women who cannot control their alcohol levels should not drink." Karen volunteered as she let her scowl transform into a smile. "It makes them look ridiculous."
"Right, sure," Bra needed a stiff drink right now. It was enough that the young 18 year old heiress was in the darn ship with her, but it had to be the only one that knew of her affair with Goten. Thank the gods that she wasn't one to take advantage of things. Too friendly too.
"Taking a relaxing vacation?"
"Yeah," Bra supplied. Karen drank the whole cup of champagne in one gulp. It didn't phase her appearance in any way.
"And only after three months of the interlude?" She smirked at Bra's grimace. She knew how to do what she was doing. "I didn't know you were such a gal."
"I'm not," Bra spit out. Her discomfort given away to the imp that smiled triumphant at her. "What are you doing here? A vacation yourself?" Shouldn't she be in college? Bra couldn't help but let the thought cross her mind. Although she knew well that the young woman in front of her knew too well what she needed to bother with anything else. She had the money to invest, and she invested it well. Sometimes Bra thought that she was too smart for her own good.
"No, I'm working." She announced, a little pride slipping into her voice. Karen knew that Bra would stand dumbfounded for some seconds. Working? Her? What for?
"Doing what?"
"Singing," Karen turned back toward the table again. The three women were watching carefully the movements of the waiter as he moved from table to table. Sometimes she wondered what the hell was wrong with some people. "I was hired as the entertainer of our restaurant-cafe. It's a mix in which you can go and have a quiet night drinking coffee with your friends or have a top romantic dinner."
"Still," Bra didn't know what to say.
"I have to go," Karen said swiftly. She rapped the chair and set it in it's place. "Luego amiga."
"Bye," Bra called out as she couldn't help but stare at her retreating figure. If she was to describe her 'friend', she would say too nosy. And too good looking and intelligent for her own good.
A fair complexion and a body that was to die for. Curbs in all the right places that made men turn their heads and gracefull hair that flowed at her back. Not to mention that it was at a extreme length. It reached right to below her knees.
She shook her head. It was no wonder that she always got what she wanted. She was sometimes too spoiled for her own good.
* * *
"Mark, over here!" The waiter turned around. He recognized him to be the same man that had been late getting in on the vessel. Damn, she moved fast. He was sure that he had seen her only minutes before at Bra's table.
He smiled as he reached the table. Tipping the new bottle of champagne, he refilled Goten's glass. He turned to refill Karen's, but she shook her head. "Can you get something stronger?"
"Stronger?" Mark asked, his eyes connecting with the older man's.
"Bring me a bottle of Bacardi," she ordered, taking out her card. "Put it in this tab," she looked to his name tag, but just for show. "Mark."
"Sure," he turned and disappeared from their view.
"Are you sure you should be drinking Karen?" Goten asked, his face set straight. "Aren't you a little underage?"
"Goten, you've spent years in the United States. There, you can't drink until you're 21. But, we are in the Caribbean. Plus, I'm over 18. I can do whatever I want in here at this age."
"Alright," Goten put his arms out in defeat. "Don't bite my head off."
"Wouldn't dream of it," she quickly replied at his comment. "You're too cute to bite. Now eat, that's another matter." She gave him an speculative look over.
He shifted in his seat. Two people made uncomfortable at the same day. Now that was priceless. "Don't say things like that."
"What things? Am I making you uncomfortable Goten-kun?" Her eyes glazed in a look of innocence. "How could this be?"
"Stop playing games Karen," he retreated from her teasing. "How about a dance?"
"I thought you were too old for me?" She asked as she stood up from her seat.
"13 years off to be precise, but who's counting." Both smiled and took to the floor.
Mark stopped at the table, both the card and the bottle at his hands. He looked for the dancing couple and left the items at the table. It was time to do his rounds once again.
"Oh, please," he heard the disdained tone. Uh-Oh. He turned, blocking in the view of part of the dancing couples as Bra appeared right before him. "I think those women want your attention." She said to him, signaling the table that she had been conversing once before.
"Oh boy," he dismissed it. "Need some more?"
"Sure," both stood observing the people around them. "I just hope to escape before I need to talk again."
"I wish I could." Mark remarked.
"That was nice," Karen's voice appeared behind them. She reached for the bottle, opening the top. She caught one of the small glasses and filled it to the rim. "Thanks Mark." She looked past his shoulder and found Bra. "Oh, hey. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your sweetheart."
"My sweetheart?" Bra asked taken aback. What was she talking about?
"What?" She noticed that Karen had both of her high heel shoes in her hand. One of them was missing part of the heel.
"I found it Karen," a triumphal man's voice filtered through her mind. "That should teach you the lesson to be more careful."
"Please Goten-kun," she rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"See, I hope you aren't mad." Karen smiled lightly at Bra. "Bra."
"Bra?" Goten looked past the turned shoulder of Mark and almost fell to the floor.
"What are you doing here Goten?" It wasn't a demanding question, but one she wanted answered.
"The same thing you are," Karen interrupted before Goten could open his mouth. "He's taking a relaxing time off from any responsibilities." She laced her arms around his.
Bra looked at the picture they made. The tall, dark Adonis and the fragile lady by his side. An scandalous thought filled her head and heart. "Are you here for her?"
"What?" Goten saw her expression. "No! What do you think I am?"
"He's not here with me or anything like that Bra-chan. It was a coincidence that I found him just like you. I can't believe that you are both here and didn't even know it. I thought you would be here together."
"What would make you think that?" Bra asked before she could think of the picture.
"Because of what I think." Karen simply replied as she took her shoes and the bottle. "Plus, I already have a person for myself. I don't need to be looking for someone else." With a huff, she pushed Goten to her and filled another cup of the rum. "I think I see the captain calling me." The gray-haired captain seemed to be signaling for her. "I'll see you later."
"I'll go with you," Mark said quickly, not wanting to get in the way. He took her shoes and accompanied her on her way.
"Thanks lover." She winked at him, earning a laugh from her company.
The endearment was not unnoticed by both players beside them. Now, many things made sense. Or maybe not?
"Why are you here?" Bra asked, her voice soft from the alcohol she had taken in the whole night. She too wasn't much of a drinker.
"I don't know," his eyes lingered at her face. His hands reaching for her cheeks. He trailed softly on her flush look. "But you're here. Why?"
"I don't know either," she couldn't take her eyes off of his eyes. It was just so impossible to notice anything else around them while he looked at her with such dominion and feeling. "Except." Her fingers prayed on her purse. She had Marron's note in her hand. She opened the note and reread the letter. Or note.
Bra, it's time for you to stop playing with yourself and
admit that you changed direction in your priorities. All
you need now is happiness. Take it and be happy. Your
present is open for you already, go inside of it's heart
and take all that it can offer.
Marron.
PS: You need to relax and get laid.
"Oh, god," her astonishment couldn't be hidden. Goten took the note and read it himself.
Goten looked up, part embarrassed, part enthralled with the note. "How did they know?"
"I don't know..." her voice trailed off as she looked through the crowds. She found the object of her search at the platform with the captain. Things were being set up, a microphone in her hand.
"I'd like you all to welcome," the old man smiled to the crowd as everyone gave him the attention. "The entertainer of the Sister Islands, Karen Mairan."
The crowd applauded. She took a vow. Her gaze lingered on the pair and gave a wink as she saw the letter in their hands.
"She wouldn't have," Goten said to Bra as he saw her speculative mirage.
"She's grinning," the accusation was confirmed. "I can't believe this."
"Welcome everyone," she greeted to everyone. "It's time to slow this down."
"Still," Goten took the cup of champagne on the table and drank it whole. "There's no way..."
"It makes sense." Bra sat down, Goten sitting with her. "Do you think everyone knew?"
"I don't know," Goten replied as he concentrated on her. She'd really lit the room with her dress. But more important was the appreciative glint in her persona. He knew at the moment the setup. "We were setup by our friends."
"With the motive of being away."
"And of picking off were we had left off."
"Is it working?" Bra asked her partner, feeling the tipsiness of the drinks already clouding her mind. Not that it needed more clouding from every time she saw him. She was a puddle.
"Yeah," he reached for her chair and glided it all the way to his. Now side by side. "Definitely." His mouth searched hers. Any unanswered prayers and answers being told in with the seductive movements or their tongues.
"Why do we always end up doing this when we see each other?" Bra questioned as she plunged into his caress once again.
He had no answer to the question that he had asked himself so many times in the last months. "I don't know." His hands met at her back, pushing her entirely to his lap. "But I like it."
"So do I," she uttered before brushing herself away from his embrace. She was drugged. He wasn't going to protest her moves. She looked back once before slipping away into the crowd. It was always like this.
Now the greatest reward
Is the light in your eyes
the sound of your voice
and the touch of your hand
you made me who I am
It was the light of her eyes, the sound of her voice, touch of their hands that really made him see the assertion of the song. It was too close to home.
That had been one of the factors that really had screwed it up for them. They'd never tried to take it out of the bedroom. It was perfect inside, never tried on the outside.
Why had he kissed her? Especially right now when he didn't know what he had to do.
"I care for you Bra," Goten murmured as he reached for the other glass at the table. "I never really show it, did I."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't have much to say. I hope you liked it.
Moon Star