Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dude Looks Like A Lady ❯ Eighty FIve ( Chapter 85 )

Innocence is Futile

Dude Looks Like A Lady
By Alison Sky and Raven Pan

Chapter Eighty-Five
JULY 20, 800 - SUNDAY

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It was a family Sunday dinner at the Son family homestead. Chi Chi and Goku sat back, watching, as both their sons sat with their families. Gohan and Videl were chatting and laughing as Goten worked to feed all three of this kids.

Vegeta and Bulma were there as well, and Vegeta was slipping extra food to Gotenks while Bulma slapped Vegetaââ'¬â"¢s chest playfully, muttering something about spoiling the toddler. Bra and Pan sat nearby, chatting.

"So, where's Marron?" Videl asked after a bit, and then squeaked a bit as Gohan nudged her.

"She had rehearsal," Goten stated, cutting some more food for a waiting Teena. "And her parents were going to come inland to take her to dinner afterwards," he stated.

"Well, that's good," Goku said. "Krillin needs to come inland more often. Maybe I'll hunt him down afterwards."

"I'm sure he'd like it." Goten nodded.

They were silent for a bit, the whole table, and then Goten looked back at everyone. "Ok, why do I suddenly feel like you're going to ask something I'm not going to like?" he stated.

ââ'¬Å"Well, Goten, weââ'¬â"¢ve been talking,ââ'¬ï¾ Videl started, and Gohan nudged her again.

ââ'¬Å"Goten, honey,ââ'¬ï¾ Chi Chi started. ââ'¬Å"Weââ'¬â"¢re just wonder what is going on between you and Marron, thatââ'¬â"¢s all.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Nothingââ'¬â"&c ent;s going on, Mom,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated. ââ'¬Å"I asked her to move in because she lives in the area anyways and itââ'¬â"¢s free room for her, and she helps watch the kids. They love her, and it gives me a friend in the city I can depend on.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Are you sure thatââ'¬â"¢s all?ââ'¬ï¾ Videl asked, raising an eyebrow.

ââ'¬Å"Yes...ââ'¬&iu ml;¾ Goten said, giving his sister-in-law a look. ââ'¬Å"Why would you think otherwise?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Well, you two hang out a lot, and you do look good together...ââ'¬ï¾ Videl stated.

ââ'¬Å"Videl....ââ'¬& iuml;¾

ââ'¬Å"And you really need to look for a mother for your kids,ââ'¬ï¾ Chi Chi stated.

ââ'¬Å"They have a mother,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten said softly, turning his attention to Teena, who blew a raspberry at Goten, getting cranberry bits all over his face. He smiled, wiping his napkin over his face. ââ'¬Å"They donââ'¬â"¢t need anyone else.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"But Goten...ââ'¬ï¾ Chi Chi started, but Goku placed a hand gently on hers and shook his head.

ââ'¬Å"Let it be, Chi,ââ'¬ï¾ he said softly.

Dinner was quick and quiet after that, and after dark, Goten was out on the lawn, leaning back while Truten sat in his lap, looking at the stars. Vegeta opened the door and walked out, standing beside Goten.

ââ'¬Å"Look at the pretty stars, Grandpa!ââ'¬ï¾ Truten said, pointing upwards.

Vegeta smirked, sitting down, and Truten crawled into his lap. He looked a bit panicked at first, but relaxed as she kissed his cheek, then sat and stared upwards.

ââ'¬Å"You know... he would want you to move on,ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta said softly.

Goten closed his eyes. ââ'¬Å"Not you too, Vegeta....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Just listen, Brat.ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta ran a hand through Trutenââ'¬â"¢s hair. ââ'¬Å"My son only wanted the best for you and the kids. Living by yourself I donââ'¬â"¢t think fulfills that.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"I donââ'¬â"¢t want some other woman coming in and taking over that place in their minds,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated.

ââ'¬Å"Neither do any of us... and trust me, Brat, Iââ'¬â"¢ll make sure they never forget my son.ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta looked up at the stars. ââ'¬Å"But this honoring... you are only hurting yourself.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Maybe itââ'¬â"¢s my penance?ââ'¬ï¾ Goten said.

ââ'¬Å"For what?ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta raised an eyebrow.

Goten sighed. ââ'¬Å"For everything. For hurting Trunks. For hurting my children. For everything.ââ'¬ï¾

Vegeta shook his head. ââ'¬Å"No man should ever be alone, Goten. A family is what makes you complete.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"I have my family....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"You have your children, boy. Youââ'¬â"¢ll be there to care for them, but who will care for you? Your parents wonââ'¬â"¢t be here forever... and you canââ'¬â"¢t depend on your brother for everything.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Iââ'¬â"¢ll survive.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Look at me, Goten.ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta stared at the demi-saiyan. ââ'¬Å"When I came to this planet, I wanted nothing more to destroy it. Then my priorities changed. All because of that damn Onna.ââ'¬ï¾

Goten looked at Vegeta sideways. ââ'¬Å"What do you mean?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"I would have left here years ago, but I didnââ'¬â"¢t. Because there was something about her. She took care of me, tolerated me even when I was downright cruel to her. That is what love does, boy. It makes you stop thinking about yourself, and only them.ââ'¬ï¾

Goten lowered his head. ââ'¬Å"I used to think that if you loved someone, it was this feeling inside, and you proclaimed it, and you shared it.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Sometimes, though, you donââ'¬â"¢t know the feeling, or understand it,ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta stated. ââ'¬Å"And sometimes you deny them for the better good. But you show it in other ways... right?ââ'¬ï¾

Goten sighed. ââ'¬Å"Yeah....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Though I hate to admit it, I think my son did love you, Goten,ââ'¬ï¾ Vegeta scowled. ââ'¬Å"I just donââ'¬â"¢t think he knew he did until it was too late... and everything had fallen apart. He just wasnââ'¬â"¢t given the time he needed to fix it.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"How do you know that?ââ'¬ï¾ Goten asked.

Vegeta chuckled, kissing Trutenââ'¬â"¢s head, and then handing her back to Goten. ââ'¬Å"Heââ'¬â"¢s my son. Heââ'¬â"¢s just like me.ââ'¬ï¾ With that, Vegeta walked back to the Son home.

Goten just watched his back, then looked back at the stars, thoughtful. Truten snuggled against Goten, and fell asleep as her father pondered Vegetaââ'¬â"¢s words.

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JULY 21, 800 - MONDAY

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ââ'¬Å"And thatââ'¬â"¢s what make all us Colorful Rainbow Monkeys happy... its being loved!ââ'¬ï¾

Goten stifled a yawn at the childrenââ'¬â"¢s movie that was playing, then looked down at the twins. Each one had fallen asleep with their tails in their mouths, sleeping peacefully. ââ'¬Å"Yeah guys, that one was really a snoozer,ââ'¬ï¾ he joked softly.

ââ'¬Å"I like Color Rainbow Monkeys, Papa,ââ'¬ï¾ Truten whined softly, snuggled up in Marronââ'¬â"¢s lap on the other end of the couch.

ââ'¬Å"Itââ'¬â"& cent;s ok to like them,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten told her as Marron chuckled, petting the girlââ'¬â"¢s hair. ââ'¬Å"Papa is just old and likes different things, thatââ'¬â"¢s all.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"I used to like the rainbow monkeys growing up too,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron told her. ââ'¬Å"Then I liked the smurfs, and then I was really into Hello Kitty.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Kitty?ââ'¬ï&frac 34; Truten looked at Goten and smiled.

ââ'¬Å"Oh no, Truten, itââ'¬â"¢s too late at night to get into this topic. Its bedtime,ââ'¬ï¾ He picked the twins up carefully and started to stand.

ââ'¬Å"But I really want a kitty, Papa!ââ'¬ï¾ Truten stated.

ââ'¬Å"And Iââ'¬â"¢m allergic to them, cutie,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated. ââ'¬Å"Thatââ'¬â"¢s why we got the fish tank and you got your new stuffed cat.ââ'¬ï¾

Truten pouted and looked over at the fish tank in the living room. It was a big aquarium that had about 6 fish in it right now. All six were clownfish. All were named Nemo. Goten was going to kill that dvd real soon... ââ'¬Å"Can I pet Nemo?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Tomorrow. Right now its bedtime,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated, walking towards the bedroom. Marron wrapped her arms around the three year old and followed. She helped get Truten ready for bed while Goten took care of the twins.

ââ'¬Å"Auntie Marron?ââ'¬ï¾ Truten asked, digging in her drawer for her favorite pair of pajamas.

ââ'¬Å"Yes sweetie?ââ'¬ï¾ Marron replied, fluffing her pillow and turning down the bed.

ââ'¬Å"Are you really going to live next door, or are you just staying there for awhile?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Well, your father gave the apartment to me,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron said. ââ'¬Å"So I donââ'¬â"¢t know how long Iââ'¬â"¢ll be staying, but I think it will be for a long time.ââ'¬ï¾

Truten smiled, pulling out her pajamas. ââ'¬Å"Yay! Then we can play everyday!ââ'¬ï¾

Marron laughed and took the clothes, then helped Truten undress. ââ'¬Å"Well, I donââ'¬â"¢t know about EVERY day, but weââ'¬â"¢ll see.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Youââ'¬â"¢ re a really nice lady, Auntie Marron,ââ'¬ï¾ Truten said as Marron dressed her. ââ'¬Å"Are you going to be my new Mommy?ââ'¬ï¾

Marron looked up a bit. ââ'¬Å"What gave you that idea?ââ'¬ï¾ she asked the three year old.

ââ'¬Å"Youââ'¬â"&c ent;re always with Papa, an' heââ'¬â"¢s happy when youââ'¬â"¢re there,ââ'¬ï¾ Truten stated.

ââ'¬Å"And Videl was talking at the dinner table yesterday and she hasnââ'¬â"¢t dropped the subject since,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten added from the doorway, sighing. ââ'¬Å"Truten....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Sorry Papa,ââ'¬ï¾ Truten said, then ran over and hugged her fatherââ'¬â"¢s leg. ââ'¬Å"I didnââ'¬â"¢t mean to tattle.ââ'¬ï¾

Goten leaned down and picked her up, kissing her cheek. ââ'¬Å"Itââ'¬â"¢s ok, but no more talking about new Mommies, ok?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Ok.ââ'¬ï¾

Walking to her bed, Goten laid her down and tucked her in tight while Marron quietly made her way to the door. She watched as the father and daughter said their prayers, exchanged kisses, and stayed until Goten was at her side.

ââ'¬Å"Goodnight Cutie,ââ'¬ï¾ he said, turning off the light. The tiny glow from the nightlight filled the room.

ââ'¬Å"Night Papa. Night Auntie Marron.ââ'¬ï¾ Truten said, then snuggled up to her stuffed cat in one arm, her Bearly in the other.

Goten led Marron from the room and closed the door almost all the way, then sighed. ââ'¬Å"Sorry about that,ââ'¬ï¾ he said softly as he guided her back into the living room.

ââ'¬Å"Oh, itââ'¬â"¢s ok,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron said softly. ââ'¬Å"I find it amusing.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"You would,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten smirked as he flopped back onto the couch. Marron sat next to him. ââ'¬Å"Videl was bugging me, again, that I needed to stop moping about and start dating again. And of course she mentioned that since youââ'¬â"¢re living with me... well, Truten took that and went off running, thinking you were going to be her new Mommy.ââ'¬ï¾

Marron chuckled, reaching for her can of soda on the table. ââ'¬Å"Well, I think Videl is right,ââ'¬ï¾ she stated. ââ'¬Å"You need to go back out dating.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Mar, not you too...ââ'¬ï¾ Goten whined, leaning his head back.

ââ'¬Å"Itââ'¬â"&c ent;s been how long now, Goten? Youââ'¬â"¢ve been a guy for almost two years again.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Iââ'¬â"¢m not ready,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated.

ââ'¬Å"Youââ'¬â "¢re never going to be ready,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron said softly. ââ'¬Å"You keep yourself in an emotional hole, thinking youââ'¬â"¢ll never be able to love anyone else like you did Trunks.ââ'¬ï¾

Goten sighed and slouched a bit more in his chair. ââ'¬Å"Mar....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"Goten, those kids do need a mother... itââ'¬â"¢s hard enough that they are going to inherit special powers from their parents, but as they get older, theyââ'¬â"¢re going to need emotional support and guidance.ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"And Iââ'¬â"¢ll be here for that,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten explained.

ââ'¬Å"But there are certain things that only a mother can talk to them about,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron said. ââ'¬Å"Like when they get their first period... or how their body changes...."

Goten raised an eyebrow. ââ'¬Å"I think I can qualify to explain that too, Mar... I did give birth to the twins...ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated.

ââ'¬Å"You know what I mean, though,ââ'¬ï¾ Marron sighed.

ââ'¬Å"I know, but I just donââ'¬â"¢t think Iââ'¬â"¢m ready... or that I will ever BE ready,ââ'¬ï¾ Goten stated. ââ'¬Å"Iââ'¬â"¢m happy... shouldnââ'¬â"¢t that be enough?ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"For you, yes... but you have to think about them to.ââ'¬ï¾

Goten nodded, leaning back onto the couch. Marron moved a bit, letting Goten stretch his longer legs out, and she snuggled up into him. Goten absently played with her hair. ââ'¬Å"I just donââ'¬â"¢t want them to forget about Trunks....ââ'¬ï¾

ââ'¬Å"They wonââ'¬â"¢t," Marron said, snuggling closer. "You're starting that scrapbook, right?"

"Yeah, I have almost everything ready..." Goten said. "I just need to actually do it now."

"Then get off your butt and do it," Marron looked up at him, smiling. "Or I'll kick it."

"Is that a promise?" Goten smirked.

Marron chuckled, reaching up to run a hand along Goten's cheek. He closed his eyes and nuzzled it a moment, then pulled away. Marron sighed and sat up a bit. "Goten..."

"Mar... please..." he said softly.

"You're starving for affection, Goten," Marron said softly. "You can't keep up this facade."

"Mar, I already told you..." he said, then stopped as Marron leaned forward to kiss him. He struggled for a moment, but Marron had him pinned down, and his own need to be held, to be loved, surfaced and he kissed her back.

They stayed like that for a long time, a soft kiss between them both, Marron bringing her hands to gently stroke Goten's face, until she felt the wetness of tears. She pulled away, and Goten looked up at her, his eyes red from soft crying. "Oh Goten..." she said. "I'm sorry...."

Goten shook his head, then reached up to grab her and pull her close, shaking a bit as he just held her and cried. Marron stroked his hair gently, his tears soaking into her shirt. "Goten, it's ok... its ok."

"Mar... I'm sorry... I just can't...."

"Goten, I'm not asking for anything from you," Marron said softly, kissing the top of his head. "I just want to be here for you, any way that I can... if you'll let me."

"Just hold me..." Goten said softly.

Marron nodded, shifting so that she lay along the couch, Goten on top of her. He rested there a moment, then started to kiss her shoulders a bit. Marron sighed and smiled, playing her hands in his short, choppy hair.

Goten leaned up and started to kiss her again, needful. Marron returned it, her hands rubbing his back gently, soothingly, as she felt the tears dripping onto her cheeks.

He just needed someone to care for him. He didn't want love, he didn't want commitment... he just wanted someone to hold him and tell him everything was going to be ok.

Marron continued to kiss him until she felt Goten's kisses becoming gentler, and she pulled her head back. He just turned his head to his side, half asleep from exhaustion and snuggled up against her.

"It's going to be ok, Goten... don't worry," she said softly as she stroked his hair. "You have a lot of people who care about you. You're going to be fine." She wiggled a bit, getting herself comfortable, then fell asleep, Goten wrapped safely in her arms.

.

JULY 30, 800 - WEDNESDAY

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The twins already asleep, Truten toddled into the kitchen with her bear and climbed up into a chair to sit beside Goten as he wrote.

Goten smiled and looked over. "Hey Cutie... aren't you supposed to be getting ready for bed?"

"Not sleepy," She said, snuggling her bear as she watched him.

"But it's time, cutie... and I can see you're body is tired," Goten stated.

"Okay, I AM tired.... but dun wanna sleep," she pouted.

"How come?"

Truten shifted uncomfortably in her seat and mumbled something under her breath.

"I didn't hear you," Goten sing songed.

Truten climbed out of the chair and backed away a little... out of reach. "Uhm... I know I promised Uncle Momma and you and that I can't ask but uhm, Rindercella," she stepped back again for good measure as she watched her Father worriedly

Goten sighed. "I really would, cutie... but I can't read it like your Uncle did..." he said softly. "I wish I could."

"But it's a really good story," she bit her lip. "An I miss it...."

Goten thought a moment. "How about this? Why don't you read it to ME tonight?"

Truten brightend, "really? You're not mad an stuff?!"

"Of course not," Goten said, saving his file. "I need to learn how to read it, and who else will teach it to me."

Truten bounced then ran to the bedroom to find the book, a small book, with only two pictures in it, the rest entirely words.

Goten finished saving and closed the computer down. "You want to tuck me into bed too?" he asked as he walked to her room.

"Yeah!" She got the book and took his hand, the bear tucked under her arm as she started walking him back toward his room.

Goten chuckled and followed. "But I didn't get my milk yet..." he whined.

"Okay, you can get milk an I'll wait," she said, letting go his hand and scampering off toward his room.

Goten smiled and walked to the kitchen, getting a small glass of milk for them to share. He then went to his room.

Truten had already climbed onto the bed and was sitting on the bottom of it.

Goten smiled then took off, bouncing on the bed slightly, making sure the milk didn't spill. "Story time!" he squealed like a little kid.

Truten giggled, "You gotsta get under the covers an I tuck you in, Papa."

Goten smiled, then did as his daughter requested. "Come here so I can snuggle you," he said.

She came up to him and snuggled, opening the book to the first page, with the first of the pictures. It was black and white, of a girl sitting on the ground under a tree in a ragged dress.... but the hair had been coloured in purple.

"Okay... I hope I get it right," Truten said. "Once 'pon a time, cause that's how all good stories start, there was two princes. One had a castle up on a talll mountain - and the other dinnit have a kingdom anymore cause he was exiled. That means he dinnit have a home no more," she told him. "And they was good friends, bestest friends," she nodded, looking at her Papa.

"Uh huh..." Goten raised an eyebrow.

"An the Exile Prince was called Rinder... Cinderella. Cause he had to live with mean peoples and had to sleep by the fire - cause they didn't have heat," she told him. "He lived with a mean old man, and his daughters, their names was Paris and Hisa," Truten told him. "An they were real mean to Cinderella, an pretended to be nice to the Prince of the Mountain. Uncle never tole me his name," Truten offered.

Goten smiled, petting Truten's hair. "The princes tend not to have names, so they could be whoever you wanted them to be," Goten told her.

"Oh," she nodded. "Well, Cinderella had to do the stuff people told him to do, and sometimes his purple hair got real dirty. One time he was outside tryin to wash it by the river, when The Prince from the Mountain wanted to give his horse somethin to drink. That's how they was friends when they were kids." She told Goten. "But when they got grown up, they dinit get to see eachothers all the time, cause they had to work and stuff."

Goten chuckled a bit, snuggling with his daughter a bit more.

"Well, Paris started goin out with the Prince from tha Mountain, an she pretended to be all nice to him. But when she was at home, she'd talk about how she was just tryin to get his money an stuff an that made Cinderella real mad - but Cinderella couldn't do nothin about it, cause he knew that the Prince from tha Mountain really liked Paris. "But then Paris changed her mind and the Prince from the Moutain got real sad. An one time he met Cinderella by the stream again an Cinderella talked to him an tried to make him feel better. But he kept on bein sad. Cause it meaned that his mom was gonna have a big dance party to try an find him another girlfriend so he'd have kids and stuff."

Goten was silent, just listening. What did you create here, Trunks? he thought to himself.

"Cinderella got real sad, cause he knew he wasn't allowed to go, cause he was poor an the people he lived with hated him. So when everyone left, he went out to where the tree was and started cryin - cause he just wanted the Prince from the Mountain ta be happy - but he knew what kinda people were gonna be there, an that they'd only take 'vantage of 'em. That means that they just wanted his stuff." Truten told him, turning the page to where it was only words - as though she was reading the book.

Goten smiled, closing his eyes. "So what happened next?

"Well, when he was cryin, some of his tears fell on the dirt by the tree, an they turned into seven magic balls that glowed. An a magic lady came out of them and asked him why he was so sad. So he wiped his face on his dirty apron, just makin it dirtier, an said he was sad because he knew that his friend, who he didn't get to see much anymore, was probably gonna get hurt, an he wanted to do anything he could so that he wouldn't be hurt.

"So the magic lady from the glowing balls that came when Cinderella cried, said some magic things that turned him into a girl, an he wore a beautiful red dress an his hair got long and put up in a pretty braid. First he was real angry, cause he didn't know how to be a girl, but the magic lady said that because he cared so much for the prince, he should go to the party an help him not get hurt by mean girls."

Goten got quiet, opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling.

"So Cinderella was still kinda mad at the magic lady, but went to the party anyway - tellin himself that he'd just make sure that people like Hisa an Paris wouldn't get too close. But when he got there, the Prince from the Mountain didn't recognise him, an asked him to dance. He couldn't say no, so they danced allll night.

"When it was gettin real late, the Prince asked Cinderella's name was, an Cinderella couldn't tell him, cause he was startin to like bein where he was, an didn't want the Prince to get mad. So she ran away. He chased after her, but she hid behind a house and finally he gave up an Cinderella went home, where the magic lady took the dress and turned him back into a boy so he could go back to workin and nobody'd know where he was.

"After a little while, the Prince from the Mountain had another party dance - an Cinderella really wanted to go... not cause to keep the girls away from the Prince, but because Cinderella wanted to be a girl again and wanted the Prince to only dance with him. So he went and cried at the tree again - an the magic lady gave him a even prettier dress that looked like it was made outta stars, and turned him back into a girl so he could go to the party."

Goten closed his eyes, trying to not let tears fall free.

"So Cinderella went to the party again, and they danced and laughed, and had lots of fun. But when the Prince asked for Cindrella's name, Cinderella got scared, an ran again. The Prince chased after her, but lost her somewhere outside the gates. But on the ground was one shoe that was made outta diamonds - an it was one of Cinderella's.

"When Cinderella got back to the tree, the Magic lady took back the dress, but said he could keep the one shoe, but he had to not let Hisa an Paris see it. Cinderella nodded, and hid the shoe inside a hole in the tree, then went home and back to work so nobody knowed he was gone.

"The prince from the mountain decided that he Had to find the lady with the diamond dress an the pretty purple hair, so he started on a special search, tryin to find a girl like her who fit the shoe that got lost. Hundreds and lots of people came and tried on the shoe, but nobody fit it, an it made the Prince very sad." Truten told him. "So finally, even though he dinnit want to, he went to the house that Hisa an Paris an Cinderella lived in."

Truten yawned, "Papa can I have a sip of your milk?"

Goten nodded. "Sure," he said, his voice very quiet.

"Thanks, I hope I'm doin it right, Uncle Momma reads it better with talkin and stuff, but I can't remember it all," she said sadly as she put down the book and took the glass in both hands, carefully drinking some of it and giving it back to him, before picking the book up again.

"Hisa an Paris didn't want Cinderella to see the Prince from the Mountain, cause they was embarassed that he lived with 'em, so he got locked outside in the chicken coop - that's where they keep the chickens so they can have eggs in the olden days."

Goten put the glass down on the nightstand, wiping his eyes and holding his daughter real close. "I know...."

"Okay," she nodded, snuggling. "I didn't an Uncle Momma had ta tell me."

"It's ok... keep reading."

"Kay," she looked back at the book, like she was reading as she told the story the best she could remember. It'd been a very long time since she'd heard it, but sometimes she thought about it when she missed it.

"So the prince came, an first Hisa tried on the shoe, it didn't fit quite right, and she asked if she could go into the other room and put on a stocking before she put the shoe on. Cause the prince was really nice, he said that was okay, and she went back into the other room, where their mean old man dad told her to cut off her toes, so that the shoe would fit, cause when she was queen she wouldn't have to walk lots.

"So she did what she was told, shoved the shoe on, and walked back out to tell the prince it fit. He sighed, and even though she didn't look like the personn he falled in love with when dancing at the parties, he did make a promise to marry the girl the shoe fit. So he took her out and put her on the horse, then got up behind her and started to trot away.

"When they went past the tree, the magic lady spoke. An she said "This isn't the bride you seek, look at the trail of blood behind thee." An the prince from the Mountain was confused and looked, an there was blood. He looked down at the foot that had the special shoe on it, an saw there was blood coming out of it, so he went back and took away the shoe, getting his servant person to clean it, saying that she told a lie and she wasn't who he wanted."

"Ewww." Goten whined.

"Yeah its real gross. Uncle said that's cause it's how the real story went, not like in the movie. Well, Paris tried next, an the same thing happened, her foot was too big. This time the mean dad told her to cut off her heel, so she did, and again they went and rode by the tree. Again the magic lady sang her song, an the Prince from the Mountain saw the blood, an went back and got the shoe cleaned, and yelled at them for lying at him."

"Well, they deserve to be yelled at because it's wrong to lie," Goten nodded.

Truten nodded, "Yeah, an now they gots to have canes cause they can't walk too good. So, since this was the last place to look, the Prince from the mountainn asked if there was any other girls living there, an they said no, cause they were the only ones. When this was happening, Cinderella broke out of the chicken coop, but got cut up cause he had to break the window, and squeezed out, going to the tree and crying, asking where the magic lady was. An the magic lady came and asked what was wrong. he asked and begged and stuff for her to turn him back into a girl, an for it to be forever - but the lady said that it would be very hard to."

"How come?"

"Cause Cinderella didn't know how to love, an even though he wanted very much to love the Prince from the Mountain, he couldn't, cause he forgot how a long time ago. But he still cared for the Prince more than anyone, anything in the whole world, an would die for him, would do anything to be with him an to make him happy. An the Magic lady said she'd think about it, then disappeared with the glowing balls. Cinderella hid behind the tree and cried and cried, but the magic balls wouldn't come back. An he didn't know what to do."

"So what happened?" Goten asked.

"Cinderella was really scared, so he stood, hiding behind the tree when the Prince from the Mountain rode away. After he was gone, he got the shoe that was hiding in the tree, an put it in his pocket, starting to walk down the path that would lead him to the castle. He tried to get into the castle, but they wouldn't let him in cause he was poor and dirty, so he asked if he could work for them and stuff.

"He did that for a long long time, until one time, he took the shoe and hid it in a small basket. He was cleaning the Prince's room, an put the basket in the corner when the Prince comed in. The Prince smiled cause he was seeing his friend, an Cinderella whispered somethin about bein done cleaning an he should go. But the Prince said that he should stay an they should play cards or sommething - then he saw the basket. Before Cinderella could run away, the Prince opened the basket and blinked in shock - that means surprise - cause he saw the other shoe to the one that he tried to find the person who owned it a long time ago."

"Ooo, and then?" Goten played the part of a good story listener.

"Then he turned around, an asked where Cinderella gotted it, an Cinderella told him it was his. The Prince didn't believe him at first, cause Cinderella was a boy, an they got into a fight when the Prince said he loved the person who owned this shoe so much.

"Cinderella didn't know that, and when he found out, his mind said that he loved the Prince so much too, but he couldn't say it out loud, cause they were both guys, and that would be bad. But when he thought it, he started crying again. The Prince was surprised and asked him what was wrong, And Cinderella shook his head, opened the door and started to run. Of course the Prince chaseded him."

"Did he catch him?"

"When the prince was chasing him, Cinderella kept cryin, cause he was afraid that he lost his best friend, the person he wanted to be with, and around, and together forever, and... he found out that he loved him, but he was scared.

Soon, the tears that falled to the ground, began to turn into shining balls. The Prince couldn't help but pick them up as he ran after Cinderella, it was like a voice was in his head that said he needed to. When he gotted the seven, Cinderella was runnin across the big dance room to the doors, an the Prince dropped the balls and ran to catch him to try an stop him."

"Well, what happened to the balls, did they break?" Goten asked.

Truten shook her head. "When he catched Cinderella, he tried to get away, but the Prince wouldn't let him go until he said why he was crying. But Cinderella was too scared. That's when the magic lady showed up an sang, "In your grasp, the one you seek - tears of love does thy true love weep." An when that happened, Cinderella got all glowey, an turned into a girl again, but still had on the same clothes, but the hair gotted long and everything."

Goten just blinked, "Go on..."

"Cinderella was real scared, and looked up at the Prince from the Mountain, who was so happy to find that the person who was his good friend, was also the person he wanted to be with forever an he kissed her.

"An they gotted married and lived happy forever, an had kids... an Hisa and Paris disappeared an nobody ever saw them ever again. The end," she showed Goten the final picture in the book, a picture of a couple, the man with dark hair, a black and white picture just as the first had been, and a woman in a gorgeous wedding gown.... truten's crayons made her hair purple just as the first picture.

Goten just looked at the picture, and lifted his hand to run along the girl in the picture. "That's such a beautiful story," he said softly.

"Is my favourite," Truten told him with a nod.

"Are you sure you want me to read this? I might mess it up," he said softly.

"But I really like it. I c'n read it to you an you can read me Pokeynose." She nodded, using her preferred name for pinocchio.

"I like that... you can read it to me whenever you want, ok?" Goten smiled.

"Okay," she nodded, closing the book and giving it to Goten. "You can keep it in here Papa."

Goten put the book on his nightstand and then snuggled back into bed, pulling Truten close. "I'll keep it nice and safe."

"Okay," Truten nodded. She kissed his nose and tucked him in. "Sleep sweet, Papa," she told him, skootching down to wriggle out of the bed.

"Stay with me?" he asked in a soft voice.

She was half wriggled off and she tilted her head, blinking twice. Then, she climbed back up and under the covers, snuggling up to him. "Okay Papa," she yawned.

Goten kissed her forehead and snuggled her. "I love you."

"Love you too Papa," she snuggled back and closed her eyes, swiftly falling to sleep with the light snore she'd inherited from her other parent.

Goten chuckled. "And I love you too, Cinderella," he said softly to the air, then closed his eyes and went to sleep.

TBC - PLEASE REVIEW!!!!