Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Grains of Sand ❯ No! It Can't Be! ( Chapter 4 )

Rating: Well, I dunno. It doesn't have much bad language, but it has violence, so I guess R.

Pairings: V x G (Gh x P Implied)

Warnings: Nasty violence, not for kiddies. Some insanity and angst.

A/N: I don't have a clue if Pan or Bra is older, nor do I know how far apart in age they are, so I chose that Bra be like 13 and Pan 9. Gohan is married to Videl, but he has a secret (if you haven't already guessed).

Disclaimer: TV Announcer: And now, it's time to draw the winning number of the `New Owner of DBZ' lottery! And the winning numbers are… 3!

Lissa (reading off ticket): Yes!

TVA: …6!

L: Yeah, com'on!

TVA: …5!

L: Yes!

TVA: 7!

L: Just one more!

TVA: And the last number of the lottery IS… 9!

L: WHAT?! *Sinks to knees* NNNOOOOO!!!! It was in my clutches! I knew it was fixed! *Rips ticket*

(Translation: Some other fan owns DBZ, not me *runs away to cry in a corner*)

* Memories *

/Thoughts/

Oh, and the first couple of paragraphs are like `reasons' as to why Goku is considered intelligent in my fic. After the `…', it's back to the story. Hope that's all the confoosing parts. Now, on with the fic!

Chapter 4- No! It Can't Be!

Goku has been putting on an act for his friends and family this entire time. Hard to believe a simple-minded man isn't so simple-minded. In fact he is up there in the intelligence level as Vegeta himself. So why did he not tell anyone? Simple: would you want a smart giant, even smarter than yourself, as a best friend? No, I didn't think so. It's just easier for shallow-minded Ningens to accept he's `intelligence-challenged'. They all pity him; they all love him, the big oaf.

He knows it's himself who killed his Grandpa. It's not that hard to deduct the evidence: clue a) his house is demolished b) he wakes up naked like a newborn c) that night was a full moon d) his Grandpa tells him never to look at a full moon and e) Goku is in one piece and not a scratch on him, while his Grandpa was trampled. Even as a kid, he knows a dumb Goku is a safe Goku…

Vegeta touchdowns on the balcony of his room. Sliding the door open, he detects no other kis around, so he's alone. You guessed it- he comes home in just his boots and gloves- just as Goku promised. Stepping into his room, he walks to the closet to pull out a pair of jeans. Luckily his bedroom is the only room on the second floor to survive the attack that hybrid made.

He shivers from recollection. He and his son were so very close to going with the Gravitational Chamber if he wasn't quick enough to shield ki over both of them. The woman was in her lab when it happened, so she came out with not even a smudge on her frail body.

It's hard to believe the Gravitational Chamber was standing there in the backyard several hours ago.

He walks into the bathroom to bandage some gashes that look like they can get infected. After many minutes of checking over his body, he let's himself check out the marks Goku left on him that aren't fight-related. Teethmarks, finger-sized bruises shaped into a hand and lightly purpled hickeys adorn his torso. He smirks. /At least he remembers to put them in places where clothing covers./

He steps out of the bathroom to dress. He walks to a dresser and pulls out a clean navy blue tank. He slips it on, feeling his arm muscles tighten a bit, making his movements a bit awkward. He then steps to his bed and pulls on the pair of jeans he got out earlier. They cling to his thighs and butt. Sexy, not to mention comfortable on his part. Then grabbing a new pair of boots from the closet, he stamps them on.

He suddenly recollects how he and Goku found that damn girl…

* It happened yesterday, during a hunt for food after a good round of "sparring". They do this everytime, knowing each will be hungry after. Vegeta is just about to pounce on a helpless deer, when a blinding flash startles him and the deer. The deer takes off and Vegeta snarls low, ready to kick whoever's ass that decides to spoil his hunt. He shields his eyes, waiting for the light to die down. After what seems like minutes, the light dies away and he lifts his arms away to find a battered Capsule Corps. Time Machine. It looks like it went through Hell. He stares at it curiously when the doors suddenly slide open and smoke seeps out.

He then feels the familiar ki signature of Goku coming at him. Vegeta smirks. As he steps cautiously to the opened doors, he can make out a form in the cloud of smoke. He hears the light scraping of feet, and turns to find Goku holding a few dead rabbits by their feet.

"Did you see that light?" he asks.

"Yeah. It came from this Time Machine," Vegeta answers and turns to get a closer inspection.

"Kakarott, get over here!" Vegeta exclaims. Goku drops his catch and stalks over to his side. Looking in he finds an unconscious form of a girl looking half-human/half-feline. Pointy white cat ears nestle against her head. A matching lengthy tail twitches in her sleep. Her face is a beautiful complexion of slanted eyes and sunken-in cheeks. Her clothes look to be made of lather rawhide, barely covering her muscular but voluptuous body. Her hair is like a silken veil of silver.

"Where do you think she came from?" Goku asks. Vegeta doesn't respond as he leans down to pick her up. She shifts a bit, almost snuggling closer to him immediately. Her upturned nose twitches as she inhales his scent. A low rumbling emits from her chest as she nudges her face closer to him. This startles Vegeta and he looks at Goku with a slightly worried look.

"I have a feeling we know this hybrid," he answers low. *

He shakes his head a bit, then stands up on his feet. Not feeling that all hungry from a recent hunt and not ready to actually go train again, he decides to take a walk to the city. These moments are rare. He hates people with a passion, and big crowds make his anger worse. But he also loves to play with their little minds. -

(The author would like to take this moment into consideration that you, the reader, should sit back for a moment and think long and hard about what Vegeta means with the title `play' … Oh, don't include rape, grope (in plain view where onlookers can see it), silly name-calling, ruthless attacking, and something that will result in having an old lady beating him over the head with her purse. Which leaves practical jokes and gestures he gives that are so outrageous and completely raunchy enough to scar Chibis for the rest of their lives. Thank you)

Having his mind set, he goes to the balcony and leaps over the edge to land gently on the grass. He makes his way around the house just as the woman's car pulls into the driveway. He grunts, knowing she'll want him to carry her bags, since it's normal for her to buy out the entire store. She steps out and gives a little wave to him.

"Hey, Vegeta! You going for a walk?" she asks curiously.

"No, I was just waiting for you to show up so I could be your man-servant once again," Vegeta mocks with pure sarcasm.

"If I wanted sarcasm I can come to you anytime of the day. But since you offered you will carry mine and Luna's bags," she remarks back without a beat.

"Who the Hell is Luna?" he asks in a gruff voice.

"Destructo Girl. We both got acquainted while you were out and I decided to take her shopping. I left her with Bra at the mall. Bra said she'll get Chichi to pick them up and they'll go to Pan's house."

As she pops open the trunk, she grabs a few bags while Vegeta grabs the last forty. They pile up into his arms and obstruct his view as usual so she has to lead him in.

This kinder relationship between Bulma and him sort've happened out of the blue. It's like they came to a mutual agreement, without saying a word, to stop harassing each other. But Vegeta gets his kicks now and then. The house quieted down a lot after that.

He drops the load in the livingroom floor then heads back out the front door.

"Oh, before I forget! Trunks is spending the night with Goten, Bra is spending the night with Pan, and I have to leave to America in a couple of hours. You and Luna will have the house to yourselves." she blurts out. Vegeta turns around quickly.

"No, she won't! That brat almost killed Trunks and I last night and I'm not going through another one of those episodes!" he shouts.

"Vegeta, she didn't mean it. She probably thought you were going to attack her," Bulma protests.

"She knew exactly who I was, onna! She looked at me as if I was a ghost!" he bellows even louder.

"Alright! Alright! I'll ask Videl if she can stay with Bra and Pan tonight, just stop yelling, you big baby! You act as if you're scared of her!" Bulma exasperates. She goes back to her bags for a second. Vegeta speaks up after a few seconds of silence.

"I am not scared of that hybrid freak. A king is never afraid of his enemy." She gives an exasperated sigh then looks up to say `the girl isn't his enemy' speech when he is already gone. She growls in frustration then returns back to her sorting. She picks up a slim pair of jean shorts. Folding them,

"I honestly don't know what Goku sees in him," she mumbles out.

-

"Pan, this is Luna. She'll be staying with us for a while," a pre-pubescent mini-version of Bulma talks to the black-haired child-like female version of Goku. Luna stares at the black-haired girl for a few seconds before she bows down a bit for hello.

"Does she speak Japanese?" Pan asks curiously.

"Oh, yeah! She just came from the future and her ways are much different than ours," Bra explains while cupping her hands on Luna's shoulders to stand her up.

"Wow! The future, really?! Do you know if I'm going to marry a handsome and rich man?!" Pan squeals out with glee.

"I'm sorry. I've never seen you before," Luna apologizes.

"Really? How far in the future are you from?" Pan asks curiously.

"I believe I lived in the year 118 AT," Luna says while trying to remember.

"AT?" Bra asks.

"After Treaty. Before I was born, Chikyuu, Namek, and Kitasora came to agreement for peace." Luna explains.

"Ok, back up! What is Kitasora?" Bra asks.

"My home planet, I come from a unique breed that populates it, Kitasons, half-human/half-feline."

"Way cool! You have to tell me everything!" Pan squeals then grabs Luna's hand and drags her upstairs with a giggling Bra after them.

Meanwhile in the study, a man's head pops up after hearing squeals and giggles. He resembles a lot like Goku, but with glasses, shorter hair, and a sharper dresser. He gets up to open the door and peers his head out into the livingroom. Videl walks by with a basket of freshly folded clothes.

"Was that Bra and Pan?" he asks.

"Yes, and they brought over Bra's guest, Luna," she answers. He gives a look of confusion.

"Who's that?" he asks.

"She's the one who destroyed nearly half of Bra's house. Looks like there'll be many sleepovers for the next few months," she responds with a slight shrug.

"Interesting. I'll have to ask Bulma about this `Luna'," he says and goes back into his study. Videl sighs with a shake of her head.

"That man acts as if the next villain to destroy the planet is more intelligent than strong," she murmurs out while stepping away. Suddenly the door opens again and his head pops out.

"I heard that." She turns around to with a gasp and finds the door already shut again.

She sighs again, not bothering to get him about listening in on other peoples' conversations. Then she turns back around and heads up the stairs. She goes to the door with blaring music on the other side. /Just what I need a night full of squealing, high-pitch laughs and pillowfights./ She smirks a bit. /Like mother, like daughter./

She gives a few knocks on the door. The music lowers down a bit and the door opens a few seconds later with Pan.

"Hey mom! What's up?" she asks.

"I brought your clothes." Videl answers and hands to basket to her daughter. "And Bra's mom called to let me know she wanted Luna to spend the night also, if that's fine with you two," she adds while looking at Bra.

"That's great! We can have a girl's night and have makeovers!" Bra squeals out. A flash of panic appears on Luna's face.

"Don't stay up too late, you both have school tomorrow." Videl orders like a mother. She then looks at Luna.

"You can stay here and I'll keep you company until they get back from school," she says.

"Aw mom! Why can't we stay home with Luna?!" Pan whines.

"Because unlike you two, Luna looks about the age for college," Videl answers. Both girls groan. Luna sits in a silence as a look of sadness overcame her.

"What's wrong, honey?" Videl asks, having the girls looking at her. Luna looks up, a bit startled.

"Nothing," she says calmly, and smiles a bit. Videl gives her a little look, but it disappears quickly.

"Trunks will be by to bring your stuff for tomorrow later, Bra," she adds then starts to close the door.

"What did you say?" Luna blurts out having Videl to stop.

"Oh, do you want me to tell him to bring you some clothes?" she asks.

"What name did you say?" Luna exasperates as she is already at the door with her hand holding it wide open. The move startles Videl and she backs away.

"Why? What's wrong?" Videl asks while taking defensive stance.

"Tell me!" Luna cries out and vaults herself at the woman.

Gohan jumps as he hears screams of horror and loud crashing sounds.

"What now?" he grunts and takes his glasses off. He bolts out of the room and up the stairs to see a mutated Ningen attacking his wife.

"Get off her!" He yells and grabs for an arm. But the body leaps into the air with the most horrible screech he's ever heard. The form skitters up against a wall with a look of pure terror in its red eyes. He helps Videl up.

"Are you alright?" he asks soothingly.

"Yes, I'm fine." she answers low. Pan runs up and hugs her mother tight while sobbing. Videl tries soothing her with light petting. Gohan lifts his head to the cowering form.

"I don't allow fighting in my house, young lady," he threats out. She whimpers out and takes off running.

"Hey!" he yells and goes after her.

"Daddy!" Pan cries out and starts after him.

"Pan no!" Videl cries and pulls her daughter back. "I don't want her to hurt you," she adds in protectiveness.

"But she's scared! She didn't mean to attack you. Did you see the way she looked at Dad? She acted like she knew him before, and she couldn't believe it's him!" Pan cries out in defense for Luna.

"Are you sure you saw that?" Videl asks.

"I'm positive! I could tell she didn't mean any of it!" Pan swears.

"I saw it, too," Bra adds. Suddenly there's a loud crash followed by an explosion that shakes the house. All the electricity turns off. Bra screams and runs over to Pan and Videl to hold onto them. Videl wraps and arm around her. Videl looks up where she last saw Gohan run.

"Gohan!" she cries out and runs after him. Bra and Pan follow.

As they descend the stairs they enter into a fog of smoke.

"Oh no! Gohan!" Videl cries in fear. She hears a low moan in the smoke.

"I'm coming Gohan!" she cries out then uses some of her ki to light a ball in her hand. She uses it like a flashlight to guide her and the girls through the smoke. All they can see are a few inches from all around them. Judging by the mess they step over and see a bit of, the livingroom has been destroyed. At least the walls didn't cave.

Suddenly Videl sees a hand on the carpet.

"Gohan!" she exclaims and lowers down to the body. He's smudged with black and clothes torn but there're no cuts or bruises on him. She lifts the top half of his body.

"Daddy! Are you ok?!" Pan fearfully asks. There's moan from him and his eyes slit open.

"I'm fine, Pan. I guess I wasn't fast enough to protect myself." he murmurs out.

"What happened? Where's Luna?" Videl asks in dread.

"I don't know. I cornered her and suddenly her eyes turn white as some red aura covers her body. Suddenly I see white and I'm on my back."

"Did you see where she went?" Videl asks.

"No. But I believe I heard her fall on the floor in that direction," he says and points to the right.

"Pan, create light and stay with your father. Bra, you stay too," Videl orders. Pan does as she is told and Videl walks over to where Gohan pointed. Taking cautious steps she finally reaches the corner, finding Luna unconscious on the floor.

Videl kneels down and picks up the top half of the girl by her shoulders. She can see a dribble of what looks to be stomach acid. Videl wipes it away with the bottom of her tee shirt.

"If you knew Gohan, why did you have to blast him?" she whispers low.

-

Bra and Pan touchdown in front of the Son house. Goku just finished chopping wood when he sees the girls run up to him while smudged in black smoke.

"Grandpa, Grandpa! You have to come quick! Daddy's hurt!" Pan cries while tugging his shirt. Chichi runs outside after hearing all the commotion.

"Chichi, call Bulma. You stay here, girls," he says and uses Instant Transmission. He blurs out of sight.

"Come along girls. Let's get you cleaned up," Chichi scoots them into the house.

"It wasn't Luna's fault, she was just scared!" Bra blurts out.

"What did she do? Did she hurt Gohan?" Chichi asks in fear.

"She didn't mean to! Daddy just frightened her! She knew who he was!" Pan cries out while sobbing.

"Alright girls, you better explain," Chichi says while hauling them off into the bathroom.

-

Goku blurs into form right outside of Gohan's house. Smoke is seeping out from opened windows and doors. He finds Videl to the side of the house with Gohan laying his head in her lap. There's a girl a few feet from them, lying unconscious. He runs over to Videl and Gohan and kneels down in front of them.

"I'm here, Gohan. What happened?"

"He's bleeding internally, Goku. He needs a senzu bean," Videl says very calmly, as if use to her husband sustaining far worse injuries.

Goku reaches into his waistband to pull out a tiny sac. Opening it he pulls out a small green bean and breaks in half. Then he puts it to Gohan's lips.

"Open up, Gohan," Goku instructs. There's a rasp, but the man did as he's told. The bean drops in and Gohan chews slowly. Just after he swallows the bean takes effect. The purpling bruises disappear and Gohan sits up slowly.

"I feel much better," Gohan says. Goku looks over at the unconscious girl and heads over to her. Videl grabs his wrist.

"Be careful," she warns then let's the wrist go. The warrior steps over slowly to the form. He turns her a bit to face him. He then puts the other piece of bean at her lips. He gently pries them apart and drops the bean in. Jaws automatically chew the small piece. Suddenly her eyes open and she jerks out of his reach. She skitters away and takes up a defensive stance.

"It's ok, I won't hurt you," he says low and soothing with hands up at her.

"You were murdered. I watched you get your chest ripped open by that Android!" she cries out.

"What Android?" he asks. She doesn't listen to him but glances around.

"I'm dead. This is my Hell." Suddenly she glances at him.

"And you're an Android!" she screams out then launches at him. He grabs her and flips her over him. She turns around to kick him in the small of his back, having him sail a few feet and land on his face.

"No!" Gohan yells out and vaults on her, but she's too quick. She grabs an arm and throws him aside like a useless toy.

Suddenly something hard hits her in the back and she falls on the ground in pain. She hears a familiar shrill and leaps up just as ki rings imbed into the ground. She lands on her feet and turns to find Vegeta with one hand palm out towards where she previously laid. Her entire being froze. Her mind shuts down.

"No… Tousan…"

He gives her a look of surprised-confusion and she is body-slammed onto the ground. She doesn't fight back as she's pinned against the ground, face deep in the harsh grass.

She saw him again. It was him! It had to be! Then… she isn't dead… but in another time… just like that blue-haired girl said. This is before the Treaty even existed!

TO BE CONTINUED…