Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Lost ❯ Complications ( Chapter 43 )

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Gomen Nasai Minna-san. I know I've been gone, lets see ::glances at calendar:: three months or so….wow that's the longest yet. This was meant as a Halloween present, but I missed it by a day. Just try not to hate me while you review, ok? I couldn't help my tardiness and procrastination. I'll try to get the next chapter up at a reasonable date. Lets say within the next month, ok? December has holidays so if I need to I can get the last chapter and epilogue done then. That is if it takes me all of November to do the next chapter. Sleep depravation during the week, has me completely zonked out for the entire weekend. Zonked….haven't used that word in a while. Anywho, let me not dawdle too much.

Disclaimer: I don't own DragonBallZ or any of its characters, but I do own Xenia and her baby!

Lost

Chapter 43……………

Doubt…It fills one's heart at least once everyday. It fuels apprehension, guilt, depression, anger and annoyance. It consumes a person's soul and delivers them to the natal earth once again just as they beg for mercy or even death. It fuels the perpetual silence that chokes one's heart and causes hesitation within one as they fear what is to come.

It's what was causing her lips to stay sealed. The words she must utter to them falling soundlessly against the walls of her mind. Working her hands like puppets, each finger contorting the other as an almost imperceptible tremor runs through her small and frail form. Her eyes dart up again, the action done within a second of the next.

Yet nothing breaks the silence that resonates within them all as they refuse to presume anything of the situation in fear that they may be correct.

"We've discovered something…"

Bulma trailed off for a moment, her voice hitched within her throat; every syllable a struggle that she wished she could stop fighting. Her eyes quickly glance up at her associate's, his lips edging up in a small smile that grants little comfort. Then again, what could in a situation like this?

A small sigh passes her lips and she leans back, "We've managed to create a serum that could cure Xenia of the virus."

A large grin spread across Goku's face as he opens his mouth to speak, but he is cut off before one sound passes his lips.

"COULD cure her."

The simple and short statement cuts through the air and steals the breath from the occupants as they watch the blue-haired woman collect herself for a few more words.

"If it doesn't cure her, there is a good chance that it will help her immune system fight it." Her eyes darted up again, this time at her husband. His face was an emotionless mask that she knew all too well; yet the subtle murmur in her mind sent volumes of warmth coursing through her being.

"However," she stole a shaky breath and allowed the shudder to pass, "We haven't been able to test it."

"Why not?" A weak voice inquires, her once loud and flamboyant spirit having been ripped from her soul. Yet it wasn't lost only misplaced. However, the only one that could retrieve it was lying on a small white cot writhing in pain.

"Her condition has been deteriorating and…and…" Bulma pauses once more, her throat growing coarse and thick as she tries to continue with the diagnosis.

"And now outward stimulus are starting to affect her."

Glancing bewilderedly at Gohan, Bulma watches in silence as his lips move. A reflection of her husband, his face held an impassive mask that she wished desperately to duplicate.

"If we tried to acquire another blood sample, then she will simply open up another wound. We can't risk that right now."

His obsidian orbs darted down for a moment, his whole body reciprocating the action by leaning forward against his knees, "What Bulma has just said are the courses that it MAY take. These are based upon the last few batches we created. However, there is a chance that she may have a grave reaction to it. In that situation it would do more harm than good."

Gohan paused for a moment and gathered himself together. Why did his mind keep reiterating this one terrible doubt? Why couldn't he be optimistic this one time?

"Her condition is frail and the consequences that may come about…" his eyes fixated upon the parterre intently, "They may endanger her life."

"You mean she might….."

"We're not sure, but," His eyes quickly glanced over at his father, "We have to be careful. She may react well and she may react severely to it. We were going to ask you and mom to decide if we should give it to her."

Goku glanced at the petite woman beside him. His eyes unreadable as he tried to search for an answer. Chichi simply tightened her hold on her husband's arm and sighed shakily, "It's our choice? But, Gohan….Why do you want us to decide?"

Pausing for a moment, she turned to her eldest son, "Would you, Gohan? Would you give it to her?"

He broke his gaze at the sound of the question, not wanting his mother to see the wide array of tumultuous emotions that would be apparent within his eyes. What could he tell them? What should he tell them? What did they expect him to say? He desperately wished to wring out his hair by its roots as his frustration began to reach the peak which he could no longer contain it.

"What would I do?" Such a perplexing question. His glanced over at his wife who stood beside his own little princess. Her orange bandanna had been missing for a while now. Her chain was gone too, the ever present clinking sound that he associated with her footsteps beginning to vanish from his ear's memory. If it was Pan…..His eyes shut tightly against the mental image that had raped the angelic image of his daughter. Piercing his heart, he shuddered uneasily as a bitter taste rose up and into his mouth. Dear Dende, he didn't want that ever to happen to her.

But Xenia…..his one and only little sister. The sister that he had sworn to protect one rainy night long ago, the sister that was taken away, the sister that was turned against them years later and the same sister that laid on a small cot in the infirmary writhing in pain.

"I don't know," He professed shakily, "I just don't." Pausing for a moment his gaze locked upon his large hands that shook relentlessly before his impassive countenance. His composure was slowly failing him and it was in the next statement that his voice finally began to crack with his vehement emotions.

"I know this is the only thing we have left. The only hope that we can come up with the time allowed. If we don't do this, if we don't…." His fingers shifted and tightened their hold around each other, his knuckles changing to a cool and stark white.

"….We don't have any other options that would give any chance for her to get better. I know this. I know this better than most of you, for I had been faced with that fact before me everyday. I had the factual evidence, I had her visual condition. I had everything and yet now," the tremor shifted and ran to his throat constricting the words that he forced himself to utter. Yet this heat that surrounded his eyes, the terrible tremble that ran through his being convinced them all. This wasn't a simple choice, right or wrong, the outcome could be fixed, right?

"Yet, I still hesitate and I don't know why. I'm…." His gaze shifted to his parents, their faces reflecting the desperation, doubt and sorrow that lied in his heart. "I'm scared of what will happen, I don't want to risk it, but I feel…I feel that we have to."

His voice faded away softly as the silence once again seized its dominance over the room. They didn't want to break the silence. Then they'd have to face Gohan's words, they'd have to face their own doubts. They'd have to face the horrible decision they had to make. Procrastination, by fearful thoughts; hesitation, by apprehension.

Lavender locks fell smoothly over a pale face. Clear cerulean orbs narrowed in quiet contemplation, as the man frowned uneasily.

They had to decide now….they had until this moment deluded themselves. They tried not to think about the time limit and the progression in her virus, if only to grant a small ray of ignorant hope, but now….

Trunks' eyes closed involuntarily, as the images ran through his mind once again. He still couldn't believe it, he couldn't…Xenia was pregnant and Turlus…he was….he was the father…..

FLASHBACK

"How? How did this?" His hand ran across the flat surface as the shock imbedded itself deeper and deeper into his mind. This ki...this tiny ki that resided in her womb. Yet, why hadn't his mother detected it before. Why was Xenia telling him this now? Why was she telling HIM in the first place?!

"It's my fault."

He glanced up at her face, its somber expression tearing at his heart. "What do you mean?"

"It's my fault. After all this isn't a one person process. I had a hand in it. I helped bring about its creation, therefore its my fault. After all saiyan-jin women do decide when they wish to become pregnant."

"But," He searched for her hand and clasped the small palm within his own, "It wasn't your choice? Was it? Who did this to you?"

He wouldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe that she would do something like this intently. After all, she wasn't the type of girl that would….she wasn't….she wasn't…

"Who do you think it was Trunks?" Her eyes locked upon his for a moment and he watched the tears that teetered on the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.

Who did he think it was? How would, how could he know? He only knew one person who was with Xenia on that ship and…..

Trunks' eyes widened as the thought struck him, the shock and disgust that filtered into his being, causing a bitter taste to rise into his mouth.

"Turlus….."

She nodded slowly and turned away, the shame in her eyes wishing to be hidden from his gaze.

Turlus…it had been Turlus….How could that be? She wouldn't willingly do that with that, that thing! She wouldn't!

"Did he…." Trunks reached out gently and cupped her cheek, forcing her to face him once again. "Did he force himself onto you?" The question was barked out harshly against the silence and he cursed silently to himself for the brusque comment.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting across the room nervously as she sought for her words, "No…."

His eyes widened at the statement, the shock sinking into every pore and freezing his blood.

"At least…" She squirmed under his gaze, "Not before this had already happened."

She was willingly with him the time that the baby was conceived and then he rapes her afterwards?!?!

"He-" His voice died instantly as she placed one finger upon his lips.

"Trunks," Her hand fell away, but he reached out and grabbed a hold of it. He squeezed it gently and listened. "Although I could probably give you a hundred different reasons as to why this happened and why it wasn't my fault…well, I could, but I won't. You see this is as much as my fault as it is Turlus's. And I know you don't want to believe me when I say that, but its true." She glanced up at him for a brief moment and sighed, "If you have to be mad at someone, be mad at me. I was the one who provoked him, I was the one to initiate things. In a sense it is all my fault."

"But, why didn't you tell them? Why are you telling ME?"

"I don't know how they would react to this. How my father will react, and Vegeta." She gave a short snort at the name as a bemused smile fell onto her lips, "There is a hundred and one reasons as to why I won't tell them. As to why I told you…" She squirmed slightly beside him as a faint blush rose to her cheeks, "Well, I don't quite know. No, I do know. I…You…" She took a quick breath, "Ever since we were kids, you have been my best friend Trunks, even now for some strange reason, I still feel that connect. That I could tell you anything and you'd comfort me afterwards. I can't really explain it, but I just know that you'll be there for me."

He smiled at the little speech and placed a hand upon her abdomen, "You're right.

I'll be there for ya, I'll be there for both of you."

END OF FLASHBACK

It was Turlus's baby, but then again, even though the same blood may runs through the little babe's body that didn't mean that he meant for any of this to come about. He was a pure innocent child. After this whole thing was over, then he'd deal with the whole issue of Turlus being the father, but now wasn't the time to get angry and start yelling at Xenia. She didn't deserve that right now.

He glanced back at the monitor beside him once again, now how were they…..

His eyes widened for a moment as he tried to scan the entire room on the small screen. His hand reached out blindingly behind him, finally grasping a hold of his sister's blouse.

"Trunks!" She hissed lowly as he slammed her into his side, "What are you doing."

She glanced at his horror stricken face and then followed it slowly to the monitor.

"Oh dear Dende…." Her hands went to her mouth instinctively, "Where's Xenia!"

The cry rang through the room, every pair of eyes suddenly fixated upon the young blue-haired girl.

"What do you mean Bra?" Asked Chichi incredulously, "Xenia is not in the infirmary?!"

Bra glanced back at the fretful woman and froze immediately. Yet her eyes weren't focused upon Chichi.

"So, if I take that I might die and if I don't I will die. Hmmmm, love those options."

"Xenia…" Gohan whispered as he slowly stood from his chair.

***(A/N: I'm gonna go into first person right now, cause third person is just starting to annoy me.)***

I pulled myself up against the wall, the pain in my leg sending small sharp streaks throughout my body. Maybe this hadn't been a good idea…

"So what are my chances of surviving?" I glanced at Gohan, "Better than dying?"

"Xenia, you shouldn't be up here. You should be resting…"

"Downstairs on that small cot, in that incredibly white room where I feel that I might go insane?" I lifted up a brow and took one step into the room. "The only reason I stayed down there is because I knew dad and Vegeta had taps on me twenty-four/seven. But when I glanced behind my bed a little while ago, I noticed that Vegeta's intercom had been turned off or rather since no one had been in the room today, HE turned it off. So I got a little curious." I paused halfway across the room and took a deep breathe. Double-vision couldn't be a good thing. Stupid damn virus was making it so that I couldn't take one step without becoming dizzy. I stumbled slightly at that moment, but was instantly caught by two strong arms. I didn't need to look up to know who it was, "Thanks Trunks."

I gave a small smile as he righted me up onto my legs.

"Hey no problem, but you shouldn't be up here."

"Spoil all my fun, won't you?" I slung my arm over his shoulder, glad for the support.

"Trunks is right, you should be downstairs."

I stared at my father for a moment and sighed, "Just like I told him two seconds ago, I wasn't about to stay there forever. You gave me a little window for escape and I took it. Can you blame me. I have as much as an affinity towards hospitals and infirmaries as you dad."

"But I don't like hospitals…" My father trailed off slightly confused.

"I know, but…err, never mind," I shook my head at the little moment of miscommunication. What was I going to do with him? "Gohan, you didn't answer my question before. Which had a likelier chance with that serum? Me dying or me living?"

"We're not sure." He said rather reluctantly, but then again who wants to tell their sister that they don't know whether something will kill them or not?

"But if I don't take it, then I won't live. So… I really don't see a problem. Why do you?"

"Xenia."

I nearly jumped back as the voice reached my ears. I hadn't even noticed Bulma walk up to me, "Don't sneak up on me Bulma. Otherwise I might just cut the circulation off to your son's head." I loosened my hold on Trunks and chuckled slightly as he feigned suffocation.

"Sorry, but the reason we can't decide is that we don't know what it will do to you. We don't know if you'll receive more pain or if it'll take it away; if it will speed up your disease or cure it."

I tilted my head to the side in slight confusion, "But I don't understand. Wasn't this one based upon the one's you have tested in the past?"

"Yes. Yet, even though this should react similarly to those, it still is untested and that means it can have a totally different react."

"Then again I will die without it anyway….I still don't see a problem. One way I will definitely die and the other I see there is a chance that I won't."

"But-"

"Look I don't care about the pain! I don't. I seriously could care less, but…" I placed a hand on my abdomen, "I don't want to die. If there is a way to kill this virus I'll take it."

Bulma and Gohan glanced over at my parents. I didn't know why they needed their approval, after all this was my body, my life. Wouldn't my word go?

"I guess we'll do it then," my father said quietly, the ghost of a smile plastered on his face as he turned to me. I knew he was scared, what parent wouldn't be? Yet what other option did we all have?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I watched warily as Bulma wheeled an IV beside me and stuck the small needle into my hand.

"In case you suffer any more pain because of the serum, I have this ready to feed into your body."

"Goody, pain killers! You know over the past few days they have become my best friends."

Bulma chuckled at the comment, "Just don't get addicted ok."

"Yes ma'am!"

I glanced over at my parents who stood by the door. Gohan had told everyone that they would need `room' to work. For what though I have no idea. After all they were just going to stick me with yet another needle. I winced slightly as I shifted against the cot, damn leg had split last night. Bulma had stitched the gaping wound, but that didn't ease the pain.

"All right Xenia," Gohan sucked up some of the serum and tapped the side of the needle.

"Gohan, why do you guys do that?"

"Huh?"

"Tap the side of the syringe?" I asked.

"Oh," He smiled for a moment, "Well you see I have to make sure there is no air inside. Tapping the side allows me to see if any air bubbles will rise to the top."

"Oh." I glanced down at my IV and back at Bulma, "So…where is that thing going? The usual?"

"No, you see we need for the serum to reach your heart as quickly as possible. Therefore we have to inject it into the artery inside your neck."

"In my neck?" I asked, my voice rising. Why there? They always had done it into my wrist. Besides sometimes when they injected me over the past few days, the spot would open up more and wouldn't that be more hazardous around my neck?!

"Don't worry about it. We have Dende here in case a wound opens. You're body won't react to his powers if he only heals a small spot."

I glanced over at the tall green namek. "You sure about that."

"Do not worry Xenia," said Dende simply, "Bulma and Gohan know what they are doing."

//Lets hope so…//

"Ok, you ready sis?" Asked Gohan quietly. I glanced at him for a moment and frowned. Oh boy, so this was it? Damn did this sound like the climax of a movie or what? Then again it was in a way. Well the IV with the blessed Fentanyl was ready, Dende was ready, Gohan and Bulma were apparently ready, but was I? That was a very good question.

"Does it matter?" I asked with an amused smile. "Fire away Gohan."

He nodded and glanced over at Bulma. All we need was the slow motion to occur and this would be perfect, I mused to myself.

//Shouldn't you tell them about your pregnancy before they do this?//

I growled silently at my conscience. Would it really matter?

//Being pregnant might cause complications…//

Well, I glanced at Gohan as he bent down beside my neck, it was too late now. I'd deal with it later. My hand went over my stomach as my eyes searched for Trunks. He smiled warmly, before averting his eyes to my stomach. We were both worried. I didn't want to die because I didn't want it to. Trunks, well I didn't think he hated the baby, but I know he doesn't want it to die. I felt a small pinch at the side of my neck and dismissed the thought from my mind. Didn't I say I'd think about this stuff later?

I glanced at Gohan out of the corner of my eye and watched the serum be pumped into my neck. A strange sensation ran through my neck, my apprehensions causing the knot in my stomach to slowly churn. Then almost simultaneously an enormous amount of heat and pain erupted as the serum came in contact with my heart.

A low groan fell from my lips, as a searing heat ran throughout my body. My heart began to beat faster, the heart monitor beside me began to beep faster and faster as I tried to take another breath.

"Bulma…" I moaned against the pain, "Fentanyl please…."

She quickly undid the clasp over the tube and watched as the clear liquid quickly dripped into the tube. The heat began to transform into an agonizing pain that ran through every vein and I squirmed against the cot, the belts around my legs and chest holding me in place.

"Gohan…" I yanked at the thick belt, as another bout of pain ran through me.

"Xenia," I felt his hand clasp my own, "Listen to me. We expected this to happen. It's conflicting with the virus. Kind of like when your body produces a fever when you are sick. Its a sign that the serum is working."

"Ok…" I hissed, "But does it have to hurt so damn much?!"

He frowned slight and gave my hand a slight squeeze, "Don't worry, since you didn't have a truly serious reaction to it, you don't have to stay conscious anymore."

"What?!"

He stood back up and went over to Bulma, "Might as well give her some anesthesia, that way she won't feel any of the pain."

They were willing to put me to sleep while I had just taken the serum, "But Gohan, I was just given this thing!!"

"Don't worry," He walked back over and gently rested a hand on my forearm, "We injected it into your neck so it would be distributed throughout your body quicker. We still need to monitor your progress, but for now all you need to do is sleep and gain your strength."

I nodded slightly and winced as another sharp pain struck me, but this time from my arm. I glanced over and found myself face to face with yet another syringe, this time nicely located in my wrist. I glanced at Bulma for a moment and she smiled. "This should help. You'll be out in no time."

For some reason this didn't settle me. Fate never dealt me an easy hand. It loved to jolt me back in forth in its playful and mischievous hands. This was going all too easily. Something had to happen, but what? What could complicate things further?

//Being pregnant might cause complications…//

I mentally slapped myself as the thought echoed through my head. I silently cursed to myself as I tried to reach out to Bulma; for, to my disappointment, I found that my arms were restricted to my sides. I had to tell her, just in case. If I didn't then I might have already sealed my fate. She glanced over at me and I tried to open my mouth to speak, but all that came out was incoherent babble as my vision began to blur. Damn, not now! A constant throb ran through my head forcing me to close my eyes against the blinding light of the room and obscured images. Yet, there was thing I still could do. I opened the link slowly, my ever-present fatigue wearing on my senses. He was the only person I could communicate to, but my world was already growing dark as my subconscious began to give into the temptation of sleep. Oh Dende please allow this to get to him, I pleaded softly before everything went silent and still.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He watched the procedure go by silently, his numb body worrying him all the more. How he wished she would let him share her pain. He knew the need for the belts, but the site they produced as she continuously tried to rip out of them…..Dammit! Why did she have to close the link?! He watched warily as Gohan talk to Xenia as Bulma stuck another syringe into her. After this experience he'd probably procure the same abhorrence for needles as his father and sister. It comforted him a little to see her get some rest, but the behavior she exhibited puzzled him. No one seemed to notice, perhaps it was the nagging feeling at the back of his mind, but something was wrong. Something….

<Ask Trunks…>

His breath caught instantly in his throat as his eyes widened. Had that been? His yes darted up to the cot, but all he found was his sister sound asleep as Bulma and Gohan removed the belts from around her.

Had that been her? He wasn't hallucinating, was he? He glanced over at his best friend and mused over the simple statement. Ask Trunks What? What could Trunks know that the rest of them didn't?

Feeling Goten's gaze upon him, Trunks glanced over at him, "What's the matter Goten?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thinkin' about something, its not important," He defended quickly as his hand went to rub his head awkwardly in typical Son style. Trunks lifted up a brow in confusion before granting a small sigh, "You sure."

"Ya, don't worry. I guess I'm just a bit edgy, that's all."

"Ok." Said Trunks skeptically as he turned back towards the room.

What was he thinking? That couldn't have been Xenia she had been out already. It was just his nerves acting up on him. After all it wasn't like he had slept very well in the pass couple days, if at all. Dismissing the thought he glanced back at Xenia quietly wondering or rather hoping if the serum would truly work.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fentanyl: VERY STRONG PAIN KILLER!! Potency of about 80 times that of morphine, but now there are other types less potent. Usually taken by cancer patients. They make them into lollipops for the patients too. Highly addictive, so unless you're dying or having a MAJOR surgery, don't request it. Besides with the story, take into consideration that Xenia is a Saiyan and stuff like morphine doesn't have much of effect on her, ok.

Done! Well at least with this chapter. I seriously didn't mean for that to happen at the end of this chapter. Something entirely different was suppose to happen, but this ended up coming up. Strange, I'm gonna have to revamp the plot of Ch44. More work for me. Three more chapters to go or rather two chapters and an epilogue. If this chapter lacked a little spirit, well sorry about that. One of the chapters that I wasn't into writing. I need a little inspiration. (hint, hint)

Oh yeah, If anyone owns a time machine, can they please loan it to me so I can go back in time and kill Nathaniel Hawthorne so that the Scarlet Letter never existed or better yet, kill all those Puritans. I liked the story and all, but I will bet you all anything that he did not put that much symbolism into it or meant for people to analyze it rhetorically over and over again!!