Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Lost ❯ Rampant Emotions ( Chapter 36 )

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I meant to upload this sooner, but I couldn't get into my file. Anyway thanks goes to my first reviewer on MediaMiner: Mina Son! That review really helped me get into the writing mood. About romance, well that will be coming up soon, but hey you can't rush these things. I have read too many fics where the two characters just fall in love within one chapter and well, in my own opinion, that isn't realistic. Don't worry minna-san! It will happen, just be patient. Slight tissue warning.

Lost

Chapter 36…………

Silence reigned over them as every pair of eyes nervously flowed over the room. No one truly knew what to do. Vegeta had gone after her and that fact alone should allow some comfort, yet all that embraced them was fearful apprehension. So many doubts, so many questions…..…one would find themselves insane if they sat in that tense room for one second.

"Do you think he found her?"

The question cut through the thick reticence that had struck the still figures in the room. Her head turned quickly as she sought for an answer. Someone had to say something. This couldn't go on forever.

"Do you think he found her?!"

The tone was sharper now and more demanding. The speaker quickly bolted out of their chair, their figure straight and rigid as it shook with frustration. Everyone's attention was captured by the chaotic emotions that surrounded her.

"Dammit Goku answer me!!"

Some gasped, while other's found themselves shocked into silence. Never before had Son Chichi ever acted this way. Her very body trembling as she interrogated her husband. Her demeanor possessing that of a mother who was about to loose everything. Those eyes that had been once bright and happy were now desolate and dim. Each possessing large bags that gave way to the great deal of distress that had invaded her heart and mind every night for the past week.

"Goku!"

She took a step to the still warrior. Curses flew threw her mind as he didn't move, or even flinch at her words. Usually one would find Son Goku cowering from his wife when she used such a tone, yet now he acted impassive, unaffected by her emotional demands.

"Goku!" She ran at him, smashing into his broad back. Fist upon fist rained down upon the saiyan as his wife viciously assaulted him with her verbal banter.

"You don't care, do you! She's your daughter and you don't care! How can you stand there and do nothing?! How?! Why don't you cry?!? Why don't you scream?!?! Why don't you do anything?!"

Her aggression began to slowly die as the tears soaked her pale cheeks. Her small hands clawed at the tough fabric, her nails leaving the saiyan unmarked.

"Don't you care!? Don't you……..Goku!"

Her entire body slumped against him, every ounce of strength abandoning her body.

"Goku……."

His name came out as a small plea, barely over a whisper. In acquiescence, her knees buckled beneath her and soon she came crashing to the floor. Yet two strong arms encircled her wiast, their hold tight, yet gently all at the same time. Bewildered, Chichi gazed up at her husband; his face hidden by his raven locks. If only she could see the turmoil in his fraudulent courage and strength. Maybe then she would understand…..…

"Goku……..."

Softer, now, more compliant. Every syllable leaking with sympathy and quiet acceptance. The small tremor that held him flowed through her in that moment, hushing her cries and demands. Her husband, the great warrior that stood like a pillar of strength within times full of pain and chaos was lost. He didn't understand…….he didn't know…….Every fiber of his being told him that he was useless in this battle, yet his stubborn heart was fighting this over-bearing majority that resided within him. The futile battle that waged in there……..Her eyes softened as she wrapped her small thin arms around him.

"Shhhhh….….Goku…….shhhhh……."

She rocked him slowly in her arms. Her body straining from the weight that had suddenly been placed upon her. However, it wasn't the weight of her husband that strained her muscles, it was the guilt that gnawed at the core of her heart as she felt the pain that surged off this strong man in irrepressible waves.

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Why was he just standing there? Why?

Only two more steps and he would be safely inside. Why stall? Why wait? More importantly he had HER in his arms, cold and bleeding. Didn't he realize that she was sick? That keeping her outside and especially in the rain could make it worse?

Trunks shook his head ruefully, managing a small step to his father.

"FATHER."

The word flowed out coarsely, verbalizing his frustration, anger and confusion. Yet, the stolid figure didn't move from his spot infront of Capsule Corp.'s door.

"Father wh-"

Trunks stopped himself as his father's head lifted up and turned; those dark obsidian orbs, now, boring into his own cerulean ones. In them he could detect the faintest tint of doubt and…….what was that? Apprehension? But………why? His father was a master at masking his emotions. Why show his son this?

"Trunks."

He took a step back after hearing his name be spoken. His father's voice had a questionable tone that made him worry. Usually his voice was rough, possessing a monotone. Yet, now…….

"How can I show them this?"

He watched his father's body bend over Xenia's a little more, shielding her from the rain.

"I know in their foolish minds they expect me to bring her in smiling and jumping about, as if she were still seven years old all over again. How can I?"

Trunks found himself walking over to the forlorn man. He didn't understand how, but he could feel all the emotion leaking of his father in large waves. Yet, one look at his face and one would find themselves confronted with a emotionless mask that has been practiced for decades.

"How can I bring her to them like this?"

Trunks glanced down at her, weighing his father's words. At one time she was his best friend, a person he had held above all others. He even regarded her higher than Goten in their friendship. Yet, he didn't even know her now. She was a stranger to him, someone entirely different from the girl he once remembered her to be. Yet, the fear and sympathy she had shown him the past week and when she tried to save them…….In those few precious moments, he saw his old friend in there. The same girl that he still cared about so much…….

"I'll go in first."

Trunks's mouth quirked up in a comforting smile as he rested his hand upon the door. He watched his father nod and pull Xenia closer to him. One quick turn and this would end.

The fear, the apprehension, the doubt, the misery, the anger, the frustration, the grief, the self-condemnation and…….everything…….it would all end. Wouldn't it? Wouldn't it all go away because she was back.

He turned the knob, finding the task harder than expected. The action was slow and hesitant and he couldn't understand why. Wouldn't it all go away? Wouldn't it?

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The slow turn of a knob abruptly tore them from their thoughts, each heart pounding as the apprehension grew. Slowly the wood swayed, creaking lightly against the silence as it gave way to a dark silhouette outside.

"Trunks……." Gohan whispered as the teenager stepped into the dim room. The young demi-saiyan glanced up at them, his face, no his eyes seeming to possess a million different emotions, each tearing at one another for dominance. He fidgeted under their scrutinizing glare before glancing back outside, where the rain still pounded the ground relentlessly. A loud rumble undulated the ground, charging the air with electricity that it had unleashed seconds before. Yet, none flinched at the deafening roar, instead they found themselves captivated by the image that greeted them just beyond the compounds threshold.

"Vegeta, " Bulma stood up from chair, her arms still tucked firmly around her waist. Languidly, she advanced towards her husband, the confusion clear on her face.

The saiyan prince slowly entered the room, his steps almost hesitant. A gasp rang out through the room as the figure in his arms came into view. Outside it had appeared to be just a limp form in his arms, yet each secretly knew what or rather who it was.

"Xenia……." Chichi whispered slowly as her husband helped stand her up; each having forgotten the previous episode that had, seconds before, occupied everyone's attention.

However, what captivated them now wasn't merely her sudden arrival with Vegeta. Moreover, her appearance was what strangled their rational minds. The small lacerations that held themselves open and devoided of fresh blood, gawked at them mockingly. Each ranging from a small thin line to a large cavity that exposed the soft meat under her skin. Yet, what truly caught their attention was the mutilated flesh that created a mangled heap of skin and meat that hung loosely from one ankle. The corium possessed a pale tint to its palette, the contrast of it to the rest of her body striking. Dutifully it weakly spewed forth small thin streams of crimson liquid. The viscous fluid possessed the only shade of color as it slowly trailed down her ankle and dropped onto the parterre.

"Oh dear Dende," Bulma tentatively whispered as treaded softly to the sleeping form in her husband's arms. She stopped a few inches before the two figures, her hand coming up slowly to the girl's face. Ever so gently she placed it upon a pale cheek and jumped back as a cold shock ran through her fingertips and up her arm.

"She's freezing!" She exclaimed in shock. Though the rational part of her mind had long reminded her that she would be like this, she still wouldn't begin to accept Xenia's condition.

"Vegeta, we need to get her downstairs."

Her voice came out calm and smooth and everyone sighed in relief as they heard her speak so placidly. Yet, Vegeta could detect the small tremble that ran through her voice as she addressed him. Even though he had, he did not indicate any signs of concern for his mate, but instead nodded and followed her as she almost militarily turned and headed towards the infirmary.

Everyone began to follow the couple, each stealing glances at the girl in Vegeta's arms. The shock was still ever present in their systems as they descended into the sub-levels of the compound. To such a degree, that perpetual silence once again dominated over them. The only sound being their footsteps as they echoed across the halls.

Bulma curtly turned as Vegeta stopped beside her. Cocking her head a little, she scrunched her brows together as she observed his still stance.

"Vegeta why don-" She stopped within her inquiry as she followed his gaze to Xenia, or rather her hands to be more exact. They still clung tightly to his shirt, not willing to let go even while she was unconscious.

Bulma smiled at this, for it was the one thing that truly reminded her of the little Xenia she had once known. She had always clung to Vegeta, she seemed almost possessive at time, even yelling at Bulma whenever she wanted to be with Vegeta. She loved to be the center of his attention…….

Carefully she pried the deathly-cold fingers from their grip on her husband, surprised by the lack of strength in it. Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she heard a faint jingle of glass. Cautiously, she lifted up one of Xenia's arms to reveal two small flasks securely placed in a broken cavity of her armor. Her eyes flew up to meet Vegeta's allowing the silent question to pass from one to the other. However, Vegeta simply shrugged and allowed his wife to pluck the two cruets before placing Xenia on one of the many beds that lined the walls.

"I am going to analyze these." Bulma stared at the purple liquid that she held, "She didn't tell you what these were for?"

Glancing back down at her, Vegeta slowly shook his head, denying his mate of eye contact.

The room grew silent once more as Bulma shifted her gaze around the room. Sighing she walked towards the hallway, but stopped before her forlorn best friend.

"Goku, get some rest. She's here and won't be going anywhere anytime soon."

He glanced at her for a moment out of the corner of his eye, before returning his attention back to the still form of his daughter, "Maybe we should get Dende to heal her……."

Yet, before Bulma could utter a word in response, Goku had disappeared. Glancing around wildly she searched for him. Shockingly though, she found herself to be the only one surprised by his sudden actions. Abruptly, a small cry escaped her lips as he flashed before her eyes, a blur of green and white appearing beside him.

"Dende, please heal her. "

The saiyan glanced down at the young namekian, his concern for his daughter evident in his eyes. Dende nodded and strode over to Xenia, his body trembling as his eyes roamed over her, taking in her body's state. Slowly, he placed his hands above her chest and closed his innocent obsidian eyes as a warm yellow glow flowed from his palms. Quickly, the wounds began to vanish and the color of her skin returned with the light peachy tone it had possessed. Opening his eyes, Dende stepped back, his lips pulled up in a happy smile.

Yet, happiness didn't last for long. A pale expression suddenly crossed his angular cheeks as fresh crimson liquid began to soak into her clothing. The deeper gashes that had adorned her body before, began to slowly reopened themselves, spewing forth more blood onto the thin white duvet beneath Xenia.

"Oh dear Dende!!" Chichi found herself screaming, as her hands came up to wrench at her hair.

Bulma rushed towards the small bed, her eyes frantically searching Xenia's body, "We need to get some bandages and some antiseptic……."

She turned around her eyes wide with fright as she assessed the people in the room.

"NOW!!" She screamed her voice tight and dry.

Panic soon ensued, everyone frantically swarming the room in search of towels, water, gauze, tape, bandages and other assorted medical supplies.

Bulma wiped the blood from a long laceration on Xenia's shoulder, her head shaking ruefully as the tears fell from her eyes, "I thought this might happen. I knew it would! Why didn't I say anything?!"

Chichi bolted upright and swiftly grabbed Bulma in a fierce grip, "You knew this was going to happen?!?"

Vegeta's head wiped up at the sound of Chichi's banter, his demeanor quickly growing sour under the circumstances, "Kakarrotto shut up that harpy mate of yours, before I do it for you!!"

Goku glanced up at the saiyan prince and swallowed his pride for a moment as he turned to his enraged wife.

"Chichi, please," He grabbed her firmly by her shoulders, "Stop it Chichi. Calm down."

Chichi thrashed and kicked at her husband's vise grip, but to no avail, "But she knew! She knew that……."

"Shhh…….calm down Chichi," Goku loosened his grip as he felt her muscles relax against him, "Fighting won't help Xenia."

He watched her glance at their daughter, her body becoming limp in his arms, "We need to help her, we don't have time to argue with one another."

She nodded against his chest; her tears soaking his gi. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her and watched her tentatively turn and step towards the frantic chaos of people that swarmed around their daughter.

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The darkness held the room in eternal silence. Slowly, small clicks began to manifest, the sound seeming to emanate from the recesses of the room. A hollow dim light casted itself over a young figure; his eyes swiftly moving as he searched the screen infront of him.

"Access denied."

He hesitated for a moment over the keyboard, his hands clenching as he tried to suppress the overwhelming urge to thrust his fist right through the screen.

"Let's try…….MATE." He quickly typed in the word and waited…….

"Access Denied." The computer repeated for the ten thousandth time and Trunks soon found himself holding onto the last string of his repose. In a desperate attempt he began to repetitively press the enter key, his forehead pressed hard against the cool computer screen.

"Access denied. Access denied. Access denied. Access denied. Access denied. Access denied."

"Damn you!!" He yelled as his fist came crashing down on the table infront of him. He had to find out what his mother wasn't telling them about Xenia! There was no doubt about it. He knew she wasn't telling them something. He had to know! He wasn't about to give up, even if it took him all night.

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Goten dabbed Xenia's shoulder gently with a small blue towel. The wound no longer bleeding freely now, he allowed a small smile to grace his features as he observed it carefully.

"This one has stopped bleeding."

He turned to Bulma and watched her walk over to him, "Ok, this is looking better. All it will need now is a few stitches."

The terror in her voice had began to fade, but he could still keenly detect a strand of it still trapped within her.

"Can I do anything else?"

Bulma stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth as she concentrated on her task. Slowly but surely the needle she punctured the saiyan female's tough skin, "This one looks to be the last one. Well, the last one that will need stitches anyway and your mother and Gohan are bandaging the last of her minor wounds……."

Her hand flowed in the air as she ran the clear thread securely through the corium. Goten nodded and turned away, at least she was…….what was that term Bulma used…….stabilized?

Glancing back he wouldn't help, but feel the panic leap up into him. First the senzu bean and now Dende's healing powers? Why was her body rejecting everything? Could that virus be that powerful?

Shoving his hands roughly into his pockets he sauntered over to his father who was sitting in a low wooden chair. His head was bent down enough to allow his raven bangs to hide his face well from view. A large callous hand cupped his chin for support as he continued to stare at the ground.

"Dad?"

Goku's body twitched as the word fell over the silence between the two, but made no move to indicate that he had heard his son.

"Dad are you ok?" Goten took a step forward and held back a gasp as his father's head whipped up; obsidian eyes meeting his. The raw emotion that poured out from them wrenched at Goten's heart. He hated seeing his father this way, it wasn't like him. He never showed this kind of acquiescence, and with Xenia…….

"All done."

Bulma declared proudly as she stepped back from Xenia's body. A smile tugged at Chichi's lips as she slumped against her eldest son.

"Come on mom." He said softly as he swung her small torso into his arms, being ever so careful as to not hurt her.

"You need to rest," with that being said he walked over to Goten and his father; the expression on their faces souring his mood even more. Ever so gently he sat her down beside Goku, his eyes scanning his parents for any sign of anxiety, unfortunately, he didn't have to look far.

"Well," Bulma happily rang out as she stepped next to Gohan, "I am gonna go to analyze these things. Who knows. They might help her."

Though she kept her face bright with a hopeful smile, they all knew too well that it was merely a facade. Nevertheless, Gohan nodded as he mouthed a small thank you to the blue-haired genus.

She smiled at Gohan, grateful for his silence as she tucked the two cruets into a large pocket on her shirt. Bulma ventured one last look back before turning to leave the room; staying here would only dampen her mood. At least her computer wouldn't stare at her with such a morose expression….or so she tried to convince herself as she wiped the tears that had threatened to spill.

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"Access denied."

Taking a deep breath, the demi-saiyan sighed, "What could it be? I have tried everything! All the family names, saiyan dialect, name of the company's investors…….."

Burying his face in his hands, Trunks desperately began to massaged his temple, hoping the action would spur up something.

//Come on Trunks. Think. Think. What could your mother's password be?//

He cracked open an eye and stared at the glowing screen.

//What could it be?!?//

Suddenly his eyes snapped open and widened as his brain ran over his new discovery. Why didn't he think of it before?? It was so simple. The one person he was thinking about. The reason for doing this……

"Lets try……" a smile tugged at the corner of his lips, "…...XENIA."

The screen flashed as he leaned back against the chair. //You have to work.//

"Access granted."

A loud crash resounded in the room as he leaped out his chair exuberantly. It worked!! Yet, the computer continued to flash and the light surrounding the adolescent began to turn into white letters as the screen displayed the file's information.

Paying no heed to the chair that laid behind him, he crouched down and began to read the information his mother had collected from Xenia's blood sample.

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"We should all get some rest," ventured out Gohan as he ran a hand up his face and through his hair; his eyes intent upon his father.

Goten's face hardened as he turned sharply towards his brother, "But Gohan……."

"Listen to your brother."

The two siblings quickly turned to Goku as he stood up from his slouched position in the small chair. They gazed at his face and could immediately detect the fallacy in his smile.

"You all should get some rest."

"No Kakarrotto. You should get some rest, not just them." Goku glanced back at the saiyan prince; who had taken his usual stance against the wall.

"I will look after her."

A low growl emanated from Goten as he advanced forward, "Like BEFORE, huh?"

"Boy, you don't understand."

A light maniacal chuckle fell from Goten's lips, "Oh I think I understand. If it wasn't for you letting her go before then she wouldn't be in this predicament! She wouldn't be hurt!"

Slowly the air within the room began to swirl around the young demi-saiyan, his hair becoming rigid and lighter.

"Goten." Gohan snapped irritatingly as he watched his brother display his reckless anger.

"STOP IT."

Every person suddenly froze as the demand filtered itself into every pore of their beings. That voice…

Slowly Gohan turned and found two violet eyes staring intensely at him; their steady gaze filled with anger and guilt.

Xenia sat up, her eyes shutting tightly as she hissed in pain, "Just please stop."

"Xenia?" Chichi took a step toward her daughter. She couldn't believe it. She was awake and……

Xenia looked away, her bangs hiding her face, "Don't come near me."

A gasp fell from Chichi's lips as she heard her daughter's words. She didn't want her to come near her. But why? Why??

"Please, all of you leave." Chichi couldn't believe the coldness in her voice; it cut straight through to her heart.

"If any of you must stay," a small hiss escaped Xenia's lips as she shifted uncomfortably on the stiff bed, "Then let Gohan be the one."

Goku clenched his fist tightly. Why was she doing this?

"But can't I-"

"NO!" She shouted fiercely as her head shook violently. Her hands tightened on the duvet, "Please."

Her voice was calmer now; softer, "Pay no heed to my condition or my state, just…….leave."

A frown began to dominate Goku's feature's as he recognized the tone she was using. The same tone her voice had possessed under Turlus's tutelage. Yet, he found himself with no strength to rebuke her proposal and curtly nodded. Gohan shifted his gaze nervously between the two and opened his mouth to speak, but quickly found himself at a loss for words as his eyes locked onto his sister's once again.

"Keep an eye on her Gohan," Goku commanded severely as he slipped as hand around his wife's waist.

"We'll all be upstairs if you need anything or if she………."

Goku trailed off, the strain in his voice becoming more obvious.

"Ya dad, I know," Gohan smiled and watched skeptically as the four retreated from the room.

Why would Xenia want him to stay? He ran his eyes over her body, taking in every bandage and every scrape that had been left uncovered. Why him?

"Gohan."

His eyes flew to her face as he tried to desperately search for an answer, but she simply smiled at him.

"Please Gohan, sit next to me."

The request was made hardly above a whisper, but he quickly replied and soon found himself sharing a staring contest with her as he sat in a chair near her.

"Gohan," she laughed, "I don't bite."

A slight tint of blush ran over his cheeks as he noticed the distance between them, "Sorry."

He scooted the chair near her and couldn't help, but feel the desired happiness gnaw its way into his heart.

Xenia quickly looked away, "Thank you."

"Ya well-" Gohan stated shyly as he placed a hand casually behind his head.

"Gohan…….." She interrupted, but there was no cause for alarm; her tone was playful and….almost happy.

"Gohan, it's been such a long time."

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Oh dear Dende no. It couldn't be this bad……..it couldn't be………Did they bring her back just so that she could die. This……….

Trunks scanned over the document infront of him again, his eyes slowly beginning to blur.

"No…….no………NO!!"

Trunks screamed as he fell to his knees. This could not be happening. It couldn't.

Swiftly his fist came raining down, each punch creating a large dent in the metal flooring.

"This wasn't suppose to happen!!"

He hated this. He hated feeling helpless………

The tears soaked his cheeks as he continued to viciously attack the floor, the bitter salt upon his lips causing him to gag for air.

"This wasn't suppose to happen."

His voice was calmer now as he curled himself into a tight ball; his entire body threatening to devour him in this endless sea of pain.

How could this happen?

How could it?

All the while the computer radiated its dim eerie glow over the room. Yet, the origins of the teenager's grief was obvious. Six words stood out in the document due to their large, capital print.

"ESTIMATED TIME TILL DEATH: TWO WEEKS."

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I am NOT going to finish this by the end of the school year, way too much to write still. Though I do know what will be happening in the last chapter and the epilogue, so that helps. Thanks again for your review Mina Son, you have no idea what it meant to finally get a review here. I have some of the next chapter written, but it will take a while with finals all next week. Well, I gotta go. Ja ne, minna-san.