Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Price of Power ❯ Realization ( Chapter 13 )

Price of Power

By AMCM74

Chapter 13 - Realization

Pan quirked up her brow, and stopped walking, Trunks' hand slipped from her waist, as she looked behind her. "Marron is gone." She said in a quiet voice.

Trunks looked over his shoulder. Pan was right, the plucky blonde girl was nowhere in sight. "Really?" A devilish smile moved over his lips, and his eyes moved to his new lover. "Well, then." He pulled Pan to him, his body pressing intimately into hers. "Kiss me." He whispered huskily. The warm breath fanning her cheek sent shivers of enchantment over her skin.

Pan laughed and stretched up to her tiptoes, her lips brushing softly over his own. She was about to drop back down, when he suddenly intensified the kiss from a soft, lazy caress, to the consuming lustful swirls that told her exactly what he was intending. Trunks' hand was rising up her back to seal her against his muscular form. His lip broke from her mouth to trail along her cheek, to her ear and down t her neck in a heated wave of passion-inducing fire. Pan tilted her head with a sigh, giving him freer access, and relished the sensations he was evoking there. It wasn't until his teeth grazed over the vulnerable skin of her neck that her eyes popped open. Marron and Bra's words resounding in her head like some sort of haunting recording. Fear of the unknown rose up, clutching her chest in its icy grasp, wiping away all feelings of pleasure that she had been enjoying. Pan pushed him away. The word `bonded' echoing at her as she closed her eyes and tossed her head from side to side. "We have to go look for Marron. I am worried about her." Pan turned her back to Trunks and tried not to let his eyes meet hers. She could not bear for him to know she had learned about bonding, or have him possess the knowledge that it scared the hell out of her.

Trunks had a rush of anxiety flow through his being, and stood rigid, his attention locked on the girl before him. This was not his feeling, he was sure of it. It was a different feeling than he had ever experienced before. He studied Pan's form with curious eyes. He reached out and gently turned her to face him. She was shaking slightly and her eyes refused to meet with his. Trunks put his hand under her chin and lifted it, intent on forcing her to look at him. He heard her voice in his head, almost like a gentle sigh in his ear. *Please no.* "Pan, what's tell me what is going on here."

"N, Nothing." She stuttered. Giving in and letting her dark eyes move with his. They stared at each other for a long moment neither daring to move. Trunks watched the flash of panic in her eyes *oh Sweet Kami, I think he knows*

Trunks blinked in shock. How was this happening? He could already hear her thoughts. It was hard not to suspect that he had merely imaged the gentle undertones. He leaned to the side, his sharp eyes drifting over her flesh, searching for any sign of a mark. There was none. They were not bonded yet, but there it was again. The little whispers in his head like the passing of a breeze against ones ear.

"What are you looking at?" Pan's hand slapped over where his teeth had grazed her neck, her fingers gently examining the tender area. Panic caused her to test the soft skin.

Trunks drew her hand away. "Do not fear. I have not marked you." He watched he relief that lit up her eyes and felt his heart drop in disappointment. There was malice in his voice when he added "Yet."

Pan stepped back. The cold tone and colder look seeping into his eyes made her swallow in fear "Yet?" She forced the word past her lips and feigned innocence. "Mark me, I don't know what you mean?" Please let him buy that, she silently begged. Even as she hoped he stiffened.

Trunks face grew dark. "Someone has told you about the bonding."

"Bonding?" Pan squeaked, and wrung her hands.

"Don't play stupid with me." Trunks grabbed her arm forcefully, causing Pan to jump. She looked at where his fingers bit into her flesh. "I know someone told you. Who was it?" He ignored Pan's attempts to break free. He just clamped tighter.

"Princess Bra told me." Pan cried out as the angry pressure became nearly unbearable. "Now, let go of me! You're hurting my arm."

You' re breaking my heart. Trunks wanted to yell back at her, but his pride buried the words deep in his stomach. "My father is holding a banquet in my honor. We will have to go there now. There is no way for me to get out of it" He loosened the grip. Looking down at her he added, "But after that we will return to my room," and in a calmer tone, "and finish what has to be done."

"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!" Pan screamed before she could stop herself. She knew exactly what he meant. She could stand a years worth of being his concubine. A lifetime of being his mate and never being able to return to her world was simply impossible for her to bear.

"Why not?" Trunks dropped her arm as if she had burned him. The anger and irritation was growing. He was a Prince. Women all over the universe had vied for his attention. Now he had found one that he wanted and he met with resistance? It didn't make any sense. She should be pleased he wanted her. She should be grateful. Pain stuck him as he realized that was not what really bothered him. She would love him, and yet she did not. The only thing his woman wanted was to return to Earth. That would never happen. He would destroy it before he gave her up.

Pan looked at the floor and around the room, anywhere, but at his face. * I want to go home, that's why* "I am not ready for that kind of commitment."

She had just confirmed his fears unknowingly for him. Trunks repressed the urge to slam his fist into the wall. "You are not going back to Earth, Pan." Trunks yelled at her. "You will stay here with me. You will grow to accept this and you will come to accept ME."

Pan's head shot up. "What? What did you say?" She had been very careful to keep her desire to return home hidden from him. She knew that would only cause her home planet nothing but trouble.

Trunks looked down at her practically daring her to deny her own thoughts to him. "You are not going back home to Earth, Pan. I wont allow that." Shaking his head, he added sternly. "Never."

Pan could only stare at his blue eyes. *How does he know?*

"Isn't it obvious, Pan? With all your new found knowledge of Saiyan mating, I thought you would have figured this out by now." Trunks whispered. "You're too late." Then with a smug smile he thought with the full force of his will. *We are already bonding* Pan heard that whisper in her head. She looked at his eyes as he waited for the realization to dawn on her. She didn't gasp or display a form of shock that would lead him to the conclusion she had heard his thoughts as clearly as he had heard hers. It was slow in coming but tears began to form in her eyes. In response there was no mercy in his blue ones. "Give yourself up to me Pan." He slid next to her, his hands taking her arms. "It is to late to do anything else."

Pan slapped his face as hard as she could. His face jerked to the side, and she dove under his arm and ran full speed down the hallway. *It's ok to run, Pan, but you can never escape*

Pan threw her hands over her ears and did exactly that. She ran as fast and hard as she could, until she was bursting out of the huge doors of the palace and into the streets. The guards did not even move to stop her. It did not matter where she went or how far she ran. She could still feel him in her mind. There had to be a way to stop this. She was not marked as his mate yet. She threw herself against a wall and gasped for breath. Pan's hand rose to her neck as she panted. Then her fingers were touching the cold metal choker. Not marked? Dear sweet Dende! That was it. The necklace she wore around her neck. His words came back to her. It marked her as his. He may not have left marks in her skin like Bulma had from King Vegeta, but she wore his mark around her neck like a shackle. He had tricked her, again. Damn him, Damn him to an eternal torment. She would never forgive him for this. It was so much worse than she had ever imagined. How could she even suspect she was coming to love that beast? She slumped to the ground and cried. Willing all the emotions she had felt for him to wither up and die. She had to be stronger. She had to.

Soon Trunks was there, lifting her weary form into his arms. "I will hate you, forever." She sobbed against his chest. The feelings of uselessness and powerlessness were wracking her being. She hated herself more for the sense of relief that he had come after her. The unnatural feeling that in his arms everything would be all right. How could he make it all right? He was the problem.

Trunks snorted, "Be my guest. Hate me with everything you have. I don't care as long as I have you." He let his fingers rove over her hair in a soothing motion as he continued to talk in a hushed voice. "You can never escape me. You belong to me, forever."

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Marron stretched her arm in front of her as she tested her hand. The rejuvenation tank was not as effective as Senzu beans, but it beat the tar out of waiting the normal six weeks for bones to heal. General Q had left her at the infirmary with the technicians. He had said they were throwing a banquet in honor of Trunks and Pan. The entire Planet Vegeta was already talking about he powerful new heir that they were going to have. Blah! Marron wanted to barf. Another spoiled Saiyan to rape and pillage the universe. Great just what this galaxy needed!

She was pulling her armor on when Bardock walked in and looked right at her. She had the creepy sensation he was following her.

"You." Marron growled at him. She wanted to hide her discomfort from him as she asked. "Are you still to much of a coward to face me."

"How is the arm?" Bardock laughed, and walked past her and hit a few buttons on the regeneration tank that she had been in. "No. I could beat you easily," Bardock stood back waiting. "And that would bring me no great joy." He turned to look at her. "I am here to talk to you about other matters."

"Me?" Marron looked up confused but then hide it under a cloak of hostility "Why? Why would the great hero of the Saiyan race want to take time to talk to a puny alien girl?" Marron mocked him. She set her hands on her narrow hips. "Unless you want me to tell you about your family. What kind of person you great granddaughter is? OH or what about your Grandson Gohan. You remember him." She lashed out cruelly. "Wait here is a better one! What about Goku! The fact is you don't know a damn thing about him."

Bardock scowled at her darkly. " What I really need to know is what kind of person you are." Bardock tossed her nasty attitude back at her. He really did not want to be having this conversation, but had no choice in it.

"What kind of a person I am?" Marron blinked. She moved away from him in distrust. "What are you up to?"

The tank buzzed and a paper slipped out into his hand. "Can you read Bulma's native langue?" Bardock held the slip in front of him. He studied it for a moment before folding it a few times. "I took the initiative to have it print your health read out in that language."

"Yes, I believe so." Marron watched him carefully. Something about his attitude toward her was making her more then just uneasy. It was down right scary.

Bardock snorted and tossed her the paper "Read it and you will understand."

Marron snatched the paper. She looked up at him with deep blue eyes. This man was not making any sense to her. He was a Saiyan though. That very well could account for most of this bizarre behavior. She turned the read out in her hands a few times and then looked at it. "Please!" She said with exasperation as she read through her health status. It was very detailed and had things on it she had not known she was tested for, blood cell counts, hormone levels, and other general assessments." Then she froze as she found the information Bardock was referring to. "NO! It's not possible." Looking at Bardock's serious expression she felt her voice waver. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No, Marron, you are pregnant, with my grandchild." Bardock didn't move from his carefully selected spot. He just reached out to grab the girl without looking, as she fainted into his arms. For once, just once, Bardock wished things didn't go exactly how he for saw them.

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Bra stood in the center of the empty arena in her fighting armor, and waited. The silvery lights from the stars were bathing her in their light. She arched and bent. In her heart she felt his angry stride. He had followed her to the room.

"What are you doing here, the banquet is about to start." Goten stood before her in his formal uniform, looking darkly handsome.

Bra moved her gaze to him with a dark glint as her eyes swept over him. "I was waiting for you."

"I had told you to await me in your rooms. I expected you there or attending the banquet" He snapped. "I was actually looking for your brother. He is missing as well." It was then that Goten noticed her attire. Dark eyes grew darker with disapproval "You are dressed for a fight."

"Yes." Bra nodded. She had her hair piled on her head, her body stretched out and ready to proceed. "After the scene you caused in the throne room today, it is time for you learn that I am not one to trifle with." Bra placed her hand on her hips. "I heard you took Marron as a personal slave."

Goten couldn't help it, he started to laugh. "I am sorry Bra, but that is none of your concern. I have my reasons." He was finally amused. There, before him, stood his future mate, the delicate princess of the Saiyans. She looked more like a ballerina in the starlight, than some dangerous killer. "Bra, you are a princess… Please be serious."

"I am the Princess of Saiyans, and you should not be laughing." Bra took her stance. There was coolness to her words, and she was deathly serious.

"Bra! I am not going to fight you, baby." Goten shouted at her and shook his head. "I would never take the chance of hurting you seriously. There is not just that to consider. Your father would never condone such an action from me."

Bra had enough. She had waited long. She had planned and plotted to make this man her mate. Not some alien girl shows up, and just cause she is an Earthling they expect her to share Goten. Not likely! She had never shared anything that was HERS and she was not going to start now. "Then you will die." Bra powered up and Goten stumbled back from the force of it.

"BRA! Where did you get all that power?" Goten demanded, as he put his hands to his eyes to shield them from the dust she was throwing up. "You're not a fighter." He told himself, more than her. He saw her standing there with waves of ki forming around her body. "You don't fight." He didn't have his scouter on, but he could feel her might. "Bra?"

She laughed, "While you were out playing in space." She supplied the answer. "I told you that you have been gone way too much. Now defeat me, and earn your place in the Saiyan race as my mate - or die." She rushed in and punched him square in the face. He was caught off-guard in his amazement and flew back. Catching himself in the air he stopped and flipped over. He grabbed the ground to slow his course and then dug his feet in, digging a trench as he went. When he finally stopped, he was quite a distance from the angry Princess.

Goten rose to his feet and shook his head "That hurt." He admitted "But there is more to fighting than strength."

In the space of a heartbeat she was standing behind him. Although he had no idea, until he tried to find her with his eyes. She whispered in his ear "You are so right." The she let her hand fly into his back and he fell forward. "I am not trying yet, Goten." She stood over him. "If you want to bond with a Saiyan Princess you will have to show yourself worthy in my eyes." Leaning down she pulled his head up by his hair "There are also some things you need to atone for."

"What about you?" Goten chuckled darkly. "After all, you're the one with droves of me waiting in line for their turn in your bed."

Bra snarled, " So it hurt your pride that badly, did it." She kicked him in the side "Too bad you were not as daring as others. It could have been you. After all, it was not like I didn't try to coerce you into my bed, but no Mr. Goodie-Goodie Goten can't go against my father or my brother." Bra flipped him over and pounded his back into the ground. Leaning over him she shouted. "You were the one I wanted damn it. I hate you for that."

Goten snarled, "You should have waited."

Bra lifted her hand "Fight me, or die." The power forming there was already enough to kill him, and yet she still gathered more

Goten sighed, looking up at the angry blue eyes of the only woman he had ever cared for. She was truly enraged at his choice to keep Marron for his own. He liked the thought of her being jealous over him. Still it was not logical. He was still nothing more than a warrior. He could die in a battle at any time. It only made sense that he have as many heirs as possible. To take the practice away from the Saiyan race of having more than one lover would have doomed them to extinction long ago. It was then it hit him. He was not just Saiyan and neither was Bra. In fact hadn't it been Bulma's Earth custom of having only one life mate that had driven Vegeta to disbanding his concubines long ago? "You are serious?"

"Stay there and find out." Bra shot her ki at him. The beam hit the ground where he had been an instant before. The explosion rocked the palace. Bra looked at the rubble where he once was, and felt the tears in her eyes "My dear sweet Goten. I love you, but I have to have the strongest mate in the universe. He was right, there is no other choice for me, and with you alive I will never have been able to choose another." She stood with clenched fists for a moment. Hating herself for what she had just done.

"That is a good thing to know." Goten's voice echoed into the new silence "Because, I am not going to die yet." She turned in shock to see the injured form in the black billowing cloak. "Now tell me." Dark eyes narrowed. "Who is this `he'?"

Bra was caught off guard as he attacked her, the element of surprise finally on his side. He was thankful. He had never known Bra was so powerful. He reached out, and grabbed her arm. She looked at him and then let him draw her next to him. He was trying to pin her. Bra flipped her wrist and grabbed his wrist right back and twisted it up.

Goten cried out. Why the hell had not one informed him of Bra's training? More to the point who had dared to train her at all? One thing was perfectly clear to him. She was going to break his arm at this rate. He swept her with his foot and she went down, and then as he broke free, brought the side of his hand down on her neck. Bra choked as she tried to stand, her blue eyes flashing.

Great! Goten thought. Seems all I have done is piss her off. I have to figure out a way to win this without hurting her. He shook his head. At this rate he didn't see where he was going to have much of a choice. Either she ended up paying a visit to a rejuvenation tank or he would end up dead. What would the King say when he informed him that his daughter would miss the banquet because Goten had beaten the hell out of her. Goten paled. No matter how this turned out he was a dead man. Dead man. Damn you Bardock!!!! His grandfather had known about this, right down to his thoughts, that old bastard.

At that moment Bra saw her opening and went for it.

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

Pan sobbed uncontrollably into the pillow. It didn't help that with each huge breath she took she only served to bring his scent into her. She hated him, but she hated herself more for loving him as well.

Trunks stood inclined over her. *It hurts to see you like this* She could sense he wanted to comfort her, but feared her reaction, as well as her possible manipulation.

"Then let me go home. I don't want to stay here, Trunks." Pan never looked up as she snarled. "And for the love of Kami, stop talking to me like that. It feels wrong."

Trunks frowned and sat down next to her and placed his hand on her back. "You will get used to it. I swear Pan. Maybe in time you will grow to like Vegeta-sei as my mother did."

Pan flipped over to escape his touch and put distance between them. "Or maybe I will fall into depression and take my own life."

"Don't say that." Trunks looked frantic as he grabbed her by her arms, despite her attempts to push him away. "I will not allow it."

Pan set her eyes on his and with deadly intent reacted. *I will not allow you to win. I will be free. I will return to Earth, I will have love*

"But I do love you." Trunks admitted his feelings then. He flinched as the words come up unbidden. The look in his face was one of extreme disgust. How could he have told her that, now of all times.

"Yeah right!" Pan scoffed. She could not believe that this was happening. He would stoop so low just to entrap her, Like she would be that stupid.

Trunks reacted in the only way he could think of and kissed her. *Read it in my mind, in my heart. You have that power, my love. You will see it's true. I do care for you. That is why the bond if forming to quickly between us. I know you love me as well. Just admit it. To hide it is doing neither of us any good*

Pan was being tortured. She was growing to love this man before her. But she loved her family as well. It was coming down to a choice. Trunks versus Earth, and everything there that she loved. "As painful as this is for you to hear, I can not love you Trunks." She pulled back from him. "I want to go home. Your father himself gave me the chance I need. The only thing I have to do is keep from having your child "

Trunks' will clashed with Pan, who stood firm in her resolve.

He just bent over and began to drown himself in her kiss. It was a cheap way to forget. The pain was so intense and unbearable, born from her rejection of him and the life he offered her. He clung to her until felt her starting to respond. He would take her again. This time he would bond her to him, just ignore all his father's warnings. She was never going to leave him. He kept repeating that thought in his mind. *You wont leave me* But as he did he heard her voice echo his own "Yes, I will."

Once again thanks to my spectacular BETA READER. Huge Hug!