Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Price of Power ❯ Intrigue ( Chapter 3 )

Price of Power

By AMCM74

Chapter 3 - Intrigue

No sooner had he said the words, than another man blasted down, and landed between them. Trunks noticed the similarity, almost immediately, to the young girl that stood with them. There was a familiar aura to this man.

Gohan stood facing Trunks. Pan planted squarely behind him. She moved forward to clutch her hands into the material at his shoulder. "Daddy!"

Trunks noticed Goten follow, coming to the ground at his side. Yet he did not move to look at his comrade. Instead he remained focused on the foe before him. "Prince Trunks, this is Gohan, eldest son of Kakkarot, and father of the girl we found." Goten's eyes glared at Gohan with venom.

"Is that so." Trunks said in a chilling voice as he watched the other man. He was her father all right. Trunks could easily see the resemblances.

"Yes, my lord." Goten looked up to see, Goku, Krillin, and Marron joining them. "This Kakkarot, my father."

Trunks stared coldly out at the group. It was clear they had been hiding the girl from them for a very long time. Every single one of them looked nervously at him as if he expected them to bring the world crashing down on their head at any given moment. They had a right to worry. He might just do that. "I am Prince Trunks, of the planet Vegeta. You have sworn allegiance to my father long ago. So tell me now. Why was this girl was never reported, and turned over to the Planet Vegeta's warrior's after her birth?" Never one to mince words Trunks cut straight to the point. It was not like he was already mad enough at having to wait to claim the girl. Now he had some one to take it out on.

Gohan looked back at his daughter draped in the purple cape. He moved his head to the side and noticed what was left of her orange Gi lying on the ground in sodden tatters. "Did he hurt you, Pan?" Gohan peered over his shoulder at his daughter with an assessing gaze.

A deep blush covered her face. What was there she could say. "He changed his mind." Pan was very embarrassed as she faced her family in this state. Marron walked over and put her arms around Pan in a supportive embrace. Pan allowed the other girl to draw her in slow steps away from Gohan.

Goten did not miss the hatred in the blonde girl's eyes as she tossed an angry glance over at him. Smiling at her he winked. That should throw her into a fine fit of rage for a while. Turning his attention to his newly found brother, he stepped forward with irritation of his own. "The Prince has asked you a question, cur. I believe you should answer it." Then in a more menacing tone, he added, "Before I decide to make you."

Gohan was up to the challenge Goten was offering. Seeing his daughter's form clothed in the prince's cape, while her garments lay haphazardly tossed about the riverbank, was more than enough to raise his ire. He was about to make a move toward his brother when Goku clamped a hand down on his shoulder. With almost a practiced ease he took up the lie Gohan had started "She is not a Demi-Sayian there for there was no need to report her birth to the authorities. She is no threat to your Planet Vegeta."

Trunks understood what they were telling him. In his mind, her saw her pulling away from him on the bank. The pants slipping low on her back. That scar was uncontestable proof as to what she was. Kakkarot was trying to hide it, a futile attempt at a desperate lie. Trunks swept a cool gaze at the other man, then to his enraged son. Let them think he had fallen for it. It would give him and Goten time to relax as they planned their departure to Planet Vegeta. Then, they could return at their leisure to inform King Vegeta. From there they could reacted to his will accordingly. "I see. Very well then, no harm done."

That was not enough to appease an irate father. "My daughter's clothes lie in shreds at your feet, and you say no harm has been done." Gohan raged. He dared that other man to deny it. How could he believe he had the right to his previous actions?

Trunks shrugged "Well then in that case, tell me what price you wish for her, and I will pay it." He leveled his steel blue eyes on Gohan's black ones. "But I warn you, I do not leave my property just lying around the universe."

Pan gasped at the direction of the conversation. Was that man was trying to buy her? She turned wide eyes on Marron.

Marron felt a sudden urge to clap her hands over Pan's ears. She refrained from doing so. Instead she whispered so only Pan could hear. "Let your father deal with him. It doesn't matter if he offers or not. Gohan wont agree. So there is nothing for you to worry about."

"My daughter, and her honor, is not for sale." Gohan tried to shrug off his father's restraining hand. "Not at any cost."

Trunks continued to pretend to misunderstand. "Then why do you ask for reimbursement?"

"What my son means is that, we prefer to keep Pan here with us." Goku refused to let his son pave a way to war. Earth was in no way prepared for a battle with the Saiyans, at least not yet. "I am sorry for the misunderstanding."

"Since you are the son of Bardock, I will make allowances for you and your family." Trunks addressed Goku directly. "I want to personally congratulate you on your son, Goten." Trunks motioned to Goten. "He has never faltered in his duty to me. My father has sent him with me to reward him. I brought him because I believe he deserves to meet his family."

Goten looked over at his Prince. What was he up to? Trunks moved his eyes to Goten and then glanced over at Pan. AHHH, he was not done with the girl. Very well, Goten could play along with his lord. It was not as if there wasn't any thing on this planet to distract him. His family would be a good place to start. The little blonde might prove to be a pleasant diversion as well. Goten gave a wicked grin. After all, why should Trunks have all the fun?

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Goten and Trunks found themselves sitting at the table as Chi-Chi and Videl brought food outside to them. Gohan glared at the two other Demi-Sayians seated across from him. After what had happened already, Gohan was would be more than happy to toss them back in their space pods, and kick them back across the galaxy.

Chi-Chi was delighted at having her youngest child back. She smiled at Goten as she offered him a plate. "Goten, you have grown so big and strong."

Goten looked up at the woman had given birth to him for the first time. Taking the plate he answered, "Yes, I have." It was said with coldness that he didn't really feel. In fact he felt very little at all for these people. From the looks of things Trunks seemed to be more attached them than he was. The Prince was sincerely enjoying the planet. He ate with a relaxed grace. Casting an occasional look at his surroundings, he seemed almost amused by the planet's charm.

Chi-Chi looked as if she was about to cry at her son's tone. While the strain of the situation caused Gohan to break a chop stick in his fingers. The cracking sound caught more than just Gohan's attention.

Trunks growled at Goten. "Show her some respect! You would never hear me using such a tone with my mother!" Trunks shook his head and sighed. "Please let me assure you that he was raised better."

"My apologies, my prince." Goten directed his attention to his mother. "I thank you for the hospitality you are showing us."

Chi-Chi's lip quivered a bit "It's all right. You are my son." Turning her eyes to Trunks just before she burst into tears, she asked, "How is your mother? We all miss her greatly." She raised her hand to wipe away tears that were beginning to flow.

"You knew my mother?" Trunks blinked. From the look of anxious faces surrounding him Trunk came to the conclusion that they all had. "I never knew she was a personal friends of yours."

"Yes, Goku, um err…" Chichi cringed and corrected herself, not wanting to insult her son. "Kakkarot and Bulma use to terrorize the countryside together. In fact if it weren't for her I would have probably never met Go…Kakkarot." Chi-Chi sat next to Goku and recounted the tale for the two young warriors.

"I will tell my mother you have asked after her." Trunks nodded slightly. It was stunning to realize just how entwined they really all were. "It will bring her heart joy to know you think of her."

"You never really answered or question though did you." Goku was fixed on his plate, as he pushed his food around. Suddenly he looked up. "How is she?"

"She is very well." Trunks did not want to tell them that he and Goten had spent so much time purging planets lately that he was really unsure of her welfare. "She is the Saiyan Queen a position that is treated with great respect. The people of planet Vegeta accepted her shortly after I was born. The birth of my sister, Princess Bra has cemented her position. No one would dare challenge her. Well not as long as my father is still so enraptured with her." Trunks chuckled " Not that if he decided to take another female that any one would say anything to her. They would also have Goten and I to deal with."

Goten raised his head to face his parents. "The Queen was like a mother to me during my childhood." He smirked and added, "That was before I was sent away to train."

"They sent you away for training?" Goku felt his breath suck from his chest.

"Of course, the Prince could only have the very best tutors. I am his personal bodyguard. I have gone everywhere with him for as long as I can remember. I had to study very hard so, that if the day came, I could protect him from harm." Goten smiled at the memories of intense fighting lessons. A form of training that was deemed that only the strongest and most worthy survived. "Although he has never made it easy on me. My Prince would rather play than train."

Trunks laughed with true enjoyment for the first time since they had arrived "Why should I try so hard? I always have you there to back me up." Trunks elbowed Goten hard. "No one would dare challenge you after the tournament."

"They held a tournament?" Goku peered at Gohan then back at Trunks and Goten.

"Yes." Goten tried to hide his smile.

"Did you win?" Chi-Chi was curious. She leaned across the table to lock eyes with her boy.

"No, His lordship won." Goten nodded to Trunks.

Trunks started laughing hard at the simple statement. "I was to fight the winner." Trunks leaned back and set his arms behind his head. The blue eyes meet the blue sky. "Goten dominated the competition! No one could even touch him. Then he surrendered to me before the first punch was thrown."

Goten shook his head solemnly, "I could not battle with my Prince. To do so would have been tantamount to treason."

"You could have at least tried for my sake!" Trunks grabbed Goten's shoulder armor and shook him hard. "You had the entire planet shuddering in fear of you ever since!" Trunks grumbled as he leaned over his food. "It should have been me." Trunks resumed eating.

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Inside Pan was dressing in a rush. Marron looked out the window between slatted blinds. "I can't believe that monster is actually laughing out there. After what he did to you I think your father and grandfather should have pounded him into he ground."

"It certainly would serve him right." Pan buttoned her jeans. She was feeling much better thanks to a senzu bean Marron had slipped her after they had entered the house. "Marron do you know what a Saiyan is?" Every one was tossing that word around, Pan had completely no idea what it meant.

"I have heard of them before, from my father." Marron straightened slapping her hands on her thighs. "What I heard seems to be all true. They are just evil beings out to destroy happiness where ever they can."

"Grandfather called that one, Goten, his son, and he certainly looks like Grandfather." Pan pulled her hair up into a ponytail and took to great strides to the window. She peered out the glass. He head next to Marron.

"He does not!" Marron hissed as she shoved Pan lightly on the shoulder. "Look at him! He hasn't the warmth your grandfather does in his face." Marron made a face. "If you ask me he is just plain scary."

"I can vouch for that." Pan rubbed her face, remembering where her bruise used to be. He certainly had not held back when he had backhanded her. "He also packs one hell of a punch."

"We have wasted enough time spying. Your dad wants you at Roshi's island until they're gone." Marron took Pan's hand and began dragging Pan toward the back door.

Pan dug in her heels and shuddered. "EEEWWWW!! I hate it there. I would rather take my chances with his Lordship highness! Surely Prince Pain-in-our-ass. Trunks would be easier to manage than that old pervert." Pan ripped her hand away. "Come on. He has already decided to leave me alone." A devilish light glowered in the dark depths. "Let's go eavesdrop we may hear something good!"

Marron choked "Pan, that could be dangerous. He may not have raped you out there, but he did threaten to try. Sweet Kami sake, he even offered to buy you." The blonde tilted her head and waited for a reaction.

"So what?" Pan tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Daddy will never sell me to him. Not to mention no matter how powerful they are, I doubt they can take on my father and my Grandfather. Now, come on." Pan ran for the front door.

Marron bit her lip. She didn't want to admit this to anyone, but Goten was very appealing to her. He was dark and dangerous, just the kind of guy that your parents warn you about. That was temptation in itself "Pan wait up. We'll listen just for a bit." What harm could listening do? "Then we are out of here."

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Trunks could feel her. She was watching him from somewhere nearby. He glanced around. He didn't see her immediately, but he knew she was near. He half smiled to himself. Soon he would be taking her to Vegeta. That is where she really belonged. A Demi-Sayain was far too powerful to roam the galaxy as intergalactic wild card, female or not.

Goten must have sensed it too. His friend looked up and growled a low, almost animalistic sound. Trunks shook his head. Would Goten ever learn to control his rage? Little things like this were to be taken for the amusements they were. "Goten." The dark eyes snapped to attention. `I want to speak with you a moment." He looked at the others. "In private. It can't take more than a few moments."

Chi-Chi motioned for the house. "Please, be my guest." It was almost a relief. This would give everyone a chance to discuss a plan of action as well.

Trunks walked toward the door and stopped. Goten stood up slowly. He made sure to give each one a sobering glare. Then he took his time following his master.

Trunks stood at the door expectantly. Goten reached out and opened it. They were greeted with the sight of Marron as she dove around the corner and out of sight. She was pulling a stunned Pan with her. Pan stopped and met Trunks eyes for a brief moment then was hauled along.

Goten snorted in disgust. "Those two are nothing but trouble." The sound of the back door slamming rang through the empty house.

Trunks lifted his hand to hide his smile "I wouldn't say that, exactly."

Goten spun around and looked at Trunks with annoyance. "Then what exactly would you say of them?" Goten could not believe that the Prince was going to lower himself enough to allow these mere Earth girls gain his attention. The idea was deplorable. Not to mention completely out of character. Before now Prince Trunks had only the finest taste in women. Goten was tempted to slap some sense back in to the man.

Trunks felt a wave of icy coldness flow over him at Goten's words. Goten did have a point. What was going wrong here? He was the Saiyan Prince. He should not be feeling this kind of excitement. The girl was a Demi-Saiyan, who had grown up without proclaiming her loyalties to his father, King of the Saiyans. It was possible this girl could rise up with her power and kill him, if given the time. Isn't that just what his father had feared. So shouldn't Trunks be leery of it as well? The image of her trembling beneath him flashed into mind and he sighed. How could one so beautiful ever pose as a threat to his power? There were too many questions here. There was only one way to handle this. "We will be taking your niece back to Vegeta with us."

Goten slapped his hand down on his forehead "AAAAWWWW HELL!!" Goten twisted around as if he was in pain. "NOOOOOO!!!!!" He kicked a chair with one solid punt and sent it crashing through the room. "She is a huge," He opened his hands to as far as they could stretch, trying to plead his case. "Pain in the ass." Goten had to make Trunks see reason. "Think back to when we first landed. How did she greet us? A ki blast in my - remember that "MY" part - my face!!!! No doubt you will want me to share my pod - there is that my part again - with her."

Trunks shrugged "She is "your" niece"

Goten pointed his finger at Trunks in agitation "This is not fair! I am not the one who wants to screw her. After all, she is MY, again, MY niece." Goten paced, "Thank Vegeta, not by blood!"

"Correction, our little Pan here is a Demi-Sayian. Her power level is high enough for one to make one suspect." Trunks leaned back against the wall and relaxed. It was a deep contrast to his partner, who looked ready to blow a valve. "But I have seen the proof." Trunks turned his head to stare out at Goku and Gohan who were whispering to each other and casting their suspicious glances at the house

"What proof is this?" Goten should have just said that Kakkarot was a dead man. The mere fact that his father had dared to lie to his Prince was intolerable to Goten. This was an honor thing. Goten had killed others for less. The father he had never known was of no concern to him, and could easily be dealt with.

"She had a tail at one time. Have you noticed that your father and brother have removed theirs?" Trunks unraveled his from around his waist and let it swish around him. "I believe they had Pan's cut off in an attempt to hide her from us." Trunks closed his eyes and let his mind drift to the sensation of soft firm skin in his hands. "Still she had one. Leaving no doubt in my mind." Trunks straightened and walked over to Goten. He bent his head next to the other man as he spoke. Trunks' arms crossed over his chest.

"Name your desire my lord." Goten only needed the word and he would follow his instruction no matter how gory the order.

"We will accept the hospitality that is shown us." Trunks whispered as he conspired. "Tonight we will leave to scout the land for her. Under the excuse we are curious about this planet and it's inhabitants." Trunks smirked "Once we find her, we will take her directly to the pods and leave for Planet Vegeta."

"You would leave the others unpunished?" Goten blinked in shock, more than a little disappointed.

"Unpunished?" Trunks scowled and shook his head. "No. I would never dream of letting such treason go uncontested. I will inform my father once we are on Vegeta of the developments we discovered here. They can suffer her loss as their punishment, until my father handles them in his own way."

"And what of the girl? What do you want to do with her?" Goten smiled a cold grin of acceptance. This was the Prince he knew so well.

"It is my father's decision, in reality, but I have a few plans for her." Trunks looked away from Goten, but his man knew him too well.

Goten clapped his hand down on Trunks back "You are going to take her as your personal slave! You dog! And here I thought you had gone soft on me." Goten laughed.

Trunks could have kicked him. Was his lust for the girl so obvious? Damn it. She would suffer for this spell she had cast over him. Sweet torture it sure would be though. There was no way he could ever hurt one of the most promising breeders he had ever meet.

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Pan stood on the island with her back resting on a lavish palm. Marron was watching the sun descending into in the sea not far from where Pan stood. Pan looked over at her friend who rested in the tropical sand. "Where is that old pervert anyway?

Marron stretched and rolled over on the towel to look up at the anxious Pan. Marron's legs glowed golden in the dimming light of the ending day. Marron had changed into shorts and a green tube top. "He is probably gone off somewhere for more dirty magazines." Marron yawned, "Forget about him. I will stay with you tonight." She rested the back of her hands on her face. "There are worse things than hiding out on a tropical deserted island with your best friend."

"I don't feel right about this, Marron." Pan paced around Marron.

"Stop! You are kicking sand on me!" Marron dusted the fine particles from her chest.

Pan was getting edgy and she knew it. She tried to control it, but there was something in the air tonight. "They are very handsome aren't they?" Pan stopped and plopped down next to her friend.

"They are actually considered drop dead sexy in my book. The both of them are also extremely dangerous. Which is a major turn off for me." Marron tried to tell herself as well as warn the younger woman.

Pan rests her head on her knees and rocked. "Marron something is very wrong. I can feel it." Her blood was singing. It was racing through her veins like a fever.

Marron sat up. "You are scared, of him aren't you?" It was there all over Pan's face.

"I have never been sacred of anyone!" Pan looked out at the lapping waves and breathed deep.

"Pan, it is all right to be scared. Prince Trunks is stronger than we are. Plus, he has Goten with him as well. You are not just going to get over him. He, well, he tried, you know." Marron rested her hand on Pan's head and let her fingers pat the raven strands.

"Marron, I am sorry." The truth was Trunks had tried to rape her. Pan remembered her words to him. She had screamed. She had cried, and fought with everything she had to escape. Still deep in her she remembered her trembling under him. He had thought it was fear, but in truth his touch had excited her. She was not afraid of him. Sure, Prince Trunks could kill her, but Pan was prepared to die. If it were fear of death then she would have trembled before Goten as well. Instead she was afraid of the new feeling and sensations that the Prince had made her feel. Pan shook her head in an angry jerk. No! She never wanted to feel that way again. Still the sensation that something was coming enveloped her. "Let's go inside and watch some TV." Pan tossed her head and dismissed her feelings. They had no merit.

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Hovering not far from the island, Goten crossed his arms over his chest. He watched the two women collecting their things and entering the little pink house. Goten wasted no time before popping on his communicator. "I have located them, your highness."