Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ She's Who? (possible revision) ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 11 )

She's Who?

Part 11

By Wawashkeshi

When dishes were done from lunch, the ladies of the house went to the porch to finally get out of that hot kitchen. Boy, was that a big relief.

The guys had left the house to do what they do best, spar. It was a perfect summer's day. Nothing much to tell except that all of them looked like they fought a lawnmower. The lawnmower had won.

Miranda had decided, once again, to go for a walk. This time she decided to go away from the noise. She knew what it was now and wanted to be alone. After walking awhile she had thought she heard and smelled water and headed for it.

Goten was sitting with Trunks watching their fathers beat each other to a bloody, shredded mess. They were the lawnmowers, I guess. Goten had been daydreaming, as he and his father are prone to do, when he noticed someone's energy leaving the house. "Wonder where she's going?" he muttered to himself. "Who are you talking about?" asked Trunks. "Miranda," he answered. "What makes you think she's going somewhere?" Trunks inquired. "Her energy just left the house and headed toward the lake," Goten stated. "I'm going to see that she's okay and doesn't get lost. Be back later," Goten said then left to see where Miranda was heading to and maybe she'd want company.

Goten soon had got distracted, he never noticed all the food that grew in his backyard before! He grabbed some apples and started to get some blackberries then noticed that they weren't ripe yet. Now, who or what ate those blackberries? It was probably Miranda, she has small feet and they're small footprints by the bushes. 'Wonder what she's doing?' he thought. "Oh yeah! I was going to see what she's doing?" he said out loud. "Now where'd she go?" he thought while searching her out. "There she is," he started to go, "wait, she's gone." "Who you talking to?" said a voice behind him. "AAH! Jez, you scared me!" he yelled. "That was the point," said Miranda.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Goten, changing the subject.

"Just looking around, why?" answered Miranda.

"Looking for anything in particular? I grew up here, if it's here I'd know it." Stated Goten proudly.

"Wasn't looking for anything really. Just wanted to see what was here. I found all kinds of food here! You should see it! My mouth is watering just thinking of all the stuff I could make. Apple turnovers, Belgium waffles with blackberry sauce, muffins with raspberry jam, blueberry pie! Oh, I can't wait to get this stuff to the house and start cooking," Miranda said in a dreamy voice. Goten replied, "If you don't stop talking like that, I'll throw you over my shoulder and make sure you're making all that stuff! Man, if you weren't married to my dad...uh." Goten stopped not wanting or willing to finish that sentence or train of thought.

"Well, why don't you show me where the property lines are? Wouldn't want the neighbors to get freaked if a strange girl is out wandering about," asked Miranda, trying desperately to change the subject.

"Neighbors!" Goten almost burst out laughing but stopped himself so Miranda didn't feel embarrassed. "We have no neighbors for miles. You're more in danger of scaring an animal than a human." "Oh. How far is the nearest town?" asked Miranda, wondering why she felt like a toddler on a "Why?" spree. "Oh, I don't know, 50-60 miles I guess," he answered. "And, in which direction?" she continued. "South East, I think. Yeah, South East." Goten seemed to be lost in his mind for a minute then asked Miranda if she'd like for him to take her there soon. "That'd be great!" Miranda said semi-enthusiastically.

Slowly but surely the family adjusted to it's new addition. The women got into the habit of Miranda making breakfast, ChiChi making lunch and both making dinner. They both did other chores: laundry, dishes, sweeping, etc.. As needed but as a rule ChiChi decided what went in and out of the kitchen. She had forbade Miranda from making certain dishes either because of the family not liking it or it was too expensive to make for the family.

On grocery day, ChiChi would leave in the morning and be back after lunch. So, Miranda would be responsible for feeding the family. ChiChi usually made it up to Miranda by making dinner and letting Miranda have the night free of chores. That would be when Miranda went wandering, finding caves, cliffs and the occasional hungry dinosaur. She almost always came back with something to go along with the food that ChiChi had picked up at the store.

In this time also, Goten had kept his promise to teach her how to fly. She really likes the freedom that it seemed to give. She and Goten had become friends.

Another bedroom had also been added to their home. This was Miranda's room. Occasionally, on a quiet night you can hear sounds coming from that room. But it isn't what anyone would expect to hear coming from a bedroom.

Miranda was more confused and torn apart than ever before. Her confusion would lead to despair which would lead to the crying. She'd been married for 6 months and she didn't know what it was like to have her husband with her for a night. Did he snore? Did he hog the bed? What about the covers? There were times she wondered if he even gave her a second thought? Does he care that if she's not at least expecting a child within the first year that her "father" could call the marriage on false pretenses and have it annulled and marry her off to the next highest bidder? Who knows what that'd be like? She didn't even know if he knew. ChiChi had asked her a few times why she cried at night, probably thinking she was home sick. She'd finally broke down and told her why she cried but ChiChi didn't seem fazed. She was probably shocked, is what Miranda thought. Or, she didn't or couldn't bring herself to share her husband. She knew Goku adored ChiChi. He was always kissing her on her cheek or complimenting her food or her dress. Never once was that adoration or compliments directed toward her. But, what did she expect? She knew Goku didn't love her when they were married and she took it as a way out. She was starting to care about them, that's why she was having such a hard time with this. She didn't want to hurt ChiChi by asking if Goku could stay with her one night. But, she also did not want to go back. How could she make this work so everyone was happy?

At least she had one friend. Goten had always been here for her. He had taught her to fly. He showed her around the area that was their home. He was the one she could rely on. She thanked him everyday for his patience and company. He always told her it wasn't a bother and it was his pleasure. He made her feel special but he wasn't her husband. She was starting to feel guilty about enjoying a man's company, a man that wasn't her husband. She was married.

Miranda always had a smile when Goten came for breakfast in the morning. She never looked Goku in the eyes, she was taught not to. Goten was her stepson so there wasn't a conflict about looking him in the eyes. He had beautiful eyes. Were his father's as beautiful? She was getting desperately torn between duty and her heart. She'd forgotten she had one, a heart that is. She hated herself for her own thoughts. She cannot, will not keep thinking in that direction. It was a dead end, lost cause, and wishful thinking. She knew she'd just lose all hope of staying away from her "father", away from the beating if she continued whishing Goten was her husband instead. She may have to endure Chi Chi's wrath but she had to try to engage her husband's attention, some how, if only for a night. She would have to plan this right. She knew he didn't care for her like he did ChiChi. She couldn't do this more than once; she did care for ChiChi and Goku and knew this could possibly cause problems for them. She hoped, prayed, wished that this is the right thing to do.

Thanks for reading.