Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Smoke and Mirrors ❯ Duck and Cover! ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The following morning Vegeta woke early and stormed into the kitchen. He was still agitated by the late night events and more determined than ever to get the girl out of his house. There was something about her that perked his instincts and set him on edge. He'd barely slept a wink all night.

" What the...? " he snapped when he saw Bulma and Trunks sitting at the table while Jiara placed a plate of pancakes between them.

The young woman smiled brightly at his arrival, " Vegeta, you do not look like you slept well. Would you like some coffee? I ground it myself just this morning. "

The Saiya-jin's frown just grew deeper. What did this girl think she was trying to pull? Last night she had blatantly insulted him, and now she was acting as though nothing had happened. Did she really take him for such a fool? " No, I don't want your damn coffee! I want you out of this house immediately! "

Jiara jumped at the sound of his voice and dropped the cup in her hand. It shattered against the floor sending a spray of jagged glass across the blue and white tiles. " I - just thought... " her lower lip trembled slightly as her eyes filled with tears. " I shall do as you ask. " She bowed slightly and ran from the room.

" Dad, what are you doing? " Trunks jumped up from the table, his boots crunching pieces of broken glass beneath them. He chased after Jiara without waiting for an answer.

" You have done some awful things before, but this tops them all! You are such a bitter, spiteful being, Vegeta, and I can only hope that you get what you deserve in the end! "

Vegeta watched his wife storm out of the kitchen and shook his head. Sometimes he wondered why he put up with her, but then it was that very fire that had first captured his attention. At least she wasn't as whiny as Kakarrot's mate. Vegeta cringed at the thought and grabbed a plate of food from the table.

*~*~*~*~*~*

" I'm really sorry about that, " Trunks said when he caught up with Jiara. " My father is pretty temperamental by nature. He doesn't like anyone at first. "

" No, " the girl sniffled wiping a tear from her cheek, " I am afraid that it is my fault. I said something last night that was out of line after he...well, that is quite irrelevant. The point is that Vegeta had every reason to demand my departure. "

" I seriously doubt it, " he said gently. " I think you should come back with me. You have to have a place to stay until you get better. "

" That is very kind of you, Trunks, but no. Everything else aside, your sister will return today and need her room back. Perhaps I can ask Chi Chi if she has a room available. "

" Well, the least I can do is walk you there. Sure you won't change your mind? " a flirtatious smile crossed his lips.

She laughed, " I am quite certain. It is really for the best anyhow. " When he turned away she gazed appreciatively at the handsome young demi-Saiya-jin.

From the conversation last night, she knew that he was bright with a special knack for electronics, and he'd been best friends with Goten practically since birth. His training as a fighter had begun early in life, and he was more than capable in the arena. Bulma had bragged on and on about his participation in the TenkaichiBoudaikai.

" Tell me more about your illustrious career as a fighter, " she grinned matching his pace.

Trunks chuckled at her statement, " I don't know if I would say illustrious, but I've done my share of winning. "

Jiara studied him as he began to talk about his first junior tournament and the long training sessions with the other Saiya-jin. His resemblance to Vegeta was striking. Aside from their incredible cerulean hue, Trunks' eyes were identical to his father's, and the younger man had definitely inherited his nose from Vegeta.

Even Trunks' mannerisms mirrored the prince's to an extent. He liked to talk about himself, and the scowl that creased his forehead when something, or someone, disturbed him just screamed Vegeta. She'd noticed this when Bulma had mentioned a few unsavory facts about his childhood last night.

But aside from that, he seemed sweet and well meaning with a high dose of charm thrown in for good measure. She was certain that he was popular with the girls and wondered if there might be someone special in his life.

When he paused to take a breath Jiara decided to change the topic of conversation, " How old are you? "

" Nineteen. How about you? " He realized his mistake immediately, " Oh, I'm sorry. I guess you can't really answer that right now. "

She sighed wistfully, " I suppose not. But, " she added with a bit more cheer, " your mother seems to think that I am about sixteen. What is your opinion? "

Trunks glanced at her nervously. He was hoping that this wasn't going to be a loaded question. Sixteen seemed about right, but maybe she was hoping for him to guess a little older. There was a long pause as he tried to figure out what to say.

" At least sixteen, " he finally announced, " maybe even seventeen. "

Jiara's dark eyes lit up, " Do you really think so? "

" Definitely, " he smiled and nodded trying to hide the relief in his voice.

" I am guessing that you probably have a girlfriend. "

Trunks was caught off guard by the offhand comment. " I, uh...well, not at the moment. " It was becoming evident that this girl wasn't shy about discussing personal matters. He wondered if that had anything to do with his father's attitude towards her. After all, she had admitted to saying something that he didn't like.

Jiara was quiet for a moment, " That is surprising. " There was an odd tone underlying those seemingly harmless words. Then she smiled, " So, how much farther is it to the Son residence? "

He was startled by her quick change of topic, but figured it was for the best. " Just a few more minutes actually. We're almost there. "

As they reached the top of the hill Jiara could see Goku's house straight ahead. Goten and his dad were outside sparring. They both turned towards the approaching visitors waving and shouting in greeting.

Without warning a large explosion erupted about five yards in front of Trunks and Jiara taking them both off their feet. Trunks was back up in no time searching for the source of the attack as Goku and Goten rushed to their aid.

" I don't see anything! " Goten shouted, " Do you sense anything, Dad? "

" Nothing at all. I don't get it. Where'd that come from? "

A second blast struck behind them, closer this time, but still there was no indication as to who or what was causing them.

Jiara continued to lay on the ground; she was trembling violently. Trunks easily swept her up and took off behind Goten and Goku. No sooner did they get off the ground than a third shot hit where they'd been just a second ago. The girl wrapped her arms tightly around Trunks' neck and buried her face into his shoulder.

" They're energy blasts of some kind, " Goku shouted as they hovered in the air over the billowing black smoke. " I just can't get a fix on where they're coming from. "

Goten frowned scanning the area, " It's like they just appeared out of nowhere. "

They waited, tensed for another strike. The silence seemed deafening after the ear shattering explosions. " I guess that's it, " Trunks whispered.

Jiara lifted her head then screamed. A bright red ball of energy appeared behind Trunks and struck him directly in the back. He plummeted towards the ground, the frantic teen shrieking and clinging desperately to his falling form.

Goku grabbed them easily. He set Trunks carefully on the ground and disentangled the girl from his arms. Jiara immediately clung to him like a frightened toddler. He did his best to comfort her as they waited to see what would happen next.

" I think I saw something! " exclaimed Goten pointing towards the western horizon. " It was just a blur, but I know there was something there. "

Goku awkwardly handed Jiara to his son, " I'm going to check it out. Stay here and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. "

Goten blushed glancing down at the girl who was tightly gripping his shirt. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright with unshed tears. It was the first time he noticed how much she resembled a Saiya-jin. She had long, pitch black hair and black eyes. Her complexion had a naturally tanned appearance as well. There was something else though...something about her features and the way she moved that seemed impossibly
familiar.

" Everything's going to be fine, " he smiled confidently. " There's nothing to worry about when my dad's around. "

" Do you promise, Goten? Please, promise me that everything will be all right. " She gazed up at him hopefully, her hands still clutching the material of his shirt. There was an almost desperate note to her plea.

" Yes, " he said quietly, " I promise. " What else could he say with her looking at him that way? He was startled when she suddenly threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

Trunks began to stir just then, " What happened? " he asked lifting his head slowly.

" You got hit by an energy blast. How're you feeling? " Goten felt unusually self conscious with Jiara wrapped around his neck and hastily set her down.

He thought there was a spark of disappointment in her eyes, but a second later she was kneeling beside Trunks. " Are you all right? How can I ever thank you for saving me? "

" I'm fine, " he climbed shakily to his feet. " Don't worry about thanking me. It was my pleasure to help. Where's Goku? "

" Goten saw something, and Goku went out looking for whatever it was. "

" We should probably go help him, " Goten said staring in the direction his father had vanished.

" No! " Jiara exclaimed, " I - I do not want to be alone, please. "

The two friends glanced at one another, " Well, Goten, why don't you stay here, and I'll go make sure Goku's all right? "

" Sure, " he nodded then watched Trunks take off. He looked over at Jiara who seemed preoccupied and flustered by the events. Not that he blamed her. She seemed so vulnerable standing there, and he couldn't begin to imagine who was trying to kill her. Had she done something in her brief past that was so terrible?

" Goten? "

He quickly shifted his gaze at the sound of her voice, " Yea? "

" I hate to be a bother but do you think that your parents might allow me to stay in your home for a few days? "

" I thought you were staying at Capsule Corp. "

" Yes, but Vegeta has decided that he does not wish for me to remain there. I do not know where else to turn. " Her hands were clasped chastely in front of her, and she lowered her gaze to the ground as though embarrassed by having to ask such a thing.

'Leave it to Vegeta' thought Goten as he watched her, " Of course. I know my dad won't mind, and I think my mom will be okay with it, too. "

" Thank you so much! " she exclaimed rushing over to plant a light kiss on his cheek.

Goten mumbled something along the lines of no problem, and was thoroughly relieved when Goku and Trunks finally reappeared a minute later.

" Whatever that was, I couldn't catch it, " Goku admitted solemnly shaking his head. " We're just going to have to be really careful from now on. "