Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Smoke and Mirrors ❯ Mysterious Stranger ( Chapter 5 )

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

" What happened? " Jiara whispered when she saw Goten hovering worriedly next to the bed.

" Another attack. I'm so sorry. I - I should have been paying more attention. "

His voice, full of genuine remorse, trembled, and when she turned her head to look at him, his stunning black eyes were shining with unshed tears. An odd expression crossed her face as she watched him, " You seem so...sad, " she murmured gently, her brow furrowed slightly.

" Jiara, " he whispered, " you have to understand...I didn't mean to push you away. This is all just happening so fast. It scares me. I've never had a serious relationship, and all these things I'm feeling for you...in so short a time...it's so damn confusing. "

Jiara reached out slowly and rested her hand against his face as a lone tear trailed along the curve of his cheek. She watched it with utter fascination until it disappeared beneath her fingers. " I... "

She blinked then shook her head slightly as though waking from a dream, " Do not be afraid of me, of these feelings. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that we were destined to share something special. You are the one I have been waiting for, and I know a feeling that strong cannot be wrong. "

He closed his eyes and sighed leaning into her touch. When she said it; it made so much sense. Like there was no reason to question or doubt whether this was meant to happen. How could she be so certain and accept it so bravely when so much of her life was mystery?

" Ah, Goten? "

The pair turned to see Bulma standing in the stairway. She looked surprised by the cozy appearance of the two teenagers, " Your dad wants to see you a minute. "

" I'll be right there. " He brushed his lips lightly over her hand and stood. " You get some rest, and I'll be back as soon as I can. "

Bulma's stare followed him all the way across the lab and up the stairs. It was the first time that she realized how grown up Goten had become, and he was quite handsome to boot. Most described him as a younger version of his father, and Bulma had to agree. With that wild black hair and those dark eyes, it was like watching Goku grow up all over again.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she rushed over to Jiara's bedside, " How're you feeling? " she asked kindly.

" I think that I will be just fine, " the teen smiled. " Thank you so much for your help. I will leave just as soon as I can, so that Vegeta will not be upset. "

Bulma rolled her eyes, " Don't worry about him. He's just an old grump. Goku's house is completely unlivable, so you'll be spending the night here. "

" Are you certain? I would hate to cause any trouble for you. "

" It's no trouble at all, " Bulma reassured her. " Now can you sit up yet? "

" Yes, " Jiara replied as she carefully pulled herself to a sitting position. " It's really not as bad as it... " she stopped dead; her gaze darted about the room nervously.

Bulma watched the girl with a growing concern. Her face had gone completely pale, and she was so tense that Bulma expected her to leap off the bed at any second. " Jiara? "

~*~*~*~*~*~

Goku, Goten, Trunks, and a reluctant Vegeta had gathered in the kitchen to discuss what should be done about the situation. They had called and roused Gohan from his sleep, and the elder Son boy would be there any minute.

" I say you put the brat back where you found her. She's nothing but trouble! " Vegeta grumbled. He was less than pleased with having Kakarrot and his family as house guests, but the woman had insisted that they stay. Why should it be his problem that the stupid girl had caused the destruction of that fool's house?

As far as Vegeta was concerned, whoever was trying to kill her probably had good reason for it.

" Vegeta, how can you say that? " Goku exclaimed. " She's just a kid. "

" Just a kid, " Vegeta huffed, " as if that means anything. "

Goku was just about to say something when they heard a knock at the door. Goten jumped up to get it, " Hey, Gohan. Sorry for the wake up call, but things are pretty bad."

" Don't worry about it. From what Dad told me on the phone, you need all the help you can get. "

Chi Chi walked up behind Goten to greet her other son, but she quickly gasped and pointed outside. " Goku! " she shouted.

" Shh, Mom! " Goten tried desperately to quiet her down, but that was never an easy task.

Goku and the others were there in a second trying to see what was going on outside. The little group poured through the door and onto the porch. It didn't take long for them to figure out what had Chi Chi so upset.

At the edge of the property stood a man. He was tall and muscular with long locks of dark hair framing his face. It was difficult to make out any other details since he was half hidden by the shadows.

Goten rushed from the porch before anyone could stop him. He was convinced that this must be the man who was trying to kill Jiara, and Goten would stop him no matter what!

" Young man, you get back here right this instant! " Chi Chi yelled at her son.

Gohan went after him, while Goku readied himself to join in if the need arose. What surprised them the most was that the man never moved as Goten came flying at him.

He simply shifted his weight a bit and waited until the young man fired a ki blast straight at his head. The man deflected it with an easy swipe of his hand, yet still didn't move to attack or flee.

Goten swung the instant he came within range, but the punch never hit it's mark. The stranger had somehow managed to dodge it though Goten would swear he never moved.

Gohan hung back watching his brother fight with a rage that he'd never seen the young man exhibit. He grew more and more concerned though as the man avoided Goten's attacks with hardly a movement.

On the porch, Vegeta watched the fight with a puzzled frown, " He has no power level what-so-ever. I sense nothing! "

" What? " Goku concentrated a moment then his eyes grew wide, " You're right! "

" Of course I'm right, Kakarrot. "

" Maybe he's disguising it? " suggested Goku.

" Impossible! Even if he kept it lowered, there would still be something. "

Furious with the repeated failures, Goten fired a close range blast. Like slow motion it released and exploded knocking Goten back with the force. When the smoke cleared there was nothing but smoldering grass and a burned out shrub.

" How did that miss? " screamed Goten pounding the ground with a fist.

'There's no way that guy could move so fast,' Gohan thought staring open mouthed at the emptiness.

Afterwards everyone but Goku and Gohan piled back into the house. A very solemn mood had descended over all of them. Whoever this man was, it was obvious that they'd never encountered anyone quite like him before now.

" Dad, " Gohan said thoughtfully once everyone was back inside.

" Yeah, son? "

" Don't you think it's strange that this mystery guy never made a move against Goten? "

" Hey, you know, you're right. He's obviously pretty strong...and fast, too. If he wanted to hurt anybody, he certainly had the opportunity. We should have tried talking to him. "

*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that night in the shadow of a large oak tree stood two figures. They spoke quietly to one another in the darkness.

" Are you all right? "

" Of course. Though I was a bit worried for a moment or two. "

" You? Worried? " The sound of laughter broke the silence.

" Shh! Someone is going to hear you. "

" And I am almost concerned about it. "

" Conceited are we not? "

" With every reason to be. Jealous? "

" Of course I am jealous of you. I hear that ignorance is bliss. "