Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Smoke and Mirrors ❯ Accusations ( Chapter 6 )

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

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~*~*~*~*~*~

The frame was splintered and blackened, and the glass broken completely away from the half burnt photo of the Son family. Goku stared at it solemnly as a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

The early morning sun glared down on the remains of Goku and Chi Chi's modest home. Their friends and family looked on in disbelief at the twisted and charred wreckage of what had, only yesterday, been a house.

Whoever attacked them had been thorough in their destruction and obliterated what was left of the place even after the occupants had escaped. It was a malice and calculated act.

" Who...who would have done something like this? " Chi Chi sobbed. Suddenly she turned on Jiara who was standing a few feet behind her, " It's your fault! " she shrieked pointing an accusing finger at the girl. " If it wasn't for you...." the remainder of her rant was lost in a fit of tears.

Goku rushed to her side, and she collapsed into his arms. " Jiara, she didn't mean it, " he said quickly seeing the devastated expression on the young woman's face.

" I - I - " Jiara backed up slowly. She watched Chi Chi a moment longer then glanced at Vegeta who wore a smirk that just screamed, 'I told you so' She pressed a trembling hand against her mouth trying to hold back her own tears.

" She's just upset, " Goten whispered laying a gentle hand against her arm.

" No, " Jiara shook her head slightly, " she is right. It is all my fault. If I was not here, this never would have happened. "

She said it so matter-of-factly, as if nothing could sway her from that belief. She moved away from Goten as though frightened, all color draining from her face. A brisk breeze rustled her hair about her shoulders. Jiara shivered visibly and pulled Trunks' jacket closer around her to keep out the cool air.

" You can't really believe that. It's not your fault. "

" It's just like I said. The girl is nothing but trouble. I, for one, am not willing to lose everything I have because of her. "

" Dad! " Trunks exclaimed his eyes growing wide.

Bulma gasped at Vegeta's callous remark. Her husband had never been exactly friendly to those he didn't know well, but this was beyond his usual arrogant behavior. She'd never heard him speak in such a manner towards a child. What had the poor girl done to deserve such treatment?

" Don't listen to him, " she said with an anxious look in her eyes.

" But it is my fault. Everything. " Jiara took another step back. Her expression was dazed; her slight form swayed unsteadily. It looked as though she was going to faint, but she remained standing as her gaze traveled slowly over them all.

Goku was still trying to console his distraught wife, and Gohan was studying the empty shell of a house and thanking Kami that his family had survived the assault.

Vegeta, on the other hand, was glaring at the young woman and didn't bother to turn away when her stare locked on his. His eyes narrowed darkly, a deep frown replacing the trademark smirk.

Bulma and Trunks glanced nervously between Vegeta and Jiara trying to understand what had gone so wrong between them in so short a time. Neither one had ever disclosed exactly what had occurred that night, but the hatred radiating from Vegeta's black eyes was clear.

Krillin, Yamcha, and all the others watched from where they stood in a loose crowd on the far side of the yard. None of them quite knew what to make of the whole situation as they had only caught bits and pieces of the story.

Jiara tore her eyes from Vegeta's and looked to Goten who had moved to her side once again. His face showed unconcealed concern for her state. Things were difficult enough for the girl without everyone blaming her for these things. How could they be so cruel?

Without another word, Jiara threw the borrowed jacket to the ground and bolted into the trees. Goten cursed under his breath and went after her, but the others remained motionless, merely watching the two teens vanish.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It didn't take long for the demi-Saiya-jin to catch up to the girl, and he easily caught her around the waist pulling her into a tight embrace, " You can't let them get to you, " he whispered as she struggled to break his hold.

" But they speak the truth. Do you not see? "

He took her chin carefully in one hand and forced her to meet his gaze. There was such a torn look in her eyes; a pain that cut so deeply that he was thrown by the intensity. He found himself wishing that they had met under different circumstances...that things weren't so complicated.

" You can't run away from me, " he said in a manner that was nothing short of a plea.

" I do not want to, but you see what my presence is causing. How can I remain here when I put so many at risk? "

" I won't let you go alone. "

She studied him quietly, " Are you saying that you will come with me? "

There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he thought about his family and how they would feel if he ran away with Jiara. His mother would, without a doubt, have a fit, and his father would be deeply hurt. Gohan wouldn't be very happy either, but he might understand more than their parents.

" I don't know, Jiara. I just think there has to be some other way to deal with this. I know my mom didn't mean what she said. She's just really upset about what happened. And Vegeta always acts like that. It's just how he is.

It'll be so much better if you stay here. We're the only chance you have against this guy. "

She hesitated, her eyes closing briefly, " I do not know if I can stay near those who hate me so much. "

Goten seemed perplexed. He understood her discomfort, but running away wouldn't help either of them. If that fight last night was any indication, he would never be able to beat this guy alone. There was no way he would admit that to her though; he didn't want to scare her any more.

" Give them a chance. I know it won't be easy, but...do it for me, please. "

Jiara curled into him resting her head against his chest, " I will trust you, Goten. "

*~*~*~*~*~*

Everyone turned to look as the couple returned. Goten's arm was tucked protectively around the girl at his side who kept her stare on the ground as they approached the others.

" Is uh everything okay? " Krillin asked arching a brow.

" Yeah, she's fine for now, just a little shaken up by all of this. "

" I can imagine. "

Eighteen walked up beside her husband carefully assessing the girl. " If someone's trying to kill you, I don't recommend running off by yourself like that, " she said.

" I do not wish to put everyone at risk. I never meant for this to happen. "

Goku joined the little gathering, " It isn't your fault, Jiara. You have to understand that Chi Chi is just in shock over the loss of our home. She's really sorry about what she said. "

" Of course I understand, Goku. How could I blame her, but I do feel somehow responsible for all of this. "

" Well, you have to stop feeling that way. How can you help it if some psycho is trying to kill you? I'm sure you never asked him to. You just let us worry about this. " The Saiya-jin sounded a lot more confident than he felt. For some reason they constantly failed to sense the presence of this man, and if they couldn't see him coming, how could they ever hope to stop him?

Jiara raised her head slightly and glanced at Goku, " I cannot thank you enough for everything. I do not know what I would do if it were not for all of you. "

" What you need to do is get your memory back, " Yamcha suggested. " At least then you could give us an idea of what we're up against. "

" And just how do you think she's going to do that? " demanded Goten, feeling more protective than ever.

" Hey, man, I don't know. I was just saying...if she could remember..." he shrugged.

" Sorry, Yamcha, " Goten sighed, " I'm just stressed out. "

Yamcha grinned, " No problem. I know it's been rough. "

" Hey Goten, why don't you take Jiara, your mom, and Bulma over to Gohan's. Videl is there with girls. Then you can come back here and help us go through this mess. "

Goten nodded, " Good idea, Dad, " he glanced at Jiara, " If you don't mind. "

" No, " she said quietly, " That will be just fine. "