Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Prince's Bodyguard ❯ The Kings Decree ( Chapter 12 )

“They'll kill each other,” Bra said, softly, her hands gripping Pan's arm, tightly. Pan started to take a step forward, to do something, anything to stop what was coming, but Bra pulled her back. “You'll get hurt too, if you get between them.” The younger girl's blue eyes were locked on her brother and her father, wide and fearful.

 

Tension snapped through the room with a nearly audible crackle as the two princes faced one another. Goku and Gohan had stepped back, near the edge of the training mats. Goten was still standing near the door, his eyes lowered, his face pale and had to step back quickly to avoid being hit by the door when it swung open and King Vegeta stepped into the room.

 

“Enough!!” His rough shout echoed through the room and both Vegeta and Trunks looked at him, rage snapping in their gazes, power visibly radiating off their bodies. “What is the meaning of this?” the king demanded.

 

“It is none of your concern,” Vegeta told him, his narrowed eyes moving to his son once more. “I merely need to teach my son some respect for the future Queen of Vegeta-sei.” Vegeta's tail was lashing the air behind him, angrily and the growl in his voice was clear. Trunks was standing his ground, his own tail tight around his waist, his jaw clenched and tension singing through his frame.

 

King Vegeta's eyes fell on Pan then and she fought to keep from shrinking back under his stare. “This is about you then? The crown Prince and his heir are going to kill each other over you? Tell me, girl, what do you have between your legs that is so special the entire royal line is to be sacrificed in your name?” he asked, his voice heavy with sarcasm and anger.

 

“She is my mate, father and may very well carry my child at this moment. That makes her part of the royal line, as you well know,” Vegeta spat, momentarily forgetting Trunks and moving just behind Pan, his tail sliding around her waist and holding her tightly against him, even as his arms closed around her. Her arms effectively trapped against her sides, her back pressed against his chest, he could feel the slight shaking of her body, and the tension that crept through her limbs as she boldly met his father's gaze. Through the bond they shared, he could feel her fear, but more than that, stronger than the fear, was her anger. Despite the circumstances, he felt his lips curl into a smirk. Yes, she was definitely made for him. More angry than afraid, more apt to attack than run away, Pan faced down the King of Vegeta-sei with her jaw clenched and her power level rising.

 

“I'm getting really sick of being accused of fucking people,” she spat. “I've never been with anyone but Vegeta and he knows it. No one else's opinion really matters, so stay the fuck out of it.” Her voice was low and trembling, but her words were firm. The king's eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to speak, but Vegeta cut him off. “She's right, father. What lies between her legs is no one's business but mine,” he said, one eyebrow raised, challenging his father to argue the point. King Vegeta didn't. Instead, his lips curled in a familiar smirk, mirroring his son's expression.

 

“She's got spirit, I'll give you that. Anything else remains to be seen. This argument is over, Vegeta, Trunks. The claim has been made and returned. There's no changing that. You'll stop this ridiculous fight at once,” he said, glancing at both of them before his gaze returned to Pan. The look in his eyes was thoughtful as he swept them over her before turning on his heel and walking from the room, the door closing behind him with a click that seemed unnaturally loud in the silence.

 

“Now,” said Vegeta, releasing Pan and turning toward his son. “We finish this.” “Vegeta, no, please,” said Pan, grabbing his arm. “Please, Daddy, it's not Trunks' fault,” Bra added. “There was something wrong with them last night, remember? Isn't it more important to find out what happened and why?” Pan asked, her fingers tight on his arm. Vegeta looked at her, studying her face, then glanced at his daughter. Bra's eyes were wide, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

 

“What do you mean something was wrong with them?” asked Goku, moving to Goten's side and looking at his youngest son with something like hope. “We don't remember anything about last night,” said Trunks. “It's like they weren't there. There was nothing behind their eyes, no trace of them,” said Pan, her grip finally relaxing when she felt Vegeta's tail wrap around her waist again. “Is that true, Goten? You don't remember?” Goku asked, lifting Goten's face with one finger under his chin. The younger man nodded, his eyes still downcast. “It's true. I'd never hurt Bra. I'd never hurt any girl,” he said, misery in his voice. Goku looked at Vegeta. “You know he's telling the truth, Vegeta. Goten isn't the kind of man who hurts a woman.”

 

His black eyes narrowed on Goten, he gave a curt nod. “It's true that it isn't in his nature. If Pan and Bra are sure that something was wrong, then I'll believe it, but I want to know what it was. Trunks and Goten, go to the medical bay. Tell them you need to be examined, have blood draw and analyzed. I'll be along shortly to see to things.” Goten nodded and, with a last glance at Bra, left the room. Trunks followed him, without a word. “I'm going with them,” said Goku. Vegeta nodded and Goku left the room, leaving him alone with Pan, Bra and Gohan. His eyes fell on Gohan. “Take Bra to her chambers. See that she's well guarded and goes nowhere alone.” With a long look at her father, Bra moved silently to Gohan's side, taking his arm when he offered it and allowing him to lead her from the training room.

 

Alone with her mate for the first time since she'd claimed him, Pan expected to feel awkward, but she didn't. Instead, she turned toward him and slid her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest as if it were the most natural thing in the world. One of his arms slid around her, the other hand brushing her hair off her neck, fingers lightly playing over the mark of his teeth in her skin. “Vegeta?” “Mmm?” “Do you really think I'm pregnant?” she asked, quietly. His words to the king had jolted her, but she hadn't allowed them to sink in until they were alone. Now the idea both excited and terrified her. The low gravelly sound of his voice was almost soft when he replied. “It is possible, probable, even. It isn't unusual for a child to be conceived during claiming.”

 

Pan was silent, letting his words resonate in her mind. Pregnant, with Vegeta's child. A baby with dark hair and dark eyes. A prince or princess, she realized, vaguely, her fingertips unconsciously trailing over her belly, caressing, wondering, before fear trailed an icy finger up her spine. What kind of mother would she be? All she knew was fighting. She could plan an attack on a warship with only a handful of men, she could defend a member of the royal family night and day without sleeping for nearly a week. She could survive on her own under most any circumstances. As a bodyguard, she was good, better than most, but what did she know about babies? She'd never changed a diaper, never sang a lullaby. She'd never held a small, warm body close or felt a tiny mouth nuzzling at her breast.

 

“Something troubles you,” Vegeta said, quietly. “I don't know how to be a mother,” she told him, her fingers still tracing her abdomen. “You'll learn and you'll do it very well,” he said. Standing in his embrace, Pan couldn't help but wonder if that was a prediction or an order.