Shadows of the Heart: A Love Reborn

The Weight of Secrets

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Karia awoke with a start, her body trembling as the remnants of her dream lingered in her mind. Broly's voice, his smirk, and the feeling of his presence were all too vivid. She pressed her hand to her neck, the faint scar from his bite a cruel reminder of what had happened.

It wasn't just a scar. She could feel it-a connection she didn't want but couldn't ignore. Something deeper tied her to Broly, and the idea of it terrified her.

Karia threw on her jacket and stepped outside, the early morning air cool against her skin. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft orange glow across the landscape. She hoped the fresh air would calm her, but the heaviness in her chest refused to fade.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

The familiar voice made her turn. Goku stood a few feet away, his hands behind his head, his usual carefree expression replaced with concern.

Karia hesitated before nodding. "Yeah... something like that."

Goku walked closer, his head tilting slightly as he studied her. "You've been really quiet since Broly up. It's not like you. What's going on?"

Karia sighed, crossing her arms. She'd been avoiding this conversation for days, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. Goku had been nothing but supportive since she arrived, and if anyone deserved the truth, it was him.

"There's something I haven't told you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Goku's expression softened. "You can tell me anything, Karia. I'm your brother. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."

She looked down, gathering her thoughts. Finally, she spoke. "When Broly fought me... he didn't just leave me with a bruise or a scar. He... he bit me. And it wasn't just to hurt me. Vegeta called it a mark-a claim."

Goku blinked, clearly confused. "A... claim? What does that mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Karia admitted. "But I feel it. It's like he left a part of himself with me. I can sense him, Goku. Even when he's not here, I can feel his presence."

Goku's brows furrowed, his carefree demeanour replaced with misdemeanours. "That's... weird. I don't like it. It sounds like something Vegeta would know more about."

"He does," Karia said bitterly. "And he told me it's not something I can just ignore. Broly's trying to make me his... and I don't want that."

Goku clenched his fists, his protective instincts kicking in. "We won't let him. You're not alone in this, Karia. Vegeta and I will help you fight him, no matter what."

Karia managed a small smile, though the weight in her chest remained. "Thanks, Goku. That means a lot."

Goku reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're family. And family sticks together, no matter how strong the enemy is."

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The rest of the day passed quietly, though the tension lingered. Karia couldn't shake the feeling that Broly was watching her, even if he was nowhere in sight. She tried to distract herself by spending time with Goku's family. Chi-Chi fussed over her as usual, insisting she eats more, while Goten Aneatsrunks challenged her to a sparring match.

Their lighthearted energy brought a smile to her face, but the shadow of Broly's claim never truly left her mind.

As the sun set, Karia found herself alone again, sitting on a hill overlooking the valley. She closed her eyes, trying to meditate as Whis had taught her. But instead of calm, she felt that familiar, oppressive energy creeping in.

Her eyes snapped open, and her heart sank. He was here.

"Karia."

The voice sent a shiver down her spine. She turned to see Broly standing a few feet away, his massive frame silhouetted against the darkening sky. His piercing green eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she couldn't move.

"What do you want?" she demanded, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Broly's lips curled into a smirk. "You know what I want."

"I'm not yours," she snapped. "I'll never be yours."

Broly stepped closer, his smirk fading into a serious expression. "You can fight it all you want, but you can't deny what you feel."

Karia clenched her fists. "The only thing I feel is anger. I don't belong to you, Broly. And I'll prove it."

He tilted his head, studying her with a mixture of amusement and frustration. "You're strong, Karia. That's why I chose you. But your strength won't change the truth."

Before she could respond, Goku and Vegeta appeared, their power levels flaring as they landed beside her.

"Leave her alone, Broly," Goku said, his tone firm.

Broly glanced at them, his smirk returning. "You can't protect her forever, Kakarot."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, his energy vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

Karia exhaled, her body trembling as the tension left her.

Goku placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Karia. No matter what it takes."

She nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. Broly's claim may have been a shadow over her life, but she wasn't going to let it define her.

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