Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Branded ❯ Chapter 16

It was nearly morning by the time Vegeta headed back towards the Capsule Corp. and his sleeping family. The window he had flown out of still stood open in silent invitation and he hovered just outside it, looking in. Bulma lay snuggled deep under the covers against the cool night air and Vegeta had to smile at the pillow she had plumped up against her back in his usual position.

He had spent the night sitting next to a river that closely resembled that of the one he now remembered from his childhood. In the calm setting, he was able to think through what the crystal ball had shown him and his feelings that had threatened to overtake him.

At first he tried to deny that what he had seen bothered him in the least. After all, it was ancient history. Something that happened so long ago he could barely remember it.

But that wasn’t true. Vegeta could now remember everything. He could see Beli’s face, smell the scent of baking in her hair, hear her soft voice, even taste and feel her skin. It was almost as if it had all happened just yesterday.

He then felt such extreme anger that he ended up blasting a mountaintop to rubble to relieve his frustrations. He was mad at his father for not being strong enough to stand up against Frieza. He was mad at Frieza for taking his freedom, murdering his love, and destroying his planet. He was even mad at Beli for locking his memories and feelings away and mad that he was now having to deal with them.

But mostly he was mad at himself. If he had told his father about Beli in the first place, maybe they could have had more time together. They may have had to leave the planet, but they could have still been together today with a family of their own.

The emotional turmoil had taken its toll on Vegeta. He wasn’t used to feeling like this. He was used to always being in control of things. But how could he control the memories in his dreams?

Depression set in and he sulked by the river until the stars shone bright overhead. Vegeta laid back and watched the stars. He thought about all the planets he had seen - and destroyed. What kind of person would he have been if he hadn’t been with Frieza? If he hadn’t fought so many battles? If he had never heard of the planet Earth?

A revelation hit him like one of Kakarot’s Spirit Bombs. Here he was feeling sorry for himself for something he was remembering from ages ago, and forgetting what he had right now! He had a strong, feisty woman that loved him and a son to make any father proud. Beli would be happy for him. He decided right then and there that no matter what had happened in the past, he would accept it as something he just had to go through to get to who and where he was today.

Silently, Vegeta floated in the window and closed it behind him. Even though the urge to climb into bed next to Bulma was strong, there was something else he wanted to do first. He left without a sound and stood just outside Trunks’ bedroom.

The sleeping teen was sprawled across the rumpled sheets, snoring softly. Vegeta could see so much of Bulma in their son. Even though he had wondered what kind of family he would have had with Beli, and how strong his Saiyan child would have grown up to be, he could not imagine having a better son than Trunks.

“Vegeta?” Bulma whispered from behind him. Without taking his eyes off Trunks, he reached around and pulled her in front of him. Her back fit perfectly against his chest as he hugged her shoulders. Together, they stood watching their son sleep.

“Trunks is the same age I was in my dreams,” Vegeta whispered. He then sighed, his breath tickling Bulma’s neck above the collar of her robe. “I had forgotten.”

“Forgotten what?” she whispered back. “What were your dreams about?” When Vegeta didn’t answer, Bulma regretted asking. “You don’t have to tell me . . . if you don’t want to.”

Vegeta hugged her tighter and kissed the side of her neck. “Maybe . . . one day.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re back,” Bulma said and turned so she could slip her arms around his waist. She looked at him with an impish grin. “Want to go back to the bedroom?”

“Yes. I do,” he answered, finally tearing his gaze from Trunks. He looked at Bulma and smiled. “And tell Trunks when he wakes up that he can train on his own today. I’m sleeping in.”