Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dude Looks Like A Lady ❯ Chapter Seventy-Two ( Chapter 72 )

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

Innocence is Futile
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Dude Looks Like A Lady
By Raven Pan and Alison Sky
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Chapter Seventy-Two
Decemeber 11, 799 - Tuesday
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It had been just over a week since Marron had dumped Trunks - since his getting roaring drunk. He had fallen into a routine of getting up, going to work, then returning home and spending some time with the kids before going to bed.

This was one such day, and with jacket on hall tree, tie undone, and shoes kicked off in the corner, he now was sprawled on the nursery floor rolling a ball back and forth with a squealing Truten, while Teena and Gotenks used him as a climbing junglegym.

Goten opened the door, walking in with two grocery bags in each hand. "I'm home!" he shouted, kicking the door shut behind him.

"In the nursery!" Trunks called back, a gate up to keep Truten from wandering through the apartment if he turned his attention from her.

"I got some fresh vegetables for dinner," Goten called back, walking to the kitchen and setting the bags on top of the table. He had everything to make a fresh green salad and some shrimp to fry to put into it.

"Sounds good!" Trunks replied, "OW!" He rubbed at his nose, Truten had gotten annoyed with him having stopped paying sole attention to her - and thrown a book at him.

"HAHHA!!!" she laughed as he grumbled.

"Attack of the chibis?" Goten called, laughing as well.

"Yeah....." Trunks sighed "C'mere you!" He grabbed Truten by the ankle and pulled her forward, tickling her as he was, pretty much, pinned by the twins.

"AAAHHH UNCKLEEEEEEEEEE!" Truten giggled trying to push his hands away.

Goten smiled to himself a bit, then sighed hearing Truten call Trunks 'Uncle'. It wasn't fair.... but Goten had a plan in mind. He started to wash the vegetables and cut then up, deep in thought. "When Gohan changes back... I'll know it's time to go look... " he muttered his plans softly as he worked.

Trunks finally let up mercy on his daughter, and she squealed, climbing onto his back with her siblings. "Uhn.... Truten... Hair... ow...."

"And if I take the kids to dad in the morning just after Trunks leaves... I might be able to get a ball every two or three days.... if Bulma loans me the radar...."

"GOTEN! SAVE ME!!!" Trunks called, unable to get purchase on their kids - small fingers grasping handfuls of his hair in tight grips.

Goten put the knife down, then smirked and grabbed the camera off the top of the fridge before going to the nursery, camera aimed to take a picture.

Truten was sitting on Trunks's shoulderblades, both hands full of lavender locks, going "Bbbbbbbbrrrrrr" as though he were a motor cycle, while Teena and Gotenks were sitting on his back, pounding him with toy blocks. Trunks's eyes were closed and he whimpered.

Goten snapped the picture, laughing. "That's one for the wall," he stated.

"Just get them off," Trunks whined. "I'll destroy the camera later...."

"Oh no you won't. It's the last picture on the roll, and this one had Gotenks walking on it," Goten pointed out, putting the camera one the table outside the door before stepping over the gate.

"You're right, I won't," Trunks sighed, reminded of something else he'd missed the first of.

Goten reached down and got Truten under her arms, tickling her. "Let him go, cutie..." he said gently.

Truten giggled, but held on, and Trunks whimpered as she tugged. "That's it... I'm cutting it tomorrow," he decided.

"Why do you think I don't let mine grow out anymore," Goten stated, getting his fingers between hers to pry her off Trunks's hair, his own hair spiky and close cropped.

"Know-it-all," Trunks grumbled as Truten finally let go of his hair, and he put hands to his aching head, the twins still banging on him with blocks - though that was much preferable to hair pulling.

"Come on, I'm almost done with dinner... we can give them carrots to throw at you instead..." Gotem smiled, putting Truten on his hip.

"Sounds like a plan," he rolled his eyes, turning over and grabbing up the twins, tossuling their hair before following Goten out to the kitchen.

Goten expertly slid Truten into her highchair and locked her in, then grabbed some carrots and worked to slice them into bitesized pieces.

Trunks got Teena and Gotenks into their chairs, with slightly more difficulty, before grabbing a handful of cereal for each of them, to hold them over until the other things were done up, a handful to Truten as well, of course.

"Get them... alone... can choose... I'll know..." Goten muttered to himself, thinking and speaking in intervals as he kept planning.

"Huh?" Trunks looked up. "What are you muttering about now?"

"Nani?" Goten asked, looking over his shoulder as he picked up some carrots and took them to Truten.

"You," Trunks pointed at him, "were muttering about something. What is it?"

"Oh nothing... just talking to myself," Goten stated, then went back to making the two large salads.

"Fine," Trunks sighed, slipping into his chair as he watched the kids eating.

"Want to fry up the shrimp?" Goten asked, jabbing his finger at the bag of fresh shrimp.

"Sure," Trunks said, pushing himself up and pulling out a large pan, setting about doing just that.

Goten smiled, then went back to work. "If it works... back to normal..." he muttered as he sliced the cucumber.

"You're doing it again," Trunks said in a frustrated tone.

"Oh... sorry..." Goten sighed.

"You keep talking to yourself like that, and people are going to think you've gone mad," Trunks commented, starting the burner on the stove, and tossing in the prepared shrimp.

"I thought they already knew that," Goten smirked, looking over at his best friend.

Trunks half smirked and chuckled.

From behind them, Gotenks reached over and stole some cereal from his twin. "More!" he stated, very clearly.

Trunks spun around and blinked.

Goten did too. "Did he... just talk?"

"Yep!" Truten said, throwing a piece of cereal at her brother.

"More!" Gotenks stated, grabbing more cereal from his sister.

Teena whimpered. "Mine..." she cried, then slapped her brother.

"They... just..." Trunks blinked. "Holy shit," he whispered in shock. He'd... actually witnessed a first.

"Shit!" Truten said and giggled, throwing more cereal at Gotenks.

Trunks facepalmed and groaned.

Gotenks wrinkled his nose, then started crying loudly. Teena, of course joined in chorus. Goten just watched in shock.

Trunks snapped himself out of it and went over, picking up both twins and rocking them close, "Shhh, it's okay, suppers almost done," he said quietly, kissing both their heads.

Goten blinked, then nodded, turning back to mash some of the vegetables up quickly and walked over with two bowls. "Here you go, kids... just for you."

Teena looked at the bowl and smiled. "MINE!" she stated, and tried to wiggle free. Gotenks just sniffled and nuzzled into Trunks' neck.

Trunks chuckled, letting Teena back down into her highchair, then taking Gotenks's bowl and putting it on his, picking up some to give to him. "See? All better now."

Gotenks sniffled and looked at Trunks, taking short breaths. "M..ma..." he said softly.

Trunks winced, closing his eyes and swallowing hard a moment. He then opened and smiled at the boy, offering him some more. "It's all okay - we're not gonna let you starve, Gotenks."

Gotenks just shook his head hard and buried his face in Trunks' shoulder. "Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma," he whimpered over and over again.

Goten winced as well, turning his attention to checking the shrimp and turning off the stove.

Trunks just held him, rubbing his back. "Shhhhh, it's okay, shhhh...."

Teena watched them, then laughed and threw a handful of mashed tomatoes at them.

"Teena, no," Goten said sternly, then sighed and went to clean up the mess.

"Shit!" Truten giggled again, throwing cereal "Papa Pickup!"

"I think you created another first," Goten told Trunks, looking over at Truten.

Trunks sighed, "Don't say that word, Truten, it's a yucky word only grownups use."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"WHY!!!!" Truten laughed.

Teena laughed. "vie?" she squealed.

Trunks continued rocking Gotenks, "Full of talking today, it seems...." his eyes were shuttered, sad.

Gotenks was now just whimpering, nuzzled in Trunks neck, half asleep.

"I think Gotenks is done for now.... keep an eye on the stove?" Trunks asked, heading back for the nursery.

"Yeah, they're done as it is," Goten threw the paper towel with the mess into the trash, then went about finishing the salads for him and Trunks and putting them on the table.

Trunks went into the nursery, sitting in the rocker with Gotenks, just cuddling him as he fell to sleep, rubbing his back. "Shhh, I'm here, it's okay...." he whispered.

"Ma ma ma ma ma," Gotenks mumbled softly as he fell asleep.

A tear slipped down Trunks's cheek, and he just held the boy - all thought of supper gone from his mind as he slowly rocked him.

Goten ate a bit, entertaining the two girls, then looked at the clock. Trunks had been gone for a while. He wondered if he should check on them... after all, the shrimp was getting cold.

Trunks was still rocking Gotenks, staring at an empty spot on the floor as he did so, trapped in thoughts of what had been lost.

Once the girls had finished, he put a few raisens on the highchair table and walked to the nursery. "Trunks, is everything ok?" he asked softly.

"Hmm?" Trunks looked up, then frowned as he realised the time. "Yeah, everything's fine," he said, getting up and carefully laying Gotenks into the crib, tucking him in.

"The girls are done... I can reheat your shrimp... they've gone cold by now..."

"Not hungry," Trunks said, standing and turning with a shrug. "Is it okay if I go out for a bit?"

Goten bit his lip. "I don't see why not.... are you ok?"

"I said I was fine," Trunks snapped, then pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Just... I need to go out for a bit. I'll be back later," he reached for the shoes he'd kicked off earlier in the evening and started to tie them on.

Goten took a step back. "Oh.... ok..." he sighed.

Trunks finished tying his shoes, "Sorry," he apologised quietly as he pushed past. After kissing both daughters on the head, he left through the balcony, sliding the door shut.

Even though it was snowing... his jacket still hung on the entryway.

Goten sighed, watching from the nursery doorway. He turned back to look at the little boy fast asleep. "Don't worry, little buddy... I'm going to get your mama back... I promise," he stated firmly, then went back to his daughters.

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December 12, 799 - Wednesday - 0100 hrs

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It was late, just past midnight, when there was a slight thud against the door to the apartment, followed by some knocking.

Goten, who had fallen asleep on the couch after putting the shrimp salads away, rubbed his eyes. "Yeah?" he called.

"Lemme in," Trunks drawled through the door.

Goten sat up. "Where are your keys?"

"F'got'm," Trunks whined, tapping on the door again. "C'mon... 'm gettin' blood all over the entry...."

"Blood?" Goten got up and padded to the door, only in his jeans and a wifebeater. He opened it halfway, looking out.

Trunks was leaned in the doorway, a cut across his shirt and into his shoulder was bleeding freely, another across his cheekbone. His hair fell oddly, a large chunk cut out of it, his clothes were torn and dirty, and a black eye and split lip completing the look of bar brawler. The knuckles of his left hand, which he had braced on the other side of the door, looked sore, a bit torn from use. He smelled heavily of smoke, alcohol... and likely a few more illegal things as well.

"Holy shit Trunks the hell happened to you!" Goten exclaimed, opening to door wide and reaching out to help his best friend inside.

Trunks stumbled in, his other hand being revealed to hold a nearly finished bottle of sake. "Fight," He muttered, shaking off the help.

Goten eyed the drink. "Yeah, well that happens when you're drunk off your ass," he chided, shutting the door.

"Hmpfh," Trunks brought the bottle to his lips as he finished off what was left, stumbling toward the kitchen.

Goten reached out and grabbed it. "You've had enough."

Trunks snarled, then shrugged, "'sempty anyway," He went to the fridge and opened it, rooting around and coming free with a bottle of beer.

Goten growled and walked over, grabbing that as well, then slamming the fridge shut. "Enough," he stated.

Nasubi snarled, reaching for the bottle, "Give it back."

Goten put it in the fridge and leaned against it. "You've had enough, Trunks. Go to bed."

"I will decide 'f I've had 'nough," He growled, reaching forward and shoving Goten aside before moving to open the fridge.

"You can't decide shit," Goten growled, pushing Trunks back and standing guard over the fridge. "Go sleep it off."

"I'm still awake, so I've not had 'nough!" Trunks growled, coming closer and punching Goten hard across the jaw.

Goten took the hit. "If you want to drink, then get the fuck out of this house," Goten growled in warning.

Trunks narrowed his eyes, then - without a word - turned on his heel and stumbled back toward the door, grabbing his keys off the table as he did so.

"And don't come back until you're sober," Goten added, going to stand in the hallway between the kitchen, livingroom, and leading off to the kids room.

Trunks just snarled, slamming the door behind him.

Goten closed his eyes, checking on Trunks' ki, his own breathing rapid as he tried to push himself past his adreneline rush.

It was stumbling down the stairs, then swiftly descended them and was still... unconscious.

Goten collapsed against the wall, sliding down and breathing hard, putting his hands over his eyes as he bit back his tears.

Finally, once he was under control, Goten stood up and went to the door, opening it and walking down the stairs to where Trunks was.

Trunks was in a heap about five floors down, sprawled on the landing, his head against the wall.

Sighing, Goten just gathered him in his arms and carried him back up the stairs, inside the apartment, kicking the door closed, then into the bedroom and dropping him onto his bed.

Where he didn't move for the rest of the night.

Diligently, Goten worked to clean all of Trunks's wounds, then tucked him into the bed gently. After that, he went and sat on his own bed, rubbing his jaw before laying down and going to sleep himself.

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1030 hrs

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It was mid morning when Trunks groaned, putting the pillow over his head.

Goten was already in the nursery, laying on his back with Teena sitting on his chest, reading a book.

A few minutes later, Trunks crawled out of bed, over to the private bathroom, where he immediately set to emptying his over-full bladder.

Goten's ears perked and he turned his head to the doorway, then sighed and went back to reading the story of the boy puppet to Teena while Gotenks was playing with his older sister.

The commode flushed, and Trunks stumbled his way to the nursery door. "What happened, Chibi?" He asked groggily, rubbing a hand down his face. "I feel awful...."

"You got drunk." Goten said simply in a clipped voice.

"Oh... sorry," He looked up then balked - seeing the large bruise on Goten's chin. "What the hell happened to your face?!" He paused, "I'll kill 'em," he muttered a growl.

"Don't worry about it," Goten stated, his eyes locked on the book.

Trunks sighed, sliding to sit on the floor, his arms on the gate as he watched the kids and Goten inside. "Didn't mean to get drunk...."

Goten just snorted and started reading again. "And everytime Pinnochio lied, his nose would grow..." Goten told Teena, then turned the book to show her the picture.

Trunks sighed, pushing himself to his feet, and away from the door as he headed down the hall. He knew when his presence wasn't wanted.

Gotenks walked over to the gate and reached his arms out. "Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma....."

Trunks grit his jaw, his fist clenching against the wall as he pushed down the dispair eating away at him. He knew his son was just babbling... but still. It reminded him all too much that he wasn't a part of the family.

Despite that, he went back, picking Gotenks up without a word, and bringing him with him into the livingroom to play.

Gotenks smiled and kissed Trunks on the cheek.

And Trunks cuddled his son, his cheek to the ebony hair, as a tear fell from his eye and he shuddered.

Gotenks wiggled to get free, wanting to explore the livingroom.

Trunks sniffled, letting his son down, wiping a hand across his eyes as he watched his son.

Gotenks squealed and took off, waddling across the room to a bookcase and started to grab books, throwing them all over the place with a childish glee.

Trunks chuckled, slowly crawling over, letting the headache keep him sane, and put the books back, just after Gotenks pulled each out. "No," he said gently. "They stay here."

Gotenks giggled at this new game. He reached up and grabbed a photo album, pulling it down, photos going everywhere.

Trunks sighed, "That's it... Here," he picked up Gotenks and set him by the couch, giving him a bunch of throw pillows to play with, so he could clean up the mess.
Gotenks smiled and squealed, diving headfirst into the pillows and tried to do a headstand.

Trunks chuckled, shaking his head before kneeling down and working to pick back up the photos and put them away.

There was a photo in there, of Trunks as a female, laying on the bed holding Truten a few hours after she was born, Goten fast asleep at her side.

The smile faded and Trunks silently stared at the photograph - memories he'd tried so hard to forget, coming down on him in a torrent.

Goten stepped over the gate, holding a fussing Teena who wanted a bottle. "You ok over there?" he asked, seeing Trunks so still.

Trunks squeezed his eyes shut, then abruptly stood, throwing down the photograph, and leaving through the balcony door. Shirtless, barefoot, into the snowstorm he flew away.

Gotenks chased after. "NO!" he shouted, and tried to take off for the balcony.

Goten quickly put Teena down and ran after him. "NO GOTENKS!"

Trunks heard Goten shout, then realised the balcony door was open... to the balcony that had barely any railing. Swiftly he turned, flying back toward home, tears frozen on his cheeks.

"Mama!" Gotenks cried, jumping upwards where Trunks had taken off, then screamed as he realized he couldn't fly yet... and started falling.

Trunks swiftly flew, darting downward and catching his son, five floors down from where their top floor apartment was. He raised his ki to keep the child warm.

Gotenks cried and clung to Trunks' neck while Goten stood on the balcony, only in his jeans, staring down. "Trunks! Is he ok?!"

Trunks nodded silently, cuddling him close as he rose to stand on the balcony, coming back inside, shushing his son, cuddling him close and rocking him slightly as he kissed him all over his head, snuggling him, shaking.

He'd almost lost his child... his son.

Goten ran and picked Teena up, shutting the balcony door before corraling her in the nursery. Ignoring her cries of protest, Goten grabbed the comforter off Trunks bed and ran over, wrapping it around them. "Shhh, it's ok... he's safe...."

Trunks was still shivering, even after the comforter was wrapped around them, kissing his son's head, holding him close, "Shhh... shhh..." tears flowed down his cheeks as his eyes were tightly shut. "Oh gods... oh gods...."

Gotenks whimpered, cuddling Trunks tightly, his tiny hands clamped around Trunks's neck. Goten pulled them both into his arms and raised his own ki, trying to warm them.

"Gotenks... oh gods... I'm so sorry... oh gods..." Trunks sobbed, clutching his boy to him gently, posessively.

"He's ok now, Trunks," Goten said softly. "He's safe."

"I didn't.. I thought I closed... oh gods..." he continued shaking, rocking his son. "I almost lost him...."

"Just don't do it again, ok?" Goten said softly. "It's over now, just don't do it again...."

"I didn't mean... I just wanted to think..." Trunks kept shuddering, sobbing, rocking. He'd almost caused his son's death. His son....

"Shhh," Goten said softly, hugging Trunks closer, resting his head on top of his best friend's. "I know... it's ok...."

Trunks let Goten hold him, too shaken to push away, "Oh gods..." he sobbed, tears flowing freely... as he held Gotenks close.

Gotenks was breathing hard still, his fear mainly gone, and was now feeding more off the ki of Trunks. He whimpered and nuzzled closer.

"Shhh, shhh..." Trunks kissed the top of his head. "You're okay.. you're alive, you're okay...." he whispered over and again.

"You both are... " Goten said softly, kissing the top of Trunks's head gently, holding them both tightly.

Trunks's sobbing slowly began to calm as he flinched just a little, but he kept hanging onto Gotenks as though he were a lifeline.

"PAPA!" Teena screamed, crying from the bedroom.

"Go to her," Trunks said, still slowly calming, hanging onto Gotenks.

Goten nodded, then wrapped the blanket around them tighter and went into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle quickly before scooping Teena into his arms and giving her the bottle he had forgotten about when he saw Gotenks fall.

Truten now made herself busy climbing over the barrier, even as Trunks continued rocking Gotenks. "I'm so sorry, Gotenks... I'm so sorry," he whispered.

Goten went and sat on the couch next to them, Teena in his arms as he fed her. "He knows you would never let him get hurt, Trunks," Goten stated.

Trunks remained curled on the floor with his son, shaking his head, rocking.

Truten finally negotiated the gate, and came running into the room, flinging her arms around Trunks. "No cry, Uncle - all good!" she handed him her stuffed bear.

Trunks smiled sadly, accepting it, and pulling his firstborn into his arms, wrapping her into the blanket with him and Gotenks, where she patted her 'uncle' on the head.

Teena squirmed free from Goten, bottle firmly in her mouth as she looked at her brother and sister in Trunks's arms curiously.

Trunks kissed Truten's forehead, and the little girl squirmed out of his arms and under the blanket to climb out and onto the couch, watching them. She looked up at Goten, "Uncle Sad?"

Trunks nuzzled Gotenks's hair, just so glad he'd gotten there in time.

Goten just wrapped his arms around Truten, leaning back to hold her. "Yeah..."

Teena walked over to Trunks and pulled on the blanket. "Me!"

Trunks half smiled, pulling open the blanket and gathering Teena into his arms too, kissing the top of her head.

"Why?" Truten asked, watching her siblings with Trunks.

Teena pushed Gotenks a bit to get in to snuggle with Trunks.

"I don't know, cutie," Goten said softly, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know."

Trunks heard them, but chose not to respond, cuddling the two he held, scattering kisses atop their heads. They were precious to him... all three of his children were - they were everything to him.

"Give him ice-cream," Truten nodded decisively. It always made her feel better.

Goten chuckled and kissed her head. "Want to ask him if he wants some?"

Truten nodded, and wiggled down then went to hug Trunks from behind, best she could. "Uncle needs ice-cream?" she asked.

Trunks chuckled.

"I think there's some in the freezer," Goten offered.

Trunks smiled softly, "Sure, but only if everyone gets some."

"Yay!!!" Truten laughed, and ran to the kitchen, pushing a chair up to the fridge.

"Whoa!" Goten chased after her, knowing just how destructive Truten could be in the kitchen. "You go keep an eye on your brother and sister... I'll make the icecream."

"Okay!!!" Truten said, running back to glomp on Trunks again, then wheedle her way into the embrace with her brother and sister.

This only made Trunks smile a bit. How he loved to hold his children. He kissed the top of her head, and she kissed his chin before touching his chopped hair. "Need cut."

"I know," He kissed the three atop their heads again.

Goten sighed and went to make the bowls of ice cream, holding the container against his bruised cheek a moment before scooping saiyan and chibi saiyan sized servings into the bowls.

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