Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dude Looks Like A Lady ❯ Chapter Seventy-Seven ( Chapter 77 )

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

FANART for this chapter can be found at: "www" dot "deviantart" dot "com/deviation/10067569/" -- Please PLEASE go look! done by RavenPan (just get rid of the " and replace 'dot' with . and you're set!)

Innocence is Futile

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Dude Looks Like A Lady
By Raven Pan and Alison Sky

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Chapter Seventy-Seven
February 13, 780 - Wednesday Morning

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Trunks got out of the shower, his pants already on as he left the bathroom, and went to go grab a dress shirt and tie before finishing to dressing before heading to work. He sat on his bed, rubbing his head with his towel, too tired to use his ki to dry himself today.

Goten walked in from the kitchen, already dressed for work. "I need to go to the office today," he stated, walking to his dresser.

"What do you mean, you need to go to the office today?" Trunks finished drying his hair and went to put his shirt on.

"I need to go to the office," Goten restated. "There's a lot of research I need to do, and I can only get it done when I'm not around the kids."

"Well, can't it wait for tomorrow? I have several meetings scheduled for today. Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Trunks stood, putting on his tie. "Maybe if you had, I'd be able to reschedule."

"I have my presentation due tomorrow, remember?" Goten looked at Trunks. "I tried to work yesterday, but I can't with those three running all over the place!"

"And I cannot miss these meetings!" Trunks shot back. "Take them to your parents, or your brother and sister-in-law - but I CANNOT back out now!"

"You back out on days you don't feel like going in," Goten retaliated.

"Not out of a MEETING, work maybe, and I'll admit I have occasionally been able to do that on no notice - but this is a tri-company merger, dealing with groups in Europe AND the United States. I'm going to be stuck in meetings from when I walk in the door, until most likely Ten or Eleven tonight - and there is NO way to reschedule a satellite meeting on that big a scale!"

Goten sighed. "Fine, I'll just dump them on my mother... again..." he grumbled, walking back into the kitchen.

"Try thinking ahead for a change, and maybe you wouldn't have to," Trunks muttered to himself, finishing his dressing and going to give the children all quick kisses before grabbing his briefcase and jacket, and darting out the front door, already sure he was going to barely be on time.

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LATE NIGHT

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It had been a horrific day... from the time he got there, until ten thirty at night, he cajoled, listened, argued, played ambassador and compromised... and still it didn't seem like they'd come to any full conclusion.

Knowing that he'd already said he would be late getting home, he stopped by a bar. After several drinks, he decided it was far too noisy and, after buying a few jugs of sake, made his way home - quietly entering and putting his keys on the table while kicking off his shoes.

Goten's eyes opened from where he was laying on the couch, sleeping. "Oh, the drunk is home," Goten muttered, turning into the cushions.

"Go to bed, I don't want to deal with you tonight," Trunks muttered making his way to the kitchen for his glass so he could just drink himself to sleep in silence.

"Yeah, well, you're going to have to. I got fired."

"Fired?" he stopped in the doorway of the ktichen.

"Yeah... turns out that your little princess decided to draw circles on the calander yesterday... and my project was due TODAY..." Goten muttered.

Trunks winced. "C'mon, there's enough sake for us both," he offered, going into the kitchen and sitting down, after grabbing two glasses.

"You've already had enough sake," Goten said, standing up.

"I'm still conscious, so no - I haven't," Trunks muttered, pouring himself a generous glass and chugging it down.

Goten walked into the kitchen and grabbed the jugs. "Enough."

"Goten, give them back. I have had a day from hell myself - and I would like some peace and quiet to forget it in."

"I don't want you drinking when the kids are in the next room," Goten hissed.

Trunks stood, grabbing one of the jugs back, "This is my apartment too, and I have just as much a right to drink quietly as any other man does in his own home," he said quietly.

"But you aren't quiet when you drink, that's just it!"

"Only because you're doing your damndest to piss me off, Goten. Now, leave me alone," he said quietly before he took the jug and sat down, drinking from it.

Goten snarled and grabbed it from him while he was still drinking. "I said no."

"Who died and made you king," Trunks hissed, wiping his jacketed arm across his mouth, cleaning it off from what had spilled.

"You need help, Trunks," Goten stated. "You're always drinking. What kind of example is that for our kids?

"I am NOT always drinking, and I've NEVER had anything in front of the kids - so stop being all high and mighty just because you got fired!" he grit out through clenched teeth.

"I am NOT being high and mighty!" Goten shouted back.

"Just leave me the hell alone, Goten," Trunks snarled, reaching forward and grabbing the jug back.

Goten pulled it back, then powered ki into his hand, disintergrating the jug and the sake within a burst of flame. "No."

Trunks growled, glaring at Goten, then turned, going to one of the kidproof'd cupboards.

"I threw them out," Goten crossed his arms.

He pressed his hands on the counter, breathing slowly to calm himself. "Why. Did you do that. Goten," he spoke slowly, carefully, swaying slightly on his feet as what he'd chugged entered his system.

"Because I don't want them in the house," Goten said firmly.

"That was three hundred dollar sake!" Trunks spun around.

"You have a job, you can afford it," Goten snarled. "Remember, you're the one who supports us all because you're the big time president of Capsule Corp."

"Well I'm going to have to now, because you didn't get a PDA like I told you to - and got yourself FIRED!"

"I got fired because I'm the only one here raising those three children and can't find time TO keep a job!"

"That's a LIE!" Trunks growled, stalking forward furiously. "I invest just as much into those children as you do, and with less benefit for the effort - so don't EVEN start getting all high and mighty on that front too!"

"Yeah, you invest money," Goten crossed his arms. "But you don't spend time home unless you feel guilty about it."

Trunks swung out and punched Goten, hurt by his accusation. "You're blind! I spend as much time home as I possibly can with what I do, and you say I don't care about those kids unless you make me feel guilty about them!?"

Goten took the punch, narrowing his eyes. "Yes."

Trunks grabbed Goten by the shirt collar and shoved him up against the wall. "Well I have news for you," He grit out. "Those kids are my LIFE, I care more about them than I have anything else. I don't need to feel guilty to want to see them. I ALWAYS want to see them," he snarled.

"You care about them, but you don't want to be their mother," Goten stated, his eyes locked on Trunks's.

"I've got news for you," Trunks glared. "I want very much to be their mother - but I'm terrified of using the Dragonballs ever again. It's been proven that Fate does NOT want this, and I won't risk something happening to THEM by something getting screwed up with the fucking wish!" he snarled angrily.

As they say... a drunk tells no lies....

"If you really meant it, then the risk would be worth it!" Goten stated. "We would be worth it."

"Nothing is worth fucking those kids lives up more than they already are!" Trunks shot back. "I will not risk something happening to them! What if they're nearby when we start the wish, hm? And someone who's hiking stumbles upon us? Then they get turned into mosquitos, die in a week, and there's no way to wish them back because it was fucking natural! If YOU are willing to risk those kids lives, then you obviously don't care about them as much as I do! I would do ANYTHING for those kids, Goten - but I will NOT risk their lives for my own selfish desires, nor yours!"

"First off, if you wanted to, we would find a way to make it safe and secure... and what's selfish for wanting to be their MOTHER!" Goten shouted.

Trunks shook Goten by his shirt, slamming him against the wall a second time in frustration. "Listen to yourself! I am sick of going over this CONSTANTLY with you! I am a man. I was born a man, and I'll probably end up dying a man. I care more about those kids than anything, and I will not risk their lives! And as for selfish," another slam, "It's not NATURAL!"

Goten winced. "Why the fuck are you so afraid of it? You yourself even said you were happy then! What the hell have I done to make it different now?"

"You... GAH!" Trunks let Goten go and stalked away, jamming his hands through his hair in drunken frustration. "Why won't you get it!" He spun around to face him. "I'd rather be some kind of fucking Uncle to my own kids, and be miserable, and get to watch them grow up, go to school, get married, have their own kids - than fuck something up just because I wanted to make things different, and never get to see any of that because I'm fucking DEAD! You and the kids are all I've got, and all I care about - I will NOT lose you all because I end up wording something wrong to that fucking dragon!"

Goten punched Trunks across the jaw, then grabbed him and swung him around to push him into the wall, indenting it with the force. "Are you the only one who can do it right? HUH?! Have you ever thought that I could help? Just Maybe? But you want to do everything yourself because you're so damn fucken perfect!"

"No!" Trunk pushed Goten away, swinging at him roughly, punching him back toward the table. "Because if something goes wrong, I don't want YOU blaming YOURSELF!!!"

Goten leaned against the table, holding his stomach. "I don't give a fuck anymore, Trunks! I just want those kids happy, and they want their mother!"

"Then go out and fucking FIND THEM ONE! Stop moping around here waiting for something that isn't going to happen!" Trunks shouted at him, standing unsteadily in front of him, glaring.

"They don't need A mother... they need THEIR mother," Goten growled. "And we're their parents, Trunks... like it or not, we are, and WE have to figure this out for them before this ruins their lives like it has OURS!"

Trunks punched him again. "Just stop it Goten!" he cried, tears streaking down his face. He swung again, "Get over it, and move on! There are millions of kids out there with only one parent," He grabbed Goten's lapels, "and they're happy! So just sto-" his eyes fell closed and he slumped to the floor.

Goten collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath from cracked ribs and his own sobbing. "Fine... then if that's the way... then they will always only have one parent..." he gasped. He pulled himself to sit on the floor beside Trunks and just let himself cry.

A whimpering came from the back bedroom, The children having woken from the yelling... but Goten didn't hear, through his own tears. Soon, they cried themselves back to sleep.

And, once Goten had gotten control of himself, he carried Trunks to bed, as he always did, then went into the bathroom to try and tend to his injuries. He looked at his bruised face in the mirror, and sighed, finally coming to a firm decision that he should have made a while ago.

Finally, he went to bed, facing the wall so that when Trunks woke up, he wouldn't see him... and Goten wouldn't have to risk seeing Trunks again.

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February 14, 780 - Thursday Morning

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The next morning, Trunks groaned as he hit at his alarm, blindly pulling out the small drawer in his bedstand and pulling out the asprin bottle.

Goten heard it as well, wincing a bit from the pain he felt in the back of his head. But he kept himself curled up to the wall, keeping his breathing under control to feign sleep.

The lavender hair'd man finally sat up, putting a hand to his head, wondering how he'd gotten to bed. "Musta got home after all," He mumbled to himself, taking the pills dry before climbing out of the bed to go shower. "Ugh..."

So he forgets again.... I wish I was as lucky Goten thought bitterly to himself.

Trunks turned on the shower, scalding as usual, and tried to sober up as best he could while doing so. Finally, he turned it on as cold as it would go, in attempt to wake himself up, and yelped at the cold.

While he was shaving, he noticed a bruise on his cheek, and frowned. Musta got into a bar fight again... he thought with a sigh. Gotta stop drinking at the bar... it's always so much quieter at home.

Finally, he got back to the room, and started to get ready for work. He glanced over, and smiled slightly at seeing Goten asleep. Wait, didn't he have a presentation today?

Just go to work already...leave....

Trunks pulled on his shirt and started doing up his tie, "Hey Chibi, you awake?"

Should I answer? Goten thought. He stayed quiet.

"Chibi?" Trunks came over and put a hand on his shoulder, shaking ever so gently. "Didn't you say yesterday you've got a presentation?"

"I'm awake," Goten said, curling back a bit into the pillows so Trunks couldn't see him.

"I've gotta head out for work, you want me to take the kids over so Bra can watch them today?" Trunks asked, moving away and sitting on the bed, working his socks on.

"No.... I can do it." Goten stated.

"Alright, I'll see you tonight - hopefully I'll get home at a decent hour, maybe we can all go out for your birthday?" he chuckled, heading out the door as he combed his fingers through his hair.

He glanced over at the calendar and frowned. Today was circled... so was yesterday.... and three days from now. He picked up the calender and brought it back to the bedroom, "Chibi?"

"What?"

"When was your presentation, again?" Trunks asked, sitting on the edge of Goten's bed. "There's a couple of dates circled here."

"I know... but don't worry about it," Goten side softly. "It's all taken care of..."

"Okay... what's happening in three days, then?" Trunks asked, glancing over at him.

"Trunks... it's too early in the morning for me to remember.... just go to work already..." Goten muttered irritably

"...Sure..." Trunks got up, looking down at Goten. "I'll see you later, then, birthday boy...."

Goten didn't answer.

Thinking Goten'd fallen back asleep, Trunks closed the door gently before checking on the children, changing them and letting them play on the floor. He gave each a kiss, and a "I'll see you when I get home," then headed out, closing and locking the door gently behind him.

Once he was gone, Goten sat up in bed. His face was a mess of purple bruises. He went and quickly got dressed, then grabbed a capsule from Trunks's bedstand. He opened it and started to fill the large container with some of his clothing. When he was done, he then shut it and walked to the kids' room, reopening it on the floor in the middle of the room.

"Papa?" Truten looked up at him, running over and trying to tiptoe to look in the bin.

"Yes cutie?" Goten asked, taking the twins clothing and placing it into the bin.

"Whatcha do- PAPA!" she looked at him and reached up for him to pick her up.

"Not now, Truten... I need to finish packing then I will pick you up, ok?"

"You're purple!"

"I know." Goten went to Truten's dresser and started to put her clothes into it as well.

"That's Mine!" She followed him and tried to get her stuff and put it back.

"No, we need to pack it up, Truten... we're going to go visit Grandma and Grandpa for a bit, and we need it."

"Why?"

"Because we have to," Goten stated, putting the rest of the clothing in it and sealing it up. Dad can come back and get the rest of it, he thought as he capsulized the bin.
"Why!?" Truten started crying, confused about what was going on.

Goten leaned over and picked Truten up, hugging her. "Because Uncle Trunks needs his own space, sweetie... and it's time we give it to him, ok?"

"MY ROOM!"

"You'll have your own room at Grandpa's," Goten explained, reaching for the harness to carry the twins in against his chest.

Truten pushed Goten away, grabbed her bear, and ran out of the room, going to curl up on Trunks's bed. "NO LEAVE!!!!" she screamed at him.

Goten sighed. He picked up the twins, who both looked at him curiously, then happily snuggled against him. The harness meant they were going flying!

Goten then went into his bedroom. "Come on Truten."

"NO! UNCLE PROMISED NO LEAVE!!!!"

"You'll be able to see Trunks when he comes to visit, cutie," Goten reached down to pick her up.

"MY HOUSE!!!!" she pushed his hand away and curled up further away from him in the bed, with her bear.

Goten closed his eyes. "Truten. Now."

She folded her arms and glared at him, looking every bit like Trunks. "No."

Goten narrowed his eyes. "Now, Truten. Or you'll get a time out when we get to Grandpa's."

"No leave," she sniffled.

Goten reached down and picked her up, holding her and the bear close. "I'm sorry, cutie... but we have to."

Truten hugged tight to him and started to cry... then threw her bear down onto Trunks's bed. "FINE!"

"You want your bear?" Goten asked, holding her close.

"No, is Uncle's bear now," She said firmly, pouting. "Bearly gonna take care of Uncle."

Goten nodded. "OK." He went to the balcony and took off for his parents home.

Soon he landed outside the front door of his family home and knocked, hoping his dad would answer. He couldn't handle his mother at the moment.

Goku did indeed answer the door, a turkey leg in one hand. "Oh, Chichi's not home today, she went shopping with Videl," he smiled. "C'min!"

Goten walked in, letting the kids loose. "Dad... I have a favor to ask," he asked, not facing his father.

Truten just wandered over into the livingroom and curled up on the couch with a pout on.

"What is it, son?" His eyes flicked over Goten's face, but he didn't comment on the bruises... not just yet. Those boys had gotten into scuffles all their lives. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for one or the other to put each other in the hospital on occasion.

Goten looked back at his father, summoning all the pride he had left into his face. "Dad... can we stay here for a while?" he asked, lifting his chin.

"Of course, you know you're always welcome," Goku frowned slightly. "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Goten sighed. "But I do need you to get the rest of the kids things at the apartment."

"Bed, cribs, toys and books?" Goku asked, starting to get a better picture of what was going on. Goten was leaving Trunks, and had taken the kids with him.

Goten nodded. "Yeah. I guess we can give them Gohan's old room. I'll clean it out if you can get the stuff."

Goku nodded, putting two fingers to his forehead and leaving to go do as Goten asked. Something must have gone horribly wrong between Goten and Trunks... and he could only hope that somehow, they'd be able to work things out. Somehow.

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LATE AFTERNOON

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Trunks was glad to get out of work on time for a change, and whistled happily to himself, thoughts of having a nice decent dinner with Goten and his kids, and surprising his best friend with his birthday gift, playing in his mind restfully. He put his keys in the door and got into the house, dropping them on the table, and kicking off his shoes. He pulled off his jacket and put it on the tree. "I'm home!" he called into the house.

But, no answer. Maybe Goten took the kids out for dinner without me, he thought sadly to himself, upset that he may have missed the chance to spend time with them... especially today. No matter, he'd go back to the room, get changed, then go find them.

He paused as he passed the kids room. Stark empty. He ran into it, looking around. Not a toy, not a book, not even a dirty nappy. "What the-," the first thought he had, in panic, was that someone had broken into their home.

However, that thought was quickly dismissed as he recalled seeing their entertainment system as he came into the apartment. Dread balled inside his stomach as he made his way to the bedroom and looked over to Goten's side.....

To find the dresser Goten'd brought from when he was still living home... was gone. His closet was empty, his bed stripped.

"No..." he shook his head, backing up. He caught sight of Truten's bear, tossed on his bed, as though forgotten. No, this had to be a mistake, Goten wouldn't leave without telling him, would he?

He ran back to the front door, throwing on his shoes and jacket, then took off out the balcony, barely remembering to close the door as he did so - locking in on Goten and the children's ki... and unsurprised to find them at the Son homestead.

He had to see them.

A little while later, he landed on the lawn before the houses, closing his eyes a moment as he focused - trying to figure out just where Goten was.

"He doesn't want to see you," Gohan stated, leaning against the backdoor of his house. He had sensed Trunks's approach... and had already seen the state of his brother.

Trunks turned, "Gohan!" He came forward, a panicked, frightened look on his face. "Where is Goten, please, I have to talk to him!"

"I already told you, he doesn't want to see you, Trunks." Gohan stated, his arms crossed.

"Please, Gohan! I came home and everything, everyone... Please, I have to see him!

"I'm sorry Trunks, but if Goten doesn't want to see you, I'm not going to let you."

"Fine, then he doesn't have to see me - but please.... Is he okay? Are the kids okay? Truten's bear was on my bed - oh gods, don't tell me something happened to the kids!"

"The kids are fine," Gohan stated. "They are having dinner with Mom and Dad right now."

Trunks closed his eyes a moment, sighing in relief, swallowing hard. Trying to compose himself, he looked up at Gohan again. "Please... did something happen to Goten?" Fear was naked in his eyes.

Gohan nodded. "You could say that."

On the other side of the door, Goten was listening, his back leaning against the wooden door.

"Oh gods, what happened!? Is he okay? please tell me he's okay!!!" Trunks was at wit's end, not knowing why Goten would be here, not want to see him. All sorts of horrible things darted through his mind as fearful tears ran down his cheeks.

"He's fine... now," Gohan growled a bit. "Just take my advise, Trunks... leave my brother alone."

Trunks shook his head, looking up at Gohan, "I don't understand.... What happened?!" tears continued to roll freely down his cheeks. "Did someone hurt him? Tell me who it was, I'll get rid of them, make them wish they were never born!!" he shouted.

Gohan was about to reply when the door opened. Goten walked out, his head held up proudly. "Gohan told you to leave, Trunks," Goten stated.

Trunks rushed forward, then stopped suddenly at Goten's stance, his look. His eyes opened wide in horror, "What happened to you?! Who did that, Goten? O gods, I'm so glad you're okay!"

Goten looked at his brother, who nodded. "I'll be inside if you need me, little brother." Gohan placed a hand on Goten's shoulder, then stepped inside, closing the door.

Once the door was closed, Goten looked at Trunks. "We told you to leave, Trunks. What part of that do you not understand."

He stepped back, confusion showing clearly through his tears. "What's going on, Goten... I don't get it. What-"

"What do you remember of last night, Trunks?" Goten asked, crossing his arms.

Trunks frowned slightly, looking at the ground as he searched his memory. "I... it took me forever to get everyone to shut up so I could come home and get some sleep... it'd been a bad day, so I stopped in a bar on the way, y'know, so I could actually sleep in stead of stare at the ceiling all night...."

"You know, you have the lucky gift of forgetting everything that happens after you've had a few drinks," Goten growled.

Trunks took another step back at the growl, confused, frightened. "What... what happened Goten...." he was afraid of the answer, but he had to know.

"Can't you see?" Goten raised a hand to indicate his face.

Trunks stared at him in shock, lifting a hand, then dropping it again. "Oh gods... I did that?! But I... I'd never... I'd NEVER hurt you on purpose, Goten! I can't... it has to be a mistake!"

"You did, Trunks... and it's not the first time either... but it's sure as hell going to be the last time."

"I swear, I will NEVER have another drink Goten... Gods, why didn't you TELL me?!"

Goten took a deep breath, keeping his resolve up. "I have... you just keep forgetting." Goten walked away from the house towards the forest, needing to move.

Trunks followed, "I won't forget now," he promised, afraid to come too close. "Are the kids okay?"

"The kids are fine, though Truten has been upset with me... but she'll be ok."

"I saw her bear on my bed.... Goten..." Trunks paused. "When... when are you coming home?"

"I'm not."

The elder demi stopped walking, watching Goten's back. "Y.. you're not? But Goten!"

"You want me to move on, well I can't around you, Trunks. So I'm going to be the responsible adult and leave."

"Please don't leave," Trunks said quietly, rushing to follow again. "Goten please, please come back!"
"No, Trunks. This has been something I've been thinking about for a while... I just needed it finally beaten into me to do it," Goten stated.

He winced at the term 'beaten'. "I got that apartment next door, the other day... I was gonna tell you on your birthday... today... it's your gift! -- I figured we could expand the place, have room for offices, seperate bedrooms.... That's what you wanted, right?!"

"I can't go on living with you Trunks!" Goten turned around, anger in his eyes. "Not if you want me to move on! You don't want that place in my life, so we need to stop acting like it doesn't matter! We can NOT raise the kids like this any longer!"

"But... they're my kids too," tears fell down Trunks's cheeks.

"You can see them whenever you want... maybe."

"What about you?"

Goten closed his eyes a moment, then looked at the ground. "I'm sorry, but for a while... it's best not."

"Why not?" Trunks came up and moved to stand in front of him, hurt in his stance, in his eyes. "Goten, you're my best friend, please... don't tell me you want to throw over three decades aside.... Please....."

Goten looked up, pain and anger in his eyes. "I guess Fate found another way to fuck your life up, huh?" he stated, then pushed himself past going back towards his family's home.

"What...? Goten!" Trunks chased after him, grabbing his arm. "Don't go!"

Goten hissed, then pulled it back, growling. "Leave me alone, Trunks!" he shouted.

"Don't do this, Goten!" Trunks let go, pleaded with him. "Please don't do this!!!"

Goten narrowed his eyes, a coldness forming in his face. "Just leave. I never want to see you again, Trunks Briefs." With that, he turned back for the house.

Trunks rushed to cut him off, putting his hands on Goten's shoulders as he looked up at him. "Goten don't do this, you're not thinking clearly, you can't do this to us, to the kids!"

Goten stumbled a bit, feeling some pain in his shoulders from being pushed against the wall the night before. He then growled and powered up, twisting around to plant a fist into Trunks's stomach. "Leave me. The fuck. Alone." he growled, hazel eyes blazing as brightly as his golden hair.

Gohan ran to the door, sensing Goten's power raise.

Trunks folded over from the punch given to him by his best friend, in super saiyajin form. He coughed, blood flecking his lips as he felt his ribs break. "Goten... Please..." he grit out painfully.

Goten walked back to the house and stopped at the doorway. "Don't come back."

He tried to turn and follow, and fell to his knees in his pain, coughing again. "Goten...."

"Goodbye, Trunks." Goten didn't turn back, but walked inside.

Gohan looked at Trunks a moment in pity, then closed his eyes... and the door behind them.

"GOTEN!!!" Trunks screamed, tears running down his face as he worked to his feet, stumbling to the door and pounding on it, desperate. "GOTEN PLEASE!!!!"

Goten just closed his eyes, Gohan wrapping his arms around his brother, supporting him.

Gotenks toddled into the room and looked at the door. "Mama?" he asked.

Trunks stopped shouting, choking out a sob as he rested his head against the door. "Please..." he whispered, his fist against it, tears streaking down his cheeks.

Goten walked over to his son and picked him up, hugging him a bit. "Come on, kiddo... let's find you some dessert..." he said shakily as he walked back into the kitchen, Gohan behind them.

Feeling everyone's ki fade, Trunks screamed in anguish, taking to the air, powering up as he sobbed, flying on a kamikaze course for Capsule Corp.

Vegeta's eyebrows raised as he felt the rapidly approaching ki. "So, it's finally happened," he sighed.

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Trunks made it to the gravity room, and banged on the door. "Dad!!!!"

Vegeta walked to the door and opened it. "What do you want, Boy?" he asked.

Trunks pushed his way in, shutting the door, "Fight with me," the wind had wiped most of the tears away, though salt lines stood whiteish on his cheeks.

"You're kidding." Vegeta crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at his son.

"No, I'm not, so just... throw a punch or something," it'd been over a decade since Trunks had properly trained.

"I can kill you doing that," Vegeta smirked.

"I know," Trunks said, stepping back into a defensive stance. "Fight with me," he repeated, dropping out of super-saiyajin form.

"You want me to really kill you?" Vegeta raised an eyebrow again.

"What part of Fight With Me don't you understand?!" Trunks shouted, darting forward and throwing a punch at his father.

Vegeta caught it easily. "The part that makes me wonder what this sudden death wish is for?"

"That's none of your business!!" Trunks cried, twisting himself around to try and kick him.

Vegeta spun around, grabbing Trunks and pinning him face first to the ground. "Just relax, Boy, and tell me what's wrong."

Trunks huffed out a breath, the blood from Goten's punch flecking his lips as he coughed again, struggling uselessly against his father. "Just kill me and get it over with," He muttered, closing his eyes tightly. "It's taken you two years, just get it over with already - turn up the gravity over what I can stand, put your fist through my skull, I don't care how - just do it...." tears leaked from his eyes, falling to the floor, mixing with the blood that spattered there when he coughed.

"What are you talking about?!"

"Damnit, just let me go and fight me!!!" Trunks shouted, coughing again, tears now streaming down his cheeks again as he fought back the urge to break out sobbing.

"Not until you explain yourself," Vegeta said, still holding his son firmly.

"I want you to kill me... there, is that clear enough!?"

"Why?"

"Why do YOU care?!"

"Because, last I checked, I'm still your father."

"Some father you are," Trunks muttered, eyeing him from where he was pinned to the floor. "Ruining the one chance at happiness I ever had in my fucking life!"

"I was doing what was best for you," Vegeta stated.

"Well then I'm sure you'll be pleased as punch that Goten's gone, and he took the kids with him... and I'm never allowed to see them AGAIN! EVER!" Trunks struggled to get up again.

"What?" Vegeta leaned back a bit, releasing his hold on his son.

Trunks scrambled to his feet, gripping his hands into fists as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I said. Goten left. He took the kids and he left, and he doesn't ever want to see me again." His voice got very quiet, "He's not joking... I've got broken ribs to prove it. Now please, I'm begging you - if you want to do what's best for me, fight me and kill me now!!!!" he coughed again.

"It's not the end of the world, boy. You can make other friends."

"I don't WANT any other friends, I want my Goten, damnit - He's the only friend I've ever had and I don't want anyone ELSE!!!"

"You ever thought that this obsessiveness with having him might have been a reason why he left?" Vegeta asked.

"It was never a problem before!"

"Until you two fell in love with each other," Vegeta stated.

"We didn't fall in love, Dad! There's no such thing. We fucked. I do not feel any different about Goten then or now, than I did fifteen years ago!!!"

Vegeta closed his eyes and smirked, chuckling deep in his throat.

"STOP LAUGHING AT ME!!!" Trunks came forward and hit him as hard as he could.

Vegeta pushed the attack aside. "You are more my son than I thought," he chuckled, standing up to walk to the gravity room's console.

Trunks spun around and growled, but when he saw where Vegeta was going, he had hopes that he was finally going to take him seriously... and fight him.

But Vegeta only shut down the machine, tucking the operating key safely into his pocket. "Go take a shower and a nap, boy. We can talk when you're less emotional."

Trunks scowled. "Fine, I'll go pick a fight with Gohan then - at least I know he won't hold back!" He turned and headed toward the door.

"The brat loves you, Trunks... you really think Gohan would hurt you, knowing that?"

"He hates me, and if I show my face on that property again, my life's forfeit - they all but said so."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Take a nap, boy."

"Give me the key to the GR, Dad."

Vegeta walked over to Trunks, then swiftly gave a chop to the pressure point found on the back of all Saiyajin's necks.

And Trunks fell without a sound, unconscious.

Vegeta caught him before he hit the floor, then slung his son over his shoulder and carried him upstairs to his son's old room. "One day, Boy, you really need to learn to listen to people," he muttered.

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TBC - Please Review!!!!