Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dude Looks Like A Lady ❯ Chapter Eighty-One ( Chapter 81 )

[ 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 Eighty-One
April 12, 800 - SATURDAY

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Trunks finished packing what dragonballs he'd found into a special capsule, something he would keep with him, tucking it into a small case inside his belt, before finishing packing for his business trip. He was heading to the States to finalise what they'd been working on since early that year - and hopefully once that was taken care of, Trunks will have found the last few balls, all in North America.

Then, he'd be able to come home, and give them to Goten to do with as he wanted... and hopefully, be a part of his, and the children's, life again.

Bra stood in the doorway. "You're leaving?"

He looked over his shoulder, then nodded, going to his wardrobe. "Yeah, I have a flight out later this evening."

She crossed her arms. "You're going to come back, right?'

"Yes, I'll be coming back," He told her with a chuckle. "Oh, before I forget, there's a few keys on my dresser, they're for the apartments. Could you check in on them wednesday to make sure everything's all in order? I'm pretty sure the contractors didn't touch anything, but they're working until Tuesday."

"Sure thing..." Ba walked in a bit and sat on the bed. "I'm worried, Trunks...."

"Why for?" He asked, looking up at her as he put a pair of slacks into his suitcase.

"I had a bad dream last night...."

"What was it?" Trunks moved to sit on the bed, concerned.

"I dreamt that you left forever and never came back."

"Oh," Trunks moved over, and pulled her into a hug. "I'm not going to do that, Bra. I'm going to come right back, and everything's going to be better."

Bra nodded. "Just, be safe, ok? You have kids that miss you."

"I will," He pulled back. "And I miss them too. I've almost got all the dragonballs... then I'll be able to see them again."

"Just... well, be careful, ok?" She hugged her knees close to her.

"Of course," he put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's me. I've got too much to live for now," He told her, kissing her forehead as he went to finish packing.

Bra just watched, hoping her brother was right. She loved him too much to lose him now.

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APRIL 22, 800 - TUESDAY

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"I don' wanna go bed," Truten pouted, standing in the hall with one of her toys in hand. Her bear, still in Trunks's posession.

Goten chuckled. "Please, Cutie... I'll read Pinnochio to you three times tonight..." he bartered.

"YAY!!!! Okay!" she cheered, turning and climbing up the stairs.

Goten chuckled and started to follow, then stopped as his eyes caught the television still on. "Truten, you gotta remember to turn the tv off after you watch it," Goten chuckled as he walked over to the set, about to turn it off....

"... Flight out of San Fransisco to Tokyo, number JL069 has gone down halfway across the Pacific. The last contact with the pilot of the aircraft has revealed that one of the engines had a malfunction and exploded, likely killing all those seated nearby immediately. There are rescue crews already on their way in hopes of retrieving any survivors, but hopes are slim...."

Goten looked at his watch, then bit his lip. "PAN!" he shouted, knowing his neice was in the kitchen doing her homework with Gohan and Chi Chi.

"WHAT!?" She shouted back.

The television continued droning on, speaking that the rescue crews had arrived and were already hard at work.

"When was Trunks's flight back?" he asked, sitting down on the couch, looking for the controller, forgetting about his daughter.

"He should be in the air now - sixty-nine, I think - Bra was laughing cause it seemed so Trunksish!" she shouted back.

From the livingroom, the only sound that came was the contoller hitting the floor, as well as a thump as Goten fell to his knees, staring at the screen.

"What the..." Gohan said, pushing his glasses back up his nose before standing up. "Goten?"

"....Briefs of the world-famous Capsule Corporation, is reported to have had one of the ill-fated seats beside the engine that had exploded. Live coverage of this travesty will continue after a short break...."

"Kami no...." Goten whispered.

Gohan looked at his mother, then walked to the livingroom. "Goten, what's wrong?" he asked, coming behind his brother, kneeling beside him, but Goten's eyes were fixed to the tv.

A few minutes later, the news returned, listing those as yet not found. Images of them boarding the plane flashed on the screen as each name was read in that insufferable matter-of-fact tone held by all reporters. "Anna Himura, Trunks Briefs, Kana...." Sandwitched between the smiling women, was Trunks Briefs. Tired looking, pale, but happy as he handed his ticket and climbed onto the plane.

Gohan blinked, then grabbed the controller, changing stations to find someone with more information. "They're wrong, Goten... you'll see...."

"... Attempts are still underway as the rescuers search for signs of those still living in the wreckage - the plane, having checked out just fine in San Fransisco, seems to have had an engine malfunction, causing it to explode, tearing the aircraft in two before it plummeted from miles above the ocean."

"I didn't mean it..." Goten said softly.

"Mean what?" Gohan asked.

"I told him... the last thing I told him was that he should die so I could wish Trina back.... but I didn't mean it Gohan! I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" Goten cried, crumpling up.

"The search continues as bodies are recovered from the crash. Reports are that there are very few, if any, survivors - names will not be told just yet, as the death toll heightens with each new confirmed fatality...."

Gohan clung to his brother. "MOM!" he shouted, needing help as Goten collapsed into him.

"I didn't mean it... I didn't want him to die... why did he have to die? it's not fair... it can't be true..." He looked up at Gohan desperately. "Gohan, tell me it's not true!"

Chichi made it into the livingroom, "What is it, sweetie what's wrong?" she came forward, then gasped as the report continued.

"... No more can be taken from the wreckage - they were able to retrieve the black box, hopefully we will be able to find out more of what has caused this travasty as the plane sinks into the ocean...."

"Oh, that's terrible!" though she still did not know just how close that news report would be to their hearts.

Gohan looked to the sky, searching for Trunks's ki. He took a long while, searching as far as his powers would let him, then closed his eyes and looked away.

A strangled cry escaped Goten's lips as he turned to the television, a ki blast forming in his hand as he aimed it at the television to stop the words coming from the newscaster's mouth.

"There are speculations of just what this shall do to the business world, as one of the most powerful of their number has been killed in this tragic accident." The picture of Trunks showed on the screen briefly, before going back and showing as the rescue boats and air-craft began to vacate the area.

A few moments before Goten's blast hit the television, a golden streak fell from the sky to dive beneath the waves.

"Oh Kami..." Chichi sat down, her hand over her mouth.

Goten fell forward onto his hands and knees, crying. "I didn't mean it... I'm sorry... " he cried, and Gohan leaned over pulling Goten into his arms and holding him close. "Shhh, it's ok, Goten..."

Goten's body was just wracked with sobs as he curled into his brother's lap. "I didn't mean it Gohan... I want him back... please bring him back..." he whimpered.

Truten came downstairs, dragging her pillow with her. "Papa? What was that noise?"

Goten looked up. "Come here baby," he wiped his tears from his eyes, holding his arms out to her.

Truten padded forward and climbed into his lap, hugging him. "What's wrong?"

"Just let me hold you, ok cutie?" Goten said softly, snuggling his daughter... the one who held the most of Trunks in the three of the children.

"Okay," she nuzzled into him, patting his shoulder. "I love you, Papa!"

"I love you too, Cutie," Goten held her tightly, possesivly. Gohan held them both in his lap, leaning against the couch for support. he looked at his mother.

"You should check on Bulma, Mom..." he stated.

Chichi nodded, heading upstairs to the telephone in her bedroom.

"H...hello?" Bulma answered, watery tone.

"Bulma, it's Chi Chi," the warrior woman stated. "I just saw the news...."

She broke down into tears. "He... he can't be! Vegeta he... he went to go... to go find him... he's half saiyajin, a little explosion like that can't... it can't!"

"I know, Bulma. I... I'm sure Trunks is fine... he's been through a LOT worse..." Chi Chi tried to give hope, but the look from Gohan's face had already confirmed the worst to her.

"He... does... does Goten k... know?" Bulma sobbed. "The children....?"

Chi Chi took a deep breath. "He blew up the television...."

"Oh man... this just gets worse and worse," Bulma choked back a sob. "Trunks was... is... looking for the dragonballs lately...."

"He was what?" Chi Chi asked, not sure if she understood.

"The... the dragonballs," Bulma choked back another sob. "To... to give to... to give to Goten..."

"Shhh, Bulma, it's going to be fine... do you want me to come over and stay with you while Vegeta's gone?"

"Please... B.. Bra's at the movies... she.. she doesn't know yet..." Bulma broke down into tears once more.

"I'll find Goku and get him to bring me over... Just give me a few minutes, ok?"

"Sure... thanks Chichi..." Bulma hung up.

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Vegeta splashed down into the ocean depths - the icy cold water enveloping him, boiling away from the intense heat created by the Super Saiyajin's Ki.

Over and again, he rose for air, then dove beneath the surface - remaining for as long as his overtaxed lungs might allow. He searched frantically through the wreckage - bodies, below where human rescue crews could search, bloated beneath the water. Disassociated limbs floated past unseeing eyes staring from crushed skulls.

Vegeta grimaced as more and more time passed - the lump in his stomach growing heavier with each passing moment.

His son. His child. No... His mind refused to allow thought of hopelessness to enter.... Even as the situation became more certain.

Trunks was Gone.

Vegeta kept searching.

He swam past a muscular arm, burned and bearing a watch from the Capsule Corp anniversary party the year previous.

Those watches were limited in number... his son had been one of the lucky few to receive one.

Vegeta let it sink into the depths. When death affords burial... and does not come in one's sleep - a saiyajin does not move the bits of body he or she may find.

No, the body must all and sundry be laid to rest in one place. No part taken to another.

On his next dive down, not willing to give up completely just yet, Vegeta found a briefcase. It was in an older style, a sort that didn't capsulise. Silver accented and closed to a near airtight seal...

T. V. Briefs was etched upon the nameplate and Vegeta knew that this, indeed, belonged to his son.

He grabbed it and broke the surface with a gasp for air, before flying swiftly toward home.

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In the dim light of the gravity room - Vegeta avoided his wife... Avoided Kakkarot's mate... avoided his, now unconscious, daughter.

Bra had lost it, when he returned with the briefcase... without Trunks. She threw a fit of Saiyajin proportions, destroying the livingroom before he'd been able to knock her out. Been able to carry her to her room to sleep off the grief.

Bulma's redrimmed eyes haunted him as he'd come back down the stairs. She said nothing, only renewed her crying into Chichi's arms.

Vegeta said nothing - bringing the case here, to the gravity chamber. He wanted no company, no comfort.

Carefully, he broke the lock. Slowly, he opened the case.

So much for being water tight. The few documents, and other things, were rather damp - but that was to be expected. Vegeta figured it was likely because the case hadn't been meant to be hundreds of feet beneath the ocean.

Truten's bear, a little soggy. Vegeta pulled it out, gently running calloused fingers over the sopped fur. He set it down to the side - knowing he would need to return the bear to it's rightful owner.

He pressed his lips together in a thin line... remembering when he'd snuck the bear into Truten's crib for the first time.

A wallet. Vegeta pulled it out, and it bore a few things. Credit Cards, a few photographs. Mostly of the children.

There was no doubt now.

He pulled out a piece of paper that was folded within the wallet - somehow it'd managed to stay mostly dry - the ink hadn't run. It was a list of things Trunks had wanted to do.

The case and all within were kicked to the other side of the gravity room, as with the list crumpled in one fist, Vegeta screamed. He stood, punching the wall before sliding down it, hiding his face in his knees.

No one saw the emotionless Prince of Saiyajins break down. No one witnessed him uncontrollably weeping in anguish for his lost son.

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