Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Feeding Genius ❯ The Trunks Factor ( Chapter 10 )

Feeding Genius

Chapter Ten

The Trunks Factor

Disclaimer: DBZ isn't not mine, DBZ isn't mine, DBZ isn't mine… oh and did I mention DBZ isn't mine?

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And so she was gone.

I can't believe after the pretty little 'running away' speech she gave me… she was the one that left! Ha… and she has the gall to call me a coward.

You know I spent several hours of that day trying to force information from her father as to where the ship was destined. I asked a myriad of questions: What previsions were taken? About what protection she took with her, and what her main objectives were… but it appears the doctor knew very little more on the subject than me.

He had overseen the preparations for her departure it was true; he even knew she was planning on going into space, but he had similarly assumed that I would be escorting her. He didn't have a clue about anything else and perhaps it is better for him that he didn't. I'm not sure if the old man would have coped well if he knew the full danger his daughter had placed herself in. As it is Bulma's leaving without confiding in him has hit harder on his aged frame than I have seen anything do in the past.

His days are spent in the office, as he had promised, but in the evening he shuns his wife, locking himself away in the private laboratory that would usually require level ten force fields to keep him in. Heh! The old Dr. Brief would have found a way out regardless of anything that stood in his way. There was entertainment value in watching him hyperventilate on leaving. Well… when you're on a planet as backward and boring as this one is, you have to get your kicks from somewhere. But now he is holed up in the laboratory until the early hours of the morning, doing Kami only knows what on his own. I'm not concerned. What the old goat chooses to do with his time is of no importance to me. It's not especially significant, just… odd.

Bulma's mother on the other hand is just the same as always… unfortunately. You wouldn't believe that anything was amiss as far as she is concerned. Only such plaintively vacant comments as… "Do you think Bulma will like this when she gets back?" or "Now silly me, I've laid the table for five again" are dropped to give any notion that her daughter is in the middle of some rage driven, suicide mission. Yet another reason to thank the entity that deigned to give me a brain, and instructions on how to use it.

Despite these fleeting moments of curiosity though, my own mind is very much resigned. Trunks appears to be doing well under the loss of his mother and I have to admit that it surprises me. I had expected the human element of him to cloud his judgement and I was very well ready to have to confront, tears, sulkiness of temper, and whatever other concoction of emotion he has picked up from his five years of life on this planet, but I was wrong. Whatever had been said between mother and son that day appears to have been equally understood and accepted. That doesn't mean to say that he does not mention her. On the contrary, he seems to be always around my feet, his eyes alive and alert as he asks me numerous questions about where momma has gone.

At these times I find myself caught. There is a place within me that swells with the pride of my ancestry at the enthusiasm and fire that burns in his eyes as he questions me about the universe. The universe that, should my life have taken a different path, my son and heir would have ruled over. Whilst this gratifies and makes me feel closer to him than ever before, no matter how hard I try to, I cannot ignore the reason he has become so interested. Bulma.

At first there was implacable resentment and anger, and to a degree that has not changed. I agree that we needed to be apart, and I agree that things were a stage beyond desperate between us, but that does not requite her in the slightest. What she has done is foolish - there is no other way to address it. She keeps going on about her superior intellect, but now I see why. Her mind grasped so quickly for information in her infancy (stimulated as it was by her father) that it completely overlooked the phase of existence that teaches common sense.

Well what do I care anyway…? If she wants to kill herself, who am I to stand in her way. Humans! The lot of them are completely deranged - the females of the species more especially so. I am not comfortable with the current situation, but in my reaction I am resolved. In my mind I believe that half of the reason she has gone is to tempt me out into space after her. Well too bad for her. I have no interest in playing her stupid games. Feh! The Saiyan no Ouji does not go wasting valuable training time traipsing after damsels in distress! He should be the one bringing the distress about in the first place. If she wants her ass saved then she'll have to find some other poor creature to do it.

There is an element I regret though, and that is being the one stuck on-planet. I would give anything to trade places with the onna. As serious as the reasons I had for leaving were - there was a part of me that was excited at the freedom and adventure the universe held for me. Earth is so entirely out of the way. No mainstream shipping routes pass in close proximity, meaning I have practically no knowledge of how it is being run in the aftermath of the Ice-jin rule.

I had looked forward with deathly anticipation, to being able to take my frustrations out on some unfortunate planet during the time out, maybe forcing a species or two into cowering in fear, pleading for their lives, begging for my mercy, as so many have done before them. I have nothing to hold me back any more. I mean Kakarrot has been dead for four years. Gohan has turned into a complete bookworm and hasn't been training, and the Namek has never been anywhere close enough to my level to cause concern. I half think that Trunks and Goten would give me more trouble. They might not have the power yet, but they could sure as hell confound the most seasoned warrior, with their warped mixture of sparring and play. There is nothing other than my own conscience stopping me, and that has been very strained recently.

I think that right now Trunks is the only thing holding my temper together. I can feel it even now, the strain that my mind is putting my body under. It has been the same for a while now. Inactivity - that is what I put it down to. I have been dormant too long. I need action, adventure, something to push myself for - something to test my abilities. In times of peace a warrior is useless and I do not like contemplating that. It's daunting because right now my existence has no purpose beyond the veiled eyes of a five-year old half-breed. I promised myself I would never be tamed, and I find now as I contemplate my future, that it was a promise I have broken without even knowing the precise moment it happened.

"Papa?"

The voice is quiet and spoken in a semi-lisp as it walks up behind me.

"Papa? Grandma wants to know if you are coming in for dinner."

Ugh! My legacy lisps, how… disturbing.

"No." I look to the red tinged sky. I can feel the slight damp of the grass soaking through my bodysuit as I lay back. "Tell her no."

There is a cool breeze that finds its way to shiver over my bare arms.

"Well aren't you going in boy?"

"No" he say's proudly, "I already had some."

"Hn."

"Grandma won't put anymore in if I don't go back. I'll wait until momma comes."

"You'll be waiting a long while brat."

"Nuh uh! Momma said two months. Grandma says two months has passed already."

"Nearer three." I correct.

"That means she's gonna be home soon right? I hope it will be tomorrow. Papa?"

"What?"

"Is momma happy?"

"I hope not."

"Why?"

"Because I'm angry."

"At momma?"

"Yes."

"Was she mean to you?"

I laugh, "There is nothing in this world that is too mean for a Saiyan Trunks."

"Then why are you angry?"

Damn!

"You ask too many questions."

He looks thoughtfully down on me. "Miss Tenichi says that questions are important. If you don't ask them you don't learn."

"Feh! Human nonsense!"

"Is not!" The reply is so indignant it makes me chuckle.

"Look kid." I say levelling my gaze on him, "Asking questions is dangerous. There are those that would exploit your ignorance and use it as a weakness, there are others that would make you pay for it in hard work, and there are those that will torture you in every conceivable way so as to stop you asking any more. I am a combination of all three. Do with that information what you will!"

There is a pause as he considers my words. I think perhaps he realizes it is a subject I do not want to dwell on.

"When I'm six I want to go to space."

Heh! Sly little creature… he's picked up some diplomacy from somewhere. Ok kid - let's see where this takes us.

"And what would you do while you are there?"

"Explore. Learn to fight better. Make new friends."

"I liked the first two but the last is impossible."

He pouts… another disgustingly human habit. "What's wrong with making friends?"

I scowl at his disrespect. "Have you got all night?" He blinks in confusion and I continue. "To put it simply Saiyans are not well liked in the universe. No one would want to be your friend."

"That doesn't sound like fun."

"That's because it isn't. The universe is a hard place Trunks. It might sound exciting to your young ears and others that have not experienced it, but it is a very foreboding and hostile place. You see there was this one being many years before you were born that tried to rule it. He conquered planets and forced the strongest of their surviving inhabitants to work for him. He made a lot of people very unhappy, but for a long time he was too powerful to be stopped by anyone. Eventually a warrior came along and defeated him and the universe was at once set free, but free doesn't always mean safe. Ever since then there has been a hole in the framework of the universe… a gap that has to be filled. There will no doubt have been much fighting, many wars and unspeakable amounts of casualties… and there may well be for many decades to come before there is any stability. Everyone is out for their own personal gain. It is as my father used to tell me - you can't trust any one, not even blood."

"Does that mean momma's in danger?"

"It's a possibility."

"Then why aren't we helping her? She's not strong like you and me!"

"I'm not discussing that with you."

"But?"

"No buts." I reply angrily, "Now leave me alone brat, you've outstayed your welcome."

There is silence, but I know he hasn't moved. "I still want to go into space." He affirms.

I let him stew in silence for a moment. "And you're serious about it?"

"Yeah!"

"Then perhaps I will take you sometime soon."

"Momma says I'm too young."

"Your momma's wrong. It goes against her concepts of compassion, but had you been a normal Saiyan infant then you would have been sent off-world when you were still a baby. Your body is resilient boy. Your mother is just overprotective. When I was your age my father took me on my first purging mission. I see no harm on taking you away. I will speak to the Doctor tonight and organize something."

He runs up to me jumping on my midriff, giggling like a fool as he bounces up and down. "Thank you papa!" He exclaims over and over.

Ugh! Darn kid! I push him forcefully but not violently off, and he skids a little way back as I get up and brush myself down from the indignity. "This is not going to be a vacation Trunks." I admonish. "I've told you the universe is a hard place. This will be the start of your proper training."

"But we're already training. Remember - I managed to hit you yesterday!"

I laugh at his ignorance, "You think that was proper training. What a pity son. You are in for one gigantic culture shock."

Still laughing I turn away from him and towards the laboratories. "No backing out now kid." I sneer, only sparing a single backward glance to see my son still smiling like a loony. What did I do to deserve this shit?

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The long grey corridor smells a disturbingly repulsive mixture of disinfectant and potpourri as I walk along it towards the old mans laboratory and I feel a little light headed under it. It is bizarre that I am now walking this course when so many first questioned why I didn't do it straight after Bulma left.

Kakarrot's harpy in particular was incessant that I should follow. Her tongue is pure acid at times, and although it is a quality I generally enjoy, in that particular onnas case there is not enough thought behind it to make it entertaining. There is a marked difference between being passionate, like Bulma, and being insipid and narrow-minded like Chi Chi.

I confess that I do not understand why the creatures were so shocked when I told them I didn't plan to follow her. She is a grown woman and with a mind that is unparalleled. She might not have ki to protect her, but she is by no means helpless. Not one of them knows the real reason, although I have my suspicions that Chi Chi isn't as uninformed as she would have me believe. Yes, as much as I try to ignore it, it is nothing more substantial than anger and pride that has stopped me.

Trunks was another consideration. Even though I know he has a warriors heart and passion and would bear it well, he does not to deserve to be left on his own for whatever protraction of time it would take for me to talk her into coming back. Even if I did go, what good would it do? My interference might cause more friction and trouble for her than it would take to protect her.

As it is, there can be very little importance attributed to her journey into space. She will be just the same as any other of the hordes that pass through the big black. Being lost and insignificant in a crowd should be enough to ensure her own protection. She more than likely would make her first stop at the Gleya four space station, probably staying there for a couple of weeks to make plans and chose which course to take.

After that, who knows, but if I had gone after her on some crazy search and rescue mission it would have made her a target straight away. Besides… I have a trump card that I cannot believe none of her so-called friends thought of utilising. Feh… and the woman has the cheek to think my mind linear!

I have my spies. I thought it would have been difficult to see into effect, but Dende was unnervingly willing to help. I guess it is the inbred affliction of goodness he carries that forced it, but shortly after she left I went to visit him. My ask was for nothing more than that the guardian of the earth would spare a moment of his time each day to make sure she wasn't in any trouble. He had contacts enough to make this possible. I had also requested (well ok - demanded) that he tell me her reasons for going, but he told me it was a breach of his oath to divulge such information.

I raged and stormed for a long time, having great satisfaction in causing mild panic in the young Namekian, but it was a vain show of power and both of us knew as much. However much I would try to intimidate he would not tell, and I think he knew I would not take it further. He was right, but not because his life was important to me, because it would have shown more of my emotion than I wished to share to continue with the issue. As it is he gives me the simple reassurance each day that she is well, and that is all I am concerned with right now.

I reach the end of the hall and am now confronted with a computer password. One that I know I will never find my way past without violence. Hopefully though it won't come to that. I press the touch button screen.

'Restricted area. Please enter the correct password to enter or press A to use the intercom.'

I deliberate just melting the door from the hinges, but press A instead.

"Who is it?" The old mans voice sounds slightly preoccupied. No change there then.

"Vegeta."

"This is an unexpected surprise. Do the training bots need replacing again?"

"No." I admit, "Those you have provided me with are adequate, for now."

"Then what can I do for you?" He chuckles, "Or are you lost? It's unlike you to come in this part of the building. Has the draw of technology finally gotten the better of you my boy?"

"I have no time for pleasantries. Just open the damned door."

"Ok, give me a couple of minutes."

The intercom goes dead.

A couple of minutes pass and three more on top of it before the door slides open.

I follow the metallic invitation and step into the room. The room is deceptively large and just as cluttered as I have come to expect from any space the doctor calls his own. I have to step over several contraptions and navigate a few more before I can see his small frame. As usual he is huddled over a small computer screen, watching the numbers flicking over it as though they were a matter of life and death.

He looks tired, but notes my entrance with a simple, "So what can I do for you young man?"

"I need to know if there is a space capsule spare."

Ha! That got his attention. He turns on the leather chair and faces me with an eyebrow raised, the obligatory cigarette hanging from his top lip.

"So you're finally going to search for Bulma?"

Damned their preoccupation with her! "No. I would have left straight away if that were the case."

He looks confused and I take a moment to enjoy it.

When I think he has suffered long enough I continue. "The boy has expressed a desire for space travel. I plan on taking him for a short training excursion."

His astonishment shifts to concern. "I don't think Bulma would approve of that."

"Bulma," I hiss in heightened aggravation, "Is not here."

"Still… isn't he a little… young to be taking such an undertaking."

"On his own yes, but I will be with him." Knowing the old man will need reassurance before he lets me have the capsule I add, "I will make sure no harm comes to the boy."

"Well you are Trunks' father. I guess if you think he is up to it then I can have little to add in protest. There is a spare capsule, but it will take a few days to make ready. Trunks finishes school for the summer break at the end of the week, so I guess it won't interfere with his studies. Can you wait until then?"

"That is fine. Let me know when everything is ready for my approval."

"Ok… but if Bulma ever asks… you forced me into it. She'd skin me alive for this!"

"Coward!" I assert.

He laughs. "And proud. Do we have a deal?"

"The onna's anger is of no concern to me."

"Good." He turns back to the computer, conscience eased. "I'll finish up here and start work straight away."

Not having anything else to say I retreat from the room. After taking a moment to consider my next move I make my way back to the main house. There is a lot to organize for a trip of this kind and I will have to choose our destinations carefully.

I head to my bedchamber in the hope of some peace and quiet to think uninterrupted.

I revel in the soft fabric of my bed as I lay down. As for a plan it will be hard to make any concrete decisions. A lot of things will have changed since the last time I left the planet, and despite my protestations I will add a quick tour of Gleya four to our arrangements. Just because I do not want to search for Bulma, doesn't make me any less curious about her reasons for leaving. There might perhaps be something there that will give me a more open view.

Feh! I really am a lost cause.

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A/N - Sorry this chapter took so long. RL has been a pain in the arse recently lol. See you soon for the next. ^-^

Ember