Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ In'lar-Anth - Through Darkest Destiny ❯ Present Interlude ( Chapter 9 )

For those of you who cannot see any website-links… it is FF.net's fault! Go to Mediaminer under author Dark Serapha.

Warnings for this chapter:

violence, time-travel-confusion, angst, cussing, some fluff, saiyan prince in swimming-trunks

Pairing: Vegeta x Son Goku, Trunks x Goten

Disclaimer: We solemnly swear we are up to no good! Therefore we own neither Dragonball Z nor all the songs used in here or else the world would be a far darke... angsti... eh… better place. No money is being made with this. Damn.

'…' = thoughts

Intro

"Remember"

Sensation washes over me
I can't describe it
Pain I felt so long ago
I don't remember
Tear a hole so I can see
My devastation
Feelings from so long ago
I don't remember

Holding on, to let them know
What's given to me
To hide behind
The mask this time
And try to believe

Blind your eyes to what you see
You can't embrace it
Leave it well enough alone
And don't remember
Cut your pride and watch it bleed
You can't deny it
Pain you know you can't ignore
I don't remember

If I can
Remember
To know this will
Conquer me
If I can
Just walk alone
And try to escape
Into me

("Remember" by Disturbed)

In'lar-Anth - Through Darkest Destiny

Chapter 9: Present Interlude

~ the present, Capsule Corporation, gravity room ~

Vegeta

Twisting and punching the air, I spun and flew throughout the chamber. Basic moves. Memorized beyond the need for thought long ago. Just movement. Just strength and power behind punches and kicks, sweeps and blocks. No thought. Just pure concentration. The only thing that calms. Concentration and movement.

The air was thick and acrid. Salt and earth, clean scents. The smell of heavy labour and it's due. I snorted at that thought. There was nothing gained from it. Damn! I was thinking again. I threw another punch into an invisible enemy's face and froze, holding the pose. I glared at my outstretched fist. It was shaking. Strength. I snorted again. Not nearly strong enough but it didn't matter.

At length I dropped my fist and, as my blood settled, found that all of my muscles shook just as my arm did. I had pushed myself these last few days, barely taking any time to rest. I had pushed myself hard and I could probably continue to. Not that it would make a difference. I gained nothing. I merely stayed steady, stayed stationary, not losing ground. Every step forward was a battle. The struggle seemed more oppressive at times like these, as did the stray thoughts. They were harder to keep away. I knew that it wasn't really so, that I was just more focused on them when it got to this point. It would fade again but at this moment in time there was no solace. With the ceased movement, the heat of the enclosed space pressed in on me and my breath grew a little more ragged. I leaned against the wall beside me, the gravity pressing down mercilessly, forcing my shaking body to withstand it. I leaned my head back against the metal. It was warm just like everything else but against my back if felt cool to the touch. I spread my palms on the surface, searching for the relief that a little cold could bring. I closed my eyes at the coolness and let out a sigh, forcing my breathing back to normal already.

Unbidden at the cool contact a sudden image flashed before my eyes of white talons and a leering smirk and *cold*, so *cold*. I jerked as if burned but pressed back against the wall anyway. It was not something I could escape. Let it come, it was no surprise, nothing new. The cold was the only relief. I had been forced to accept that before but it had never been so oppressive. Not like it was now. But then again, I had probably thought that many times before.

It wore at me. 'Kami! Why...' I pushed the thought away. I knew why. I knew exactly why and that was the worst of it all. Pulled on two sides. Forced and cajoled. Elated and subjugated by forces that just would not let me rest. Demons that backed off, leaving me with false respite, only to return again once I let down my guard. They refused to stop haunting me. And I could remember a time… Such a short time when they had not torn at me like this. Such a short time and then, as if to make up for lost time...

I shoved the despair away. It did no good. It only made my control slip further. I couldn't stand the heat anymore. I needed cold. I craved the cold. Such a hot fucking mud ball!!

I pushed up from the now hot wall and shut off the gravity chamber, unlocking the doors and stepping out into the evening air. It was still sweltering and dry but the sun had dipped down to spread pastel colours across the sky. I didn't spare it a glance as I strode toward the house. I entered and the first thing I did was give the temperature control gauge a sharp spin to the left. I did not wait to see what number it stopped on. I didn't care as long as it turned on *right now*.

At least that baka had had the sense to leave me be. It surprised me that he had not come around. I remembered our last meeting. I'd had so little control that day. I could see it now. I had not been thinking clearly at all. Foolish. But he pressed me. Just like he always does. Him. He was the one. He was the one who made it so much harder.

My anger and loathing started to rise but I held them at bay. I did not need to let my emotions control me. I was above that. Emotion weakened. It was wasted anyway. Nothing good could come of anything. It was all corroded and warped and destroyed. All worthless. I went to the kitchen and pulled out the huge pitcher of ice water that waited for me.

Hn. My son knew me too well by now. I was not sure whether that was a good thing or not but it was a fact. I supposed that I was nothing if not predictable. At least I could afford to be now. The air conditioning chose that moment to kick in and a firm frigid gust flowed from the vents. I sighed in relief, ignoring the sudden images that the cold brought to mind. Laughing, claws, loss of control, wanting… needing to… They were nothing new though they made me shiver every time.

Trunks

When I felt my father's ki move I put down the book I was reading.

'The Art of War'.

I knew that it was a favourite book of my father's and I found it intriguing too, but my true reason for reading it was because... Because... I didn't really know why. Maybe it was out of some strange hope that by reading what he read I might understand him better.

Childish... that's what he would say. I stood up from my bed and slowly walked out of the room. I knew that it was now or never but I didn't really know if I could possibly pull through with it. He... He was probably the only one I could ask. The only one I could think of. The only one that would know. But I feared his reaction...

I walked passed the gravity room. The lights were green but I already knew that it was not occupied anymore. I knew how it went by now. It was worse this time of the year. He would train for days, then, at always pretty much the same time, he would emerge from the gravity room. Drenched in sweat and not looking one bit as if the training had done him any good.

Hot. I asked him once and that was all the answer I got. Hot. He hated the heat. It made me even more uneasy that it was this time of the year... he normally was in a slightly better mood after having accomplished whatever it was he wanted to accomplish by this insane training but he was moody nonetheless. But I had no choice. I couldn't very well wait till winter...

I headed for the kitchen, knowing I would find him there, literally with his head in the fridge. I felt the heat too and I didn't like it very much. I had no idea if that was natural or if it was another reaction to my father's behaviour. I tended to do everything the way he did.

So childish... I would have to ask him that too. Some day. He spoke so rarely of his past and of the planet our race - well, only half my race originated from it. It was almost as if he did not want to be reminded of the fact that neither planet nor race existed anymore. Well, duh…

I entered the kitchen and, yup, there he was, propped on a chair, his feet on the table, drinking the ice-water I had made for him hours ago in large gulps. I stood, waiting for him to acknowledge me. That was how it always went.

Vegeta

Worn and tired I settled under the vent and relaxed for the first time in... I was not really sure how long. It had been days. The time ran together when it got hot. A few moments later as the cold began to set in, my son entered and stopped. I swallowed the rest of the frigid liquid in my glass and looked over at him. It was clear that he had something on his mind. I was cooling off and my body was settling into the position I had chosen. I did not intend to move again for a little bit. I wanted to just relax while I could. Raising an eyebrow at him, I nodded.

"What is it?"

Trunks

It didn't take long for him to acknowledge me. He looked up and I could see that he was more relaxed than he had been four days prior, the last time I had seen him, when he had wrecked the bathroom because the cold water wasn't coming quick enough. He had been more enraged than usual. As far as I knew he had sparred with Goku beforehand but that was all I had been able to find out. Something must have pissed him off royally. That was no big deal. These days, literally everything could do that just fine...

I stepped nearer at his questioning look, settling down on the chair opposite his, my hands fiddling nervously. I had absolutely no idea about how to start this. It was so incredibly embarrassing - not to mention suicidal if my fears were reasonable. But who else could I go to? He was the only one...

It had come as a revelation to me and I just had to know...

'Don't be so childish Trunks. You are almost a grown man!' I knew how much my father despised weakness of any kind…

'Just say it and be done with it!'

"Umm... How was training?" Fuck! Why was I so nervous?

Vegeta

I eyed the boy as he sat down and fidgeted. What was wrong with him? He knew me well enough that he tended to stay away from when the temperature went up. But here he was, and he obviously wanted something. I raised an eyebrow at his attempt at conversation. I had always taught him to speak his mind but to no avail - he was always hesitant. I cocked my head to the side and studied him for a few seconds before answering. 'How was training? Worthless. Just as it has always been. A required waste. A disappointing reminder of all the things that were best forgotten. A testament to my own inadequacy and weakness.'

"Same as always. The chamber will have to be reconfigured to handle higher gravity soon." I said flatly.

Trunks

"Oh. So you made progress again? That's great!" My voice wasn't very enthusiastic though since my mind was on other, more important things. With father around there was always some sort of progress. He kept bitching at me because I used to not train as much as he did. So I increased it. I was pretty strong now. I could almost match him, though probably not for very long.

But he was never satisfied. He kept pushing and pushing... like he pushed himself. Why? Why was it so important for him? He was so incredibly strong already... Goku had once told me that he thought that if it wasn't for SSj3, Vegeta would be stronger than him. My father could simply outlast him on SSj2, but somehow he didn't make it to the next level and I knew that that frustrated him to no end. He seemed to make such immense progress all the time but somehow he didn't seem to acknowledge it. If I pointed it out to him all he did was growl and spit that it was 'nothing even worth of mentioning'. I really didn't understand him. I looked down at the table and my fingers which were drumming a nervous little rhythm. If I was going to ask him I had to do it now. I had to... He always taught me to say what was on my mind. He had not taught me much besides fighting but he had always made me speak my mind, even if I didn't want to. He, on the other hand, liked to keep his secrets...

"I... Can I ask you something, father...?" He looked at me curiously and I could feel my erratic heartbeat quicken.

Vegeta

My eyes narrowed. Just from the way he held himself I knew that something was amiss. I probably would not like this. Damn it, what the hell could it be? What did he want that would be so hard to speak to me? I waited just an instant more, watching how he seemed to tense.

"Spit it out, boy! What is so important that you are shaking before you even say it?" I growled, dissatisfied at his uncertainty and feeling a measure of wariness rise up because of it.

Trunks

"I... uh..." Straight-forward, as always. It was too bad that he would not answer my questions in the same manner as he ordered me to answer his. It had always been that way. He measured everything by two standards and nothing was ever good enough...

I breathed deeply. I couldn't very well back out now. He was going to be pissed one way or another. So I might as well get on with it.

"Can you... tell me about... err..." I willed myself to stop shaking. Maybe he would just ignore me as he did most of the time... His eyebrows rose and he scowled and I hurried to add:

"I mean... I… I would like to know about… how... err... what Saiyajin feel when they… and... I mean... how do they... is it normal... that... I mean..." I screwed it up. Damn. I should have known. His eyebrows rose even more and I closed my eyes, ready to take another tirade... or worse - the ice-cold silence he sometimes punished my worse failures with.

Vegeta

I began to tense again right from the phrase 'tell me about'. He saw this and faltered but then he pressed on. Saiyajin. What was normal for Saiyajin. He had to ask me about things that I barely remembered. Things better left in the past. Things that I had a hard time admitting even to myself that I didn't fully know. My mood darkened and I glared as he hurriedly continued on. Images and memories surfaced and I pressed them back down again ruthlessly. The boy had not asked anything in a long time and I had never told him much anyway. Then his last stuttered addition struck me. I pulled my feet off the table and leaned forward, pinning him with a suddenly intense, dark gaze. His eyes were closed but then they opened again and he froze. Suddenly things flashed through my mind that I had not thought about in a long time.

"Is *what* normal for Saiyajin?" I demanded quietly. Just what exactly was he asking? I felt a twisting sensation inside. Just what was he referring to?

"Speak, boy. You have not yet made a competent sentence."

Trunks

My father looked me directly in the eye and I was mortified. I had known that he would not like this but I had been so desperate... I really had to be to even consider doing what I just had done. I silently mused if maybe it might have been less trouble to collect the dragonballs and make a wish to gain the knowledge I sought.

"It's just... I am... so uncertain and... I was just thinking that maybe... it was a normal thing for Saiyajin... with me being a half one... and... wheeeew... it's really pretty hot in here, don't you think...?" I was being childish again, and I knew that trying to avert from the topic was not going to do me any good, but I was really feeling hot and sweaty despite the cool breeze from the air conditioner. I could fathom what father meant when he said that he hated summer and the heat on 'this stinking mudball'.

Vegeta

My suspicions sharpened ruthlessly and I glared, my fingers digging into the table. That was right. He was not only my son but he was half human. What sort of affect could that have had? How old was he? 18. Too young. That only allowed me to relax for a second. He was half human. Humans matured earlier. He had no tail, the woman had seen to that and I had never been inclined to change it either. Despite the shame and humiliation - it was simpler that way. Nothing to think about. But he was half human... Bulma had assured me that his biology was perfect, I had put that much trust in her. Now... What was he asking? What had happened? He had my full attention now and it was clear that he was reconsidering whether he wanted it or not. Too fucking bad. I stared intensely. What was he asking?! My tone held a low warning as I spoke.

"If you do not clarify and speak then I will tear it out of you, brat. If you wish to ask me something then ask it now!"

Trunks

I was taken aback at the sharp note in his voice. He was leaning forward, positively glaring at me and I could have sworn that there was some sort of strain in his voice. Now... was what I had said that bad? I swallowed hard and decided that now that I had started to walk this road I would have to walk it to its bitter end, whatever it might be.

"Tousan... I'm just confused because I feel... things I'm not sure are normal for... boys my age. I was just wondering if they might be due to my saiyan heritage."

Vegeta

I did not move. He finally spoke but it did not clarify very much. I forced myself to relax slightly. His biology was perfect. There was nothing wrong with him. He had been raised mostly as a human though I had done my best to draw out his saiyan side as well as it could be here on this weak planet. Now… feelings? I grew even more uneasy but it was not the sharp paranoia that had grasped me a moment ago. It was a more relaxed but no less uncomfortable state of being. He comes to *me* to ask about feelings?! What a crock.

"Like what?" I asked gruffly, beginning to think that I really didn't care to know in the first place. If this was just some weak ningen trait then I was going to be seriously pissed in a moment.

Trunks

I was treading on dangerous ground here, I knew it. I had to be very careful...

"I'm feeling so anxious and..." I squeezed my eyes shut and decided to just let the cat out of the bag instead of treading around the topic.

"All the boys my age have girl-friends but I don't... I don't want to. But I think I should be interested in girls, shouldn't I?"

Vegeta

I blinked and my glare turned flat and unimpressed, all the tension bleeding out of me as if from an open wound. *That* was what this was about?! That was it?! I should have known. I cursed myself for being such a fool. Getting worked up over something that did not exist. I pinned the boy with an annoyed grimace.

"Is that all? You are comparing yourself to worthless ningen! You are not one. Their rules do not apply to you. This backwater planet and its stereotypes are of no consequence. Get over these weak human ideals and do what you want. You are too young to worry about it anyway, half human or not." I snapped in irritation, though under it was an undeniable sense of relief which I smothered angrily.

Trunks

He leant back suddenly and his gaze lost that piercing quality. He seemed much more relaxed all of a sudden. It confused me to no end. If it wasn't this, just what had he been so worked up about?

"I'm too young? But just when do Saiyajin normally start with this stuff then? And don't you think I should... well." I shrugged.

"...have at least some romantic interest? It's not as if I don't have needs..." Just then I realized what I had just said and blushed beet-red.

Vegeta

I looked up sharply at his next questions and snorted.

"Needs?" I asked him mockingly and shook my head.

"Boy, what have I taught you? You use your intelligence and you do as *you* see fit. No one else chooses for you what is right or not. If you wish to go and fuck someone then do it. If not then what the hell is the problem?" He was worried about these foolish ideals that the woman stuffed into his head. When I was his age… I had been on a battleship for a decade already. Everything had revolved around fighting and my purging pack. There were certainly a few pleasant memories from that age despite everything else. A strong cub running with and commanding veteran fighters. My name had still had meaning then. Bah! I dropped the reminiscence quickly.

"For saiyans strength, fun and food come first before anything else. Are you searching for human meaningfulness in sex?" I snorted ruefully.

"It is a myth. Whatever these humans descended from, I am surprised that they have survived so long. They think too much. Follow your instincts and choose for yourself. It's already perfectly obvious." I raised an eyebrow at him again.

"You must think very little of me if you thought you could hide it from me with Kakarott's spawn hanging around all the time." I grimaced and glowered but merely poured myself another glass of ice-water. What the boy did was his own problem. No one would interfere, least of all me. Not with that.

Trunks

It took me a moment to think through what father had just said and I frowned. Just what the hell did Goten have to do with this? Unless... Unless he was implying that... My eyes widened and I stared at him. Did he actually mean... would that mean that... why I wasn't interested in girls... and he was *okay* with it? It was... *obvious*???

For the first time in my life I really reflected on the relationship I had with my best friend. It had always just been something natural... a part of my life like getting up in the morning or having the urge to fight. Goten was... a part of me. We had been inseparable. Always. I could not remember a single day without Goten. Even when one of us had been told to stay home we had found ways to see each other. But... we were only friends... right? Close friends, very close, true, but... what tousan was implying here went much farther than that...

I always knew what Goten was up to... we were so similar and yet so different... but always on the same mischief. I had to smile as fond memories of our games and jokes came to my mind. I realized that I was much more interested in what Goten thought and what Goten was up to next than I had ever been in any girl. But did that mean that...

I was not sure. My father seemed to think so and he had yet to be proven wrong. I felt myself blush as other images came to me - unwanted... no! I mustn't think like that! Goten and me weren't... but if father didn't think badly of it - oh wonder - what did that mean? Was it really okay? It didn't matter that it might be a male... and a Son at that? I could not believe it. Not that I did feel that way! But I had always had a special bond with Goten... I looked up, completely confused, and at a loss for words.

"B... But... Goten... I mean... it's not like that with Goten... I mean... Whomever I choose - you would be okay with?" I just couldn't keep the disbelief out of my voice. I would have thought he'd be furious - to say the least.

"I mean... it's not like that... but... just in case... if it were... you'd be okay?"

Vegeta

I drank down the glass of water and then eyed the shocked boy with continued annoyance.

"What choice would I have in the matter? I am not so foolish as to try to stop that. It is your decision whether you choose some inbred baka or not. A true Saiyajin would let no one stand in the way of what he wants, not even me. If you did not then I would be insulted. Bonds are not to be trifled with." I grimaced at this. Such an obvious bond, from even their childhood. That was the only reason I had been willing to allow the brat's constant presence. I might not remember many things from my home, lost so long ago, but I remembered that. No one had a right to interfere with such rare things, not that I would even want to. No. Perhaps in the past I might have shown my immense disapproval but… What importance could there be? What was worth preserving? Nothing. I sat there heavily, feeling the weight of more than just my fatigued muscles pressing me down. I had admitted to myself a long time ago. There was nothing from my past worth trying to preserve anymore.

Trunks

A true Saiyajin would let no one interfere... I shook my head. I had been so blind. I would never gain my father's respect by bending to his every whim and will. He had practically said that. I had been such a baka not to see that with his constant talking of strength and weakness and independence. What choice would he have? He made it sound as if it was destined by fate or something that me 'n Goten... errm. Anyways...

"What's with these bonds you mentioned?" I wondered what this meant.

Vegeta

I began to lose patience.

"Bond. You've heard the word before. Even these ningen speak of bonds. They are just not evolved enough to understand the true meaning of such a word. Saiyajin are. That is enough. You will know if you are bonded. Until then, it does not matter. Do whatever you like. The time will come soon enough. Saiyajin do not begin to reach maturity until after their twentieth year anyway. There is nothing to think on yet." I waved my hand dismissively and turned away, settling back into a comfortable position in my chair. It was another thing that I could not forget. One side of my mouth pulled tight as things came to mind unbidden. Whatever.

Trunks

I stared at him in open disbelief. He was talking about all this stuff as if it was the most casual thing in the world! And yet... there was audible strain in his voice. I wondered if he really knew what he was talking about. Or if he was hiding something from me…

"And just what would you know about bonds? Did you have one with mom?" I asked him incredulously. This topic was much too interesting to let it pass like that. It was so rare that father ever told me anything about such things...

Vegeta

Heh. Yes. What would I know? I scowled at his persistent questions. He would not leave me be. It was not something to worry about... right now. Me? My expression turned even darker.

"No, boy." I growled tensely. I stood up and moved to leave the room.

"If it happens then it happens. Nothing more. If you are so worried about it then do something about it yourself. Don't ask me. Enough of this. I'm worn." I did not want to talk about it. I knew little enough myself anyway. Just enough for when it happened. Nothing more. Bitterness welled up but I pushed it away just like everything else. I didn't care. It made no difference.

I had grown more acclimated to the cold and had now started to warm up a little again which did not help my mood either.

Trunks

That was it. I knew when to stop pushing my father. He had his back turned to me in the unmistakable message 'talk's over'. I sighed. There had been so much more I wanted to ask him... Why didn't he have a bond with mom if they were so important to him? Why was he so sensitive about this topic? And why the hell did he think that me 'n Goten... err... whatever.

But there would be none of that today. As far as it went, I was glad that he hadn't ripped my head off. I had secretly been afraid of this talk for days on end. He had not really answered my questions... but at least he had left me with the impression that there was nothing wrong with me... that he was actually approving of whatever I chose... unbelievable as that was. Didn't he want me to continue the royal blood-line? ACK! No... my mind kept wandering towards this train of thought now that the topic had been brought up. I mustn't! How was I ever supposed to look Goten in the eye again..?

"Umm... tousan, why don't you go use the swimming-pool in hall 3? I ordered the robots to turn down the temperature a few notches. It should be pleasant for you now..." I called after his retreating back.

Vegeta

I paused and glanced back over my shoulder, acknowledging him with a grunt and then I was gone from the room. That boy knew me too well. I considered ignoring him and just retreating to my room to sleep but, despite my fatigued limbs, I was still uncomfortably warm. The thought of a cold swim until my body came completely to rest again drew me on. I decided to do as he suggested. Striding down one deserted hallway I traversed the sprawling C.C. mansion in the direction of hall 3.

As I went I couldn't quite keep down the reminiscing that Trunks' questions had provoked. For once... It was actually a neutral, if not pleasant memory of a time long long before all the shit in my life. Back when I was a boy on the planet... skipping out on boring bonding lessons in order to explore more interesting distractions. I huffed ruefully. All the things I didn't know... or couldn't remember. Such trifling things... If I had known back then…

I shook the thoughts away and ignored the bleak emotion. I just wanted to relax for a short time while my body gave out to fatigue. Nothing else mattered at the moment. Especially not things like that.

~ some miles away from Capsule Corp. ~

Gohan

I sped up as I saw Capsule Corporation come into view in the distance. The dome-shaped building cast long shadows in the afternoon sun. I sighed and asked myself for the umpteenth time, why did I deserve this? It was such a simple thing! Why couldn't he simply stop suppressing his ki? But no...

Oh well.

I hit the ground in front of the back entrance and entered, the retina-scanner permitting me to pass. All Son-family-members were allowed free access at any time. Bulma had seen to that. I stretched my senses and picked up Trunks ki in the kitchen. Hm.

I decided to go there first since Vegeta seemed to have picked up on that annoying habit and was suppressing his ki, too.

I quickly made my way through the building, dodging the casual house-robot effortlessly, long time used to those little buggers blasting along the corridors at high-speed, always inclined on some task or another. I reached the kitchen and was granted with the view of Trunk's back. He was slumped down over the kitchen table and seemed to be staring into nothingness. I cleared my throat and his head jerked up. Apparently he had not been paying attention to his surroundings. He turned and I could see an unreadable expression on his face that vanished quickly when he recognized me.

"Gohan!" He smiled and I returned it.

"Trunks! How are you?"

Trunks

I was thinking about all the things I had learned in the past quarter of an hour, but in the end was stuck with the same thought over and over:

'Goten... Dad wouldn't mind... Goten... but I don't... chibi... Goten... know you better than myself... how could I... but Dad thinks...' It was useless. Suddenly a sound behind me made me nearly jump to the ceiling and as I turned I saw Gohan standing in the doorway. He smiled at me and I greeted him.

"What brings you here, Gohan? How are Videl and Pan?" I asked him.

Gohan

Trunks seemed to have been deep in thought about something but I decided not to intrude on his privacy. Sometimes we had talked in the past - he seemed to relate to me like to the bigger brother he never had - something he must have picked up from Goten. Not a big deal, considering how inseparable the two of them still were. Somehow I could not picture them apart...

"They're fine, thanks. I'm looking for my father, but I guess he's not around here, is he? He's been shielding his ki..." 'again..' I added silently and I knew that a slightly annoyed strain was audible in my voice. I couldn't really understand why dad was acting like he was. He seemed to hide from just about everyone and everything since mom had died... Hell, we all had suffered when she passed on, but it had been years ago and he still was not back to his normal self. The always happy man I had known in my youth had long since dissipated and I didn't know why or where to.

"I thought that Vegeta might know where he is. He's shielded himself, too... do you know where I can find him?"

Trunks

I shrugged. I hadn't seen Goku since that day when father came home in such a foul mood. It was his habit to go off on long training sessions for days, usually shielding his ki if he didn't want to be disturbed. Sometimes he just went hunting - or, as Gohan had told me, sometimes he even buried himself in his little lodge and did who knows what - Gohan suspected that he was reading, but I personally couldn't picture Goku of all people immersed in a thick volume, and Gohan had laughed after telling me of his suspicion too, confirming that he didn't really believe what he had just said. Goku just wasn't the type...

"I haven't seen him around for a few days. I think him and father had a fight - again... you know what I mean. Dad was royally pissed off the last time they met. I mean, more than usual." I grinned and Gohan did too. The mood-swings of my father were a running joke between us children. Best way to deal with it was laugh about it - of course not when Vegeta was able to hear you though.

"He's in Hall 3 but be warned - he's not in a good mood today. I would think twice about whether I wanted to ask him about Goku of all people. I have a feeling he's still not over whatever it was that pestered him."

Gohan

I sighed. The Saiyajin no Ouji's cranky moods were really annoying to deal with. But over the years we all had learned how to avoid drawing his wrath as best as we could. My instinct told me that I should not get on his nerves, but dammit, I needed to know where my father was and now! Videl had been quite adamant about it...

"I have no choice. It's my father-in-law's birthday soon..." We both cringed simultaneously at the thought of Mr. Satan, self proclaimed saviour of earth, I still had problems when seeing him face to face. He hadn't changed at all and he still treated me as if I were a weakling and unfit for his daughter. We had a child, for goodness sake, but he still acted that way! Videl understood but she still honoured her father and I couldn't be honest of my feelings about it. We had had a fight over it once and it just wasn't worth it.

"...and she wants dad to watch Pan while we're away at the birthday dinner. All the other baby-sitters have cancelled for that night - I think Panny's getting to be too much for them." I smiled fondly at the image of the little whirlwind that was my daughter. She was not a fighter - yet - but she was exceptionally strong, no doubt the saiyan side in her. That, combined with her mother's temper, could give any normal babysitter a glimpse into hell. Surprisingly dad seemed to be able to deal with her just fine, though it had been a little awkward at first. Maybe I had been a little over protective but it had been a shock when I came home to find my yowling little girl dangling by her feet while my dad carried her at arms length and tidied up the destroyed living room. He just grinned and said something about understanding why Vegeta called the chibis cubs.

Trunks

I shrugged, trying to look unsuspicious.

"Sorry. I would help out but I... umm... have exams soon and I need to study..." I had absolutely no wish to spend a night watching that hyper pre-teen that was Son Pan. I had much better things to do... like getting Goten to do something fun - maybe play a little prank on somebody... namely a certain self-proclaimed saviour of earth... I snickered as possibilities emerged before of my inner eye and completely missed the strange look Gohan was throwing my way.

Gohan

Trunks was looking as if he was up to something again and his quick excuse didn't really surprise me. I would never hire him for a babysitter anyway, Videl would have my ass for it! But then again, she seemed to want to have my ass for everything else too. Ok. So that was an exaggeration. It was only lately… Just a little butting heads. Mom and dad used to do it all the time. We certainly weren't as bad as they were. It would fade again, I knew it would. I loved Videl too much.

Yet, it was for the same reason that I couldn't ask my little brother to babysit. They were both still pretty immature, also almost inseparable, and not an inch better than Pan. I could only shudder to fathom what havoc those three would wreak upon our unsuspecting neighbourhood... No, better go through a little trouble to find my dad then, even if it meant to search the world, breadth- and lengthwise.

"Okay... I'll go talk to him. If you haven't heard from me in two or three hours, call the police... or no, better call the mortuary..." I snickered and Trunks grinned and waved at me in a good humoured manner. I turned around, leaving the kitchen, and quickly made my way towards the other end of the complex where Hall 3 was. I wasn't too sure what exactly was in Hall 3 though or why Vegeta was there. Maybe I should have asked Trunks. In a building the size of Capsule Corp. you could easily lose track of which parts hosted what. I wandered over to where I knew halls 1 to 3 were located and stepped in through the tunnel-like corridor that connected the main building with the outer parts. When I entered, humid air escaping immediately told me what was in hall 3. I closed the door behind me and stepped into the large room that hosted a complete indoor swimming pool with every luxury you could imagine including fake waterfalls, jungle plants, little caverns and even a small beach.

Vegeta

The water was pleasantly icy against me skin. I hadn't even taken the effort to see how cold it was. After securing a pair of swimming shorts I had merely dived into the crystalline liquid. It sent a wracking shiver though me as it washed along my heated skin and I exhaled a sigh under the water, letting my lungs shrink and swimming along the floor of the pool.

I took my time until, at length, my chest began to burn and only then did I surface. It was a large Olympic sized pool with all sorts of added useless decoration all around but it gave the impression of being out in the wild, despite the partly transparent ceiling overhead. My muscles loosened under the water's caress and I floated lazily for a bit, just letting my mind blank out. It actually did and I relaxed completely. Rolling in the liquid embrace I began to lazily stroke my way back across. Just this made me feel immensely better. I numbed and my tired limbs began to lose strength from training for so long. I had really worn myself out this time. Good. At about the centre of the pool, I dove under and stroked along the bottom again.

Gohan

I walked into the hall, narrowly avoiding one of the large colourful parrots decapitating me in mid-flight. Stupid bird!

This place had been Bulma's idea of paradise. All sorts of brightly coloured birds were flying freely chirping pleasantly. The sound of running water was everywhere and the air was humid though not as much as usual. It seemed that the temperature had been turned down considerably, therefore the usual warm and humid jungle-like air was different. I had to push aside some ferns and other plants before I got a look at the pool. In the middle was a large basin that matched Olympic standards and could be turned into a simulation of the sea, complete with large waves if desired, and all around were smaller pools, connected with bridges and small channels, some hot, some cold, some whirlpools, some inside caverns and some with a sandy floors. The large basin grew flat at one end and eventually merged into the sandy beach complete with seashells and everything. It really was a wonderful place and I fondly recalled how much fun we had here when I was younger and then, again, with Panny, later on. There was only one thing missing, and that was a certain saiyan prince. I looked around searching for him when suddenly the surface of the large basin broke and Vegeta emerged, tossing his hair back, his body arching perfectly. I couldn't help but stare for a moment.

Vegeta

I neared the edge once again and arched in the water, propelling myself to break the surface with one powerful kick of my legs, tossing my hair back from my eyes to throw off the water that tried to wash back down into them. It took an instant for me to realize that there was someone right in front of me on the edge of the pool watching. I bit down on the surprised hiss that threatened to break free and let myself sink back down into the water, glaring at the intruder. I recognized him quickly. Gohan. I growled and made two strokes backwards, my brow furrowing low.

"What the hell do you want?" I demanded. He took an instant to answer and I grimaced. All that relaxation I had enjoyed the past few minutes was gone. Why the hell was he here? Fucking spawn. Didn't Kakarott and his brood have anything better to do than lay siege to me and my surroundings?!

I was suddenly all too aware of myself and I sank a little deeper in the concealing water, cursing myself at the same time for it. Fool. Foolishness. I was letting myself be too on edge but my angry self-berating did not stop my unease.

Gohan

It took me a moment to register that Vegeta had addressed me and I blushed slightly. I didn't know what had come over me. I shook my head and averted my eyes as the prince sank deeper into the water, glaring angrily at me.

"Didn't mean to disturb you, Vegeta. I was only wondering whether you've seen my father lately." Better to get it straight out with the prince. I had learned years ago that he hated it if you didn't come out immediately with what you thought. A lesson Trunks apparently still had not learned judging from the way he used to tiptoe around his father, always worried about incurring his displeasure. Inwardly I sighed. Why do the ones closest to us always seem the most blind? Oh well.

This wasn't the time or place to think about Trunks obsession with his father or their relationship. It was much more important to find out where my own baka of a father was so I could finally get this over with.

Vegeta

I floated where I was and eyed the demi-Saiyajin narrowly, calling back my ire and growling slightly.

"Why the hell should I know where that idiot is?! I do not know and I do not want to know. Find him yourself." I snapped. My energy had come back as soon as I had seen him standing there. It had startled me. How the hell could I have dropped my guard like that?! To let someone sneak up on me! It didn't matter that it was this almost ningen individual. He was Saiyajin enough. The universe had it in for every moment of peace of mind that I managed to grasp. I shivered in the water but it was not from the cold. Growling again, this time at myself, I took a firm grip on myself and eyed him steadily.

"I am not some bloodhound ready to search at anyone's beck and call. If you cannot find that baka sire of yours then it is none of my concern."

Gohan

I nodded to myself, Just as predicted. Sighing I called out.

"Look I would not bother you but it's important. We need him to baby-sit Pan. You were apparently the last to see him. When did you two spar again?"

Vegeta

Thrusting away my discomfort at being caught at such a disadvantage, I spoke in annoyance and sarcasm dripped from my tongue.

"Oh. Is that right? Well. By all means then he *must* be found. Wouldn't want you to be imposed upon." I shook my head disgustedly.

"Bah. Maybe if his spawn kept him busier then he would not pester *me* so much and he would be easier to find." I said scathingly.

"I have not seen Kakarott in days. Not since he actually heeded my wishes, for once in his life, and left me alone. I have no wish to deal with his moping presence." I shot Gohan a haughty, imperious look but inwardly I wondered at the fact that the baka *had* left me alone. That was not normal for the idiot. He never listened to me. He always forced his presence on me, no matter how warranted or unwarranted. His last words to me came back, ringing in my ears.

'Farewell, Vegeta.'

Surely one of his spawn would have seen him in all this time... but Gohan was here looking for him. True, Kakarott sometimes did not see his children overly much since his banshee mate had died, but he always came to the C.C. I couldn't get rid of him and not for lack of trying. It never worked.

Gohan

I shrugged Vegeta's scalding words off and sat down on a beach chair. We all were used to his sarcasm enough to not be bothered by it anymore.

"So... you haven't seen him since... when? Four days? Hmmm... Goten said he hasn't spoken to him in a week... no one seems to have seen him lately. It seems he's gone off on one of his wilderness trips again but usually he at least leaves us a note telling where he's gone off to and when he'll be back. But I didn't find anything in his lodge - it looks as if he left in a hurry. Did anything special happen? You said he obeyed your wishes and left you alone?" That *was* unusual. Dad had been even less impressed with Vegeta's usual grumpy behaviour than the rest of us - or at least he had given that impression. Normally he gave Vegeta one or two days to stop pouting and then came back to spar with him again. That was how it always went.

Why he would want to spent time with the moody prince was still beyond me. So Goten and I didn't have much time to spar, but surely training on his own was to be preferred above being insulted all the time, wasn't it? Then again, I knew what it was like to want to face someone who could actually challenge you sometimes. I had begun to train a little again, mostly to burn off some of the frustration that I gained from dealing with the venerable Mr. Satan. Sort of to show him that I wasn't such a weakling and also because, once I began again, I realized how much I enjoyed it. I had forgotten how good it felt to exercise my senses and strength again. It allowed me to express things that I just couldn't let out most of the time around my family. It also surprised me how easily it came back to me. I guessed that a mystic Saiyajin's powers didn't really diminish like normal powers did.

Vegeta

The brat had made himself comfortable. He was not going to leave just yet even though I told him I didn't know where his baka father was. I swam closer to the fake shoreline until I could stand waist deep in the water and eyed him sourly and drew up with crossed arms, watching him speak. Like I was interested in any of this!

"He annoyed me, I sent him off. What else would happen?" I glowered at him.

"Why are you bothering me instead of looking for him yourself? And if he is gone why should I care? I should be so lucky." I said with a raised eyebrow.

Gohan

Ah... typical Vegeta. Of course he didn't care about Goku's well being. Why should he. Not that I was really worried. Dad had always been able to look after himself. After all, he had been the one to look after others most of the time.

Maybe his current mood was connected to the fact that he wasn't able to save the world anymore. There had not been a threat in... what... five years? He was so childish at times. I could remember how mom used to treat him. Maybe he had actually needed that and missed it now? I didn't know. I sometimes felt a little guilty because we lived so far away from him nowadays, him being all on his own in the woods, but then again he had lived in the wilderness all his life. He seemed to like the silence and serenity.

I decided that I probably wouldn't be able to coax anything out of Vegeta. He didn't seem very willing to help but then again he never had been, and certainly not when dad was involved. At least not when there was any other choice.

"I'll be going then. If you see him around please tell him that I was looking for him. He should really leave a note next time. It's kinda irresponsible to just run off like that. What if something happened? I will look for him a bit more but I guess we'll have to find another solution for a babysitter..." With that I stood up, sighing heavily. Videl would bitch about this for days. Now I had to find someone who was reliable in her eyes AND able to take Pan. Maybe Yamcha... or Kuririn...

I sighed again and turned to leave. I did not relish going to the party and this was just another reason for me not to want to go. But I had obligations. No one else seemed to have to worry about father-in-laws. Why did I? But I didn't want to argue with Videl about it either. It wasn't even something that I should really care about but for some reason it was a source of frustration.

'Damn it, father... all of this just because you had to run off on your own...'

Vegeta

I watched emotionlessly as Gohan stood to leave. As soon as he was gone I swam back into the cool embrace of the water and dove under, stretching as I relaxed again but now I was preoccupied. I reached out with my senses but Gohan had already said the baka was shielding himself. I did not feel anything. There was no sign of him anywhere…

I frowned slightly. Normally... I could at least...

I growled around a flurry of bubbles and closed my senses again. Fuck that. He had disappeared before. It was nothing new. The last thing I needed or wanted was to look for the moron. I did not care! I surfaced and pulled myself from the frigid water. I had successfully worn myself out and now I would probably sleep for the next day or so. The fatigue flooded me again and I closed my eyes for a moment. I felt much better. I dried and changed and strode back through the C.C. hallways, intent on my room and collapsing for a long rest.

~ outside Capsule Corp. ~

Goten

I wondered if Trunks had actually forgotten about our appointment. Four o' clock in the park and then we had wanted to go to the mall and have the biggest ice cones available in the ice cream parlour. I had waited for nearly an hour but he had not turned up. That was unusual. Normally he never ever missed our appointments and he was always on time. I figured that something important must have happened. I tried to feel him through the slight link we had discovered years ago. We were able to communicate telepathically if we really concentrated. But today it seemed as if he was shut off. So I had flown here, seeking him out. I was on my way to the spacious kitchen in Capsule Corp.'s main building where I could feel his ki.

Vegeta

In a short time I had crossed the mansion and was now passing through the main house, when I looked up thoughtfully. Of course. There was the Kakarott-clone. His ki was approaching fast. My son was still in the kitchen. I assumed that he had not left since I had answered his questions. If he reacted like this every time I volunteered information then it was probably a good thing I didn't do so very often, I thought sarcastically. The boy knew it already. He just never thought about it. I shook my head in disgust and stopped at the doorway to see him still sitting, looking lost in thought. I smirked and my eyes narrowed.

"Don't over exert yourself boy. You won't be able to perform if you get too worked up over it." I stated dryly and snorted when he jumped in his chair, blushing a deep red that clashed with his purple hair brightly and horribly. I shook my head again.

"You are too human for your own good, brat." I looked at him silently for a moment. They had been inseparable for as long as I could remember. How could the boy be so blind? Surely he could feel it. That was how things were supposed to go when this happened - extremely rare, but it did happen occasionally... I was pretty sure.

Goten

I entered the kitchen from the back entrance, seeing Trunks sitting at the table. His head was turned backwards to his father who was standing in the other doorway. Vegeta had his arms folded and, just at that moment, raised his gaze to smirk at me in a way that made me frown. It was his I-know-more-than-you-and-you-ain't-gonna-like-it- expression. I quickly hid the bad feeling that instantly kicked in and smiled brightly at my best friend in the world. I knew how much Vegeta liked to intimidate others. I was not going to give him that satisfaction. Unluckily that seemed to be something Trunks had yet to master - judging by his bright red colour.

"Hey Trunks! Did you forget our appointment? I've been waiting for you for over an hour!" I chirped in my usual voice. But the gaze Trunks threw me wasn't like his usual one. Normally his whole face lit up at seeing me and his smile would slowly spread into that boyish grin that made him seem so much younger. At least it would if Vegeta was not present. Trunks was obsessed with his father and his opinion. He would do anything to please the prince. It was sad, really. I had tried to talk some sense into him once, twice, many times, but this was his one blind spot. Normally we agreed on everything but when it came to this particular topic... Trunks just didn't see that the more he tried, the less Vegeta would think of him.

Vegeta

The Kakarott-clone stepped in and smiled, looking so much like his baka father grinning like that. Trunks twitched ever so slightly when the brat appeared. I crossed my arms and looked him over for an instant and then turned back to my son who looked as if he was cornered and searching for a way out. What was he, a mouse? He was a Saiyajin and one of the strongest. He was stronger than this other brat, thank Kami, and was getting stronger all the time now that he was training again. How could he let such a trivial thing unnerve him? I was not impressed. I taught him to face his fears and here he was acting like a nervous, powerless, lovesick ningen.

Trunks

I had been sitting at that table for a long time while thoughts crept through my head, getting faster over time until they galloped through my brain chasing each other. I had stared into nothingness all this time, silently replaying the talk I had had and trying to think about the implied facts... but I shied away from it every time. How could I...

Then I was startled from my thoughts by my father returning and I realized just how long I had been in this dreamlike state. Suddenly it shot through my brain: Goten! I had been supposed to meet him at... Too late!

I could feel him enter the kitchen and turned around sharply, suddenly afraid to see him in any other way than before, but it was just plain old Goten. Sweet smile, wild hair, body of a fighter, creamy pale skin, and those wide, trusting lovely eyes... wait...! Where did that come from?

I blushed even redder. Damn father for giving me these ideas! I could have blissfully lived in oblivion but nooo... now I would surely dream about this... and somehow, deep inside, I was looking forward to it...

Goten asked me if I had forgotten about our appointment and I smiled apologetically.

"Sorry chibi. I forgot completely. I was... preoccupied. Can you forgive me?"

Goten

I smiled wider at the kawai expression on Trunks face.

"Sure. I know how it goes." I eyed Vegeta sharply. He was still sporting that knowing look. Whatever it was, it was not over yet.

"I couldn't even reach you! It must have been pretty important to block me off completely..." I said light-heartedly, not really watching my words.

Vegeta

I knew that the boys had a link. I had heard each of them say enough to lead to that conclusion before. I looked at my son dryly with complete faith that they each could tell what the other was feeling at any given time. How strong the bond was... who knew but them. I had an idea of what it would be a bit like. Since that fusion fiasco with Buu I had known all too well...

I cut off that thought but another came up behind it that I did not feel... I cut that thought off as well. Good! I didn't want to feel him! But I couldn't help but wonder just why I couldn't. Goten's question caught my attention and I snorted.

"Not really. Go on, boy, don't keep your playmate waiting. A little recreation on a fucking hot day like this could be fun." I stated dryly for no other reason than to express the sour mood I was still in.

"You can talk about weak ningen females and their unattractiveness." I shook my head at the boy who looked as if he had just been dropped into an icebox and turned around to head for the stairs. The boy needed to learn to do as he pleased and not care about anything else.

Trunks

I couldn't believe he said that! He didn't say that did he? Oh shit... he did... If possible I blushed even more. Goten tilted his head and watched Vegeta disappear right out of the door. I wanted to bury my face in my hands but that would only have fuelled his suspicion.

Goten

I scratched my head at the funny statement Vegeta made before he left.

"What did he mean by that, Trunks? What unattractive ningen females?" I sauntered over to the table and sad down opposite to my friend. He refused to look at me and that was when I knew that something was seriously off.

Trunks

I averted my eyes. If I'd look at him directly he might be able to see all the uproar inside me. I couldn't help but think thoughts like 'If Goten would take off his shirt now would I find that attractive?' and 'Would I find that more attractive opposed to if a woman would take her shirt off?" and 'Why the hell does this thought make me feel so hot??', with the last one bothering me probably the most.

"Umm... uh... nothing. He's in an odd mood today. The weather, you know. By the way, Gohan was here earlier."

Goten

I shrugged it off, trusting Trunks as always. If it was important he would tell me sooner or later. He was unable to keep anything from me for very long after all - and the other way round too.

"Yah... he called me earlier to ask if I had spoken to dad lately. I said I hadn't talked to him in more than a week. So what did he want?"

Trunks

"He came to ask if father knew where Goku could be. I think he needs him as a babysitter." Since Vegeta had shown up again I figured that Gohan must have left. I doubted that my father had been very helpful.

"So no one's seen him or heard from him? Don't you worry that something might have happened?"

Goten

I laughed at his question.

"Happened to him? Like what? Trunks, he's the strongest being in the universe. What the hell could happen to him here? If some new threat had emerged he would either have contacted us or we would have felt it ourselves. There would have been a warning. And nothing mundane could hurt him around here while he's on guard. Given, he's been pretty off lately but still I can't really imagine anything hurting him. No, if you ask me he's just off to spend some quality time by himself. Gohan is just pissed because Videl is making him go and look for dad. Dad's never really been the same since Buu you know... something must have changed back then. But so what if he's gotten a bit more quiet? It's his choice and it's probably just his age anyway."

Trunks

His age? Goku wasn't that old, was he...? I remembered that mom and I once had calculated just how old he was since he honestly didn't know and we came up with a surprisingly small number, considering his deaths and the time he spent in the afterlife. 28 or something around there...

Really funny. How could he be so young and still have an almost fully grown son and a son who was currently busy living a happy family life... It was odd, come to think off it. But then again nothing ever was normal around Goku...

"You're probably right. He'll turn up sometime eventually. Tousan is not looking forward to it... it's probably not going to be a pretty sight." I snickered then stood up and walked over to Goten, casually putting a hand on his back. My eyes widened slightly at the small jolt this caused to course through my body. I must have imagined that... surely... Goten didn't look as if he noticed anything. I hastily spoke on.

"Hey, that reminds me... did I tell you about that funny thing that happened in one of our labs earlier this week?" I walked him out of the kitchen and we strolled along the corridor towards my room. Maybe we would go out tonight, but it was too late for the mall now.

Goten

I pouted at Trunks disbelieving expression. I remembered too how we had calculated dad's age - the thought had come through our link surprisingly clear. So he was still pretty young in body age - to me he was oooooold... he was my father, for heavens sake! All parents were old.

"Naw you didn't. What happened?" I asked him curiously as we entered his spacious set of rooms.

Trunks

I smiled at the kawai pout on chibi's face. He was just so childish at times - just like his sire. And yet completely different...

"It's a mystery. It was in one of mom's old labs... I think it was even the main one. The smoke detectors went off and when we arrived we found only a small pile of ash. There were indications that some machine stood there but since moms inventions have never been catalogued..." I broke off, unable to continue. Thinking of her still hurt. I had never been able to have those labs cleared and her stuff packed away. It was like a sanctuary to her... something where her memory lived on. There was still lots of stuff in there where nobody knew what it had been supposed to do. Maybe I would find the strength one day to go in there and get everything in order...

"Whatever it was, it seems to have gone off by itself. You can imagine how that worried Steve." Steve, my grandfather's business manager, was managing Capsule Corp until I finished with school and was ready to take over. Personally I thought that the man was an inept moron and the first thing I would do when I was in charge was fire him - but until then he was responsible for the labs and everything connected to them. He had been bitching about the shutdown of my mother's labs for ages. But my influence was just great enough to keep him away from there... especially as, surprisingly, my father had backed me up in this.

Goten

I knew everything about 'Steve the moron' - it was one of Trunks favourite topics and I was used to endless tirades. I decided to take all measures to avoid that right now as I let myself plunge down heavily on Trunks large couch, lying on my back, arms crossed behind my head.

"So he's been trying to talk you into cleaning out the labs again?" I didn't have to see his nod to know the answer.

"Let him talk. Whatever it was that went off, if it hasn't caused more damage..."

Trunks

Smiling at his relaxed features I sat down in a plush arm chair opposite from him.

"It's not that easy. As much as I hate to admit it, Steve is right. It is kind of alarming that things might go off on their own in there. Next time could be far worse." I loathed having to admit that Steve might be right - of course I would never say that aloud to another living soul besides Goten.

"I have agreed to have extra cameras installed since the old labs haven't had video surveillance yet, and make the rooms fireproof. But otherwise they stay the same." Steve had not been entirely happy with the compromise but had had to give in the end. I was after all Vegeta no ouji's son and had inherited his stubbornness.

Goten

"Hah. That must have been a bitter pill for him..." I snickered. As far as I could tell Steve was just over worked with the job he had been hired for but of course I would support Trunks in his opinion.

"So... what are we going to do tonight?" I asked him casually, lids drooping low.

"I don't really feel like going out... maybe we could just get a film from the video-on-demand service and some pizza and have an old fashioned evening like we used to?" I asked him smiling.

Trunks

"Sounds like a plan to me!" I dismissed all thoughts about Steve and accidents and stood up to walk over to the multi-media-desk in the corner to see what films where new on the lists this week.

"Mind if you order the pizza? The usual? Hawaiian with olives..."

Goten

"…and no pineapple, like always. Basically ham, olives and cheese. You suck, Trunks..." I smirked wider and picked up the cordless telephone to order our dinner.

Trunks

Sitting down in front of the screen and touching it to select the movie I wanted I gazed back at him from the corner of my eye. He was laying on the couch in a relaxed manner, propped up on his elbows, as he ordered the pizza. The late afternoon sun was casting it's golden light over his skin, producing flaming highlights in his hair and creating the image of an almost halo. Angelic. Yes... That's what he looked like. And yet he had a body the devil himself would fall for...

I knew him just so well... I would never feel as comfortable around another being, I simply knew that. I still didn't know what to think of what tousan had implied earlier... but. maybe it wasn't so bad... and maybe... it would all work out after all... and with that thought I turned back to the screen, smiling inwardly before starting to read this weeks tops to my best friend in the world.

Vegeta

I made my way up the stairs to the next floor. Those boys. The irony was so annoying. Trunks would have to make his own choices and stand by them. They already were bonded in a way.

I grimaced. There were too many things that I couldn't be sure if I remembered correctly. Yet I had faith that my son could figure it out. He had inherited his intelligence from both his mother and I. It was none of my concern or my interest what he did with Kakarott's whelp. I didn't want to know. It was enough that I had to deal with Kakarott himself.

Again that troublesome thing came to mind. I couldn't feel that nagging little annoyance, that insignificant itch that rubbed me raw. I should have been relieved. I might not have been the most experienced telepath but I was strong enough that if I chose to... I should have been able to sense him by that itch. But I didn't want to. I had wished it would fade and disappear, blocked it away ruthlessly, and now it had... I'd pushed it away, ignoring its existence for years, and now it was gone. Good! Good riddance! But the absence of it stayed at the edge of my mind, infuriating as it was. I didn't want to know, Kamidamnit!

I calmed myself again. There was nothing to do about it now anyway. I was exhausted. I entered my room and threw myself onto the bed, ignoring the blankets as a cool breeze blew down from the ceiling vent. I didn't even bother to consider eating. My appetite was nonexistent anyway. I would think about it after I woke in a day or two, after I got something to eat and my mind was clear again. If the baka was still nowhere to be found... then... maybe... I would think about it. Hopefully this heat wave would ease up by then as well, it was miserable.

My eyes inched closed and my breathing slowed. I felt the darkness close in around as if I were falling into a hibernation, and it was, sort of. I would not be able to wake from it for a while. I'd used up too much energy without replacing it. But I would feel better afterwards.

A cycle. At least it was predictable. My mind slipped and flitted freely as I gave in to slumber. Predictable. Now, at least…

Suddenly I felt a touch, a strong touch, and I couldn't help but lean into it. I panted and groaned as a fresh wave of heat scorched my body along with musical laughter. I couldn't move except for useless scrabbling upon the tiles. I had no strength whatsoever and I burned. Burned alive. It was agony and sweat poured from my body onto the tiles that felt so hot beneath me.

"… ma… make it st… make it stop…" I begged in a hoarse croak, not caring anymore. I didn't care anymore. Not about anything. And I knew it. I knew deep down that I should care but I didn't. All that was real was the ever consuming fire that swirled inside and outside. An easy chuckle sounded in my ears again.

"What was that, princeling? I don't think I heard you right." I used all the strength that I could salvage to push up from the ground and it made my head swim dizzily. I grasped weakly onto the speaker, struggling not to fall down again. The pain was so terrible, so paralyzing, I had no defence against it.

"…please… please… to stop… relief… please…" A part of me stayed separate. Watching emotionlessly, silently, hatefully, disgustedly. The part of me that knew that this was not real. Just a figment brought on by the past few days. Just a side effect. One that I could forget until times like these. Ghosts that re-emerged to torture me with their presence. I watched as if from a great distance as the speaker cupped my chin and the touch made me mewl like a starving kitten. Golden eyes and a green face smiled down at me and in the background there was a dark oppressive presence. One that I could never seem to be rid of, laughing in the dark…

"Oh? Have you decided to be a good boy? Have you had enough of laying here all alone? I don't think you have. I think you can stay here forever." The touch was gone then and the fire swarmed again. I felt myself fall through the abyss, alone and tortured. There was nothing to stop my fall or keep me sane. Nothing to shield me from the silence. I shuddered and writhed, whimpering with no control over my body or throat.

"…oh gods…" I hated it. I hated it with all my soul but there was nothing I could do. I was stuck here. Shackled, pinned, tied, helpless and yet completely free despite the fact that I couldn't flee from it. There was no escape, no way to get away from it.

"…oh gods please…" It followed me wherever I went. Then the voice returned again after an eternity in this limbo of purgatory.

"Well then… Since you asked so nicely, I will make it go away. But first… I think I need a little encouragement…" The amusement was obvious in the tone but I was beyond caring. Cold skin touched my burning body and all I craved was more of it.

"…yes…" Beyond hope, beyond sane thought, beyond disgust and loathing, I was beyond it all. I tossed and turned soundlessly in my sleep and darkness wrapped around the part of me that knew these for the memories they were but I could not wake. I was captive to relive them until the cycle completed once again...

~ to be continued ~

Outro (containing various important announcements and a huge celebration)

DarkSerapha: *standing in a perfectly equipped little kitchen right beside the corner of Rogue's little street-lamp, whistling merrily and stirring in about a dozen pots - looking over to her dearest neko, who is sitting outside waiting for customers, tail-tip twitching.* Well, it's been a while since we had customers here at our little corner, so I thought I'd make a welcome back dinner, as we have many things to announce and many things to celebrate. Please sit down patiently and wait a little while, the banquet will be ready in a few minutes!

Rogue: *yawns and lounges relaxed in the dark* Yeah. It's been a little while... but that just means we had plenty of time to pay attention to some special little details. Like our treasured Hidden Chapter addicts. I am relatively sure that I did not skip over anyone but if I did, feel free to let me know. We have gotten a few new faces around. Very nice to see. Like Squall-sama. She left a lovely long, wonderful review. We really appreciate it, if someone is taking such an effort! I'd also like to assure tetei that the second HC was not at all as violent and... graphic as the first... err... well... not as violent at least. *smirks* And our ladyship vampire has decided to grace us with a visit of her own as well. I am so very pleased.

DarkSerapha: *busies around the steaming pots and deliciously smelling oven - shrugs* Well about the updating… life's a bitch sometimes... but we're trying to update more often again. The next chapters are already in production... *smirks over to the large film-sets set in a fair distance where loud noises can be heard and lights enlighten the sky* Especially for such dedicated reviewers like Squall-sama and all of our other lovelies readers we have at last posted a very special treat. It was written for Slamdancer and we had promised it for a long time and now it's finally here: In'lar-Anth - The Video Files, Act 1, The Very Beginning. A very spicy, juicy treat for all the starved lemon-addicts out there... So go and enjoy, my lovelies. You'll find the story right here, where In'lar-Anth is, too.

Rogue: *is lured by the enticing aromas and saunters over to peek stealthily into a pot* Ah, yes. On that line of thought... We have another announcement for In'lar-Anth. We have created a yahoo mailing list dedicated solely to our story. It is open for all who would like to join and receive updates, ask questions, participate in contests or discussions. Anything at all. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Inlar-Anth/ For those of you on ff.net, the link above will probably not show -again *growl*. You can email us and get the link or search on yahoo groups for Inlar-Anth.

DarkSerapha: *glares and gives the sneaking hand a slap* Stay away! That's for our readers not for your never-satisfied stomach! *turns to readers again* Yes, let the masses come! Honestly, if you ever worried about missing a new chapter or if you have problems with the links to fanarts and stuff - it'll all be there. Also, yours truly half fallen angel now has her own homepage-blog! There you can find links to my fanart, including the In'lar-Anth-fanarts, and my other fanfiction. Also, new chapters and arts will be announced there. So all of you who want to have a look are very welcome! You'll find my Sanctuary on www.ice-demon.net/darkserapha *grins and teases the hungry looking neko with a delicious piece of bakery* Come kitty-kitty-kitty....

Rogue: *raises an eyebrow haughtily at the attempted tease, tail swishing agitatedly at the bruised wrist while eyes inevitably track the mouth-watering pastry* I am not "never-satisfied". I've just had to smell all this stuff for the last couple hours and... *resorts to cunning flattery* ...My angel is such a marvellously talented cook. These delicious foods have been driving me over the edge. I don't know how I could have ever been blessed with meeting someone with such wonderful taste. (certainly not a reward for good deeds) I just can't help myself. It's been torture for me. *pouts* To think that all these strangers get such attention while I am left out in the cold, worn and starving and wasting away... *looks absolutely pathetic with large glistening green eyes* They may have taken us up to and over 100 reviews and even reached 1100 hits altogether, but I am your partner and precious loyal neko... Doesn't that count for a little snack?

DarkSerapha: *tilts head at the pathetic attempt, but unluckily fails to turn eyes away in time - is buzzed by those large pleading neko-eyes* Aaaaargh! No! Stop it! *being frizzled by 1000 watt puppy-dog-look* Nyyyyargh... okay. You win. *steps aside and allows lovely to taste what she has been preparing - sighs and smiles proudly* Over 100 review on mediaminer and 70 on fanfiction.net! We can't thank you all enough! *starts to lay out tables and put steaming pots and bowls on them* Therefore I have prepared an original saiyan feast for you all!

Rogue: *grins in triumph and dives for the many pots - oooing and aaaing at the wonderful spread of fresh steaming red meat, strange six-legged poultry, huge slabs of strange textured steaks, and bright weird shaped but delicious smelling fruits and vegetables - breads and blood wine and honey liquor and ale, everything that could possibly be thought of* mmmmmmhhhh... wow... *snatches up a spoon and begins tasting everything*

DarkSerapha: Aaaah! Hey! Leave some for our readers! GAH! You ain't a neko, you're a glutton! *runs after giggling neko-jin, chasing her around the tables

Rogue: *grins and chortles, snatching up a big juicy steak and gnawing into it while slipping and sliding between the tables playfully* Oh no! You said I could! I'm gonna take as much advantage as I can! *snickers and grabs a pitcher of honey liquor too, still evading the avenging angel - tail snapping teasingly*

DarkSerapha: GRAAH! *avenging angel strikes and gets a hold of that teasing tail - drags protesting neko off to the shadows* Hah! Gotcha now! *winks at readers*Have a good time while I set this fine specimen here on a diet... *waves with some chains* Itadekimasu...!!

Rogue: *stares at chains and mewls, wide eyed* Diet? No!! Noooooooooooo! I didn't even get to see their faces at this new chapter! I wanted to see what they thought of Present Vegeta now that we finally answered their pitiful pleas for a present chapter!! *scrabbles at the wall uselessly, pouting all the way*

Dark Serapha: *smirks* Too late... Now I'm going to have a feast of my own... *merrily clinking chains accentuate their walk into the shadows until the sound eerily dies away