Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Lost and Found II: Lavender Blues ❯ Trunks Is Blissfully Unaware ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z. Toriyama created it, and Funimation, Toei Animation company controls rights to it. All I claim is the creation of the fan characters Bliss, Tomakt, and whoever you don't recognize as being cannon characters. I want to thank all of you, especially Heress2the throne for faithful reviews. Your feedback is ALWAYS welcome, so please keep the reviews coming so I know it's worth continuing this! I've been going back and trying to fix any discrepancies and plot holes some of you have pointed out. I had considered making this two separate stories that are interconnected, ending the first where Mirae Trunks first shows up, and resuming a second saga where Radditzu is brought back to life. What do you think? Lemmie know! I don't get paid except for the reviews you guys give me!

 

Something about Bliss

 

More and more lately, Trunks was working with Radditzu to push the limits and reach for Super Saiyan. There was no doubt to Trunks that Goku's older brother could ascend, given the proper training. Ever since Radditzu had been brought back to life, any contact between Goku, Gohan, and the other Z fighters were close to nothing. Trunks and Vegeta often dropped by Goku's house, or Kame House to speak to the other fighters training. Nevertheless most of the Z warriors spent time apart from the others hell bent on training to their utmost.

 

So any direct reconciliation between Radditzu and Goku had been postponed. At least till Trunks had reassured Goku in private sparring sessions that Radditzu could be trusted. Goku had accepted Vegeta's word and on his oath to 'kick the crap out of you third class clown' that Radditzu was no longer interested in harming the Son family or any of the other Z warriors.

 

Today found Trunks training with Radditzu in the GR. Vegeta was out searching for the Android bases on his own. Piccolo was still training fiercely with Goku and Gohan in West Province 439. Krillen and Master Roshi were working at Kame house, while Tien and Chiaotzu remained in their mountain retreat to their own devices. The absence of Yamucha weighed heavily on all their nerves, and the matter was not discussed. Trunks on one of his visits and expeditions with Piccolo to search for the Androids had breached the matter.

 

"I know you're probably still angry with my dad for what he did to Yamucha," said Trunks.

 

"Who told you about that?" Piccolo had said gruffly. They flew miles above West City, on the way back from another fruitless search.

 

"Oh, it came up in passing," Trunks said.

 

"Krillen's pissed off, if that's what you wanted to know," Piccolo grunted. They both touched down in Capsule's back yard, and Piccolo glanced anxiously from left to right.

 

"It's just that he was acting to defend Bulma," Trunks said.

 

"You know that, and I know that. And that's fine to some of us, but it still stinks," Piccolo grumbled. "Sure he was a weakling in many ways, but he was acting in a way that was totally uncharacteristic."

 

"Maybe so, but there's no way to find out," said Trunks.

 

"WE could find out, if he were wished back with the Dragon balls," said Piccolo.

 

"True, but are you willing to take that risk? Sure he can be loyal, but the tension that exists with him, Bulma and my dad wouldn't be a good thing, till feelings clear up," said Trunks. "I'm as upset that he's gone, and we lost a fighter as the rest of them, because he wasn't nearly so psychotic in my universe…"

 

"He was dead before you knew him," said Piccolo. "What's your point?"

 

"Just if you guys ARE going to bring him back, think twice. Yamucha might be a good fighter, but is it worth the risk?"

 

"Having Krillen and the others seriously pissed off at your dad's a bigger problem I think," said Piccolo.

 

"You've got a point, but what are you going to do about it? Regardless of what we think of him, he still hit my mother," said Trunks.

 

"True, but it just seems like he was pushed hard enough to do it. Damn am I really sympathetic to that guy? I must be getting soft," Piccolo grunted. "Anyway, I've got to go."

 

"Radditzu and the others won't kill you," said Trunks.

 

"I don't want to take any chances," Piccolo said. "Till Goku says it's all right. And I've got EVERY reason if you know the story about that, kid."

 

"All right," Trunks mumbled. He exhaled, letting out a breath as he turned to enter Capsule. Seeing Radditzu already striding into the GR, he waved his subordinate down.

 

"Ready to go, sire?" asked Radditzu, carrying a gym bag and some towels.

 

"You bet. Let's push harder, okay?" Trunks nodded, leading the way into the spherical chamber.

***

Two weeks had passed since Bliss had started work for Bulma and Professor Tomakt. Already they were suitably impressed with the girl's knowledge and expertise. She fit into their team well, and the lab had churned out no less then two regeneration tanks, and at least three reconditioned space pods. An entire database of Saiyan facts and knowledge had been built up, downloaded from Professor Tomakt's spacepod logs. The psychochrome history discs retrieved by Vegeta from Bok Choi's collection were also nearly translated and committed to the memory banks of Capsule's extensive library. Such advanced methods of storage were already being put to use for the corporate databases.

 

At the same time that Trunks and Piccolo had arrived, Bulma and Tomakt were putting together the third regeneration tank in her main laboratory. Bliss had run off on an errand to fetch equipment from another lab, so both women were alone, wearing their long labcoats. Bulma drew up a schematic on her laptop at her desk, while Tomakt assembled the stacks of microcircuits with a soldering iron and other tools. The entire lab bench before the Saiyan scientist was piled high with circuitry that nearly obscured a forward view. Just the top of her black head of spiky hair moved behind it.

 

Radditzu's mate stood a full head above Bulma, at five foot ten inches, not counting her hair. Still she was dwarfed by Merlot and Radditzu even if she was stocky and Amazonian in build like they were. Ironic how all of the other Saiyans were far larger then their Prince. Bulma was average height for a human female, about five foot five. Most often she wore high heels, putting her about five foot seven.

"How can you square a spouse who wants to rule your life and your company?" Bulma asked.

 

"What Mistress?" Tomakt asked, straightening up from behind the lab bench where she worked feverishly on another regeneration tank.

 

"Did I ask that out loud?" Bulma suddenly realized. She punched keys on her laptop, then pressed print to send the document into the real world from the virtual. Tomakt glanced anxiously at her mistress with dark brown eyes, devoid of any reflection of her but filled with reflected gleam of light. Eerie, yet fascinating to see in male and female Saiyans both.

 

"You asked what you should do about a mate who wished to take charge of all aspects of your life including the governance of your property. I assume you're asking my opinion on the Prince's desire to assume the rule of your corporation?" Tomakt clarified. As always the third class Saiyan Scientist literally interpreted Bulma's rhetorical questions, putting her genious to use in whatever way she anticipated Bulma would desire.

 

"Professor, you've GOT to stop taking everything I say at face value!" Bulma groaned. She loathed admitting that Vegeta not so subtly hinted his intense interest in sharing control of Capsule with her. After all he was a Prince, born and bred to rule over a kingdom. Bulma realized he had many valuable skills to offer her. Controlling Capsule as its President and CEO was a daunting prospect. Perhaps she was wrong to dismiss Vegeta's offers of assistance.

 

"Mistress forgive my presumption, but allowing the Prince to control many aspects of your financial empire would be an efficient utilization of his skills. This may not be Vegetasei, but there is much you can achieve by truly uniting your skills. This world is backward in many ways, yet possess a great potential to advance beyond your wildest dreams," Tomakt observed. She accepted the stack of papers Bulma snatched out of the printer, still warm with smudged ink. The female Saiyan scientist glanced over them in seconds then set them down atop the other plans she had been so carefully following.

 

"I figured that it wouldn't hurt to modify the timing cycle. Your regeneration tanks are genius, but you really need a better timing mechanism that will let an occupant prematurely jettison if they're freaked for any reason," she said.

 

"You're referring to the incident when first I came into your service, regarding my mate's revival," Tomakt nodded.

 

"You guessed it. I'd hate for Vegeta to be in a regeneration tank, and then suddenly hear me in trouble and not be able to get out and help," she shuddered. Automatically she rubbed her protruding belly. Professor Tomakt set down her tools, striding over to tower a few inches over Bulma with concern.

 

"May I, Mistress?" she asked.

 

"You want to feel him kick?" asked Bulma, grabbing the Saiyan's hand tipped in newly manicured nails to rest on her distended belly.

 

"I wasn't going to presume such familiarity I merely wished to…" Tomakt trailed off, then opened her mouth in wonder. She crouched down on one knee, letting Bulma guide her hands to the best place to feel the baby's strong kick.

 

"It's so cool," Bulma laughed. "I never thought I'd get into it, but I can feel him almost every minute. I thought it'd creep me out, but it's like I'm inventing something without even having to think about it. Tell THAT to your Prince who's been breathing down my neck to put this baby in a tank!"

 

"I did no such thing, Mistress Bulma. I carried my whelps full term as all third class do, and as royalty did," Tomakt corrected her, glancing up at her mistress.

 

"I forgot, sorry," Bulma blushed.

 

"He's very strong. Just like his father," Tomakt nodded, tenderly caressing the baby to be, as if it were her own. "And like his mother."

 

"Heh, as if," Bulma laughed. "A human like me?"

 

"A human like you, who is the cream of the crop as ningens say. The Prince must have thought you were the best to select you out of five billion others, and out of thousands of races, so don't abase yourself," Tomakt reproved gently. She stood up again, removing her hand from Bulma's belly.

 

"You're just saying that so you'll get a raise," Bulma teased.

 

"Seriously, Mistress Bulma," said Tomakt. Rolling her eyes, Bulma still felt embarrassed about Radditzu's mate's desire to serve her every need like some slave. While it was Saiyan custom for the Princess or Queen to have a bodyguard, Tomakt was a strange contradiction. There was no question that she was brilliant in many ways, but innocent in others. Typical absent-minded professors with fierce powers of fighting, but no clue about how human culture worked, save what she observed prima facia.

 

"Okay, well if you really wanna earn your pay, then you can join me for lunch at the mall. I've been dying to try out that new bistro. And if you're my assistant and bodyguard, you HAVE to come, deal?" Bulma laughed, grabbing the female Saiyan's hand and tugging her to her feet.

 

"As you command, Mistress…"

 

"Bulma, call me Bulma, or Miss Briefs. I'm really getting annoyed at all this bowing and scraping crap. Prince or no prince, it'll be okay by me, when we're out of the building," Bulma complained.

 

"Right," Tomakt nodded. "I'll change if you wish."

 

"Good idea. Wearing armor in public was hard enough to stop Vegeta from doing," she nodded with relief. Tomakt moved off to quickly change into appropriate clothes while Bulma passed instructions on to her assistant.

 

"Bliss, we're going out. Can you finish up in here?" asked Bulma.

 

"Of course, Ma'am," Bliss nodded. "Any other instructions?"

 

"Yeah. When you're done you can take the rest of the day off. A certain young man's been bugging me to let you go so he can take you to a movie," said Bulma with a wink.

 

"Are you sure it's cool that I'm dating… your son?" asked Bliss quietly.

 

"Well, he's NOT a capsule employee. And outside office hours what you do is your business," said Bulma with a smile. "Besides, at least I know who he's spending time with."

 

"He's got a lot of you in him," said Bliss with a smile.

 

"That must be him now," Bulma said, hearing the phone ring. She picked it up, and smiled.

 

"Yes, she's here. And no, don't worry, I'm not going to flip out. You're old enough to know better. I don't know what went on before, but you don't have to ask ME to date her. She'll be done by three, just so you know. Where's your dad?"

 

Bliss waited, listening to half the phone conversation. Out of the other lab strode Tomakt, wearing a pair of long loose slacks, a button up blouse, blazer, and strappy sandals. Her dark brown tail curled around her waist, just under the shirt out of general view. She had bound her spiky mass of hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, shoving the rest of the bits out of the way with a pair of sunglasses tucked up on her forehead.

 

"Looking better, Professor," Bliss whistled. "Clothes make the woman."

 

"I hope this is appropriate for a mall outing. I had thought jeans were a bit too casual…"

 

"It's fine. Pink and purple are so your colors. Too bad you're not a few inches shorter," Bliss said.

 

"I AM short compared to SOME," she muttered.

 

Bliss was about five foot nine, slender but well muscled. Not an ounce of fat spoiled her trim curves. Her chest was a modest C size, proportional to her wide hips and long legs. Blonde highlights lightened the color of what would be dark brown hair. Her eyes were light copper, almost hazel in some regards, but oddly deep and contemplative. Bulma could swear Bliss held something back. Occasionally the girl would slip up with a pronunciation or a custom, leading Bulma to suspect she was some sort of resident alien.

 

"It's all clear, Ma'am," Bliss said, taking the notebooks that Tomakt and Bulma handed her. "Enjoy your lunch ladies!"

 

"You too," Tomakt nodded. "Behave yourself."

 

"I should tell YOU," Bliss winked.

 

"Who? Radditzu? He's the best behaved out of most of the men I know," Bulma teased, elbowing Tomakt. "She's got him well trained, remember?"

 

"Mistress please," Tomakt groaned, embarrassed by the good-natured ragging of the other females.

 

"Get the professor out of here and soften her up. She's still got a LONG way to go to pass for normal. And I don't' mean for obvious reasons," Bliss teased.

 

"C'mon, lets go," Bulma urged, tugging her bodyguard's sleeve. Tomakt inclined her head to the other female, following her mistress out of the lab.

 

Bliss shook her head, striding over to finish the job. Within minutes she was done, and hung up her labcoat. She couldn't wait to join Trunks for the remainder of his workout, and then an after work date. Wouldn't he be surprised to see her dropping in on his sparring sessions, she thrilled.

***

 

Extending his arms, the third class brother of Goku stood in the center of the round GR. Trunks stood to one side, clad in a sleeveless shirt and his long blue pants. Off to one side his sword lay on the chair where he had draped his Capsule Corps jacket. In workout shorts and an abbreviated armored vest, Radditzu slowly gathered his aura, gold ki flickering around his hair that stood on end. Like a porcupine the spikes stuck straight out, whirling in the field of white ki radiating outwards.

 

"That's it, center and focus it. Right in your gut!" Trunks gritted to Radditzu.

 

"Yeahhhrrrr…." Trunks shouted, spanning his arms wide and flaring his power. Blue ki sizzled around him, whirling his hair up to stand on end. Gold energies flickered like lightening. Radditzu dug deep, pushing out the levels of power as he let out a similar cry.

 

"So close, but so hard," he panted, letting sweat drip down his forehead.

 

"Focus, you're almost breaking through! Think about protecting your mate, and your family. Take all that anger and hatred and shove it aside into something pure. Don't let the hate fester, just let it ALL out. Everything you've locked up inside!" Trunks thoughts echoed in the other Saiyan's brain.

 

Floor tiles lifted up, levitating with the ki seeping and surging between the two Saiyans. Radditzu's hair flickered gold momentarily, as did Trunks. A golden glow shone from within the upward spikes, eyes blazing turquoise as Trunks increased in size and strength. Radditzu's cry increased in volume, his own ki transmuting from white to a gold blaze.

 

"That's it, just a little more! You can do it! Goku's your brother, isn't he? Why do YOU have to be second best when you can be so much more!" Trunks shouted. "Think about what Freiza did to your mate! Doesn't that piss you off? Don't you want a better life for your kids? Your family?"

 

"YES!" Radditzu bellowed. At that moment dark spikes surged with radiant fire. Trunks watched in wonder as Radditzu's muscles bulged out, and his eyes sizzled into azure sparks. The long trail of hair seemed to reach to the floor in a gold cascade, the top spikes flowing upward from the thermals of the aura.

 

"That's it! That's IT!" Trunks yelled, trying to contain his excitement so Radditzu's concentration wouldn't be broken. For a moment the radiance faded, but the change remained. Radditzu stood shakily, glancing down at his hands in wonder.

 

"But for how long," he grunted, power surging through him at levels that made him feel invincible.

 

"Let's find out. Try and match my beam," Trunks barked, suddenly zipping out and appearing right in front of him. He hurled a series of kiko ha. Radditzu's hands flew at blinding speed, knocking each sphere away to explode around the chamber.

 

"Buster Cannon!" Trunks yelled. At the same moment Radditzu raised his hands, swirling gold to life that arced with increased levels then he had anticipated.

 

"Double Sundae…" Radditzu uttered, crashing his beam into the royal blue surge generated by Trunks. Both males pushed with ramrod force, trying to knock the other out or stop the advance of their signature attacks. Radditzu's eyes flickered at Trunks sudden phasing out, then disengaged to anticipate the boy's movements. His fist shot out, plugging Trunks in the abdomen seconds after he materialized.

 

"Ugh!" Trunks grunted, surprised at the force of Radditzu's counterattack. Barely did he manage to counter, and punch back, enough to get Radditzu off him. The older Saiyan zipped out of the way, blurring his moments. He twirled around, then nailed Trunks in the back, then chopped the back of his neck. Staggering, Trunks flipped over to tumble out of the way. Soon he was on his feet, hands held up in a defensive position to hurl a sphere of energy towards Radditzu.

 

However Radditzu jumped out of the way, levitating up. He landed just before Trunks, plugging him with a rapid-fire series of punches that the boy deflected easily. Though he panted, Radditzu gave a good account of himself before the radiance faded from his hair, leeching back to its usual raven black. Gasping he held his chest, staggering.

 

"My… apologies… sire," he groaned.

 

"Take five. You held the Super Saiyan for five minutes longer then I thought. Awesome. Won't be long before you'll up your power and push to the next level," Trunks nodded with a grin. The gravity simulator disengaged from one hundred G's, leaving both men to rest for a time.

 

"There's another… level sire?"

 

"You bet. My sensei reached it just before… he was killed," Trunks said, tossing a water bottle to Radditzu. Eagerly the third class caught it, then dropped to the floor where he had been standing. He mopped the gallons of sweat off his forehead with the nearby towel.

 

"Your sensei must have been a great warrior. Who was he, if I might ask? Would the name have any meaning to me?"

 

"He was Gohan," said Trunks quietly.

 

"My nephew?" Radditzu panted. "It gladdens me that Kakkarot's son is such a powerful warrior in your time. Would that I could mend the rift in our relationship. But we didn't' part on good terms, considering I almost killed the brat."

 

"Gohan wasn't too nuts about a lot of people. But I think when he sees you're not so bad after all, who can tell?" Trunks shrugged. "It's a miracle your nephew and my dad got along. Goku told me how they all fought against Frieza on Namek. If we all stay together against the Androids, there's no telling how easily we might blow them away."

 

Radditzu nodded, draining the contents of his water bottle. Suddenly a blurring energy appeared in the middle of the room, startling both. A red gi clad figured stared down at both of them from under his gold tower of spikes, focussing his gaze on Trunks, then Radditzu.

 

"Kakkarot… it has been a long time. I did not think you would wish to see me face to face after our last confrontation," Radditzu panted, remaining where he was. He wasn't altogether comfortable about seeing his own flesh and blood, which had last joined him in death.

 

"I know the story, Radditz," said Goku, holding up his hand. "And I wanted to see you. I should be angry with you for what you did you know."

 

"I am surprised that you are here at all. If you wish to settle our differences for what I have said and done, name a time and place, and you can have your satisfaction," Radditzu said, inclining his head. "I was in error to presume…"

 

"Hold on there, I'm not here to kick your butt," Goku said, holding up his hands. "Right Trunks?"

 

"Should I leave you two guys alone?" asked Trunks.

 

"I think that would be good. You wanna come fly with me, Radditzu? And talk someplace private? I'm not here to fight you, and I'm hoping you're not here to fight me," Goku said.

 

"As you wish, Kakkarot," said Radditzu.

 

"Go ahead. It's okay," Trunks said, and Goku wasn't sure if he directed it at Goku or Radditzu. Striding over to where Radditzu knelt on the floor, Goku extended a hand.

 

"C'mon, get up, okay?" Goku asked, reaching down. Slowly Radditzu extended his hand, and placed it in Goku's warily eyeing him. The force of Goku's super Saiyan transformation was to negate any foul play. To his amazement, Goku simply tugged Radditzu up to his feet so they were eye to eye.

 

"Where do you wish to talk?" Radditzu asked, glancing warily at his brother.

 

"Outside. C'mon. If that's okay with you, Trunks?"

 

"Sure Goku. Have fun. I've got other plans anyway," trunks said, noticing that Bliss Simms had peered through the GR window. Goku and Radditzu inclined their heads as she entered.

 

"Mistress Bliss?" Radditzu bowed to her.

 

"Radditzu? Nice to see you. And you must be Son Goku. Nice to meet you."

 

"Hey there," Goku smiled warmly, shaking her hand. She seemed rather wary of him towering over her, and watched both of them exit.

 

"We were just leaving, if you'll excuse us," Radditzu nodded, with another bow of his head.

 

"Sure," Bliss said.

 

"Bye," Goku waved, letting Radditzu exit before him. Both brothers left them alone.

 

"They're just going to talk. I'll be ready to join you in the gym after I mop off," Trunks said.

 

"Actually, I kind of wanted to see the GR up close."

 

"Well, here it is," Trunks said, with a nervous chuckle. She handed him a bottle of Hercule sport drink and a fresh towel.

 

"You might want this. You're almost soaked," Bliss smiled. "You guys really must have been getting serious in here. I've heard the Prince blowing up things, but Tomakt's mate, that's another thing. How's he doing?"

 

"Pretty good actually. I'll just take a shower and we can go," Trunks said. Suddenly Bliss' eyes narrowed, and she whirled around. A punch shot out toward him, but he had lifted his hand to block it just in time.

 

"HYAH!" she gasped, panting up at him. A strange feral gleam shone in her copper eyes, surprising him even more then her sudden punch.

 

"You're a fighter huh?" Trunks said with an amused smirk.

 

"You didn't think I'd hit you?" Bliss chuckled.

 

"You've got a pretty smooth form. I take it you're not just a pretty face and a smart brain in a lab, huh?" Trunks asked.

 

"All kinds of things. Want to try me?" Bliss smiled.

 

"Depends on what you mean," Trunks winked back, catching her double entendre. Again her other fist flashed out, and he blocked this with his other hand.

 

"You'll see," she laughed, pulling her hands away. "C'mon, let's spar."

 

"Okay, you asked for it. But if you're expecting me to go easy on you cause you're a girl, I won't," Trunks laughed.

 

"Good move," Bliss nodded, backing up. She stood with a slightly curved posture, circling the amused Trunks at a distance of ten paces. He lazily circled his hands, watching her intently with his deep blue eyes. At her first kick, he dodged to the side, then let her follow through with a roundhouse. Then he countered with a quick jab, and a kick of his own. Bliss shot her fists out, one after the other, actually knocking him back.

 

"Not bad," Trunks nodded. "But that's child's play. I think you're just holding back cause you're worried about me breaking a sweat?"

 

"I like my men nice and sweaty. Are you worried I'm so concerned with not letting my mascara run?" Bliss panted. Her sharp cry accompanied the next few punches she threw at him at lightening speed. Trunks widened his eyes, bringing up his knee to block the first, then the second with a downwards sweep of one hand, and anticipating the third with an upward sweep of his left. She spun around at his punch, then chopped at him with a sharp uppercut to his solar plexus he leaned way from. Grabbing her wrist he leaned down and twisted her over his back in a throw. She landed easily on both feet, her short blonde hair flying in her face. Quickly she charged, both hands thrown out before her. Trunks dodged to the side then wondered how on earth she had managed to kick his feet out from under him.

 

Wasn't she to his left, but was now to his right? All his questions disappeared in a rapid series of katas that were remotely like those that his father had shown him. Surprised, he soon found himself fighting at a much higher level. How could a mere human woman have such fast reflexes with such a low battle power? Perhaps she was like Videl, but she was hiding something even more. It slammed into him when she threw him to the floor, pinning him under her, the true extent of her ki.

 

"Gotcha," Bliss teased.

 

"Who are you?" Trunks gasped, letting her pin him down. "You're not just another pretty face. You're a fighter like me!"

 

"You have to learn many skills to survive in this world," Bliss panted. Trunks flipped her over, pinning her between his thighs.

 

"Tell me, what's really going on here! You're not just a Capsule Corps employee, are you? Who are you really?" Trunks demanded, frowning in suspicion.

 

"I mean no harm to you or your parents," she panted up at him.

 

"Answer me! Who ARE You? You're NOT an ordinary human! Your ki's way above what it really is! You'd better not bullshit me," Trunks said, surging with sudden suspicion and anger.

 

Bliss stammered, glancing up at him. "I'd NEVER harm the son of the Saiyan no Ouji! My family is sworn to protect yours with our last drop of blood!"

 

"No way, it can't be," Trunks backed away. Anger boiled up and he pinioned both her wrists.

 

"You must believe me, Toranksu," she said in Saiyan. Shock drained the blood from Trunks face at the sound of the language only his father spoke, and he himself had learned from the history tapes in Radditzu's space pod in that other universe.

 

"You're… Saiyan? How?"

 

"My real name is Chablis," she answered. "I'm sorry to deceive you, but I had my orders that I would…"

 

"WHO gave you those ORDERS," Trunks asked, releasing her. He rolled off her, his eyes narrowed in a deep frown worthy of his father.

 

"The Prince of All Saiyans, before he was taken by Frieza. My mother and I are two of the last female Saiyans alive, other then Radditzu's mate. We don't mean you any harm. In fact we're here to make sure you, your mother and father remain alive," Chablis said quietly, averting her gaze.

 

"You're a Saiyan. I can't believe it, but your ki's telling me its true," Trunks mumbled, turning his back to her. "Why didn't you tell me to begin with?"

 

"I thought you should figure it out for yourself," she answered. "I'm sorry if you think I lied to you, but I know all about the Androids. I know where you're really from, and I know what they'll do to all of us if they know there are other Saiyans."

 

"Was part of your orders getting close to me?" Trunks asked sullenly. Sighing he climbed to his feet. Bliss sat on the floor, her hands knotting into fists.

 

"No. It wasn't. It just… happened on its own. And it's not because you've got Saiyan blood. You're one of the first men who's ever just see me as a woman, and a friend. I missed that. It's lonely being the last of your kind," she trailed off.

 

"I know," Trunks mumbled. "But you still…"

 

"I'm sorry, Trunks," she said quietly. "If you don't want to see me again, I understand."

 

"I do, damn it I just… I can't believe that you… I just… I don't know WHAT I mean," Trunks blurted out, his emotions telling him contradictory courses of action. "I'm angry as hell you lied to me, and at the same time I know you weren't really lying because I was hiding just as much from you as you were from me. Of all of us I shouldn't bitch about dishonesty…"

 

"Trunks, I like you a lot, and even if you are still mad and hate me for this, I won't stop. I care about you a lot… and I had hoped that you'd understand," she said softly.

 

"I don't know," he said, turning slightly to glance at her. He let out a big sigh, his body soaked thoroughly with sweat.

 

"I wanted to tell you everything. I figured that you deserved to know, and the best way seemed to show you little hints so you'd figure it out. And now you know for sure. The ball's in your court now. If you don't want me around you again, I'll leave you alone. But I never deliberately wanted to deceive you," she apologized.

 

"I don't know what to think, but I… I like you, and I know why you did what you did. It's just that I've not felt this way about a girl, since… well since I left my world. And I'm worried that if I get too close someone will get hurt," Trunks said, turning to face her. He strode forwards, and extended his hand to hers, to help her stand.

 

"Why don't we find out how you feel, and not think about it so much?" Bliss said softly, squeezing his fingers. Trunks did not let go of her hand; instead they returned the gentle squeeze.

 

"Sounds like a plan. I guess since there's so much we don't know about each other, maybe we should find out what happens as we go along, like everyone else," Trunks shrugged. He gave her a tiny smile, azure eyes twinkling with warmth.

 

"You won't regret it," she said, returning his smile. Copper eyes lost themselves in his blue depths, searching for any sign of forgiveness and acceptance. She found what she was looking for in that tiny smile that spread into a warm grin.

 

"Okay, I know you said you like to get hot and sweaty. So why don't we go for a swim? That big pool in the backyard's been empty long enough, don't you think?" Trunks winked. "Considering I was gonna hop in the shower anyway."

 

"I don't have a suit," she shrugged.

 

"You don't need one… I mean ah… well you could ask my mom to borrow one…" he stammered, blushing. "Oh damn that didn't come out right!"

 

"Relax, I was just going to grab one from the gift store," she reassured him.

 

"I've got some workout pants you could use, and a t shirt," Trunks offered. "C'mon, I'm sure nobody cares what you wear in a pool since it's in my mom's backyard, and everyone's gone home for the day!"

***