Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Recovery ❯ Recovery ( One-Shot )

Recovery

~By Ryou-chan~

I was woken by a harsh clinical smell, the kind of cleanliness you can only associate with hospitals. I blinked groggily, and struggled to sit up in the uncomfortable bed. Why was I here? I couldn't quite remember, as I had no recollection even of the last thing I had been doing. The room was quiet and shadowy, although rays of light from the open window danced around the walls. I noticed a figure slumped next to my bed in a chair; but as I turned suddenly to face it I hissed in pain as all down my right side and leg it felt like I had a thousand knives stabbing me. The agony forced me to remain in my original position, so the only way I could see who was by me was to crane my neck to the right as far as I could without it hurting. The figure was collapsed, leaning against the wall and bed; they must have fallen asleep while watching over me. A magazine lay carelessly discarded on the floor - inevitably it must have fallen off their lap once they fell asleep.

Ah - it was Trunks. I felt relief flood through me as I studied my oldest friend; it made me feel better, knowing that he was here - I didn't feel so alone in the strange surroundings. My slight outburst must have woken him up, (he always was a light sleeper) and he stirred and sleepily opened his eyes.

His expression instantly turned to one of shock as he noticed that I was sitting up and awake, and looking at him curiously.

"Goten-kun! You've woken up!" He grinned at me enthusiastically, and started as though to hug me, until faltering and sitting back from the bedside. I think it was because he realised he might hurt me...but it still stung a bit. As though he didn't want to touch me. But really that was far from my mind - I was far more confused about how, and *why*, I was actually there.

"Trunks..." I started to speak, too tired and confused to bother with any formalities. "Trunks, why...why am I here? What's wrong with me?"

It seemed as though a shadow had dropped over his face. The smile fell from his lips, and he studied me nervously.

"You...you mean you don't remember? What happened between us?" I felt sick in the pit of my stomach as his words sank through to me. Between us...

What could have happened between us that would have ended up with me in the hospital? We...we were best friends. All I could do was wordlessly stare at him and shake my head.

"O-oh..." Even though Trunks lowered his head, I could still see the look of guilt that came and rested upon his features. "I-I'm sorry Goten...I...I thought you would have remembered...I thought...I thought you had forgiven me!" And as he wrenched out the last words, he stumbled up from the chair and made for the door, scrubbing at his eyes with his sleeve.

"Trunks!" I called after him, but it was too late. My brow furrowed in confusion as I tried to figure out what the hell had been going on. What was it that I couldn't remember? What did Trunks have to be sorry for? And...and why did he look so *guilty*?

I slouched down into the bedcovers as delicately as I could, trying to avoid bumping my side. I hated hospitals. Ever since I was little...it 's just the atmosphere I guess. Freaks me out, even now.

I was gazing out the window watching the birds fly past when a nurse entered the room, smiling brightly at me when she realised I was awake.

"Ah! Son-Goten, yes? How are you feeling? We didn't expect you do wake up for at least another couple of days!"

I shrugged lopsidedly, as I wasn't able to use my right side without ensuring a great deal of pain.

"All right, I guess." She studied me, disbelief obviously showing on her features.

"Come now," she said chidingly, "I think with a broken shoulder, broken ribs and a broken leg you would be feeling a bit less than alright! We need to know truthfully how you feel; not how good you are at trying to act brave!" I smiled a bit at her, and answered again.

"All right then, I feel like shit. What happened to me? Why am I all beat up?" She chuckled at my bluntness, but then stopped and looked thoughtful.

"Actually, I don't know exactly what happened to you. All I know is what state you're in now." I frowned at her; dissatisfied with the lack of information I was getting. What was going on here?! Why would nobody tell me what had happened to me? All right, so the nurse didn't know, but there was definitely something weird going on with Trunks. She looked round in surprise, as though she had only just noticed something.

"What happened to that young man who brought you in? He's been with you almost constantly for the two weeks you've been unconscious..." I raised my eyebrows a bit. He had...?

"He left..." was all I could say to her. I suddenly found myself longing to see my mother.

"Where's my family? They do know I'm here, right?"

"Oh, yes, of course. I'll go and call them now and let them know you're awake." She turned to leave, but as it happened there was no need - my mother rushed in and enveloped me in a giant hug, oblivious to the fact that she was crushing my bad shoulder. I gritted my teeth, and attempted to hug her back. She pulled away, and looked horrified as she realised what she'd done.

"Oh, Goten-chan! I'm sorry...are you all right?" I nodded, and grinned as I saw my Dad and Gohan walk through the door behind her.

"Hey there bro!" Gohan greeted me and smiled. "Trunks-kun told us you'd woken up...you all right now?" Kaa-san's expression darkened as Gohan mentioned Trunks' name.

"I *told* him to stop coming to see you. You told him to leave as soon as you woke up, didn't you honey? You shouldn't let him near you anymore." I scowled as I felt increasingly frustrated.

"I *want* to see Trunks!! He left too quickly, I didn't get a chance to ask him anything! Why did he leave?! What happened?! And why don't you want me to see him?!" I had raised my voice towards the end, determined to get some answers out of someone. Kaa-san looked at me in shock.

"Oh! You don't remember?!" She reached over and touched my cheek gently. "You and Trunks-kun were sparring in the back yard..." I looked at her blankly. So? We sparred all the time! What was so special about that?

I gasped as images flashed through my mind. Blood...pain...they were memories. Of that fight. But why? Me and Trunks hardly ever drew blood...and never went that far. So why had I ended up in hospital?

"You were both level two at the time," she continued, her face filling with anger. "And Trunks-kun was powering up for a blast...he fired, but you suddenly powered down. Out of Super Saiyajin. His blast hit you, and...and..." She couldn't go on because she had started to sob. "I didn't know if you'd make it! He...he nearly killed you...there was so much blood..."

I sat there, stunned. For some reason, the thought foremost in my mind was 'How could she blame Trunks?'. From what I had heard, it was hardly his fault...and yet when he had come to see me, he too seemed to think he was to blame, and could barely look me in the eye. Gohan patted Mom on the shoulder, and Dad just stood there looking thoughtful. As my mother was obviously in no fit state to continue, Gohan took the liberty.

"Trunks-kun stayed with you until we made it outside - no one really knew what had happened at first, we could just see Trunks-kun sitting on the grass holding you in his arms. You were both covered in blood, but it was obviously yours. He explained to us what had happened, that he had tried to veer the blast away from you at the last second when he saw you power down - that was why you only got hit on one side. Why...why *did* you drop out of Super Saiyajin Goten?" They all watched me curiously, Mom still dabbing her red eyes with an old tissue.

"I...I don't know." I didn't like the weight of their gazes upon me. It was so...oppressive, even though I knew that it was because they cared. "I can't remember!" For some reason, I suddenly felt defensive and glared at them all. "Go away! I want to see Trunks!" They were all visibly shocked by my outburst, but respected how I was feeling and left me alone. A few moments later, Trunks entered cautiously - he had obviously been waiting outside.

He hovered by the doorway for a moment, before deciding it would be better to just come over and face me.

Even so, he was still reluctant to look at me.

"Tru-chan...?" At that he looked up, obviously startled by the affectionate nickname - I very rarely used it, but I didn't like the way he seemed so distant...I wanted him to know that whatever had happened, he was still my best friend. "My Mom...she told me what happened."

"Aa." He gazed at me curiously. "D-demo...Why don't you hate me, Go-kun?"

"What is there to hate you for?!" I burst out in exasperation."It was an *accident*! And if it was anyone's fault it was mine...I don't know *why* I suddenly stopped fighting - I don't remember - but it doesn't even matter anymore." He studied my face, a strange expression in his eyes. Suddenly a tear rolled down his cheek, and it seemed as though he was no longer looking at me, rather he was looking *through* me. As he spoke his voice seemed distant, and had a strange husky, low quality to it.

"When...when I couldn't make it turn away in time...it hit you. And you fell. I thought I had killed you, Goten. I thought I had *killed* you. Do you...do you know what that *did* to me?!" His voice caught on the words, and he choked out the rest. "I wished it had been me...I wished I had been more in control of the blast. I wanted to keep you so badly...I didn't want you to leave me! When your Mom came...I knew she blamed me. And she was right. It was *my* fault Goten, not yours. I held you while you bled. I could feel you keep slipping away...feel you in my mind." His voice broke off as he lost the power to speak, tears running down his face. Then I remembered.

"I knew..." I murmured. " It was you who kept me alive then, Trunks. I felt your ki in my mind. It was nice, I wanted to stay with it...I kept slipping away, but you always pulled me back..." He looked at me in wonderment, as I recalled the presence of Trunks in my mind. "Could...could you do it again, Trunks-chan?" I looked at him hopefully, wanting to experience that feeling of safety once more.

He nodded hesitantly and leant towards me, closing his eyes. Our foreheads touched, and all at once I could feel him - both physically and mentally. The warm glow of his ki surrounded mine, and I sighed contentedly. It had not even occurred to me to wonder how this was happening, I had just assumed it was something that came naturally to Saiyans. If it was, Dad had never mentioned it to me...although he probably wasn't the best one to ask. Maybe Vegeta-san would know.

Trunks pulled away from me and opened his eyes slowly. I have no idea how long we were like that - if it had been minutes, or even hours - but I knew that I felt closer to him then than I ever had done before.

He smiled shyly at me, which made me smile back in return - so rarely does Trunks look shy! He looked surprisingly kawaii, and I raised my eyebrows in a silent, hopeful question. He knew what I meant. And he nodded.

It's strange...no-one understands me like Trunks does - we've always been together, even since we were babies so I guess that's hardly surprising. Kaa-san and Bulma-san always say how close we were, how I would follow Trunks everywhere and always go along with whatever crazy plan he'd thought up. They said it was because he was older and bigger...that it was only natural that I'd want to be like him and follow him around. I don't think that that was necessarily it, though. Trunks has always had the more dominant personality of us two, the only exception perhaps being when we're sparring. So I think I always followed him around because it seemed like the safest thing to do; Trunks would always look after me, even when we got in trouble.

Even though we were then seventeen (well I suppose that's a lie...Trunks was actually eighteen but I always forgot) Trunks still always looked out for me...and I was glad. It was never usually that apparent, though. He barely left my side in the two weeks I'd been hospitalised. I know it's because he still felt responsible - I couldn't convince him otherwise no matter how hard I tried - but I still liked having him here. I'd have been bored out of my mind if he wasn't!

I sat in the uncomfortably warm bed and shifted around impatiently - the rehabilitation had been successful, and I was practically fully healed! The doctors had said I could go home the next day, and frankly, I couldn't wait. Hospitals suck. Seriously. Especially when you've been stuck there, barely able to move for weeks on end. I still felt twinges of pain whenever I moved; the doctors told me that it was natural, but I wasn't entirely sure I believed them.

Trunks was still with me..but I could tell that the time had taken its toll on him, too. His face seemed paler, his expression drawn. He had dark circles under his eyes. Guess I can be quite demanding sometimes - I feel sorry for him! He came over and sat beside the bed, grinning at me.

"Psyched about going home tomorrow Go-kun?"

"You bet!" I said, the relief apparent in my voice, "I seriously couldn't stay here another day!"

I felt like we had grown closer over the time he had stayed here with me - if that was even possible. He instinctively seemed to know how I was feeling, as I with him. I think it probably has something to do with those two times we managed to touch minds...we hadn't spoken about it since, and we had never attempted it again. Somehow I get the feeling we might have done something permanent unintentionally.

I gingerly moved my leg - it was still quite stiff, but hopefully it would start moving more easily soon. Trunks looked at me in concern as he saw me flinch.

"You alright?" I smiled at him reassuringly,

"Yeah, I'm okay. It just hurts a bit sometimes." He looked downcast. I can't believe he still feels guilty about this! I thought we'd established that it was no-one's fault...

"I'm sorry..." he whispered morosely.

I didn't know what to say. I had tried all I could to convince him that it was an accident, but he seemed to have it fixated in his mind that it was all because of him. At a loss for words, I did the only thing I could think of. I reached out with my hand, and covered his own hand which was resting on the side of the bed. He looked up at the contact.

"Go-chan..." His blue eyes were filled with pain, but also happiness. He's never called me that before. Something more important than can be expressed with words passed between us then, a total understanding - and I think that it was then that Trunks finally accepted what had happened, and stopped completely blaming himself.

I was so glad to arrive home the next day - my room was still as I had left it, and the mood was altogether lighter than what it had been at the hospital. Trunks only stayed for a little while until I got settled in - Bulma wanted him home to help her with some invention or another.

There was still something that bothered me about this whole thing though...*why* had I powered down just before Trunks hit me with that shot? If I had only stayed at level two, I could have easily deflected it. Hell, I probably might have been able to stop it even if I had gone down to level one - our fights generally were never that serious. But I had just quit SSJ altogether. Which was really bugging me.

I yawned and sat up in bed as my mother bustled busily around my room. I could tell she was glad to have me home, even though sometimes she seemed like she didn't love me as much as Gohan-kun. That sounds cruel though...it's just I'm not quite as obedient as Gohan-kun was when he was my age, so she doesn't know what to do with me sometimes.

Kaa-san pulled open the curtains briskly and stopped by the end of my bed, looking at me with a quiet kind of love in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're all right and at home with us now, Goten-chan..." I smiled at her happily, and slouched back down into the warm covers of my bed.

"Me too." She sat down next to me on the side of my bed, and took my hands in hers.

"You take it easy today, you hear me? And..." Her face took on a strange expression as she continued. "...and no more sparring with Trunks-kun until I say. Got it?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

"WHAT?! Come *on* Kaa-san, don't you think that's going a bit too far?! Trunks-kun is my best friend - and he's my best sparring partner!" Her eyes narrowed.

"...best, Goten-chan? Have you forgotten that it was 'your best sparring partner' who put you where you are right now? It's lucky he didn't kill you! So, I don't want you sparring with him, of all people, when you're so close to being fully recovered." I sighed in resignation.

"...all right. I guess I'm not in a condition to spar with *anyone* at the moment." Her face lit up in a sunny smile as she realised she had got my agreement.

"I'm so proud of you, Goten-chan, and so's your father. You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Good." She stood up and ruffled my spiky hair with her hand, "See you at breakfast." She proceeded to leave my room, tidying up a bit as she left.

Unh...I felt so...lethargic. It was a strange feeling, not one I was accustomed to at all. I was used to being full of energy and ready to jump at the chance of a fight. Yeah...if this was a normal Saturday, I'd already be down at Capsule Corp. waiting for Trunks to finish his breakfast so we could go off and spar.

I scooted out of bed, flinching as some nerves in my leg and hip twinged. Luckily my shoulder seemed to be fully healed, as I had experienced no adverse effects as of yet. Of course, there was still plenty of time for that. Better keep out of fights as Kaa-san said then, ne? I made my way across my room, pausing by my wardrobe momentarily to pull out some clothes. I automatically reached for my gi...but then remembered there would be no sparring. Dammit! I thought, and then chuckled at my own single mindedness. Do I really do so little else? I wondered. Instead I chose some jeans and a random t-shirt I found, pulling them on hurriedly as my stomach rumbled and I realised how hungry I was. Time for food!

As I descended the stairs, I heard the sound of raised voices. One of them was most definitely the shrill voice of my angry mother, and the other was...it was quiet and muffled so I couldn't be sure, but I was pretty confident that it was Trunks. I peered round the corner, and had my suspicions confirmed. But why was my mother arguing with Trunks? I thought we had already established that Trunks was not to blame for my injuries. But then again, my mother was very stubborn.

"Hey, what's going on?" I queried jokingly as I confronted them.

"Go-kun!" Trunks exclaimed happily as he pushed past my mother and came towards me. He glanced back towards Kaa-san and his expression darkened.

"I came to see you...but was told that you were fast asleep and couldn't be disturbed. But I knew that you wouldn't mind me waking you up - you do it to me often enough!" He grinned and grabbed my arm, "You wanna go out and get some breakfast? My treat."

"Sure!" I smiled back at him and ignored my mother's less than happy gaze as I allowed Trunks to pull me outside. It had been ages since we had done something like this, so I felt that it was about time we did something together - other than fight, that is.

"So, where'd you wanna go?" I could barely hear him as we were flying quite fast and the wind always got in my ears. I shrugged as best I could considering as how we were horizontal and speeding along faster than we would in a car.

"Dunno..." He glanced over at me and I felt my heart lift; his eyes were a vivid blue, and his lavender grey hair flew out behind him, shining in the sun. Suddenly I laughed and we both slowed down until we were hovering in the air.

"What's so funny?" He crossed his arms defensively and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Sorry," I said sheepishly, "It's not funny, it's just I was thinking that with your hair like that you really look like the pictures of Mirai that Bulma used to show us." He looked thoughtful and lifted a hand to run it through his hair.

"Yeah...I guess I do. You think I should cut it then?" He looked at me seriously, as though his decision as to whether he cut it or not rested on my decision.

"No!" Heh...I hadn't meant it to come out quite as vehemently as that, but I liked his hair! "Nah Tru-kun, it looks good like that."

"Okay," He said peaceably, thankfully not commenting on my slightly unusual outburst about it.

But...it *did* look good. That was what was bugging me. *He* looked good. And not just his hair...just generally.

I frowned at these thoughts. Where had they come from all of a sudden? I noticed him looking at me wonderingly, probably confused as to why I was suddenly glaring at the ground.

"Let's go down." I suddenly muttered and dipped low, not even sure if he had heard me. I came to a stop in a field by a tree somewhere, and Trunks landed soon after me.

"Why are we here?" He asked, confused, "I thought we were going somewhere to eat?"

"We were." I replied shortly, not even sure why I was annoyed with him. "I'm not hungry."

"Gomen Goten-kun, have I done something to upset you?" I looked up and saw his troubled azure eyes staring back at me, so open and caring.

"No..." I sighed, and sat down beneath the tree. He joined me soon after, and we just sat in silence for a while listening to the birds and the sounds of nature. It was a sunny day with only a few white whispy clouds, and a cool breeze was blowing, ruffling the tops of the corn.

I turned my head to the side and looked at my friend, whose eyes were closed and he looked so blissfully peaceful...

I couldn't help it. I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly as I shifted down to be more comfortable. Being close to him like that reminded me of the times when we had touched minds...I had felt safe then, just as I did being near him now. I turned slightly when I felt what could only have been Trunks' lips ghost over my forehead. I glanced up, startled, and met the blushing gaze of my friend.

"I-I'm sorry Go-ch-, no, -kun" He looked desperately confused and embarrassed, and made as if to leave. I grabbed onto his hand and pulled him back down next to me. He wouldn't meet my gaze. "I...I thought you were asleep..." He whispered, and then looked up at me in surprise as I failed to hit him as he must have expected. Instead of replying his questioning gaze with words, I simply pulled him against me again, nestling myself into his side. He was tense for a moment, but then relaxed and put his arm around me.

And I was happy. Once again, I felt like Trunks was keeping me safe - and it felt good.

Trunks flew me back to the window of my room once it got dark. We stood inside by the windowsill uncertainly, neither of us sure where our relationship stood after the ambiguous events of the afternoon. But, like usual, it was Trunks who decided.

"Goodnight, Goten-chan..." He whispered softly, and slowly lowered his face to mine. His lips gently brushed my own, and since neither of us was confident enough to deepen the kiss, he drew back and smiled at me. His hands lingered on mine as he turned away to leave. I could do nothing but watch in silence as my life long best friend - now seemingly something more- flew out my window and off into the starry night.

One morning a couple of weeks later dawned bright and sunny, as they usually seemed to nowadays; summer was well underway and even at this time of the morning I was uncomfortably hot. I sprang out of bed eagerly, my stomach occasionally aching with pangs of hunger as I got dressed.

My mind was still lethargic from sleep, and I shook my head in frustration - there was something important about today... It suddenly came back to me as I opened the wardrobe and saw my gi. Today was the first day I could spar again! Okay, so Kaa-san hadn't *specifically* said it was alright to spar with Trunks again, but I was sure it would be. My cheeks grew pink as I thought about the prospect of seeing my koibito. Except that...he wasn't. Nothing more had happened between us since that night, but we had become noticeably closer (even Tou-san had commented, and he's certainly not know for his powers of observation!). Even so, I was still happier than I had ever been, and at the moment I was perfectly content to just share hugs and occasional touches with Trunks - it...it made us feel closer than friends, but just beyond being something more.

I pulled on my gi happily and practically bounced down the stairs, nearly knocking over Tou-san in the process. I apologised, still smiling, and carried on down (a little more sedately this time) to the kitchen. My mother looked up as I came into the kitchen, smiling at me, but as soon as she saw me her expression faded.

"What do you think you're wearing?" She asked me quietly, a mixture of anger and worry showing in her eyes.

"W-what?" I blinked at her, confused. What did it matter what I was wearing? Surely -- oh. I see. I glanced down at my attire and then back up at my mother who was now glaring fiercely at me.

"Look Goten-kun, don't think that just because you're healed you can just go off and start fighting again!" I looked at her incredulously; of course that's what I was going to do! What, did she think I'd just quit fighting or something?

"Well of course." I countered, "After all it *was* you who taught me how to fight...wouldn't want my skills to go unused would you?" She didn't need to answer with words to make it clear what she thought of *that* question.

"Goten-kun..." she began tiredly, "I'm tired of having this same conversation with you! I don't want you injured, and so you're not going to be doing any more fighting!"

"Like hell I'm not..." I muttered, and started walking towards the door. Luckily I don't think she heard me; she just watched in annoyance and disbelief as I walked away from her. Hah, bet she never got such treatment from Gohan!

"I'm going to see Tru-chan." I announced, and watched for her reaction. Kaa-san glowered at me, but knew there was nothing she could do to change my mind - I got my stubbornness from her, I think. However she did look at me strangely when I called Trunks Tru-chan. Admittedly, I hadn't meant to call him that in front of her, it had just slipped out. Brushing those thoughts aside, I turned away from my angry mother and walked out the door.

Ah, the Capsule Corp. As I flew over the massive complex, it seemed as familiar to me as my own home - although it was obviously a lot bigger! The big domes and curved shapes always seemed slightly alien to me; hey maybe that's why it feels more like home!

...I'd have really liked to see my Dad's home planet. It really bugs me that it's gone, that I'll never be able to see where my grandparents came from. Strange though, Tou-san doesn't seem to miss it at all; he never even seems *curious* about what it was like. Maybe I'll ask Vegeta-san; he's the only one who would know I guess.

I had become lost in my thoughts while I hovered, and realised I should probably go down and find Trunks instead of wandering around up here. I floated down to the ground, and headed for the front door. I rang the doorbell, but no-one seemed to be coming. I was about to turn and leave when I realised footsteps were approaching from inside. To my astonishment, *Vegeta* opened the door - I had never realised he would actually bother to do something as insignificant as open a door!

"Well? What do you want?" He asked tersely, glaring at me like he normally did. To him, I guess, I'll always just be "Kakarott's boy", and no-one else.

"Ohayo Vegeta-san, I'm here to see Trunks-kun." I replied as politely as possible, trying not to irritate him further. He just snorted, and moved aside to let me in.

"He's in his room." Was all Vegeta said to me, and then he took off towards the training rooms. It still amazes me how Tou-san and Vegeta never look like they've aged a day! They both still look in their early thirties - maybe it's something to do with Saiyajin genes, I don't know. But whatever it is, I sure hope it's hereditary!

Putting all that out of my mind, I flew up the stairs and towards Trunks' room. Just as I approached his door, it was pulled open by a grinning Trunks.

"So...you sensed me coming, huh?" I smiled back at him as he reached for my hand and dragged me into his room, shutting the door behind us.

Dark though my mood was since my confrontation with Kaa-san, I couldn't help but be cheered up by the sight of Trunks looking so happy. He flopped down onto his bed, and craned his neck to look up at me.

"So....what do you want to do today Go-chan?" Oh! That reminded me of the original reason I'd wanted to seen Trunks today...

"Well..." I began slowly, looking at him hopefully, "I've been fully healed for quite a while now, and..." A shadow seemed to pass over Trunks' face and his happy expression fell away as he seemed to realise where I was heading with this line of thought. "...and," I continued resolutely, "I was thinking we should spar today. I mean it's been so long, and I'm out of practice!"

His expression was deadly serious as he got up and approached me, laying his hands on my shoulders.

"No."

"What?!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing - from *Trunks*, of all people! "Why the hell not?!"

He looked away from me, as though he didn't want to see my expression as he spoke.

"I'm...I'm too afraid I'd hurt you again. And I couldn't do that...make you go through all that pain again..." His voice was low, and once he had finished speaking he dared to glance up at my face.

I fell silent, not knowing what to say to him. I gently pushed him away from me and walked over to the door, hesitating as to whether or not I should walk through it.

"Goten-chan, wait!" He sounded panic stricken and there was a look of desperation in his eyes. "I'm...I'm sorry. I know it's not what you want, but I just couldn't face the possibility of something like that happening again! Don't you understand?"

At his first words I had looked back hopefully, but then my heart sank again as he still continued to refuse me.

"I thought...I thought you understood me, Trunks-kun." My voice departed from me dully, and I could see the pain that my words caused him reflected in his eyes.

But I just turned and walked away.

Some where in the back of my mind I knew I was being unfair and unreasonable, but it just didn't matter to me. I knew...I knew why Trunks had refused, and I know it was only because he was worried about me. But...

It still didn't make it right. Or fair.

Why should I have to suffer so he doesn't have to feel guilty?!

I mentally berated myself for thinking such things...of course it wasn't like that, I knew that Trunks would never have such shallow motives.

I flew home, my mind filled with confusing thoughts, cursing the unfairness of life.

As soon as I walked in the front door Kaa-san immediately rushed over to inspect me, wanting to make sure that I hadn't done anything stupid and gotten myself injured.

"Are you alright?!" She fussed around me, certain that I must have gotten my way and engaged in a fight with someone or other.

"Yeah." I spoke sullenly, not wanting her to know that Trunks agreed with her view of me not fighting.

I was thoroughly pissed off. Nothing had gone right recently! Why couldn't people see that I was *fine* - not some china doll that could break at any second. I stepped past her and headed for the fridge - I still hadn't eaten yet today, and I was starving.

"Goten-kun, what's the matter with you?!" She was looking at me worriedly, still a little stung from the way I had just walked away from her.

"Nothing..." I mumbled quietly, purposefully keeping my gaze fixed upon the fridge in front of me. I really didn't feel like talking about it; especially not with Kaa-san. She wouldn't understand...and seemingly, no-one did.

I really don't know why I felt such a need to train; sure I could train by myself I guess, but it's not the same - it doesn't have the same element of challenge that sparring brings. Heh, I guess before now I didn't realise how much time I had spent doing it; since I'd come home my days had seemed too empty, and I was at a loss with what to fill them with. I'd spent time with Trunks of course, and since we weren't sparring anymore we did a lot more things together that could be counted as social activities! We were closer than ever, but after today...

I couldn't help but feel that I had driven a wedge between us. At least I had admitted to myself that what had happened was my fault; that was a start.

I slammed the door in frustration; suddenly I wasn't hungry. Kaa-san just stared after me in resignation as I stormed off to my room. I think she must be really tired of having me around...not that I blame her, I was tired of *being* around.

Why did I feel so *restless*?! I walked over to my window and leaned on the sill, staring out wistfully into the sunset. The sky looked beautiful...and the sun was as crimson as blood, bleeding gently into the surrounding sky. The first stars of the night were beginning to appear, cautiously peeping out of the purple blanket which commandeered the sky. I wanted to see them. Visit them. Hell, even Gohan had been to other planets! Nearly everyone had, just not me.

"What were they like?" I asked softly, as I sensed my brother's ki approaching behind me.

"Huh?" He sounded confused as he came to stand next to me. I shook my head,

"...never mind." We stood in silence for a moment, but I could feel Gohan studying me.

"...did Kaa-san ask you to come over and talk to me?" I glanced over at him, half expecting him to lie and say that she hadn't.

"Yeah." His lips curved into a slight smile, but then he just looked concerned. "Goten-kun...from what I've heard, you're not acting like yourself. What's up? Why are you being like this?"

Why...

I bit my lower lip in thought, shutting my eyes as though it would suddenly let all the answers become clear to me.

"...I don't know." He rested his hand on my right shoulder, and looked up at the sky.

"Kaa-san says it's because she doesn't want you to fight...but that can't be the whole reason. What else is wrong?"

"I don't *know*!" My eyes flashed angrily as I walked away from my brother and sat down on the end of my bed. "Why does everyone keep asking me that as if I know the answer?! Don't you think if I knew, I'd do something about it? Do you think I like pissing everyone off?" He stared at me wordlessly, and seemed to think for a while before speaking again.

"Well...if there's something you need to talk over with someone...you know I'm always here for you." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as though he felt there was something else he needed to say, but then decided against it and left my room quietly.

Eugh...what I needed now some senseless violence. That would take my mind off...well, whatever it was that was bothering me. But there was no-one who would fight me! Or was there...

My mind flickered to the only person who would have no problem with burying his fist in my face, or beating me into oblivion.

Vegeta...

He'd fight me. I slid off the side of the bed, and made my way to the window. I opened it and slowly flew out, picking up speed once I made it clear from the house. I attempted to shield my ki, knowing that Gohan would surely be on the watch for any signs of activity from me. But I didn't manage it very well, not being accustomed to needing to do it. I almost automatically headed over to Capsule Corp., the route being so familiar to me that I hardly even needed to think about it.

But this time I wasn't going to see Trunks. But where would Vegeta be...almost certainly in the gravity rooms training, I would think - it seems to be all he ever does. Sometimes I think the only reason he lives is so that he can one day be strong enough to beat Tou-san! I'm not sure exactly what it is that he has against my father...no-one's ever explained it to me. Suffice to say, Vegeta manages to carry on this dislike of my father over to me.

Ah; there they are. Flying lower to the ground, I spotted the little collection of gravity rooms that Vegeta demanded should be built for him to train in. I could see the lights were on in one of them, and so headed downwards toward it.

It suddenly struck me, though, that I had no idea what I was going to say to him; 'Oh, Vegeta-san...would you mind if I trained with you? It's just no one else wants to risk hurting me, and so knowing what a heartless bastard you are I thought I'd come and see you.' No, somehow I didn't think that would work.

I stood hesitating by the door, not knowing quite how to approach the anti-social Saiyan.

Suddenly the door was flung open, and I was confronted by a glaring Vegeta.

"What do you want?" He spat out, eyes narrowed. Funny, that seems to be all he's ever said to me.

Damn...I'd forgotten to keep on shielding my ki, of course he'd sensed me coming!

"Um..." I stammered nervously, not quite knowing what to say. "I wanted to fight you." Sound confident, I told myself, don't let him know how nervous you are...he hates weakness. He folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at me speculatively.

"Why? And I train alone." His voice took on a harder edge.

"You train with my Father." I countered, daring to contradict him. He smirked, and inclined his head.

"True...but Kakarott is different. I enjoy fighting him." I blinked. Well, I'd certainly never heard that before! "But...alright." His one-sided smile grew, and became more evil looking. "I'll fight you...I'll enjoy beating you into the ground. But why aren't you fighting Trunks? Playing child games become too boring for you?"

I didn't answer, not wanting him to know that I was only fighting him because he was my last resort.

I walked into the domed room, looking around in interest. I had never been in one of the gravity rooms before, though Trunks had mentioned them a few times. He came in here to train with his Father whenever Vegeta had the urge to teach him a lesson.

Of course I knew what I was letting myself in for, as we took up our starting stances...and I knew that I had no chance in hell of winning. Still, it was better than being bored at home, right?

That's what I told myself, even as I took the first blow to the head, and blood started running from my temple. Geez! And we weren't even powered up yet! I blasted up to SSJ1, and fought back furiously, punching and feinting until I finally landed a blow in his gut. He stumbled back slightly, but then with a roar of anger powered up to SSJ2, obviously wanting revenge. And he got it more easily that I'd like to admit.

With one swift punch I could barely see, I felt my ribs give way beneath the invading fist. The pain blocking out all other thoughts, I crumpled to the ground lying flat out on my back, one hand clutching my re-broken side. Damn, it hurt more than I remember! I felt the warm blood seeping between my fingers, and the world slowly grew dim and fuzzy.

Someone was leaning over me...who was it? Was it...Trunks? But Trunks wasn't here...

Still...it looked like Trunks; same nose, same shape face...My befuddled mind couldn't sense the ki, so I just assumed it was my koi, suddenly leaning upwards and kissing him desperately. Maybe he could link with me again, and help the pain like he did before.

Instead of the relief from pain I had expected, all I received was a crushing blow to the face, almost doubling the agony I was currently feeling.

My last conscious thought before I passed out was;

Shit. That must have been Vegeta...

Even though everything was still dark, I could vaguely hear muffled noises around me. Urgent shouting...people sounded busy. Wonder where Trunks could be? The darkness which blocked my vision refused to go away for what seemed like a long time, but then started lightening. By the time I could see random grey fuzzy shapes the pain had started to kick in. Guess by then I was conscious enough for my nerves to start working properly. Thankfully though, the pain suddenly started to decrease, and all at once I could sense Trunks.

He *had* come for me! Just when I needed him...The pain was almost totally gone by then; only replaced with a gentle yet persistent throbbing. The warm and comforting presence of Trunks stayed with me all the way until I became totally conscious again, and my eyelids fluttered open.

"Ungh..." Bright lights invaded my vision, and I squinted away from them, shutting my eyes again. I felt what could only have been Trunks frantically kissing my face, and attempted to move a hand to hold his. However, I had not accounted for my shoulder having become redislocated when Vegeta bashed my ribs in again. Agony once more found it's way to me, and I nearly passed out from the intensity. Gradually, though, that too faded and I was able once more to open my eyes and see the concerned faces of friends and family circled around above me.

It came as somewhat of a surprise to me when I discovered that I wasn't in the hospital; no-one had dared move me from where I had been lying originally, so as well as the pain, I also had to contend with the uncomfortable floor of the gravity chamber!

Trunks was to my right, and as I looked at him his face filled with relief and joy, as well as a great deal of worry for my current condition.

"Go-chan! You're awake..." His voice was strained, and he sounded as though he had to choke back tears - of relief or sorrow I don't know. He gently extended a hand and touched my cheek; I attempted to smile back but had to grit my teeth as my side suddenly started hurting again. "Is the pain too bad?" He whispered in concern, and all I could do was nod. He rested his forehead on mine, and once more soothed away the pain.

"Thank you..." I smiled at him weakly, and only then took in the expressions of the others who were gathered around me. They all looked worried but slightly relieved (except of course Vegeta, who stood away from us all as though he didn't have any part of it) but I could see that a few also looked curious...

Probably in regard to the displays of affection that had occurred between myself and Trunks, but who knows.

Bulma seemed to be shouting orders to people...something about getting a bed ready and calling a doctor I think. I felt strong arms lift me up effortlessly, and I thankfully rested my head against Trunks' chest.

I couldn't help but laugh to myself - Trunks was probably going to be so angry with me when I was better...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well I'm over the worst of it now, and I can happily say that I won't be challenging Vegeta to a fight any time soon! Bulma and Trunks tried to make him apologise, but of course he refused. Heh, can't say I expected one; I would have felt weird accepting an apology from him anyway.

I could just about sit up in bed the next day, but it was still both painful and difficult. Thankfully I wasn't made to go back to the hospital! Bulma said I could stay at the Capsule Corp. until I recovered, which was good for quite a few reasons....The first obviously being that I could be with Trunks a lot more - and he stayed with me most of the time so he could help if the pain got too bad. Also, (although I know it sounds ungrateful) I was glad not to have to cope with Kaa-san's constant fussing. Of course she came to visit me at least once a day; but I was glad to see her...it's one thing to see her every so often, and quite another to have to deal with her 'care and attention' around the clock.

Anyway, back to Trunks and me.

As I had thought before, he *was* angry with me for a while, but only because he thought I was unbelievably stupid in asking to fight his father. Thankfully now all is forgiven, and I had long abandoned being annoyed with him because he wouldn't spar with me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trunks gently sat on the bed beside me, and then settled down next to me. I snuggled down into his side; ignoring the pain while I moved - it was worth the pain to get where I wanted to be. The day was dull and drizzly; I had been incapacitated for three months this time, and the doctors weren't even sure if I would get completely better. However, it wasn't so bad...annoying though not being able to leave my bed was, I still had Trunks and everyone who came to visit me to keep me company - and anytime I felt frustrated, I just had to remind myself that I could be in a hospital and the feeling disappeared right away!

Trunks leant down and kissed me gently, stroking the back of my neck as he did so. I felt a tingle run down my spine, and reached up a hand to hold his face as I returned his kiss gladly.

Unfortunately...Vegeta chose that moment to walk in on one of the rare moments that he condescended to visit me. (Despite the way he acted, I took this as meaning that he was sorry for what he did, as otherwise I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have bothered showing up at all.)

"What the fuck is going on?!" His voice was a low growl, showing barely controlled anger. I felt his ki skyrocket, and Trunks jumped off the bed and stood in front of me, managing to look both completely petrified and defiant at the same time. "Boy, get out of here. I will...speak with you later." Trunks glanced back at me, not wanting to leave me alone with his father when he was obviously in such a violent mood. However Vegeta raised his fist threateningly at Trunks, so I gave him a gentle push and whispered for him to leave.

"...I'll be alright." Trunks looked at me despairingly, and sullenly left the room.

Vegeta stood glaring at me for a few moments, and I could see that he was literally seething with anger.

"Why..." His lip curled in distaste as he contemplated what to say. "Why when I knocked you out did you...kiss...me." He spat out the words, and looked at me with little more than hatred showing in his eyes.

"I...I thought you were Trunks. I was confused." I mumbled, not knowing either what I should say, or how he would react to whatever I could come up with. I didn't want to look at him, and so suddenly found an interesting crack in the floor to study.

"Look at me!" He barked shortly and then turned to face the door, his hand poised above the handle. Before he walked out, his back still turned, he left a final, inarguable statement:

"You will not go near, or touch my son again. You will not go near, or touch me again. Am I understood." It was not a question.

I tried to speak, but my voice was trapped in my throat and wouldn't work.

"Good." And then he left, slamming the door behind him.

Shit.

I did not see Trunks again until two nights later, when he sneaked down in the middle of the night. He kept his ki shielded so Vegeta wouldn't know, but somehow I could sense him approaching anyway.

...I couldn't believe what Vegeta had done to him.

Trunks was a mess - his face and upper body was a mass of bruises and cuts, and he now walked with a limp.

"Hey." He whispered, a little half smile on his face. "How you doing down here? My father wasn't too hard on you was he?" His expression hardened and his smile disappeared. "If he was, I'll kill him." I reached up and pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"No...but Tru-chan, what did he do to you?" His smile returned and he laughed bitterly.

"Oh, nothing he hasn't done before; don't worry about me Go-chan." I looked at him sadly, and brought his face down to kiss him lightly. Pulling away I murmured,

"...What are we going to do? Who else knows about us?" He sat next to me and sighed.

"Well, thanks to Tou-san, everyone now knows for sure, but he's the only one who really has a problem with it. Well, him and your mother." I groaned and shut my eyes despairingly. Trust us both to have one problem parent. "We...I don't know what we should do." He pursed his lips and sat deep in thought.

I felt tears springing up in my eyes and I leaned against his warm sturdy form gratefully, thankful that at least one of us was going to be stable through all this.

I snuggled down into the warm safety of the bedcovers and yawned sleepily. No matter how long I had to stay that bed for, I was pretty sure that I'd never get tired of sleeping in! I absent mindedly reached out a hand to my left to feel for my koi...only to find a cold spot and an empty space. This made me open my eyes and sit up in confusion - why wasn't Trunks there with me? Oh...

Until we had been banned from seeing each other, quite often Trunks had managed to stay here with me during the nights without anyone else knowing. Of course, his excuse was that he stayed so he could 'help me with any pain'...dammit I missed him so much!

And I was worried about him too. Since Vegeta had found out about us, Trunks' father had become a lot more bad tempered and unpredictable - I really didn't trust him not to hurt Trunks anymore; and Vegeta was stronger than both of us so it's not even like we could defend ourselves.

My Mom....well, I hadn't had a visit from her yet, and frankly I didn't want to. From what Trunks had said, she would be considerably pissed off at me right now and her screaming at me is something I don't think I could cope with.

I frowned and sat up in my bed, alone. It was so boring without Trunks to keep me company! Why...why did Vegeta have a *problem* with us?! I guess Trunks is his only son and so is the Prince and heir of Vegeta-sei... so I *would* understand Vegeta wanting him to get married and have children - except for the fact that Vegeta-sei doesn't even goddamn *exist* anymore! There is NO royal family, and there's NO planet for them to rule. Trunks should be able to do whatever the hell he wants. And as for me....well my Mom's excuse is just that she's her, I guess. Besides, she shouldn't care so much; she has one straight son and already has a granddaughter!

I looked up at the ceiling, and then let my eyes wander around the room, trying to find something of interest. I had just about given up hope of keeping my sanity when I heard a quiet knock on the door.

"...Goten-kun?" It was Bulma! I hadn't seen her for weeks....kind of strange, when you consider she lives here.

"Yeah?" She opened the door and approached me almost nervously. Her aquamarine eyes looked troubled, and she sat on the edge of the bed next to me and took my hand.

"Goten-kun....I'm sorry for what's happened." She bowed her head and I saw a tear fall. "I...I want to apologise for Vegeta. He...he's very stubborn, I'm not sure if I'll be able to change his mind about you and Trunks-kun, but I'll try my best..." She trailed off and I looked up at her, surprised yet happy.

"You mean, you don't mind that I love Trunks-chan?" She smiled at me and shook her head.

"Of course not. I love Trunks-kun, and I love you as well Goten-kun. You're both very precious to me and I want you to be happy."

"...Thank you. It means a lot to us. Have you...spoken to Kaa-san yet?" She seemed to be avoiding my gaze as she answered.

"...Yes. She...she doesn't quite understand why you would want to throw away your chance of having children..." I smiled slightly at this, thinking that maybe my mother wouldn't be too hard to win over; after all she did always say she only wanted me to find happiness, right?

"...And Tou-san?" As I mentioned my father Bulma actually burst out laughing!

"Oh! Goku-san...well...." She struggled to find composure, and then spoke again. "He...it's not that he minds, it's more that he doesn't understand." I raised an eyebrow, looking at her in slight confusion.

"What do you mean? What is there to understand?" She almost laughed again but restrained herself.

"When he heard he first said, 'Really? That's great!' But then a minute later suddenly said, 'But...if Trunks-kun and Goten-kun are in love, how can they have sex? It's not possible....right?'" I simply gaped at Trunks' mother as she continued to laugh merrily at Tou-san's naivety.

"M-my *father* said that?! Ugh..." I wrinkled my nose at the thought of my father asking such a question. "And...did anyone tell him?"

"No..." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, "He's still confused about that one Goten-kun!"

I chuckled a bit, still not quite believing how dense my father could be sometimes. Of course, Trunks and I hadn't actually been....*together* yet...but still.

Bulma stood up and looked at me, her expression suddenly sad.

"Goten-kun...I...I truly am sorry that Vegeta-san opposes your relationship." She bowed her head, "I don't know what I can do, but I'll try to think of something..." And then she quickly turned and left my room.

I sat for a while thinking about what she had said, and suddenly decided I'd quite like to see my mother...or Gohan-san actually - I hadn't seen him for a while. Most of all though, I wanted to see Trunks.

...It was then that something really strange happened. I was thinking abut Trunks, and I abruptly got a mental picture of one of the workshops in the Capsule Corp. I had never seen it before...and so had no idea where it had come from! It was then that Trunks appeared in the scene; bent over some invention or another, his loose hair falling messily in his face as he worked. Was...was I imagining this? Or was it somehow real?

Trunks...? I called out tentatively with my mind, not sure if this was just another side effect of the concussion and I was imagining things. In my vision Trunks looked up, startled. Had he heard me? Or was it still just all in my head?

Trunks! Can...can you hear me?

Goten-chan...? Is that you?! I gasped in shock as I heard Trunks' voice echoing around in my head. I really hoped this was real or I was going seriously crazy from being stuck in this bed too long.

Yes...I...I don't know how this is happening Trunks-chan, but could you some and see me now? I...I don't know if it's real or not...

A...All right Goten-chan...I thought I was imagining your voice at first, but I can see you now! Can you see me?

Yeah....come quickly.

I blocked the image of Trunks from my mind, and tried to focus on something else; get a clear mind. What the hell was that?! Some kind of mental link, it seemed - although I had no idea how it had happened. Unless...

Unless it had been forged when Trunks went into my mind and healed me using his own. It suddenly came back to me how much closer we had been since that time, and how on so many occasions I had instinctively known what Trunks was feeling. It was quite a scary thought, as I had never heard of anything like it before.

Did it mean that we were permanently connected? Were we destined to be together?

Heh, that is of course assuming I didn't imagine the whole mental conversation!

I immediately sensed Trunks approaching, even though again he had his ki shielded. The door pushed open, and Trunks peeped nervously round the door.

"Tru-chan! It happened!" I said gleefully, beckoning for him to come over towards me. He grinned in relief and approached.

"Thank God...I thought I was hallucinating!" But then his expression turned more sombre and he looked at me curiously. "Go-chan...this is really weird. " I nodded, but grinned as well.

"Yeah, but you have to admit that it's pretty cool! Some kind of Saiyan thing, ya think?" He looked thoughtful,

"Yeah, could be...Wonder if my Dad an yours can do it...?" I shrugged, and couldn't help myself from grinning wickedly.

"Maybe not....I mean, what if you have to be romantically connected to the Saiyan to make the link?" He grimaced as he realised what I could be implying about our fathers.

"Ew! I hope they *can't* then, Goten-chan, if only for that reason...."

"Heh, Yeah..." We fell silent, lost in contemplation about the strange new ability we had discovered.

For the second time that year, I had managed to recover from near fatal injuries. As it was not an experience I was eager to go through again, I almost decided to give up fighting. Almost.

But what can I say? I think it's in my blood. From what little I've been told, I've gathered that the Saiyajin's were always a war-like people...Although I know I'm only half Saiyajin, heh, it's still enough of an excuse to keep at it, right?

Moving back into my own home filled me with mixed feelings; on one hand I wanted to stay at Capsule Corp. so I could be near Trunks, but then I was also glad to be going home so I could spend time with my family, and also be out of reach of Vegeta's ire...

I finished off packing up my things, and sat down for a final time in the room which had become so much like home to me over the past few months. Sure, you would think I'd be sick of it by now...but, for some reason I wasn't. However I *was* thankful to be able to move around again! For a usually active person like me, lying in bed constantly can be difficult.

The room blurred out of focus as I concentrated my thoughts and contacted my koi.

Tru-chan...I'm all packed up and ready to leave... It's strange; we had become so used to communicating with each other like this, it no longer felt out of the ordinary at all. After a slight pause, I heard Trunks' familiar mental voice echo back at me.

Sure...I'll be with ya in a minute.

I smiled to myself as I felt Trunks approach - luckily I had persuaded Tou-san to ask Vegeta to spar with him this morning, so Trunks would be able to help me take my stuff back to my house. With Vegeta not around, the atmosphere in the house certainly felt a lot lighter...sometimes I really hate him, even though I'm always being told that 'he's not as evil as he makes himself out to be'. Hah! I've heard how when he first came to Earth it was to destroy it; somehow I think it would take a pretty evil person to do that!

...Although admittedly, he didn't destroy it....But that's not the point! Besides, Tou-san stopped him so it wasn't even voluntary!

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...

I cleared my mind, trying to stop thinking about Vegeta, when Trunks entered. He looked around in surprise at all the suitcases and piles off stuff that constituted my luggage.

"Go-cho....is all this stuff yours?!" I grinned sheepishly and nodded.

"Yeah...I don't know how it all got here; I certainly didn't bring it!" He chuckled, and looked at it once more sceptically.

"Hmmm.....I *think* we should be able to carry it all back, ne? Or do ya think we should take the car?" I thought for a moment before conceding reluctantly,

"Hai...the car." I bit my lower lip in slight annoyance. But cars were so *slow*!

Trunks laughed at my expression and sat down next to me.

"Goten-chan...they're not *that* bad!" I raised an eyebrow and flopped backwards.

"...I never said they were."

"What?" He sounded confused. "...Yeah you did, you said they were slow..."

"No." I sat up suddenly and looked at him, slightly scared. "Tru-chan...I *thought* that. But...but not at you, if you see what I mean. How did you do that?!" His eyebrows drew together in consternation, his lips set in a tight line as he contemplated.

"I...I don't know. I just *knew* it. Knew that that was how you felt..." I reached over and took his hand, studying the lines of the skin in the light.

You know me so well...

Hai; as you do me.

I guess...it's...it's weird, Tru-cho. It's almost like we're one person...

I know what you mean...

Well, no point worrying about it, right? Come on...I should go home.

He glanced up at me quickly, frowning slightly at the forced note of cheerfulness that I had projected into my mental voice.

"Goten." I turned my head slightly to the side and looked at him. He sounded so serious... His blue eyes radiated concern, and he gripped my hand firmly. "Are you worried about it?"

My immediate response would be to brush it off; say everything was fine, but...I couldn't lie to him. Not just because he could tell what I was thinking - I'd certainly be able to convince him if that was really what I wanted to do - but because he trusted me so much. And cared so much.

"...I guess. But I don't know why! Trunks....I think...I think I'm a little scared." I took a deep breath and shut my eyes. "Because...because we're so close. And it's so perfect...and I can't help but feel that it's going to all disappear, and your father...he's going to..." My voice trailed off and I discovered that I just couldn't find the words to convey my feelings. The way things were going, we'd never be able to be together! The problem of Vegeta - well, he was never going to just disappear, and yet he would never sanction our relationship.

A dark cloud passed over my mood once again, and I abruptly got up and headed for the piles of boxes.

"...Come on. We'd better get these back to my place."

My heart started beating faster as we drew nearer to our destination...I unconsciously clenched my fists in worry as a thousand different scenarios played themselves out in my head. What would happen? How would Kaa-san react? Would she hate me?

I smiled slightly as I felt Trunks turn his head slightly to look at me; I knew I was making him nervous too, so for his sake I tried to calm myself.

"Might want to keep your eyes on the road Tru-chan..." I observed, hardly even flinching as we swerved to avoid an oncoming car. He didn't respond verbally, but I felt the undercurrent of his amusement run through my mind.

I sighed and settled back in my seat, trying to mentally prepare myself for the almost inevitable confrontation. I would soon be home...

It had not been an easy decision to make. I suppose the only reason I decided to come home was so that Kaa-san would not felt that I had deserted her prematurely! You see, me and Trunks had talked about how things would turn out. How we would like things to be in the future. And naturally, us living together featured largely in those plans.

Truthfully, there is nothing neither of us would like more than to move in together now - but of course there's one *major* obstacle to that...

Our parents.

Theoretically, it should not have been too much of a big deal for Trunks - he was eighteen, and so legally an adult. Therefore...he could have gone and moved out anyway, except that now that Vegeta knew about us, there's no way in hell he would let Trunks leave the house for more than a day. And as bad as *that* sounds, my own problems were a lot worse. Not only was I not yet an adult (but only a couple of months to go, thankfully) but I was pretty certain that Kaa-san would rather disown me than let me move in with Trunks. Despite what Bulma-san had said, I did not expect Kaa-san to be anywhere near okay with this.

And guess what? I was right.

The first thing Kaa-san did when she saw me, rather predictably, was to rush over and hug me like she would never see me again. I tentatively hugged her back, shutting my eyes in relief as a feeling of familiarity washed over me. But suddenly I froze. I felt an unexpected surge of tension flow through my mind from Trunks, and I realised that Kaa-san was backing away from me and glaring over my shoulder at the other demi-saiyajin.

"Goten-kun." I had never heard her voice sound so cold and lifeless before..."Get inside. Now." My mouth moved wordlessly as I searched for something, anything to say.

"But Kaa-san..." She cut me off with an icy look; the type I had grown up fearing. I silently moved, but in the other direction - towards Trunks.

I knew my expression was pleading for him to make it all better, to force it all to go away...but I also knew he couldn't. Not this time.

Goten...I'm sorry...

I blinked up at him as his expression became more fierce in response to Kaa-san's aggression.

"Get away from my son!" Her strident voice shattered the delicate silence, and I almost recoiled as I saw the sheer weight of the anger in her eyes. She had never....she had never....

She had never been this angry. This disgusted. I...I had never seen an expression quite like that on her face before, and it was one that I prayed I would never have to see again.

I was frozen. I could do nothing. The plethora of emotions whirling around in my mind refused to stop, and it was with an almost detached fascination that I watched Trunks confront my mother.

But...but it seemed surreal. It was as though it happened in slow motion - I was helpless to stop it, and the words they spoke - shouted? - were blocked out by a mesh of white noise.

In an almost dreamlike state I felt myself being led away...back to the car...

Was I not going home after all, then?

Apparently not.

It was only once we were about five minutes into the journey that I finally began to emerge from my trance-like status; I felt Trunks in my mind, probing and exploring...probably trying to find out what was wrong with me. The warm familiarity of his presence soothed me, and a slight wave of euphoria passed over me as I drew myself back out into the real world.

"Trunks..."

As my vision blurred back into focus, I was rewarded with a view of my koi's worried face, but as I studied him his expression became more of a worried smile.

"...You alright now, Go-chan?" I nodded silently, my voice still not wanting to emerge quite yet.

I drew in a deep shuddering breath, and then finally let the tears fall.

I was completely at a loss of what to do.

It was...difficult, and I know that for me at least it was slightly scary. Being alone, I mean. Not really in the literal sense...of course I still had Trunks, and while he was with me I would always have someone, but the fact that we were isolated. Cut off.

Trunks tried to act confident, tried to comfort me...but I knew, I could see that it had shaken him too, and that he was hurting.

My family meant so much to me...and I thought I meant something to them! The hugs, the proclamations of love from my mother - had they all just been lies? Did she really feel so little for me that she wouldn't want me to be happy?

Obviously.

The reaction from her had shaken me greatly - I had not expected her to be so...vicious. I know it had not been directed completely at me, but in a way that's what made it worse. That she would act in such a way towards Trunks. My Trunks.

...We didn't know what to do. Where was there for us to go? My mother hated the sight of us together, as did Vegeta, so both of our houses were out of the question. My thoughts flickered and instantly my brother entered my mind. Gohan....yes, Gohan would let us stay.

After we had left my mother standing in the yard, glaring after us in angry disbelief I had immediately latched onto Trunks for support.

I...I don't know what I'd do without him. He's always been the stronger one...not really physically (though there's been a good few times when he's kicked my ass!), but emotionally. I just...can't seem to handle these sorts of conflicts. Especially with Kaa-san, I hate seeing her cry with all my heart. But this time...this time I wouldn't give in. There's no way in hell I would ever give Trunks up, even for my mother. He was....everything.

I rubbed my face wearily and narrowed my eyes against the glare of the mid afternoon sun as Trunks stopped the car by the side of the road and led me out, pulling me reluctantly into the air as we took flight.

"...Where are we going?" I spoke quietly, but even so, Trunks still heard me. He didn't answer, though. He shrugged.

My eyes filled with tears and I looked away. It hurt. It hurt that he didn't seem to want to do anything about our situation, and it hurt that he couldn't sense what I wanted from him. What I needed.

...What did I need?

The thought came unbidden, and I shook my head in frustration.

I needed Trunks!

...But he was right there.

I needed...

I needed..............

I abruptly dropped out of flight and swiftly headed for the ground down below. I settled myself by the small river, and awaited Trunks' arrival. I sensed him land behind me, but I bowed my head in concentration, not even moving when he placed a concerned hand on my shoulder.

"...Goten?" His voice was filled with many emotions....love, hesitancy, but most of all....worry.

A half muffled moan escaped my throat as the emotions I had tried to keep bottled up inside came spilling out.

"Trunks!" I turned suddenly and buried my face in his shoulder, sobbing as though my heart were breaking. And truthfully, it was. I felt his warm arms wrap around me, inducing the familiar safe feeling I had come to associate with my koi. He rocked me back and forth, stroking my back as though I was a small child. I was thankful...once again he was my saviour.

I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself, but not being very successful. I reached up and pressed my right cheek fervently to Trunks' left, and simply shut my eyes, finally relaxing.

It was quite a while later that Trunks and myself turned up on Gohan's doorstep...Trunks and I had not really spoken that much since we had met with my mother - words were not really needed...and I suppose I was glad. It was much easier just to instinctively know how my other was feeling...words were just too cumbersome, and I myself was certainly not articulate enough to voice what I was truly feeling inside.

"...Goten-kun? Trunks-kun? What are you two doing here?" Gohan looked mildly surprised as he opened the door, automatically pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose out of habit, even though they didn't need it.

"Um..." My voice was low, and I couldn't really bring myself to smile at him. "Could...could we stay here for a while...? Please Gohan...please..." I trailed off in a whisper, and I'm sure my features were twisted in desperation. I needed....I needed understanding. From someone in my family. Tou-san would just go along with Kaa-san, so really, Gohan was my last resort...

He watched me in concern, and immediately nodded, opening the door wider.

"...Gohan? Who is it?" I heard the familiar voice of Videl floating through from the kitchen, and as Trunks and I stepped inside we saw her enter the hallway and look at us curiously. "What are you guys doing here?"

Gohan looked at me strangely.

"Did....did you two go and see Kaa-san?" It was more of a statement than a question, really, but I nodded dumbly all the same. "Ah." He scratched the back of his head in a nervous gesture, and a look of sorrow crossed his face. At that point comprehension also dawned on Videl's features, and she too looked downcast.

"I'll...I'll get you a room." She said quietly; I don't think she knew what else to say. Gohan shut the front door, and then led us both into the living room. We sat almost mechanically on the sofas, and I automatically scooted closer to Trunks; his warmth was comforting, and distracted me from all my other conflicted emotions.

"...What happened?" Gohan watched us silently after that, waiting for our answer, but there was no pressure behind his question. I didn't feel inclined to reply...I don't think I could have related the events again so soon without breaking down once more. Instead, Trunks answered him, monotonously relating everything that had happened with Kaa-san. Gohan listened silently, his eyes reflecting the pain he knew we must be feeling. Just as he opened his mouth to speak once Trunks had finished, there was a frantic knocking at the door.

"Goten?! Are you there?! I...I know you are..."

Fuck.............Kaa-san.....?

The pounding became more urgent, and the muffled voice seemed to become more hysterical with every passing second. As I heard my mother's voice, I immediately stood up and started for the door - however I found that Trunks was gently holding me back with one hand circling my wrist.

I glanced back at him, my eyes full of pain as he pulled me back down to sit beside him once more. He put his arm around my waist, and simply held me as Gohan went to answer the door.

Goten...you shouldn't see her like this.

But Trunks, I... I can't stand this!

I know...but we have to be strong.

I looked away from him then, biting my lower lip. How could I? How could I try and be strong when my mother was out there in the hall, weeping and hysterical, because of me?! I was so confused....guilt, anger, bitterness...my mother now inspired so many different feelings inside of me.

"Goten-chan, come home." I glanced up, startled to see Kaa-san standing directly in front of me, her gaze soft and caring. I swallowed in disbelief...had...had she accepted us?

"...and...and Trunks too?" My voice came out a lot weaker than I had been expecting, and also full of hope.

"No. No, Goten-chan, just you. Trunks.....will go home to his own family. I'm sure Vegeta-san will want to have a talk with him."

At that, something snapped inside of me. She couldn't....she couldn't mean that....she knew what Vegeta would do to him....she wanted......no....why would she...how---

I leapt up off the sofa and, and now it was me who started screaming hysterically, tears flooding down my face as my heart ached and my mother stood before me, telling me to leave the one person in my life who meant everything to me. No.

"HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?! TO US?!" She involuntarily stumbled away from me, her hard expression crumbling in shock. That was the first time I had ever raised my voice to my mother.

I took a step towards her, not even sure what I was trying to do, when I immediately felt Trunks right behind me, a comforting hand on my shoulder, his thumb stroking my neck.

"Goten..."

"Iie! Trunks, I have to...I have to make her see...." My voice broke off, my body convulsing with sobs as I sank to the ground in Trunks' arms.

"Shhh..." He held me tightly, and I clung to him as though I never wanted to let go...and I didn't.

I can't remember another time in my life when I have cried quite as much as I did those couple of weeks.

When I finally pulled away from Trunks, the room was silent and my mother was gone. Trunks lifted my face to look at me gently.

"Go-chan...are you...?" I nodded, but didn't quite meet his gaze. Yes. I would...I would be all right. He stood up and helped me to my feet.

"Come on." He said softly, gently kissing me, "Let's go to bed."

* * * * * * * * * *

Why is it that people can always make themselves believe what they need to? It doesn't seem to matter what the truth is...

Maybe it's the only way to stop yourself from losing your mind.

But what if we faced up to every problem that came our way, and didn't back down or hide away from it? Would we end up as stronger people, or just break under the strain?

I think it's just instinctive...

I just kept telling myself that everything was fine, and that eventually everything would turn out just perfect. And did it? Well, no. Not at all.

I sat quietly at Gohan's kitchen table, gazing blankly into the tea before me. The pale green liquid was so pretty...why didn't it want to escape from the cup? Surely it didn't like being trapped like that...its only escape being down the throat of the drinker...

"Goten." I jumped slightly, and shook my head to clear my thoughts. What was wrong with me?! Glancing up at my brother's serious expression, I could immediately sense that something was wrong.

"What happened?" He seemed to be having difficulties trying to form the words, and despite the gnawing feeling of dread that was starting to eat away at me, I waited patiently for him to say what he needed.

"I-It's Kaa-san..." A lump formed in my throat as I felt tears spring to my eyes; his anguished expression told me everything.

"I-is she alright...?" I whispered the question slowly, not quite wanting to know the answer.

He shook his head.

At that moment, the room seemed to spin as the edges of my vision went fuzzy. No...No, I would not faint. Not now...

Kaa-san...

She...she couldn't be...

Gone.

But she was...

No!

The inner turmoil of my mind made me almost oblivious to the hot streams of tears that were running down my face.

"Goten...?" The voice made me faintly aware that I was not alone. But nonetheless it did nothing to withdraw me from my introverted state.

My mother was dead.

And...and...

You let her die thinking you hated her...

Voices...the voices kept taunting me...

You made her think her youngest son wanted her dead...

What? No, I never...I never did..

You know it's true.

It's not! I would never...I was angry, but I didn't.....

Liar!

"NO!" I heard my scream echo through the house, and it felt like my mind was detached from my body.

And now....now she's gone. You should be happy.

Never!

But she's out the way....isn't that what you wanted? Now there's no obstacles between you and Trunks...

That's...no. I could never want this! Ever! She was my mother....I still loved her...She just...

...Liar.

"Make them stop!" I felt the words ripped from my throat involuntarily, and I clenched my fists in unrequited anger and frustration.

And then...a soothing calm, washing over my mind and making the voices slowly fade away. A gentle voice, whispering by my ear, and firm hands on my shoulders trying to restrain my violently trembling body.

"....domo..." I heard myself whisper gratefully, and then shut my eyes in relief as my mind became completely silent.

What....what would I do without her?

Kaa-san...

* * *

In only a couple of weeks, my entire world had crumbled around me, leaving me buried and choking.

At the time, it had just seemed like one cruel joke - too ironic to be true, but...

In the subsequent days I drew more and more into myself, and would see no-one except Trunks and my brother.

The...the sheer guilt I felt was so overwhelming that I could hardly even bring myself to look anyone in the face. As far as I was concerned, it was my fault. I had not asked my brother the cause of Kaa-san's death, but he told me anyway. He thought I needed to know. But, truthfully it made no difference, as whatever it was had me to blame for it.

Car Crash.

Yes...that made a twisted kind of sense. If I had not shouted at her, if I had not upset her, she wouldn't have been so distracted while she was driving....it truly was because of me.

* * * *

My eyes misted over once more as they lowered Kaa-san's coffin into the ground in front of my eyes. Why was I the only one crying...? The others looked solemn...but, not truly devastated.

They kept glancing at me.

Even Tou-san didn't look that upset, although I suppose he has less reason to as he's already been to the other dimension, and knows what it's like.

...Why do they keep looking at me...?
I kept my eyes glued to the ground, ignoring the small droplets of rain which had softly begun to fall. The sky was grey and gloomy...certainly fitting for the mood, although I wished it had been sunny. Kaa-san always liked sunny days best...

They're looking at me because they know it's my fault, aren't they?! I know...I know!

With a stifled sob I turned and ran from the graveyard, stopping outside the gates and collapsing on the ground. At that moment all I wanted to do was die. Then maybe I would be free, free of this inescapable guilt.

I had considered taking my life a few times, but Trunks had always been there to pull me back away from the edge.

Damn him.

He knew...he knew that he was the one thing in my life that I wouldn't want to leave behind, and never failed to remind me of that fact.

Goten..?

I glanced up from my uncomfortable position on the gravel and blinked away the tears.

What.

Goten-chan....it's....it's going to be alright. Just...you need to stop blaming yourself.

But Trunks; it is my fault. I know you all know it. That's why everyone kept looking at me. And...it'll never be alright, because it'll never be like it was before. Kaa-san will never get to know that I didn't hate her...

Goten, she *knew*. And no one blames you except yourself! They were looking at you because they were *worried* about you. How many times is it now that you've nearly killed yourself?!

I shut my eyes in anguish and turned away from him as he crouched beside me. The mental pain...it would never go. Not fully. And mental pain was one thing that Trunks couldn't help with.

I reached out, grasping onto him for support, and pulled myself up into a standing position. I felt his arm around me, and...and it reminded me that I wasn't alone.

Maybe, maybe he was right...about everything...

And the sun came out from behind the clouds and started to shine.

Epilogue

After that...

Hai, after that things did seem to get a little better. It was still difficult, and I knew that things would never be the same again...but I coped, with Trunks' help.

Oddly enough, it appeared that Tou-san coped with Vegeta's help...well, I wouldn't know if they actually ever talked to each other, but Tou-san certainly spent a lot more time training with him. I think it helps keep his mind off of things... I've never really been that close to my father, and haven't properly talked to him in years - as a result I don't really know him that well.

It doesn't really bother me though.

Vegeta...Vegeta seems to have given up on trying to keep Trunks and I apart. I'm thankful, but still not totally sure of the reason why. Out of respect for my mother...? That seems unlikely, but it's the only thing I can come up with at the moment. I'm not sure if anyone understands what motivates him to do anything!

Everyone else seems to be doing alright as well. Just kind of...starting to get on with their lives again I think.

And I know that's what I need to do as well. Not too long ago, death was the most appealing option for me - though to the relief of many that has now changed. I'm thinking about going back to school...I can't even remember the last time I went. Trunks is, too, although he doesn't really need to considering he has an almost guaranteed job at Capsule Corp. as soon as he feels like it.

* * *

I smiled happily and curled up on the sofa next to Trunks, the television quietly murmuring away to itself. He smiled back down at me and lightly rested his hand on my shoulder. Until very recently, we had still been staying with Gohan and Videl...but we had only felt like we were imposing upon them, and so had felt inclined to move.

We now had our own apartment.

I could not really have asked for more, and now I'm perfectly happy.

As I stood on the small balcony later that night, I gazed up at the bright shining stars contentedly. Sometimes...sometimes on a night like this, I feel like I can sense Kaa-san...

And it feels like she's happy for me.

~Owari~