Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Somewhere Only We Know: Sequel to Becoming Trunks ❯ Chapter 8.1 ( Chapter 8 )

Hello everyone, if anyone is still out there and still interested in seeing how this story ends up….Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. My life has gotten really busy, but with the help of Hollyberry….oh heck, she practically wrote this chapter although she won't admit it, we got this done.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

The next day went unbearably slow for Trunks. Although Muyuki was constantly in his thoughts, he didn't try to contact her in any way. Oddly enough, the one thing he should've been dreading all day kept bringing a smirk to his face. With her customary attention to detail, his mother had taken charge of the upcoming dinner with Sachi. That little schemer was going to get a lesson or two about the fine art of payback.

 

Trunks was the first of their group to arrive at the restaurant. Bulma arranged it so that everyone would be in their places, including one of her favorite reporters, who would be discretely positioned at a nearby table with a recording device at the ready. All Trunks had to do was make a brief call to Sachi, telling her to meet them at six because he purposely wanted her to be the last to arrive. He followed the maitre d' to their table, then sat down and ordered a drink. Goten and Marron arrived a few minutes later, followed by Bulma, Vegeta, and Bra. Only the one chair between Trunks and Vegeta was left unoccupied, so that Sachi would be forced to sit between the two of them. Bulma craned her head around at the surrounding tables. She caught the reporter's eye at the next table. He winked, raising his drink slightly off the tablecloth and she acknowledged his gesture with a slight nod and a smile.

 

Once the first round of drinks and appetizers were served, Trunks leaned across the empty seat and asked his father in a low voice, “So, will you be able to know right away if she is pregnant or not?”

 

“Yes, and so can you. Do you see that woman sitting at the table over there?” said Vegeta, pointing to a table with a visibly pregnant woman seated there. “You can sense two ki signatures. Try it.”

 

Trunks concentrated for a second or two before picking up a second, weaker ki signature nested inside the first one. “You're right! I can definitely feel it, but she is obviously pregnant.”

 

Vegeta smirked and looked over at Marron. “Try it with her,” he said, pointing towards Goten's girlfriend.

 

Trunks glanced at Goten with a raised eyebrow then concentrated again. There was no doubt about it. He had felt a similar, but much weaker, ki within Marron.

 

“What?” asked Goten, obliviously munching on a breadstick. He stopped eating long enough to follow Trunks' fixed gaze and stared at Marron with a wide-eyed expression. He also closed his eyes to concentrate and nearly dropped his food in surprise. “Holy crap! I'm gonna be a father!” he shouted, before jumping out of his seat and embracing her.

 

“I was going to surprise you later,” whispered Marron, burying her flushed face into Goten's shoulder. “I just ran the home pregnancy test this morning and it came out positive.”

 

“Wonderful,” Vegeta snorted. “More idiot Son offspring for us to deal with.”

 

“That's quite enough, Vegeta!” said Bulma sternly, glaring at her mate. She got up and circled around to the other side of the table to hug Marron and Goten. “Congratulations! Do your mother and father know?”

 

Marron shook her head. “I haven't quite built up the courage to tell them yet.”

 

“Oh, no!” groaned Goten, as the ramifications of what had just transpired suddenly hit him. “My mom is going to kill me!”

 

While everyone was reveling in the happy news of Marron's big announcement, Sachi sashayed into the restaurant. Several reporters and paparazzi, all of whom had been “anonymously” contacted about her private dinner with the Briefs, had to be forced away from the entrance in order for her to enter. Although he was quite annoyed by all of the commotion she'd caused in front of the other diners, the maitre d' kept his politest face on and escorted her to the table where the Briefs family was stationed. As soon as he saw her coming, Trunks rose from his seat and flashed a quick look back at his parents. Vegeta crossed his arms and scowled deeper as Sachi neared, while Bulma gave her son a reassuring wink.

 

It was difficult for him to not immediately lash out at her, but Trunks kept his cool as he began introducing her to everyone. “Sachi, these are my parents…” he started to say, but she cut in.

 

“Well, of course they are, Trunks!” she gushed and held her bejeweled hand out in greeting. Vegeta silently glared back at her, but Bulma reached out and gave her a weak, “finger-tip-only” shake, just to keep up appearances. She then waited until Sachi's attention was directed away by the other introductions before discretely scrubbing her hand with the napkin, as if removing an unpleasant residue. Once the obligatory greetings were done, Sachi settled herself into the vacant chair.

 

As instructed by Trunks, Marron and Goten began to play up their parts, acting like a couple of star-struck fans and peppering Sachi with questions about her glamorous lifestyle. Their distraction proved to be successful and kept the self-centered Sachi blabbering about her favorite subject—herself. In the meanwhile, Trunks and Vegeta focused their Saiyan senses to see if she was indeed pregnant. It didn't take them long to figure out what the truth was. They looked at each other and both shook their heads.

 

When the conversation lagged, Trunks leaned back in his seat and asked in a louder-than-normal tone, “So, Sachi, why are you lying about being pregnant?”

 

“Trunks, darling, do you have to bring this up now in front of everybody?” Sachi laughed nervously, trying to cover her shock at his abrupt question. It seemed as if every face in the restaurant was now staring directly at her.

 

Leaning in, Trunks glowered at her with his most sinister “Vegeta” face. “Yes, I do,” he said in a low voice, “because you had no reservations about telling the world that you are having my child, knowing full well it nothing but a lie. You aren't pregnant.” Visibly shaken, Sachi pulled back and turned her head toward Vegeta, but his expression was even darker than his son's.

 

“I strongly suggest that you recant your tale, woman,” Vegeta growled softly. Her mouth suddenly went dry.

 

“I didn't make it up!” she squeaked in feeble protest, looking desperately around the table, searching for anyone to sympathize with her. “I took one of those home pregnancy tests and it was positive. Really!”

 

Bulma took this opportunity to chime in. “Sachi, you have announced to the press, and therefore to the world, that my son, Trunks Briefs, the president of Capsule Corp., is the father of your unborn child. This is a very serious allegation and I, for one, will not accept the results of a home pregnancy test as absolute evidence that you are, in fact, pregnant.” She paused and gave Sachi an icy, blue look before continuing. “I have arranged for a `chain-of-custody' pregnancy blood test for you at Satan City Hospital. If you are indeed pregnant, they will also perform a paternity test to confirm that my son is the baby's father. However, if you aren't pregnant, I will expect a printed, full-page retraction of your story in the paper by the end of the week.” The room went unnaturally quiet as she added, “Or else you can expect to find yourself standing in front of a judge, facing multiple charges of false accusation, defamation of character, and libel.”

 

Cowed by the sheer force of Bulma's “no-nonsense” personality, Sachi looked around in growing panic at the faces surrounding her, but no one was buying her story, not even her two “fans”, Goten and Marron. A tear fell down Sachi's cheek and she quickly got up from the table, running as fast as she could out of the restaurant.

 

“Do you think she'll follow through with that retraction, Mom?” asked Trunks, still somewhat worried.

 

“She'd better do it,” snorted Bulma, leaning back in her seat and folding her arms, “if she knows what's good for her.”

 

“You are one formidable woman,” Vegeta smirked, gazing at his mate with unbridled pride in his dark eyes.

 

“Mom sure can kick butt when she has to,” Bra giggled, her laughter immediately breaking the tension in the room. Everybody nodded their heads and grinned widely at each other.

 

As Sachi fled, she blindly bumped against two women who were just entering the lobby of the restaurant. She didn't stop to say she was sorry, but continued running till she was out the door. Some of the reporters still lingering outside the entrance caught of her bolting from the restaurant and decided to give chase, but lost their quarry when she dove into the backseat of nearby taxi and it sped off.

 

Puzzled, the two ladies briefly looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. The younger woman walked up to the host's station and said, “Table for two for Miyuki He.”

 

“Your table is ready, Miss He. Please, come right this way,” said the maitre d', as he gestured for Miya and Miyuki to follow him.

 

As they were walking to their table, Miyuki heard some familiar voices, raised in laughter, coming from the other side of the room. She turned her head just in time to be spotted by one of the occupants of the table. Bulma immediately stood up, waving her hand in greeting and motioning for Miyuki to come and join them. Uncertain about approaching the Briefs, Miyuki bit her lip and asked the maitre d' to hold their table, just in case.

 

Miyuki looked over at her mother. “Do you mind, Miya?”

 

“No, dear. I would love to meet more of your friends!”

 

As they headed toward the table, Bulma could hardly contain her enthusiasm at seeing Miyuki again, and ran to meet her halfway. The two elatedly clung to each other, hugging and laughing. “Oh, this must be your mother. It is such a pleasure to meet you,” smiled Bulma as she shook Miya's hand. “I must insist that the two of you join us for dinner.”

 

“Is Trunks with you?” asked Miyuki, already knowing the answer. She could feel the weight of his eyes upon her as soon as she saw him from across the room.

 

“Yes, he is, and I know he would enjoy your company. Please?” pleaded Bulma, giving the younger woman a beseeching look. Her amazing blue eyes, so like those of the man she loved, left Miyuki unable to resist the invitation, so she just smiled and nodded, much to Bulma's delight.

 

Bulma took a hold of Miyuki's hand and led her through the tables to other side of the room. Goten, Vegeta, and Trunks pushed back their seats and stood up in polite greeting to the three women. “You remember Goten?” asked Bulma, gesturing towards Trunks' friend.

 

“Hi, Miyuki! It's good to see you again! You look great!” exclaimed Goten. He had a slight “deer-in-the-headlights” expression on his face, still feeling a little shaken by the earlier news of his fatherhood. “This is my girlfriend, Marron,” he said, looking affectionately at the blushing blonde next to him.

 

After the two ladies smiled and shook hands, Miyuki introduced her mother to everyone. While all of this was going on, Trunks kept a close eye on Miyuki. He was thrilled to see her, but her irresistible scent was starting to fill him with desire. Vegeta was also keeping an eye on her, but only because he thought that she would try to “hug” him again.

 

After she'd gotten a passing waiter to add another chair to the table, Bulma began directing everyone into their seating arrangements. “Let's see, now…Trunks, why you move down one seat? That way, Miya and Miyuki can sit together. Miyuki, you go right ahead and sit there next to Trunks. And Miya, you can sit here next to my husband, Vegeta.”

 

Once everyone was settled, Miyuki fussed with her napkin and purposely avoided looking at Trunks. He, on the other hand, did not want to take his eyes off of her. “You look dazzling,” Trunks said to the woman next to him, but only the two of them heard it.

 

Though he'd spoken to her telepathically before, a startled Miyuki picked up her head and gave him a wary look. “Please don't do that,” she whispered. “I don't want you in my head.”

 

“Sorry,” Trunks apologized. “I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.”

 

Bulma picked up her fork and tapped it a few times against her water glass until she got everyone's attention. “Tonight, we happen to be celebrating two pieces of good news,” announced Bulma, smiling brightly. “We've just learned that our dear Son Goten is going to be a father…,” she paused for dramatic effect before adding, “…and my son Trunks is not!”

 

Miyuki flashed Trunks a skeptical look. “So, that model isn't really pregnant?” she asked.

 

“No, she never was. Sachi only planted those lies in the paper because she wanted to get back at me for not returning her feelings. When my mother earlier confronted her and called her bluff, she caved in.” Trunks shook his head. “I am so sorry you had to go through that crap,” he said to her telepathically. “Believe me, Myuki, I fully intend to make it all up to you.”

 

The waiter came to the table and took their food and drink orders. After the entrees were served, Miyuki and Bulma spent the time in between bites catching up on each other's lives while Miya attempted to get to know Vegeta. Miyuki's mother was fascinated by the amount of food the men at the table were eating, and even more so with Bra's ability to come in a close second. The time passed quickly with everyone enjoying both the dinner and each other's company. When everyone was finishing up with their desserts and after-dinner beverages, Miyuki felt it was time to leave and began to stand up. Miya followed her daughter's cue and also stood up.

 

“Miyuki, wait!” At his telepathic plea, Miyuki stopped and turned to face Trunks.

 

“It's getting late and I have to take Miya home,” she insisted, shaking her head slightly. Trunks then stood up and gave her his most appealing, puppy-dog face, which she was unable to resist. “Oh, all right,” she laughed, rolling her eyes and sitting back down. Confused as to whether they were leaving or not, Miya slowly sat back down as well.

 

Picking up the half-emptied water glass in front of him in one hand and a spoon with the other, Trunks tapped several times against the crystal until the sound brought everyone's eyes towards him. “To all those who are gathered here tonight and to those who mean the most to me, I would like to take this opportunity to make a very important announcement.” Intrigued by his words, everyone in the restaurant stopped what they were doing and looked at him. He reached down, took Miyuki's hand in both of his and gently pulled her to her feet. “I have only one thing to say,” Trunks said, looking deeply into her eyes. “I love this beautiful, amazing person standing here before me with all my heart. And I want everyone to know that I intend to marry this woman, and no one else.”

 

A warm flush rose to Miyuki's cheeks, but she didn't answer him right away.

 

“Aw, c'mon,” Bra teased. “We all know the answer's `yes'!” The room suddenly erupted in encouraging cheers and laughter, but instead of responding, Miyuki lowered her gaze.

 

“I can't do this right now,” she begged in her mind to him. “There's too much going on in my life. I…please give me a little more time, Trunks!”

 

He took her in his arms and whispered in her ear, “You are worth waiting for, Miyuki, so take all the time that you need.” Turning towards his family and friends, he said aloud, “You will all have to forgive me for being so impetuous. It seems that I've put Miyuki on the spot with my proposal and I think perhaps she needs some time to mull it over.” Throughout the room, there were scattered sounds of disappointment, but Trunks waved them off good-naturedly.

 

The maitre d' approached their table to warn them that a few of the reporters and photographers were still hanging out in front of the main entrance. Just at the moment that Miyuki began to fret about getting her mother safely past the gauntlet of gossip-hungry paparazzi, she looked over at Bra. The teenager was holding a smallish capsule in her right hand and had a very devious look on her face. “Leave it to me,” she said.

The scheme quickly made its whispered way around the table. Before long, even Bulma's reporter acquaintance was in on the plan.

 

About twenty minutes later, Bra and the reporter bolted out of the entrance doors, both peering around anxiously, as if searching for something or someone of importance.

“I just know that it just had to be her!” Bra squealed to him, clapping her hands in delight. “I recognized her right away, too!” The reporter stopped and pointed over at a long-haired, blonde female who had appeared a block away from the restaurant and was walking at a clip away from them. The mystery woman was wearing a flowery print dress and a large slouch hat, which hid her face from view. Bra walked around the reporter to get a better look and began to point, jumping up and down. “OMIGOD!! It's can't believe it's her!” Her excited, fangirl shrieking got the attention of the loitering newshounds. “It's…JENNIFER!!”

 

As soon as she heard Bra call out her name, the woman froze for a startled second then broke into a sprint. Like hounds smelling a fox's scent, the reporters and photographers dropped their half-smoked cigarettes on the ground, picked up their equipment, and ran after the blonde, all of them eager to scoop each other in what they believed to be a major star sighting. Bra and the reporter grinned and “high-fived” each other and watched with amusement as the pack of reporters and photographers jostled and shoved each other in pursuit of their surprisingly fast quarry.

 

It only took a few minutes for the coast to be clear. The reporter looked back towards the restaurant and gave an “all-clear” signal. Those who had been sitting at the Briefs' table calmly walked out of the lobby and towards their waiting vehicles.

 

“I'll have to hand it to you, brat,” Trunks said, smiling his appreciation at his little sister. “That ploy was absolutely brilliant! But, why `Jennifer'?”

 

Bra smiled up at her big brother. “Because there are currently three or four `Jennifer' celebrities that are currently hot and I figured that those guys wouldn't care which one she might be.” Then she sighed. “Darn it! I can probably kiss that pair of shoes good-bye. And they were one of my favorites, too.”

 

“Forget about it,” said Bulma, hugging her youngest. “As soon as the stores open up tomorrow, I'm going to take you shopping for at least a dozen new pairs to replace them.” She gave Bra a kiss on top her head and an extra hug. “I still can't believe how you and Marron convinced Goten into wearing your latest Halloween costume, makeup and all!”

 

“Well, at first, he was kind of reluctant,” laughed Marron, “but then he agreed to do it when I promised him a special little reward later for his efforts.”

 

As his family was getting into the limousine, Vegeta huffed to his mate, “I still can't believe it! What an absolutely disgraceful display! You'll never catch me wearing a dress like that!”

 

“That's too bad, Vegeta” observed Bulma, giving the Saiyan prince a quick peck on his cheek, “because you certainly have the legs for it!” She then ducked into the backseat before he could respond.

 

To make sure that Miyuki and her mother got to their car safely, Trunks escorted them through the parking lot to their vehicle. He first held open the passenger side for Miya then walked around to the other side to do the same for Miyuki. As she turned to get into her car, Trunks leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I meant what I said earlier. I love you, Miyuki. I will wait as long as it takes for you to say you will marry me.” He gave her a brief, but tender kiss on the lips. Miyuki pulled away and stared into his eyes. Why can't I just let him love me? she asked herself. Why did relationships have to be so complicated? She looked away and slowly got into her car. Trunks shut the door and stepped away from the car so that she could pull away.

 

“That was…different,” commented Miyuki to her mother. “I only wanted a quiet dinner with you. I hope you didn't mind eating with the Briefs.”

 

“I didn't mind at all. They were all quite fascinating. Although Trunks' father seemed very put off by the whole thing. He was a little scary.”

 

“Yeah, that's what I thought the first time I met him,” replied Miyuki. “But as a father, he turned out to be much better than the one I had.”

 

Miya felt a sharp pang of regret for all that her daughter had gone through. For herself, she had lost all of those precious years with her daughter, never to be recovered. And she was also filled with anger, directed mostly at herself, for not standing up to the man that stole her daughter from her.

 

 

Author's note: My next chapter will be up real soon!! I have it done, just need to do some corrections. Thanks to everyone who has been patient enough to wait for this one.