Ch 1

"Tell me again, why did you have to rent a cabin in the woods?" asked Trunks as he brought the luggage inside from the snow falling outside.

"It's the perfect place to relax and get away from the stress of city life," said Bulma as Trunks dropped the luggage to the ground. "Besides," she smiled, "I have a few friends coming up this week. It will be fun," she smiled.

"Mom knows what she's doing Trunks," said Bulla as she came into the cabin with her boyfriend Uub. "Are you against having fun or something?"

"No, it's just"—said Trunks.

"Oh wow! What a lovely cabin," said Bunny as she came in with her husband.

"Yes, it is quite lovely dear," said Dr. Briefs.

"Hey, where's Vegeta?" asked Bulma.

The front door slammed open and in came Vegeta with an unhappy look on his face. "Bulma, you know very well I'm not a fan of snow. You bring us here of all places to unwind."

Bulma smiled. "Oh come on Vegeta, isn't this place beautiful? It's so romantic."

"Hn," Vegeta grunted as his wife touched his shoulder.

Leaning into his ear, she whispered, "I can think of a few things we can do around here, inside," she said, practically feeling him smirk.

"Fine," said Vegeta. "You better make it worth my while."

"We're not stupid you know. Everyone here knows what you're talking about," said Trunks.

"Hey mom, why did we bring Trunks again?" asked Bulla. "He's being a real buzz kill."

"Your brother needs to unwind. He seems so wound up in Capsule Corporation that he's forgotten what fun looks like. His behavior kind of reminds me of your father."

"We're right here you know," said Vegeta.

"Oh I know," smiled Bulma.

"So mom, who did you invite on this trip?" asked Trunks.

"Glad you asked sweetie. The Son family is coming over, and they should be here by tomorrow morning. It will be great catching up with them," said Bulma.

"How long has it been?" asked Bulla.

"I believe the last time we saw them was during the defeat of the shadow dragons," said Bulma.

"It's been a year," said Trunks.

The night had not brought peaceful dreams for the young lavender-haired demi-saiyan. Many nightmares had plagued him tonight, leaving him shaken and in a cold sweat. Sitting up once again from another nightmare, he was able to get his breathing under control before he got up from the bed.

Leaving the confines of his bedroom, he wondered the halls of the lavish cabin his mother had rented. It felt warm rather than gaudy or overdone and each room had character. The silence was a bit unnerving, but he couldn't stop his mind from gong back to those dark places in his nightmares.

Making his way to the kitchen, he figured a snack would help him get back to sleep. 'Hopefully no more nightmares will plague me tonight,' he thought. 'I can't go on like this,' he thought as he closed the fridge door only to see his father. "What are you doing her—?"

"Trunks, this has to stop son."

"What are you talking ab—

"You know very well. I don't have to spell it out for you."

"How—how long have you known?" asked Trunks as he sat at the kitchen island with his snack.

"Since the first time Trunks," said Vegeta as he gathered some things to eat. "I figured you would deal with it, but it seems you don't know how to anymore."

"Who else knows?"

"Just you and me son. I didn't want to worry your mother."

"Good it needs to stay that way dad."

"I'm not so sure anymore Trunks. It's been years now and nothing has changed. Your mother may be able to help you with whatever you're going through."

"I don't need help. I'll get through this on my own. I just have to find another way to keep the nightmares at bay. You can't tell anyone, please dad. I need more time."

"It's been a little over 10 years Trunks. Frankly I'm surprised you're still standing and functioning on such a normal level."

"I guess there's some perks to being a saiyan," Trunks smiled tiredly as he finished his snack. "Well I should try and get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning da—

"What brings you comfort at night son? When I look at you, I see a lonely, tired man. What do you dream about that brings you such terror in the darkness?"

"I don't have to talk about this with you. Goodnight dad," said Trunks as he faced away from his father and continued on into the darkness.

Vegeta knew that coldness in his son's eyes, for he had reflected those same eyes years ago. He could feel his son struggling with something inside him, and he could see how scared he was to face up to what was troubling him. Tonight would turn into tomorrow soon, and it was then that he would know what was best for his son.