Chapter one:

"Missing"

Summary likely to change by chapter 4. You'll see why. Da Ying is mandarin for "promise."

Eighteen, Chichi, and Bulma sat on the balcony while their children played outside together.

"I think we might become in-laws, Eighteen." Chichi said, noticing how wide Goten's grin would get whenever he looked at Marron. It was the same grin she often saw on Gohan's face when he was with Videl. Goku also grinned like that when he was in trouble or wanted to get his way with something. She sighed wistfully."Goten is only nine and already in love. That's so sweet! I remember I was just a few years older then him when I fell in love with my Goku." Chichi's eyes sparkled as she remembered flying on a cloud with the young Goku.

Bulma gently pulled on her earlobe, trying not to be obvious as she glanced at the three kids playing jump rope. It was a game Trunks considered to be a 'girl's game,' and never played it with Goten when he asked. When Marron suggested they play House, Dolls, or Jump Rope. . . Trunks never complained and always did it. Bulma could tell Trunks was bored holding the opposite end of the rope, since he wasn't chanting along with the "Cinderella Dressed In Yella" song like Goten was. There was a small smile that never left his face, though, which only showed when Marron was around.

"Don't start making wedding plans for them yet, Chichi," Bulma smirked, flipping her short blue hair off her shoulders." I think my Trunks is in love with Marron." Chichi snapped back to reality and glared at Bulma." Yeah, he's definitely in love with the girl. A mother just knows." Bulma winked at Eighteen." My son and your daughter will make the cutest couple. Our grandchildren will look inhumanly beautiful, don't you think?"

"Hold on! Are you saying my boy is ugly?" Chichi growled, rolling up her long sleeves in case she has to get violent." Goten is the cutest little boy on the face of this planet! He's the spitting image of his father!"

Bulma rolled her eyes." I'm not saying Goten is ugly, he's cute in his own way. But compared to Trunks. . . . there's no contest. Trunks is way cuter than your son. I mean, you've seen how beautiful his parents are right?" Bulma raised her chin proudly." Trunks can't help but be beautiful. It's in his genes!"

Chichi slapped her hands down on the small table, just to see Bulma flinch." Your son is a wild trouble maker! My son is sweet, polite, and cute!" Chichi scooted closer to Eighteen, so Bulma was out of her view." Our children will make the perfect match. Let's agree to an arranged marriage between Goten and Marron today!"

Bulma pushed Chichi out of her chair." My son is going to marry the girl he loves when he's older, and that's that!" Bulma addresses Eighteen." Trunks may be a wild trouble maker now, but a softer side of him comes out whenever he's around Marron. She can tame him the same way I was able to tame Vegeta! She'll make the perfect wife for my son!"

"Hey, find some other little girl to match your son with. Marron's taken!" Chichi growled, dusting herself off as she stood to her feet.

"Marron is going to marry my son and make me lots of gorgeous grand babies!" Bulma wiggled her fingers on either side of her face and stuck out her tongue to tease Chichi." Just focus on getting Gohan and Videl married. I have a feeling Goten is going to live with you most of his life and never marry anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chichi yelled, grabbing Bulma by the arm.

Bulma was too arrogant to back down, and momentarily forgot that Chichi used to be the strongest female fighter in the world ( before Eighteen and Videl came along).

" I'm just saying you could learn to give the kid some space. Not even Gohan was a big mama's boy at that age. From what I heard, the kids at school relentlessly tease him about it."

Chichi's expression went blank. She didn't know her son was being teased. Goten had never told her about that. Bulma felt smug. Chichi didn't have the same open relationship like Bulma and Trunks did.

"Oh, didn't you hear? Goten accidentally called a classmate 'Mom' one day in class. Poor kid has been teased about it ever since."

Chichi looked over the balcony at her son. Marron and Trunks were now holding the jump rope while Goten took his turn. His black spikes bounced with every jump, and his happy laughter carried to her ears like music. She never knew her son was having a hard time. Chichi wanted to go to that school and demand that the principal punish the horrible kids that dared to tease her son, then instantly understood what Bulma meant. She really was suffocating Goten. If he was to ever become independent, Chichi had to learn to let him fight his own battles and get hurt every once in a while. He wasn't a baby anymore. She couldn't protect him from , Chichi wasn't going to roll over and let Bulma get away with stealing Goten's first love!

Eighteen stayed quiet. Watching Chichi and Bulma fight over stupid things was nothing new. It always happened when they were alone together. Normally she'd say things to fuel their anger, but it was the first time they had mentioned arranging Marron to wed one of their sons, and Eighteen didn't know what to say. She liked both of the boys, they were cute, smart, and strong! It really didn't matter to Eighteen which boy Marron chose. She saw the way both boys looked at her daughter and knew they loved her. Trunks and Goten would never let any harm come to Marron, and that's what mattered most to Eighteen.

Of course Eighteen wasn't oblivious. She saw the way Marron acted and giggled around both boys. There was one boy in particular that Marron loved more than the other, and knew that some day that boy would become her future son-in-law. Eighteen stared up at the blue sky."I wont tell my daughter who to marry. She'll decide that for herself when she's an adult."

Chichi had Bulma dangling upside down over the balcony by one leg, and let go in surprise. She thought for sure Eighteen would approve of Goten over Trunks.

Bulma screamed as she fell towards the ground. Goku flashed underneath her and caught her. He looked up at Chichi." How come you and Bulma are allowed to spar, but Vegeta and I can't?"

"We've been over this before, Goku." Chichi sighed, more with relief that someone had caught Bulma.

Goku gently set Bulma down as Vegeta and Krillin walked outside to see what everyone else were doing. Vegeta didn't like having to stop training just to entertain Krillin and Goku while their women chatted about stupid things. He especially didn't like seeing his son play with a girl, but neither his son or wife cared what he thought. He was being forced into being friends with Goku and Krillin and had to live with it. His son liked playing with dolls. He had to live with that also. Therefore, in his bad mood, Vegeta didn't mind when he sensed Chichi challenge his woman and throw her off the balcony. Sometimes he wished he could do that too.

"Why didn't you save me, Vegeta!" Bulma yelled, not bothering to thank Goku for saving her. Goku didn't mind. It's not like she would've died. A few broken bones was something a senzu bean could easily fix.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes." When are they leaving?"

"Never!" Bulma yelled at the same time Chichi yelled." Now!"

"Wow. Our moms like to play rough, right Trunks?" Goten giggled, having watched his Dad catch Bulma from falling.

Trunks' eyes were wide." Uh, yeah." Goten's mom is scarier than my mom!

Marron did her best to re tie the red ribbons in her hair, but the pig tails looked lopsided on her head. Jumping rope had made her hair messy, and she felt incredibly ugly. Her lower lip quivered as she imagined Goten and Trunks' reaction when they turned around and saw she wasn't cute anymore. She never saw them play with other girls besides her, and her mom always said it was because she was beautiful. Goten and Trunks wont play with me if I'm ugly!

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" Marron cried.

Trunks and Goten jumped from the noise. They looked around, making sure a stray dog hadn't appeared while their backs were turned and bit Marron. Which happened once when Trunks and Goten went inside to get lemonade for her. She thought the dog had belonged to Dr. Briefs, since it trotted to her and began sniffing her shoes. It's friendly attitude completely changed when she bent down to pet it. Everyone screamed a lot that day, there was so much blood gushing out of her hand that Goten and Trunks thought for sure the dog had bit it off. It took many weeks for Eighteen to bring Marron over to play, even then she was always close by chatting with Bulma and Chichi in case her daughter needed her.

Goten and Trunks hated feeling useless. They wanted to protect Marron without Eighteen's help! They didn't feel deserving of Marron if they couldn't protect her from tiny things like stray dogs.

"Did something bite you?" Goten asked, searching Marron's arms and hands for bite marks. Marron shook her head, and cried a little louder." Shhh. It's okay, Marron. Please don't cry." Goten looked over his shoulder, then gulped when he saw Eighteen watching him from the balcony." Don't cry Marron. Your Mom is going to think we did something bad to you and she'll never bring you over to play again!"

Marron cried harder since she only heard 'never play again.'

"Move." Trunks pushed Goten to the ground. He looked at Marron's crying face. He couldn't understand what was wrong, but could sense her fear. Eighteen could sense it too, and he felt her leaving the balcony to walk closer towards them. Trunks wanted to be the one to make Marron stop crying, so he did the first thing that came to mind. He kissed her. It worked. Marron stopped crying.

In the distance, Trunks could hear his Mom shouting." Ha! In your face!" But he didn't understand what she and Chichi were talking about. His cheeks turned red when he realised a lot of people were watching him. Their moms knew his feelings, including Marron.

Trunks pulled away from Marron and flew to the roof of Capsule Corp."I can't believe I kissed her In front of our moms! That's so embarrassing!"

Goten didn't have the energy to get up when Trunks flew away and Eighteen took Marron to the bathroom to fix her hair. He sat on the cold grass and gently touched the petals of a yellow flower while trying to ignore the sting in his chest. It hurt a lot to see Trunks kissing Marron. When Gohan and Videl kissed, he remembered that Videl turned into Gohan's girlfriend. He saw his mother's small shoes step near the yellow flower. He didn't look up." Does this mean Marron is Trunks' girlfriend, now?"

Chichi held out her hand." Let's go inside. You'll feel better after having a little snack."

Goten took his mother's hand and let her lead him halfway to the house." Wait. I'm going to get Trunks. He might be hungry too."

Chichi smiled proudly and gave Goten a quick kiss on the cheek." Okay. When you come in don't forget to wash your hands before eating."

Goten nodded then flew up to the roof where Trunks was sitting.

Bulma, Chichi, and Krillin ( Eighteen makes him cook) didn't feel like making anything special for dinner, so they took out a few loaves of bread, a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly, and began making sandwiches. They had to make a lot of sandwiches to satisfy the Saiyan appetite, which was surprising for Krillin.

"Wow. I'm glad I'm not married to a Saiyan," Krillin said, looking back at Goku and Vegeta who'd already eaten a dozen sandwiches and still weren't full."I'm usually worried about Marron finishing her dinner, not if I made enough for everyone to eat."

Bulma and Chichi worked together in harmony. Bulma would slide jelly on one slice of bread and stack it on top of the slice that Chichi had just whipped peanut butter all over. Working as a team, they were able to get the sandwiches done quicker to feed their hungry families. Krillin worked quickly too, but he was no match for their speed. He kind of envied them.

Goten came into the kitchen and sat down at the table in time to eat the sandwiches his Mom had kept safe from Goku.

"Where's Trunks?" Bulma asked, noticing that her son did not come inside with him.

"He said he's not hungry." Goten took a couple bites out of his sandwich and drank some of his milk." He said he wanted to watch Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha doesn't come on until tonight," Marron chirped, being a proud Inuyasha fan.

"That's what I told him, but he says he doesn't want to wait." Goten shrugged and continued to eat." Whatever that means."

Chichi felt sorry for her son, she knew how much he loved Marron and seeing his best friend kiss her must've been painful, but shared a knowing smile with Bulma. They thought it was cute that Trunks was still too embarrassed to come inside and eat.

"Everyone! This plate of sandwiches is for Trunks!" Bulma held up the plate and covered it with clear wrapping. She narrowed her eyes at Goku." Don't touch it or else I'll kill you."

"She's not bluffing," Vegeta muttered ominously before leaving the kitchen to train.

After they ate, Bulma spent more time catching up with Goku, Chichi, Krillin, and Eighteen while Goten and Marron watched T.V. Goku would glance at the pile of sandwiches and drool, but he didn't dare touch it. It was late into the night when Inuyasha ended and Marron came into kitchen." Dad, I'm tired."

Krillin picked up his daughter and she leaned her head on his shoulder and fell asleep." I think it's time we went home. Goodnight Bulma, thanks for having us over."

"You guys are welcome to sleep here if you want. There's plenty of beds." Bulma suggested.

Krillin chuckled." No. I think Vegeta has had enough of us for today." Krillin winked." We'll be back next week to torment him again. I promise you that."

"Great." Bulma smiled evilly."I'm sure Vegeta will look forward to your visit. He loves you guys so much."

Everyone laughed, except Goku.

"I don't get it. Vegeta hates us." Goku said with a frown. Everyone laughed again, which was starting to annoy him." Chichi let's go home. There's something I really want to do before we go to bed." Like catch a huge fish to eat!

"Ohhhh, Goku. You're so naughty!" Chichi giggled, further confusing her husband.

Eighteen and Krillin flew home first. Goku held Chichi like a bride and flew away next. Goten tugged on Bulma's shirt. She looked down at him." Tell Trunks I'm borrowing his Gameboy. I'll bring it back tomorrow." Goten flew a few feet up." Oh, and tell him that Koga loves Kagome, he'll know what it means."

"Okay," Bulma waved at Goten and watched him fly out of sight. She hugged her body and shivered from the cold breeze. She looked up at the moon, then towards the roof where her son was probably still hiding out." Trunks, they're gone. Come in and eat. I'll be in your room later to tuck you in bed."

Bulma sat at the edge of her large bathtub while waiting for it to fill. She poured some of Trunks' Spongebob bubble stuff into the water. She normally didn't like taking bubble baths since it left her hair feeling dry, but bubbles were relaxing and she needed to relax somehow. She had another full week of stress at work to look forward to before Krillin and Goku's family came to visit. She turned off the water and was about to step out of her silk robe when Vegeta came into the bathroom.

"Don't mind me," Vegeta smirked, undressing and sitting in the hot bubble filled tub." Ahh. This feels great."

"Get out." Bulma playfully splashed water in his face." This bath is for me, not you! Now I'll have to drain it and refill it with clean water since it's filled with your sweat!"

Vegeta reached out and untied her robe. He gently pulled away the fabric to reveal her shoulder and kissed the bare skin." There's plenty of room for you," He purred. Bulma smiled, then let her robe fall to the floor, leaving her completely naked. Vegeta held her hand and guided her into the bathtub with him.

Bulma sat in between Vegeta's legs in the tub, and rested her head against his bare chest, using him like a pillow. She kept her eyes closed, enjoying the way it felt having him gently scrub a wet washcloth over her body. She tilted her head up and kissed the corner of his lips." That feels good. Don't stop."

"Humph. It's my turn next." Vegeta teased, affectionately kissing his woman near her eyebrow. He loved Bulma, and enjoying each other's company in the bathtub was one of his sweeter ways of letting her know how much she meant to him. He knew he had to swallow his pride every once in a while to keep his woman happy, and to keep up all the frisky visits she paid him in the shower. Bathing in a tub without expecting sex was a better deal than talking about feelings, which Bulma always tried to talk about anyway. If she didn't want a short bath with him, she learned not to talk right away, and concentrated on enjoying his touch instead.

"Trunks had his first kiss today," Bulma whispered, feeling so calm she was almost falling asleep.

Vegeta stopped moving his hand and squeezed the washcloth." With. . . a girl?"

"Of course with a girl!" Bulma laughed. Vegeta lightly tossed the washcloth into her face to shut her up. She felt his chest expand and fall back to normal with his sigh. She'd never realised how much Vegeta worried about Trunks and Goten spending time together before now." How do you feel about Marron one day becoming our daughter-in-law?"

"She's weak," Vegeta replied without thinking. He'd seen her often cry for no reason. Her parents may be strong but she definitely wasn't a fighter. Bulma was silent, and Vegeta understood he'd offended her somehow. He didn't see Marron as a good match for his son, but it was slightly better than Goten. He'd always feared that Goten and Trunks' close relationship would turn romantic one day, if that happened there'd be no grandchildren to carry on the Royal Saiyan blood of Vegeta." But the entire planet is full of weaklings. . .I guess she'll do."

"I think they'll make a cute couple." Bulma said, closing her eyes and falling asleep.

A few minutes after midnight, Bulma had the feeling that something was wrong. She sat up, confused to see she was in her robe, in bed next to Vegeta, and not in the bathtub. She looked around the room, but couldn't find anything out of place. She fell back into her pillow and tried to fall back asleep. Everything's fine. It was just a bad dream or a dog barking down the street that woke me up. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. She rolled on her side and draped her arm around Vegeta, hoping that would comfort her. She tried every sleeping position possible but nothing she did could shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Woman. . . " Vegeta was annoyed having Bulma toss and turn, and he was tempted to ban her to the couch. He didn't need her screaming at him all night, so he bit his tongue and tried to fall back asleep. He was having a good dream about kicking Goku's ass, and needed to get back to it to find out if he'd won.

"I'm going to check on Trunks." Bulma finally said.

Vegeta grunted." The boy's fine. Let him sleep."

"Something is wrong, Vegeta. I can feel it." Bulma whispered, piling her side of the blankets on him and running out of her room and down the hall to Trunks' room. She hesitated outside his door, the feeling that something was wrong was growing stronger, and she was afraid to open the door. Vegeta appeared beside her, arched his brow, cursed, and pounded on the door. They waited. Nothing happened.

Vegeta felt uneasy, his son was a light sleeper and always answered the door when he knocked. Bulma clutched Vegeta's arm tightly as he opened the door. The room was completely dark, except for the glowing green stars on his ceiling, which wasn't visible during the day. Vegeta knew before turning on the lights that his son wasn't there.

"He's gone!" Bulma gasped upon seeing her son's empty bed.

Vegeta tried not to let Bulma see his fear, but he had the strong urge to throw up. He covered his mouth with his hand and clenched his jaw." Call Kakarot. We'll need his help."

Bulma nodded and raced downstairs to the nearest phone. Vegeta hoped that Goku would have a better chance of locating his son then he could. He couldn't sense Trunks' energy at all, which meant he was either off planet ( not likely) or . . . dead.