The rain seemed to pour harder tonight as a raven-haired half saiyan named Goten flew through the storm to meet up with his older brother Gohan, his best friend Trunks, and Trunks' father Vegeta at the arena that held many fighting tournaments.

He knew he was late but when Gohan had called him, Goten had just discovered his girlfriend Valese and another man having sex in her bedroom. He couldn't believe his eyes, but his heart broke at the sight as he took off and never looked back. That's when he got the call from his brother.

'I wonder what's going on? He seemed so serious on the phone.' His mind then went somewhere else. To his best friend Trunks, who he hadn't seen for a year and suddenly, remembering how long it had been, his heart dropped. "Shit, I'm the worst best friend ever. I completely neglected him but wait a minute, he could have seen me. Why didn't he? Did he forget to?' He shook his head. 'We may have spent a year apart, but I still know Trunks pretty well. He doesn't forget things.'

Thunder decided to join in with the rain, making Goten nervous as he descended lower to a safer distance. 'Why of all nights does Gohan want to meet?' He felt miserable and not just because of the weather but because of his hurt heart. 'And outside in the tournament arena? I mean I have my ki to keep me warm but still.'

Goten's mind once again drifted off to Trunks. He hadn't seen his friend in a long time, but he heard all the gossip, seen all the magazines, and watched TV about the President of Capsule Corporation. Trunks was torn into on a daily basis in his life, and Goten frowned at this. 'It's got to be tough for him, but he always looks like he handles it with dignity and grace.' Yet Goten's mind couldn't help but go to a more personal area of Trunks' life, the prince's sex life. He sighed. 'It just can't be true? One night stands, having sex with strippers, treating women like dirt. It just doesn't seem like him but then how well do I really know Trunks?' Goten shook his head at how silly he was being.

Goten saw the arena coming into view and not only saw his brother waiting but Trunks and Vegeta as well. Suddenly Goten could hear a loud pounding. It was coming from his heart as he descended from the air and in the direction of landing feet first on the ground. A feeling of weightlessness came over the raven-haired half human as he closed his eyes; he felt the rain and the cold revitalize his body. When he finally landed, he opened his eyes and blushed, realizing he had put on a show from the sky for his brother, best friend, and Vegeta.

"Uh," Goten said, "heh anyway Gohan, what's going on? Why are we all here?"

"That's what I'd like to know Gohan," said Vegeta in an impatient tone.

"Dad is coming home. I heard from Baba. We'll meet him right here."

"When is he going to be here?" asked Trunks.

"Tomorrow night."

"So, you called us all out here just to tell us that dad's coming home?" asked Goten. "You couldn't have told us somewhere I don't know inside where it's dry?"

"Goten has a point Gohan," said Vegeta. "Why so serious about it?" Trunks' eyes went to his long time best friend, and Vegeta noticed this. "Trunks, what do you know son?"

"Nothing important father."

"Trunks."

"It's ok Trunks," said Goten, "it's not a secret that I resent him from up and leaving whenever the fuck he feels like." His swearing surprised them. He never swore.

"Goten!" exclaimed Gohan. "Look I know how hard it's been for you with dad leaving but—

"Are you making excuses for him Gohan? I don't believe this. I can see it whenever someone mentions dad at home. The sad and disappointed looks on their faces and then somehow you and our family puts on a happy face and moves on, just like that."

"It's because we accept the choices he's made in his life Goten."

"Well, I WON'T accept it. I can't accept it Gohan. When dad comes tomorrow night, I won't be here to greet him with open arms like everyone else because I'm not a fool. I see dad for what he really is."

"And what's that Goten?"

"A dead beat dad."

"Don't YOU ever talk about him like that Goten. Have you forgotten everything's he's done for Earth?"

"I know what he's done to keep us all living. I just want to be selfish for a minute. All my life when I was young, all I wanted was to know my father. When I finally got that chance, I was so happy but then somewhere along the line, he became the earth's savior. He wasn't my father anymore. He was just some guy who came and left, playing with his family's hearts every time. I couldn't take it," he swallowed the lump in his throat, "I can't take it. So you go home, wait for tomorrow night when he comes home, and completes you and the others once again, but I won't be there when it all comes crashing down." He looked Gohan right in the face. "Tell mom I'm moving out."

Vegeta was surprised about everything that was happening before his eyes. Of course it didn't show in his face but when he looked to his son, he wasn't prepared for what he was seeing in his son's eyes, guilt, sadness, compassion and love. 'No, it can't be. It's not possible.'

"Trunks."

Trunks looked to his father. "What is it father?"

"The brat is going to need a place to stay." Trunks nodded. 'This way I can see if my hunch is right.' He watched as Trunks stopped Goten from taking off into the storm. Trunks' eyes were different when talking to Goten. They had life in them Vegeta had never seen until this moment.

Gohan had taken off but not before telling Goten to take care of himself.

Vegeta observed the two more closely until they came over to him. He could tell there was a shift in his son's emotions right away.

"Hey Vegeta," said Goten. "I promise I won't stay for too long, but I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem. I'm sure Bulma and Bulla won't mind. Of course they'll want to know everything you've been up to."

"Oh right no problem." The raven-haired young man smiled.

"Wipe that smile off your face and lets go," said Vegeta as he took off.

"You know he's still scary after all this time," he said to Trunks.

"I heard that!" Vegeta yelled as Trunks laughed.

"Come on buddy lets go."

They took off into the sky together, and Goten watched as the lavender strands in his friend's eyes swayed back and forth. When Trunks felt Goten starring at him, Trunks stared right back at him with a smile on his face, and Goten felt the pounding of his heart.

"Hey mom! We have a new house guest," said Trunks as Goten came into the Briefs home after him.

Bulma looked from her latest invention she was working on in the lab and smiled at Goten as she got up from her seat, hugging him tightly. "Trunks," she came out of Goten's arms, "you should really know better. He's not a guest. He's family. This comment made Goten smile.

"Thanks Bulma."

Trunks rolled his eyes. "Of course how silly of me to say."

"Now don't be smart with me young man."

"Too late mother."

Goten smiled at mother and son, thinking about his own relationship with his mother. A frown came to his face. It hadn't been easy lately, always arguing about when he was going to get married, and when he was going to give her grandkids. He wished she given him space to breathe. Every time he was near her, he felt like he was drowning. And now to top it off he had to figure out how to tell his mother that Valese and him were over. He could feel a headache coming on just thinking about it.

"Goten, sweetie, are you all right?" asked Bulma.

"You heard about my dad coming home, right?"

"Well that explains why you want to stay here so you don't have to see him." She smiled. "It's ok if you need time. I assume your family knows you're here."

"Yeah, I'm sure Gohan's told mom by now."

"Take as much time as you need ok." She faced her son and smiled at him. "And since you called Goten our guest, you can show him to his room."

"Yeah Trunks," said Goten as he smirked.

"You're going to regret smirking at me Goten. I'd thought I'd warn you," said Trunks as they walked down the hall.

"Yeah, because you're such a stand up guy." Trunks stopped in the hallway, and Goten stopped to as he realized his best friend had stopped walking. "Trunks," he turned to face him, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just thinking about something." Trunks walked passed his friend, but Goten stopped in front of him.

"Trunks, talk to me. What's going on with you?"

"Can we talk later about that?"

"Ok, you know I'll hold you to it Trunks."

Trunks smiled. "Yeah, I know Goten." Trunks opened the door to his friend's room. "Will this room be all right?"

"I guess it's ok," Goten smiled as he walked into the room.

"You're going to be difficult aren't you?" Trunks smirked.

"Well I am a guest here after all."

"Come on Goten you know I think of you as family."

"Yeah," Goten laughed, "I was just messing with you."

"Oh really?" Trunks knocked him over on the bed and they wrestled around the room like when they were children accept this time when Goten ended up below Trunks on the bed, he felt his heart pounding again and warmth spreading over his body. Trunks looked him directly in the eyes, and Goten felt himself get lost in the baby blues. Realizing what was happening, Trunks got off him and left the room.

Trunks rushed down the hall in a hurry and outside to get some air. 'This isn't happening. Please tell me this isn't happening,' Trunks thought as he ran his hand through his hair as he looked up into the sky. He let a breath out that he was holding in.

The air was cold but refreshing to the young saiyan and as he closed his eyes, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Son."

"Hey dad."

"Did you sense me coming Trunks?"

"Yes dad don't worry I'm keeping up with my training."

"Good. So, what's on your mind?" Trunks turned to face his father who had just come out of the GR, but he couldn't quite look him in the eye. His gaze went to anywhere else. "And don't think you can lie to me Trunks."

Trunks smiled sadly. "Yeah, I know dad. It's just I don't know how you'll take what I have to say, and I'm not sure I'm handling it so well."

"Try me."

"Well—

"Where is HE?" The father and son turned to a very angry Chichi making her way to them. Every muscle in her body was tense.

"He's sleeping right now Chichi. Maybe you and Goten can talk in the morning."

"I don't believe I asked your opinion on the matter Trunks," she said as she walked passed him and into the house with Trunks and Vegeta following her.

"What's all the commotion?" asked Bulma as she came out in her robe and slippers to see Chichi in her house. "Chichi, what's going on?"

"I know Goten's here, and he's coming home with me this instant."

"It's late Chichi. Why don't you stay here for the night and you and Goten can talk in the morning," said Bulma.

"Fine," said Chichi as she followed Bulma down the hall to one of the many spare rooms she had.

Vegeta couldn't help but notice the look of worry on his son's face. "Trunks."

"Did Chichi seem more hostile than usual dad?"

"The harpy does seem more angry then usual."

"I wonder what's going on at the Son home." Trunks sighed. "I think I should have paid more attention to what was happening in my best friend's life.

"I think it's best you leave it alone until tomorrow son. Then you can talk to the brat about what's going on."

"Ok. Um dad I—

"Don't worry about it Trunks. We'll talk about it some other time. Get some rest you have training in the morning." He could hear his son's groans from down the hall, and he smirked.

The house was silent, and the night kept Goten awake. He had heard his mother yell, and it reminded him of another reason he didn't want to go home. She knew how to hurt him with her disappoint of him. She would remind him how his brother Gohan had a successful job, a loving wife and child. He felt pressured by her to have all those things, but he promised himself that he would be happy with what he wanted in life not by what she wanted for him. He knew this would cause a further drift in their relationship, but he knew deep down there would be those people in his life that would want for him what he wanted for himself all along. This was enough to make him smile and get some sleep.