Ch 4

The engagement party had overwhelmed Goten. He was getting married, and it was finally hitting him hard. He would finally move out from his mother's wrath and be free to live the way he always wanted. So why wasn't he happy?

Getting off the treadmill, he wiped the sweat off his face, and walked towards the locker rooms. He had woken up this morning feeling stressed and uneasy, so he had decided to go to the gym to work it off. It didn't help, a lot was weighing on his mind. He couldn't help but remember the way Trunks had looked yesterday. 'He was kind of pale. Gee I hope he's ok. Maybe I should stop by and see how he's doing.'

Stepping into the shower, he turned on the water and when it hit his body, he hissed. The back and blue bruise on his back was still sore, and he sighed. 'I wish mother didn't take out her hatred of my dad on me. That's one more reason to leave home. I—I can't take it any more.' After his shower, he dressed and left the gym, taking off towards the Briefs home. Landing at the front door, he rang the doorbell.

"Goten! What a surprise, come in," said Bulma.

"Hey Bulma, is Trunks home?"

She smiled. "You know I can't tell you how many times I've heard that from you."

"Too many I'm sure."

"Nonsense Goten, I've loved having you here. Anyway Trunks should be home any minute with Vegeta. They went sparring, and I was just about to make lunch."

"Well maybe I can help. I do work as a cook at Rose Water."

"I love that place, and you make the food."

"Yeah, it's actually been a dream of mine to cook, but my mom doesn't approve. She says to leave cooking to the women."

"Oh, that's just like your mother to stick to traditional gender roles."

"She's trying to make me quit and work for Mr. Rose's company, but I'm sticking to my guns. I love being a chef."

"Well good for you," she said as she slapped his back, causing Goten to hiss."

"Oh sorry sweetie, are you—She saw the look on his face. It was more than the pain. "Goten—

"It's nothing, just a bruise I got from sparring with Gohan."

"You're lying. I can tell so what happened?"

"You wouldn't understand. It's embarrassing."

"How long has this been going on Goten?" she asked.

"It started when I was ten years old when mom decided to put me in public school. Kids didn't really understand me, so I go picked on. I came home on my first day of school when I heard from my mother that my dad decided to take another one of his trips. She was sobbing, and I tried to comfort her. She pushed me away. When she finally calmed down, she looked at me. Her eyes were filled with hatred and before I knew what happened, she hit me. I was so shocked and then I remember being alone with my bruises and my blood wondering why she did that to me," he said as he turned to Bulma, a serious look on his face. "I'm her punching back. She can't beat up my father, so I take the beatings in his absence. I figured it was the least I could do to help her get over her anger, but it hasn't worked. She hasn't stopped. When I move out, I'll be free."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" asked Bulma.

"At the time I thought I was helping my mom get through the days without dad. Plus it would be embarrassing to say I let my mom beat me up, especially since I'm saiyan and can fight back."

"You're a brave, loving boy Goten, but your mom was wrong in what she did to you. She hurt you, and that is no ok with me. She's supposed to protect you, not include you in adult issues."

"I know Bulma, but it won't last for very long. When I move out, she'll be free of me, free from my dad. She'll be able to move on."

"You're not going back their Goten. You can't just stand there and take her yelling and screaming as she hits you. It's not normal. You'll be staying here until your marriage, and I don't want to hear any arguments."

"It's just, how will I explain this to my family and to yours? I'm not telling them about the abuse, and you can't tell anyone Bulma. It's my burden, I'll carry it."

"You're willing to carry the weight of your father's mistakes on your shoulders?"

"I just want peace and at my mom's house, I'm Goku. I'm nothing more to her when she looks at me. It's like she's forgotten that I'm Goten, and I'm only Goten if I find a woman, get married, and have grandkids for her to spoil."

"So, you're getting married to please your mother?"

"It sounds awful when you say it like that. I mean I really like Valese, and I'm sure I'll be happy being married to her."

"Sweetie, I don't think you'll ever be happy until you're honest with what you want in life."

"So, why am I staying here again?"

"You've missed Trunks, and you want to reconnect as best friends in order to strengthen your relationship before you get married."

"Well, that is true. I've missed our friendship, and he did seem kind of sick at my engagement party. Is he all right?"

"He's been working hard at Capsule Corporation, but he's so much like his father sometimes where you can't tell what he's thinking or feeling."

"That's Vegeta for you," said Goten.

Bulma smiled. "Every day's an adventure that's for sure."

"Are you trying to say I'm difficult women?" asked Vegeta as he came through the door with Trunks behind him.

"If the shoe fits," she smirked.

"Well you're no picnic Bulma."

"Shows how much you know, I don't even like picnics but I love you."

Her voice was soft, which threw Vegeta off his game. "Bulma," he said.

"Mom," said Trunks.

"Goten's staying with us for a while Trunks. He wants to reconnect with you before he gets married," said Bulma.

"As long as he trains, I doubt he gets much of it in the forest," said Vegeta.

"So, what do you think Trunks? You think you can put up with me?" asked Goten.

"Only if you can put up with the sounds of my parents' having sex."

"TRUNKS!" exclaimed Bulma and Vegeta as Trunks laughed.