Vegeta stood at the window, eyes narrowed. He watched as Trunks disappeared into the distance, a girl clutched to his chest. She was small, her hair was black and blonde, and her eyes were a bright striking blue. Vegeta sighed as he turned away from the window. He knew her. He remembered her from a long time ago.
He shook his head as he made his way back into the bedroom he had once shared with his wife. He thought that that one night, that one mistake had been a secret from his past. Now, in the future, it seemed to have come back to haunt him.
Trunks stood beside Goku, watching as Chi-Chi lead Kiku inside. Kiku kept looking over her shoulder at him, worried. Everyone in his presence could see Trunks was not himself.
"Goku, Ill be back"
"Well, where are you going, Trunks? You're not just gonna leave her here alone, are you?"
Trunks shook his head. "No, I'm gonna come back soon. I just need to do something first."
Piccolo appeared behind him, and Trunks turned, a look of determination folding his features and shadowing his bright blue eyes. Piccolo stood unwavering, his displeasure evident on his face.
"Trunks. You need to think about what you're doing."
Trunks shook his head and began to walk away. Goku stopped him, his hand caring yet firm on his shoulder. "Trunks...what happened?"
Goku was like family to him. Goku had been there through everything, and Trunks trusted him more than just about anyone at that moment.
"20 years ago, my dad did something terrible..."
Goku looked puzzled and concerned. He shrugged. "Your dad has always done bad things though, Trunks"
In spite of his anger, Trunks chortled. It was short lived, and he frowned"This is worse. He hurt her, Goku. He hurt someone i love. He did something horrible"
Goku dropped his hand to his side, a sad look on his face. "But if it was 20 years ago, he didn't know you would care about her Trunks."
Again, Trunks shook his head and turned around. "It doesn't matter. The fact that he did it at all is terrible. He has to pay for what he did"
He shot into the air without another word and was gone. Piccolo stepped up beside Goku, his arms crossed solemnly over his chest, with his head down, eyes down, he spoke "Goku...follow him"
XXXXXXX
"You son of a bitch!"
Vegeta noticed a second too late what was about to happen. Trunks threw a punch to his gut that doubled him over and forced the last bit of air from his lungs. He chuckled, half in surprise and half in anger. He looked up at Trunks, a smug smile on his face. Trunks was seething, shaking in his rage. Vegeta wasn't surprised to see that Trunks also had tears in his eyes. Pathetic. He fell to his knees, clutching at his abdomen.
"Ive got to hand it to you son, your taste in women is amazing. Just like your father. Now imagine how much better it would've been if you had been the one to get there first"
Trunks let out a growl, his anger stifling in its intensity. He felt betrayed and hurt. He had fallen in love with a girl for the first time in his life. He had wanted her all to himself, he would've done anything to save her from her pain. Now that he had finally come face to face with his fathers sin, he felt himself losing it. He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that it could've been devastating when he finally learned the truth of that night. His hope had kept him breathing, kept him from breaking down. His hope was gone now, dashed to pieces on the jagged rocks of betrayal. "You shut your mouth!" As the last word roared from his mouth, he erupted forward, striking out at his father with an uppercut that landed squarely on its mark.
Vegeta felt his top and bottom teeth clatter together with a sound that made him feel sick. Then the pain hit him like a truck, and before he knew it, he was on his ass. He stayed conscious - he made sure of it-despite the colors swirling in his vision, as the world twirled around him.
"Trunks...Trunks, stop!"
Vegeta could hear Goku's voice to his right, and looked up to see him holding Trunks back. Goku looked back at Vegeta, eyes shadowed by a strong emotion, though disappointment or anger, Vegeta couldn't be sure. He felt blood pooling under his tongue, and he leaned over, spitting it onto the ground. Somehow, he seemed to have kept all of his teeth...
Goku was pushing at Trunks, forcing him to back away. Finally, in words only Trunks could hear, he was able to convince Trunks to stand down. Trunks backed away, his hands still balled into fists. Goku watched him walk away, and after a moment turned towards Vegeta. "Vegeta?"
The saiyan prince was up now, on his hands and knees. Blood fell from his mouth, pooling on the ground beneath him. He could practically feel the anger rolling from his son in waves, like a volcanic eruption. He couldn't help but feel, for the first time in his life, guilty. Shakily he got to his feet, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. It came away smeared in blood, just as he expected.
Trunks leaned around Goku, spitting his words like venom. "Don't you ever come near her again. Ever"
Vegeta staggered to his feet, dazed. Though he did, in fact, feel guilt, he refused to show it. He refused to allow a girl to destroy him. What happened 20 years ago on that night could not be changed. Vegeta sighed as Trunks turned to walk away.
Trunks stopped then, glaring daggers over his shoulder. He dared not turn around to face his father, because he knew there would be no holding back another explosion.
When Vegeta spoke, his voice was strong and exasperation lurked just below the surface.
" Trunks, it was a long time ago!"
Trunks found himself unable to meet his fathers eyes. " It doesn't matter! How could you do that?"
Vegeta stood then, clenching his fists. His anger roared like a hurricane. Anger at himself. Anger at memories he had buried long ago." I couldn't control myself! Trunks, I didn't mean it! I didn't even realize what I was doing! Trunks, I'm sorry!"
Piccolo landed softly between Vegeta and Trunks. He had been there that night and had seen the mean spirit and lust in Vegetas eyes. He had fought Vegeta off until the sun rose, when Vegeta passed out in the mud. He turned towards the youngest saiyan, watching as Trunks' anger slowly ebbed away. The boy looked ruined and defeated, confused and sad. Piccolo saw Trunks look away, turning over his fathers words in his head. When Trunks finally spoke, his voice wavered.
"Dad...you raped her"
Vegeta wilted, his hands unclenching and falling open at his sides. The normally proud prince looked tired. " Trunks, you are my only son. You are all I have left in this world since your mother died. She humbled me. What happened that night...was something I'm glad she never found out. I am ashamed of what I did, Trunks. She would've hated me too..."
Piccolo looked from the prince to his son, weighing his options. " Trunks...there is something you need to know."
Goku stepped aside, his usually cheerful face darkened and hollow.
Trunks met the namekians gaze with hurt, glazed eyes. He felt empty inside. No apology could take back what had happened, and only time could make this better, though it would never be the same. He would never forget her eyes that night in the forest. He would never forget the way she pulled and pawed at him like a caged animal, begging with him to take her pain away.
Piccolo took a deep breath, "Trunks, when a saiyan keeps their tail, they transform into a great ape during a full moon. A saiyan who has experienced transformation, yet has had their tail removed will go through a mental change instead of a physical one. That night was only Vegeta's 3rd full moon without a tail. He had no control over his actions."
Goku looked up, a look of understanding in his eyes,"It's true, Trunks. The same thing happened to me when my tail was removed.I went crazy!" He gulped and threw a sideways glance at Vegeta. " But I never...did that"
Vegeta's returned glare was icy cold.
Piccolo continued," Trunks, while I am not saying what your father did was acceptable, I think he should be forgiven."
Trunks turned towards his father then, his eyed hollow and unreadable. "It isn't up to me."
