Chapter 9: The Day After

The King looked angrier than ever, his forehead muddled with creases, blatant against a deeply receded hairline. "Missing? Again?" he snarled as he stared down the line of men in armour behind him.

"He wasn't in his Quarters, your Majesty," said Bardock.

"He isn't around for miles. At least by all indications." added Raditz.

King Vegeta glared into the dirt, folding his arms roughly across his chest. "Where the hell is that boy?"

Aside from their usual ceremonial procession, today was Vegeta Day, an important occasion marking the day the Saiyans "founded" planet Vegeta (or as others in the universe called it, "Tuffle Annihilation Day"). On such a historic occasion, it was expected that the Prince would make an appearance. But he wasn't there.

Goten sucked in his breath, looking around nervously at the many rows of black-haired heads surrounding him, suited up, attentive and awaiting orders.

"Uh, bathroom. I need to use the bathroom," he mumbled to the fellow warrior next to him, who offered a mild grunt in return as Goten shoved past. Soon enough, Goten had quietly slipped away from the thick of the crowd. It was a no-brainer. Trunks must have returned to Earth yet again for the fourth day in a row. He would slip out and be gone for hours, but each day it seemed it was an hour longer.

Yesterday he was gone by daybreak. And people were beginning to notice. Of course, the days on Planet Vegeta were longer than Earth days, and a single hour could be multiplied 10-fold on Earth. Yet, Goten wondered how Trunks could possibly forget what today was. There was no way he could be gone on this day and get away with it.

Goten's forehead was beaded with sweat, anxious as he sneaked behind the enormous dome-shaped base camp buildings. If there was one thing Goten knew for sure, it was that if anything happened, it was his fault. After all, he was the one to insist they go to Earth. He was the one that forced the Prince to go to the Masquerade Ball. If it wasn't for his reckless actions, Trunks would have never met her again. He would never have gone back. It certainly didn't help that Lady Bulma had paid a visit to his family home just that morning, demanding Goten "spill the beans" on his best friend. But he had to lie, play it off like he was completely in the dark. Goten exhaled deeply, his skin paled with dread. If the King found out…if the others found out...

That was it.

It was up to him to bring the Prince back, no matter what it took.

"Taro!"

Goten froze in spot, his heart jolting. He creaked his head slowly, eyes wide as he swore under his breath. He'd been spotted.

The doors slid open, and Chibiusa entered. She looked around in awe, admiring the sleek floor and metallic walls. Around them was a legion of security officers but they weren't people; they were shining metal robots.

"Whoa, amazing, Trunks. Your grandparents really live here? I've never seen anything like it."

Trunks nodded, a great grin plastered on his face as he held her hand in his, leading her down the hall, giving her a grand tour of Capsule Castle.

"It's nothing special but, uh, yeah."

Chibiusa gave him a sly grin. "Don't be modest. You're terrible at it."

Trunks returned the grin, teasingly sticking his tongue out at her as he then led her along a moving staircase that lifted them stories high.

He arrived at the Castle earlier that day. Lord and Lady Briefs were delighted to see their grandson again but had broken the news that they had to go out of town to tend to business. Trunks told them it was no problem as he simply wanted to get away from the stressful life on that faraway planet. He had no qualms about being alone. He insisted that he would dutifully watch over the castle and their many pets while they were away. Of course, he mentioned nothing about his pretty, pink-haired guest paying a visit.

The two had now found themselves a large lounge room to hang out in. The room was calm, illuminated by the warm glow of lava lamps and decorated with exotic plants and abstract paintings. They collapsed onto a giant purple sofa.

"You think it'll really be okay that I'm here while they're away?" Chibiusa whispered lazily, her face leaned sideways against a green cushion. Trunks turned his head to meet her eyes.

"Good question. Lemme ask 'em," Trunks arched his back, craning his neck and cupping a hand at his mouth as he shouted, "Hey! Grandma! Is it okay that Chibiusa is here?"

Silence.

He smirked, flopping back down as he returned his focus to Chibiusa. "No response. I guess it's okay, then."

Chibiusa snorted into a giggle, jokingly nudging him in the rib. "That's a good one! Oh, we're such troublemakers."

Trunks laughed as well. Both of them sat for a moment staring giddily ahead, but before long they were overcome with the room's quietness. They cautiously turned their heads and gazed at each other with smiles on their faces. After these last few days of so many extreme emotions, this was the last day they would see each other for… who knew how long?

"What are the odds that after all these years we'd find each other again like this? We were so little…" Chibiusa said, blushing slightly, feeling the intensity of Trunks' eyes on her. "But now look at us."

"You're still the rabbit I remember: bunny ears, hopping around—well, the biting? That's new," Trunks said, indicating towards the mark on his arm.

She glared. "I said 'sorry' already. And I'd rather be more like a rabbit than a monkey, anyway."

Trunks reached out, playfully pulling at her cheek. "See. You haven't changed at all."

Chibiusa pouted, "I'd hope I'm prettier."

Trunks leaned in, his hand no longer pulling but caressing her face. "You were always pretty." Chibiusa closed her eyes, her heart pounding as she waited. Not a moment to soon, she felt his lips on hers. It was as though her mind drew blank, fully in the moment as he placed a hand around her waist, gliding along her shoulders, drawing her in. She fell lightly onto her back, landing on soft cushion, her arms around him. She felt his lips leave her lips, then touch upon her cheek, sweep behind her ear, and then land in abundant kisses on her neck. She opened her eyes again, yearning to see his face. Her eyes met with his and she saw it clearly: that look of desire. She shut her eyes again, allowing herself to take it all in. That day she had found him again … she accepted everything. He was her destiny.

King Endymion was refreshed, ready to commence his daily duties. His Earthly Generals were always useful to him, monitoring activities on Earth, making sure everything was safe and secure, particularly at its centre, the Golden Kingdom. Of course, he could also count on his faithful Prime Minister, Furry, the talking dog guardian who kept order while Endymion was away on the Moon. So on this day, Endymion was briefed that all was well by the Prime Minister and upon finishing his conference (via hologram) he proceeded down one of the many Palace hallways in search of the Queen.

He didn't have long to walk before running into her; she came from the opposite end of the same hall with a look of relief on her face. She had just come out of her own conference. Hers was more solemn as it included a short moment of silence in memory of the Great Tuffle Genocide on planet Vegeta. Such things were royal business. So the moments the couple got to see each other in between were fleeting at times, but cherished.

"Finally a break?" Endymion grinned, accepting his wife's hands as she gave a weary nod.

However, before more words could be exchanged, a pair of heels came tapping from down the hall. They looked to see Sailor Venus approaching, her eyes on the King. It seemed their break was over before it even began.

"Helios would like a word with you, your Highness,"

"Helios?" The Queen gasped, then turned to the King with rounded eyes.

Helios appeared by hologram, prodding his fingers, his expression anxious.

"What troubles you?" Queen Serenity asked, noting his worry.

"Well, it's about the Princess. I've been worried. I wanted to ask if she was alright."

The Queen and King exchanged puzzled glances.

"Is she not with you?" King Endymion asked.

"Yes," nodded Queen Serenity, "We were quite looking forward to hearing of her experiences over these four days touring Elysion. We've missed her so,"

"F-Four days?" Helios stammered, looking taken aback. "Your Highness, I've but only seen her once since the Ball. And that was to restore her memories."

"What?" the King bellowed.

Helios explained that the flustered Princess had come by one evening, and by dawn the next morning she had vanished and he knew not where she had disappeared. In didn't take long for the news to sink in and leave an unpleasant feeling in the King and Queen's stomachs. It was obvious that something bizarre was happening, and that their daughter hadn't been truthful with them. The question was why? And what, if anything, did having her memories restored have to do with it?

Without delay, Endmyion summoned Diana, the Princess' guardian. Serenity called forth the four Inner Senshi. As the Senshi stood at the Queen's side, watching with concern, Diana appeared before them, explaining she didn't know where the Princess had gone. Serenity looked about, noticing something strange. One of her sailor soldiers was missing.

"Where's Sailor Mars?" she asked, looking bewildered.

Diana shyly raised a hand, and she turned to her. "Your Highness, she approached me in the halls on my way to this room."

"And what did she say?" asked Endymion. The other Senshi gave pressing stares. They wanted to know as well.

"She told me she sensed something was going on. She asked me where the Princess was and I told her what I told you, that I knew not. But when I showed her this, she ran off without another word."

Endymion peered into her outstretched hand. Serenity did as well. The other Senshi, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter, all leaned in staring at it. In Diana's hand was a shining black masquerade mask with tips pointed like bat ears.

"Romana," the boy uttered, his wild shoulder length hair fluttering in the breeze.

Romana frowned. She hated the way he said her name, with such disdain. She cleared her throat. "Going somewhere?" she asked, curious, as Taro stood before the base camps, his beady eyes shifting dismissively away from her.

"I was just going to the bathroom." he said, steadily, unwaveringly.

"Where's your dear friend? Looks as though he isn't around, hm?"

Taro placed his hands on his hips, dittoing her pose. "Don't you have some place to be?"

Romana smirked, impressed with his continued attempt at defiance. "My place is right here, Taro. Trying to figure out why your poor excuse of a friend is proving to be an even poorer excuse for a leader."

Taro shrugged his shoulders. "Are you finished?"

Romana's eyes narrowed, noticing that Taro was staring distractedly into space, then at his hands, not at all subtle in showing that he was ignoring her. "Taro," she demanded, edging towards him, "Where is the Prince? You know don't you?"

"Nope."

It was obvious from the way he refused to make eye-contact that he wasn't going to answer earnestly without persistence. She sneered, "You're going to find him aren't you?" But Taro was already walking away, though not in the direction of the others. "Hey! Come back here!" she shouted.

"I don't know why you care what I do!" Taro barked, suddenly whirling around to face her, his brows knitted together furiously, "After all, I'm low-rank. My only duty is to serve and protect the royals and this planet. Isn't it?"

Romana faltered slightly, masking her surprise with an expressionless façade. "You know the rank system is meaningless, right? It only exists to keep everyone in line." Her lips tugged into a small smile, as she slyly lifted a brow. "Taro, you're probably as strong as Trunks is. You should fight him."

Taro stared dully at her for a moment, silent, before finally giving a loud sigh. He turned his back fully to her, continuing to walk on.

"Taro—"

"My name is Goten," he muttered, his tone flat as he stopped suddenly in mid-step. "And by the way, what happened last night…" he lifted a hand, pressing his fingers against his forehead. "It was a mistake."

Romana stared at the back of his head, her mouth hanging open, this time unable to hide her shock as she watched helplessly after him. Her body began to shake, and she felt the unfamiliar feeling of wet stinging in her eyes. She shook her head, blinking away her tears and glowering as his body disintegrated into beads of energy.

He was gone.

Staring at the nothingness in his wake, she completely lost it. She screamed.

"Taro, you dumbass!"