Raindrops

Chapter 14: Sneak and Hurt

A/N: Sorry for the delay folks! A whole chunk of my chapters have actually been prewritten and just waiting to be shared with all you wonderful people :D I've also been having a pretty difficult time with managing moving to a new state, and all that.

The commotion of the school hallways reverberated in Bulla's skull. The sounds of lockers slamming, uproarious laughter and administrators yelling at students filled the atmosphere...with a slight musk of body odor intertwining in the air. Bulla, somehow, maneuvered her way through the thickly dense hallways of West City High in her clunky dress shoes and stiff mandatory uniform. The princess was itching to pry the blazer off and just fly out of school. For a moment, she contemplated just how bad it'd be to sneak out of school...she was a Saiyan, they wouldn't catch her even if they tried.

Bulla stared down to her brown, boxy shoes then stared long and hard at the metal locker before her. Before she could even think of the people around her, the blue-haired hybrid let out an enraged kick to her locker, leaving a significant dent in the metal. People froze all around her, and Bulla could suddenly feel her cheeks burning from her outburst.

Her mother always did say she didn't belong in a normal school...what, with her Vegeta-like temper it was a surprise she wasn't in detention more often for her misbehaving on campus. Quickly, she took off running to the courtyard. She could feel the regal bun loosening itself with every bounce she took, more and more of her frayed Saiyan-like hair peeking out of her masterful gelling down.

She was definitely sneaking out now.

Bulla could not hold herself in the stuffy high school for a moment longer. She could practically feel the walls closing in on her...all she wanted was to break out of her "cage." Perhaps this built up tension stems from the girl being in her final days of high school...and that very itching feeling of being there was finally getting to her...who knows. However, Bulla knew one thing to be true...she had to get out of there...and she knew just the person to see.

Trunks popped into her mind immediately. Truth be told, she missed her older brother dearly...their bickering, their sparring, it was just a way of life for her. But since the day he took off on his own to that highrise...Bulla hasn't seen her older brother in a long time. Despite how insufferable he could be, she almost got...emotional...thinking of him. Excited when she hears anything about him, she guesses the saying is true: distance does make the heart grow fonder. Bulla took off into the sky, her skirt not being cooperative with her flight.

As she glanced towards the tall highrise she spotted her brother on the balcony, to her surprise, looking down-trodden and disheveled. Bulla landed gently on the balcony and tilted her head, the now messy bun flopping with her. "Trunks?" Bulla asked gently, as to not startle him.

Her sensitive nose picked up on the cigarette and Bulla was quick to snatch it out of his hands, putting it out with the bottom of her shoe. "Those things are no good for you," Bulla chastised, "ya know if dad found out you were picking up on mom's nasty habits he'd kick your ass."

Trunks sighed, pushing up the messy lavender-hair off of his face, revealing deep-set bags under his eyes. "Whaddya want, Bulla?" Trunks groaned, slumping down on the outdoor chair, "here to make a daily report for mom or something?"

Bulla clicked her tongue, leaning her arms on the railing of the balcony. "Ah...ye have little faith, brother," Bulla said slyly. Trunks rolled his eyes at Bulla's word choice. "Oh what, can't I just say hi to my big brother?" Bulla asked innocently but grew upset with the lack of response. She curiously wandered closer to the hybrid, inspecting his face. "Jeez, you look the worse for wear."

Trunks only passively shrugged at the comment, rubbing his eyes frustratedly. "Yeah, I know," Trunks groaned out finally, "Capsule Corp's annual earnings are coming up soon, and...of course our dear mother has a stick up her ass trying to ensure everything is perfect...like it's not even my job to count all this crap," he continued.

Bulla slumped down beside the hybrid, listening intently. "Mom only does it because she doesn't want grandpa's work to be destroyed," she pointed out, "It's nothing personal against you."

Trunks looked up to the cloudy gray sky, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Why can't she trust me?"

"You haven't really been Mr. Reliable, it takes more than that to prove yourself to Mom," Bra pointed out, "what with all those parties you threw...Mom can't trust you like that."

Trunks slid down further on the lounge chair, taking a sip out of his drink. "Seriously Bulla, why'd you come?" Trunks asked groggily staring off into the skyline, before perking his head up, "hold on...shouldn't you be in school?"

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Bulla retorted arms crossed defiantly. With a gentle pout, she slumped on the railing of the balcony, "can we just...spend time together?" She asked softly. "I miss you."

Trunks sighed, getting up from his chair, dusting down his robe. "Give me five minutes, I'll take you somewhere."

Marron stared at her watch, staring off in the distance, tapping an impatient foot. She was back at the same dock Trunks took her when she first moved to the city, and couldn't help but feel her heart aglow at the memory. She didn't think about it then, but she was very in denial of her emotions. Trunks had become someone who she wanted to keep around...for a long time.

But the ever-increasing fear that he wouldn't want her back is frightening...and she didn't want to ruin the friendship. Valese's idea...while tempting, would be too terrible for her own heart. So she called Goten.

Goten, knew more about Cash than Trunks ever did. Fortunately for Marron, he agreed to come to the dock with her and discuss a plan to finally put Cash in his place. The blonde stared long and hard in the opposite direction of the ocean waiting for some crazy-haired Saiyan to appear, however, like always, Marron forgot they can fly.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and the blonde jumped, whipping her head around to find...nothing. Marron cocked her head before she heard a cheerful "over here!"

Marron turned to find Goten leaning dangerously close to her face, causing her to lean back. "Jeez, you need to work on your reflexes Mar!" Goten stated, sitting beside her, "Sloppy, sloppy," he jokingly chastised.

She scoffed, leaning back staring at the wisps of purple and orange in the sky, "Y'know why you're here, Goten?" Marron asked gently.

Goten crossed his legs, rubbing his chin. "Well..." he cocked his head, "not sure, but I know it's gotta do with beating up some asshole."

Marron nodded, a smile forming on her face. "Remember my ex-boyfriend?"

He nodded, a disgusted look on his face. How could he forget? He recalled the times his father drug him to Kame House and this older man would be hours on end by Marron's side. Making everyone in the room uncomfortable. "The creepy teacher?" He asked. "What was the guy's name...Cashew? Nutmeg?" Goten asked inwardly, his feet now swinging off the dock, "it was somethin' stupid..."

"Dumber than Goten?" Marron quipped causing the hybrid to look at her with faux-hurt. "I'm joking," Marron reassured, "and...his name was Cash."

Goten nodded reaffirming his own suspicions, "See, stupid!"

Marron sighed, hugging her knees. "Well, ya see..." Marron began, unsure how to proceed. "I sorta lied to him about something to get him off my back...and...I just need to know if you are willing to do any of this..." Marron stalled. "I guess what I'm trying to say here is..." she continued, "can you pretend to be my boyfriend so he can leave me alone?" Marron asked quickly, biting down hard on her lip after listening to her own words. She was embarrassed at the question and the fact she made it seem like such a big deal was cringeworthy...but it was a big deal...to her.

Goten, in response, erupted in uproarious laughter, so hard, in fact, it knocked him on his side. "Y-You want me to play pretend?" he practically wheezed in disbelief, "ya' sure you're bestie would be okay with this?"

Marron rolled her eyes, but before she could utter another word, she turned and caught Trunks staring at her from a distance. Almost immediately, she caught the icy stare he drilled into her. Trunks, with a final spiteful glance, gripped the plastic bag in his hands as he turned to his sister who was standing behind him uttering unintelligible words.

Marron stepped down on the grass, walking towards the hybrid, but Trunks blasted away before she got the chance to utter out a single word. Her face twisted into a painful expression, eyes staring hard at the trail of energy he left behind. Unsure, of what she should do the blonde managed a weak blast into the air, chasing after him.

Bulla stood still, lips partly agape as she stared at the blonde fly. "I don't think he's happy," Bulla stated softly.

Goten stared at the blue-haired girl. "Trunks is never happy these days," Goten stated bitterly as he walked up to her. "I wouldn't be...anyway."

Bulla sighed, kicking the patch of dirt in front of her. "Have you tried talking to him?" Bulla asked, "I'm sure this can be resolved with-"

Goten clenched his jaw, staring at the ground. "No," Goten replied, somewhat stubborn, "B, this isn't your business."

She furrowed her brows stepping up to the taller hybrid, "listen here," she said pointed a manicured nail into his chest. "I don't know what you guys are arguing about...all I want is my big brother back," Bulla harrumphed. She was tired of being pushed to the side when all she wanted was what was best for Trunks.

Goten, Marron, and her brother have all dodged her questions and the very fact she couldn't help drove her insane. "I realize your egos are both too thick to apologize and communicate but ignoring each other when you two have literally fused isn't doing you any wonders," Bulla began to raise her volume, "my brother is a slob and you're life is a mess."

Goten stared at his now balled fists. She was right. Goten wasn't one to think of the consequences of things, at least not the way Trunks did...but perhaps it was time to reconsider his own actions.

Breathing in deeply he looked up, eyes meeting with Bulla's. She was right his life was a mess all in an effort to help. But Trunks didn't have to push him away all because of his own lifestyle...sure, they aren't on equal footing like they once were...however that was his best friend...and he was pushing him away.

Bulla's cheeks flushed as she awkwardly tried to break the silence that had overcome the two "I-I'm sorry, I didn't think I'd blow up on you...I just want things to go back to normal," she stared off to her side, and back to Goten. Realizing he wasn't going to say much more, she gave him a gentle wave before blasting off back home.

Marron pushed herself, she could barely catch up with the hybrid who's trail and enormous ki was the only thing indicating her of his location. She could feel her throat stinging from her frustration. She really screwed up this time. "Trunks!" She shouted, as soon as she could see his flying form, "Trunks stop!"

And, much to her surprise, he descended into an empty lakeside. She landed gently before him, his expression was stone-cold, angry for reasons Marron could barely come up with. "Trunks," she stated gently, stepping toward him. "Whatever I did...I'm sorry."

Trunks breathed in deeply, "How could you?" Trunks asked. "You took him to the one place - the one place I showed you..." Trunks continued, sharply. "You didn't even invite me, what were you guys even doing?" He asked in an accusatory tone, "trying to find something to drag me back to my old ways?" He continued on, not realizing how hurt Marron's expression had become.

"I wouldn't be surprised - you did come into my apartment drunk like some-" Trunks stopped himself, looking down at the small blonde, who's tears of frustration flew down her cheeks.

He went too far.

"Don't you dare go there, Trunks!" Marron shouted, backing up from him, "I have never judged you on your past, never," Marron stated, choking on her own tears. She could go far and accuse him of sleeping around recklessly, just like he said he did...but she wouldn't.

"Why did I even bother opening up to you," Marron said bitterly, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "You haven't changed...nothing about you has! You still blow things out of proportion and make me cry..."

Trunks stared at her, his face now showing another feeling. Regret. "Marron, I-" Trunks choked out, now looking at the befuddled mess she had become. "I'm sorry," the words felt foreign out of his lips. He didn't understand just what he was feeling...but it resonated deeply in his chest.

"I just don't understand why you'd take him there, I thought...I thought you understood," Trunks began melting his cold visage, attempting to be gentler to the crying blonde. "I thought you knew how sacred that little spot on the dock was for me," Trunks sighed, raking his hands through his hair.

"I-I didn't know Trunks," Marron responded, stepping closer to him now. "Had I known, I wouldn't have...I just thought it was a good spot for us to just talk about...well," Marron stated, an embarrassed blush creeping on her cheek. For a moment, Trunks felt his heart sink at the thought that she liked Goten, and he's only been kidding himself.

"It's a bit embarrassing," Marron continued, "I was actually asking him to pre-"

Trunks scoffed, "I get it now."

"You do?"

Trunks nodded, folding his arms, his face twined with a mixture of hurt and slight jealousy. "Yeah, you wanted to tell Goten how you feel," Trunks began, leaving Marron utterly winded, "don't worry, I get it...it's a nice spot."

Marron was barely able to sputter out a word from Trunks' conclusion of the situation. "N-No!" Marron exclaimed, "Trunks, please...listen," she continued. "I was asking Goten to be my pretend boyfriend so I could-" Kami, this sounded worse, Marron thought.

The hybrid, crossed his arms staring at the blonde confused, "why would you have a pretend boyfriend?"

"Can you let me finish!" Marron exclaimed, palming her hand on her forehead, "I am trying to get Cash off my back."

Trunks stared at the blonde, long and hard as she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Well, why didn't you just ask me?" he stated, leaning slightly closer to the now blushing girl. Her panicky, almost shifty gaze gave enough information for the hybrid to understand.

Suddenly, a warm feeling spilled over his chest, a smile peeking through his lips as he pulled her close into an embrace. In seconds, he could feel her nimble arms encircle around him. "Mar," Trunks began, his voice rumbling deep in his chest, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you that way."

Marron, however, couldn't listen to his words because she was too busy focusing on her violently rapid heartbeat. Her ear was against his chest, listening to his equally as fast heartbeat. Marron looked up suspiciously to find him staring off to the side, yet again, but his cheeks were far pinker than usual.

"I wouldn't want..." Marron said finding trouble speaking as she stared at him. The moonlight reflected so gently off his face, "I wouldn't want to put you through all that...just for me." The blonde stood on her toes, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I accept your apology, Trunks," Marron quickly responded, avoiding staring at him as she backed away and awkwardly flew out of the area.

Trunks stared down at his shoes, his fingers burning a trace on his cheek from where Marron left her kiss. Closing his eyes gently, he smiled.

That next morning, Marron had made it very clear to call Valese to come over. In the phone call, Marron had made it clear to her friend that this conversation was of utmost importance. What she didn't expect was for her best friend to drop one of the biggest bombshells she'd possibly heard. She had to make sure she was listening right.

"You did what!" Marron roared, becoming uncharacteristically angry. "How could you do that, and not even tell me!"

Valese waved her hand up-and-down gently, laughing nervously whilst doing so. "Seriously Mar, when have I ever called you about my breakups?"

Marron groaned, throwing her head into her hands, flailing them in defeat. "It's Goten we're talking about here," Marron whined, "that's my friend, Valese, a really good friend...what happened?"

Valese leaned back on the cloud couch, propping a heel on the glass coffee table. "Well, let's see," Valese began, staring at her nails, "he was riddled with issues, always keeping secrets from me and he was just way too emotional," Valese stated.

Dropping her hand she turned her attention towards Marron. "I don't want to be in a relationship where I play therapist all the time...I just wanna have fun!" Valese exclaimed.

The blonde sighed, hanging her head low. She knew that telling Valese about their powers would be fatal to their friendship...at least at this point in time, and while the situation between Trunks and Goten was dumb they all grew up around each other...the blonde was hurt that in such troubling times, Goten was dumped.

"Goten is fun, you were only with him for about a month..." Marron defended, "you just didn't get to know him well enough!"

Valese sighed, placing a hand on Marron's back. "Mar, it was mutual," she explained, "both Goten and I wanted different things out of life...it's just how it goes y'know," Valese stated, leaning back on the couch. "It's not that big of a deal, trust me," she continued, confidently. "It happens all the time."

Marron sat beside her, a dumbfounded look on her face. If Marron was being honest with herself, she didn't have that much experience with relationships...aside from Cash, her entire love life has been short term flings for the past two years. Developing what she believed were crushes. Marron, however, knew better now that she has Trunks back in her life.

Just the thought of him unlocked emotions that she didn't understand, her heart beat faster than before...in ways, she simply couldn't recognize. "Look," Valese stated sheepishly, "I get you don't get it..."

Marron laughed shaking her head, "it's fine...I guess I can see Goten breaking things off too," the blonde stated gently, "he doesn't give the vibe of stability..."

Valese stood up, "look, if you feel bad...you can always call him." The brunette flashed a grin, "I'm sure he wouldn't mind a call...I oughta start heading out, my sister wanted to get some lunch," Valese said still staring at the blonde staring down at her carpet, "don't act so down girlie!" Marron nodded, looking up to her friend, giving her a weak smile. "That's more like it," Valese stated as she headed out the door, "text me!"

Goten I'm so sorry about last night. I didn't expect Trunks to come. - Marron

It's okay, let's just forget it ever happened... - Goten

Marron groaned, plopping a pillow over her face. The situation never felt like it was going to improve, and putting Goten and Trunks in such a difficult position certainly wasn't the way she had intended for the situation to spiral down to, but alas, what choice did she really have.

She just hoped it'd all wash over in the next few weeks.

AN: A pretty darn long chapter, I know, I know...lot's of ups and downs. Hopefully, you all enjoyed and as always if you did enjoy I would love to hear from you through reviews, I always respond to reviews to show my appreciation for each and every one of you guys! Thanks for sticking around!