Disclaimer:  Between last chapter and this, I did not gain rights to Dragon Ball Z.  I know.  I'm crying, too.

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Deception at Half Past Six

You've really done it this time, Vegeta.

"What is it, Dende?" the kindly Arabian man asked.

            "There's something wrong on Earth, Mr. Popo,"  Dende replied, looking troubled.

            "What's wrong on Earth?"  Piccolo had just come out of one of the many rooms of Dende's lookout.

            "It seems...that Trunks has run away."

            Piccolo looked at Dende incredulously.  "What do you mean?"

            "I mean, that Trunks ran away," Dende repeated.

            "Of course, but why?"

            "I'm not completely sure, but I think he got it into his head that he was an accident.  He's very upset."

            "Oh my!  Where would he get an idea like that?"  Mr. Popo inquired.

            "Apparently from Vegeta,"  both the Namek and the Arabian looked semi-shocked.

            "Did he mean it?" Mr. Popo asked hesitantly.

            "I don't think so.  I mean, it's not like I watch that family twenty-four-seven or anything, but Vegeta was mad from his little fight with Bulma."

            Piccolo scoffed.  "That's not surprising."

            "Will little Trunks be okay?  That must be a terrible thing to think."

            "I can't be sure, Mr. Popo.  It depends on how Vegeta and Bulma handle this situation.  Otherwise...Trunks may do something very bad to someone."

            "Someone?"

            "Namely himself."

            Piccolo peered over the edge of the sanctuary in disbelief.  You've really done it this time, Vegeta.

            Trunks was still at the beach he had landed on hours ago.  During his stay there, he had just sat, staring out at the ocean, occasionally thinking.  Thinking...now that was one thing he really did not want to do.  Thinking just led him to more thoughts of suicide.  The more thoughts of suicide he had, the more realistic each scenario became.  And the more appealing the idea became.  That's obviously why he chose not to think.

            He threw his head back and stared at the still bright blue sky.  It was summer so it would still be light out for a few more hours.  He figured it was about 6:00 P.M. by now.  That meant that he had been gone since about 2:40.

            "That long, huh?" he thought aloud in a sad tone of voice.

            That meant in all of that time...his parents hadn't come for him.  Of course, he left out the fact that he was keeping his ki down.  It just made his depression worsen.  He shook his head.  Maybe a swim would clear his mind.

            Trunks took off his shoes, socks, and shirt and waded into the water.  However, something stopped him.  Someone could easily just wonder by and take his stuff!  True, he hadn't seen anyone at this beach because of the rocky out cliffs surrounding it, but you never know.  He looked around, trying to find a spot to put his stuff.  A-hah!  A palm tree. 

            Grabbing his stuff, he floated over and hid his things amongst the giant green leaves.  He quickly checked all of the angles, making sure they were completely hidden.  After making a few adjustments, he was satisfied with his work and scurried back over to the water.  He waded back in and felt for the drop off that was sure to come.

            Once found, he dove in, welcoming the cold water against his skin.

            Just as Bulma was about to get into her capsule car, she caught sight of Vegeta.

            "What do you want?" she asked coldly.

            "Let's find the boy," he sighed.

            "Oh, so now you want to find your so--"

            "Be quiet, or you'll wish you had," he said without any real malice.

            Glaring at him, she asked, "And how do you propose we do that, Vegeta?"

            "I doubt he went far away.  The Earth is a tiny speck of a planet, and Japan is even more miniscule."

            She rolled her eyes.  "You're a real pain in the ass, Vegeta.  You know that?"

            "Of course," he smirked.  He moved forward and scooped Bulma into his arms.  Quickly, he took off in the direction he had last felt Trunks ki.  "This had better not take long--I'm hungry."

            "You could have at least given me a warning!"  she said uneasily as she wrapped her arms around his neck, ignoring his comment.

            "I thought you liked flying, Woman."

            "I swear, one day, you'll regret calling me that!  And yes, I do enjoy flying, you big jerk!" she said pointedly.  "Hey, go to Gohan's house."

            "Why?" he asked curiously.

            "Because, he can help find Trunks!"

            Vegeta scoffed.  "I don't need the help of Gohan to find my son."

            "So he's your son now?"

            "Maybe you don't understand genetics as much as everyone thought."

            "You know what I meant...I'm glad you care about our son.  You've got to learn to be better to him though, Vegeta.  He's still a kid, and he pretty much worships the ground you walk on!" she said solicitously.

            "As he should."

            "I'm serious!" Bulma shrieked with dismay.  "You are going to talk to him, Vegeta!  Hey...do you even know where you're going?!"

            "Of course," Vegeta lied easily.

            His son's ki was down.  It seemed like the only way to find him would to accidentally fly over him.  Vegeta frowned.  This would not please his wife. 

            Trunks popped his head above the water and looked towards the south.  He could feel his father's ki approaching his position.  He wondered if his father felt his ki there, but soon remember that he was suppressing it.

            He began to ponder whether or not to let them find him.  "I'll wait 'til I can see him..."

            Fairly soon, Trunks was able to his father flying rather slowly through the air.  Is that mom?

            Trunks sighed.  So they were out to find him after all.  He raised his ki up slightly and continued treading in the ocean.  This should be interesting...

            "What is it?"  Bulma asked after she noticed Vegeta stop above a vast expanse of water.

            "Trunks," he mumbled and hastily landed on the course beach.

            The blue haired woman scrambled from her husband's grasp to look around.  "Trunks?!"

            A sigh could be heard and a small figure emerged from the blue water.  "What?"

            Bulma's eyes lit up as she ran over to her son.  "You're soaking wet!"

            He shrugged.  "I was in the water..."

            She hugged his dripping form before looking at him from arm's length.  "Why did you run off?  I was worried sick about you!"

            "Didn't think you'd care..." he muttered with dark eyes cast towards the sand.

            She gawked at him.  "Of course I care!  You're my—"

            "That's no way to treat your mother, Boy,"  Vegeta interjected, staring into his son's now raised eyes.

            Something akin to fear, or possibly fury flashed in the demi-Saiyan's eyes.  "She shouldn't be my mother!  I shouldn't even have one!"

            Both adults were taken aback.  He really did think he was an accident!  Dende, how were they supposed to fix this?

            An awkward silence fell over the small family.  Trunks was on the brink of tears as he glanced between his two parents.  Bulma was now standing silently, biting her lip and looking at the ground sullenly.  Vegeta was standing with his arms crossed, the farthest away, staring out at the ocean.  This made Trunks' already waning patience thin even farther.  The anger inside him was threatening to lash out at the world.  He was angry with his parents, with himself, and even Dende. 

He was going to just end it now, but he couldn't in front of them.  And if they brought him back...he'd do it again!  All else didn't matter again, as the fury consumed him.   Blinding his young rationality.  In a matter of seconds, the boy powered up--kicking up a sand storm.  He was on the verge of showing his Super Saiya-jin powers, but managed to keep that urge in check.

            Bulma fell backwards at the outburst, and Vegeta just barely managed to catch her from hitting the sandy floor.  He turned them around to block the swirling sand from stinging Bulma.  At that moment, Trunks screamed with tears streaming down his face, "I hate you both!  I wish you would have just killed me off before!"         

            Without a second thought, he took off, leaving a blue ki trail to fade behind him.  When the dust finally came to rest again, Bulma pushed herself away from the short Saiya-jin.  Defeated tears were gathering in her eyes.  This...just isn't fair!

            Bulma turned towards Vegeta.  He sighed, knowing what she was implying.  "And you?"

            "Who cares about me?!  GET MY SON!"  her sapphire eyes were absolutely livid as she screamed.

            Vegeta winced at her shrill voice and took off after his son.

IMPORTANT!!!!!  (well, kinda...)

Yeah, last chapter he was after Bulma, now he's after Trunks!  He's been following a lot of people lately.

Huh, I thought this chapter would end it.  Guess not!  Hah!  I'm so evil, but it's my birthday today so I can be evil for just today! ;)  Yes, that's right, Tenko is finally fourteen!  Now, this may be a long shot, but I want ten (a lot, I know) reviews for this!  *giggle* When I post the final chapter, I want fifty reviews for it to sit on!  ^!^

Since it is my birthday and all...your gift to me can be reviewing this and then reading my fic "On the Run" (and of course reviewing that, too).  *bats eyes innocently*  Pwease?  For meeee?