Wow, thanks for all the feedback, guys! Only one name got more than one vote, and it happened to be the one that I liked. Um, you'll just have to see, ne? I still haven't decided on a real name, but the little guy will earn a little pet name from his Mommy. Kawaii…
Y'all are so awesome…so many reviews! I love you!
And for those of you that bothered to read it, chapter 3 of All in Me should be out soon. I won't say when, because I always get really busy if I predict the update time, and it ends up really late. So we'll just say, soon.
Jetstream: I already thought that bit out, and I meant to put it in with the chapter when everybody (Bra and bulma) kicks off, but I forgot. So I'm going to try to fit it in this chapter, if the story line will lend itself to it. Please excuse my incoherent blathering, I'm like really tired now, I guess I'll write more in the morning…
(~*~)
Exiting the Gravity room with a growling stomach, Vegeta grabbed the nearest towel and wiped himself down, panting softly. He usually just trained to clear his head, but as always, it only made him think more.
If their little 'plan' failed, he was sure there would be no going on with this life. It must be his lot in life, misery. The moment that he realized he was happy, or as close as he could come, his happiness was snatched away, replaced with pain, and plenty of it. For so long his little Bra had been the only one he cared for, or at least, the only one living. And now she was gone, leaving behind a mate of her own, and taking their child with her.
Goten too was a wreck, eating very little, and only when his mother forced him. He would stare at nothing for extended periods of time, altogether reminding Vegeta of himself fifteen years prior. Except that the younger man had no child to care for, to give him reason, purpose. As mushy as it sounded, he felt the boy's pain, all too vividly. Bleck, that was horribly sappy, but true nonetheless.
Trunks was little comfort, as he was too busy being comforted by is mate. Even now, as Vegeta walked through the living room, the two were curled about one another, Trunks asleep with his head on Pan's chest, she stroking his head and back. She gave Vegeta a sad, sympathetic glance before closing her eyes, head resting on the back of the sofa.
He dug around in the refrigerator, cursing when the milk carton was knocked over, spilling its contents over the various foods nearby. He stood back and blinked for a moment before grabbing a washing rag from the sink and mopping up the mess. Something in his mind nagged at him, telling him he should not be the one cleaning. He pushed the thought away, reminding himself that there was no one else to clean it up. There was no one else.
Before leaving the hospital, he had requested to see Bra's body, demanded an explanation of the cause of her death.
She had been in the front passenger seat, with bulma directly behind her. They were broadsided by an SUV running a red light. The metal in the door was ripped to shreds, sending pieces into Bra's soft flesh, seriously damaging many major organs. Between the vast amounts of blood loss, and the head injuries, she was gone within moments.
Milk dripped back into the fridge from the rag, which was clenched in a white-knuckle grip. Noticing the dripping liquid undoing any work he had accomplished, Vegeta loosened his fist, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He returned to wiping out the fridge, and soon finished. He removed a small bag of lunch meat, munching discontentedly. Somehow swallowing was uncomfortable with the constant pain wracking his upper torso.
Appetite soon lost, he replaced the meat, deciding a simple glass of water was in order. Vegeta sat down in the living area with Trunks and Pan to drink, leaning back in the recliner heavily. Pan opened her eyes and lifted her head to look him in the eye. He stared back at her, fully aware of how dead his eyes must look. How dead he felt, wanted to be. She glanced back at the still sleeping Trunks, tenderness and sorrow crossing her features. Quickly bringing dark eyes to meet Vegetas, she spoke softly, so as not to wake her resting mate.
"I think losing her is the worst thing that could have happened to him," he only "hmph"ed in reply, now noticing the tear stains on the boys face. Vegeta furrowed his brow, shook his head.
"No, he will get past her death, eventually. The worst thing would be for him to lose you," he fixed her sith a hard stare, hoping to kami she would get his drift without further explanation on his part. Pan simply looked confused, and now shook her head.
"I don't think so, Vegeta-san. He's only known me for a day, I can hardly belive Trunks would miss me more than his own mother."
"He isn't bonded to his mother. If his bond with you were to break…you have never known the pain that such a break can bring. It has nothing to do with how intimate you are." His eyes darted away from hers to study the carpet intensely. That knife in his chest twisted a little more, and he closed his eyes quickly, letting out a small grunt of pain. Kami, if it would only fade with time, but if anything, the pain only worsened, until it killed just from the shock.
When he opened his eyes again, she was gazing at him, worry evident. He finished his water in one swallow and headed outside, needing fresh air of a sudden. He sensed Goten's ki on the roof of Capsule Corp., rising and falling quickly. He was spotted easily, lying on his back with his hands behind his head. He stared up at the slowly darkening sky, eyes glazed.
Silently joining him on the soft slope, Vegeta lay down in the same position, one which he had regularly utilized in his earlier days on Chikyuu. Usually at night, so he could star gaze, easily naming many of the visible stars, making special note of the systems he had…visited. He turned his mind away from that corner of is mind, and, not wanting to risk any unpleasant memories that had to do with afore-mentioned star sytems, focused on the boy next to him.
Vegeta watched silently as Goten's face twisted into a grimace every few seconds.
"Any advice?" The silence broke abruptly as Goten voiced his cryptic question. Somehow sensing the boy's meaning, Vegeta answered simply.
"No. It will only become more painful. It will kill you eventually, if you don't finish the job first." Goten rolled onto his side to face the older man.
"Are you suggesting that I commit suicide?"
"In the end, you really don't have a choice." The boy turned away again, depression exuding heavily from his lax form.
"What about when they were back? When she was back. Did it go away then?" He asked quietly. Vegeta only nodded, closing his eyes again as pain wracked his lithe form. Talking aobut this certainly didn't make it any easier, he noted, and Goten obviously felt the same as his breath came in shallow gasps.
Only pain ahead.
(~*~)
"Shhhh…Hush now, my little Tenshi," Bra quieted her son, who was crying loudly due to the darkness they floated in, which he obviously held a great dislike for. (AN: Do you like his nickname? It means 'Angel' for those who don't know. I thought it was quite fitting. ^_^I will refer to him by the nickname too)
A gleaming white path materialized beneath their feet, softly illuminating all present. Tenshi quieted, but kept his head buried agaist his mother's chest. There was an odd hum in the air, and the feeling of ki, everywhere, all encompassing. Like the very air was charged with it. Bra felt her pulse quicken, as before a fight, and Tenshi squirmed. Goku was fidgeting excitedly, and Trunks smirked. Bulma and her counterpart stared at the four oddly, easily noticing their change in disposition.
"This is as far as I can go," Supreme Kai announced. "I would suggest the Chikyuu-jin return with me also. The Kai's energy permeates the air here, and it only gets stronger the closer you become. It gets uncomfortable after a few miles. You should stay also, Goku. The Kai would be displeased with you being here, as you are still alive." Those instructed to stay behind looked quite disappointed, especially Goku.
"Well Kaasan, it looks like you get your first babysitting job for your grandson," Bra said, nudging Bulma gently with her elbow. The older woman (AN:Older???) nodded resignedly, transferring Tenshi into her embrace. He began crying again, jerking away easily to return to Bra. Bulma gave Goku a helpless glance, and he gently untangled Tenshi from his mother and lead him back through the portal. The others followed quickly, leaving Trunks and Bra alone with the Supreme Kai.
"Just follow the road, you will know when you reach the Kai. Don't wander off the path, and do not go near those little gold stars. Oh, and it would be better if you don't fly. Kai doesn't like people to be impatient. After you talk to him, request that he give you a portal back to my planet. Sarabada." The siblings nodded acknowledgement, faces eager. Supreme Kai disappeared back into his own portal, and it closed behind him with a flash of light.
Bra gave her older (AN:Older??) sibling a smile and took off running. His eyes widened and then narrowed as he sprinted after her, grinning broadly.
(~*~)
Trunks drifted his eyes open, noticed he was still resting against Pan, and closed them again. He murmured sleepily and squirmed closer, heaving a sigh of contentment. It just felt so, nice…right. Like he belonged there. He felt himself doze as she resumed stroking his back, nearly causing him to fall asleep again. Her scent filling his nostrils was slowly driving him wild, conflicting almost painfully with the soothing stroke of her fingers across his back.
Opening his eyes again, he moved his head to kiss her neck, causing her to gasp in shock. He smirked against her soft skin, kissing a trail along her jawline, and paused right below her lips. She was quivering slightly, and he raised a hand to stroke one smooth cheek. Her head dropped so her mouth met his, and Trunks mind filled with a burning need, everything but his mate fading into nothingness.
***
I think we all know where that's going… ^__~ Hehehe…
Everybody, please tell me your name ideas, if you haven't already! There is only one name that got more than one vote, and I was leaning towards it anyhow…so, if you don't care for that name, tell me now! Hokori-Pride, has two votes, plus it's my fave so far. But as I said before, I still haven't decided.
You all know how to review, and I think you're very good about it, so I won't bug you today. But thank everyone SOOOOOO much for reviewing!! I've got 71 so far!!!! I can still hardly believe how much people are enjoying this!