Warning: This is the LAST chapter *cry, cry* (yes, I'm sad too!), but review and tell me how the story ranked in FULL, after you read this. B/V fans will probably like this chapter. Happy-ending peoples will too. Oh yeah, I think Veggi's kind of OCC in this (even in MY opinion) and there IS some sap.
It took the entire day to direct the ship to the nearest planet. It wouldn't have been his first choice of places to stop, but it was the only place inhabitable in their vicinity. It was freezing cold and the life forms that lived there were lowly and incredibly stupid. All day he'd been trying trying to figure a way to reach Kakarot, but it wasn't something easy to do.
* * * * *
Goku sat at home, thinking about Vegeta. Bulma had promised to call the second he came back, but that hadn't happened yet. He was still pretty sure Vegeta would return, but he was wondering if he should perhaps just check up on the situation. Something felt kind of funny, though he had absolutely no idea what. It was almost as if Vegeta were trying to get his help. The idea was crazy, but it was planted in his mind. Chichi and the boys had already gone to bed, but Goku was standing on the front lawn, arms crossed and staring into the sky.
* * * * *
Trunks had gone to sleep on his matress in the control room, next to Vegeta's chair. He'd waited up for awhile, but Vegeta obviously wasn't going to bed for quite some time. His room felt lonely and cold, so he'd come out here to sleep. Trusei was curled next to him.
Vegeta let out a heavy breath, his mind dwelling heavily on Kakarot. He wondered if there were any possibilty he could WILL the man to come? A terrible knot was settled in the pit of his stomach as he pondered Bulma's reaction. She would be ecstatic to have Trunks back, he knew that much, but what would she do to him? HOW angry would she be? He decided that he'd give Trunks to his mother, and then promptly leave so as not to deal with it. If he didn't do it quickly, it would break his heart leaving Trunks there, even though he wouldn't stay gone more than a week. Just thinking about the entire situation was as much as he could handle.
It was still amazing to him that he could feel so deeply on the matter. Keeping that little bit of distance, by distracting himself with thoughts of how and why he felt like this, was the only thing keeping him from shedding tears. It seperated him just enough from the pain that he could remain relatively calm and composed.
His eyes darted quickly to the side as he felt a presence apear in the room. He stared, waiting for Kakarot to speak.
Goku stood, feeling uneasy. He hadn't been able to bear waiting anymore. Something just didn't seem right, and yet he certainly didn't want Vegeta to go territorial on him, as he tended to do the majority of the time. "Uh...hi!" Goku grinned, putting one arm behind his head in a rather guilty manner. "I...uh...just thought I'd make sure everything was all right. I'm not here to take Trunks or anything," he added quickly. "I just got the feeling something might be wrong."
Vegeta listened waited for the idiot to stop babbling. "We will be landing shortly on the planet, Jerdis. From there I will capsulize this ship and I want you to transmit Trunks and I to our front lawn and then promptly leave," he kept all emotion out of his voice.
"Sure," Goku answered simply, keeping himself as formal as he was able.
Vegeta turned his vision back to the window in front of him, staring as he punched in some coordinates. The pain in his eyes didn't escape Goku's notice, but he knew better than to say anything about it. He walked around to the passenger seat, eyeing the young demi-sayain as he sat. Vegeta stood and retrieved the cat box Trunks and him had brought Trusei on board in. The kitten meowed softly in protest as Vegeta lifted him away from his son and sealed him back in his box. Goku watched curiously.
As soon as the ship landed, Vegeta carefully pulled Trunks off his mattress. Trunks moaned, mumbling something as he settled against his father, opening his eyes partially for a moment and then letting his head fall on his shoulder as Vegeta shifted him into one arm, picking the cat box up with the other. The three of them walked off the ship and Goku capsulized it.
"Ready?" Goku asked.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds and finally Vegeta gave a slight nod. Goku placed a hand on the shoulder opposite Trunks' and put two fingers on his head. A flash later, they were all three standing on the front lawn of Capsule Corporation. Goku gave a slight smile and then immediately transmited himself back home. Vegeta stared at the house, his stomach dropping even further and every muscle tensing. He almost felt paralysed.
* * * * *
Bulma was still sitting by the window, staring into the night sky. She hadn't felt like sleeping again, especially not tonight. Her pain was deeper today than it had been a few days earlier. Her heart was ACHING for her child. Then suddenly she thought she saw something on the front lawn. She could be sure, it was so dark out, but she had to check. Quietly she stood and made her way to the front door, steeping onto the porch. She stared at a dark figure, unsure if there was really anything there. Then it started walking toward her. For a moment her heart jumped, but then she realized it was Vegeta, and Trunks was asleep in one arm. In the other he carried some type of box with handles.
Bulma gasped, her hands darted over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears.
"Here," Vegeta's voice was barely audible as he made efforts to deposit Trunks in her arms.
She choked back a sob as she lifted her young child, craddling him in her arms. "My baby...," she whispered, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.
Vegeta was quick to step back, away from the scene, but he lingered, somehow paralysed as he watched.
"Trunks...," she whispered.
Trunks stirred, opening his eyes slightly. "Mom...? ...Mom!" he smiled, realising it really was her. He placed an arm around her neck as she held him tight. "I missed you," his voice was groggy.
"Oh, baby...," Bulma choked on another sob, as she whispered, "I missed you too..."
Vegeta turned, unable to watch anymore and began walking.
Trunks turned, suddenly becoming aware of reality. "Dad...? No, Dad, wait!" he quickly pushed out of his mother's arms as he realized his father was leaving, and ran to him, latching himself tightly to his waiste.
Vegeta turned, staring down at him for a moment. "Go back with your mother, son."
"No, Dad, I want to stay with you! Don't leave me!" his eyes began tearing.
Bulma stood, paralysed by the moment and shocked at the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Vegeta watched him. He felt as if his heart was being punctured as his child stood there, crying and finally his regained enough sense to pick the boy up in his arms, hugging him. "I'm not going to leave you, Trunks, I promise. I'm just going away for a little while..."
"No...," Trunks whined. "I want to go with you."
"I'll be back soon."
"No, you won't come back..."
"Trunks, I WILL come back. I love you. I won't EVER leave you."
Trunks opened his eyes through his tears and looked at his father's face. Had he heard it? Did his father SAY it? Out LOUD?
The corner of Vegeta's mouth turned up slightly. "Yes, I love you," he whispered.
Trunks held tightly to his neck, letting out a breath of happiness.
"Now go back with your mother. I will return shortly," he put the boy down and began walking.
Trunks stood, letting out a sob as his father went.
"Wait...," Bulma called. "Vegeta...don't go..."
Vegeta stopped, waiting a few seconds before turning to face her.
"Please...don't leave," her voice was small.
Trunks looked from one to the other, hope in his eyes.
"I didn't mean what I said. I wish you would help out more and I wish you wouldn't try to make Trunks do the things I ask of you, but...I never meant for you to leave. And I never meant to imply that you didn't care about him," Bulma's eyes pleaded.
Vegeta listened, hesitantly. then he looked to Trunks. "Go in your room and get some rest, son."
Trunks smiled. He knew what that meant! "Will you come in later?"
Vegeta rolled his eyes, failing at hiding a smile. "I want you to go to SLEEP."
"Yeah, but I can still tell when you're there."
Vegeta let out a small laugh. "All right. I guess you've proven that to be so. I'll come in later, but only for a minute, deal?"
"Ok!" Trunks was elated. "You too, Mom?"
"Of course, sweet heart," Bulma smiled warmly and watched as he pranced happinly into the house. She turned again as he stopped, looking to Vegeta.
"Hey, Dad, where's Trusei?"
Vegeta glanced at Bulma, then back to Trunks. "He's in the box."
"Oh!" Trunks ran up to his father and took the box, opening it and pulling his kitten out, then running back into the house.
Bulma watched wide-eyed. "What was that?"
"He was bored," Vegeta stated simply. "I got him a kitten."
"You got him a kitten?" Bulma smirked, amused by the concept.
"Yes. He thinks he's his father."
Bulma chuckled and Vegeta smirked. Both stared at each other, not knowing what to say. They both felt regrets and each was wary of the other. It was Bulma who finaly spoke first.
"Let's go inside. It's cold out here," she turned and slowly walked in, hoping Vegeta would follow.
The two sat down on the couch, the uneasy silence between them still lingering.
"Before you say anything, I want you to know things will be different," Vegeta was the one to speak first this time.
Bulma blinked. She wasn't sure what he meant by that, but just having him back right now, and Trunks...especially Trunks, she didn't care. "I went too far in what I said. I was angry and I didn't mean it."
Vegeta nodded. "But you had reason for anger and you deserve more than what I've given to you. You and Trunks both do. And I intend on improving."
Bulma smiled. "Thank you, Vegeta. I'm really sorry about what I implied about Trunks. I'm with him so often and he's such a handful...especially when he's bored..."
Vegeta smirked. He knew ALL too well.
"...sometimes I feel like I'm raising him on my own and I didn't look past that feeling when I implied you didn't know him. I KNOW you do, and I know you care."
"You have right to feel as you do. I haven't been of much help with him in the past. However, that is going to change."
The two looked at each other, a longing forming between them. They'd been apart for a long time now and the bridge was finally being gaped between them. Slowly they leaned into each other and kissed. Trunks smirked, peeking his head around the corner.
"Mother and father, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...," he hollered, then quickly bounded away with a giggle.
The two adults snapped their attention to where their son had been, both smiling and a touch embarrassed.
"Hey, kid! You're supposed to be ASLEEP!" Vegeta called, rather playfully.
"I AM! I was sleep walking just then!" Trunks called back.
Vegeta snickered, rolling his eyes. Him and Bulma stood, arms around each other as they walked down the hallway.
THE END
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hey guys you HAVE to tell me how this all turned out. I might write an alternate ending if you so chooseth me to... And also, what should I write next that would keep my same following from this story? Give me suggestions for a GOOD new story... (And help this story to get 100 reviews too!)
It took the entire day to direct the ship to the nearest planet. It wouldn't have been his first choice of places to stop, but it was the only place inhabitable in their vicinity. It was freezing cold and the life forms that lived there were lowly and incredibly stupid. All day he'd been trying trying to figure a way to reach Kakarot, but it wasn't something easy to do.
* * * * *
Goku sat at home, thinking about Vegeta. Bulma had promised to call the second he came back, but that hadn't happened yet. He was still pretty sure Vegeta would return, but he was wondering if he should perhaps just check up on the situation. Something felt kind of funny, though he had absolutely no idea what. It was almost as if Vegeta were trying to get his help. The idea was crazy, but it was planted in his mind. Chichi and the boys had already gone to bed, but Goku was standing on the front lawn, arms crossed and staring into the sky.
* * * * *
Trunks had gone to sleep on his matress in the control room, next to Vegeta's chair. He'd waited up for awhile, but Vegeta obviously wasn't going to bed for quite some time. His room felt lonely and cold, so he'd come out here to sleep. Trusei was curled next to him.
Vegeta let out a heavy breath, his mind dwelling heavily on Kakarot. He wondered if there were any possibilty he could WILL the man to come? A terrible knot was settled in the pit of his stomach as he pondered Bulma's reaction. She would be ecstatic to have Trunks back, he knew that much, but what would she do to him? HOW angry would she be? He decided that he'd give Trunks to his mother, and then promptly leave so as not to deal with it. If he didn't do it quickly, it would break his heart leaving Trunks there, even though he wouldn't stay gone more than a week. Just thinking about the entire situation was as much as he could handle.
It was still amazing to him that he could feel so deeply on the matter. Keeping that little bit of distance, by distracting himself with thoughts of how and why he felt like this, was the only thing keeping him from shedding tears. It seperated him just enough from the pain that he could remain relatively calm and composed.
His eyes darted quickly to the side as he felt a presence apear in the room. He stared, waiting for Kakarot to speak.
Goku stood, feeling uneasy. He hadn't been able to bear waiting anymore. Something just didn't seem right, and yet he certainly didn't want Vegeta to go territorial on him, as he tended to do the majority of the time. "Uh...hi!" Goku grinned, putting one arm behind his head in a rather guilty manner. "I...uh...just thought I'd make sure everything was all right. I'm not here to take Trunks or anything," he added quickly. "I just got the feeling something might be wrong."
Vegeta listened waited for the idiot to stop babbling. "We will be landing shortly on the planet, Jerdis. From there I will capsulize this ship and I want you to transmit Trunks and I to our front lawn and then promptly leave," he kept all emotion out of his voice.
"Sure," Goku answered simply, keeping himself as formal as he was able.
Vegeta turned his vision back to the window in front of him, staring as he punched in some coordinates. The pain in his eyes didn't escape Goku's notice, but he knew better than to say anything about it. He walked around to the passenger seat, eyeing the young demi-sayain as he sat. Vegeta stood and retrieved the cat box Trunks and him had brought Trusei on board in. The kitten meowed softly in protest as Vegeta lifted him away from his son and sealed him back in his box. Goku watched curiously.
As soon as the ship landed, Vegeta carefully pulled Trunks off his mattress. Trunks moaned, mumbling something as he settled against his father, opening his eyes partially for a moment and then letting his head fall on his shoulder as Vegeta shifted him into one arm, picking the cat box up with the other. The three of them walked off the ship and Goku capsulized it.
"Ready?" Goku asked.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds and finally Vegeta gave a slight nod. Goku placed a hand on the shoulder opposite Trunks' and put two fingers on his head. A flash later, they were all three standing on the front lawn of Capsule Corporation. Goku gave a slight smile and then immediately transmited himself back home. Vegeta stared at the house, his stomach dropping even further and every muscle tensing. He almost felt paralysed.
* * * * *
Bulma was still sitting by the window, staring into the night sky. She hadn't felt like sleeping again, especially not tonight. Her pain was deeper today than it had been a few days earlier. Her heart was ACHING for her child. Then suddenly she thought she saw something on the front lawn. She could be sure, it was so dark out, but she had to check. Quietly she stood and made her way to the front door, steeping onto the porch. She stared at a dark figure, unsure if there was really anything there. Then it started walking toward her. For a moment her heart jumped, but then she realized it was Vegeta, and Trunks was asleep in one arm. In the other he carried some type of box with handles.
Bulma gasped, her hands darted over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears.
"Here," Vegeta's voice was barely audible as he made efforts to deposit Trunks in her arms.
She choked back a sob as she lifted her young child, craddling him in her arms. "My baby...," she whispered, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.
Vegeta was quick to step back, away from the scene, but he lingered, somehow paralysed as he watched.
"Trunks...," she whispered.
Trunks stirred, opening his eyes slightly. "Mom...? ...Mom!" he smiled, realising it really was her. He placed an arm around her neck as she held him tight. "I missed you," his voice was groggy.
"Oh, baby...," Bulma choked on another sob, as she whispered, "I missed you too..."
Vegeta turned, unable to watch anymore and began walking.
Trunks turned, suddenly becoming aware of reality. "Dad...? No, Dad, wait!" he quickly pushed out of his mother's arms as he realized his father was leaving, and ran to him, latching himself tightly to his waiste.
Vegeta turned, staring down at him for a moment. "Go back with your mother, son."
"No, Dad, I want to stay with you! Don't leave me!" his eyes began tearing.
Bulma stood, paralysed by the moment and shocked at the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Vegeta watched him. He felt as if his heart was being punctured as his child stood there, crying and finally his regained enough sense to pick the boy up in his arms, hugging him. "I'm not going to leave you, Trunks, I promise. I'm just going away for a little while..."
"No...," Trunks whined. "I want to go with you."
"I'll be back soon."
"No, you won't come back..."
"Trunks, I WILL come back. I love you. I won't EVER leave you."
Trunks opened his eyes through his tears and looked at his father's face. Had he heard it? Did his father SAY it? Out LOUD?
The corner of Vegeta's mouth turned up slightly. "Yes, I love you," he whispered.
Trunks held tightly to his neck, letting out a breath of happiness.
"Now go back with your mother. I will return shortly," he put the boy down and began walking.
Trunks stood, letting out a sob as his father went.
"Wait...," Bulma called. "Vegeta...don't go..."
Vegeta stopped, waiting a few seconds before turning to face her.
"Please...don't leave," her voice was small.
Trunks looked from one to the other, hope in his eyes.
"I didn't mean what I said. I wish you would help out more and I wish you wouldn't try to make Trunks do the things I ask of you, but...I never meant for you to leave. And I never meant to imply that you didn't care about him," Bulma's eyes pleaded.
Vegeta listened, hesitantly. then he looked to Trunks. "Go in your room and get some rest, son."
Trunks smiled. He knew what that meant! "Will you come in later?"
Vegeta rolled his eyes, failing at hiding a smile. "I want you to go to SLEEP."
"Yeah, but I can still tell when you're there."
Vegeta let out a small laugh. "All right. I guess you've proven that to be so. I'll come in later, but only for a minute, deal?"
"Ok!" Trunks was elated. "You too, Mom?"
"Of course, sweet heart," Bulma smiled warmly and watched as he pranced happinly into the house. She turned again as he stopped, looking to Vegeta.
"Hey, Dad, where's Trusei?"
Vegeta glanced at Bulma, then back to Trunks. "He's in the box."
"Oh!" Trunks ran up to his father and took the box, opening it and pulling his kitten out, then running back into the house.
Bulma watched wide-eyed. "What was that?"
"He was bored," Vegeta stated simply. "I got him a kitten."
"You got him a kitten?" Bulma smirked, amused by the concept.
"Yes. He thinks he's his father."
Bulma chuckled and Vegeta smirked. Both stared at each other, not knowing what to say. They both felt regrets and each was wary of the other. It was Bulma who finaly spoke first.
"Let's go inside. It's cold out here," she turned and slowly walked in, hoping Vegeta would follow.
The two sat down on the couch, the uneasy silence between them still lingering.
"Before you say anything, I want you to know things will be different," Vegeta was the one to speak first this time.
Bulma blinked. She wasn't sure what he meant by that, but just having him back right now, and Trunks...especially Trunks, she didn't care. "I went too far in what I said. I was angry and I didn't mean it."
Vegeta nodded. "But you had reason for anger and you deserve more than what I've given to you. You and Trunks both do. And I intend on improving."
Bulma smiled. "Thank you, Vegeta. I'm really sorry about what I implied about Trunks. I'm with him so often and he's such a handful...especially when he's bored..."
Vegeta smirked. He knew ALL too well.
"...sometimes I feel like I'm raising him on my own and I didn't look past that feeling when I implied you didn't know him. I KNOW you do, and I know you care."
"You have right to feel as you do. I haven't been of much help with him in the past. However, that is going to change."
The two looked at each other, a longing forming between them. They'd been apart for a long time now and the bridge was finally being gaped between them. Slowly they leaned into each other and kissed. Trunks smirked, peeking his head around the corner.
"Mother and father, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...," he hollered, then quickly bounded away with a giggle.
The two adults snapped their attention to where their son had been, both smiling and a touch embarrassed.
"Hey, kid! You're supposed to be ASLEEP!" Vegeta called, rather playfully.
"I AM! I was sleep walking just then!" Trunks called back.
Vegeta snickered, rolling his eyes. Him and Bulma stood, arms around each other as they walked down the hallway.
THE END
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hey guys you HAVE to tell me how this all turned out. I might write an alternate ending if you so chooseth me to... And also, what should I write next that would keep my same following from this story? Give me suggestions for a GOOD new story... (And help this story to get 100 reviews too!)