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SHATTERED

Chapter 5: COLDNESS

"Mom…mom!" Trunks shouted. Bulma's concerned face came through the doorway. "What is it dear?" she asked. "Um, can you close the window please?" he asked. "Oh, sure." She said going over to the window. She closed it and left the room. "Mom?" Trunks said. Bulma turned back around. "Yes?" she asked. "Um, thanks" he said. She smiled. "You're welcome," she said. She left and he sighed. He took up a book and tried to read but he couldn't concentrate. The door opened and Vegeta stepped in. "Trunks, may I have a word with you?" he asked. Trunks put the book down and nodded. Vegeta came in and closed the door behind him. The room was dead quiet as Vegeta sat on the chair next to Trunks' bed. "Son, listen, I just want to tell you that there's no need to be frightened." Vegeta said. Trunks looked at his father. "I guess you figured me out huh dad?" he asked looking down. Vegeta looked at Trunks. "You were acting like an ass," he said. "As if you don't." Bulma said coming in the room and closing the door. She rested her hands on Vegeta's shoulders. "Well, we all act like asses in our life sometime or the other." He said. "Right Veggie…" she said. "Didn't I tell you not to call me that?" he said looking at her. She was laughing and had a playful expression in her eyes. He could tell she was happy.

"So anyway, as I was saying, there's no need for you to be mean, especially to your sister, all she's done so far is worry her guts out, cry her eyes out, and think her brain out trying to figure out why you blew up at her, you owe my princess an apology," he said. "Yeah, you're right dad, hey, but how come you don't call me prince or something, you call Bra princess don't you?" Trunks asked. Vegeta smirked as he stood up. "You're too old to have a nickname from your father boy, plus, people might think you're really gay…" he said walking out of the room. Bulma erupted into fits of tears and laughter. "Since when did he know about those things?" she choked out. Trunks had a horrified expression on his face. "Gay…" he said looking at the door. Bulma was still laughing. "I'll I'll see you, call me if you need anything hon…" she said kissing his forehead. "And remember, the physical therapist is coming to see you tomorrow…" she said leaving. "The physical therapist?" he squeaked out. "Damn…" he said.

*~*~*~*~*

Eyes nervously dart around the room. She takes a deep breath and reluctantly looks at him. He flashes her another angry glance, and she cringes at the magnitude. He gets up and wants to leave, but something makes him stay. He needs to find out why. Why did she do something like that? And to him? He thought that they trusted each other and understood each other, but apparently he was wrong…He sighed and looked up to her again, but this time, not in anger, but with tears forming in his eyes, and pleading. She stifled a sob and went over to him and he hugged her. He knew she would understand.

~*~*~*~*~

"And just where were you young lady?" 18 asked as Marron stepped in the room. Krellen sat on the couch with a concerned expression on his face. "Marron you've been out all day, where were you?" he asked. She sighed. "I uh, went to speak to Piccolo." She said looking down. 18 and Krellen sighed, with partial relief and frustration. "Well why didn't you tell us?" 18 asked. Marron looked up. "Mom, dad, I, think that I like someone." She blurted out. They looked at her. Krellen broke into a big smile. "With who? Piccolo?" he asked laughing. 18's face was still. "With who Marron?" she asked. She looked down. "With Trunks." She said quietly. Krellen stopped laughing and his smile vanished. "Trunks?" he asked looking at her. 18 closed her eyes. "I am not hearing this…" she said going over to Krellen and sitting down.

"See! I knew it would be a problem!" she said angrily. "Now Marron don't-" but Krellen was cut short by his daughter, the one who never did anything to upset them, who was well mannered, and mild tempered, the one who was always the mediator in the fights between her friends and even with him and 18. "Dad please! I went and I talked to Piccolo, he told me the best people to ask for advice was you and mom, I thought that you of all people would understand, what did people say when they found out you loved mom?" she asked angrily. He looked away, evidently ashamed. "Marron I-" "Please dad, I, can I be excused?" she asked biting her lip to hold back her tears. Krellen nodded. She raced up the stairs to her room and locked the door. The room was silent and Krellen and 18 sat in silence. Their only child was in love and they had treated her this way? 18 got up and went to the window. "I feel so foolish now." She said folding her arms. He sighed. "I do too, I can't believe I did that, maybe I should talk to her…" he said getting up. "No, let her have some time alone Krellen, we have company tomorrow remember?" she asked. "Oh yeah, that's right…Yamcha and his new girlfriend that he's actually planning to marry this time". She smirked. "Right…" she said dryly. "She's hurt badly you know." 18 said. Krellen looked up. "I know, I can sense it…." He said. "It's not right to be cold…not to your own kids…" she said. He sighed. "It's ok…we'll apologize tomorrow…" he said. She nodded. They remained in silence for the remainder of the night. Not speaking, only listening, and feeling the coldness seep through the cracks in the window.

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