/+\+/+\

Trunks put up no struggle after being slammed head-first through the steel-enforced wall, and Vegeta watched in relief as the anger slid from his son's eyes to a dazed shock.

The younger man stared blankly at his father, and tears welled in cloudy blue eyes as thoughts raced through his mind. His mouth worked soundlessly in desperation, and Vegeta's brow furrowed, his head shook back and forth, denying what he knew for so long would come true.

"I'm--I'm--I'm sorry--I didn't mean to, I tried, tried to--to--" Trunks spoke, his voice hoarse with emotion before Vegeta covered his mouth with one hand and shook his head again. His chin quivered minutely, and he squeezed his eyes shut, letting fall a tear onto the pale cheek of his son. Moving from where he was pinning Trunks, Vegeta sat up, pulling the younger along with him into a strong embrace.

The son sobbed quietly into the shirt of the father, whose heart mourned with him. Time stopped for the younger as the elder spoke softly in his ear.

"I l-love you, Trunks," Vegeta whispered fervently, and Trunks could only draw in a deep breath. Pulling away to a degree, he looked into his father's eyes, and saw pain, grief, and guilt whirling through the ebony depths.

"I love you too, Dad," the youth returned, a tiny smile touching his despairing features. In a rush he was crushed into another embrace, and he released another worn sob.

Gasping, Trunks snapped his head up, nearly hitting his father in the chin. His blue gaze focused beyond Vegeta, however, and he could only manage one word out of his emotion-choked vocal cords.

"Mom."

/+\+/+\

A bit flustered, Bra watched silently as her father turned off the vehicle with incredible speed, taking flight out of the car in one smooth motion and streaking toward the house. He had given no reason, only left her here, at the very gates of Capsule Corp, a good half mile from the living quarters. Seeing no sign of Vegeta's return, Bra abandoned the car to walk the rest of the way. Her thoughts rushed to find an explanation, but the one plausible answer that crept about in her mind she quashed, not wishing to believe that it would happen. That it had happened.

The soft scuffing of sneakers on pavement assaulted the girl's ears mercilessly, and eerie silence aside from her own footsteps seemed overwhelming. That silence was abruptly broken by the muffled purr of an engine closing in behind her. She looked to her right as the car slowed to keep pace with her. The window descended, and Kessho leaned her head out, grinning sheepishly.

"Hey Bra, you wanna ride home? I forgot my purse when I left earlier." The child nodded, and hopped in, still looking puzzled.

"Is this the national holiday for forgetfulness? My dad forgot me and the car back there."

"Oh?" The girl nodded enthusiastically in response, blue pigtails quivering.

"Yeah. His eyes got really big, then he said 'Oh shit!' –"

"Bra!"

"—and flew into the house real fast. I don't know why--" She half-lied, looking forlornly towards the dome looming ahead. As soon as the car stopped before the house, Bra was out of the vehicle and running to the front door. Kessho was quick to follow, and the two entered the house, quickly searching rooms. A chill breeze led them to the kitchen, where chaos awaited.

The first thing they noticed was the huge hole blown in the wall, and two crouching figures beyond it. A whimper reached their ears, drawing attention to an unconscious Bulma slumped on the floor. The smooth skin of her face was blistered and red, and her neck was turning an ugly shade of black mixed with blue. Her hair frizzed about her face where it appeared to have been melted by heat.

"Dear God…" Kessho whispered in horror, one hand over her mouth. Bra hastened past her and slid to her knees beside her mother, fretful tears marring her cheeks.

Kessho glanced briefly outside, her now-functional eyes taking in Vegeta grasping his son in a bone-crushing hug. Her already shocked mind struggled to feel more shocked, and she returned her attention to the injured woman on the floor and the frantic child at her side.

Groaning, Bulma opened slitted, swollen eyes, and drew in deep, wheezing breaths. "Bra-chan," she rasped, "where's your daddy and T-Trunks?" She stumbled over her son's name, her already damaged voice breaking.

"They're outside," Kessho offered, drawing Bulma's attention to her. "I'm going to call emergency, Bulma-san, you're not--you don't look like you're in good shape." She spoke carefully.

Bulma grinned wryly. "I'm fine, just a little crispy around the edges." Trunks and Vegeta managed to phase in beside her in time to hear her wise crack. Trunks looked wounded, and squeezed his eyes shut, turning away. Vegeta glared at his wife.

"That's not funny, and you know it," he reprimanded. Bulma glared back haughtily. "It's called lightening the mood, bastard, before everyone here keels over from depression. Now get me a damn medic, would you?" Trunks seemed suddenly aware of his father's back to him.

"I'm leaving," he mentioned softly, drawing all eyes to him. "Dad, when you get a chance, come and tell me how mom's doing, 'kay?" His blue eyes appeared faded and dim. Kessho reached a hand towards him, and he recoiled as if her touch might maim.

"Trunks don't—" He shook his head fiercely at her, and turned to leave. Tears sprung anew and rolled down his face as he walked from the scene. Kessho's soft footsteps followed.

"Don't go," she pleaded, succeeding in clasping her fingers around his wrist. "Don't do this."

He half-turned towards her, a sob escaping his lips. "Please, let me go!" He pleaded, and tore his hand from her grasp, taking flight in one smooth motion as her own tears wetted her cheeks. She dropped weakly to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Somehow--she knew she wouldn't see him again.

Bra watched, shaken, as her future unfolded before her, a future she had no control over. Vegeta held his wife in his arms as they awaited medical help, his black gaze staring dejectedly after his son. Bulma clutched weakly at his shirt, salty tears running down tender skin, burning. But she didn't feel it over the pain clutching her heart.

/+\+/+\