A Permanent Fusion

School: A brand new beginning

Trunks sat on the edge of his bed, looking around his room, checking to see if he left anything behind.

"Let's see," he said as he looked at the list again. "Text books, check. Note books, check. Pens, check. Ruler, check. PE bag, check. Well, I guess that's it." He said as he leaned back against his bed. There was a knock at his door. "Come in.," he said as he turned his head towards the door. The door creaked open just a little as Bulma stuck her head through.

"Hey Trunks," she greeted her lavender haired son.

"Hey mom." He greeted back as he smiled at his aqua haired mother. He sat up and pushed his bag to one side as she fully opened the door. "Are you done in the lab?"

"Hai, I've finally finished the 'Super Saiyan Armor'." She said as she walked into the neat room. Well, it was only neat because she bullied him into cleaning it. Before, it had been a total mess! It made the battlefields of World War 2 look stupid. "But it's a small prototype. I'll have to find a saiyan about yay high to fit into it." She indicated with her hands up to about under a half a metre. Trunks nodded. His mother had been working on it when he was just a chibi. She had started the day after his father had left in the hopes that it would take both their minds off him. Trunks nodded as he looked up at his mother. "Have you finished packing for school?"

"Hai." He sighed. "Mom, why must I move to 'Red Honoo School'?" he asked. Bulma gave him a surprised look.

"But…you don't want to go? Goten's going to be there. As well as Pan."

"Hai, but I don't understand why I must move school as well. I can always see Goten after school…"

"Trunks, please let's not start this again!" Bulma groaned exasperatedly.

A few weeks ago, Chichi noticed that Goten seemed to be moving up in his class. So she decided to move Goten to a 'better' school. Red Honoo School was one of the best, as it was a full school; kindergarten, junior and high school all rolled into one. Chichi had also managed to convince her first son, Gohan, to enroll his daughter in the school. Even though she was just in kindergarten, she said that they wouldn't have to move her to another school when she's old enough to go to junior school. Bulma then also thought it would be a good idea for Trunks to do his senior years in Red Honoo School. She thought Trunks would agree to the idea, seeing as Goten was going as well. But Trunks wasn't too keen on the idea. In fact, Trunks had tried to convince Bulma that sending him to Red Honoo would be a mistake. But Bulma knew what was going on through Trunks's mind. He didn't want to go to Red Honoo as that meant he'd be studying more and he'd have to spend less time training. And she was having none of it! He was going to Red Honoo, like it or not.

Trunks dropped his head.

"Gomen, but I just want to know why." He asked.

"Trunks, you know that I want the best for you." She said. Trunks snorted at this.

"Hmph, if that was so, you wouldn't have married that scar faced yaro!" he snapped.

"Trunks!" but Trunks's hateful scowl didn't fade. Bulma sighed again as she sat next to him. "Trunks, am I not allowed a little happiness?" she asked.

"You're not happy, mom! I can see it!" he snapped. "I hear you cry every night after you two have an argument on why he was staring at whatever woman's ass! Why you married him, only Dende knows! In fact, last time I asked, not even he knew!!"

"But, I was thinking of you when I married him." She replied honestly. "I didn't want you to grow up without a father…"

"Better no father than a kisama who makes you cry every night!!" he snapped again. Bulma's eyes began to water at this. Trunks dropped his head again, hot with shame and embarrassment. "I…I'm sorry mom." He apologized. "I didn't mean to get so upset…" Bulma gave a little laugh as she forced the tears back.

"No, its not that." She gave a weak smile. "It's just that…you remind me so much of your father." Trunks lifted his head, looking straight ahead.

"Mom, why did papa leave us?" he asked. "Was it because of me?" Bulma sighed as she shook her head. Most of their heated conversations often ended with Trunks asking this same question. Even if the argument was about what coloured socks he should wear, the subject always turned to Vegeta.

"No Trunks, it wasn't because of you." She said as she hugged her well-built son. "It was mostly my fault. I pushed him away."

"How mom?" he asked. Trunks always asked this question. And Bulma always avoided answering it.

"I was young and foolish." She said simply, not really wanting to get into the detail of how foolish she was. There was silence as they sat by each other on the end of Trunks's bed. Bulma looked to her only son. His lavender hair was cropped short, and a wispy fringe enhanced his handsome features. He looked very much like her, with his crayon-coloured hair and her ningen features. But some things, like his attitude, copper skin and stern eyes, belonged to his real father. Vegeta. She sighed again as she stood up with a false smile plastered on her face. "Well, I just came in here to check if you have finished packing." Trunks nodded.

"Hai. I'm all done." He replied solemnly. She could tell he was still upset from their previous conversation. No matter how many times they had it ever since he left, it always left Trunks feeling like he was the one who had caused it all. Even though she had explained that Trunks had no part in their separation whatsoever, he remained grave.

"Good." There was another silence. "Well, goodnight Trunks." She said as she walked towards the door.

"Night mom." He said.

After Bulma had closed the door, Trunks lay back on his bed, listening to the sounds in the house and thinking about the previous conversation. Strange. Whenever they had an argument about something, the subject would somehow switch to Vegeta. The Saiyan no Ouji. His father. Trunks hated his life at home. There was his mother and grandfather who were always bust tinkering with some gadget. His grandmother was a really nice lady and an accomplished cook, but not all there in the brain department. And then there was his 'father'. Yamcha. Trunks never had anything against Yamcha before, at least, not until he and his mother got married.

The morning after Vegeta left, Trunks came running down the stairs, eager to find his papa and do some more training. When he reached the kitchen, however, he saw his mom sitting with her head in her hands, looking an absolute mess.

"Mom?" he asked as he slowly walked up to her side. "Is something wrong?" Bulma didn't move. "Mom?" he asked again, getting a bit worried. After a few silent moments, Bulma slowly lifted her head to reveal her tears soaked face. "Mom?"

"Trunks," she said in a choked up voice. "I'm…I'm afraid I've got some bad news."

"What is it?" he asked. Bulma almost started crying again. She didn't know how she was going to say it, but she had to. She knew she couldn't keep it a secret from him, as he was going to notice that Vegeta hadn't come back after a while. She took in a few deep breaths as she prepared to tell him the horrible news.

"Trunks," she paused, forcing the words into her mouth. "Vegeta has left."

"Oh. Where'd he go?" he asked innocently.

"I don't know." She answered. Truth was, she did know, but she'd rather not say. She knew that if she told him, he'd go looking for him. And that wasn't what she wanted. Things were over, and he was out. He didn't want to have anything to do with them anymore, and who knows what trouble could stir up if Trunks went and visited him.

"Oh." There was a pause. "When will papa be coming back?" Bulma swallowed nervously as she prepared to answer the dreaded question.

"Trunks," she whispered, so low that if Trunks wasn't a demi-saiyan he might've had to strain his ears to catch what she said. "Papa…is never coming back." Trunks just stared at his mother.

"Nani? What do you mean?" he asked, raising his voice a little in fright.

"Papa has moved away to another house." She said. "Papa…is gone."

"No," Trunks said, shaking his head as he absorbed the new and shocking information his mother gave him.

"Trunks…" she said as she reached for him so she could console him. But he stepped out of her reach, walking backwards and shaking his head.

"No, no, no, no, NO!!!!" he screamed. "NO!! NO!! NO!!!" And even with all the amount of energy Trunks had in him that morning, it all seemed to disappear as he sank to the floor, weeping bitterly at the loss of his father.

Trunks didn't know which was worse. His father being dead, or knowing that he's alive and well out there somewhere. The news that Bulma gave him that morning scarred Trunks for life. He was no longer Trunks, the demi-saiyan and son of Vegeta, the Saiyan no Ouji. He was just Trunks. The lavender haired demi-saiyan and friend of Son Goten. He never told anyone about his father leaving them, as he knew they'd want to know why. And he wasn't so sure of the answer either. A few months later, Bulma started dating again. She had gone out with a number of guys, but her main date was Yamcha. Trunks had to admit, Yamcha looked rather smug about this whole thing, and that somehow wanted to make Trunks knock his teeth out. A couple more months later, and Bulma told her family that she and Yamcha would be getting married. His grandfather and grandmother were surprised, but happy for the two of them. Trunks, however, was livid.

"No way!!" he yelled out. Everyone turned their gaze on him. "You can't be marrying this hentai! I've seen the way he looks at other women!"

"Trunks!" snapped Bulma. "Behave yourself!"

"NO!!" he yelled, slamming his fists on the table, shattering it to pieces. "I will not behave myself!! I don't want him in the family!!"

"Trunks!"

"Aw, don't worry about it Bulma." He said, striding over to Trunks. "I know it'll take some getting used to, but I'm sure in time you'll be able to call me 'father'." Trunks gritted his teeth as Yamcha hovered in close. "Hmm, son?" That did it. Trunks punched Yamcha in his face with all his might, which, may I add, because he was part saiyan, was damn strong!! Yamcha flew back through a number of walls before landing outside. Trunks flew out as the Brief's followed. He gripped Yamcha by the front of his shirt and was just about to kill him when Bulma yelled out.

"Trunks!! Don't!!" Trunks turned to see his mother clasping her face in terror, afraid that he was going to kill Yamcha, which he was. But at the sight of her, he felt his hatred subside. But not enough to keep him from hissing in Yamcha's face.

"You're not my father. You never were and you never will be. And," he hissed in a low and even tone. "If you ever call me 'son' again, I swear I will make that the last word you ever utter!!" He dropped Yamcha back to the ground before racing past his family and up to his room, tears streaking down his face.

Ever since then, Trunks has hated Yamcha. He knew he was only acting for the best, but no one could replace Vegeta. No one could replace his arrogance, his obstinacy, his way of being a father.

Trunks rolled to his side, pushing himself up so that his head was up on his pillow. He hadn't changed his room around. At least, not after his father left. He lifted his hands up as he slowly and gently petted his forehead, reminding him of a dream he once had. It was the dream he had the morning his mother told him Vegeta had left. He could hear his father's voice in the distance, telling him it wasn't his fault, that things were just the way they were and no one was to blame. But most of all, he could fell small, soft hands petting his forehead. Like a child showing affection. Right at that moment, it all seemed just like it was. A dream. But back then, it felt so real. It was as though it really did happen. He longed and ached for that touch. It was so comforting and gentle, yet strong and supportive. But he knew that he was all alone. No one knew that Vegeta had left them, apart from Yamcha. And Trunks had threatened to slit his throat if he dared utter a word of it to anyone, friend or stranger.

"Tomorrow's going to be a new day," he said as he lay back on his bed, digging his head deeper into his pillow. "And maybe a new beginning." He lifted his head a bit as he looked out the window to a moonless sky. "You're out there, papa. I know you are. And one day, when I'm done with all this studying and mom has told me where you are, I'll come find you and get the truth out of you! Mom knows where you are, I can tell. But I know that only you are the one who can tell me the truth. And one day, I will find it." He promised. Not bothering to get changed for bed, Trunk merely kicked off his boots as he lay back on his bed and closed his eyes. Before falling into a deep and uneasy slumber, he said one last thing.

"Oyasumi, papa."

~Second term, Red Honoo~

The school halls were light and brimming with life. Kids of all ages trotted through the huge halls filled with lockers and the occasional door or two. Matrics running to find their friends or to hand in a project two days late, small kindergartners searching the crowds for their friends or their classrooms. It was all very exciteful, and all very new.

But it made no difference to Gojita. She hated being here. She knew she had promised she'd go to a school, just like Piccolo and her tousan asked her to. But when she agreed, she had no idea that it would be filled to the brim with ningens! She thought it was where a few kids were taken into a class and they were taught how to work. How wrong she was…

Vegeta stood at her side, glancing over the crowd of ningen chibis and teenagers. He looked quite nervous as he was in fear of running into his son, or his mate's first children. Or course, he knew he wouldn't run into them. He knew that both his son and his mate's second son went to Orange Star. By now, they should be at Orange Star High as they should be about, what, fourteen-fifteen? In fact, that was why he chose Red Honoo. Not only was it one of the best schools and quite close to home, but he knew that Trunks and Goten didn't go there. Vegeta looked down to Gojita, who was scowling hatefully at everyone in the corridor. He couldn't help but grin at her, as she reminded him a lot of himself. Without saying anything, Vegeta walked down the busy corridor. Gojita instinctively followed behind him, giving hateful glares at anyone who came too close to her or her tousan.

Let's see, he thought to himself as he looked at the doors. They said room 30, first floor. He passed a couple before he found the door he was looking for. The door was red, and was decorated with drawing of flowers, butterflies and other childish things.

'Yeeugh!!' Vegeta glanced down at Gojita. She had her face scrunched up as she gave the door a disgusted look. He could tell by looking at her that she was having doubts about agreeing to go to school. But he knew that even if he gave her the option to change her mind, he knew she wouldn't. A promise is a promise, and she'd stick to her promise. But he had to admit; they overdid it with decorating the door.

'I agree.' He said through their mental link. Gojita looked up at him, a little pleased that he also thought the door was sappily disgusting. They gazed at each other for a bit.

'Saa?' she asked as she nodded her head towards the door. Vegeta nodded his head in agreement as he opened the door.

The classroom was really big. There was one wall with small little coloured lockers and another door. In one corner, there was a dress up area. The centre of the room was filled with small desks huddled together in groups with a bigger desk at the front in front of a blackboard. Near the windows, which were looking over the school grounds, there was a large blue mat. Both royal saiyans stared at the new sight. Even though Trunks went to school, Vegeta had never gone with him to see what his class looked like, so he didn't really know what to expect. Gojita was equally surprised, but that was because this was the first time she had ever been inside a real school before. The class was also bustling with life, just like the corridors. But this seemed to stick to the genre of chibis. Vegeta felt small hands grip the sides of his trousers, a sign that Gojita was quite nervous about this. Vegeta didn't push her away. Instead, he put his hand on her head in a reassuring way. He knew that he'd probably also be this nervous if he was forced to learn with a bunch of ningens. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a teacher appeared behind them.

"Ohayo gozaimasu!" she greeted them. Both royal saiyan practically jumped out of their skin as they whipped around to see a blonde smiling sweetly at them. She wore a light blue jersey over a white shirt and a dark blue skirt finished her outfit. Her hair was up in a bun and she had fair skin. Her skin's the same colour as his. Vegeta thought sadly, but shook it off as fast as it came.

"Uhh…ohayo gozaimasu." He answered back, if a little unsure.

"Are you lost?"

"Uhh…this is room 30, right?" he asked. It wouldn't do for the Saiyan no Oujo to look like a total baka on her first day at school. Especially because of him.

"Hai, this is the kindergarten section." She replied, then glanced down at Gojita. "Oh, is this your daughter?" Vegeta nodded slowly. "Then she must be in my class!" The woman knelt down until she was nearly eye level with Gojita. "Hello there, my name's jousan Ami!" Gojita just stared and nodded dumbly.

Gojita wanted so much to pull her tail out from under skirt, which was wrapped tightly under her clothes around her waist. She needed to wrap her tail securely around Vegeta's wrist, as she always did when she needed his comfort. But he had forbidden her to do so. In fact, he had forbidden her to do a number of things…but all for a good reason. He had told her not to use any of her powers, to keep her ki down low and most of all, to not show her tail. He explained that ningens were a particularly strange race. Anything new and unusual and they would either be frightened of it, or they'd hate it for no reason. And the last thing they'd want was for her to get kicked out of school for being one of the most powerful beings around!

Vegeta looked down to Gojita. She was very nervous, as he could feel it. But he was also nervous on his own. Why, he didn't know. But he had a hunch that maybe it had to do with the fact that she was now in a school and he didn't know what could happen while she was away. Sure, she had been away before, but she had been with Piccolo! And that was one hell of a difference.

"Well, you had better come inside." She said as she tried to take Gojita's hand. But Gojita pulled her hand away. Jousan Ami didn't think much of this, as she was used to chibis behaving like this on their first day at school. She waited for Gojita to move, but Gojita didn't budge from her tousan's side. Finally, Vegeta was the one who told her to do so.

"Go on." He said as he pushed her lightly into the room. "I just need to talk to your teacher. I'll be back to say goodbye." Gojita nodded.

"Hai, tousan." She hesitated a bit before walking into the room. Vegeta turned his attention to her new sensei. "Jousan…Ami. Right?" he asked.

"Hai."

"I am…uh…Mr Ouji."

"Oh right! You're the new parent around here!" she said with a smile. "Don't worry, she'll be okay here. Are you picking her up from school?"

"Er…iie. She's meeting her guardian after school." Vegeta didn't say where or who, as he didn't want to start trouble right at the beginning.

"Oh, that's okay." She said smiling. "Don't worry, Mr Ouji," she assured him as she caught his nervous glance at Gojita who was just standing and gazing about the room. "It takes a while for them to adjust. Just give her a few days and she'll be running into this class as if it were her home." Vegeta nodded, but privately was thinking that there was very little chance of that happening. He knew Gojita, and the only things she'd accept with open arms was her home, her tousan and training with Piccolo. Vegeta walked into the cool classroom and knelt down until he was eye to eye with Gojita.

"Gojita," he said softly. "I'm going to be leaving now."

"Hai, tousan." She said. Vegeta could feel that Gojita felt like crying, but he knew she wasn't going to. She thought crying was a sign of weakness, and as she said, Saiyans are not weak! Gojita could also feel her tousan's nervousness to leaving her in an unknown place without her guardian. But both knew that if they played their cards right, everything would be okay.

"And remember what I told you?" he asked as he looked into her eyes.

"Hai, I remember." She said. "Do not use any of my power, keep my ki down as low as possible and keep my tail hidden from view." Vegeta smiled at her as he ruffled her hair.

"That's my little oujo." He smirked. Gojita looked up and smiled blissfully at her tousan. There was brief moment of silence as they prolonged their parting. "Well, I'll be going now. The sooner we get this started, the sooner you can get back to Piccolo and train, ne?" Gojita smiled.

"Hai so desu…" Vegeta pulled her close for a tight hug.

"Sayonara, Gojita no Oujo." Gojita held him tight, savoring the last moments she'd ever get to touch and hold her tousan that morning.

"Sayonara, Vegeta no Ouji." They parted after a few seconds. Vegeta stood up and walked to the door. Before he left, he turned around to have one last look at his growing daughter.

Her coppery skin almost blended with her deep black hair tied up in two bunches with navy ribbons on the bottom of her hair. She wore a deep blue skirt and a cream long sleeve cotton top with a deep blue sailor collar. The sleeves flared out a bit and she looked close enough to Puchiko-chan from Di Gi Charat. Vegeta smiled to himself. He had always thought that sewing was a woman's job. But now that he had learnt to, he was actually quite proud of himself. He had even taught Gojita so that she could mend her own stuff without having to wait for him to do it for her.

He gave one last little wave and thought before disappearing out the door, only to be seen when she got out of school.

'Good luck, my utusukushii oujo.'

'See you later, my kawaii ouji.'