Chapter 12

Goten, bored with the drinking games that he had initiated, decided that he wanted to talk to Bra again. Even though they were not together anymore, he still enjoyed talking to her more than anyone else.

He wandered outside, but Bra was no longer sitting where he had left her. In fact she was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Uub. Goten's gut twisted in knots. Seeing a group of guys loitering around, Goten asked them if they had seen Bra, giving them a description of her.

"Uub's chick?" one guy asked. He grinned. "She went inside a little while ago. And Uub followed after her. Man, you shoulda seen those two!"

Goten's face flushed with anger. He muttered a thanks, and stormed back towards the house. Uub's chick? Uub's chick!?! Goten was steaming. They had only broken up a week previously, and already Bra was someone else's. Tears stung in his eyes, but he blinked them away.

Goten stopped at the front door. He couldn't go inside. Not while he was like this. Not while Bra was in there, doing Dende knows what with Uub. He sighed, and started to turn away.

The door opened.

It was Trunks and Pan, obviously finished doing whatever they had been doing. Pan stared at her uncle in concern. His cheeks were flushed crimson, and his eyes shot through with the same colour.

"Goten? Are you okay?" she asked.

A tear slid down his cheek, which he either didn't notice, or didn't care about. He mumbled, "I'm fine."

"Bullshit," said Trunks. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing you'd understand." Goten walked away. He'd made up his mind. He had to leave. He had to get away from everyone, especially Bra. Piccolo, he thought. I'll go to Piccolo and get him to train me. He's asexual. He doesn't care about women. I'll have to ask him to make me think like that.

"Goten, where are you going?" Pan called.

"I have to think. Tell Bra…" Goten stopped, and turned around. "Tell Bra, that I love her, so very much, and hope that Uub treats her well. If he doesn't, do me a favour Trunks, and break his neck."

Pan had started to go inside, in the hope of finding Bra, but Trunks stayed put. He gave his friend a lop-sided half-smile. "Are you sure this is what you wanna do?"

Goten looked at his feet. "…No…but I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Good luck, then, pal. Keep in touch." Trunks followed his wife inside.

Goten started walking again, then realised that he should at least thank Marron for inviting him to the worst moment of his life. And, of course, say goodbye to her.

Marron, fortunately, was outside and only slightly drunk. "Heya, Goten."

"Uh, Marron, I've gotta go now. Thanks for the party." Goten was thankful for the diplomatic skills he'd learnt off his brother.

"Oh, okay then. No problem! I'll see you around!"

No, you won't. I might see you, but I doubt you'll see me. "Uh, sure, whatever."

                                    *           *           *           *           *

Bra didn't know where she could find Goten, but she thought she'd check the kitchen first, since that was where he'd been last. Plus, it had always been one of his favourite places. She gave a little smile.

However, on her way there, she saw Pan, looking depressed. Trunks came up behind her, and he looked just as bad.

"Pan? Trunks?" said Bra. "What's wrong?"

Pan looked at her best friend, and sister-in-law. "Oh, Bra! It's Goten. He was all upset about you and Uub! He said he was going somewhere. We couldn't stop him."

"But…but…I don't want to be with Uub. I want Goten!"

Trunks looked at her, with the most serious expression that she had ever seen on his face. "Are you positive?"

"Yes! I told Uub, and he said it was okay. I just couldn't feel the same way with him as I did with Goten. I couldn't love him the way I love Goten."

"There's still time, Bra. I don't think he's left yet. Go to him, and tell him how you feel. Only you can stop him from leaving."

Bra glanced at Pan, and she gave a little nod. That was all the encouragement Bra needed. She raced out the door in search of her love.

"Do you think she'll make it in time?" Pan asked Trunks.

"I hope so," he sighed. "She really is the only one who can stop him."

"I have to go to the bathroom. Wait here for me?"

"Sure thing."

Trunks leant against the wall. A moment later, wandering from the same direction Bra had come, was Uub. He looked fairly upset, almost as upset as Goten had looked. Oh, Bra, sighed Trunks. You are such a little heartbreaker, and you never even realise it.

"Hello, Uub," Trunks greeted.

"Oh, Trunks," replied Uub. "Hi."

"You okay?"

"I guess so."

Trunks placed a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Don't feel too bad about Bra. She really does like you. But she's bonding to Goten."

"Bonding?"

"It's a Saiyan thing. They didn't seem to be bonding while they were going out; that's why they broke up. They were hoping that some time apart might bring them closer together, and it worked. So, don't feel so bad."

"You don't understand. I can't help feeling like this. I came so close to having her. Do you know what it feels like to watch the woman of your dreams with someone else? To know that you can never have her, because she's someone else's?"

"You did have her, Uub. If only for a short while. You have to understand – the Saiyan in Bra means that she can only be with Goten. She can only be with another Saiyan."

"Then what happened with your parents? And Goku and ChiChi; Gohan and Videl?"

"There were no other Saiyans, so my father, Goku and Gohan chose women that were like Saiyans, in their attitude or strength." Trunks gave a little smile. "Y'know, if Goten wasn't around, Bra probably would have chosen you. You're unbelievably powerful – for a human, anyway."

Uub smiled, and it did not entirely seem forced. He even managed to make a joke. "If I killed Goten – you reckon I'd still have a chance with her?"

Trunks laughed. "Maybe. As long as I don't tell her. Or avenge his death by killing you." He became serious again. "You can still be there for Bra. I know how much she values your friendship."

"Yeah. I value hers just as much."

"Then don't ever lose that. Be her friend Uub – she will love you more for that than any thing else."

A smile, true and beautiful, spread across Uub's mouth. "I can do that. And I will. Thank you, Trunks."