Author's Note: I'm SOOOO sorry it's been so long. I've been so evil ::hangs head:: As a token of apology, please accept this third chapter and review it.

Disclaimer: DBZ is not mine. And while this is true, I will still use the characters and exhibit them for profit.

[Trunks] O.O WHAT?

EhehJust kidding.

Autumn Days

By Supaa Saiyajin Trinity

Chapter 3

Trunks, quite literally, flew in the door. Nearly out of energy from flying so fast, he closed the door behind him, slumped against it, and asked breathlessly, "What... did... you... want... Kaa... san?"

His mother looked up from the sick, where she was rinsing off dishes. "Hmm? Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about something." She paused and frowned. "Where's your father?"

"Uh--" At that moment, Trunks felt the doorknob turn against his back, and a loud knocking--more like a pounding, really--was heard.

"Blasted brat, open the door!"

Trunks hastily obeyed and bowed apologetically, murmuring, "Sorry, Otou-san," as his father barged in past him.

Vegeta scowled at him and, harumphing, stomped off to the gravity chamber.

"Ooh, that man! What a grouch!" Bulma shook her head in irritation.

"Um, Kaa-san? You wanted to talk?"

"Yes, honey, sit down." She led him to the kitchen table and sat him down, pulling out a chair for herself. "Listen, I'm going away for a few weeks, and I need you to man the company while I'm gone." At her son's shocked expression, she continued. "It's only until the end of winter break, so you can still get back to school on time."

Trunks blinked. "But Kaa-san, my friends, Goten..."

She took his hand. "Sweetie, please, I really need your help with this."

"But why me? Why do I have to do it?"

She snorted and frowned. "Because I don't trust any of my idiot employees to run it." She looked over to the hallway in the direction Vegeta had left and sighed. "I'd ask your father, but I don't think I can trust him to run Capsule Corp without reducing it to rubble. And he still has to take care of Bra." She turned her gaze back on him, her eyes pleading. "Please, Trunks."

He sighed. Her never was able to refuse his mother when she looked at him that way. "...All right."

She hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you. You've been needing some more experience in the office, anyway." She got up. "I have to go check on your sister. I put her down for a nap an hour ago, so she might be awake now."

When Trunks was alone, he covered his face with his hands. "Goten..."

***

"Hello?" a squeaky voice answered on the other end of the phone.

"Hi, Bulma's mom!" Goten replied cheerfully. "It's me, Goten. Is Trunks around?"

"Oh, no, honey, he's working right now."

"Oh," he replied, disappointed. He hadn't known Trunks would be working today. "Okay, I'll just call the office then. Thanks a lot."

"No problem, sweetheart. Bye-bye!"

"Bye." Goten hung up, then picked up the receiver again and quickly dialed the private number to Trunks's office.

When Trunks answered his voice sounded very professional, but more than a little bored. "Hello, this is Trunks Brief."

"Trunks!"

"Oh, Goten, hey!"

"Hey. Um... I was just wondering if you'd have some time to, um, hang out?"

"I wish I could," Trunks sighed.

Goten felt a sting. "Oh, okay. I just thought..." He trailed off.

"Listen, Goten," came Trunks's soothing voice, "My mom's appointed me to do some work for Capsule Corp, and I really can't afford to slack off right now." There was a beep. "Damn, I've got another call. Listen, I'll call you later, okay? Bye." He hung up, not waiting for a reply.

For a long time afterwards, Goten was still, listening to the dial tone drone in his ear.

******

I'm SO sorry this is so short, but in order for what I'm thinking to work, I have to do another chapter. But at least it's something, right? Don't worry, I promise I won't take so long anymore. Until next chapter, ja ne! ^^