A/N: Well, here's the long chapter. It's Trunks remembering many years ago.

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Dawn broke steadily threw the branches of the many pines that surrounded the outskirts of West City. The only sound besides silence was the soft pit-pat of a child's feet. Silver streaks of tears lined her flushed cheeks as she ran faster and faster, her heart pounding within her chest as her lungs burned for her to stop.

Blonde pigtails flying loosely behind her, she turned down sidewalk and kept her pace steady, running full blast for Capsule Corp. Luckily it was too early for anyone, even the early risers of the Briefs household, to be up yet, so she was safe from any curious eyes.

Her heart was beating so quickly she knew at any second it would break through her chest and fall onto the cool pavement below her sneakers. Her tattered and torn pair of blue jeans swished with each stride as she neared the gates and hastily climbed over to her best friend's window.

She silently crossed his bedroom and crouched beside his bed. For a boy of only eleven, he looked gorgeous. Most boys she knew were now lanky and beginning to show acne, but not her Trunks. No, he remained to be proportioned beautifully. His dark, black lashes beat against his soft skin as he dreamt on.

"Trunks," whispered the young blonde, shaking his shoulder slightly. He groaned slightly, rolling over onto his side grumpily. "Trunks," she repeated, this time shaking his shoulder a bit rougher. "I don't wanna train Dad," he grunted, rolling onto his stomach, practically eating the pillow with his words.

Marron hid a snicker behind her thin hand as he continued to mutter words into his baby blue pillow case. "Trunks Vegeta Briefs!" she snapped, her eyes turning a darker shade, comparing greatly to Bulma's. A deep shade of indigo that hinted fire at the slightest second.

Even though Marron was definitely not as forceful as the young boy's mother, she did have a bit of fire to her as did every woman who was, in any way, friend or family related, to a Saiyan or in Marron's case, an android.

Trunks slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes softly, blinking slowly as he tried to remember his surroundings. He turned to Marron and frowned. "Marron? What are you doing here?" Marron remembered her earlier problem, and tears stung her eyes once again. She was about to reply as her lip quivered, yet couldn't and held her head in her tiny hands.

Trunks shifted uneasily in his seat, not particularly comfortable with being in only his boxers around a girl. Marron of all people. "Umm, are you okay?" Marron looked up through pitiful eyes, tears rolling slowly down her cheeks. "Mom and Daddy…they had a fight at the…the hotel," she explained slowly through hiccups.

Trunks scooted over and Marron quickly sat up onto his seat, smiling slightly to him. "They were yelling all night so I got out and I ran here." Trunks eyes bulged. "You ran two miles, Marron?" The young girl nodded, "Uh huh. I had ta get out."

Trunks nodded as he placed an uncertain arm around her shuddering shoulders. Marron took the invitation and leaned into his chest, crying softly as Trunks simply sat there, imitating what he'd seen his father do so many times before. Just let her cry and scream and keep quiet unless your gonna make her yell at you or laugh.

"You…you wanna go watch cartoons?" asked Trunks shyly. Marron looked up, smiling. She thought back to the many times her parents argued, it always ended with her mother shutting Krillin up by placing a soft kiss to his lips and it was over. (With the exception of their fight tonight).

"Marron?"

She turned to him and licked her lips unknowingly, wondering if she was supposed to. Trunks decided to do what his mother always did to make everything right and kissed her.

It worked.

:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:

"C'mon, Trunks! We're gonna be late!" screamed the same blonde, only older. Standing on the corner of the gray sidewalk, which led to West City Junior High, Marron tapped her foot impatiently.

Trunks and Goten slowly sauntered up, both grumbling about the next year, seventh grade. Marron, who was just starting the sixth grade* was ready to get the school year started off, yet two thick-headed demi-Saiyans were not helping. "I heard Pan's starting school this year."

Goten shrugged indignantly. "Yeah, so?" Trunks shook his head. "I was just saying…" Goten rolled his eyes.

Marron glared at them as they finally caught up. "You know how long I've been waiting? Forever!" Trunks gave her a sideways glance before rolling his eyes as she continued to ramble on about them always bringing her down. As the three neared the doors of the school, Marron gave them both a bop on the head before jogging off to her friends.

"I hate her sometimes," grumbled Trunks, rubbing his head. Goten smiled stupidly, "Reminds me of home." Trunks looked at him for a moment, stopping in mid-stride only to shake his head, chuckling softly.

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Autumn had always been her favorite season, it was something wonderful about the slight chill in the air that hinted of winter, yet the warmth from the sun that gave you reassurance summer was here to stay…at least for a few more days.

Yet today, she wasn't enjoying it one bit. Sixth grade was fine, easy really. Yet it was what happened that had caused her to break. She had never had many friends, mostly Trunks and Goten with the occasional friend of course.

"What's wrong?"

Marron looked up to find Trunks sapphire eyes twinkling at her. Orange illuminated his face as the sun set softly. Marron quickly wiped away her cold tears, rising up quickly. "I…I think someone hates me." Trunks frowned, his face full of concern.

"What do you mean? Tell me, Mar. Who?" Marron grinned fondly, before glancing about the schoolyard for any eavesdroppers before she whispered quietly. "Ashton. He said that I was a freak because of my mom. He said that I wasn't real, that they made me in China and that if anybody touched me my mom and uncle would blast 'em. Now nobody, not even Megan and Diana. Nobody wants to…to…to," but she couldn't finish and began to cry softly in her pale hands, blond pigtails hanging above her ears as loose strands blew about her.

Anyone would have thought it was gush of fall wind but when Marron looked up, Trunks was shaking with anger and his hair was flying about his shoulders. Her tears automatically stopped and as she went to protest, Trunks disappeared. A soft grin spread across her pale lips as she started off home.

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Trunks stepped out into the chilly air as he exited the detention room. Three days for fighting of detention wasn't so bad. Well, it could have been worse…that is unless your mother is Bulma Briefs and owns one of the top selling companies on earth.

"Psst!"

Trunks frowned, turning to find Marron. "Trunks! C'mere!"

The boy quickly jogged over, glancing around for his mother. She was no where so he went over easily. "Hey." Marron smiled sweetly. "I wanted to tell you thanks. I mean, I didn't know that Ashton would go tell and stuff." Trunks shrugged, "It's alright. I only have two days left. I just sit there for an hour. Goten is usually there, but he wasn't today."

Marron giggled before she took Trunks hand and led him past the school, laughing softly. "Where are we going?" asked Trunks, following the smaller girl. Marron laughed, "It's a surprise!"

Through the swings and past the slide, across the high school football field and deep into the trees surrounding the school, near the park of West City.

Finally the two made there way into a small clearing that was pretty simple, yet with a child's imagination it was beautiful, dusk was spinning between the barest branches and adding an amber glaze to light as a few leaves fell about them, dusting their feet lightly as Marron spun around, smiling, her eyes drifting close.

"Wow," whispered Trunks, not really looking at the area but the pretty thing twirling before him. Marron stopped suddenly with a silly grin upon her face. "Isn't it great? I found it yesterday…of course its prettier today, but that's even better because its your present."

Trunks quirked an eyebrow at her as she placed her hands on her hips. "For beating up Ashton, stupid." Trunks smirked, shrugging as he crossed to the center of the large thicket. Marron grabbed his hand once again and jerked him down to sit beside her.

"Thanks," he whispered, looking around him. Marron grinned impishly. "Your welcome, Trunks."

Trunks glanced at his feet, not feeling quite comfortable with the silence that was filtering about. It was then that Marron said something he would have never guessed come out of her mouth.

"I love you."

Trunks jerked to her, eyes wide. Her eyes did not meet his as she began to wring her hands nervously. The wind gathered a bit, only this time not from Trunks. Marron let out a little sigh, standing up abruptly.

"Forget what I said. It was stupid, I'm gonna go. I'm late already." Trunks frowned, pulling himself up as well. Marron dodged his eyes as she grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. As she began to run Trunks grabbed her hand. "Mar?"

Her indigo met his own and she looked at him through teary eyes. "You, you remember when we were littler?" Marron nodded quickly. "Well, you remember what happened that one night? When your parents got into that fight?" Marron nodded again, her hand lightly squeezing his, which he had failed to let go.

"Can I do that again?" Marron grinned. "Uh huh." Trunks nodded, hesitating a moment before leaning forward and capturing her lips softly in a sweet and innocent kiss.

Marron grinned as he backed away. "I guess that means you're my boyfriend now, huh?" Trunks shrugged. "I guess." Marron giggled, taking his hand and leading the way home.

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It was Wednesday, neither had ever forgotten the day they ended any possibility of romance between themselves. It had been bright and sunny, a bit nippy, but pretty much warm for autumn. The two had been walking up to the school as they always did, holding hands between their backpacks.

Even Goten didn't know they were together, even if it had only been three days. Reaching the main doors, a young red head named, Calra pointed to their hands and yelled, "Is that your girlfriend, Trunks??"

Automatically, Trunks jerked his hand away and shook his head quickly. "No!" he yelled back, just as Marron screamed, "Yes!" The two looked to each other, both frowning.

A large eighth grader boy stepped forward. "Well what is it Trunks? Yes or no?" Marron looked at him as chants began in the background. (Ya'll know what song I'm talking about, Trunks and Marron, sittin' in a tree…)

Tears were already forming in her eyes. Trunks glanced away from her to Goten, who was fuming with anger, then back to the eighth grader. "No, I don't even like her. She's gross."

Marron's heart ripped, shattering so loudly she could have sworn that the whole school heard. Laughter broke out amongst the crowd awaiting for the bell to ring. Marron just shook her head, tears sprinkling lightly down her cheeks. Trunks gulped as he watched her run back towards the house her parents rented during school.

"Yeah, I thought so."

Trunks looked back to the older boy and nodded, glancing at Goten who was simmering back down. "What?!" Goten just shook his head slowly, walking into the school without Trunks…

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Trunks looked at Goten. "So that's what he has that I don't? A bad memory?" Goten shrugged casually, flipping through an air car magazine. Trunks shook his head, laying back down upon his bed, staring at the white ceiling, and the soft thud of Bura's stereo that was seeping through, the heavy, angry beat matching his mood greatly.

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A/N: Well, did you like it? I know this plot is MTxM but we need a lil drama dontcha think?? LOL, r/r as always, guys! I love reading what you think…of course, as long as its not too mean…mean = no chapters for awhile. Call me a baby, whatever. :P