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AN: Sorry guys. Enjoy.

* * *

He readjusted the black trench coat over his arm and switched the single red rose into his other hand as his eyes scanned the throng of people milling about the east lobby.

"Like a ghost out of the mists of my past." The voice had deepened slightly over the years, but he had no problem recognizing it. The memories of so many different temperaments reflected in that voice passed through his mind as he turned to face his own ghost.

He had not imagined it. She was every bit as beautiful as the dreams, which tormented him, portrayed her to be: more beautiful still with the light touches of the years past settling on her face. "Rei," he smiled softly in greeting. "You're looking well."

"I was about to say the same." An easy smile spread across her lips as she tucked a silken strand of raven hair behind her ear. "Jay told me he went to see you," she continued after a momentary pause. "He said you told him everything," she added softly.

"I think I owed him the truth at the very least," Nijuu nodded. "It's what I owed both him and Juu, though she doesn't seem as eager to lay claim to what she's owed."

Her smile was so full of pity he almost turned away. "She'll come around. She just needs time," she assured him. She paused with a sly smile before adding, "She has a stubborn streak that did not come from my side of the family."

A soft chuckle rumbled through his chest as he nodded. "Yes, I see that very well. So, how have things been with you?"

"Life has been good to me. I can't complain."

"Good. You deserve happiness," he said, sincerity dripping from his words.

"Everyone deserves happiness, Nijuu. No matter what mistakes they've made," she replied softly.

He could not understand how after all he had put this woman through it was possible she had not hardened herself to him. Yet, he found not a single trace of anger or bitterness in her smiling face. Of course, hatred and resentment had never been Rei. She just did not seem capable of such awful emotions. In that moment, he realized just how much he had lost the day she had walked out of his life.

"I wish things could have been different between us," he said so softly not even he recognized his own voice.

Her eyes softened with that piteous look again, and this time he did lower his eyes. "So do I, Nijuu," she answered just as softly. "So do I."

He had no response as the sounds of children's voices neared and his wife - ex-wife - turned and squatted down just as two raven-haired children stopped before them. He watched as she hugged each child - a girl and a boy - as she marveled over how big they had become.

"Did you know that Sissy gets to make a speech at her grad - grad - uh..." the boy faltered in his hurried statement.

"Graduation," his twin sister supplied.

"Yeah! She gets to make it because she's the...the...uh..." he looked to his sister for knowledge.

"President," the girl answered the unspoken question, rolling her eyes heavenward as she did.

"That's it!" the boy smiled.

Rei chuckled at the child's excitement. "Well, I guess we should get inside before we miss it, shouldn't we?"

"I was just about to suggest that," smiled a pretty red head as she approached them. "Nice to see you again Rei. It's been a long time."

He watched his ex stand to her full height and step forward to embrace the other woman. "Yes, it has been. It's wonderful to see you, Julia."

The redhead pulled back first and smiled down at the shorter woman. "Emily thought it would be nice if we all sat together. I was sent to find you, and show you where we're sitting." She glanced curiously at him before turning her startling green eyes back on Rei. "That is, if you don't have other plans."

Rei shook her head and glanced back at him. "No, I'd be happy to sit with you all. Julia, this is Nijuu Morij, the twins' father. Nijuu this is Julia Mau. Her daughter ChiChi is very close to Juu."

Shifting the rose in hand once again, he extended his free hand to the other woman, taking note of the surprised look on her face at his introduction.

"It's very nice to meet you," she said politely, "and by all means feel free to join us as well." She smiled then took each of the children's' hand. "Come along you two rug rats," she said as she started back the way she had come.

Rei moved to follow the woman then stopped and turned to him. "Are you coming?"

He hesitated only a moment before smiling and following her. Julia led them to the section marked "F" and down to the first few rows of seats.

"Rei!" a pretty blonde exclaimed, cutting short her conversation with two exotic looking brunettes as she stood to embrace the woman.

"Hello Emily," Rei smiled warmly as she returned the hug. Pulling back after a moment she motioned toward him. "Emily Briefs, this is Nijuu Morij. He's the twins' father."

The surprise in her blue eyes was very similar to that of Julia's moments before. Also like the redhead, she quickly replaced the surprise with a smile. "It's very nice to meet you."

The next few minutes were filled with similar pleasantries as Nijuu was introduced to the Sons, the Seis, the Roshis, and an older woman who introduced herself as Nana Sheki.

"You're looking lovely Rei," old man Roshi commented in a distinctively more than friendly tone, which ended in an almost lewd chuckle as he eyed her through his sunglasses.

Rei only smiled at the old man. "Thank you, Roshi," she chuckled as she took a seat beside Emily.

Glancing around, Nijuu took a seat on the next row up and beside the younger Roshi man, who was in the process of reprimanding his aged father for his rude behavior. When the father brushed the words off with a grunt, the son turned to the newcomer with a smile. Krillin he believed was this man's name..........

"So, you're the twins' father huh? Great set of kids you got there. Juu's been seeing my Junior since they were in sixth grade," the rather tall, dark-haired man paused to chuckle. "Believe it or not they were actually the same height back then."

Nijuu smiled, not exactly sure what the man meant. "I've never met your son but I'm sure he's great if Juu cares for him."

Krillin nodded. "That she does, and he for her. I've watched her grow into a beautiful young woman and I honestly don't think my boy could have done any better. She's an amazing girl. You really have yourself a good one," he finished with warm, almost fatherly, pride.

Nijuu couldn't help the feeling of envy toward this man who'd seen more of his daughter's life he himself had. "Thank you," he muttered. "But I don't deserve any of the credit for that," he added, his eyes falling on Rei.

Krillin followed his gaze and smiled. "Like mother, like daughter, I always say. Rei is- Hey John! Over here," the man spoke the sudden words to someone descending the steps beside him.

He noticed curiously that Emily's laughter paused as she turned to follow the direction of Krillin's greeting. He turned just in time to see the woman's eyes lock with those of a lavender haired man who had paused on the stairwell. The two shared the look a spilt second before Emily lowered her eyes and returned to the conversation she had been having with the other three mothers. Nijuu watched the man sigh heavily before he took the last remaining seat beside him.

"Hello Krillin. You're looking well," he said as he laid his jacket across the back of the seat before sitting.

"Thanks! Say, I don't suppose you've met Nijuu here. He's Jay and Juu's father," Krillin said, motioning to him.

John frowned in confusion a moment before nodding. "Oh yes. The twins, right? Well, it's nice to meet you," he said, extending his hand. "I'm John Briefs. I believe my daughter Bulma is good friends with yours."

Having the man's full name answered several things for him. In his introduction to Emily, something about her name had grabbed his attention. Now he knew why. You didn't get very far in any aspect of the business world without having some dealings with the Capsule Corporation. His own business with the company was another of his reasons for being in this part of the world. Another thing his name explained was the odd look, which had passed between this man and the blonde in the row in front of him.

During the earlier introductions, it had been commented that Julia's husband was a teacher, and therefore had to sit with the rest of the faculty on the main floor with the students, thus explaining his absence. There had been no such explanation for Emily's spouse. The two were obviously estranged in some way.

Nijuu took the offered hand and shook it firmly. "It's very nice to meet you as well Mr. Briefs," he said.

As the music in the arena below changed, the crowds' murmurs died down as the faculty began filing out, each standing beside a seat on either end of every row of which the graduates would seat themselves. The pomp and circumstance began, and it was time for the graduates to make their debut. Settling the rose in his lap, Nijuu sat back to watch, his eyes lighting slightly as a blonde-haired girl was one of the first to step out.

* * *

As she brought the head of her line to a stop, ChiChi turned to her fellow classmates and placed a finger to her lips. "Shhh," she started softly. "Everyone remember not to sit in the first or last seat of the row. Those are for the faculty and no talking during the ceremony-"

Vegeta chose to block out the rest of her mutterings. His eyes wandered around the small entrance room the brilliant graduation organizers had chosen to shove the some 850 members of the graduating class into to wait for their cue. He spotted Kakarot after a moment, close to the end of the second line. He scowled and rolled his eyes as the other man gave him that stupid grin of his and a "thumbs up." He turned his attention back to the front without as much as a nod in the clown's direction.

Of their own accord Vegeta's eyes then traveled up and down the length of her long, creamy white neck. She hadn't looked back at him once since he was placed behind her in the line. He glared at the back of her head a moment before he sighed and turned his attention back to ChiChi who had finished speaking.

At the moment the brunette was hugging her father, who had stopped in the faculty line to wish her good luck. He kissed one cheek and caressed the other one last time before walking out the door with his colleagues. ChiChi turned back to the class then, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"All right guys," she whispered as the music changed in the arena. "It's time. Remember what I said." She then turned and led them out.

What happened next was all a blur. There was the march inside to the cheers and flashing cameras of the crowd, then the ascension to the stage by the four of five class officers and the two most academically honored among the class. They sat as the high school orchestra played one final time for them, followed by the chorus adding their own musical farewell.

He later faintly recalled Launch stepping forward to lead the school song one last time before Cassandra took her place to lead one last recitation of the school creed. They were seated then and Juu stood, taking her place at the podium to announce the night's speaker, and the woman, Dr. Nobody Cares from the Who-Gives-A-Fuck Institute of higher learning, proceeded to drone on for the next thirty minutes. When her speech finally came to what he was sure she thought was a dynamic ending, the audience clapped politely.

Through all this, not once did she look his way. Her back remained straight and her eyes remained forward. Even with the close proximity of their chairs, she was able to keep a distance that seemed miles, an invisible wall of her personal erection between them. Instinctively he knew she felt his eyes briefly scanning her face every now and then, but she proved to be his equal in hiding emotions, something she had never done well before. It was as if all the things that had transpired between them never existed to her, as if they were strangers, once again driving home the fact he was nothing special to her, and how truly weak he was to have let her become so special to him.

It was that weakness that wanted so badly to once again have the things they'd lost the day he'd said he was leaving. That same weakness made him want to see her turn to him and smile that smile, which always made something inside him click and want to return the gesture to her. But he knew that would never be possible. He knew nothing could break down the blockade of emotion she had taken such care to fashion between them. Nothing.

Then ChiChi stood.

Tradition mandated the class president to say a few words on behalf of the class, somewhere during the commencement ceremony. As the speakers' applause died down, ChiChi straightened her papers the podium as she waited to speak.

When all was quite again, she cleared her throat and began. "A great woman once said, 'As time slips quickly through the hourglass, will you be able to reflect on each grain of sand?'" she started strongly, her voice reverberating off every wall of the silent arena.

"On this night of hoorah and celebration, this night of stepping out of the past and into the future, let's not forget those who have stuck by us this far: the family and friends who laughed with you in times of joy, and those who stood beside you in times of pain," she paused as her voice cracked with emotion then continued. "In all the hoopla of moving on, don't forget to thank those who were there for you no matter what..." she faded off, and her eyes searched her audience.

He instinctively looked to Kakarot's seat, and saw the other man smile warmly as her eyes met his.

"...even when you didn't deserve to have them do so," she finished softly, returning his smile as her eyes watered. She took the several moments that follow to gather her thoughts once again before looking at the paper and continuing. "So much we leave behind tonight," she started again in a much steadier voice. "So many friends we'll part with, perhaps never to see again."

And there it was. A sob so soft, she herself may not have even known she had uttered it. He cut his eyes to find her glassy blue gaze focused on the floor as she hung her head: the first sign of emotion. What emotion, he wasn't sure, but emotion nonetheless.

His eyes continued down her figure to find her fingers furiously kneading the lace handkerchief caught between them. Resisting the urge to cover those trembling fingers with his own, he returned his attention to the speaker.

"So as commencement ends and the parties of many goodbyes and farewells begin, don't forget to thank, embrace and share perhaps one last tender moment with those you hold dear. Don't let the sun of your tomorrows rise without parting properly in the moonlight of your todays. You might never get the chance to do so again. Thank you," she finished to the immediate sound of applause and as she turned to reclaim her seat she smiled at him: a true smile, like the ones she saved only for Kakarot.

He was so surprised by the action he could only arch an eyebrow until he felt like an idiot as he realize much of her speech had been directed at him. ChiChi was not one for mushy goodbyes, and so this was her personal farewell to him: her goodbye to he whom she considered her friend.

Before ChiChi's applause died, the principal stood at the podium, the two assistant principals beside him, each holding a plaque.

Mr. Jinunna cleared his throat and put on his best smile before speaking. "And now we honor two of the most outstanding members of this graduating class. First is our solitarian, Mr. Vegeta Sei. Mr. Sei has also been a major force in many of our athletic programs and has still managed to keep a 4.2 GPA throughout his high school career. He-"

As the man continued to speak, Vegeta stood to the all ready growing applause of the audience. As he did, the female assistant principal approached him and presented him with her plaque. The woman then shook his hand and stood beside him as the official photographer for the evening snapped their picture, after which he returned to his seat.

"As for our valedictorian, Ms. Bulma Briefs," the principal continued. She stood slowly as he spoke her name. "-one of our most active students, holding a spot on the student government as secretary. Even with all her extracurricular activities, Ms. Briefs has still maintained a 4.8 GPA throughout her high school career. A truly outstanding accomplishment for a truly outstanding young woman."

The male assistant principal approached her during all this and went through the same ritual that had just been performed with the salutatorian, and he was then instructed to stand again so the photographer could get the two together. Vegeta had to wonder how the man got them both in the same shot with the distance she kept.

"Now for what you've all waited so patiently for," Mr. Jinunna began again once the applause died down. "The presentation of the diplomas. Class, please stand as the ushers instruct you, and step up as the callers call your name."

It took another hour for the callers to get through all 857 students in the graduating class. How so many of his idiotic peers had made it this far he wasn't sure, but one thing he knew was this was taking way too long for his nerves to handle. The students on the stage were the last to stand and be presented with their diplomas. When they were all seated again, Mr. Jinunna once again took his place at the podium.

"Will you all please stand," he spoke to the graduates. "To signify your graduation, please move your tassels from the left to the right side." Loud cheers from the audience went up as the graduates did just that. "Congratulations to you all. May success and happiness be the only thing you find on your road of life. Parents, family, and friends, I present to you this year's Orange Star High graduating class."

As he completed the sentence, cheers of joy broke from the class members as their hats flew into the air. And that was it. As quickly as all that it was over. They marched back out just the way they had come and gathered once again in the small waiting room until they were officially released into the south lobby to meet their families.

The students hugged and said goodbye in oceans of tears and cheers. Somehow, he found his way to the door. The feeling he was being watched brushed him, and he turned to find her eyes trained on him from the other side of the room. She blushed at being caught and quickly turned away, only to be engulfed by the hugs and kisses of her friends. He watched her briefly before turning and walking out the door.

* * *

Krillin's excited cry floated into the night sky as their small party emerged from the building still in tact. After marching back out the way they had come, the graduates had been released into the large south lobby of the massive building where family and friends waited to engulf them in avalanches of hugs, kisses and well wishes. How they had found their way to one another again, none were sure, and yet they had and were now entering the parking lot together.

Juu glanced down at her boyfriend as he released another excited whelp and threw his cap in the air once again. "Will you stop yelling like that?"

He grinned up at her. "Oh come on babe! We just graduated! You can't tell me you're not excited."

"I can't?" she questioned as she removed her cap and ran her fingers through her hair.

"No, you can't," he informed her on a chuckle.

She was just about to tell him that she could and would do whatever she liked when-

"But why B?! Everyone's going!" ChiChi's voice interrupted.

Juu turned to see Bulma give the brunette a smile. "I'm just tired is all. I don't feel like a party, so I'm going to just head home," she shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll be leaving in a couple of days anyway, so I need to spend time with my mom."

"But-" ChiChi started, only to be cut off by Bulma's hug and a quick peck on the cheek.

"Call me later, and we'll do something tomorrow," she said firmly before she waved at the rest of them then turned and headed for her car.

ChiChi watched her go with a disappointed frown. "She never wants to do anything fun anymore."

"Can you really blame her?" Juu countered, tucking a strand behind her ear.

ChiChi turned to her, frown still in place, and then sighed. "No, I guess not. Goku," she started, turning to the man. "Where's Vegeta? Isn't he riding with us?"

A sad little smile touched his lips. "His mom asked him to help her finish packing for tomorrow. I don't think he was really in a partying mood anyway," he finished softly.

The teens stood in silence a moment before ChiChi spoke, obviously adding unfelt cheer to her voice. "Well, just the four of us will go to the Graduation Carnival then, and we'll have enough fun for them as well."

Krillin nodded. "You're right Chi. We'll have a great time tonight. Right babe?"

"Whatever," Juu muttered on a shrug.

Krillin grinned. "You ARE going to have fun tonight, and you're even going to show it."

She frowned down at him. "I don't know why you're on this sudden kick of telling me what to do, but you're sadly mistaken if you thi- AHHH!" she half shrieked when he dipped low, and she was suddenly hoisted over his shoulder. "Krillin! Put me down now! Damn it! I said now!"

Wrapping one arm around her legs to stop their angry kicking, he gave her a little slap on the butt, eliciting another growl from her. "Stop swearing. It's not ladylike."

"I'll show you ladylike if you don't put me down you son of a bi-"

Krillin cleared his throat loudly, blocking the last word, and gave her butt another swat before turning to their laughing friends. "Let's go guys. We don't want to miss the money machine." He turned back toward the parking lot as both Goku and ChiChi continued to laugh at his antics.

"Uh," Juu moaned after he had walked a few feet. "Krillin put me down before you make me sick," she groaned as her head bobbed up and down with his every step.

"This? Make you sick?" he asked in disbelief. "Naw. However, if I were to do this........." He finished the statement by starting to spin wildly.

"Krillin! Stop!" She was horrified when the last word came out as a giggle.

Taking the sound of joy for what it was, he spun a little faster, drawing more outraged shrieks of laughter from her.

"All right Krillin! All right!! I'll have fun! I swear it!" she cried, willing to do anything to stop the spectacle he was making of them in this very public place.

Then Krillin stopped, just as suddenly as he had began. She paid him no mind as she tried to get herself under some semblance of control. After clearing her laughter-raw throat, she was preparing to instruct him very coolly to put her down when she heard him greet someone softly.

"Who are you talking too?" she asked, her voice as smooth as butter though she was still hanging over his shoulder. He turned his back to the person then, and she found herself face to stomach with the last person she wanted to see. Krillin sat her on her feet without question.

"Good to see you enjoying yourself," Nijuu spoke with a smile.

She eyed him, her frown growing deeper with each passing moment.

"Babe?" Krillin questioned from her side.

"Go to the car. I'll meet you guys there in a minute." Never once did her cool, angry glaze leave her father's face.

A sound of agreement came from Krillin's direction before he moved off into the parking lot. As Krillin's footsteps faded, she crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the man to speak.

He hesitated a moment before extending the rose he held out to her. Ice from the look she gave the flower should have frozen the delicate petals as she inspected the offering suspiciously. Finally she took the flower before turning her eyes back to his and crossing her arms once again. Seeing the small token had not changed her demeanor one bit, not that he had really thought it would, Nijuu cleared his throat and glanced in the direction Krillin had gone before turning back to her.

"Boyfriend?" he questioned.

"Yes," she answered simply.

He nodded in the cold silence that followed. "I sat next to his father during the commencement. Now I know what he meant with the height crack he made," he joked, tempting a smile. When her eyes narrowed he figured maybe she wasn't quite ready to kid around with him just yet. Clearing his throat once again, he went a different direction with the conversation. "He seems very proud of him. He seemed very proud of you as well. It was almost fatherly in nature, the way he spoke of you."

"Well, I guess he would have more claim to the title than some," she commented almost casually.

He fell silent a moment before speaking softly. "Yes, I suppose he would."

When it seemed as though his silence would continue, she rolled her eyes and took a step around him, heading for the car. "I don't have time for this. I have to go."

Watching her go, there was nothing he could think to say to make her stay, so he said the only thing in his heart. "Juu, I'm sorry."

She paused in her step and turned back to him with renewed fire in her eyes. "What?"

"I'm sorry," he repeated, unintimidated by the look that made most tremble. It was his look after all. "I wish I had been there for you guys. I would give anything to have been, to go back in time and be the father you needed then.........the father you need now."

The incredibility of his little speech actually caused her to simply blink at him for several moments. "You're kidding me right?" she questioned when she recovered from her shocked fury.

"You don't honestly think you can throw some pathetic, worthless assed apology at me and everything will be just fine and dandy. Tell me, is this the part where I get all teary eyed and throw myself into your arms and weep about how much I've missed and needed you?" she questioned with mock curiosity. "If it is, I'm so sorry to disappoint you. I will never give you the satisfaction of seeing me shed one single tear over your worthless hind. Nor will I ever confess to having needed you, because you know what? I didn't. I had mom, and I had Jay. That's all I needed. Not having you didn't affect me one bit, so please don't flatter yourself into thinking otherwise. Now take your little apologies and shove 'em." She hadn't even finished the sentence before she started walking again.

"Oh, but my absence did affect you. It affected you as much, if not more so than the influence of either your mother or your brother, and that is what I am truly sorry for," he told her back with such assurance that she paused yet again.

She turned back to him, her face blank and eyes livid. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

"I mean exactly what I said," he answered, his voice so full of pity she wanted to punch him. He took a step toward her as he began to speak again. "You have grown into a beautiful woman. You're surrounded by people who love you. You're obviously greatly admired by your peers. You have all the things in life that would make a person happy. And yet," he paused as he came to stand before her, "there is an anger I see burning inside of you every time I catch a glimpse of those startling blue eyes, a simmering fury that never quite leaves them. It is for that, I am sorry. Sorry I put that fire there. Sorry there is nothing I can do to ever truly extinguish it, no matter how hard I try."

Her eyes lowered then. She couldn't continue to glare at him. It would make him right.

He knew what she was doing and sighed before breaking the silence once again. "I know I'll never be able to rid you of the pain I've caused you, but I do want to help ease it. You will probably never see me as your father, not really anyway. However, I do hope you can one day see me as your friend. Will you give me that chance, a chance I'll never deserve but want so badly?"

She continued to study the ground for several long moments as he watched her. Finally, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I have people waiting for me. I have to go."

Another very sad sigh escaped him before he nodded. Leaning forward, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead, much to her surprise, and smiled when her eyes snapped up. "I'll be at the hotel through Sunday. Stop by if you wish." Giving her one last smile, he turned and was gone.

She watched him walk away for several moments before she turned her eyes to study the rose she still held. Why she didn't throw it on the ground, she chose not to ponder as she walked to the car to meet her friends.

* * *

Thanks for reading.