Writer's block got shunted to a different story! J So, here's this chappy!
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He stayed in the air, observing the area carefully. The hideout looked pretty much as it had the last time he'd been here, although there was no sign of anyone this time. He'd only been twelve, Veten's age, the last time he'd met Trunks here… it struck him as too odd that nothing had changed. He shot higher, not sure why he was so uneasy. But then, he'd been on the run since he was seventeen.
A speck of moving purple. Trunks. Coming to see if he was there, again. Trunks had come each time Goten had come to examine the area. He hovered, watching. Even from that height, he saw how his former friend's shoulders slumped when his hails weren't answered, when there was no sign that Goten had been there. So. He did really want to see him. Goten stayed where he was, flaring his chi very briefly. Just enough to catch the attention of the man who was suddenly in the air, streaking toward him.
"Goten! Are you all right? My brother? Is he okay? Where have you been? Why… what took you so long?!"
"I'm fine. So is Veten. I got us out in time. We've been in a safe place. I had to be sure it was safe to come."
Trunks looked slightly troubled. "You won't… tell me where, will you? You don't trust me. That's why you didn't come before."
"I haven't trusted anyone for years. But I came…"
They floated in silence for a moment, Trunks looking away. "I never knew. So many years passed, without anything happening to anyone. We all… didn't believe Father could be right."
"So, how did you find out?"
"I went back to the lab." Trunks' face twisted as he visibly fought against retching. "I had a case of the sniffles - the pollution these days really gets to me - and I caught the scent of roasted meat. Couldn't figure out… why." He paused, swallowing several times. "I found what was left of my father. A few files that hadn't burned completely, and two disks. I can't believe Mom would do that! But… I can't deny the evidence."
"Does she know what you found?"
"I haven't been able to talk to her about it. I get sick just thinking about it, I can't face her. I've stayed in my office since, even started sleeping there. I… was afraid I would be next. Since there wasn't a… a bod… body to… work with anymore."
"What about my father and brother?"
"Fine. They're fine. Gohan's so busy with his work that he's hardly ever around. And your dad… he's the same as ever."
"He… doesn't revert to Kakarot anymore, does he?"
"He hasn't since Vegeta died," Trunks admitted. "I think the last time was when he pulled me out of the gravity chamber, back then."
"Take this to him for me." Goten held out an envelope. Trunks hesitated a moment, then took it.
"I'll give it to him the next time he's over."
Goku turned the envelope over, frowning. Trunks had handed it to him on his way out, telling him to take a look at it after he got home. But the markings on it weren't his name. He wasn't really sure what they were. He opened it, pulled out the sheets within. A feral rumbling began, grew to a howl of rage-fueled despair as Kakarot responded to the contents.
He flung the door open, his tail thrashing in anger, eyes hard and glowing. He hit level three before he reached the treetops, shooting towards the Lookout. "Goten!"
"I'm here, Kakarot." Goten had no doubts about which personality inhabiting his father's body had come to visit. He stepped from behind one of the pillars. "You got my message."
"Yes. What does my prince demand?" Kakarot dropped to one knee, bowing to his son.
"Vengeance. Justice."
"Yes."
Goten studied him a moment. "My brother? Is he safe?"
"Too prominent to touch, as is Trunks. Both have high positions in their careers, and would be easily missed." Goten stayed silent. Kakarot caught on after only a second. "She treats the clown as always. I have seen no signs of danger there."
Goten shook his head. "You're wrong. I know she's after you. I saw the research she was doing, read files on it. She had a preliminary file started for you, Kakarot. She had one on all of us, but yours was thickest." He changed the topic. "Bra, how old is she now?"
Kakarot thought a moment. "A teen. She nears her change, I have seen the signs."
"Has her mother noticed?"
"No. She believes it normal for a girl of that age."
"Is she safe? Now that her father is… gone?"
Kakarot snorted. "She's her mother's perfect miniature. There is no danger."
"She may be, but I would not say the same about her child."
"Child?"
"You said she nears her change. Even the clown knows what must be done… and Bulma would take Bra to him, wouldn't she?"
"I… don't know."
"Don't know? She has gone to my father with her troubles for years!"
"She wants me for herself."
"Then I'd best get Bra out soon. The place isn't quite ready." He lead the warrior to the edge of the Lookout, pointing. "Can you see it? There's an island, with a dormant volcano. There's an extensive cave system. I've got some supplies laid in, enough for about a week with the prince and myself. I can get more tonight, and you bring Bra there in the morning."
"I will."
"I must rely on you, Kakarot."
Kakarot nodded. "I understand."
"My people must be safe before vengeance can be enacted." The young voice from behind them sent both men spinning. Veten had approached completely unnoticed. "I will have justice for what has been done."