Apparently, my grammar isn't too good...well, I am using a spell checker on Microsoft Word...so blame them! T.T I do read over this before I post and frankly, I'm confuzzled! Oh yeah, and for those who don't know, koishii = something like 'my love' I'm not sure of the direct translation, but it's in that general ballpark. Also, still hoping that answer about the differences of 'I love you' will be e-mailed to me! ::crosses fingers::

I wanna know the truth
Instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
-Linkin Park

The next morning brought the first snow of the season. Vegeta was up and out before Bulma awoke. Trunks re-entered the gravity chamber again for hours. Bulma and Vegeta sat together in silence for long periods of time. The day proceeded as would-be-normal. Visitors came in and out, discussing business deals and new theories. Yet, there was an obvious stiffness in the air. Goten called several times, wondering why his best friend was locked inside. Finally, Goten came over, which forced Trunks to speak with him.

"Why have you been so withdrawn?"

"I dunno, I haven't felt like myself." said Trunks.

"Every time I call your mom or that creepy doctor pick up saying you're training. Are you trying to surpass Vegeta or something?" At these words Trunks straightened, taking a more defensive pose and narrowing his eyes. Goten noted these changes and continued more carefully, almost submissively.

"I mean, I don't remember much of him, just that he trained a lot." Trunks relaxed, relieved that Goten was not taking the subject any further. He shrugged saying,

"I don't remember much either." Goten felt daring enough to go a little more.

"He was really brave though, and a good fighter. My dad says he was a good person. Remember he went to fight Majin Buu alone? He gave his life to protect his friends and family, not to mention the Earth."

"Yeah, I guess a lot changed." said Trunks sourly. Goten knew immediately that he had crossed the line.

"Oh Kami Trunks, I am so sorry." He looked it. Trunks softened.

"It's okay Goten, really."

"Don't be sorry kid." Vegeta emerged from the shadows.

"EEP! V-V-VEGETA!" Goten shouted, "TRUNKS, YOUR DAD'S BACK!"

"Oh him?" Trunks asked in a mild tone, "He's not my father."

"How's Kakarott?" interrogated Vegeta, ignoring Trunks's comment.

"He's f-fine sir. He'll be happy to know that you're back." Goten answered in a state of confusion as he looked between Trunks and Vegeta.

"I bet. Tell him to come over and we'll spar." said Vegeta.

"H-hai, I will, I-I'd better go, my mom'll get worried." Goten stuttered and stumbled out the door.

"The word is out." Vegeta said upon entering the room.

"What word?" Bulma asked, looking up from the book she was reading.

"That I'm back. Kakarott's son, the one that used to look like his twin stopped by. I thought they'd know by now. I assumed that you would have talked to that woman of Kakarott's by now."

"First, use their names, Goten and Chichi. Second, I didn't want to make a public deal out of it. It was all over the papers five years ago. 'Bulma Brief's unknown lover leaves Capsule Corp.' If they knew you were back they'd be crawling all over this place like ants."

"You're right."

"You agree...with something I said?" Vegeta nodded discreetly.

"Well, at least we're making progress."

"I have to go find the brat; it's time for his afternoon training session." Bulma grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Don't."

"Why not?" Vegeta asked, returning to his normal attitude. He did not appreciate being told not to do something.

"He's been training all day, let him be." Vegeta pondered it for a second and then with a grunt of reluctant agreement, he sat down on the couch beside Bulma.

"Vegeta," Bulma started, setting down her book, "I know you don't want to tell me but,"

"You want to know." finished Vegeta. "You deserve to know. I want you to know."

"I'm listening." said Bulma. Something about her sitting there, her sapphire eyes fixed on him made Vegeta act on the first impulse that came to him. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing their bodies close. Bulma put up a mild struggle out of surprise, but ceased.

"But first," Vegeta spoke, "I want you to know something else, something I should have told you everyday, I want you to know that it holds true, despite what you might think after what else I am about to tell you." He held her tighter. "Aishiteru koishii."

"Koishii?" Bulma repeated as if in a daze. "But Vegeta, you haven't called me that for years." Vegeta sat back, releasing Bulma.

"I love you and Trunks more than anything, and I know I don't let you know. I never wanted to hurt you, and I know I did, but I do not regret leaving. It is time I told you why, at least, what I can."

I didn't want to kill him, I didn't! That's what Trunks kept telling himself. It did not make any difference though. He knew it was false. He had wanted to kill Vegeta, and he could not trick himself to think otherwise. Trunks stopped abruptly as his ears picked up Vegeta's voice. Trunks dove into his miniature fort to eavesdrop.

"I was afraid of getting too close to you Bulma, my family. You must understand, being raised as the Prince of a warrior race and then by Frieza there weren't many people to be close to, and even when I succeeded, they either died or left. I hardened my heart for that reason.
"However, there is a second reason, and one that would have made me go even without my emotions. I had a sort of...vision. I can't tell you what it was, I can never tell anyone, only that it had to do with the past. If I hadn't left, everyone I care about would have died. I thought the way I left would make it easier."

"How do you figure that?" Bulma asked moodily. Vegeta grasped her hand.

"If you hated me, then you'd be glad I was gone. I never intended to hurt you like that." Bulma placed her hands on his face.

"Oh Vegeta, you crazy ass of a Saiyan, I could never hate you, but if you ever do something like this again..."

"I won't." Vegeta promised quietly, leaning his forehead to Bulma's. A second impulse hit him. He wanted to hold her tight for eternity so as to not lose her once more. He wished the sweet touch of her lips against his again, but resisted, for he was unsure of her state of mind on the matter.

"Vegeta," She whispered. No, not yet, he did not want her to speak yet. He wanted to stay silent and like this for as long as possible. He wanted to stop her from talking, so he did. He captured her lips, covering her mouth and making it impossible for her to speak. Bulma reacted positively, ensuring Vegeta that he was welcome. Carefully, Vegeta lowered them both down.

Trunks closed his eyes and climbed out of his fort. He was shaking out of control in anger and his eyes burned with water. How could she take him back; after all the years, after all the tears that were shed? Well, one thing was for certain, he could never forgive him. He would never try.

Vegeta lifted himself enough to look into Bulma's face. Her eyes were closed.

"Koishii?" He said, lightly tapping her face. She did not wake.

"Koishii?" he repeated, more nervously. Vegeta scrambled off the couch. He tapped her harder.

"Bulma, wake up!" No response. He pressed his ear to her chest in hope of a heartbeat. There was none. He picked up Bulma and spotted Trunks walking through the hall.

"Boy, go get that cursed doctor now!"

"What's wrong with Mother?" Trunks asked immediately.

"Shut up and do as I say!" Trunks flew down the hall. A few seconds later the doctor came running out.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"She doesn't have a heartbeat." answered Vegeta.

"She must be suffering a relapse. We have no time to get her to the hospital. Get her upstairs, Trunks; get clean sheets and my surgical kit. She may need immediate surgery." No time was wasted. In two seconds the three of them were in Bulma's room. The doctor gave her a series of shocks.

"I have a pulse." he announced, "It's slow but it's there. Her heart must have stopped momentarily." One of the machines began to beep frantically.

"What's wrong?" Trunks nearly shouted.

"Get out."

"What's wrong with Mom?" repeated Trunks.

"GET OUT I SAY! SHE NEEDS SURGERY! OUT! OUT!" Vegeta and Trunks were shoved out of the room to wait.

"Six hours, that's how long she's been in there." Trunks said.

"Will you shut up brat? You've been counting down the hours, half hours, minutes and seconds since we've been out here." Vegeta snapped. He was a ghostly pale.

"What if she's de-"

"SHUT UP!" Vegeta screamed. "SHE'S NOT DEAD!"

"WHY WOULD YOU CARE?!" Trunks shouted back.

"BECAUSE I-because I..." Vegeta did not finish, but was now paper white. At long last the door opened and the doctor came out. Vegeta and Trunks ran up to meet him.

"Well?" Trunks asked expectantly.

Hehe, don't you love cliffhangers? This chapter was a little bit longer, right? I'm sorry about the short chapters...it's a result of me trying to draw it out and make cliffhangers ::sweatdrop:: Anyway, I'm running a poll. What do you think should happen to Bulma? Should she die or live? E-mail me with your answers. Of course the outcome of the poll doesn't really matter since this story has already been written to the finishing touch, but I really am curious to know what you think. Besides if it doesn't end the way I have written as then the sequel will be completely messed up. So click that review button down there and send me your answers to the poll!