Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me in the end
-Linkin Park

Trunks opened his eyes to the dark. It was a futile attempt to try and sleep. He stood. Vegeta was in a fitful sleep.Serves him right.A sadistic pleasure came over him as he watched the man suffer under cloak of night. Trunks was brought back by the image of Vegeta crouched on the floor, hand extended and calling for his son. And then Trunks wondered what it would be like now with him back. Would it return to the way it was? Would he be just as negligent as before? Or would he be a wiser man for it? Trunks would rather keep true to his vow; it was easier than facing the man who had caused so much pain and forgiving him. But after what he witnessed a few hours prior, he was not sure if he had a choice. Trunks knew he would have to face Vegeta soon, and he dreaded it.

Bulma grew steadily stronger over the next three days. She completed some yard and business work and her mood was remarkably improved. Trunks, however, avoided everybody, including Bulma and spent all his free time in the gravity room. This act seemed to be dedicated to Vegeta. Whenever Vegeta entered a room, Trunks would leave, and vice versa. They both avoided each other exceptionally well, neither wanting a confrontation. Still, the fact that the inevitable meeting remained known to both parties, and it haunted their conscious minds. It was Vegeta who began the events.

"Trunks!" The shout was heard in every corner of the Capsule Corp. building. Trunks noted, and discarded Vegeta's call. He was not seven years old and he was not going to answer the Prince's every whim. 'His Majesty' seemed not to have made that connection yet. Vegeta could search him out if he had any real intention of talking to him.

Evidently Vegeta really did want to speak with his son because around the next corner Trunks took, Vegeta was standing there, arms crossed and looking extremely annoyed.

"Why didn't you answer me?" demanded Vegeta.

"If you want something that'll answer when you say 'come', go buy a dog." Trunks said just as coldly. Vegeta didn't waste time to ask what a dog was, but instead went on with the order to come with him to the gravity chamber.

"No." said Trunks defiantly, pleased that he had kept the quivering note out of his voice.

"Why not, you spend nearly every waking moment in there anyway."

"I don't take orders, especially from you." said Trunks, which was the truth, but not all of it. He was scared to go in that room with the man standing before him again; he feared the next time he might not be able to stop himself from committing murder.

"Fine." replied Vegeta, "But if you don't train another two hours today, I'll beat you into Yemma's palace." Trunks knew this was an empty threat, so he decided to put up a show of arrogance.

"It's not worth you getting beat again." said Trunks coolly.

"I won't let you win next time." said Vegeta in an equal tone. Trunks felt himself shrink back into his normal composure. Vegeta left with a smirk.

After living through a few hours of guilt for not talking to his mother since three days prior, Trunks went to go see her. He found Bulma lying on the couch with a newspaper floating above her.

"Hi Trunks!" she cheerfully greeted. "Like my new invention? Hover news! You can now eat breakfast and read at the same time!" Trunks smiled to see her so happy.

"Yeah, it rocks, awesome idea Mom." said Trunks, placing himself beside her. He could feel her eyes scan him, the way they always did when he had a problem. However, this time she knew the problem, Trunks was certain. And sure enough, five minutes after he sat down she said,

"It's your father, isn't it hon?"

"What father?" Trunks said curtly.

"Don't 'what father' me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Ever since you were little I've been able to tell when he's bothering you."

"Oh yeah, now I remember. He's the one that made a wonderful, heartfelt goodbye five years ago, you got sick with pain, he came back a week and a half ago, and three days ago you almost died, hasn't anyone told you? Goodness, we must improve our news system." Trunks re-capped sarcastically.

"Don't use that tone with me Trunks, I'm not the one you're upset with." Trunks apologized quickly.

"It's alright. Now what's the matter with your father?"

"Nothing." lied Trunks.

"Don't tell me that." Bulma scolded. Trunks was silent.

"He loves you Trunks."

"Really?" he said, returning with an acid tongue, "I must have missed that half way between the Gallic Gun and the broken arm."

"Trunks, I know you deny it, but you are so much like your father." Trunks snapped, losing all control of himself.

"NO! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM! YOU MAY FORGIVE HIM BUT I CAN'T!" He raged down the hall, breaking cement as he moved and resolutely shut the gravity chamber door with a CLANG! Bulma moved to go after him but Vegeta stepped out of nowhere to stop her. He said nothing, but his body language clearly stated that he wanted to go instead. Bulma allowed him passage by her.

"What happened to you these past five years?" Bulma wondered in a whisper after she heard the gravity room door open and close again.

Ooh, is this another cliffy? Nyar, maybe not but, it can be one because I feel like it...hey, there's only been two, counting this one. I'm not so evil, am I? Of course I'm not. But I like being evil so maybe I should hold off posting the next chapter until sometime next month... =)

Crud! I honestly did not realize the chapters were so short! I'm sorry! ::bows:: I'll make up for it in the sequel! It's 45 pages long right now and I'm not close to done! Then of course there's the editing and add ins...so if you add the stuff in the earlier chapters that I need to put in, it's 50 pages! The longest story I've ever written ::hugs::