Within The Shadows
I'm within the shadows. That's all I know.
I landed in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know where I was. I didn't pay attention to where I was flying.
I'm in the middle of a forest.
I didn't even bother to move.
I just stood there, deep within the shadows of the trees.
I started to shake. My hands formed into fists. I bit the inside of my mouth until I tasted the metallic flavor of blood.
I fell onto my knees, and then to all fours.
…drip…
Is that…
I'm crying… no, I can't be…
I am stronger than that…
If father…
-No, he isn't here. It doesn't matter. He isn't here to scold you.
…drip, drip…
The sound of my tears rang audibly in the midst of the silence.
"No…" I whispered. A fresh wave of tears escaped. I can feel the wetness of the ground, the grass and my tears.
My hands form fists once again. I felt my nails dug into my skin. It stung, for dirt has also gotten into my cut.
Yet…I didn't feel the pain. I can feel my blood trickling down my hands, yet, I didn't feel pain. My body shook, but all I thought of was him. What would he say if he saw me? How would he react?
"He isn't here." I whispered. "No one is…"
No one wants to be here. I am not important to them, she is. I am just… me.
Not once has he cared.
Not once he showed true emotion towards me.
She received his love.
I didn't.
Father…
I felt my anger rise, like venom in my vein. I felt my heart pulse and ache, as if someone was tearing it. I felt my stomach twist.
I felt sick, just thinking about him.
All those times…
I pushed myself up. I stood shakily on my legs. The wind blew a strong gust. I swayed.
The wind toyed with my hair.
The dampness of rain was weaved into the wind.
The coldness of it made my hair stand up.
Just like him…
If he was anywhere like Goku, I wouldn't be like this.
I would be happy…
Like Goten and Gohan…
He always looked down on me…
He always criticized me.
Even when I was better than him, I was always wrong…
He lied.
He wasn't proud of me…
He lied to me.
---
Trunks clenched his fists tighter and gritted his teeth. His body shook once more, this time in anger and complete fury.
He let it all go.
All the pain, all the jealousy, all his pride…
He broke.
---
Vegeta's eyes flew open. He felt a wild yet strong surge of power. It was untamed, it was uncontrolled.
That can't be Trunks…I've taught him better…
But then again,
Frowning, Vegeta put a burst of speed towards that area.
---
The burst of power led to the fall of the rain, tears of heaven.
A golden glow swallowed his body. Trunks panted, rain and sweat dripping down his temples. Tears stained his face, but no one could see. His emerald eyes shifted back to cerulean; his golden hair fell back to lavender.
"I'm…alone…" He whispered.
Thunder clapped, yet a rusting reached his ears. Trunks turned slowly.
Father…
Vegeta slowly walked towards Trunks, who froze. He stopped in front of the lavender-haired boy. He reached out and wiped Trunks's cheek with his index finger. He then sniffed his fingers and frowned.
"You've been crying." Vegeta growled.
Trunks looked away. "Why would you care?" His voice was hoarse.
"That was you, wasn't it? That was your power."
"What if it was?" Trunks spat bitterly. "Bura can do much better, can't she?"
Vegeta turned so his back was facing Trunks and crossed his arms. "Is this what it's about?"
"What would you know?" Trunks walked around Vegeta and turned to face him. "You've never had a father who was-"
Trunks stopped. He didn't say anything. He realized… Father…he had a father like that, and that's why he was…
Oh…
The realization just angered Trunks even more. "If you didn't like how your father treated you, why did you do it to me? Do you find it entertaining or satisfying to watch others suffer just like you? Right, you're bitter because Goku turned out to be better than you, even though you were the one who's been through the pain."
Vegeta looked away. "You have no idea," Vegeta's reply was barely audible.
"YOU have no idea." Trunks snarled.
"Perhaps I don't."
---
I was speechless. Did father just admit that…he didn't know?
"Trunks, I never lied to you." Father turned back towards me, his face calm. So calm that one would wish to just punch it, to see if he would react.
"How'd you-?" I nearly choked. Could he read minds?
"The reason I show more emotions towards Bura is…she's so naïve and if I were mean to her, your mother…" He smiled. My father smiled.
"All those times…" I mumbled.
"I criticized you…even when you were better than me…I wanted you to be better. You don't see me yelling at Bura, it's because I know she cannot do much. You…I expect much out of you." Father paused and looked towards the sky, rain trickling down his face. "You are, after all, my son."
Why is he telling this to me now?
"It will not heal you." He muttered. "But, son, I am proud of you." Looking sideways once more at me, he closed his eyes and flew the way opposite of the direction of Capsule Corp.
He never lied…
He says he never lied…
Is the whole thing just a favor for mother so that I'd go home?
Or was he…really…
I frowned. The rain turned into a soft drizzle and the wind died down. The night deepened and the shadows darkened.
It all happened so fast…
He left.
He left me, in the shadows once more.
Fin...?