She reminded him of a sculpture. Her body so perfectly aligned. She strode forth with an air of purpose, her long blue hair held back in a tail. It brought more focus to the glory of her face. Goku wanted to grin.

However, he couldn't, because as soon as he refocused his attention, Trunk's fist slammed into his face. He flew back with the force of the blow, taking out several trees that had stood behind him. Trunks looked down in dismay, quickly powering down. His flaring yellow hair settled into its soft lavender as his eyes lost their emerald pupils.

"Goku!" He exclaimed, lowering himself to the ground. He concentrated on the area where he had seen Goku last land. The dust that had clouded around the place of impact took its time to settle. Soon it did, revealing Goku's figure.

The tall Saiyan walked forth shakily, displaying a foppish grin. He shook his head vigorously.

"Wow, Trunks! Nice shot!" The purple-headed boy sighed in relief.

"What happened up there, Goku?" He finally asked. Goku put a hand behind his head and sighed.

"I guess I saw Bulma and let my guard down." With this, Goku turned to the woman who was glaring at him.

"Goku, that was really stupid! You could have gotten hurt, you know?" Her voice rang clear as she walked up to him. Before he had time to pull away, she had set two small hands at both sides of his face. Pulling him to her she observed his head. She was not gentle as she rotated his cranium around, inspecting all areas for damage. Finally she seemed content with her ministrations and released him. "Well, at least nothing's broken!" She finally uttered. "You should be more careful when you spar, Goku. Especially when you're up against my son!" She said this with a hint of pride and Goku smiled down on her. However, Trunks did not find her comment amusing.

"Oh I see, now I'm your son?" Trunks said, his voice bitter and harsh. Bulma's expression went hard as she turned to him.

"You've always been my son." Trunks snorted his disdain.

"I'm sure." His reply was vague, but his face portrayed the anger he felt. Bulma sighed and looked down.

"Spar with me," she said. It was more of a statement then a request. Trunks looked at her in confusion.

"What?"

"I said," she replied slowly. "Spar with me." Goku looked at her.

"Bulma! What are you talking about?" He asked.

"I want him to spar me. How many times must I say that?" By this time, they heard a soft landing and turned around. Vegeta stood before them, arms crossed. His face portrayed no emotion. Goku ignored him for the moment.

"Bulma, that's just not a good idea." He urged, stepping forward. Bulma put out a hand to stop him.

"It's not your decision to make," she said. She turned back to Trunks. "Well?" He considered her offer for a moment and then finally looked up.

"Sure, why not?" His eyes shone with something other then anger. There was a dangerous glint to them that made Goku uneasy.

"Bulma..." He tried once more.

"Hush," she commanded. Bringing a hand up to her neck she undid her cloak. It fell to her feet in a puddle. Now she stood in her flaming red body suit, fist clenched at her sides. "Are you ready?" She directed this to Trunks, but Goku shook his head in reply. Trunks however nodded as a smirk formed on his face. Bulma could read by his eyes that Trunks demanded this, and so, she would give it to him. Goku realized the finality of it all and stepped back unhappily. Vegeta remained where he had landed.

They stood ten feet apart, regarding one another with detached uncertainty. Both waited for the other to strike.

Trunks grit his teeth as he saw her before him. For two long years he had mourned her and now he would avenge his pain. She would get what she deserved.

Bulma stared at her son as a wave of melancholy washed through her. She knew his anger, knew his hatred. She'd let him have what he so justly deserved.

'Chimera, be ready for this.'

'Don't...' Chimera paused. Then, as if he'd given up, 'Do what you must.'

Trunks made the first move. He launched himself from the spot and surged forward. Releasing a shrill cry of anger, he revved back his arm, preparing to strike. Bulma had prepared for it. She'd watched her son before and knew how he operated. She raised herself up and forced her body into a fighting stance.

Then, as his fist came forward, Bulma did the unexpected. She moved into it. Trunk's punch collided with her abdomen in all its fury. Bulma felt his fist crunch through her stomach, bruising the compact muscles as it drove forward. She allowed it to carry her backwards, until she fell to the ground. She trembled slightly as her body made a crater. Then she stood back up, cold resolve filling her, keeping her steady. Trunks had backed up and was appraising her coolly. His rage still seethed as he let out a scream. With that, he transformed to Super Saiyan. Bulma grunted as she assessed the damage. Internal bleeding, she could tell by the coppery taste in the back of her mouth. She gagged forth the gathering blood and spit it out to the side. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she once again turned to Trunks. Preparing herself for another onslaught, she forced another fighting stance.

Goku couldn't believe it. Bulma had intentionally allowed Trunks to hit her. He watched in awe as Bulma stood up and spit blood. Trunks had packed quite a punch, and its strength had shown plainly in the distance it had carried Bulma. Gohan had landed to the side a few seconds before they began. Goku had told him what was going on and now the younger Saiyan stared at the scene in bewilderment. He looked to his father.

"Why did she let him do that?" Gohan asked in confusion. Goku shook his head in bafflement.

"I just don't know!" He replied truthfully. Vegeta stepped forward.

"She thinks it will make him feel better," Vegeta said. The two other Saiyans looked at him, eyes wide.

"Why would she do that?" Goku asked.

"Because, she feels it justifies what she did to him." Gohan shook his head.

"That's not right, she'll get herself killed!" Vegeta looked back at the two who were preparing to fight again.

"Perhaps," he replied.

****

Author's Note: Sorry about the delay!! JZero got sick AGAIN!!! That'll teach ya to go rock climbing when it's cold! Heheh.. oh well... I hope you all liked this chapter... I left a bit of a cliff hanger, haven't done that in awhile! =) Okie dokie, that about all!

Special Note: I dunno where Hidden_Angel's disapeared to, but she better come back soon and write another chapter! Heheheh.. don't wanna sound threatening or anything...


Much luv to everyone! That is all ~JZero