Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z.

Author's Notes: Finishing my 3-chapter update. It may be another week before I'm able to update. I'm thinking of doing it that way, because I'm running out of already-written story. And I have to write my Nappa fic. Anyway, enjoy.



Chapter 17: A Milestone

Vegeta scowled in obvious discomfiture. The auditorium was packed to the rafters, and somehow he'd let the woman steer him to the middle instead of his preferred place off to the sides. Being here made him feel like 'everyone else,' something he knew not to be true.

The dull roar of the crowd came to an abrupt halt when a tall overweight man stood behind the podium. The man waited for utter silence and - deciding that the atmosphere was respectful enough - boomed into the microphone in a voice he seemed to think was welcoming. Vegeta turned him out until the man's words truly caught his interest. "And now this year's valedictorian will give an address."

Trunks strode over to the podium. While he did look decidedly silly in the robe and mortarboard, in a way he had never looked more dignified. Vegeta had rarely felt more pride in another, and Trunks had rarely felt more anxiety. He could face down the toughest and strongest of opponents without hesitation, yet he quaked at the thought of speaking in front of the entire city and not making a fool of himself. After taking a deep breath, he gripped his note cards and began. "My fellow students, faculty, family, and friends. Thank you all for coming ."



Jita watched from the outside, her excellent vision and hearing catching every detail of Trunks' speech. She knew the Son family would be there, and she just wasn't in the mood for another awkward scene. She was an outsider and she liked it.

But she hadn't been able to stay away. She felt ties to these people, and even if none of them really accepted her, she knew she could never be alone again. She had already been alone for - too long.

So she watched as the two men received their diplomas and entered the adult world. She smiled wryly as she heard the cheers for each of them, Kakarrot being the loudest. Her eyes lingered on Goten. She hadn't even seen him since the fight with Vegeta. That had brought an abrupt halt to their relationship. 'Was I really just using him? He is rather handsome, and charming in his own way. He is a Saiyan - moody like most Saiyans. But . what am I saying? He's young enough to be my son. And he's too much like his father.'

That's why she'd come here. To see him. It was foolish and useless and didn't she have better things to do? She gritted her teeth in disgust with herself - and left immediately, believing no one had known of her silent vigil. She was completely unaware of the dark eyes watching her from among the graduates - eyes filled with hurt - and anger.



"Mom, I'm going to the local university and that's final."

"But, Trunks. There are so many opportunities. You've been accepted to every school in the country."

And yet again the pushy Bulma and the stubborn Trunks locked horns about his future. Its not that Bulma was truly opposed to the local university. It was actually one of the best in the country. And Trunks wasn't truly opposed to any other university. But once they found something to argue about, they weren't going to let it go until they truly wore it out. Jita was amused at this bantering. One thing Vegeta had brought to this family was the love of argument, opposition, challenge . in essence, fighting. She and Vegeta used to argue all the time, and still did.

As soon as there was a lapse in the heated discussion, Jita surprised everyone, including herself, by speaking. "What is this . university?"

"It's the Chikyuu University, one of the best in the country," Trunks piped in, leaving Jita no more enlightened.

Sensing Jita's discomfiture, Bulma stepped in. "It's a place of learning after high school. It helps people get a better career."

Jita was intrigued, to say the least. A place of learning. She loved learning, and was always frustrated when studies were denied her beyond the basics. Too much of her life had been spent molding her into the perfect warrior.

But now - she was free.

She cleared her throat and again ventured forth a question. "What is required to attend this place of learning?"

Bulma shifted uncomfortably under the intense gaze of her sister-in-law. "Well . prior education - and records of it . um . tuition - a lot of money . and identification, too," she ended in a small voice.

Jita stared down at her plate, hating the look of disappointment that she knew was on her own face and the looks of pity given by Bulma and Trunks. Vegeta's expression, as usual, was unreadable.

Then Bulma brightened. "Hey! I've been meaning to give you an identity anyway. It's really rather easy. A lot of people have been born and grown up below radar. There are programs for that. I did the same for Vegeta. Once you have identification and pass an entrance exam, they can't deny you admittance!"

Jita's eyes filled with hope, then doubt, and finally stubbornness. "I don't have money." Bulma almost voiced a dismissal of that worry, but Jita's eyes flashed. "I'm too much indebted to you already." She spat out the word 'indebted' as if it were poison.

And without any further words, Jita left the table of pity and flew out of the house.



"Goten?"

Goten barely acknowledged his father's presence. He knew this would be yet another awkward attempt at father-son bonding. This same pattern had been going on for a long time - well, when Goku was around, and not off training. Goten was reminded of the Crocodile Hunter going on walkabouts. Or was that Dundee?

"Son?" Goku tried again tentatively.

"Yeah, Dad," he sighed in frustration. "What is it?"

Goku sat down next to the boy. The sun was setting, leaving red and orange splashed angrily across the sky. It reminded Goten of how he had imagined his father's death for seven years - the orange gi stained with red blood - the agony of death and leaving his family. When he had been happily traveling the afterlife, giving up all chances to come home, refusing to see his own son.

Goku took in a deep breath, as if drawing up his courage. Pretty ironic for a guy who had faced battle after battle to be nervous about a talk with his son. "I want to know what's going on with you. I'm worried."

"Nothing's going on with me." 'And even if I told you, you wouldn't understand.'

"Goten, whatever it is, I'll understand."

Goten shrugged. And with that cavalier dismissal, Goku gave up. If Goten had looked up, he would have seen the carefree expression of his father be replaced by a look of worry - and regret.