Hi everyone ! Thank you so much for all your support! It made this V-Day very nice for me considering I has no one to spend it with. So thanks and hope you will continue to support me in the end! Please Enjoy!

EDIT: Should be fine now. I have tried to correct what I can.

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or DBM.

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Chapter 3: Dinner Blues

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Her son was quite the rebellious one. Bulma thought it would be hard to bounce back after being impacted by Vegetto's words but then again here she was smiling away at her son's mischief. Trunks had set up a pillow barricade outside his door and she didn't know whether to laugh or feel insulted. Surely he didn't think she was this weak did he? Bulma shook her head and pushed the pillows away one by one with her foot.

"Trunks," Bulma called bringing attention to the little monster on the other side. She could hear his movements of him approaching the door, but following a click they disappeared. Bulma's hands instinctively went to the door and she tried to turn the knob only to discover the door would not budge open. "Trunks you open this door right this minute." She commanded as if knowing that he was standing on the other side of the door.

"Go away mom. " Bulma scowled and opened her mouth to argue but he beat her to it. "Not tonight…Please." He added with a sense of urgency and while Bulma did understand his reasons for being difficult, she just could not let her son go unfed.

Bulma pressed herself against the door, right hand grasping the knob and left hand resting against the door. She was trying to find where she stood at by listening in. Luckily for her his breathing was steady and slow indicating although he had seemed irritated, Trunks could be reasoned with.

"Trunks at least come down for dinner. It's good for you." Bulma insisted and when silence came as her answer, she felt her lips line. "I guess we'll both starve then won't we?" And sure enough the sounds of her son's defeated groan followed after.

At first she stood back waiting for him to make an appearance but he never did. Instead she could hear his footsteps trudging away from the door earning a raised brow.

"Come on in." Trunks muttered and Bulma tried again at the knob to find that her son was true to his words. She stepped inside in what she thought would be the lion's den but instead of found her son sitting cross legged on his bed looking quite passive. When she approached him, he stiffened and then relaxed once she sat beside him on the bed.

"How are you holding up champ?" She questioned while resting her right hand gently on his left shoulder pad. He glanced at her hand, brows furrowing at the sight of the band-aid and grumbled a low curse under his breath.

"Chump," He corrected bitterly and she frowned. Trunks had always been overly protective of her whenever Vegeta left to train in space. Now that Vegeta assigned him to guarding her in his absence, Bulma knew he was beating himself up over the tiniest things. Bulma shook her head; she couldn't let her son dwell on things like she did.

"Champ, my little World's Martial Arts Jr. Tournament Champion at that." She reminded him as she kissed the top of his forehead. Trunks flushed in embarrassment but this time made no movement to squirm away and instead his gaze simply dropped to his lap.

"Yeah well it sure doesn't feel that way." Bulma huffed becoming increasingly irritated with her son's depressed attitude. She decided to snap him out of it by flicking the side of his left ear causing Trunks to wince. She watched his blue eyes dart back to her in an instant and before he could give voice to complain, he somehow wobbled off the side of the bed. Bulma naturally snickered. This hadn't been the first time she managed to catch a Saiyan off guard before. There were plenty of times where she had, 'fun,' with Vegeta. In fact Bulma couldn't help but wonder if that was what Vegetto was trying to accomplish earlier.

A chance to give her a taste of her own medicine.

Trunks reluctantly pulled himself back up with a frown upon his lips and Bulma sighed in annoyance, not this again.

"I was only teasing Trunks." Yet he grunted in response turning his gaze away from her. Bulma bit her lip, reaching out to his son but he shrugged off. "Oh common Trunks I don't need another stick in the mud to ruin my fun."

"Of course not." Trunks replied, as he settled his gaze back on his mother, a hidden grin forming. Bulma tilted her head in confusion. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Trunks— what are you planning?" Bulma asked instantly knowing that look of mischief in his eyes. Trunks shrugged.

"Nothing, nothing." Bulma crossed her hands over her chest.

"Trunks—"

"So are we going to eat dinner now or what?" Trunks diverted and Bulma easily fell pray at the chance to achieve her mission. "Or is he still down there?" Bulma nodded but at this point Trunks had already closed his eyes and was already searching for Vegetto's signature himself. "Oh he is!" Trunks exclaimed, opening his eyes and growing agitated by the second. "What the hell—"

"TRUNKS," Bulma interjected lips scowling at his use of language around her. Bulma knew that he got it from when she and Vegeta fought but that didn't mean he was allowed to use it in front of her. "You know better than that young man."

"Heck." He corrected earning an approving nod. "Mom why—"

"I invited him to stay. Don't give me that look Trunks. We both know your father resides within Vegetto too and I'll be dam—upset if you don't at least try to accept the changes. Remember what we said before? It's only for two years and I doubt your father would like to come back knowing his own son scorned him out of the house."

"He'd get over it if I told him how pansy he's acting." Bulma resisted the urge to smile and warned her son again. "Whatever fine I'll eat but you're not getting a word out of me." Bulma breathed out a relieving sigh. She could live with that...

Or so she thought as she sat holding her fork while watching Vegetto process down food in front of her. Apparently he raided her fridge while she had her talk with Trunks. Bulma felt a vein pop behind her head but resisted the urge to yell. It was getting harder for her to compose herself considering Vegeta was always an easy target to having a sparring match of words with.

Trunks looked equally displeased. He was glaring at Vegetto as he took his fork and stabbed the piece of pasta before chewing at it relentlessly as if daring Vegetto to come at him. Bulma put her fork down and pushed her plate away. She found it hard to eat and the silence it was just killing her.

"So tomorrow I was thinking about setting up a party. What do you guys think? Cool huh?" Bulma asked trying to lighten the mood around her but it fell flat on Vegetto's ears as he grabbed her plate of incoming food and processed it down like nothing. Bulma groaned, at least Vegeta would make the effort to bark an order at her to stop her, 'annoying insistent jabbering,' but Vegetto no, no, food was his entire world!

Bulma was then forced to turn her attention to Trunks. She knew she promised him that he wouldn't have to talk around Vegetto but she really needed someone to talk to her. The silence, it was killing her! Trunk's stare said no but as soon as she puckered out her bottom lip, her son rolled his eyes in defeat.

"Sounds awesome." He replied dully and Bulma silently thanked him yet he ignored her by stabbing another round of pasta and shoveling it into his mouth. Bulma smiled applauding silently in the back of her mind at her son's well behavior. It was something to truly praise unlike a certain idiot sitting across from her!

"Veg—"

"Up—!" Vegetto suddenly exclaimed cutting Bulma's shout and she thus stared at him blankly as he dropped the plate on the table, pressing two fingers to his head.

"Here it comes." Trunks muttered under his breath causing to whip her head toward Trunks questionably.

"Thanks for the dinner Bulma but I got to go Chichi's making a buffet!" Bulma turned to argue but he was already gone leaving her expression bewildered and Trunks humming a tune.

"I told you so." Trunks added in between each break and Bulma felt her mouth drop open in shock.

He did not just do that.

He did not just leave them stranded there for a bunch of food, did he?

She glanced at her son again and the look on his face clearly stated that Vegetto most certainly did.

Bulma felt infuriated, hell, they both did. Trunks for putting his trust into the guy and her for wanting to believe that Vegetto could be there for her family as well as Chichi's. "Face it mom dad's dead."

Bulma faltered at this but managed to bounce back enough to start up a heated argument with her son that she always had with Vegeta.

"Trunks you go to your room this instant and don't you dare come out till morning! I don't want any ifs, buts, whys, or anything, just go, and don't make a sound." She commanded while her hands gripping at the table cloth.

"But that's not fair mom! " Trunks shouted throwing his fork down as he stood up from his seat and confronted his mother.

"Trunks—"

"Don't Trunks me like there's any justice behind this! Why am I getting punished when it was that impersonator—"

"He is your father." Bulma corrected fiercely.

"HE IS NOT MY FATHER!" Trunks yelled slamming his hand on the desk and causing Bulma to wince at his tone. "MY FATHER IS DEAD and he's not coming back…He's not coming back." By now Trunks sank back into his chair and the tears formed. "Not even for us..."

Bulma flew to her son's side without any hesitation and wrapped her arms around his tiny body. Her own tears glistened in the corner of her eyes as she placed her chin on his head.

"Oh Trunks I am so, so sorry. Had I not let him stay this wouldn't have happened but," Bulma paused thinking back what Vegetto confessed to her with glazed eyes. "He does care for us though. He does, he told me so."

"No."

"Yes, yes he does Trunks. He does, he just has a bad way of showing it." Bulma added with a bitter laugh while combing her fingers through Trunk's lavender hair. He was practically shivering. "Vegetto is still—"

"You're wrong mother! You're absolutely wrong! That man is a FAKE!" Trunk's shouted pushing her. "Vegetto will never be my father because I SIMPLY WON'T ALLOW IT!" Bulma was shocked because it felt like he had gutted her since she stumbled away from him. She winced at the pain in her stomach and glanced weakly at her son to see him in his Super Saiyan form.

Yet something was different.

He looked more muscular and the spikes in his hair were longer. Bulma swallowed when his gaze shot at her in a sharper and colder fashion.

"You—you've ascended." She squeaked out in fear but as the sentence rolled off her tongue, the golden aura around her son quickly vanished and slowly he fell backwards, unconscious. "T-Trunks!" Bulma called out running to her son's aid despite the pain in her abdomen and managing to catch him before hitting the ground. "Trunks hey, hey come on, please answer me!" She begged slapping his right cheek gently. She had never seen such a sight before but it scared her because she swore she saw the Vegeta she witnessed at the tournament and the tears were already beginning to fall. Not again, it was just too much for her to bear. Her tears drops luckily managed to stir the boy from his slumber and she smiled when his gaze settled wearily on her.

"What happened?" He questioned before lifting a scrawny arm to rub away her tears with his small fingers tips. "Why are you crying?" He suddenly tensed, and tried to get up. "Intruder—?"

"No Trunks." Bulma said stopping his growing over protectiveness. "There's no one here. You just fainted."

Trunk's brow rose at the statement.

"You've ascended Trunks." She filled him in with a small smile. Bulma thought he would be pleased with the news yet his frown continued to linger.

"Great." He stated plainly and as Bulma helped him on his feet, he shot her a concerned look. "Did I, did I try to attack you?"

Her eyes widened and he scowled. "I knew it. This is why I fuse with Goten because whenever I ascend alone I attack people blindly. Goten and I swore we would never attempt to ascended alone after that. We didn't want to hurt anyone since we weren't old enough to handle it."

"You didn't attack me Trunks." Bulma reassured but he scoffed.

"I can see your fear mom. I'm not an idiot and I have you to thank for that." Bulma frowned trying to grab her son and get him to really look at her.

"You didn't hurt me Trunks. You just scared me. I've never seen anyone ascend before me like that. It was amazing though." She added with a smile and he shrugged her off.

"Nothing is amazing about something you can't control." With that he turned tail and headed for his room. Bulma decided it was best to let him breathe. She wondered if Vegetto knew. "Don't you dare say a word to him." Trunks said appearing at the door again and she smirked, he knew her too well.

"Right, right, my lips are sealed." She replied and turned to face the destruction her son caused. This would keep her up all night. Bulma sighed, there goes her chance at relaxation.

"Mom?" Bulma hummed, as she kept in her position back facing him while noting all the damage done. Everything was a mess. "I would never hurt you. You know that right? I'm not like dad, I really love you." Bulma felt her mouth open, and she spun around to face her son but he was gone. Bulma felt a hand over her heart then as she glanced back at her ruined dining room.

"I know Trunks." She whispered hiding her gaze behind her bangs. "I love you too."

XXX

She woke up the next morning finding a blanket around her and her son attempting to suck up by bringing her a plate of waffles and scrambled eggs. Bulma eagerly accepted the offering after starving herself last night cleaning everything that had been destroyed by her son's ascension.

Every muscle in her body was sore! The couch had not done her any justice that night and she barely found sleep because she stayed up all night trying to think of what she should do about Vegetto. In the end she still wanted him apart of their family because she needed him there but for Trunks, he had to go. She doubted Trunks problems were solved over night after having to fix breakfast next to a room he literally tore to shreds on a temper tantrum.

"Trunks did Vegetto stop by at all?" She asked carefully and sure enough Trunks frowned.

"Not yet but mom—"

"I know, I know Trunks. I will tell him to stop swinging by." She said ignoring Trunks gapped look as she lifted her fork and knife to begin cutting into her waffle. She took a piece and shoved it into her mouth. Trunks was her number one concern at the moment. Vegetto would just have to wait besides, the less explosions, the better.

Trunks grinned, and sprang himself to her with a hug, Bulma nearly choked but managed to swallow and breathe properly again.

"Thanks mom." He said, adding a swift kiss on her cheek and ran upstairs to get changed. She figured he was going to go air out some of his tension by having a friendly spar with Goten. Or at least she hoped, that's what he was going to do.

XXX

Once he was gone and she was finished with everything she needed to do Bulma plopped down on the couch hoping to finally get some actual sleep in.

However like any other busy morning a knock decided to stir her from her nap and force her to tiredly drag herself up and over to the door. What she found didn't surprise her.

"God Bulma you look like shit." Yamcha greeted and she retaliated with slamming the door on his face. However since she didn't lock it Yamcha decided it was alright to come inside. "Maybe you should call your parents. I mean if Trunks is really giving you this much trouble."

"It's not Trunks." Bulma said and then felt her shoulders drop. "Okay half and half." She confessed plopping down on the sofa and turned on the television. While it was true that Yamcha and her were no longer together as a couple, he still made good company but she silently wished he would go away. However Yamcha knew she was only trying to divert the conversation so he'd leave and he ended up behind her snatching away the only thing keeping her from talking. Within seconds, the TV was off.

"Want to talk about it?" Bulma sorted the issue in her mind and decided against it. Trunks was already furious with Vegetto's existence. There was no need for her to piss him off even more by bringing Yamcha into the equation.

"It's complicated." Bulma replied, sinking further into the couch.

"What is?" A new voice sounded off near Yamcha and Bulma groaned. Yamcha jumped at the voice earning a chuckle out of the guest. Apparently it was becoming a routine for him to catch people off guard and enjoying their expressions following it.

"Nothing." Bulma said sharply, and felt her teeth gritting. "You would have known though had you stayed last night Vegetto. However apparently your desire for food beats whatever little brains cells you have left." Vegetto blinked and Yamcha pulled away.

This is not something he should be involved in.

"What happened?" Vegetto questioned and Bulma scoffed at the sincerity in his voice.

"Oh so now you decide to care?" Bulma questioned as she stood up and whipped toward Vegetto's direction. "Well too late bud, shows over, you missed your chance." Bulma sneered placing her hands on her hips. "Now do me and my son a favor and disappear, because yeah, like you said before, you're not wanted here!"

By now tears burned hot but she didn't stop, her next assault landed on the person who was trying to inch his way out of her household. "And you," She called, and Yamcha froze, "I don't know what your motives were for coming over here but you're not helping. Now out!" Yamcha jumped away and scurried out the door without any second thoughts but her true enemy stayed put. In fact he had not budged.

Whatever. Bulma thought figuring he was trying to display some sort of dominance over her. She would not let him get to her, she would not let him press her like Vegeta did. Bulma found herself turning heel and headed up stairs. However before she could reach the door to her room, Vegetto appeared before her blocking her way.

"What happened?" He demanded this time in a rough tone and she felt her hands ball up.

"Nothing that concerns you." She said flatly, trying to push past him, but he kept her still, a hand on her right wrist. "Let me go." Yet his grip tightened with urgency.

"Bulma." It almost sounded pleading but she continued to fight against it. She would not fall prey to him. She would not let him win like Vegeta did. She wasn't someone to win over as easily as Chichi had claimed. She was her own person.

"Let GO!" She shouted, slapping him with the other hand only to feel a sharp pain contract back into her palm. "Ouch damn it Vegetto!" She cursed as struggled in his grip. His smirk wasn't helping her mood much any better. "I said—"

"Let. Her. Go." Bulma's eyes darted behind her shoulder, Trunks. He stood in the hallway, glaring while electricity sparking at his cause. His Super Saiyan form demanding undivided attention. She knew then right away he must have been keeping tabs on her during his absence. So when her ki spiked in distress, he naturally came and with it he brought his hidden fury. Luckily though, he was not in his ascended state like last night. A silent blessing in disguise.

By now Vegetto released Bulma and she dropped to her knees, in shock. She attempted to voice her concern for Trunks to calm down but it was already too late. No sooner as she opened her mouth the sights of a blur flew right past her. The sounds of glass shattering and things falling welcomed her within the following second. Bulma swallowed and turned only to have her eyes widen. Her son had charged Vegetto so roughly that the two of them plowed through her door and were now just outside battling it out.

Her mind wanted to scream!

Her room!

A disaster!

There was no way in hell that she could clean this up without calling someone yet Bulma pushed past those thoughts, her mind settled now on her boys. Trunks was fighting his father and It wasn't a sparring match, it was something worse. Slowly she rose to her feet and stumbled through the rubble in her room to see the battle taking place right outside the giant hole in her wall.

Trunks and Vegetto seemed to be exchanging some heated words but it was impossible for her to make them out as they continued to speed up. Her eyes no longer able to detect them but she could feel the force of the wind blowing into her whenever they did make contact with each other. Suddenly Trunks came into sight and fell down to the ground causing her to cry out his name in concern. Bulma watched his golden locks disappear and her heart quickened all at once. She looked for a path to jump down but it was much too high up for her so she spun around and proceeded to leave in order to tend to her son's agonized expression. Although she tripped up a couple of times Bulma managed to get down the stairs unharmed and flung herself outside where she saw Vegetto picking up her son's battered form.

There was a look in Vegetto's eyes she could not pick up but whatever it was, it made her feel broken.

"I-I'm sorry." She said abruptly and his gaze lingered her direction. If he was distressed, she would not catch it. "I made Trunks think you were—well—someone else."

"Bulma, I am someone else." He informed her for the second time while handing Trunks over into her arms. "I can see it clearly now that I don't belong here anymore." Bulma's heart dropped and the tears sprung to the corner of her eyes.

"No way! You do belong here Vegetto. You do. Trust me you do."

"Not like this." He told her and pressed his lips against her forehead causing her to waver, "I've hurt you guys enough. Goodbye Bulma and please, take care of Trunks. I'll return in two years once the wish has been made."

"Vegetto wait I—" But it was already too late. Vegetto was gone leaving her to stare with out at his spot with a broken gaze. I need you. Bulma thought as she slowly crumbled to the ground while holding her son close and kissed his forehead soberly.

Vegeta always had a bad habit of leaving her behind when she needed him the most didn't he?

Not even a fusion could stop it.

"Bulma?" Yamcha called showing that he too had stayed despite was at her side crouching and examining Trunk's wounds as if Trunks was his own son. Bulma glanced at Yamcha and took in his dark features. Yamcha, he was always here for her when Vegeta was not. He probably could be considered a much better father between the two and it was almost ironic that whenever Vegeta was gone, Yamcha was there in his place. Maybe fate was trying to cheer her up and while Bulma did feel like laughing, all she could muster were tears instead.

If only she hadn't been so blind.

XXX

TBC –

Thanks for all the reviews. I'm very glad that you all like it! I will continue to do so until you start hating it! I'm sorry this isn't a fun chapter to read on Valentine 's Day but I'll make it up. I promise!

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