Hope you enjoy - it's a small dose, but its a good one! /sorry had to fix something! /

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ

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Chapter 16: Secrets

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Trunks had faced many enemies in the past. One that even took his own life and yet here he was talking to his father, alive and well.

In fact Trunks found that he no longer needed to suppress his power level.

For him, this made him feel relaxed.

Well-maybe not as relaxed as he pictured himself to be-but who could blame him?

Vegetto's display of power made him a little on edge.

Majin Buu had been scary but this-this was just out of his league. Trunks barely managed to keep a cool look on his face as his father debriefed him as to what was going on at New Namek. His mother across scowled while placing her hands on her hips.

"You have to be more careful Vegetto," Bulma hissed, "The Namekians not only have dragon balls but an entire biome down there! We can't afford to lose an investment of Sensu Beans!"

Vegetto's expression became dumbfounded as he questioned his mother's statement. She began explaining and while Trunks had previously shut his mother's rants out of his mind he found himself hanging off every syllable.

'I'm just trying to get as much out of this then anyone else. It's not every day that the people who disappear, come back to humor you.' Trunks thought numbly.

"I-If the dragon balls don't work," Trunks began slowly, his mind reeling into a state of depression. His mother's eyes were on him like a hawk. Eyes gleaming of worry but also silently pleading with him not to go on. She was always so determined from keeping him happy despite the mirroring look of gloom splashed across her face.

'Everything will work out.' Future Bulma told him silently as she gazed on him.

At the time he was peeking through the curtains to make sure there was no signs of danger. He should have been able to sense it but his mind was whirling then too. For his mother – she now was laid flat against the wooden floorboards. They were far away from home as to look for supplies. His mother insisted that she stayed behind but with all the deaths – Trunks pulled her along for the ride afraid to come back to find her among them as well.

He would have never guessed they would be discovered by Debura. Trunks had set her down as he approached his foe. Powering up to SSJ to show Debura if he tried anything – that Trunks would personally send him to his demise. He just hadn't anticipated for Babidi to be watching either. A ploy as Babidi tapped into his mind – changing him. Controlling him from the rage that he let build inside.

Why Babidi let him go – Trunks never knew. Probably for entertainment. After all he wasn't a threat anymore as Trunks surely bowed to the creature whilst tears running down his face after he had done something he would never forgive himself for.

Something he could never tell anyone.

Trunks released the curtain shaking as his gaze dropped to his mother's form. She was bleeding so heavily from her side.

Right where he-

Where he had stabbed her. 'It's alright.' She told him again as if she felt his gaze on her wound. 'It's not your fault.'

Trunks grimaced at his mother's words. He felt his body move on its own as he knelt at her side. She coughed, her body racked from the loss. Even with the blood dripping down from the side of her lips—His mother still smiled.

She had been grinning the whole time even though they both knew that she was dying.

Trunks choked out a sob as he pulled Bulma's left hand close and kissed it. His tears ran down her fingertips as she continued to try to reassure him that everyone dies eventually. Trunks shook his head continue to holler his frustration but even so his mother never blamed him.

"I'm sorry I let this happen." Trunks told her wanting for her to hate him.

"Everything will work out." She repeated, "Besides I won't be alone...Vegeta..." He watched as she let out a small laugh, "Must be tired of waiting for such a pain in the ass. Can't keep a prince waiting you know..."

With that his mother let her eyes slid close, a smile ever present. "Trunks, please, warn them."

"But they will!" Bulma interjected loudly and Trunks felt himself gaping at his surroundings. The room had spun back to where he was rather then where he had wanted to be. Trunks couldn't help but stare at his mother then. She went from shouting at him to becoming mute at his sudden change of demeanor.

"If they don't," He emphasized again – his eyes piercing into hers – defiantly while she desperately protested. His mother obviously didn't approve of his insistence. She eventually looked to Vegetto for support. However when Vegetto never made movement to stop him, Bulma sputtered.

Trunks felt his eye's widen into saucers too as he looked at Vegetto. He had expected a different reaction – one more aggressive like out it – but silence was new.

Vegetto was new.

'Ooohkay...' Trunks thought before taking a deep breath. "Is it okay if I stay?"

A pause.

"Oh Trunks," His mother drew out sounding relieved. "Honey of course you can stay here. You are our son. We love you." Trunks felt his cheeks burn at his mothers words. She had gotten older since he had last seen her but she was still as beautiful as ever.

"We will get you home." Vegetto finally spoke up, clamping a hand on his shoulder. "Everyone will be revived from Majin Buu's terror. You'll see your mom again soon enough."

Trunks didn't dare correct Vegetto on how wrong he was. Instead he continued to play the innocent card and thank his parents. He couldn't bring himself to tell them the truth.

He must never return.

Under any means necessary.

'Forgive me, mother.'