Dark Hope Assassin: Your my freaking hero. Seriously. I look forward to every review you submit for me. Your always honest, as I expect you to be, but gentle and give good advice. I know my grammar is atrocious and my typing so fast that I end up using the wrong word usage and constantly over look things... My Junior English teacher, wonderful lady, used to call me the run-on queen. Eh. Really though, your an amazing writer and it's so awesome to receive reviews from someone so skillful.

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Sayain Passion: One of my favorite writers of all time. I read your stuff before I had a story posted. Hm. It seems so strange to have one of the writers who were legendary in my eyes taking the time to review one of my stories. I know I've been an awful review lately, but I will take the time to review again soon -- tonight, actually. Thank you so much for everything, you're the best!

One of my favorite writers of all time. I read your stuff before I had a story posted. Hm. It seems so strange to have one of the writers who were legendary in my eyes taking the time to review one of my stories. I know I've been an awful review lately, but I take the time to review again soon -- tonight, actually. Thank you so much for everything, you're the best!

I would also like to extended the greatest thanks to the following:

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Woa! So much wonderful feedback -- ((reveiws, emils, and even a couple IMs! squeals)) it was just enough motivation to get me updating quicker... Thanks a million to everyone who reviewed! It means soooo much and I love you for it!

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The Sixth Chapter

High School Reunions

Shades of Crimson

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Bulma dumped her luggage out on her bed, ran to her closet and began to rummage through it, pulling out a light blue sun dress and holding it against her in front of the mirror. Vegeta frowned from the door frame as he watched Bulma discard the dress onto the heap of clothes on her bed and disappear back into her closet.

The front door of Bulma's mansion was thrust open as a freshly made-up and newly dressed Juu, in a pair of khaki pants and a polo top, followed by a grinning Krillin, entered Bulma's house.

"Woa." The short man said as he took a seat in Bulma's modernly stylish living room -- with it's spacious room and plush crème leather sofa's, it housed a large plasma screen TV with an entertainment center below it with an impressive DVD collection, the salt-water fish tank, and the dark coffee table decorated the room neatly, "Nice pad!"

"Yeah, I know!" Juu said, flopping down on the couch, "Bulma's so chic."

As the blonde haired woman began flipping casually through channels she laughed at the two men who were standing in uncomfortable silence, "Take a seat you two, it can take Bulma a year and half to pick out an outfit."

Bulma growled from her closet and yelled through the door, "I have to make a good first impression, Juu!"

The blonde woman shrugged as she tucked a stray piece of shoulder length hair behind her ear, "Whatever Bee, but could you please at least try and hurry up?"

Vegeta and Krillin took the seats beside Juu as the three began to watch a boxing match -- all very instantly drawn to it.

Bulma exited her room, now with fresh make up and a new outfit -- and she had also, miraculously, managed to curl her long blue locks in the time she had been in there. She was now wearing a pair of dark jeans with a silky brown spaghetti-strapped shirt with pink ribbon weaved across the top of the low-cut blouse. Her beautiful hair, one of her best features, was let down loosely, with the ends curled to fall just above her midback. At the base of her ensemble she had on a simple pair of brown Old Navy flip-flops and her pink pedicured toenails. She stared at the three, who were all fixated with the fight, and cleared her throat -- obviously beckoning a compliment.

Vegeta blinked at her, "Are you wearing your night shirt, woman?"

Bulma's cheeks flushed and her neatly plucked eyebrows knitted together, "For your information, Vegeta, these tops are all the rage now. Seriously, very fashionable."

Vegeta rolled his eyes, "Whatever woman, but that shirt looks ridiculous at this time of day."

Bulma continued to glare at him until she let out a snobbish humph, crossed her arm over her chest, closed her eyes, lifted her nose into the air and frowned, "Good thing I'm not trying to impress you anymore, troll doll."

Vegeta rolled his eyes at her 'insult.'

Krillin watched the two with a nervous expression and Juu rolled her eyes at the pair, "Alright children, let's go already."

The four climbed into Bulma's spacious silver Lexus and the road-raged driver put on a pair of her favorite chunky sunglasses and sped down the road, a little to Krillin's shock -- but the other two passengers had expected it.

Why did they have to fight constantly? She asked herself as she watched her 'boyfriend' wave a pair of tickets in the air excitedly in front of her face.

She frowned, thinking of those tickets. She almost shuddered, she hated country music! How many times was she forced to tell him? She didn't want to go. She didn't want to be with him. She didn't want... "Oh Chip." She muttered, thinking just how stupid his name really was. She wasn't entirely sure if it was in fact his name. Perhaps a nickname? If so, she hadn't a clue from where.

She sighed, knowing that she was being an awful person. And an even worse girlfriend. He was a good guy. She knew that. But... she just knew that he wasn't right for her. If anything, she thought, he was too good for her.

"Yes Launch?" He said, freezing his hands for moments so that the waving tickets stopped, "It's tonight you know!"

She heard the excitement in his voice and sighed, "I don't want to go."

He blinked as he watched her for a moment and then frowned, "What?"

She frowned, "My friends from high school are reuniting tonight. I don't want to miss it because of some stupid country concert that I didn't want to go to in the first place."

He frowned back at her and she sighed, "I hate country, you know that."

Watching the hurt expression cross his features Launch sighed sadly, "I'm sorry Chip."

He nodded, trying to be understanding. For the first time, she had gotten her point across. She didn't like country. She didn't like any of the things he was into. He frowned -- and he wasn't into any of the things she was. He blinked, so why were they still together in the first place?

Launch wrapped her arms around him, holding his elbows in her hands and pressing her forehead against his.

He smiled back at her. Oh, that's why they were together. She was gorgeous.

Her smile flattened for a moment, "Just because I don't like country music doesn't mean that I can't like you..."

And with a quick kiss both decided that they would try and make this work -- no matter how much they were just leading each other on.

When Launch and Chip had left the room he found Julie and Tien on the couch -- Tein lazily channel surfing.

Launch took a seat beside him and Chip blinked at Julie, "Uh, Julie, right?"

The red headed girl lifted her eyed from the magazine she had been flipping though and smiled, "Yeah?"

Chip flashed her the tickets he had been holding, "Well, I've got two, and since you're into this sort of thing, and, I mean, if Launch and Tien don't mind --"

Launch watched the two and smiled, "Uh, yeah, you're a big boy Chip -- you can make your own decisions."

Tien shrugged, not completely aware of what was going on.

Chip smiled, "So, Toby Keith then?"

Julie's eyes widened and she jumped up from her seat on the couch, she ran her hands through her red hair and quickly pecked Tien's cheek, "Yeah! Oh, and I have my dads car so, uh, you want to leave right now?"

Chip smiled at the excitement in her voice and the pair exited the room.

Tien looked up from the T.V. for the first time, a confused look on his face, "Um, what just happened?"

Launch laughed lightly with a small frown, "I think our wedding dates are going on a date..."

Bulma pulled the car to a stop as they entered the driveway of the house that all four recognized as the Sons.

The quartet walked up to the front door and Bulma eagerly rang the doorbell.

On the other side of the door an anxious ChiChi, Goku, Launch, and Tien stood. All anticipating the arrival of Bulma and Vegeta.

How would they look when they opened the door? Would they be happy with one another? Would they both be crossing their arms, clearly pissed at the others presence? Had Bulma told Vegeta yet? Would they even both be there... together?

ChiChi sucked in a breath and swung open the door, to see Bulma smiling and Vegeta with his usual, bored expression. But no more anger than usual.

ChiChi hugged Bulma tightly and asked her how her trip was.

Bulma gleamed, flashing everyone her perfect white, toothy smile, "Great actually, considering that our flight was delayed. And you know how moody airports make me... But it was pleasant, actually."

Her blue eyes darted around the room, soaking in the appearance of everyone. It felt a little strange to have everyone reuniting this way.

She hugged Launch and when they broke away Launch smiled approvingly at her, "Wow! Cute top Bulma!"

Bulma grinned and then turned to glare at Vegeta, "See? I told you it was cute."

Vegeta rolled his eyes at her and muttered something unautable under his breath. Everyone blinked. They were acting exactly as they did in high school.

Just then Jay and Leah entered the room and smiled, "Hey guys, were leaving you on your own, we're going out to eat, so, I guess we'll see you all in the morning."

Juu hugged her twin brother and everyone watched as she pulled apart -- their appearances more than coincidentally similar.

"Yeah." Juu said, smiling down at Krillin, "We'll join the two of you."

"Uh." Krillin said, as his blonde companion spoke for him, "Yeah..."

When the four had left with Bulma's car, driven by Juu, obviously wanting to let the remaining group, consisting of Bulma, ChiChi, Launch, Yamcha, Vegeta, Goku, and Tien, to have some time alone together, ChiChi happily clapped her hands together with a smile and brightly spoke, "Wow guys, it's just like old times!"

Bulma laughed at her friend, "So? What's the plan then?"

Goku smiled, "I've got some barbeque going in the back."

ChiChi nodded alongside her husband, "And there's plenty of beer in the fridge."

Launch giggled excitedly, "Sounds fun!"

Nearly everyone had left the living room to take their seats in the kitchen, only Bulma and ChiChi remained.

"So." Bulma said, knowing that ChiChi was going to want to have a talk, and she had every intention to make it short as possible, "Where are Trunks and Goten?"

ChiChi smiled, "They're out playing in the back."

Bulma nodded and then ChiChi sighed, "You still haven't told him, have you?"

Bulma grabbed her friend's arm and led her into the kitchen, "No Chi, I haven't. But I will -- don't worry. Tonight, maybe."

ChiChi smiled, "Good. You'd better not do it tomorrow though, I do not want a pissed best man ruining my wedding."

Bulma sighed and shook her head, "Come on Chi, It's been awhile, let's get something to drink."

Launch let out a sigh as everyone laughed at her story of how she and Chip had gotten together.

Bulma smiled, "You don't look a bit happy with him."

"Bulma! That's an awful thing to say." ChiChi frowned at her friend, "Launch, he seems lovely."

Goku smiled, "Wow. It's weird... you know? To have all of us together again."

ChiChi rolled her eyes at her husband, "Goku, Marron's not here."

Yamcha sighed, "Have you heard about her fiance?"

Bulma frowned, "Fiance? I thought she was married?"

Launch blinked, "Hm. I hadn't even known they were engaged."

Vegeta chucked, "I heard he's old and rich and they're using each other."

Yamcha took a sip of his beer and shrugged, "It's sad."

Bulma shrugged as she played with her own beer bottle, "Not really, I mean, that's what Marron always wanted."

ChiChi nodded after a few seconds of silence, "Yeah, well, she should be here in a couple hours."

Launch smiled, "I miss high school. I wish we were still there."

Tien laughed, "Really?"

Goku slipped his arm around his wife's shoulder and smiled, "Well I was glad to get out, marry the woman of my dreams."

Bulma rolled her eyes at the couple, "Please, you were just relieved that ChiChi finally put out on your wedding night."

ChiChi blushed furiously and glared at the blue haired woman across the table in shock, "Bulma Briefs!" Then the black haired woman crossed her arms and huffed, "Slut."

Bulma rolled her eyes at her best friends 'insult' and laughed.

Launch smiled, "So are two excited about tomorrow?"

This question was directed at the couple, which caused a happy smile to spread across ChiChi's face and for Goku to blink dumbly, "Tomorrow?"

ChiChi rolled her eyes, dropping her smile and replacing it with a set scowl, "Yes Goku, tomorrow, our wedding."

Goku laughed as he scratched the back of his head, "Oh! Yeah, very excited!"

Vegeta sat down his empty beet bottle and frowned as he rose from his seat and began to rummage through the refrigerator, "Your out of beer."

ChiChi frowned, "Impossible, we had, like, seven cases."

Goku shook his head, "No, I only brought two packs in, the other four are out in the garage."

"Five." Bulma interrupted impassively as she played with the label on her beer, "If there are seven total and two are in the refrigerator, then there are five in the garage Goku."

Goku blinked and ChiChi rolled her eyes, "Vegeta -- go out the backdoor," she instructed, "and the garage door is to your right."

Vegeta rolled his eyes and muttered a gruff "I've been here before, wench," before slamming the backdoor.

Launch frowned, "What's he in a bad mood for?"

Bulma shook her head, "He's not in a bad mood."

Tien laughed and nodded, "Yeah, she's right, when he's in a bad mood, you'll know it."

Vegeta began his short walk across the front lawn when a football was hurled in his direction unskillfully and he caught it with ease.

The little Goku-mini gave him an apologetic smile as the ball was thrown at his feet, "Sorry Mr. Vegeta."

Vegeta shrugged as he watched the purple haired boy scold Goten on his technique, "You need to keep your elbow stiller, and flick more with your wrist -- and don't put your fingers so far apart."

Vegeta smirked at the kid and then the purple haired boy as Goten tried, again, to throw the football, once more, unsuccessfully.

Trunks sighed frustrated and Goten frowned, "Oh come on Trunks, this is boring anyway!"

Trunks frowned, "It's only boring to you because your awful at it."

Vegeta laughed as he listened to their conversation from the garage, where he now had a beer in hand and was making the short trip back inside.

Goten frowned, "Yeah? Well I'm a way better fighter than you!"

Trunks crossed his arms, "Nu-uh!"

"Yeah?" Goten smiled, "Well.. we're tied then."

"Yeah." Trunks agreed, and then smiled, "Let's go to your dads dojo."

Goten nodded, "Told you this was boring."

Trunks looked up at Vegeta as he walked by, "Will you take us?"

Vegeta blinked at the boy and Goten smiled, "You could fight my dad again."

Trunks frowned, "Hey, have you seen my mom?"

Vegeta shrugged, a little annoyed and unsure of how to act around kids, he frowned, "I don't even know who your mother is."

Trunks smiled up at the flame haired man, "Her names Bulma -- she's really pretty and gots blue hair and --"

The boy rambled on for a moment, but at the sound of Bulma's name, he knew who the boy was talking about, "Your... Bulma's kid?"

The boy stopped mid-sentence and nodded, "Yep."

Vegeta looked him over, taking notice of how the boy resembled Bulma and... himself? He shook it off and frowned, though, he couldn't be younger than seven, maybe eight. Vegeta frowned, "How old are you?"

Trunks smiled proudly, "Seven and half! That's a half a year older than Goten."

Vegeta blinked. Either Bulma had been cheating on him or... His eyes narrowed and his composure darkened. No. She hadn't. The boy looked too much like him, it was...

"Woman." He growled, the corners of his mouth pulled into an angry scowl, his eyebrows knitted together, his eyes narrowed.

Tien blinked as Vegeta entered the kitchen, "See," he whispered to Launch, "now he's pissed."

Bulma blinked at him as he continued to glare at her.

"What the fuck? You have a son?"

ChiChi's mouth dropped and she stood up from the table, "Um... So, as I was saying, I've got to... go make sure I made everyone's bed up for the night..."

As ChiChi quickly exited the room Vegeta's eyes remained fixed on Bulma, "So? Were you going to tell me that I have a kid or just continue to keep it from me?"

Bulma blinked as Launch rose from the table, "Uh, yeah, I better call Chip... he's not so good with direction..."

Bulma remained silent as Vegeta slammed his fist down onto the table, "And, he is my son, is he not?"

Tien watched the table shake with the force of Vegeta's fist and blinked, "I -- uh, better go help Launch dial."

Bulma bit her lip, feeling tears burn the back of her eyelids as she sat in shock.

Vegeta glared at her, "What the fuck were you thinking? Were you just never going to tell me? Was this your idea of a grudge? Was this your --"

Yamcha stood up, and let out a fake yawn, "Wow, I'm tired. Uh.. .goodnight Goku."

Bulma brought her saddened eyes down to her lap as Vegeta compressed his fists into tiny balls, and Goku watched as the veins in his arms became more and more visible, much like they did when they would spar.

"Why woman? Why didn't you say a damn thing to me?"

Goku blinked, an excuse to leave as the others had not coming to him.

"Oh... uh... I've got to ... um... do that... thing I had to do."

His presence was ignored as he quickly scampered out of the kitchen and left Bulma and Vegeta alone.

After a few moments in silence Bulma looked up and met eyes with her ex. Vegeta took a seat at the table and continued to glare sternly at Bulma -- her tear stricken blue eyes not wavering his angered state.

"Vegeta."

His name from her weak voice made him flinch inwardly. The tone of her voice... he growled, so he was correct in thinking it was his.

"Well woman? I think I deserve an explanation."

Bulma averted her eyes, "You deserve more than that..."

"So the kid?"

"Trunks."

"Yeah, the brat, he's mine?"

"He's not a brat Vegeta."

"But he's mine?"

"Yes. He's yours, Vegeta."

"Un-fucking-believable."

Bulma looked over at him and smiled sadly, "He's wonderful Vegeta, God, so much like you."

He stared at her for a moment, "Why didn't you tell me? Seven years and you never tried to--"

"I did try." Bulma interrupted, "As soon as I found out... I tried calling, I tried... God Vegeta, I flew down to tell you and you..."

Vegeta's face turned emotionless, "You should have told me."

"I know." Bulma whispered, and shut her tired eyes softly, causing a tear to slide down her cheek, "I was emotional then... And afterwards, I hated myself for so long. I still do. I know you won't forgive me, and I don't blame you, I hate myself Vegeta, believe me, I do."

He watched her as she talked, "And Vegeta, I was going to make myself tell you when I saw you again, but at the airport..." She opened her eyes to look at him, their eyes met and Bulma smiled, "But everything was so good. Just like old times, you didn't hate me, you didn't know that I had lied to you. It was nice. I was selfish."

He smirked for the first time since he had come into the kitchen, "You always were selfish."

Bulma frowned at him, and then told herself that she had no reason to be angry at him.

There was a moment of comfortable silence in which the two made an unspoken agreement.

They had done each other wrong. Vegeta knew that he had hurt her. She had lied to him. She had a son! She had raised a boy. Vegeta had always told her that he didn't' want a son. Did he now? He pictured the boy talking down to Kakerot's son and he smirked.

Bulma smiled as Vegeta got up from his seat, "You should meet him."

"I have met him." Vegeta said shortly.

Bulma rolled her eyes, "I mean, meet him properly. I have to tell him that your his father..."

Vegeta nodded, almost awkwardly, "In a moment, first... I have to give you something."

Bulma smiled and opened the door, being greeted with her friends profiles and their ears pressed against where the door had been seconds before.

She frowned at them and they all jumped back, blushing and laughing with embarrassment.

Vegeta brushed passed them muttering 'nosey wenches..' and Bulma followed him, turning back before she entered the room Vegeta was staying in to glare at her friends.

When Bulma gently shut the bedroom door she turned around and saw Vegeta standing over his recently unzipped suitcase.

She observed him from across the bed as he opened the luggage with a frown.

"Woman, I brought something to give you to you when we got here, and I guess I should still give it to you."

Bulma stared blankly as Vegeta handed her a small box, and when she opened it she found her ring.

The ring. She smiled unconsciously as she studied it -- remembering how he had given it to her back in high school, and remembering how she had shoved it into Tein's hands when she had seen Vegeta with that girl. She frowned, "Wha--why did you bring it?"

"Well," he said, almost harshly, "I did give it to you."

She blinked down at it, "And I gave it back."

He reached over and snatched the small box from her grasp with a frown, "Fine then woman, if you don't want it, but since your still single I figured--"

"Ug! That stupid magazine! And I thought it would be an honor... not a curse!" She interrupted, more talking to herself.

Vegeta frowned at her, "Woman! Listen!"

She blinked with an almost frightened frown as he continued, "Good. Silence from you, finally."

She glared at him as he nodded, "Well I saw you in that magazine I knew you were still single and I thought that I would, well, just in case."

A smile grazed her features as an adoring look came over her face and she took the ring back from him, "You wanted to start things up again!"

He rolled his eyes, "Possibly. If you were less annoying than I remembered. You aren't, but since I knocked you up, I guess I owe you the favor."

Bulma rolled her eyes as she slipped on the ring and studied it on her finger, half ignoring him she replied sarcastically, "So romantic Vegeta."

He smirked as he gently kissed her forehead, "Woman, I wish you would have told me."

"So do I." She whispered, wrapping her arms around his back, "But is it possible to just pick up where we left off? I mean, it's been a long time and..."

He tucked a stray lock of blue hair behind her ear as he listened to her talk and they met eyes, she looked at him timidly and frowned, "Are you still mad at me?"

With his arms still wrapped around her he nodded, "Furious."

She smiled as she leaned her head into his chest and inhaled the scent she had missed so much, "You don't act it."

"I've never been able to figure you out."

"And I've never been able to figure you out either Vegeta, but I'm going to try, if you'll let me, I'll try." With that she looked up at him with a smile, "I want you to meet Trunks now Vegeta, you'll love him, I promise."

He nodded as they broke apart, a frown crossing Vegeta's features as he let out an almost nervous sigh, "Alright woman."

I know that this is a pitifully short chapter ... but it's really just an apology for the long wait of the last one combined with the overwhelming flashbacks in the previous chapter.

But the ending... Man, I'll have to make the next chapters update super quick, otherwise I'm going to have a handful of pissed reviewers... Haha. I love you all though!

And I'm going to extend my greatest thanks to Brina28. Wow. If your reading this chapter -- you owe her big! I was a little stuck with the Trunks/Vegeta meeting scene and she helped me out loads! Seriously! Plus, she's a freaking amazing writer and as soon as you review this chapter, go read her story Dream, Mkay? Good!

REVIEW!

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Crimson