Chapter 5

She was kidding herself when she hoped he would be attentive to them upon his return. He hadn't changed for the better. They had barely even spoken since the night he returned. He was especially distant after the mysterious youth reappeared, revealing his true identity. He irritated her to no end now, but she had her baby to keep her busy. It helped a little, but she constantly saw the proud Saiyan's face in that little bundle of joy. Her heart ached at times. She wanted him back so badly. When she became overwhelmed, her mother helped her a great deal. She continued her work on Vegeta's armor. Now she had to make a fourth set.

The boy from the future fascinated her. He was so handsome like his father but down to earth. Perhaps that was the goodness he acquired from Gohan. She was proud of her boy, or least what he would become. He was strong and smart and his heart was pure. He was everything a mother could ask for from her son.

Trunks glared at Vegeta whenever their paths crossed. Vegeta returned an equally murderous stare from his seat at the kitchen table. Bulma sighed deeply. "Boys will be boys."

"I don't need this!" He slammed his hands down on the table.

"You don't need anyone. Forget all about your family on your suicidal conquest for power."

"Listen here, you little bastard-"

"You're acting like my father now?"

"Shut up both of you!" They stared at her. "You don't have to like each other or understand each other. This is temporary and will be all over before you know it. You can just ignore each other until then."

"I can just keep doing my usual routine then."

"You are unbelievable!"

"Didn't you hear what your mother said?"

"About as well as you did!"

"Bulma!" The young boy had walked in through the kitchen door. He saw Vegeta and Trunks and immediately felt their tension. "You're busy…"

"Gohan!" Trunks embraced the boy. "It's great to see you!"

"Uh... Hi."

Trunks let go and laughed nervously. "I'm sorry. In my time after everyone is dead, you are my trainer. You're like my brother and father in the same person, at least until..." His voice trailed off. His fists were clenched at his side until his knuckles turned white.

"What's up?" Bulma asked, breaking the silence.

"How is the new armor coming?"

"Great! I've really out done myself this time. I'm just molding the slight differences in size and of course if they're fine for you guys then I'll have to make extras. They should be ready by tomorrow for sure!"

"Dad will be excited. He's getting the time chamber set up for us."

"Time chamber?"

"It's a room that lets you get a whole year's worth of training done in twenty four hours."

"That sounds awesome. I'd love to train with you."

"I was going to train with my dad."

"I'll join you. It will be like old times... Well at least for me."

Gohan shrugged. "If it's okay with my dad..."

"We can ask him tomorrow."

Gohan smiled. "We'll meet up at Kami's lookout then. Take care!" He left. Vegeta followed shortly behind, headed towards the back yard.

Trunks smiled and sat in a chair. "I really miss him. He taught me everything I know."

"You'll see him when you return."

He looked up at his mother, his eyes full of tears. "I want that to be true. I watched him die." His tears fell.

"Trunks." She embraced him, resting his head on her shoulder.

"What if I can't save him again, mother? What if I can't save anyone?"

She stroked his hair. "You've already saved us," she whispered.

"I thought I was changing the past for the better, but I think I made it worse. And my own father hates me."

She sighed. "Vegeta doesn't like reminders. He sees you and thinks of you as his own mistake, a moment of weakness. He didn't want either of us, but he needs us."

He looked up at her. "That doesn't make sense."

"It's love. If it made sense it would be easy." She kissed his forehead. "Let's relax today. Take the day off before you go training. We can go swimming."

He nodded. "I could go for that."

"Good. Trunks should be awake now. I'll get him ready." She let go of him. "I love you, son."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you, too."

Her face lit up as she smiled at him. He made her feel loved and hoped her own baby would really turn out to be that loving.