Ch 80

Trunks woke up in a cold sweat. He could feel his body shaking from a nightmare. Wiping the sweat from his face, he got out of bed and pulled the curtains back to see the sun rising. He sighed. 'Looks like I'm not getting back to sleep anytime soon,' he thought as headed to the bathroom with some fresh clothes.

Closing the door behind him, he placed his clothes on the sink counter, undressed, turned on the shower, and stepped right in. The water felt good on his body, but the nightmare still lingered. It had felt so real, and it made him sick just thinking about it. 'How—how can I dream about killing Goten? Does it mean something? Am I going to kill him for real?' he wondered. He shook his head. 'That's ridiculous.'

Fresh and in clean clothes he left the bathroom, heading back to his room. Putting his dirty clothes in the hamper, he sat on his bed. He felt like staying in and locking himself away from the world. It all felt like too much right now but he had work to do as he got his laptop sitting at his side table, turned it on, and got to it right away.

A few hours passed as a knock came to Trunks' door. Setting his laptop down, he got up and opened the door to see Baba. "Hey, is everything all right?"

"Breakfast is ready."

"Oh right sorry. I got caught up in my work."

"It's all right," said Baba as he followed her to the kitchen.

Sitting down, Trunks dug into what was placed in front of him. He stopped for a moment and looked at Baba. "Thanks Baba," he smiled.

"It's the least I can do from the night you had."

"The night I had. What do you—oh you know about my nightmare?"

"You talk in your sleep."

"Sorry," he sighed. "I guess it just means I have to sort out my problems soon."

"You're afraid you will kill him if you go back."

"I don't want to think that way. There's no rhyme or reason to kill someone I hold dear to my heart. It's not who I am. I'm not that person."

"Lets finish breakfast Trunks and then I want to try something with you if that's all right."

"I'm open to anything at this point."

"Well that's good to know," said Baba. "Oh and by the way 18 and Krillin are coming by later. They want to talk to you," she said as Trunks nodded.

Trunks sat on the floor of the living room as Baba brought in her crystal ball. Siting down beside him, she brought her hands to the ball.

"I want you to think back to the time you felt abandoned by Goten. When you have a clear picture, it will play out in my crystal ball for you to see."

"All right," said Trunks as he concentrated on the moment and then it showed itself.

Thirteen year old Trunks sat in the backyard of his home, staring at the grass as the wind blew on it. He was alone, but his father wasn't too far away training in the GR. His mom was working at Capsule while his little sister was at daycare.

Hearing footsteps coming his way, he knew who it was but couldn't look up. Nothing seemed to matter to him anymore. It had been months, and he hadn't seen Goten. There always seemed to be an excuse not to see him by Chichi or the Ox king. His heart was breaking.

"Trunks?"

"Not now dad."

"I'm sorry I wasn't under the impression that you can tell me what to do."

"Please, just leave me alone," Trunks said as he leaned his head on his knees.

Vegeta could see his son was in pain. It's not something he ever wanted to see in his children, but he didn't know the right way to handle this situation. Sitting down beside his son, he let silence come between them before he spoke. "It won't be forever son."

"I hate him!" Trunks stood up. "I don't need him."

Vegeta stood up. "Who are trying to convince Trunks, me or yourself?"

"Just shut up!" he yelled. "I—I don't need this right now. He's moved on without me, and so will I," Trunks said.

"You will not talk to me like that again Trunks, do you hear me?" demanded Vegeta. "There may be miles between you and Kakarott's youngest brat, but it doesn't need to stop you from telling him how you feel. Damn I can't believe I just said that."

"How I feel?"

"Oh don't make me spell it out for you son. I know you're in love with him. Hell your mother knows to because it's pretty obvious."

"I—I wasn't trying to be obvious. I—dad—

"I won't tell anyone, but you should tell him. It's all right Trunks," he said as he looked at his son in the eyes and watched as his son ran inside the house without a word.

The crystal went back to a blank state as Baba looked at Trunks. "You're father knew about your feelings early on."

"I was very surprised and at the time I was scared of my feelings for Goten. They were so strong and not seeing him for months broke something in me. I hated him and at the same time I loved him. I could have gone to see him and asked him why he didn't wanted to see me, but I didn't. I used that as an excuse to behave badly in my teenage years."

"You never really asked Goten why he abandoned you when you needed him the most."

"No, I had my pride. I wasn't going to admit to anyone, much less Goten that I felt abandoned by the one person who made life worth living."

"It's very clear that you need to have this talk with Goten. It seems long over do, don't you think Trunks?"

"I know. I think I've been dreading it to be honest. I don't know how he'll feel about seeing me again."

"It's the only way to get better Trunks. You know this."

"I do. Well I guess I'll be leaving tomorrow then."

"It's been nice having you, even if it was only for a short time."

"You know you can always visit me."

"Of course I will Trunks."

"Well I better get packing," said Trunks as he left for his bedroom.

A knock came to the door, and Baba went to get it. Opening the door, she let in Krillin and 18. "It's good to see you two. You know Marron was just here not to long ago."

"Yes, that's why we're here," said 18.

"18, keep in mind that Trunks is going through a rough time right now. Your daughter's harassment hasn't been helping him."

"Excuse me," said 18 as she got in Baba's face.

"Now, now ladies I'm sure we can talk this out civilly," said Krillin.

"That delinquent yelled at my daughter," said 18.

"Your daughter wouldn't leave him alone. How else was she suppose to get the message?" asked Baba.

Trunks cleared his throat. "Um Baba, I'll take it from here if you don't mind?"

Sitting in the living room, Trunks felt uneasy but he let it go for the moment as he was waiting for 18 to speak.

"My daughter likes you very much for some reason," said 18. "I'm willing to give you a chance to make things right with her."

"I will apologize for yelling at her because I was out of line. Otherwise there is nothing more to say."

"That's all very well, but I think there's something you misunderstand. When I say make things right with my daughter, I mean give her a chance to show you how much she cares about you."

"I'm sorry I can't. I don't care about her in a romantic way, and I never will. Besides all that I'm with Goten and I don't care what she said about my relationship with him, he's mine and I am his. Nothing will ever change that, do you understand me?"

"You will regret it!" exclaimed 18.

"That's your opinion," said Trunks as he stood up. "We're done here. It was nice to see you Krillin."

Trunks opened the door as 18 walked out angry. Krillin stopped by the door and turned to Trunks. "I'm really sorry about Marron's behavior. I'll do my best to help her move on from you."

"Thanks Krillin," he said before closing the door.

"That woman is a piece of work," said Baba.

"I know she cares a lot about her daughter, but her solution wasn't the way to keep her daughter happy."

"Why don't we take one last walk around town before you leave tomorrow?" asked Baba.

"Sure, that would be great," said Trunks.

They stopped off at a cafe for lunch after their walk. Sitting outside, Trunks admired the view and began to feel himself relax.

"Hopeful?"

"I'm trying to be," said Trunks as he gripped the object in his jacket pocket, which didn't go unnoticed by Baba.

"What's in your pocket?"

"Well," Trunks said, "if you promise not to tell anyone, I'll show you." Baba nodded as he took out a ring box and opened it to show two engagement rings.

"I'm sure he'll say yes someday Trunks."