Chapter Twelve

ChiChi and Bulma were excited over the child no matter how it was created or who it belonged to. The women were thinking of how they were longing for their own large bustling bundles of grandchildren. ChiChi was lucky to already have one grandchild already but she still wished Gohan would give her some more, or at least Goten would get started on a large family. Bulma was in the same situation as she held the baby boy, feeling how comfortable he was becoming with the two. The last time she checked up on Makoto, the young woman was still asleep; the heavy bags under her eyes were starting to lift. Having gone over her stats, Bulma found Makoto had lost some weight, was sleep deprived, and malnourished. No matter how much they tried when Trunks brought Makoto in, the woman wouldn't budge from his arms. It wasn't until she was asleep, they were able to put her to bed and Trunks was able to explain the situation.

Bulma was a bit excited to meet Bardock due to his level of intelligence and wondering how it was he was able to come up with the formula to clone a human child through just splicing DNA. At her age, she hadn't even got near the subject due to her belief. Once Trunks had cleaned up, he took his perch watching over Makoto without another word to the two women. Trunks watched over her, seeing as how her sleep was comfortable but wondering what she had went through. Not only has her powers returned, she had been kidnapped, her DNA used, and now there was a child in the mixture. It pained him to wonder what her thoughts were on the situation but was also thankful that the child was created in such a manner instead of…other ways. Trunks felt an anger surge through him at the thought as his fist clutched tightly. He didn't want to think of another guy with Makoto, in any way. Guilt was pushing through him while he thought of it being his fault for Makoto being taken in the first place. Someone should have been there to watch her instead of letting someone sneak in and steal her. But it all came down to, if she had never been with him and Goten then she would have never got into this troubled situation.

Would this happen if he dared to progress their relationship? He lost her once, and now he didn't want to lose her again. His heart was swollen for her as he looked down at her hair cascading over her shoulders and sprawled across her pillow. Trunks felt his fist soften as he leaned closer, his fingers touching her silky tendrils that seemed to curl around his finger. The serene moment was gone in a matter of minutes when he saw her delicate fingers clutch the sheets as a soft groan pushed against her lips. A nightmare, something he was sure she had a lot of while she was there. Sliding into the bed, Trunks wrapped his taut muscled arms around her slim frame and felt her curl her back against his rock solid body. Even in her sleep she could sense him, her fingers lightly wondering to his hand where they weaved with his fingers before falling back into her deep slumber; Trunks' breathing soon became rhythmic as he too fell asleep.

The two households were in a semi-chaotic state for the time being. Bardock was being watched carefully by Goten while staying in the Son home where he was learning his past and family history through the loveable Goku. Goku seemed to be comfortable with the new saijin's presence. When he wasn't with Bardock talking, he was playing with Augustus. This child seemed to bring the group together daily with the family interactions as Bulma and ChiChi coached Makoto and Bardock on proper care for the child, feeding, holding, cleaning, and natural things parents would go through. It was a very tough issue as those all around witness the sadness in Makoto at quiet times in the home. While Augustus was napping, she would sit silently gazing over the child while her hand would wonder over to her unmarked stomach in almost a longing fashion to have felt the unborn child wiggle to life inside her.

Each day, Bulma and ChiChi tag teamed Makoto with reasons for why she was unable to leave yet. Bending to their reasons, Makoto was nod silently and move into the kitchen away from the large amounts of laughter while the friends and family grew together with the child. Trunks was hardly seen around as he kept away from the child involved activities but also didn't say much to Bardock. Bulma was picking the man's brain while her son silently sat outside still hearing the noisy household. It was only at night he was able to find quiet, and to his surprise it was also at night where him and Makoto would meet under the forested moonlight. At first it was just to sit in each other's presence and then moved into Trunks holding her as she relaxed from the day's stresses. He could sense the worry in her figure and the silent contemplations were driving him insane to see what was in that beautiful mind.

"He is getting stronger already," commented Trunks, looking down at the light bruising on Makoto's fingers. It was barely noticeable but the marks had come from Augustus. While Makoto fed him, held, changed, or did anything with him, the excited child would grip too hard on her hands causing her to have bruising more and more by the end of the day. Makoto only gave a small nod while gazing through the forest, feeling the serene silence coat her being. A calling was asking for her to come home, to the forests she knew in Tokyo but she knew her time here was going to come to an end. Already she made up her mind that when she left she would be taking Augustus no matter what since she didn't feel it was right for Bardock after all that he was going through. Although she didn't want to separate him from his son, she was afraid of what harm would come to the child if he failed his 'trail' period.

From the talk of ChiChi and Bulma, Makoto knew it was going to be hard work. Augustus was showing great signs of his strength, and she wondered if she would be able to raise him without getting hurt. Trunks had showed her the levels he had reached so far as a saijin; the winds and power seeping from him felt as if he was going to destroy the entire room. If Augustus had a temper, could he in fact destroy the city? She feared it, and hoped she was making the right choices. Never did she want him to be used from the original purposes Bardock made apparent when they first met.

A soft touch against her lips brought her out her thoughts. Her body reacted to the touch, pressing into him almost uncontrollably. Trunks was taken by surprise at how willingly she finally show her affections toward him without turning him down. His hand touched her cheek, sending a chill through her as she felt the kiss deepen. For the first time in a long time, she was enjoying herself and the idea of having a relationship with Trunks. With the complication involved, would he accept her? It seemed like a slim possibility but if not, this was going to be a good-bye kiss that neither of them would forget. Trunks almost felt breathless for once and utterly amazed by the way she made him feel; he was holding himself back or else he was sure he would gobble her up. Dazed, they sat silent again with just their hands clasped together.

"I'm not going to give up," suddenly said Trunks, a gentle squeeze meant as reassuring. Makoto felt the smile creep to her lips, knowing she had found someone for her and this time, she wasn't going to lose him.

The morning proved to be an uproar as usual around the breakfast table with laughing, eating, and large amounts of food wafting around. Makoto still wasn't sure when was going to be the best time to break the news until at the table, her cell phone went off. Searching quickly for it, she took the call outside by the surprised table.

"How are you feeling Makoto?" said a calming voice on the other end. Makoto felt the smile broaden before letting out a soft giggle.

"I am fine Usagi, just finishing a few loose ends before coming home today," said Makoto, hearing a sigh of relief from her Queen on the other end.

"I'm so happy you're coming back, and we have everything under control. During the building, all of our ideas forums into one and morphed the city. Surprisingly there hasn't been any trouble with the citizens getting used it, but instead like the idea. Prices are low, employment is high, education is free, and we are finally living in peace. I hope you don't mind but we had a look at your palace and I find it amazingly built; you're also going to be happy for a special surprise included," replied Usagi, babbling on quickly as Makoto felt her heart swell. She couldn't wait to get back home and felt like leaving that instant in order to see what the city now looked like.

"Thank you for giving me some details Usagi, and I will get in this evening. Would you like all of us to get together tomorrow for lunch? There is much to discuss," said Makoto.

"I'll see you then and inform the others. Welcome back Makoto!" replied Usagi before ending the call. Makoto took a moment outside with the joy pouring into her before turning to see Trunks leaning against the door casually, staring at her. His blue eyes seemed saddened as he simply shifted to his feet, turned, and moved back inside. It felt as if she was breaking his heart, and hers was feeling the pain as well. Moving back inside, Makoto found breakfast was already finished while Bulma and ChiChi moved into starting the dishes. When she fully entered, the kitchen seemed to have all eyes on her; a sadness was shown slightly in them as Makoto let out a sigh. Everyone had been dreading her leaving but now, no more excuses would keep her from it.

"I am expected in Crystal Tokyo this evening," she replied, the eyes starting to turn away unhappily. Makoto felt she wasn't finished, hearing Augustus rattling a toy noisily in the background. "I am wanting to take Augustus with me."

Bardock seemed to perk at that news, and wondered if he should contest her decision.

"Let's move to the living room to talk," said ChiChi, leading the way with Bulma who was bringing Bardock with her. Makoto follow slowly, seeing the eyes on her from Goten, Goku holding a small smile, Vegeta glancing at her for a moment before looking away, and last Trunks standing at the entrance from the kitchen to the living room. His arms were folded across his chest, giving him a brooding sense like his father as he stared at her blankly. She wouldn't read what he was thinking, but gave a small soft smile before taking her place in the living room.

"I understand your need to go home, but your child needs a father," said ChiChi, opening the conversation quickly and being straight to the point.

"I don't want to take him away from his father, or all of you that have grown to love Augustus," said Makoto, looking down at him playing with a toy mesmerized. "Crystal Tokyo is my home, and Augustus will be the heir to my throne since he is the first born. He needs to be known to his people, and integrated into our educational system. This is what will be best for him in the long term. No matter how much I would rather deny it, Augustus is my responsibility and my blood. He is the only family I have."

Bulma felt sympathy for Makoto, watching her gaze at the only thing that belonged to her now. Augustus was important and Bulma could see how attached Makoto had become. Pulling up her hands, Bulma let out a frown at the bruising starting to show more.

"He is getting too strong for you to handle alone, you will need help raising him," she started, feeling Makoto pull her hands away wishing she had hid them better.

"There are plenty of people to help out," replied Makoto lowly. "Visitation schedules could be made possible for the summers to spend with Bardock and holidays since Bardock is on probation at the moment."

ChiChi understood where she was coming from, a mother's love with one of a kind. She never wanted to see her children hurt and knew Makoto had the best intentions at heart.

"Augustus is a saijin, he needs to know of who he is, where he comes from, and what power he possesses. There are plenty of men here to train him, teach him, and let him learn control of his powers," said ChiChi, starting to win the upper hand. Makoto was silently, feeling cornered but a bit glad that Bardock remained silent as if permitted not to speak. This was a hard decision to make, but now she was leaning to leaving him here. What kind of mother would she be if she decided to do something like that? The palace was going to get busy, and she would be lucky for any time off. Would she have the time to raise a child? Her shoulders started to slump while she thought about giving up.

"I will go with her," came the voice of her savior. Makoto was surprised to see Trunks standing in the doorway, staring at her with the most caring eyes she had seen. He was going to leave his family, to follow her, just so she could take her place like she needed to. He understood her more than anyone, and she wished in that moment when he said those words, she could just wrap her arms around him and kiss him. Before Bulma and ChiChi would reply, Trunks seemed to turn on his rough exterior. "It is my choice, there is no debate. A saijin will be there at all times with Augustus and he will have a male figure in his life. Bardock will have visitation rights, if he wishes."

"But why Trunks?" asked Bulma is disbelief of her son. He had never done something so sporadic to this extent. He would be leaving his friends, family, college…all for a woman he hardly knew? His eyes caught Makoto's again as a grin spread over his face.

"I love her and I would do anything to make her happy," he simply stated.

AN: I was glad I could get this out quickly, especially since I'm lagging on sleep from shopping and getting new furniture. Thanks for the quick review JP&S