First, I would like to apologise for taking such a long time to post a new chapter. I had to think a lot of stuff through. Of course I would like to thank all of those who followed and reviewed this story. Your support really means a lot to me. Now on with the story.

P.S. Sorry, I had to make some changes.


Vegeta's finger tapped restlessly on the steering wheel of his car. The window was open and the cool, gentle breeze of Mt. Paozu swept in, lightly blowing his spiked hair. Glancing on the domed house on his right, he wondered why the hell his daughter was taking so long. Bulla had spent the previous night in the company of her dark haired friend, Pan. Bulma forbade any unnecessary flying over the city, so he had to instead use a car as means of transportation.

Despite being interrupted from his training, he was surprisingly in a stable mood. Bulma still had not offered any explanation for her strange behaviour the night before, but she seemed significantly better this morning. Which meant the problem was solved.

Right?

Although she seemed normal again, he still had plans to question her. That is until he saw her sitting in the garden, staring forlornly at a particular spot where her father smoked his expensive cigars. She was never the same after her father's death. After seeing her in such a pitiful state, he had changed his mind about any further inquiry. It was also the reason why he had not protested when Bulma asked him to pick up their daughter. Vegeta felt Bra's ki approaching, bringing him out of his thoughts. Bulla climbed onto the back seat and greeted her father. "Hey, Daddy!"

Vegeta grunted in reply. "Bulla, put your seatbelt on." He instructed.

Bulma still insisted that their daughter wear a seatbelt whenever she was in a moving vehicle despite her knowing that a measly car accident would not be enough to put a scratch on their daughter. With one last glance at his daughter, Vegeta started his car and drove along the narrow road, covered on both side by green trees. His daughter hummed an annoying tune on the backseat as they both headed home.


Miles away in the bustling town of West City, where dazzling skyscrapers invaded the sky and loomed over the ever active ocean of people. An unmistakable air of sorrow and grief hung over its residents.

As of 9 a.m. the news of the death of Gregory Fort, a prominent entrepreneur, had quickly swept over the world. He had been reportedly found dead near a wharf in Vengela City.

Although the official earliest report of his demise had been made only this morning, a certain blue haired woman in an extravagant leather chair had known hours before. She was the same blue haired woman behind the magnificent oak desk, leaning close to her laptop. Her eyes skimmed over the the most recent article regarding Fort's death.

His untimely demise had profoundly shook the world. He was a man who had left a trail of kindness and generosity his whole life. Bulma Briefs knew him as the man who had been by her side only hours after her own father's life was taken. Fort was one of the closest friends of her father.

A heavy sigh escape her as she swivelled her chair to look out the massive glass window offering her a generous view of the city. She clenched her fist as her mind wandered onto the night before. She had been careless and too loud that it had attracted the attention of her husband.

A sharp knock on the door caused her to quickly look up. Bulma hastily closed her laptop just seconds before her son opened the door.

"Hey, Mom," he greeted, "you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah," Bulma replied, motioning for her son to take a seat. She leaned back and inspected her son carefully. "So, are you ready for college?"

Trunks sighed. "Mom, college is still months away, but, yeah I'm ready and don't worry, I promise you that my grades will always be my top priority." He was lying, of course, but he'd say anything just to end their conversation.

"Bullshit. You and I both know that it's going to take a couple of weeks before you even start thinking about your studies."

Trunks tried to keep a straight face. "Well... I might fool around a bit."

His mother's piercing gaze did not waver and a scowl was starting to form. Trunks was about to open his to say something when his Bulma suddenly grinned at him. Bulma chuckled at the confused expression on her son's face.

"What's so funny?" Trunks shifted in his seat. "Can I go now?"

"No," Bulma's tone became serious as she leaned forward, "it's about the fraternities in that school. I know you'll eventually join one of them but I trust you to make the right decisions. I don't want you or anyone getting hurt."

The young man stared at his mother's blue eyes. All trace humour had gone from their milky depths. Trunks' only option was to tell the truth. "I promise, Mom."

Satisfied with her son's answer, Bulma relaxed in her chair, waving him away with her delicately manicured hands. "You go on and continue whatever foolishness you and Goten were doing."

Trunks happily got up from his seat. "Will do," he said in a singsong voice.

Just as he was about to reach the door the sound of his mother's voice halted him in his tracks. "Wait."

Bulma stood up and walked towards her son with a sad smile on her face. She reached up to tenderly run her hand through his hair. Normally, Trunks would've been appalled by this show of affection, but he too had heard of Fort's unfortunate passing. As he stared into his mother's penetrating eyes, he could see the heartbreaking grief and sorrow.

"I'll be sad to see you go." Bulma's eyes started to water and she leaned in tightly hug her firstborn child. "Seriously, take care of yourself out there."

Trunks sincerely hugged her back, knowing how much she needed it. The sound of a phone ringing broke their contact and Bulma was suddenly rushing to her desk. Trunks stood in silence as he observed his mother agitatedly search for her phone.

"You okay, Mom?" He asked.

"I'm fine, son. Go on and enjoy yourself." She smiled to ease his concern.

After Trunks' departure, Bulma focused all her attention on her phone and accepted the call.

"Bulma?" An old feminine voice asked. "They're coming today and... oh... I'm so sorry about asking you in such a short notice... but, please, I need someone by side." Her words were drowned out by her own sobs.

"Of course. I'll be there," Bulma quickly assured the woman, "but, why so soon?"

"I d-don't know."

"Hold on, I'll be there, just hang on." Bulma hung up and stuffed the phone her pocket. She quickly grabbed her jacket and opened a drawer on her desk. She turned the weapon in her hands, contemplating if she should bring it or not. With a sigh, she threw it into her purse and made a dash for the door.


Out in the Brief's front yard, Trunks walked slowly, unable to decide what to do for today since his mind kept going back to his conversation with his mother. She'd been acting... odd lately.

He wanted to indulge first before his life and responsibilities eventually caught up to him, but he didn't dare do anything that might upset his mother. He had actually meant to ask about Fort earlier but the forlorn look on his mother's features dissuaded him from doing so.

The powerful sound of an engine alerted him to the arrival of a navy blue sports car. He immediately recognised it as his father's. Trunks could also sense his sister's ki inside the vehicle.

Vegeta drove the car towards the garage. Just as he was about to enter, a sleek black car emblazoned with a red dragon emerged. Trunks watched from a distance. He was unable to hear the brief conversation between his mother and father. Bulma must've been in a hurry because she sped right out the driveway and into the street, ignoring the numerous honks that followed.

Curious, Trunks entered the house and waited in the living room for his father. A few minutes later, Vegeta appeared, carrying his black leather jacket, which he tossed on the couch.

"Hey, Dad. Where was Mom going?"

"According to your mother, she was heading to Fort's house." Vegeta stared at his son and asked, "Why the hell was she in such a hurry?"

Trunks gave him a stunned look. "You haven't heard? Greg was killed last night and his body was just dumped in the water."

"What?" A tiny voice asked.

The two male saiyans turned to the blue haired girl, clutching a small bag with a surprised look on her face.

"Greg's... dead, Bulla," Trunks repeated.

"Why?" Was her simple reply.

"Uh..." Trunks was at loss at how to explain the grisly incident to his innocent kid sister.

"Go upstairs and change, Bulla" Vegeta commanded.

"But-"

"Go, Bulla," her father said a little more forcefully this time, "Were going out for ice cream." That seemed to distract her but it still did not disperse the worried expression on her face. Bulla silently climbed the stairs up to her room.

"How did he die?" Vegeta asked once he was sure his daughter couldn't hear them.

Trunks shrugged. " I don't know the details for sure. Hold on, let's see..." He picked up the remote to turn on the TV and was immediately shown of a news report featuring Gregory Fort's death.

Vegeta never really cared much for humans in general, but Fort was an exception. He would never admit it out loud, but, deep inside, he was grateful for all the things the small, grey haired man had done for his family. After Dr. Briefs death, he had provided the moral support Bulma and her mother desperately needed. After witnessing her own father murdered, Bulma's nights had been plagued with nightmares and her days filled with sorrow and guilt.

Vegeta owed it to Fort to finally be able to find a psychiatrist that aided in Bulma's recovery, he took her around the world to spiritual temples, hoping it may put her at rest. Over the years, Vegeta's admiration and respect grew for that man. Now, as he stared at the screen, he felt... deeply disturbed by what had happened.

The news anchor said something that made Vegeta sit up straight and made Trunks feel a chill go down his spine.

"... was found last night, but it was not until today that we have recieved confirmation of his death. According to official reports from the Vengela Police Department, the injuries found on his body could not have been possibly inflicted by a human bieng. Three long and deep scratch marks were found on his back. His wrists and ankles bore unusual bruised marks. Residents of Vengela City reported sightings of strange bright lights during-"

Vegeta quickly picked up the remote control and switched off the TV as he felt his daughter's ki approaching. He and his son were both left in a numbing silence. Vegeta felt a very tangible anxiety creeping up. He ignored the confused look on his daughter's face as she entered.

"Bulla," Trunks said, acknowledging the little girl, "wanna watch some TV with me?"

Bulla turned her attention to her brother. "But I thought we were gonna buy ice cream?""

Trunks gave a small laugh. "Oh, right. Well, let's go." Trunks extended his hand out to his sister and Bulla immediately latched onto it.

"Daddy? Aren't you gonna come with us?"

Vegeta remained seated, his face cold and stoic. "No, Bulla. I have to go see your mother. Trunks take care of your sister."

"Sure, Dad."

A few minutes after his children departed, Vegeta grabbed his jacket and climbed upstairs to his wife's home office. He went around the oak table and took a seat on the chair. Carefully, he opened the laptop, its screen slowly came to life. His calloused fingers began to tap away at the keyboard. There was something he had to confirm.

Vegeta could count on one hand the times he had used the internet. He could never fully understand why humans spent so much time on it, aside from the easy access of information, he found it quite boring.

In a couple of seconds he had immediately found what he was looking for. With a frown on his face, Vegeta read the article dated five years ago. His frown had now turned into a worried expression as he scrolled to the end of the page.

He was going to be honest and admit that Fort's death had saddened him a bit but that wasn't what made his stomach turn. It was the fact that a similar incident had occurred five years ago. Confirmed by the article he read, Vegeta knew for sure that when Dr. Briefs' body had been found in the middle of the road, it had possessed the same injuries Fort had. The same long scratch marks and the same peculiar bruises.

Without a word, Vegeta stood and stared at the window Bulma had been gazing at earlier. They were never able to track down the culprit responsible for Dr. Briefs' murder. He had to find his wife now.

In a few moments, Vegeta was airborne, headed towards Bulma.