Ch 37

"Hello."

"Goten, where are you? I tried your home and Bulma's," said a worried Gohan.

Goten looked out the window where the morning sun shined through and sighed. "What if I have to say isn't easy. Just don't be mad at me Gohan."

"I promise."

"I was attacked yesterday in an alley by five men on my way to Capsule Corp. They attached a ki bracelet to my wrist. I think they stole Bulma's original prototype and made one of their own."

"Are you all right? Where are you?"

"I'm safe Gohan. Trunks found me, apparently are bond is stronger than some saiyan ki bracelet."

"This seems planned by the way your talking Goten."

"Yeah, Trunks seems to think it was Mr. Rex's men, who were hired to kill me because his son was rejected rejected by me. I guess no one in that family has ever heard of rejection."

"Kill you! Goten, this is really serious. I know what the ki bracelet is capable of because Bulma explained to me a few moths ago when I came into her lab. That bracelet won't come off until the set day has passed. What is the time set at?"

"A year." He heard silence for what seemed a while. "Gohan?"

"That gives Mr. Rex's men many opportunities to finish the job Goten and in your current state, it's dangerous for you to be left alone. Who's with you now?"

"Bulma, Vegeta, Uub, and Bulla. Trunks was here, but he said he had to take care of some business."

"Ok good but eventually they're going to have to go back to their lives. Trunks has a business to run. He can't be with you all the time. We need someone who can be with you all the time, who's strong enough to protect you."

"The last thing I want to be is a burden Gohan. I don't want someone to disrupt their life for me."

"Well you won't have much of a life if you're dead Goten!" yelled Gohan as she sighed. "I'm sorry. I just—

"I know. I love you to Gohan."

"I got it! Dad!"

"I don't know Gohan. He and mom are starting to get their relationship back on track."

"I'm sure mom and dad won't mind when they know the reason why."

"Gohan."

"Goten, they have to know what's going on. Dad needs to know, so he can protect you accordingly."

"All right, you can tell them."

"It will be all right Goten. I'll call you back afterwards."

"Ok," he said as he hung up the phone and then lied slowly back down on the bed.

A few minutes later Gohan called back, and Goku appeared in the hotel room to see the wounds inflicted upon his son. He saw how Goten couldn't look him in the eye and as he sat down on the bed, he hugged his son. "Everything will be ok now."

Trunks walked the long pathway to the Rex mansion and rung the doorbell. He watched the door open to see a tall man in a suit with dark sunglasses. "What do you want?" asked the guard.

"I'm here to speak to Mr. Rex, and I know for a fact that he doesn't have any appointments today. There's no reason he has not to speak with me," he said as he watched the guard reach for his phone and make a call.

"Follow me," said the man as Trunks entered the home and followed the guard into the dinning room to see the whole family eating breakfast.

"Mr. Briefs is here to speak with you sir."

"Thank you," Mr. Rex said as he stood up, "you may go," he said as the guard left the room. "Now what brings you here?"

"You know why I'm here. Your men attacked my mate yesterday, nearly left him for dead. In fact you didn't succeed. You want to make him suffer before your men attempt to kill him, and it's all for your sorry excuse for son who's ego was bruised because my mate didn't want to sleep with him. How pitiful and pathetic is that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?" said Mr. Rex.

"Dad, please tell me you didn't," said Devin.

"Of course not son, I wouldn't do anything so cruel."

Trunks snorted. "Don't think I don't do my homework on my competition Mr. Rex? I know all about your history."

"Dad, whatever you've done, stop it now! It's not worth it."

"There's no proof what you're implying Mr. Briefs."

"I will find it. You're not the only one who has resources, but I know you stole my mother's ki bracelet and did something to it. If I have to tear down your whole house and your life, I will. My mate deserves justice and if it were up to me, I'd find those five men, kill them, and then kill you for what you're putting my mate through but he doesn't want that. His heart is pure and good and he wants justice in the right way."

Trunks turned his back on the family and let himself out. Before he made his way to the end of the path, Devin called his name. "Trunks wait!"

"What do you want? Haven't you caused enough damage?"

"I'm sorry Trunks. I didn't know my dad would go this far."

"So, you wanted him to do something to make my mate pay?"

"No, I wanted to get you out of the way but I guess my dad thought it would hurt you more if he had Goten killed."

"Goten is mine. If you cared about him at all in your own twisted way, then you'd help me bring your father down, just something to think about. Oh, and if my mate somehow dies, then I'm coming after you and your father. That's a promise."

"I'll do what I can Trunks. So, how is he doing?"

"He was beaten within an inch of his life and left in an alley to die. How do you think he's doing?"

"I never wanted this Trunks. You have to believe me."

"I do but what do you think would have happened if you got me out of the way as you so graciously put it? There's no way my mate would have turned to you. He's not stupid, but I can tell he would come after you and make you pay just as I would."

"I'll make it right somehow. I promise."

Trunks nodded, turned away from Devin, and walked away.

"So, valentines day is coming up? What are you guys going to do?" asked Goku as he turned to a lighter subject, which he knew his son appreciated.

"Well Satan City has their traditional Valentines celebration at the pier carnival with all the cool rides and game stands. Oh the food is so bad for you but it's amazing," said Bulla. "Uub and I are going. It's so much fun!"

"Carnival food, I love carnival food! I got to tell Chichi. She loves those games where you win a prize. I know we went to a carnival on one of our dates before Gohan and Goten were born."

"Wow, what a surprise, Kakarott likes food. God, you're predictable," said Vegeta as Bulma giggled.

"Oh, and what are you and Bulma doing for Valentine's Day, huh Vegeta?" Goku taunted.

"Whatever silly think Bulma comes up with."

"What silly thing did she come up with last Valentine's Day?" asked Goten.

Bulma blushed as Vegeta smirked. "Go on woman, tell him what we did."

"Shut up Vegeta! They don't need to know that!"

"What?" asked Goku.

"We had sex in every room of our house," said Vegeta as Bulma blushed, avoiding everyone's eyes.

"Wow, there's a lot of rooms in your house Bulma," said Goku.

"Oh, aren't you the observant one Kakarott."

"Wait, is that why you wanted Trunks and I out of the house? Don't tell me you had sex in our rooms."

"No, we spared your bedrooms thanks to your mother."

"Thank god," said Bulla. "Anyway, Goten, what are you and my brother doing on Valentine's Day. It's your first one as a couple."

"I really haven't thought about it. With Valese I took her out to dinner and then a movie. I bought her candy and flowers because that's what she wanted."

"Well you don't have to worry. I'm sure my brother will come up with something to make you feel special. He cares so much about you."

"I care about him to Bulla," he said as he blushed. "You know I feel embarrassed when he dotes on me."

"Get use to it," said Bulma. "You're bonded now. He wants to take care of you and wants to make sure you feel safe and protected."

"I've always felt that way with him around, even before the bond was made, but I want to be those things for him to. Right now I don't feel that way. I love him so much, and—

"I love you to chibi," said Trunks as he came through the door. "Hey Goku, I guess Goten told you about what happened," he said as Trunks sat beside his mate on the bed.

"Yeah, Gohan talked to Goten on the phone. He explained everything to my wife, the Ox King, Videl, and Pan. They feel bad for Goten, but they're reassured because I told them I would be here to help you protect him."

"I can protect my own mate Goku!"

"I know Trunks, but you have a job to do. We'll switch off when your workday is over. Deal?" Trunks nodded as he looked to his mate, who was worried for him.

When Trunks closed the door behind his family and Goku, he turned away from the door to his mate's worried look once again, not for his own safety but for him. Sitting on the bed in front of his mate, he took his hand. "What are you thinking chibi?"

"I don't feel right being looked after like I'm a child. I don't want to be a burden to your, my family, or yours."

"You've never been a burden to anyone. Goten, we care about you so much," Trunks said as Goten lied down with his head on Trunks' chest. His arms went around his chibi. "I love you."

"I love you to Trunks," he said as he raised his head, kissed Trunks on the cheek, and lied back down on his chest. "So, where did you go this morning?"

"Rex Mansion. Of course Mr. Rex denied having anything to do with what happened to you but I could tell he was lying. The whole thing shocked Devin. He said he would he where he could, but I also have people. We're going to get that ki bracelet back, and those men are going to pay for what they've done."

"You need to relax Trunks. Everything will workout. Anyway while you were gone, my dad asked everyone what they were doing for Valentine's Day."

"Oh no," groaned Trunks.

"Yep, your dad spilled the beans of what him and your mom did last Valentine's Day."

"At least my bedroom was spared. I can't say the same for my eyes."

"Oh no!" Goten laughed.

"It's not funny. I came home from my date early, and I saw them in the kitchen."

"Poor, poor Trunks."

Trunks smiled. "Anyway, I don't like Valentine's Day. One day out of the year where you show someone you care. It's stupid. Everyday should be Valentine's Day."

"That's sweet Trunks. So, you don't want to do anything special tomorrow?"

"Now, I didn't say that chibi, did I chibi," said Trunks as he smirked until he felt Goten's nervousness.

"What are you worried about?"

"What if I can't keep up? My ki is at the stage of a regular human."

"We don't have to have sex Goten. I mean our first time wasn't exactly romantic, but the last thing I want to do is force you into something you're uncomfortable with. We could stay here, cuddle, make out, and have tons of room service. This hotel offers a lot of fun things we can do together chibi."

"What are you the spokes person for the hotel?"

"I like this hotel. I spent a lot of times in this very room."

"Oh," Goten blushed.

"No, not that! I never brought women here. I brought my work here and to be alone from the world at times when my life was overwhelming."

"Well I'm glad you had a place Trunks," he said as he hugged Trunks' waist.

"You're safe here with me chibi. Nothing is going to happen to you," he said as he kissed the top of his mate's head.

Goten smiled as he closed his eyes. "You're safe here with me to Trunks. I want you to know that even though I can't protect you physically right now, I'll always be here for you to talk to."

"Thank you chibi," said Trunks as he felt his eyes close.