***Chapter 23***
''Vegeta, he's been holed up in his old room for almost two weeks.'' Bulma said from her seat at the kitchen table.
''He needs time, Bulma. It will take time.'' The Saiyan King replied as he stood against the wall.
''He barely eats, barely sleeps… I'm worried we're slowly losing him.''
''The boy is strong; he will learn to navigate around his pain. Through it.''
Her eyes watered. ''I miss her Vegeta. I can't believe she's gone.'' The scientist had lost many loved ones throughout the years, including her own husband. Every time it had hurt like a stab through the heart but every time, they had figured out a way to bring them back to the world of the living. This time it felt final. Beerus and Whis had not visited since that dreadful day. Shin had come by, holding a little green sprout in a light pink pot. It was meant for Trunks, but the boy wouldn't come out or even answer. They knew he was still breathing only because Vegeta could sense his Ki. ''Do you think he'll come out today? If only we could take a bit of his pain away… Will he be ok with time?''
Vegeta could only imagine the sorrow his son was feeling. He had witnessed his whole planet's demise, almost exterminating his whole race. He had faced the idea of losing Bulma. The mere idea had hurt more than any wound he'd ever had to heal from, including the fatal ones he had to be brought back from. He had watched Earth blow up, taking his loved ones with it. Every time he had kept a sliver of hope. A tiny dim light that led him back out of the darkness. He was a man of few words, but he was never speechless. ''I don't know.'' He admitted looking at his wife. Dropping his gaze to the ground, he added. ''I'm not sure.'' The statement answered both her questions.
The days were rolling by; Trunks had lost any sense of time. The days mixing with the nights. He didn't sleep. He couldn't. She wasn't there anymore. She made the nightmares go away, but she wasn't there anymore. He sat on the floor of his old room. Where he had sat with her after she had come back, the first time she had run away, thinking they wouldn't love her anymore. Thinking he wouldn't love her anymore. He could see her every time he closed his eyes. She was smiling at him. He remembered how she had looked on their Ferris Wheel date. She had seemed peaceful and truly happy. He remembered how she had looked up at the stars on their cliff the first time and every time after that.
He hadn't been back to their apartment since that day. He couldn't. He knew everything would feel different because she wasn't there anymore. He couldn't bear the reminders of her there. Her scent filled their home, covered their bed. The memories of everything they shared and the thought of what they had planned but would never get to do.
He felt Goku's Ki nearby. He had just appeared with ChiChi and Goten. Gohan, Videl and Pan were also with them. Pan… Akira loved Pan so much. The others started arriving at short intervals. He vaguely remembered his father and mother telling him, from behind his closed door, that they would reunite to honor Akira and plant the tree Shin had brought as a memory of her. It was her own tree. She had succeeded in creating it through her training using only her Kai powers. It was a while ago, the tiny stem holding two green leaves, remaining small in the pot. Shin had said the tree would grow to its final size once planted and rooted. Piccolo, Krillin, 18 and even Yamcha had joined the others. He could feel the puny Ki's of Valese and Amaya against his younger self's and Goten's stronger ones. He felt Goku's energy vanish and reappear moments later. Trunks' head shot up at the new signatures that arrived with his friend's father.
Broly.
They all stood in silence. Unable to find the right words. There were no right words. Vegeta rubbed his face with his gloved hands. He felt completely useless, powerless in this situation. He could tell Goku felt the same way. It was their responsibility to protect Earth, their Universe and they had failed to protect her. He brought his hands back down and lifted his head, turning his gaze to the door. Trunks was standing in the doorway. He was unsure if the boy would actually come out or run back in, to his solitude. Trunks didn't seem to know either, looking around at all the familiar faces, his eyes blank, empty of any emotion.
''Trunks.'' The lavender-haired man looked at the figure that now stood in front of him. It was Broly. The young man wished the Super Saiyan would blame him for her death, taking his anger out on him. Maybe the physical pain he would inflict on him would overshadow the misery filling his heart and mind. His wish was not going to happen. Broly's eyes blurred behind curtains of tears. He held them back. He struggled to find his words. There was nothing either one could say that would make them feel better. That would take some of their pain away. Trunks had heard most of the conversations of the past two weeks. He remembered Goku and Vegeta telling Bulma about Broly's reaction to the news. They guessed Akira had told him the same lie she had told them. 5 days. Making sure he wouldn't show up and put himself in danger. The two full blooded Saiyans couldn't afford to wait for his arrival here to break the news. They had traveled to Planet Sadala.
When they appeared in the middle of his living room, Broly had instantly known something was wrong. He could easily tell from their Ki and the looks on their faces. He knew something had happened to Akira. He tried pushing his anger down. ''What happened.'' He growled. It wasn't a question; it was an order to start speaking. Kale had appeared next to him, sensing her mate's angst.
''Broly… maybe we should step outside?'' Goku started. He needed to get Broly away from anything he could destroy in his rage.
''WHAT HAPPENED.'' The green dressed Saiyan was having none of it. Vegeta and Goku had known this would be extremely difficult, especially while trying to navigate through their own sorrow. Broly was only getting angrier by the second, Kale had started crying adding to her mate's rage. He was breathing fast, a green haze subtly covering his body. Vegeta looked down and shook his head slowly. He knew Broly would understand and he did. He understood that Akira was no more. His breathing caught in his throat for a moment. Kale wrapped herself around her husband's arm as if to ground him to reality. To remind him of what was around him, in hopes of tempering his anger down, but also to hold on from completely breaking apart. To his credit, Broly managed to listen to their recount of the events without completely losing control. The Legendary Super Saiyan had needed a few days away from everyone and everything to come to terms with the loss of the only sister he ever had.
He was now standing in front of him. Trunks had yet to lift his gaze to face the man. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to step away. He did not want to be touched. He did not want to be near anyone. Just her. But that wasn't an option anymore. He followed the hand up to its rightful owner. Broly had stepped closer to him. ''She's gone, Broly.'' He whispered, almost to himself.
''I know and I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.'' The confession surprised Trunks. Broly hadn't even been there for the whole ordeal and he still blamed himself? ''I should have known. When she came to see me after your huge fight. The things she was saying… I should have known.''
''She went to see you? After Whis' visit?''
''Wait. Whis came alone?'' They were slowly putting the pieces together.
''Son of a bitch!'' Vegeta had been listening. ''That's what he must have told her when he came. Beerus said it was her destiny. That's why she blew up and pushed everyone away. He told her what was coming.''
''But she came back…'' Trunks' voice was barely audible.
''She came to me and Kale that day. She was completely broken. I had never seen her like that. She was scared and confused. Now I realize she was searching for the best plan of action to protect us. All of us, but mainly you. The last time she showed up on Sadala had felt like a final goodbye… but I… '' His voice faltered.
''It's not your fault Broly. No one else realized what was happening either.'' Goku offered.
''We did.'' Broly's words caught them off guard. ''I.. did. But we all refused to listen. She always said she wouldn't let him hurt any of us. We knew there wasn't a price she wouldn't pay to assure our safety.''
Trunks had heard enough. He couldn't do this. Couldn't just stand there and listen to them talking about her in the past. It hurt too much. As he turned on his heel to go back to his solitude, he heard Gohan's voice. ''Trunks… she came to see me too that day.'' The other man stopped in his tracks, turning back around to face his best friend.
''What did you say, Gohan?''
''Akira.. she came to see me, I guess after visiting Broly….'' The black-haired hybrid was searching for the words that would least pain his friend though he knew there was no way he could explain without causing massive damage. He took off his glasses. ''She showed up at the door, but she wasn't there to see Videl. It's me she wanted to speak to.''
Videl was hearing this for the first time as well, a shocked look took over her features. She couldn't believe Gohan hadn't told her any of this before.
Seeing the feeling of betrayal on his wife's face, the tall man continued. ''I'm sorry. She made me promise…. She asked me to… catch you when you fell. I didn't understand what she meant back then. I figured she was asking me to just take care of you when you needed someone. But that day, on the battlefield… she… meant it literally…''
''That's why you broke my fall?'' Trunks passed his hands through his hair. He wanted to pull at his own locks in despair. ''THAT'S WHY YOU HELD ME BACK? THAT'S WHY YOU DIDN'T FUCKING LET ME GET TO HER? TO TRY AND SAVE HER!'' He was angry. He felt betrayed by his own friend.
''YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE HER TRUNKS!'' Gohan shouted back. ''None of us could. You know that. You know if there had been any other way I would have fought by your side till the end!''
''BUT YOU DIDN'T! YOU HELD ME BACK!''
''SHE MADE ME PROMISE TRUNKS! YOU WOULD HAVE DIED!''
''Then at least I wouldn't have had to live without her.'' The confession came out of his mouth before he could stop it. Bulma whimpered at the sound of her son's words.
''FUCK YOU TRUNKS!'' Everyone looked in dismay at Gohan.
''That's enough Gohan.'' Goku tried to calm his son down.
''NO! IT'S NOT! YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE HURTING? LOOK AROUND YOU TRUNKS! FOR ONCE, LOOK AROUND YOU. DON'T YOU THINK THE GUILT HAS BEEN EATING AT ME EVER SINCE? YES, I HELD YOU BACK BECAUSE I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS DYING OR LOSING YOU BOTH.'' He stopped when he heard Pan's wails. His daughter was clinging to her mom. ''I couldn't break the promise I had made to her. Not when she was putting everything on the line to save us. To save you. I've had to live with this guilt since and it's eating at me Trunks. I miss her too but I know it's nothing compared to what you are feeling. We lost her. YOU lost her, your mate, the love of your life and I took away your chance of fighting for her. I'm sorry. If you can never forgive me I would understand.''
Trunks turned around again, he couldn't stay a single second more. ''She.. gave me this for you.'' Facing his counterpart yet again, he realized Gohan was holding a letter. ''She said to only give it to you if anything ever happened to her.''
Trunks slowly took the letter that was being handed to him. It was from her, he wouldn't dare snatching it out, risking it ripping. Before anyone could add anything, he launched himself in the air. He needed to get away. Get away from everyone. Get away from Gohan.
He landed on their familiar cliff. They had rarely gone there during the day but when they had they spent hours watching the ocean. Listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. She would sit between his legs, resting her back on his body letting him nuzzle her hair and neck to breathe in her scent. Sometimes they would talk, sometimes they had been completely silent. This was where they had shared their first kiss. Where they had made love. Where they had made plans for the future. A future that would never come. He sat at the edge for a moment before finally opening the letter.
Love of my life. My Prince. My Trunks.
I know you must be sitting on our cliff to read this alone. I know you are angry with Gohan, with the world. Angry with me. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive him. I left him no choice. So if you need to blame someone, blame me.
Be angry with me. Resent me. I chose this path for both of us. I know you are hurting, but I do not regret anything. There were no other imaginable possibilities in my mind. In my heart. I chose you. And I could never regret choosing you.
I would choose you every single time. You showed me the meaning of life. The meaning of love. Because of you, I experienced happiness and serenity when all I had known was sadness and chaos. I had no purpose, no reason to exist, until I came here. Until you.
Despise me if you must, but please never doubt my love for you. You were everything to me. The thought of losing you was too hard to bear. There was no possible outcome where we both lived. I chose for you. I chose life for you. Because death for us both was unimaginable. I said there was no future for us, but there is one for you. I want there to be one for you.
I know you are hurting now. I know you loved me just as much as I loved you. But you must keep moving forward. For me. For the future we imagined for us. I need to know you will one day find happiness again. Find love again. I need to know you'll be able to eventually move on. I don't want you mourning your life away. You've done enough of that already. This life, this world is amazingly beautiful and you got a second chance at life. Real life. With a family and friends and peace! Don't blow it on a broken heart. Let another woman in, let her take my place and give her everything you would have given me if I had lived. Make her your wife. You deserve to have a Mrs. Briefs who will raise your children and love you as much as I have.
Thank you for loving me. Thank you for letting me love you. Thank you for finding the good in me. I know now, that from my very first day until my last breath, I have loved you. And I will continue to love you, only you, even in the afterlife wherever that may be.
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for lying and deceiving you but I will not apologize for it. I wanted to protect you and I would choose this every single time.
I love you Trunks Vegeta Briefs
A part of me will forever be with you
To protect you, to guide you, to love you
Forever yours,
Your Ki x